A/N: I love writing. I want you guys to know what happens between the character switch, so I went back to Alek's morning. Just saying, so there are no confusions. Enjoy! :D

Alek's P.O.V. from the morning.

Alek woke up panting. He'd had another dream of Deryn. He looked around the the room and noticed there was light. Finally it's morning, thought Alek.

He' had enough of those blasted dreams about Deryn. Why in the world was he having these stupid dreams about a girl he didn't even love?

The last one had been the same as the others; Deryn looking attractive, her seeming to be beckoning him, and Alek making the wrong move. Only this time she hadn't punched him. She had actually pulled out a gun.

He remembered it all too well. Alek had kissed her forcefully, while his hands slid down to her waist. while he had ben drunk with kissing her, he noticed that she wasn't, once again, returning his kiss.

Then she'd shoved him away from her forcefully and pulled out an air pistol and cocked it at him.

"I-I can't do this, Alek," she'd shouted, the gun shaking in her hand.

"I thought you'd wanted this, Deryn," Alek asked, hands in the air in protest.

"I do-did, Alek," she whimpered, blinking tears back, "but now I'm not sure what I want," she raised the gun.

"Deryn, don't," Alek pleaded. "I-I love-"

"Don't you dare say it!" she screamed.

"I love you, Deryn Sharp!"

"NO," she screamed and pulled the trigger.

Then Alek had woken up panting and found himself replaying the dream again and again in his head.

It didn't make sense. Every time he'd kissed her, she never pulled away right away. What was her problem? She can make up her mind about joining the air-force, but not me, Alek thought.

These dreams had left Alek highly distrubing,so he decided to clear his thoughts with a nice cold shower. When he was done, he got out to find Count Volger in his cabin.

"Good morning, your Highness," he greeted.

"Likewise, count," Alek returned.

Count Volger looked Alek up and down. When his met Alek's gaze he paused. The boy seems distant. Good lord, what has happened to him now, Volger thought.

"Are you well?" Volger questioned.

"I'm fine, thank you," Alek replied.

"You don't look well. You look as if you're hiding something," Volger retorted.

Alek swore inwardly. Of course Volger would know when something was up. He had watch Alek grow up from when he was just a baby, after all.

Volger took Alek's silence as a yes and said, "Perhaps it has something to do with your good friend, Deryn."

"How do you know her true identity?" Alek questioned.

"Your Highness, I've known for weeks now," the wildcount replied smugly.

Alek froze. "Why didn't you tell me?" Alek said, anger rising.

"My boy, I didn't want to ruin your self-esteem," Volger replied innocently.

"What, you think I can'y handle a girl being better than me?" Alek prompted.

"Ah, so you admit it," Volger smiled cruelly.

"Get out of my room. Now." Alek yelled.

"As you wish, your Highness," Volger replied calmly and left the room.

How could Volger have found out before I did, thought Alek. Deryn must have known that Volger knew what she was. That's why Deryn and Volger always regarded each other coldly. I'm such a dummkopf, Alek thought.

Alek went back to his bed and decided to read. A little reading to clear his mind would do. There was no way he would go back to sleep, for fear of the return of those dreadful dreams.

Alek read for what seemed like hours. He was so occupied with the novel, that he didn't hear the soft knock on his door at first.

"Coming," he called as he scrambled out of bed and went to answer the door. It was Middy Newkirk.

What could he possibly want, thought Alek, groaning internally.

"May, I come in, your princeliness?" Newkirk asked.

Alek opened the door wider, guesturing him in.

"Newkirk, whatever it is, please tell me now, I'm a bit occupied," Alek said impatiently.

Newkirk glanced at the book in Alek's hand. "Yes, of course you're occupied," Newkirk said pointing at Alek's book.

Alek blushed. "What? It's a very interesting book," Alek said defensively.

"Aye, I suppose it is , if its got you that occupied," Newkirk went on. "I want to do a little gathering for Middy Sharp in my gratitude for him," Newkirk told Alek.

Alek nodded.

"I would also like you to be present, if that's not a problem?" Newkirk asked.

"No, not at all. Consider it done. I'm there. And may I ask what hour is it to be?" Alek prompted.

"Three," Newkirk said and with that he left the room.

What have I done, thought Alek. He'd just agreed to go to a gathering and Deryn Sharp was going to be there. Maybe he could lie and say he has a headache and he sends his best wishes. Surely Deryn wouldn't expect him to be there. But everyone else would.

I won't go, he thought. No he had to go, because everyone knew he was Dylan Sharp's best friend and if he didn't go, they'd get curious.

He climbed back into bed and opened his book and began to read once more.

A/N: Sorry guys...I know this chapter was short, but I'll make it up to you in chapter six, which by the way is done, I just need to type it up...hmm, probably tomorrow, because my hands are tired and my computer needs another battery. Also I'd like to add Daniwashere to my Virtual warm chocolate-chips cookies for leaving a review on every chapter so far! Thanks dude.

B.S. out