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| CHAPTER 19 |
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| REBECCA |
Some people found God sitting in a church on Sundays or kneeling at the side of their beds before they turned out the lights at night but the closest Rebecca ever got to the Christian version came when Alcide Herveaux was between her legs. Crude? Totally inappropriate? Maybe so but that didn't make it any less true. As someone who has crossed and seen the white light that everyone speaks of and has had more than her share of conversations with people "in heaven" she had first account knowledge and could say with complete certainty that sex with Alcide was as close to heaven or earth as any one person could ever dream of getting. This particular mornings pleasure was payback for Rebecca not rebuffing a half drunken Alcide's booty call the night before. He'd gone out with the crew after work and was supposed to spend the night in his own bed instead after what she gathered was a rockus round of shit talk between him and the boys he had decided he had to have her and had showed up at Belle Vita at three in the morning. Rebecca had been halfway down the stairs when he'd opened the door and one peak into his head told her she was in trouble. Her first instinct was to run and try to gain some sort of leverage but she hadn't made it back up the stairs before he was on her. She had quite enjoyed the roughness of their tumble. She'd laughed and pretended to fight back when he pinned her against the wall and began pulling and pushing her in ways he'd been afraid to until that moment. She'd been longing for him to free the animalistic side of himself when they were together but she couldn't help but hope that he wouldn't need to be drunk in order to bring that side of him out to play. They were still new and so much had already happened between them so she held out hope that eventually he wouldn't worry so damned much about hurting her and do to her anything his natures wanted him to. That though was going to take time cause when the light began to crawl into the window that morning he had awoken feeling guilty ( but no less horny) and so she had let him make the moves on her again. This time slowly and gently he worked his own brand of magic. Every moment was meant to please her and repent for the previous nights sins. She didn't need him to confess or ask for forgiveness but she had no problem accepting his penance. She found two hand holds in the headboard and grabbed on for dear life. Her body had a thin coat of sweat breaking out all over and she was sure her face was as red as a beet. Her heart thumped hard against her chest and she shook her head over and over murmuring sexual laced obscenities under her breath. She raised her hips trying in vein to worm out of his grasp. Alcide looked up at her his eyes full of determination he fully intended to finish what he had started and there was no way she was getting free until she let him have what he came for. He dug his thumbs into the soft flesh of her inner thighs and pulled her back to him. As his hot mouth once again found her wet flesh she sighed and closed her eyes. Have mercy she thought to herself as the need built up inside her. Her fight to maintain control was valiant but she lasted just a few minutes more and when she was unable to hold back any longer she screamed out God's name ( several times) in a way even her Pagan mother would have objected to and letting go of the bedpost she buried her head and any further moans into the nearest pillow. She curled herself up into a ball and let the shiver course through her ignoring the chuckling Alcide who sat at the end of the bed congratulating himself. He'd won this round, in the one up each other sexathon and in his head he added a check mark next to his name on the scoreboard. He tried several times to move her running his hands across her calves and grabbing her by the feet but she had kicked him off and she didn't unwind herself from her afterglow cocoon until she heard the shower spring to life in the bathroom. He got way to much joy watching her in her current state having told her that the few minutes before and after she came was the only time he'd ever seen her completely out of control. This of course confounded her a bit considering the often frantic way she'd felt since meeting him but she had always been pretty good at hiding behind a wall whenever she was feeling at all unstable. She supposed that there was less cover when you were lying naked entwined in the arms and body of someone else. You were as raw and as real as you could get. Those moments with Alcide were even more emotionally charged considering their connection. She often saw the cord that bound them together moving along with the rhythm of their bodies. Whatever their experiences in the past ( good or bad) the two of them fit together. They meshed and no matter the manner it was perfection. She sprawled all out across the bed waiting for the feeling to reach all of her limbs before she sat up, her back was sore and she could see the outline of a few bruises ( in the form of fingerprints forming on her arms and thighs.) With a quick look behind her she ran her hand across the spots healing them instantly. He wasn't ready to see her black and blue again even if the bruises were the results of awesome slightly kinky, completely fulfilling sex.
She made her way into the bathroom and watched the outline of his body behind the shower doors. Dark and solid, tall and straight the muscles of his arms flexed as his hands ran shampoo through his ( in need of a trim) hair. She opened the shower door and stepped in. Alcide peeked through one eye to look at her. She bit her bottom lip and raised an eyebrow at him. Maybe one more round?
" OH no Becca. Don't get no ideas. I got to get out of here." He briskly removed the hand she put on his hip and grabbed a washcloth ( he refused to use the bath poofs) but she reached the bath gel before him. He held out the cloth and she squeezed some in it. The bottle floated back to it's spot and Rebecca snapped the cloth from his hand. Defeated ( at least for the moment) Alcide let Rebecca cover his body with suds. She willed him to relax and let things take their natural course but Alcide's body chemistry had changed since leaving her alone in the bedroom. When she reached around the front of him moving the washcloth further and further down his happy trail Alcide sighed and stopped her.
" I said no Rebecca." He pushed her away again and angrily finished rinsing himself off and brushing past her made his way out of the shower. She hadn't done anything to displease him. His body was responding to her just as it should. But Alcide's mind was not there with her and he didn't think it fair to give her anything less than all of himself. She appreciated how he felt but his leaving her there like that still rocked her pride. She moved under the water letting the feeling of rejection go down the drain along with the bubbles.
She had been dealing with these switch flipping changes for over a month. It was the one issue that hung in the air between them. Brought on because Alcide felt pulled in two different directions. It was growing tiresome and she was starting to feel like she was dealing with perpetual PMS. Rebecca sighed and turned her face up into the water. After Mason's departure they had settled into a quiet non-eventful routine. No more vampire stalking drama. No more rabid v-addicted Were ex-girlfriend drama. No more your ex-boyfriend/lifetime protector is still in love with you drama. They spent quite a bit of time together, getting to know one another better. Some nights it was just the two of them, there conversations starting off light hearted but often becoming serious. She showed Alcide her powers in small doses and he shared with her more of the life experience's that had shaped who he was and explained to her the reasons for his hang ups. Some times she would invite her new friends over to share the evening with them ( and most nights when she was alone. Since at the moment she hated the silence that fell through the house when both Alcide and Mason were not home) and they'd eat, drink and fill the night air with laughter. The exterior of Belle Vita was completed. The landscaping had taken shape and she had already started harvesting veggies from the garden. Everything had been unpacked and put in it's place. The house looked fantastic and felt like a home. The perfect place to start her new life. She was thrilled. The last piece of the puzzle arrived two weeks to the day Mason had left on the very last scheduled day of construction. It was a stain glass panel he had made to hang within the window on the second story landing. A representation of the five elements with her family crests at the bottom, a infinity sign underneath them. It was a touching, love filled peace and while Alcide and Crawfish hung it she had excused herself and went to weep in the library. She missed him terribly, aware of his absence no matter the time. During the day she knew he was not lying just below her feet and on the nights when she was in the bed alone she would listen for hours hoping to hear the sound of his footfall on the marble floor. Belle Vita had been reborn and when she looked around her she felt a sense of pride and accomplishment but Mason's absence dampened those otherwise happy moments. She was careful not to spend the time she was with Alcide thinking about Mason but whenever she was asked she let him know he was still on her mind. She had to commend Alcide for not a note of jealousy entered his mind. At least not while they were together. Mason had entrusted Alcide with the their tale and with Rebecca's safety. It seemed that their honesty had earned them Alcide's trust in return.
No Mason's confession and consequential self imposed exile hadn't caused any problem between them the real issue was Alcide's pack conundrum. He was constantly torn between being at Belle Vita with her and his desire to keep Malcom Lawrence from gaining control of the Shreveport pack. Malcom had done little to help Alcide bring him down. He'd been unable to find an dirt he could use which pissed him off and made him finally break down and ask Rebecca to put someone on him ( it was the only thing that he'd asked for. He'd refused any other offers for her help) Her people hadn't been able to come up with much either. A few minor run in's with the law and some questionable business dealings from his youth but there was nothing that was going to make a negative impression on a pack of Were's ( many of whom had bent and broken the rules a time or two themselves). Something about the lack of information that was gathered on Malcom bothered her but her gut feeling wasn't something Alcide could use so she'd kept her thoughts to herself. In the meantime Malcom's alliances within the pack continued to grow stronger. He hadn't however been able to do anything to under mind Alcide personally. For when Alcide failed to find anything he could use to loosen Malcom's grip on the pack he changed tactics and started working to gain allegiances of his own. The men who worked for Alcide were behind him. When Mason left he'd handed several jobs over to Alcide and with his own men working steadily he'd been able to hire even more men to handle the numerous projects they now had in the surrounding area ( enduring himself to those who were in desperate need of a pay check). Alcide was also prepping the building of Mason's house. It was yet another surprise the two men had cooked up in conversations they'd had by phone. When Alcide had told her Mason had asked him to help with the construction she had been thrilled (even though she was saddened that he hadn't made any sort of connection with her while he'd been away). It was a positive step forward in the mending of the boys relationship and it meant that Mason would be returning. Alcide had paid off all of his father's debts and with some strong arming had made it impossible for his Father to accrue any more. This had caused a bigger rift between them but it had forced his Dad to stay close to home and he refocus on what was in front of him right there in Shreveport. The situation seemed to be under control but the fact that Malcom was still there was enough to keep Alcide pushing. It was eating away at him and what was once a crusade to protect what was his was now becoming a vendetta. Rebecca turned off the water, she found Alcide sitting on the bench fully clothed his head resting in his hands.
" I thought you had to go?" the words came out with maximum snippiness.
" Rebecca" he watched her through is hands as she toweled herself off.
She felt another apology and plea for understanding coming on. She wasn't in the mood to hear it.
" Save it Alcide... " She pulled on her robe " Save the apologies cause there meaning has worn thin. Save the excuses for a time when you can and are willing to talk about this properly. Go home. Take care of your business. Leave me be cause I don't want to be made to feel guilty for wanting my boyfriend."
" I'm not trying to make you feel guilty. Your wanting me, in your bed, in your life is what keeps me moving through each day. I'm just so fucking tired Rebecca and torn up. I keep having to choose between my love for you and my responsibilities in the pack. Whatever I am doing, trying to concentrate on one the other eats away at me. I can't focus. I eat but it does little to fill me. Most of the time it just ties my stomach up in knots. The only time I sleep is when I am here with you but even then I can only manage a few hours before I wake up and my mind starts racing. I don't know what to do."
" You can let me into that part of your life Alcide." to her it that simple. Alcide didn't see it that way. She stopped him with a glare and a hand before he could start in on his reasons for keeping her away from Shreveport. She'd heard it all before and as far as she was concerned that broken record needn't be played again that morning.
" I understand your reasons. It is your decision and I have done my best to respect that. But I have also offered repeatedly to come to you. To spend time with you at your place in order to take some of the pressure off. But you have refused. So none of this" She waved her hand in the air between them. " is my doing. This tension, this problem is all you. I didn't ask you to come here last night. I was asleep when your drunk ass showed up at my door. You got you came for and then flipped the switch and turned on me. Next time do me a favor and go home and jerk off." She stomped out of the room and got half way to the closet before stopping turning around and going back for one last shot. " Decide where you want to be. Stick with it and I will support you. Eventually though Alcide if this is going to work you are going to have to let me in to that part of your life. A part of you will always be Were and right now all of you is an asshole." This time she slammed the door closed as she walked away and then to further emphasis her fury she slammed her closet door to.
She listened as the bathroom door that lead out onto the landing opened. She heard his footsteps stop just outside the bedroom door. But he didn't come any further and a few minutes later she heard his car pull out of the drive. She hated to fight with him. Hated how the yelling made her feel inside. It messed up her balance and made her feel like she played right into his hands. It was what he expected and she'd promised herself to be the one to break Alcide out of that cycle. He was being so damned stubborn but maybe the fact he didn't fight back was a good sign. That he walked away wasn't a bad thing. At least that was what she told herself as she got ready for her day. She had a ton of her own work to accomplish. Running a business from the boonies held it's own particular kind of irritation and the fact she'd been more than remiss in her duties forced her to push through her feelings, set them aside and get to work.
Soon she was caught up in the pile of papers on her desk and was hunkered down in the library crunching numbers, answering e-mails, placing orders and making countless phone calls. Just after noon she started a two hour long skype conference call with the managers of her stores. They were all capable and she hadn't had any hesitation putting all of the work load in there hands while she got the house together but now that a type of normalcy had returned to her life she was glad take back some of the responsibilities. Once the call was over she closed her computer and cleaned up her desk. It was time for the other daily ritual she had adopted since Elva's visit. Every day she spent one hour in the Alter room. Mediating, casting or researching. No interruptions of any kind were allowed. It wasn't the only time she spent working with her magic but it was a dedicated no excuses block of it and today she thought it would be extra beneficial.
" Greetings" she called into the room as she entered. So many of the objects within the space were alive for her so it didn't seem at all weird to say hello. The door closed once she was safely inside leaving the rest of the world behind. She consulted the list she'd left for herself at the end of her time the day before and with Merry Meet to the Goddess she dived right in. Her Aunt's visit had lasted ten days and by the time she left at nightfall, with a chastised Silvia in tow Rebecca's hands no longer turned blue and threw sparks. The hum and glimmer she held within her was still loud and bright but she now controlled it instead of the other way around. Her powers were now back to where they had been before she'd shut them off. She felt all of their strength but non of the madness that had encased her before. The Goddess's approval filled her and that gave her faith that she was on the right track.
She finished much later than planned and she wasn't all that surprised to find her phone blinking red from it's spot on her desk. Her Aunt, hoping that her inability to get a hold of her was because she was practicing. Sookie wanting to know if she wanted company that evening and Alcide who just sighed into the phone and hung up. She to wasn't ready to talk and since she could sense that he was fine she sent him reassurance she was as well and left it at that. She didn't think she'd be seeing him that night so she called Sookie and invited her over and told her to bring along anyone who wasn't on shift that night at the bar. She figured she'd have a decent amount of distraction that evening and in the off chance that Alcide did show up that night she'd have a buffer to. She called back her Aunt but soon she felt the effects of her lack of sleep the night before and excusing herself from their conversation let Elva go and made her way upstairs to take a nap.
" Anna?"
Her eyes flung open, The room was dark as she had closed the door and lowered the blind before crawling under the covers. The faintest light came from under the crack of the door letting her know it was not yet dark outside.
" Anna?" her name was called again from the darkest corner of the room.
He emerged from the darkness. His receding hair black as night but touched with grey at the temples was swept back as he always wore it. He was wearing his usual uniform. A crisp white shirt with a pair of dark wash jeans and steel toed cowboy boots. Old faded resoled a thousand times cowboy boots. He seemed smaller than she remembered but when he was alive he had always seemed larger than life to her.
" Daddy?"
" Yeah baby girl it's me." He came closer his thin lips pressed together in a reassuring smile. " Been a while since I've come a calling."
" To long Dad." He sat down beside her like he'd done when she was young and he would read to her until she could no longer force her eyes to remain open. She loved when he read to her. For a big gruff man he was damned good at voices and never thought it to silly to play out the parts for her.
" Dad's are supposed to do that for their girls." She wanted to reach for him. His hand was so close but she didn't dare try for fear it would make him disappear.
" I ain't got long Anna. So I need you to listen to me and not get all teary eyed and emotional. Think you can do that?" She nodded but the tremble of her hands gave her away but he pretended not to notice as she pulled them under the covers.
" Go on Dad. Out with what you came to say." She held his gaze one not unlike his own. One that made him know she was there to listen.
Her Fathers' look softened " You look wonderful Anna." He worried about her even now. " Happy. For the most part anyhow. Got yourself a stubborn man. It's alright though cause if there is anything you can wait out in this world it's a stubborn man. Keep at it Anna. Your gonna find he's worth all the trouble he gives you. He's as close to being Benoit stock as you could have gotten without being to damned backwoods."
She shook her head and laughed. " I will do my damnedest to keep him."
