BreeTico – Honestly, I hadn't planned on it, but Jack and Madison are easily becoming Emily's closest friends (aside from Derek, of course.) And if you're excited about Emily being able to hear Derek, this chapter might have something of interest to you. :P

Complete Chocoholic – Lol, sorry. The long chapter run isn't quite over yet, but the most recent chapter written (being number fourteen; I'm halfway done with fifteen) is closer to my average number. And I liked that line, too! I have no idea why, but when I wrote it I gave myself a pat on the back for being so brilliant. Haha (;

Just a reminder: I try to post a new chapter every three to five days. With this one being posted, the next one will not be up until at least August 23rd, but I'll most likely be posting it in the wee hours of the morning. I just wanted to let you guys know about my updating pattern with this story! (:

The Significance Series belongs to Shelly Crane.

11: Don't Get Your Hopes Up

I woke up at the crack of dawn. At least, that's what it felt like. The one window in Derek's room had dark curtains drawn across. But the sun was definitely up. I realized that what had woken me up was the spear of light coming in from the doorway. Someone had opened it up to check on us, I was sure. With a slight groan I shifted just a little bit, using Derek's chest as a pillow. I'd told Derek that I was a restless sleeper, but I was pretty sure that I hadn't moved an inch since I'd fallen asleep. I was still pressed against my significant, my cheek resting on his chest, his arm draped over my side. My muscles felt like they needed to be moved around, probably because I hadn't moved, but I didn't feel tired in the least. I felt… reenergized. Like it was the most perfect thing that I'd felt in a long time. If every morning would feel like this, then I could understand the reason that significants were usually in a rush to get married.

I swallowed hard at the thought. Derek hadn't proposed marriage to me, but he had offered to let me move in. I was pretty sure that the offer still stood, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to actually take him up on it. We'd been imprinted for four days. It was almost a week. According to Derek, his parents had set up a wedding as quickly as possible and were married in just under two weeks' time. Weddings were different for Aces. They were married by the Champion, or leader, of their clan. For the Stantons, it was Derek's uncle Marco. Rings were private, not given at a ceremony but after. The man bought his newly wedded wife a house for their wedding gift. The woman wore a red dress. It was often held at the Champion's home, and everyone was notoriously barefoot.

It sure was different. The moment I'd heard it, I remembered the vision I had when we'd first imprinted. I'd been wearing a red dress. I'd been barefoot, standing in someone's backyard. The ground had been sort of cold under my feet, but I was standing out there anyway because I'd decided that I could. At least I knew that in the future, no matter how far away it was, I still retained my stubbornness. I figured that it was probably my wedding. My wedding to Derek. It was in my future. I'd heard before that the future wasn't set in stone, but Derek had told me that Aces were big on fate and destiny. Whatever happened, I probably would end up standing on cold ground in a red dress.

I shifted again. I could feel the springs of the mattress shifting underneath me. I wanted to just lie there all day where I was warm and comfortable, wrapped up in my significant's arms. Maybe I could just ignore the questions pounding in my head for a while. I'd have to work through them sometime, most likely in the near future, and I couldn't let my worries get in the way of my decision. I knew that right this moment, I would do anything to stay with Derek. My mom was my family, yes, but Derek was my future. She couldn't keep me away from him for any reason. She couldn't tell me that I couldn't move in with him. She couldn't tell me that I couldn't marry him, even though I was still young. I was nineteen. There were kids younger than me having babies, for God's sake. All I wanted to do was possibly move in with my boyfriend.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to wipe away the thoughts while I was still relatively calm. The worry that my mom was going to shoot me down just because she wasn't ready for me to grow up was making my heart pound a little harder, and I didn't want to wake up Derek. I was trying to be as still as possible because his arm was still over me so I couldn't roll away from him. I took a deep breath and shoved the thoughts away as hard as I could, knowing that I would only come back to them later. Hopefully I wouldn't be in the presence of Derek when I did. I didn't want him to worry about me and my indecision. I already knew that I wanted to move out of my mom's house and into Derek's. The only problem was when I was going to tell her and whether or not she would let me go or disown me on the spot. My mom wasn't a particularly cruel woman, but when she felt like something was threatening me she could be downright vicious. I wouldn't want any of that sort of attention on myself or Derek. If he got on her bad side now, I would never hear the end of it.

