I feel I must warn you guys, this chapter has references to mature themes. I don't know if it's enough to have to change the rating just yet, but I'd like to know I didn't offend anyone cos I didn't give a heads-up.

Thank you BlondieGirl9892 for following!

Disclaimer: I only own Sarah and her OC friends.

VIII.

"Okay, guys. No more secrets."

"We promise, Sarah. Ask anything."David said.

I stared into the distance beyond the boys' heads for a moment before asking my first question. We were sitting on the beach, away from prying ears.

"Sunlight?"

"For a vampire, it's deadly. We turn to ash if it touches us. For a half vampire, it just drains your energy."

"Can a stake in the heart kill you?"

"Wouldn't that kill anything?"

I sighed and shot Paul a glare, "Thank you. What about garlic?"

David snorted, "It's a myth, started to give people false courage."

"Holy water?"

"Melts your skin off."

"Eeuw."
The boys laughed, but thinking about my next question wouldn't let me join in.

"What's it like?"

This made the boys go quiet, not only was it the question itself, but it was the way I asked it that made them realize that I was scared.

A dozen other questions accompanied those three words.

Would it hurt?

How long does it last?

What would happen if I didn't change?

"It doesn't hurt, Sarah. Going from human to half is the worst. But half to vampire, it feels… right."

When more silence followed, David pointed to the crowded part of the beach a few feet away.

"So, shall we?"

"No." four heads turned to me in confusion, but I shook my head again, trying to be firm, "I know that I'll die if I don't… feed." I had to force the word out, "But you guys are all talking as if you've already decided for me and that's not how it's going to work. This is still my life, I'll decide for myself what happens to me."

I could see my answer was less than satisfactory for them, especially Dwayne and David, but they smiled and Marko said, "Mind if we go?"

I waved my hand at him and smiled halfheartedly, "Go for it."

Dwayne leant closer to me and asked, "What about you?"

"I'll be fine, just drop me off at the boardwalk. I'll entertain myself."

They were reluctant, but I gave them a meaningful look, reminding them about the whole living-my-life-the-way-I-wanted-to thing.

As the boys ran off to go play, I wondered around the shops, buying a few things I was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to live without. Mostly jewelry and a gorgeous pair of shoes.

Which I put on as soon as I found an empty bench.

I'm such a girl.

While I strolled around I got a chance to really think about how much had happened tonight. When was the damn sun going to rise so I could go to bed!

Then a chilling thought struck me.

How the hell was I supposed to go to work?

I wasn't going to be much use if I was constantly falling asleep from sun exposure. And that was only while I was half vampired up. I couldn't tell them why I all of a sudden couldn't work during the day anymore, and there was no way in hell I could just quit. I needed the money to survive damn it!

My best bet was just asking Joe if I could take over the night shift permanently.

Literally.

Funny how many vampire jokes there were out there.

The store was as busy as it had been the night I'd worked there. I found Joe at the register and put the sweetest smile on my face.

"Joe, I have a huge favour I need to ask you."

"Sure, Sarah. What do you need?"

"To quit the dayshift and only work nights?" I said it quickly after only a second's hesitation before I lost my nerve.

Joe's eyebrows rose questioningly, "May I ask why?"

I sighed, hating that I had to lie to my boss, but the truth was obviously out of the question.

"Truth is, Joe, I need the money." I sounded desperate enough to my ears. "It's just until I can get back on my feet, then I'll go back to dayshift, please?"

I don't know if he believed me, but my work record was good enough and eventually he nodded with a smile.

So that was one thing about my new life sorted.

After about an hour the boys came looking for me and said the sun was about to come up. As if in response, I yawned widely, nodding.

"Alright, I'll see you guys tomorrow night then, thanks for killing me."

I turned to go home and stopped when Dwayne stepped in front of me.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Home, Dwayne. It's late or early or whatever, I need to sleep. Besides don't you guys burn in the sun?"

