AN: Okay guys, I didn't want to say this, because I love you all so much…but…could I please get more reviews? Please? There was, literally, 100 favorites and alerts, but only three reviews. Please, I need more. I'm not one of those fickle authors who say they won't update unless they get a certain number of reviews each chapter. I love writing and posting, and all of you, too much to stop. But please. Show a little more love? Also, need help with a ship name for there two. I have a few, but let me know if you have any. :D Now on with the story.

Now

He stared down at her, simply amazed that she was there, in his arms and she wasn't leaving him. He could feel it in his bones, in his soul.

Jenna's staying, Jenna's staying, Jenna's staying, Jenna's staying, Jenna's staying…the childish, possessive part of him kept saying mine, mine, mine. But that part of him was also the part that caused him to kill Jack Wilkins, and ten other nameless people.

He shook himself out of that mantra, trying to regain his cool. A cool that went mysteriously missing every time he was around Jenna. Because she brings out the best in me. He looked around them, sun streaming through the trees. He'd taken her on the ground in the middle of the woods. Monster. He blocked that thought, refusing to think about it now.

Gently, Mason lifted Jenna so she was cradled close, and carried her the few feet to his truck. She sighed sleepily, before opening her eyes, searching for his. She looked confused, but he could tell when, suddenly, she sat up straight in her seat as he drove them to his house. He felt her eyes on him, but kept his own on the road.

"Last night, it really happened?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah." His voice was rough, like it always was after a full moon. She was studying him in a way that made him want to turn away and hide himself from her. But of course, he wouldn't do that, because he was Mason Lockwood, and he didn't cower from anything or anyone.

Not even the one person who could break him forever with one word. His pride wouldn't allow it.

"Are…are you okay?" The question was so unexpected he jerked a little. If she noticed she didn't say anything.

"I'm fine." He wasn't, and she could tell. But before she could say anything, they were pulling into the Lockwood's long driveway.

"I was going to take you home, but I think the kids our there now, including mine, and I figured you'd want to talk, so…" Mason trailed off, staring out the window.

His jaw was tense, and it took everything in her to not reach over and soothe him. Because right now wasn't a good time.

"Let's go inside, okay?" she said it softly, as if he would break. He nodded, getting out and coming over to her side. For the first time she realized he was wearing only his raggedy shorts, and she was wearing his t-shirt. As if reading her mind, he pulled a bag out of the back and handed it to her.

She followed him inside. He didn't speak or look at her, just led her upstairs to his room, and the connected bathroom.

"Take a shower, we'll talk after.' he turned away to pull clothes out of his chest of drawers, and handed her a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. She stepped into the huge bathroom, cold, tired, and a little scared.

"Mason?" she called. He stood in the doorway.

"Could you stay? In here, I mean, while I'm showering, please?" I don't want to be alone. He nodded, and settled down on the bathroom floor. She turned around and took of her shirt, his shirt, and stepped into the shower, trying to ignore the feel of his eyes on her. And failed. As the warm spray ran over her body, Jenna felt the stress and tension just trickle out and down the drain, leaving only anticipation. For what, she wasn't exactly sure, at least not completely, but she knew without a doubt that she wanted Mason.

A gust of cold air hit her and she gasped. Warm arms wrapped around her from behind, and tucked her close. His chin rested on the top of her head.

"I could feel you. Over there. Feel you wanting me. I couldn't stand it." he said roughly, pressing his face into her hair and inhaling deeply. All she could do was nod, and hold onto his arms a little tighter.

Eventually, the water ran cool, and they had to leave the quietness of the bathroom. Hair damp, but fully dressed, they stood on separate side of his bedroom. Wanting to look at each other, but the fear of rejection stopping them.

Then (16 and 17)

"I don't want you near him!" Mason yelled, veins sticking out in his neck. They'd been at this for and hour, with no sign of stopping.

"He's just a friend, Mason! I've told you that a hundred times, why don't you believe me?" she yelled back.

"Because I don't trust him! He wants his to get his slimy little hands all over you, and you are just oblivious!"

"So what if he does want me? I don't want him! Why don't you get that? Don't you trust me?" she asked sadly, voice lowering.

"Baby, it's not that I don't trust you. I don't trust him. Not with you." he sighed, rubbing his hand across his face. "I don't trust you with anyone."

"So, what you're saying, is that you don't like me hanging out with guys?" Jenna said slowly.

"Yes. I hate it when you hang out with guys!" He looked a little triumphant, as if he'd won the argument.

Oh hell no.

"Well fine. I will stop hanging out with all my friends who are boys." He smiled, and went to walk over to her, but she held up a hand.

"But that means you have to stop hanging out with all your friends who are girls, including cheerleaders and ex-girlfriends. Deal?" The look on his face was priceless. Shock mixed with a hint of pride.

"Man, LJ, you're good." He said with a smile as he leaned down to kiss her.

Now

"Are you okay?" she asked again. "And don't lie to me this time, please." He nodded, and sat down on his bed, elbows on his knees, face in his hands.

"No, I'm not okay."

"Are you tired? Sore? Hungry?" Ignoring his confused look, she sat on the bad beside him, cupping his face in her hands, checking for signs of exhaustion.

"Can I get you something? I don't know what your morning after ritual is." she continued to check his body, finding a few scrapes and bruises, along with one shallow gash.

"I should get you some-" he cut her off be yanking away from her with a growl, and started pacing.

"What's wrong?"

"You shouldn't be so accepting! You should be running and screaming, not staying and being concerned! You're not supposed to care." he flopped onto the bed, belly up.

"But I do care. I'm not going to go running and screaming. I told you last night. I love you, Mason. I always have, and I'm not leaving you. Not even if you want me too." she said the last part with a slight tremor in her voice. He took her hand, holding it to his lips.

"I don't want you to go Jenna. Not ever. And that's the problem." She sat cross legged on the bed beside him, holding his hand. He stroked his thumb along the back of her hand as he spoke.

"I don't want to hurt you Jen. And if I stay, I might. You need to know that before we go any further. It's not going to be easy. I'm not like Logan or Alaric. I can't say 'I love you' easily. I'm not easy going, I have a temper. I-"

"You act like I've never met you before." she giggled softly. "I know you Mason. And yes, your temper's gotten worse, you usually don't open up to anyone, and you leave your dirty socks in a pile under your bed." His eyebrow quirked at that, and he smiled. "It's hard for you to say you love anyone, not just me. So I get it. I do."

"I'm sorry about that."

"It's okay. I know it's going to be hard." he waggled his eyebrows and she hit him playfully. "Shut up. It is, though, and we need to make sure we understand each other, like you said, before we can go on."

He nodded.

"We've got to talk, and get to know one another again. Not starting over." she added quickly, seeing the worry on his face. "More like, learning as we go."

"Okay." She leaned down and kissed him, hair spilling onto his face.

"So." She said after pulling away. "Let's play twenty questions."

AN: I'm ending the chapter here, because I have to go to bed, but the next chapter will be the twenty questions part, promise! And the ship name poll is up, so please vote! Night!