My Heart Can't Be Broken If It's Not Beating

I bet she used to be a prostitute.

That's all I could think about as I faced the vampire in front of me. She was wearing a small leather dress, which was so short it made me wonder if it was actually meant to be worn as a top, and classic torn fishnet stockings which really weren't helping to disprove the hooker theory. Her bleach blond hair was tied in two messy high pigtails on her head that swayed rhythmically as she moved from side to side, waiting for me to make the next move.

It didn't play out like that though. Instead she growled angrily and ran at me, the moonlight reflecting off her dress/top and distracting me momentarily. I snapped back just in time to brace myself so that as she got close enough, I swung my leg up and roundhouse kicked her in her make-up smothered face. As she hit the dirt, the recoil was strong enough to put me off balance and I almost stumbled over. Regaining my balance I saw her jump to her feet and begin running into the forest next to where we were hunting.
I hate when they run I sighed angrily to myself before running into the dark after her.

The only guidance I had though this maze of trees was the moonlight that was shining in rivets through the leaves, illuminating branches and logs I only had seconds to comprehend before there was the decision to duck under or jump over them. Twigs scratched at my arms and legs as my heart pumped faster and faster. The running was making me tired but I had to admit, I did love the thrill of the chase.

Even though this vampire was faster and had better vision than me, there was no way she could have known how good of a shot I was, even in the dark. Closing the distance between us as much as I could I stopped and hurriedly reached behind me to pull out a gun. The shot was quick and I saw her fall as she reached the clearing in the distance. Obviously bullets were nothing to vampires but douse them in Holy Water and you can buy yourself some time.

Putting my weapon away I ran towards her twitching body. The shot had hit her in the shoulder so her arm would be damaged but she had no problem getting up. Now that we were in the clearing she had no place else to run. Realising her situation she immediately launched for me and we both fell to the ground, throwing punches and wrestling around, trying to get a hold on one another. She clawed at me and it was hard to avoid the pain of her punches to my ribs that I was beginning to feel. She was so strong, I was close to giving in until, using her recently injured arm to my advantage, I managed to twist around and get her below me so she couldn’t move and her arms were pinned above her head. She screeched and screamed so I used my arm that wasn't pinning her to punch her hard in the mouth. Something in her face cracked and I quickly grabbed my stake and plunged it into her heart. She managed to squeal one last time before shrivelling up below me and turning into ash.

I rolled onto my back, thoroughly exhausted and tried to regain my breath. Looking up I saw all the stars speckling the sky and the sound of the crickets accompanying them. I wished the world was always this peaceful…

Realising the guys were probably wondering where I was I got up and slowly began to try and make my way back through the trees the way I had come. I'd only taken a couple of steps before someone lunged at me and pinned me against a tree, similarly to way I'd just pinned that vampire to the ground before. Their body was pressed up against mine and my heart started beating faster again but not from fear. Suddenly their face was very close to my own and I could feel their breath, cold against my ear. It gave me chills for two reasons.

"Is it bad that I was incredibly turned on by you fighting with that vampire?" he whispered huskily in my ear.

"No Pete, what's bad is that you watched that whole time while I got my ass kicked and all you could think about was the fact that it was hot that your girlfriend was rolling around with some other chick"

He chuckled, "What can I say, she was dressed for the occasion"

"Oh, so I'm not the only one who thought her dress was too short? But at least the bitch is dead" I sighed beginning to feel the dull ache in my bones from fighting.

That feeling was short lived though as I felt Pete's lips attach to mine and all coherent thoughts dissipate from my head. My hands instinctively went to wrap around his neck but I realised they were still pinned above my head.

"Pete…" I warned as soon as his lips left my own and began tracing their way along my jaw and slowly, to my neck. I bit my lip as his cool mouth found its way easily to my pulse point where he sucked and nipped lightly. I gasped and tried my absolute best to suppress the moan just dying to pour from my lips but Pete was already whispering in my ear again. The forest was silent apart from the ever watching crickets and the soft noises of me trying to catch my breath which Pete had managed to take away as soon as he appeared.

"Isn't it ironic that your weakest spot is also your most vulnerable?" Pete teased seductively. I could pretty much hear the smirk in his voice and it made me blush all the same. Then I thought of something to get him back with.