"You're safer at the cave."

"Come on, Dwayne, you guys can't protect me all the time."

"Yes, we can."

"Not if you want me to stick around. My life, remember?"

I don't think they really bargained on me being so stubborn when they first took notice of me. They probably thought they'd snap their fingers and I'd jump. While I knew I would be spending a lot of time with them in the near future, and I didn't actually have a problem with that since I kind of loved them in a twisted kind of way, I wasn't going to be their pet.

I saw Dwayne's face change slightly as we had our little battle of wills, and I figured he'd just realized that very same thing, because he nodded his head once and I smiled my thanks before kissing him on the cheek and walking the last few streets to my apartment.

By the time I got home the sun was just peeking over the horizon, and just that little bit of light made my body feel too heavy to move.

After I'd yanked the curtains shut, I changed into a football jersey that my dad left behind and slid under the covers, sighing in content as I drifted off.

One thing I probably wouldn't ever get used to was how deeply I slept as a half vampire.

Even so, the sound of heavy thudding on my door brought me out of the black slumber all too soon, accompanied by a very angry sounding Lexi, screaming, "Sarah, you crazy bitch, open the damn door!"

Third Person POV

The boys didn't go eat the beach goers like they'd told Sarah they would, instead they went to go see an old friend about their new friend.

Max was busy helping a customer when they walked in, and when he saw the boys his smile faded and he nodded to the back room.

All five couldn't fit in there, so David made his way over while the other three flirted with the girl behind the counter.

David was reading the back of a video cover when Max walked in shut the door. He turned to the blonde teenager and gave him a cold look.

"What are you doing, David?"

"I'm wondering how some of these movies made it out the theatre."

Max swung a hand at the boy, lightly smacking him on the side of his head. David glared, but he didn't react. Max wasn't afraid to be firm with the boys when he thought they were being idiots. Clearly this was one of those times.

"I'm talking about Sarah, boy."

David's eyes narrowed threateningly, "What about her?"

"Why did you turn her?"

"How did you find out about that?"

"I found her sitting on a bench weeping her eyes out because someone had decided to mess around with her life."

David sucked in a breath, hating that he'd been found out. Damn it Max was a nosy bastard!

"Why did you do it?"
"I don't know." He said after a moment of silence, "I just wanted her in the group."

"So you decided for her?"

"Do you really get to talk to me about that?!" there were limits to David's patience, and Max had just reached them.

Max realized his mistake and said in a much calmer voice, "She doesn't want this life, David. You've made a big mistake with her."

"Well, there's nothing I can do about it now. If she doesn't feed she'll die, and she doesn't know who the head vampire is so it's not like she can turn herself back."

"You don't think she'll figure it out?"

David shook his head, "Even if she does, she's not a killer…yet. She doesn't have it in her."

David knew Max was unhappy with his decision to turn Sarah, but there nothing they could do to change it. Sarah would either complete the change or die. And David was very reluctant to accept the possibility of the latter. Even though it had turned out that she was Dwayne's mate and not David's, a curveball none of them saw coming, David still cared about her in the same way he cared about all of his boys.

If she didn't want to feed on her own, then he was going to help his little sister.

He walked out the backroom and went straight to the door, the boys following behind him silently. They could tell David's conversation with Max was more of an argument, so they didn't ask questions. David didn't blame them, as this was completely unprecedented behaviour from their friend.

Turning Sarah was the first time David had ever acted for his own purposes, wihtout receiving instructions, and even though it hadn't worked out how he planned, he still had to see it through. And that didn't sit well with Max.

But once they'd reached the bikes, David turned to Dwayne and said, "We're going to have to give Sarah a little help. Apparently she has no desire to join us."

"David, she said she wanted to decide when she fed." Could Dwayne sound anymore whipped?

"And if she decides not to?" David could see the change in Dwayne's eyes at thought of Sarah choosing death over being with him, "She's your mate Dwayne, you decide."