I made another small movement. Derek shifted underneath me, his arm tightening around my side. I tilted my head and looked right into his green-gold eyes. He looked even better in the morning, his hair mused and his eyes half-closed. There was definitely the hint of a shadow on his chin as he pulled me tight against him. He partly rolled over on top of me, and I knew almost instantly that he was playing a game. I let out a slight giggle as I pushed him off. With our combined momentum, we continued to roll until we were on the other side of the bed, me lying on top of him. I brushed my hair out of my eyes and leaned forward to give him a quick kiss before rolling away from him. He tried to catch me as I jumped away from him, my feet landing on the cool wooden boards in his room.

I brushed my hair out of my eyes and snagged my bag from the foot of the bed, dropping it onto his desk. "What time is it?" I asked, unzipping my bag and checking to make sure that I'd thought to bring my makeup and brush.

8:30. His reply was short and still tired. We'd gotten a good eight hours of sleep, and even though we seemed to reenergize each other while we slept, the both of us were probably used to having even longer hours. At least, he must have been. I was usually up and ready by 7:30, ready to ride down to the shop and start the day.

"Sorry for waking you up," I told him without turning around. I could feel his footsteps on the floor as he drew closer. He wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder. I continued to move, arranging my clothes as neatly as I could around all of my stuff before zipping the bag up. I was going to have to take a shower, and then the two of us would have to find something to do. I wasn't sure if it would be safe for us to just hang around at the house all day. Madison was in school until four and Zach was bound to have classes for a good majority of his day. Victoria worked as a receptionist at the Virtuous cars headquarters here in Chicago, even though they weren't built here. Robert was the president and CEO of the company. Jack was supposed to have college classes since a higher education was required by the Ace council. I hadn't bothered to ask if Carissa had already graduated or not. But there was obviously someone else home because the fact that they'd bothered to check on me and Derek had been the reason I woke up.

It's fine. My mom should be leaving soon to go to work. He said. What do you want to do? You have work at four, right?

"My mom gave me the day off. I'm free all day." I replied, turning around to face him. He didn't move to give me any room. Apparently, kissing him had opened up a whole new door to the different levels of PDA. Derek was just as forward as I had imagined him to be. I reminded myself that by what I was able to pull from him, he was working hard to keep himself in check. I wondered if I was being a tease to him or if he was happy just getting what he got. I figured that I could dig around in his mind to find out, but for now, our simple contact seemed to be for the better. I leaned into him, letting my chin rest on his chest as he looked down at me. I let my arms go around his narrow waist. He bent forward and, despite my mental warning about my possible morning breath, kissed me on the lips. My entire body seemed to be tingling, like it had fallen asleep and was getting a jolt as the blood returned to my limbs.

Derek pulled back first. His lips hovered over mine for a second longer before he pulled away, giving me a sheepish smile. I understood what he was feeling, I guess. Even though a few more kisses would be fine in between us, if we continued he might not be able to wrap his head around the meaning of restraint. It was better to stop while he could still keep his head on straight. I'll learn. His words were low, whispered through my mind. But for now, you'll have to forgive me for the mixed messages.

You're giving me anything but mixed messages, I replied in my mind, wrapping my fingers around the handle of my bag. Out loud, I said, "I've got to take a shower. Do you mind?"

Go ahead. There are towels in the tall cabinet. I gave him a small smile as I turned to his bedroom door. Just like I had the night before, I peered out into the hallway. I figured that there were less people in the house now, but I still didn't want to be caught in my shorts and camisole. I darted across the hallway and tentatively pushed open the bathroom door. Inside, it looked like someone had gotten out of the shower recently. There was the hint of steam on the corners of the oval-shaped mirror hanging over the bowl of a sink.

