Chapter Nine.

"Are you sure your parents won't mind us all being there?" Alena asked as she looked up at Daniel from where she sat in the passenger seat of his car with Dean and Lucy in the back.

Alena had spoken to her parents as well as the oracles last night when her friends had gone home and together they had talked through her worst fears such as choosing wrong and end up killing everyone. The oracles had said no one could decide but her and that they were sure that she would chose the rightly. They had also warned her and her parents that more witches would be around than usual as they would be drawn to the power that Alena was starting to project unknowingly. With the threat of both light and dark ones coming everyone else had decided that Alena's training would intensify in case she was ever attacked and she didn't to protect herself, both her mum and the oracles would spend time with her teaching her how to control her powers as well as defending herself. No one knew what was coming and so they couldn't train specifically all they knew was that something big was coming and that it was nothing they could prepare for.

The first thing Alena wanted to do was get some sense of normality back into her life and they meant going back to school with her friends, she had arranged for Daniel to pick her up in the morning telling her friends and parents that she felt better and she meant it, after talking with her parents and the oracles it didn't seem so terrifying with the support of her parents and the oracles it didn't seem so much to bare on her shoulders.

"Of course they won't mind," Daniel said as he looked away from the road to roll his eyes at her while Dean laughed from the back of the car. "They will be there but my dad will be in his office and my mum will probably be tidying something." Daniel said and Alena could sense a but coming, she hoped they wouldn't be intruding on something important or generally becoming an annoyance.

"But..." Lucy coached from the back of the car.

"I live in a community house as such. I mean it isn't just my family that lives there, Charlie, John, James and Chris also live with me." Daniel told them as Alena thought about what he said.

"Cool." She said with a grin, truly meaning it. Alena wasn't one to judge and she wasn't going to start judging Daniel because he lived in a community house, she honestly didn't care where he lived because he was her friend and she enjoyed him company.

"I also live in a community house." Dean added in from the back of the car as Alena turned in her seat so that she could smile at him, letting him know that she didn't care.

"Together?" Lucy asked, while Alena bit into her lower to lip to keep herself from laughing. Alena didn't have to be a genius to know that Daniel and Dean didn't live together, they had hated each other's guts until recently and she knew from rumours that they lived in different houses even though she wasn't one to normally listen to rumours that one she knew was true.

"No," Dean laughed as he shook his head at Lucy who seemed a little embarrassed as Alena laughed and turned back around in her seat to see that they were pulling up outside a house surrounded by forests. Alena felt her mouth pop open as she gaped at the house in front of her, she didn't know what she had been expecting but it certainly wasn't the mansion she was looking at now with its grey brick work and a number of floors while it was decorated with windows. The house itself seemed to radiate warmth as well as a homey feeling that welcomed her as she exited the car that had come to a halt.

"This is cool." Lucy said in awe as Alena nodded her head in agreement.

"If you two would like to close your mouths and come inside." Daniel's laughed as he appeared at Alena's side she stuck her tongue out at him like a child but followed him up the stairs and through the double doors. Inside was just as nice as the outside Alena noticed as she was instantly warmed with the hot air inside as the door was closed.

"Can I take your coat and bag?" Daniel asked as he held out his hands for them, Alena raised her eyebrow but said nothing as she shrugged out of her coat and scarf before passing them to Daniel along with her bag, she looked at Lucy to see that she was giving her stuff to Dean.

"Why thank you good Sir." She teased as he hung her coat and scarf over the banister before dropped her bag on the floor to the side and out of the way.

"You're welcome M'lady." He grinned as began to walked slowly down a long corridor, Alena looked at Lucy and Dean unsure of what to do to see the following after him. She didn't think much of it as she followed after them, looking at all the picture of different people on the wall as she went before stepping into what looked like the kitchen.

