"You wish I hadn't come back?" Grace asked slowly, setting down her cup of herbal tea.
"I didn't say that,"Howie sighed, glancing out the window of the small, secluded coffee shop they had decided to converse at. Outside the rain poured down. It had been raining on and off all day. Howie took a sip of his cappuccino.
"But you don't want me stay," Grace added, looking up at him. It was a statement, not a question. She drummed her fingers along the sides of the warm mug. The air was filled with a mist of smoke and steam. Around the corner she could hear a performer strumming away on a classical guitar.
"It's not that I don't want you to stay," Howie replied, not meeting her eyes. "I just don't know if it's a good idea. Everything has finally settled down again, and maybe it would be safer if you didn't come back."
Grace looked out the window. "That's not exactly something a paramedic is used to hearing . Normally people feel safer when I am around." Her voice trailed off. "Look, Howie, I don't need your permission to come back on this tour. If I want my job back, it's already been offered to me." She took a sip of her tea. "But I'm not prepared to do that if things are going to be rough between us."
Howie rolled his eyes. "Oh come on Grace, you left me! You can't exactly expect me to be friendly. I-" He paused. "I was glad to see you tonight, but I'm still angry. If you actually cared, then why did you leave in the first place? And why did you even want to come back? I thought you wanted to move on." He felt himself getting angrier and angrier, but he kept his voice low. Even feeling this way wasn't in his nature.
Grace sighed. "I did, at first. I needed space so I could heal and I needed to be at home for a while. I had to take care of myself." Howie waited for her to continue. "Leaving the tour wasn't about you. Coming back . . ." She sighed. "I miss you, and I would still like to be in a relationship with you. I want a relationship that has nothing to do with the past." She looked out the window. "You are the reason I came back, but if you don't want me here, then I'll leave, and I will move on."
Howie sat back in his chair, a bit surprised by her confession. Grace glanced up at him, "Don't get too full of yourself, I'm happy to see other people too . . ." She joked. Grace smiled, "but mostly you . . ." She bit her lip.
He felt himself being drawn to asking her to stay with him. He wanted to be with her. He just wanted to wrap his arms around her and not let go. At the same time, he felt betrayed. She had left, not intending to say good-bye. Even when he had found her, she had seemed distant. Howie opened his mouth. "Stay," he told her softly.
Grace's eyes sparkled. A new performer was on, playing a deep, romantic ballad. "Dance with me," She smiled, taking his hand.
Howie wrapped his arms around her, and the renewed couple swayed to soft music, in the tiny, crowded coffee shop.
"I should think they hitched up again!" Mariama commented to the group. After Grace and Howie had left to go out, their friends had decided to forgo the club, and had instead convened in Nick's suite to discuss the possible outcomes of Howie and Grace's ‘time alone'.
"No way," Nick shook his head. "There's no way Howie would go back to her! After what she did to him? No!"
"What she did to him?" Alison asked incredulously. "She didn't do anything to him! She took care of herself!"
"She was selfish!" Nick insisted.
"She put her needs before someone else's wants," Alison retorted. "If that's being selfish, I wish more people were selfish more often."
"I agree," Cora added. "Howie shouldn't blame her for leaving. She had every right to leave. He should respect that."
"I don't know," Kevin objected. "It's not really a matter of who's to blame. Grace did leave, regardless of her good reasons. I know I'd be wary to jump into a relationship with someone who had left me."
"But she didn't leave him," Beki cut in quickly. Everyone in the room turned to give her an odd look. "What I mean is, you're making it sound like she abandoned him or that she left the tour to get away from him."
"Beki's right," Melissa nodded. "I don't think Howie had anything to do with why Grace left."
"I do," Andrew responded. He sat up in his chair. "I mean, he wasn't the main reason, but I know that she wanted some time away from him. I think she wanted to make sure that her relationship with him wasn't based on the horrific incident that had happened to them. She didn't want a guilt trip relationship, based on ‘all they had been through together'. I think she needed to know that the reason they cared about each other was because they were compatible and truly enjoyed one another's company."
The room fell silent. "Do you think she even wants him back?" Lara asked curiously. She was curled up with Brian on the couch.