I set my bag down on the counter and turned to the cabinet to grab a towel. I turned on the hot water in the shower, waiting until steam came over the curtain before getting in. There was a rack that went from the top of the tub to the ceiling, something that Victoria must have installed. There were three shelves. The top held what had to belong to Madison and Carissa, since it had girly, fruity shampoos and body washes. The second shelf had men's shower gel and the third one had shaving cream and several pink razors. It reminded me that I needed to shave my legs either tonight or tomorrow morning when I was at my own house.

I was stingy with the shampoo and conditioner; I didn't want to use all of Carissa and Madison's stuff. It smelled amazing, like grapefruit. Feeling refreshed, I dried off and changed into my jeans and layered tank tops. I was in desperate need of getting my laundry done, so I figured that a few brightly colored tanks would be acceptable. I wasn't going into work, so it didn't really matter. Besides, I had the feeling that Derek would like me even if I was wearing a giant paper bag. I still wanted to look good for him, though. If we were going to be together, I wanted to be someone that he was proud to have on his arm. I looked at myself in the mirror, realizing that I didn't care if Derek saw me with wet hair and no makeup. That had to mean something, right?

With a sigh, I dug for my brush and pulled it through my hair, wincing on the tangles. I plugged in my blow dryer and dried my hair. I did my short makeup regimen, adding a little more mascara than I usually did. I leaned back and looked at myself, tossing everything into my bag and zipping it up. I hung the towel over my arm and messed with my hair for a few moments longer before deciding that it was satisfactory. With a sigh, I turned to the door and undid the lock, pulling it open.

I admit that I screamed when someone fell into the room. They'd obviously been leaning against the door, waiting for me to make my grand exit. Derek's bedroom door flung open across the hall. His jeans were low on his hips and he had a shirt halfway on, his arms stuck through the sleeves even though the rest of it hadn't made it over his head yet. He burst out into laughter when he saw me standing in still-steamy bathroom, gripping my bag like a weapon, Jack lying on the floor at my feet.

"Thank God, woman!" Jack signed. "I've got to pee!" I knew my eyes were wide as I stared down at him, completely shocked to even see him there. I'd been so sure that he'd gone to classes at the local college and hadn't been anywhere in the house. Jack punctuated his sentences with the widening of his eyes, and I got the gist of it. Quickly, I stepped over him and into the hallway as he scrambled up and shut the door behind him.

He probably wanted to embarrass you. We do have other bathrooms in the house. Derek said from behind me. I turned around just in time to catch him pulling the rest of his shirt over his head. My God. I suddenly wished my brain had a TiVo. That was something that I would record and watch over and over just for kicks. A flush colored my cheeks at the thought, and I hoped that Derek was either so busy that he wasn't paying attention to me or that I was more closed off than I thought I was. In any case, he didn't give me a flirty smile or raise his eyebrows at me. If he did hear it, he didn't comment on it.

Well, he succeeded. I wondered if my voice sounded embarrassed to him. Clearing my throat, I tossed my bag onto his desk and collapsed on the bed. I wasn't tired, but I just wanted to lay back and do absolutely nothing with my free day. I could mentally feel Derek moving around the room, but I couldn't really tell what he was doing unless I focused on him. I decided to let him have some time to himself as I rested my eyes.

The pillow smelled like Derek, like boy and men's cologne. I could feel a small smile touching the corners of my lips as I took a deep breath. I would have never thought that someone's scent would make me so happy, or make me feel so grounded. I guess that was because he was my significant. Anything about him, even his flaws, I loved.

I felt someone sit on the edge of the bed. I opened my eyes and saw Derek sitting there, right at my hip. He was tugging his shoes on, lacing up his combat boots. I sat up and moved to sit on the edge of the bed. Derek used one of his feet to push my sandals over to me. I grinned a thanks and slipped them on, running a hand through my hair. "So, what are our grand plans for today?" I asked. Without really thinking about it, I started straightening the room. I moved the clock on Derek's bedside table and picked up a candy wrapper to toss in the trash. His cell phone was plugged up. I picked it up and ran my finger over the screen. He didn't seem bothered in the least. Most people are sort of protective of their phones and they don't like it when other people mess with them. I was one of those people. Even Xavier couldn't mess with my phone despite the fact that the only thing I ever got on it was text messages. Derek, though, didn't seem bothered in the least. I went to open something up and the phone locked up, asking me for a passcode. Well, that was why.

