Another chapter is here. Please, please let me know what you all thought.

Episode 5 Part 2:

Aurora entered the lab with Matthew. He went over to a corner to be alone, probably to ponder over his guilt for the way he treated Thomas, and how Aurora had called him a coward for leaving Diana.

She saw Marcus sitting by himself whilst Miriam was working on some things. She knew she had to apologise to Marcus for not giving him a chance to explain. She walked over to him. "Hi.."

He looked up, quite befuddled by her unexpected approach. "Hi…"

"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. Matthew told me why you had to tell Baldwin and I understand now. You couldn't disobey him. You were bound,"

"I'm so sorry too, Aurora. And I'm very sorry I didn't tell you before. I had every intention too…but I was afraid…that you…" he paused.

Aurora wanted to hear the rest from his train of thought but she didn't want to push him. "Thank you for coming after me. And taking care of me. Again,"

Marcus chuckled softly. "Best we don't make it a habit,"

Aurora giggled with a slender cheesy grin. "Where's Thomas gone?"

"To his hunting cabin," Marcus pursed his lips. "I wish I could have convinced him to stay,"

Aurora sat down next to him. "It's my fault for that outbreak yesterday. I should have been consoling and sympathetic. Instead, I was rather rude to him. Do you think he'll come back?"

"Probably never,"

Aurora touched his hand very gently. "Just give him time,"

Marcus rather liked her touch.

"Families always love each other no matter what mistakes they make. He's way too committed to all of you to forget that,"

Marcus saw the generosity in her eyes, the hope she was holding for him. They became lost in each other's eyes for a long while. The more they stared into each other eyes, the more they could see that they were more alike than they seemed.

Their moment was interrupted by the approaching Matthew.

"Marcus…take Aurora back to your house,"

"Where are you going?" Marcus asked.

"I need to speak with Hamish," Matthew swerved around.

"You mean not to go after Thomas?" Miriam asked behind him, coming over with her arms crossed.

Matthew hung his head down. "He'd just push me away. He needs some time alone first," He left through the door, leaving the three alone.

Marcus and Aurora went back to his house together. She sat down by herself on a seat whilst Marcus prepared a hot drink. Her eyes were almost closed as Diana was on her mind. She wondered what she was doing right now to deal with her despaired feelings.

"I made some hot chocolate," Marcus offered a cup. It had marshmallows and cream.

"Thanks," Aurora took it and sipped. "It's really good,"

Marcus chuckled softly and sat down opposite her. "You feeling okay?"

Aurora nodded.

"Why did you and your sister never know about the Covenant?"

"I don't know. I always knew there was so much hatred between different creatures. But I never thought it would be because of a covenant looked over by a council of creatures. Should it even exist today?"

Marcus couldn't answer. "The truth is the Congregation is driven by fear of discovery. All creatures are. Can you imagine what would happen if the human world learnt of our discovery?"

Aurora felt a tight knot in her throat. She didn't want to imagine her family, her daemon friends or even her vampire protectors being experimented on; it would be so savage.

"Experimentation is exactly what Phillippe went through before his death. It would be so catastrophic if that happened to us if we were exposed,"

Aurora pursed her lips agreeing. "Why does being with another creature increase the risk of discovery?"

"Because our differences become more noticeable,"

"I don't think that's true," Aurora raised her head. "You a vampire and me a witch hung out together with humans and no one suspected we were different,"

"You're right about that," Marcus agreed. "I still remember that night so fondly,"

"Me too," Aurora said. "It was literally one of the best nights I had…since my parents died. I can't help but feel that since Diana discovered that book, since meeting you and your family, I feel like my whole life is changing every day. I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm loving it. And I don't want it to end,"

"Me too. It's changing everyone's lives," Marcus agreed.

Once again they became lost in each other's eyes. It was almost like with every growing moment they had with one another, they seemed to understand one another more. In a whole new light.

Aurora wanted to fight the thumping in her heart. She was feeling incredibly awkward that she felt she might be sick. "I should probably call my aunts. I need to let them know what's happened. And I need to ask them why they didn't tell me about the Covenant,"

"You go and do that. I'll be downstairs,"

"Thank you," Aurora placed the cup down and she walked towards the stairs. Before she took the first step up, she sent a sweet smile over to Marcus who smiled back. She walked up the stairs to her room and she instantly picked up her phone and called her aunts.

