Four Years; Big Changes

It been four years since TDI.

Which means, everyone from TDI is now around twenty.

Courtney and Duncan are now living together on most of Courtney's money. Along all the bumps on the road, will they make it out alive? Problems here and there, will Duncan and Courtney stay together?Familiar people are popping up everywhere; the grocery store, the park with their kids,
and . . . Courtney and Duncan's front steps?

Bleh, I'm no good with titles or summaries. CourtneyxDuncan.

I decided not to give up on the TDI pairing's CxD. Because of a few reviewers and Duncan . . . ;)

Hopefully, my readers are smart and know whose POV it is. Don't worry, I'm not going to change back and forth in one chapter.
If I do, I'll alert you all. ;)

Rated M for language, acts similar to sex, adult content, and possible sex in the future.

Disclaimer: DON'T. OWN. ANYTHING.

--

"Hey, Princess." His voice came loud and clear, with a slight annoyance. A small smiled formed on my face as I realized that even after four years, I've never got tired of the name Princess. After not responding for a few seconds, I felt Duncan's warm hands dig under the covers and behind my back. He lowered himself onto me, so his chest and my torso were in contact. My heart thumped, sensing a dirty smirk on his face. "Ready, Princess?"

I wrapped my arms around him. "Ah . . ." I murmured, soothingly. I managed a nod as my fingers ran down his neck. ". . . Ready." My eyelids closed as I felt a slight tremble coming from Duncan. He wasn't reacting, other than the annoying trembling. I opened one eye, ready to ask, "When are you going to start?"

"Pfffft!" he could no longer hold in the laughter that had busted out of him just then. He sat back, his knees on either side of mine. "Princess, you really are dirty, aren't you? I meant, are you ready for work?" I looked up at his cheesy grin and threw one of our cotton pillows in his face. Groaning, I turned over and hid myself under the covers. I was ready for him to wrestle me out of bed, which was the main purpose for the pillow to the face.

I could almost hear his shoulders slump. He forced a fake sigh and said, "Okay, fine. If you're not going to get out of bed on your own . . . I'll have to 'help' you." Ahhh. That's what I wanted to hear.

Under the covers, hidden away from Duncan's view, I grasped onto the bed sheet with my fingers as best I could before he started his attempt to pry me from our bed. "Sweetheart," he muttered with annoyance, "You're going to be late for work if you don't get up soon. If you don't behave for me, I'm going to have to punish you." He stopped his struggle of getting me out of bed so I could think clearly.

Punishment? I cleared my mind of any nasty, cruel punishment Duncan could have came up with. Threats were usually nothing with Duncan, since he was really careful and playful with me. The last punishment was the cold shoulder for two days, which wasn't nearly as bad as anything Duncan or I could have came up with. Duncan's really boring with punishments.

Nothing much had changed much since TDI. Only I have tramp stamp from my 18th birthday (which I really, really regret now), faded purple highlights in my hair and an extra piercing on each ear. Then there's Duncan, with more purple in his Mohawk than green, not to mention he has six inches over me, opposed to the two inches he had over me in TDI. Personality wise, he hasn't changed. He's still the wonderful, lovable delinquent he was years ago. I've turned almost . . . 180 degrees around. I'm more out there, and not as uptight as I use to be. I'm still iffy about certain things, though. And every now and then I tend to overreact.

"Aaahh!" I squealed as Duncan wrapped his arms around me and threw me over his shoulder, along with one of our blankets. He caught me off guard.

"Ha ha!" he laughed, triumphantly. "Got you, Princess!"

"No fair!" I giggled over his shoulder. "I was thinking about something!"

He made his way into the bathroom, careful not to bump my head on the doorway edge. Carefully he placed me on my feet and give me one of his famous smirks. "Have fun at work, honey." He removed the warm blanket from my body and held it in his hand.

"Have fun sleeping, dear," I replied back. After kissing my cheek, Duncan went straight back for bed. I sighed while his rhythmic, steady snores started up. My shoulders slumped as I prepared for work and thought about Duncan. He was out of work. Again, the third time this month. The fear of the bills piling up because my paycheck's not enough startled me. Even though being a secretary gets lots of money in the bank, for the bills, and in our pockets, I'm still insecure about being the only working person in the relationship.

