(AN: So... I have no idea who's perspective is going to be dominant in this. Also, I'm pretty sure both Leena and Artie are going to get a part in this :D So I hope you enjoy. Please leave feedback, even if you already have on a previous chapter. I love feedback!)

Claudia sat in her room, headphones in ears. She hoped no one would disturb her, they were all downstairs, talking and laughing in their normal post-dinner way, but she just felt like she couldn't take the joy. She could feel inside her, something was wrong. But every time she reached for it, it withdrew from her memory.

It had been a week sense the incident at the warehouse, and things had gone pretty much back to normal. She was still slightly worried about Jinks, though.

She shook him out of her mind as she continued back to the device she held in her hands. She normally liked to listen to rock, or soft acoustic guitar stuff, but she just wasn't in the mood. She couldn't help it. She was more in a mushy mood.

Flipping through her own revised version of an iPod's play list she found the perfect song. "Straight no Chaser, eh? I remember them," She reminisced. Rhythm of love... ya, kind of gushy, but it works.

She crossed her fingers underneath her head, laid back, and closed her eyes. She enjoyed the sweetness of the music. It reminded her of Steve. Wait, no, what? She questioned herself. It's because how sweet he is. Yeah, that's it. She was trying very hard to convince herself that was is. Are you sure? She heard a voice ask.

"YES!" She shouted. Her eyes widened at the realization that she had actually yelled this.

Her head shot up and she quickly took out her ear buds to make sure no one was knocking.

1, 2, 3, 4. Hey no one's coming. Sweet, she thought. Right as she was about to place her head back down she heard a knock on her door. She groaned and got up.

"Yes, everything's alright." She swung open the door, expecting Leena, or maybe Myka, but instead Steve stood in front of her.

Jinks raised an eyebrow as she said that. "Wait, what? Please repeat what you just said." Claudia shuffled her feet and looked at them.

"Look me in the eyes and say it." She looked up at him.

"Uh, it was nothing. I'm fine." She smiled at him. He frowned at her. "Liar."

She crossed her arms at him. "Well, it's nothing to me. And plus, you never told me what was wrong." She walked back to her bed and sat down. Claudia patted the spot to her left. "Lets talk about it."

Jinks could tell this was only half in the normal 'I'm angry at you so we're going to do this my way' Claudia thing. It was also part honest concern. Sighing, he sat down next to her. She looked at him expectantly, exactly like she did last week.

He looked into her eyes and couldn't help but notice how pretty they were. He had to clear his throat as he looked into them. He dragged his gaze to the floor so he could speak.

"Look, Claud. It's just..." Steve trailed off. Scratching his chin, he thought how he was going to say what was wrong and still leave the secret parts out.

"Look, I-I... um..." He took a deep breathe. "I have a crush on someone." He felt like he was going to be sick.

Claudia's face suddenly changed from one of worry and concern to one of excitement.

"No way! Who is it?" She stopped. "Oh God, is it Pete?"

Steve made a face. "No! I mean. He's cute, but totally not my type." She laughed at this, which of course, made his heart melt.

She was happy for Steve, sure. They were best friends. But a little part of her disliked- no, hated- the idea that he liked someone else. She also hated herself for feeling like that.

"But, also, who it is, that's my secret to keep." He told her. He needed to make sure she didn't pry. She didn't like it, but she accepted it. "But now, it's your turn to share what's wrong."

It was Claudia's turn to make a face. "Tell." He grinned at her. She glared back.

She looked at her nails as she began to speak. "Well, I just seem to be having some, uh, small problems with feelings. Like, I don't understand why I'm having the ones I'm having." He nodded at her. "I understand. You know that you can tell me anything you want to, right? I'm always here for you." He smiled at her.

"I know, thanks." She leaned into him, head on his shoulder. This felt like what she was missing. He wrapped his right arm around her waist, and rested his chin gently on her. He couldn't hold back a smile as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

He wanted to sit there forever, except he wanted to be able to kiss her, and have her know that he liked her, and know that he wanted to spend eternity with her. But he knew that could never happen. It never would.

After a few minutes in Steve's arms, Steve felt Claudia's breathing even out, and knew she was about to fall asleep. He felt her grip on his neck lessen, and knew she was out. Smiling, he quietly and gently laid her down and pulled the blankets over her.

He couldn't resist it. He pressed a soft kiss on her cheek and looked at her lovingly. "I love you," He murmured gently. He still had small smile left on his face as he left her room and closed the door with a soft clunk.

She shot up the second the door closed. She could feel her heart racing. She had woken up slightly when he had placed her on the bed. She had felt him kiss her. She heard him whisper the words. She had no idea to think of it.

But worst of all, she only had one question- What did he mean?

(AN: I'm so sorry it took me forever! I swear on Syfy I will start to post chapters weekly :) But I really am sorry for the delay. Please forgive me!)