" Yeah I know you will baby girl. I know you will." He reached out to her then pinching her chin between his fingers. It was the gesture he used at the end of most conversations he'd had with her." But there was no way he was finished. Their time couldn't possibly be over already. He looked behind him and his image blinked several times. He turned back to her and leaned in closer. He only had a minute or two.
" You got some unfinished business Anna. From before. You thought you'd cleaned up all the loose ends but there was one you missed. Do you understand what I mean?"
She nodded. " Who?"
" He's watching you. Been waiting for you. You got to be ready for him cause he wants to take away all you got." He turned again. Someone was coming his way and August didn't want them to know he'd been to see her. " I've got to go now. But you hear me. You think real hard. Get Mason to check it out. And be ready. For when he comes Anna."
August Benoit stood and started moving backward into the shadows. " Finish it Anna. Then you will be free." He stopped " I love you baby girl." and then he faded into the black.
Rebecca threw her hands over her face and willed herself to not awaken " Dad... Dad... Dad." He was gone. She rolled onto her side and looked at the clock. Her alarm was a minute away from going off. She flipped the switch and then laid there. Her Father's warnings ran over and over in her head. Loose ends. They had a way of coming back at you. She'd thought she had been thorough. Covered her tracks. As Mason would say left no stone unturned. But there was only one thing her father could be talking about and a loose end there could be deadly. He'd come to warn her but he'd been a bit to cryptic. A name or a place to start looking would have been nice she thought sighing. But that would have been to easy and her Father had clearly been afraid of being discovered with her. Someone was watching him on the other side. A chill ran through her. She had a pretty good idea of who it could be. Some ends that had been tied up nice and tight.
" Thank you Dad." She whispered into the empty room. She knew he'd done what he could. Now it was up to her to figure the rest out and to take care of it. She reached for her phone. Mason would still be asleep and she wasn't sure he would return her call but she left him a message all the same. He may not return but he would heed what her Father had said and start looking into things. She was debating on whether or not to call Alcide when she heard the sound of cars coming up the drive. She didn't have time to figure things out now cause company was coming. She jumped up from the bed and quickly got herself together. Before she went downstairs she dialed Alcide's number he didn't answer so she found herself leaving another almost identical message. She hung up and pushed her phone into her pocket. As she opened the door a breeze flew past her guests and hit her in the face. She couldn't help but feel that the dream had finally broken the seal on the one door she'd kept shut tightly within her. Soon she was going to have to go rummaging around behind it and face all she'd hidden away within. She found Sookie, Sam and Jesus standing front and center on the porch. Behind though a few feet back still on the grass stood Jason.
She gave Sookie a look. Jesus looked uncomfortable and Sam looked amused. Both were very interested to see how this one was going to go down.
" He showed up at the house looking or supper. I told him I had plans but when he found out where I was going he asked to come along. I told him he'd have to ask you himself if he was welcome and if you said no he was to leave and not cause any trouble." Sookie gave her a hopeful look. Jason may be an ass at times but she hated the idea of him being excluded from things. Jason hadn't been to Belle Vita since the party and he had behaved himself the last few times she had been to Merlotte's. Of course every time she had seen him she'd been with Alcide but she was willing to give him a chance.
" Get your ass up her Stackhouse. Your on grill duty." He bounded up the steps with a goofy grin on his face. Sookie's held a appreciative one. The other boys looked relieved.
" How is it non of you had hot dates tonight? She asked as she followed them through the hall and into the kitchen.
" We did. With you" Sam gave her the half turn and a wolf whistle. She hardly thought she deserved it at the moment but she pocketed the compliment all the same. She gave Sam a playful slap in response.
" Lafayette is pissed I'm hanging out with you while he's got to work." Jesus's blue eyes shined. " Hates the idea any one is having fun while he's stuck behind that grill."
" Why'd you tell him?" she asked and then added. "Don't go looking for drama Jesus"
" He didn't. He was nursing a drink at the bar when I came out to tell Tara I was heading out. I asked if he wanted to come along and Tara told him not to waste his night sitting in round there waiting for Lafayette to get done. Lafayette pouted for a minute but then Tara jumped his shit and while the two of them were duking it out we took off."
" Well I hope the night is worth the shit your going to get later on." Sookie said knowingly.
" With Brujas here as host I am sure it will be." He gave both of them a wink. Sookie silently agreed and Rebecca rolled her eyes.
" Don't build me up to much. Your bound to be disappointed eventually." She waved them both off and started to bark out orders. This get together was impromptu which meant people would have to work for their supper.
" Alrighty then. Let's get this party started. Sam, why don't you mix us up something cold, refreshing and alcoholic. Sookie would you work on building us a salad. Jesus could you get the meat and veggies ready for the grill and you" she pointed at Jason who had stood quietly against the counter. " You come with me and let's see how you handle fire."
She looped her hand under Jason's arm and lead him outside. He was a bit nervous but happy to have been included. " Thanks for letting me tag along tonight, Rebecca." Jason was feeling a bit lonely. You'd look for forgiveness and companionship wherever you could find it when you felt like you were in the world all by yourself.
" Sure thing Jason. I want us to be friends." she meant that truly and from the smile that spread across his face he knew she meant it to.
" Friends. Yeah that would be great." He'd wanted to be included. She felt bad that she hadn't invited him before now.
" Where's Alcide?" Jason wondered as he pushed paper into the charcoal chimney. Sookie had told him he wasn't here but he didn't know why.
" He's spending the night in Shreveport. Work stuff." She shrugged and watched as he pulled a lighter from his pocket. But when it didn't ignite after several tries Rebecca sent a spark of her own. The fire caught quickly causing Jason to jump back and let out a curse.
" How the hell?" He hadn't thought he'd gotten enough juice to light it. She smiled and shrugged again. He still didn't know that she was a witch. It was commendable of his sister not to fill him in. She was tempted to show him something else. More apparent but she decided against it for now. There would be time for that and she knew at times Jason wished he didn't know what he did already.
" The Fire Gods like ribs I guess"
" Ribs? Sweet!" Jason's enthusiasm amused her. Men and their meat. A throwback to their days in the cave she supposed.
" Your hungry I take it? Well then go get them. The sooner you do the sooner we can eat." Jason made tracks towards the house.
She sent a few sparks into the chimney to encourage it along. She enjoyed watching the flames rise and fall and the heat of them hitting her face. She turned her attention away from the fire and out into the woods. She was no longer alone. She gave her head a half turn to the left and nodded a greeting to William. He returned the greeting in the same manner. She motioned him over and he covered the distance between them in a second.
" Good evening William. Did you have a pleasant sleep?"
" Yes. One finds their sleep far more restful when the world above them is quiet." He looked out at the woods. Things were quiet but to William that did not always mean that things were well. He would not be lured into a false sense of security. She didn't want to break his sense of guarded calm but after her dream this afternoon she was glad to know that while William refused to be a prisoner within his own life he remained diligent. Vampires as powerful as they could be still spent a lot of time watching their backs.
Laughter came from the kitchen and the voices were moving towards the door.
" No Alcide?" He knew exactly who was on the other side of that door.
" No" the flames beside them shot higher. William didn't ask any further questions. " Would you like to stay and join us?"
" I do not believe that would be a good idea." It was what she expected him to say but it would have been ungracious not to extend the invitation. William had been looking out for her just as he had promised.
" Nice night for a walk then?" she smiled up at him.
" Yes. If you need anything." He was ready to leave.
" I know where to find you William. Enjoy your evening" He was gone as quickly as he came. The door opened and her guests came out just as the blur disappeared into the woods on the other side of the house.
"You as well Rebecca" he called back to her.
" Rebecca?" Sookie's face came into view. " Everything alright?"
Behind her she could hear the boys getting things situated. She heard Jason release the coals into the bottom of the grill and the grate going down with a bang and an internal cuss word.
Sookie gave the woods a good look herself. " William just checking up on you or is something wrong?"
She patted her friend on the shoulder. " Nothing amiss just checking in before his walk."
While the state of their relationship was still cool Sookie was glad to know that William was out there, " Sometimes it's nice to have a second shadow." She gave Sookie a bump with her hip and then looked down at the platter of chips and salsa in Sookie's hands. " Yumo. Let's Nosh." The two headed to the table and to join the others. " Stackhouse you got those ribs on yet?"
" Yes Ma'am."
" Good then come sit your ass down." She handed him a beer from the cooler Sam had brought outside.
" What did you concoct for us Sam?" She eyeballed the pitcher. " Margaritas, Nice" she let him pour some in her glass and then sat down herself.
A couple of sips into Sam's strong brew she let herself relax pushing the dread that was trying to grown inside her aside and concentrated on the laughs and making sure that everyone was well taken care of. Every once in a while though she thought she heard the wind whisper to her....... Soon........ Soon..... Soon..... Each time Rebecca's stomach did a little flip. Once when she excused herself to go to the restroom the whispers followed her and she swore she saw a face glare back at her from the mirror. But it vanished as quickly as it came.
"Only one clue a day. I see how it is. " She thought raising her eyes to the heavens.
She was receiving subtle reminders but she doubted they would stay continue that way. She was pretty sure she should be preparing herself to get hit in the side of the head with a brick at any minute. The phone in her pocket remained silent but she checked the land line in the library just in case Alcide left a message their ( in the attempt to dodge actually speaking to her) but their was nothing. Nothing from Mason either. She sighed. She was not a fan of being ignored and since there were people waiting outside who did want her company she went to join them.
She made her way into the bathroom and watched the outline of his body behind the shower doors. Dark and solid, tall and straight the muscles of his arms flexed as his hands ran shampoo through his ( in need of a trim) hair. She opened the shower door and stepped in. Alcide peeked through one eye to look at her. She bit her bottom lip and raised an eyebrow at him. Maybe one more round?
" OH no Becca. Don't get no ideas. I got to get out of here." He briskly removed the hand she put on his hip and grabbed a washcloth ( he refused to use the bath poofs) but she reached the bath gel before him. He held out the cloth and she squeezed some in it. The bottle floated back to it's spot and Rebecca snapped the cloth from his hand. Defeated ( at least for the moment) Alcide let Rebecca cover his body with suds. She willed him to relax and let things take their natural course but Alcide's body chemistry had changed since leaving her alone in the bedroom. When she reached around the front of him moving the washcloth further and further down his happy trail Alcide sighed and stopped her.
" I said no Rebecca." He pushed her away again and angrily finished rinsing himself off and brushing past her made his way out of the shower. She hadn't done anything to displease him. His body was responding to her just as it should. But Alcide's mind was not there with her and he didn't think it fair to give her anything less than all of himself. She appreciated how he felt but his leaving her there like that still rocked her pride. She moved under the water letting the feeling of rejection go down the drain along with the bubbles.
She had been dealing with these switch flipping changes for over a month. It was the one issue that hung in the air between them. Brought on because Alcide felt pulled in two different directions. It was growing tiresome and she was starting to feel like she was dealing with perpetual PMS. Rebecca sighed and turned her face up into the water. After Mason's departure they had settled into a quiet non-eventful routine. No more vampire stalking drama. No more rabid v-addicted Were ex-girlfriend drama. No more your ex-boyfriend/lifetime protector is still in love with you drama. They spent quite a bit of time together, getting to know one another better. Some nights it was just the two of them, there conversations starting off light hearted but often becoming serious. She showed Alcide her powers in small doses and he shared with her more of the life experience's that had shaped who he was and explained to her the reasons for his hang ups. Some times she would invite her new friends over to share the evening with them ( and most nights when she was alone. Since at the moment she hated the silence that fell through the house when both Alcide and Mason were not home) and they'd eat, drink and fill the night air with laughter. The exterior of Belle Vita was completed. The landscaping had taken shape and she had already started harvesting veggies from the garden. Everything had been unpacked and put in it's place. The house looked fantastic and felt like a home. The perfect place to start her new life. She was thrilled. The last piece of the puzzle arrived two weeks to the day Mason had left on the very last scheduled day of construction. It was a stain glass panel he had made to hang within the window on the second story landing. A representation of the five elements with her family crests at the bottom, a infinity sign underneath them. It was a touching, love filled peace and while Alcide and Crawfish hung it she had excused herself and went to weep in the library. She missed him terribly, aware of his absence no matter the time. During the day she knew he was not lying just below her feet and on the nights when she was in the bed alone she would listen for hours hoping to hear the sound of his footfall on the marble floor. Belle Vita had been reborn and when she looked around her she felt a sense of pride and accomplishment but Mason's absence dampened those otherwise happy moments. She was careful not to spend the time she was with Alcide thinking about Mason but whenever she was asked she let him know he was still on her mind. She had to commend Alcide for not a note of jealousy entered his mind. At least not while they were together. Mason had entrusted Alcide with the their tale and with Rebecca's safety. It seemed that their honesty had earned them Alcide's trust in return.
No Mason's confession and consequential self imposed exile hadn't caused any problem between them the real issue was Alcide's pack conundrum. He was constantly torn between being at Belle Vita with her and his desire to keep Malcom Lawrence from gaining control of the Shreveport pack. Malcom had done little to help Alcide bring him down. He'd been unable to find an dirt he could use which pissed him off and made him finally break down and ask Rebecca to put someone on him ( it was the only thing that he'd asked for. He'd refused any other offers for her help) Her people hadn't been able to come up with much either. A few minor run in's with the law and some questionable business dealings from his youth but there was nothing that was going to make a negative impression on a pack of Were's ( many of whom had bent and broken the rules a time or two themselves). Something about the lack of information that was gathered on Malcom bothered her but her gut feeling wasn't something Alcide could use so she'd kept her thoughts to herself. In the meantime Malcom's alliances within the pack continued to grow stronger. He hadn't however been able to do anything to under mind Alcide personally. For when Alcide failed to find anything he could use to loosen Malcom's grip on the pack he changed tactics and started working to gain allegiances of his own. The men who worked for Alcide were behind him. When Mason left he'd handed several jobs over to Alcide and with his own men working steadily he'd been able to hire even more men to handle the numerous projects they now had in the surrounding area ( enduring himself to those who were in desperate need of a pay check). Alcide was also prepping the building of Mason's house. It was yet another surprise the two men had cooked up in conversations they'd had by phone. When Alcide had told her Mason had asked him to help with the construction she had been thrilled (even though she was saddened that he hadn't made any sort of connection with her while he'd been away). It was a positive step forward in the mending of the boys relationship and it meant that Mason would be returning. Alcide had paid off all of his father's debts and with some strong arming had made it impossible for his Father to accrue any more. This had caused a bigger rift between them but it had forced his Dad to stay close to home and he refocus on what was in front of him right there in Shreveport. The situation seemed to be under control but the fact that Malcom was still there was enough to keep Alcide pushing. It was eating away at him and what was once a crusade to protect what was his was now becoming a vendetta. Rebecca turned off the water, she found Alcide sitting on the bench fully clothed his head resting in his hands.
" I thought you had to go?" the words came out with maximum snippiness.
" Rebecca" he watched her through is hands as she toweled herself off.
She felt another apology and plea for understanding coming on. She wasn't in the mood to hear it.
" Save it Alcide... " She pulled on her robe " Save the apologies cause there meaning has worn thin. Save the excuses for a time when you can and are willing to talk about this properly. Go home. Take care of your business. Leave me be cause I don't want to be made to feel guilty for wanting my boyfriend."
" I'm not trying to make you feel guilty. Your wanting me, in your bed, in your life is what keeps me moving through each day. I'm just so fucking tired Rebecca and torn up. I keep having to choose between my love for you and my responsibilities in the pack. Whatever I am doing, trying to concentrate on one the other eats away at me. I can't focus. I eat but it does little to fill me. Most of the time it just ties my stomach up in knots. The only time I sleep is when I am here with you but even then I can only manage a few hours before I wake up and my mind starts racing. I don't know what to do."
" You can let me into that part of your life Alcide." to her it that simple. Alcide didn't see it that way. She stopped him with a glare and a hand before he could start in on his reasons for keeping her away from Shreveport. She'd heard it all before and as far as she was concerned that broken record needn't be played again that morning.