I slipped a white tank top over my bra.

Then the sexual harassment. My eyes began the water as I slipped on my black coat. I rubbed the back of my hand against my eyes, trying to rid of the wetness in my eyes.

The sexual harassment's the worst of all. I would be sitting at my office desk, minding my own business, when he would round the corner. He gave me this feeling in the pit of my stomach, the same one Duncan gives me. Only Duncan's feeling towards me wants me to cry tears of joy, not tears of fear. He, as in Derrick, would round the counter and approach me. "Hey, baby," he'd spit his casual greeting at me, "how 'bout you and me hook up after today? Would you like that, my little Courtney?" Then those attempts he would pull. He'd try and move his hand discreetly under my skirt, I would squeal and his hand would dash for my insides.

If Duncan knew . . . Derrick would be over. If I told Duncan, he'd be tracking Derrick down, about to kick his ass and probably kill him. Then he'd make me quit my job, just because there might be any other perverts in the office. Then we'd both be jobless. Even if he did manage a job for more than a week, I don't think it'd be enough to pay everything.

Then my boss doesn't give a shit about his female workers. I've filed at least four reports, Derrick and he would have a personal talk, then Derrick would start up on his harassment again.

"I'm going up to him, today," I whispered to myself, as I applied my mascara and concealer. "I'm going to tell him that if he doesn't get rid of that bastard, then I'm quitting." My voice came in confidence, but my mind didn't. I'd probably note it to the boss, but I don't really know if he'd do anything.

I walked out of the bathroom, into our bedroom and into the closest. Duncan's snores were still going strong.

I pulled out a pair of skinny jeans and smiled boldly. Either way, Derrick was going to bother me, whether I looked good or not. Carefully, I slipped one leg into the pant and lost my balance. My head came in contact with the edge of the closest door. "Oow!" I shrieked, landing on my knees. I rubbed my head, only to be greeting my two arms around my body. I was surprised on how fast he woke up and came to comfort me.

"Princess, you need to be more careful."

"Sorry. I just lost my balance."

He chuckled and added, "Clumsy. My clumsy princess."

Duncan pulled me up and kissed the top of my head. He looked tired. "You should go back to sleep. You looked tired," I said, softly.

He scoffed. "You should talk. You're eyes are all red, you're the tired one. Maybe you should call in sick, today." He seated himself on the edge of our bed and patted the soft padding next to him.

"No, Duncan. I need to go to work. Someones got to work around here," I finally won the battle with my pants. They fit rather nicely.

"Ouch, Princess. Did you really have to pull the 'Jobless' card out on me?" Duncan grabbed a handful of his T-shirt where his heart was located. In some way, he did look hurt from my words.

I sighed and walked over to him. I sat down next to him and smiled. "You'll get a job, soon."

He pulled me onto his lap, but he was frowning. "I'm disappointing you. I know it, Courtney."

"No, Duncan-"

"Courtney," he said, firmly, "don't give me any of that. I know that you've been worrying because I ain't pulling my weight around here." His eyes were intense, as if he were angry with me. I looked away and focused my attention on a dark stain in the white carpet. Two weeks ago. Duncan, of course. Him and his dumb ass, drunk friends.

I was beginning to slide off of Duncan's lap, so when my feet touched the floor I could make a dash to grab my shoes, and go off to work.

Fail. Duncan's left arm went around my stomach, restricting me from leaving him. He pulled me back to the center of his lap. "Courtney, look at me."

I refused. I keep my attention on the cloud shaped stain. "I don't want to be late, Duncan."

He didn't react for a few seconds. Then he took my chin in his thumb and forefinger, forcing me to make eye contact. "I'm sorry, Courtney."

"Okay, its okay. I'm not mad. My job's good enough."

"Are you worried? Upset? Anything?"

"No, I'm fine."

"Ha. Then you better stop crying."

Damn! I quickly cleared away the tears with my hand. I hadn't realized I was so upset. I tried to stand up but Duncan kept his grasp on me. "Duncan!" I muttered, angrily. I sighed, sitting back on his lap, waiting for him to say something.

