A/N: Hey guys! Told you an update would be coming soon- and this one really, really is where things start getting intense, I SWEAR. You'll see what I mean when you finish up with it. Thank you so much for reading/reviewing, I love you to the moon for it!-- Jess

Chapter Ten: Everything Has a Price

Cat rifled through the mail idly, walking down the hall to the living room where all the rest of her family and Heath was in the living room. Chrissy walked at her heels, her collar tinkling softly. She'd become Cat's shadow ever since Heath had found the cat, and was never very far from her side.

Will was leaned back in his recliner watching the television. Tina was settled somewhat stiffly in her own chair, fanning herself with a newspaper. Her free hand held her belly protectively and she was softly humming under her breath. Heath was sitting in the loveseat in the corner, working in his sketchpad. For the first time in what seemed like months, Henry was at home for the night. He was sprawled across the other sofa, head in his hand as he too watched the blaring television. His gaze was bored and disinterested, but as Cat entered the room, his expression became more alert.

Will sighed as he listened to the news anchor's voice,

"And in news from around the world, relations between Iraq and Kuwait are still worsening as Iraqi President Saddam Hussein calls The UAE and Kuwait's overproduction of oil, an "economic warfare" against his country. Rumors are already circulating of a war in the region, and even more speculated, is the eventual involvement of the United Nations as-"

"Damn world just keeps getting worse and worse," Will said to no one in particular, "And that ass of a Bush's got the American people fooled about what his real interest in that desert Hell Hole's all about! Oil, that's what! Nothin but cold, hard cash for him and his rich buddies!"

Plopping down beside Heath on the sofa, Cat began reading off the mail recipients, lightly tossing them to her family,

"Mom… Dad… Dad… Dad again… And Mom… me… Oh look, another comic book for Dennis the Menace!" she sarcastically exclaimed, tossing Henry his magazine subscription, "Final grades- let's see who got that A for history, Heath! And Henry, we know you failed, but what the heck? Might as well give a peek…"

"Give them here Cat." her mother said, 'Let's see them."

"Mom, Dad, there's something else from the school that's specifically addressed to you." she said, reluctantly handing over the grades, "Here."

Will and Tina split the mail between each other, and looked them over,

"Cat honey, I thought you said you would try and raise your Chemistry grade this semester." her mother said.

"I tried Mom, but those tests were a pain in the butt!" Cat replied irritably, "I got a C-, so what's the big deal?"

"The deal is that you didn't try your best Cat, which is all we ask of you. You'll have to do better next semester- it'll be your senior year. Don't mess it up."

Cat snickered, and nodded at Henry "Yeah, you mean like Butch Boy over there?"

'You just watch your mouth young lady, alright?" Tina said exasperatedly.

Will whistled triumphantly as he scanned Heath's report card, "Five A's and a B+! Good for you son- you're doin' your old man proud!"

Heath gave him a short smile in reply and went on with what he was dong. On the couch, Henry winced and Tina helplessly averted her eyes back to the next letter. After a moment of scanning it, she frowned slightly and murmured,

"Will… look at this."

Taking the letter from her, Will looked it over, reading it aloud slowly,

"You and your family are cordially invited to the graduation reception of the class of 1990, as your child makes his transition into adulthood by graduating from high school…" His voice trailed off as every eye in the room looked up in surprise, and gazed on Henry, who was staring at the ceiling stonily.

"Henry?" Will almost whispered, "You're… you're graduating?"

Henry sat up and folded his hands in his lap. There was an unreadable expression on his face as he replied, "Yeah Dad… I am."

Tina exhaled sharply and something like a laugh of relief escaped her lips, "Honey that's, that's wonderful!"

Cat stared, stupefied. She said the first words that came into her head, "But how?"

Henry glanced at her stiffly, "I stayed after for a few makeup sessions, got some help for my math exam. I really just needed to pass that class to have all my credits. It wasn't a big deal."

She raised an eyebrow skeptically, "Makeup sessions? You? In what lifetime, Henry?"

His eyes narrowed at her, but before she could answer, her mother cut in abruptly, "That's enough Cat! Don't you talk to him like that. If he's graduating, he's graduating. He doesn't deserve your lip." Getting up awkwardly, she waddled over to the sofa and sat down next to him, taking up his hand. "Congratulations honey," she said earnestly, "You deserve this. You know your father and I never finished high school, and it makes us proud to see that we raised our kids to want to succeed in life before it's too late."

