AN: Thanks so much for the reviews! I'm happy to know that people actually read it :P This story is going to be pretty sporadically updated and fairly rough on the writing because I suddenly get ideas and I have to get them out! So, sorry for that... And on with the story...
For LizBush - without whom I might not have updated so soon (if ever).
The day of the reunion dawned bright and clear. Molly had taken a personal day, but she left strict instructions that she was to be contacted immediately if the slightest problem arose. Secretly, she wished something would come up. She was still not looking forward to going, but she wasn't dreading it like she had been. Wishing now that she had plucked up the courage to ask someone to go with her, namely Cavennaugh, Molly wondered if it was too late. She was startled out of her musings by her phone calling, and she smiled when she saw the caller ID.
"Cavennaugh? Has something happened?" Molly asked hopefully.
"Sorry to get your hopes up Molly," Cavennaugh chuckled quietly. "But nothing has come up. Our alien friends are somewhat quiet lately." He paused. "I was just wondering how you were doing?"
"I'm just peachy," Molly answered sarcastically. Wincing slightly at her harsh tone, Molly softened her words. "Truthfully, I'm not sure why I'm doing this."
'Because you are a beautiful, strong woman who has no need to fear anything' Cavennaugh wanted to answer. He didn't say that though. There was nothing to say.
"I might need you to ring me so I have an excuse to leave," Molly half-joked.
Again, Cavennaugh didn't answer. His thoughts were preoccupied with the beginnings of an idea. He grinned slightly as he thought. Oh yes, Molly wouldbe suprememly annoyedif she knew what he planned to do, but he didn't care. He knew there was no way he could just stay at Threshold when he knew the woman whom he is supposed to protect was being hurt.Cavennaugh knew that this was pushing the boundaries of his 'protection' status, since that was generally for physical not emotional harm,but he firmly believed the end would justify the means. Fully entrenched in his plan, he broke the tension that had risen at his lack of response.
"I can do one better than a phone call," Cavennaugh finally answered, breaking the connection. A wide grin spread across his face at his own audacity. 'Sheis going to have agood time,' hepromised himself. 'I'll make sure of it.'Still smiling, he grabbed his car keys and drove home.
………………
Molly stared at her phone in confusion, if it wasn't for the fact that she knew Cavennaugh would never do anything to endanger her, she might feel anxious about that last statement. She still felt a little nervous though. Contemplating ringing him back, Molly decided against it. 'He probably wouldn't answer anyway,' Molly thought wryly, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Glancing at her watch, Molly swore at the time and hurriedly dressed for her hair appointment. Slipping her feet into thongs as she rushed out the door, her thoughts were once again turned to the reunion, pushing her international man of mystery to the back of her mind.
Molly looked at her reflection in the mirror. Sighing in resignation, she placed some last minute fussy touch-ups to her makeup, grabbed her purse, and went out to the waiting taxi.
A much-too-short taxi ride later and Molly found herself standing outside a large hall staring at a pair of beautifully carved mahogany doors. Hearing the music and chatter from inside, Molly took a deep breath to help steady her nerves and noted ruefully that it didn't help at all. Strapping some mental steel to that proverbial backbone, she pushed the doors open before procrastination made her hesitate longer. 'No going back now…' she thought to herself as she walked in.
The music and lights swamped her. It had been so long since she had been out that Molly hardly knew what songs were playing. Already feeling a headache forming (and thinking that she would rather be doing something at Threshold), she stiffened when a pair of arms slid around her waist.
Spinning with the grace of a tigress, Molly's body automatically went into defensive mode. The hours of training with Cavennaugh had paid off. Just before her knee connected with a part of the male anatomy that they considered important, Molly noticed the face of her alleged attacker.
"Marko?" Molly said, astonishment evident in her voice.
"I knew you'd recognise my handsome face," Marko flirted shamelessly.
"Mark!" Molly exclaimed as she embraced him warmly, using his old nickname. One of only two friends who had actually called her 'friend' consistently throughout the years, Marko was the closest thing she had had to a brother. Of course, he teased and flirted with her shamelessly, but they both knew it was only harmless fun.
"You haven't changed a bit," Molly said, noting the smirk and the twinkle in his eye.
"And that's just the way you like me." He winked at her, "And you know it's only for you Molly," Marko grinned. Giving him a playful shove, she led the way to the bar.
"Seriously Molly, I didn't think you would come. I seem to recall that the high school years weren't exactly the highlight of your teenage time."
Molly paused. "A…friend persuaded me to come. Actually, he more goaded me into coming now that I think about it. Completely played me and I fell into the trap like a fox being chased by a hound." She smiled at the thought of the chase, and her eyes went distance. Mentally shaking herself, Molly snapped back to the present. "So what are you doing with yourself these days?" Molly enquired as she sipped her drink.
"Oh, nothing much. I'm a director at MIT," Marko said, a little embarrassed. He had never liked to brag about his accomplishments and good fortune, a main reason he was never too popular. "I work with Turbo as well."
"Nothing much? That's wonderful Mark!" Molly was a little surprised that he worked with Turbo, her other friend. "How is he doing?" she asked slightly hesitant.
Molly never found out the answer to her question because at that moment Marko grabbed her arm and pulled her into the crowd, away from the bar. Caught off guard, Molly stumbled and slipped.
"Mark! What the.."
"Sssh!" Marko said urgently, staring over her shoulder. "Oh damn," he breathed as he noticed the unwelcome person strutting over to them. Turning, Molly saw a face that she had hoped to never see again. Instinctively, Molly took a step back
"Hello Molly," a voice crooned with sweet venom. "How wonderful to see you again."
"Katrina," Molly said warily, old insecurities fighting to surface. Of all the people who teased and made fun of her, Katrina was the ringleader. Always ready with some cutting remark, she had contributed greatly to Molly's torment.
"I saw your little slip just now. Still all arms and legs I see," Katrina said with a gentle smile that belied the meanness lurking in her eyes. Looking around Katrina continued. "Did Lil' Moley come alone did she?" smugness evident in her voice.
Stiffening at the hated nickname, Molly was saved the painful experience of replying when she felt a second presence behind her. For the second time that night, a pair of arms slipped around her waist and she was gently drawn backwards to rest against a warm chest.
"She's with me," a familiar voice said. "And for the record, I happen to think she has great legs." With that statement, Cavennaugh leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Sorry I'm late sweetheart," he whispered into her ear, a cocky grin plastered on his face.
TBC...
AN: I'm not sure whether I should make this short and sweet (and vengeful :P) or add the little 3rd party twist thrown in that puts Molly and Cavennaugh into an action situation... What would you like?