"Courtney, what's going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"You've been acting different. You're less happy. I'm pretty sure not all of your sadness could be caused by me being jobless. I was going to ask this sooner, but I thought it would pass. Start talking or you aren't leaving."

My teeth clenched. Dammit, Duncan! I'm probably already late! "I'm fine, Duncan. Really."

His hold on me got tighter. "Stop lying to me, Courtney!" Damn . . . I love it when he's demanding, he's so damn sexy!

Duncan's anger showed off in his tone of voice. Its not that I don't love dominant Duncan, its just that I didn't want to tell him anything related to this issue. Should I tell him the truth, or make something up? "Work's just been getting hard." Okay. Okay, that wasn't exactly a lie.

"Exactly, what's wrong? The least I can do is fix it."

Oh no. He already wants to get involved. "Duncan I can fix my own problems! Please, I don't want to be late!" I tried to get up again, but Duncan's left arm was wrapped around my stomach, and his right was along my back."Duncan!"

"Courtney."

"Duncan . . ." Do what you do best, Court. "Please . . ."

"Dammit, Courtney, that fake little crying you pull isn't going to work with me this time!" Surprisingly, his voice scared the crap out of me. Hardly ever did Duncan use a tone so loud and so angry with me. "I've let you get out easy with it before, but hell, I'm not doing it anymore! You're not a baby, Courtney!"

My eyes grew big and I began to tremble at his words. He was so mad, I had a feeling he was a few seconds away from striking me. Cryings not helping. Beg, Courtney. He's not going to hurt you, he's Duncan. I dug my face into Duncan's chest and wrapped my arms around him. "I'm sorry, I'll try not to cry. Please let me go to work, please, please!

"Duncan, I don't know what you want."

"Courtney," furiously, he grabbed my chin so I would look at him, "you know very damn well what I want. What the hell is going on at work? Is someone bullying you?"

I let him feel my jaw quiver, but I didn't say anything. I felt like Duncan was my father, forcing the truth out of me about some mean, playground bullies. Only Duncan isn't my father, he's my partner. And I may belong to Duncan, but that doesn't mean that I have to follow or answer the orders or question he gives. I'm not giving in Duncan, just give it a rest, already.

"Courtney!"

"Duncan." Test his patience. Soon, he'll get irritated enough to not want me in his sight. The worst he can do is ignore me.

Mission accomplished. "I get it. You don't trust me enough to tell me," he said. Shockingly, he released me. "Go. I don't want to see your face right now."

Oh, great. I got off of his lap and walked towards the doorway. I grabbed my shoes from the closest and a tissue to wipe away the mascara that had been displaced. Before I walked out of the room, I turned back. Duncan was lying down on the bed with his back to me so I couldn't see his face. "Duncan," I murmured softly. Just leave, Courtney. You wanted this to happen. If you stay, the waterworks are going to start again. "I-I wanted . . . I'm sorry. Its just that, I can't . . ."

"Courtney, stop crying and leave."

"A-are you mad?" I sniffled.

"You-I . . . Yeah, I am."

"I'm sorry."

"Yeah."

I waited by the doorway. I was already late for work, but I didn't want to leave Duncan mad at me. "I love you," I murmured, not sure if my voice was audible. Seconds past, and I was beginning to wonder if he had heard me. I was just about to leave when-

"Love you, too, Princess."

--

I'd have to say, work wasn't as bad as I imagined it would be. I did report Derrick for previous actions to the boss, even though he hadn't really bothered me much lately. Actually, Derrick stayed out of my sight for most of the time I was in my office. He did wink twice at me, but nothing else too serious.

However, as soon as I got out of work, everything turned for the worse. It was pouring down hard. The rain made it difficult to see and made the ground slippery, but I managed to take a few steps without falling. If I stayed out any longer, I would have been soaked.

I was walking to my car until someone came up behind me and grabbed me. "Hey, there." His voice sent chills down my spine, my mind began to crumble, and my heart began to race. Duncan, I'm sorry you might never see me again, or I might come home pregnant with a baby who doesn't even belong to you. You were right, I should have called in sick, like you suggested. I'm sorry, I'm stupid. Please live your life well. Obviously I was overreacting, but you never know what can happen. Derrick wrapped his arms around me so tightly I couldn't move much. He placed his chin on my shoulder, letting his warm breath come in contact with my neck. What was Derrick going to do to me? "The boss and me had a chat today. Look, Courtney, I'm getting tired of your shit."

