7 Unexpected Strangers

Selene was up getting dressed in the early hours of the morning. She emailed her instructor about her lack of attendance and tentatively set the date to return to make up her exam. Her phone was going off with the first morning text from everyone but the one that caught her attention the most was Dean's.

-Good morning beautiful-

She tipped the coffee to her lips, staring at his message. How would she respond?

"Hey..." She erased it. That was lame. She tried something else.

"Morning Dean. (: How are you this early a.m.?"

-Good. How's your friend?-

Friend? Roku came to mind first but that was fresh. He wasn't her friend. He was her ex. She chewed at her lip, thinking about it.

"She's sleeping in. Tired and cranky but at least she went to bed easily. What are you up to this early? Exams aren't till 11 today."

-Morning run-

-I'm glad she's alright-

"Me too. I'm just hanging out with her today and one of my friends is going to run errands for us. He'll be by later with her meds and I might ask him to keep her company if you want to meet up at the park."

-What time?-

"Two."

Selene set the phone down after her last message. She sighed, pushing her hand up against her forehead. "Hey, Sarah! You up?!" She hollered from the kitchen.

Sarah walked out of her room with baggy pants on and a short tank-top on. She had a thick cardigan hanging off her shoulders. "I'm up. And starving." She went into the kitchen and immediately opened the fridge.

"Waffles in the freezer. And two boiled eggs in the fridge. Take your pick." Selene told her, watching her step out.

"Waffles. You want some?" she asked as she pulled the box from the freezer.

Luca knocked on Roku's door. "Hey, we're leaving." She told him. Sorin was standing at the door, pushing her feet into her shoes as she watched Luca try to coax Roku out.

Roku felt heavy, but he wasn't going to sit around with Selene so close. He had already gotten dressed and slid his jacket on before opening the door.

Luca stepped back out of his way. She smiled at him even if he didn't smile at her. "I made you some toast." She offered him a piece. "We're going to see Mistress today," she said. She was referring to Zaleska since she didn't like to call her by her name.

He took the piece of toast and nodded his thanks to her. "Z? Really?" he asked.

"She's set up at the new rental and she says there's company over. We have to go greet them." She told him, stepping back before walking towards the door. "I guess they're elders."

He took a bite and followed after her. He had a little bit of fear creep in about Zaleska finding out that Selene was here. It didn't matter really. He couldn't be with her.

The door opened as Sorin stepped out first, Luca in tow, before they walked walking to the steps. The early morning sir was crisp for eight a.m. but if they had any plans to get things done today, they'd have to start now.

The drive over was particularly quiet. When they arrived, Crina and Vasile were up at the door of the condo waiting for them on the fifth floor of the gate community.

"You should talk to Mistress." Luca whispered to Roku quietly.

He looked at her. "Why?"

"You've been so upset. If Sorin is bothering you, just ask for a separate apartment."

"It's not her," he said shortly.

Luca made a face at that. What was it then? When they got through the gate and up the elevator, Luca let Roku out ahead of her as Sorin surged to the lead of the three.

Crina opened the door for them to file in.

"Good morning," Zaleska hollered to them. "Come back to the rear room. Everyone is here."

Roku followed after the others. Hearing Zaleska was both calming and nerve wracking. He was distracted though by the curiosity of who all would be there.

When the door opened, Zaleska was seated on a nice white lounge couch. The high backing on it rolled over with a button to adorn the center of the roll. Her feet were stretched out along the length of it as a few figures leaned against the wall.

"Good morning," she said as they all gathered in.

Roku walked in behind everyone and looked at the other guests. He recognized Nel from the party. The others were new.

Nel had a small smile on her face as she looked at her fellow lycans. She sat on a desk in a darker part of the room. Roku wasn't sure if the room was just naturally dark or if she was making it darker for her tiny body seemed obscured by it.

Kadir leaned against the wall next to Nel and with his arms crossed. "Well this is quite a turn out." His eyes drifted over everyone, but stopped on Roku. He was not like the others.

"It is indeed," Zaleska smiled. "These are my children, the top of my pack." She explained. "I hope you'll treat them nicely in the future as they would do the same for you as well."

Crina bowed to them, "I am Crina, nice to meet you."

"My name is Vasile. Crina is my mate." He put his hand up to his chest. Vasile looked back behind him. "This is Luca-"

"My name is Sorin. Nice to meet you." Sorin said, cutting him off.

"And lastly is Roku," Zaleska beamed at him. "He's my brightest and most promising."

"I thought you had two more." Jean spoke up from the other corner of the room.

"I do." She smiled. "One is traveling abroad with an old friend." Shira. "The other I'm not ready to let her interact with the pack. She's a bit of a different circumstance." Sora. She adored Sora as much as she adored Roku and Shira. The three of them were very unique indeed.

"Hmm," Jean tilted her head against her fist. "Well, thankfully I was able to come out. I have family out here and it'll give me time to see them."

That sounded agreeable. "Where's Suzanna?" Zaleska asked her children.

Roku looked down. It was the best feeling to be praised by the Alpha, but he didn't want the attention.

Nel smiled, seeing the shy little wolf with the beautiful blue eyes. "She is likely at the hospital looking over her former pack leader."

"From what I saw," Crina looked up at Nel. "She was at that party last night and not very open to talk."

Nel sat back growing quiet.

Kadir looked at Crina and then to the Lady. "Not many wanted to talk at all."

"Some were quite unwelcoming," Vasile commented.

"Really?" Zaleska said. She looked at Roku. "What did you see?" He was quiet tonight, more so than usual.

Roku looked up at her. "One tried to intimidate me into minding my own."

"Why?" Z asked but she stopped. "Did you press further and find out more? His name?" She asked.

Roku shook his head. "I didn't get a name, but they're hiding something. He was too aggressive for something to not be going on."

"We'll have to filter through the ranks." She told Roku. "I'm sure they've amassed quite a few in their channels." She wondered if the exact location of their base operation was nearby or if they were alert to her presence. Mulling over her decision carefully, Zaleska looked up at Vasile.

"You need to survey a few more of these parties they're having and find out more on the situation. I need Suzanna to appear and give me details on what's occurring. Find them both and tell them I wish to see them in person. If they give trouble," Zaleska said. Her gaze fell sharply back on Roku again, "Eliminate them."

