When Claire woke up again, it was dark out and the house was eerily quiet. She felt Shane's warm, heavy arm draped around her waist and instantly felt safe. She could feel the heat of his bare chest warm her back and back closer into him, hoping not to wake him up. He stirred, but stayed otherwise unconscious. Claire took liberty to use the free and quiet time to slip back into her thoughts.

She still wondered when Brandon would strike next, and hoped that there was something she could do to avoid it. She knew her housemates would try to keep her there, but she had classes to get to, and her job.

Myrnin!

As much as Claire hated to, she could talk to Ada, maybe have Myrnin talk her into tracking Brandon.

Suddenly, Claire was pulled into another flashback, continuing where it previously broke off—

If she were anywhere else, she would have thought nothing of it, but this was Morganville. She tried not to let it bother her, but kept a close watch on whoever it was. They were making every turn she was and they seemed just a bit too inconspicuous. Even though Claire thought she was being ridiculous, she picked up her pace, Common Grounds in sight.

She was almost in the clear when she heard, "Don't run from me, beautiful."—

Claire jerked back to the present when there was movement next to her.

"Hey, sorry. You okay?"

Shane, still being the worried, protective boyfriend.

Claire sighed out a gust of breath in relief, feeling silly for expecting something else.

Although, it was Morganville, after all.

"Yeah," Claire answered, shooting him a small smile, which he returned crookedly, but still showed worry.

"You jumped, was it a bad dream, or something?"

"No, I remembered something."

"What was it?" He asked softly, letting her know that she didn't have to tell him, but he'd listen.

"I knew someone was following me. I tried to pass it off, but they were behind me the whole time, just the right distance away. I think that if I hadn't already been so paranoid, I wouldn't have noticed." Shane nodded in interest.

"I was almost to Common Grounds and heard his voice. That's all I remembered."

"What do you think happened after that?"

"I—I'm not really sure. When I woke up in that place, I vaguely remembered that I was hit in the head with something heavy, and my whole body hurt. When I thought about it, I could remember being hit a lot, and kicked, but at first I couldn't tell who it was. His face was dark in those memories."

Shane gently rubbed his knuckles across her cheek, "What I don't get, is why he would choose you? You never did anything to him, he barely came after you." When his hand opened to cup her cheek, she leaned into gratefully, enjoying the contact, and leaned in to lay her head on his chest. He kissed her hair and they lied in comfortable silence for a few minutes. Claire started feeling guilty. He was stuck wondering why his girlfriend was targeted while she knew everything.

Every other time they got into trouble, there was always a reason. It was a strange kind of organization to their constant danger, but it was true, and they always knew to avoid those causes. Now, Shane was left in the dark. All of her friends were. The only reason they'd want to know is so they can prevent it again, but they couldn't prevent her from this kind of danger. The danger that was caused from something in the past. They will never be protected from the past and that's something they had to deal with the best they can every day.

But, she couldn't tell Shane. He'd think it was his fault, take it as blame. She couldn't do that to him, he'd feel so guilty, for no reason.

The constant arguing and indecision in her mind was driving her nuts. She could tell him and make him feel guilty, or she could keep him in the dark. The latter sounded rather appealing, yet, there was still the risk of him finding out later. Then, anger and betrayal would mix with the guilt.

These thoughts made her stomach churn.

Shane rubbed small circles on Claire's back for a minutes, troubled. He knew Claire was holding something back, but trusted her to come to him if it were serious. Soon, he remembered how long it had been since she had eaten, "Are you hungry?"

Claire grimaced and shook her head, "Right, dumb question," he mumbled, "But, Claire, you have to eat something. We'll start small, okay?"

Claire silently agreed and he went downstairs to make her toast, well aware that Michael was listening upstairs and knew she was safe.

He didn't have to worry anyway, it wasn't long before he heard small footsteps descending the stairs and Claire stepped up, wraping her arms around his torso from behind.

As much as Shane enjoyed the contact, he reprimanded, "Claire, you're supposed to be in bed. That's kinda the meaning behind bed rest." He stretched out the words mockingly and Claire lightly slapped him on the back.

"I needed a change in scenery; can't we just lay around down here?"

Shane sighed, turning to her and enveloping her in his arms. He placed a kiss in her hair before resting his cheek lightly on top of her head, idly thinking how perfectly they fit together, "Well, when you put it that way…" he said playfully.

Claire smiled and tilted her head back. Shane got the hint and bent down, placing his lips on hers. Softly for a moment, then more firmly as the kiss got deeper and passionate.

Suddenly, Claire found a new meaning for bed rest, but they quickly jumped apart when the toast popped up. Shane chuckled against her lips, "Breakfast is ready."

After putting the plain piece of toast on her plate, Claire wandered into the living room and curled up on the couch next to her boyfriend. Michael looked up from his guitar and smiled at her, "How ya' feeling?"

"Not too bad." Claire smiled back and Shane put a protective arm around her shoulders as Eve made her way down the stairs, "Hey, back off rock star, she's mine."

Eve walked into the living room and kissed Michael on the cheek, "What do you mean, 'back off'? He's already got one."

Michael smiled innocently and kissed her fully.

Shane grimaced, "Aw, come on, man, no one wants to see that."

Michael rolled his eyes, "Yeah, okay, lovebird."

Shane grinned wickedly as his hold tightened on Claire. Eve's attention quickly went to Claire and she bounced over and flopped onto the couch next to her. Shane didn't miss Claire's flinch as she was jostled, "Watch your ass, walking-dead-girl, you'll hurt Claire."

Eve looked guilty as she was reminded of Claire's injuries, "Sorry, Claire Bear."

Claire shook her head, "Don't worry about it, Eve, I'm okay."

Eve bounced happily at her forgiveness and stuck her tongue out at Shane, to which he replied with an eye roll. Claire laughed, she really loved her friends.

Eve looked at the clock on the wall, "Oh, damn. Gotta bounce or Oliver'll get pissy like a little girl again. Bye!" she said, skipping over to kiss Michael and continuing out the door after grabbing her coffin purse.

Michael stopped strumming the guitar long enough to glance at his watch, "Shit, me too," he said as he placed his guitar in the case, "see you guys later." He looked pointedly at Shane, "Behave." He said sternly, but you could see the amusement in his eyes.

Shane snorted, "When I got this to look at all day?" he asked, his eyes traveling up and down Claire's body. She blushed under his stare and he grinned and winked, "Fat chance. Get the hell out of here, man."

Michael chuckled on his way out the door and once he was gone, Shane turned to Claire, "So, what do you want to do?" he looked down at her untouched toast, "Eat." He ordered and Claire tore off a piece and popped it into her mouth. The taste made her nauseous and she decided to eat it slowly.

Meanwhile, Shane got off the couch and went to pick out a movie. Once he popped it into the player, he sat down next to her again, worry crossing his eyes as he noticed she still wasn't really eating. Claire got about half way through her toast when she couldn't eat anymore. Shane smiled softly at her, "It's okay, we can get you something else later." She nodded and relaxed against him to pay attention to the movie, soon falling asleep.

Claire woke with a start to yelling and crashing. She immediately jumped up and ran into the kitchen in a panic and saw…

I'm cruel, I know ^.^ (Insert evil laughter here) maybe one of best cliffies yet! woohoo! hoped you liked!