" I understand your reasons. It is your decision and I have done my best to respect that. But I have also offered repeatedly to come to you. To spend time with you at your place in order to take some of the pressure off. But you have refused. So none of this" She waved her hand in the air between them. " is my doing. This tension, this problem is all you. I didn't ask you to come here last night. I was asleep when your drunk ass showed up at my door. You got you came for and then flipped the switch and turned on me. Next time do me a favor and go home and jerk off." She stomped out of the room and got half way to the closet before stopping turning around and going back for one last shot. " Decide where you want to be. Stick with it and I will support you. Eventually though Alcide if this is going to work you are going to have to let me in to that part of your life. A part of you will always be Were and right now all of you is an asshole." This time she slammed the door closed as she walked away and then to further emphasis her fury she slammed her closet door to.
She listened as the bathroom door that lead out onto the landing opened. She heard his footsteps stop just outside the bedroom door. But he didn't come any further and a few minutes later she heard his car pull out of the drive. She hated to fight with him. Hated how the yelling made her feel inside. It messed up her balance and made her feel like she played right into his hands. It was what he expected and she'd promised herself to be the one to break Alcide out of that cycle. He was being so damned stubborn but maybe the fact he didn't fight back was a good sign. That he walked away wasn't a bad thing. At least that was what she told herself as she got ready for her day. She had a ton of her own work to accomplish. Running a business from the boonies held it's own particular kind of irritation and the fact she'd been more than remiss in her duties forced her to push through her feelings, set them aside and get to work.
Soon she was caught up in the pile of papers on her desk and was hunkered down in the library crunching numbers, answering e-mails, placing orders and making countless phone calls. Just after noon she started a two hour long skype conference call with the managers of her stores. They were all capable and she hadn't had any hesitation putting all of the work load in there hands while she got the house together but now that a type of normalcy had returned to her life she was glad take back some of the responsibilities. Once the call was over she closed her computer and cleaned up her desk. It was time for the other daily ritual she had adopted since Elva's visit. Every day she spent one hour in the Alter room. Mediating, casting or researching. No interruptions of any kind were allowed. It wasn't the only time she spent working with her magic but it was a dedicated no excuses block of it and today she thought it would be extra beneficial.
" Greetings" she called into the room as she entered. So many of the objects within the space were alive for her so it didn't seem at all weird to say hello. The door closed once she was safely inside leaving the rest of the world behind. She consulted the list she'd left for herself at the end of her time the day before and with Merry Meet to the Goddess she dived right in. Her Aunt's visit had lasted ten days and by the time she left at nightfall, with a chastised Silvia in tow Rebecca's hands no longer turned blue and threw sparks. The hum and glimmer she held within her was still loud and bright but she now controlled it instead of the other way around. Her powers were now back to where they had been before she'd shut them off. She felt all of their strength but non of the madness that had encased her before. The Goddess's approval filled her and that gave her faith that she was on the right track.
She finished much later than planned and she wasn't all that surprised to find her phone blinking red from it's spot on her desk. Her Aunt, hoping that her inability to get a hold of her was because she was practicing. Sookie wanting to know if she wanted company that evening and Alcide who just sighed into the phone and hung up. She to wasn't ready to talk and since she could sense that he was fine she sent him reassurance she was as well and left it at that. She didn't think she'd be seeing him that night so she called Sookie and invited her over and told her to bring along anyone who wasn't on shift that night at the bar. She figured she'd have a decent amount of distraction that evening and in the off chance that Alcide did show up that night she'd have a buffer to. She called back her Aunt but soon she felt the effects of her lack of sleep the night before and excusing herself from their conversation let Elva go and made her way upstairs to take a nap.
" Anna?"
Her eyes flung open, The room was dark as she had closed the door and lowered the blind before crawling under the covers. The faintest light came from under the crack of the door letting her know it was not yet dark outside.
" Anna?" her name was called again from the darkest corner of the room.
He emerged from the darkness. His receding hair black as night but touched with grey at the temples was swept back as he always wore it. He was wearing his usual uniform. A crisp white shirt with a pair of dark wash jeans and steel toed cowboy boots. Old faded resoled a thousand times cowboy boots. He seemed smaller than she remembered but when he was alive he had always seemed larger than life to her.
" Daddy?"
" Yeah baby girl it's me." He came closer his thin lips pressed together in a reassuring smile. " Been a while since I've come a calling."
" To long Dad." He sat down beside her like he'd done when she was young and he would read to her until she could no longer force her eyes to remain open. She loved when he read to her. For a big gruff man he was damned good at voices and never thought it to silly to play out the parts for her.
" Dad's are supposed to do that for their girls." She wanted to reach for him. His hand was so close but she didn't dare try for fear it would make him disappear.
" I ain't got long Anna. So I need you to listen to me and not get all teary eyed and emotional. Think you can do that?" She nodded but the tremble of her hands gave her away but he pretended not to notice as she pulled them under the covers.
" Go on Dad. Out with what you came to say." She held his gaze one not unlike his own. One that made him know she was there to listen.
Her Fathers' look softened " You look wonderful Anna." He worried about her even now. " Happy. For the most part anyhow. Got yourself a stubborn man. It's alright though cause if there is anything you can wait out in this world it's a stubborn man. Keep at it Anna. Your gonna find he's worth all the trouble he gives you. He's as close to being Benoit stock as you could have gotten without being to damned backwoods."
She shook her head and laughed. " I will do my damnedest to keep him."
" Yeah I know you will baby girl. I know you will." He reached out to her then pinching her chin between his fingers. It was the gesture he used at the end of most conversations he'd had with her." But there was no way he was finished. Their time couldn't possibly be over already. He looked behind him and his image blinked several times. He turned back to her and leaned in closer. He only had a minute or two.
" You got some unfinished business Anna. From before. You thought you'd cleaned up all the loose ends but there was one you missed. Do you understand what I mean?"
She nodded. " Who?"
" He's watching you. Been waiting for you. You got to be ready for him cause he wants to take away all you got." He turned again. Someone was coming his way and August didn't want them to know he'd been to see her. " I've got to go now. But you hear me. You think real hard. Get Mason to check it out. And be ready. For when he comes Anna."
August Benoit stood and started moving backward into the shadows. " Finish it Anna. Then you will be free." He stopped " I love you baby girl." and then he faded into the black.
Rebecca threw her hands over her face and willed herself to not awaken " Dad... Dad... Dad." He was gone. She rolled onto her side and looked at the clock. Her alarm was a minute away from going off. She flipped the switch and then laid there. Her Father's warnings ran over and over in her head. Loose ends. They had a way of coming back at you. She'd thought she had been thorough. Covered her tracks. As Mason would say left no stone unturned. But there was only one thing her father could be talking about and a loose end there could be deadly. He'd come to warn her but he'd been a bit to cryptic. A name or a place to start looking would have been nice she thought sighing. But that would have been to easy and her Father had clearly been afraid of being discovered with her. Someone was watching him on the other side. A chill ran through her. She had a pretty good idea of who it could be. Some ends that had been tied up nice and tight.
" Thank you Dad." She whispered into the empty room. She knew he'd done what he could. Now it was up to her to figure the rest out and to take care of it. She reached for her phone. Mason would still be asleep and she wasn't sure he would return her call but she left him a message all the same. He may not return but he would heed what her Father had said and start looking into things. She was debating on whether or not to call Alcide when she heard the sound of cars coming up the drive. She didn't have time to figure things out now cause company was coming. She jumped up from the bed and quickly got herself together. Before she went downstairs she dialed Alcide's number he didn't answer so she found herself leaving another almost identical message. She hung up and pushed her phone into her pocket. As she opened the door a breeze flew past her guests and hit her in the face. She couldn't help but feel that the dream had finally broken the seal on the one door she'd kept shut tightly within her. Soon she was going to have to go rummaging around behind it and face all she'd hidden away within. She found Sookie, Sam and Jesus standing front and center on the porch. Behind though a few feet back still on the grass stood Jason.
She gave Sookie a look. Jesus looked uncomfortable and Sam looked amused. Both were very interested to see how this one was going to go down.
" He showed up at the house looking or supper. I told him I had plans but when he found out where I was going he asked to come along. I told him he'd have to ask you himself if he was welcome and if you said no he was to leave and not cause any trouble." Sookie gave her a hopeful look. Jason may be an ass at times but she hated the idea of him being excluded from things. Jason hadn't been to Belle Vita since the party and he had behaved himself the last few times she had been to Merlotte's. Of course every time she had seen him she'd been with Alcide but she was willing to give him a chance.
" Get your ass up her Stackhouse. Your on grill duty." He bounded up the steps with a goofy grin on his face. Sookie's held a appreciative one. The other boys looked relieved.
" How is it non of you had hot dates tonight? She asked as she followed them through the hall and into the kitchen.
" We did. With you" Sam gave her the half turn and a wolf whistle. She hardly thought she deserved it at the moment but she pocketed the compliment all the same. She gave Sam a playful slap in response.
" Lafayette is pissed I'm hanging out with you while he's got to work." Jesus's blue eyes shined. " Hates the idea any one is having fun while he's stuck behind that grill."
" Why'd you tell him?" she asked and then added. "Don't go looking for drama Jesus"
" He didn't. He was nursing a drink at the bar when I came out to tell Tara I was heading out. I asked if he wanted to come along and Tara told him not to waste his night sitting in round there waiting for Lafayette to get done. Lafayette pouted for a minute but then Tara jumped his shit and while the two of them were duking it out we took off."
" Well I hope the night is worth the shit your going to get later on." Sookie said knowingly.
" With Brujas here as host I am sure it will be." He gave both of them a wink. Sookie silently agreed and Rebecca rolled her eyes.
" Don't build me up to much. Your bound to be disappointed eventually." She waved them both off and started to bark out orders. This get together was impromptu which meant people would have to work for their supper.
" Alrighty then. Let's get this party started. Sam, why don't you mix us up something cold, refreshing and alcoholic. Sookie would you work on building us a salad. Jesus could you get the meat and veggies ready for the grill and you" she pointed at Jason who had stood quietly against the counter. " You come with me and let's see how you handle fire."
She looped her hand under Jason's arm and lead him outside. He was a bit nervous but happy to have been included. " Thanks for letting me tag along tonight, Rebecca." Jason was feeling a bit lonely. You'd look for forgiveness and companionship wherever you could find it when you felt like you were in the world all by yourself.
" Sure thing Jason. I want us to be friends." she meant that truly and from the smile that spread across his face he knew she meant it to.
" Friends. Yeah that would be great." He'd wanted to be included. She felt bad that she hadn't invited him before now.
" Where's Alcide?" Jason wondered as he pushed paper into the charcoal chimney. Sookie had told him he wasn't here but he didn't know why.
" He's spending the night in Shreveport. Work stuff." She shrugged and watched as he pulled a lighter from his pocket. But when it didn't ignite after several tries Rebecca sent a spark of her own. The fire caught quickly causing Jason to jump back and let out a curse.
" How the hell?" He hadn't thought he'd gotten enough juice to light it. She smiled and shrugged again. He still didn't know that she was a witch. It was commendable of his sister not to fill him in. She was tempted to show him something else. More apparent but she decided against it for now. There would be time for that and she knew at times Jason wished he didn't know what he did already.
" The Fire Gods like ribs I guess"
" Ribs? Sweet!" Jason's enthusiasm amused her. Men and their meat. A throwback to their days in the cave she supposed.
" Your hungry I take it? Well then go get them. The sooner you do the sooner we can eat." Jason made tracks towards the house.
She sent a few sparks into the chimney to encourage it along. She enjoyed watching the flames rise and fall and the heat of them hitting her face. She turned her attention away from the fire and out into the woods. She was no longer alone. She gave her head a half turn to the left and nodded a greeting to William. He returned the greeting in the same manner. She motioned him over and he covered the distance between them in a second.
" Good evening William. Did you have a pleasant sleep?"
" Yes. One finds their sleep far more restful when the world above them is quiet." He looked out at the woods. Things were quiet but to William that did not always mean that things were well. He would not be lured into a false sense of security. She didn't want to break his sense of guarded calm but after her dream this afternoon she was glad to know that while William refused to be a prisoner within his own life he remained diligent. Vampires as powerful as they could be still spent a lot of time watching their backs.
Laughter came from the kitchen and the voices were moving towards the door.
" No Alcide?" He knew exactly who was on the other side of that door.
" No" the flames beside them shot higher. William didn't ask any further questions. " Would you like to stay and join us?"
" I do not believe that would be a good idea." It was what she expected him to say but it would have been ungracious not to extend the invitation. William had been looking out for her just as he had promised.
" Nice night for a walk then?" she smiled up at him.
" Yes. If you need anything." He was ready to leave.
" I know where to find you William. Enjoy your evening" He was gone as quickly as he came. The door opened and her guests came out just as the blur disappeared into the woods on the other side of the house.
"You as well Rebecca" he called back to her.
" Rebecca?" Sookie's face came into view. " Everything alright?"
Behind her she could hear the boys getting things situated. She heard Jason release the coals into the bottom of the grill and the grate going down with a bang and an internal cuss word.
Sookie gave the woods a good look herself. " William just checking up on you or is something wrong?"
She patted her friend on the shoulder. " Nothing amiss just checking in before his walk."
While the state of their relationship was still cool Sookie was glad to know that William was out there, " Sometimes it's nice to have a second shadow." She gave Sookie a bump with her hip and then looked down at the platter of chips and salsa in Sookie's hands. " Yumo. Let's Nosh." The two headed to the table and to join the others. " Stackhouse you got those ribs on yet?"
" Yes Ma'am."
" Good then come sit your ass down." She handed him a beer from the cooler Sam had brought outside.
" What did you concoct for us Sam?" She eyeballed the pitcher. " Margaritas, Nice" she let him pour some in her glass and then sat down herself.
A couple of sips into Sam's strong brew she let herself relax pushing the dread that was trying to grown inside her aside and concentrated on the laughs and making sure that everyone was well taken care of. Every once in a while though she thought she heard the wind whisper to her....... Soon........ Soon..... Soon..... Each time Rebecca's stomach did a little flip. Once when she excused herself to go to the restroom the whispers followed her and she swore she saw a face glare back at her from the mirror. But it vanished as quickly as it came.
"Only one clue a day. I see how it is. " She thought raising her eyes to the heavens.
She was receiving subtle reminders but she doubted they would stay continue that way. She was pretty sure she should be preparing herself to get hit in the side of the head with a brick at any minute. The phone in her pocket remained silent but she checked the land line in the library just in case Alcide left a message their ( in the attempt to dodge actually speaking to her) but their was nothing. Nothing from Mason either. She sighed. She was not a fan of being ignored and since there were people waiting outside who did want her company she went to join them.
On their last run outside a howl pierced through the night. Sookie jumped " Is it?"
Rebecca nodded. " He arrived just in time to see us having the ice cube war." They had all thought it was funny as shit, each of them tyring to toss the most ice down each other's shirts. But Alcide hadn't been quite as amused. He'd been fuming in the woods ever since.
" He should've come on over here and joined in." She watched Rebecca watch the woods.
He was staying just out of sight. But the howl had meant he felt his presence was being ignored. He was right. She'd refused any attempt he'd made to get into her head. The liquor had given her an excuse to use. The howling was a sure way to prevent her from doing so.
" Well if he's gonna be an ass then let him stay in the woods and pout. Can't expect you be waiting around for him." Sookie had done a little peeking.
" He is my life test Sookie." She patted her friend on the shoulder before loading her arms up with what remained on the table. "I promise you I'll pass with flying colors."
Alcide couldn't make all of her quests easy ones. Where would the fun be in that?
" Better you than me. I was never good at taking tests." Rebecca laughed and waving Sookie ahead of her they went inside to enjoy a little girl talk as they cleaned.
She gave Sookie a hug when she walked her to her car. Thanking her for everything but most importantly just for the pleasure of her company. Sookie hugged her back with the same amount of feeling but Rebecca saw that inside she was concerned that the hug had far more meaning. She smiled reassuringly as Sookie turned her car and headed down the drive. Rebecca waited in the dark for Alcide to appear but it wasn't until she had closed the house up for the night and gone upstairs that he howled again. She went to the window and found him sitting just inside the tree line. He howled again and then started kicking the dirt around him. As a finale to his show he lifted his leg and pissed all over the nearest bush. After watching him repeat the process several times she moved away from the window refusing to entertain his antics any further. Very mature she thought shaking her head. Everything he'd done that day had been wrong. So his pulling the territorial jealousy bull now was not going to fly. She shut him out and then got ready for bed. She was tired and drunk so within moments of turning out the light she passed out.
