A/N: Sorry about the wait. I've been debating about the status of certain relationships in this chapter and whether I should change them or not because I wasn't sure if y'all would like it or if it would fit into the story nicely without feeling like overkill or a filler. Ultimately, I kept it how I originally wrote it since any other way would have changed my endgame a little too much. Please review and tell me if you like it though! Here you go!

It was noon the next day when she stirred and she woke up in a panic when she didn't feel the two little bodies next to her but calmed when the baby monitor showed that they were most likely down stairs in the living room.

Rising, she wished she hadn't because she was extremely sore…everywhere. Pushing through the pain, she got up and showered. The water felt really nice as it fell over her and all her tense and sore muscles relaxed under it. She almost let it lull her back to sleep but remembered that there was work to be done today. Getting dressed, she thought of all that had occurred yesterday.

Oliver had started a war between vampires and, although it had nothing to do with them, humans were right in the middle of it.

Downstairs, Nathan and Natalie sat on the floor like it was any other day. It warmed her just a bit to see them so happy and playful. It was also weird that none of her roommates were in the living room with them. She kissed them both on the forehead before heading towards the kitchen where she found Michael alone.

"Good morning, or afternoon, Claire. How did you sleep?"

"Fine. I feel a lot better." She paused. "Where are Shane and Eve?"

Before answering her, he made her sit and offered her a plate of food. "Eat first: you need to gain your energy since you lost a lot of blood yesterday." After a second of thought, she did. "Shane and Eve went out to ask around town already."

She nearly choked on her food at the news. "What?!"

"Yea. They figured people wouldn't talk to you for the same reasons they wouldn't talk to me."

"But I'm not a vampire."

"But you're associated with them and you-involuntarily as it was-helped start this war."

Claire thought to argue but they were already gone and she decided to save her energy and breath. "When did they leave?"

"About half an hour ago before you woke up."

She nodded. "So what do we do now?"

"First, you finish eating." Not seeing a problem with that, she finished her food. "Now let me check your neck." She nodded and went over to him. Staying seated, he turned to face her. The feeling of his cold skin sent shivers through her but she fought them back as he peeled back the bandage. "They look okay: a little red, but better than last night."

"I'm glad I'm healing then."

"Me too." He smoothed the bandage back in place and looked up at her. He did this for such a long while that Claire felt a blush on her cheeks. "So…what should we d-" She was cut off by the sudden sensation of Michael's lips against hers. She gasped a little at the suddenness before relaxing into his kiss and almost lost herself in it.

Claire would never have expected for anything like this to happen but things just got put into motion about two months ago...

It had been any other night, or at least it started at that way. Shane had his regular night shift at the meat place while Jason and Eve were taking the twins to see their parents for the first time, which Jason had protested at first but agreed to it eventually. Claire had been a little worried since this would be the first time the twins went out anywhere without her but she was also a little happy to have some down time. All this left Michael and Claire home alone and they decided to hang out and watch a movie together.

Claire wasn't quite sure how it had happened but she guessed he had went to kiss her forehead, as he was ought to do, as she went to look up and their lips had met.

It had been so surreal. She was honest with herself and could admit that she had thought and dreamed about this. Honestly, she was a healthy teenage girl and he was sweet and very attractive so it wasn't all her fault to have such thoughts. But those had just been figments of her imagination and compared to what was happening, this was so much better. His lips had been soft and just the feeling of them against hers made the butterflies in her stomach flutter.

Both had been shocked, so neither pulled away at first. Then it was the uncertainty of what would come next that kept them from pulling away, but Claire eventually decided that she needed to know…and breathe. Pulling away, she watched his face to see what he was thinking but he immediately started apologizing.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"It's okay." She interrupted his apology, not thinking he owed her one. "It wasn't bad and I kind of liked it." She blushed as the words flew out of her mouth.

He looked confused for a short second. "You kind of liked it?" She nodded and he watched her closely for a moment or two before bringing his lips back to hers.

Claire didn't know how to respond at first. Michael was kissing her! She tried to think rationally about how to react and if they should really be doing this but her mind and body decided on its own. She lost herself in his kiss. It felt so good. She hadn't as much as touched a guy in this sense since her night with Shane long ago and it just felt so good.

Vaguely, she heard someone moan only to realize it was her. Soon, she found herself straddling and clinging to him as his arms wound around her and pulled her closer. His lips left hers momentarily, finding their way down the side of her throat and back up to her lips. Her mind and sense were so far gone that when he pulled away, she pulled him right back. He made a noise of surprise and kissed her for a few more minutes before pulling away again.

