Roses Are Red

Summary: Hi. I'm Faith Isabella de Silva. Interesting name, not? Yeah, well, I'm not your average girl. My mom's the most powerful shifter around, and my dad (who my friends allllwaaays drool over-eew!) is pretty high up there on the mediator totem pole. So, what did I get from them? OK, a) I'm a shifter. And b) Thanks to being a mediator/shifter hybrid, I'm a "special" kind of shifter. I mediate vampires.

Disclaimer: What you recognize is either from The Mediator or Boys that Bite.

a/n: Slight fluff warning!

Chapter Six: Partner of Mine

"Please," Ben begged more and more with each passing day. I ran from him, ran from my problems. I didn't even touch the book Charity had given me.

Everything was wrong.

Let's make a list.

a) It was wrong that I was even considering getting back together with a guy who cheated on me.

b) It was wrong that I wasn't getting back to my shifter duties.

Oh, and my favorite.

c) It was very, VERY, wrong that I had been jealous of Magnus's old flame.

I am mentally ill. That's the verdict.

These were the thoughts that were flying through my head at dinner time. I could barely bring the London Broil to my mouth, and that's my favorite food.

Mom observed this aloud, but I didn't respond.

"Faith?" She asked, her eyes-that mine are carbon copies of- searching me. "What's up?"

"Nothing," I sighed, picking at my mashed potatoes.

"There is something wrong with you, senorita," Dad proclaimed, using the nickname that he has called me ever since I was little. 'Senorita' in Spanish, means unmarried girl. Kinda like 'miss'.

"Nothing," I murmured again.

"Faith-" Mom began, but I cut her off.

"It is truly nothing, Mami," I snapped.

That sly look came to Mom's face. "Nick," She smiled, "Is there anything going on with your shifter duties?"

Nick looked at the floor. "Well, actually-"

"I can't tak this!" I yelled, opening the sliding glass door. Not caring about what they said, I raced through the streets, hoping that I was going to the right adress.

I knocked on the door, tears streaming down my face.

"Faith-" Magnus said in surprise, "What are you doing here?"

"I'm just having a really hard time," I breathed shakily, looking up at him. "After the Ben thing, we've still been kinda awkward, and-"

"Ssh," He murmured, taking me close. "It's OK. You can stay here a while."

He gently pulled me inside, and sat me down on his sofa. He then went into the kitchen, and came back with an eyedropper full of something.

"Here," He said, "We use this to calm the blood donors down. Open your mouth, and raise your tongue."

I obeyed. Magnus dripped a few drops of the tasteless liquid under my tongue.

"There. What's up with you?"

"My brother's telling all," I began, "Ben's stalking me, I have to figure out how to help Charity, and on top of all of it there's-"

I snapped my mouth shut. I had been about to say 'on top of all of it, there's you' but then he would surely notice something.

Not really sure of what I was doing, I lay my head on Magnus's chest. At first, he flinched at the touch, but then was calm.

I listened to a heartbeat, then realized there was none.

Unconciously, I murmured, "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

I took Magnus's hand an layed it on my own chest(not there, pervs) and held his hand. He would have blushed if he had been able to, I'm sure, but he didn't move. I felt my own heartbeat speeding up a bit, and kept my head on his chest.

"Mine is enough to make up for both yours," I whispered softly. "Just for now."

I was feeling a rush I had never felt before as we sat there. It was several long moments before Magnus took his hand away and muttered, "Faith, we can't-"

I lay a finger on his lips and kissed him lightly. He was stunned.

"Thank you," I smiled, blushing, "That was a thank you."

Suddenly, a lilting music came to my ears. It was Spanish, I could tell, mainly just guitar, no lyrics.

"The neighbors," Magnus explained.

I stood and took his hand.

"Dance with me, Magnus."

He shook his head, "No, I can't dance."

I smiled. "Then I'll show you."

Silently, I led him out on his padio. It was a full moon out, and we were bathed in it's light. The music called to me, and I began to sway, looking at Magnus, who watched.

Thanks to having lessons, and 'natural ability' I'm a pretty good dancer, and this is a good way of attracting guys.

Finally, Magnus walked up to me. At first, his hands awkwardly took mine, but then, I took them in my own and slowly slid them down to my hips. I then twined my arms around his neck, and swayed some more.

Slowly but surely, Magnus began to catch on.

For a moment, I took my hands from his neck and ran them over his chest, feeling the hard wall of muscles. Then, seeing that I was needing control, I put them back around his neck.

Gently, as if he, like I, was guided by some invisible force, Magnus rested his forehead against mine. My eyes met his. Those soulful eyes. Beautiful eyes. Sapphires.

I took one hand and traced his face with my fingers. Then, cautiously, his lips came closer to mine. And as we swayed, I didn't resist.

"Faith?"

My head whirled around.

"Mom!"

000

I must say that since I'm a romance junkie, that was my favorite chappie to write so far. R and R!