Twenty Questions

"You're sure?" Questions Sam.

"Of course I'm sure!" I snap, "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't sure."

I sigh and run a hand through my hair as I pace back and forth. My thoughts are racing with questions and scenarios. One thought kept hitting me harder than the others though, 'I have to keep them safe.'

"Paul?" I murmur softly.

He's beside me in a moment.

"Yeah Meg?"

"How fast can we be in the house?"

"As fast as you need to be."

"As soon as possible. We can't be outside the Res any longer. It's too dangerous for the kids."

"No... It's too dangerous for you. You're the one he's targeted!"

"You don't get it! Tommy will go after Calvin if he tries to hurt me!"

"I'll go after Calvin if he tries to hurt you! And I'll rip him apart too!"

"YOU CAN'T! You don't know what he's capable of!"

"We hunt Vamps Meg, we can-" Jared interrupts.

"You don't know that. You've never faced an Incubus before! You have no idea what it's capable of."

"So I'm just supposed to sit here and let it get you?!"

"If it means protecting Tommy then yes."

"I won't leave you to that... that thing!"

"This isn't about me anymore Paul! It's about the kids! Don't you get it?"

He grabs my arms suddenly and looks into my eyes, "Don't you get I can't live without you?"

I was expecting a yell of fury and a look consumed with rage, but instead Paul's voice was a desperate whisper and his look filled with pleading.

"I-" I look away with a sigh, what am I supposed to do?

My smile is false as I open the door to the Robinson's and invite them in. Tommy and Carrie are standing in the living room looking itchy in their nice clothes. They both send me a look when the Robinson's turn to look at me and make a comment about how small my apartment is.

"Isn't it a bit small?"

"I was unaware you were also fostering a young man… I don't know how I feel about that…"

"Well fortunately I will be moving into a larger house to accommodate the kid's need for more space."

"And how can you afford that?" sneers Mrs. Robinson.

"I'll be splitting the cost with a friend of mine."

"What kind of 'friend,'" questions Mrs. Robinson.

"The kind that is kind enough to help out when even I don't know I need it. Carry, why don't you use this time to get to know your aunt and uncle while Tommy and I finish dinner okay?"

She nods hesitantly as Tommy and I walk into the kitchen where the food is finishing up.

"How long is this going to last?" sighs Tommy as he shoots a glare toward the living room.

"Hopefully, not too long… I need to get this resolved so I can focus on what's important."

"What's that?"

"Getting you guys settled… I want you guys to have a home… I think you deserve it."

He smiles at me before his smirk becomes a wicked grin, "So, you and Paul are going to be my parents."

I roll my eyes, "Paul and I aren't anything…"

"Don't think I didn't see what happened the other night."

"Nothing happened the other night Tommy…"

"Riiight…"

I roll my eyes as I glare over at him before handing him the quiche I made and turning him toward the dining room table.

"Go," I say shooing him away. He just laughs as I grab one of the many sides and walk out into the dining room. It's that moment that I hear a yell and a feral growl come from the living room. I rush into the room to see Carry behind Tommy as he glares at Mr. Roberson.

"You don't touch her." Tommy's voice is a low growl and judging by the look on his face he didn't like what he just saw. I rush over to Carry and pull her towards me where I see a handprint on her upper arm.

"What happened," My voice is steel as I turn toward the couple who look indignant and irritated.

"That's none of your-"

"Like hell it isn't! You don't come into my house and lay your hands on these kids. I won't have it. Now get out of my house."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me…"

"We won't be handing over our rights now."

"You won't have to, because I'll make you never get within ten feet of her ever again."

After the couple left I turn to a shaken Carry who has tears pooling in her eyes.

"What happened…"

"They just wanted the money… He grabbed me when I told them I didn't want to go with them and…"

"He was about to hit her…" I glance over at Tommy to see him visibly shaking.

I nod as cold anger courses through my body, "Why don't you call Paul and Sam then see if Seth can come over."

Carry perks up at the mention of Seth and Tommy sends me a small smile.

"I have a phone call to make."

Immediately I get in touch with Carry's social worker and tell her everything that has transpired tonight.

"I understand Megan, I will take care of everything, you don't have to worry about the Roberson's anymore. I will need both Carry and Tommy to give a statement about what happened."

"That's fine, I understand. Thanks Jenny for everything, I really owe you."

"No problem, have a good night."

When I hang up I quickly change into more comfortable clothes and wait for the others to show up. I'm surprised when I Sam, Emily, Paul, Seth and Leah all walk through my door. Seth immediately runs to Carry and Paul walks over and gives Tommy one of those man hug things that guys do.

"So I'm assuming Tommy told you all what happened…"

"What happened?" questioned Seth.

"Seriously? You can't tell him before he gets near the breakables?" I say in exasperation as I glance over at Tommy who sends me a sheepish smile.

"So you think that really solves that?"

"I just spoke to Jenny, Carry's case worker, and she said that after such a display and admittance that there is no way the courts are going to let Carry go with them. She will be staying here until either she is of legal age or her mother is deemed fit to take care of her."