Roku nodded to his queen. He had gotten used to his enforcer position over the years.

Crina smiled, a small twinkle in her eyes. She loved giving a show of strength when it was due.

Jean thought about those words carefully and she wondered if their Queen had planned to cull the heads of the stragglers and make an example. "Nevertheless, we have to ensure any vampire factions are alert. Kadir, I'm hoping you assist me with rounding them to alert them that no wars are to be made of our actions. I don't want a fight to break out over a misunderstanding."

Zaleska knew with the clans, things were shifty. A kind yet friendly smile could end with her death if she kept her back turned long enough.

Kadir smiled. "Of course."

Nel stood and waited anxiously to speak to her lady in private.

"Good, so since things are settled everyone may be dismissed." Zaleska told them, leaning back in her chair.

Jean was the first one to exit, slipping out the door. She pulled her jean coat on and adjusted the collar as she started to walk out the door.

Luca nodded, looking over at the door before walking out. Sorin and Crina followed after while Vasile looked at Roku with a bit of a heavy sigh before following out as well. Everyone crowded outside the room and into the kitchen where Luca started raiding the fridge on her own.

"I wonder if she's got any sweets." She picked at a black box to open it and see a few macaroons. Plucking two out, she closed it and shoved it back in the fridge.

"You shouldn't eat her stuff." Sorin said, watching Luca snicker at her as she stuffed her mouth.

"I'm sure she won't care." Vasile sighed, scratching his head.

"Of course she won't. Right, Roku?" Luca asked, looking over at him. She paused, noticing he hadn't followed and Crina laughed at her. Nel had actually asked Roku to stay behind with her and Nadir.

"He's not a pet. He doesn't follow. Can't you read a mood?" Crina asked her.

Luca felt embarrassed but she looked down. "Yeah…" Her response sounded half-hearted and she shoved the small cookie in her mouth and walked away from them.

Nel walked over to Zaleska quickly and dropped to her knees to put her head on Z's lap.

She smirked, petting her hair back as she looked down at her. "What's the meaning of this, Nel?" She asked, though she enjoyed her affection.

"I have missed you, lady." She frowned for a second then looked up at Zaleska. Her eyes were black with small bits of nightshine in them. "I heard about Reiji and Amari." She got quiet for a second. "Is Sven alright?"

Kadir grew still hearing the first two names. Reiji was-

"You missed me? You are so sweet, Nel." She told her, the corner of her lip curved slightly as she pet her hair back again. "Sven is lingering around Amari for me right now. He does not wish to leave her but he is in good health." She explained, though it was only a half-truth of his whereabouts. Things were not well since the tomb of her father had been disturbed, but that was another matter.

"Why do you ask for him?" She asked, "Did you believe he would come with me this time?" Or was she more interested in Reiji and Amari?

"I- it has been a long time. No, maybe I should go and see him." She missed him.

Kadir chimed in then. "Reiji was found?"

"No," she told her. "They're immersed in a task that I won't ask them to come out of. Anything going on here can be dealt with without them." She looked at Nadir. "She's been floating around, but I did call her out here. I'm unsure what day but… it won't be long. I'll be sure to call you when she arrives." She needed a backup in case things soured with Kadir and the clans nearby.

Nel quietly nodded.

Kadir's eyes widened. "I see. I'll- look forward to that call."

Zaleska nodded, waving at him to go. "I'll talk more later when less ears are around."

Kadir bowed his head and turned to leave quickly.

Nel stood up and bowed her head too, then turned to look at Roku. "I'll let you talk with the young one." She smiled at him before turning to leave.

"Thank you Nell," she told her as they two left.

Roku watched the two of them leave, but couldn't bring himself to talk just yet.

When the door shut, she looked at him. "How are you fairing?"

"I'm fine," he turned to look at her. He wasn't though. He hurt, badly.

"You look weary, though." She told him, frowning. She beckoned him over.

Roku came closer and frowned. "She's here."

"That one?" She groaned, taking his wrist to pull him close. Zaleska hugged him, softly petting his hair back as she sighed. "I'll deal with it. Do not fret for long." She would have to ask the girls to keep an eye out for this one. Surely she might even just force the girl to submit the second time around. The thought was heavy in her mind.

Roku's chest tightened and hugged Zaleska. "What will you do?" his voice held a hint of nerves.

"I'll contemplate it carefully. Keep your distance and stay on task." She brushed his hair back and kissed his forehead. "You need not focus on anything else."

He wasn't sure how well that was going to work with her being so close. She had even been at the party that night. "Alright," he told his Alpha. He would try.

She could tell it still worried him. "You have my number. Call me if things go awry. Or bring her back here if there's a need. Otherwise just leave her to her mortal realm." The one she loved so much. "In the meantime, tonight I need you to go to the University. There's been something going on that I want investigated."

"I'm hearing strange rumors that there's a group of wolves turning students to bulk up their pack. If it's true, I want to put a stop to it before things get it of hand and their population encroaches on the border of the clans."

He nodded. "They're likely using these parties to recrute." He honestly didn't want to talk about Selene anymore.

"I suspected as much. It's noisy, loud, and if people scream it's not too likely they'll panic and run, especially if they're drunk." She rolled her eyes. "But! I was curious if you could linger near enough to catch them in the act." She knew he wasn't a social butterfly and couldn't flick on a mask like Crina, but he had his perks in other places.

"I'll do what I can." He looked at her. "Is there anything else you need?"

"No." She told him firmly. "I will have Vasile pass new information to you if I seek anything further," she said. She contemplated on having one of the others handle the girl, even if it meant shoving her out of the way a bit more to keep Roku's mind focused. "Is there anything further you need of me before you go?"

"No," he said, his voice quiet. He still had a heavy feeling of dread in his gut about Selene being here.

"That is fine. Enjoy your day, Roku." She beamed at him, smiling as she sat comfortably against the high back of her chair. Zaleska yawned, raising a hand to her mouth. "Make sure to rest plenty. The nights will get long soon as winter rolls about." The vampires enjoyed this season thoroughly, and there was no chance that they wouldn't be taking advantage of it.

