Okay, so maybe I might have lied about updating once a week until school started... I'm really having a bit of trouble finishing this story, even though I do kind of know what I want to do with it. Now, because of that broken promise, I will only TELL you that I will attempt to post one more time before schools starts again. To all my loyal readers, thank you so very, very much for keeping up with me no matter how many times I disappoint you! You are the reason I have the inspiration to write again. For you guys, I hope you all enjoy.

~Hanieya Okudashu


Chapter 20: Just For Now

My little Chinese girl was broken.

Literally. Not figuratively.

I'm still trying to decide which would be more painful.

Her arm hung in a sling, and bandages covered a large portion of her neck and face. Her free arm clutched a crutch, as she dragged a leg behind her. I couldn't remember how she'd gotten any of those injuries, but hell, I was just glad she was alive!

I made to run towards her, but she shook her head, wincing as she pulled at some stitches. "I'm battered, and covered in more blood than I normally like to be. For the safety of your clothes and hair, it would be better for you not to."

"I don't care about that stuff! I'm just glad you're alive!"

She blinked at me, as if in shock. "You'd risk your clothes just to hug me?"

Seriously, did she really think I was that shallow? My annoyance warred with my relief, but it was quick to disappear; she was alive!

I paused in front of her, and that was when I got my first good look at her. Dark circles lined her eyes, and her shoulders were a bit hunched over, something I hadn't even noticed from a few meters away. Her eyes lacked the life I was so familiar with, and instead, darkness had taken residence. Her spirit had been broken along with her body.

"Why did you do that for me?" I asked softly, a hand reaching out to touch her. I wanted to, wanted to make sure she wasn't going to collapse and die on me. But she was covered in so many bandages I was worried about hurting her even more.

"Because you're my best friend," she smiled softly. "That, and this is my life. I was expecting it, especially with two of their kind fighting over you."

She'd risked her own life for me knowingly.

It broke my heart just a little bit more.

I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close, burying my face in her shoulder. "Thank you. You shouldn't have done that. You almost died."

She chuckled softly, but I could hear the pain underlying the humorous sound. "Hun, you really don't know me that well if you think I'm going to die. Believe me, I've gotten into much uglier situations."

How morbid was she that she could joke about stuff like this? If I were her, I'd probably be rocking back and forth in a corner somewhere cursing life and contemplating drinking myself into a stupor, if only to numb out my pain. I wasn't even in pain, and that sounded mightily appealing right about now…

My mind drifted off, thinking about all the kinds of whiskey and vodka I could sneak into my house – not that I'm encouraging underage drinking, but I'm in a very stressful situation! That is, until fingers snapped in front of my face.

My eyes snapped straight back to Winsey, who had raised a single eyebrow. Huh, for some reason, I'd been under the impression that she couldn't do that. Oh well.

"Dude, my face isn't off in whatever la la land you were occupying a minute ago," she said dryly. Ah, that humor. I was always torn about whether or not it annoyed me or amused the hell out of me. This was one of those times when it was the former.

"What is it? You distracted me from thinking about Russian vodka," I pouted, crossing my arms. Russian vodka was some strong stuff, and it sounded absolutely wonderful right at that moment.

"I was going to ask if you wanted to stay the night at my place, for safety's sakes. You and Arsenio both." She nodded at Emil, whose eyes narrowed.

"You'll get me killed."

Winsey waved a hand dismissively at his accusation. Why? Bringing him into a den of hunters certainly did seem like she was trying to kill him. It was like bringing a deer in front of a pack of starving wolves. Actually, maybe not starving, but wolves either way. "I can sneak you in. How do you think I managed to date Kyden for that long?"

"Now I see how you got him killed," Emil commented, rolling his eyes. Even I was thinking that. Winsey is usually a lot smarter than that… She really snuck a vampire into her house, a house full of hunters, and expected him not to be killed? That's really pushing it a bit, and that's coming from the person who takes risks like there's no tomorrow.

Winsey laughed softly, "He actually asked to be introduced to my family, but that's where I put my foot down. He snuck into my room a couple of times while we were together." She smiled sadly as she limped down the stairs of the hospital. Somehow, that girl had charmed her way to an early release – I want that ability! It's like a freaking super power!