Aurora! Oh thank goodness! It was Em's voice. Diana called us earlier and told us you were attacked!

Hey Em and Sarah. I'm okay! Matthew's son Marcus found me and nursed me back to health again. You're not gonna what's believe what's happened. I was attacked by Diana's former friend Gillian. But I'm okay now.

Thank goodness, honey. Sarah expired in relief.

Aurora's tone suddenly changed. Why didn't you tell me and Diana about the Covenant?!

When did you learn that?

"Just a few hours ago! After I learnt that Matthew left her at Sept Tour right after a vampire from the Congregation told her about it! Why didn't you tell us?!

Because you both turned your backs on socialising with witches. Sarah answered.

"That's no excuse! Diana's probably at Sept Tours heartbroken…all because she's just learnt that she can't have a life with Matthew just because they're different creatures.

She will put herself in danger,"

"I thought you two would be happy for her. Just as I am,"

"Honey, the Congregation won't stand for this. Em spoke up gently. They will hunt them down and kill them. Could you accept it knowing Diana would be punished?

Aurora went off into thought for a second. Would she want to do this knowing full well that they would be seen as a threat to their power? Could she support them? But what about Diana's feelings? Why was it fair that she was obviously of ancient rule for her whole life and now that she has fallen in love with Matthew, she's just realised they can't be together. to her, it was the unfairest thing in the whole world. Her choice was. Yes. And instead of cowering, I would stand by her side just as she has stood by mine. I would fight till my last breath just to keep her and Matthew safe. And it's the Congregation who are wrong. If you two love Diana, then support her. Don't destroy her happiness like those scheming creatures.

Aurora…please think. Sarah implored.

I've made up my mind. I'd like to be alone now.

Aurora hung up the phone, unable to hear another word from her aunts. She sank in her seat, angered, heartbroken, anxious. She was now incredibly scared. She was scared for her sister and Matthew and herself. She supported the love Diana held for Matthew but now she had made up her mind, she felt in a way that she had signed her death warrant. What was to become of them?

Thomas was sitting in the lounge of a ferry that was taking him across the English Channel. He held up the picture of his entire family whilst he sat down with a slouched back. Looking over their faces again made his stomach twist; his blood pressure increased and his skin perspired. He stuffed the picture into his rucksack and just pulled out another photo. One of him and Argus.

"Oh Argus…if only you were here. You would tell me what to do. I'm lost. I just…wish…I just wish I had an answer. You should have seen what my father did," Thinking back again to how Matthew had been treating him for the past few days made him feel so unaccepted. He greatly believed that Matthew would never understand why he couldn't push aside his prejudice towards witches. But also, he knew in his heart that he had been a very jerk as well. Even though he knew that Diana and Aurora were kind and didn't mean him and his family any harm, he was rude and extremely hostile towards them for no reason. He felt shame resting upon his shoulders; it was partly his fault that he and Matthew had such a big fight.

"Thomas?" A familiar voice made him to. It was Phoebe. She looked surprised. Once again an unexpected encounter was sparked between them.

"Oh, Phoebe…" Thomas stuffed the picture into his rucksack quickly. "I wasn't expecting to see you here,"

"It's really strange how we always keep bumping into each other,"

"Feel free to sit down," he offered the seat in front of him.

Phoebe sat in front. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

Phoebe glanced at him firmly with soft gentle eyes. "I can tell when someone is depressed. You're wiping your nose and your posture is slouched,"

Thomas was awestruck by her detective nature. Usually, vampires were meant to have strong resilience against any retort or outburst but after being pinned and lashed out by his father, it almost seemed like he had lost his sanity.

"I had a terrible fight with my father. I thought that I'd go away till it blows over,"

"It's good to be somewhere by yourself…but you can't run away from a family fight," Phoebe spoke wisely.

Thomas pursed his lips.

"Whatever it is that you and your father fought about, you cannot let it get between you two,"

"You should be saying that to him. He pinned me against a wall and said some of the most hurtful things anyone has ever heard. But I do know that I'm partly as well,"

Phoebe was quite mortified by his lament.

"Anyways let's not make this about me," Thomas brushed off his fragile glassy face. "Where brings you to France?"

