A/N: Probably my longest chapter yet. I think a lot happens in this chapter too, which is good :). I really appreciate everyone's reviews and advice so I thank you all again :) YOU GUYS ROCK! Wooooaah!

Disclaimer: Don't own

Enjoy!

Time Heals All

Chapter 17: Changing

Claire sat in the secret room for hours in complete silence. Angst consumed her; she had no idea how she should feel. She still loved Shane, she was sure of that, but did he love her back? Why did he even care about Claire and Matt's relationship anyways?

She was so confused.

The only thing Claire was sure of was that she could not continue whatever had started between her and Matt romantically speaking. She couldn't be with Matt, and pretend she was with Shane. That was just wrong.

Shane..

Claire was starting to think that maybe, just maybe, Shane still had feelings for her. It would certainly explain a lot...but then again if he still loved Claire, why would he have cheated on her in the first place?

Why would he do that to me?

Claire mentally slapped herself. She couldn't be thinking like that; she couldn't be hurting over Shane. She HAD moved on. Hadn't she?

Evidentially not…

Suddenly the door to the secret room opened, bringing much needed light with it.

"Claire?" Michael called out, his voice saturated in sympathy.

Claire had become the Glass house's permanent charity case.

"Up here" Claire whispered from the rooms dusty couch; she didn't bother speaking above a whisper, she knew Michael could hear her anyway.

Michael appeared in front of Claire in seconds.

"You know why he did it, right?" Michael asked, breaking Claire's previously thick stillness.

Subtle, Claire thought to herself.

"No," She replied. It slightly angered Claire that after all her hours of thought over why Shane might have attacked Matt, Michael just seemed to know the answer right away.

Well at least he probably thought he knew.

"Claire I think you do know, but your just denying it"

Claire sighed. Of course she was denying what her instinct told her. She couldn't start believing that Shane still loved her, because then Claire knew that she'd get hurt again.

"I have no idea what your talking about" Claire answered, keeping her face straight and meeting Michael's clear, blue eyes. His eyes were somewhat hypnotic and devastatingly beautiful. (A/N: Michael leaned forward, Claire meeting him halfway. They kissed against all odds, forgetting of whom they were supposed to be loyal to. All that mattered to them then was each oth- whoops! This is NOT a Claire X Michael FF…Erm, sorry guys. Continue!) Claire only felt slightly guilty for momentarily falling prey to Michael Glass's charm.

Michael smirked as if he knew exactly what had just happened to Claire. This instigated a blush from Claire.

"He obviously still loves you" Michael finally said, sounding as serious as ever (which was a complete contradiction to his previous smile). Claire knew that Michael believed his words, but she really couldn't.

"If he loved me then he wouldn't have cheated on me with Monica" Claire's voice filled with venom at the mention of her nemesis.

Michael just shrugged.

"Shane's an idiot Claire. He does stupid things when he's hurt. I actually can't believe I only just figured out why he did it; I mean it's really obvious now"

Claire's mouth dropped. Michael knew why? Interesting.

"Why did he do it then?" Claire quickly asked, desperation filling her voice. She really wanted to know why Shane cheated on her, for obvious reasons.

"I think he did it because he was hurt. Everyone knows that Shane has this vendetta against vamps, so when he found out that you had become one, he kind of just lost it. At first it was beer, then he turned into girls…anyways I think he did it because he thought you were going to change, just like he thought I was. But I think once Shane saw you again, he realised how stupid his actions were" Michael took Claire's hand, and squeezed it, "It still doesn't mean what he did was right or anything, but it definitely explains why he did it. I'm almost 100% sure that he still loves you; Shane isn't the type to just fall for girls 24/7 and by the way he looks at you…well you can still he still has some strong feelings"

That's when Claire fainted. She only just barely heard Michael call her name.

#

Claire woke up in her bed to the smell of Shane's Chili. It kinda felt like déjà vu.

As Claire sat up, she noticed a burning in her throat. At first it started out uncomfortable, but as Claire stood up, it turned into a nearly unbearable pain. She noticed how she become more aware of the two heartbeats they were inside the house; she could smell their blood, practically feel the sensation it would bring to her if she were to take it from the source. Claire slowly felt herself become more and more like the monster she was destined to be, and as much as she tried to mentally fight it, she just didn't have the strength.