Two, eight, three, zero. Derek's voice didn't even seem bothered by the fact that I was messing with his phone. That was like, one of the most personal things in the whole world. Phones were usually kept on your person, so people had no problems talking about things that they usually wouldn't. Derek trusted me not to be bothered about anything on his phone. I pressed the numbers in and the keypad lit up green for a moment before giving way to the back screen saver.

I flicked through the apps that Derek had downloaded. Most of them pertained to music, but there were a few that were about cars. One of them was supposed to help him keep track of the stocks. I wondered how often he actually opened that one. There were only a few games downloaded.

We can do whatever you want, Derek finally answered my earlier question. I set down his phone and turned to make sure that everything that was mine was packed away in my bag. I set it on the desk chair and straightened the papers still stacked on his desk. When I was certain that it was in perfect order, I turned around to look at him. He was still perched on the side of his bed, tying a woven bracelet around his wrist. He reached out for the leather necklace with his family's crest on it, pulling it over his head. He looked up and me and gave me a broad, easy smile.

I leaned against the desk and pretended to think long and hard about what we should do. Chicago was a pretty big city, and there were places that I hadn't even seen. It was the type of place where you could live your entire life and still not eat at a certain restaurant or shop at a certain store. "I want you to give me a tour of Chicago."

Derek cocked an eyebrow. He managed a confused, slightly amused smile. You've lived in Chicago your whole life. You know it as well as I do.

"I want to see your Chicago," I told him. I went to sit on the foot of the bed, facing him. My knees touched his leg as I took a hold of his hand. "Every city is different to people. I want to see where your part of the city is. Like, where's your favorite restaurant? And where do you go in your free time? And what's your favorite place in the entire city?"

Okay. I show you my Chicago, and you show me yours. I laughed and nodded in agreement. He stood up, bringing me with him. I grabbed my purse and he stuffed his wallet into the back pocket of his jeans. Jack was walking down the hallway when we stepped out of Derek's room. He stopped to look me over, his eyes trailing from my head to my feet and back up. I rolled my eyes and stuck my tongue out at him. As we passed, Derek cuffed him in the shoulder jokingly.

In the kitchen, we just barely managed to sidestep Victoria's insistence that we have something for breakfast. To her credit, she didn't seem bothered in the least that her son's girlfriend (is that the right word? I still stumbled over the use of it. It seemed just too insignificant.) had stayed the night in his bedroom. But then again, we were significants, and we needed each other. If we weren't imprinted and I hadn't known the about the no-dating rule, which Derek followed religiously, then I would have been paranoid that Derek having a girl over was a common occurrence.

Derek led me out into the garage. He stopped at the pegboard just inside the door and mused over his options. I kind of wanted to give that bike of his a try. Derek must have been open to me, because he glanced over with a smile while reaching up to take a key from the board. He headed to a cabinet that had multi-colored doors. He opened one of them up and handed me a sleek black helmet before taking one for himself. Your chariot awaits, my lady.

# # #

By the time I was usually at work, Derek and I had canvassed Chicago, sharing our memories. Derek took me for breakfast tacos at a little restaurant called Los Gorditos. We had parked the bike and walked to the little recreation center where they had playgrounds and sports groups for kids. Derek told me how he had played Pee Wee football and baseball, and how he'd tried and failed miserably at soccer. I laughed and led him to the other half of the recreation center, where my mom had enrolled me in piano before we found out that my talent lay in the guitar. Just being there was a little sad, since it just reminded me that I couldn't play an instrument anymore. But it was a part of my history and I wanted Derek to know every little thing about me.

After the recreation center, where we dodged constant questions as to whether or not we were already members to their gym and if we wanted to pay to become members, I took Derek to the restaurant my dad had always taken me to as a treat. For the majority of my childhood, my mom had tried her best to make sure that my father and I only ate low-sugar, low-fat, low-carb diets. The restaurant had been our little secret. It was a place that I had loved to come.

