Aunt Lauren noticed the door was open too and cursed under her breath. She waved me towards the door, like you might as well tell him now and walked back into the hotel room. I went over and knocked. Simon opened the door. The expression on his face told me that he heard the conversation. I looked down at the floor.

"Can I talk to Derek please?" I asked quietly

"I'll get him. But I'm sure he heard your conversation already," Simon said betrayed

Derek came to the door and Simon retreated back into the hotel room without another word. Derek didn't speak either, he just took my hand and we walked over to the stairway far away from our hotel rooms. Derek sat on the steps and pulled me onto his lap, holding me tight.

"That was brave of you," He said finally, "But very stupid."

"I know it was stupid but it was the only way to stall the situation. She seems upset enough with this, I can't imagine what it would be like if I told her the truth."

Derek got a stupid grin on his face, still serious, but showing that he was making a joke, "You know, she will find out that you aren't pregnant, unless it becomes true."

I looked at Derek like he was an idiot. Then, realizing it was a joke, we both began laughing. It was good to see Derek laughing; he'd been way to tense lately over my infection from him. I didn't think Derek would make a joke like that either.

Derek and I sat on the steps for a while, just talking. And in case anyone had come, Derek had his arm around me, hand placed on my stomach. We talked about everything normal people talked about, forgetting our troubles for a little while. We talked about our favorite colors, sports, places, foods, things to do, places we wanted to go, TV shows, all the things that we never had the time for anymore.

Footsteps came down the hallways towards us and Simon appeared.

"There you guys are, Dads been looking everywhere for you Derek. Looks like he's ready to kill you," Simon said. Simon still seemed worried about us but in a bit better of a mood than when I saw him earlier. Derek nodded and left, going back to the hotel room. Simon sat beside me, "So I'm going to be an uncle now." He smiled.

I laughed, "Yeah the grand Uncle Simon and his terrific smoke spell."

Simon laughed too, "Hey, I am getting better at it."

I smiled and leaned against him, he hesitated for a second but put his arm around me.

"I hope Derek doesn't kill me for this."

"Hey, I'm not his property. You are still allowed to touch me."

"I know, he just gets defensive, know what I mean? And I think its cause I still like you and stuff."

"I'm sorry that it didn't work out between us Simon, I really am."

"It's okay Chloe, you're good for Derek, and you've changed him a lot, in a good way. Although I didn't think you felt this way about him." He said, gesturing at my stomach.

I again went along with it, like I had with Aunt Lauren, shrugging, I said, "I guess some things just happen. No one plans for it to happen while we are on the run."

Simon nodded, "Yeah, I know you didn't plan it. But still, Uncle Simon, I like the sound of that."

Simon and I headed back to the hotel rooms, expecting to hear Kit screaming at Derek but instead we found them in a hushed conversation in the corner of the boy's room. I really just wanted to go over to Derek and go back to the stairs with him. But I knew that was over. Simon and I sat on the couch and he turned on the TV. But my mind wasn't focused on the TV. It was focused on when and how to get out of here. I felt that I needed to leave. I can't keep hiding from Simon, Tori, and Aunt Lauren. I wasn't too fond about running off with Kit, because he couldn't teach me much more than he already had about werewolves. I really wanted to leave with Derek. But I know I can't do that. I am a dangerous distraction for him. No matter what I felt about him. I need to do what's best for him and get some distance. I needed to step out of the way because I could feel something worse coming on. Like when you feel an illness coming on.

"Chloe? Chlooooeeee? Hello, anyone there?" Simon's voice tore me from my thoughts.

"Hm? What?" I asked, and then saw Derek crouched in front of me, worry on his face.

"What is it Chloe? What's wrong?" Derek asked me, Dang him, how am I going to leave a guy like him.

"What? Nothing's wrong, just thinking."

"We've been trying to snap you out of it for a while. What were you thinking about? Do you see a replaying scene, like after the bus stop?" Derek referred back to when I went Stonewall after seeing the girl's ghost get killed repeatedly after his change.

"N-no, I'm fine," I said

"Chloe," He growled, "Tell me what's going on."

"I'm fine," I told him, Derek showed he didn't believe me

Kit spoke up now, "Foods ready, everyone hungry?" He pulled me aside and whispered, "Derek explained to me." Before letting me go to eat. That's what they had talked about; Derek confirmed with his dad that I was not pregnant.