"It was ironic, actually. They didn't find him when he had snuck over, but actually when my family was on a group hunt. I didn't realize he was following us to make sure I was safe." A small smile touched her lips at that point. I swooned internally at the thought of that; how sexy was it that even in facing danger, the guy would worry more about his love than his own life? Stupid, maybe, but still totally swoon-worthy. "I didn't notice one of them was on me and was about to kill me, and Kyden shoved me out of the way. But my parents recognized what he was right away. They captured him after I begged them not to kill him straight away, and well…shit hit the fan after that."

My eyes nearly bugged out of my head. Did she just…swear? Winsey never swore! It was like, in some sort rule book that Winsey didn't say bad words! Ever. Like, EVER. It was just something that didn't happen. I need to emphasize that it doesn't happen EVER.

She must have caught sight of my face, because she chuckled softly. "High school's had a strange sort of effect on me, ya know? I'm sure you do, cuz it's done the same to you."

She shrugged, like it was normal, and continued walking, though at a much slower pace than it would've been if she were fully healed. Neither Emil nor I complained.

Despite what she said, Winsey respected Emil's wishes and didn't return home. Instead, she hopped onto the bus, smiling at all the people she passed, before she took a seat near the door. She looked out the window, disregarding our presence entirely.

"Winsey…where are we going?" Emil asked, glancing at her in confusion as the pair of us took seats in front of her. I loved how he took my hand as if it was instinctive. His fingers laced with mine, and gave mine a soft squeeze. Adorable!

The little Chinese girl didn't reply. We gave each other another glance. She was clearly awake, unless she'd learned to sleep with her eyes open, so why wasn't she answering us? I moved to tap her shoulder. "Winsey, you there?"

Before I could make contact, her hand was suddenly on my wrist, and a feral look in her eyes. "Don't. Touch. Me."

My eyes widened in fear, and my heart started to race. What was she saying? She was looking at me like I was a monster. I did have someone taking over my body every once in a while…maybe I was.

Winsey seemed to shake, and she released my wrist instantly, cursing under her breath. "Sorry, I was off in my own world. I don't really respond well to people touching me without permission, as I'm sure you've noticed." She ran a hand through her hair tiredly, then rubbed her eyes. Exhaustion seemed to pour out of every crevice of her body. Hell, she was probably dreaming about her bed, but she was still helping me, suffering for me, and for what? Because I was her friend. And I was a friend that only called on her when I needed unbiased help.

I'm a horrible person.

She turned back to her window after that, and somehow, Emil and I both knew it would be unwise to try to get her attention again. Instead, we sat quietly together, speaking softly of everything and anything. It was just nice to be able to spend time as a couple, no matter how little time we had.

Somehow, about half an hour later, we found ourselves inside a McDonalds, with several burgers before Winsey, a set of fries, drinks, and ice-cream. Emil and I were both staring eyes wide. Where the hell did she put all of that? There didn't seem to be any fat on her at all anymore, but she just kept eating and eating away until nearly half of it was gone.

Finally, she stopped and let out a long breath, eyes closed. "Much better. I am no longer hungry now." She smiled brilliantly at the two of us, like she hadn't given me a death-stare just a while ago. "Now, you understand where we were going, and why. The food at the hospital really isn't all that awesome, ya know? I needed grease in my system before I could even think about attempting to function like a normal person." She yawned and picked up her drink, taking a long gulp before continuing.

"So, your problem. You have a psycho bitch trying to steal your body. I really wish I could say I've dealt with a case like this before, but I haven't. So, this requires a hell of a lot of research on my part, and careful investigation on your part. What drives the change? What similar details have you noticed about each encounter?"

"It's always when Daniel and Emil are in the same room," I said instantly.

Her face turned contemplative instantly. "They did cause her death, so perhaps it's only around them? Or when you feel the most intense emotions. And yet, that cannot be, because I imagine you felt intense emotion when Daniel caught you with Arsenio, and yet, you did not succumb to her, unless I am mistaken?"

I shook my head slowly. "She couldn't get to me, but she was there. But why would being around Emil and Daniel cause me any sort of intense emotions? They've both in some way been romantically involved with me, but that's it."

"It may not cause you intense emotion, but it creates intense emotion in her." A small smile touched her lips. "In her strong emotions, her desire to invade you becomes greater, and makes her stronger. In your whirlwind emotions, you become panicked, and weaker. Does that kind of make sense?"

