I woke surrounded in a warm bliss. I snuggled deep, trying to find sleep again.

And then I felt hands. On me. Touching me.

I sprang up quickly. "Wo- wo- wo! It's just me." Brady's soft voice filled my ears as he gently pulled me back down to lie again. "Zoë, it's just me."

I nodded, his husky voice soothing me as the memories of the previous day came flooding back, although my eyes still welled with tears.

Richard.

"It's only nine, you can go back to sleep." He said, stroking my hair and my eyes popped out of my head.

"Nine?" I squeaked and he nodded, a smile playing at his lips as he pushed some of my hair out of my face. "You don't get it, I haven't slept past nine in about twenty years!"

He rolled his eyes at my exaggeration. "Seriously. I have like long-term insomnia." I mumbled as he pulled me onto his chest.

He laughed. "Really? You were fast asleep last night."

He didn't know how much I was surprised. I've tried so may pills, but nothing, nothing, will make me fall asleep - except, apparently, Brady's chest.

I closed my eyes as I leaned my face against his burning hot skin.

He stroked my head, playing with the mass of my frizz ball in the place that normal people have hair.

I felt him kiss the top of my head. It was a small action, but it felt really lovely. Brady was so cute.

My stomach gurgled and Brady started to move. I moaned sleepily and pulled myself closer to him.

He laughed and tried to unlatch my arms from around his waist.

"No," I mumbled into his skin. "You're not going anywhere."

"I have to get you food." He said, stroking my arms. I just shook my head.

He laughed and kissed my head again. "Sorry, Zo, but I'm not letting you starve." He said, easily pulling my sleepy form off of him.

I let out pathetic wimping noises. Like what a little kid makes when they don't get their own way. "But you're so comfy!" I grumbled, pouting and he laughed as I rolled onto my back uncomfortably and he stroked my face. It's not really that he's comfy - he is, don't get me wrong, but I just didn't want to be left alone. At the moment, the only think keeping me from not bawling my eyes out is him. I don't know how I could live without him. It seemed so strange. I was so dependant on him, so quickly. Moose would tell me off, if she knew. She thinks I trust people way to quickly. Like Liam. I'm kinda close to him, not best friend close, but quite close. I trust him and everything. Moose disaproves. I think if it were up to her, she'd be the only one I would count on. I know it's because she doesn't want me to get hurt.

Choosing whether to turst a person is like choosing whether to jump over a puddle or not. When you take a jump, there's a chance you could fall in the puddle. But if you never jump, you'll forever be stuck in front of the puddle. When I was little, I jumped in the puddles. And now, I'd much rather get wet socks and shoes than be stuck in front of a freaking puddle for the rest of my life. Moose, however, would rather die than see me with wet socks.

Why the hell did I use that as a metaphor? That was so random.

"I'm sorry. I'll be quick?" he said, squeezing my hand with his. I nodded, pouting like a little child still, holding onto his warm hand and turning over, trying to pull him back down and he laughed. He leaned over, kissed my shoulder and pulled his hand away, leaving the room.

I turned onto my front, pulling his covers up over my shoulders, loving having his smell all around me.

I love his smell. More than anything. It was just the best smell ever. And his bed was so freaking comfortable. I love thinking that he usually sleeps in here, it's really comforting. I feel so safe.

I kept slipping in and out of sleep, which, again, was surprising . But then, considering how lovely Brady's bed was, I shouldn't be that surprised.

Eventually I heard Brady come back in, and I looked up to see him carrying a tray with breakfast. A full, proper cooked breakfast. My heart literally exploded when he walked through the door. He is adorable. Nobody's ever cooked me breakfast in bed. He is freaking lovely.

He put the tray down on the bottom of the bed and moved over slightly. "Okay, you need to sit up, honey." He said with slight amusement in his voice as he pulled the covers down a little bit. I jumped out of his bed, launching myself at him.

I think it was the 'honey' that did it.

I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck. He was, naturally, surprised but soon recovered and wrapped his arms around my waist. I buried my face against his unnaturally warm neck. He held me tightly, my legs still about a foot off the ground.

"You're so cute, Brady."

He groaned. "Isn't that a bad thing? Should I be all masculine and mean?"

I shook my head, sort of smiling. "Not one bit." I mumbled.

I pulled my head back, staring into his beautiful eyes. "Thank you, Brady." I said softly, trying to get him to know how much I truly appreciated him, and I kissed his cheek.

He smiled brightly, shrugging and shaking his head. "You don't have to thank me for anything, Zoë." He said and I smiled sadly at him, pushing my forehead against his.

He licked his lips quickly, his eyes flickering down to mine while his head leaned in, but suddenly he pulled back. "Okay, lets get some grub in you." He said cheerily, as he walked over to the bed, plopping me down.

