The fat, lazy snowflakes drifted down in the late evening. The moon cast a ghoulish glow through the clouds, and every snowflake reflected its faint glimmer, illuminating the evening. The ground was sugar coated in the last snow of the year, and those poor souls who had been expecting clear skies hurried for cover.

Colton didn't run. He seemed unphased by the thick curtain of falling snow. The only problem he had with it was the blinding whiteness of its pure colour. The streetlights, the stoplights, and the twilight all glimmered off every facet of every crystal of the ice, and Colton had to don his sunglasses to control the pain that the snow caused his eyes.

Then Colt had to endure the stares of people walking past him. A man dressed in a nice suit and tie, with good shoes on his feet and controlled hair, walking in the middle of the night in sunglasses. It was unusual, to say the least. What was most unusual was the fact that he had gone to a dilapidated, abandoned church, rather than to one of the cozy homes or apartments down the streets. Odd indeed.

Colton was glad to be rid of the stares as he entered the church. He didn't want to be here, but with Celeste over at Michelle's for a sleep over, he had no reason to go home. So after work, he came to the coven house; the only place in all Demaitre where he received a certain level of friendliness.

Lily, Bo, and Hannah were all out of the picture now. He had fucked up on Beltane. He couldn't help but be angry with them, though. How was he supposed to know Beltane was a festival that honoured sex? How was he supposed to know he'd get scooped into some massive orgy, and be the talk of the town the next day? How the hell was he supposed to know all that, had no one told him not to go? He had received an invite. He went, because to turn it down would have been rude. And look what he got for trying to be diligent.

Colt slammed the door to his room, and threw his coat off over a small, wooden chair in the corner. He kicked his shoes off, not caring where they landed in the quarters, so long as they were off his feet. He continued to strip down out of his dress clothes and into street wear, save the shoes. No, he wasn't going to leave his room for the night. No need for shoes.

Colton had pulled on a hooded sweatshirt that was reminiscent of his high school days, and large enough to fit another two of him in it, as well as some well-worn jeans. He hadn't bothered to put a shirt on underneath; he wasn't expecting company. The fledgling collapsed on his bed momentarily, before glancing across the room at the newest item: a desk with a high tech laptop atop it, shut closed but humming softly. There was a mountain of papers next to it. Colton grimaced, and rolled to face away from the papers. What he could not see could not bother him.

The philosophy was worked fine. Soon enough, Colt dozed softly on his bed, tuning out the murmur of the laptop and the howl of the wind and snow.


((Para Elena!))

"Where are we going? I want to go back home."
"You'll find out later, now silence."
"You hurt me and I do not trust you anymore. Let go of me."
"Hush!"
"Ahh...s-stop! Your a monster! My father will have you dead when he finds me."
"Your never going to see him, or any of your family again. You are mine. Now, hush!"
"No!...Stop...let me go!"
"SILENCE!"



Elena's eyes shot open instantly. Just a dream. Calm down, it was just a dream. More like a nightmare. Only that nightmare had been a reality, and it had not escaped her thoughts or dreams for over 300 years. 'I'm so glad I killed that bastard the second I got', she thought. But, did that really matter? Sure he was dead and she was completely free from him. But that could never change what had happened, that would never bring back her family. It didn't rid her from her loneliness, and she was convinced by now nothing ever would. Destined to be alone forever.

Stop it. She had to stop thinking about them, she had to stop. Elena had been telling that to herself for a few centuries. But nothing would ever change, nothing ever had. Lately she even been considering killing herself. Everything seemed so pointless, and the only thing she seemed to have accomplished in the past three and a half centuries was many novels and the death of many precious human lives. So why hadn't she gone through with it yet?

Oh. That's right. Had she finally found someone who she really cared for, who might actually feel the same way? Yeah, right. She barely knew Colton, but ever since the first time they met, she had been instantly attracted to him. Probably because they seemed to be so much alike. They were in the same coven, and both were major wallflowers. It was a start. He was also her leader, so she felt some loyalty and comfort in him since the beginning. She wanted to get to know him so much better, each time they saw each other was so short...

Elena sat up suddenly from her laying position on the catacomb's dusty floor, where she had passed out, maybe three or four days ago? That didn't matter, Beltane had been about three or four days ago. Oh God. She had forgotten all about it! Colton! Was he ok? She felt a sudden surge of guilt through her veins. She had tried to save him by yelling at that host, but after the host had dragged Colton upstairs, she knew she wouldn't be a match for him physically. Especially since he turned out to be the new Ishak coven leader, and was accompanied by two other coven leaders. Elena never was a match against strong vampires, or most vampires at all. She could take any mortal of course, and she used to think that was all that would matter being a vampire. But she had moved to Demaitre about four months ago and the city had the most vampires she had ever seen in one area. She felt like such a wimp, she had left the party after Colton was taken upstairs, and came back the church to sulk miserably. She didn't even want to think about what went on up there. Would he be angry at her? Had she ruined even her small friendship with him?

Elena had already lost a few vampires friends in this city it seemed. She had developed a deep relationship with Fortitudo, but she hadn't seen him in nearly 3 months. She was totally convinced he was gone from her life for good. Then there were her other small encounters with other vampires, of which she hadn't seen in a long time either. She couldn't be loosing Colton too. No, maybe he would understand, but she could only hope.

