Authors Note-

Hey guys! Im trying to update earlier this time. I can see how much some of you have missed me, and again, i appreciate the PM's asking where i was and begging me to continue. i would never drop this story, its just to far along to not give it an ending. Thanks for the reviews as well. I noticed that several of you guys out there are still reading. And surprisingly I'm still getting favorites and subscriptions.

So I'm thinking 4-5 more chapters. Give or take depending on how this turns out. So please keep your hands and arms in the car at all times, and lets get started!

Chapter 26-

Derek's head snapped up, green eyes in a frenzy to find her blue ones. And when he found them, he could see all the sincerety and truth that existed in this cruel world reside in those glassy pools. But they also confused him. The way they seemed to fog over, even though her complection of fondness was easilly distinguished, she looked pained and sad. Her selflessness angered him. She was being compliant, and he didn't deserve that.

"You can't just say that for me Chlo-"

"But I mean it," She hiccupped and Derek could see the reason her eyes were so glassy. Tears started to bubble up to her rims, along with his exstatic anxiousness.

'No, please don't cry.' Derek swallowed his words nervously, and he could feel his palms get sweaty.

"Chloe-" He reached for her hesitantly, hands laying themselves symmetrically along either side of her face. He used his thumb to brush away a tear threatening to fall. She kept his eyes, and they held so much of her thoughts. They seemed to widen as if realizing something. "Don't-" Derek closed his mouth, now wishing for the word vomit because he didn't know what to do. He's only had to comfort her a couple times and at that point she wasn't crying... but this was different. He made her cry. "Don't be upset."

"Upset?' Chloe squeaked behind a release of jagged breath. It sounded like a sob that broke into a shakey nervouse laugh. "No, Derek, I'm not upset. I'm just-" She stared intently into his eyes again, and gave another laugh, all her features brightening as her lips pulled back in a small smile.

Chloe's heart had never skipped so fast. Her entire frame shook, but not of fear, pain, or sorrow. She was just so bouncy. Giddy. Derek's words, the more he said the more Chloe realized how much they rang true. They opened her eyes, as if the more he blurted out to her, the more real it become, the more sense it made. And that gave her all the more reason to accept it, to physically, mentally, and psychologically believe it.

She was Derek's mate.

The old Chloe, would never accept this. Her shy demeaner would send her into a hurricane of stutters. Her face would turn bright red, and when a discussion of 'Love' presented itself to her the first thing she would think about was sex, which she immediately casted out. She had barely had her first period for God's sake.

But it was like Derek had said. This was on an entirely different level than if she had fallen in love with someone else. She would never, ever, feel this way for someone else. It would be physically impossible to have this connection with someone other than Derek. And Chloe couldn't even imagine it differently either way.

Like his, her own world, her old life seemed to have disappeared, bringing upon a new one that involved Derek in so many ways. She was an entirely different person, with a different life, and a different view on things.

Things like being made to have a connection with a werewolf so strong it might as well have been made with steel chords instead of metaphorical strings.

Derek was able to read all the answers in her eyes. Good thing because for the one thing he was actually able to concentrate on was the center of his universe, and she was fairly easy to read. Without even thinking, he pulled her face to his, and slanted his lips over hers.

The desperation no longer existed. The feeling of attempting a mutual agreement and understanding was just no longer needed. Chloe knew what she was to him now, which made their kiss less of a fight for that explanation to be heard.

Instead the kiss was gentle, and sweet in a rhythem of tender pecks. Chloe melted under his strength while Derek fell more into place in her orbit. The wolf's rumbled pur was a sound of content. Chloe immediately burried herself into Dereks exposed chest when the kiss was broken. Derek simply caged her against himself, and smiled when she mumbled something about how warm he was.

But to Derek's aggitation and little patience... every moment he had with his mate was interrupted.

The plane gave another violent jerk, but this time the feel of gliding was lost. The metal floor began to vibrate as if strained instead of effortlessly passing through the air. Derek cursed.

"We're landing." Chloe casted her view up to his face, easilly concerned.

"Where?"

"Back in New York for sure. I can't hear past the wall, the metal is too thick." Derek detangled himself from Chloe, all but releasing her hand as he stood taking a second to glance around. "We need a way to get out of here."

Chloe nodded, racking her own brains while observing her surroundings. There wasn't much to work with, just the crates. And if Derek wanted to he could break open one but sure enough by the size and quality of the plane, Chloe was sure it was filled with irrigation and crop equipment. Nothing really helpfull as to getting them out.

She made an effort to stand to, using Derek's statue like build and weight to hoist her up. But as soon as she did the walls began to spin around her.