Alena couldn't stop herself from wondering whether she would see Samuel or not, she knew he was busy with work as he had said on Wednesday and even though it had only been a full day since she had last seen him she still felt empty and a little cold with out by her side. She also knew that seeing him would back the responsibilities on her shoulders seem more bearable than they did now, although she hadn't given up completely she was feeling her hope slowly disappear and seeing Samuel would give her that extra lift of hope. Even if Alena didn't see Samuel tonight she was seeing him tomorrow and the thought alone filled her with excitement and nerves. The feelings she got when she was around him were unexplainable and often left her confused but Alena didn't mind much, she didn't even care that there was an age gap between them, although she did care that the little voice in the back of her head would point out all her insecurities and tell her that it was too good to be true, that he was too good to be true and would soon get bored when he saw how inexperience she was and how immature she could be. But Alena was just going to deal with the heartache later that was sure to come and just enjoy the company Samuel offered her now.

"Would you like a drink or anything?" Daniel asked not waiting to hear any sort of reply from anyone as he began to pull out bags of crisps from the cupboard as well as sweets and chocolate, Alena was surprised to see how much food Daniel was pulling out of the cupboard and pilling it up in the middle of the kitchen.

"Surely you're not going to eat all that?" She asked as she stood with Lucy at the door while Dean began to look in the cupboards himself.

"I'll have you guys to help me but I'm a growing boy and need my food." Daniel smiled widely as he handed Alena an arm full of cans of fizzy drink before doing the same to Lucy.

"You're fat." Lucy stated bluntly as laughed filled the entire room while Alena giggled to herself at her best friend who didn't seem at all embarrassed about insulting him.

"Am I?" Daniel asked with a hint of arrogance to his tone as he pulled up his shirt to reveal his flat, toned stomach that had Alena blushing and looking away whilst Lucy openly starred.

"What's going on in here?" A deep voice sounded behind Alena causing her to jump and step closer to Dean that seemed to be at her side within seconds, she was happy that when she jumped she hadn't let go off all the cans in her hands and made a mess of the kitchen. Alena couldn't explain it but she felt safe with Dean, just like she felt safe with Daniel as if they wouldn't hurt her, couldn't hurt her and would protect her from anything, she put it down to the fact that her emotions and thoughts had gone a little crazy over the past few days.

"Dad, do you always have to scare my friends?" Daniel asked as Alena looked to see him starring at the door way. She didn't know how she ended up behind Dean's back but she had as she poked her head around to see that an older version of both Daniel and Samuel stood in the door way with an amused grin on his face, he seemed to radiate power and demand respected as she folded his arms across his chest, his eyes searching the room before they landed on Alena.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you guys." He said, as he stepped further into the room. "What are you kids doing?"

"We're watching movies for the rest of the night and were just getting some snacks." Daniel told his dad.

"Cool," He said, Alena wanted to laugh at how the word cool seemed so strange coming from the big man. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?"

"No," Daniel said with a grin before making his way around the island in the middle of the kitchen with his hands full of food before he stopped next to Lucy. "This is Lucy,"

"It's nice to be you." Lucy said politely flashing him her award winning smile that instantly made Daniel's dad grin.

"You know Dean." Daniel said as he nodded to Dean who nodded back at Daniel's dad. Daniel made his way over to Alena and gently nudged her so that she stepped to the side and out from around Dean's back.

"It's good to see you again." Dean smiled.

"You to Dean." Daniel's dad smiled politely.

"And this is Alena." Daniel introduced her as she smiled shyly at the big man that seemed to have walked closer since entering the room; he starred at Alena with curiosity but his eyes and face softened as she spoke.

"It's nice to meet you Sir." She muttered shyly. She wasn't a social butterfly and she really wanted Daniel's and Samuel's dad and parents to like her for some strange reason.

"Call me Frank," He beamed at her and Alena found herself to beaming at the large man as she smiled her two dimpled smile. "It's nice to meet you also, I've heard a lot about you and your friend." He said making Alena blush as she looked at Lucy who was grinning happily from Dean's other side.

"All good things, I hope." Lucy added while she mocked glared at both Daniel and Dean who sent her sloppy grins.

"All good things," Frank assured her with a sloppy grin of his own that was identical to Daniels. "Now you kids go have fun before Marie comes down here and sees that you've taken all her food." Frank smiled as he ushered them out the kitchen, both Alena and Lucy sent Frank a charming smile over the shoulders before following after Daniel as he lead them through a number of corridors.