Elena jumped up suddenly. Someone was in the catacombs, she had just heard a door slam. There didn't seem to be many members in the Nephim coven, and the catacombs or the church were never really noisy, at all. Maybe it was Colton! But...the noise hadn't come from the direction of the leader's quarters. She began to make her way down the hall curiously and as quietly as she could. She stopped in front of the door in which she could plainly hear someone moving around. Should she knock? She was extremely curious to see who this person was, but she didn't want to intrude or irritate anyone. Hmph, oh well what did Elena have to lose, besides her life?

She brought her fist up and knocked gently on the door.

Colton had yet to shake the habit of breathing, even if he didn't need the air, and his chest fell in a rythmic pattern, slow, steady, and tell-tale of the fact that he was near sleep, or already asleep.

There was a knock on the door, which seemed like a jackhammer in the deathly still of the room.

Colton groaned. That was not fair in the slightest. He could hear Fate laughing at him as he blinked himself back into conscieceness. His mind, though, was a little slow on the uptake. He felt like he hadn't slept in weeks.

"If you have a problem, I'll deal with it..." The thoughts quickly registered. No, no. He wasn't the Nephim leader anymore. That meant that he didn't have to deal with the person at the door, and he could return to sleep. Apparently liking this thought, he shut his eyes again, and burried himself further into his blanket.

His brain, however slow, was still working at this hour. The next thought hit him like the first had. He wasn't the Nephim leader anymore, and that meant that he didn't have to deal with the Nephim problems, but that also meant that no one would bother to bring him problems. They'd all go to Nico, and... And not him. Then why was there someone at his door?

"Hold on..." Colton grumbled in protest as he forced himself to sit back up for a minute, then stand and let the room come back in focus. He padded towards the door, heaved a silent sigh, and pulled it open a crack to peer out.

You could say Colt looked surprised to see Elena. You could also say he seemed concerned, and perhaps there was the fleeting trace of anger in his eyes, gone sooner than it had came. "Hi." Colton pulled the door open a bit more, and leaned against the doorframe. "... You ok?" She didn't look too well. Scared, perhaps, but of what? He thought of Adonis for a moment, and of his bad dream. He hadn't seen so much terror in someones eyes before that, and it was a look he'd not forget any time soon. He could sense she held the remains of fear in her.

The bad-dream bug seemed to be going around.

It seemed to be taking whoever was in the room quite awhile to decide whether to answer the door or not. Elena was a little nervous, and she still seemed to be shaking still from that dream. She wished she could have at least some self-control for once. Why was she even knocking on this person's door? Sure she was very curious to see who was inside, but that was a silly reason. She suddenly felt guilty for disturbing whoever it was, but maybe they wouldn't mind some company?

Her feeling of guilt deepened as she heard Colton's annoyed voice answer her knock. If Elena could blush, which she wasn't quite sure if she could (not being able to even look in a mirror), she would have been right now. Her hands went instinctively to her usual messy hair, trying to straighten it out somehow. She could help by be amused by her own behavior. She was still only a teenager somewhat, you could guess some of that silly behavior would always be stuck with her.

But, wait. Why wasn't Colton in his own room, the leader's room. That didn't make any sense at all. Well at least now she had something to ask him about besides apologizing for Beltane. As the door began to open suddenly to just a crack, Elena's nervous expression returned again. He looked surprised to see her, but she could detect he was annoyed. But, who wouldn't be? She attempted the best smile she could after he greeted her, but she probably just looked even more stupid.

"Why are you in here?" She asked slightly puzzled, then suddenly blurted out before he could answer the question, as if she had been holding it in forever. "I-I'm so sorry about that Beltane...thing. I didn't think you wanted to be there, and I tried to help you b-but..." Elena felt ashamed. 'I couldn't help you because I'm stupid and weak and I really wish I was dead. I'm a horrible friend, really. And I'm even more stupid for disturbing you like some bored idiot, please just kill me.' These kinds of thought just couldn't escape her head right now. She looked down at her shoes, then another thing occurred to her. She was wearing the same thing she had been wearing at Beltane. Fucking great, now she probably looked like some dirty skank. Things can always get worse, never forget it.

Colton didn't seem to notice her attire hadn't changed. He couldn't remember what he was wearing half the time, so he didn't have enough room in his memory to try and memorize everyone else's clothing. Silly him. He'd lose Celeste in a supermarket one night, and not be able to describe what she was wearing to the police. Perfect.

Colt was sorry for having appeared so angry. Elena was probably the last person on Earth who still held some sort of respect for him, considering she thought he was the leader of the Nephim. She'd not give him the time of day after he told her; she had been at Beltane. She knew what happened. Colton was humiliated the minute she mentioned it.

"Oh, right..." He hadn't realized that him moving rooms would be such a large deal. Colton had never taken the actual leaders room, as he had always assumed Jason would be back, but he had chosen the hollow next to Jason's, which was about half the size, but held the same sort of meaning to all the members: leader's quarters. He could have easily stayed there, but the want to escape from Nicodemus, and the title that would have continued to be associated with him if he remained there. "I'm not the Nephim Leader. Nicodemus is back." He said the words curtly, with a bite to his voice that told her he was still bitter over the issue.

