Elle: Thank you for reviewing!

Huge thanks as well to prepare4trouble, Silverheels12 and CastleRockGirl for taking them time to review. And to everyone else who read the last two chapters. :)

There was a loud bleeping in her ears and someone knocked frantically against a door. Bridget groaned, eyes fluttering open and she frowned at the noises that disturbed her sleep. She stretched a hand out, slapping her alarm clock off.

"Whaa…?" She moaned and rolled onto her side.

"Brid, are you awake? I need to talk to you!"

She tried to form words in response but only noises came out. She was ready to settle back into her pillow, cheek comfortably pressed into it and her eyes shut, feeling that sink into darkness again.

"Sorry but I have to come in!"

Bridget opened her eyes again, scowling in annoyance. When she saw Alan right next to her, fast asleep and not showing any signs of being disturbed from the knocking, she suddenly bolted straight up, swearing aloud and her head whipped around to the door opening. Her sister burst in but halted abruptly as soon as she entered the room. Her mouth had been open, already babbling about some sort of an emergency, but now it stayed parted and her eyes widened at the sight of Alan lying beside her sister. Granted, he was fully dressed and her sister had pyjamas on but still her first urge was to drag him out and throw him out of the front door herself.

"Oh… fuck it," Bridget muttered, hanging her head. She peeked up at her sister through her hair, cringing when she saw how wide Bernice's jaw hung open.

Bernice closed the bedroom door and pointed straight at Alan when she turned around again.

"Oh my God!" she hissed.

Bridget climbed out of bed, waving her hands desperately. "Keep your voice down!"

"Bridget!" Bernice suddenly gawped and put a hand to her mouth. "Please tell me you two haven't had –."

Her sister folded her arms. "No! But even if we did you'd have no right to lecture me. I know you've definitely done it."

"That's not the point – no, I am not going to get into an argument with you," Bernice muttered and began to rub the sides of her temples. Bridget's shoulders slumped, wordlessly agreeing that she didn't want to snap either. Instead she ran a hand through her messy hair and glanced back at Alan. He continued to sleep, not once stirring from their voices and she was certain his skin was losing more of his usual tanned colour. Bernice bit her lip, taking in the dark shadows under his eyes.

"He's not looking too great," she said. "And he's had everyone worried sick. Edgar, Sam and Bonnie have been up all night looking for him. Edgar noticed he wasn't home, you know."

"Don't get mad, okay? He didn't want to go home. Bernie, this honestly isn't what it looks like." She glanced down at him. "He just needed someone to be there."

"He still can't just disappear. Not in this state. I think it's reasonable for Edgar to want to keep an eye on him." She huffed through her nose and placed her hands on her hips. Bridget hated that pose. She hated her sister's whole attitude at the moment. She had a disappointed frown on her face, the same one their mother made if she wasn't happy with the girls. And that tone… it was judging. Despite Bernice always being the voice of reason, she did judge. It ran in the family. The two girls were always more alike than they admitted.

"Can you wake him up?" Bernice asked. "We've got school and I'm going to have to let Edgar know he's here." She shook her head again, frowning again at her sister and sauntered out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

Bridget sank back down on the bed and the mattress bobbed up and down from her sudden drop. Alan shifted, turning onto his back. Before, he had been sleeping on his stomach, face almost buried into her pillow with his arm bent awkwardly behind his back. It had looked like an uncomfortable position but he stayed asleep, almost completely unconscious, and Bridget figured it was to do with being a half vampire. She wasn't sure when he had fallen asleep. They had been watching a late night horror film on her television until Bridget had felt herself drifting off into dream land twenty minutes into it. Despite what was happening to him, being curled up next to him and cringing away to a cheesy black and white horror brought her that familiar comfort she always got when they had their film nights and stayed over at each other's house.

She touched his shoulder, gently shaking it. "Alan?"

He mumbled and his arm moved to shield his eyes.

"Alan?"

When he didn't respond she shook him harder. "Yo, sleepy-head. Wake up."

"It's day time," he mumbled. He lifted his arm away, squinting and rolled onto his side, back to the window where sunlight wanted to break through her curtains. He made a small growl and Bridget jerked her hand away.

"Alan, you really need to wake up," she said. "We have school –."

"Fuck school," he muttered.

"Tempting but we need to go. And Edgar knows you weren't home last night. He's been freaking out. I think he was out all night looking for you with Bonnie and Sam."

"Does he know I'm here?" he asked, forcing his eyes open.

"Bernice walked in on us. She's letting Edgar know."

"It's none of their business," he said and sat himself up.

"Um… it kinda is. Alan, you're a half vampire and you did a disappearing act. Edgar probably feared the worst."

