A/N: Yeah... this may sound INCREDIBLY strange, but I was yelling at my characters in the story, shouting at them to just get over their teen-angst and accept what's right in front of them.

Okaay... I wasn't originally gonna put it in, but I added a little bit of Chlerek into this. I didn't want to insert too much into it because I wanted their relationship to seem... real. Chloe started to develop some "feelings" in "The Awakening", but it's not like she noticed them immediately after. Their trust and relationship needs to build, and I know some people just want it now (*cough* Alex *cough*), but in my opinion, I can't stand it when people pair Derek and Chloe together and make them instantly in love. That being said, I know that some of the people in the reviews (which I have been deprived from) were wondering who Chloe was gonna end up with and such so I couldn't resist. Plus, my friend Alex at school was threatening to murder me until I got to the part with the romance. So... you're lucky you get a third chapter, because I could have easily (I can't stress that enough) been dead before I got a chance update again.

Anyways, thanks for reading and please review!

Disclaimer: Oh, and I, um, don't own DP. *hangs head in shame*

"I don't wanna fight again,
Don't wanna be left alone this time.
I've been around the world, twice again,
And don't wanna lose what should be mine."

As soon as the words flew from my mouth, I regretted them. They were heartless and cold and they stung, even if I wasn't in Derek's place. Chloe, why do you have to ruin everyone's day? First Simon's, now Derek's? My eyes were seeking out everything in the room, avoiding Derek's shards-of-glass green eyes that could easily slice through me at any given point. I felt as if I was getting smaller and smaller, shrinking and shrinking, until I was so tiny that I could simply slip through the floorboards to evade around the current agonizing tension surrounding me in the room. If only it was that effortless.

"You think that it was... Simon?" I winced and prepared myself for the yelling and screaming, and possibly the beating. Accusing someone's brother of delinquency... in front of said brother? Had to be some where in the book of what not to do if you wanted to live pass teen years... especially if said brother was a werewolf.

"Well I-I had a h-hunch..." I whimpered, not wanting to say anymore.

"Chloe, I can assure you that it wasn't Simon. If anyone, it was Tori." A spark started somewhere inside of me.

"Tori? No, it wasn't Tori, I... I know. She may be a witch, but she wouldn't do that." Why was I even having her back on this one?

"Um, she was the one that locked you up in the crawlspace, bound and gagged, not Simon. Not my brother."

"So, you're defending him because he is your... brother," I snapped back.

"No, I'm defending him because he had nothing to do with it. And besides, why are you even standing up for Tori?"

I lowered my voice. "Look... she didn't want me to tell you this, but when we escaped from the Edison Group while separated from you guys, she called her dad. Her real dad. She told him everything. He reassured her that he'd be right there to pick her up." I paused. "Instead, he sent her mom. Tori was hurt. Real hurt. Ever since then, I have kind of believed her, you know? I've never seen her that choked up."

Derek took a second to absorb everything I had just said, then responded with, "I didn't even know Tori had a weak side."

"You guys judge her too quickly. She's really not that bad." And it was the truth. I may have had to put up with Tori's attitude more than I would have liked, but in the end, she was still a friend.

I was glad the subject was changing. I really didn't want to be "put on the spot" right now. Unfortunately, that joy didn't last too long.

"So, you're saying that you trust Tori more than Simon?" Ouch. That made me seem like a real jerk.

"N-n-no, it's j-just that after the events that had h-happened this morning, my gut tells me that he m-might have something to do with it."

"Like what, Chloe?" Irritation made itself shown in his words. "Why are you so positive that it's Simon?"

I didn't know what to say. I mean, what could I say? Oh, I'm not completely sure and I don't have any proof but I think that your brother stole my necklace. Motive? Unknown. Along with the foundation of the rest of my reasoning. Oh wait... I know! Maybe he stole it because it was his way of "hitting" on me. Should I be flattered or downright furious?