"Don't worry about Beltane." Colton said that with a finality that was unusual for him. It was obvious he disliked that topic more than the first, and looked ashamed over her mentioning it. Ashamed, because that night had ruined everything he had in his life. Last night was Celeste's birthday, and he had gotten in a fight with his sire over the issue, as well as having to deal with her and her fledgling son, Eric, at his house, both now knowing every detail about the night. Colt felt disgusted with himself.

When they left, he had cried himself to sleep. Not only did Hannah hate him, she was going to kill herself. Lily hated him. Bo was taking great pleasure in ruining all of Colton's life. Eric, well... Eric had tried to see both sides. That didn't mean Colton felt any less ashamed when talking with him. Colton chose to outcast himself for the night. No Celeste, no Eric, no Lily, no Bo, no Hannah.

"... Wanna come in?" He'd talk to Elena instead, since she seemed to be the only other person alive he could talk with.

Elena was completely shocked to find out that Colton was no longer the leader of the Nephim. She had always referred to him as her leader, she figured he was the official one. However, it had puzzled her sometimes, him being such a young vampire and a leader of an entire coven. Not that he was bad at it or anything at all. She did not know of any Nicodemus, but she assumed he was the original leader, and now he was back. Maybe they would meet soon.

But none of this would change the way Elena felt about or thought of Colton in any way at all. After all they were friends now, that wouldn't change. And he was obviously still a member of the coven. Then the thought suddenly hit her- he must be feeling horrible! Being stripped from his position and all. He looked incredibly down. Elena knew she would be feeling like shit if something like that ever happened to her. She suddenly felt a great deal of sympathy for him.

Colton assured her not to worry about Beltane. She would always feel guilty though. Whatever went on up there, she didn't want to think about it. He obviously didn't seem to want to talk about it at all though, and he looked slightly embarrassed. She would remember to not bring it up again, since she could tell it was something he wanted to forget about.

Elena was surprised when Colton invited her in. She looked up at him and smiled truly, then stepped inside his room. Her eyes wandered around aimlessly, observing the room. She looked down at herself again, then down to her lovely combat boots. Which happened to be filthy and untied. She sighed silently to herself and stepped out of the loose shoes easily. Her feet were bare and just as pale as the rest of her. Anyway, she didn't want to dirty the rest of his floor with her clunky boots.

She looked around the rest of his room. Another thought struck her. Last time Elena had been alone in a boy's room was with Fortitudo. Her cheeks turned red again as she thought about it, pretty much beyond her control. And right after that, she never saw him again. She had forgotten about it though, and he hadn't meant anything to her at all. But, she was pretty much positive nothing of that nature would be going on tonight. Colton just didn't seem like the type. She was definitely attracted to him, but she was sure he only considered her a good friend. Anyway, she needed to stop thinking about that. She was only here to talk with him and maybe provide some comfort since he seemed to be going through a lot right now.

Normally, Colton tried quite hard to be hospitable and welcoming, but he seemed too exhausted to even put on a smile and show some effort. Plus, he didn't feel like smiling. But, Elena would understand. Indeed, she was the only person left who would do so.

"Sorry for the mess." Not that he truly was sorry his room was messy. He was more sorry that she had to see it like this; had to see him in such a slump that he didn't even feel like throwing his clothes in a hamper. Colt quickly thought to do so, though, as the only chair in the entire room was littered in his clothes. He pulled off the dress pants and suit jacket, and threw them elsewhere into the clutter, kicking his shirt in a similar direction, and off the main part of the floor.

That was his idea of cleaning.

Unfortunately, even if Colton was that type of guy, he was much to tired to act on it. The man, without a chair to turn to, slumped down on his bed. Bad idea, of course, as it beckond for him to lie his head down and sleep. But so early in the night? Colton tried to sit upright, managing to sit on the edge of the bed, leaning heavily on his arms, which lay folded across his knees.

"Soemthing you wanted to talk about?" Colt had assumed she'd be here to talk to him about something, and, if she did the talking, he could nod every once and a while, and pretend like he was listening.

That is, until he nodded off.

Well, Elena now noticed another thing she and Colton had in common as he pushed his clothes aside and cleared a chair for her. They were both definitely not the neatest people in the world.

She unzipped and slid off her black coat, not that it would change the temperature at all, but people didn't generally wear coats inside. It was just instinct for Elena, one of those things you never grow out of, even if doesn't matter anymore. A lot of things in her life didn't matter anymore. She shook her head trying to shake out the negative thoughts again, then tossed her coat onto the chair Colton had cleared. Now she was only in her gray skirt and button up black shirt. Elena never really cared what she wore, she just wanted to be comfortable.

Instead of taking the seat on the chair, where Colton probably intended Elena on sitting, she walked over to his bed and sat on it, right next to him. Not on top of him or anything, just next to him. She turned herself towards him so they could talk easier, and looked down at him. She smiled slightly as she noticed his sleepy expression. Maybe she shouldn't have gotten so comfortable if he was going to fall asleep soon, which meant she would be leaving. Or he would probably want her to leave.