It was just before dawn and Alcide found himself standing at the end of Rebecca's bed watching her sleep. When he'd finally gotten over himself, shifted and made his way inside he'd been surprised to find there would be no conversation, no fight. In fact Rebecca didn't bother to come downstairs when he entered and rambled his way through the house. So after a while he had figured she was expecting, waiting for him to come to her. He'd opened the door slowly expecting to see her sitting up a steely gaze focused on him but what he had found was a dead to the world girlfriend who was so uninterested in having him near her she'd erected some sort of force field around herself. It had zapped the shit out of him and sent him reeling backwards on his heels. He'd called to her both verbally and mentally but if she heard him she never let on. She was far to deep within her sleep to answer him. So he had settled in on the couch and watched. Rebecca moved around in her sleep when she dreamed. Several times he had to wake or restrain her when her tossing and turning had turned from bothersome to violent. Tonight she seemed to be running through her dreams. He watched her body twist and turn, her mouth speak invisible words, the air in the room grow hot and cold. She was controlling the elements even in her sleep. He been on the brink of dozing off several times but each time he'd been shaken awake by the thought of her blowing the house up while they were both passed out. At some point he'd given up his seat and had found his spot at the end of the bed.
" You know that is creepy as hell." His mind had glazed over from the lack of sleep, he hadn't noticed her breathing change or her body stir. She sat up and found his face.
" Why didn't you wake me?" She rubbed the back of her fingers across her eyes and stifled a yawn.
" Tried... You were dead to the world " he shrugged and smiled but just slightly.
" Then I wouldn't have kicked you out if you'd crawled in next to me." She wouldn't have but she'd certainly have given him the cold shoulder.
" Couldn't." he put one finger to the wall around the bed and the zap and sizzle of his skin made Rebecca jump. She took a long look around her and he felt the field fall as Rebecca's shoulders sank.
" I am sorry Alcide, I hadn't realized I'd put it up." She failed to mention that she'd been doing it since Mason left whenever she was alone. He remembered sometime in the night ,a couple of entries in her diaries that mentioned her using a shield to protect herself when she felt afraid and alone. He knew he could have caused the latter emotion after their fight yesterday but the fear, that belonged to something else. Probably whatever she was running from in her dreams.
" It's all right Becca, you wanna tell me why you were scared enough to put that sucker up last night?" She shook her head.
" Not quite sure if I even know right now" she sent to him She only had theories and between being half asleep and still angry with him she wasn't ready to talk.
" Have something to do with the message you left me last night?" She'd dreamt of her Father and he had sent her a warning.
She nodded " Something. Someone." She looked away into the corner of the room past him.
"Would it be alright if I came and sat by you?" Having been an ass yesterday he'd felt it best to ask permission.
As an answer Rebecca held out her hand. He came closer and took it letting her pull him into the bed with her. She was tense but let the day before go and relaxed as he pulled the covers up over both of them. He then pulled her as close to him as he could manage.
" Becca?" He searched for the right thing to say. He'd thought about it all day yesterday but then let his anger get the better of him when he'd come running to her last night. Then when he'd calmed down he hadn't been able to reach her and so he'd had more time to think. How could he fix the one thing that was wrong between them without giving in when he wasn't ready to? She was right and he hated that. Let her in a part of him screamed. The other kept telling him he wasn't ready. He wasn't ready was he?
" Sssssh." she brought his hand up and placed it under her cheek. " Don't say or think anything now. Your tired and I want you near me."
He was getting a momentary free pass. One that he would gratefully take. He placed a kiss on the top of her head and closed his eyes.
He was stirred awake by the smell of coffee and food. It sat on a tray which sat on the coffee table. He looked around but there was no Rebecca. The clock told him it was after ten.
" Shit" He muttered to himself. Or so he thought.
" No worries, I called Max and said you'd be around later in the morning. Told him you hadn't gotten any sleep last night and I was forcing you to sleep in." He peaked inside the closet to find the body that went with the voice. Rebecca turned from the rack of clothes she was peering into and gave him a small sad smile. " You should eat before it gets cold."
" Will do. Thanks." She looked at him again, this time from the reflection of the mirror and he did double take as he turned to leave. The green of Rebecca's eyes was wide taking up all but a sliver of white and a small circle of black and to his amazement glowing. He shook his head and laughed inwardly as he started in on his breakfast. His girlfriend had inferred night vision goggle glowing eyes... What the hell did it mean when they did that?
" More than likely, that you shouldn't fuck with her." She sashayed her way past him turning back over her shoulder to gift him with evil grin and a glowing gleam. She sat on the bench at the end of the bed and put on her shoes, strappy wedges. The shoes, jeans and flowery top told him there would be no working in the garden today for her.
" You got a hot date?" he teased.
" Yes with a hot blond chick and yes you should be jealous. So jealous you may wanna shift and go another round at my bushes." she (half) teased back. " That display was very manly by the way."
" Yeah I'm sure that is what you thought of it." He'd felt her dismissal of his actions all the way in the woods. He shoved a fork full of food in his mouth forced all of his concentration on his plate. He felt her looking at him but he refused to look up. He'd been pissed. Seeing her hanging out at the pool , with Jason Stackhouse no less, laughing and joking. He'd come running after he'd listened to her call. She'd sounded worried and unsure. He hadn't wanted her to be alone. Not only wasn't she alone but she was entertaining half of Bon Temps. But now it all seemed childish and stupid.
" You know there is nothing to worry about as far as my company last night is concerned right?"
He did. He knew no one else would ever hold her like he did. There was no reason to be jealous about that. But he still envied the fact they so easily fit into her life. That she continued to move forward even when he wasn't there. He guessed he had expected her to be miserable over their fight and scared from what had happened in her dream.
" Alcide, you weren't there and I don't blame you for not wanting to be here. We had a fight and you were angry. I was angry and it was probably best that you were not here. We both needed some space but contrary to what you may be thinking I was shaken last night. I made the plans for everyone to come before I had the dream and after I was grateful when they arrived because I didn't have time to let it eat at me. I had friends to keep me company and take my mind off things." She paused and went blank for a moment, " I didn't want to be alone." She still didn't. Which was why she'd made plans to spend the day with Sookie. Sitting alone in this house with questions and no answers would drive her mad.
" I get it. I really do and I am sorry I wasn't here like you needed me to be." He tossed his fork down on his plate. " I just don't know what to do with a woman who's got so much of a life that doesn't revolve around me" the words escaped his mouth before his mind had a chance to process them. Once it did it he clearly saw how poorly the represented him.
" Well that doesn't sound conceited at all?" It may have been but she didn't seem surprised that he said it or all that angry by them. His choices were well known.
" You know what I mean Becca, I'm drawn to the clingy, my man is my world type." Which had so not worked out for him over the years. He had something different, new, better with Rebecca but that didn't mean he had any fucking idea how to handle it right. She smirked at him from her seat for a moment, then stood and headed toward him.
" Well honey I can cling when it is necessary, when the mood and situation calls for it and I will stand by my man as long as he would do the same for me" she stopped placing herself between his legs and wrapped her arms around his neck. She ran her fingers across the flesh of his face, his body tensed & his hands clutched the side of the couch. She sent vibrations searing through his body and with each touch he felt something different, peace, desire,calm and need. Finally into his ear she continued,
" But I am, have always been and will always be my own woman. I stand on my own two feet and I forge a life that includes love but is not all encompassed by it." She laid her lips onto his gently and for only a second. " My time with you is most precious though and having you near finishes every memory perfectly." she ran her hand across his chin lovingly and then kissed his forehead. " Finish your breakfast and get ready for work. We can talk more tonight okay?"
He nodded, those eyes, the closeness of her was making him dizzy. " Yeah, that'd be good." he choked out. She'd taken his breath away.
She ran her hands through his hair and smiled. " Good" She called her girls to her and he watched them stroll off together leaving him sitting there dazed and as he listened to her shoes retreating down the staircase his mind opened up and he found his answer, plain as day.
As he readied himself for his day he became more and more sure and started to put together a plan in his head. When he came downstairs he found Rebecca in the Library staring at the computer screen. Her mouth was down turned, her eyes sad. He knew the look well. Whatever the words, that look could have only been caused by one person.
" Everything alright hun?" She looked up from the screen, her face moving through several emotions before finding it's smile. Mason Leary had not returned to Belle Vita. He had his reasons. All very good ones. But it still pained him to see how his absence was affecting Rebecca. The safety net she felt she had to put around herself at night was just another symptom of her withdrawal. There had been a moment ( maybe two) that Alcide had wished for Mason's absence. But now that he was gone, and his return up in the air Alcide wished he'd get his ass back here.
" Of course, just reading an e-mail from Mason." She clicked the screen closed and shut the laptop. She never lied about his presence but she was about being alright. He didn't push her on it. Instead he asked the obvious question.
" What he have to say?"
" Not much, he expressed the appropriate concern in the appropriate manner and asked the appropriate follow up questions. All clean crisp,efficient and devoid of any emotion. Typical Mason."
With everyone but her he thought. He knew it is what she was thinking to. Mason couldn't walk away like most who were in his situation, so instead he put up his defenses.
He grabbed her into a hug as she tried to pass him. He held on to her until she let the tension and hurt go. She sighed and gave him a squeeze " Thanks"
" What I'm here for. " he let her go & they headed together for the door and out to their cars. What he had planned to ask her when he'd been upstairs was now stuck in his throat and remained there as she kissed him goodbye at his truck and then and climbed into her car. He watched her as her car veered off to the left and headed towards Sookie's and thought about her all the way to the job. He'd used Mason's e-mail as an excuse to not do what he'd been sure he wanted to do. By mid day he'd had enough of himself and found a quiet place to give Rebecca a call. On the fourth ring she picked up.
" Hello"
" Hey Becca, just checking in. You having a good time?"
" Of course, Sookie and I had lunch and now were doing some shopping. You having a productive day?"
" Yeah, days going well.... Busy."
" That's good......" She was waiting for the real reason he called. He gave it to her.
" Remember how you said we would talk more tonight?"
" Yes, hun."
" Well do you think we could do that at my place?" he listened to the silence on the other line. He figured she needed a minute to get over her shock.
" That would be more than fine by me. I'm actually in Shreveport so I can meet you whenever your ready." He heard mumbled voices on the other end. " Sookie can take my car and I can meet you at your place?"
" I kind of wanted to take you for dinner first." A meal out where people could see them would mean more than locking themselves away in his apartment for the night.
" Okay when and where?" she was agreeable. His thought had been right on. He told her what he had in mind and when he hung up the phone he breathed a hard sigh of relief. No going back now. Tonight Rebecca would be inserted into the last remaining hold out of his life.
Rebecca nodded. " He arrived just in time to see us having the ice cube war." They had all thought it was funny as shit, each of them tyring to toss the most ice down each other's shirts. But Alcide hadn't been quite as amused. He'd been fuming in the woods ever since.
" He should've come on over here and joined in." She watched Rebecca watch the woods.
He was staying just out of sight. But the howl had meant he felt his presence was being ignored. He was right. She'd refused any attempt he'd made to get into her head. The liquor had given her an excuse to use. The howling was a sure way to prevent her from doing so.
" Well if he's gonna be an ass then let him stay in the woods and pout. Can't expect you be waiting around for him." Sookie had done a little peeking.
" He is my life test Sookie." She patted her friend on the shoulder before loading her arms up with what remained on the table. "I promise you I'll pass with flying colors."
Alcide couldn't make all of her quests easy ones. Where would the fun be in that?
" Better you than me. I was never good at taking tests." Rebecca laughed and waving Sookie ahead of her they went inside to enjoy a little girl talk as they cleaned.
She gave Sookie a hug when she walked her to her car. Thanking her for everything but most importantly just for the pleasure of her company. Sookie hugged her back with the same amount of feeling but Rebecca saw that inside she was concerned that the hug had far more meaning. She smiled reassuringly as Sookie turned her car and headed down the drive. Rebecca waited in the dark for Alcide to appear but it wasn't until she had closed the house up for the night and gone upstairs that he howled again. She went to the window and found him sitting just inside the tree line. He howled again and then started kicking the dirt around him. As a finale to his show he lifted his leg and pissed all over the nearest bush. After watching him repeat the process several times she moved away from the window refusing to entertain his antics any further. Very mature she thought shaking her head. Everything he'd done that day had been wrong. So his pulling the territorial jealousy bull now was not going to fly. She shut him out and then got ready for bed. She was tired and drunk so within moments of turning out the light she passed out.
 |
| ALCIDE |
It was just before dawn and Alcide found himself standing at the end of Rebecca's bed watching her sleep. When he'd finally gotten over himself, shifted and made his way inside he'd been surprised to find there would be no conversation, no fight. In fact Rebecca didn't bother to come downstairs when he entered and rambled his way through the house. So after a while he had figured she was expecting, waiting for him to come to her. He'd opened the door slowly expecting to see her sitting up a steely gaze focused on him but what he had found was a dead to the world girlfriend who was so uninterested in having him near her she'd erected some sort of force field around herself. It had zapped the shit out of him and sent him reeling backwards on his heels. He'd called to her both verbally and mentally but if she heard him she never let on. She was far to deep within her sleep to answer him. So he had settled in on the couch and watched. Rebecca moved around in her sleep when she dreamed. Several times he had to wake or restrain her when her tossing and turning had turned from bothersome to violent. Tonight she seemed to be running through her dreams. He watched her body twist and turn, her mouth speak invisible words, the air in the room grow hot and cold. She was controlling the elements even in her sleep. He been on the brink of dozing off several times but each time he'd been shaken awake by the thought of her blowing the house up while they were both passed out. At some point he'd given up his seat and had found his spot at the end of the bed.
" You know that is creepy as hell." His mind had glazed over from the lack of sleep, he hadn't noticed her breathing change or her body stir. She sat up and found his face.
" Why didn't you wake me?" She rubbed the back of her fingers across her eyes and stifled a yawn.
" Tried... You were dead to the world " he shrugged and smiled but just slightly.
" Then I wouldn't have kicked you out if you'd crawled in next to me." She wouldn't have but she'd certainly have given him the cold shoulder.
" Couldn't." he put one finger to the wall around the bed and the zap and sizzle of his skin made Rebecca jump. She took a long look around her and he felt the field fall as Rebecca's shoulders sank.
" I am sorry Alcide, I hadn't realized I'd put it up." She failed to mention that she'd been doing it since Mason left whenever she was alone. He remembered sometime in the night ,a couple of entries in her diaries that mentioned her using a shield to protect herself when she felt afraid and alone. He knew he could have caused the latter emotion after their fight yesterday but the fear, that belonged to something else. Probably whatever she was running from in her dreams.
" It's all right Becca, you wanna tell me why you were scared enough to put that sucker up last night?" She shook her head.
" Not quite sure if I even know right now" she sent to him She only had theories and between being half asleep and still angry with him she wasn't ready to talk.
" Have something to do with the message you left me last night?" She'd dreamt of her Father and he had sent her a warning.
She nodded " Something. Someone." She looked away into the corner of the room past him.
"Would it be alright if I came and sat by you?" Having been an ass yesterday he'd felt it best to ask permission.
As an answer Rebecca held out her hand. He came closer and took it letting her pull him into the bed with her. She was tense but let the day before go and relaxed as he pulled the covers up over both of them. He then pulled her as close to him as he could manage.
" Becca?" He searched for the right thing to say. He'd thought about it all day yesterday but then let his anger get the better of him when he'd come running to her last night. Then when he'd calmed down he hadn't been able to reach her and so he'd had more time to think. How could he fix the one thing that was wrong between them without giving in when he wasn't ready to? She was right and he hated that. Let her in a part of him screamed. The other kept telling him he wasn't ready. He wasn't ready was he?