I nodded in response to Kit and followed him to the girl's room. Where we ate and then retired to bed. I was exhausted, both physically and emotionally.

I awoke early in the morning and since the others were still asleep, I took the opportunity to shower. I undressed in the bathroom and stepped into the steaming shower. The shampoo provided at the hotel wasn't the greatest so I had to use a lot to get a decent lather in my hair. The warmth of the shower let me get lost in my thoughts. We all had backpacks prepared for leaving at a moment's notice in case the Edison Group found us, so packing was no problem. The problem was how soon could I go? Each day I spend here, the more dangerous I feel I become.

I finished my shower and stepped out into the bathroom. Before this whole situation, I had baby fine hair and practically no curves. I looked at myself in the mirror as I dressed; this change to a werewolf had physically changed me. My hair was no longer baby fine, it was becoming thicker and more my age. Curves finally came for me; I recently stole a bra of Tori's because mine no longer fit me.

Satisfied with my appearance, I finished dressing and came back out into the hotel room. Tori and Aunt Lauren were not here, I could hear them off in the boy's room for breakfast. My stomach growled loudly at the thought of food. I placed my hand on my stomach and flinched. How did Derek out up with this werewolf stomach? It's just awful, being so hungry so constantly.

I ran a brush quickly through my hair and then went to the boy's room for breakfast. Simon opened the door and greeted me with his friendly smile.

"Hey Chloe, it's about time you came over. Derek was starting to get worried," Simon smiled, teasing Derek

"Hey! I was not Simon," Derek growled at him

I smiled and rolled my eyes at him, "So what's for breakfast?"

"Cereal or pancakes, whichever you want, you'll have to fight Derek for the pancakes though." Simon teased

Derek growled at Simon and passed me a plate of pancakes as I sat down. I smiled to him and he smiled back but I swear his eyes where glowing with a hint of the change. 'Not now! Why now?' I thought to myself. Derek needed me to be with him for that but I needed to leave. In the back of my mind I wondered why he was still going through the Change like this when he had already completed it.

After breakfast Derek and I convinced Kit to let us go for a walk back to the woods. Kit gave Derek his cell with Aunt Lauren's number in it in case we needed help.

"Kit's getting a lite overprotective, werewolves don't need cell phones," I joked as we walked towards the woods

"He's being smart. We easily could walk into trouble out here," Derek replied, I could see the glow in his eyes

"You don't think we'll get hurt, or else you wouldn't have wanted to come out here," I countered

Derek shot me a look, "I don't want to be out here. But I need to be. The change, I can feel it coming. I need to find a safe place to come to. We've always known a location in advance before."

We entered on to the path in the woods, our hands brushed and I smiled to him to show it was okay. He took my tiny hand in his and we held hands as we walked.

"Don't worry Derek. I know everything will be okay. You know that you can make it through the change."

His grip tightened around my hand, "Chloe- I... I still need you there... Will you... Please come."

On the inside I was panicking but I gave him a smile and nodded, "I'll come, you know I will."

I paused walking and turned to face him. He stopped when he realized I had and gave me a confused look. I moved close to him and reached up, wrapping my arms around his neck. Derek wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me up to eye level. I leaned in to kiss him but I saw his hesitation.

"What the worst that could happen Derek? Would you turn me into a werewolf or something?" I joked, forgetting about my want to distance myself from him. My joke seemed to relax him somewhat, what else could happen between us? He kissed me and I kissed him back. We stayed like this for a while until something in my gut forced me to pull back from the kiss and catch my breath.

"Chloe?" Derek caught my expression, "Are you okay?"

I nodded, "I'm okay. Seriously, I am."

Derek growled at me, "Chloe what's going on?"

"Nothing, I'm just a little cold, it's chilly out. Let's go find you a spot," I made up the excuse but Derek didn't buy it

"Forget about finding a spot for my change. Tell me what's really going on Chloe. Do you feel sick?" Worry filled his expression

Little does he know that he's spot on, I thought to myself. "No Derek, I'm fine. I don't want you to keep worrying about me; you've got enough to worry about right now. Let's find your spot now." I tried to wiggle out of his grip. He only tightened his grip on me when I said that.

"Too bad Chloe," He scowled, "Because you're what I'm worried about right now and that's not going to change until you are safe."