He nodded and bowed his head to her before turning to leave. He wondered if he should have told her that Selene lived next door. What if that just got Selene in more trouble? His heart ached. Despite her anger with him. Despite her rejection, he was still eager to get back to the apartment for a chance encounter with her again.

The apartment was busy with the voices of rampant chatter. Selene laughed at Sarah as she held her hands up. "Be nice to Lex! I gotta go make up my exam today before the instructor leaves the campus! I'll see you later tonight, okay?!" She called out to them.

Sarah rolled her eyes. "I will try," she grinned. "Go have fun with Dean," she sang.

Selene felt her face light up. "Y-Yeah, if I see him." She blushed, though honestly… After she completed her exam. She was going to try to make that a thing.

Selene smiled giddily to herself as she ran down to the SUV. Slinging her purse in, she flicked on the car with the flick of her keys before driving off.

It took her twenty minutes to get to campus, but the test took longer than expected. It was seven by the time the instructor asked her to wrap up and nearly seven forty-eight when she finally finished.

"Thank you, Miss McCoy," he told her.

"You're welcome. Thanks for letting me come in later to finish the test. I'm hoping I did well." Selene answered, now thoroughly exhausted.

He smirked. "You'll see soon enough. Anyhow, get home and sleep so you don't lose more time resting while you can."

Selene laughed at that. To a degree, she was okay with being out late. She'd done so last night, so it was only fitting that she stay up late tonight though the early morning wake up was getting to her.

Hefting up her mini backpack, Selene stuffed her pencils back into it as she walked to the door and shut it slowly behind her. She clutched the small backpack purse's strap against her shoulder as she started her way down the hallway. "Geez, four hours." She groaned, glancing back at the door that drifted further down the hall behind her. "Ugh. I'll have to study more next time."

She looked forward at the walkway as it opened up to the front lawn. It took her a moment to notice how barren everything. Everyone had gone home practically, and only a few cars littered the parking lot.

Glancing back and forth, Selene looked around for security before she gave into her temptation and decidedly walked across the grass to get to her car quickly. As she crossed through, she saw the large fountain come into her view. The closer she walked towards it, the more she heard a few voices from the other side of it.

One girl was snickering while another boy talked. His voice was quiet, but he sounded amused by something. For a second she thought she heard one of the guys, possibly Derek.

Peeking around the corner of the fountain as she got closer, Selene shrugged her backpack closer and smiled. "Der-" Her voice started to call out.

She stopped. Her smile faded as an old boy looked back at her. His eyes glinted yellow in the soft moonlight and she stepped back. The familiar feeling washed down over her and she almost ran if it weren't for his words next.

"Hey sweetheart," he smirked, looking her up and down. She was cute. Her pocketed orange shirt that had lightly colored print sleeves accented the warmth of her skin. He stepped forward towards her and Selene took an unsure step back.

"S-Sorry, I thought you were someone else." She waved to him. She tried to back up more as he kept following. "I-I just need to get to my car. C-Can you let me through?"

"Yeah, sure. I just wanted to talk first. You got some time?"

"No!" She blurted out quickly.

"Oh, come on," he groaned, but it sounded like he was just toying with her. His feigned straining voice hardly gave off the impression of someone aggrieved over her words.

"Kevin, don't be an ass." The girl called out. She was still laughing, though.

"I'm not. I'm just getting a good-" He reached out and Selene shoved him away quickly before making a run for it past him. It felt like she got away. She turned her head back behind her to look at him. Why did he look so comfortable? He was standing upright, smirking at her- Oof! A force larger than her made her come to a halting stop.

Selene dazed herself as she tried not to fall back, and a pair of arms wrapped around her. This scent wasn't familiar either.

"You spooked her." Scott grinned. He made a nod up to Kevin again. "You're an ass."

"Whatever." He shrugged as he watched her regain herself.

Selene tried to squirm from his grasp, but Scott's hold was tight. "Let go." She whined, pushing her arms against his chest. He did, but he grabbed her wrists and rattled her ever so closely.

"I think I remember you." He breathed, leaning down close into her face.

Selene gasped. She choked up before she could rattle out a scream as she started into his unnaturally colored eyes. Two colors?

"Ah, that's right." Scott grinned. "You're that one chick. The one with the crazy hair colors."

"Scotty," the girl whined. "Just let her go. If you're going to play with her, there's no point."

"Nah. I just wanna look at her a bit longer."

Una tapped Scott's arm and peeked around. "Whatcha doin, Scott?" she asked. Her brow arched.

"I'm just getting a good look at her. I've seen her running around campus." Scott feigned innocence with Una, but in his distraction Selene ripped out of his grip after stomping on his foot. He hissed, jerking his leg back before grabbing his ankle.

Selene took off running down the field until she was at the top and running down it.

"Why the hell did you do that?" He shot at her, now glaring at Una. Now she got away.

Kevin snorted, digging his hands into his pockets as he watched her run. "I'm sure she'll be around. She's cute. Real petite looking." He breathed.

"Don't even!" she snapped back at him. "You deserved that you fuckin' putts." She looked at Kevin. "How much do you know about her? She might be under protection and you'll fuck shit up being a stupid perv."

Scott rolled his eyes at her. "Kalan said that the only one off limits were the vampires at the Queen of werewolves," he told her. "Don't act like you know Michael well enough to know he has favorite humans. You know he doesn't." He snorted.

"I wasn't talking about Michael protecting her, idiot. She smelled like a different Lycan!" she growled at him.

"Fuck em'." He grinned. "If she's not turned, she's free game." Scott told her. He got up in her face. "You think I care about some no-name mutt that wants to go waltzing around town pretending to have a normal relationship with a human? Get real Una." He stared deep into her eyes before his serious expression broke and he grinned.

Kevin watched the two of them. "Even if she's tagged, it doesn't mean shit. You know, the only ones who tag humans like that aren't from our group. Why do you care so much about that?"

"Because it's love." The girl stood up then. Her short pencil skirt rode up a bit as she pushed it back down into place and tossed her hair back behind her. "I'm sure Duke can dig up the details for us if we ask nicely." Hannah tapped her finger to her cheek. "Should we find out for certain then, Una?" She asked her, winking. It'd definitely keep the boys off till then.

Una looked at her, distracted from the boys for a moment. "Yeah. Let's do that. You dogs go sniff butts somewhere else," she growled, her hazel eyes glowing a brilliant topaz.