"W-What do you mean?" I stuttered, scared out of my wits. I knew very well what he meant, but I pulled my innocence on him. I would have simply curved around, escaping from him, but I didn't want to get hurt. Did he have something on him? A knife? A gun? Oh, all of the possibilities. Oh, all of the bad, bad possibilities.

"Like you don't know, beautiful. Why the hell do you keep reporting me to Drew?"

I struggled, trying to discreetly find away to get out of this, safely.

"Answer me!" he was beyond pissed. With his left arm, he pulled on a chunk of my hair, leaving his right arm to hold me back.

"You make me uncomfortable!" I blurted out.

Everything was silent for a while, until he chuckled and released my hair. "That's funny, Courtney. I thought this whole time you've been turned on by me. You lead me on Courtney . . ."

"I did not! I've told you time and again that I was already seeing someone! And he'll kick your ass when he finds out what you're doing!"

He chuckled again. "Watch your language, my little slut. You belong to me, not some jackass boyfriend of yours." Oh, gross. Even the thought of belonging to Derrick made me throw up a little. I belong to Duncan, and Duncan only. If I belonged to Derrick . . . oh, that would be horrible.

"Duncan's not a jackass, you son of a bitch!" I was certain if Derrick had some kind of weapon, he would have pulled it out and threatened me by now. Obviously, he was unarmed.

"Ooh, naughty, naughty Courtney. You don't talk like that to me."

I scoffed, acting more confident than I actually was. "What are you going to do about it, dumb ass?" I certainly didn't want to show any fear to this man. If he didn't have a weapon, what was the worst he could have done? Rape or kill you, stupid. When that thought came to my head, I started to fear the worst. I was trembling, but I don't think he noticed in the rain.

"Heh. Call me one more name like that . . ."

"Dumb ass!" I said, loudly. Courtney, keep your mouth shut. As soon as I released those words, I immediately regretted it. A yelp of pain escaped me, but somehow I was relieved. A simple smack on the ass wasn't as bad as the things I had thought of. Turning my head slightly, I could see an evil smirk grow on his face. "Did you just . . . ?"

"Slap your ass?" he finished the sentence for me, then held onto me with both of his arms again. "Naughty girls get punished, Beautiful. Now listen to me, Courtney! We're going back to my place, and we're not going to yell or struggle, are we?"

My mind went numb. His place? "What if I do struggle and scream?" Maybe I could stall, until someone saw us. "Ow!" I yelped again. Derrick's fist has a handful of my wet, tangled hair.

"I'll hurt you."

"Please!" I never thought I would have to resort to begging. "Please, just let me go home!"

Suddenly a shadowy figure formed in the rain. "Sir! Get yours hand off the girl!" the figure said, which I soon recognized as a police officer. Whew. The next thing I knew, I was pushed onto the hard, wet concrete as Derrick made a run for it. The armed, jet-black haired officer approached me, and offered his hand. I took it.

As he helped me up, I pointed out, "He's getting away!"

"No need to worry, ma'am! We have others officers waiting for him. Do you need me to drive you home? I can get another officer to drive your vehicle home." His features. Close to Duncan's. I stared for a few minutes, before he coughed.

"Uhm . . . yes, please," I didn't want to drive home myself, jittery and distracted. Not to mention the rain pouring down.

--

We were parked outside of Duncan and I's apartment. The rain was still going strong. Duncan would obviously want to know why I was so wet, and so late. He was probably still a little annoyed from earlier. Just say . . . oh, what am I going to say!? After minutes of thinking, I decided the best thing I could do is just come out with the truth. What if this happened again? But then again, if I told Duncan, he'd get right on my ass for not telling him sooner. He'd probably restrict me from leaving his sight.

"Do you need me to walk you up to your door?" the officer joked as I hesitated in the police car.

I gulped. Hopefully, Duncan wouldn't see the police car and get majorly suspicious. "Its just that . . . no, I'll be fine," I cut myself off, since it wasn't any of the officer's business.

"Live with your mother?"

"Boyfriend, actually."