"Claire?"

"Yes?" It made her feel on fire inside when his eyes darken at her breathy response.

"I…You? Do you? " He seemed flustered and a little nervous but Claire understood what he was trying to ask her.

"Yes."

His eyes widened and surprise flitted across his face. "Yes? Are you sure?"

"Yes."

In the next second, she found herself in his room on his bed.

Claire must have dozed off for a bit because she remembered waking up next to Michael staring down at her with a dazzling but unsure smile.

"Hey."

"Hey."

They stared at each other for another moment.

"What time is it?"

"A little after eleven."

"Oh."

There was yet another moment of silence before Michael dared to talk. "Claire-" As soon as her name was out of his mouth, the front door downstairs banged open.

"Claire-Bear! Michael! We're back. Where you guys at?" As Eve's voice registered to them, both thought the same thing.

Oh shit.

Michael was up, dressed, and heading out the door in mere seconds. It took Claire a little longer to dress so, in a slight panic, she threw on the first shirt she found-one of Michael's-and dashed to her room and dived under her covers just in time to hear someone climbing the stairs and coming down the hall to her room.

Crisis adverted; Claire didn't know what to do.

She slept with Michael: not just kissed, not just fooled around, but full out intercourse. It had been so great, felt so great after almost two years. To get what she had been wanting but denied herself for such a long time was so amazing and Michael was so amazing. But what was she supposed to do now? This was such a huge step for their relationship and she just didn't know how she was supposed to act. She knew she had to talk to Michael about what happened, but how?

Not knowing the answer, she avoided Michael as much as possible for the days that followed. It worked great for about three days until he cornered her. She had been down in the basement washing and drying some clothes when he entered and sat on the stairs.

"Hey Claire."

Claire jumped, not having heard him come in. "O-Oh! Hey Michael! What's up?"

"Oh nothing. I just wanted to know why you're avoiding me."

Focusing on her task of throwing clothes into the dryer, she answered him. "What? I'm not avoiding you. I've just been really busy these past few days."

"Don't lie to me, Claire. It's okay. If you regret what we did or if you didn't want to-"

Shock and surprise caused Claire to spin around to face him. "Regret? Not want it? What could make you think any of that?"

He didn't look at her. "You've been avoiding me ever since that night and I figured that I did something wrong."

"You didn't do anything wrong. Actually, you did a lot of things right!" Not believing she had actually said that out loud, she blushed as his head snapped up and his eye zeroed in on her.

"Really?"

"Yea. And I wanted it: I wanted it a lot, too much to regret it. It felt too good for me to ever regret it."

He was in front of her in the blink of an eye. "Then why haven't you talked to me?"

"Because I haven't known what to say. I've just been so nervous about what would happen when we talked or that you would regret it."

Stroking her face, he shook his head. "I don't regret it. I liked it a lot too."

"But what do we do now?"

"Let's see. You liked it, right?" She nodded. "And you like me, right?" She hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Well I feel the same. Let's be together." He smiled down at her and she couldn't help but smile back. Without a second thought, he kissed. Claire felt her mind glaze over for a second before she forced herself back and broke the kiss.

"But wait, wait."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's just that…"

"Just that what?"

"What about everything else?"

"Everything else?"

"I don't know; how about the important facts that can't be ignored. You're a vampire, I'm a human. What if we decide to do this and we actually fall in love? I'll grow older and you'll remain young. Even if I love you, I'll never turn. Not to mention Shane and Eve! How would we tell our best friends that we're dating their exes and tell our exes that we're dating their best friends? How do you think they'll take it?"

He looked a little bit unsure then. "I don't know, but-"

"No. No buts. This won't work. It won't work no matter how much we want it. I'm sorry." She pushed away from him and ran upstairs to hide in her room with the twins. They were a little fussy at first because they enjoyed all the space downstairs but were distracted soon.

Hours later, long after both were put to sleep and she was getting ready for bed, there was a knock on her door. She had barely cracked it open when Michael barged in. "Michael?"

"I don't care."

Half-sleep, Claire didn't really understand. "You don't care about what?"

"About what Shane and Eve will think, about me being a vamp and you being human, about anything! The way I see this is that we should be happy while we can and if we make each other happy we should be together. This town is crazy and we may or may not live to see you growing old or me outliving you. We should just be happy with what we have now."