He slid in with me, grabbing the tray and I pulled my knees up, hoping it would help some to the gaping whole in my chest and I leant against his lean body. It didn't help as much as I had hoped too. The pain was still unignorable.

I really wasn't in the mood for eating, but Brady fed me – literally, I felt like a baby – and I felt too mean after he went to such trouble to refust.

"Who do you live with?" I asked Brady, suddenly realising I had no idea, and I was at his house. I know not to say 'where are you parents?' as families are not always an easy subject.

"My parents." Brady said casually, feeding me some bacon. He got this amused little smile on his face and I laughed.

It felt weird, laughing. I felt immensely guilty. Like, I should never be happy again – because of what happened.

"They work a lot so they're not home that often, if you're wondering. And I've been busy a lot lately, so they thought I was sleeping, which is why they didn't come in last night or this morning." He said and I nodded, playing with his spare hand.

After quite a few minutes of me just staring at his rather large hands, tracing the lines, he spoke, "Zoë," I looked up to his apprehensive face. "What- what happened to your father?"

I frowned a little as I bit my lip, trying to find the best way to say it. "You don't – if you don't want to tell me – you don't have to say anything. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked. That was inconsiderate, I'm sorry I-"

I rolled my eyes, nudging him with my knee. "Don't be silly. I can talk about it. My father was murdered." I said quietly and his eyes widened. "By my brother," I added, nodding when his jaw hit the floor.

I could feel my eyes filling with tears as I remembered how much Richard has helped me through.

"Your-? And then your-? He-? And-?" Brady stuttered and I nodded. Brady let out a long breath, rubbing his face. "Oh!" He said suddenly, dragging out the 'o'. "Dean?"

I nodded and he let out a sigh. "Brother." He said, breathing out, a look of relief on his face. "Thank fuck. I thought he was like some crazy ex-lover."

I snorted. "No, not quite."

He nodded. "Good. I don't think I could deal with competition." He murmured to himself softly.

I could have 'aww'ed at that. I stared at him guiltily and he just shook his head to himself, turned to me and started talking, as if unknowing to what he'd just said.

"What happened… to your brother?" he asked and I leaned into his lovely warmth, pain still eating at my chest.

"He was, umm, thirteen/fourteen at the time, and he got a smaller sentence because he claimed it was on self-defence so he only got five years at a young offenders. He's coming out when he's eighteen."

Brady stroked my face softly. "What – were you there? When it happened, I mean."

I nodded, closing my eyes and leaning into the warmth of Brady's hand. "Dean came in and saw what had just happened – to my mum – and he lost it. He'd hated to my father for as long as I can remember, but that… that just pushed him over the edge. He hated what he'd done, what he'd made me watch. I was ten at the time, and Dean was already super protective – of me and my mother. Dean started saying stuff to him and da- my father took a swing at him. Dean's always been the athletic type and my father was so slow, Dean grabbed the nearest thing and swung it at him. He then beat my father to death."

"Ten." Brady whispered, shaking his head, bringing my head to his chest. "I'm sorry." He murmured, stroking my head.

"You have nothing to be sorry for." I said distractedly. I really like Brady's body. He makes me feel somewhat whole.

He played lightly with my hair as I hugged his waist. He kissed my forehead and I felt tears starting to fall again.

"It's okay to cry, Zo." Brady said softly, pulling me tighter to him and I nodded, burying my face against his chest, starting to cry again.

Richard has helped me through everything. My life's so fucked up, yet he accepted me. He held me, and he even helped to sort out the fucked up shit. He was there when I needed someone. Growing up with a blind mother, it's hard. Everything seems that much difficult for her, and I feel so immensely guilty. Dick's just so kind and lovely.

I started crying harder. This was a loss of the worlds – to loose someone as genuinely kind as him. He was an absolute softie. Nobody deserves to die, but it seems so much more unfair with him.

Brady's POV.

It was quite a few hours later and we were still sat on my bed, but now we were watching a DVD. I'd pulled Zoë against me, in between my legs. She was sitting with her back pressed against my chest and I had my arms wrapped around her.

I honestly couldn't feel any happier. But then, I couldn't feel any sadder, or any angrier.

After what she told me, it took everything in me not to phase in front of her. I had to just keep picturing Emily, and Sam's thoughts when he thinks about Emily's scarred face.

But her father made her watch when she was ten fucking years old. That makes me fucking angry. I'm glad her brother killed him. Because if he hadn't, I surely would. And I don't think I could stay away from her if I were sent away, even if it would be worth it.

She leaned her head back against my shoulder and I pulled her closer, tightening my grip on her.