We drove past the venue where Derek's band, Triple Threat Touchdowns, had gotten their first gig and where they played regularly. We passed by the building where the deaf support groups were held. We passed by my middle school and his high school. We rode by the paintball field where Derek and his band-mates spent their free time and extra cash. Finally, we ended up at my favorite place in the entire city. It was a lightly wooded walking trail less than half a mile from the main road, but if you knew where to look you could find little ways that were off the beaten path to get down to the bottom of the manmade pond nearby. There were always ducks around, but they usually hung out by the path, where people would throw food to them. At the base there was a stone wall that stood a good five feet above the waterline. It was a place that Bailey and I would go to when we were bored and just wanted to sit down and talk somewhere without having to buy something at a café.

I had taken off my shoes so they wouldn't slip off my feet and fall into the water. Derek's shoulder touched mine as we sat there, overlooking the pond, in almost complete silence. We had sort of closed down our minds to each other, so all we really got were little trickles of information and snatches of thought. I kicked my feet back in forth, watching their shadows move across the top of the water. My hand rested on top of Derek's on the wall, keeping a channel open in between us.

I could feel the moment when Derek's mind sort of perked up. It was like he'd decided that he'd had something that he needed to tell me. I could tell through his half-closed mind that he'd been debating on whether or not to tell me or wait and see for himself. He didn't want me to be heartbroken later on. That thought alone made me eager to find out what it was. I was never very good with the preservation of my emotions. I was too curious for my own good. Derek could feel my interest, and he turned to look at me.

Emily, I want you to be forewarned about this. I don't want you to get your hopes up only to have them crushed later on if I'm wrong.

"Just tell me," I whispered, nudging him in the arm with my shoulder. He glanced away for a moment, and I could almost feel my heart catch in my throat. What did that mean? My curiosity was still knocking feverishly in my brain, but now panic was starting to rise in my chest. What could he possibly tell me that had him so worried?

I've been talking with my dad. About you. I was pretty sure that my stomach dropped. I hoped that I wasn't going to puke, because that wouldn't be attractive in the least. Derek reached out to touch my face with his free hand, bringing my eyes up to him. Don't think that. I have no idea what you're thinking for sure, but don't think it's something bad. Remember how I told you that once we ascend we can heal each other? I gave a slow nod, aware of the fact that he was still cupping my cheek. Well, the only thing that we can't heal is hunger, thirst, and sleepiness.

He looked like he was waiting for me to pick up on something. I felt my eyebrows draw together as his golden hazel green eyes stared into my gray ones. What was he getting at? I skimmed the surface of his mind, but before I could find the answer for myself he said, Your hearing, Emily. We think that it might be possible that I could heal you enough that you could get your hearing back. His eyes softened. He had told me that he wasn't bothered by the fact that I was deaf, but he knew that I was. And I knew that he would do anything to make me happy. I had mixed emotions about the possibility of my hearing coming back. I was ecstatic that there was a theory that it might work. After eight years, I wanted to hear again. But then again, if it didn't work, I would be crushed. If I hurt over the fact that the theory had been false, Derek would feel guilty and hurt along right beside me.

But there was a chance. A slim one, maybe, but it was there. All I had to do was wait a few more days, maybe even a week longer to find out for sure. Excitement ran through me. I was already looking forward to the ascension because it was going to be a huge marker in our lives together, but now there was something else depending on it, something that I had wanted for years. Something that had seemed impossible to get back.

"I promise that I won't get my hopes up." I said, holding up two fingers, scout's honor. Derek eyed me because he knew that it wasn't something that I could really promise. In fact, I had the slight feeling that I might have already broken it. If I got my hearing back… I would have a piece of my life back. I would be able to hear Derek outside of my mind; I would be able to hear his family. I would be able to hear my guitar when I picked it up. My heart pounded erratically at the thought. Derek moved his hand from my cheek to his chest, pressing down on it. I knew that it was something he did when my heart got a little out of control. He would rub it like he could calm it down that way.

Emily…. He let his mental voice wander off. I could see that he was debating on whether or not it was smart to tell me. He was worried that it wouldn't work and that I would be upset with him for bringing it up in the first place. He thought that maybe, if he hadn't told me, he wouldn't have had to worry about how I'd take it in the future, if it didn't work. But he had wanted to tell me so bad. It was hard for him to keep a secret from me after all, and he thought that at one point in the future, I would have realized that he'd had a theory at this time and he didn't want me to be upset with him then. To him, it was sort of a lose-lose situation.