Elena brushed her dark brown hair out of her eyes and felt her fingertips graze lightly over the tiny cut just below her eye. Lately she had forgotten it was even there. She never got to look at herself or anything. Stupid scar. It brought back the memories of everything that had gone wrong in her life. But she couldn't think about that...not now when she wanted to help Colton with his own problems.

"It just must be tough, everything your going through right now. I can tell you haven't been feeling to great, that's probably why you were all locked up in your room tonight right? Loosing your position, and I'm sure that um, you know what had a lot of effects on your life. But you know I'm here for you and all, I know that sounds 'lame' but I don't really have anything else to be worried about. Plus I know what it's like to loose things or people that are important to you. Oh, uh, sorry I'm blabbering." Elena could tell he was really tired but she couldn't stop herself. Her hand stretched out a little, and she placed it lightly on his shoulder, as if that would comfort him somehow. She wanted to try and help him out somehow, let him know she was here for him. She knew what it was like to be alone, and she didn't want Colton to suffer anymore than she had her whole life.

So much for the chair.

Colton remained unphased as she sat down next to him. He didn't assume her the kind of girl that meant anything by it. Now, if it had been Anton or Nyx, he would have banished them to the corner. No, that wasn't true. If it had been Anton or Nyx, the door would have been slammed on them the minute they tried to enter.

Colton scoffed as she mentioned how he was feeling. Pretty much summed it up right there. The 'fall from grace', or so they say, had only been another straw to the camel's back, but indeed, it had broken, and there was nothing more Colton could do about it. He had lost everyone, everything, and right now, he was losing every minute of sleep. She pretty much summed up his life. Could he sleep, now?

"No... It's really ok. It's either you or me, right?" He tried to pass off an easy laugh, but it sounded forced, even to him. Colt quickly gave up being joyful. "Besides... I don't really have anything to... Well, blabber about." Except Beltane, Nicodemus, Lily, Eric, Bo. Hannah. He'd chose to say nothing.

The room fell silent for a moment, the ever present hum of the computer growing louder, bolder, and more powerful as the talking ceased. Colton didn't like it. Anything but that damn computer.

"What... What happened with you during Beltane...? Nothing bad... Right?" Colton hoped, somewhere, that at least one person was innocent of the horrid mess. But then it dawned on him: Elena was a vampire. Not only a vampire, but an older vampire. "Wait... Did you know Beltane would... You know... Ummm..." He searched for words that wouldn't incriminate him at all, but could find none. "... Would end up as an..." He couldn't say it. Couldn't voice the word, because that made it ten times more real. But hand motions were either too vauge or too vulgar to use to describe it. He took a breath, and, in a hurrid, and almost harsh whisper, repeated everything. "Did you know Beltane would end up as an orgy?"

Colt was tempted to pull away from her touch. He wasn't worth the comfort. He had messed up; it was his fault, and he knew it. He didn't look at her. He knew well enough, without having to see her face, what was going through her head that moment.

The worst part was that she was right.

Elena listened to Colton answer her. He seemed to be trying to stay in a decent mood, but it wasn't working at all. She didn't believe him when he said he didn't have anything to blabber about himself. She didn't know much about him personally, past or present, but she was sure this all had to be effecting him greatly. But if he didn't want to talk about it she wouldn't pry or anything. She was probably disturbing him enough already. "That's ok..."

Everything was quiet for a few moments, and Elena let her hand relax on Colton's shoulder rather than removing it. She wished he would look at her. He continued to stare at the ground it seemed. She didn't want to make him uncomfortable or anything, she had intended on doing the exact opposite. Maybe she should leave...he seemed so tired and he wasn't talking much at all. As mush as she wanted to be here for him and comfort him in anyway she could, he just seemed to want to be alone.

Elena was just about to get up when he spoke. Maybe he did want to talk? She thought it was nice of him to make sure nothing bad had happened to her at Beltane, but before she could answer him, he quickly brought up another question. He obviously had a lot of trouble getting this next one out. Elena waited patiently and attentively for Colton to finish the question.

When he finally got the whole thing out, Elena was only a little surprised. She almost instinctively pulled her hand away from him, but she only gripped his shoulder a little tighter. Sure she had heard of something called Beltane, but she wasn't sure what exactly went on in one. Upon entering that house, she hadn't even known it was a Beltane feast going on in there. Some sort of party, she had assumed when she had seen so many people enter. Of course, she later found out what it really was. She had noted the sexual behavior going on between many people there, especially that host and of course Nyx, but she didn't know it ended up being one big orgy.

Elena had just figured whatever had happened with Colton up there had been bad, since he seemed so resistant to go up there with the host, and right now he didn't seem to be liking it at all. Oh my God. Was he raped or anything, maybe? The thought had crossed her mind before, since the host seemed to like Colton so much, but she never thought that had actually happened. "I've heard of a Beltane feast, wasn't it celebrated by the Celtics? But honestly, I never knew what went on at one. Plus, I only went into that house because I saw you go in there." Elena blushed at this, she didn't intend on admitting that in front of him. "I-I just thought it was a party."

Anyone could tell the poor guy was truly suffering from whatever went on at that feast, and whatever the effects of it were. Elena felt so bad for him, for once she was completely forgetting about her own problems. She wanted to help him so bad, make him feel better, she couldn't stand seeing him so down.

