Hi again xx its the summer! Who's enjoying it so far? i am x I just had a great caravan holiday with my mum dad and friend and had a really good time x Anyway, here's chapter 24, I hope you like it. Actually I'd just like to say thank you to SimmiRose and NavHazard for the lovely detailed reviews I receive each time xx I really appreciate it. Also a thank you to Clairebear97 who has followed this story from the very beginning. And finally thank you to a Guest reviewer whose name I do not know (so i hope you know who you are) but sent me a lovely review a couple of days ago. I hope I'm getting everything right, and if not please PM me and let me know . . . And if you could let me know how Claire would be feeling. Good luck in the future and i pray everything goes well for you. . . . R&R plz !

From Thalia's Tree

3rd Person POV

Michael thought that this was all his fault. If he hadn't got involved and never given up on Claire before she'd even had chance to fight then none of them would be sat in this stuffy, blue hospital waiting room . . . .

Eve sat on a chair a little away from Michael. Not close to him, but not too far away either. She still couldn't understand why he had done what he had done. For one thing, he'd always warned them against making deals with vampires, but what was worse was he had made a deal for Claire, before she even needed it. Eve knew that Michael had been trying to do the right thing for Claire and all of them but for once Shane wasn't the one screwing up. Thinking of Shane, she hoped for Michael's sake that Shane would be able to forgive him . . . .

Shane sat in the waiting room, as far away from his two roommates as possible in the small space they had. The doctor had refused to let any of them see Claire as she was rushed into hospital early that morning. At least it was after her birthday, Shane thought. But the truth was, her birthday had been ruined. At least she'd never forget her 18th birthday.

Shane looked at the two other people in the room. Eve wad close to a window and was staring out of it. She was probably thinking about how screwed up this was, just like he was.

Shane then looked at Michael. He had his head in his hands, looking completely drained. Shane figured he either needed blood or felt guilty. Either way Shane thought he deserved to suffer.

He couldn't help but feel that Michael had not only betrayed Claire, but had betrayed him as well. Why would Michael think that Claire wouldn't make it? How could he give up on her? He put his head in his hands. This was all wrong . . . .

Claire's POV

I opened my eyes to a blinding light, and was forced to close them again. It feels like I've been here before.

"Claire we need you to open your eyes. " Said a voice from somewhere to my left. This totally feels like deja vu.

In any case I opened my eyes and squinted slightly. I knew where I was straight away.

"Ah crap." I cursed. Dr Marshel, who was stood looking down at me just chuckled.

"That's what a lot of people say." And then he turned serious. "How are you feeling?"

"Sleepy. " I replied groggily. "What did I do this time?"

"You fainted. Again." Dr Marshel said bluntly. "Probably due to unnecessary stress. Is that a possibility?"

I thought for a moment. It all came flooding back. The party. The waiting. The deal. The argument. And then darkness.

"Yeah, that could be a possibility. " I agreed. Dr Marshel just nodded. "Would you like me to get your boyfriend?" He asked.

"My fiancee." I corrected him. "And yes please." Dr Marshel left and a couple of minutes later returned, following Shane through the door who had obviously marched ahead. I could see the worried but relieved look on his face as he dropped down at the side of my bed, taking my hand and kissing it. Trying to lighten the mood I said "Is that all you've got for me?" Smirking Shane got up and leaned up over me, giving me a full on kiss. When we stopped for breath Shane said "You've really got to stop scaring the shit out of me. I'm going to have none left in a minute."

"I'll try my best. " I promised.

Dr Marshel cleared his throat to get our attention. I looked at him and blushed. "Sorry to interrupt," he began "but I think we should talk about what we should do from here on out."

I nodded "Of course." Shane then added "Do you think something might be wrong?"

"Well, that's what I want to find out. It may be possible that the tumor has developed from Stage 1 to Stage 2, but I cant be sure until I do some more tests. If this is the case, it doesn't mean what you have is any less curable." He reassured. "It just means we may have to take you down the road of surgery, which we would otherwise like to avoid."

"How will you check?" I asked, taking hold of Shane's hand. I felt him give it a reassuring squeeze.

