A/N: Here y'all go! I just realized how long it's been since I've updated! Sorry! Well, here you go!

The next morning, breakfast was a quiet event. Claire didn't know about the others but she was just feeling so down this morning. She was also a little sad about being separated from her babies.

"So…" Eve started as she finished making faces at Nate. "My parents said they were fine with the twins spending a few days with them."

Claire picked at her food. "That's good. When should we leave?"

"Around two? I know you want to spend a little more time with them." She nodded.

"Thanks."

The morning passed so quickly and the time had come for them to leave.

"Are you riding with, Claire?"

"Yea."

With the twins buckled in the car seats they rarely used- Claire didn't take them out unless to a doctor's appointment or Eve's parents' house and sometimes to the store-they set off. Despite the twins' babble in the back seat, the car was quiet. Claire was annoyed with the glances Eve kept throwing her every other minute.

"What is it, Eve?"

Eve jumped but stayed focused on the road. "What do you mean?"

"You keep looking at me every other second. What is it?"

"I was just a little worried about you. I know it's going to be really hard for you to be away from them, especially with everything that's happening."

"It'll be hard but it's for the best. They need to be as safe as possible."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"You're' their mother. They will need you the most. You should be safe too. I asked my parents and they're okay with you staying too." Claire was speechless for a long time so Eve went on. "I mean, I know you want to stay with us and make sure we're okay but you don't have to. We are able to take care of ourselves and each other so we'll be okay. Even if we do get attacked and something happens, you matter more than us. You have children; a family to live for."

"But you guys are my family too!"

"We know but they are more important."

Claire's eyes teared up a bit. "It means a lot that you want me safe, that all of y'all do. I just can't bring myself to hide away. Not to mention that there are some vampires after me. They may not want to kill me but they do want to hurt me any way possible. If I bring them to my children and they get hurt, it'll kill me. It's better for us to be separate just in case someone does come after me." Eve nodded.

They made it to the Rosser house and Eve's parents were waiting for them. Claire had met them a few times: back at the hospital when the twins were born, at the small party for their first birthday, and a few other times. They looked happy to see her.

"Claire! How have you been?" Eve's mother said as she crushed Claire into a hug.

"Good. A little worried."

"Don't be. I'm sure everything will turn out fine. In the mean time, I'm happy to spend some more time with my grandbabies." She cooed as she lifted Natalie from Claire's arms.

"I'm sure they're happy to spend some time with y'all too."

There were a few moments of more small talk before Claire thanked them and said goodbye to Nathan and Natalie. As she kissed their foreheads and muttered statements of love, she held them close. "I'll visit everyday until this is all over. After this is finished I promise we'll find a way to leave this town, I promise."

On the drive home, Claire was feeling sad and, surprisingly, guilty. The sadness was from the hole she felt inside at not having her kids with her. The guilt was because of Eve's words from earlier. Hands down, Eve her best friend and it showed by what she had said earlier. It just made Claire feel guilty for keeping her and Michael's relationship from Eve. It made sense the first few weeks, just in case it didn't work out, but now it'd been almost two and a half months and it felt pretty serious. It was time to tell them, Claire decided. Not only because of the guilt, but she didn't want something bad to happen and either not get to tell them or have them find out from someone else.

Claire quickly texted Michael while Eve stopped to pump gas. He called her a few seconds later.

"Are you sure we should do this now?"

"Positive, I'm going to tell Eve now and you should probably talk to Shane."

There was a pause. "I'm not sure if that's a good idea. He'll probably take it better coming from you."

After thinking about it for a second, she nodded. "You're right. I'll tell him tonight."

She was just ending the call when Eve was getting back in the car.

"Who was that?"

"Michael."

Eve nodded and it was quiet for a few seconds. "Speaking of Michael…"

Claire was shocked when the words she intended to speak came out of Eve's mouth. She was a little worried about what Eve was about to say so she interrupted her quickly.

"Can I tell you something first real quick?"

"Sure."

Claire took a deep breath. "So I hope you're not mad when I tell you this. I know we don't keep secrets from each other but it was what was best at first. We-I never expected this to happen: it just did. I mean-"

"Claire! You're rambling!"