Colton would have been glad to hear she wouldn't pry. He had enough prying him apart as it was, and it was nice to know that one person was trying to be there for him, when everyone else turned their backs and left him alone. But, had he known that his grief had affected her so, he would have sent her out himself. This was his pity party. No one else was supposed to be feeling bad; he'd have killed himself if he had known that his bad mood was dragging people down with it.

Colton felt disgusted with himself as she told him she had only gone because she saw him go in. Just disgusted. He pulled away from her kind touch and stood, staring at the door for a moment, then glancing down to her. He looked about as sick as he felt. "I thought so to..." He walked away a few feet, running a hand through his hair. He needed another haircut, didn't he...

It really hadn't been rape. Colton had never said no, and, if his memory served him well enough, he could vaugly remember encouraging it at one point. Colton shook the thought from his head, banishing the night and every shread of memory about it back to the darkest, deepest corner of his head. It was obvious he wanted to forget it, yet even from the depths of his mind, the memories gnawed at him, and forced him to remember. And he didn't want to.

"Thanks, by the way..." Colt looked back to her, the disgust from before now gone from his face, replaced with a weary half-smile. "... for trying to get me out of there. Brave of you, standing up to him." 'Him' being Anton, but more importantly, 'him' being a coven leader weilding an immense amount of power. Had Colton been in Elena's shoes, he wasn't sure he could have found the strength to tell the Ishak leader off like that, even if had done no good.

Colton considered going and sitting back down next to Elena, but witheld for a moment. He still felt foul, and really didn't feel he deserved her comfort. What was he, anyway? Just a fledgling vampire who had had a wild party, dabbled in power reserved only for the elite coven members, and then lost it all. That, in his book, made him worth about as much time to her as a blade of grass in a park with over a billion more blades just like him.

Colt sat down again, anyways, mostly because he felt too tired to keep standing. And because it was nice to feel like he was at least the one blade of grass in the park of billions worth her time and effort into making him feel better.

((How is it possible that the shorter my posts get, the more corny they get? XDXD))

Things weren't going exactly as Elena thought they would in Colton's room. She figured things would be a little uncomfortable, but she had expected he would open up to her a little more, and hopefully calm down sooner. She had expected wrong, but that wasn't too unusual for her. She wasn't exactly sure what else to do to make him feel better, she had already explained that she was totally here for him completely. She wanted to maybe embrace him or something, although she doubted that would help him much, and she hadn't really gotten the right opportunity to do so yet.

Colton had gotten up from the bed. This had made Elena a little worse, because she really felt like she wasn't helping him at all now, just disturbing him more. She bit her lip a little as she studied his movements, thinking she had probably made everything worse. Had it been something she'd said?

Elena smiled a little as he thanked her for standing up for him. She even caught the glimpse of a smile on Colton's own face. This made her feel slightly better. "It was nothing, really, I'm lucky I'm still alive, not to mention you." She had thought her actions had been pretty stupid that night though. She put herself in a position that would have gotten her killed if the other vampire wished to do so. Not to mention Colton, her actions could have easily made things worse for him. Stupid girl.

He had returned back to sitting next to her on the bed. She smiled a little more. Elena just wanted to help him. Make him feel better, that's all. And if he asked her to leave, she would. She really didn't want to make things worse by just being here. She inhaled rather deeply and looked at him, her hand slid lightly over his and held it. This was the closest thing she could manage to do without actually hugging him. Another attempt to make things better. She just hoped Colton wouldn't pull away or get the wrong idea. Her violet gaze continued to study him, waiting for his reactions, or anything else he had to say.

Colton offered her another tired smile, masking his true thoughts. I'd rather be dead. But, she didn't need to fret anymore about his affairs.

The word stung him. Affair. He was a cheater, wasn't he? He had had an affair, hadn't he? Colton could have killed himself with the idea. He'd never do that. But he had, hadn't he? Colton looked back to the floor. "I don't feel so well..." Of course he didn't. The guilt was eating him alive. He couldn't sit still a moment, and, to top it all off, he was exhausted. He continued staring off at the floor, thoughts swarming in his all too tired brain.

Elena's hand brought him back to reality for a moment. Colt nearly jumped at her touch, but after the initial reaction, he didn't shy away from it, but gently grasped her hand. If he could blush, he probably would. "I... I think I should sleep... I really don't feel well..." Instead, though, he chose to cast her out. What a lovely soul he was.

Colton reached over and gave her a hug, more platonic than sexual, but still a hug. Unlike her, he didn't feel awkward giving it. He wasn't feeling much, other than a deep regret for Beltane. "Thank you for stopping by... I... I just can't talk. I'm sorry..." Colton rested his head on her shoulder, and mumbled words that were already so clear. "I'm just... So tired..."

Colt didn't release the hug for a long while, almost as if he was too tired to make the effort. When he did, he did so slowly, his eyes half shut and his face drawn, more exhausted looking now than ever. He didn't wait for her to leave before he pulled himself up onto his bed and curled down into it. He didn't wait for her to leave before he shut his eyes again. He didn't seem to care that she was still here; he didn't seem to care that she was watching him.