But Henry wasn't even looking at her. He was looking at his dad, who was still reading over the letter, as if trying to search for something.

Tina noticed, and raised her voice pointedly, "Will- We're very proud of him- aren't we?"

Cat looked between the two of them and understood. Her mother wasn't going to let her dad out of this one.

Getting up from his recliner, Will shuffled over to the sofa and though he didn't sit down, he stared at Henry for a long moment, before reaching out his hand to him, "You surprised me, son." he said quietly, "You surprised the hell outta me… and it makes me proud to say that you did."

Henry placed his hand in Will's and spoke so quietly that Cat had to strain to hear him, "It's why I did it Dad."

Pulling him to his feet, Will wrapped his arms around Henry in his bear embrace, and Cat saw the slow way that Henry shut his eyes as he hugged him back. It made her feel sad, in a confused, bewildered kind of way.

Something like the sound of a revving engine woke Cat up the next morning. Through her open window, she heard her dad's voice call out,

"Heath! Henry! Come on out here, you two! Wake up sleepyheads, I've got something for you."

The revving of the engines continued and though she tried to go back to bed, the noise-and her curiosity-got the best of Cat and she got up out of bed somewhat groggily, putting on her flannel, worn out robe and going over to her window. Her eyes popped, and a gasp escaped her mouth.

Her Dad was sitting on the seat of the vintage Indian Chief motorcycle that he had showed Heath in the magazine that night in the shop. It had been completely restored so that its gleam in the sun was nearly blinding. There was a broad grin on his face as he revved the engine. Beside him was the Harley Davidson motorcycle that she'd hungered after for so long, also shining like new.

Cat turned and raced out of her room and down the stairs. Tearing down the hallway, she flung open the door and jumped off the veranda, running over to where her dad was with the bikes.

"Oh my God, Dad!" she shrieked in delight, "I can't believe this!"

"Yeah, I don't really believe it myself," Will said, climbing off the bike and taking the key out of the ignition, "I must be crazy to be doin' this but-" he shrugged, "What the hell?"

"These are for me and Heath?" Cat asked, excitedly running her hands over the Harley.

But her Dad shook his head, "Nope. They're for Henry and Heath."

Cat's face fell, "What?!" she cried in horror.

Just then, the door to the auto shop opened, and Heath came outside, his hair still free from its ponytail and streaming across his shoulders. He too was still dressed in his pajama pants and top.

Coming to stand by Cat, Heath looked the bikes over curiously, as Will put his arm around him and gestured to the Indian Chief,

"Well? What do you think, Heath?"

Heath answered, "What, it's not for me?"

"Yeah," he answered happily, "All for you. For your work this year in school, the help you gave me in the Heights, the art competition, all of that. You deserve it."

"Dad, what about me?" Cat asked, aghast, "Why can't I have the Harley?"

Will sighed and crossed his arms over his chest, "Because of your grades Cat. They just weren't good enough, and you know it. Then there's your smart mouthin' Ms. Demme: thought I forgot about it, didn't you? I can't keep letting' you slide on this stuff."

"And Henry deserves this bike?!" she was incredulous, "He slacks off for four years and just because he's going to graduate now, he gets a Harley?! Dad, this is so unfair!"

"There's no sense arguing' about something that's already done Caty," her Dad replied simply, "Now your mom and I already agreed about this, and I'm not budging on it. The Harley's for Henry."

Cat scoffed, "Mom. I should've known something like this would be all her idea!"

"Watch your mouth young lady," he said warningly, "That's your mother you're talking about."

"Don't I know it!" she said scathingly.

The door to the house opened and Henry came down the steps. Sauntering over to where they stood, he stared at the bikes pointedly, while Will pleasingly awaited his reaction. Strangely enough, Cat didn't think her brother looked happy or excited; there was a tight, strained look on his face, like he wanted to throw up.

"What is this?" he finally asked.

Their dad laughed, and slapped him on the back, "Well what do you think it is? It's your graduation present, son! Harley '89, brand new, runs like a charm."

