X. Resolutions

Either I will find a way,
or I will make one.
-Philip Sidney

Reid stood next to his father while the older Garwin bragged about his son's accomplishments at Spensers, expertly staying away from the academic part of Reid's first semester as a high school student. No, all his father had to brag about was his excellence on the swim team, which Reid was pretty proud of himself. It was something he genuinely enjoyed anyway, a hobby he kept up with. Joseph Garwin had passed on his good looks to his only son, the blond hair, blue eyes, sharp cheekbones. His mom, Meredith, was equally blond and blue eyed; tall and statuesque with a trim figure and ready smile.

The New Years Eve party was being held at the Garwins estate this year. His parents were great at throwing parties, another thing they'd passed on to their son. The four families and their offspring were attending, except for Caleb and Rowan's mom who had stayed home, likely to drink herself blind into the New Year.

At these parties the adults stayed in one wing of the mansion and the younger people in the other, but at the early hour both were mingling. Reid was only with the adults at the moment so Joseph could introduce his son to some of his newer business associates. He was wearing black slacks and black button up shirt at his mother's insistence, and he was itching to untuck the stupid shirt. Meredith had wisely opted not to comment on his fingerless gloves, the only time he went without them was during school because it went against the dress code.

Looking around the room he saw Pogue and Tyler standing with their parents, looking somewhat uncomfortable although Pogue wore it better with his usual aloof style. Caleb and Rowan were talking to Hunter and Gabriel, laughing about something. She looked really beautiful tonight, Reid observed, in that that long flowy dress, hair down… Rowan caught his eye and sent him a commiserating glance and a wink which made him smile. His thoughts were interrupted by his father, and he was brought back to the boring conversation.

----

"Reid looks like he's having a blast," Hunter commented.

The four of them looked at their blond friend, blue eyes almost glazing over.

Since their parents weren't present they'd taken up sentry by the fireplace, some kids from school coming over and making small talk with them. Allison was with her parents for the moment but obviously wanted to get back to Caleb. It wasn't new to Rowan and her brother to have their mother absent from these parties. She had all but kicked them out, insisting that they go and have fun, show Gabriel a good time. So the two siblings tried to keep their minds off of their depressed mother who was likely getting sloshed about now.

Hunter and Gabe seemed to have hit it off, Rowan thought. They'd met once before, but when she and Hunter had been together. They both looked handsome tonight, so did her brother, and her other brothers. Rowan wasn't much for getting dressed up unless she really had to, and she preferred the more casual look so she'd opted for a sleeveless wrap dress that dropped to her ankles and wisped over her flats. The stone belt brought out her curves of which she was slightly self-conscious of wishing that she had worn one of her more loosely fitted dresses. Too late now.

"Ugh, I thought they'd never let me go," Allison said dramatically, sliding her arm through Caleb's. She said hi to them but her attention went immediately back to Caleb.

A dramatic gasp erupted behind them; Rowan immediately knew it was Pinkie.

"You look so beautiful!" he said. He was wearing black slacks with a white button down and neon pink tie. "And who is your friend?" Pinkie looked at Gabe with adoration.

"This is Gabriel. Gabe this is Pinkie," Rowan said.

"A pleasure," Pinkie intoned.

Gabriel smiled. "Likewise."

"Oh, that accent!" Pinkie extolled. Then he looked at Hunter, then Gabriel. "Oh, Hunny, this was a nice choice."

Hunter's face crimsoned, but Gabriel only smiled. Caleb and Rowan were enjoying the banter. Allison looked uncomfortable, as if she weren't used to such blatant flirting between guys.

"We're not together," Hunter corrected him. But he liked Gabriel that was for damned certain. He'd thought he was attractive the first time he saw him, too, but that had been a long time ago.

"Pinkie, how much sugar did you have?" Rowan asked, diverting the attention away from Hunter.

Pinkie dropped the exaggerated effervescence, smiling genuinely now. "None. I just couldn't pass up an opportunity to rib Hunny-bear over here." He said to Gabriel now, "Philip Pinkus." He held out his hand, re-introducing himself as himself and not the stereotypical queen.