Feeling a little taken aback by his confession/rant, she tried to absorb all that he was telling her and found that he had a point. "And you think you'll be happy? With me?"

He smiled and grabbed her hand. "I do."

She felt herself soften. "You sound so sure."

"That's because I am." He pulled her close. "So what do you say?"

Claire knew what she wanted to say but she wasn't sure if it was the best thing to do. She wanted Michael, she really did. She had noticed her feelings changing for him long ago but had always thought the feelings would never be reciprocated or that there was just too much going on. She also didn't want to hurt Shane or Eve by going after what she wanted but Michael was right. Maybe she should be happy while she had the chance. Even if it didn't work out, she could still have a few happy times with him.

Claire smiled. "Yes."

And, of course, they kissed to seal their deal.

Eight weeks later, Claire was still unsure of how they would tell Eve and Shane but Michael did make her happy. They had been friends for a couple of years now so they knew each other really well which made the relationship even better. Not to mention that he was so sweet and caring and thoughtful and, although she tried her hardest not to compare them, she could see the difference in this relationship and her first.

Shane had been sweet and caring too but he rarely thought before he acted and was ultimately out for number one. He proved this when he dumped her while she was pregnant-though Claire held no ill will or blame towards him for it; it was a difficult situation. She wasn't constantly worried about Michael doing something out of hot tempered anger that could get him killed. Michael was also a little more understanding than Shane.

Claire was pulled out of her thoughts when Michael pulled away.

"I've wanted to do that since last night when I saw Oliver attack you. I was so worried about you."

"I know and I'm sorry."

"No, it's not your fault. We didn't know what Oliver was planning and you couldn't just let him kill Nate."

She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Thanks. I was so scared that I wouldn't make it or that something would happen even if I did. I'm just so grateful that you and Myrnin were there." She trailed off as a thought hit her.

Was Myrnin okay?

Michael felt her tense and pulled away to search her face.

"Claire?"

Without answering, she moved out of his arms and quickly went to the living room. Facing the wall, she thought of Myrnin's lab and it shimmered into existence.

"What are you doing?"

"Making sure that Myrnin is okay. Remember that he was fighting that…Was it a man or a woman? I'm still not sure. Anyways, he was fighting that Pennywell person when we left him. I need to know that he's okay." Claire turned to look into the lab that looked exactly the same from when the left last night. "Myrnin? Myrnin?" She shouted a couple of times before she blinked and he was standing right in front of them.

"What?" He was a little worse for wear. The suit he had wore last night was torn in multiple place and there was blood all over it from either scratches that were already healed or from wounds on someone else. Claire was so busy making sure that he was gravely injured that she forgot to answer.

"She was just worried about you."

Myrnin rolled his eyes. "As you can see, I am perfectly fine. Pennywell was no match for me. As I told you last night: I can take care of myself."

"I know. I just worry."

He smiled. "Thank you. It has been a while since someone has worried about me."

She smiled before looking him over again. "So why are you still in your clothes from last night?"

"Oh, I went to see Amelie and haven't had the chance to change yet."

"And?"

"And it's nothing you need to worry about, but the Founder does wish to see young Michael before night falls." Michael nodded.

"Why can't I know what's going to happen?"

"Because you should focus on you and your children's safety." She really couldn't argue with that. "Well I have some important matters to attend to."

"Okay, bye." Claire turned as the portal shut. Even though she knew he was right, Claire was a little ticked off at being brushed aside. She didn't like being blown off or feeling helpless, but what was she supposed to do? If Myrnin didn't want to tell her, he wouldn't.

Facing Michael, she frowned. "When are you going to see Amelie?"

He shrugged. "In a little while."

"Will you tell me what's happening?"

He looked away from her. "I'm not sure if I can, Claire."

"Please? I just want to know what's going on."

"I'll tell you what I can. I promise."

"Okay."

The hours passed and Claire found herself alone with her kids and her thoughts. Michael had left a little while ago to see the Founder and Eve and Shane had yet to get back. As she played with Nate and Nat absent mindedly, Claire wondered what they'd find and what would happen.

How bad would this war get? Who and how many would die? Would she lose somebody she cared for?

Claire really hoped that the humans would be left out of this but it was highly unlikely. She prayed that this so called war was over quick and with little bloodshed. Although no ruler would be better, if Claire had to take her pick between Amelie and Oliver, it would be Amelie every time. Oliver had no respect for the value of human life. He only thought of humans as food and toys to play with when bored. Even though things weren't too good for humans now, it all would go straight to hell if he took over. It made her even more curious about what news her friends would have when they came back so Claire nervously waited for everyone to get back.

