Skittlesgirl99: Here you go, I hope you had fun.
Katdancer: She can certainly get in a jam.
Trrmo77: It's definely a toss up between the two, it'll get more interesting when Paul shows up again in the near future!
Phantomfan01: She will be!
Chapter Ten
Marlena frowned at Michael and her father who were standing there glowering at her. The entire party had relocated to the library otherwise known as 'the lair' when family meeting's were held. Her mother sat beside her, like a sympathetic umpire.
"What did you think you were doing?" Her father said. "Getting into the car with a complete stranger?"
"And a reporter at that!"
"His profession has nothing to do with the issue." Her mother said gently. "Both of you simmer down."
"Simmer down!" Her father bellowed.
"Erik, shut up!" Her father flinched at her mother's words. "Sit down and think rationally." Her mother turned to her. "Now, why did you get in his car?"
"Because he saved me from being molested in the library." Marlena said. Her words had the desired effect.
Her father sat up instantly. "What?"
"I was recognized, so I signed pictures, gave hugs, things like that. He was there dropping off some books and he stuck around. One guy got a little…over ambitious."
"Who was he?" Her father demanded.
"I didn't ask his name." She said. "But Ronan."
"You're on a first name basis?" Michael asked.
"Considering he rescued me, we had lunch, and are in the middle of carrying out an agreement, yes, it would be logical to be on a first name basis."
"What is this agreement?" Michael asked.
"A full day and night in my life, and a date later on."
"A date?" Her mother said. "Marlena, you didn't."
"Mother, this is business."
"Marlena, that is not a business proposition." Her father said. "It's more than that."
"He's getting a story."
"Marlena," Michael said. "You have no clue. Once a reporter gets a hold of a story, they won't let it go. They'll turn it into something ugly."
She shook her head. "He's not like that. He's different."
"Marlena, he spilled the whole story on you playing Elphaba."
"Because I told him! Listen, I asked him to find out what happened to Paul Conrad."
Her parent's faces stiffened but her father spoke first. "Marlena, please, you know what happened."
"No, I know he died. I don't know where or why. Other than it was Iraq and it was caused by a bomb. Did he die saving a friend or a child? Where was it in Iraq? Did he die a coward? Did he have any friends? Why was he cremated instead of buried? Where did his parents go after his death?" Tears burned her eyes. "You all want me to move on…. However, I can't with all these unanswered questions in my mind. I have to know, I need to know. He can help me."
Her mother brushed her hair back from her face. "Shh, it's all right honey." She kissed her forehead. "I'm proud of you, it's not going to be easy though."
She nodded. "I know."
"And don't forget I'm here too." Her father said. "Whenever you need to talk."
"I know." Michael sat down in front of her and squeezed her hand. She looked up at him, she could sense that he wanted to talk to her alone. She exhaled. "Can I talk to Michael alone please, for a moment?"
Her parents nodded. Her dad kissed her forehead. "We'll be nearby if you need us."
Michael exhaled and rubbed his hands as the doors closed. "Just spit it out." Marlena said, as if reading his mind. "Don't sugar coat it."
Michael was a bit taken aback by her bold words, but he responded anyway. "Marlena, I don't like the way you said we're not dating."
"Well we aren't," She pointed out. "You haven't asked me."
"But that night, you asked me to."
She shook her head. "I asked you to help me feel, and you are. I haven't felt this loose in years, I'm thankful for that. Honest."
"So, are you going to see him again?"
Marlena shrugged. "He's a nice guy, perplexing, but nice. So, yes, I might on and off." At his look, she added. "It's nothing Michael, honest."
"Marlena, you can't jump between guys like that."
She had the audacity to look stunned. "Michael, there's nothing going on. I can have friends if I want!"
"Friends don't blackmail you into dates!"
"It's not blackmail!" She snapped. "It's an arrangement!"
"Marlena, he did that because he's interested in you." She laughed. "I'm serious. I can tell."
"Michael," She stood up. "You're crazy."
"I'm crazy?" He said. "You're the crazy one! Can't you see?"
"Oh come on!" She said. "You're jealous!"
"Maybe I am!" Her mouth fell open. "There, I said it!"
"And I'm telling you, there's nothing between us! I expect you to trust me!"
"Marlena, he's a reporter! I'm surprised you even got in the car with him!"
"What was I supposed to do, go sit in the library and wait for you with that creep possibly still hanging around?"
"I said I'd be there!"
"Michael," She exhaled. "you don't own me. I make my own choices, remember?" She groaned and rubbed her eyes. "We need to take a break. Because now, we're just arguing about the same stupid thing and we're getting nowhere. I like you, we're friends, and I don't want to say anything that will ruin our friendship." He started to say something, but she held up her hand to cut him off. "Please, just leave me alone."
Michael caught her arm, her eyes sparked with irritation. "Marlena, I'm warning you, be careful."
"And I'm warning you, get out of here before you destroy everything you've been doing with me."
Michael exhaled and released her arm. He moved towards the library door just as it opened, Mrs. Destler came through. Michael pushed past her and headed straight to the front door. Marlena was shouting after him words he didn't want to hear so he focused on that reporter. He'd seen him somewhere, but he just couldn't remember where. His name was Ronan, he knew that much and he worked for Snoop magazine. Therefore, it wouldn't be too hard to try to find out something about him. He didn't trust him, he knew that face from somewhere, and he was going to find out!
Ok, there you go. I'm working on the next chapter, should have it in the next day or so.