"Oh, sorry. I just wanted to tell you that…" She paused and readied herself for any and every reaction: anger, betrayal, hurt, confusion, and even disgust. She opened her mouth to utter the words but Eve, once again, beat her to the punch.

"It's okay, Claire."

"It's okay? What do you mean?"

"I already know."

Shocked, Claire couldn't help but ask. "You already know about what?"

"About you and Michael." For the second time that day, Eve had left Claire speechless for a long time.

Out of all the reactions or scenarios she imagined, this wasn't one of them. Swallowing, Claire cleared her throat. "How? How did you find out?"

Claire was a little confused when she saw a blush appear on Eve's cheeks. "About two weeks ago I was walking past Michael's room to go downstairs for a midnight snack when I overheard y'all talking. I was going to keep walking when I heard him tell you that he loved you before the telltale sounds of kissing. When I came back, you were still in there and I just…well, I just knew that the two of you weren't talking anymore."

Claire blushed also when she caught on to her meaning. She and Michael didn't do it often but they did do it from time to time when they found time to be alone. Claire thought they'd been really cautious and careful when everyone was home but apparently not.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

Eve shrugged."I wanted you to tell me when you were ready. I didn't want to push you"

"And are you mad?"

"I was at first. Both of you guys are my friends and you were keeping this kind of big secret from me. Then I realized why you were keeping it a secret and that I really couldn't blame you. I also noticed just how much happier both of you were. Y'all were always smiling and laughing and what kind of friend would be mad at their friends for being happy? It shouldn't matter that he's my ex and you're my best friend. What matters is that you're happy."

Claire was touched. "I didn't want to lose you. We wanted to be sure that we were serious before we told you guys."

"And is it?"

"I think so." Claire admitted, finding herself blushing again. "It's only been two months but I like him a lot, maybe even kind of love him. It just all seems so sudden but I'm glad you're not mad. It's only been six or seven months since you and he broke up and I know it takes a while to get over someone you really liked or loved. Although I knew it was better for us to be apart, it took a few months after Nate and Nat were born for me to fully get over Shane. You sure it's okay?" Eve nodded.

"Michael and I were drifting long before we broke up. The main reason was because I wanted more but also because neither of us were into it as much. I could just tell that Michael didn't feel the same way anymore and that he was thinking of someone else. I knew he had feelings for someone else. I just never guessed it was you."

"Me neither." Their conversation had taken the whole drive and they were now parked outside the house. "Thanks for taking this so well. We were really worried about how y'all would react." Claire laughed a little.

"You still have to tell Shane." The look of panic that came to Claire's face made Eve break out into a fit of giggles that Claire joined seconds later.

"Let's hope Shane takes it half as well as you. Do you think he will?

Eve sobered as she cut the engine. "I'm not sure. Y'all broke up almost two years ago so he should be able to understand that you've moved on but with it being with Michael might make it rocky."

Claire nodded. "So any suggestions?"

"Ease him into it and make sure he knows that you are happy."

It was barely four in the afternoon so they felt no need to rush up the path and Claire contemplated how to address Shane. She finally accepted that he'd probably be upset but hoped that he would eventually be okay with it. She decided on what she thought would be the best approach and pieced together a little bit of what she would say in her head. She felt confident in what she had put together as she took out her key and opened the door.

Her well planned speech flew out the window when she walked into the living room and was greeted by the scene there.

Myrnin was standing in the middle of the room with Shane, which was surprising in itself, but that wasn't what stunned her. It was the fact that Michael was stretched out on the floor chained and unconscious.

"What the hell, you guys?" Claire said as she rushed to Michael's side. She was about to kneel but Myrnin stopped her.

"I know you're worried about young Michael due to your intimate relationship but he needs to stay where he is for now." Claire's face flushed as she saw a look of shock followed by hurt on Shane's face.

"Relationship?"

"Shane…" She started but he shook his head and headed toward the stairs. "Shane!" She tried again but he didn't stop.