The twins had just went down for their usual six o'clock nap when the front door opened.

"Guys?" So Michael was the first one back.

"It's still just me." Michael rounded the corner and, although he looked a little exhausted, he smiled when he saw her and the snoozing babies.

"Shane and Eve aren't back yet?" She shook her head and he leaned down to give her a kiss. The smile that graced her face was just an automatic response to the feel of his lips against hers.

"So what did Amelie say?" She asked when he pulled away. He sighed and sat next to her on the couch.

"I can't say much. She just told me that she was putting all her pieces in place so when she needs me, she'll put me in motion."

"Put you in motion? What does she mean by that?"

"I'm not sure but we'll probably find out sooner than later. She says that regardless win or lose, and she's nearly positive it'll be a win even though she didn't say it in many words, this war will be over in a matter of days."

"Days? Do you think it'll be very bad?"

Seeing her worried look, he wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. "I'm not sure; it probably will be, but don't worry. We'll be okay."

"You can't be so sure. Anything could happen: no one is truly safe."

Frowning, he nodded. "You're right but I'll my hardest to protect you; all of you."

Wrapping her arms around him, she hugged him. "Thank you."

"It's nothing really. I love you guys: the babies, Shane, Eve, and you. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if anything happened to you all on my watch and I could've have prevented it. You have to keep close the things you love so I'll protect y'all til my Last Breath."

A little teary eyed, she gave him a small smile. "We love you too."

This kiss was softer than the two they had shared earlier. She knew he was sincere in putting all of their lives before his and it made her so grateful to have someone like him.

They kissed for a long while, letting it relax them. It wasn't until Michael heard the key in the front look that they broke away with a quickness. Both made swipes at their mouths to hide any evidence and Claire popped off the couch.

"We should probably tell them soon."

Michael nodded "Tonight?"

Claire shook her head quickly as Shane and Eve entered looking somewhat down. "What happened you guys? Did you find out anything?"

Shane shook his head. "Not much. A lot of the humans don't know much but a few who are close to some vamps say that things are gonna be bad tonight. A lot of vamps will be out searching for each other and staking claims over the town."

"Staking claims?"

"I don't know: something about territories"

Claire looked between Shane and Eve. "Should we be worried tonight?"

Eve shrugged. "I think we'll be fine as long as we don't go out."

"Agreed."

"So what do we do now?"

"Have dinner?" Eve suggested and they all glanced at each other.

Michael smiled a little. "I guess we could do that."

Eve quickly fixed dinner and they ate in near silence with the twins providing most of the chatter. Claire guessed that everyone was preoccupied thinking about what was happening outside the house. To get them out of their heads, she suggested they hang out for a while and try to de-stress with some fun games. Shane was up for it almost immediately and Eve and Michael decided to go along with it too.

Killing Zombies (or each other in one of Shane's games) really helped and by the time Claire decided to call it a night, everyone was in better moods.

"Help me take the twins upstairs?" Claire asked Eve.

"Sure."

It wasn't until they were climbing the stairs when Claire felt a rush of tingles wash over her. She halted on the stairs and looked around. Shane was still playing his video game, Michael was up cleaning up some toys that had been left on the floor, and Eve was happily playing with Natalie in her arms as they came up the stairs behind me. None of her roommates seemed to have felt anything. Maybe she had imagined it? Shaking herself, she went to continue up the stairs when she felt it again: a rush of tingles. She looked around. Was it the house? Was it a warning or something?

"Claire?" She turned to look at Eve before turning to look at Michael, who was now staring at them with concern.

"Michael?" His name was barely off her tongue when the shivers ran over her but in a more alarming matter a second before Claire felt the portal open. Her head snapped to the wall just in time to see a vampire she couldn't ever remember seeing step through and into their living room.

"Watch out!" She yelled but the vampire was fast. Shane had barely turned toward the threat when he found himself flying across the room and into the bookshelf. In an instant, Michael's fangs were out and the two vampires clashed.

"Oh my God." Eve shouted.

The two blurred as they fought and wrestled but the other vampire was older and faster and soon had Michael pinned.

"Poor little baby vampire." He taunted with the slightest hint of an accent. "Even though he didn't ask, Oliver will be pleased when I bring him your head on a pike." As he spoke, Claire went into action.