"Sniff?" Kevin laughed, but he sounded offended. "You gotta be kidding me?" He walked back towards the campus then.

"Michael will be out soon." Hannah called after him.

"Yeah, exactly. I'm going to wait closer by so when he comes out I can go straight back to our place. I'm not sticking around. Fuck this place."

She smirked, knowing Una pissed him off. "Oh, come on."

"Shut up, Hannah," Scott growled at her. He watched Kevin go, and he followed him. "Whatever. I was getting bored anyway. I'm leaving."

Hannah started to laugh at them before tilting her head back to stare back at Una. "Looks like someone's feelings got hurt, huh?" She asked her. Hannah folded her arms behind her back before grabbing each arm to walk around the fountain. "Even still. I'm very curious who that person might be."

"Oh, boo-hoo. About time they get a taste of their own-" she grumbled and crossed her arms over her chest. She looked at Hannah. "I don't think she's worth our time. Better leave it alone."

"I'm curious." She told her. "I was at the party last night. I had seen Marianna and Chanelle talking to a rather interesting person. He had blue eyes and dark black hair. A real stone cold man, except for his eyes. They said he looked like he was looking for someone, but like he was masking his own emotions." She breathed in. "Maybe he's just wandering in from elsewhere, but I have a feeling he is part of the rest of those wolves that came in. The ones that Michael said belong to the Queen."

Una looked at her. "Really? A blue-eyed Lycan?" That was rare. "Maybe our attention should be on this pup instead."

"If he is, we should definitely see what makes him tick. Don't you agree?" She asked her quietly. "I'm sure he's quite the sight."

Una smiled. "I'm sure he is."

Selene ran down the hill until she crossed over into the parking lot. It was fairly large, with only a few vehicles littered within its parameters. She looked back behind her, clearly shaken up. She was tired from running and her legs felt weak, but she made herself jog over towards it before hitting the clicker to unlock the doors.

Throwing her bag into the passenger seat, she closed the door and leaned over the steering wheel for a moment to catch her breath. She gripped the remote in one of her hands and lifted her head as she put the key into the ignition and hit the lock button for her door.

"Oh my god," she breathed out finally before grabbing her bag and opening it. She whipped out her phone quickly and hit the dial button. The name on the screen read 'Dean (:' and she pulled it up to her ear.

It rang a few times, and she felt her nerves rise when it went straight to voicemail. She wondered if he was busy. Maybe he was back at campus waiting for her. Selene groaned, putting her head back on the steering wheel before starting the car. "Please… Please call back. Please!"

Dean hadn't gotten to his phone in time. He had been talking with a friend and couldn't get his phone out of his pocket before the call ended. "Shit. Hold on, I gotta get this." He turned away and hit the call button.

Selene jumped, shoving her hands on the steering wheel as she pulled away. The horn went off, and she fumbled to grab her phone from her lap quickly and pick it up. "Hello?!"

"Selene?" he asked. Why was she in a panic? "Are you alright?"

"No. I'm not alright," she told him, her voice shaking as she gripped the phone tightly. She looked back up to the field. "I was leaving class after I finished the exam and some people were hanging out on campus. They started harassing me and saying a bunch of weird stuff! I don't know what they were saying but they kept getting in my face and one of them grabbed me and- And I got startled and I'm in my car terrified!" She breathed in.

"Where are you?" he asked quickly. "What parking lot?"

"Southside of Campus. Student Parking Lot A." She felt her voice tremble as she tried to recall the row. She looked back. "I-I'm in the second row from the beginning of the field. I-I don't know the row name. I'm…" She trembled, trying not to cry. It scared the hell out of her! Who does that?! What was their problem?!

"That's okay. I'll find you." He turned away from the phone. "Hey give me a ride to parking lot A. Now." He sighed. "Stay on the phone with me okay. I'm on my way." A car door shut and the sound of a car starting could be heard over the phone.

She breathed in, shaking a moment before she rubbed her shoulder. Selene nodded, feeling reassured that he was coming down to her. She took in a sharp breath, staring up at the hill where they were and she felt her skin prickle. "I don't know what the hell they were talking about." She breathed, trying to remember them. Their names. She heard names. Who?

Turning her head back, she slowly started to relax when she heard a wrap on the window and Selene screamed. She dropped her phone, fumbling it out of her hands to turn and look at the security guard in white who was knocking on her window.

Dean ripped the phone from his ear when she screamed. "Selene! Hey! What's going on?" They were just around the corner. Almost there!

It almost gave her a heart attack when they motioned for her to roll her window down and she grabbed the steering wheel, sobbing. The window rolled down after she got a moment to collect herself as the busty, black haired woman with dark skin skinned her light in the car.

"Honey, what are you doing here so late at night?"

"I-I…" Selene was shaking, unable to form a coherent sentence to the security guard.

"You need to go home, honey. It's dangerous out here alone at night."

"I-I know!" She told her, trying to wipe away her tears. "I-... There was… someone up on the campus… The fountain…"

"Sweety, step out of the car. Let me check and see if you're alright." Maybe she'd need to make a report on this. She obviously needed someone to come down and drive her home. She wasn't going to have her leave in her car like this unless she was completely calmed down.

There was a black car driving across the parking lot towards them. It was a nice looking sports car with lights around the wheels and along the door that changed colors. It came to an abrupt stop next to them.

Dean got out quickly and ran over to the guard and Selene. "Are you alright?" he asked, then looked at the guard.

"N-No." Selene shook, holding her hands up over the steering wheel. Her fingers were spread out as her hands shook and she looked at Dean. The guard pulled at the door handle.

"Unlock the door sweetie, come on out." She coaxed her.

Selene's hands were shaking as she unlocked the door and slowly stepped out. Her knees were shaking so hard. She looked up at Dean, feeling completely robbed of any security she'd had left moments earlier.

"What's going on, here?" The guard asked softly.

Selene pulled her hands up to her face, sniffling as she drew in a deep breath. "I-I got scared. I was walking back to my car." She told her. "T-These people were at the fountain and- And someone… I… I think it was like Keith or Kevin or something got in my face. And I ran from him. This other guy, gr-grabbed me. He wouldn't let me go and-and I don't know what they were talking about. T-There were others there and they ju-just watched." She wrapped her arms around herself and tried not to freak out. "I-I thought I wasn't going home."