"At least I'm not a sap, 'I like you Riley'" I mimicked his little statement from a few nights before. Don't get me wrong, I'm really glad he felt the same but I couldn't help but laugh every time I thought about him saying it and how unlike Pete it was. He growled in annoyance and dropped his head to my shoulder, unpinning my arms in the process.

"Stop it, that was embarrassing! And hey, don't mock me for professing my feelings for you, otherwise we'd both still be sexually frustrated and unable to admit anything to each other!"

I chuckled slightly and kissed his cheek. "Speaking of both of those things, we'd better get back to the guys before they get suspicious"

You see, Pete and I had agreed not to tell the others about our relationship because we had no idea how they'd react and we'd only just got back into the hunting routine. This meant sneaking around (which I honestly loved the thrill of) and trying not to act any different around each other. This wasn't that difficult considering Pete and I still fought about almost everything.

"Who cares?" he sighed, lifting his head and looking me in the eyes. I loved his eyes in the dark, they almost glowed. He must have read my mind because a familiar smirk appeared on his lips. I'd pretty much stopped blocking him out of my thoughts anymore seeing as the majority of them were just about him.

"See? I'm not the only one who's enjoying being out here…" he leaned in again and began to trail his fingers down my side but stopped as I winced in pain.

"Sorry, she must have bruised my ribs" I muttered painfully.

"Ok so we probably should be heading back then…"

"Yeah. Do you know which way it is?" I questioned, looking around, All the trees looked the same and appeared to go on for miles. Pete chuckled and stepped back, offering his hand. I clasped it tightly and we began walking.

"Of course" he replied confidently.

"Its probably not good how much I trust you"

*********

Now that Pete and I were being so secretive, we had to spend a lot of obvious time apart in front of the guys. Like now for example, Pete was in the kitchen hanging out with Patrick whilst I had some time to myself. This was also one of the few times that I blocked Pete out of my mind because sometimes when he listened in it made him distracted and the guys got suspicious. So I could pretty much do anything that I wanted. Right now that meant following the familiar route up to the roof.

The cool breeze was just like I remembered it and the city lights danced all around me like nothing had changed. The stars weren't as bright here as they were in the forest, the emissions from the city dimming their beauty with a hazy fog that engulfed the sky. The sounds of sirens still echoed through the streets and every now and then you would hear people shouting but I still found myself as comfortable as anything.

Somehow I wasn't surprised when I heard the gentle footsteps approach me and stand by my side.

"You haven't been around" she whispered, not looking at me, just following my gaze on the city.

"That was the point"

"I'm so sorry about Brendon" Lena apologised, looking down.

I turned to face her; she still looked exactly the same as she always did.

"Its over now" I shuddered, automatically pulling my jacket closer around me.

'I-I should have told you. You could have died-"

"But I didn't. And even if you did tell me he still would have found a way" I suddenly found myself surprised that I was letting this go so easily but I couldn't help it, she was my friend.

Lena looked up at me hopefully, "So things can go back to the way they used to?"

"I do love coming up here… I guess it wouldn't matter if you were here too" I smiled at her and her face immediately broke into a grin.

*********

There was a little more déjà vu than I'd hoped for as I made my way down the stairwell and back into the warehouse. Joe was waiting for me outside the door with his arms crossed.

"What were you doing up there?" he questioned suspiciously.

"Getting some air"

He looked me over a couple of times before nodding, like my answer was acceptable.

"Well I just wanted to say that I know we haven't really been close lately but I think that you and me work better as friends and I don't want our relationship to get in the way of hunting or anything"

I looked at him confused for a minute before I remembered hey, we were together before I got sick.

"But you know, if you still want to fool around or anything-"

"Joe!" I stopped him before he could go any further but he just started laughing.

"Sorry I'm kidding, but seriously, we're still friends right?"

I felt incredibly relieved and had to hold in my own laugh as Pete suddenly appeared around the corner obviously having heard Joe's little suggestion.

"Of course"

"Hey Joe, Andy says he needs you to help him fix his crossbow or something" Pete chimed in quickly.

"Ok thanks man. And Riley, let me know if you want to take me up on that offer" he winked playfully at me before jogging off down the hall.

"And what can I help you with Mr Wentz?" I smirked, knowing that the only reason he came over here was to get Joe away from me.

"You're definitely over him now right?" Pete asked quickly.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, we're done, you can stop being jealous"

"Good. I really didn't want to have to kick his ass" Pete clenched his fists.

I laughed again and reached forward to take his fists in my hands. "You're such a boy"