This is my first attempt at fanfiction... Enjoy :)

This is set during The Awakening on the bus ride to Andrew's in Derek's POV.

Disclaimer: If I were Kelley Armstrong, I wouldn't be posting my stories here; I'd be publishing them.

On the bus part 1

DPOV

"We can't sit together up here," I said.

"No, we can't," said Simon, with a note of finality in his voice and a look in his eyes daring me to protest.

Sighing in resignation, I walked towards the back of the bus, sliding into a window seat, readying myself for the long hours ahead spent planning our next course of action. I soon realized that I had a problem: I didn't have enough information to properly construct a plan. Plans are based on theories, which are based on facts. If you are aware of and understand your information, you can make accurate assumptions on possible outcomes and in turn make plans on how to either reach those outcomes or avoid them in favor of more promising ones. Unfortunately, the only facts I have are leading to more questions and the lack of information is maddening. All I know is that we are genetically modified supernaturals, three of us with stronger, incontrollable powers and that the Edison Group is after us. That's it. And the not knowing only adds to my frustration. If they catch up to us, what will happen? Will they try to "rehabilitate" us? I almost snort at the term. Is that even possible? Or will they just accept that we're "failures" and terminate us as "humanely as possible?" and what about Andrew? Will we find him? What will he say? Will he be able to help us? Will he even know how to help us or how to explain our situation? There's Dad to worry about too. Where is he? Is he okay? What even happened to him? Another thing I know is that the journey ahead will not be easy, considering the fact that we're four teenagers on the run with little knowledge and even less experience… all these questions and lack of answers were really getting to me. Cluelessness and I don't fit together too nicely. Sighing, this time in annoyance-at our current predicament or at myself, I wasn't too sure- I looked out the window, hopping to find some peace of mind for a couple of minutes.

The sight that met me hardly put my mind to rest. It was a nice day, the sky a cloudless, rich blue, like a sapphire: the exact colour of Chloe's eyes, the eyes that can see past all the pretenses…

Chloe.

That tiny girl was a matter in itself. She wasn't a problem necessarily. She was savvy and useful and interesting. But she creates problems for me. Well, not problems but a problem really: I find myself thinking about her more than I'd like to admit. I think about her and her shy, quiet demeanor, which leads me to wonder about her, because under the soft, pardonably mistakable meek exterior, she's strong as steel and stubborn and righteous, smart and sharp, caring and selfless and brave. I'll admit, at first I considered her expendable, another pawn in the chess set in my plan to get Simon out of Lyle House. Then, Chloe took me by surprise, something most people don't manage to do. She stood up to me, an admirable feet in itself considering she mustn't weigh more than a hundred pounds and is at least a foot and some shorter than me, the overgrown, hulking werewolf; she accepted she was a necromancer in stride and after initial shock, managed the zombies with relative calm and acted okay with it afterwards. Then, she figured out my motivation for pushing her in the right direction and albeit being pissed, agreed to go along with the plan because hey! Like I said, Chloe's just that honorable. Plus, while in captivity, she managed to gather information on us, giving us answers to our otherwise hopeless guessing. Oh, then, off course, she stayed with me for the Change, which frankly, I still cannot dignify with an explanation, making me forever in her debt really, because I will grudgingly admit that having her there was nice. It made me feel better, like I wasn't alone for the first time in a long time. I won't forget what she did for me. Over the past few days, Chloe has become anything but expendable.

Objectively speaking, she was-is- pretty too, really pretty, even with the black hair. I groan internally at the thought.

I respected Chloe.

I liked her-platonically speaking of course-and that is how I repay her.

Not only am I the reason for that stupid, black hair, which I truly feel bad about, even though, like I said, it is only hair and it'll grow out, but I also chewed her out three times in one night, two of which I will admit to myself were completely unjustifiable.

I shy away from the thoughts, but they come anyway. Me, losing control yet again and almost ending another life. All because I couldn't keep calm. Yes, Chloe was in danger but I didn't need to throw someone into a wall to properly resolve the situation.

Chloe had been right afterwards though. I was mad at myself for almost throwing the girl and I took it out on her, because in my mind, at the time, Chloe getting attacked was her own fault because she didn't listen to me when I told her to stay put. She blatantly ignored me. But, she was right again in the reasoning that she was not a dog. I had no right to order her around. The thing that evades her though is that I just want to keep her safe. It's almost like a compulsion, like I need to…

I remind myself that when this is all over, she will be safe, safe with Simon, who apparently, really likes her. No, he does really like her. It's different with Chloe and even I can see that. They will be good together and even though I now that, it's hard to stop the hurt and the jealousy from flaring up in my chest.

That's another problem that's been manifesting myself. These unexplained feelings. I'm waging a constant battle for control of my mind. I know I should feel one way for example and the wolf feels another, almost urging me to feel the same way. Like when Simon grabs Chloe's hand, I'm happy that my plan is working out so well and yet I can't help but feel irrationally protective of Chloe, like Simon should not be touching her. It's things like that that remind me that I have an inhuman being inside me that makes me feel that way. My actions are my own doing and I will take responsibility for them. But some of my feelings are because of the wolf and I think he should be held at least partly responsible.

I'm jolted out of my reverie by a sign saying we're approaching Syracuse. Oh joy. I also happen to pick up Simon and Chloe's conversation, not like I had been keeping tabs on it…

"There's another thing I've been thinking." Simon was saying, "I know it's not exactly a good time…" it felt like a lead weight dropped in my stomach. He was asking her out and no doubt she would say yes because everybody loves Simon. Annoyed at myself, inexplicably mad at Simon and weirdly hurt by the prospect of Chloe liking Simon-which she should I remind myself- my legs move as if on their own accord towards them, interrupting their "moment."

Like I said, this is my first fanfic, so comments, reviews and critiques are much appreciated :)