"I'd like to run another CAT Scan and blood samples to check that they are at the right level and you are not becoming anemic. " He paused for a second before saying, "If the scan is not clear I'd also like to do a biopsy. That is when -"

"- I know what it is. " I cut in automatically. "Its when you take a sample of brain tissue and test it while I'm under anesthesia."

"You know a lot about these things." Dr Marshel praised. "Ever thought of becoming a doctor?"

I just shrugged. "I read a lot. " I said simply as if that explained everything. "But i'm not sure I like the sound of having one. "

"Well now I wouldnt worry about that yet." Said a nurse who had started fiddling with the sheets.

"Yes," agreed the doctor. "Lets just find the results and take it from there ok?" I looked up at Shane and he gave me an encouraging smile. I nodded "Yeah, ok."

"Excellent." Dr Marshel said brightly. "I'll go get you booked in and then come back and tell you what time it will be."

"Would you like me to get your friends?" The nurse asked with a smile. "They've been ever so worried about you."

Of course, I forgot Eve and Michael would be here too. I couldn't wait to see Eve, to reassure her that I was ok. Knowing her she would be so worried and anxious. But for some reason, I wasn't sure I wanted to see Michael. I know, silly right? Michael is such a sweet guy, kinda like my big brother, and I know he'd never hurt my feelings on purpose. But he's done more than just hurt me, he has hurt all us Glass House kids. And he has been killing I thought. Michael Glass, a killer. Wow, now that is definitely something to be scared about.

But instead of saying that out loud, I said, "Yes please." With another smile the nurse left. I turned to Shane and said " You ok?"

"Me?" He replied, astonished. He shoved me gently so that I would move over and he lay down next to me. "It's you we should be worried about. How are you feeling?"

I snuggled into him, feeling the heat of his body radiate off him and onto me. "Same as usual. If you know what I mean." Shane just nodded and said "Well, I better make you feel better." He leaned in and kiss me. Firework erupted and and sweet sensation was created in my mouth. All my troubles, washed away with one kiss. I felt like Sleeping Beauty, like I was now only just awakening from a long sleep, a long dream. Or nightmare. I could have stayed like this if it was for the squeaky, high pitched voice that interrupted us.

"CLAIRE BEAR!"

Next thing i knew, there was a loud thud and a yelp as Shane was pushed off the side of the bed and hit the floor. I was enveloped in a large hug and all I could smell was the sent of Eve's strong perfume. "Are you ok? She asked as she got off me and sat up, facing me.

I coughed, completely intoxicated with Eve perfume. "Yep." I managed to get out. "Okie dokie."

"Stop scaring the shit out of me!" She exclaimed.

"That's what I said." Grumbled Shane, rubbing his head on the floor.

"Aww I'm sorry sweetie!" Eve got off the bed and gave him a hand up.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?"

"Guys," I cut in. "Where's Michael?"

"Here." Came a voice from the door way. All our heads turned to see Michael, stood there leaning against the door frame.

"You shouldn't be."Shane said in a low, dangerous voice. "I think you should leave."

"No." I said. "Michael, I don't know why you did what you did, but . . . I guess its ok for you to stay." Eve and Shane looked at me, still lying in bed. A look of shock. Actually Michael was looking at me with the same expression on his face.

"CB you are way too forgiving for your own good." Said Eve, shaking her head and sitting back on the bed.

"They are right." Michael said. "I shouldn't have come. I'm sorry Claire. I hope you will forgive me." Before I could say anything else, Michael had gone.

"Son of a bitch." Shane muttered.

I felt like crying. Why could my life, our lives, be simple? Everything once again was falling apart.

"There's no need to cry Claire." Said Eve gently. "Everything is going to work itself out."

"Yep," Agreed Shane in a cheery voice. I knew he didn't really mean it, but I loved him for trying to be happy for my sake.

"Now," Shane began as crawled over he and lay in-between me and Eve, stretching his arms over both of us. "Whats on TV?"

"There is a place in the heart that
will never be filled

a space

and even during the
best moments
and
the greatest times

we will know it

we will know it

more than
ever

there is a place in the heart that
will never be filled
and

we will wait
and
wait

in that space."

-Charles Bukowski