"You have a big mouth." Eve said from her place by the stairs where she just witnessed everything. She looked at Claire. "Do you want me to go check on him for you?"

Claire shook her head. "I'll do it." Eve nodded and headed toward the kitchen as Claire turned and glared at Myrnin.

"I'm pretty sure my mouth is of normal size."

Annoyed, she frowned. "No, it's pretty big. You shouldn't have said that."

He was still unaffected by her apparent anger. "I'm sorry, was that a secret?"

"Kind of. How did you know?"

He shrugged. "You carry his scent around on your person."

A little creeped out, Claire stared at him. "His scent?"

He nodded. "Much like you carried Shane's scent when you were attached to him."

Ignoring how much carrying around someone's scent creeped her out and moving on to the more important questions, Claire glanced at Michael again. "Why can't we let him up?"

"Amelie's call."

"Amelie's call? What's that?"

"Anyone of her bloodline, not as in descendants but as in turned by her, or has pledge fidelity to her will be compelled to walk outside."

"In the sun?"

"Yes."

Claire was horrified. "Why would she do that?"

"It is a type of warfare that she feels forced to do."

Knowing that that was all she'd get out of him about the call, she moved on to her next question. "Do you not feel her call? And how did you get here fast enough to stop Michael?"

"I still feel her call but not as strongly since I am much older than most. I was coming to warn your friend since he means much to you. By the way, you did an excellent job on the block you put on the portal: it almost kept me out."

"Thanks. So when can we let him up?"

"At the Fall of Night." Claire nodded and glanced up at the stairs. "Go talk to your friend. I'll stay with Michael." Nodding, she went up to Shane's room.

"Shane?" She knocked but didn't receive an answer. She tried again before slowly opening the door. "Shane?" She spotted him on his bed with his back to her. "Can we talk?"He was quiet for such a long time that she thought it was a no until she saw his shoulders move in a shrug.

"Sure."

Unsure if he wanted her close or not, she sat in the chair next to his bed. Silence reigned for a long moment as she debated on where to start. She figured you could rarely go wrong with apologizing so she did.

"I'm sorry." That got him to look at her. She plowed on before he could speak. "I'm sorry you didn't hear about me and Michael for either one of us. I know it sucked not hearing it from us but we weren't entirely sure how to tell you guys. Michael and I...We...Us being together wasn't really thought about. We got caught up in a moment and it turned into something more. We didn't do this to hurt you or Eve. We really like each other and I'm happy with im. I hope this doesn't make things weird and that you're not mad."

For a moment, he didn't answer but then he sighed. "Does Eve know?"

"I told her in the car maybe about twenty minutes ago. I was going to tell you but Myrnin opened his big mouth."

Shane snorted. "I understand, I guess. It's not like any of us are dating or just recently broken up. I guess I was upset that neither of y'all told me but I'm happy for you both. Both of you deserve to be happy and if that's together who am I to be upset?" Claire smiled and gave him a quick hug.

"Thanks." That went so much better than she thought it would. She went back down to sit with two of her favorite vampires to wait for night to come.

Myrnin was still there but was now sitting in Michael's chair and Michael was still passed out on the floor. She looked down at him uneasily.

"What did you give him to knock him out this long?"

"Nothing. I broke his neck."

At first, Claire didn't catch it by how nonchalantly he said it but when she realized what he said she thought he was joking until she saw his face. She gawked at him. "Seriously? You broke his neck?!"

"Don't sound so serious, Claire. He's a vampire: he'll heal." Taking a deep breath, she nodded.

"How's the fighting going?"

"Both sides are at a stand still and we are in the midst of the final moves."

"Who's winning?"

"Amelie currently has the upperhand but anything could happen at this point."

"Has anyone died?"

He looked as if he was thinking deeply. "There have been a few casualties for both sides but no one of real consequence." Claire breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe there wouldn't be so much bloodshed or loss.

Eve came downstairs, she must have went to her room during Claire's conversation with Shane, around that time and moved to sit on the couch.

"How did he take the news?"

"Better than I thought."

