A/N: I'd like to start this story off by saying a few things. Firstly, yes, I am back on FFnet. Second, I also deleted all of my previous work, and for that I am sorry. For me, it was to purge some bad memories that seemed to be linked to each story, as well as some bad people that I didn't need affecting me any longer. It was also an opportunity to redefine my writing style. I will not be rewriting any of my old works. I'm sorry if that, or the way I've changed my writing since then, will bother any of you, but in my opinion, it was a necessary thing. And so, on with the story!

Warning: Femmeslash, G/G sex. Don't like it, don't read. It's that simple guys. Also, some characters may be a bit OOC, I apologize in advance if they are.

Disclaimer: I do not claim rights to any characters, plot lines or themes from the original book/movie. All of the above belong to the amazing author, Pittacus Lore. I do however reserve the right to claim any OC's, and the made up smutty gay romance that will follow this disclaimer. And my stuffed penguin named Techno. :P

John once told me that Loriens only love one person, ever. At the time, we were both under the impression that I was the one for him.

Two Months Ago

It had been two years since John, Sam, and Six left to find the other numbers, and Sam's father. I was working on a wedding job taking pictures of the happy new bride and groom, who turned out to be fellow classmates from high school, when I got the call. They were coming back. They had found 5,7,8, and 9, and were heading back to Paradise. John's voice was strained over the phone, and I could only guess it was because the fight still wasn't over. Sure, the numbers were a united force now, but the battle against the Mogadorians still loomed on the horizon. At the end of the call, I said that I loved him. The only answer was a dial tone.

Three days after the first call I waited anxiously at the coffee shop near my old high school. John had phoned earlier that day and requested we meet there. I agreed, thinking it would be better than my house – god knows how my parents would feel about John, Sam, and five strangers showing up for a visit. I watched as Six pulled up in front of the café first, the sleek red Ducati's engine revving once before dying out smoothly. Directly behind her was a black SUV. The four new numbers plus Sam and John's dog, Bernie, required more room than the old beat up blue pick-up would've provided, and so they had switched to a family car. I watched as four alert, cautious strangers stepped out of the vehicle, three male, one female. They were quickly followed by Sam, and then John himself. Funny, I thought. Isn't this is the part where our eyes meet from across the café and we realize how much we missed each other? Yet all I could think about was the sense of foreboding that welled up inside me when he got out of the vehicle. I knew something was wrong when his eyes did reach mine; just as he took the hand of the other female Lorien in their group. I don't know how, but I knew then what was about to happen.

I felt like I was going to be sick just seeing that one action. I pushed my cappuccino away, no longer interested in the drink. It took all of my self-control not to run for the back door and never look back. I pretended to look for something in my purse as they entered the small café, all the air seeming to slip out the door with their arrival. God this was going to be painful.

To my relief, John wasn't the first to reach the table, but Six. She took the seat next to mine as the rest sat down or found chairs to crowd the table. "Hey," she said lowly, gaining my attention. I was desperate for anything to look at other than him.

"Hey yourself!" I said, forcing a smile and pretending everything was ok. Too bad she was sharper than the average numerically moniker-ed alien. She gave me a look that said she understood, and I was surprised when she gripped my hand under the table. Nice to have a friend here with me I guess... Even if I don't know her very well, I thought. John and the other girl sat directly across from us. I forced myself to look up, and he gave me an awkward smile.

"Hi." He said, and with his simple greeting, I found myself getting overwhelmingly angry for some reason. Six chose that moment to interrupt, garnering the attention of everyone else.

"Hey, you guys want anything? I'm buying!" All of the numbers and Sam followed her, including the girl. Leaving me alone with John to start what would probably be a very interesting talk.

So much for a friend, traitor.

As if reading my mind, she looked back at me from where she stood at the counter. Something in her eyes calmed me a little, and I found the strength to look back at John.

"So I'll just get this out of the way, and assume your going to tell me that she's your one, and your sorry you were wrong about us, right?" I looked him dead in the eye as I took a sip of my now-cold cappuccino. All I could taste was ash.

He at least had the decency to look ashamed, which only served to make me feel guilty. Yes, he was going to break up with me. That didn't give me a right to be cruel.

"I am sorry, Sarah. I never thought for a moment that you weren't the one until we found her. It was beyond anything I'd ever felt..." He looked over at her, and I felt my stomach twist painfully at the look in his eyes. He loved her. He was in love with her. He had never looked at me like that. I sighed, a hitch in the breath I let out bringing his attention back to me, regret immediately replacing the love that had been shining in his eyes seconds before.

"Don't be sorry," I said, taking his hand in both of mine. "I'm glad you found her. You'll be happy now, and she can understand you better than I ever could. That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt," I saw him flinch at this, looking down at the napkin in front of him.

"But I understand. Like you said; Lorien's only love one person, ever."

He looked up at me, and I smiled softly at him. Just because I was hurting, didn't mean he had to. I would reassure him today, play the part of the good friend I hoped I could be for him, and go home to nurse my broken heart in the privacy of my own room.