"Don't think like that," I whispered to him. "I'm not going to get mad at you over it. It's a theory. All we can do is hope it works." I wasn't just hoping, I was begging and praying. I wrapped my arms around one of his, effectively locking me to his side. "And if it doesn't work, we'll carry on with our lives. You can talk to me in my head all you want, and your family knows sign language now."

He rested his hand on my knee. Here's to hoping it works.

"I'll toast to that," I replied.

# # #

Derek had decided that he was going to drop me off, preferably without Madison as our buffer. I could always tell my mom that he picked me up from Madison's and that we'd gone to dinner or something else completely mundane. She'd believe me, I was sure. That was partly why it hurt so much to lie to her. She trusted me blindly, believing that her daughter wouldn't utter a single lie to her.

We rolled up on the bike and Derek cut the engine, pushing down the kickstand with a boot. I swung my leg off first, still holding onto his waist as I stepped off. He waited until I was stable before getting off himself. He took off his helmet and tucked it under one arm, reaching out to remove my helmet from my head. I ran a hand over my hair, hoping that it didn't look awful. Derek just smiled at me. He wanted to walk me up to my door and give me one last dose of his touch before leaving me until morning. As we turned to head up to the front stoop, the lights flicked on and my mom opened the door.

I stuttered in my step, glancing at Derek from the corner of my eye. I could tell that he'd stiffened a little bit, but outwardly he probably looked completely at ease as we continued up the front walk. My mom eyed the helmets under our arms, peering over our shoulders to see his bike against the curb. I was still wearing a black leather jacket that was Madison's and was a little too short for me, and Derek had pulled out one that I didn't even know he had. It was hot, to say the least. I tried not to look bothered by the fact that my mom was going to give Derek the third degree. I told myself that he could handle it. He dragged me off to meet his entire family the day after we'd imprinted, for God's sake. Surely he could handle a few questions from my mother.

"Hi, mom," I said, all chipper. I was hoping that if I looked particularly happy then she would be a little softer on him. But I'd seen the look in her eyes when I told him that he "might" be the one. Behind her slight tears was a look of determination that said that she was going to personally vet him out and make sure that he was a good guy. She wouldn't want anything to happen to me, and if that meant pinning Derek under a microscope then so be it. I had no trouble believing that she would go looking to see if he had a police record or if his GPA was higher than a three point oh. I reached out with my free hand and wrapped my fingers around Derek's, taking his calmness and hoping that I gave some to him in return. I also wanted my mom to get the gist that the two of us were more than friends. We hadn't really been over basic titles yet, which I still struggled over. I couldn't tell anyone but Aces that he was my significant. So what was he to my mom and the rest of the world? "You remember Derek, right?" I asked.

We were close enough that I could see her face in the porch light. "Yes," she said, a smile touching her lips. It was partly real, partly fake. "It's good to see you again."

"You too, ma'am," Derek replied. I only knew what he said because he sent a copy of his words reverberating through his mind, like he did when he was talking to me in a public place.

She gave him a slight smile before turning to face me. She spoke at the same time that she signed, so at least she wasn't trying to keep secrets from Derek. "How was your day with Madison, honey?" She asked. "Xavier certainly missed you at work." I caught the way that her eyes darted over to Derek when she mentioned Xavier, and I was pretty sure that he did, too. What was that all about?

I answered out loud, "It was pretty good. We just did some shopping. Madison took me to this great restaurant for breakfast burritos this morning." I told her, my fingers tightening around Derek's when I said it. My mom just gave me another small smile, and I knew that she was digging for more information, like, perhaps, how did I leave with Madison and come home with Derek? "Madison had to study for some test, so Derek and I went to dinner." I told her, "I hope that's okay."

"It's fine, I'm glad you had fun." She signed back, her smile broad. She turned to Derek and asked, "Do you want to come in for a little while? I made a plate full of cookies to take to the shop tomorrow, but I have more than enough to spare tonight."