I closed my eyes as I leaned my forehead against her head. "What are you doing?" Zoë said in an amused voice, turning her head to me slightly.

"Oh, I'm sniffing you." I said casually, with a grin. She laughed loudly, shaking her head in bewilderment at me. My grin grew to full out smile. I loved her laughter more than she could understand. Much more.

She looked so happy. I wanted her to be happy, always. I wanted her to be forever laughing.

I found myself leaning in to kiss her again and I had to move my face. She was just too endearing. Her lips called to me, like her skin does. It was a constant struggle to not be making out with her.

She brought her hand up to my face, turning it back towards her. I stared wide-eyed at her, begging her to make the first move. If she kisses me first, then I won't feel guilty. She said she doesn't want to be with me, so I'm trying not to sexual harass her. But she's too intoxicating for me to keep in constant control. And if she initiates it, it's really not my fault.

I think she took the look on my face as an incentive and she brought her face up to meet mine.

However, her cell started vibrating loudly against the floor before her lips could even brush against mine.

She pursed her lips together, dropping her face down, her hand following not much later.

I cursed bringing her cell, along with her clothes, in from the bathroom. I'd been slightly scared that my mom would find them and then find out that I had a girl, presumably naked, in my room. But now, I didn't care. In fact, the idea of her naked in my room rather appealed to me.

Don't think dirty thoughts.

I was then brought out of trying to not think about her naked when she pulled away from me.

"What?" I asked urgently, grabbing at her gently to get her next to me.

"My cell?" she asked, a hint of amusement on her face.

"Ooh." I nodded. "I'll get it." I said, slipping my arms away from her and getting off the bed, not liking the feeling of not having her body pressed against mine.

I handed her cell to her when I picked it up and she hid behind the covers – which was fucking adorable. "Who is it?" she whispered, jokingly as if she were scared of the answer.

"Umm," I looked at it. "Moose."

Her eyes widened – which were the only things I could see, the rest having been covered by my duvet – and she shook her head. "You answer it."

"She'll kill me." I whispered but answered the call anyway.

Zoë smiled at me, mouthing 'thank you', and I didn't really care about getting killed anymore. She looked so cute, acting as if she'd been so sneaky and naughty.

"Err, hello?" I said, Zoë shooting me a grin that made my heart flutter. I smiled unconsciously, sliding onto the bed next to her, wanting to be closer to her. To fill the gap in between us – and consequently, filling the gap in my heart that appears when I'm without her.

"Brady?" Moose asked, confused, and I could already hear the anger in her voice.

"Yep." I replied, not sure how else I could answer that.

"Why do you have Zoë's cell?"

"Umm, because she's at my house." I said.

"Why is she at your house?" she asked, quite hostilely, I might add.

"Because I brought her here."

"Why would you think she would be better with you and not with her friends?"

I gulped nervously. Why am I so freaking scared by this girl? A massive baby vampire war? Pfft, easy. The girl I loves best friend? I think I just wet myself.

Zoë laughed at my uneasiness quietly, leaning into my side, running her fingers over my spare hand.

"Because she was on her way away from you?" I posed and Moose made a noise of annoyance.

I tried to inconspicuously lie down without Zoë noticing, but she rolled her eyes as I pulled her with me. She laid her head on my stomach and I grinned, trying not to breathe too much so her head wouldn't go up and down too much. I didn't want to annoy her.

"Okay. Fine. What road and house number are you? I'm now coming."

"What? No!"

Zoë turned her head to face me, still on my stomach, though, an amused and yet confused look on her face.

I blushed, having not realised that I'd said that out loud.

I just didn't want my time with her to be up, sue me. She's still upset and she may need me to be there for her.

"Why not?" Moose asked angrily. I could understand now when she said she was protective of her little chicks. Moose sure was a mother hen.

"Oh, umm, I just mean 'so soon?'"

Oh great. Now Zoë knows you're obsessed with her. Niiice. Maybe now you can show her the jumper she left here that you've kept in hope that she'll never realise she left so you can carry on sniffing it like the stalker you are because you miss her so much and it smells of her.

Oh brain, how I hate you.

At least now my bed will smell of her again. And my boxers and t-shirt, if she leaves them. Which I'm okay with if she doesn't. Maybe I can steal some more of her clothes. Or her. It would be so much easier if I could just steal her.

Then again, I'm not sure she'd be that found of the idea. And I really didn't want her to be upset, especially with me.

"She's been gone for over a day and we've been freaking out over where she is. And we kind of need her, so yes; 'so soon'."

I instantly felt guilty for my selfishness and apologised quickly. And I apologised some more as I gave her my address.

Zoë smiled at me from her place at my stomach. "I'm going to get a right bollocking when she gets here."