It only took a few moments for the dark haired vampire to decide, "Let's find her a meal then shall we?"

Sarah's POV

I ignored Lexi, thinking she'd get bored or think I wasn't home and leave.

"I know you're in there, Sarah. I'm not leaving until you open this door!"

Why was it so terrible for me to want to sleep?!

"I have pinkeye Lex, go away!" I am such a horrible person.

"Sarah, come on, please? I just want to talk."

Her voice was much calmer now, but no less determined. I let out a loud groan of frustration and dragged myself out of bed. I pulled on some sweat pants and attempted to flatten my hair before opening the door.

There she stood, glaring at my disheveled state, and pushed past me into the living room.

"Come in, Lexi." I said sarcastically to the opposite wall.

I watched her sit down on my couch and fold her arms, deciding to take a seat on the floor.

"You have some major explaining to do, Sarah."

My laundry bag was still lying on the floor next to the bedroom door so I decided to kill some time while I was awake and tipped it out.

Folding the first shirt I looked up at Lexi, "Is it?"

I was trying to be innocent, it wasn't working. I knew what she was getting at.

"Yes. Sarah what exactly do you think you're doing with those twisted sister guys?"

"How did you know about them?"

"I saw you last night with them. You told me you were scared of them, now what? You're all best friends all of a sudden?"

I continued folding, thankful for the distraction of not having to look at her, "Look, Lex, I decided to give them a chance, and they're actually not that bad."

"Not that bad? Funny that because the first time you hung out with them you came to work the next day looking like you got hit by a train."

That was not a very nice thing to say. Considering it was almost true.

"Then, I see you all loved up with one of them, and then you switch to nightshift? This doesn't sound like they're not that bad."

Damn, she was a lot more observant than I would have given her credit for.

I was fighting back a yawn as I silently folded, inadvertently giving Lexi her answer.

That she was right.

"Look, Sarah, I'm not accusing you of anything. But you are being… careful right?"

"With what, exactly?" I couldn't help but grin at her words. Did she only ever think of that?

She caught my meaning and smiled in embarrassment, "For once I'm not talking about that. I just want to make sure that you don't get yourself into any trouble. You did tell me last time how you'd like to stay out of trouble. And I'm pretty sure they're the exact meaning of trouble."

I nodded, "Thanks Lex, but I think I'm going to be okay. I know I'm basically doing the opposite of what I said I'd do, but I can't go back."

"That's exactly what I'm talking about."

I sighed, having said exactly the wrong thing, "Can I trust you, Lexi?"

"Yeah." Her eyes were narrowed in suspicion.

"Then I need you to believe me when I say you can trust me too. I'll be okay."

Lexi nodded eventually, "Well, like I said before, you're a smart girl. You just better make sure your boyfriend doesn't get you into any trouble."

I couldn't help the blush that crept up my neck when she mentioned Dwayne. Lexi smirked knowingly.

"You're so screwed, Kessler."

"Now, that you really don't have to lose sleep over. He basically told me in no uncertain terms that he'd never love me."

"How romantic." I didn't know Lexi could be sarcastic, "So why are you with him then?"

"'Cause not being with him just doesn't feel…right." It was the only way I could describe it.

"This after only knowing them all for what… three days?"

I laughed, thinking that human dating rules probably didn't apply to vampires.

"So what's he like?" the eagerness in her voice told me loud and clear she wasn't talking about his personality.

I squeezed the bridge of my nose with my thumb and forefinger, shaking my head in disgust, "I swear, Lexi if you don't get your mind out the gutter I'm never speaking to you again."

"Okay, sorrrry. Jeez, the way you get all squeamish one would swear you were a virgin."

"Well, you know I'm not so stop being such a cow about it."

"Yeah, I'm never forgiving you for that, by the way."

"Hey, it's not my fault I saw Shane first."