Derek wasn't sure if he was thinking too much, as usual, or it was how stuffy and claustrophobic he was starting to feel in this confined space, but his head started to throb uncomfortably. Though his concentration on the pain was disconnected as he noticed Chloe begin to fall out of his peripheral vision.

"Hey, hey-" He held his grip a little tighter on Chloe's hand and grabbed her other arm to steady her before she could collapse. Her eyes fogged for a moment before clearing and focussd again. "You alright?"

"Yeah- I just got up too fast." She held onto Derek a little tighter, afraid that if she were to let go that she would faint.

"You're not okay. We need to get you out of here and you need to see someone about this."

"And what about you? You just changed and-" His look shut her up. When would she learn that he was the least of his worries? But still, she wasn't the only one in need of help at the moment. And if being compliant will benefit him later anyways than she might as well as keep her mouth shut and keep from arguing.

The plane swayed inconspicuously, but the noise that followed made it fairly obvious as to what was going on. The sound of metal hitting metal and the bounce of the plane loosing weight. Their captors were disembarking.

"We're running out of time," Derek growled, mostly to himself. Chloe frantically glanced around, her eyes falling against her make-shift bed she had woken up on not a half an hour before.

"Derek, do they know you're here?"

"No-"

"Then hide!" Chloe quickly manuevered herself from his grasp and lunged towards the ramp-like door.

"Chloe what're you-"

"Hide, and follow my lead!" There was loud shriek of metals scraping against each other and it rang through the back of the plane. The door started to creak open.

"Chloe-"

"Help," Chloe screamed, banging her fists against the metal door. It continued to peak wider as the ramp decended. " Please, I-I'm lost! Please help!"

Light broke through making Chloe squint against the bright rays. As the door decended she could see three shadowed sillouettes. She took a chance to sneak a peak back in the storage of the plane. Derek wasn't in clear sight, meaning he understood what she was up to. Perhaps he thought it was a good plan, or he was just pissed, out of recources and out of time, so he had to play along on impulse. Something Derek did not like doing.

Chloe quickly gave her attention back to her captors, the door hit the ground with a cranky thud and she blinked against the light. She took in a deep breath before putting on her most achieving show. "Please" she shrilled, with a few exxagerated breathes and frantic eyes. " I d-d-dont know where I-I am. What's g-going on?"

Chloe easilly recognized Margaret first, and her flitting eyes reflected her nervous edgyness easilly. Russel also released a frustrated sigh. They didn't want her to be concious when they took her in. They knew what she was capable of. So what Chloe had to watch out for was a needle with their powerful drugs of sedation.

"Chloe dear-" Dear? Chloe gave the best innocent face she could muster.

"C-Chloe?"

Margaret's brows furrowed at Chloe's fake confusion. She gave a questioning glance to Russel who returned it. To clarify only a little and to get out of any situation that might occure from this Chloe added, "w-who's Chloe?"

Behind the largest stack of crates Derek sighed silently and rolled his eyes. Amnesia? Her bright idea was faking amnesia?

Its better than what you had.

Right, which was absolutely nothing.

Chloe noticed realization in Margaret's eyes, and whatever she was thinking, well she liked it and that made Chloe nervous. Margaret turned to the third stranger, a man Chloe did not recognize, eyes wide in mock worry. "Oh my, Russel, she doesn't remember. Chloe dear. Please listen to me. Its your aunt Margaret, we're trying to help you. You need to see a doctor sweety." In all this Margaret rushed up the ramp to take her wrist and graciously pat her hand, while Russel followed close behind. Chloe feeling actual anxiety of them getting closer took a few steps back, sliding her hand out of between Margaret's.

Margaret tsk'd, shaking her head in a disaproving manner. She followed Chloe, intending on cornering her into the plane, eyes flashing menacingly.

"Come now dear. You don't want your father to worry now do you?"

"No," Chloe cried out, then covered her mouth. Such a knee-jerk reaction, but it was too late. Margaret got her to crack so easilly. She wasn't stupid.

"Then you will come with us quietly,' she whispered in a hoarse voice. Margaret cuffed her hand around Chloe's wrist, fingers squeezing in an iron grip that sent a discomforting vibration through the scarring cuts the Dream Walker had inflicted on her almost a week ago. Chloe squeaked, mind going blank from frantic thoughts. Her head throbbed mercilessly.

"Margaret," Russel called, his tone horrified. And Chloe knew why instantly when a dark shadow fell over the two of them from behind her.

Too fast, Derek had a hold on Margaret's upper arm, ripping her feet from the ground and her grip on Chloe's wrist only to throw her into the advancing Russel. They rolled down the ramp into the blinding light. Falling into a heap on the ground of their unknown landing station.

