4 Years Later…

He thought he'd seen her around town, a lot. They all thought they had seen her. It wasn't easy for them to lose a housemate they seemed to be attached to. They didn't think they'd get so attached, but they had been and she was there and gone just as quick. Things changed rapidly after that. The Glass House had nearly been burnt to the ground because of Oliver wanting that stupid book. The one they had all forgotten about in due time, but it was safe to say that Eve's job at common Ground was over. It was also the partial reason Michael had changed. It wasn't some ordinary change either; it was the one that made it safe to say he was officially dead. The kind of change one doesn't come back from, but requires blood.

Shane kept himself busy working so he didn't have to be around Michael all the time and Eve…Eve was working shifts in the campus café. Everyone worked so no one really had to see each other. Well, except Eve and Michael. It was strange enough, but those two only seemed to get closer and Shane couldn't believe it. It wasn't what it used to be and he wanted to blame her while at the same time hold her. Was that weird? Weird in Morganville, good luck with that one.

She walked into the campus café which was always bustling with the usual jock idiots and preppy girls all of which seemed to be wearing a protection bracelet. If the pay wasn't so good, Eve would consider quitting and dump a few lattes on the one that deserved it, but the hours were flexible and the pay was indeed good so she naturally took on the torture of being forced to make their coffee.

"Well, the goth queen lives. It's so surprising really." The squeaky voice of Monica Morrell droned "no, wait. You're already dead or so it looks. No wonder they won't touch you. I don't blame them either for not taking out 'this' trash. It might have a disease or two."

Her clones laughed like the brainless twits they were born as. Eve laughed as well, then stopped and looked at them flatly irritated.

"Funny." She said "Anything else?"

"Yeah, actually. A latte, foamed at the top and don't screw it up this time dead girl."

"Catchy." Eve retorted

Turning away she had half a nerve to spit in each of their coffees, but today wasn't the day she was looking forward to getting fired so she didn't. Halfway through the second one her phone rang. Answering it, she put it in the crook of her neck and continued with the coffee making sure to put extra espresso in it.

"I saw her."

It was Shane. And being Shane, it wasn't the first time he'd called to tell her this.

"Shane, no. Claire left. The lucky transfer remember?" Eve said

She worried about him. He'd become seriously secluded.

"Eve, I swear I saw her. "

Eve rolled her eyes and handed Monica and the clones their coffees.

"You better not have spit in them either." Jennifer spat

Eve just snorted and waved them off as they kept making rude, snide comments. It was the same she different day for her and she knew it was bad if she was getting used to it.

"Shane have you slept?"

"Have I slept?" he exclaimed into the phone

Eve held it out as he went on and on.

"I'm telling you that I saw Claire today and you're asking me if I've slept?"

She took that as a viable no and sighed in exhaustion. She was getting more worried about him. Of all people she didn't think he'd ever get that way with anyone. He was seriously clung to her, then again so was she. Claire had that effect on people.

"Shane get some sleep."

Eve hung up as he began to protest. Her phone rang again and she just watched it vibrate across the counter. She had too many things to worry about these days and Shane had only added to that list. Brandon was also part of that list being he'd been around a lot more since her brother Jason had gotten out of jail. She knew Michael was doing all he could, but slowly it all seemed to get worse.

"Rough day?"

"Something like that." Eve chuckled as she was pulled out of her thoughts "What can I get you?"

The moment she looked up, she froze like and ice statue. The girl looking at her had dark hair past her shoulders, but still had that quirk and there was no way it could be her. For several moments Eve just stared. It couldn't be her. It was just a look alike, a look alike that must've had miracle grow or something, she was even wearing make-up and it wasn't caked on either. Even if it was her, she didn't seem to recognize her. It took all of Eve's strength not to crawl over the counter and just observe her and shake her half to death with hugs set in intervals of course.

"Black coffee with three shots of espresso." She answered

Eve shook heard head though it didn't really seem to process at all and slowly turned still dazed.

"Hardcore." Eve mumbled

"Well, when you really need to stay awake you go hardcore." The girl chuckled

Eve laughed a little too. Claire going hardcore was like a teddy bear going at a brick wall unless it was for studies. Was she back in school? She should be a graduate. Eve turned and handed her the coffee. She just handed her a ten dollar bill and smiled. Her nostrils flared as the strong aroma floated up.

"Mmmm, great." She smiled

Eve smiled. That had done it. This had to be her, she was sure of it.

"I'm Eve, Eve Rosser." Eve blurted with her hand darting out in an effort to shake hers

She nearly rolled her eyes for feeling like such a moron. She knows you already or at least should. The girl took it gratefully though and she shook it.

"Claire Danvers." She smiled "Your coffee smells amazing."

It seemed like the two would jump right into conversation like they somewhat used to, but a sudden cough interrupted that. Claire let go of her hand and turned.

"Sorry." She apologized "I have to go, work and all that."

Eve just nodded numbly still feeling that awestruck feeling.

"See you around, maybe." Claire said

The coughing sound came again.

"I'm coming Sam!" she exclaimed as she walked away

"I'm supposed to get you to your destination Claire, not watch you fratinize. You can do that later I'm sure."

Eve reached for her phone instantly and hit speed dial one. Each of the rings seemed to go on longer and longer.

"Eve, we have customers." Her boss said

"I'm on my break!" she said a little harsher than needed

The sudden guilt that formed vanished as quick as it arrived and she shrugged it off.

"Pick up." She muttered

Another ring.

"Hello?"

"Michael! House meeting like now." She said firmly and hung up without explanation "I'm taking off!"

Eve took her apron off and tossed it behind her. Her boss could doc her pay if he wanted, he could even fire her. It didn't matter, not at the current moment.

I know I haven't updated and I'm sorry for that. Blame me if you like. I do hope you enjoyed the chapter. Feel free to review if you wish. I'm sure it would only take a minute or two.