A/N: Thanks to:

Take Me To My Fragile Dreams: The man was meant to be Mary-Lynette's father. Guess I could've made that clearer...

starr1095: Hopefully you don't hate me anymore! :) I wouldn't end a story like that... No worries

Night-Alice: Thanks! And yes he is. And I guess you're gonna have to read to find out whether I did or not :)

ashmattack: Criticism is good. If that was the ending, I'd hate it too. Trust me. And I guess you'll have to read and find out

kinanbon x3: I've missed your reviews! I'm glad you're enjoying the story! :D

peppa12: Thanks! Hopefully you like this

embleu44: You'll have to read and find out Haha

Mary-Lynette Ash: Awww Thank you! :D Hopefully you enjoy this chapter and the cliff-hanger at the end

Alissarhode: No worries. Being in the middle of nowhere is fun :) And I guess you'll have to do some reading to have your questions answered!

Chapter 23

With a gasp, Mary-Lynette woke up. She was sticky and clammy and felt disoriented. She immediately broke down and began sobbing. Ash's head snapped up as he heard the gasp. Looking up, he saw that Mary-Lynette had woken up. He squeezed her hand, but she immediately broke into tears. What was going on? Standing up, Ash spoke.

"Mary-Lynette? Are you okay?"

She looked up at him, relieved. Seeing her shake her head, he helped her sit up and sat behind her, wrapping his arms around her and resting his head on top of hers.

"What's wrong?" he questioned gently.

My chest hurt and then I had this dream- Her mind allowed her to speak fluently, but he could tell she was preoccupied.

"What about?" he asked aloud.

My funeral. she told him quietly but bluntly. You and Dad were there and you told him that he could have stopped my death. Then he said that there was nothing anyone could have done. Then you got mad and attacked him. Turning around, Mary-Lynette hid her face in Ash's chest as she began to sob quietly.

"Mary-Lynette, this is my fault." Ash explained. "I was trying to keep a light presence in your mind to be sure you were safe. Guess I kinda blew it."

Looking upwards, Mary-Lynette shook her head. "No. You were just looking out for me is all." Switching to telepathic communication, she carried on. Y'know, now that I think about it, you were right. Maybe our fate isn't in the stars. Maybe we have to take things into our own hands sometimes.

What's with the sudden change of heart? he inquired.

Well just the dream and all… I don't want to die! she finally admitted in a yell.

Ash held Mary-Lynette tighter to his chest, crushing her. I swear I won't let that happen, he told her fiercely. She simply wrapped her arms around his neck, holding herself close to his body. Ash eventually pulled away, knowing that they couldn't stay that way forever, as much as he wanted to. Mary-Lynette resisted at first, but slowly began to realize that they were not the only ones in the room. She could feel the bed sinking down in another area and looked over to see Thierry and Hannah sitting beside her. Hannah's head was resting on Thierry's shoulder and he had his arm around her shoulders. Both had slight tear stains on their cheeks as though they had been crying.

"Mary-Lynette," Ash spoke aloud. "I'd like you to meet Lord Thierry and Lady Hannah. Lord Thierry is the leader of Circle Daybreak, and Lady Hannah is his soulmate."

Mary-Lynette was shocked. Lord Thierry and Lady Hannah? She was immediately worried. What if they thought she was rude for not realizing their rank? Hannah had been so nice before though. Was it pity? Did she think she was pathetic for spilling her guts like that? Thoughts were running through Mary-Lynette's head like the stray meteors she sometimes saw - they appeared suddenly, burning brightly, then disappeared just as quickly into the night. Seeming to sense her distress Thierry - Lord Thierry - spoke.

"Actually we've already met." Ash looked slightly shocked as he looked at Mary-Lynette, who nodded.

"And for the record, just call us Hannah and Thierry." Hannah insisted. Nodding again, Mary-Lynette looked upon the leader of Circle Daybreak. She didn't know how she missed it before, but he seemed to have an air of sophistication around him that would make him an ideal leader.

Realizing that the silence surrounding the four teenagers was becoming awkward, Mary-Lynette finally spoke aloud.

"So, um, not to be rude or anything, but what are you guys doing here?" she asked Hannah and Thierry.

"Well we found Ash carrying you upstairs and forced him to let us come along in case he needed help." Thierry explained.

Nodding, Mary-Lynette turned to the yellow-eyed boy with a teasing look on her face. "Forced him, huh?"

