A/N: Whoohoo! Another update! This one is in Ez's POV. And I don't own most of the characters.

Chapter 11

Everything about me hurt. It wasn't just taht long day at the gym kind of hurt either, it was that did-I-just-fall-out-of-a-tree-or-something kind of hurt.

Everything was groggy and fuzzy too. All I can remember is crying alone in a tree for hours. What happened?

Slowly I opened my eyes and then blinked. Where was I? I was surrounded by so many people looking down on my I couldn't even figure out whether I was inside or outside. It was a little annoying, not to mention disgruntling.

I blinked once, twice, then tried to sit up. Someone pushed me back down gently.

"Huh?:

"Just stay down for now Ez, you need your rest." Was that Simon's voice? It had to be, no one else had the balls to call me Ez. But why was he here? Was I imagining things? How'd I get out of the tree? What's happened since?

I drew a breathe to ask one of my countless questions when emotions froze it in my chest. Right then there was nothing more I wanted to do the be alone to cry myself to sleep again. Of course that wouldn't happen. If they thought Derek was over-protective of his mate, they should open their eyes and check our how protective Simon can be!

"You feeling ok champ? You look like shit." And there goes the oh so sensitive Derek with his inquires.

"Probably don't look much better then I feel." I managed to squeeze out with a weak smile.

Derek chuckled. Obviously if I could still attempt to make smart remarks I was ok in his mind. He patted my knee.

"Hang in there champ, you'll be back on your feet in no time." Then he left, Chloe trailing awkwardly behind him.

I wonder how Chloe feels about Derek and I's relationship. It's not like we're ever going to date or anything, totally just friends. We hit it off trashing Tori's temper and then I stopped her from burning his pants, while they were on him. Somehow that gave way to a commradory between us similar to that of a brother and sister. Or in common terms, Derek likes to think of me as his little sis. Which I'm not sure if that will or will not be awkward in the future, should Simon ask me out.

I wonder if he will ask me out. He was obviously flirting with me the other day, but it seemed like his heart wasn't totally in it. You know like maybe he was still sort of hung up over someone but trying to move on. I bet it was Chloe! She's so lucky to have so many people love her. One thing I'll always look for but probably never find, is a real romance.

Then I blinked, and blushed. What was happening to me lately? That's when it finally registered that someone was talking to me. The blush darkened.

"Ehh... Whaat?" It was the most intelligent sentence fragment I could muster. Had they drugged me?

"Ez! You totally just zoned out! Are you sure you're ok? You never zone out when I'm talking! Are you listening to me?" Tori was starting to screech.

"Relax Tor, don't give yourself a coronary," I smiled, "I'm fine, just thinking."

"What totally important thing did you have to think about that takes higher precedence over the story I am telling, which by the way, involves you!"

SHIT! She was telling a story about me? Ut-oh! Not good!

I smiled anyway, "Absolutely nothing, would you mind repeating it, please?"Tor, couldn't resist me when I was polite. WAIT! When had she even gotten here? And when did everyone else leave? Damn how out of it am I?

"Wait, Tor, I have one question first, is the story about how the hell I got here and why everyone else has left, because if it's not I'd really rather hear that one first."

She and Andrew laughed, "Yes, stupid, it's that story, now are you going to listen or not?"

I nodded, I was ready to listen and this time I would force myself to pay attention.

"Good," Tori nodded, "Ok, so how you got here was that bastard carried you in. He said you fell from a tree but I honestly think he pushed you, but anyway he came rushing in crying and you were out cold. Once we got you all patched up I fixed him right with a nice punch and then I came to visit you. The people left because you were awake and I asked them to give you some privacy, by the way, you're inside on my bed, and I want it back soon."

I laughed, it was so like Tori to say that, "Can I sit up now? It's getting annoying not being able to see who is talking to me."

Simon reached over to help me up rather then answering, and I could see his emotions all over his face, "Relax Simon, I'll be fine, I've had worse." I smiled weakly.

He still looked worried, and I felt bad. So I turned to Tori, "Where is he Tor?"

She looked me right in the eye and asked innocently, "Who?"

I stared her back down, "You know who. I want to see him."

Simon sighed and bit his lip, and Tori looked defiant as ever.

I tried again in a gentle voice, "Simon, I want to talk to him and I know you know where he is, so tell me or I'll go looking for him myself."