"That's because he doesn't trust me," Alan said and snorted wryly. "He pretty much sees me as a full vampire already."

She sighed. His clipped tone and glare on his face as he stared ahead into the distance warned her that the vampire was peeking out. After his two outbursts yesterday, it was clear he was feeling the changes and letting them affect how he thought and acted.

"I think if you hadn't come back here last night and disappeared I'd be doing the same. Y'know, going out and looking for you. I'd be worried. None of us want to lose you."

He nodded but there was a distant look in his eyes. "What would you do if you did?"

She furrowed her brows. "Don't talk like that."

Alan shrugged and she gripped his hand. That was the last thing she wanted to hear from him. All of them, especially him, had to stay positive and keep talking like they were ready to go on fighting. She was worried if they all started talking about Alan as a full vampire it would come true. She had her doubts as well, fears that she was trying to push to the back of her mind but they were all surfacing up again purely by Alan mentioning the possibility of turning himself.

"If we don't find the Head Vampire I'm going to give up," he said and it almost sounded like a promise. "I won't be able to help it."

"I don't want to hear this," Bridget bit her lip and shook her head wildly.

"You have to. A vampire hunter has got a job to do."

"I couldn't stake you. I don't think any of us could do that."

"Then we better find the Head Vampire," Alan said. "Otherwise, I'm going to be roaming the streets adding to the body count."

"You sound adamant," she said. "It's only been two days. Just keep going. We'll get a lead."

"A couple of days is different to being like this for a few months or a few years. I'll be hungry and I won't care. Star said after two weeks her memories of being human were already hazy. It's not going to be long until I'm like that." He sighed and nodded to the window. "I better go. I'll meet you at school."

"We'll give you a lift," Bridget said. "Just make it look like you've come over."

He nodded and opened the curtains, wincing at the bright sunlight as his fingers fumbled for the window handle. A gush of chilly winter air blasted into his face, helping to wake him up a little but he still felt sluggish in his movements. Like he had a heavy weight trying to push down on him. He fought the urge to go back and sleep, groaning as he rubbed his eyes.

"Hey," Bridget said, standing up and took his hand again when he turned around. Her arms slipped around him, curling around his shoulders and her head just fitted underneath his chin. "We're all kick ass hunters, you know. Have some faith in us."

He smiled, his only response, and she pulled away but her arms were still around his neck. She raised her eyebrows at him and sternly stared him right in the eyes.

"Have some trust in us," she repeated, smiling when he nodded and leaned in to kiss her.

"I've got your back," she added after their short kiss, her turn to sound like she was making a promise. "No matter what."

Bridget already stuck to her words, grabbing Alan's hand when she saw Bonnie, Sam, and Edgar on the grass outside school. The three of them looked shattered, weary eyed. Bonnie was make-up free, showing the cluster of spots gathered around her chin and her clothes lacked the usual colour. Sam's hair was a wild mess, also void of his colour and mismatch prints. Both stood next to each other, slumped in their posture. Edgar had been the first of the boys to venture into shaving. It was still very subtle but there was a clear dusting of short, sandy whiskers outlining his jaw. Usually he kept a clean shaven look but for the last two days he hadn't been bothered, unable to bring himself to care in the morning. He looked unkempt and puffy eyed. Right now he marched over to Alan who made another growling noise at the sight of his tight lipped and glaring brother. In response, Bridget squeezed his hand.

"It's only worry," she whispered. "He has a right, remember. You did go off without telling him."

Alan didn't respond, only clenching his jaw and tightening his grip on Bridget's hand.

"What the hell?" Edgar threw his hands up in the air, an exasperated movement. "We were looking for you all night! We thought –."

Alan glared. "I'd killed?"

"That you were in trouble," Edgar finished. "You're not supposed to be going out on your own like that."

"You can't keep me locked up like an animal."

"So I should let you wander round by yourself when you're thirsting for blood?"

"Edgar, chill," Bonnie said. She sighed, walking up to them and Sam followed. "Sorry, Al, you just gave us a scare. You could have just told us you were with Bridget and Bernice. We weren't to know. We would have woken up their parents if we came over."

"No, he has to be at home where I can see him," Edgar argued but Bonnie elbowed him sharply in the ribs.

"The point is," Bonnie began, scowling at Edgar who did the same back to her, "you're obviously fine and didn't turn." She looked at Alan and smiled. "Just let us know where you are next time?"

Alan nodded. He glanced at his brother who still looked like he had tasted something foul. If Edgar was to keep that up all day he felt tempted to go back and stay at Bridget's for another night. Anywhere would be fine if it meant he didn't have to put up with Edgar's judging and untrustworthy attitude towards him. It was ridiculous that he had to rely on everyone else for the shoulders to cry on and the comfort. Home wasn't supposed to be driving him away, be it Edgar's lack of empathy or his parents' inability to actually be parents.