When I didn't answer, Derek took over the conversation. "See? No proof. I really don't know what led you to believe that, Chloe. Simon? Out of everyone here? He may have 'feelings' for you but..." Oh great, now he wasn't just a dog, but a mindreader, too? Anything else I should know? Like, at midnight does he sprout fangs, or is that too cliché for him? Then another thought struck me.

"Whoa, why do you think that that has anything to do with this? It has absolutely nothing to do with it," I said boldly, even surprising myself a bit.

He started to speak but I cut him off.

"Is that who you take me for, Derek? Oh, I'll just go around, tease the first guy I see, make him think I like him. It'll be... fun." I spat the word out with venom. "Then, to get everyone else involved in my 'little' scheme, I'll pretend that he stole my necklace, the one thing I can't live without. Yeah, that'll be a great way to bring him down." I rolled my eyes. "I may be 'stupid', but I'm not cruel."

There was no way I was hiding my sassiness now. The words flew out of my mouth with pure hate, something I didn't like to use, especially around friends. But I was beginning to wonder... were we even friends anymore? After the bus-stop, I thought we were. Derek seemed to make it clear that we were. As that day went on while we were on the search for Andrew, it had appeared that we could at least stand each other. We had gotten along great, actually. I enjoyed it. He was at ease around me, something I wasn't accustomed to, but gladly accepted. But now, standing here in the room with Derek, I began to doubt myself and everything Derek and I were. I honestly didn't want to lose that- to lose him. My breath, now puffing in and out with rage, was cut short by my theory. What- I- I shrugged off the thought, even though it wasn't the first time it had came to mind.

"Chloe- you - me- I never said that." Derek proclaimed, finally able to get in a sentence, even if it was struggled.

"But, you thought it." Who was the mindreader now? Huh?

Now Derek was the one on a mad fury.

"Why are you so intent that it's Simon? Ever since Lyle House, Simon has always been nice to you. Never judged you, never doubted you. Hell, even thought a little bit too much about you. But you?" He snorted. "Some friend you are." He stopped, but only to shake his head. "You have tons of people looking after you, tripping over their own two feet to make sure you're satisfied. And do you appreciate that? God, Chloe, I really wish you would just open your eyes, or at least think before you opened your mouth." His words stung like knives piercing my heart. But, I didn't think, did I?

He continued on with his frenzy. "Why don't you just go ahead and put everyone down? You know, since you seem to assume that you know everything about everyone. But, Chloe, you don't know anything about me."

I know that when the light hits your eyes perfectly, they seem to take on the appearance of emeralds, sparkling ever-so slightly in a way that makes me get chills. I know that after you get done with your Change, you smell like a mix of evergreen and rainy dew; my attraction to the aroma difficult to control.

Derek's face was beat-red and I could see that he breathing hard. I felt the tears well up in my eyes, threatening to pour out, but I didn't let them. I couldn't let them. Dozens of emotions portrayed in Derek's eyes. Anger. Sadness. Guilt.

"Chloe... just- just go."

But I couldn't. I just stood there, feet rooted to the cold, haunting floor. Unable to move, unable to speak. I couldn't help but gawk up at him, tears starting to shiver down my face. My lip was quivering and I couldn't get it to stop. My heart was getting heavier and heavier, feeling like it was ready to burst at any moment. So this was what love felt like?

Derek's eyes met mine and he repeated once more, "Go". This time, it came out strained, matching his sorrow-filled eyes perfectly. Could he possibly be in as much pain as I was in?

Not wanting to face this- to face him- anymore, I turned around and staggered towards the door. I placed my hand on the doorknob, reminding myself that I was making the biggest mistake of my life. My hand stayed stuck on the doorknob, trembling . A few seconds went by and I completely grasped the handle, rotating it slower than imaginable. I stood there like a complete idiot, not bothering to hold in the tears anymore. They streaked my face and fell down to the floor, staining it, to constantly remind him of his- my mistake. That is, until it fades. Because, as I have learned, all of the best things diminish and go, leaving you with only evaporating memories.

