Declan's parent's house was on the other side of town, so it took nearly an hour to get there. Once there Dex lifted the ground to put them up to what should be Declan's bed room. They pushed on the window and it popped open, they climbed in and instantly Dex could feel the sadness left in that room by Declan. Her bed was built into the window almost like a window seat, the walls were a golden honey color with exposed dark stained wood. Her desk and book shelves were the same dark stained wood. He walked over to her desk, above it was a cork board with photos of her and Owen, a family photo and a few of Declan as a little girl with another little girl with light brown hair. He grabbed the pictures and looked around for anything that might make Declan feel a little easier at their house. They walked out of her room and checked her parents room and her sister's room, everything looked clear, they did a quick check downstairs and didn't see any sign that Sawyer had been there. They headed back to Declan's room, they were about to head out the window when they saw a car drive up the driveway with the lights off. They turned the lights off in the room and watched the car, it stopped outside the front door. They couldn't exactly make out who it was but they walked up to the door and it appeared they saw the cameras and left, "That looked like a woman," Aiden whispered. "Yeah, coulda just been human," Dex said knowing it wasn't. Aiden frowned at him, "Let's go," Aiden told him. They jumped on the pillar Dex had created to get them in and he lowered it to get them out, they got back in the car and headed home.
Dex hurried down the stairs to the training room, "Declan," Dex called happily. "Shh," Ally hushed from the spare room. He walked in Declan was laying on the bed asleep with a book, "Was there anything?" Ally asked. Dex shook his head, "Don't wake her, she's had too much happen," Ally told him, before heading upstairs. Dex covered Declan up and grabbed a blanket to lay in the chair with the ottoman under his feet, it wasn't comfortable, but he didn't want to leave her down there alone.
Declan woke up from the sunlight hitting her eyes from the window high on the wall, she rubbed her eyes and sat up. She forgot she had fallen asleep downstairs reading, she looked around but Ally must've went to bed. She rolled over to see a note left on the bed, "Decs, I had a meeting early this morning, I'll be back by 9:30 to take you to the coffee shop, Love Dex," it read. She looked at the clock next to the bed, it was eight thirty, she need to get cleaned up. Declan walked to the door to the upstairs just as Ally was coming down, "Thought you might want some breakfast, and since Dex is gone, figured I'd bring it to you," Ally said. "Thank you," Declan replied. They went to the spare room, Ally set the tray on the ottoman, Declan picked up the clear glass mug and took a sip of the latte. It was delicious and warm and made Declan feel cozy, there was fresh fruit in a bowl and a ham and cheese omelet. Declan's mouth watered, she hadn't realized how tired and hungry she was, "Were my parents ok?" She asked. "They were, and Dex brought some photos and things from your room to make you feel more at home," Ally added. Declan smiled at how thoughtful he was, "There's a full bathroom down here, you can shower and I'll have Pete bring your suitcase down so you can change," Ally assured her. "Thank you," Declan said stuffing her face. "I've got to get to work, I'll see you this evening," Ally told her and headed out. Declan finished her breakfast, while Pete brought down her suitcase. She found the shower and tried not to play in the water but couldn't help herself, turning the droplets into diamonds of ice and flinging them to the wall of the shower as they broke. "Declan," Dex's deep voice called from the bedroom, "I'll be out in a minute," she replied. Dex looked at his watch it was nine thirty five, she must've been playing in there again. Declan dried off and got dressed in a pair of skinny jeans, a t-shirt with white fleece tunic over it, she blow dried her hair and pulled the top half back into a clip. She walked out to the bedroom to see Dex sitting on the bed staring at his watch, "It's fine," she told him as she wrapped a maroon blanket scarf around her neck. "He's your friend," Dex shrugged. Declan rolled her eyes and put on a pair of black booties and a black puff vest, "Let's go," she said grabbing her purse.
Declan couldn't hid the fact that she was nervous about the meeting with Owen, Dex reach over and squeezed her hand. The pull on her heart was getting stronger, she laced her fingers in his and squeezed, he glanced over and smiled. The more time she spent close to him the more her memories came back, she couldn't deny that, as strange as it felt to the human side of her the other side was screaming for more. They pulled up outside the coffee shop, Dex got out and opened the door, "I'll be in the store next door," Dex told her. "You're not coming with me?" she asked a little frantic. He smiled, "Come find me when you're ready," he said and place a gentle kiss on her forehead before walking off.
Dex walked into the shop where Kelsey worked, "Hey handsome, I'll forgive you standing me up last night if you promise an amazing night tonight," she winked. "Kelsey, I'm sorry, I can't see you anymore," Dex told her, he was a little surprised the words rolled out as easily as they did. There was a pause, "You found her, the real her," Kelsey replied. Dex nodded, "It was nice while it lasted," she said and took a deep breath and headed back to the register. "Kelsey," Dex called. "Just go," she told him and went on with a customer who walked in. Dex walked out and headed to the store next to the coffee shop, which was a tailors shop where he and Aiden had often gotten suits. That was how he met Kelsey, while Aiden was getting fitted he had walked to the bakery she was working in. Dex felt awful but he couldn't deny the pull of the bond he was already feel towards Declyn.
