Familiar

Chapter Twelve

Stolen Moments

Disclaimer: Yeah, I suck at owning things

A/N: Work is getting hectic, the muse is attracted to the shiny at kongregate(dot)com/games/kingk/dream-world?kv_refuid=60212 . It's a fun little RPG that I thought "Hey, it has a timer, I can only play it for a little bit until I have to go back to writing! (lies...!). And just for reference; be nice to your hotel clerks, you do not know the power they wield, nor the politics they must play to make your stay a nice one. Thanks you's are as nice as tips! Also, I keep all the comments in my inbox and refuse to erase them until I get a new chapter out. You have no idea how anal I am about a clean inbox, either. :)

Time together is just never quite enough
When you and I are alone, I've never felt so at home
What will it take to make or break this hint of love?
We need time, only time
When we're apart whatever are you thinking of?
If this is what I call home, why does it feel so alone?
So tell me darling, do you wish we'd fall in love?
All the time, all the time

~Owl City, The Saltwater Room

Riley was surprised over the next few days how well she was getting along with Rachel. Rachel constantly commented on her good taste, and even helped with the wedding plans! She was starting to feel bad of how she treated her before. She felt silly thinking Rachel and Trent were together! It was obvious how much the two hated each other with their snide comments that went back and forth, and the way Ivy almost called Rachel constantly. She was a little surprised that she even thought Rachel was straight! She should have known better that Rachel was a dyke... it was written all over her! Ivy was the lipstick lesbian of the relationship, and a couple of times this was proven when Ivy joined them for lunch. She wasn't really surprised by Rachel's dislike of public affection, it probably went along with the whole 'butch dyke' thingy.

Riley liked having Rachel around, actually. It was nice to have someone to talk with, someone to gossip with who understood! Trent never seemed to care. It was during one of these luncheons that Riley felt comfortable to confess to Rachel;

"Trent won't sleep with me."

Rachel had nearly spit out her juice, "I'm sorry, what?"

Riley hung her head, "We get to the bedroom and he..." the faltered, "He's been to doctors, but they all say it's psychological."

Rachel was cleaning herself up, "You don't say..." she placed a new napkin on her lap, "I remember Trent saying something about liking girls who agree with him. He likes vapid girls—it makes him feel like a man. Kinda stupid, isn't it?"

The blond sighed and sipped her coffee, "It's something I haven't tried before. I keep trying to show him that I'm smart, that I can help. But he explains things and it makes my head hurt."

Rachel wiped at her mouth, barely able to keep her laughter in, "I'm sure if you showed him what a weak little girl you are, he'll... straighten up... in no time."

Riley seemed compliant and smiled, "Well, I know he's sleeping now, he'll probably wake up when I'm sleeping." She grinned her little-'And we know why'-smile before handing the waiter Trent's credit card for their lunch. She gave a contented sigh and smiled at Rachel, "I used to be so jealous of you; I thought you and Trent had a 'thing'."

Rachel knew what 'Riley' did, and knew that the picture in the tabloids still surfaced once in a while with whispers of Maeve and Rachel peeking up. She stood up and grabbed her purse, "One of the tabloid people spiked one of our drinks with a lust spell. Since his smut was seen from a mile away, he was put in Alcatraz quickly." Rachel was surprised at how easily she was lying to this girl without a hint of remorse, "Because of my past, and Trent using me as extra security... it was bound that someone would try it."

"Despite your leanings."

Rachel hid her wince, "Yes, despite Ivy."

Riley stood and grabbed her purse, "I mean really! You and Ivy living alone with all your pixies! I'm surprised no one figured it out sooner! I have a friend back in Nap—Nantucket, who was just flaming!" she giggled, "He has a pixie and just loves him to death! Buys him little outfits all the time, it's so cute!"

Rachel gave a fake yawn, "I think I may lay down for a nap when we get back." she patted her belly, "I think the twins need a nap."

Riley waved the explanation away, "I think tomorrow we'll go shopping for maternity clothes for you. Seems it's this new hot fashion idea and a lot of designers will have a few pieces you can try."

Rachel smiled, her face hurting, "That sounds wonderful!"

Rachel went into her 'room' and dropped on the large soft gray suede sofa. A growl of frustration ripped from her lips.

"Busy day?" Trent called from the private kitchen.

Rachel nearly yelped at the surprise, still not used to him doing that, "She was talking about your sex life, it was disgusting."

Trent came out with two smoothies and sat next to her. He placed the drinks on the coffee table and put his arm around Rachel, who curled into it. "My sex life is none of her business."

Rachel couldn't help but laugh at the thought of how Trent's sex life was none of his fiance's business, "The verdict was that you need a shrink to get over it. I told her you like stupid women."

He snorted, "If I did, I would have slept with her a long time ago."

Rachel looked up at him, "Doesn't she just order you to sleep with her anyway?"

He shrugged, "She tried, but... you have to have desire."

"Oh."

He smirked and kissed her head before getting up, "I should head to bed before she finds me."

Rachel leaned back on the couch, watching the line of his body with the white collared shirt and designer blue-jeans hugging his ass. She imagined the baby-fine white hair of Trent's curling around her finger. "Do you have desire for me? You know, without the big belly."

He turned to look at her, "Wait until you're due, you'll look like you're going to be ready to explode with babies. Not to mention the stretch marks, the wrinkles in your skin before it has time to firm up-"

"Kalamack!"

He smirked, "While you're body... wasn't hard on the eyes before the twins... While it is still definitely arousing... This goes farther than that. I could have a bevy of super models who were only attracted to my money." he paused, "Well, I have had them." he caught Rachel's glare and put up his hands defensively, "Who am I here with?"