" Sssssh." she brought his hand up and placed it under her cheek. " Don't say or think anything now. Your tired and I want you near me."
He was getting a momentary free pass. One that he would gratefully take. He placed a kiss on the top of her head and closed his eyes.
He was stirred awake by the smell of coffee and food. It sat on a tray which sat on the coffee table. He looked around but there was no Rebecca. The clock told him it was after ten.
" Shit" He muttered to himself. Or so he thought.
" No worries, I called Max and said you'd be around later in the morning. Told him you hadn't gotten any sleep last night and I was forcing you to sleep in." He peaked inside the closet to find the body that went with the voice. Rebecca turned from the rack of clothes she was peering into and gave him a small sad smile. " You should eat before it gets cold."
" Will do. Thanks." She looked at him again, this time from the reflection of the mirror and he did double take as he turned to leave. The green of Rebecca's eyes was wide taking up all but a sliver of white and a small circle of black and to his amazement glowing. He shook his head and laughed inwardly as he started in on his breakfast. His girlfriend had inferred night vision goggle glowing eyes... What the hell did it mean when they did that?
" More than likely, that you shouldn't fuck with her." She sashayed her way past him turning back over her shoulder to gift him with evil grin and a glowing gleam. She sat on the bench at the end of the bed and put on her shoes, strappy wedges. The shoes, jeans and flowery top told him there would be no working in the garden today for her.
" You got a hot date?" he teased.
" Yes with a hot blond chick and yes you should be jealous. So jealous you may wanna shift and go another round at my bushes." she (half) teased back. " That display was very manly by the way."
" Yeah I'm sure that is what you thought of it." He'd felt her dismissal of his actions all the way in the woods. He shoved a fork full of food in his mouth forced all of his concentration on his plate. He felt her looking at him but he refused to look up. He'd been pissed. Seeing her hanging out at the pool , with Jason Stackhouse no less, laughing and joking. He'd come running after he'd listened to her call. She'd sounded worried and unsure. He hadn't wanted her to be alone. Not only wasn't she alone but she was entertaining half of Bon Temps. But now it all seemed childish and stupid.
" You know there is nothing to worry about as far as my company last night is concerned right?"
He did. He knew no one else would ever hold her like he did. There was no reason to be jealous about that. But he still envied the fact they so easily fit into her life. That she continued to move forward even when he wasn't there. He guessed he had expected her to be miserable over their fight and scared from what had happened in her dream.
" Alcide, you weren't there and I don't blame you for not wanting to be here. We had a fight and you were angry. I was angry and it was probably best that you were not here. We both needed some space but contrary to what you may be thinking I was shaken last night. I made the plans for everyone to come before I had the dream and after I was grateful when they arrived because I didn't have time to let it eat at me. I had friends to keep me company and take my mind off things." She paused and went blank for a moment, " I didn't want to be alone." She still didn't. Which was why she'd made plans to spend the day with Sookie. Sitting alone in this house with questions and no answers would drive her mad.
" I get it. I really do and I am sorry I wasn't here like you needed me to be." He tossed his fork down on his plate. " I just don't know what to do with a woman who's got so much of a life that doesn't revolve around me" the words escaped his mouth before his mind had a chance to process them. Once it did it he clearly saw how poorly the represented him.
" Well that doesn't sound conceited at all?" It may have been but she didn't seem surprised that he said it or all that angry by them. His choices were well known.
" You know what I mean Becca, I'm drawn to the clingy, my man is my world type." Which had so not worked out for him over the years. He had something different, new, better with Rebecca but that didn't mean he had any fucking idea how to handle it right. She smirked at him from her seat for a moment, then stood and headed toward him.
" Well honey I can cling when it is necessary, when the mood and situation calls for it and I will stand by my man as long as he would do the same for me" she stopped placing herself between his legs and wrapped her arms around his neck. She ran her fingers across the flesh of his face, his body tensed & his hands clutched the side of the couch. She sent vibrations searing through his body and with each touch he felt something different, peace, desire,calm and need. Finally into his ear she continued,
" But I am, have always been and will always be my own woman. I stand on my own two feet and I forge a life that includes love but is not all encompassed by it." She laid her lips onto his gently and for only a second. " My time with you is most precious though and having you near finishes every memory perfectly." she ran her hand across his chin lovingly and then kissed his forehead. " Finish your breakfast and get ready for work. We can talk more tonight okay?"
He nodded, those eyes, the closeness of her was making him dizzy. " Yeah, that'd be good." he choked out. She'd taken his breath away.
She ran her hands through his hair and smiled. " Good" She called her girls to her and he watched them stroll off together leaving him sitting there dazed and as he listened to her shoes retreating down the staircase his mind opened up and he found his answer, plain as day.
As he readied himself for his day he became more and more sure and started to put together a plan in his head. When he came downstairs he found Rebecca in the Library staring at the computer screen. Her mouth was down turned, her eyes sad. He knew the look well. Whatever the words, that look could have only been caused by one person.
" Everything alright hun?" She looked up from the screen, her face moving through several emotions before finding it's smile. Mason Leary had not returned to Belle Vita. He had his reasons. All very good ones. But it still pained him to see how his absence was affecting Rebecca. The safety net she felt she had to put around herself at night was just another symptom of her withdrawal. There had been a moment ( maybe two) that Alcide had wished for Mason's absence. But now that he was gone, and his return up in the air Alcide wished he'd get his ass back here.
" Of course, just reading an e-mail from Mason." She clicked the screen closed and shut the laptop. She never lied about his presence but she was about being alright. He didn't push her on it. Instead he asked the obvious question.
" What he have to say?"
" Not much, he expressed the appropriate concern in the appropriate manner and asked the appropriate follow up questions. All clean crisp,efficient and devoid of any emotion. Typical Mason."
With everyone but her he thought. He knew it is what she was thinking to. Mason couldn't walk away like most who were in his situation, so instead he put up his defenses.
He grabbed her into a hug as she tried to pass him. He held on to her until she let the tension and hurt go. She sighed and gave him a squeeze " Thanks"
" What I'm here for. " he let her go & they headed together for the door and out to their cars. What he had planned to ask her when he'd been upstairs was now stuck in his throat and remained there as she kissed him goodbye at his truck and then and climbed into her car. He watched her as her car veered off to the left and headed towards Sookie's and thought about her all the way to the job. He'd used Mason's e-mail as an excuse to not do what he'd been sure he wanted to do. By mid day he'd had enough of himself and found a quiet place to give Rebecca a call. On the fourth ring she picked up.
" Hello"
" Hey Becca, just checking in. You having a good time?"
" Of course, Sookie and I had lunch and now were doing some shopping. You having a productive day?"
" Yeah, days going well.... Busy."
" That's good......" She was waiting for the real reason he called. He gave it to her.
" Remember how you said we would talk more tonight?"
" Yes, hun."
" Well do you think we could do that at my place?" he listened to the silence on the other line. He figured she needed a minute to get over her shock.
" That would be more than fine by me. I'm actually in Shreveport so I can meet you whenever your ready." He heard mumbled voices on the other end. " Sookie can take my car and I can meet you at your place?"
" I kind of wanted to take you for dinner first." A meal out where people could see them would mean more than locking themselves away in his apartment for the night.
" Okay when and where?" she was agreeable. His thought had been right on. He told her what he had in mind and when he hung up the phone he breathed a hard sigh of relief. No going back now. Tonight Rebecca would be inserted into the last remaining hold out of his life.
He pulled in front of Antonio's at exactly seven-thirty. Since Rebecca had given her car to Sookie he'd expected her to be standing outside waiting for him but he hadn't seen her when he'd pulled in. He'd left the house in a hurry, having gotten home later than expected so he took a moment to look himself over. He was dressed in the one pair of black slacks he had in his closet and a navy blue long sleeve dress shirt. Both had been gifts from Debbie. He did not plan on telling Rebecca that and did what he could to put the thought of it out of his mind. He took a look in the rear view mirror running his fingers through his hair and making sure he didn't have anything in his teeth. He stepped out of the car and took a look around. Still no Rebecca. He pulled his phone out. No calls. Not like her to be late.
" I'm not late. Just enjoying watching you primp." He turned to find her leaning against the hood of his car.
He hadn't seen her, hadn't sensed her, hadn't sniffed her out. She appeared out of thin air.
" No it's actually kind of thick tonight." She held a finger up into the air and her evil grin grew across her face. She let out what he called her witchy giggle. The one she gave him whenever she performed magic when he was around.
He stood tall put his hands at his side jutted out his jaw and threw on a cocky grin. " So how'd I do?"
A long wolf whistle pierced the thick early evening air. " NIIIIIIIIIIIICE" she gave him an approving nod and a sexy wink.
He grinned back and took a good look at her. She was wearing a black sleeveless dress with a modest knee length hem and a square cut neckline. Her feet were clad in sky high black heels with red toe nails peeping out from the little hole in the front of them. Her hair was pulled back and up placed expertly in a curly mound on the top of her head. His sisters work no doubt. She looked sexy without being overt about it. It made him very happy to see her
. " You look gooooood" he sent to her as he made his way in front of her. He then enclosed her by putting his hands on his hood. He leaned in to kiss her and she pulled back.
" Mighty kind of you to say Mr. Herveaux. I wanted to look nice for our first night out together in your town. Want to make a good impression." she sent back and smiled. Her stained lips parting just the tiniest bit.
" Well you sure are making an impression on me." He leaned into her and this time he got his kiss. " A very good impression." he raised his eyebrows at her which made her give him a slap across the arm.
" Let's get inside before this dinner date ends without any actual consumption of food." She pushed him back and walked a few steps ahead before reaching back for his hand. He took it gladly and lead her into the restaurant. They were seated quickly and bread was on the table and drink orders taken before they could get themselves properly situated.
She grabbed a piece of garlic toast and swallowed most of it in one bite.
" What?" She said giving him a look that dissolved into a smile as the waitress returned with their drinks. " Thank you" she said as she grabbed her tea up and took a long swallow.
" Hungry I take it?" She nodded and took another bite of bread. " You and Sookie didn't take time to eat?' He knew that everything she was wearing was new.
" No we had lunch but I burned it all off. I am famished and it smells divine in here." She looked around the room. " It's a nice place. You come here often?"
It was one of his favorite places and one that he had brought more than one previous girlfriend to ( some regularly). " Been here a time or two." She gave him a knowing look but didn't look for details.
" So is there anything in particular on here" she held up the menu " that I simply could not live without?"
He named off a few of his favorites all of which she had no objections to.
" Are you ready to order, Alcide? " the waitress asked returning with pen and pad in hand. Rebecca stifled a laugh into the side of her glass. Busted he thought with a embarrassed side grin.
" Amanda," she paused until she was sure she had the young woman's' attention and was fully aware that Alcide was not sitting at the table alone. "Alcide is going to do the ordering for both of us since he is so familiar with all of the wonderful things you have to offer here." Amanda didn't seem to notice anything amiss and listened patiently as he gave her their order. With a smile meant just for him she swished away and when he looked to Rebecca she was trying hard to hide her amusement.
" She's a cutie, and feels comfortable enough to call you by name. You ever?"
He shook his head, " No Becca I never." Her sister yes her no. Way to young. He bit the inside of his gum and waited for what he knew would come next.
Rebecca slapped her hand on the table and laughed loud enough to get a few stares in their direction. " That is priceless"
He couldn't help but smile and as the blush creeped up the back of his neck he shrugged. " I like this place. Not a whole lot of fancy floating around these parts & this place has been good to me"
" I see. A bit of a lucky charm I take it?" He felt the tip of her shoe creep it's way over to his leg and slowly move it's way up. He jumped just enough to make her laugh again but it didn't make her stop. You'd think after that night in Merlotte's he'd have been prepared for it. At least this time there was a table cloth covering them. No one would be the wiser if he was able to keep his cool.
" Becca…"
" Yes?" she looked back at him innocently from across the table " Is there something wrong?"
" No nothing." He gave up (it just felt to damned good to stop) and instead slipped her shoe off her foot and helped it find just the right spot.
His eyes were closed when the salads arrived at the table, he was but moments away form sinking under the table in a puddle. The distraction threw Rebecca off her game and put her focus back on her empty stomach.
" This looks delicious" She sat up straighter and grabbed the salt and pepper. Alcide did nothing to hide his disappointment.
" Everything look okay Alcide?" Amanda asked him. He found himself unable to move, he sucked in a breath and held it for a few seconds before answering.
" Looks great, just a bit tired. Long day on the job." He unwrapped his silverware and gave her a reassuring smile.
Amanda nodded " I totally understand. Construction is hard work. Enjoy your salads. I've give you both a few minutes and then see your appetizer is brought out." She was gone in a flash.
" So what changed your mind?" She asked in between bites.
" You." He replied quietly. He wasn't sure how the conversation would start, but as usual she just came out with it.
" How's that?"
" You could have ripped me another new one last night. Or this morning but you didn't. I realized that while you were unhappy with me and how I was dealing with bringing you here and into this part of my life you would have waited until I was ready. Your to damned calm about things. It freaks me out."
" So my freaking you out changed your mind about letting me come spend time with you here in Shreveport? Forgive me but that doesn't make sense. Generally when you freak a man out he goes into hiding. He does not extend an invitation to come have dinner with him in his favorite restaurant.
" Of course it don't make any sense. What about us makes any sense?" He chuckled. She glared at him.
" You know what I mean Becca. Anyone on the outside looking in who knew all the facts would think were were both plumb crazy and maybe we are but we despite all that… or maybe because of all that, we work. Your not gonna go running from anything you see here. Nothing I have done so far has made you run so why would this. Besides everyone who knows me already knows your in my life. Hiding you away in Bon Temps seems to make them even more curious."
" I think you might be right about that." she took a look around the room.
" What do you mean?"
" Had some wolves following me and Sookie today. Seemed real interested in sniffing us out."
Alcide felt alarm growing inside him. He sat up straighter in his seat and took a long look around him.
" Don't stress out. We pretended not to notice them and just went about our day but being that we both had no problem reading them we knew they were shadowing us."
" What did they want?"
" To get a good look at the two woman who Alcide had been making time with. They thought it rather strange we were hanging out together. Had some interesting thoughts on the three of us together back in Bon Temps."
Alcide hated to imagine them thinking of Rebecca and Sookie in any way much less like that.
" Their thoughts were quite complimentary. Apparently Sookie and I are seen as catches in the Shreveport pack community." She reached across the table and grabbed his shaking hand. " They did nothing, they didn't approach us and their thoughts were not the only ones along that line today I assure you. I knew telling you would be upsetting, but not telling you would be wrong. But please Alcide calm down and don't let it ruin our evening out. I have so been looking forward to it."
" Alright I won't but can you do one last thing for me?" He had to know who they were. He asked her to show him what they looked like and as she did, he nodded. He knew exactly who they were and he wouldn't forget they had been keeping tabs on his girl and his friend. They had no business following them and he had a pretty good idea who they were doing it for.
" They can't help but to be curious Alcide. I have no problem with that and if they had done anything today I'd have had no problem taking care of that either. I am not afraid of your pack mates. They don't have to like me and they don't have to accept me but they do need to know that I am not going anywhere. Mr Malcom is going to have to know that to. Each of us are a force to be reckoned with apart but together we know no bounds"
" You think your really bad ass don't you?" He flipped his hand into hers and gave it a squeeze.
" In ways you have yet to discover my dear man." The next course came then and they fell into a comfortable silence. The food directed what little conversation they had. Both wanted to keep the mood light and not think about anything that might upset the other for a while.
Just when he had completely relaxed something came along to move their night back in the wrong direction. Someone actually. He'd sensed him before he actually saw him and it had been his hope that they would not be noticed but Lawrence Malcom not only saw them but made a beeline into their direction. He stiffened and catching his thoughts Rebecca did the same. She was afraid of his reaction and angry that the man had to come now and ruin their night. She wasn't however surprised that he showed up. She knew who had sent those wolves to watch her just as he did.
" Alcide" The way he said his name implied they were friends. It made Alcide cringe inside.