Handing Nathan to Eve, she moved to one of the many places Shane hid stakes, grabbed one, and tried to quickly but quietly sneak up on him while he gloated. She was so close when the vamp turned and smiled at her with fangs.

"You cannot sneak up on a vampire. You of all people should know that, Amelie's pet." He knocked the stake out of her hand and grabbed her by the neck. "I was going to deal with you after the baby vampire, even though Oliver wants no harm to come to you quite yet, but I guess I'll deal with you first." His hand tightened and although there were wisps of smoke from contact with the silver chain Shane gave her long ago, he held on.

Claire panicked for just a second but during his speech Michael had picked up the fallen stake and quickly took him out. His hand tightened for just a second in his surprise before he let go and fell to the floor. Claire went down with him but only to sit and catch her breath.

There was a shocked silence for a long minute before they all let out a breath of relief together.

"Shane?" Claire called from where she had sat on the floor. "Are you okay?"

He stretched and rubbed his back. "Yea, I'm fine. Just need a nice warm bath. How about you, Claire?"

Rubbing her neck, she nodded. "I'm good."

"How did you know he was coming?"

"I don't know. I think the house warned me. I kind of felt a rush of shivers."

"Should he have been able to come through the portal?"

"Not really. Myrnin told me that only certain people have access to it: him, me, and Amelie."

"You should probably talk to him-" Claire was immediately at attention as she felt another rush.

"Not again." Looking at the wall, she concentrated. She could feel someone trying to get through. So while the house itself held them off for a moment, Claire used all of her will power to keep them out and put something like a lock on the portal. Letting go of the breath she hadn't known she was holding, she turned to everyone else. "No one can get in; at least not tonight."

"Really?""

"Yea, I kind of locked it, in a sense, so no one can come through but it's still not safe here. I don't think I can sleep here knowing someone could just come in while we're all sleeping."

Eve nodded. "Yeah, that's bad but what can we do now? Its night time and a lot of the members of the Bite Club are out on the prowl. We can't go anywhere tonight."

Claire bit her lip as moved to where Eve stood with her children. She sat on the stairs and gathered Nathan in her lap since Eve had a dozing Natalie on her hip. She was so worried now. Someone on Oliver's side found out how to use the portals and could go wherever they wanted including inside the Glass House.

"Oh God."

"Don't worry Claire: it'll be fine. I can guard tonight and then we can find a safer place for you guys."

"I'm not worried about me. You heard him: Oliver doesn't want me dead and I don't think his lackeys, except for the stupid ones, will risk his anger so I'm pretty much safe. It's not a guarantee, but still. I'm more worried about Nate and Nat. They won't kill me but there's nothing stopping them from attacking my babies."

"So what do you want to do then, Claire?"

She sighed and stroked Nate's hair as he nodded off against her chest. "I don't like it but we'll have to find a safer place for them without me. If I'm with them someone will come looking and I don't want them to get hurt."

"So you're gonna stay here?" She nodded. "Where should the twins go then?" Shane asked.

"I think my parents wouldn't mind watching them until this is all over." Eve volunteered. "They've actually been wanting to spend more time with their first grandchildren."

"As long as they can keep them safe." Claire paused. "But what about you and Shane, Eve?"

"What about us? If you're staying then so am I."

"Me, too. I'm not gonna let you and Mikey here hold down the fort when you have the most to lose and to live for."

"So I'll call my parents in the morning and we'll drop them off."

There was a heavy silence for a long minute before Claire spoke.

"So what now?"

"You, Eve, and the kids go up and sleep while I help Michael down here."

"Are you sure Shane? What about work tomorrow?"

"I'm pretty sure they won't even open tomorrow but, if so, a little less sleep won't hurt. Just go to bed."

Claire felt bad but she did feel tired. "Okay. See y'all in the morning."

"Night."

After Eve left her room, Claire watched her babies sleep for a while. She couldn't believe she would be separating from them the next day. She had just got Nate back! But it was for their own good. She wouldn't be able to stand it if anything happened to them. Hopefully, this stupid war would be over soon. She kissed them both and curled up in her bed and tried not to worry too much about the days to come.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Again, sorry for the wait! Just so y'all know, we are almost finished! I'll guess and say that there's maybe 3-5 chapters and the epilogue (unless I decide to separate/combine a few chapters) left! Thanks for sticking with this and me for so long!

R&R Please
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