Andrew raised his eyebrows. "Are you kidding? He's the reason she came back."
"Are you serious?" Brian was surprised.
Andrew nodded. "Not the only reason, but I doubt she'll stay if he asks her to leave."
"Seems rather silly," Beki muttered. "She doesn't need his permission . . ." A.J. snored beside her, so she kicked him.
The room fell silent. They glanced around at one another. "Well, what do you think they'll decide?" Elisa asked quietly, watching Andrew.
Andrew glanced at Victoria, and they shared a smile. "I hope she comes back . . ."
Kristen gave Andrew an odd look. She ran a hand through her long, red hair, and stood quickly. Andrew glanced after her as she left the room.
"Dammit," He muttered. Just then, A.J. sat up. His bright hair was smashed to the side of his head.
"Awe man!" A.J. muttered. "You didn't talk to her, did you?" He scowled.
"No," Andrew admitted sheepishly. He scratched his head for a moment. "I should probably go after her . . . shouldn't I?"
"Yes, she needs you," A.J. told him. "Now go!"
Mariama and Kevin exchanged a confused glance. "Go!" A.J. told Andrew. Andrew, looking rather embarrassed, got up and hurried out of the room. "And quit acting like such a player!" A.J. called after him. A.J. turned to Brian. "And you say I have no respect for womyn! Hmmph! Why don't you go check out Clinton jr. over there!" With that, he dropped back onto the bed again.
"Well," Victoria sighed, putting a hand on Kevin's shoulder. "I'm outta here." Slowly, the rest of the group gradually left Nick's room.
"Kristen," Andrew called through her door. "Kristen answer me!" Andrew sighed. "Look, I didn't mean what I said back there! I mean, I did, but that wasn't what I meant! I mean . . . Oh my God . . ."
"Oh my Goddess," Kristen murmured from behind him. Andrew started to turn, but Kristen stopped him. "Don't look at me, just say what you came to say."
Andrew groaned, completely exasperated. "Fine Kristen, I won't look at you." He told her. "I came here to tell you, that you're wrong. I feel only friendship for Grace and that won't change. I'm happy she might becoming back, because she is my friend, that's all. I also wanted to tell you that Tara and I broke up last night." Andrew paused, and took he deep breath. "I want to be with you."
Kristen gasped.
"Is that a ‘yes, I want to be with you too'?" Andrew asked hopefully, still facing the door.
"Actually," Kristen began angrily. "It was a ‘why didn't you do that a month ago when you first kissed me'?" She gritted her teeth. "It's been too long, Andrew. You took too long. I can't do it."
Andrew turned around abruptly. "I finally break up with my girlfriend for you, and now you don't want to be with me anymore? This isn't fair, Kristen!" Kristen opened her mouth, but Andrew cut her off. "And don't act like I was the only one there that night. I may have started the kiss, but you kissed me back! Besides that, it didn't have to mean anything! I was emotional and you were there. Grace had just left, I was-"
"Stop making excuses for yourself!" Kristen interrupted hotly. "Don't make me out to be the-"
Andrew's mouth blocked her words. He slid his arms around her, and pulled her tightly against his body. As she gasped in surprise, he deepened the kiss, pushing his tongue inside her soft mouth. Kristen tried to push him away, and she struggled for a moment. There was nothing romantic about the way he was kissing her. She felt his unwanted tongue exploring the back of her throat. His lips were hard, pressing against her own. He was squeezing her too tightly, almost as if he thought he could press her inside himself. Kristen tried harder, pushing against him more forcefully as she tried to get away. Andrew only tightened his hold, and pinned her more thoroughly against himself.
Kristen felt a wave of panic sweep over her. She had never seen him like this. Then again, she had never seen him really angry, and he had thrown back a few drinks after the show that night. His judgement was obviously impaired.
She tried to close her mouth. She tried to bite his tongue. She tried to knee him in the groin, and poke at his eyes. Nothing worked. Finally, near tears, Kristen forced her entire body to go limp. Slowly, she slipped through Andrew's arms, down his body, and to the floor. Kristen gasped for breath. "Andrew? How could you?" Kristen choked.