"Good, I'm glad that that's settled, I just wish it hadn't turned out like that…"

"Me too, but now we can focus on getting the house set up and getting everything in order. Paul when can we start moving in?"

"Soon as you want…"

"Perfect then we are going to be moving in this weekend."

Paul looks relieved as we sit down on the couch and I take a moment to look around the apartment. I heave a small sigh as I think of everything that I'll need to do over the next week.

I jump as the sound of hammers hitting nails jolts me from my Saturday of sleeping in.

"I just want to sleep!" I exclaim in exhaustion as I grumble to myself as I bury myself back under the covers. The pounding just continues so I groan as I pull myself out of bed. I don't want to!

The last week we have done nothing but move and I know I need to get up to continue unpacking but I just don't want to.

"Meg! You up?!" I hear come through the door.

I turn my head towards the door and just glare at it without saying anything for a long moment.

"What."

"Uhh just wondering if you wanted breakfast…?"

"That's what I thought…" I grumble to myself as I roll over.

"No."

"Okay…"

The sound of fading footsteps is interrupted by the incessant hammering taking place outside.

"Why did I decide a man cave would be a good idea?! What was I thinking?!" I exclaim as I get out of bed and trip on the sheets that have wound their way around my ankle. I stomp into the bathroom for a shower only to discover, in the worst way possible, that the water has been turned off.

"You have got to be kidding me!" I exclaim as I grab a hat to throw on my unwashed hair before I leave the room.

I walk out to the yard where several of the guys are working on the extra room and bathroom that is being added on.

"Paul!"

"Yeah Meg?" I see his head appear from around the wall.

"What happened to the water?"

"Ahh… I meant to wake you up to take a shower! The Plumbers are here to do the piping for the bathroom."

I heave a sigh, "How long until it comes back on?"

"Uhh… few hours?"

"Ok…"

"Hey why don't you head over to my place to shower? Emily won't mind!" interjects Sam as he comes around the side of the building.

"Yes!" I exclaim with enthusiasm as I rush into the house to grab my necessary items and call Emily to let her know I'm coming over.

I'm about to walk out the door when I see Carry come out of her bedroom.

"Hey Carry I'm heading over to Emily's want to come with me? They have running water."

She whips her head toward me and nods, "I'll be right back!" she exclaims as she grabs her shoes and rushes out of the house after me.

We jump into my car and make our way to Emily's, when we get there Emily is standing on the front porch with Kim. The two are talking but wave when they see us coming up the drive in greeting.

"What are you two doing?" I ask as I walk up onto the porch.

"Go grab your shower and we'll catch you up on the gossip," says Kim as she indicates for me to hurry.

"Sure! Be back soon!"

About thirty minutes later I emerge from the bathroom in a significantly better mood than when I entered. I head back out onto the porch and make myself comfortable at the table. Carry is sitting on the steps sketching something in her sketchbook and periodically checking her phone.

"So what are we talking about?"

"Brady's girlfriend," says Emily with distaste.

"She's that bad?"

"Oh you have no idea… It just keeps getting worse…"

"How could it be getting worse?" questions Kim with a roll of her eyes.

"I have clearly missed something…"

"She is the clingiest, bossest and stupidest girl I have ever met."

"What happened?"

"Sam caught them about to seal the deal the other night…"

"He's fifteen!"

"Exactly."

"When Sam questioned him he found out that she's been pressuring him into having sex for weeks! Practically since they started going out!"

"Isn't that… dangerous?"

"He's young and doesn't have the control some of the others have, so it can be.."

"I just can't believe she's been pretty much threatening him to have sex with her."

"How is she threatening him?"

"Don't get me started… Brady's in big trouble over that one…" Says Emily with a glare.

"He let slip he's a shifter," Kim murmurs.

"What?! Why didn't you tell me!?"

"We thought Paul did… he was livid…"

"Paul hasn't really been very forthcoming with any information lately. I think he's worried about me."

"Well he does have a reason to be…" says Kim as she sends me a meaningful look.

"Yeah yeah… this isn't about me," I say as I wave away the topic of the Incubus, "This is about that girl… What's her name?"

"Lamia."

"So this Lamia is threatening to tell Brady's secret?"

"Yes, but in fewer words," grumbles Emily.

"What do you mean?"

"She hasn't come right out and said that's what she's going to do. Hasn't really had to because Brady is smitten with her."

"Then how do you know she was pressuring and threatening him."

"Oh that's right you don't know about the mental connection the boys have."

"The what?" I ask in confusion.

"Oh yeah… When they are in their wolf forms they can read each other's thoughts as means of communication."

"Huh…"

"Yeah it's actually how we found out that Tommy was abused."

"Really?!"

"He let his guard down and Paul saw."

"Hmmm…"

At that moment, the sound of my phone ringing pierced the air, I glance down at the caller id to see Paul's name appear.

"Speaking of Paul… I need to take this and probably get home… Lot's of unpacking to do!"

"Alright, see you later!" exclaim the girls as I nudge Carry and head towards car as I answer the phone.