It occurred to Claire then that she hadn't cleansed her thirst for a while, possibly even a week. The part of her brain that could still think clearly (as small as it was) scorned herself for being so reckless, especially with humans in the house. But Claire soon felt herself leaving her room with only one thought in mind: blood.

She pranced down the stairs gracefully, zoning in on the location of the two living organisms in the house: the kitchen. Claire's eyes glazed over into a red haze, as she smelt the warm and homely smell of her future meals.

Delicious

The small part of Claire's brain that was still coherent screamed at her to stop, to think about what she was doing. But the vampire in Claire tsked the supposed logic away.

Claire then reached the kitchen, swinging open the door with complete ease. Like expected, her two hopeful meals turned around at her entrance, gasping when they saw her current attitude and appearance. Claire knew what they saw her as: a predator.

"Well, well, well. Which one would like to go first? You both smell delicious, I really can't choose between y'all" Claire said, confidence consuming her. She never knew this would happen; that she'd practically turn into a different person when her thirst took over.

Shane looked at her in shook, his eyes filled with concern and disappointment. Logical Claire thought she saw love in his eyes too, but he quickly masked it and put on a hard face. Claire didn't think she'd ever get him back now that he'd seen the monster she truly was.

Eve on the other hand was screaming out for Michael, completely terrified by Claire's appearance. She hid behind Shane. Logical Claire hated herself right now.

"Weak" Claire muttered as she looked at Eve, she then turned her attention back to Shane and winked.

Shane looked back at Claire with a mixture of disgust and concern.

Claire walked right up to Shane and put her hands on his chest, feeling him up.

Okay, Vampire Claire had NO boundaries apparently. She was a lot like Ysandre.

Claire looked up at Shane, giving him a suggesting look.

"Mhmm, your blood type's O negative, did you know that? I love O negative" Claire then leveled her face with Shane and kissed him.

Logical Claire then starting screaming for control. She didn't want to be kissing Shane; she was still so confused. But damn it felt good; she felt right at home.

Apparently Shane agreed, because they were soon making out. He soon realised what he was doing though, and pushed Claire off.

Shane tried to act disgusted, but his eyes told her that he definitely wanted Claire. Claire knew he still loved her, but could only briefly celebrate, before the opening of the kitchen door distracted her.

Michael.

Eve sighed in relief, Shane in tow. Claire merely laughed and pranced towards Michael. He didn't stop to acknowledge her though, he just went straight to the fridge, grabbing out one of his sports bottles. He then handed it to Claire.

The smell overwhelmed her, making her rip open the lid and pour the contents directly into her throat. The burning stopped almost simultaneously, and her fangs retracted back into her gums. She blinked, and her eyes returned back to the chocolate brown that they have always been.

Claire then put down the bottle and slowly turned back to Shane and Eve, who were still standing against the kitchen counter in shock. Claire's eyes opened wide in realization for what she had done, and she quickly raced out of the kitchen, heading towards her room.

She really hated herself at the moment.

Although Shane seemingly didn't as he raced after her.

"Claire!" he called after her as she shut the door to her room. What the hell had she just done?

Shane then rushed into her room.

Claire thought that him of all people would hate her more then ever at the moment. Maybe the kiss had made love Claire all the more.

"Claire-" Shane started, but was interrupted by Claire.

"Why is it you of all people that chased me? Why are you the one that doesn't look like you're about to stake me? Why aren't you confessing your hate for me?" Claire yelled out, tears escaping her eyes. Her emotions were rough at the moment.

Shane just stared at her. He looked like he wanted to comfort her, but kept his distance.

"I don't-" Shane started but stopped, swore to himself and then left Claire's room.

Claire had no idea why Shane had followed her, but in her mind all she could think about were Michael's words: "I think he did it because he thought you were going to change"

Claire knew that she was definitely changing, whether she could control it or not.

I liked writing this chappy because I think vampire Claire is pretty badass. I wanted her to be like Ysandre, well when it comes to Shane that is.
Vampire Claire is also supposed to be very OOC, because it's like Claire's becoming more 'in touch' with her predatory/dangerous side, and thus in doing so I think she'd be waaaay more confident :D

Also, sorry for all you Matt fans (if there are any Matt fans? ahaha) for his absence. I was actually SUPPOSED to put him in this chappy, but I ran out of room ahaha ;)

Thanks for reading. Please review :)

-katieeblaah
(P. for my massively long A/N in the middle of the story; I just HAD to make that a Michael X Claire moment :D)