"So, who is she? Does she have a name?" I smirked. He cracked a small smile, and I mentally patted myself on the back. He glanced up at her again as he started to speak, and I listened to him describe the girl who had replaced me, smiling the whole time. Her name was Loren to everyone who knew her – this time, of course – but she was number eight before he met her. Loren, how original. Add a letter and it'd pretty much be giving their secret away to any suspicious conspiracy nut or Mogadorian who crossed her path, I thought somewhat cynically as he proceeded to talk about how amazing she was.

Thankfully, the rest of the group chose that moment to walk up, and the conversation was redirected to introductions. Number five was a tall, scrawny boy named Ethan. His short black hair, green eyes and feline features made him look feral, and I desperately wished I had my camera in that moment. He looked so different from John and Six, but he was still gorgeous. All of them were beautiful, in fact; I assumed it was just an alien thing. Six I already knew, but she made us all laugh when she leaned in and said "Hey, I'm Six, I'm the awesome one."

Seven was shorter than the rest, but obviously the same age as the rest of them. His name was Kieran. He had pale, almost white hair and deep brown eyes that seemed to look into my very soul. His stare made me shiver.

Eight was a tall, reed-thin girl with blue eyes and dyed black hair with deep burgundy roots. She was soft spoken, but there was a fierce look in her eyes, that said she'd gone through a lot. She was so much prettier than me, and I felt a bit envious, knowing I could never compete with her if I tried. She was gorgeous, and she was Lorien like John. She was perfect for him. Six grabbed my hand under the table again. I was still surprised by the contact; she seemed to be the kind of person who wasn't really into physical contact, even in a comforting gesture. I glanced up at her; she really seemed to be reading my mind today, as she gave me a look that seemed to say everything would turn out ok. Even from someone I barely knew, the implied reassurance helped.

Nine was the youngest, a boy around 15 named Nathan with black hair like Ethan's. He was adorably shy and blushed when he introduced himself to me. It made my heart ache – a boy like him didn't deserve to be going through what he was; none of them did. Life could be so unfair.

We all made small talk for an hour or two, Six thankfully gaining much of the spotlight with her faux vanity, as well as being kind enough to buy me at least two more cappuccino's, as well as refills for anyone who wanted one. It had been around four when they arrived, so by the time conversation began to dwindle it was just about closing time at the café (7p.m.) and they had to leave and rent a hotel in the next town over anyway.

I saw them outside as the employees closed up shop behind us, and thought about what I had to look forward to when I got home – dinner with my family, all talking about their individual work or school days, as I sat there and pretended to listen. Don't get me wrong, I loved my family, but I would have a hard time participating in their happy conversation after the events of today. As I was mulling over this fact, Six pulled John aside and started speaking to him in a low voice. I couldn't make out their voices, but whatever it was they were talking about, he didn't seem too enthusiastic about it at first. I turned away, saying how nice it was to meet each of the newcomers, and how it was great to see Sam again, but I had to be leaving now. Before I got a chance to escape, Six grabbed my shoulder and spun me around.

"Hey where you going camera girl? I wanted to ask you a favor." She smiled at me. I looked behind her at the others who were all piling into the SUV and conveniently looking away. "Yes?" I asked warily, wondering why it was they all seemed to be pointedly avoiding any eye contact with me, even Sam.

"Well, I was wondering if it'd be ok to crash at yours tonight? You could tell your parents I'm some friend from high school or something. Honestly," She added in a low whisper, "I just don't want to share a room with three boys while four, eight and the dog get one all to themselves." She grinned, and I didn't flinch when I realized what she'd said.

"Uhm, I guess yea. I don't mind."

With that she gave John a thumb's up and began pulling me towards her bike as the SUV sped out of the lot.

"Didn't come in a car did you? No? Good. This baby goes faster than most of them anyway, and I'm ready to hit the hay, so lets go." She didn't even pause in what she was saying to make sure I hadn't driven here, which I hadn't, but I was still nervous about getting on the bike.

"Or I could just walk... It's not that far," I stated nervously, and blushed when she gave me a mocking look.

"You are going to get on the bike. It won't kill you, I've even got a helmet for you if you want." She teased. I sighed and climbed onto the back of the slim bike, taking the proffered helmet and securing it tightly on my head as she revved the engine to life. Sending up a silent prayer that we made it to my house in one piece, I wrapped my arms around her waist and settled in for the ride. I didn't fail to notice a small shiver run through her body before she sent the bike rocketing down the street, but assumed it was from the chilly late August weather.

A/N: Alright! Getting back into the writing thing slowly, so there's the first chapter of my *first* story. It's going to (hopefully) be an ongoing thing for a while, maybe a dozen chapters at most I think. As of now, this is my first multi-chapter fic, not counting previous failed projects, so we'll see how it goes. Please review! Con-crit is absolutely welcome. No flames please. Thanks guys, love ya!

~TattooTanith