First off, I'd like to thank everyone who's reading this story. You guys are keeping it alive. Second, I'd like to say a BIG thank you to everyone who has reviewed! They keep me going and motivated :)

So, this is set during the Reckoning, while Chloe is napping in the parlor after the fight with Liam and Ramon and right before her and Derek's intense moment after she drops her water glass. Once again, it's in Derek's POV.

Disclaimer: Last time I checked I wasn't a best-selling author. Guess I still don't own anything…

Decisions of a lovesick teenager

DPOV

As I sat watching over Chloe's sleeping figure, my decision and resolve cemented themselves: I really liked Chloe and I was going to do something about it. This wasn't just some crush and she wasn't just some girl. She was special. And it's different. Something about whatever this is-my feelings and her-is different and I remember those couple of times where our gazes had locked and it felt as if gravity was no longer holding me in place, but Chloe was. I also knew-however pretentious and presumptuous this may sound-that Chloe liked me too. And it wasn't just because of my talk with Simon or of the small indications I had become aware of, like how she blushes crimson and looks away whenever I catch her looking at me. No. It was more than that. I knew it with a certainty that took me aback and run deep within; one that made me feel like Chloe and I were supposed to happen, like there was no other way for things to work out.

I realized after the final fight with Liam and Ramon and during Chloe's questioning that we were in too much danger and surrounded by too much uncertainty to not take action when the opportunity presented itself. I had never really understood the flaw in human nature that made us want what we want when we want it. I thought that if people exercised self-control and were disciplined enough that they'd be able to control their feelings. Well, I was wrong and I finally understood what it meant. There was no way that I was going to face the Edison Group, risking my life, without first giving into what I wanted before my possible demise. And what I wanted was Chloe. But it went beyond that. I needed her. I needed her optimism and understanding; I needed her stubbornness and her unwillingness to back down to me; I needed her concern and her empathy and her care. I just needed her. She made it seem like our fight and our trials and tribulations were all worth it in the end.

I realized that Chloe was awake and turned to her, catching her staring again. Her cheeks flamed and she looked I away. I frowned, wondering what she thinks about that makes her do that.

"Must be almost lunchtime." She says, still not looking at me. I'm a bit surprised at what she said and take a moment before answering. Food had honestly and surprisingly been the last thing on my mind, which was occupied by trying to figure out why she was acting so strangely, almost embarrassed.

"Maybe." I say, shrugging. "You okay?"

She nods and I finally see that she looks worried, probably thinking about Banks. I frown again. If she is worrying about what happened downstairs, she should talk about it so she can work through it. I ask if she wants to do just that and receive another nod. When I say that I'm going to get Simon, you guessed it, another nod from the now mute Chloe.

That was it. I was getting to the bottom of this. Why wasn't she saying anything? Why wouldn't she look at me in the eye?

"Chloe." I say, trying to command her to look at me. When she still won't, I start to worry. What was wrong? Had something happened-and if so, then what?

"Chloe?" I ask more softly, praying that she will just look at me. She did then, thank god, but just as suddenly fumbled with the glass of water she had been holding, getting wet and barely saving it before it smashed into a million pieces. She was looking intently at the glass so she hadn't seen my moment of shock. For the couple of seconds that her eyes had met mine, I had seen something behind the embarrassment and worry that made my blood run cold: want. Desire. What had shocked me even more was what I had seen in my eyes, reflected in her clear blue ones. My gaze was soft, filled with concern and worry and care. I knew that I cared about her, I just hadn't realized how strongly until I had seen it. That was lie… I knew how strongly I felt about her but I didn't want to be creepy so I pushed it down. I was shocked because I realized as I saw my reflection that they were too strong to be hidden and my attempts to do so were futile.

Regaining my equanimity, though without conscious thought, I walked towards her, crouching down in front of her and removing the glass from her vise grip, staring at her intently the whole time. She looked up then and instinct took over. I leaned forward, knowing that this was right, and just as she was tilting her head-

"What'd you lose? Not your necklace I hope." Simon's voice came from the doorway and we shot to our feet so fast we collided. As she stuttered excuses, my heart thumped wildly. How in the hell had Simon managed to catch me off guard? That never happened.

I saw Chloe walking towards the door and panicked. She couldn't leave now. I needed to know if what I wanted to happen-which I had intended to make happen-would in fact have happened if we hadn't been interrupted. Stupid Simon and his stupid timing.

"Chloe?" I call, trying to think of something-anything-that will keep her from leaving. But nothing comes. For the first time ever, I cannot think. She looks back at me, seeming to understand what I'm trying to do but coming up equally blank. So I mumble something ridiculously stupid about getting her an apple while she changes and she says sure and that's that. It takes all of my willpower not to follow her out of the room and up the stairs.

And Simon? Well he was leaning back on the couch, grinning, with a knowing and evil glint in his eyes that made him look scarily like Tori for a second. He was so going to pay later.

I'm not sure if Derek was a little OOC in this one... :S Let me know, please review :)