"Dad…" Something like a croak escaped Henry's throat, "How much did this thing cost?"

Will shook his head dismissively, "Oh, you never mind about that- I could afford it. Sides: education's a priceless thing. Isn't that right Heath?"

But Henry broke in before he could answer, "Take it back, Dad."

Will gave a small laugh confusedly, "What do you mean?"

"I mean take it back." Henry said more forcefully, "You can't afford it."

"Oh sure I can, son," Will insisted, "Now both of you hop on so I can see you ride-"

"Take it back, dammit!" Henry shouted abruptly, "I don't want it, so just get rid of it! Throw it in a junkyard, hock the parts, I don't care, just get it out of my sight!" Whirling around, he stalked back to the house, ignoring Will's shouts after him.

As the door slammed, Cat's dad exhaled deeply and swept his hand through his hair in frustration, "I don't know what the hell is that boy's problem," he muttered, "I try- I try my damndest to do for him but he just won't-" Making a fist, he put it up against his forehead and sighed again. Looking up, he managed a tired smile for them, "Never mind. Go on Heath, hop on and let me see you ride the Chief."

Heath climbed onto the motorcycle and revving the engine, started it up and began smoothly riding in circles around the large yard, his hair blowing around him in the breeze.

Cat and her Dad watched him in silence, until Cat spoke up,

"Does this mean you'll take back the Harley, Dad?"

He shrugged, "I can't, Cat. That was the deal I made. I bought it thinking that a guy like your brother would jump at the chance for a bike but, I don't know what the hell's wrong with him… you know something I don't?"

She shook her head, "Not a clue…. How'd you get the Chief?"

"Called a few guys who called a few guys. Took forever to get here though. Still, for Heath, it's worth it."

She smiled as she watched Heath, "It's his kind of bike. He probably loves it already… wonder where he learned to ride."

"I think some things about Heath we'll never know." Her dad said, "He keeps a lot of things closer to the vest, I think he wants it that way."

"You don't think we should know?"

"Naw," he said shaking his head, "It don't matter any more. He's with us now. That's what counts."

Heath pulled up beside them and leaned one leg off the bike, "She's beautiful." he said, "Thanks sir. You didn't have to do this."

Will smiled, "I know that son, but I wanted to. The fact that you love it makes it all the better to me."

"C'mon," Heath said to Cat, "Let's go for a spin."

Cat glanced at her dad, who nodded somewhat hesitantly, "Just be careful, okay, Cat? No horsing around."

Rolling her eyes, Cat hopped on behind Heath excitedly, "Yeah, yeah I know Dad."

"And Heath, don't let her talk you into letting her drive it, understand? She don't know how, and she's not about to learn anytime soon."

"Don't worry sir," Heath said amusingly as Cat wrapped her arms securely around his waist, "I know how to handle her. She's safe with me."

Will nodded, "I know she is. Go, get out of here you two."

Heath revved the engine and the bike rode smoothly down the dirt road and back toward the forest. Cat held onto him and nestled her head on his shoulder as he sped up and the wind blew wildly into her face.

Cat stood on the porch of the house with Heath, watching her dad help her mother into the truck. The two of them were going into town to shop for the furniture of the baby's room. Cat and Heath were staying at home, and Henry was out with his friends. Cat couldn't believe how big her mother was getting. She was still only in her third trimester, but was already too large in the belly to even put on her own shoes. Excessive walking exhausted her, and she was always hot and hungry.

"You sure you don't want to come, Cat?" her dad asked as he shut the door behind Tina, "It could be fun pickin out the stuff for your baby brother."

"Or sister!" her mother corrected from the car. She had refused to know the sex of the baby, wanting to be surprised.

But Cat shook her head, "No thanks, Dad. You know I hate shopping. Besides, between you and Mom, I'm sure you'll come up with something. Just nothing in yellow, okay?"

He laughed, "Alright hon. We may be gone for a while, so you two keep an eye out on things for me alright?"

"Sure thing." she said breezily.

"And Cat," he said, "If Henry comes home with one of his punk friends, just try and-"

"I know the drill Dad." she interrupted, "Go on, go."

Waving briefly at the two of them, Will got into the truck and drove off down the road.