"How're you feeling, bud?" Sam asked.

"I'm not going to attack anyone if that's what you mean," Alan snapped and Sam raised his hands.

"Whoa, Alan, I didn't mean it like that."

"Calm down," Bridget said, nudging him in the arm.

"Did you tell them?" Alan asked, looking at Bernice.

"Tell us what?" Edgar asked, his eyes narrowing. "What's happened?"

Alan groaned, hanging his head. "Forget I said –."

"No, tell us!" Edgar demanded. "Have you done something? Bernice just told me you were at their house last night. What else has happened?"

"I was with them," Alan said, almost spitting out his words. Edgar, Bonnie, and Sam were silent, faces contorted into an amalgamation of horror and disgust. Horror for Bonnie and Sam, who looked at Alan as if they didn't even recognise him or believe the words coming out of his mouth. Edgar had already looked furious when Alan arrived at school but his older brother's eyes widened, a scowl forming as he twisted and pressed his lips together.

"I thought I could get some answers," he explained but none of their reactions changed. His eyes were focused on his brother, watching how his expression failed to falter once. He knew what Edgar would be thinking. It didn't matter that Alan had hoped he would get some answers from these vampires. It was an act of betrayal for the eldest Frog no matter what the reason was.

"And did you?" Sam asked.

"No," Alan said. He was glad of Bridget's hand in his. He felt her give another comforting squeeze.

Edgar's tone was clipped. Demanding. "Did something happen with them? Tell me the truth."

There was a momentary silence from Alan, unsure about whether or not he should even admit what had happened last night. He stammered at first, words failing to form properly before he sighed and looked down at the grass.

"I attacked someone," Alan said mumbled.

Edgar's voice was almost like a hiss. "See why I'm not letting you out by yourself?"

"I didn't kill him though," Alan said and shrugged. "It was just a fight."

"Just a fight? That doesn't make everything better!"

"But, bud, that means you lost it twice yesterday," Sam said. "Can't you see how that worries us?"

"And you two knew? You should have called us straight away," Edgar snapped at Bernice and Bridget.

"Hey, I thought he'd gone home until I found him this morning," Bernice retorted.

"So it was you who let him stay?" Edgar glared at Bridget. "He had attacked two people, hung out with vampires and you let him stay the night?"

"I'm a vampire hunter as well as, Edgar," Bridget argued. "You're not the only one who can watch out for him."

"Bridget's on our side, Ed," Bonnie said, glancing down at Alan's hand entwined with Bridget's. She raised an eyebrow but didn't care to dwell on it. She was more concerned about that lack of guilt in Alan's face. Like he wasn't sorry that he sneaked out or lost control again. She could imagine what he was feeling all too well. Part of her blamed vampirism, told her that Alan couldn't really help it. She had felt too detached from humanity at one point, temporarily giving into the urge to kill and feed a few times. But at the same time she felt betrayed. Alan had gone out to track the vampires down and stayed with them. With Marko. That monster had put her through hell last summer and she was struggling to stay rational and not scream at Alan.

Sam sighed, looking ready to collapse and fall asleep on the grass. "Guys, can we not argue?"

"Hear, hear," Bernice muttered.

"I just need you to co-operate," Edgar said but Alan gave a wry scoff.

"If you want co-operation, you have to listen and consider other people's opinions. And you don't do that very well." He let go of Bridget's hand, pushing past his brother and being sure to knock his shoulder. He marched away, towards the school building.

Edgar folded his arms. "Where are you going? I'm not finished."

"Home room. And I am."

Bridget grabbed hold of Edgar's arm when he started to follow his brother and he turned to her with a glare.

"I need to talk to him," he said.

"Ed, all you're doing is pissing him off. I'll talk to him," she said and left the group.

When she reached the entrance, disappearing into the building, Edgar let his stern demeanour disappear. He shut his eyes, shaking his head slowly and letting it drop. His legs felt like jelly and there was a strong urge to collapse onto the grass.

"I'm not trying to piss him off," he muttered. "It's not my fault he's taking offence to everything I say."

"It's not really him," Bonnie explained. "Anyone with vampire blood in their system is going to change."

"Michael got like that," Sam reminded Edgar. "There were times when he said some pretty nasty stuff which wasn't like him. Look, I'll go find him. Help Bridget calm him down."

He left the group, heading in the same direction Bridget and Alan had gone in. Edgar groaned as he was left with Bernice and Bonnie, rubbing at his right temple where it throbbed, especially with any movement he made. Arguing with Alan hadn't made his headache any better.