"I am safe," I lied and kissed him on the cheek. We then located a small clearing for his change that wasn't far from the hotel. Which I can tell is soon. His muscles are starting to spasm.

"I'm okay Chloe," Derek growled, his temper short with the change

"I know, I'm still worried about you though."

"Well you don't need to be. I'm fine," Derek snapped

I lowered my gaze and nodded, replying 'okay' quietly. His snap hurt me and scared me. Derek saw that he had hurt me and placed a hand on my shoulder. I turned away from him.

"Chloe," Derek said, trying to repair the damage, "Chloe, I'm sorry. You know I don't mean to snap like that. Chloe look at me please. I'm sorry."

My newly found instinct warned me to stay away from Derek when he was in this mood. It told me trouble was coming if I stayed around him. I sighed and stepped back onto the path and began walking back towards the hotel. It was around afternoon now anyway and I wanted lunch. I had not walked far before Derek appeared in front of me. This wasn't the Derek I walked away from though, this Derek was worried and regretting his actions towards me. I attempted to walk past him but he blocked my way. I sidestepped and he did too.

"Leave me alone," I growled to him, he seemed a little surprise by the force of my anger, I didn't know where it was coming from either.

"No Chloe, you need to listen to me."

"I haven't got anything to listen to from you."

It felt like I was just watching the scene unfold. I came up close to him and shoved him out of my way. I moved past him and started to walk back to the hotel. Derek momentarily stunned by the actions, followed me close behind.

As I came up to the hotel room doors to go into the girl's room, Simon exited the guy's room.

"Hey Chloe, how was your walk?" Simon asked then noticed the sad anger on my face, "Chloe what happened?"

I slipped into my room without answering. I was able to hear everything that happened after I shut my door.

Simon turned around and saw Derek, "Hey bro, what happened? I've never see Chloe like that."

Derek grunted like it was no big deal, though I could tell he was worried, "How should I know?" He moved past Simon and into their hotel room. Simon followed him in.

I looked around the room for Tori; there was a note on my bed in Tori's handwriting. It read, 'Convinced your aunt to take me shopping, should be back before you but leaving a note just in case. -Tori' I sighed happily, that meant I had a little more time of peace and quiet.

I turned on the TV and sat back on the bed to watch TV but there was a knock on the door, I shouted that it was unlocked and Kit entered.

"You should come over to the boy's room. It's not safe for you to be in here by yourself."

I sighed and followed him to the room, not wanting to fight about leaving me alone. I looked around as we entered; Simon was watching TV and Derek was on the balcony, his back to us. I know what he is doing though, distancing himself from Simon so Simon wouldn't know he was changing.

Still mad at Derek, I walked over to Simon and sat beside him. Simon smiled at me and I smiled back, leaning against his shoulder and his hand went around mine. It was comforting but until I felt coldness within me.

"Chloe you're freezing," Simon said

"No, I'm okay," I frowned, wishing he hadn't noticed

"You should warm up," Simon said, pulling me closer to him and wrapping a blanket around me, smiling he said, "Don't worry, Uncle Simon will take care of you Chloe."

I couldn't help but smile back exhaling a laugh. He put his arm around me, trying to warm me up.

"Chloe are you sure you are okay?" Simon seemed very concerned now. He called over his dad, "Dad something's is wrong with Chloe."

Kit rushed over; my color was drained from my face, "Chloe? Why are you so cold?" He gently took me from Simon's grip.

"I-I don't know," I lied and glanced over at Derek. I knew this was from my body adjusting to getting infected. I saw Derek restrain a twitch like he wanted to come over to me but couldn't. I looked back at Kit, wishing I was no longer angry with Derek.

Kit saw my expression, "Derek come here please."

Derek hesitated because of my snap at him earlier but came over to Kit, "What?" He grunted

"Simon, make Chloe some hot soup please," Kit told Simon then gave me a nod and followed Simon. He seemed to know why I was cold.

Derek sat beside me, I moved closer to him, "Thank you," I whispered to him, "Your dad seems to know why this happened."

Derek realized I was not mad anymore and his arm went around me, pulling me up onto his lap and putting his arms around me, "Your body's still working through what's happening."

I looked up into Derek's eyes, the glow of the change was brighter and I felt his arms around me twitch. This was making him more stressed. He saw that I noticed and gave me a glare saying, 'don't say a word.' I nodded and stayed there with him. Resting my head against his chest.