Dean frowned and pulled her into his arms. "Hey, it's alright now."

Watching the two of them, she felt a bit more reassured. "Are you going to drive her home?" She asked Dean.

Selene turned to press her face to his chest. She took in a sharp breath and relaxed a bit in his hold.

He looked at the guard and nodded. "Yeah." He hugged her a little tighter for a second. "Thanks," he told the guard before helping Selene to the passenger side of the car. He waved his friend off as he helped her in. "Let's get out of here, okay?" he asked her.

"Okay," she told him before walking back to her truck. She hopped in it and started it up before driving off.

Selene pulled away just enough so she could walk. Her heart felt like it wasn't pounding in her chest as hard as she walked with Dean over to the passenger side. When the door opened, she climbed in and sat down. Selene let a deep breath out before putting her head in her hand.

The worst part of the whole thing was the fact that their eyes glowed unnaturally in the low light. She felt like she'd seen that so vividly. "Thank you Dean," she murmured softly.

Dean gave her a small smile. "Anytime." He closed the door and walked around to get in the driver's seat. He pulled out of the parking lot and started on the road back to her apartment quietly. He reached over and grabbed her closest hand to give it a reassuring squeeze.

Selene looked up from her lap when she felt his warm hand slide over hers. When he squeezed her hand, she couldn't help but turn her hand over to squeeze his hand. She drew her gaze up to his face, trying to smile but it was a bit harder than she thought. "I think I kicked my phone onto the floor of the driver seat." She told him, laughing a little.

Her smile faded a moment as she looked down. Man that scared the hell out of her. The guard didn't help either.

He moved his leg and looked. "Yeah, I see it." He stopped at a light and looked over at her. "You're gonna be alright." If he needed to escort her to class he would. If they tried something again he'd kick their asses.

Selene shook her head. As much as she wanted to, she didn't like living in fear of others. "I'll be alright. It shook me up a bit but I'll just have to ask for Sarah's kubotan." She told him. "And I'll make sure not to stay after dark anymore."

He glanced at her as they started again. "Sounds good, but if you have to again, you call me alright?"

"I'll call." She leaned over, extending her seatbelt as she let her head fall to his shoulder a second. "I'm sorry for scaring you earlier." Now that she could recall it.

He smiled when she leaned in. "It's alright. I'm just glad you're alright." He put his arm around her.

"Me too." Selene said softly. She drew in a tight breath before opening her eyes again to stare at the road. "You don't have to take me straight home. If you don't mind, we can stop at a gas station and get something to snack on or go through a drive through." She didn't want to part from him just yet.

He gave her a light squeeze. "What are you hungry for?"

"Just a small burger," she said, squeezing out a small yet weak smile. "If that's okay. Maybe we can do one at the Shake Stand a few blocks down." She stared out at the road a moment, her eyes glazed a moment before a shiver ran over her.

"Left on Elk Avenue and 29th Street East." She pointed out in the distance. "It'll be the third light down. And it should be around that corner on the right."

He quietly followed her directions to the place she'd suggested. Maybe with a little bit of food and maybe some sugar she'd perk up a bit more.

Selene started to perk up a bit as the white and red checkered sign came into view. Her heart elated at the idea of a place they could stop and eat at in the middle of the night. She could see a few people lingering at the tables, waiting for orders right outside. "Ugh, and a shake. Please." She groaned.

She stopped, remembering her wallet and shifted her butt until she was able to pull the mangled purse from underneath her. A small smile started to return to her face as she fished her wallet out and held a twenty out to him. "I buy?" She asked him sincerely, a timid touch in her eye as she slowly gazed up at him from the passenger seat.

He was glad she was starting to calm down more. He took the twenty and smirked. "I guess I'll get the next one." Clearly he was encouraging them to have more dates. "A shake and what else?"

"Just a small cheeseburger," she told him, pinching her thumb and index finger together as she tried to mime the size of it. "Nothing big. Should be like $4.95 with a cup of fries." Seriously though. The whole thing called to her.

Her stomach growled at the idea and she thought about it. "And add a pickle on the side. It's $1.50 extra."

He laughed and nodded. "Alright." He did a quick glance at the menu and decided on what he wanted. He'd indulge in a bit of a midnight snack. He got to the window and ordered their food. Her small meal with a pickle and a burger with everything and a large shake.

Selene watched him slowly and a part of her felt an odd sense of security with this. Like she'd been through this again and again, only it was a matter of time before it all went down hill. She leaned back against the armrest on the door, watching him silently.

"Do you want to eat this here?" he asked. "Or my place?" he threw it out there in case she wasn't ready to go home yet.

His place? Selene stared at the dash a moment, blushing a bit. "We can go to your house for a bit. If you're okay with that and then head back to mine." She hoped Lex would forgive her for this.

He smiled and nodded. "Great." He handed her the food when it was ready and started off. He was actually excited to be bringing her home. He didn't know why. He had brought girls there before, but she… Was different.

Selene took the bags and put them on the floor between her legs. The smell of the hot food wafted up to her nose and she knew they had to be steaming hot. She pulled the vanilla shake from the cupholder and opened the stray to pick at the whip cream on top. "So um, w-what do you usually do at night?" She asked him softly. She picked the cherry out and bit it off the stem.

"Depends. If I miss my morning run I'll go at night. Homework…" He smiled. "Sleep."

"Regular stuff, huh?" She asked him, shrugging. "So you don't work after class?" She asked him softly. "Or is that like a commission or only a morning thing?" Most of the classes were in the afternoon that she was taking, though she knew morning options were available.

"Mornings usually."

"You sound pretty busy." Selene breathed, looking down. "I wonder if I picked a job like that, maybe my dad would be a little more enthusiastic about it." She laughed. "I guess I just spent so many times watching all those Art School clips, that I ended up just wanting to travel abroad instead." It was fun while it lasted, though.

"Traveling sounds amazing though. Getting to see the world," he said excitedly.

"But how do you travel when you won't get on a ship or a plane?" Selene snickered, pulling a few fries out of the bag.

"That's why I've never been anywhere but here." He sighed.