"Hey, what's going on?" It was the third man, the one Chloe didn't recognize. And by the looks of it, he didn't really recognize Derek either. Because as soon as he saw Derek advance on him, who's face was twisted in anger, he tripped over himself and stumbled backwards... he disappeared into the light- only to have another figure materialize in his place.

Lifeless grey eyes found Chloe's fear-filled ones. They bore through her, as if attempting to mentally will her death. No one had ever stared at her with such hate filled eyes. Not even Tori.

Davidoff raised a pale arm, a silver object glinted in his hand. For a moment he pointed the barrel at her... and she stared at it like it was the last thing she would ever see.

"Chloe?" As soon as Derek dropped his gaurd and turned to her; for he couldn't see Davidoff and didn't notice the gun, Davidoff quickly shifted the gun in his direction.

"No!" Chloe screamed. She lunged in front of Derek, suddenly filled with all the strength in the world and she managed to shove him a few inches back. Chloe would never be able to understand how and when she decided to take any of her actions. They just happened. Derek stumbled back, and Chloe lashed her arm out in Davidoff's direction, her thoughts focussed on pushing Davidoff back. And the one place she could think of was the old lab, where she had seen him last. The place she had killed him.

As if an effect of her arms movement, Davidoff shot backwards... Then fazed and vanished.

There was a earsplitting crack that echoed along the metal walls of the plane just as something grabbed Chloe's sleeve and yanked her to the ground. Behind her a crate exploded into a shower of splinters.

"Are you insane!"

Derek then proceded to drag her behind another pile of crates by a bundle of her sleeve, before setting her down and scanning back around their shelter for another shot.

"He's gone. I did a reverse summon and he vanished. We're fine... For now. We really need to-"

"Chloe," Derek snapped. Chloe jumped from the harshness in his voice. He let his eyes fall back to her. Hard and angry. "Don't ever do that again."

"But-"

"I don't care what happens to me Chloe-"

"Clearly."

"Never take a shot for me, Chloe. Got it?" He was using a tone barely above a normal octave for talking, it was the most authoritive tone he had ever used on her. And for once she almost felt like it was impossible to argue. But then again, that instinct she had, where her mind went completely blank and her body seemed to react on its own... that was impossible to ignore. Almost as if it was physically impossible not to react to it.

She saw Derek in danger, someone she loved. Someone she was meant to be with... her mate. Chloe wondered if that's how Derek felt. Maybe she had just gotten her own taste of Derek's instincts.

Chloe nodded, which only recieved her a roll of Derek's eyes; meaning he didn't believe for one second that she was really agreeing but only complying. He turned away with a set jaw and glanced around the corner again.

"Those two are unconcious, for now. The same goes for Davidoff. He'll find his way back right? Or if Margaret wakes up she can summon him here."

"Yes, so we-"

"-need to go," Derek finished. He grabbed Chloe's hand, and took another glance around the crate to see if anyone else had arrived after the commotion. They weren't exactly sure where they were, but there was that possibility. Derek sampled the air and his eyes hardened even more, if that was possible at this point. Then he swiftly tugged Chloe out from behind the crates and out onto the ramp.

Chloe had expected to land in an airport, or a field even. Her imagination hardly stretched to their departure being the reality of possibly the biggest hospital in New York. Chloe had never stepped foot in New York city, so its vast sea of skyscrapers took its toll of shock on her already overwhelmed mind. In all her moves her father had kept to smaller suburban areas, like Buffalo for example. New York city was out of her league.

The skyscraping hospital had a large enough surface area in width to safely land the plane on. Plus the building's status was explanitory to understand that this particular landing was an emergency instead of a national threat. Derek, as if he could physically sense Chloe's anxiety, laced his fingers between hers and pulled her across the rooftop, letting out an occasional curse every few seconds. Each time his nostrils flared.

" What's wrong?" Chloe checked behind her to see if it was Margaret or Russel waking up that kept him on edge, but they remained unconcious in the heap they landed in at the bottom of the ramp.

"The Cabal isn't just an organization of sorcerers apparently. This is a hospital Chloe, more like a laboritory in disguise but still. It's crawling with scientists. It makes me think that-"

"There was more than just the Genesis projects."

"Yeah. Like Royce told you, we aren't the only ones. Before I doubted that, but now... It looks like there is more than just the Edison group. While they are a failed attempt, there seems to be plenty more groups to fill that space. And they are all ran and funded by the Cabal and Nasts, and possibly more."

"So if the Edison group was a failure, than why do they still want us?" Derek had lead them to a shed-like addition on the roof. Obviously it was the entrance to the stair-well. He stopped there in front of the door, brows furrowing as he asked himself the same question.