"Kirsten, I-" Andrew started. "Get away from me!" Kristen shouted, suddenly regaining power in her voice. "Get the hell away from me!"
Andrew's mouth dropped open. He stumbled backwards. "I'm sorry," He said quietly. "I don't know what I was thinking."
"Just get away!" Kristen ordered. "Get away!" Shakily, Andrew walked backwards down the hall, starring at her. "Get away!" She screamed after him. Andrew turned away from her, down a corridor. Kristen, put her head in her hands, still too shocked to move.
His hands slid over her body, as she undressed him. Their lips were swollen from kissing. She felt his hands draw her face back to his; his lips back to hers. He pushed her back onto the bed. She felt her legs give in under the weight of their desire. She gasped as he guided himself over her. His hot mouth caressed neck.
"Stop," Grace exhaled. Howie's mouth continued its exploration down her body. Grace shook her head, not entirely certain if he had even heard her. "Howie," She repeated louder. "Stop!"
Howie raised his head. He looked startled, worried that he'd done something wrong. He moved to her side. "What is it?" He asked quietly. His breath was soft and warm against her neck.
"I just," Grace murmured. She tried to shake off the feeling she was having . . . like something negative had coursed over her. She took a deep breath, and looked into his eyes. "I can't do this . . . not like this, not like last time." Howie nodded slowly. "I want . . ." Grace paused. She got up suddenly from the bed, and walked across her room to her bag. Howie watched as she pulled out five small, multi-coloured candles, and setting them throughout the room, lit each one. He smiled.
"I have to tell you something," Grace said, sitting on the edge of the bed, in front of him. Howie found his eyes drawn to her beautiful body. He touched her arm softly, as he watched her. Then he saw something. Something he had never noticed before. Around Grace's neck hung a delicate silver necklace with a small silver charm. He reached out and wrapped a finger around the chain to examine it. The candle light reflected on the charm. It was a five-point star, surrounded by a circle. He immediately recognized the symbol. Howie resisted the urge to jump to his feet.
"What do you have to tell me?" Howie asked slowly.
Grace wrapped her hand around his, and her around her chain. "This is symbol of my faith," Grace told him, "You and I have very different religions." She released his hand, and fingered the small decorated cross he was wearing.
Howie swallowed. "Yeah, I just kind of realized that." He nodded.
Grace smiled at him. "There's nothing wrong with that, but I think it's important that we respect each other's beliefs. So, I guess there is only one way to say this," Grace paused. "I'm a Witch."
Howie jumped to his feet. "What?" He cried.
"Please hear me out," Grace told him calmly. She extended a hand to him. Howie stared blankly at her. "Please, Howie," Grace pleaded. Howie nodded. He sat down on the other side of the bed.
"I've done this a few times before, but you'll have to bear with me," Grace began, "Everyone is different, and I can never know how people will respond. I put off telling you, because I assumed your beliefs were important to you, and I wasn't sure how you would react, being Catholic." Grace took a deep breath. "Witchcraft, it isn't what you probably think it is. Witchcraft is recognized by the US and Canada as an accepted organized religion. It is pre- Judaic. It is one of the oldest Nature religions in existence. The most sacred tenet of Witchcraft is ‘Do what ye will, an it harm none'. What I am trying to say is, Witches are not evil, and we don't believe in satan. Witches do only good, for ourselves and for the world around us. We believe in a God and a Goddess, and we are closely connected to the Earth. My religion, Wicca, a form of Witchcraft, is very close to my heart, and I feel we have to share our beliefs with each other, before we can . . . before we can become closer, and more connected." Grace finished. She looked at Howie. He had visibly relaxed during her explanation.
He reached across the bed, and took her hand. "I'm glad you told me."
"Do you trust me?" Grace asked. Howie nodded slowly. He smiled. "In fact, you've made me a little curious . . . Do you have special powers?" He touched her necklace.
"Maybe," She replied coyly. She waved her eyebrows at him. "I guess you'll just have to find out."
"As you wish," Howie murmured. With that, he slid across the bed to Grace, and pulled her into his arms.