"I'm going to Paris to do some art studying,"

"Interesting. I used to go to Paris all the time. I often went on top of the Eiffel Tower to see the city at night,"

"It's my first time,'

"Seriously?"

"Try the wine and the bakery food. It's so delicious. And the cheese. Don't forget the cheese,"

"Oh no. I'm allergic to cheese," Phoebe shook her head.

"Sorry. I didn't realise,"

"Still…thank you so much for recommending Paris's finest beverages. I feel though I'll be too caught in visiting museums and galleries,"

"Start with the Louvre. You'll love the history there,"

"I'm afraid I've got to follow a strict schedule,"

"So…you prefer to plan everything out before you've even started,"

"I take it you like to just plan the next step as it goes along,"

"That's me," he said.

Phoebe watched him desperately trying to hide his feelings but logically she was able to see through his façade. "It's okay to try and bury your feelings, Thomas. But you shouldn't conceal them,"

"Phoebe…I appreciate everything you're trying to do but this…this isn't something you can fix,"

Phoebe felt a little rejected but the apology on Thomas's depressed face made her understand. "All I can say is don't hide away forever until it settles. Be alone for a while but don't leave them. They will need you, Thomas. Family is the most important thing. No matter how many arguments you have or any many faults you make with each other. You may not feel needed but they will need you again sooner later. You can't forget them and move on so quickly by leaving.,"

Thomas knew that Phoebe was right. "Thanks again, Phoebe. I don't know how to say this...but um…you have this really uncanny ability to make people feel less down,"

"I went exactly where you did once. I've learnt from experience,"

"In my opinion, you would make an exceptional therapist. What made you want to do history and art instead?"

"Basically, the way people can perceive it wrong and then try to get right. It's what I do for a living,"

"I like history even when it's wrong sometimes,"

"And…why's that?"

"Because it gives people inspiration. I often use the wrong views of history to write,"

"You're a writer too?"

"I used to be a writer…but my inspiration died with Argus. I turned to become a biologist teacher instead,"

"Well…sometimes inspiration can turn up when you least expect it,"

Thomas was finding Phoebe really interesting. And she was finding him rather intriguing. Ignoring the pounding in the nervous system, he asked: "Can I buy you a drink? Just as least until we get to France,"

"Um…sure," Phoebe slowly accepted.

They both went to the nearest counter and bought some wine. Then they started engaging in conversations about art and history. Thomas was beginning to find Phoebe so interesting and in a way….she seemed to remind him of Argus. It was like talking to him all over again. For the brief amount of time, they had left on the voyage…he was having a wonderful time in her company. It was a feeling that he never wanted to forget.

Aurora thought painting would distract her from her emotional calamities but she could get no inspiration. She was just so despondent over everything that was going on. Marcus had offered to give her some comfort but she kindly rejected; he accepted and decided to head off to work at the hospital, on the condition she wouldn't leave. She promised this time.

She decided to call Diana, hoping that perhaps some comfort was what she really needed right now.

Aurora! Oh, thank goodness! Are you okay?!

I'm okay Diana.

Just as long as you're safe. I'm so, so sorry. I should have taken you with me. I should have stayed with you,"

Diana, it's all right. I would rather you be safe than myself.

Is everything all right? Was anything taken?

Nothing's been taken. Diana, it was Gillian. She and an accomplice, probably the leader of the Oxford coven attacked me and took some of my blood.

What?!

But Matthew got it back. He hasn't killed her but I just hope he hasn't done something vile. Aurora felt her stomach twist, concealing what Matthew had told her. She just hoped that she could tell Diana soon. There's something in my blood that Peter Knox wanted for himself. I think it's because I'm different from all of you.

Aurora…a vampire from the Congregation came. He told me about the Convent.

I know. Marcus just told me about when Ysabeau phoned him of his arrival. There are no words to tell you how sorry I am for what you've just learnt.

I can't believe Em and Sarah never told us about this.

Their reasons are no excuse. Either way, you shouldn't let that stupid covenant get in the way of your happiness with Matthew.

I called them not too long. I would have tried to call you as well but I didn't know they were awake. They're very hesitant and Em's wondered what Matthew will say. Sarah thinks he'll say no.

He didn't say anything before he left?

Diana didn't answer back.

