Claire's Point of View

Arriving back at Founder's Square, I looked up at the still open window. Well that's good... at least no-one's came in. The next problem was how to get in. I didn't want to go in through the front as Amelie could be there, or someone saying that I had escaped if they saw me.

After a little jump and failing miserably I regretted not bringing a ladder with me or something. Why couldn't I have springs in my legs like everyone else?

Jumping and this time catching onto the first floor window, I held on and then jumped and (luckily) caught the second floor windowsill. I pulled myself up and swung my legs inside and then wiped off my hands. Thank god I hadn't fallen back down the ground when I jumped. Maybe I was more springy than I thought. I closed the window and rushed back to the chair a few seconds before Amelie came back in. That was good timing.

"Where have you been?" Amelie asked.

"Nowhere."

"You've been outside." Amelie said, looking straight at me.

"You must be mistaken." I looked down and fiddled with the hem of my shirt.

"You underestimate my hearing. You climbed up the wall and closed the window. Tell me now where you've been, or I will have to find out myself."

I couldn't let her inside my mind. I'm not skilled whatsoever in keeping things hidden. "I've just been to the library. I wanted to get a book, but I didn't see anything interesting."

"None of the books interest you? That seems hard to believe."

"It's true! I promise!"

"Fine. But didn't I say you couldn't move?" Amelie asked, going back to the new folder in front of her.

"Sorry. I needed to stretch my legs."

Amelie sighed. "It's fine. Just do what I say next time." I nodded and went back to fiddling with my shirt. Amelie ordered for a drink to be brought in and I saw my chance.

Amelie left the room for a minute and I quickly emptied the vial into the coffee. I really hoped it wouldn't stop the coffee smell... But I would have to trust George.

Sitting back down, I hid the vial away and waited for Amelie to come in.

She came back in with Oliver. I glared at him lightly but he ignored me. I stood up. "Amelie, what's he doing here?"

"Is there a problem?" She asked.

"I'm here to discuss grown up business. Now leave." Oliver said. I glared at him harder.

"Oliver she's not 5. She stays here because I tell her to stay here." Amelie said. "Sit back down Claire and try to keep the glaring at a minimum."

Oliver made a sound at the back of his throat. "That's all she can do, glare."

"Are you finished?"

"Can you get out? You're not doing anything." I said, standing up again.

"Claire, sit down." Amelie ordered.

"Tie her up outside. She can bark out there." I grabbed Oliver's arm but he easily stood and grabbed mine in a crushing grip. "Touch me again and I will rip your arm off."

"Both of you sit down. Now." Amelie said firmly, annoyed.

"Tell him to let go of me." I said, glaring fiercely.

"Let go."

"Your taking orders from a dog now, Amelie?" Oliver turning around. As he did he broke the vial under high pressure in pocket. Oliver spun around. "What was that?"

"Claire what have you got?" Amelie asked, standing now. Crap...

"Just something in glass." I said, quickly. I glanced at Oliver and his eyes looked unfocused. He frowned and rubbed his eyes and blinked. He growled and made a grab at me, but I easily dodged. In fact he missed by a mile.

"Oliver? What's wrong?" Amelie asked, coming up to him. He grabbed onto her arm and looked like he was about to lose his balance.

"She gave me something." He growled venomously. Amelie cast a glance to me, then led Oliver over to a chair which was long enough to lie on.

Then she came over to me. "Show me what broke." After a hesitation, I reached into my pocket and expecting a sticky red mess I actually brought out a cut finger (which quickly healed) and a piece of glass. The blood must have been an effect then. Amelie took it off me.

"Don't smell it..." I said and looked down.

"Why do you have this?"

"I was...It's to um..." I trailed off not knowing how to say it. Even though it was being helpful on Oliver, it's was actually made for Amelie. Amelie lifted my head to meet her eyes. "Claire, tell me."

"It... Was made for you..." I stood back and looked to the ground. Amelie is silent for a moment.

"Why?"

"I..." I sighed. Just get it over with. Don't be too disappointed when she never wants to see you again. "I wanted to find out if you cared about more than you say..."

"For God's sake..." Oliver said annoyed.

"So you wanted me like Oliver, just to ask me that?"

"And something else..." I said quietly.

Amelie sighed. "Claire, you know the situation with Christopher. You could've used this for him."

"But he might be immune to it or whatever..."

"He might. He might not. Where did you get this?"

"You won't... do anything to him will you?" I asked. Even though, he's a creep and odd, I didn't want anything happening to him.

"No."

"I will." Oliver said. Amelie glanced over to Oliver.

"Leave us, Claire. I want to talk to him alone."

"But..." She couldn't be alone with him.

"Now. Go." Amelie ordered. I sighed and reluctantly left.

Amelie's Point of View

After Claire left, I told the guards to make sure she was gone.

Then I sat down next to Oliver. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I'm going to be sick. I can't focus on anything."

I placed my hand on his, something Claire would disapprove of. "Can you feel that?"

"Of course." Oliver sighed and rubbed his eyes. "I'm going to kill that girl when this wears off."

"Your not."

"Your not her girlfriend anymore, Amelie. You've told me enough times you don't care about her anymore."

"Like she said, it's the only thing keeping her alive at this moment."

"Get rid of it. She should've been dead long ago." I got up and went over to my desk, flicking through the folder. I wasn't looking for anything in particular. My mind was on other things. Long ago I cared for her a lot, but would any of this be happening now if I just let her die? Or I could've made her immortal but kept her in the dark about my feelings.

I sighed and closed the folder. There's no use in thinking about the past. No-one could change it.

"Get me something."

"Excuse me?" Sometimes Oliver forgets who he is talking to.

"I said get me something. I need something to get me back to feeling normal."

"You forget who you are talking to. I'm not one of the servants." I said firmly and put the folder back on the shelf.

"Well right now I'm not in the mood for manners, Founder." Oliver snapped. "Now get me something."

"No." I said and sat down at my desk. "Talk to me properly, or wait until the effects wear off."

Oliver growled and stood up too quickly. Before he could take another step, he fell back down again. "I don't care what you say, I'm killing that pet of yours."

"Your not. You won't get close. Now just rest. It might wear off faster." She's mine. I thought, but didn't say. That might have conveyed more than I wanted.

"Tell me who gave it to her and I will kill him instead."

"No, I want him alive. This is my town remember, not yours."

"Why was I ever in a relationship with you?" Oliver laid his head against the back of the chair.

I smiled a little. "That's the past. This is the present."