Victoria's world turned side-ways in her mind's eye. She suddenly felt suffocated, and fear raced through her. She shuddered in Kevin's arms. "What's wrong?" Kevin asked, looking at his girlfriend. "Are you alright?" He hugged her closer.
"No, please let go of me!" Victoria gasped, pushing him away.
"Tori, what is it?" Kevin said, wide eyed. He put his hands up, releasing her.
Victoria slid away from him, sitting on the edge of the king sized bed. "I'm sorry, I just got a . . . a vision." She glanced at him anxiously.
Kevin raised his eyebrows in doubt. "Um . . . Okay . . ."
"Kevin, I'm serious," Victoria told him. She ran her hands through her messy blond hair. Her heart was racing in her chest. "It was really disturbing . . . I think something's wrong . . ."
"Victoria," Kevin started, in a tiresome voice, "If something is wrong, you can tell me. You don't have to make up stories-"
"Make up stories?" Victoria demanded, anger and hurt suddenly surging through her veins. "I am certainly not making anything up, Kevin!" She stood. "How dare you insinuate that I'm lying to you!"
Kevin jumped to his feet, and Victoria stepped back, almost without thinking. "Well what do expect Victoria?" He snapped. "Do honestly expect me to believe that you have visions?" He asked incredulously, making vague hand motions, "that you have some kind of power?"
"I expect you to trust me!" Victoria replied angrily, "just trust me! Is that so much to ask?"
"Victoria," Kevin sighed. "I don't believe in - in that type of thing!" He shrugged. "It just seems too unreal, like a bad trick, and-"
"So now I'm just trying to trick you?" Victoria interrupted abruptly.
"That's not what I said," Kevin growled. "Don't twist my words!"
"Well, you might as well have said it," Victoria responded cooly. "I think I should go." She added, picking up her bag, and gathering the rest of her things. Victoria had been staying in his room for the last two weeks.
"Fine," Kevin nodded. "If that's what you want." Victoria glared at him, and picked up her suit case. "Where are you going to stay?"
"Why do you care?" Victoria muttered, heading for the door.
Kevin lay back in bed. "Because you're my girlfriend, and I love you," he replied, as if he were stating the blatantly obvious.
Victoria felt a wave of emotions ripple through her. She was so angry with him that she was near tears. "Then why won't you trust me? Why don't you believe me?" Her voice was shaky. She felt herself trembling with anger and hurt. She saw Kevin staring at her, but it was like he didn't see her. It was like he was looking right through her.
A large lump of bottled up emotions was forming in Tori's throat. She couldn't believe him, his complete betrayal. She was still at the point when she was questioning her own abilities, and to have him completely deny her obvious trauma was more than she could bear. As she stared at him, she realized that he might not even know what he was doing. Kevin looked at her eyes.
"I thought you said you were leaving . . ." he raised his eyebrows.
Victoria's mouth dropped open. She tried to say something, but the words stuck in her throat. She closed her eyes, and silently begged her eyes not to tear. Victoria locked her jaw and strode quickly out of the room.
As the door slammed behind her, she felt the first tear fall. She felt scared and confused. Her heart was still thumping hard with adrenaline. Her mind was racing. She didn't understand him. She didn't understand what had gone through his mind, how he could intentionally hurt to her.
Kristen slumped against the door. She honestly didn't know what to do. A feeling of helplessness was slowly consuming her. She could fight it, but not without help. Kristen took a deep breath, and turned away from the room, grateful that her room-mate was not in yet. She probably wouldn't mind if Kristen left for the night.
Kristen shook off the fears that were chasing her, and hurried out of her room. She didn't want to be alone.
Victoria slammed the door behind her. Just down the hall, she heard another door slam at the same time. She turned to see Kristen's tear streaked face looking back at her.
"Don't you just hate guys?" Victoria called to her.
"More than you know . . ." Kristen replied shakily.
"You wanna, collect Solid and Nova, and have a girls' night sort of thing?" Victoria suggested drearily, although the thought really didn't appeal to her at all.
Kristen nodded slowly. "I need to talk to somebody . . . and that sounds good."
Victoria sighed, and glanced at her watch. "It's a little after midnight," she turned her back to Kristen, "I'll go gather the rest of them!"
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