They started a light conversation, that Shane joined when he came down, to wait for night. Eve's parents called a few times with questions and so that the twins could hear her voice and vise versa. It soothed Claire. Myrnin had left after a while but left them with strict instructions to go no where near Michael, even if he seemed in his right mind (which was kind of hilarious and ironic coming from him), until the sun went down. His excuse for leaving had been that Amelie had called him but Claire suspected that he just got bored of babysitting. They had moved to the kitchen to have dinner and was just finishing up when Michael called out from the living room. They rushed to his side but stood a bit back.

He was conscious indeed.

"Can you guys let me up?"

"That depends," Shane said. "Do you still feel the urge to become a giant torch?"

"Apparently not: the sun isn't even out anymore." They all looked out the window and it was night.

Shane helped him off the floor. "That was a close call."

Michael nodded. "I never thought I'd say this, but thank God for Myrnin."

Shane sighed. "True."

Claire hesitated for second before walking over and hugging Michael. He tensed for a moment. "Don't worry: they know." She whispered with her head buried in his chest.

"Y'all know?"

"Yeah, man. She told us since you chickened out." Claire could feel him relax at the playful tone in Shane's words. He hugged her tightly for a while before pulling back.

"I'm glad you're okay with...this." Michael said as he motioned between Claire and himself.

"I can't say it was much of a surprise." Shane shrugged. "If I really think about it, it was kind of obvious." They all laughed and fell into a comfortable conversation but Claire was distracted by her phone.

Turned out to be Eve's parents wondering where some of the twins' things were. As Claire walked them through where to find everything, she drifted away from her roommates and around the room. The whole process took a good twenty minutes and when she hung up and looked around only Shane remained. She could hear Eve showering upstairs and Michael in the kitchen, probably eating since he hadn't gotten the chance earlier. Shane was sitting on the couch watching her.

"Everything okay?" He asked as she sat next to him.

"Yeah, they just needed help finding things."

"Oh, okay."

There was silence for a moment where they stared at each other. Now that the cat was out of the bag, Claire wasn't sure what to say.

"It doesn't have to be awkward." Shane piped up after a long moment. Claire nodded.

"It doesn't." She paused. "Are you sure you're okay with it, though? I don't ask to pester, just to make sure we're on the same page."

"No matter how I feel or what I think it won't change how you two feel but honestly? I'm fine with it as long as you both are happy."

Claire smiled. "Thanks." They hugged before Claire headed upstairs.

Checking her email, she was surprised (or maybe she wasn't) that her classes had been canceled for the rest of the week. She was a little happy for the break. If (When) everything went back to normal, it would be a lot of work but she's worry about that later. After that, she laid in her bed and stared at the ceiling. She couldn't remember if there was something more important she had to do but she just laid there. She worried a little. She daydreamed a little. She also slept a little.

She was woken by a cool arm draped over her stomach.

Opening her eyes, she saw Michael lying next to her with his eyes closed. Due to his even breathing, Claire assumed he was asleep and chose not to wake him. Slowly, she turned on her side and his arm tightened around her and pulled her closer to him. She sighed. She always enjoyed lying like this but the worries of what was to come was weighing down on her.

If Oliver did win, how drastic would he change things? She was pretty sure he'd make all humans basically slaves and 24/7 blood banks. The idea of her kids growing up in such a town was so repulsive that Claire promised herself that, no matter what she had to do or who she had to go through, she would get them out of Morganville.

"You need to relax." Michael's drowsy voice came, knocking her out of her thoughts. "Being this tense won't help anything." Claire turned and saw his eyes, still heavy with sleep, cracked open.

She gave him a half smile. "Sorry. My worry was getting the best of me."

"Don't apologize. You do have a lot to worry about. Just try to relax a little. Soon, this will be over and everything will go back to normal...hopefully."

"Hopefully." Claire yawned and found herself drifting off again.

Claire woke the next morning and was amazed to find Michael still beside her. He never spent the night in her room because (1) he didn't want to get caught sneaking out by Eve or Shane and (2) they both thought it was extremely tacky and inappropriate to do such with her babies in the room. Claire then realized that neither of those mattered: Shane and Eve knew now and her kids were not here. She panicked at the second part for a minute before remembering everything that happened the last few days.