"Except there's still Niagara Falls," she told him, smiling again. "Eh, you can travel around still." She breathed, teasing him a bit.

"By car, yeah. I suppose there's plenty to see in the states." He took the shake from her then and took a quick drink. "Damn. That's a good shake."

Selene blushed a little, watching him. Somehow she felt excited at the idea of them seeing each other, but she didn't want to be hasty with her feelings. "Vanilla is nice. It's pretty plain." She told him. "I honestly like their shakes the best because they have vanilla bean, not vanilla flavor. It's a bonus, really." She giggled at him.

The corner of his mouth lifted into a handsome smirk. She was so adorable. "It is."

She leaned over to take a drink of the shake, pressing her hand against his leg to steady herself. "I love that place. Usually me and Cameron will eat lunch there." She opened up a bit.

He felt heat spread from where her hand touched. "It's good. We'll have to go back there sometime."

"Just wait till we get the fries out." She snorted, finally taking the shake back. She sat back in her seat, smirking when something darted in front of them.

"Shit!" Dean slammed on the breaks when something crossed the road. Or was it someone? No way could a person run that fast. He'd thrown his free arm in front of Selene protectively as the car jerked painfully to a halt.

Selene screamed, her shake almost dumped completely out of her hand as she flung forward into his arm before the car stopped. She slammed back against the seat and grabbed her head. "Augh! What was that?! A deer?!"

His breathing was fast and he looked at her to see if she was okay. "I have no idea. It was-" he shivered. He was freaked out by the close call and the fact that what he thought he saw didn't seem real.

Selene breathed in heavily, "A deer… Geez. A deer with a plaid shirt." Selene groaned, leaning her head back. "Can like tonight be enough with all the jump scares?!" she cried angrily, putting her hand over her eyes. "Man, this town is getting weirder and weirder every night."

He lowered his arm from in front of her and put his head to the steering wheel. "Fuck," he breathed, trying to calm down.

"Are you okay?" Selene finally cleared her thoughts enough to ask, huffing as she took in a deep breath and shoved the shake into the cupholder. She placed her hand on his right shoulder to look at him.

"Yeah, just-" he took a deep breath and looked at her. "That was a close one, that's all."

"Can we like… Buy a rabbit's foot or something?" she asked him. "Seriously. My luck is so awful right now."

He breathed a laugh before sitting back up. "Yeah. Keep a horseshoe in your car or something."

"Definitely!" She told him, smiling more. "Okay. Seriously. Let's get to your house."

He nodded and started driving again, carefully watching the sides of the road for any more surprises.

The rest of the ride went by without a hitch, granted more quiet than before, but understandably. He pulled into the driveway and turned the car off.

"This is it?" Selene asked him, seeing the small house. "You rent a house?" She raised a brow at him, turning her head in his direction.

"Me and some roommates do, yeah." He grinned and looked at her. "Come on." He opened the door and got out.

Roommates? Selene grabbed the shake from the cupholder and the bag of food from the floor. Propping open her door with her elbow, she managed to shove it open before sliding out onto the wet grass under her feet. "Oh my god, it's cold!" she gasped, slamming the door shut with her hip as she pranced out of the grass back onto the walkway.

Dean laughed as he walked around to meet her at the front of the car. He wrapped an arm around her and took the shake from her, taking a drink. He opened the door and let her in, wondering which of the roommates were home and left the door unlocked.

"H-Huh?" Selene blushed, squeezing up against him as they walked in. The house smelled like some sort of incense burning in the air, but she couldn't tell what. "Oh wow." Selene coughed, waving her hand. "How many roommates do you have?" she asked, nervous that some of them very well could be people who wouldn't like her. Especially if they were friends with Mistique.

"Four," he said. He grinned. "Let's go down stairs. It's not so bad there." He led her through the house to the stairs.

"Sure," she breathed, walking through the entrance with him. "This place is super nice, though. I live in an apartment complex." She explained, looking around. "But it's a cheap place compared to this. Is there a pool out back?"

"No, but we have a firepit." He led her down to the basement that was turned into a den with large worn couches and a large screen TV. There were different consoles underneath, neatly packed into a wooden entertainment center. "My room's through here." He continued through the den to a closed door in the corner. He opened it and flicked the light on. His room was modest in pale blues and grays and very tidy.

"I like fire pits," Selene perked up, following him into his room. It was modest. She peered in it as she stepped in slowly. Selene walked to his desk to empty the bag contents on it. "Do you work here, too?" she asked him.

"Sometimes. I prefer to work here. It's more comfortable." He reached over and grabbed a fry.

"Really? So you go to a shop?" she asked him, pulling out the hamburgers from the bag. She put them on the napkins on the desk and pushed her hair back behind her ear. "I always was curious what computer work was like."

"It's- something I guess. It's not really hard unless you're just completely uninterested."

"I think I can relate." She laughed, looking around for a chair to sit on.

"Take the computer chair," he told her as he sat on the floor next to her. He grabbed a burger and grinned. Damn he was hungry.

"You sure?" She asked him, grabbing his chair to pull it back. "I can take the floor if need be. It's your room." She offered him.

He grinned up at her. "It's alright," he said before taking a bite.

Selene sat down in the chair, not going further in on the conversation about where she sat. She honestly didn't need to. "Thanks for inviting me over." She told him, staring at the random background of his computer screen. "Your house is very nice. I like it." She took a bite of her burger as she leaned back and stared up at the ceiling.

How long had it been since she'd started her last relationship? A year? Two? It felt like all the others floated in and out of her life so easily, but the more she thought of it, the more she felt like she was the one not letting others in.

He swallowed and nodded. "Thanks." He hoped she'd like coming over here more often.

Selene nodded. She leaned back in his chair a little and spun it to the side to look at him. "Isn't it weird?" She asked him, breathing out. "Not having someone you're married to and being over twenty-five?" She asked him softly. "I think it is." Of course, she didn't regret not marrying her ex fiance. He was an asshole.

"I guess if everyone else you know is married too. I don't want to get married just because everyone else is though. Every relationship is different too."

"I suppose," she breathed, leaning against the arm of the chair. "I didn't imagine being a parent at sixty." She felt a bit bitter about that. "But yeah, you have a point there. It's not like we all start and stop at the same time. I just feel like if I don't now then I probably never will get married or have a family at this point."

