Hello everyone :) Welcome back to Vampire High! Let me tell you, you're in stored for a story of awesomeness. If needed, there's a recap of my story in the beginning of Chapter 18. I want to let you guys get straight to the good stuff that's taken me so long to update, so at the bottom is an AN. Have fun reading!

Jane

Before I could help my brother, I needed to turn this crazy situation around. While I had Damien check on the taxi, the Twins, Stevie Rae, and Jack gather the bags, I spoke to Logan. "I need you to make sure everyone gets home safely. Once you get back, they're all going to be pretty worried, waiting for an answer. So keep them busy. Also if Stark and I don't make it back before curfew and the gates are locked, keep a look out for any professors or Sons of Erebus taking a walk or patrol. Got it?"

Completely serious he responded, "Of course. You can trust that I'll take care of it."

"I know Logan." And not an ounce of sarcasm was added when I told him this. In his capable hands, I was sure that on his end, everything would be fine. While my brother was away, Logan was the thread that kept me together. Although I'd never admit that to anyone, I owed Logan big time. He didn't have to deal with his best friend's sister, but he looked out for me anyway.

As he smiled, some of my restlessness vanished. "By the end of today, it's all going to work out. You'll see."

Still slightly unconvinced I asked, "How can you be so sure?"

Easily placing his hands on my shoulders, looking straight at me he simply stated, "Because it's you and Stark. And you two are the most stubborn people I know. You won't stop until you find Zoey."

I stood there, silently looking at him. One day, I'll figure out how to repay you for everything. I had no clue how or when, but one day I would.

Offering a ghost of my smirk I told him "See you in a bit Logan," but I knew that I wasn't even close to comforting, since I sucked at those kinds of things.

"I'll text you guys if Zoey comes back home." With a final nod, I took the same west wing exit that my brother used and went to find the only person that was capable keeping Stark from going off the radar, again.

Zoey

I kept running until I realized that I didn't have to anymore. Out of breath, I stop. Looking around to see where I had ended up, I automatically recognize the neighborhood. It was where I grew up. Walking past a few houses, I stood in front of the place that I once called home. Slowly I walked down the cement pathway. As soon as I reached the front door I stopped.

Carefully, I lifted up the dirty welcome mat to see that the key I had placed there for emergencies was gone. Letting the mat drop down, it stood out of place so that the rectangular outline of dirt was visible. Defeated I took a seat on the front steps. It wasn't until I sat here staring out to the front yard that I noticed the "For Sale" sign sticking out from the ground. It was suddenly all way too real. And that's all it took for me to break down. Tears ran down my face. It was too much. I didn't want this. I just wanted my family. I wanted my mom to tell me that it was all going to be okay. I held myself as if it could make her appear. But it wouldn't.

As I sat there crying, a sudden breezed picked up with a scent of lavender. I smiled as the smell reminded me of when I was a kid, spending time with Grandma Redbird at her lavender farm, before step-loser came into the picture. Then it dawned on me that I was never alone. My family was closer to me than I realized.

Wiping my face off, I ran over to the side of the house. It amazed me that somehow the lavender plant Grandma gave me survived this long. Picking it up, I grabbed the spare key I kept hidden there for my Bug. With my plant in one hand, I opened up the garage door, unlocked the door to my vintage VW, and climbed in. I placed the pot in the front seat and even buckled it up to make sure that it didn't spill over. Putting on my belt, I put the key in, turned on the car, and hit the gas. I needed to make up for all the bull poopie I caused. I needed Grandma Redbird and I needed her now.

Jane

It wasn't long before I caught up with my brother. Within an hour, we were able to circle the town twice. With no luck, Zoey was still M.I.A. During the entire search I made sure to give him space, staying a few steps behind. However, I wasn't known for my patience. After another go around town, enough was enough. Catching up to him, I said "It's time we go home, James."

Continuing to look everywhere but at me, he ignored me as if I didn't say anything. "We need to go home." Again he disregarded my words. Now he was really starting to piss me off. "What the hell Stark? Where was this dedication at when I needed you to not leave me behind?"

Stopping abruptly, he looked at me angrier then I'd ever seen. "Jane you know why you couldn't go with me. Just let it go already." He walked forwarded, leaving me stunned in place.

Quickly brushing off the initial shock, I yelled, "Actually I don't know why."

He didn't stop walking. He didn't even bother to give me a response. I was tired of him acting like this.

Running, I tackled him from behind and was able to hold him down in a head lock. "Answer me right now, Stark. Why the hell did you leave?"

Struggling to get out of it he said "Jane, you better let me go or…"

"Or what? The only way you're getting out of this is if you break out or you answer my damn question!"

Again, he tried and almost broke out of my grip, but I refused to let go. "Tell me damn it!"

"No!"

"See how much of a damn liar you are?" Frustrated, I let him fall forward onto the ground and walked ahead. I was done with his crap.

"Jane wait."

If it were anyone else, I would have continued to walk away, possibly forever. But he wasn't just anyone. So I stopped. Sighing, I turned. With my previous hesitation, he had enough time to get up and walk over to me. I wouldn't give in though. Not this time. "What?"