She wants to ask you questions. I warned him mentally, doing my best not to look over at him. If you want to save yourself, you might tell her that you have to head on home. Or, if you plan on staying, let's just say that I didn't warn you.

"That'd be great, Ms. Bryson," Derek said to her. She smiled and turned to step inside the house. He motioned for me to head in before him. I kept my fingers tightly knotted around his as I pulled him over the threshold and into the house. It wasn't the first time that he'd been inside the house, but this time it was more ominous. There was more weighing on this conversation. The first time, it had just been proof that he wasn't lying to me. This time would tell me whether or not my mom trusted him, and whether or not, in the future, she would accept it when I told her that Derek and I were moving in together or that Derek and I were getting married, not that he'd even asked me, but I'd seen it myself in a vision. Derek's fingers tightened around mine at that thought, and I could feel the blush climbing up my throat and staining my cheeks.

My mom had us sit down on the couch as she disappeared to the kitchen for a moment, coming back with a tray full of cookies. She paused to ask if we wanted anything to drink, which we both politely declined. She sat down in the middle of the couch, and I wondered if she'd done that on purpose to exile the two of us to the armchairs across the coffee table. I'd been hoping that she wouldn't take the couch. Now we couldn't touch unless we held hands over the table that separated the two chairs, and that would look awkward to my mom. At least I could still talk to him in my mind.

"So, Derek," my mom asked as I leaned forward to take a cookie. He waited until I took a bite of it before taking one for himself. "Do you know sign language?"

"Yes ma'am," Derek replied. His eyes darted over to me for a moment before he added, "My late grandfather was deaf. He lost his hearing in the war." He didn't specify which war, but it was believable. And it helped that Derek had referred to his grandfather as dead because his grandpa Barry was still alive and kicking, and his hearing was downright fantastic. If my mom had asked to meet his deaf grandfather, we'd be screwed.

"I'm sorry to hear that," my mom answered, a little flabbergasted. It never really helped to bring up a subject like a dead loved one within the first few questions. I couldn't help but wonder if Derek did that on purpose, to make her just as uneasy as I was about this whole thing.

"Grandpa's been gone for a few months," Derek replied, "he was very ill when I went to the deaf support group. That's where I met Emily." He added. Mentally, I praised him for remembering my lie and bringing it back up with such easiness that my mom would never second guess me. I could tell that he was trying to bring the conversation away from him personally and focus it on the two of us. He could be fairly honest with his family, but we couldn't tell her anything about Aces or imprints. He gave me a slight smile as he took a bite of his chocolate chip cookie.

"That's right, Emily mentioned that. How long have you two been friends now?" She signed the question so I could be privy to it, too. Her eyes darted in between us, hoping that we could agree on a number easily. She wouldn't be pleased if Derek said one number and I said another.

Does five months sound good to you? Derek asked.

Say five or six. At the same time. It'll totally throw her off. I tried to hide my smile as he gave us a mental countdown. We both looked at each other and then back to my mom, saying simultaneously, "Five or six months." She paused for a second, giving the two of us a second once-over. To her knowledge, we couldn't coordinate an answer like that.

My mom continued to question Derek, asking him about his schooling (to her credit, she didn't look horrified by the thought that he'd decided to take a break off of college, since she'd been doing her best to find a way to let me take classes, going as far as to try and force me into online schools.) She seemed intrigued when Derek brought up his family's car company casually. I could see her eyebrows raise when she realized that he was saying that it was the Stanton family, and the Stanton family only, that owned Virtuous cars. My mom had never had one since they were fairly expensive luxury vehicles, but there were rumors that they were making some cars without all the bells and whistles, hoping to expand their horizons to middle class citizens. Derek mentioned his interest in music, which earned him an approval nod, and he mentioned his happily married parents and the rest of his family.

By the top of the hour, she looked fairly pleased with him. Derek, knowing that her interview session was drawing to a close, checked his cell phone for the time. "I really am sorry, Ms. Bryson, but it's getting late, and I'm sure the two of you are tired."