"My dad was right. It's all about exposure. The Cabal doesn't want us to lay out a red carpet to the supernatural world. And they won't hesitate to kill us."

"Us? What do you mean by us?" The way he had said that word concerned Chloe. The inflection, it was off. Derek looked off into the city.

"By us I mean Simon, Tori, and I. Jackson too, and anyone else like us. Bryce, my dad. Anyone on the run, anyone trying to escape. Anyone who is a threat of exposure."

"And... w-what about me." Derek inhaled, eyes finally falling onto Chloe's face.

"I think they want to keep you in case we are exposed." For a minute it was silent as the words sunk in. Chloe could feel her brows pinch together quizically, and she noted how Derek's eyes looked between her and anything else, his forehead creased as if he was concentrating. He did this when he was thinking of something, shifting through all the facts, turning it over and over in his head. He did this when he had an inkling, an idea. One that was usually unrational until he figured out how to make it rational. And the more he thought, the more firm his facial features got. His hand tightening around Chloe's. It made her feel uneasy. More so than she already was.

He was thinking about why they didn't want to kill her. If that was true.

No it was tue... because if they had wanted her dead like everyone else... she would already be gone.

Suddenly Derek's head snapped up in the door's direction. For a second Chloe thought he had come to a revalation in his thoughts. Like he figured something out.

"Derek?"

But then he cocked his head to the side, as if he heard something...

He cursed and yanked the door open in a flurry of movement that left Chloe dazed. And they were racing down the stairs.

"Derek-"

"That St. Cloude guy they wanted to deliver us to. He's here." Derek said as he bounded floor after floor, Chloe tripping over herself nearly every step. She was surprised she had not fallen yet. Chloe glanced at one of the floor doors just as they were passing. Floor 52.

"You don't plan on taking the stairs the whole way down right? And how do you know he's here?"

"The pilot. The man that ran away. He ran in here and demanded help. A scientist asked for some information and he gave him your name. They have radios. And they're calling for St. Cloude. And soon a lockdown of the entire hospital. I don't know or care how we do it, but we need to get out of here."

Chloe noticed how Derek tilted his head towards each door they passed. Looking and listening for an opurtunity to get through and hopefully he was planning to find an elevator.

"Wait," Chloe called. She tugged Derek to the door of the 48th fllor they had just passed. "No one is in this hallway." She had noticed through the open windows that people in white lab coat or dark business suit were passing by in the halls. But this one was empty.

"No." Derek pulled Chloe away already heading towards the 47th floor.

"But-"

"Chloe the stair-well is the only spot in this entire hospital without cameras. As soon as we get into one of those hallways security will see us. And they have radios. If we by chance make it to an elevator then the security will see what floor we plan to land on. And the Cabal will be waiting for us there."

"Alright, but what if they find us in here-"

"Hey!" Derek and Chloe threw their heads in the direction of the call. They both stopped breifly in the middle of the stairs down to floor 43.

A younger man in a suit was leaning over the railing, possibly five floors above them. He pulled up a radio.

"Damn it." Derek hardly gave the man time to call in before he was dragging Chloe down the strairs again.

"Hey! Don't move!" A giant bolt of energy shot in front of Derek who stopped before he ran into the line of fire, causing Chloe to run right into his back. She fell, her side hitting the landing of floor 43 just passed the stairs. Her arms and legs locked together and she felt her body grow rigid. It was a binding spell.

"Don't move! You take one step dog and I'll blow her to Canada. You stay right where you are!"

"Kent! You got them?" Chloe was stuck on the ground so she wasn't able to see. She couldn't move her head to catch sight of anything. Instead her cheek lay agaisnt the cold concrete, and her body was helpless there on the ground. The fall gave an extra boost to the throbbing producing on the back of her head. All Chloe could do was lay and listen, and hope that Derek was thinking of a plan.

The man's voice, the one that called for the sorcerer he called Kent, had come from below. Only a few floors down. They were cornered. Their only option, if Derek could get them through it was the hall on the 43rd floor.

"I said don't move!" Chloe could see Derek shaking out of her peripheral vision. "Yeah, Leo they are on the 43rd floor. Just a few floors above you! I'll- Stay put dog! Did you think I was bluffing?"

...And suddenly Chloe was blinded by a white hot pain. Only later would she identify that it wasn't fire... but ice.

This wasn't the work of a sorcerer.

This was the work of a ghost.

Alright! What do you guys think? Review please!

Also I was wondering. I have been working on my own novel and I really need some feedback. Good critical feedback. I'm willing to give a 1st chapter preview for that! Is anyone up for it? I can just post it in addition to the next chapter!