--Aftermath--

"We searched all over but we didn't find anything," the firefighter told Caleb.

"Okay, thanks." The firefighter nodded to him and Ashlyn as he left.

"How can that be," Ashlyn asked. "He can't just disappear."

"I don't know," Caleb sighed. "For now, let's just hope he's gone." Ashlyn took Caleb's hand and gave is a reassuring squeeze. She saw him check to make sure no one was looking, and then Caleb held up his hand and fixed every mirror, scratch and dent put into the car before heading out towards his house.

"That was unnecessary," she said quietly.

"Sorry," his eyes were laced with regret and embarrassment.

"Don't," Ashlyn said sternly.

"What?"

"Don't think you can't beat it Caleb. Don't give up on me," she said softly.

- -- --- -- -

"That was Caleb," Reid informed Tyler. "Ashlyn's with him. Chase kidnapped her but Caleb saved her and took care of him."

"Thank God. Where are they," he asked the blonde.

"Driving towards Caleb's house; We're meeting them at the hospital tomorrow to check on Pogue. We should probably head back to the dorm."

"Alright, let me just tell my date." Tyler left Reid and walked into the crowd; searching through the throng of students for his date.

- -- --- -- -

"Oh thank god you two are alright," Evelyn let out when she saw them walk into the manor. She walked up and embraced her son and then Ashlyn. "Sweetheart, take Ashlyn to her room so that she can get of that soaked gown. We can talk later."

"Thank you mother," Caleb grabbed Ashlyn's hand and led her up the stairs to their rooms. They split up to go to their separate rooms. Ashlyn took a quick hot shower and changed into a pair of jeans and a light blue t-shirt. Caleb and Evelyn were already talking in the living room. By the sounds of it Caleb had just finished telling Evelyn about his battle with Chase. Ashlyn took a seat next to him on the coach.

"And the firefighters couldn't find a body; not a trace of him," Caleb finished.

"Well thank heavens Ashlyn is alright," Evelyn sighed. "Now, Caleb I have something to tell you as well."

"What is it mother?"

"Your father-," she began.

"What about him," Caleb asked.

"H-He willed you his powers Caleb. That's why you were able to take on Chase," she sobbed. Tears were rolling down her cheeks.

"He what," Ashlyn asked, not believing what she heard.

"William willed Caleb his powers," Evelyn repeated. Caleb remained motionless and quiet but Ashlyn could see tears building up behind his eyes. He got up without a word and headed up the stairs. Ashlyn heard his bedroom door slam followed by a series of noises that could only have Caleb throwing objects into his wall.

When the noises died down Ashlyn turned to Evelyn and said, "I'll go check on him."

"Thank you dear," Evelyn gave her a small smile before heading to bed. Thankfully Ashlyn had yet to put all of the liquor back.

Ashlyn knocked softly on Caleb's door but she received no answer so she slowly opened the door and walked in. The room was cast in complete darkness and she could barely make out Caleb's silhouette in front of the window as she walked over to him. He had his back turned to her. Before Ashlyn could reach him, Caleb turned around in a flash of movement and crushed his lips into hers. There was nothing soft about this kiss. Caleb held on to her as if he thought she could disappear at any moment. His arms wrapped around her waist he pulled her in closer to his body. When they finally broke apart, both were panting, desperately trying to catch their breath. Caleb stripped Ashlyn out of her top and bra before easing on to the bed. More clothes came off and more kisses were shared. For one night, Caleb forgot that he had lost is father and almost lost his love and Ashlyn forgot for one night that her parents now knew where she was.

- -- --- -- -

The storm had passed on over night and now light rays of sunlight were pouring through the windows. Ashlyn had been asleep until she felt the faint tickling sensation of butterfly kisses being administered to ever part of her body. She turned around and met her favorite pair of deep brown eyes.

"Caleb?"

"I almost lost you back there. You were so close to dying and I couldn't do anything about it," he explained. "I already lost my father. He died because of me and I couldn't-I can't lose you too."

"Caleb, listen to me," she took his face in her hands; "You will never lose me. I will always be here with you and you father didn't die because of you-he died for you. He loved you enough to give up what was left of his life so that you could live out yours. He wanted you to defeat Chase."

Caleb buried his face in the side of her neck. "I'm not worth it," his whispered.

"Yes you are," she hissed, "and don't you ever say that again."

He smiled at her. Caleb loved having someone there to take care of him. For years he had been managing the house and his mother but now he had someone there for him. Even his mother was coming around; now that they had gotten her away from the bottle.

"I love you," he said softly. "More than you'll ever know."

"I think I have a pretty good idea," she smiled. "I love you too." Ashlyn got up and wrapped the sheets they had been tangled up in around her body. "I'm going to get a quick shower and then we've got to meet up with the guys and check in on Pogue."

"Yeah, Kate too," he agreed. Ashlyn headed to her room to let Caleb get dressed and to get ready herself.

About an hour later they were in Caleb's mustang, headed towards the hospital. They didn't need directions to Pogue's room; having spent most of the night before the ball there waiting for him to regain consciousness after Chase's attack. When they got to his room they found their friend flipping through channels; his attention completely on the little television screen.

"Pogo," Ashlyn let out after seeing her friend looking a lot better than the last time she had seen him.

"Hey man," Caleb smiled. "You look better."

"Yeah, it's weird. Last night I was barely awake and the next I know I feel good as new. You should have seen the look on the doctor's face."

"It's all thanks to our own hero here," Ashlyn laughed.

"So Chase-," Pogue began to ask.

"He's gone," Caleb said sternly. "The authorities couldn't find a body but after the fire I don't think it would have survived if there was one."

"Fire," Reid walked in with Tyler in tow. "Man, I missed everything didn't I?"

"Reid, the next time a power-hungry psychotic lunatic with a thirst for vengeance kidnaps me you can be the hero and save the day, happy now," Ashlyn asked sarcastically.

"Sweet, let me know the date and time," the blond exclaimed.

"Never," Caleb said eyeing Reid sternly. Reid just shrugged it off and took a seat at the end of Pogue's bed.

"We checked on Kate," Tyler told them.

"How is she," Pogue asked.

"She's a lot better. Chase's spell must have broken when he died. The bites are gone and they let her out a few hours ago." Tyler explained.

"We told her you were in a accident and she wanted to come and see you but the doctors only let her out if she promised to stay on complete bed rest," Reid added before Pogue had the chance to ask why his girlfriend didn't come to see him.

"Well it sounds like everybody's okay," Pogue smiled.

"Yup, alls well that ends well," Caleb said.

"Ummm, guys we've got one more problem," Ashlyn told them nervously.

"Wait, what now? What problem," Reid exclaimed.

"Boys, I think she was referring to us," a voice from the doorway answered. All heads turned to see Mr. and Mrs. Simms standing in the doorway, staring at the daughter they hadn't see or had contact with for four years.

I'm so sorry for the long wait.

Things have been hectic with school starting back up

but I finished another chapter.

The new story I keep promising will be

posted tomorrow. I hope you all love it and

continue to keep up with just as you

have with all of my other storied. It has a two

part prologue so the first part will be up tomorrow.

ciao.

xoxo

Kris Knight