We laughed, what should have been a very touchy subject between us was always a source of entertainment. Lexi got Shane fair and square, and I gave them my blessing after only going out with Shane twice before Lexi got hired at the store.

Now when I thought about kissing Shane I got all grossed out. He was fun and all, but now it would be like kissing my b-word.

Something's were definitely not meant to be.

Lexi left a few minutes later, finally letting me get some rest.

In the few minutes before I dozed off again, I thought about what Lexi had said about my 'boyfriend' getting me into trouble. Not only was that advice too little too late, but the weirdest thing was that I didn't think of Dwayne like that.

I mean, I'm pretty sure we were together, the guy was protective enough, but I didn't think of him as my boyfriend. 'Mate' was too… weird.

But boyfriend was way too casual. I mean, you go out with a guy twice and maybe make out and that's enough to call him a boyfriend.

No. Whatever Dwayne and I were it sure as hell wasn't casual.

I'd only realized Dwayne was my mate just last night but I already had a feeling this was for life, and calling him my boyfriend was kind of an insult to a bond like that.

I wasn't interrupted again until a surge of energy woke me up and wouldn't let me go back to sleep. Peeking out my curtains I saw only a black sky. Okay, so the sun literally determines a vampire's sleep schedule then.

I felt like making an effort in my appearance today, or tonight, since I'd been so comatose the last few days.

After making sure my hair was perfectly curly, I put on some makeup and pulled out a wine red lace dress with big bell sleeves, a denim vest and brown ankle boots. I threw on a bunch of bracelets and a necklace and headed out the door.

I expected the boys to show up eventually. An hour into my shift I really began to understand why we got paid double for working the nightshift, we needed a little extra motivation to put up with this mob, something that was obvious the last time I did this. At least I had more energy having slept all day. Then they walked in and I felt my mood lift a bit.

I smiled as they came up to the counter, "Hey, guys."

"Evening, Sarah." Paul said, then he turned in a full circle as a girl walked past smiling at him and well… Paul wasn't going be part of the conversation anymore. Marko was flipping through records a few feet away, so I carried on working until Dwayne's voice stopped me.

"What are you doing, Sarah?"

I looked at him with a very sarcastic expression on my face, "I'm… working?"
"You don't have to work anymore, Lost Girl." David said.

I laughed in answer, "Yeah because rent money is just going to start falling from the sky now right?"

"Come on, Sarah. You don't have to do this anymore, you have a place to live, with us." Dwayne took my hand and tried to pull me out from behind the counter, but I held back.

"Dwayne, as weird as this may sound, I like my job. I want to keep it." Aaaand I wasn't entirely comfortable with living with them just yet. I was still half human, and only crazy humans moved in with people after only knowing them for seventy two or so hours.

"You're insufferable, you know that?" but he was smirking.

"Yeah, I know. But you like it." I pulled myself up onto the counter so that I could lean over and kiss him.

Once they'd left, my co-worker Kim appeared at my side.

"So where's that kid you had here the other night?"

I felt a pang as I thought about Laddie. I had been hoping I'd run into him on the boardwalk but so far no luck. It was hard not to think the worst sometimes. I wanted to go around to his grandmother's house just to check up on him, but I didn't want to give him hope that I'd come back into his life. It was for his own good, he was better off without me.

It didn't stop me feeling so crappy about what I did though.

"Hello?"

A hand waved in front of my face and I looked back at Kim.

"Sorry. Um, he's around. I don't really see him that much anymore."

"Oh, that's a shame, he was cute."

"Yeah." I think she caught on to my guilt because her voice was overly happy when she spoke again.

"You know, if I didn't know how old you were, and your whole…" she gestured to me as if to some me up with her hand, "aversion to irresponsible behaviour, I'd say you were his mom."

"Yeah?"

"Totally, you seem to really like kids, and he obviously adored you."

Her using the past tense was so appropriate I almost laughed. Yeah Laddie may have liked me, but after the way I treated him, he probably hated me now.