Colton didn't seem to care if she saw him cry himself to sleep. He hid his face under the sheets, but it was still obvious as his torso shook with the greif and anguish he felt. Such were his ties of friendship with her; she could see him at his lowest low, and he didn't seem to care.

Another gentle smile spread across Elena's lips as Colton grasped her hand. At least he wasn't running from her. She was glad to be with him, to be here for him at such a lousy time in his life. And he was letting her be here. He hadn't pushed her away or refused to talk completely. Even if he wasn't opening up to her as much as he could, she could be happy for something.

Colton finally admitted he was tired to Elena. She could sense that he was terribly tired the whole time, but she was waiting for him to actually admit it. And of course she could tell he didn't feel well. Well, who would feel well at a time like this in their lives? She wasn't hurt or anything by him saying this. He needed rest, it might help clear his thoughts and help him think about his situation better.

When Colton leaned over and hugged Elena, it took her totally by surprise. She hadn't expected him to do that to her, at all. She breathed deeply, never being this close to him before, well besides the time she taught him how to dance. This memory made her smile and she suddenly felt extremely content in his arms. It took her a second to come back to her senses, but as he spoke she finally slid her own arms around him gently. "You don't have to thank me, and no don't be sorry it's ok, I understand." She felt his head on her shoulder and suddenly his breathe against her neck as he mumbled. It sent chills up her spine and her body stiffened for a second, but she hoped he didn't notice. "It's really ok..."

They both sat there in each other's arms for what Elena considered not long enough. Colton let go of her, and in the next second was laid back on the bed with his eyes closed. For a second she watched him there, smiling softly at what she saw, yet feeling so much sympathy for what he was dealing with and how he was feeling inside. His face was soon concealed by his sheets, but Elena didn't leave or even move. She noticed him shake, and it almost brought tears to her eyes. She was pretty good at holding those things in by now though, thank God. He was suffering so much, she couldn't stand it. Without thinking really, she laid down next to him, her arms sliding around him again. He was crying. She bit her lip, her hands gently stroking his back and neck, trying to calm him the best way she could.

Elena didn't care if he wanted her to leave, she couldn't tear herself away from him. She couldn't leave him like this. She held him closely in her arms, trying her best to console him. She began whispering softly in his ear, attempting to calm him. "It's ok, everything is going to be ok, I promise, I'm here, I won't leave you.", "Just go to sleep, your so tired, go to sleep..."

And please don't have any bad dreams.

It had been the same phenomenom for the last week.

Colton would lie down and try and sleep, but only find tears and distress that would keep him up much longer than it should; it'd be 8:00 in the morning, and he'd still be awake, tossing and turning. The lack of sufficient sleep had finally caught up, though every night, the grief was for some different reason.

The night after Beltane: Immesurable guilt and the need to keep everything a secret from everyone.

Two/three nights after: Bo had found out the second night, and Colton assumed he told Hannah and Lily by the third night, which only led to more guilt and dispair that built over the two days.

Four nights after: Celeste's birthday party. Lily had given him an earful, describing his worth to him. Disgusting, foul creature, who had no respect for women; for his foster mother and sire, or for his girlfriend. He was better off to burn in the next morning than live another day on the dirt that was too clean for even his feet. All this, and more. Hannah was going to kill herself in the morning.

Five nights after, and tonight? Hannah was gone, either physically, or emotionally, perhaps both. And Colton was having the hardest time with acceptance of that. He had tried not to let Elena see. Though it had appeared that he didn't care, he did. He didn't want her to see him like this. And she had. And now... Now she was going to feel hurt.

Colt didn't expect her to crawl down next to him and hold him. He didn't expect her to care this much, but he didn't balk from her. No, he was past trying to push people away. Colton burried his head back onto her shoulder, and, more or less, silently heaved his sobs upon it. He clung to her, needing something to hold onto, and she was the only one who found him worth her time. "I'm s-s-sorry..." Sorry for what? "I didn't m-m-m-mean anything... It wa-wa-wasn't sup-p-posed to ha-happen." His apology wasn't for her, but for everyone who wouldn't listen to him. As a last resort, he had to apologize to the only person who would.

Elena's words were soothing. Her tone and her simple massaging... All helped calm him. Colton didn't let go, though, even as he fell into sputtering hiccup-sobs, which, over the next quarter of the hour, disappeared, hiccuped sob by sob, until there were none left, and Colton had finally found his sleep.

Please stop crying. Please stop. Elena held Colton as closely and comforting as she could. She had never seen him like this, and it was distressing. She never realized how much she cared about him until now, which seemed odd to her. She hadn't cared about someone so much since well, her family had died. She wanted to help as much as she could, she would be here for him. Especially because no one else would.

Whatever Colton had done, he was very obviously deeply regretting it. Whatever it was, he probably had a good reason. He didn't seem like someone at all who would fully and intentionally try to hurt anyone. Elena could sense how sorry he was, couldn't anyone else? She couldn't help but feel a slight anger towards anyone who was making him feel like this. There's no way he could deserve this much pain.

Besides, things happen, people make mistakes. Although a vampire's appearance is nearly perfect, they themselves, like anyone else, are not. Elena could understand that completely. She didn't feel the need or curiosity to know exactly what he had done. It really didn't matter to her right now, she was only concentrating on calming him down and relieving some of his suffering.