I felt the floor shift underneath my feet, my vision blur. I knew I was just acting melodramatic, but I couldn't imagine Derek being ripped away from my life. I had only known him for two weeks, but I felt closer to him more than anyone else. I kept telling myself that it was just a stupid little fight we were going through; we had been through plenty, and the result of each was overall satisfying, so to speak. Yeah, we fought a lot but we made up each time; forgave and forgot when other issues- more life-threatening issues- came into play. But, there was something different about this dispute. Derek had actually showed real emotions, real opinions. He had never said anything foul about me. Only argued to show that he cared, that he only wanted my best interests put first. But now? I didn't know where we were at. Before, he was always the one that started something, with my stubbornness participating later on in the brawl. This time, though, I felt like it was all my fault. I knew that if I were to leave, I would be the one carrying both mine and his burdens on my shoulders. I didn't need my guilt and his scowl constantly telling me that I was the one that caused all of this. But, integrity divulged that I was the one to blame.

I cleared my head of all thoughts, vacuuming away all doubts. I twisted the doorknob decisively, just wanting to get away and not make a bigger fool out of myself. I hurled open the door when two words made there self known. Two words that changed the circumstance entirely. Two words that made me swing the door slowly back into his hinges and just stand there in the room motionless.

"I'm... I'm sorry."

I hesitated, but slid my hand off of the handle. I felt frozen in the moment. The silent, immobilizing moment.

I turned around once again to face him. My cheeks were probably redder than any blush; my eyes puffy and blurry. I didn't know what to do. It was all too confusing.

Once Derek caught a glimpse of my face, of my appearance, his eyes travelled down to the floor, obviously not wanting to confront me nor the situation. And that was okay... but he missed my big, stupid grin.

I knew that I was acting as the lovesick teenager that I hated to be, but I couldn't stay mad at him. Not after he apologized, something he did rarely. He hardly ever says sorry because he thinks that others don't deserve it. But he did for me.

He peeked up at me with a perplexed expression on his face. "Why are you smiling?"

"You... apologized." He glared at me with a 'so-what' look. I rolled my eyes, but not in a haughty way. "Hasn't Kit ever taught you that actions speak louder than words?"

"But what I said- they were just words." He stared at me intensively, but I could hint that he had a trace of humor in his eyes.

"What you did there, my friend..." I shook my head in disbelief. "In all honesty, you looked like a whipped puppy."

He cracked a smile. Mission complete.

Something went off in his head and he reached over to his desk with the laptop and grabbed a napkin. He wordlessly handed it to me.

I wasn't quite sure what it was for, but I assumed that it was to wash away my tears so I wiped my face.

I was still rubbing at my face when Derek began to speak, "Chloe... I mean it. I really am sorry. What I said just then... I didn't mean it. This may be hard for you to believe, but it was just the wolf speaking." He peeped at me to see how I was going to take that, then continued. "Words are just words and don't mean anything until they are said genuinely. And that back there... I don't know what that was." We locked eyes for a minute and my stomach started to twist and turn, knots of anxiety forming in the pit of it all. He took a step closer and... gently tugged the napkin out from in my hand and disposed it. Moment ruined... by a filthy piece of cloth.

We were left there, standing awkwardly and looking around uncomfortably, while the silence filled us in. I could tell that he was trying to figure out something to say, anything to say, but just couldn't come out with the words. Finally, he mumbled something.

"So... um..."

"My necklace." I quickly blurted out, finishing his fragment. I didn't want to be taken back to the discussion of my necklace- since that was what led us to this rollercoaster of a mess- but it was better than standing here tongue-tied. Plus, I might could finally get some answers and well-needed help, what I originally came here for.