Ash put his hands up in a gesture of surrender. "I just figured you didn't want anyone knowing you passed out or about your heart." he protested.

Mary-Lynette laughed. "Well luckily for you, I already told Hannah everything."

Shocked, Ash looked over at Hannah, who nodded and started laughing along with Mary-Lynette.

"Well, I hate to break up the little party," Thierry began, "but we probably should figure out what you're going to do about everything."

Sobering up, Mary-Lynette looked at Thierry with respect. He certainly got to the point quickly.

"Well how much more blood do you think Mary-Lynette needs before she transforms?" Ash asked.

"It depends. How many times have you made the exchange?"

"Twice."

"Well if you exchange a small amount of blood now to ensure her body remains strong, you should be able to wait until the threat of your mother is gone. Unless you would rather change her now, which is able to be done."

Ash looked at Mary-Lynette. "It's up to you."

"Well," Mary-Lynette felt suddenly shy. "I'd rather make the change back home once I'm safe if that's okay."

"Of course it is." Ash told her. "We should probably do a small exchange though now like Thierry said."

"We'll leave you two alone then." Hannah said, knowing that a blood exchange was personal and private. Her and Thierry inconspicuously left the room, closing the door softly behind them.

Mr. Carter was irritated. He and Claudine had been dragged to Las Vegas by some teenager, whom Mr. Carter was now beginning to think was on drugs. How could he have been so easily duped? Vampires? Drinking blood? It was probably just an excuse to give his daughter a hickey! Or worse, he had actually drank her blood! Mary-Lynette had probably contracted AIDS or something! He was going to kill that blonde-haired boy! Grabbing his wife's hand, Mr. Carter dragged her out of the kitchen. She questioned his anger and what he was doing, and he stopped abruptly and explained his suspicions. Still skeptical about the vampire thing herself, she readily believed him. Wide-eyed, Claudine asked what he was going to do.

"I'm gonna put that punk in his place!" he nearly shouted before dragging her up the staircase.

He had to ask two teenagers which room was Mary-Lynette's, and they pointed them in the right direction, advising they knock first. That suggestion was not to be followed by Mr. Carter. In fact, it only infuriated him more.

Finally reaching the door, Claudine still in tow, Mr. Carter opened the door with a slam. Mary-Lynette and Ash were seated on the bed. They jumped apart as the door opened, startled by the loud noise.

"Dad? What are you doing?" Mary-Lynette yelled when she realized who had caused the noise.

"Mary-Lynette. Grab your stuff. We're going home." her father demanded.

"Wha- Why?" she demanded back.

"Because I'm convinced that this boy has deceived you into thinking he's something he's not."

"Oh ya? And what would that be?"

"He's a drug-user! He's got you convinced he's a vampire, but really he's nothing more than an extremely messed up individual!"

"Dad!" Mary-Lynette shouted. "What would you know?"

"A hell of a lot more than you seem to! C'mon! We're going!"

Mr. Carter grabbed her arm and dragged her out the door of the room, Claudine following meekly.

Ash! Help! Please? Mary-Lynette called desperately. Ash seemed genuinely hurt by Mr. Carter's words and mistrust, Mary-Lynette noted.

Ash remained silent for a moment before running after his soulmate.

Mary-Lynette! Wait!

Ash, I don't think I've got much of a choice at the moment.

"Mr. Carter!" Ash called out. "Please stop! I need to speak with you! Please! You can't take Mary-Lynette!"

"Yes. I can. She's my daughter."

"Just let me explain! Please!"

"I've already told you! No! Stay away from my daughter!"

Mr. Carter saw Mark in the living room and told Claudine to grab him as they went by. As they emerged from the front of the mansion, dragging Mary-Lynette and Mark, Ash followed.

Mary-Lynette had just finished exchanging blood with Ash when her father burst in on them. As such, her sight and hearing had been intensified. As she was dragged out of the house, she could see a shadow standing at the end of the driveway. Ash stopped in his tracks when he saw it, knowing Mary-Lynette did too.

Reaching out with his mind, Ash was able to determine who it was.

His mother, Dahlia, had come after all.

A/N: Yes, Dahlia is finally back. For some reason I had a hard time writing this chapter... Probably procrastination and camping so I apologize for not updating sooner. Well I hope you enjoyed the chapter and please review! Criticism is more than welcome. Point out mistakes, tell me what you didn't like. Feel free to tell me what you liked too :)

Well, I should warn you that another update may not come for a little while, but I shall try to update as often as I can!

Happy Writing!