"Who's Marie?" Lucy whispered to Alena who shrugged her shoulders in response.

"My mum. She's very proud of her kitchen and always likes to have the cupboards and fridges stocked with food." Daniel said as he opened a door and turned the light switch on with his shoulder to reveal that they were in a huge living room with sofa's surrounding a huge TV that hung on the wall.

"Now, this is cool." Lucy whistled as she set the can on the table in the middle of all the sofas before helping Alena set all the cans she carried now.

"Take a seat, any movies you want to watch?" Daniel as Alena sat in the middle of the sofa whilst Lucy sat next to her.

"Just one that's not scary." Lucy said as Alena brought her knees up and sank lower in to the sofa.

"Got it." Daniel smiled triumphantly as he put the DVD in the player and walked to the door to shut it and turn of the lights. Dean came and sat beside Alena who smile happily at him before turning to face the screen as the film began to start.

"I bet it's scary." Lucy murmured.

"Guys be quiet, I'm trying to watch this." Daniel hissed as he squeezed himself between Alena and Lucy who moved to allow him more room. The three laughed quietly before settling down into comfortable positions to watch the film.

Alena yawned before blinking rapidly whilst a groan escaped her lips. They had just finished watching another movie and eating sweets and pizza, Alena felt so full that she wasn't sure if she could stand and walk without waddling like a duck. She noticed that no one had gotten up from the sofa to turn the lights on as she leaned her head back so that whoever it was wasn't being blocked for her view to see that Samuel stood in the doorway as small frown that disappeared as soon as he saw her.

"Hey Sam." Daniel yawned as he stood from the sofa with stretch; Alena looked over to see that Lucy had fallen asleep where she leant against the side of the sofa.

"I think me and Luce should get going." Alena announced but frowned when she realised that she didn't know how her and Lucy were going to get back to her house, her parents had gone out and Daniel had driven them here.

"I'll drive you guys, I've got to take Dean home anyway." Daniel said as he leant down to pick up Lucy who stirred a little but remained asleep.

"I don't want to be any trouble." She frowned as she stood from the sofa and began to collect all the rubbish up from around the sofa and table.

"You won't be any trouble." Daniel smiled as she looked over the shoulder to see that he and Dean had just ducked out the room leaving her alone with Samuel who was watching her closely as she continued to tidy up.

"You don't need to do that. Come on let's get your stuff." Samuel said causing Alena to shiver as he appeared at her side and took her hand in his with a soft smile on his face as he began to lead her out of the room. Alena felt completely at ease in his presence, she wasn't worried about what would happened in the future and she was content with just having his large hand wrapped around hers. She was filled with new hope as he stopped at the banister and helped her slip in to her coat before wrapping the scarf around her neck. Alena felt as gasp escape her lips as he tugged at the end and pulled her against his chest, towering over her as he large hands clamped themselves on her hips. Alena's body felt hotter as she swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat as she looked up wide eyes to be meet by those two pools of chocolate that haunted her dreams.

"I heard you meet my dad?" Samuel grinned over his shoulder as if he knew something she didn't.

"He's very nice," Alena said shyly. "And tall." She mumbled as she heard and felt Samuel shake with laughter while she blushed we she realised that she had heard him.

"He likes you." He said. Alena felt happy that Frank liked her,.

"I like him to," She smiled.

"Are you feeling better?" He asked sounding concern as his eyes scanned over every inch of her face.

"Yes thank you." She smiled softly.

"Good," He genuinely sounded relieved that she was okay. "Are we still on tomorrow?"

"Yep." She said popping the p as she beamed up at him, showing her two dimples as excited raced through her veins and butterflies gathered in her stomach.

Alena's lips parted as she felt him press his lips to both of her cheeks, exactly where her dimples were as her cheeks tingled from his lips, they were as soft as she remembered from the other night as her fluttered against her chest while she blushed from the sudden attention he was giving her. She hadn't lost hope that she would do the right thing, she know knew that she would try with everything she had to do the right thing so that she could feel Samuel's soft lips against her skin.