Author's Note: I've decided to change the formatting of this story a little bit. Instead of having the set number of scenes per chapter stay four, I think I'll just do one or two scenes. I say this because now that everything is coming together, we don't need a chapter for each of the three characters' perspectives. We usually have at least two of them together. So, the amount of scenes will probably range. For example, this chapter is going to be one scene. I've decided to do that because this is, hands-down, my favorite scene so far. I want it to be alone, because it deserves it in my opinion. I'll have another update soon, so bon voyage for now(;

Read and review? :D

Michaela rubbed her hands over her arms to fight off some of the cold that was encasing her as she walked down the road with her vampire companions. Mr. Crepsley happened to choose the right time to look over at her and frowned when he saw his de facto daughter's actions. He scrutinized her blue lips and purple-ish skin before demanding, "Why did you not tell me you were cold?"

"D-didn't th-think it was imp-portant," she stuttered out through her chattering teeth. She ran her hands down the lengths of her arms faster to create as much friction heat as possible.

"Your comfort and necessities are of the utmost importance," he corrected her sternly. After weighing his options for a moment, he removed his cape from his neck and draped it over her petite shoulders. "Please, do not hesitate to speak up. You are less of a hindrance if you do than if you do not."

"That's a lot different than my 'sit down and shut up' policy," Darren grumbled, only half-joking. He still felt a lot of resentment towards his mentor, but given the fact that he and Michaela were so close, he was willing to at least pretend to be pleasant. The difference in the way he treated the two of them did, however, get on his nerves.

"Yes, well, Michaela has very few needs, whereas you have infinitely many," Crepsley responded simply. He reached back to brush off the top of his cape out of habit and frowned when it wasn't there. He made a mental note to take it back as soon as it was warm enough for her to be without it.

Michaela stuck her tongue out at her best friend as she hugged the cape of her father figure closer to her body. She couldn't help but revel in his leftover warmth. He noticed her actions and chuckled, but unlike he would if it had been Darren, he made no comments against her or her behavior.

Darren, however, was still stuck on Mr. Crepsley's previous comment about his neediness. "What have I ever asked for that was so unreasonable?" he demanded defensively.

Mr. Crepsley's eyebrows rose of their own accord, asking if Darren really wanted to play this game. When his expression did not waver, he began to list a few of his assistant's previous demands. "You ask not to drink blood—"

"Because I'm human!" Darren cried out. His mentor knew the reasoning behind that one!

Crepsley ignored his outburst and went on, "And you have requested to sleep in a hotel—"

"It'd be more comfortable for the both of us to sleep in beds than on the ground!" Darren defended himself.

Once again acting as if the child hadn't spoken, Crepsley listed Darren's final and most unreasonable demand. "And you ask to be mortal again, which is completely impossible."

"That's me wishing for something. It wasn't a request!" he practically screeched, throwing his hands up in the air for emphasis.

Michaela noticed how close Darren was to having a complete and utter emotional breakdown and wrapped her arms around him from behind. She got on her toes so that she could rest her chin on his shoulder and said reassuringly, "Shh…"

Mr. Crepsley rolled his eyes as Darren angrily wiped tears off his face and grumbled the first thing that popped into his head, something that related to nothing: "We can't keep going so slow for you."

She took a step back from him, placed her hands on his shoulders for support, and jumped into the air. She straddled his back and wrapped her legs around his waist before placing her head on his shoulder happily. "Now I won't slow you down," she told him sweetly.

"You're friggen annoying," he growled at her, but there was a slight smile tugging at his lips. She peered over and saw the corner of her mouth twitch, which caused a grin of her own to start up. She leaned in and kissed his cheek.

"You love me," she assured him, which caused him to let out a bittersweet laugh.

"Do I, now?" he demanded harshly, raising an eyebrow. He turned his head to see her face, still facing his.

She paused and pretended to have to think about it before she nodded her affirmative answer. "Yup."

Darren stopped walking and allowed Mr. Crepsley to pass the pair before whispering, "You sure?"

"Yes," she repeated. She knew he did, even if (more like when) he was in an incredibly bad mood and wanted nothing to do with her. He would always love her— at least; she hoped that he would.

"Well… I guess if you're sure…" He took two steps forward as if they were going to start walking again before grabbing her forearms where her hands clasped them together and flipping her so that she was in front of him. She let out a small squeak of surprise as he forced her back against a boulder. She gazed at his face in shock as he bared his teeth leaned in closer to her body. She squeezed her eyes shut fearfully as he brought his teeth to her neck. Even if he was her best friend, having a vampire's teeth at your throat— especially one who is insanely thirsty— isn't exactly an experience you want.

"You love me," she squeaked under her breath, but he pretended not to hear it as he placed one hand on each side of her body and leaned in over her. She felt his hot breath on her neck and his cool teeth against her skin. They stood like that for a few seconds before Darren's mouth took on the form of a smile and he pressed his lip against her neck to kiss it and pulled away slowly.

"You're right," he declared. He stared into her eyes for a few moments before letting out a chuckle. He shook his head and ducked it as he walked after Mr. Crepsley and quiet laughter ran through him.

A/N: I don't know why, but I really like that scene(: Let me know if you what you think in a review? :D