Declan walked into the coffee shop more nervous than she had ever been, she saw Owen sitting at a booth. She walked over and sat down, "Hey," he said as if he could breath a sigh of relief. "Hi," she replied. "I ordered you a latte, I know it's your favorite," he told her. "Thanks," she smiled. It wasn't long before a dark haired girl who appeared to be around their age brought their drinks over, giving Declan a glare. Declan brushed it off, "So you're free right?" Owen asked. "Not exactly," Declan answered. "Come on Declan, you can't go back there," he argued with a flash of anger. People in the coffee shop stared, "Owen, calm down," she hushed him. "Why aren't you drinking your coffee?" He asked. Declan furrowed her brow, there was something weird going on, "Owen, I'm gonna go. Thanks for the coffee," she replied getting up. Owen grabbed her arm, "Sit down," he seethed. "Owen, people are staring at us, she warned. He looked around and let go, she walked out tossing the coffee in the garbage. She headed to the store next door, but Owen was right behind her, she couldn't stop. She kept walking and looking inside the store catching Dex's eyes, he watched as she walked by and when he saw Owen he knew something was wrong. "Excuse me," Dex told the sales man and walked out behind Owen. Declan walked down a side street and Owen followed he was too close for her to try and ditch, once out of sight of the Main Street, Owen reached for her and Dex reached for Owen. Owen whipped Declan around but Dex couldn't reach Owen, something stopped him, it was a gel like glass, he could see them and push on it but couldn't get through. He looked around to see where the block was coming from, there on the roof was Kelsey, the girl he had broken up with because she wasn't Declan. He looked back to check on Declan but she had broken free of Owen's hold and was running, Dex tried to help her by raising the ground she was standing on so she could get up on the roof and away from Owen. Dex raised the ground he was on to confront Kelsey, "What are you doing?" He asked. "His instructions were clear, you two can't be together," she spat at him. "Don't make me do this Kelsey," he called. "Then don't, join our side," she urged flinging herself against his body. "No," he yelled and pushed her to the ground. Declan had seen Dex arguing with a brunette, who looked like the girl from the coffee place. Declan started trying to throw ice at her, but the ice was shattering against something, but she couldn't see what it was, suddenly Owen leaped on to the roof, "Owen, what are you doing?" Declan yelled. "You belong with me," Owen called back. "You are my best friend," she cried. "I know and it still didn't work," he replied. His voice and demeanor was cold and Declan wasn't sure what he was going to do. He started walking towards her, she backed up as far as she could, but when she hit the edge of the roof and he was coming closer she wasn't sure what to do. She crossed her arms and pushed a wave over him, but he kept coming, she created a storm as fast as she could and tried to strike him with lightening, but he grab it and threw it back at her, knocking her back. "DECLAN!" Dex roared as she fell back. Declan's eyes widened as she scrambled for something to grab on to, when suddenly Owen hand grabbed her. "Owen please," she begged. "Yes oh powerful water angel beg me," his voice suddenly deep and distorted. Thats when it hit her, she grab his arm with the other hand and began praying, "What are you doing," his voice was quick and sharp. She continued to murmur a fervent prayer, soon her hand grew hot, she held on tight against the heat. It was almost unbearable but she kept going and soon he burst into flames shrieking as he turned to ash. Declan grabbed the edge of the roof and held on, though she felt her energy spent and emotions pouring from her eyes. Kelsey's eye were huge when she saw what happened to Owen, she ran in fear taking the blocks with her. Dex ran to Declan and pulled her up to the roof, she fell into him sobbing, like she was in pain, and she was. She had just killed her best friend who had stood by her when her family blamed her for all the wrong doing. Dex wrapped his arms around her, "Declan he's not gone," he whispered. She looked up into Dex's eyes, "I saw," she began. He interrupted her, "You saw the demon die, not Owen," Dex explained. Declan wasn't sure what to think, Dex whipped her eyes and took her hand, he lowered them back to the street and walked her to the coffee shop. There in the booth sat Owen, she wanted to run to him, but Dex stopped her, "He won't remember you," Dex told her. It pained him to say it but it was true, her memories with him were that of the demon, not actually Owen. Soon a blonde girl Declan knew from their macroeconomics class walked in, Owen stood and they hugged. She sat in the booth next to him, his arm around her, Declan lowered her head. "Come on, let's get some lunch," Dex suggested. The went down a few blocks to a ramen shop, they ordered and Declan just sat there. She was glad her friend was alive, but he was never going to remember her or how much he meant to her. Dex could feel her sadness, he didn't want to say anything to make it worse so he sat there holding her hand across the table. She was grieving the loss of a friendship she thought was there, never mind it was a demon for who knows how long. Their food came and they ate, the hot ramen seemed to sooth Declan's soul, it was like a warm blanket wrapping her up on a cold winter day. She felt a little replenished and ready to just head home.
Dex paid and they went back to the Dex's black on black Ford Explorer and headed home. Declan reflected on the ride home, knowing she needed to be happy for him, she helped Owen by getting rid of the demon and now he could live his life without waiting for her. He had always waited for her it seemed. Her mother warned her and told her it wasn't natural that he had chosen the same major, at the same college, turning down his parent's alma mature, just to be with Declan. Owen had been there to stick up for her when her sister Darby's friend made fun of her. He was there to dance with her when she wasn't allowed to go to prom, but Darby was. She knew it was just a demon trying to keep her from Dexter, but her heart was still breaking for the loss of the friendship. Dex reach over and grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it, the touch of his lips sent a shock wave down threw her. She smiled, he was trying to help and he was, she would always feel sad and feel the loss of her friend, but she had a lot to figure out as well. Declan laced her fingers in Dex's to show she appreciated him being there, she watched the snowy scenery go by as he drove the rest of the way home. Dex couldn't stand the distance, as she retreated into herself. She had done well and she needed to see that and be proud of herself, but all she could see was the loss of her friend. The demon had wormed it's way into her heart and she had cared for him as though he was a person, but Declan couldn't see it that way. Dex needed to figure out how to help her get the rest of her memories back, so they could solidify the bond between them.