He smiled. "You're not even thirty yet. There's still time."

"Right…" Selene rolled her eyes, smiling a bit at him. "What are your goals right now with the future?" She asked him. It'd been a rough previous year. She knew that… There was an economic downturn in spending and her art wasn't selling as well as it used to. "I'm seriously contemplating my career choices right now, personally. I don't think my degree is going to be a great career right now." She breathed, taking another bit of the hamburger.

She glanced at it, realizing it was getting cold and she took another bite from it. Better luke warm than cold.

He looked at his burger and sighed. "I'd like to settle down with someone eventually and have a family." He had thought about it some in the last couple years, but part of it worried him too.

"It would be nice. Wouldn't it?" She asked him. "It's a bit harder than it sounds though." She took another bite, finishing it before swallowing and she stared up at the ceiling. "You have to have all the right things you know. Being able to talk, good communication, respecting each other, trust… So you can't do things like cheat… steal… Lie." She groaned. "It's surprising how easy those main rules break. I almost feel like maybe I'm looking too hard." She snorted.

"I think a relationship needs trust and good communication. If it doesn't at least have those two things then… What's the point? It's a relation of convenience." He took a bite of his burger thinking a little more. Swallowing he continued. "I don't think it would be hard for someone who is genuinely invested."

"Where were you when all the others weren't?" She grumbled, chewing on the last bite she took. She took another bite, pulling the full piece of tomato out and slurped it up before laughing. "Or maybe I'm just really garbage at picking out boyfriends. Or naive. One of the two." She stared at the hamburger and laughed more, thinking about Roku.

Honestly she wanted to cry. She wanted to hate him but she also hated how much she'd thought about him on and off over the years. She felt like she'd been played for the fool. "Well," Selene sighed heavily. "I think things are getting better. I just wish I didn't feel like I had a chip on my shoulder about it." She ate the last bite and crumbled up the wrapper before tossing it in the trash.

He threw his trash away and stood on his knees in front of her. "Let's focus on it getting better." His hands slid lightly up her thighs. "Then maybe the chip won't be so hard to knock off."

Selene stared at him, quiet for a long while as she contemplated his words. She felt flattered, but she didn't want to look like a child in front of him. "I suppose not," she told him quietly. "Especially if I don't dwell on it too hard. I'm sure things could look up if I just relax."

She put her hand down over his hand and she felt a mixture of feelings wash over her at the idea that maybe things with Roku wouldn't have been so bad if he hadn't left. Maybe it'd be one less chip. Selene stared at Dean and she smiled again and laughed, not giving him any room to continue before squeezing out her last words. "So what are we going to do for tonight?"

He liked it when she smiled, even if it was forced. "That depends. When do you need to get back home?"

She thought about those words carefully. Selene leaned back in her chair, tapping her cheek with her pointer finger as she looked up at his walls. "Hmm… Do you have any games we can play?"

He looked at his computer and reached to turn it on. "I've got a few."

She smirked, looking at him as she turned the chair just slightly so she could give him some space. "What kind of games?" She asked him softly, smirking at him.

"Well do you like first person shooters, or open world adventure?" he asked.

"Okay, honestly… Open world," she told him, leaning back. "But I only know how to play with a controller," she admitted.

He laughed lightly. "Alright." He reached into the drawer next to him and pulled out a wireless controller to hand it to her. He took the keyboard and signed in. "I think you'll like this one," he started.

"Yeah?" She asked, taking it from him. "I'd like that."

Rachael swung open the door in that moment. "Hey, Dean! I'm glad you're home finally. So I wanted to see if you could fix my phone-" She stopped, staring at him a moment when she realized the unfamiliar face sitting in his chair. Selene turned to look at her and she felt her face turn red a bit. "Oh shit. I didn't realize you had company."

Dean turned to look at one of his roommates. "Which is why I've asked you to knock." He stood up and sighed. He leaned casually against his desk and looked at her. "What about your phone?"

"Sorry," she cringed, chewing at her lip. "It totally slipped my mind when Mike said you were home." She held up her phone. "Nathen shattered my screen today, playing keep away with my phone. I wanted to know if you could replace it before I asked a repair shop."

He walked over and took the phone from her. He looked it over. "There's no other problems with it?"

"Yeah," she grumbled. "Half the screen is green and the other half is pure black." She rolled her eyes. "He's such an idiot, but he said he'd pay for it. So I'll pay you whatever the cost is for the parts and repairs. I'll worry about him paying me back."

Dean nodded as he looked over the phone some more. "I'll get back to you. Can I keep it for now?"

"Sure," she breathed. "Do whatever you need to."

He nodded and placed her phone on his desk. "Do you need anything else?" he asked when she stuck around.

Rachael perked up, staring at him a little shocked when she remembered the girl. "Oh," she gasped. "Yeah, no, that's it. Sorry." She waved to him. "I'll see you later then. Thanks, Dean." She gave Selene a short wave and slipped out the door.

Selene stared at the computer screen for a moment and then looked at him. "The benefits of roommates," she snorted, laughing a bit. Sometimes Sarah did that kind of stuff too. Though, girl to girl it wasn't too big of a deal all the time.

He sighed and shook his head. "She's not the only one that busts in without asking. It's like I'm just the live in technician."

Selene snorted. "I take it that means that I can't ask for a repair, either?" She joked.

He laughed. "You'd have to make an appointment."

"Damn. I don't get special treatment?"

"You want special treatment?" He grinned and leaned over her with his hands on each of the arms of the chair.

"Maybe," she smirked. "Is that such a bad request?"

"Not at all." He leaned down and gave her a light kiss. "Only you."

"I hope so," she breathed. "I'm not exactly into the idea of being in more than one relationship." She felt her heart race a bit as she stared at him a moment and she reached up to touch his cheek.

He leaned into her hand. "Me either," he smiled. She was something else. He felt the need to protect her. Like it was an instinct. She was so small and sweet.

Selene felt her heart pound in her chest as she pursed her lips. Her cheeks felt rosey and warm, but she couldn't tell how much she was smiling at that moment. "So um, about that game…" She breathed, diverting her gaze quickly.

"Mm, right," he said, clearing his throat. "Yeah. Like I was saying I think you'd like this one."