Kim carried on chattering about a whole bunch of different things, including the apparent hotness of my boyfriend, but I was only half listening. Sometimes I felt sorry for the people I knew because I often tuned out when they tried to have a conversation with me. It was one of my worst habits, but it was a habit nonetheless.

Third Person POV

David scanned the crowd, his blue eyes searching the faces and listening to their voices.

The perfect one was out there, he just had to wait long enough.

The boys were looking too, but he knew Paul and Marko were more interested in finding their own entertainment than in looking after their new sister.

Then a laugh so carefree and joyous filled his ears and David turned his head towards where it came from.

A group of about seven guys and girls stood by a stall, all talking and laughing at once. In the middle of the group stood a girl of about Sarah's age, the one who had laughed. She had very curly, almost frizzy, dark brown hair and dark eyes. She was stunning, standing out from the group she was with.

She was perfect.

David tapped Dwayne on the shoulder and pointed to her.

After scrutinizing her for a second he nodded and the two boys strolled over to the group.

The girl saw them walking towards her and her smile went from happy and friendly to amorous and inviting. Obviously she liked what she saw.

It made this so much easier.

He took the girl's hand and kissed it, ignoring the rest of the group as he asked, "And what is your name?"

The girl smiled at him and said, "Star."

Sarah's POV

Dwayne was at the store five minutes before I had to clock out.

I rolled my eyes at his punctuality, "Are you ever going to let me do stuff on my own again?"

"Well, now that's no fun."

I let out an irritated snort. Grabbing my bag I came out from behind the counter and shouted a goodbye to Kim.

"Can we get something to eat quick?"

I stopped mid step as I realized what I had just said. Dwayne turned to me with a grin and I laughed to cover up how scary he looked to me just then.

"Not that kind of something! I meant food, I'm hungry. I worked hard."

He chuckled briefly before taking my hand and walking away from the store.

"You know, eventually you're going to have to make the decision, Sarah."

"I know, Dwayne. Look, you don't have to worry about whether, just when."

"So you're saying you'll feed?" was that hope I just heard?

"Shockingly the idea of dying is somewhat terrifying."

I think that was the happiest I'd seen him yet. He gave my hand a squeeze before I led us to where I could get some food.

I went to the same burger place as last time and settled on a bench that was in a somewhat deserted part of the boardwalk, if there was such a thing.

Dwayne sat down next to me and lay down, putting his feet in my lap. I gave him a dirty look but he only grinned, tucking his hands behind his head.

Through a bite of burger I said, "So how old are you anyway?"

"Twenty two."

I swallowed and laughed sarcastically, "Hilarious, Dwayne."

He laughed and stared up at the sky, "I'll tell you one day."

"Whyya?" I whined.

"It's rude to ask someone their age."

"Nooo, it's rude to ask a lady about their age. So you're a woman, now?"

He narrowed his eyes at me and said darkly, "I don't like you."

I burst out laughing, nearly choking on my burger.

Dwayne sat up, smiling at my ridiculous laugh, "Hurry up and finish so we can get going."

"Don't tell me what to do." seriously, the two of us could bicker like kids!

When we got back to the cave half an hour later, it sounded like the boys were having another party amongst themselves. But as I neared the entrance I heard another voice I didn't recognise.

Walking into the main room, I was greeted by music, cigarette smoke and raucous laughter.

David appeared in front of me before I could see the face that belonged to the voice I heard earlier.

"David, what's going on?"

He smiled the same smile he gave me when he handed me their special bottle.

"Time to accept your destiny, Sarah."

He moved to stand next to me and pointed to the voice's owner. He put his hand on my back and moved me forward towards the girl who was laughing and dancing with Paul and Marko.

"Sarah, meet Star."

It didn't start out this way, but I think this chapter was a really nice Dwayne and Sarah bonding chapter. And bonus: it's the start of a little bit of drama. Hopefully you guys agree. ;-)

Reviews send me to my happy place!