Diana?

I told him that I loved him. He hasn't told me how I felt yet. He just drove away and…I cried and rain started pouring around me. Then I magically made it float up. It was witch water.

Oh my. Diana…I called him a coward for leaving you. I tried to convince him to go back to you but he didn't seem to listen.

I wish I could go to our aunts but Ysabeau is watching over me at his request. She took me hunting to try and sway me away from Matthew but I refused to back down.

Good for you. Has she done anything?

I learnt that Matthew had a wife and son once back when he was human. Then she said that his wife would be always his true love.

That's just her trying to push you away. From the moment I saw you two together, I have never seen you happier with someone you love. Why should an overaged rule get in the way of that? Why should the Congregation decide whom we love?

I don't care what they do to me. The last thing I ever want is for you to get hurt again on my account. What's Matthew doing at the moment?

He's gone to talk with his friend Hamish. I think it's possible he might be reconsidering his actions. Whatever happens, Diana, don't give up on love. And I promise you this, I will always have your back.

Do you really want to be a part of this?

Of course, I do sis. You're my sister and my best friend. You've always had my back so now I will have yours. Nothing matters to me more than your happiness.

But you'll be in more danger now because of this forbidden love. You shouldn't be part of my fight.

Your fight is now mine. I will follow you anywhere if you push me away.

There was a tense pause. Aurora assumed that Diana was thinking. Finally, she spoke up.

Thank you. Diana was crying out through the com. You have no idea how much that means. I love you so much, sis.

I love you too, sis. Aurora leaked a tear herself.

I'll call you again later. Diana said.

Okay. Whatever comes, I've got your back. Aurora received a tearful thank you and blow off a kiss through the phone before Diana hung up. She spent the remainder of the evening just lying down on the bed with her eyes closed. She fell asleep eventually.

After two long hours of chatting, Thomas and Phoebe heard the boat humming as they arrived at Calais. They knew that their time together was coming to an end and that they would go their separate ways very soon.

They walked down together to the bottom deck. To their surprise, their cars were parked right next to each other.

"This voyage turned out much better than I thought," Thomas said, not taking his eyes off her.

"It's very strange our paths cross. I doubt it may come to an end," Phoebe remarked, opening her car door.

"Hey, Phoebe…" Thomas spoke up.

"Yes?" she turned to him.

"I just ah…" Thomas twiddled his fingers, feeling embarrassed again ."I just wanted to say thank you for sitting with me on this voyage. I know we don't really know much about each other…"

"It feels nice talking to someone doesn't it," Phoebe offered.

"For a long time, I've never really been able to consort with anyone other than my family and close family friends. You're one of the very first people I've opened up to since…"

"Since Argus died. He must have been very dear to you," Phoebe said.

Thomas pursed his lips and nodded. "He was. You remind me of him. He always was very kind to everyone he met. And he always tried to see the best in them. Even if they were very different,"

Phoebe was about to say something when they heard a man calling for all passengers to enter their cars. It was time to go their separate ways. "Well…this is it then Thomas. Our time is over,"

"I suppose it is," Thomas said reluctantly. He offered a hand. "I hope to see you again soon Phoebe,"

Phoebe took it gladly and shook. "I hope so too. You're a big mystery, Thomas Clairmont. That's what I find very intriguing about you,"

Thomas loved the touch of her hand. It was soft like cotton and her voice…it reminded him of a warm-hearted angel. He let her retract her hand very slowly. Somehow being only five feet away from her…it made his heart elevate into his throat.

They both entered their cars. Looking ahead Thomas saw the boat's bridge lowering down for the cars to drive out. He took a glance outside his side window to see Phoebe's face again. She noticed and smiled at him, giving him a wave. He smiled back and waved too.

They drove their cars out and as they came to a road that split off in two separate directions, Thomas watched Phoebe's car as it disappeared into the distance. It was at this moment that he realised he loved being around her. Their time together on their voyage would be an important memory in his heart. It was a memory that he would cling onto during his time alone in France.

Another chapter is done. Please, please tell me what you all thought of the growing attractions between Thomas and Phoebe and Marcus and Aurora? I love writing about the four of them. I would love to set them off on a double date at some point in this story. Another chapter to go and then it's Episode 5 done. Bye, bye for now.