"It's just…"

"Are you going to finish that sentence Stark?"

He sighed. "It's not that simple."

I was very close to just smacking him upside his head and calling it a day. "Holy crap Stark! It's never simple with you. You're such a damn drama queen."

"Jane I'm trying here."

"You're not trying hard enough."

We stood there staring each other down in silence. He begged me with his eyes to cut him some slack.

I was the first to break eye contact. It never matter how much I told myself that it wouldn't change a thing when he came back. I would show him how much of an idiot he was for not saying anything to me, but instead he easily broke me down. I hated how vulnerable I felt and knew he could easily see through me. Quietly I asked, "Do I even matter to you anymore?"

"Jane how can you ask that?"

I wouldn't meet his gaze. "A simple yes or no will suffice."

"Jane?"

He tried to pull me into a hug.

I shook it off and took a step back. I couldn't hold back anymore. "What was I supposed to think? You left for a year. A year! There was practically no word from you, but a stupid letter here and there. You could have ended up dead from the lack of vamps around you because you were gone for so long. You abandoned me. But this time it was your choice. I couldn't blame you the first time. You were Marked. What were you suppose to do? Stay around and end up rejecting the Change? Of course not, but this time around you chose to leave. Why? What did I do to you?"

"Jane it's not about you."

Desperately I said, "Then explain it to me. I, out of everyone, deserve to know the truth."

"Neferet will know."

"I don't care what that crazy wench thinks she can do."

Looking down at the ground, quietly he said, "I just want to keep you safe Jane. You shouldn't be dragged into my problems."

Automatically, his words deflate some of the anger I had built up over the months. It's not like I didn't know that he left for a reason, but I wanted him to understand my side. "When will you learn Stark? When she messes with one of us, she's messing with the both of us. Besides how does keeping me in the dark keep me safe? How can I prepare myself, if I don't know what I'm up against? Do you honestly believe she's just going to stop at you? Whatever it is she wants, she'll stop at nothing to get it. So you tell me right now what the hell is going on, or forget I even exist. You're pretty good at that anyway."

He looked at me completely silent for a moment. I know that last part stung him a bit. He sighed. "I don't know much. But what I do know is that she needs me for something. She needs my gift and she's willing to do whatever it takes to get me to use it again. But something in my gut is telling me that it's bad. Extremely bad."

"That's it?"

Looking down he shrugs his shoulders. "That's it."

"I already know what a two faced liar she is. Why couldn't you just tell me?"

"The vamps know everything. She would know if I told you. I wouldn't put it passed her hurting you to get to me."

"Well she's had plenty of time to do it and hasn't."

"Which worries me even more."

I rolled my eyes. "I can handle myself Stark."

Smiling he said, "I know that now."

"Good. And don't ever forget it. I'm not some damsel in distress that needs saving. I can handle my own."

"I fully believe that Jane. And it's worst you not knowing. I hate keeping things from you."

"So then don't."

"I promise I won't anymore."

"Don't make a promise you can't keep Stark."

"Jane, I promise you that whatever it is, I will keep you in the loop. Okay?"

Questioningly, I search his face to see a hint of a bluff, but all I see is sincerity in his eyes.

"Fine. I'm going to hold you to that promise."

"I wouldn't expect anything less." His eyes gleamed with mischief.

We walked in silence, but it feels like a weight's been lifted off my shoulders. As vague as it was, I know the truth now.

"So, I'm Stark to you now."

I smirk at his stupidity. "Look, the thing is I have issues with change. For longest you were James to me. It was us against the world. Then you go and get yourself Marked."

"Jane…"

Smiling I put my hand up signaling for him to shut his yap. "Let me finish. Neither of us are the people we once were. You adapted to change a lot better than I did. And I've come to terms with that, Stark."

"I'm still your brother Jane."

"Yes, you're still that same old, annoying brother that I know and love."

"Good."

"You ready to head home now?"

He gave me a smirk and I knew that he had one more thing up his sleeve.

"There's just one more place that I need to check out."

Rolling my eyes, I smiled. "Fine then. Lead the way."

Walking ahead of me, he looked back. Sarcastically he said, "I'd thought you'd never ask."

For the first time in months, it started to really feel like I had my brother back. Catching up I gave him a shove. Smiling I said, "Shut up and keep walking."

Saluting me he said, "Aye, aye Captain."

"Don't you forget it."

As we walked I followed my brother, not knowing where we were headed, but completely on board with it. Goddess only knows what she had in stored for us.

I hope this chapter was worth the wait. I feel like it's kind of has a filler feel to it, but only because it was suppose to have a much higher word count. However I've prolonged updating for far too long. And to be honest I really missed writing. If it wasn't completely satisfying for you, don't let this chapter deter you from reading the next chapters that I will hopefully post. And of course let me know what you guys think. Hope to hear from you awesome readers soon.

Just a reminder, for those of you who don't have accounts, I posts updates on my home page.

~ PurpleFlower626