I laughed loudly at her and she placed a kiss on my skin, which tingled up my spine, setting my body on fire with lust – wanting to feel her lips again, needing that contact.

Then, her bottom lip trembled and I whimpered. "Sorry," she whispered, rubbing at her eyes. "It's just, R-R-Richard always used to say that. Always used to say his 'missus' would give him a right 'bollocking' whenever he did something wrong."

I smiled at her as I held her.

"You're gonna cry a lot, Zoë. And I want to be there for you – always. You can come to me whenever you want to, you know that, right?" I asked as I stroked her face. She sighed and nodded. "Even if it's at a silly time of night over a silly thing… I'll always want to be with you. Just call me and I'm there."

She smiled as she leaned into me. "You're way too sweet for words, Brady."

I stroked her hair. "Want me to be mean instead?"

She shook her head furiously and I laughed.

"I should probably get out of your bed and clothes before Moose knocks your door down."

I grinned as I trailed my fingertips over her body lightly.

She sat back, slowly standing up.

I smiled at her for a moment before I followed suit.

As she stretched her arms and back, my top – the one on her – raised a little to show her stomach.

Fuck. Don't look. Do not look.

I looked. Oh crap.

She pulled it down as she dropped her arms, totally unaware yet again of her affect on me.

And I, yet again, fought the urge to scoop her up into my arms and making sweet, sweet love to her.

It was getting hard, though, fighting the urge. Constantly.

"Okay, so I put your jeans on the radiator but I got distracted with everything else. I'm really sorry." I said as I crossed my room. "But your top and jumper's still wet."

She still looked incredibly tired. "I don't mind. Moose will probably take me somewhere to sleep. I don't fancy seeing anyone else today." she said and I nodded.

"Here, I'll give you a jumper. I don't want you getting cold."

As I walked over to my draws to get a jumper she pulled her jeans on.

When I turned around to give her the jumper I couldn't help but laugh. "The tightness of these jeans appears to make your boxers bunch up, in case you wanted to know for future reference." She said and I laughed louder.

"I'll remember that the next time I try your clothes on." I said sarcastically, pulling the jumper over her head.

It made her hair slightly frizzier and it went static.

I grinned.

"You realise that you're never gonna get this jumper back?" she asked and I shrugged.

"I'm fine with that." I said, trying to be nonchalant while my heart soared.

She smiled. "Good. Because I tend to steal peoples clothes. Half of my closet belongs to other people."

I smiled down at her, dressed in mostly all of my clothes. I loved it. She smelled of me. I don't know why, but the sight of my everyday clothes on her, slightly drowning her in size, it just appealed to me. I was so used to those clothes, they were so familiar to my eyes, and seeing her in them, it just seemed right.

I interlocked my fingers with hers, unhappily taking her away from my room, down the stairs and to the front door just as Moose knocked.

Again unhappily, I opened the door and Moose's eyes quickly found Zoë, scanning over her. She didn't seem happy.

Actually, she didn't seem to like it that Zoë was happy.

They seemed to be having an 'eye conversation' and I stayed out of it, looking away to give them privacy. Surprising me, and pulling me out of my little mind wander that I'd been taking, Zoë wrapped her arms around my waist, hugging me tightly.

My heart exploded and I pulled her even tighter, holding her closely to my body, my arms keeping her securely against me.

I rested my head against the top of hers, closing my eyes in content.

I didn't want to let go. And I was quite happy with the fact that she didn't want to let go either.

Never did I want to let her go. But after about ten minutes of Moose clearing her throat I let Zoë pull back, although I kissed her forehead with enough force to get a little of the emotion I was feeling for her in.

She smiled, squeezing her arms around me before she slid them from my sides.

"I'll see you later?" she nodded in answer and I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. I grinned goofily. "Yay."

She laughed. "Goodbye, Brady."

I smiled at her as she went out the door, entwining her fingers with Moose's.

"You're not allowed to fall in love with him, remember?" Moose said as soon as the door was shut and I felt a little bit of anger boil up, even though I knew Moose was just trying to protect her. I just didn't understand how she couldn't get that I would never hurt Zoë.

"Believe me, I've been trying to remind myself that." Zoë said in an exasperated tone and I grinned.

Oh, how I love my enhanced abilities.

Okay, so, I'm back! And I managed to write this chapter, think of it as an easter present ;)

What did you think of this? Next chapter is going to be Moose taking Zoë home and their talk, and then maybe a visit to Annie later on. I've just written half of the chapter for when Brady tells Zoë about being a werewolf. Hee hee hee! You guys won't be seeing that for QUITE some time ;D

Thanks so much everyone for the adds and reviews! You guys don't know how much they mean to me, that someones actually bothering to read my drivel :L Thanks again, and don't forget to review!