Ithilwenn: Actually, I wanted Simon to be like Carl from VH, but I wanted to make him his own person, too. So yeah, he was supposed to come off like Carl, but less uptight

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

SIMON AND DEREK

Simon opened his eyes and stared at the mass of blond curls before him in surprise. What had he done last night? He thought for a minute, and then grinned. Oh yeah. His fingers rubbed over Caelan's bare arms as there was a sharp knock at his door. He sat up quickly in horror and surprise.

"Who's there!?" He called.

"Dad? It's Derek. Michael said you wanted to talk to me," Derek called from the other side of the door.

Simon looked to Caelan with panic. He knew Derek wouldn't feel too great about the idea of Caelan and he … Simon allowed himself to shudder at what Derek was highly capable – and willing – to do.

Thoughtfully, he climbed out of the bed and pulled a robe on, and some pants. Then he went to the door, pushed it open and squeezed out. "Here I am," He said.

Derek looked him over. "Why can't I come in?" He asked, his eyes narrowed.

"It's a mess in there. I don't think you would want to," Simon replied, crossing his arms over his chest.

"You have a woman in there," Derek said. "Who?"

"There's no one in my room. Now how about we go over to your room, and -."

"I'm not deaf," Derek said. "I wish I was. I'm sure everyone else in this corridor does. At least others keep it down. You do realize bedrooms are right next to each other? Everybody hears everyone else's 'nightly activities'."

"Your room, now," Simon growled.

"Fine, fine," Derek grumbled, walking into his room followed by Simon. The latter closed the door and turned to his adoptive son.

"So … who was she?"

"That isn't any of your business, Derek."

"Defensive. Must be somebody I'd never suspect. Or approve of. Does she already have a mate?" Derek asked.

"You want me to get started on you and Kailyn?!" Simon demanded.

"Hey, we haven't even kissed yet – though I'm working on that. There isn't anything to share there. So is this woman the reason you've been so locked up in your room?" Derek asked.

"You would think that, seeing as Kailyn's the reason you've been ignoring me and the lab," Simon snapped.

Derek stared at him in surprise at the bold statement. "I don't ignore you," he said.

"Don't you? You were ignoring me before I locked myself in my room – which wasn't because of any woman, but because I was doing my work. I wouldn't have minded your help there, either," Simon growled.

"Why didn't you just tell me?" Derek demanded.

"Like you would have listened to me. You're a teenager, obsessed with some girl."

"I'm not obsessed!" Derek exclaimed.

"Aren't you? You two spend almost every minute together!" Simon snapped.

"What do you want from me? You want me to spend every moment with you? To lock myself away in some room?" Derek demanded. Then he stopped, and glared hatefully at Simon.

"I would like for you to show me a little bit more respect. Stop in once in a while – say hi."

"Why? So I can see what a nervous wreck you're becoming? Yeah, I really need to see that," Derek said sarcastically.

"What are you talking about?"

"What do you think I'm talking about? Michael told me about your meeting. You were on the verge of becoming a raving lunatic."

"That isn't true. In fact, I was going to go out last night," Simon said.

"But?" Derek demanded.

"But … something came up," Simon said.

"Yes, a woman. Who you won't tell me who she was," Derek said.

"I'm not going to discuss this with you," Simon said with irritation.

"Why not? I thought we told each other everything!" Derek demanded.

"This is something I'm not going to discuss with you," Simon growled.

"Fine – keep your secrets," Derek snapped.

"It isn't like that," Simon said.

"It doesn't matter," Derek grumbled. He turned and stomped angrily out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Simon stared back at him with surprise. Why was Derek so persistent? He brushed it aside for now and walked out of the room, crossing over to his own. He snuck into the room, and turned around to find an empty bed. Blinking, he stepped forward and noticed a small note lying on the pillow. Picking it up, he read:

Dear Simon,

I'm sorry to have interfered with you and Derek. I wouldn't want to bother to do that, and its obvious Derek wouldn't exactly … agree with having me around. No matter if Kay is my sister or not. I'll leave you alone for now.

Caelan

P.S. Last night was great

Simon frowned angrily. Great. Derek was mad at him because of Caelan, and Caelan was leaving because of Derek. Just what he needed. With a sigh, he fell back on the bed. He was probably better off locking himself in and never coming out again.

AN: I know, I know, just boring Simon stuff. I thought some of the next chapters needed to be focused on my characters so people get the idea that it isn't just about Underworld characters. Although the rest of the story will be mainly focused on them, I still want to get my characters out, too. If you have any arguments, let me know, kay?