"Oh, of course," mom replied, jumping up to pick up the plate of leftover cookies. As she headed towards the kitchen, she paused and said, "It was good to see you again, Derek. Maybe you'd be interested in having dinner with us one evening? It would be great to meet your family. They sound great." She said. I could tell that she was still digging around for answers. Derek had already pretty much proved that he was at ease with parents, which let my mom feel a little more relaxed. She had always said that no good could come out of a boy that couldn't talk to his girlfriend's parents. Now she wanted to see if his family was really as good as I'd said it was.

"I'm sure they'll be pleased to meet you," Derek replied politely. "And it would be awesome to stay for dinner one night." He told her.

"I'll have Emily let you know when. Goodnight," she called out to us as I took him by the hand and led him out to the front porch. I picked up the helmet I wore as he tucked his under his arm. We stepped out onto the front porch and headed down towards the bike. The light from the front porch barely touched us, but if you were to lean against the front windows I was almost positive that you could see us, standing there together. He popped up the seat so I could store my helmet there. Setting his own helmet down on the seat, he reached out for my hands. Our fingers knotted together and he pulled me closer to him.

"Thanks for dealing with my mom," I whispered to him as he leaned down to press his face to mine.

No problem. He replied, the stubble on his cheek rubbing my skin. It was smooth one way and rough the other, which I'd found interesting. She's your family. That means she's my family, too. He drew back to look right in my eyes. I untangled my fingers from his and rested my hands on his broad chest. Underneath my palm, I could feel both of our hearts beating. It was so weird, but it was amazing, too, and I loved the feeling of them beating there, side by side. It sent chills down my spine. I wanted to kiss him, right then and there, and not care if I was making out with him on the sidewalk.

Interest flared in his eyes, but he didn't lean forward to meet me. Your mom is watching out the window.

I reached up a little higher, grabbing a hold of the lapels of his leather jacket. "I don't care." I whispered to him as I stood up on my tiptoes to press my lips to his, pulling him closer to me with my hold on him. His hands immediately went to hold onto me, resting on either side of my hips. This time, I was the one that wanted to make the kiss more powerful. Instead of trying to hold control, Derek let me take the lead for a moment as my hands let go of his jacket and gripped his neck.

He was the one that stepped back first. I still stood on my toes, still holding onto him. He had to keep holding onto me so I didn't lose my balance. He dropped his forehead against mine and smiled, his breath smelling like chocolate, just like his kiss had tasted. I've got to go before I try to steal you away and take you with me. He said, his voice low.

I laughed and tilted my chin up and give him another short, sweet kiss before letting go of him. "Come see me soon," I told him as he pulled the helmet over his head and climbed on the bike.

You know I will. Go on inside and get some sleep. I'll be sure to bother you bright and early.

See you then. Derek started the bike, raised a hand in salute to me, and then headed down the street. I watched him go for a moment before turning and heading back up the front walk, taking the stairs two at a time. My lips still stung from my kiss with him, and the butterflies still rolled around in my stomach, like a million of them had been released at once.

Back inside the house, my mom was leaning against the back of the couch, her arms crossed over her chest, but she was smiling so broadly I would have thought that she'd just won a million dollars. She uncrossed her arms to sign, "I thought you and that boy had never kissed."

I shrugged, but I couldn't hide the smile that fought to the surface. "I told you mom, he might be the one."

Wow, my chapters just keep getting longer and longer. I hope you guys aren't too upset by that. If you are, I'll do my best to try and cut down on them a little bit. I've just never been this far ahead with such a clear plan in mind.

I also wanted to mention the fact that in the last chapter of Defiance (spoiler, by the way) when Lynne's cheek gets cut, Maggie believes that Kyle might not be able to remove the scar. I've thought about this in terms of whether or not Derek would be able to heal something that's been "broken" in Emily for years. Keep in mind that this is an experimental story as well as a fanfiction. I have no idea how the rule really works with Aces since I did not create them. All we can do now is sit back and read and wonder: is Emily going to get her hearing back or not? Please, give me your hopes for that in a review. I'm interested in seeing how that would turn out.

As always, I thank you for taking the time to read this and ask you, very politely, I might add (haha) that you leave me a review in the box below. It's greatly appreciated! Peace (: