A/N: Hey, you guys: it's been a while. I've been kinda busy but I'm happy to be updating. It's not one of my best and I'm honestly nervous posting this, but enjoy!

Weeks flew by in the Glass House and everything seemed to get back to normal…or as normal as it got in Morganville.

Eve worked at the coffee shop on campus and wore her usual got decorum daily.

Shane finally got a job at a butcher shop-where he got use very big knives-and brought home lots of meat.

Michael continued to be a rock star-a Morganville version-and played all over town for many people. But he also worried about Claire: she had been acting weird. He wondered if it was from the hours she was missing, but he kept his worries and thoughts to himself.

Claire…well, Claire's life settled back down. She worked with Myrnin regularly now. She found him to be so sweet, fascinating, energetic, mysterious, demanding, interesting…and dangerous. His mood swings were horrid and, though she now knew how to separate one from another, it was still a very high gamble.

Amelie had changed her whole school schedule and now she had classes that actually challenged her.

Her relationship with Shane was stable again. They went on dates, hung out when they had time, and such that she was happy with him most days.

Yet some days she was tormented by dreams of memories about Oliver and their nights together. They'd come to her for one night in a period of weeks or would haunt her for nights and days on end. Any night they did, she'd wake up sweaty and hot and wanting and scared.

Wanting because the dreams reminded her of how everything had felt and made her body crave what it had had and was not getting. It was hard shaking the feeling off but she usually able to by focusing on other things like watching TV, reading her class books, eating, or just walking in circles around her room.

Scared because she worried that Oliver was there with her making her feel that way or that he was coming back to do more to her. Her brain would never let her forget what he did to her and her dreams always reminded her of it. She'd be so scared sometimes that she'd lie awake in her bed all night or have to sleep with the lights on so that there wasn't a dark place in the room.

But as much as Oliver was haunting her in her dreams, he barely said a harsh word to her in public. When Michael was scheduled to play at Common Grounds a few weeks ago-though he did not like it-Oliver just looked at her briefly when she ordered and moved on to the next person in line.

Other than that, Claire thought her life was finally normal again…up until Michael pulled her aside after dinner one night and asked her what was wrong.

"Wrong? Nothing is wrong. I feel the best I have in weeks."

"Are you sure? Because I still hear crying at night sometimes and I know it's not Shane or Eve." Claire looked away.

So yeah: when she couldn't sleep some nights she would cry. It was just that her life felt so out of control sometimes or Shane would unintentionally say something hurtful or she just felt down: it wasn't her fault.

She shrugged. "Sometimes it's good to cry."

"And sometimes it's good to talk. It's not good to hold some things in. You never told me what happened that night."

"Because it never seemed relevant. Besides, it was six weeks ago: it's not important anymore."

"I know but it may be bothering you subconsciously."

"Michael, you know I love you, but seriously: I'm good. I don't need to talk about it."

He frowned. "If you're sure?"

"Positive." She kissed him on his cheek and went to rejoin Shane and Eve.

The next morning, Claire woke up a little light-headed. She'd been feeling this way for a while, maybe a week, along with fever and dizzy spells and knew she was probably getting sick. She knew, if she was sick, she caught it from Shane who had just been sick a week ago. "Stupid Shane." She muttered as she put her backpack on and headed downstairs.

"Morning!" She smiled as Eve greeted her. Shane sat at the table dressed in his work clothes.

"I thought you didn't go in until later?"

"Took an earlier shift today. Boss need more people this morning."

"Where's Michael?"

Eve shrugged. "Out and about doing vampire type things."

Claire nodded and grabbed a piece of toast from Eve's plate. "Gotta run! See you losers later!" She turned and ran out the house before their combined insults could reach her.

The day passed and now she was walking into the old shack Myrnin resided in. Sam could no longer baby sit, so Amelie had one of her guards lurking around for safety measures. Claire could never see this guard but Myrnin always assured her of his presence.

When she walked down the stairs, she was greeted by the sight of Myrnin sitting on the floor cross-legged, surrounded by books. He didn't bother to look up as he addressed her.

"Hello Claire dear. Now that you've arrived we can get started on…" He trailed off as his head tilted to the side as if he were listening to or for something. He must have heard something because his head snapped up and his eyes widened. "Oh my." He stood gracefully and walked over toward the door Claire now knew held the portals that connected many different places.

"Myrnin? What are you doing? Where are you going?"

"We must speak with Amelie. We must give her this knowledge."

"Knowledge?" Before she finished, he was shoving her through the portal and into Amelie's office. Amelie sat at her desk in a striking blue suit surrounded by papers. She barely glanced at them.

"What is it Myrnin? You must have a very good excuse for barging into my office unannounced." The coolness of her voice radiated off of her in waves.

"I do." He walked over to her and said something Claire couldn't hear, but it appeared it was weird because it had Amelie staring at him as if he were crazy.

"Myrnin, I have no time for this foolishness-" He cut her off again and, this time, she did as he said and there was complete silence for a while. Claire was watching her face close enough to see surprise flutter across her face before her mask fell back into place. She looked at Claire.

"I'm sorry Claire. We will have to pause your work sessions with Myrnin for the time being."

Claire's mouth dropped open. She actually enjoyed the sessions. "Why?"

Amelie looked between her and Myrnin for a second before answering. "You will understand soon enough. We shall resume our lessons when the time is right. For now, take Myrnin back to his lab and return home." Without a word, Claire nodded and walked back to the portal.

As soon as they were back in his lab, Myrnin pulled her into a brief but crushing hug. "I am sorry child. I had to do it. It is just too much temptation. It brings out the beast and if I were to smother such a bright light and fountain of life, I would never forgive myself. Go home, little Claire. We shall work together again, just not now. Go home." Were his last words before she found herself being shoved through the portal again. When she blinked, she was in the Glass House.

What had just happened was weird, but, since she was home early, she decided to take a little nap before dinner.

She woke a little while later and could smell Shane's chili dogs. Her stomach growled loudly and she made her way to the kitchen. Eve and Shane greeted her happily but a weird look came over Michael's face. It stayed there for a second before complete shock dominated and he dropped his hot-dog The other three roommates looked at him in concern and confusion as he gulped and focused on Claire.

"Sorry you guys, but me and Claire need to talk. Claire?" He stood and motioned for her to follow him. Puzzled, she did. Up in his room, he closed the door and just stared at her.

"Michael? Are you gonna talk or what? I'm really hungry…"

"Are you bullshitting me right now or do you really not know?"

"Know what?"

His face softened. "Know the reason why I heard four heartbeats down stairs?"

Claire was really confused. "Maybe you're hearing someone from outside or something?"

He shook his head. "There's only the three of you guys and the fourth heartbeat is a little too fast to be just someone outside."

Still confused, she shrugged. "I don't know! Why would there be four heartbeats when there are only three of us?"

"Maybe because there are more than just the three of you here? Maybe the fourth one just can't be seen yet because he or she hasn't been born yet?"

"Hasn't been born yet…?" She said slowly as she finally caught on. "A baby?" Michael nodded. "Eve-"

"It's not Eve. Right now I can hear two main heartbeats: yours and your baby's."

Claire looked at him in disbelief. "M-My baby's? I don't have a baby! I'm not pregnant!"

"Yes you are. My ears don't lie: vampire hearing."

She remembered Myrnin's reaction to her that evening then Amelie's.

"You'll find out soon enough." She had said.

"It brings out the beast and if I were to smother such a bright light and fountain of life, I would never forgive myself." He had said.

Vampire hearing.

It all clicked into place and Claire felt faint.

She was pregnant…but how?

She swayed on her feet and felt Michael's arm around her a second before she felt the back of her knees hit the edge of his bed. Michael helped her sit down and held her hands as she looked at him with tears in her eyes.

"B-But how? I've only done it with one person: Oliver. Oliver the vampire. Vampire in which can't reproduce! How did this happen?"

"I don't know but, as much as I hate to say this, I say you go talk to him. He's probably the only one who has the answers." That was, unfortunately, true and Claire had to know. Just like she had to be certain.

"Get me a test."

Michael looked at her like she was crazy. "A test?"

"Yes! A pregnancy test. I want to be sure."

"But Claire-"

"Yea, I know: vampire hearing, but I just have to know for sure." He nodded and stood but she gripped his hands. He looked at her. "Get me three and don't let Eve and Shane see. Our little secret for now." He nodded and left and she was alone with her thoughts.

Pregnant.

That was basically the only circulating through her head. She didn't think of less and didn't let it grow to more. Just one word: pregnant. By the time Michael walked in, she was happy to see him.

"Claire, you don't really need these."

"I know but it'll help." She ran out the room to the bathroom.

He'd gotten her three, just like she had asked, and she set each of them out on the sink and stared at them blankly for a little while. After a minute, she read the back of each box carefully-but seriously, how hard could it be to pee on a stick and wait?-and followed each to the tee. As she waited uselessly for three minutes, she kept her mind perfectly blank. It worked too until her phone beeped. She looked at each test. Uselessly, her heart broke at the proof sitting in front of her although it had already been confirmed by three vampires.

She was pregnant.

Claire turned toward the toilet and puked up food she barely had in her stomach as it finally hit home.

She was going to have a baby…but how? She'd only ever been with one man, Oliver, who hardly counted, and she was sure vampire and human DNA was not compatible. It was impossible. Wasn't it?

She stood, flushed the toilet, and stared around the bathroom quietly. She did not know what to do, how to feel, or what to say. How was she supposed to react to such an impossible occurrence? Luckily, Michael stepped in.

Knocking softly on the door, he said gently, "It's going to be okay, Claire. It's not your fault: none of this is. Come out and let me be here for you." She nodded, though he couldn't see, and opened the door. Michael swept her into a hug and she immediately started to cry.

"A baby. A baby, Michael. What am I supposed to do? What will my parents say? What will Eve say? God, Shane! What am I going to do?" She sobbed and clung to him.

Michael loved and cared for her so much that it hurt him badly to see her like this, but all he could do was give her advice. "Go see Oliver."

She looked at him blankly, not understanding from being so overwhelmed. "Huh?"

"He's your only choice. You've only been with one person, him, and it's not like he's the father, right?" She shook her head. "So you don't know who the father of the baby is and Oliver is the only one who might know. It kills me to say this, but go see him." She nodded, almost herself again, before cleaning away any evidence of her problem. She didn't want Eve or Shane to find out about this until she was ready for them to especially Shane. He'd be the first person she'd tell since he would most likely be the worst to tell. But first she had to go talk to Oliver…soon. Michael was still standing in the door watching her as she cleared the bathroom.

When she finished, she turned to him. "Come with me?"

He shook his head. "That didn't go well last time and it definitely won't this time."

"But you're the only one who knows what's going on. Shane and Eve will certainly ask questions: questions I can't answer yet. And I can't go alone otherwise we both know what's going to happen."

After thinking for a second, he nodded. "Take Eve. She'll ask fewer questions if you tell her Amelie wants you to talk to Oliver privately." Claire nodded.

So Claire went to class the next day and-since she was out by noon and couldn't work with Myrnin-asked Eve to accompany her to Common Grounds. Eve agreed of course and the sun was high in the sky when they entered. Before going back to meet with Oliver, Eve convinced Claire to order drinks with her first. "Oliver and his vamp business can wait five minutes."

When they made it to the front of the line it surprised her that it was that girl, Kate, who had walked in on them, serving them. After ordering, Eve felt like introducing them though Claire already knew who the girl was.

"Claire, this is my friend Kate. Kate, Claire." Eve rushed the end as her phone went off.

Kate studied Claire for a minute longer than usual, looking for something. She apparently found it seconds later and her eyes widened.

"You." She whispered. "You were the girl I saw with Oliver having-"

"Hmm." Claire hummed, effectively cutting her off before leaning forward and against counter. "I wonder what the word 'drain' means to you and your big mouth. I bet I know what it means to Oliver." She whispered menacingly, glaring at Kate. The girl behind the counter paled considerably just as Eve snapped her phone shut.

"Your boyfriend is such a pest, Claire Bear: don't know how you put up with him." Eve shook her head and beamed at Kate before frowning. "Kate? What's wrong? You look scared."

Kate shook her head and smiled. "It's nothing. Just thought I saw something." Claire glared at the girl one more time before Eve got her drink and chose a table.

"Be careful. I don't know how long this will take, but I'll be back." Eve nodded. When she turned around, Oliver was waiting for her by the bar and motioned for her to follow. Weirdly, he wasn't wearing his usual hippie clothes. Today he was wearing a button up shirk and black slacks. Unusual.

He ushered her to his office and closed the door. His office was nice and simple: a few chairs for visitors and his desk. Sitting behind his desk, he motioned for Claire to do the same across from him. She sat and clenched her fingers together.

"To what do I owe this untimely pleasure?"

Claire couldn't tell if he was angry or just talking so she blurted out: "I'm pregnant."

His usual smirk appeared on his face. "Congratulations to you and whoever the happy father is."

"That's the problem." She looked down at her hands. "I've only been with you." Glancing up at him, she was in time to see a spark of some emotion before his face went blank again.

"Are you sure, little Claire? I am quite certain I am not the father of the baby inside of you: it's impossible. If vampires could father human babies, there would be an over abundance of half-breed babies in the world, but there is not. There is no likelihood that I fathered your baby."

"But you're the only person I've been with!"

"Apparently not: the proof is right there beneath your shirt."

"Well…" She scratched her head. "You at least have to know who the father is! I'm missing four hours from the night you had me. It was done then and I'm certain you had something to do with it."

He faked hurt. "Claire, I have no idea what you are talking about. We had a very lovely, very pleasing night together and you went home, satisfied."

She stood and turned away from him, perplexed. "Then how did this happen? How did I get pregnant?" She mumbled to herself and took a step toward the door. In the blink of an eye, he had her in his arms from behind. Before she could even start to panic, he started to speak.

"Surely you know the basics of how one gets pregnant, but I'm more than glad to give you a quick lesson." He purred in her ear and she shivered. "It started with you allowing someone to kiss on you like this," He started to kiss down her neck. "And touch on you like this." One of his hands went under shirt as the other started to unbutton her pants. She opened her mouth to say no but it caught in her throat as he touched her.

"Oliver, I don't…I don't-" It was hard to form coherent sentences as he continually kissed on her.

"You don't what?" He murmured as he removed his lips but continued to fondle her. "Aren't you enjoying this?"

She opened her mouth to say no and that he should remove his hands but his influence washed over her and it felt so much more different than his compulsion. Compulsion threw her free will out the window and forced her to do things and she was conscious of it. His influence played on the lingering wants in her mind and body and made her want to do them because they would please Oliver. This made her uncertain of whether it was her really wanting it or him making her want it. She didn't know how he did it but all those nights that she had been up wanting came back to her in a rush and her knees went weak.

Next thing she knew, Claire was seated on his desk, pants and shoes gone, and he was kissing her intensely. Her brain had no idea how this had happened: it was only receiving information in short little messages. Her body, however, was relishing all the shocks of pleasure going through her. It loved how his hands were everywhere and the heat that was gathering in the pit of her belly.

She tried her hardest to think through all the pleasure and hormones that were speeding through her body but his kiss was intoxicating. It made sense though: he'd had more than five hundred years-her guess-to perfect it. So dazed by his kiss, she didn't notice that her underwear was gone and his pants were down until they were connected in the most intimate ways.

Knowing that she'd most likely only hurt herself and the baby by struggling, Claire just allowed him to have his way with her.

Eve was getting worried. Claire had went back to talk to Oliver over an hour ago and hadn't came back yet. She hoped Oliver hadn't done anything to her.

Disposing of her empty cup, she went up to Kate who was lounging against the bar. She smiled. "What's up Eve?"

"Nothing much: just worried about my friend. She's been back there with Oliver for a while." Eve watched as something changed in Kate's face. Her smile faded a bit.

"I wouldn't worry too much: I'm sure she's perfectly fine."

Eve's eyebrows drew together. "She's with Oliver: why would she be fine?"

"Just trust me."

Eve shrugged. "I'm going to go check on her."

"I wouldn't-" She started but Eve had already disappeared.

Eve slowly made her way down the hall towards Oliver's office. She was a little bit worried because it was silent: she couldn't hear voices-Claire's nor Oliver's. She stopped outside the door but still couldn't hear anything. Sighing, she knocked.

"Claire?" There were sounds of quick movements in the room. She heard hushed voices and quick whispers. She started to inch closer to the door to hear more but jumped back when the door suddenly swung open and Claire nearly ran into her as she rushed out. Eve took in all that was before.

Claire looked fine, no bite marks in sight, but there something…off about her. Eve gave her a quick look over. Claire look as she had when she had came back here an hour ago except she looked flush and nervous.

Eve looked at Oliver. He stood leaning against his desk with his arms across his chest. Eve would've turned away then but something caught her eye. Oliver's usually tied back hair hung around his face and the first few buttons of his shirt-one of the few times she's seen him wear one-were opened and revealing a little bit of his chest. He looked smug-smug?-and…satisfied. She turned and studied Claire's face. Claire still looked flushed and nervous, eyes wide, but there was also red in her cheeks and she also looked satisfied. Things became a lot clearer and Eve's eyes widened.

"No…Tell me you didn't." But the way Claire avoided her eyes made it apparent. Everything clicked into place.

"Eve…"

"You and Oliver were…" Claire nodded and Eve was quiet before her eyes got even wider. "It was you that I walked in on when he was-"She nodded again. "B-But why, Claire? Why? What about Shane? Shane, your boyfriend: the one who has been worried sick about you lately? Why are you cheating on him? Especially with a vampire when you know how much he hates them?"

"Eve, I-"

"And Oliver? Oliver of all people! Don't you remember what he's done to us? What he did to Michael? Are you crazy? Are you compelled?" Eve's face changed into disgust. "Are you in love with him?"

Claire shook her head furiously. "No! It's not like that. I wouldn't do this if I had a choice!"

"What? Did he force you to do this?" Claire shook her head. "Then what? Is this what Amelie's job for you is? Is she sending you around to ensure loyalty by doing favors or making you a reward to her loyal followers?"

"No."

"Then what could possibly turn you into a cheating fang banger?"

Claire's eyes filled with tears. "I'm not!"

"I'm not so sure. I don't think I even know you anymore."

"Yes you do. I'm still the same girl you met on the curb that one day."

She shook her head. "The girl I met that day wasn't a whore." Claire flinched back hard and her eyes widened in pain.

Oliver, who had sat back and watched the fireworks, decided to step in. Faster than either of the girls could blink or react, he had Eve pinned against the wall by her throat. "Are you two finished with all this drama?"

"What? Gonna bite me because I insulted your favorite fang banger?" Eve sneered as Claire remained quiet.

Oliver rolled his eyes. "Of course not: don't be so dramatic. If I wanted to kill you, you'd be a corpse on the floor. And do not be so daft: one human girl's feelings make no difference to me. She's just important to my plans." He smirked at Eve. "I could honestly care less about the relationship between children but I am not ready for others to know about my affairs with little Claire so you'll not remember this." Eve tried to close her eyes in a hurry but Oliver already had her. "When I snap my fingers you won't remember anything you just witnessed. You remember coming back as Claire and I finished our meeting. Claire was very distraught when you retrieved her because I refused the founder's offer in such a manner that it caused Claire great grief. You're happy that your friend was well. Got it?" Eve nodded. "You will not hear what Claire and I talk of next." She nodded again and the world went quiet as her mind went blank.

Claire tired to pay attention to make sure that Oliver wasn't hurting her friend but she was too caught up in her emotions.

Eve, her best friend, had called her a whore. It hurt like hell. Out of everyone, Claire thought Eve would've been the most understanding. She thought Eve would've let her explain. Claire fought the tears that threatened to fall as she watched Oliver approach.

"Thank you, I guess."

"Like I said: I'm not ready for people to know about my involvement. Next time you know not to bring your friends."

Claire looked at him in disbelief. "Next time? There won't be a next time. I only came this time to see if you knew who got me…" She choked on her words for a second before finishing. "Who the father is, but you say you don't know." She rolled her eyes at this because she knew he knew. "So I have no reason to come back."

Oliver shrugged and fixed himself. Shirt buttoned and tucked in and hair tied back, he advanced on her and she backed up until her back hit the wall and he towered over her. "Don't mistake me: you wanted it. I didn't make you do anything today."

Claire shook her head. "I felt you: I felt you in my head. If you hadn't…influenced me I'd never would've let it get that far or start at all! I did not want it." Before she could say anything else, Oliver grabbed her by the hips and thrust his against hers, trapping her between him and the wall. All the air swooshed out of her lungs as he pressed against her suggestively.

"Don't lie, little Claire. We can both feel how your body responds to me and you can't forget how much pleasure I have brought you." As he laid slow kisses on her neck to emphasize his point, Claire closed her eyes and fought to breathe properly. She would not let Oliver seduce or influence her again.

Thankfully, as fast as he had her he released her and walked back across the hall. Claire followed and stood by Eve. He snapped his fingers and Eve blinked then stared at Oliver.

"You're a douche." Eve said as she wrapped an arm around Claire.

"If you don't want me hurting your friend's feelings, tell her not to request such idiotic things."

Eve rolled her eyes. "Oh bite me."

Olive shook his head and smirked. "Never you, my dear, but maybe little Claire."

Eve's arm tightened around her. "You're such a pervert! C'mon Claire." With that, she pulled Claire through the hall and out the building. It was still early in the afternoon, around three, so they leisurely walked to the car and went home.

Claire felt she was doing such a good job cloaking her emotions. She hadn't let a tear fall during the whole drive. Yet, when they got to the house, Michael saw through it immediately. When she walked by the living room where he sat playing his guitar, he looked up and frowned.

"Claire, what's wrong?" For some reason that broke her. The tears came pouring out and she rushed pass the room and up to hers. She heard Michael ask Eve what was wrong but did not hear the response. Curling up immediately in the bed, she was along for a good second before Michael came.

"What did he do?" He asked softly as he slowly moved toward the bed.

"We did it again." Michael instantly knew what she meant. "I don't know how it happened. We were talking about the baby, where he denied knowing anything about the father, then he was kissing me and next thing I know my pants were gone."

"Well, I'm sorry that I suggested it."

"But that's not what's wrong…"

"Then what?"

"Eve found out: she didn't walk in on our or anything but it was just as bad. She called me a whore and a fang banger, Michael. Eve, my best friend, whose been through so much with me, jumped straight to calling me a whore."

Michael was shocked into silence for a while. "She didn't mean it Claire. She was just angry and shocked."

"But it still hurt. I don't even think she would've given me a ride home had Oliver not wiped her memory."

"Why would he do that? Oliver's not nice."

"He said it was because he wasn't ready for others to know."

"Others to know what?"

She shrugged. "I wasn't listening." There was silence for a while. "But you know what feels worse than having my best friend call me whore? Knowing that it's actually true."

"None of that is true. You're not a fang banger and you're not a whore!"

"Yes I am." She hiccupped in a little sob. "Look at the facts Michael: 1) I've had sex multiple times with a vampire. 2) My body loves it. 3) I've had sex with people who are not my boyfriend. 4) I'm pregnant. And last but not least: 5) I don't know who the father is. There's proof enough."

Michael shook his head. "None of that is your fault. You were forced to have sex with Oliver. You can't be blamed for your body: you're pregnant and sex was meant to feel good. And he made you have sex with whoever it was, get pregnant, and forget. None of this is your fault."

She knew Michael was right and only trying to help but it was still a thought floating around in her head. "I-I guess but please: I need to be alone for a while. Please." He hesitated before nodding and leaving.

Claire lay there alone for hours and she cherished the peace. No bad thoughts plagued her, for once, and she ignored the outside world…until her bedroom door opened. She thought it was Michael checking on her again but she was mistaken. Standing in her door was Shane looking as if he were freshly showered.

'He must have gotten home from work a little while ago.' She thought as she watched him close the door and approach. He smiled down at her when he saw that she was awake.

"Hey baby." She tried to smile back but only just failed.

"H-Hi." She croaked, voice worn from crying. His smile got smaller.

"What's wrong? Michael told me you were very upset. Why?" She wanted to tell him so bad but just couldn't and that made her cry. She could be truthful with her own boyfriend! Shane immediately took her in his arms. "Baby, it's okay. Whatever it is. Don't be so sad. I'm here for you." With that, since she was already in his arms, he took her and kissed her softly. She relaxed almost immediately into him. It was always this way with him and she felt a familiar heat pool in her stomach. Want and regret burned through her and she pulled him deeper into the kiss. She wanted him and it wasn't the first time but she felt guilty. Shane was her boyfriend and they'd never done it once but she'd done with others. He deserved to have a piece of her too.

Pushing him down on the bed, she climbed on top of him. He was surprised, she could tell, but he allowed it. It wasn't until she started tugging at his shirt that he stopped her.

"What are you doing?"

"You know what I'm doing."

"We already talked about this Claire: we're going to wait until you are seventeen."

"Please, Shane? Please? I'm ready!" He looked doubtful. "Please. I just want to show you how much I love you. Please! I just-" She sighed. "I just really need this: I really need you." They locked eyes and silence filled the space between them. He looked at her, really looked at her, and nodded. Claire smiled brightly. "Thank you."

They resumed kissing heavily and passionately as they undressed each other quickly. Shane was a little surprised at what he found when he removed her pants. "Claire? Did you go commando today?"

She quickly shook her head and panicked as she remembered that, in her rush to get dressed in Oliver's office, she forgot her panties. She did not want to think of what might have happened to them by now.

"I guess." She hurriedly kissed him to change the subject and in due time they were both naked and ready and were son committing the act. Upon being fully connected with her, Shane's head snapped up.

"Claire?" He questioned. "I didn't feel-"

"Shh." She murmured and shifted. As soon as she moved, he was reminded of what they were doing and his pleasure-filled mind went blank.

Eve was very uncertain. She and Michael were cuddling downstairs on the couch when she started to hear the tell tale sounds of a certain activity occurring upstairs between her two best friends. She was shocked because Shane had sworn they'd wait until she was seventeen, which was still months (nearly half a year) away. She mentioned this to Michael and was surprised when he shrugged. She hit him in the shoulder.

"What do you mean? We should stop them!"

"Why?"

"She's only sixteen!"

"It doesn't matter. They're both smart and she needs this. Just leave them be."

Eve was even more baffled. "She needs this? What does that mean Michael?"

He looked her quite seriously. "Just trust me: she needs comfort and she's unsure if there's any other way to get it."

"So this is her way of asking for help?"

"She's been asking for help for a long time: I just didn't realize it soon enough." He sighed and turned his attention back to the TV.

Eve was still confused.

Was Claire in trouble? Why would she seek comfort in sex?

Eve just hoped that Claire knew she could always come to her with anything and she would judge.

Anything.

The revelation of what he'd discovered earlier had left him in the heat of the moment, but hit him like a ton of bricks when they were lying together afterward. He leaned away from the girl he cared for and frowned. He didn't want to disrupt the peace but he needed to know.

"Claire…" She looked up at him.

"Yea?"

After trying to find a way to say it without sounding accusing and failing, he just spat it out. "Was this your first time?" Her eyes widened but he plowed on. "Because I didn't feel your…you know and you didn't look like you were in pain." She started at him for a second before he saw something flood into her eyes and she turned her back on him. He felt something in him shatter as he spoke his next words. "It wasn't, was it?" He saw her shoulders start to shake as she started to cry. She shook her head.

For a surprisingly steady voice for a crying person, Claire spoke. "There's a lot of stuff that you and Eve don't know: most of it was because I couldn't-can't-tell you, but not this. This is something I can't hide from the people I love." She wiped her tears and faced him. Shane tried to ready himself for anything she might say but the next two words knocked him right on his ass.

"I'm pregnant."

Shane was shocked into silence for a long time and Claire sat there waiting. Knowing this was a lot to take in, she was patient. After a very long minute, Shane's eyes filled with pain. She suspected anger to be first, but she was hurt either way.

"Why? Why would you tell me this after what we just did? Why would you even allow us to get this far?"

"I wanted to show you that I do love you and I hope that, after you find out why you weren't my first, you'll forgive me."

He was quiet for a moment.

"Who is the father?"

Claire shook her head. "This is something I have to tell everyone, but I needed to tell you the most important part first. I'll tell the parts of story that I can to everyone downstairs, but I need you to listen to everything I say. I know you're upset, but please promise me you'll listen." It took him a moment but he agreed. Without a word, he got dressed and left.

She sat in her bed for a few more minutes preparing for all sorts of reactions before dressing and heading downstairs too.

Eve and Shane sat on the sofa together as Michael leaned again a wall close to them. He gave Claire a reassuring smile before she took a deep breath and stood before Shane and Eve.

"Claire, what's wrong? Shane told us that you need to talk with us."

Claire nodded. "Before I say anything please try to listen to everything I say. Most of it is shocking and hard for me to say so please." Eve nodded and Shane stared at her with hard eyes. She sighed. "I'm pregnant." Since the guys already knew, Claire gouged Eve's reaction. Eve's jaw dropped and she looked between Claire and Shane.

"Are you sure?" Claire nodded. "Um…congrats?" She offered first to Claire then to Shane who stopped her almost instantly.

"It's not mine."

Eve looked at him before turning a shocked face to Claire. Instead of asking the million questions zooming through her head, she asked the most obvious. "Who's the father?"

Claire sighed but told the truth. "I don't know."

Shane and Eve looked confused but it Shane who spoke. "How do you not know? How many guys have you been with?"

That hurt, but she had prepared well. "Just one."

"Then boom! There's the happy father." Eve said but Claire shook her head.

"It's impossible."

"Why?"

Claire looked down at her hands which were clutching each other. "Because it's impossible to get pregnant by a vampire."

Complete silence filled the room and it made Claire extremely nervous. She looked up at the two and saw shock and anger.

"You cheated on me with a vamp?" Shane seethed and stood. He advanced on her and the heat in his eyes made her flinch back. Michael was in between the two of them in a second and stopped him from getting any closer.

"C'mon, man: calm down. You said you would listen." At first it was like Shane didn't see him but then Shane really saw him and his eyes caught on fire. "It was you, wasn't it?"

Michael's eyes widened. "What?"

"You told me nothing was going on!" He raged and punched Michael hard. Not expecting it, Michael stumbled back and Claire jumped out of the way just in time. Michael's eyes flashed red and Claire jumped between the two of them.

"Stop Shane! It wasn't Michael!"

His eyes flashed to her and burned her. "Then why are you protecting him?"

"Because it wasn't him!"

"Then who was it? What vamp was so enticing that you cheated and broke my heart? Was that your goal? To hurt me?" Eve said nothing and, added to Shane' verbal attack, this pissed Claire off enough to make her blurt out:

"It's not like I did it voluntarily!" It took her a minute to realize what she just admitted and, when she did, she covered her mouth.

As her words sunk in, the anger fled from Shane's face and he sat down next to Eve whose face showed her horror. "You weren't voluntary?" He questioned and she shook her head. It surprised her that her eyes were dry, but she figured she'd cried enough over this.

Eve wouldn't meet her eyes. "Someone raped you?" She asked softly and Claire nodded. "I'm so sorry." Eve broke down in tears.

"That's why she wanted y'all to listen first." Michael said, putting a hand on Claire's shoulder. "You need to listen to the whole story before jumping to conclusions. Let her finish." The other two nodded and Claire gave Michael a thankful smile. He sat down in his chair.

"Yea, I was…forced, which is why I was so weird and jumpy six weeks ago, but it doesn't explain the baby." Her hands floated over her stomach before dropping. "I've only been with him, never a human so I don't know how it happened. The only explanation I have is that I'm missing time."

Shane looked confused. "Missing time?"

"Yea, I have no memory of where I was or what I was doing for several hours one night."

Eve looked up, remembering. "The night you said you were doing stuff for Amelie. I knew you were lying."

Claire nodded. "He, I figured, compelled me to forget and it had to happen in those hours." They all nodded.

Claire was so glad that they had taken the news so well. Nobody had called her a whore or a fang banger, which was all good, and no one seemed too angry…except Shane. He fumed where he sat which made her nervous again.

"You're not still mad are you? I explained-"

"I'm not mad at you. I just want you to tell me who this sick son of a bitch is so I can properly stake him."

Claire shook her head. "I can't."

"Why not? He deserves to pay."

"Shane calm down." She pleaded.

"C'mon Claire! We deserve to know!"

"I know but-" She was so flustered she couldn't even think of what to say so Michael came to her rescue like always.

"She can't say. The compulsion she's under is too strong. It's not important anyways: it'll just put her in more danger."

Shane looked at him incredulously. "Not important? He raped her. He made her get pregnant by some random guy. How is it not important?"

"Because she'll have to hurt herself if you hurt him."

Shane's anger focused on him again. "You knew about this?" He nodded. "Then why didn't you tell us? You know how much better me and Eve would've felt if we had known?"

"I know it sucked but I couldn't say anything to anybody."

"Why?"

He looked to Claire. "Can I tell them why not?" She nodded. "If I would have told anyone, the compulsion would have made her kill herself: it still will. So don't push either one of us for answers: you know everything I know now." At his lie, she stopped herself from glancing at him. He knew quite a bit more but it was better they knew nothing more.

"The most important thing is that she's pregnant and we all need to help and support her. It wasn't her fault or even her choice so we need to be there for her. I'm going to be here for her: what about you two?" He challenged as he stood and put an arm around her. They looked at Eve and Shane and waited, Claire nervous as hell. It took a second but Eve stood and nodded.

"I'm here. None of this is your fault and, even though you were so secretive to me, your best friend, I'm going to be here for you." She got on the other side of Claire and put an arm around her too.

They all looked at Shane and he stared back for a while. Claire was anxious for his decision and him taking his sweet time didn't make her feel any better.

Finally, he stood. "I'll be here and I'll support you." Claire's shoulders felt lighter and she almost smiled…until he went on. "As a friend. I'm not sure I can handle all of this. I'm sorry. As soon as people find out you're pregnant, they'll assume it's mine and I can't handle that. I'm sorry."

Claire nodded despite Eve's face. "I understand." He joined their hug and Claire, though sad, felt nothing but comfort. She had the best friends ever and she knew, she just knew, that she'd need them in the months to come.

Again, not one of my favorite, but hey. Thanks to all those still reading despite my random madness. Please review and tell me what you think!

Please R&R!
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