Colton's sobs began to lessen as she stroked him soothingly. "No no, don't be sorry, I know you didn't mean it, I know, just go to sleep." She had no idea what he was talking about, but she could figure he was referring to whatever happened at Beltane.

Sitting there with Colton in her arms, Elena couldn't help recall the time when her own mother would hold her like this when she was upset, usually over something much more silly though. She pulled Colton even closer as she thought of her beautiful, kind mother. She was so unlike any other woman in those days. Being in her mother's arms was the most comfortable feeling she could ever feel in the world. And she would never feel that again.

Elena could occasionally feel Colton shake or let out a soft cry, but then these shakes and cries eventually ceased, and his body laid still in her arms. She didn't even think of leaving, she had become quite tired herself. She sat there, thinking of her old memories, bringing tears to her eyes. This time she let them slide down her face then quickly dabbed them away. She looked down and used the end of her shirt to wipe Colton's own tear-stained face.

Her eyes then shut, her thoughts still lingering in head her as she drifted to sleep rather quickly.

I miss you so much.

The night was filled with nightmares and dark thoughts, and Colton didn't sleep easily. He hadn't remained silent all night, but his more subdued sobs had left Elena undisturbed. By dusk the next evening, he had dislodged himself from Elena's grip, and rolled onto his back, the remnants of the last dream flashing through his head.

Sunrise. Colton was not affected. Was he still mortal? He could only assume so. There was a building in front of him, tall, elegant in an old-architecture sense. The doorman in front did not move from his post, and did not pay heed to Colton standing there.

A woman, high above his head, stepped out onto the balcony into the searing sunlight. Screaming. Colton looked up to watch as Hannah flung herself off the balcony. Watched as she dropped, and he moved faster than he had ever moved before to stand beneath her shadow as it plummeted towards him.

The shadow grew smaller, smaller, and smaller still, until Colton was met with only ashes to catch and cling to. Gone. They blew off with the slight breeze, and were to forever be gone. Gone.

Gone.

With the crushing finality of the dream, Colton rolled back onto his side, facing Elena again. He blinked himself awake, and let the room come into focus. The darkness faded quickly, leaving him looking into Elena's face. Colton nearly jolted backwards with the shock of seeing her here. He half-sat up, looking down at the sleeping girl. What the hell?

The night before came back slowly, bit by bit. One of the worse nights of his life. And Elena had been here to comfort him, when no one else would.

No one. No one. Colt had been dwelling on this thought for the last few nights. No one. No Lily. She refused to speak to him anymore, hadn't she? No Eric. He was probably shocked to find out what Colton had been through. No Hannah. She was dead by now; that, or never seeing him again. No one.

But, apparently, he had someone. Colton watched her sleeping for a few moments before groggily letting obvious pieces come together. She cared a great deal for him, if she had subjected herself to his pathetic and childish emotions of the night before. She cared a great deal for him, if she had chosen to listen to him half-tell her of his Beltane experience, and still had not found him a monster. She cared a great deal for him, if she had chosen to spend her night here, with him, and not elsewhere, with someone so much more deserving of a friend like this.

But it was obvious to him that she wasn't just a friend.

Colt lay back down, and rested his forehead against hers as gently as he could. He didn't want her to wake up, because then she'd leave him.

Then he'd truly have no one left.

Elena stirred a little. As she began to wake up, she really felt awake, unlike when she woke up in the catacomb's hall earlier. She had gotten a lot of sleep in the past few days. Luckily, she didn't have any bad dreams last night. She couldn't even remember dreaming at all.

Her violet eyes flicked open slowly, and adjusted to what was in front of her. Normally she would have gasped or suddenly sat up, but she managed not to do this. She inhaled deeply and looked into Colton's eyes, which were open and strangely very close to hers. Memories of the night before flooded her mind. She could remember everything. It had been a long night full of sadness.

Elena hoped Colton was feeling better, at least a little. She hoped that her being here and trying her best had really comforted him. She had slept over last night without really asking him if he really wanted her to or not. What if he was totally freaked out when he woke up beside her this morning? It wasn't like the usual 'waking up next to someone in the morning', because they hadn't slept together or anything. That was probably a good thing, neither of them needed anything else to worry about.

As she continued to look at Colton, a soft smile spread across Elena's lips. She couldn't help but smile. After all he had been through, and all she had been through the night before with him, she still could smile.

Because he just looked so cute.

Elena's brething differed slightly, and Colton opened his eyes again. She was stirring, and blinked the world into recognition, much the same as he had. Colt had been waiting for that. Waiting for her to actually wake up and see him there, and flip out, just like he had. Waiting for her to get up and leave.

He hadn't expected her to smile.

Colton smiled softly back. "Morning." His voice was soft, as usual, yet gruff with the night's sleep and the strain of sobs before that, but sounding much more cheerful than it had the night before. Always a good sign. He reached up tentatively, and brushed a loose strand of her hair out of her face. His hand hovered in a silent indecision of where to rest before he decided to be bold, and softly wrap it over her torso, just abover her waist.

