Hey! Thanks for all the reviews on the first chapter, guys - made me feel great! Keep reviewing, I love hearing what you all think (even if it is a li'l bit o' constructive criticism!). I'll try and get more chapters done soon, but for now, enjoy!

'The Truth Will Out'

Claire lay there worrying for God knows how long. She had no idea how to deal with this situation. And God, what was Shane going to say if she told him? She didn't go down for dinner when he called, even though she could smell the brisket tacos from up here. She must have fallen asleep, because the next thing she knew it was dark, and someone was knocking on her door.

"Claire?" It was Shane. He swung the door halfway open.

"Come in."

He entered the room, blinked slowly as his eyes adjusted to the dark, and came and lay on the bed next to Claire. She rolled over and was in his arms, kissing him. His lips were so warm compared to Myrnin's. She shivered and pulled away, looking into his eyes.

"Hey." She said softly.

"Hey." Shane whispered back. His hands were massaging circles into her back, and she relaxed into him. She didn't know why she'd been so worried before; of course Shane would understand. It wasn't Claire's fault her boss was insane.

"Shane?" Claire said sleepily; she was so tired all of a sudden. "Can I tell you something?"

He stroked her hair back from her face absentmindedly, tucking the loose strand behind her ear.

" 'Course. What is it?" He yawned and stretched out beside her.

"Nothing really. Myrnin kissed me today." Claire said. She knew something was wrong when Shane went completely still.

"What?" He growled. He sounded angry. She sat up, shocked at his reaction.

"Um...I went to the lab today and - " she gulped. " - Myrnin kissed me."

Shane's expression was murderous.

"That's what I thought you said. I am going to kill him." He got up and left the room. Claire followed, mentally kicking herself for mentioning anything.

"What?" Claire said, horrified. This wasn't going at all how she'd planned. "Shane - no - look, it wasn't even a proper kiss! It's not as if I kissed him back!" Shane didn't look convinced, so she continued, "It's not his fault Shane, he can't help it! You know what he's like!"

Shane wasn't listening, he was busy stuffing stakes into a bag. He slung it over his shoulder, and walked straight past her, down the hall.

"Shane! Stop!" She shouted after him. "What are you-"

"Claire?" Michael had stuck his head around the edge of the door, and was looking at her with an expression that told her she'd just interrupted him in the middle of something important. He wasn't wearing a shirt.

"Michael, it's Shane - no, nothing's wrong - he won't listen to me and he wants to - he wants to stake Myrnin. He's going to get himself killed!"

"What? Where is he?" Michael asked, frowning at Claire

"Downstairs. Just stop him from doing anything stupid, please!"

Michael nodded and disappeared briefly before emerging again, tugging a crinkled shirt on. He ran downstairs in a blur, and Claire heard shouting coming from the living room as Shane obviously put up a fight. Claire leant against the wall and slid down it until she was sitting on the floor, knees pulled up to her chest.

"What's going on?" Eve was standing in the doorway of Michael's room, wearing nothing but a kimono dressing gown wrapped around her body. She looked completely unembarrassed about it. She padded across the hall and sat down next to Claire.

"Shane...I told Shane something, and he's just...being Shane. He tried to go charging off to Myrnin's with a bag full of stakes. He wouldn't even listen when I tried to stop him." Claire realised she was crying; she sniffed and wiped her nose on her sleeve.

Eve was looking thoughtful. "This thing you told Shane, is this the reason you didn't come out of your room all day?" Claire nodded glumly. "Spill." Eve demanded immediately.

Claire sucked in a breath. Shane already knew, and Michael probably knew too, by now. Things had gone suspiciously quiet downstairs. She might as well let Eve in on it, too.

"I went to the lab this morning, and - well...I think Myrnin was going to, you know - " She mimed fangs in the neck, and heard Eve inhale sharply. "But then...then he didn't. He kissed me."

Eve's eyes went so wide they were almost popping out of their sockets.

"What?" She exploded. Claire laughed, just a bit, at the expression on her friend's face.

"Yeah, I know. That's kinda how I felt too." She sighed. "Damn Myrnin for screwing this up." She whispered softly. "If Shane doesn't kill him, I will." Right then, she meant it, but Eve laughed.

"Ohmigod, CB, this is so romantic!" She squealed. Woah. So not the reaction Claire had been expecting."What was it like? Kissing Myrnin?" Claire raised her eyebrows. She hadn't thought of it that way.

"Well...nice, I suppose. His lips were cold." She looked over at Eve, and they both burst out laughing at the same time.

"God, Eve, what am I going to do? I can't carry on working with him if he's going to do things like that!" That would be too weird.

"Well..." Eve mused, looking mischievous. "You could always just...give him a go."

"What?" It was Claire's turn to be shocked now.

"Woah, Claire, relax! I was joking! Sheesh." Eve winked at her, and walked back into Michael's bedroom. The door swung slowly shut behind her. Claire groaned, and heaved herself up. She may as well try and talk to Shane; it sounded like he'd calmed down now. At least he wasn't shouting anymore.