"Wow. Barely an adult and living without your parents? Simply amazing, if it lasts. Well, you make sure you tell that boyfriend of yours what happened, 'kay?"

" . . . Of course."

--

"Princess!" Duncan cheered as I entered our apartment, but as soon as he saw my appearance his expression changed from nervous to cheerful to concerned. He was sitting in the living room, waiting for me. He left his spot on the red couch and immediately ran over to me. "Courtney . ."

"Duncan, we . . . I need to take a shower," I turned away from him, but he caught my elbow.

"Courtney, you're not avoiding the subject."

"Duncan, I'm cold and wet-"

"Sit your ass down, Courtney. We're talking about this."

I guess being stubborn wouldn't help me this time, but I didn't obey him when he asked for me to sit down. He was waiting for an explanation. Oh gosh, I want to shower. I'm freezing! "Can I shower, please?" It felt ridiculous to ask if I could shower in an apartment that I paid for, but at a moment like this, Duncan has to have his input.

"You're an hour late, you're soaking wet and you came home with police, and you expect me wait?"

An idea formed in my head. "Can I tell you while I take a bath?"

He seemed to like that idea, so he agreed to it.

We went into our bedroom, where I got out suitable clothing (one of Duncan's black T-shirts and some of my underwear) and some fuzzy slippers. I could see the eagerness he was trying to hide from me. He kept his face straight as best he could. I began stripping off my wet clothing, peeling it off of my cold skin. His eyes widened as I walked into the bathroom, with the water already running for my bath, without any clothing on my body.

When I was close enough, I turned off the warm running water so it wouldn't overflow. I turned around to see an eager Duncan leaning against the doorway. I smiled. He liked what he saw.

Slowly, I stepped into the hot water. When I was finally settled, I released a moan of satisfaction. My eyes closed and I slid down deeper into the bathtub. I couldn't remember the last time I had a hot bath.

My thoughts slipped away.

"Ahem."

My eyes opened to find Duncan sitting on the toilet, irritated. "Yes," I asked, innocently.

"Care to explain, Darling?" he lightened up his attitude.

I sighed and looked up at the bathroom ceiling. "Okay. There's someone at work. He's really been bugging me." Sneaking a peek at Duncan, I saw the rage that already had inflicted him. Already?

"He's been making some . . . remarks, making me uncomfortable."

"Remarks? What does he say?"

"Oh. Just stuff."

"Courtney!" he scolded. I knew one of these days he would start fuming when you weren't being specific.

Before he could say anymore, I began, "I'm sorry, Duncan! I swear. I'll be detailed."

He nodded in satisfaction. "Good girl. What does he say?"

"Well, he just says stuff- I mean, he . . . he calls me . . . his slut and a few times he called me . . . his little whore." I took another peek at Duncan.

Duncan was slumped forward, resting on his palms. Surprisingly, he seemed bored. "Okay, what are the really bad things he says?"

"Those are the bad . . ." I trailed off. How could he not see how hurtful the words could be? If those weren't really bad, what exactly was?

He scoffed. "Sensitive much?"

At that moment, I felt as if heart dropped. He wasn't the least bit upset and it seemed as if he was heartless. "Whatever. Now get out," I muttered, then quoted him, "I don't want to see you, right now."

"Is . . . is that it? Is that all he does?"

"Yes," I lied.

"Explain the police then."

"Get out, Duncan!" I yelled.

"Courtney . . ." he hesitated for a bit, but instead of arguing, he left the bathroom, closing the bathroom door behind him.

Damn insensitive Duncan. Whatever, I'm not going back to work. I'll just quit, and find another job that Duncan won't know about. Not that he'll give a shit. I was overreacting, but he was under reacting. I know Duncan cares, and did care about me, but I was too angry to think about how earlier, he restricted me from leaving because he was worried about me.

--

I went to bed after my long, hot bath. Duncan tried to start a conversation, but he gave up when he figured I had gone to sleep.

Forgive him and forget about it Courtney. He loves you to death.

I know.

--

A/N: I probably should have broken this into chapters . . . but I didn't feel like it. :D

Review? Bad or good, whatever.

I would have added the juicy part, but I thought it would be to long and no one would read through the whole thing.

So the drama really starts in the next chapter . . . if I get that far. ;D