"Gabriel Grayraven," he replied, going along with it.

"Grayraven?" Allison repeated.

Pinkie fought rolling his eyes at this cling-on, as he referred to the girls who tried to glue themselves to the Sons of Ipswich.

"How was your Christmas, Pinks?" Caleb asked.

"Oh, the usual. Grandmother thinking my being gay is a phase and still thinking she's going to be a great-grandmother one day. And I have to tell her that Malcolm isn't queer and he can give her grandkids. I think she's going senile, poor lady." Making everyone laugh. "How was yours?"

Caleb shrugged. "Good enough. Row made a great meal." He put his arm around her; just damned grateful he didn't have to spend the holidays alone. "Always the highlight of Christmas."

"Thanks, Cay," she said, smiling up at him.

They continued to chat; finally Pogue, Tyler and Reid were released from their bonds and joined them.

"Kill me now," Reid groaned.

"Aw, it's okay," Rowan said sympathetically, patting him on the back, and he tugged her away from Caleb, arm around her waist, resting his chin on the top of her head, which was quite a bend because she was rather shorter than him.

They continued to talk, eventually separating themselves from the adults. It was nearing midnight and Rowan was tired. She faded herself out of the group of young people and wandered through the Garwins' dark halls. There were single and family portraits of their ancestors from generations past. She knew these pictures and paintings like she knew the ones in Tyler and Pogue's homes, too. Eventually she made her way to the library where the fire was lit. She turned on only one lamp, those lamps that are more for decoration than illumination. Sitting on one of the plump couches she pulled out her paperback and tried to read but found herself not able to concentrate. That man-demon was constantly on her mind. It wasn't the first time someone had tried to kill her. But it was the first time a live person had tried to kill her. Because that man was a true human being, obviously corrupted by necromancy of a sort. She wished that he had told her more about why "they" wanted her dead. Was the possibility of her being a Keeper that threatening to somebodies unknown?

Her would-be assassin's dagger had revealed nothing forthcoming. But Rowan wasn't proficient in psychometry. She mostly got feelings and flashes of things, not descriptive visions like an adept psychometric. By the ancient symbolism on the hilt it was obviously a sacrificial dagger. She supposed he had meant to kill her and cut out her heart, maybe not exactly in that order. Ultimately, Rowan had wrapped the dagger in brown parchment and basil, tied with a thin brown rope. Although she'd wanted to keep it, she wisely gave it to Gabriel to take back to his mother.

Even Gabriel wasn't sure who or what cult her attacker belonged to. Nana hadn't known either. But whoever he was, there was more and they would come for her, which meant that they would come for her brothers too. And that wasn't acceptable.

----

Ten minutes to midnight. Reid left the room to find Rowan. It's not like he could have kissed her like he'd wanted the past two years, but now that she wasn't with Hunter anymore... And Hunter wanted to kiss Gabriel and vice versa, Reid could tell. Hell, he was happy for his brother. Tyler had found a nice girl from school, even though he had a crush on Maria who was still in Napa with her family and boyfriend. Pogue would be fine, and Caleb had Allison. Admittedly he'd been flirting with a group of girls who had surrounded him although he'd been partially distracted, trying to keep Rowan in his line of sight so he wouldn't miss her and to make sure Aaron Abbot didn't try to approach her. That asshole had had his eyes on Rowan almost all night.

"The piece of shit," Reid muttered as he winded his way to the library. Where else would Rowan be?

And he was right; she was sitting in the dim room with an open book on her lap, staring into the fire. She hadn't heard him come in so he did what he normally did when caught alone with her; he took a moment and just looked at her. She'd taken her shoes off and curled her legs up under her. The shadows of the flames danced across her face. She was deep in thought, and whatever it was was putting a discontented expression on her face.

"Hey, beautiful," he said, wanting to see her smile.

Her eyes darted towards the door, momentarily startled, but she smiled when she saw it was Reid. "How long have you been there?"

Reid shrugged then plopped on the couch next to her, and put his arm around her.

