"You're sure he didn't hurt you?" I sighed.

Darren and I were currently in my father's trailer, discussing the previous events. "Yes, Darren. I'm fine." I said for what felt like the hundredth time. Darren frowned and stopped his nervous pacing long enough to stare at me confused. "He just…kissed you?" He asked, shocked and a bit angry. I nodded. "Yeah, it was really weird. I honestly believed that he still hated me…" I hesitated. Darren noticed.

"What? Did something happen?" I frowned. "He kept saying we…he said 'We hate you' and 'We want to kill you'" I looked up at him. "I think he's going mad, Darren. He's not doing this of his own will, I'm absolutely certain of it now." I urged. Darren sighed and sat next to me on the coffin we shared, wrapping his arms around my waist. "I guess." He murmured. I sighed.

"I just wish I knew how he snuck past Eric and Vancha…" he trailed off. "Mr. Tiny has ways of doing things." I muttered, thinking of our late mentor. I bit my lip. "Darren…" I trailed off. "Mmm?" I sighed. "I have something to tell you…something big. It could affect how we carry out this war." I said quietly. He slowly looked at me, a strange look on his face. "What's wrong?" He asked cautiously. I blushed.

"Well, nothing's wrong, it's just…just…" I took in a deep breath. "Darren, I'm pregnant." I finally said. His eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "What? How is that even possible? Are you serious?" I couldn't tell if he was upset so I carefully answered. "Well, it's not all that surprising, to be honest. I mean, Arra could give birth, so it's not a surprise that I can too…Are you mad?" I asked worriedly. He blinked. "Vanessa, how can I be mad? We can have a family together!" He said excitedly. "Do you know if it's a girl or a boy yet?" he asked.

"It's a girl." I smiled. He grinned and pulled me up. "Vanessa, this is fantastic! We have to spread the news! We can make an announcement at dinner! God, everyone will be so excited! And Merla and Evra could be her God Parents!" he said excitedly. I nodded. He was missing something crucial. "I promise she won't be in danger." I said. That's when his excitement faded. He groaned. "This is the worst time for us." He said, holding my waist. I smiled.

"She's due in a couple of weeks. Mr. Tall told me she would come before the Vampaneze attacked and he promised to keep her safe." Darren nodded hesitantly. "That's awfully fast…" he trailed off. I shrugged. "I know, but I'm okay with that. I get to see her sooner than normal mothers would." I said, smiling down at myself.

Darren lent me his hand and pulled me up, hugging me. "Okay, well let's get going." He said. I nodded and we left the trailer and headed towards the camp fire to eat. Mr. Tall joined us on our way. "I trust you told Master Shan?" He asked. I nodded. "Yes sir I did." I smiled. He gave me a half smile in return.

"Evra! My gods, I have the greatest news!" Darren shouted at his best friend. I laughed. Darren was so cute when he smiled. Evra grinned. "Yeah, what?" he asked. Darren was practically jumping with excitement. "Dude! Vanessa and I are going to be parents!" he announced to the whole camp. There were cheers and so many congratulations.

"Man, are you serious? This is great!" Evra said, giving his friend a man hug. "Yeah, Vanessa and I wanted to you if you and Merla would be her god parents." Darren grinned, looking back at me. I nodded enthusiastically and joined Darren.

Evra looked at Merla and grinned. I could tell the answer was yes. "Auntie Nessa, am I going to have a little sister?" Shancus asked excitedly. I grinned. "Why yes you will, Shancus!" I said. He cheered happily and went off to play with his siblings. I smiled.

"That'll be us soon, babe." Darren said as he wrapped his arms around me from behind. I sighed in response. If we win this war, you mean. Darren seemed to know what I was thinking. He kissed my neck. "We'll win this war, Vanessa. We can do this." He said. I just nodded in response.

"Steve, where were you last night?" Steve tore his gaze from the night sky and turned to look into the doorway of the room. They had been in his hometown for a few weeks and found his house to be empty. He was currently in his old bedroom, sitting on the windowsill that Vanessa had climbed in and out of so many times.

Vanessa… He remembered last night, though it felt much more like a dream. He didn't know why, but he just had to go to the Cirque. He somehow managed to slip by the Vampires guarding the place unnoticed and sat in the middle of the room, making sure no one could see him.

Then, when her act came around, she picked him. She had closed her eyes and pointed into the crowd randomly, but he knew that she picked him deliberately. She had made him part of her act…made him feel loved and appreciated. And then she had taken him to the woods outside the Cirque to talk to him…she didn't try to kill him, even though he deserved. Gods know he's tried to kill her many a time, and that he was the reason why she's been orphaned.

She was worried about him and she still cared…and he kissed her. He had kissed her.

Steve looked back out at the stars, ignoring Gannen's question. "You visited her, didn't you my Lord?" He asked. Steve heard the door close and his bed creak as Gannen sat down. Steve nodded. "She picked me as a volunteer in the show." He said.

"Do you still care for her?" Gannen asked Steve. He was beginning to worry for his young Lord. He had become very quiet, though he could hear Steve scream in his sleep, and whimper and groan. Sometimes, he would hear Steve talking to himself during the day when he thought everyone was asleep.

'Are you sure we should do it?'

'Do we have to kill her? I was thinking she could rule by my side.'

'Oh, of course…I forgot, we hate her…she's only getting in the way.'

"I kissed her."

Gannen blinked. Steve had interrupted his thoughts and…and he thought Steve said that…no, he couldn't have. Steve turned to Gannen. "She was worried for me, Gannen. She still cares for me, after everything I've done to her…and I kissed her." Gannen looked at his Lord sympathetically.

"It doesn't matter now, though. She has to die." Steve said sadly, looking out the window. "She keeps ruining things…getting in the way…if I don't get rid of her, I won't be able to get anything done." Steve said. Gannen nodded slowly.

"I'm not sure that the War of Scars is in our best interest anymore, Steve." Gannen said slowly. Steve looked at him, shocked. "What do you mean?" He asked, curious. Gannen frowned. "There's been talk…although the Hunters meant to kill you have assembled…they're not doing it. Think about it, if the War of Scars is their priority, why are you here?" Gannen asked. Steve frowned.

"I don't follow, Gannen." Steve said. "Steve, the Princess is starting a Revolution. Things are changing." Gannen said. Steve frowned. "A revolution against Mr. Tiny." Steve's eyes widened. Who is we? The words he often wondered echoed in his head, over and over and over. Steve came to his feet suddenly, making Gannen jump.

I know who we is. Not anymore, I will not be a we. I will be me.

He rushed to his closet, frantically changing his clothes. He swore as he struggled to put his boots on. "My Lord, what are you doing?" Gannen asked warily. "I think you mean what are we doing." He said, looking up at him. Gannen raised a brow. "Gannen, you're right. Don't you see? We're fighting the wrong enemy here! It's Desmond we're after, not Vanessa! Come on, we're leaving." He pulled Gannen by the collar and ran, dragging Gannen down the stairs and out of the house.

Things were going to change, and Desmond was going to pay.