I didn't wake up until noon the next day, none of us did. It was only when the bright sun became unbearable that I opened my eyes and flew a couple of well-deserved curses at the flimsy blinds. I snuggled back against Nick, who sighed in his sleep and pulled me harder against him. I wanted to go back to sleep... I really did. Nick was warm and I was beyond comfortable, but the sun just wouldn't allow it. So I groaned in annoyance and pulled myself up.

Chris was still asleep on the couch, a blanked over him. I think I'd given him that. With a yawn and his own groan of annoyance, Nick sat up and grimaced at the sun. Then he turned to me and grinned. I couldn't help but grin back. His black hair was up in tufts and his warm chocolate eyes were shinny with sleep.

"Good night?" he asked, forcing himself up.

"Yup," I wrapped my arms around his neck as he came closer. "No dreams."

"Good," he murmured, then kissed me.

Wow was it a kiss. We were both warm and soft with sleep and the kiss was the sweetest thing I'd ever experienced. I just melted against him, like molten honey. I don't think that we ever would have stopped if Chris hadn't woken up and yawned loudly.

I jumped and Nick let me go. Neither of us could stop laughing at the fear on each other's faces for a good twenty minutes after that.

"You're not going," I snapped, for the third time.

"Well you're not going," Nick sighed, sitting back down on the bed.

"Someone has to go," I crossed my arms. "We can't just sit here in this room and starve."

"Go where?" Chris asked, coming out of the bathroom in a pair of jeans with a towel around his shoulders.

"To buy food," I sighed. "We have to stock up before we hit the road again."

"I'll go," Chris said. "I have to go to a dealer somewhere to pick up a new bike anyways."

"Chris," I looked up at him. "There won't be a car dealership around here anywhere around here... we have to get off a highway. It's just a ten minute drive from here to San Diego."

"How big is your car?" Chris asked, pulling on one of Nick's t-shirts. It was too small for him, so were the jeans in fact because Nick's lean and Chris' bulky... but Chris's clothes were tattered and sweaty and just plain ew.

"It's... biggish," I said. "It's no limo or hummer, but I think you'd be okay for ten minutes."

"If not I can always run into town and meet you," Chris shrugged.

"It's broad daylight," Nick shook his head. "And there aren't any natural wolves in California. You'd stand out too much."

"If I can't stand the car for ten minutes we don't have a choice," Chris said calmly, slouching down onto the couch.

Chris, being a wolf, couldn't stand enclosed spaces, they drove him nuts. It was like putting wolves in a pitfall, they'd turn against each other and Nick and I didn't want to be turned against. I tried to think of a way out of this, but nothing came to mind. If Chris couldn't stay in the car until we got to the city then he would have to walk, we couldn't risk a black wolf running around, and we'd lose a lot of time.

"Well I'll get the food," Chris stood up again. "I'll look at your car on the way and tell you what I think when I get back."

"Okay," Nick nodded. "It's the blue Ford closest to the room."

Chris nodded and left. Nick and I looked at each other, then I walked over and threw my arms around his neck.

"I don't want you to do this," he murmured, holding me.

"I don't want to do it either," I laughed, trying not to cry.

"I know," he pressed his face into my hair. "But it's for them."

"Yeah," I murmured. "Matt, Ray and Justin."

"It'll work," Chris announced as he burst back into the room twenty minutes later. "I can put up with that car for ten minutes."

"Good," I smiled. Nick and I were on the couch, me on his lap as we watched TV.

"We should get going," Nick said, picking me up bridal style as he stood, then calmly placing me back on the couch.

I laughed and stood up. "Yeah, Chris what food did you get?"

"Cold cuts, bread, cheese, water, chocolate, chips, starburst, instant coffee... the essentials really," he grinned, holding up two bags.

"Okay," Nick nodded, grabbing the keys. "Let's get out of here before someone comes telling us we've been in the room too long."

So we took off. Chris lay down in the back, eyes closed and concentrated on not being closed in. Nick drove as fast as physically possible without killing anyone or getting us arrested. We didn't have time to be arrested.

It took thirteen minutes before we got to the exit for San Diego and I knew Chris was counting the seconds. He could just about put up with a Limo, but he really hated cars. Planes were out of the question because he'd be trapped in it for hours, no matter how big, so we weren't planning on leaving the country anymore.

"Where are we going to go?" I asked as Nick started driving around, looking for motorcycle dealerships.

"I'm thinking New York," Nick said. "So many people that they wouldn't try a full scale attack."

"You want to drive to New York?" I asked in disbelief.

"No," he laughed. "I want to fly to New York."

"But Chris-"

"It's alright Vi," Chris cut me off. "I can drive and meet you guys. Will there be any creatures from down-stairs after me?"

"No," I shook my head. "Ryder doesn't think like that. He's got three hostages, he doesn't need anymore. He knows that if anyone kills you now I'd see him as a fraud and I'd have enough leverage to get out of the full oath."

"Then I'll be fine driving," Chris grinned as we stopped. "Besides, I like riding around the country like a badass."

I laughed as we all got out of the car.

Chris instantly went around, examining every bike. Soon a sales guy came out and asked to be of assistance. Chris promptly ignored him, completely engrossed with finding the perfect bike. The sales guy looked to us for help.

"Sorry," I smiled. "Give him a minute, he's definitely going to guy one."

"I see," the guy smiled weakly.

Ten minutes later Chris picked one out and went inside to sign papers. Nick and I leant against the car.

"So are we going to the airport to grab the next plane to New York?" I asked.

"That's the plan," Nick nodded.

"What are we going to do with the car?" I asked.

"Just leave it," he shrugged. "It's a rental, but since we gave them false info we won't get charged."

"Okay," I nodded.

"Got it!" Chris beamed, coming out of the building.

"Good," I grinned back. "Let's get going."

We drove over to the airport and put all of food in the storage thing on the back of Chris' bike. I looked up at him with a sad smile.

"See you soon?" I made it a question.

"Yup," he beamed, sweeping me up in a bear hug. "Wow, you're smaller."

"Yup," I laughed. "I'll try to find another body in New York."

"Preferably a red head," he put me down. "Just to have some similarity."

"Yeah," I nodded still smiling.

"Be safe Vi," he said turning very serious.

"I will," I promised. "You too. No detours, call us every day."

"I will," he smiled, then turned to Nick. "Take care of her."

"I will," Nick added his promise to the mix. "Take care of yourself."

"Always do," Chris laughed, then jumped on his bike. "I may pause in Vegas, but I'll meet you two in New York soon."

"Just don't take your sweet time," I laughed.

"I solemnly swear that I'll be up to no good," he grinned.

"Get outta here," I laughed.

"On my way," he started up the bike. "See ya soon."

"Bye," I waved him off as he sped away.

"He'll be okay," Nick said, putting an arm around my shoulders.

"I know," I nodded, convincing myself that it was true.

I really didn't believe that anyone from hell would do anything to him, I was being serious about being able to get out of the oath if that happened and Ryder would never risk it. Unfortunately there were a whole bunch of other things that could happen to a lone wolf riding across state. If he got too close to unfriendly were-packs or vampire seethens then things could go badly. I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down.  Chris would be fine. He was a part of an elite taskforce for the supernatural, he could handle himself.

"Let's go catch a plane," Nick smiled, keeping the arm around my shoulders as he propelled me into the airport.