"It's not me, is it? He's acting different and it's worrying me," he asked the girls.

Bonnie swung an arm around him and led him towards the building.

"We're all just as freaked out," she said.

"I'm losing him," he whispered and Bonnie rubbed his shoulder.

"This was always going to happen. It's the vampire blood. Don't give up. He needs you."

He grunted a reply, not very encouraged by Bonnie's attempt at optimism. He sauntered beside her, feeling his stomach churn and heart racing. A sense of losing control. Which was what he felt he was doing. Losing control of the situation. His brother had quickly become scornful towards him and he was changing at such a rapid rate already. Last summer he had helped slay a whole pack of vampires, reverting four half vampires back to their human selves. That was his turning point. He was finally a vampire hunter and for the last eight months he had proven himself worthy by hunting and killing more. He wasn't the nerdy comic book freak anymore. He was a proper hunter.

But then if he was a proper hunter, he would be so much closer to saving his brother. Instead, he felt closer to losing Alan for good. The confidence he had himself was crumbling to pieces. The whole situation was.

What the hell was he supposed to do?

Bridget walked in on Alan just as he snarled and kicked over a chair in his homeroom. She paused in the doorway, eyebrows raised and hands on her hips.

"Now the chairs are pissing you off?" She sighed and nodded to it. "Cut the bullshit and pick it up."

"He's winding me up," Alan said, reaching down to lift the chair up and putting it back on all fours. He paused once he placed it back down, taking a deep breath. She saw his fingers shaking, a tremor in his shoulders and he swore quietly under his breath. A defeated sigh escaped him and he sank down onto a table, hands grasped together and his forearms rested on his knees as he bent forward and settled that anger.

"No, you've just woken up on the wrong side of the bed. Don't look at me like that. You're moodier than you have been." She sat next to him on the table. "Alan, do you want to be a vampire?"

"No."

"Well, it'll happen if you keep getting angry at people. Look, we all want to help you but you need to chip in. We can't make you human for you. Work with us."

He glanced up, straightening and his eyes were glistening with tears that wanted to escape. But he rubbed them away, blinking fast. There was a comforting arm around his shoulders and he smiled weakly, leaning to rest his forehead against hers.

"It's getting harder to care," he whispered. "I don't think I'm going to end up with a choice."

She pulled away. "Alan Frog, you do not become my boyfriend and then change into a vampire. That's just fucking rude."

He snorted, managing to laugh. "I'm your boyfriend?"

Her cheeks flushed red. "I guess. If you want, that is. I mean, unless it's too soon to think of you like that because you don't have to be –."

He smiled. "I want to be."

"You two are ridiculous." Sam grinned at them from the doorway. They were leaning back in again to each other, lips almost touching when their friend had interrupted and now he laughed as they jumped and scooted away from each other.

Bridget glanced at Sam, her scowl matching Alan's. "How long have you been there?"

"Just got here," he said, walking in and sitting on a table opposite them. "But long enough to see you two awkwardly become official."

"Didn't you hear him coming?" she asked Alan who shrugged, mumbling something about not paying attention.

"Too distracted by your sex glands, bud?" Sam laughed again and raised his hands before Alan could turn the spluttering sounds he made into angry words.

"Dude, do you have to talk like that? That's fucking gross," Bridget complained and more redness appeared in her cheeks.

"Sorry, sorry! So, what happened to best friends only?" Sam asked.

"People can change their minds," Alan said.

"Again, you two are ridiculous. Well, maybe now you have more of an incentive not to fang out on someone. You got friends, family, and a girlfriend now that you can't give up." He nodded at Bridget. "And I wouldn't want to get on her bad side, which you will if you do something stupid like fully turn."

Sam grinned at Bridget who shared his amusement and didn't say anything to contradict him. When Alan glanced at her, she shrugged and gave a nod to indicate their friend was predicting correctly.

"Fucking right," she agreed and Alan laughed.

"I have a feeling I'd be in deep shit too," he said, grinning at Bridget before turning to his friend. "Sam… I'm sorry. About last night. I wasn't thinking."

"I don't think I'm the one who desperately needs the apology," Sam said. "Ed's your brother and just trying to do his best to look out for you. I know it's patronising and annoying but the point is he's doing it. You could have a brother who doesn't care. And I think Bonnie's upset that you went to hang out with that gang whose current member is a guy who has put her through a lot of shit."

Alan nodded. "Okay."

"Please, bud. You gotta try for us."

Alan nodded again. He should have felt guilty. But he didn't really feel anything at all.

Thank you for reading. Feel free to leave a review. :) Chapter 21 will be up next Saturday.