" Lawrence." His tone made it clear there was nothing close to friendly between them.
" Careful" Rebecca said into his head " Don't give him any reason to stay longer than necessary." As if he knew something was passing between them he turned and focused his attention on Rebecca.
" So this must be the woman who single handedly put Herveaux construction back in the green and has been keeping you away from Shreveport both days and nights." The suggestion was lude but Rebecca remained unfazed.
" Yes I believe I am guilty of all charges." She smiled a dazzling smile but seethed with a quiet venom. She wasn't going to give Lawrence what he wanted. The mental grip she had on him meant she wouldn't allow him to either.
" Well Mrs. Keane it's sure is nice to finally have a face to go with the name. A very pretty one at that. It's not hard to see why Alcide has taken a shine to your obvious charms." The swarmy smile that Alcide had so often wanted to smack away suddenly appeared on his face.
" That is very kind of you Mr Malcom." Her smile was just as bright but everything else about her had changed. Rebecca had gone cold and something terrible and dark grew within her. She let nothing be seen outwardly but inside she was screaming to him to keep quiet to not let this man know anything else. Not to let him know anything was amiss. That all of his fears about him were true. She had read him and what she had found shook her to the core.
" Well I have always believed in giving compliments when they are due Mrs. Keane. I do hope that seeing you here this evening means that we will be seeing more of Alcide here at home. There are many who have come to rely on him and he is such a positive influence. We're living in hard times and men like Alcide help to keep those who are in need from resorting to desperate deeds. I know the work you have supplied has gone a long way with helping some of our friends. I do thank you for that Ma'am."
" I do what I can and Alcide's men are good and capable. I trust them to do the right thing by me." Malcom's smile faded a bit in the corners. The implication of Rebecca's words were not lost on him. They put doubt in his head about the hold he had on many of the men of the pack. He'd been watching Malcom closely and while nothing had been said that could have given them away he could tell that the man knew that Rebecca was more than aware of what they were. The fact that Rebecca could actually have the ears, minds and hearts of any of the pack she had encountered though pissed him off. His lizard tongue may have been passing out compliments but inside Lawrence Malcom was livid. He resented Rebecca. Alcide couldn't wait for this exchange to be over. To get her alone and pick her brain on what she saw, what she had figured out in the short time she had been in contact with him. He hadn't wanted to bring her in to this but maybe she could have solved his problem much earlier if he had. Maybe she could help him end in now.
" I have no doubt that they will." his eyes moved in between the two of them and after a moment when no other conversation passed between them Malcom continued, his smile a bit faded but still snug " Well then I won't keep you two from your evening any longer. I'm sure you would like nothing better than to be alone. Just had to come over and make sure my eyes weren't deceiving me." He gave his head a tip in Rebecca's direction. " Nice to meet you Mrs. Keane."
" Good evening Mr. Malcom" She would hardly say it had been a pleasure to meet him herself. The good part of her reply was already a stretch.
" Alcide." he nodded.
" Lawrence." he nodded back not a hint of pleasantry on his face. He watched as Malcom walked back towards the front of the restaurant and entered the front dinning room. When he turned back to Rebecca she sat stoned faced in her seat.
" Rebecca?" She blinked back whatever was clouding her mind and found his gaze.
" Sorry" she stuttered. " I….I can't…. " she stopped and ran her hand across her forehead. Amanda arrived to ask them about dessert but just as Alcide started to ask for the check. Rebecca's voice rang out. " Don't be silly Alcide, we will totally going to have dessert. I have a deep desire for some tiramisu and a cappuccino."
" You sure?" Her voice was off, a bit to shrill.
" Of course I am sure. What are you going to have?"
He ordered a piece of cheesecake, knowing Rebecca loved it and would appreciate him giving her the opportunity to have some of both and a coffee. He stared at her waiting.
"Nothing here, not even mentally" she sent to him. He felt eyes all around him now so he understood why she wouldn't want to talk here. Not about Malcom anyway. So he changed the subject.
" You gonna stay the night with me?" he asked flirtatiously.
" Hummmmmm…." she put her finger to her chin " I've been pondering that question most of the day. Do you think it makes me seem to….. I don't know... easy? I mean I don't want to give you the wrong ideas about what kind of girl I am."
He smiled and moved out of his seat and into hers. " I know exactly what type of girl you are. The type that drives me absolutely crazy" He nuzzled into the side of her ear. " In all the right ways and wouldn't refuse me the pleasures of your company in a sleepover"
" Sleep hum?" She murmured into his lips.
" Well eventually" He whispered back. Only part of the moment was for any prying eyes benefit. Mostly though he sank into her like he always did when they were this close. Nothing or no one got to him when he had her in his arms. They pulled themselves apart when the dessert arrived and Rebecca was amused by whatever floated through Amanda's mind as she placed their plates and cups in front of them.
" What was she thinking?" he asked once they were alone again
"She can't wait to text her sister and rub what she just saw in. She also felt guilty because she thinks your better off with me than you were with her" She took a bite of her tiramisu and then as he'd predicted grabbed a forkful of the cheesecake. " Delish" she said happily doing a little dance in her seat and proceeded to sigh her way through the next few minutes.
When they desserts were gone, a few more kisses exchanged and the need to get the hell out of there growing, he paid the check and with a final thanks to Amanda, Alcide escorted Rebecca out of the restaurant. He opened the car door for her and once they were both inside he turned to Rebecca. She was already turned his way and before he could get a word out she told him in the bluntest way what he wanted to know.
" Lawrence Malcom wants you dead."
She chose her words carefully, after the initial bombshell anyway. She answered each of his questions calmly as they drove down the road towards his apartment. He wanted to know every thought, every motive that she had seen in Malcom's head. What were his plans? When was he planning on making his move? Did he honestly think he would actually get away with even an attempt on his life? Should they just take him out first?
That thought had been more than appealing to her. She would have no problem with that at all. Her stomach lurched the more she talked about him and she chanted in the silences that enveloped them as Alcide pondered the her answers and formed his next question. From the moment she had felt him come into the room she had known his intentions were ill. He hadn't bothered to hide it and had hoped that she would hear every evil thought that went through his head. It wasn't until he smiled though, that wretched grin that she so often saw in her nightmares that she knew. Malcom hatred for Alcide had nothing to do with his desire to control the Shreveport pack. Not really anyway. If it happened that would be an added bonus he'd happy take but he could care less either way. He thought that Alcide's father was a joke and that while Alcide was a formidable foe and had caused more problems than he had thought he would he still had no doubt he could finish what he'd sat out to do. He knew Alcide's weakness and it was that weakness that fueled his fire and made Alcide an easy target. Malcom knew that Alcide would do anything to protect her, and when the truth came out he would gladly sacrifice himself if it meant keeping her safe. It was what he was counting on cause Alcide's death would do more damage than just coming straight at her. He hated the idea of Alcide's relationship with Rebecca. Wolves didn't mix with Witches. It had been ingrained into him from a very young age. His family had been dead set against it. His Father had gone to his death because he had gone against the belief and his death was even more proof to Malcom that the two species of Sups had no business wrapping themselves up in one another. Perhaps if his Father had listened and stayed true to that ideal and not had been so desperate for power and placement he'd still be alive. And she never would have had to live through the deaths of her Father, Husband and Daughter. Alcide's death would be his way slicing deeply into those old wounds. Lawrence Malcom held a different sir name but he was every bit his Father's son. Bradley Wrights son. A son she hadn't known existed. For if she had he would be dead just like the rest of his family. Malcom was the one pulling the strings on all the shit that had been going down since she arrived in Bon Temps. The wolf on her property the night Alcide saw her with Jason. The one who had sent the Marten the blond vamp to watch her and to rile Debbie up & send her running through the woods with Alcide on her heels. A course of action that left her bloody and broken and had caused Alcide so much pain, regret. The man who had almost cost her everything. Yes it seemed Lawrence Malcom was the most frayed loose end she could have ever imagined. She had to stop him before he hurt Alcide. But first she had to tell the man she loved the real reason Malcom wanted to kill him. The whole story.
The car pulled into the a spot in front of Alcide's building. As he walked around the car to open her door she looked at herself in the visor's mirror. No way was she having that conversation here. She didn't trust this place not to be bugged and she had no doubt they were being watched. No here she would give no indication that anything was amiss. Malcom had no doubt of who she was but he still had no clue what she was capable of nor did he seem to know the whole of the story himself. No here she would keep right on being the giddy girlfriend. She would go upstairs with her man and find comfort in the confines of his space,of his arms. Besides she needed time to get her thoughts together and gather up the tools she would need to tell her story completely this time. She'd been peeling away the pieces a little at a time but there was no more time to wait for the final chapter. It would have to be done soon and when she was done she may find the chapter she was writing now cut short.
Alcide's hand came into view and she took it glad because it felt real and comforting and steadied her shaky legs.
She took a moment to steady herself while he scanned the parking lot and locked up the car. There were Were's nearby but they made no moves to show themselves. They were loyal to Malcom and not members of Alcide's pack. She was glad for that. The less of the Shreveport pack she had to deal with the better.
She listened to TV programs, blaring music and both loud and whispered conversations as they made their way through the complex. Alcide's questions had ended ( for now anyway) and had been replaced by trepidation of what she was going to think of the apartment ( and the fact that he'd once lived there with Debbie). She watched as his expression went from dread to amazement as he realized that the place he'd left a mess a few hours before was now immaculate.
"What the.." he said to himself before shutting the thought off. He didn't want her catching it, but there was no point in worrying about it. She knew exactly who had cleaned the place up, hung the photos, placed the rugs,pillows and throws, who had put out the personal pieces of Alcide's life that had been stashed away when he'd moved in with Debbie. The things he had never bothered to pull of boxes when she had left. She already had an idea but when she'd called Janice to say Alcide had finally relented and invited her to come see him there, Janice's reply of " Your not staying in his dump are you?" had set the wheels in motion. She & Sookie set out to buy the perfect date outfit and the perfect after date household decorations. Janice had been more than happy to help Sookie put the place together while she and Alcide where at dinner.
" Well this looks much more like a home than you let on Alcide." she walked over to the coffee table and placed her bag down and pushed her shoes off lining them up underneath. " It's quite nice."
" Nicer than I remember that's for sure." he replied as he locked the door. He could kiss Janice for not letting him look like a bum but he was still wondering what the payback was going to be for the mass improvements to his place. At the very least he was going to be heading to the bank to make a sizable withdrawal.
" Do you have anything to drink? I'm parched." Rebecca smiled sweetly and headed towards the kitchen. She was just opening the refrigerator when he caught up to her.
" Not gonna find much I'm afraid." His mouth opened just a touch as he viewed the contents of his recently filled fridge.
That had all been Sookie and she had gone a bit over board even in Rebecca's estimation. It seemed she'd be taking some money out as well. She grabbed a Snapple from the door
" Ahhh honey you got me my favorite, how sweet." She kissed him on the cheek and then popped the top. The tea was cold, familiar and calming.
" What does it say?" He peered over her shoulder but she pushed the top to her chest so he couldn't see it.
" It says " You will be swept off your feet by a tall dark handsome man with a fully stocked fridge." she took a sip and giggled as the bewilderment on Alcide's face became amusement.
" Oh really? When do you think you will meet this mystery man?"
" Hummmm" her eyes grew wide "For the last few seconds I have been wondering that myself." she looked around the room as if hoping the "mystery man" would make his appearance. She stopped when she found Alcide's gaze again.
He took the bottle from her hand and sat it behind her on the counter. " You needn't look any further" he gently lifted her into a seated position on the counter and found her lips.
" Nope no more looking required." she whispered in between kisses. She grabbed him up into her arms and held on tightly. She closed her eyes tried to push away all of the thoughts of what her introduction to Lawrence Malcom could mean. She just wanted to be with him. The fates had finally brought them together and you would think after all the years of searching and suffering she could have more than a few weeks of peace she felt in his company. Moments like these were such a horrible tease and if Malcom got his way there wouldn't be very many of them left.
" Don't worry Becca, I ain't gonna let anything happen to you." He added pressure to his end of their embrace. She wasn't worried about herself and he knew it. " Nothing is going to happen to me either."
It was a hope, a determined one but still just a hope. He knew that he easily outmatched Malcom if it came down to a fair fight but Alcide but it was doubtful that Malcom's play would be nothing less than dirty. He had no idea how right he was about that. Even though he was holding her tightly and doing his best to comfort her a part of his mind was working on ideas on how to take Malcom out. Thoughts of what would happen if he didn't succeed in quieting Malcom first. Thoughts of who and what he would have to put in place in case he didn't make it. Thoughts of dying but never making it to the grave. Thoughts of her journals and of Etienne's theories. She shook her head back and forth against his chest.
"NO!!!" she sent to him
" Rebecca…." He pleaded with her in return.
She pulled back and grabbed his shirt and shook him. " NO you will not think that way!!! NO NO NO!!! That thought can't enter you mind now. You will use it as a rational to be reckless." His look was steady, his eyes willful. He wasn't going to let it go. It had to be talked about.
He grabbed her hands and stopped her from jerking him about. " Stop it Becca. You can't wish the idea away. You can't sit here and pretend you haven't thought about it countless times. Before and after we finally meet. I read those journals. I know what your Grandfather believes. That our connection is much deeper than you have let on. That because of it I may be Immortal like you" she shook her head. Please no don't do this she thought over and over. Don't put it out there cause once he did he couldn't take it back. It would always be sitting there between them. She could easily force the conversation to stop. A few silent words and it would all be over. A spell that could take away the last few minutes and keep the idea of Alcide's immortality a unspoken yet common thought. But she couldn't bring herself to do it. To take this away from him. As much as it hurt her using her magic on him would hurt him more. "You can't act like you can't handle this either. This is nothing new for you. You've got to know that if something happens to me, if Malcom kills me that there is just as much of a chance I'll come back to you as I won't"
She kept her eyes down. No matter how true his words were she didn't want to hear any of this. He waited for her to say something. Her nostrils flared and she fought back the urge to tear up. She was angry but not quite angry enough. Her refusal to give him even the hint of a response egged him forward.
" Did you actually think I was going to go through our life together without talking about this. Me growing old while you stay exactly as you are now? Are you telling me that you'd rather watch me get fat and wrinkly with saggy balls and a limp dick? How fucking appealing am I going to be to you then? You can't be this stupid Becca and you can't expect me to spend my whole life wondering just because you are to afraid to find out if it's true. He pushed back from her but she grabbed him keeping him from walking away. No way he was going to bolt after what he started. Now she was angry enough.
" Do you think any of that would matter to me? That all I see in you is this face? " she touched his cheek. " This body?" she thrust her fist against his chest.
"Exactly how appealing do you think you will be to me dead? I'd rather have you for the next sixty years, saggy ass and all then have loose your life at Malcom's hand and be left bloody and lifeless on some Warehouse floor. Of course I have thought about it, how could I have not but damn it Alcide I just found you, you'll have to forgive me if I'm not keen on the idea of letting you die. There are no guarantee's here Alcide. You could die and I will have to mourn you and place flowers on your headstone and wait.. A very long time, possibly forever before I find you again. Are you telling me that, the idea that I would be left alone and lost without you is more appealing than spending your life, THIS life, however long it may be here with me?"
Alcide opened his mouth to speak but stopped and clamped it shut again. They sat staring each other down. Finally, after counting several minutes off by the tick of the clock on the wall in front of her Alcide's face began to soften. She had heard him, it was what he had wanted for he'd been holding in the thought ever since he'd read her journals. He'd played it over and over in his mind in the times he was alone. Every time he'd seen things from his perspective and solely from the view that if he died he would come back. He'd never feared death before but now that he had a real reason to live he hated the idea of growing old and dying. To not be able to keep up with her or have to have her take care of him. He couldn't help but want to stay as he was now and be with her forever. But with everything he knew she had lost he still hadn't given much thought to what would happen to her if he didn't come back. He still hoped it was possible but looking into her eyes now he could see it as she did. A fifty-fifty chance was just not good enough odds. Not when it meant loosing the one thing that you loved most.