"It's almost midnight, what are you doing in here?" she asked. "Shouldn't you be choosing from your many admirers which one to kiss?"

"I'd rather be here." He glanced at the clock on the mantle. Three minutes to midnight. "Besides, I had to make sure Aaron didn't get to you."

Rowan scoffed. "You exaggerate his supposed attraction to me. You get yourself bent out of shape for nothing."

"Uh-huh, I wish," he said.

Rowan relaxed and rested her head between his shoulder and chin. She took his opposite hand, removed the glove and traced the lines on his palm. Her hands were small and delicate with long fingers. Rowan always smelled like some herb or plant or flower, tonight she gave off the faint scent of honeysuckle. Reid's entire body tingled at her touch. And it was better all the more because he knew she wasn't coming on to him. Rowan was just comfortable with him. He wondered if she loved him like he loved her. And what would she say if he told her now.

"I like this," he said quietly.

"What?" She lifted her head to look at him.

And he gave a light shrug. "Just this. You and me."

Rowan smiled. "Me too, Reid."

And the clock chimed midnight. They could hear the faint yells from the other places in the mansion. And Rowan and Reid's eyes were locked together. Rowan's heart beat fast, she didn't know what to do, and she wasn't a seer so she didn't know what the hell Reid was going to do. Was he going to kiss her? Did he want to? He had said he wanted to be here even though there were tons of other girls to choose from. Their first kiss flashed through her mind. Just before his lips had touched hers they had both felt a shock which had startled them both. They had both touched their lips, and then laughed, kind of nervous. Then they had gravitated towards one another again.

Like now…because Reid was leaning his head down.

And there was another shock.

"Damn," Reid said reflexively.

And like the first time they both rubbed their lips. But they didn't laugh this time. They were older.

Screw it, Reid thought, and kissed her. One hand was behind her head, the other cupping her cheek. Her lips were soft, sweet. The tip of his tongue wanted to get passed those lips and with light prodding she accepted it, and it was like he was drowning in her. Rowan had one hand on his shoulder, one behind his neck, and this kiss was perfect. Her entire body was heated and she couldn't get enough. Soon they broke apart, needing air. Reid's eyes were shut tight and his forehead was pressed against hers.

"Damn," he said, not knowing he had spoken aloud. Never had he felt something like that. Something like this. Ever. Not ever. "Do you know," – he had to clear his throat – "how long I've wanted to do that?"

Call it gravity or whatever the hell you want, but Reid was uncontrollably pulled to her. He didn't give her a chance to respond, just kissed her again, deeper now if that were possible. They were falling together, until she was on her back and he was on her, holding himself up so he didn't crush her.

Reid's weight on her body felt right, even though something was digging into her hip, and whether it was his belt or…something else, she wasn't sure, and didn't care; Rowan just pulled him closer until her breasts were pressing against his chest. What was she doing, kissing Reid like this? She'd always felt different towards him, but she had never pursued it. Not only because she had been with Hunter but because she knew there was no way in hell she could ever keep up with Reid. There were things he wanted out of the girls he "dated" that Rowan wasn't ready to give.

"Reid," she said against his mouth, but didn't push him away.

He licked his lips. "I know. It's okay." Making love to her – wow, he'd never used that term before – wasn't anywhere in his intentions, and he wanted to assure her of that. Not that he would have heatedly objected to making love to her, but they were in a house full of people, and he wouldn't want her to regret it afterwards.

"It's okay?" Her brown eyes were uncertain.

"I told you, I like this. You and me." He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He had never spoken truer words.

"Happy New Year, Reid," she said.

"Happy New Year, Rowan."

That last part was odd to write for some reason. I'm not used to writing romantic things between teenagers. O_O I didn't want it to be blatantly sexual, but I wanted it to be...touching? sweet? at the same time. I'm not sure if those are the right words. o_O

I put a pic of Rowan's dress in my album, because I'm not sure if I described it well enough. I'm not so good with clothes.

Thanks to those who're taking the moment to read and review. Much appreciated. :D