"Yeah?" she asked, turning towards the computer again. Selene felt him lean over the seat as he pointed to the screen for where to start the game. The night filtered on, uneventfully till it was nearly two in the morning and she couldn't keep herself awake anymore.

"Oh geez," Selene breathed, pushing back from the chair as she set the controller down. When the game closed out of the screen, she stared at the clock. "It's two in the morning and I'm so dead tired." She leaned her head back on the chair and stopped before abruptly sitting up. "Oh shit, I hope Lex isn't mad at me." She pulled her phone out of her pocket and flicked the screen open from the unlock screen.

Sure enough, her phone was on silent mode and she had twelve messages and four missed calls. "Oh no," she groaned.

Dean stretched and looked at her. "Let's get you home before they think you've been kidnapped." He yawned and shook his head.

"Let's?" she asked, looking at him. "How are you going to get home without a car?" Selene yawned, covering her mouth. "Unless you plan on spending the rest of the night in my room."

"I'm not going to let you drive home by yourself after what happened today," he told her. "I want to make sure you get home safely."

Selene thought about it. "Fine, but if you do you can't go driving out either. I don't want you to get in a crash if something else decides to go darting out in the middle of the night."

"Deal." He held his hand out to her to help her out of the chair.

She smirked, taking his hand. "Then we have a deal, no backing out. Got it?" she asked him as she took his hand. Selene pulled herself up from the chair quickly, stepping forward till she stopped just barely up against him. She couldn't help but turn her head up at him and stare into those hooded brown eyes. Damn.

She swallowed the nerves building in her throat before she redirected her gaze to the side and down to the floor. "Ready when you are."

He squeezed her hand and grabbed her keys from the desk. "Alright." He led her out of the house and back to the car. He tried to be quiet as he shut the front door since most of the house was asleep now.

Selene walked up to the car, opening the passenger door as she slid in. "Oh, it's cold!" she gasped, popping up off the seat a little as she felt the bottom of her pants.

He started the car quickly and smiled at her. "You don't have a blanket in here?" he asked looking in the back.

"No," she stared at the house, groaning. "I don't. Usually I don't stay out this late till my car turns to ice. Usually it thaws in the morning and it's all good. Gah, Washington is cold."

He held his arm open for her to come closer. "I'll keep you warm then."

Selene pulled the buckle on, waiting for it to click into the lock before she leaned over the center console to rest her head on his lap. The console felt hard and rigid but she didn't care. "How am I supposed to tell you how to get to my house?" She asked him.

It slipped her mind that he had her address but she was trying her best not to fall asleep. Selene reached and flicked the heater on full blast for the windshield and the top vents. Cold air hit her face and she quickly flicked the vent closed.

"Ugh," she buried her face in his lap. "That was cold," Selene whimpered, shivering as she turned her cheek to hide her face against his lap.

Dean looked down at her and rubbed her arm to warm her up. "I think I remember how to get there."

"Yeah?" she asked him slowly, enjoying the warmth of his hand. She sighed, relaxing more as she got used to the warmth of his hand pressing against her skin. "Let me know if you need directions."

Selene didn't realize she fell asleep after that. She'd been so tired from staying up late that by the time they got back to the complex, she was out cold barely even able to stir when the car came to a stop.

Dean parked and turned the car off. "Selene," he said softly, shaking her arm lightly to wake her. "We made it."

"Uhn," she groaned, trying to lift her head. The car was so warm. Selene slumped back in his lap, groaning. She was having a terrible time trying to awake with how heavy she felt.

He breathed a small laugh and pet her hair back. "Come on sleepy. Let's get inside."

"Mmm," she whined, lifting her head up. "Do I have to?"

"Yes. Your bed will be a lot more comfortable than the car."

"Nooo," she protested, sitting up to rub at her eyes.

He laughed again at how adorable she was rubbing her eyes sleepily. Getting out of the car he was assaulted by icy wind and shivered. Damn it was bitter cold. He walked around to open the door for Selene.

Selene climbed out of the car slowly after the door opened and she grabbed her arms, wishing she had a jacket. "Oh, it's stupid cold outside now." she groaned. "Mm." It was a half hearted attempt to wake up but it was enough to get her walking. "Let's hurry upstairs." She told him, stepping out of the way of the door to push it shut behind her as she huddled up next to him. Maybe a blanket in the car wasn't such a bad idea.

Dean wrapped an arm around her to try and keep her warm as they hurried upstairs.

Roku was walking out as soon as Dean and Selene ascended the last step. He honestly wanted to turn and go back inside. This was getting old. He didn't want to constantly run into her. He didn't want to constantly be reminded that she was with this guy. With a sigh he continued to walk towards the stairs.

Dean looked up seeing the same kid from the party walking towards them. The kid gave him a weird feeling, just like the first time.

When they got to the front door, Selene teetered back and forth tiredly under his arm. "House key…" she muttered, clutching the car keys in his hand. "Damn… Dean. It's the blue key." Selene shivered, huddling under him for warmth.

He focused back on her and reached to take the keys, singling out the blue and unlocking the door. He opened it and looked back to see the kid was gone before walking inside with her.

Lex looked up from the couch. He couldn't exactly move since Sarah had fallen asleep on his shoulder. He hadn't the heart to move her since she looked so comfortable and- well it was nice having her lean on him. "Selene?"

Selene heard him and she summoned up a deep breath in her chest to answer. "Yeah?" she responded as loudly as she could, although her eyes weren't open.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

Dean held her up and laughed. "She's just tired."

Lex's eyebrows rose hearing Dean.

"Sorry for not answering." Selene slurred her words a little, standing up before falling back against Dean. "Tomorrow we can talk together and make Sarah do her chocolate exam." She was nodding off again, unable to keep herself together.

"Alright," he sighed.

Dean picked her up so she wouldn't fall over and hurt herself. He walked her to her bedroom to lay her down on the bed. "I won't keep you up so late next time," he laughed as he slipped her shoes off.

Selene nodded. "Sure, next time let's-" she trailed off, mumbling something till she slipped back into a half daydream that drug her back into the comfort of sleep.

He smiled before yawning. Damn it was late and the warmth of her apartment was so nice. He kicked his shoes off and laid down. He was too tired and comfortable to think about getting back home this late.