I gradually felt better after Simon gave me a bowl of soup and the rest of the day was uneventful. Derek tried to avoid Simon and Kit and stay close to me at the same time. Tori and Aunt Lauren came back and Tori complained about how low quality the stores were. Dinner was in the girl's room, frozen TV dinners. I want to leave tonight but I know I can't with Derek close to the change. He is on high alert about me; I was barely able to leave his sight all day. Tori officially found out about the "baby" and went crazy. She was mad that she was last to find out but super excited about being Aunt Tori. I am glad there is no actual baby; I don't want it growing up around Tori. We all sat down to watch a movie but my mind drifted away from the movie and thought about the 'what if' of a werewolf baby. But Derek had said before that he never wants kids because of what werewolves go through. I thought about what I would have to say to convince him to have kids someday, if I could make it through being a werewolf then surely our kids would be fine. I forced myself to stop thinking about this and remember that I wanted to leave. The wolf was becoming dangerous if it was able to take control of me now.

"It's Chloe isn't it?" A voice asked. I gave a confused look; it asked again, "You are the girl called Chloe, are you not?"

I gave a nod and excused myself to the bathroom so the others wouldn't see me talking to the ghost.

"Show yourself," I kept my voice low, mentally pulling the ghost through. A teenage boy appeared in front of me.

"Hello Chloe, I'm in need of your assistance," the boy said

"How so?" I asked

"I died in this hotel so I'm sort of attached to it or banished here or something. I need you to free me."

"What's in it for me? Can you help me in return?" I keep my voice at a low volume so the others can't hear it, only Derek would've been able to and his senses were dulled with the Change.

"I am a human not supernatural so I have no powers. I can try to help you though."

"Alright, I'll consider it then. I'll have an answer for you soon," I replied thinking if he's not supernatural then he cannot hurt me what harm would there be in helping him. About to leave the bathroom, I stop and ask, "What's your name?"

"Is that important?" He received a glare from me, "Okay fine, my name was Kyle."

I nodded and left, returning to my seat next to Derek. His arm went around me, hand resting on my stomach. Playing the part of me being with a child. I could feel his arm twitch worse now and I saw the fever in his eyes. I gave him a look and a nod in Simon's direction saying that he needed to tell Simon. He gave me a glare. I ignored his glare and decided to tell Simon myself. Derek's grip on me tightened but I still managed to tap Simon on the shoulder before being pulled back. He looked over at me and I nodded in Derek's direction. Simon looked at Derek and saw. Derek gave him a glare to shut up.

"Chloe and I are going to the vending machines for snacks," Simon said to his dad and I walked out with him. Derek followed; his instincts not letting him leave me alone. Especially with the incident earlier with Simon.

We walked to the staircase and Derek continued to glare at his brother. "I didn't need your help," he growled. Derek stepped out onto the staircase and into the cool night air. Simon held me back momentarily and gave a momentary confused look like he was processing why Derek would be Changing right now. We were in a safe place right now. I gave a glance down to my stomach trying to convey that Derek's stress from the baby situation induced the Change.

Simon asked concerned, "Are you sure about going along Chloe? The baby could get hurt."

"We'll be okay Simon, thanks for your help getting Derek and me out of the room."

Simon nodded, "Come get me if you need help though." He tossed me his father's cell phone as I stepped out onto the stairs and turned down the hall that had the vending machines. Derek and I went outside, he was starting to sweat now, and the change was coming faster. I was glad for a cool night to help combat this fever.

"I'm sorry Chloe," Derek said as we walked down the path.

"About what?" I asked confused

"This is all my fault. I should have been more careful, I shouldn't have kissed you. I'm sorry this happened. I don't know how we are going to solve this baby thing either, because they'll notice soon that it's a lie."

"Derek, I'm glad you did. I'm glad this whole thing happened. You say it's not a good life as a werewolf but now I can't imagine my life any other way."

Derek was silent for a while, scratching at himself, muscles like snakes under his skin. We approached the small clearing and Derek took off his shirt and pants, leaving on his boxers like we did in the past changes. There we no way we could afford to buy new clothes for him every time.

He got in position on the ground and I sat beside him. The panic of his change was gone because he knew he could make it through it but the unimaginable pain of it was still unbearable. Derek went into the change, body contorted and he let out whimpers of pain. I watched and massaged a spot on his back, whispering, words of encouragement and comfort. .