Cat waited until the lights had completely disappeared, then turned back to Heath, who leaned against one of the porch posts.

"Finally!" she exclaimed excitedly, "I thought they'd never leave! Now c'mon, let's go!" Taking his hand, she pulled him after her toward The Heights.

For the past three weeks, Cat had been trying to convince Heath to teach her to ride a motorcycle. She'd loved the thrill she got whenever she rode behind him on his, and lately they'd taken to just riding through fields instead of visiting the cave or tree at night. But Cat had wanted more than just to ride the motorcycle: she wanted to drive it herself. Heath had held out for a while, using her dad's order as an excuse to refuse, But like most things, she'd managed to change his mind and do as she wished, so long as it was secret.

Going over to the corner where Heath stored his bike, Cat hopped on it, grinning widely. He smiled as he approached her,

"Hold on there you," he said, "We gotta push her out first."

Once they had pushed the bike into the yard, Heath still hesitated, "You sure you wanna do this? Your dad'll be real upset if he finds out."

Cat shook her head dismissively, "Only for a little while. Besides, he doesn't have to know. Now c'mon, hurry up and teach me!"

Nodding begrudgingly, Heath gestured to the front seat, "Alright, alright. Get on." As Cat jumped on the bike, he leaned over her shoulder and guided her hands, showing her the parts, "This is gonna take some practice, so just be patient, okay? Now, this part," he guided her hand over one of the handlebars, "This is the clutch, pull it like that and the bike'll stop. This pedal over here, that's your gas. Your gas, oil, heat meters are all over here and-"

"Oh come on Heath!" she interrupted, "I've watched you drive it a hundred times, I know all this stuff. Just let me ride it!"

He sighed amusingly, "Alright, alright!" He climbed on behind her and placed his hands on the sides of her waist, "Give her the gas." he said in her ear, and Cat pushed on the pedal. For the first few minutes, it was fine, but eventually she began to push too hard, and they sped off too quickly. Cat shrieked in surprise, and Heath, caught off guard, came off the seat altogether, catching his footing as he stumbled to the ground.

Finally stopping the bike, Cat hopped off and leaned it against its stand, still somewhat shaky on her feet. Heath ran over to her, laughing gently,

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"I'm fine!" she snapped back, embarrassed, "Let's just get on with it!"

But when they tried again, the bike wouldn't start. The engine revved, but wouldn't catch. Hopping off the motorcycle, Heath knelt down beside it, and started looking around at some of the parts.

"What's wrong?" Cat asked impatiently.

"Just a minute.." he murmured, "Okay… I just need to do a little bit of fooling around with her. Would you run back to The Heights and bring me back a few tools?"

He told her the tools he needed and Cat hurried back to the garage, anxious to start her instruction again.

When she got back to The Heights, she saw that Henry's motorcycle and Greg Beals' truck were parked in front of the house, and frowned. He was her least favorite of Henry's friends, and the one who had been in the most trouble. Cat hoped they would be in the house and she wouldn't have to even see them.

Going inside the garage, Cat went over to the tool wall and started looking for the tools Heath had asked her for. It took her a while as some were very similar and she wasn't used to using any, but eventually she managed to dig out the last one from a bin and was just about to leave when she heard a voice from behind her,

"How's it going, Kitty Cat?"

Whirling around in surprise, Cat narrowed her eyes at Greg who was standing in the door of the shop, a leering grin on his face. His eyes looked glazed and bloodshot, and even from five feet away Cat could smell the beer on him.

"It's Cat, you ignoramus," she retorted tersely. "Henry's not in here. Go look someplace else."

"What if I wasn't lookin' for Henry?" he said, his words slightly slurring together, "What if I was lookin' for you?"

Cat rose to her feet and tucked the tools under her arm, "In that case I'm getting out of here."

Greg chuckled, "Why don't you like me, Cat? Huh? We should be friends by now, seein' as you known me for half your life."

"Yeah, I really hit the jackpot there, didn't I?" she said sarcastically, "Move outta my way," She started toward the door, but he stepped in front of her quickly, still smiling gleefully. She tried to get around the other way but he darted in front of her again, now laughing under his breath. Cat squared her jaw in irritation as he slowly began walking into her so that she backed away towards the wall,

"Is this some kind of a game you and Henry are trying to pull?" she said impatiently, "Because if it is, the game's over."