" I don't want to be without you ever." his hand found her wrist and he gave it a soft squeeze.
" Then for the love of the Goddess don't go courting death. He has spent way to much time lurking around me and the ones I love. He doesn't need your help doing his job!" she loosened her grip on him and sunk into herself. Deflated by the strength it had taken to grip him so tightly and by the great measure of her emotions. She looked up and took in a huge breath.
" Promise me something." she said into her hands.
" What?" he replied removing them from her face and bringing them to his lips.
" Promise me you won't do anything stupid"
He nodded his head. He wouldn't go out of his way to meet his maker. He couldn't however promise her he wouldn't die. He had to steel himself for the possibility of a fight he could not control the outcome of.
" Promise me something." he asked in return.
" Of course." she would refuse him nothing.
" If he kills me and I don't come back to you." her lips clamped closed and she blinked repeatedly to keep the tears at bay. He kissed her forehead and then placed his to it. " Make him suffer before you kill him."
She leaned back and with a nod and a sniffle replied " That is a promise that I will take great pleasure in keeping."
" I figured you might" He picked up the top from the counter and turned it over " Sixty-Five percent of people tilt their heads to the right when they lean in for a kiss."
Tonight hadn't gone exactly as she had hoped there was much more to talk about, to deal with, to plan for but maybe they could find a way to end this night on a high note.
" Yet another interesting factoid. One that can easily be proven." she tip toed her fingers up his arm.
" Test it for accuracy?" he titled his head to the side and smiled her smile.
" You wouldn't mind trying it out would you?" she teased as he moved in closer and wrapped her up in his arms.
" Not at all" he lifted her up and carried her from the kitchen, though the apartment and into the bedroom. Some improvements had been made in this room to. The bed was made, dressed up in navy and black patterned sheets and comforter. Everything at Belle Vita screamed her, and girl, so she figured Alcide should have a more manly color pallet in his own place. She did however spring for some candles and which were placed along the window sills. With a flick of her finger they sprung to life, illuminating the room with a soft glow.
As he went to put her down he thanked her.
" For what?" she asked as she turned to have him unzip her dress.
" For sprucing this place up and making it feel like a home again." He moved her dress down her shoulders and down her body. He let out a have mercy moan as he did so.
" It was nothing, I was fun and I enjoyed the idea of surprising you." his hands and lips were all over her now.
" I wasn't talking about the pillows and knickknacks and new sheets Becca" Each word was separated by a kiss across her shoulders. She reveled in his warmth of their touch.
" No?" she said " Then what?" she leaned back wrapping one arm around the back of his head and pulling him down to her.
" You Becca. You being here makes it feel like home." his kisses moved their way down her face and found her lips. He kissed her longingly moving her backward toward the bed. He placed her down gently and as she pushed her way further up he took her in and grinned. " And man is it good to be home"
" I'm not late. Just enjoying watching you primp." He turned to find her leaning against the hood of his car.
He hadn't seen her, hadn't sensed her, hadn't sniffed her out. She appeared out of thin air.
" No it's actually kind of thick tonight." She held a finger up into the air and her evil grin grew across her face. She let out what he called her witchy giggle. The one she gave him whenever she performed magic when he was around.
He stood tall put his hands at his side jutted out his jaw and threw on a cocky grin. " So how'd I do?"
A long wolf whistle pierced the thick early evening air. " NIIIIIIIIIIIICE" she gave him an approving nod and a sexy wink.
He grinned back and took a good look at her. She was wearing a black sleeveless dress with a modest knee length hem and a square cut neckline. Her feet were clad in sky high black heels with red toe nails peeping out from the little hole in the front of them. Her hair was pulled back and up placed expertly in a curly mound on the top of her head. His sisters work no doubt. She looked sexy without being overt about it. It made him very happy to see her
. " You look gooooood" he sent to her as he made his way in front of her. He then enclosed her by putting his hands on his hood. He leaned in to kiss her and she pulled back.
" Mighty kind of you to say Mr. Herveaux. I wanted to look nice for our first night out together in your town. Want to make a good impression." she sent back and smiled. Her stained lips parting just the tiniest bit.
" Well you sure are making an impression on me." He leaned into her and this time he got his kiss. " A very good impression." he raised his eyebrows at her which made her give him a slap across the arm.
" Let's get inside before this dinner date ends without any actual consumption of food." She pushed him back and walked a few steps ahead before reaching back for his hand. He took it gladly and lead her into the restaurant. They were seated quickly and bread was on the table and drink orders taken before they could get themselves properly situated.
She grabbed a piece of garlic toast and swallowed most of it in one bite.
" What?" She said giving him a look that dissolved into a smile as the waitress returned with their drinks. " Thank you" she said as she grabbed her tea up and took a long swallow.
" Hungry I take it?" She nodded and took another bite of bread. " You and Sookie didn't take time to eat?' He knew that everything she was wearing was new.
" No we had lunch but I burned it all off. I am famished and it smells divine in here." She looked around the room. " It's a nice place. You come here often?"
It was one of his favorite places and one that he had brought more than one previous girlfriend to ( some regularly). " Been here a time or two." She gave him a knowing look but didn't look for details.
" So is there anything in particular on here" she held up the menu " that I simply could not live without?"
He named off a few of his favorites all of which she had no objections to.
" Are you ready to order, Alcide? " the waitress asked returning with pen and pad in hand. Rebecca stifled a laugh into the side of her glass. Busted he thought with a embarrassed side grin.
" Amanda," she paused until she was sure she had the young woman's' attention and was fully aware that Alcide was not sitting at the table alone. "Alcide is going to do the ordering for both of us since he is so familiar with all of the wonderful things you have to offer here." Amanda didn't seem to notice anything amiss and listened patiently as he gave her their order. With a smile meant just for him she swished away and when he looked to Rebecca she was trying hard to hide her amusement.
" She's a cutie, and feels comfortable enough to call you by name. You ever?"
He shook his head, " No Becca I never." Her sister yes her no. Way to young. He bit the inside of his gum and waited for what he knew would come next.
Rebecca slapped her hand on the table and laughed loud enough to get a few stares in their direction. " That is priceless"
He couldn't help but smile and as the blush creeped up the back of his neck he shrugged. " I like this place. Not a whole lot of fancy floating around these parts & this place has been good to me"
" I see. A bit of a lucky charm I take it?" He felt the tip of her shoe creep it's way over to his leg and slowly move it's way up. He jumped just enough to make her laugh again but it didn't make her stop. You'd think after that night in Merlotte's he'd have been prepared for it. At least this time there was a table cloth covering them. No one would be the wiser if he was able to keep his cool.
" Becca…"
" Yes?" she looked back at him innocently from across the table " Is there something wrong?"
" No nothing." He gave up (it just felt to damned good to stop) and instead slipped her shoe off her foot and helped it find just the right spot.
His eyes were closed when the salads arrived at the table, he was but moments away form sinking under the table in a puddle. The distraction threw Rebecca off her game and put her focus back on her empty stomach.
" This looks delicious" She sat up straighter and grabbed the salt and pepper. Alcide did nothing to hide his disappointment.
" Everything look okay Alcide?" Amanda asked him. He found himself unable to move, he sucked in a breath and held it for a few seconds before answering.
" Looks great, just a bit tired. Long day on the job." He unwrapped his silverware and gave her a reassuring smile.
Amanda nodded " I totally understand. Construction is hard work. Enjoy your salads. I've give you both a few minutes and then see your appetizer is brought out." She was gone in a flash.
" So what changed your mind?" She asked in between bites.
" You." He replied quietly. He wasn't sure how the conversation would start, but as usual she just came out with it.
" How's that?"
" You could have ripped me another new one last night. Or this morning but you didn't. I realized that while you were unhappy with me and how I was dealing with bringing you here and into this part of my life you would have waited until I was ready. Your to damned calm about things. It freaks me out."
" So my freaking you out changed your mind about letting me come spend time with you here in Shreveport? Forgive me but that doesn't make sense. Generally when you freak a man out he goes into hiding. He does not extend an invitation to come have dinner with him in his favorite restaurant.
" Of course it don't make any sense. What about us makes any sense?" He chuckled. She glared at him.
" You know what I mean Becca. Anyone on the outside looking in who knew all the facts would think were were both plumb crazy and maybe we are but we despite all that… or maybe because of all that, we work. Your not gonna go running from anything you see here. Nothing I have done so far has made you run so why would this. Besides everyone who knows me already knows your in my life. Hiding you away in Bon Temps seems to make them even more curious."
" I think you might be right about that." she took a look around the room.
" What do you mean?"
" Had some wolves following me and Sookie today. Seemed real interested in sniffing us out."
Alcide felt alarm growing inside him. He sat up straighter in his seat and took a long look around him.
" Don't stress out. We pretended not to notice them and just went about our day but being that we both had no problem reading them we knew they were shadowing us."
" What did they want?"
" To get a good look at the two woman who Alcide had been making time with. They thought it rather strange we were hanging out together. Had some interesting thoughts on the three of us together back in Bon Temps."
Alcide hated to imagine them thinking of Rebecca and Sookie in any way much less like that.
" Their thoughts were quite complimentary. Apparently Sookie and I are seen as catches in the Shreveport pack community." She reached across the table and grabbed his shaking hand. " They did nothing, they didn't approach us and their thoughts were not the only ones along that line today I assure you. I knew telling you would be upsetting, but not telling you would be wrong. But please Alcide calm down and don't let it ruin our evening out. I have so been looking forward to it."
" Alright I won't but can you do one last thing for me?" He had to know who they were. He asked her to show him what they looked like and as she did, he nodded. He knew exactly who they were and he wouldn't forget they had been keeping tabs on his girl and his friend. They had no business following them and he had a pretty good idea who they were doing it for.
" They can't help but to be curious Alcide. I have no problem with that and if they had done anything today I'd have had no problem taking care of that either. I am not afraid of your pack mates. They don't have to like me and they don't have to accept me but they do need to know that I am not going anywhere. Mr Malcom is going to have to know that to. Each of us are a force to be reckoned with apart but together we know no bounds"
" You think your really bad ass don't you?" He flipped his hand into hers and gave it a squeeze.
" In ways you have yet to discover my dear man." The next course came then and they fell into a comfortable silence. The food directed what little conversation they had. Both wanted to keep the mood light and not think about anything that might upset the other for a while.
Just when he had completely relaxed something came along to move their night back in the wrong direction. Someone actually. He'd sensed him before he actually saw him and it had been his hope that they would not be noticed but Lawrence Malcom not only saw them but made a beeline into their direction. He stiffened and catching his thoughts Rebecca did the same. She was afraid of his reaction and angry that the man had to come now and ruin their night. She wasn't however surprised that he showed up. She knew who had sent those wolves to watch her just as he did.
" Alcide" The way he said his name implied they were friends. It made Alcide cringe inside.
" Lawrence." His tone made it clear there was nothing close to friendly between them.
" Careful" Rebecca said into his head " Don't give him any reason to stay longer than necessary." As if he knew something was passing between them he turned and focused his attention on Rebecca.
" So this must be the woman who single handedly put Herveaux construction back in the green and has been keeping you away from Shreveport both days and nights." The suggestion was lude but Rebecca remained unfazed.
" Yes I believe I am guilty of all charges." She smiled a dazzling smile but seethed with a quiet venom. She wasn't going to give Lawrence what he wanted. The mental grip she had on him meant she wouldn't allow him to either.
" Well Mrs. Keane it's sure is nice to finally have a face to go with the name. A very pretty one at that. It's not hard to see why Alcide has taken a shine to your obvious charms." The swarmy smile that Alcide had so often wanted to smack away suddenly appeared on his face.
" That is very kind of you Mr Malcom." Her smile was just as bright but everything else about her had changed. Rebecca had gone cold and something terrible and dark grew within her. She let nothing be seen outwardly but inside she was screaming to him to keep quiet to not let this man know anything else. Not to let him know anything was amiss. That all of his fears about him were true. She had read him and what she had found shook her to the core.
" Well I have always believed in giving compliments when they are due Mrs. Keane. I do hope that seeing you here this evening means that we will be seeing more of Alcide here at home. There are many who have come to rely on him and he is such a positive influence. We're living in hard times and men like Alcide help to keep those who are in need from resorting to desperate deeds. I know the work you have supplied has gone a long way with helping some of our friends. I do thank you for that Ma'am."
" I do what I can and Alcide's men are good and capable. I trust them to do the right thing by me." Malcom's smile faded a bit in the corners. The implication of Rebecca's words were not lost on him. They put doubt in his head about the hold he had on many of the men of the pack. He'd been watching Malcom closely and while nothing had been said that could have given them away he could tell that the man knew that Rebecca was more than aware of what they were. The fact that Rebecca could actually have the ears, minds and hearts of any of the pack she had encountered though pissed him off. His lizard tongue may have been passing out compliments but inside Lawrence Malcom was livid. He resented Rebecca. Alcide couldn't wait for this exchange to be over. To get her alone and pick her brain on what she saw, what she had figured out in the short time she had been in contact with him. He hadn't wanted to bring her in to this but maybe she could have solved his problem much earlier if he had. Maybe she could help him end in now.
" I have no doubt that they will." his eyes moved in between the two of them and after a moment when no other conversation passed between them Malcom continued, his smile a bit faded but still snug " Well then I won't keep you two from your evening any longer. I'm sure you would like nothing better than to be alone. Just had to come over and make sure my eyes weren't deceiving me." He gave his head a tip in Rebecca's direction. " Nice to meet you Mrs. Keane."
" Good evening Mr. Malcom" She would hardly say it had been a pleasure to meet him herself. The good part of her reply was already a stretch.
" Alcide." he nodded.
" Lawrence." he nodded back not a hint of pleasantry on his face. He watched as Malcom walked back towards the front of the restaurant and entered the front dinning room. When he turned back to Rebecca she sat stoned faced in her seat.
" Rebecca?" She blinked back whatever was clouding her mind and found his gaze.
" Sorry" she stuttered. " I….I can't…. " she stopped and ran her hand across her forehead. Amanda arrived to ask them about dessert but just as Alcide started to ask for the check. Rebecca's voice rang out. " Don't be silly Alcide, we will totally going to have dessert. I have a deep desire for some tiramisu and a cappuccino."
" You sure?" Her voice was off, a bit to shrill.
" Of course I am sure. What are you going to have?"
He ordered a piece of cheesecake, knowing Rebecca loved it and would appreciate him giving her the opportunity to have some of both and a coffee. He stared at her waiting.
"Nothing here, not even mentally" she sent to him. He felt eyes all around him now so he understood why she wouldn't want to talk here. Not about Malcom anyway. So he changed the subject.
" You gonna stay the night with me?" he asked flirtatiously.
" Hummmmmm…." she put her finger to her chin " I've been pondering that question most of the day. Do you think it makes me seem to….. I don't know... easy? I mean I don't want to give you the wrong ideas about what kind of girl I am."
He smiled and moved out of his seat and into hers. " I know exactly what type of girl you are. The type that drives me absolutely crazy" He nuzzled into the side of her ear. " In all the right ways and wouldn't refuse me the pleasures of your company in a sleepover"
" Sleep hum?" She murmured into his lips.
" Well eventually" He whispered back. Only part of the moment was for any prying eyes benefit. Mostly though he sank into her like he always did when they were this close. Nothing or no one got to him when he had her in his arms. They pulled themselves apart when the dessert arrived and Rebecca was amused by whatever floated through Amanda's mind as she placed their plates and cups in front of them.
" What was she thinking?" he asked once they were alone again
"She can't wait to text her sister and rub what she just saw in. She also felt guilty because she thinks your better off with me than you were with her" She took a bite of her tiramisu and then as he'd predicted grabbed a forkful of the cheesecake. " Delish" she said happily doing a little dance in her seat and proceeded to sigh her way through the next few minutes.
When they desserts were gone, a few more kisses exchanged and the need to get the hell out of there growing, he paid the check and with a final thanks to Amanda, Alcide escorted Rebecca out of the restaurant. He opened the car door for her and once they were both inside he turned to Rebecca. She was already turned his way and before he could get a word out she told him in the bluntest way what he wanted to know.