Derek regained his composure and began to speak, "I don't really have much to suggest, Chloe. I guess the best advice to give you is to snoop around and see if you can find anything out-of-the-ordinary-"

"Besides a house full of supernaturals, I suppose," I said with a smile, interrupting what he was saying.

"Yes... and make sure to question Andrew every now-and-then. I don't fully trust him yet," Derek stated. His words brought relief to me. At least I knew that I wasn't the only one.

"I don't, either. He keeps showing up at the worst of times and this morning-"

I was cut off by Andrew's call. "Alright everyone! Come meet me in the living room downstairs. It's important!"

I glanced at Derek and he had the same puzzled expression that I wore. How did Andrew pick such great timing?

When we got downstairs, Andrew had wanted to give us a quick tour of our "newly established residence". Turns out quick was not the most accurate word to use when describing a monter-truck-of-a-house.

In the hallway, Andrew's room was on the very end, adjacent from mine and Tori's room. He didn't take us into his bedroom, but I could tell that it was larger than any of the other bedrooms. I contemplated why he had the bigger room and let the people who had to share get the smaller ones, but then I reminded myself that he was the adult and carried on.

Right next to Andrew's room on the wall facing the stairs was the bathroom- a beneficial piece of information considering with a house of five, it would be used plenty of times. He demonstrated where everything was located, and then moved on to the next room.

And the next room, I must say, was a breath-taker. It was a library- still on the same hallway as our bedrooms- but I had no clue that it was here before. It was very well-hidden with just a plain old door that could easily be mistaken for leading to a closet. But, when we walked in... a closet it was not. All mouths dropped- including Tori's, which surprised me because she never came off as the reader-type. If I thought that the house was huge- boy, that was an understatement compared to this.

The room stretched on for miles and miles, filled to the very top with millions of books. Thousands and thousand of shelves invaded the room. It amazed my how such an enormous room could sit on such a narrow hallway. But then again, as I was learning as the day went on, the house was full of surprises.

We didn't stay long in the library, but I saw that most of the titles had to do with paranormal themes. I glanced over at Derek and saw that he was thinking the same thing. As strange as it was, I knew that it could come in handy. It was probably the best source for research.

As we headed back downstairs, everyone scattered and dispersed away from the group. Tori went off to take a shower. Derek went back into his room to continue on his laptop. And Simon went off into the kitchen to find something to eat, the single apple obviously not suffice. That left me alone. With Andrew. I took advantage of the situation and started pelting Andrew with small, trivial questions.

"Andrew," I said, walking over to the mysteriously closed door that I saw earlier, "How come we didn't go in here during our tour?"

Andrew flinched. He knew what I was doing.

He stabled his equanimity, then said, "I figured that it was unimportant."

Great, that didn't give me anymore answers... just the fact that Andrew was indeed hiding something.

I decided to approach the subject with a different outlook.

"Well, I thought that since we would be staying here for a long time, it would be best that we got to know every part of the house." I shot him a sugar-coated smile. He wasn't buying it.

He stared at me long and hard before saying, "Not now, Chloe." He strode into the kitchen, now truly leaving me alone.

I took the silence as a well-needed gain to figure out everything that had taken place so far this morning.

Something happened between Simon and Andrew this morning, something Simon didn't want me to find out about. And whatever was behind that door, Andrew was hiding it pretty well... but he should know that a lock couldn't keep out a couple of supernaturals. The library and movie collection both consisted of paranormal aspects. The letter I found under my bed... was it to Davidoff? And who in the world is Sarah?

I felt like I was trapped in a Scooby-Doo episode. I'd done enough snooping for one day.

A couple minutes passed by before Tori stormed down from upstairs, shampoo in hand. She was dripping wet, as if she had bolted from out of the shower. Luckily, she had put on clothes before she darted down.

"Okay, who did it? Who had put honey in the shampoo? You better fess up now before I strike you with an energy bolt!"

I heard a laugh that came from upstairs. It seems as if everyone had a secret.