"How'd you sleep? No more nightmares...?" Colton had proded her thoughts the night before when she had come to his door, looking half frightened, half concerned. The nightmare had made no sense to him, but he could tell it had to her. He felt he owed her one, giving her an ear and a shoulder now.

"Good morning?" Elena said this, or rather asked it. She hoped it had been a good morning for him. She hoped he was feeling just a tad bit better. He must have been, because in the next second his hand moved to her face, brushing a loose strand of hair away.

Elena smiled, a little shyly. They were extremely close to each other, and neither of them was crying or anything. His hand then went to her waist. She had not expected these actions from him at all. She figured he would get up and make some excuse rather quickly on why she should leave or he needed to leave. But he had lain here with her, looking at her, smiling at her. She just wanted to keep smiling, she wanted to stay here with him forever. She felt so happy, she just hoped maybe he was feeling the same way she was inside as they looked into each other's eyes.

How had Colton known about her nightmares from the night before? She must have looken pretty shaken up when she came to his room the night before, so he probally probed her thoughts. Elena couldn't blame him for doing it, if she was skilled at it she would too. Unlike him, she really had no idea what to do with her hands. She simply just wrapped it around him like she had done the night before, just not as tightly. "I slept fine. No nightmares. What about you?"

Colton smiled a bit wider, and nodded, signifying that it truly was a good morning. Rather, he tried to nod, but was stopped by the fact that they were so close, and that their foreheads were touching. Colton pulled away slightly. She'd probably want breathing room, huh...

Colt abandoned that idea when she wrapped her arms around him. No need for breathing room, then. "No bad dreams." He lied rather skillfully, and smiled, as if to solidify that as being the 'truthful' answer. He'd not have her worry over his nightmares anymore. She had been through enough of his drama last night.

Colton didn't want to talk. Didn't want to move. He was quite content to ignore the rest of the world for a minute, and stay huddled down in the catacombs with Elena. He didn't have to think about anyone else. All those problems would be waiting for him later. For right now, though, he chose to be problem free.

The digital watch he had started wearing blared in the comfortable silence that had settled in the room. Bleep... Bleep... Colton removed his arm from Elena and rolled away from her, lying on his back now, and glancing up at the digital reading of the watch. 7:30. 7:30 meant nothing to him. He looked confused a moment, before shrugging it off and rolling back over to face Elena.

But then it came to him.

"Crap..." Colton quickly sat up. "Celeste. I forgot..." He threw his legs over the foot of the bed and groaned with the effort of standing. This really couldn't be happening. Right when he was starting to feel relaxed... "I have to go get my niece. She's at some sleep over thing..." He crossed the room quickly, noting his attire with a frown. He didn't have time to change. He dug around in a pile of clothing that was growing in the corner, till he found one shoe and two socks, remembering that he had kicked the other shoe off somewhere near his desk, which he quickly recovered. He put them on with a hurried pace, glancing back at his watch once, twice, three times...

Elena was right. He was just going to make an excuse and run off.

Colton stood, as fully dressed as he was going to get at the time being. He glanced at the door, then back at Elena, and frowned slightly. He could leave, but that felt very inappropriate. She had just sacraficed a night of her life to make sure his life was a little less painful, and he was just going to leave. Colton crossed the room again, more slowly, still unsure of what exactly he was supposed to say. "Thank you, Elena... I'm sorry to just... Rush out like this..." He leaned down and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek, and whispered in her ear softly. "I'll see you later, I hope."

And with that, footsteps back across the floor, and the door opening. "Thank you again..." And the door clicks shut.

Elena just couldn't help smiling. Colton was obviously doing much better this morning. It made her extremely happy, everything from the night before and from her past had suddenly fled from her mind. Another good thing was that he wasn't asking her to leave or anything, he seemed just as happy to be with her as she was with him. She could lay there besides him looking into his eyes forever it seemed.

But nothing lasts forever.

An annoying beeping noise sounded Elena's ears suddenly. Colton turned away from her and looked at something on his wrist. A watch, Elena had never wore one. Time was never really important to her, and she could always sense when the sun was going to rise and set. Whatever this alarm was, it must not have been to important to him, because he rolled back over to face her. She smiled again.

Her smile soon faded as he quickly sat up and slid off the bed. What was going on? No, not now, everything was going so perfectly! He began to scurry around his room as if he were looking for something. When Colton explained that he needed to go get his niece, Elena understood completely. Family was important. This was something she'd always known.

Elena was now sitting up on the bed, straightening out her hair with her fingers as best as she could. Her clothes were now even more wrinkled than usual. Colton apologized for leaving, and then leaned down to her and did something she would never expect him to do to her. He kissed her.

Even if it was on the cheek, it meant a lot to Elena. Colton had had a hard time trying to talk to her the first time she met him, so a kiss on the cheek was pretty special she could assume. Well, it made her feel special. When he whispered in her ear, chills went up her spine once again. He wanted to see her again. That made her even more happy than anything.

She didn't say anything, she just smiled. Sure they had been having a nice time, but they would meet again, and well family was important. Colton finally left and Elena sat there for a minute or so, just thinking about things. She eventually got up from his bed and slid her shoes and coat back on, then left his room with a new feeling she hadn't felt in a long time. She felt accepted, she had finally found a good friend, possibly even more than that, and Elena couldn't be happier.