" Lawrence Malcom wants you dead."
|
| REBECCA |
She chose her words carefully, after the initial bombshell anyway. She answered each of his questions calmly as they drove down the road towards his apartment. He wanted to know every thought, every motive that she had seen in Malcom's head. What were his plans? When was he planning on making his move? Did he honestly think he would actually get away with even an attempt on his life? Should they just take him out first?
That thought had been more than appealing to her. She would have no problem with that at all. Her stomach lurched the more she talked about him and she chanted in the silences that enveloped them as Alcide pondered the her answers and formed his next question. From the moment she had felt him come into the room she had known his intentions were ill. He hadn't bothered to hide it and had hoped that she would hear every evil thought that went through his head. It wasn't until he smiled though, that wretched grin that she so often saw in her nightmares that she knew. Malcom hatred for Alcide had nothing to do with his desire to control the Shreveport pack. Not really anyway. If it happened that would be an added bonus he'd happy take but he could care less either way. He thought that Alcide's father was a joke and that while Alcide was a formidable foe and had caused more problems than he had thought he would he still had no doubt he could finish what he'd sat out to do. He knew Alcide's weakness and it was that weakness that fueled his fire and made Alcide an easy target. Malcom knew that Alcide would do anything to protect her, and when the truth came out he would gladly sacrifice himself if it meant keeping her safe. It was what he was counting on cause Alcide's death would do more damage than just coming straight at her. He hated the idea of Alcide's relationship with Rebecca. Wolves didn't mix with Witches. It had been ingrained into him from a very young age. His family had been dead set against it. His Father had gone to his death because he had gone against the belief and his death was even more proof to Malcom that the two species of Sups had no business wrapping themselves up in one another. Perhaps if his Father had listened and stayed true to that ideal and not had been so desperate for power and placement he'd still be alive. And she never would have had to live through the deaths of her Father, Husband and Daughter. Alcide's death would be his way slicing deeply into those old wounds. Lawrence Malcom held a different sir name but he was every bit his Father's son. Bradley Wrights son. A son she hadn't known existed. For if she had he would be dead just like the rest of his family. Malcom was the one pulling the strings on all the shit that had been going down since she arrived in Bon Temps. The wolf on her property the night Alcide saw her with Jason. The one who had sent the Marten the blond vamp to watch her and to rile Debbie up & send her running through the woods with Alcide on her heels. A course of action that left her bloody and broken and had caused Alcide so much pain, regret. The man who had almost cost her everything. Yes it seemed Lawrence Malcom was the most frayed loose end she could have ever imagined. She had to stop him before he hurt Alcide. But first she had to tell the man she loved the real reason Malcom wanted to kill him. The whole story.
The car pulled into the a spot in front of Alcide's building. As he walked around the car to open her door she looked at herself in the visor's mirror. No way was she having that conversation here. She didn't trust this place not to be bugged and she had no doubt they were being watched. No here she would give no indication that anything was amiss. Malcom had no doubt of who she was but he still had no clue what she was capable of nor did he seem to know the whole of the story himself. No here she would keep right on being the giddy girlfriend. She would go upstairs with her man and find comfort in the confines of his space,of his arms. Besides she needed time to get her thoughts together and gather up the tools she would need to tell her story completely this time. She'd been peeling away the pieces a little at a time but there was no more time to wait for the final chapter. It would have to be done soon and when she was done she may find the chapter she was writing now cut short.
Alcide's hand came into view and she took it glad because it felt real and comforting and steadied her shaky legs.
She took a moment to steady herself while he scanned the parking lot and locked up the car. There were Were's nearby but they made no moves to show themselves. They were loyal to Malcom and not members of Alcide's pack. She was glad for that. The less of the Shreveport pack she had to deal with the better.
She listened to TV programs, blaring music and both loud and whispered conversations as they made their way through the complex. Alcide's questions had ended ( for now anyway) and had been replaced by trepidation of what she was going to think of the apartment ( and the fact that he'd once lived there with Debbie). She watched as his expression went from dread to amazement as he realized that the place he'd left a mess a few hours before was now immaculate.
"What the.." he said to himself before shutting the thought off. He didn't want her catching it, but there was no point in worrying about it. She knew exactly who had cleaned the place up, hung the photos, placed the rugs,pillows and throws, who had put out the personal pieces of Alcide's life that had been stashed away when he'd moved in with Debbie. The things he had never bothered to pull of boxes when she had left. She already had an idea but when she'd called Janice to say Alcide had finally relented and invited her to come see him there, Janice's reply of " Your not staying in his dump are you?" had set the wheels in motion. She & Sookie set out to buy the perfect date outfit and the perfect after date household decorations. Janice had been more than happy to help Sookie put the place together while she and Alcide where at dinner.
" Well this looks much more like a home than you let on Alcide." she walked over to the coffee table and placed her bag down and pushed her shoes off lining them up underneath. " It's quite nice."
" Nicer than I remember that's for sure." he replied as he locked the door. He could kiss Janice for not letting him look like a bum but he was still wondering what the payback was going to be for the mass improvements to his place. At the very least he was going to be heading to the bank to make a sizable withdrawal.
" Do you have anything to drink? I'm parched." Rebecca smiled sweetly and headed towards the kitchen. She was just opening the refrigerator when he caught up to her.
" Not gonna find much I'm afraid." His mouth opened just a touch as he viewed the contents of his recently filled fridge.
That had all been Sookie and she had gone a bit over board even in Rebecca's estimation. It seemed she'd be taking some money out as well. She grabbed a Snapple from the door
" Ahhh honey you got me my favorite, how sweet." She kissed him on the cheek and then popped the top. The tea was cold, familiar and calming.
" What does it say?" He peered over her shoulder but she pushed the top to her chest so he couldn't see it.
" It says " You will be swept off your feet by a tall dark handsome man with a fully stocked fridge." she took a sip and giggled as the bewilderment on Alcide's face became amusement.
" Oh really? When do you think you will meet this mystery man?"
" Hummmm" her eyes grew wide "For the last few seconds I have been wondering that myself." she looked around the room as if hoping the "mystery man" would make his appearance. She stopped when she found Alcide's gaze again.
He took the bottle from her hand and sat it behind her on the counter. " You needn't look any further" he gently lifted her into a seated position on the counter and found her lips.
" Nope no more looking required." she whispered in between kisses. She grabbed him up into her arms and held on tightly. She closed her eyes tried to push away all of the thoughts of what her introduction to Lawrence Malcom could mean. She just wanted to be with him. The fates had finally brought them together and you would think after all the years of searching and suffering she could have more than a few weeks of peace she felt in his company. Moments like these were such a horrible tease and if Malcom got his way there wouldn't be very many of them left.
" Don't worry Becca, I ain't gonna let anything happen to you." He added pressure to his end of their embrace. She wasn't worried about herself and he knew it. " Nothing is going to happen to me either."
It was a hope, a determined one but still just a hope. He knew that he easily outmatched Malcom if it came down to a fair fight but Alcide but it was doubtful that Malcom's play would be nothing less than dirty. He had no idea how right he was about that. Even though he was holding her tightly and doing his best to comfort her a part of his mind was working on ideas on how to take Malcom out. Thoughts of what would happen if he didn't succeed in quieting Malcom first. Thoughts of who and what he would have to put in place in case he didn't make it. Thoughts of dying but never making it to the grave. Thoughts of her journals and of Etienne's theories. She shook her head back and forth against his chest.
"NO!!!" she sent to him
" Rebecca…." He pleaded with her in return.
She pulled back and grabbed his shirt and shook him. " NO you will not think that way!!! NO NO NO!!! That thought can't enter you mind now. You will use it as a rational to be reckless." His look was steady, his eyes willful. He wasn't going to let it go. It had to be talked about.
He grabbed her hands and stopped her from jerking him about. " Stop it Becca. You can't wish the idea away. You can't sit here and pretend you haven't thought about it countless times. Before and after we finally meet. I read those journals. I know what your Grandfather believes. That our connection is much deeper than you have let on. That because of it I may be Immortal like you" she shook her head. Please no don't do this she thought over and over. Don't put it out there cause once he did he couldn't take it back. It would always be sitting there between them. She could easily force the conversation to stop. A few silent words and it would all be over. A spell that could take away the last few minutes and keep the idea of Alcide's immortality a unspoken yet common thought. But she couldn't bring herself to do it. To take this away from him. As much as it hurt her using her magic on him would hurt him more. "You can't act like you can't handle this either. This is nothing new for you. You've got to know that if something happens to me, if Malcom kills me that there is just as much of a chance I'll come back to you as I won't"
She kept her eyes down. No matter how true his words were she didn't want to hear any of this. He waited for her to say something. Her nostrils flared and she fought back the urge to tear up. She was angry but not quite angry enough. Her refusal to give him even the hint of a response egged him forward.
" Did you actually think I was going to go through our life together without talking about this. Me growing old while you stay exactly as you are now? Are you telling me that you'd rather watch me get fat and wrinkly with saggy balls and a limp dick? How fucking appealing am I going to be to you then? You can't be this stupid Becca and you can't expect me to spend my whole life wondering just because you are to afraid to find out if it's true. He pushed back from her but she grabbed him keeping him from walking away. No way he was going to bolt after what he started. Now she was angry enough.
" Do you think any of that would matter to me? That all I see in you is this face? " she touched his cheek. " This body?" she thrust her fist against his chest.
"Exactly how appealing do you think you will be to me dead? I'd rather have you for the next sixty years, saggy ass and all then have loose your life at Malcom's hand and be left bloody and lifeless on some Warehouse floor. Of course I have thought about it, how could I have not but damn it Alcide I just found you, you'll have to forgive me if I'm not keen on the idea of letting you die. There are no guarantee's here Alcide. You could die and I will have to mourn you and place flowers on your headstone and wait.. A very long time, possibly forever before I find you again. Are you telling me that, the idea that I would be left alone and lost without you is more appealing than spending your life, THIS life, however long it may be here with me?"
Alcide opened his mouth to speak but stopped and clamped it shut again. They sat staring each other down. Finally, after counting several minutes off by the tick of the clock on the wall in front of her Alcide's face began to soften. She had heard him, it was what he had wanted for he'd been holding in the thought ever since he'd read her journals. He'd played it over and over in his mind in the times he was alone. Every time he'd seen things from his perspective and solely from the view that if he died he would come back. He'd never feared death before but now that he had a real reason to live he hated the idea of growing old and dying. To not be able to keep up with her or have to have her take care of him. He couldn't help but want to stay as he was now and be with her forever. But with everything he knew she had lost he still hadn't given much thought to what would happen to her if he didn't come back. He still hoped it was possible but looking into her eyes now he could see it as she did. A fifty-fifty chance was just not good enough odds. Not when it meant loosing the one thing that you loved most.
" I don't want to be without you ever." his hand found her wrist and he gave it a soft squeeze.
" Then for the love of the Goddess don't go courting death. He has spent way to much time lurking around me and the ones I love. He doesn't need your help doing his job!" she loosened her grip on him and sunk into herself. Deflated by the strength it had taken to grip him so tightly and by the great measure of her emotions. She looked up and took in a huge breath.
" Promise me something." she said into her hands.
" What?" he replied removing them from her face and bringing them to his lips.
" Promise me you won't do anything stupid"
He nodded his head. He wouldn't go out of his way to meet his maker. He couldn't however promise her he wouldn't die. He had to steel himself for the possibility of a fight he could not control the outcome of.
" Promise me something." he asked in return.
" Of course." she would refuse him nothing.
" If he kills me and I don't come back to you." her lips clamped closed and she blinked repeatedly to keep the tears at bay. He kissed her forehead and then placed his to it. " Make him suffer before you kill him."
She leaned back and with a nod and a sniffle replied " That is a promise that I will take great pleasure in keeping."
" I figured you might" He picked up the top from the counter and turned it over " Sixty-Five percent of people tilt their heads to the right when they lean in for a kiss."
Tonight hadn't gone exactly as she had hoped there was much more to talk about, to deal with, to plan for but maybe they could find a way to end this night on a high note.
" Yet another interesting factoid. One that can easily be proven." she tip toed her fingers up his arm.
" Test it for accuracy?" he titled his head to the side and smiled her smile.
" You wouldn't mind trying it out would you?" she teased as he moved in closer and wrapped her up in his arms.
" Not at all" he lifted her up and carried her from the kitchen, though the apartment and into the bedroom. Some improvements had been made in this room to. The bed was made, dressed up in navy and black patterned sheets and comforter. Everything at Belle Vita screamed her, and girl, so she figured Alcide should have a more manly color pallet in his own place. She did however spring for some candles and which were placed along the window sills. With a flick of her finger they sprung to life, illuminating the room with a soft glow.
As he went to put her down he thanked her.
" For what?" she asked as she turned to have him unzip her dress.
" For sprucing this place up and making it feel like a home again." He moved her dress down her shoulders and down her body. He let out a have mercy moan as he did so.
" It was nothing, I was fun and I enjoyed the idea of surprising you." his hands and lips were all over her now.
" I wasn't talking about the pillows and knickknacks and new sheets Becca" Each word was separated by a kiss across her shoulders. She reveled in his warmth of their touch.
" No?" she said " Then what?" she leaned back wrapping one arm around the back of his head and pulling him down to her.
" You Becca. You being here makes it feel like home." his kisses moved their way down her face and found her lips. He kissed her longingly moving her backward toward the bed. He placed her down gently and as she pushed her way further up he took her in and grinned. " And man is it good to be home"
|
| ALCIDE |
Later that night he awoke in the dark alone. It had taken him a minute to remember where he was and then another to remember he hadn't crawled under the covers alone. He looked around the room which was now completely dark. The bathroom was dark to, the bathroom door open no indication that anyone was inside taking care of some early morning business. He climbed out of the bed and slipped on his boxers which were now neatly placed on top of the chair by the window. He listened for any sounds of her but got nothing. Not even a heartbeat. His heart skipped as he made his way down the hall and into the living room. There he found her sitting in the love seat staring out the dining room window.
" Becca?" He called when she didn't move a muscle with his entrance.
She snapped her head in his direction. " Alcide, I thought you were sleeping."
" I was. Woke up and found you missing. You alright over there?" He started towards her.
" Yes I'm fine. Sorry to have made you get up searching for me." A faint smile crossed her lips. " I just couldn't sleep."
" You need anything?" he asked trying to keep the tone of his voice light. Something was wrong he could feel it.
" Maybe some water" she licked her lips and cleared her throat.
" Sure I'll get it." He went into the kitchen grabbing up a bottle of water for each of them. She unfolded herself from her ball as he re-entered the room making room for him to sit beside her. He opened her water and handed it to her. She took several long swallows.
" Thank you." she balanced the bottle between her legs and stared back out the window.
" I know things are busy for you right now but do you think you could get away for the weekend?" She made it sound like a simple request. A hope for a little getaway together, no obligation attached saying he had to say yes. He knew though that he couldn't say no.
" Yeah that won't be a problem. Where are we going?"
" New Orleans. I'm going to head down in the morning and you can meet me when you can. Would that be okay?" She looked over at him.
He nodded his approval. " I can do that." He sat back in his seat and held his arms out inviting her to snuggle into him.
She did just that, resting her head against his shoulder and taking his hand.
" Good." she whispered. She wasn't so sure that that was true. She wasn't all there with him either. Her eyes were glazed over and her focus was in another place, another time. She was with other people
" There's more isn't there?" His gut had been telling him all night that something wasn't right with her. It was telling him now he was about to get hit by another bit of Rebecca's crumbling wall. Another piece of her story.
" Yes." One word was all he got as a reply.
" And you can't tell me now, here."
" No I can not." she clung to him, he could sense her fear.
He didn't know why being in New Orleans would make that much of a difference in her ability to tell him what was going on. But if she needed him to go there in order to it then he would. He removed his arm from under her and then placed it around her shoulders. Pulling her into him "Well then I'll wait til your ready."
Whatever it was it couldn't be good so whatever it was could sure as hell keep. He leaned his chin on top of her head and without saying anything else held her there until she fell asleep.
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