Moving out of Michael's arms and laughing when he tried to pull her back, she went to shower. Michael was gone- showering in his room from what she could hear- when she returned to her room. Everyone came down for breakfast and it was quieter, and cleaner, without Nat and Nate.

Shane was the only one who had to go into work so the rest of them decided to hang out. For a moment, CLaire thought it was going to be awkward not that Eve knew but they fell into their usual banter.

Claire called and was called by Eve's parents. Nat and Nate sounded like they were enjoying their time with their grandparents which made her happier about the arrangement and she promised to be by in a few hours. It also made her wonder about Jason.

He hadn't shown up in the past few days and she wondered if Oliver (or anyone else) had killed him. Even though, as far as Claire knew, he'd betrayed her and the children they shared, she was saddened and worried by the thought. He was Nathan and Natalie's father and he was also her friend and she hoped that he was okay.

While Eve and Michael argued over what to watch, Claire excused herself to go to the bathroom. On her way back, she grabbed herself a coke. When she returned, Eve sat on the couch alone.

"Where's Michael?"

"He got a phone call and went upstairs." Claire was worried but sat.

After about ten minutes, Michael came downstairs dressed differently and with his keys in his hands. "Amelie needs me to come to her." Claire's worry skyrocketed and it must have showed on her face because he stroked the 'v' between her eyes. "Don't worry. She said she just need to tell me something that couldn't be said over the phone. I'll be back soon." He leaned forward as if to kiss but stopped and looked sideways at Eve. Eve threw her arms up and turned away. The kiss was sweet and short and then he was gone.

"Don't know why he's being coy: we've all kissed in front of each other before." Eve scoffed. Claire laughed and felt some of the tension and worry leave her. She and Eve chatted for a while until Claire's phone started to ring. She reached over to grab it off the side table, where she left it when she went to the restroom, blindly and ended up grabbing one of the stakes they kept around the house.

"Stupid stake." She murmured as she dropped it in her lap and reached for her phone again.

"Hello?"

"Hey Claire."

"Michael? I thought you were with Amelie?"

"I went but she-" He was interrupted by the doorbell ringing.

"Hold on." Both Claire and Eve got up but Eve motioned that she'd get it. "Sorry, doorbell. What happened?"

"Amelie said she didn't call me."

"Huh? But you said-"

"Yeah, which is why we were confused."

"Could it have been someone else pretending to be Amelie?"

"That's what we were thinking, but why?" They were quiet for a moment as they thought. Claire stood from the couch and started to walk around the living room. Michael was the first to speak. "They got me out the house, could that be it?"

Claire toyed with the stake in her other hand as she thought on it. "But why would they want you out the house?" Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Eve walk around the corner.

"I'm not sure. Maybe it's a trap?"

"A trap?"

No sooner were the words out of her mouth that she felt the tingly sensation from the wall at her back sudden and startling. Claire didn't have time to turn around. Her phone dropped as she was wrenched backwards by cold hands.

"Claire!" Eve yelled and she could feel a hand grasp her ankle.

Claire blinked and opened them to find herself in some unfamiliar office area. Oliver had her arms and Eve, who had her ankle, had been pulled through the portal too. Claire's heart beat rapidly as Oliver's grasp moved from her arms to her neck.

"Nice to see you, Eve, but you aren't needed here so leave or die." Eve's eyes flashed between his and Claire's and Claire just shook her head.

"Go. I'll be fine. He won't kill me! Just go." Eve looked conflicted before she backed up and through the portal. As Oliver had been watching Eve, Claire had slipped the stake, that had still been in her hands when she was taken, into her jeans where he couldn't see it.

Oliver's grasp on her neck relaxed and Claire ran to the other side of the desk to put some distance between them.

"Why'd you grab me?"

Oliver gave her a wicked fangy smile.

"Because, my dear, it's time for the big finale!"

A/N: Thanks for reading. Please remember to review and tell me what you think! Thanks for sticking with me for so long, I know it's been a while.

R&R Please
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