Greg snorted amusingly, "Big brother's in the house Caty… it's just you and me now…. And the game's just beginning!"

"You're drunk and I'm leaving." Cat tried to push past him, but he grabbed hold of her arm and held fast. She tried to wrench free, but his grip was surprisingly strong. "Let go of me!" she snapped, "I mean it!" Her back collided against the wall and she tried to hang back from the smell of the alcohol on Greg's breath.

He used his other hand to trace up her arm and neck, his voice becoming more quiet, "Yeah… The game's just beginning… you in the mood for some fun, Cat… You wanna play with me?"

Cat slapped his hand away, "Are you insane? What the hell is up with you?"

Greg snickered, his gaze flickering down knowingly, "Why don't you find out?"

Cat stared at him for a long moment, then said slowly, "I want you to let me go. Now."

"But we haven't had any fun yet," he said playfully, "C'mon Cat, I know you. You're an Ernshawl, you all love to have fun don't you?"

"Where's Henry?" she asked, trying to stifle the rising paranoia in her stomach.

"Oh don't worry about him," Greg sneered, "I left him passed out on the couch with a bottle of vodka… that should leave you and me plenty of time to enjoy ourselves."

"Stop it!" she snapped, "I mean it now, let me out of here!"

But he was running his hand up and down her side now, his fingertips pressing harder, "You're really starting to fill out, you know that Cat?" he murmured, "No one would know it when we were kids, but you're filling out real nice. So nice…" his hand closed around her breast and squeezed hard.

Cat let out a sharp breath and wrenched her hand free from his grip, then slapped her palm against his cheek.

Greg laughed, but then grabbed hold of both of her arms and pinned her against the wall so hard that she cried out. "Don't act so surprised Kitty Cat," he breathed, his breath hot into her face, "I know you've given the Orphan Boy a quickie or two since he got here- I just want my share! That's not too much to ask is it? Huh?"

Cat struggled to get free, but his grip was like iron, "Get your dirty hands off me you asshole!" she ground out.

He only laughed again, "Or you'll what? Scream? Go ahead, call your little friend in here. I'll beat his ass, then let him watch… or maybe he's not such a bad guy… maybe he'll help me out here… hell, maybe we'll make this a threesome!"

"I'll tell my dad," she said through gritted teeth, "I'll tell my dad and then he'll kill you for this!"

Greg shook his head shortly, "Oh no you won't! See if you tell Daddy, then I'll tell him why his son's really going to graduate all of a sudden!"

"What are you saying?" she asked warily.

He snorted, "How stupid can all of you get?! You think Henry really worked to graduate? He and I did a little bargaining a while ago… and I saved his ass. You see, though I may be a little wild, and even though I don't know how to pass a test, do a math problem or write a paper… I know my way around a computer-especially concerning school records. I just don't bother most of the time, because I don't care…" he laughed, "Oh, but Henry cared, let me tell you Cat, he cared. He begged me to do it for him… that little wuss nearly cried telling me about how important it was to him to save face for your dad… all because of your little friend."

"Heath?" Cat breathed.

Greg nodded tightly, "Oh yeah.. He's crazy jealous of him you know. He said he'd give me anything if I helped him… and he's about to. I ain't about to put my ass on the line without getting some at the same time! And I've been waiting for it Cat… I've been waiting for you for a long time…"

He covered his mouth over hers and kissed her hard. Cat squirmed and groaned angrily, trying to free herself, but he was too strong and held her fast with one arm, while he used the other to push up her shirt.

Cat drew up her knee and rammed it into his crotch with all her might, pushing him away as he moaned in pain. He fell to the ground and she started to run. But Greg managed to grab her ankle and she too fell hard. He was angry now and yanked her to him by the leg, heaving himself on top of her. Drawing back his fist, he hit her across the temple and suddenly everything was blurry in her sight. Cat felt dizzy and lightheaded as the room began to spin and she tried to stay conscious,

"Help..." she cried weakly, "Heath…"

Greg laughed harshly as he tugged on her jeans, "Better to just be quiet Kitty Cat, just be quiet and relax… And it'll all be over soon…"