I nodded slowly. It was kind of clear… In my panic, I lost a bit of hold on myself, became less in tune with myself, in a way, and that gave her the perfect opening to get to me, while in her intense emotions, her determination to control me grew stronger, and made her already great strength even more so.

"Wait, why do I need to know this?"

She gave me a droll look, like she couldn't believe I was asking such a foolish question. Maybe it was foolish. "Because if we know what causes it, we can find a way to stop it. It's a temporary solution until we can fully get rid of her."

"So…what do I do? Take Xanax?"

"I'm not sure that would be wise." The words came from Emil this time. "If you stay calm the entire time, your will might weaken even more, and make it even easier for her to get to you. Besides, that doesn't really stop her from getting into you at all." The way he makes it sound so sexual, but hell, he could breathe and I'd be hot. The thought made me blush, but it was so damn true.

Emil shot me a glance, and a smug smirk appeared on his lips, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. How had it gone from serious to sexy so quickly? He winked, before turning back to Winsey, who was rolling her eyes at us. Her eyes missed nothing. This was one of the times when it was annoying rather than helpful.

Winsey shook her head and ignored the looks Emil was sending me that made my cheeks flame. "He's right. Any anxiety pills are out of the running." She smiled softly. "You'll like this solution, I think."

"What would you have us do?" My eyes shot to Emil immediately. Us? That just filled me up with all sorts of warm and fuzzies. He grinned at me and pulled me over so suddenly that the next thing I knew, I was sitting in his lap.

I blushed softly and groaned. "Emil… We're in public."

"I know. It's the perfect time to show off my new girlfriend." Even more warm and fuzzies! I saw a small smile touch Winsey's lips, as she nodded her approval. Oh. Yay! My best friend approved of my choices! I knew that if she'd seen the kinds of boyfriends I had before, she would be looking at me with disappointment. Out of everyone, I just didn't want her disappointed in me, ever. She had this look she gave me that made me feel like shit.

My thoughts flew away as Emil ducked his head down to my ear. His lips brushed the arch, making liquid fire flow through my veins. A small whimper escaped my lips. "Emil…"

"Lord, I've never loved my name more than when you say it like that." I could practically feel his chuckle before his next words blew my mind. "Of course, I'll probably love it more when I make you scream it." Hot. Damn.

I was sure my cheeks were on fire by then, but oh no, Emil wasn't done just yet. "But back on topic. I won't let you deal with this alone. You'll have to put a stake through my heart before you can even consider going on without me." Sexy, and protective. What had I done to deserve such a perfect man?

I turned my head towards him, just as his mouth tilted down towards mine. But just a moment before our lips touched, a cough interrupted us. We both glared at Winsey. She didn't seem to care. "If you're not too busy, we really need to get back to how to protect your butt so he can still admire it." Well that was crude. True, but crude.

"Okay, then how do you propose we do so?" Emil asked, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. He expected me to think when he was that close to me? Jeez. I could barely breathe.

"I need you to move, Emil," I managed to choke out.

"Why? I rather like being here."

"I. Can't. Breathe!"

Winsey chuckled softly and waved a finger. "I really think you should move; I need her brain functioning at the moment. You'll have all the time you want later to cuddle and be cutesy.

I could feel the glare Emil shot at Winsey, but he released me, leaning back against his seat. He didn't move his arms from around me though. Well, at least he wasn't breathing in my ear. My brain fog was beginning to clear up just a little bit.

"Make this quick, Asian. I'd rather like to get back to my girlfriend."

When was I going to stop blushing? Probably not today. Oh cool. I'd be a walking tomato for the rest of the day. I cursed under my breath. "What's that, love?"

"Oh nothing, just thinking about tomatoes." I smiled cheekily and poked his nose.

Winsey snapped a finger in front of both of us just as Emil opened his mouth. "No. No more talking from either of you. I talk, you listen."

We both shut up. Mostly because Winsey looked like she was getting pissed off. And she'd stopped eating. Crap was getting serious when she stopped eating.

"I just need the two of you to stay close. I need you to be like a bodyguard for her." How does that make sense? That would just make my emotions even wilder! Again, she must have caught my look, because she just smiled. "Those sort of intense emotions make you more in tune with who you are. They aren't panicky or wild, but rather happy, explosive, you could say. Sound right? Yeah. You two need to stay around each other. The only problem is that if Daniel pops up. And because of that particular problem, you're going to have alternate accommodations for a while. Both of you. Together. Don't make me regret this."

My mind was stuck on that one part: staying together. My mind tipped in another direction: alternate accommodations. Holy hell.

My facial expression must have shown my wild – and horribly inappropriate – thoughts, because Winsey groaned under her breath. "No. I need you with me for like, 5 more minutes before you can go off and be dirty, yes? Yes. So, the two of you will be staying in one of my safe houses. Being what we are, and what we do, it's natural to have a few nearby, so you'll be staying in one of those. I'm the only one who has the password to that particular one, though others know of its location. No one will be able to get in but me."

"What about our parents?" My parents would freak if I went missing for a few days! And I couldn't possibly worry them like that; what kind of thanks would that be for all the years they'd provided food, house and love for me?

Winsey let out a long breath. Oh no. That didn't sound good. "Arsenio. Compulsion."

My mind blanked; what was she saying? I glanced at Arsenio, who had paled. "Why do you say that? Can you not simply charm them?"

"I suppose I could, but there is no guarantee how long this will take. People grow suspicious when others disappear for so long. It's much easier if you just convince them not to worry. You'd only have to talk to her parents, closest friends and teachers."

It finally clicked in my brain what she was saying. To say my reaction was dramatic would be an understatement. I shot out of my seat, hands clenched in fists. "What are you saying?!"

Winsey lifted her hands in a placating gesture, but I was way past trying to calm down. "No! You listen to me! How dare you even think of such a thing?!"

I felt large, warm hands take my own and rub soothing circles into the back of my hand. "Love, just listen to her, alright?"

I glared at Emil, but damn, how could I deny him when he looked at me like that? He was doing his best to help me; the least I could do was listen to judgment. Swearing under my breath, I sat down and crossed my arms and legs, refusing to submit to the warmth of his embrace.

"Thank you," Winsey said softly. "Now, about that. The point is to make sure your parents don't worry about you while you're gone. All I would ask Arsenio to tell them is to not be concerned when you disappear. When you return, he'll wipe the compulsion away and all will be as it was."

"All will be as it was?" I spat. "You're asking me to be okay with mind control!"

Winsey glanced around the restaurant quickly; we were drawing a bit of attention from people near us, but she only had to flash a small smile before they turned back to their food. Her eyes flashed when she turned her attention back to me. "I need you to think logically just for one second." Her hands gripped the table until I could almost hear the wood creak. "You know what I am. You know what I do. I hate them, Elena. I hate a lot of the vampires more than I could ever say, and the thing I hate most? It's their mind control-."

"Then you should understand more than anyone why this is unacceptable!"

"It's because of that that you should know how desperate I am!" Winsey finally snapped. Her eyes flashed as she forced herself to calm. When she spoke, her voice was icy cold. "I wouldn't ask for this if I could think of another solution that would guarantee your safety." Her hands were shaking in rage at my accusation, but I was too damn pissed off to care! She was suggesting that Emil twist my parents' and best friends' thoughts! It was like mind rape!

I opened my mouth to say more, but she shook her head sharply. "I'm asking this for them. If you can think of another solution, I'd love to hear it, but other than that, this is the only way."

"Why do I have to move at all? I can stay where I am!"

"Daniel knows where you live; he could come find you at any time. Do you want to risk your death, and his using your parents as hostage? Cuz I sure as hell don't."

Shoot. I hadn't even considered that. "What's to stop him from going after him while I'm gone?"

"Let me handle that part. I'll keep an eye on them, or have a few friends of mine keep an eye on them. They'll stay safe. Besides, with you gone, I'll have one less person to worry about, and I won't have to worry about Alana tossing me around again. I don't really have to tell you how much that sucked."

I let out a long breath. I still hated it. I hated the very idea that they'd lose control, even if it was only for a minute, and it was to keep us all safe. And under all of that, maybe at the root of it, was just a deep hate of running away, and needing others to protect me.

But hell, she was so right! It was selfish of me to risk others' lives just because I wanted to be comfortable. My parents wouldn't be upset with my leaving, because Emil would convince them that it was okay. It went against all my morals…but hell, perhaps there really was no choice.

If it was okay with Winsey, a trained and seasoned vampire hunter, if she really said there was no other choice, maybe there was truly no other choice.

I let out a long breath, and met Winsey's eyes. I nodded once. "Let's do it."