She folded her arms over her belly, "You should have just said 'You're beautiful and I love you.'."

He put his hands on her stomach and rubbed it fondly, "You say it first."

Her playful anger had suddenly turned into heart stopping. She looked up at Trent like a deer caught in the headlights.

Sensing her disturbance he kissed her head and grabbed his smoothie, "Exactly. We're both getting over old vendettas we've had against each other. I think I'm fairly close, but where are you Rachel?"

Rachel looked confused as she looked inside herself, "I'm infatuated with you. It isn't love, but I don't want to be away from your side for a moment." she looked up at him and smirked, "I can't wait until Riley goes to sleep."

He gave a masculine chuckle, "Neither can I. Which is why I need to leave now... but I've become infatuated."

Rachel got off the couch, with Trent's help. She put her arms around Trent and what was supposed to be a goodbye kiss turned into something more heated.

Trent pulled away, "I have to go."

Rachel kissed him softly, "I know."

He kissed her back, "Really."

"Mmm Hmm."

He gave an aggravated sigh and kissed her thoroughly, leaving her breathless, "I'll be back later, get a little sleep in."

She pouted, "Fine, go."

He walked out the door and she shut it softly.

Damn it all to the Turn, he was so easily to fall for... once you got past the dark past bit.

So why couldn't she just say it?

Rachel had been staying at the compound for a month now. Ivy did her best and would tell them the construction was delayed as long as Rachel asked her to. Rachel was getting tired between her secret trists with Trent, having to keep Riley occupied all the time, and being over seven months pregnant. She ate almost constantly, which Trent told her was due to Elves higher metabolism. She groaned, thinking about two Elven children eating her out of house and home.

Tonight though, she was doing her best to look and feel energetic. Maggie was making chicken and the thought made her mouth water. She loved Maggie; she knew her cravings better than she did!

She came out wearing a thin dark brown sweater and jeans. She wore a simple necklace with half a dozen pearls stretched over an impossibly thin strand of gold – Trent's private gifts weren't ones of expense, but simple things made exquisitely well. Though his face was blank as he helped Riley in her chair, she could see the warmth in Trent's eyes when he saw it. Josephine fluttered in and settled on Trent's shoulder with a little bit of juice in her thimble-sized cup.

Ivy pulled out Rachel's chair and she smiled at her. Ivy kissed the top of Rachel's head before sitting beside her. Quen and Ceri helped Maggie bring in dinner while Jonathan was stationed outside the door; he made a comment earlier about Rachel looking like a beach ball, and Trent had excluded him from the meal. Isabella was laying in her carrier contentedly sucking on a bottle.

The Elves tore into the food with their usual grace, though this was the first time Rachel piled enough on her plate to rival them. Ivy and Riley seemed a bit stunned, and Ivy flicked a piece of mashed potato off her face with a silken grace that only the living vamp could manage.

Riley and Ivy took some food from what was left and everyone began to eat. Riley began to pick at her food and finally gave an unhappy sigh and looked at Rachel, "I can't take it anymore! Who's the father of your babies?"

Everyone at the table froze and looked at Rachel. Ceri took a quick bite and swallowed, "If Rachel wishes to tell us, she will. We shouldn't pressure her into it."

Riley flipped back her hair, "Don't be so prissy Ceri, we've all been waiting long enough." she looked back at Rachel and gave her a pointed look, ignoring the angry red flush on Ceri's cheeks.

Rachel pushed her food around her plate, "I'd rather not talk about--"

Riley's lips went thin, she glanced at Trent, "Do you know—"

"He's in the Ever-After!" Rachel said quickly.

Everyone went still, and Trent purposefully put a large chunk of chicken in his mouth to keep from talking. His face looked pale.

Rachel licked her lips nervously, "Yeah, Ever-After. Demon familiar." Rachel nodded quickly, "You know Demons, they play dirty tricks." She said quickly, glancing at Riley.

Riley paled, giving a quick nod of her head and resumed to eating, "Well, that's settled." She took a drink of her wine and looked at Rachel, "Really, was that so hard?"

Rachel drank some of her juice and shrugged her shoulders. Ivy leaned over and let her pheromones help calm Rachel down. Ivy gave a loving sweep of her hand over Rachel's arm, and Rachel saw Trent stiffen. Crap on toast! Ivy had to act all lovey-dovey in front of Riley, but she hadn't done that in front of Trent! Oh, crap, crap, crap...

Josephine began to flutter and took Rachel's attention. The pixie pointedly began to go to the kitchen and Rachel stood up with the help of Ivy, "I think I'm being called back." she gave with a small laugh.

Riley frowned, "We're having a good time, it's just a pixie, it will come back."

Rachel and Trent shared an annoyed look, but Rachel could only sigh and gave a small smile to Riley, "I have to go to the bathroom anyway."

Riley gave a disgusted look, "At the table? Really, Rachel!"

She turned around before giving a very exasperated expression and wandering to the kitchen where Maggie was finishing up dessert. The little pixie landed on Rachel's shoulder.

"He's very upset."

Rachel lay her hand out and the pixie fluttered on it, "I know, but we have to keep Riley away from the truth. We just need more time..."

Josephine stroked Rachel's neck, "He's sorry, he's trying really hard. But he doesn't like Ivy touching you like that. He wants to do that. He feels bad he's not ready to love you, and he can't find a way to get you to love him."

Rachel rubbed the little pixie's head, "Ask him if he can just let it go tonight, please?"

"I don't like it when people touch things that are mine."

Rachel turned and saw Trent in the doorway, she rolled her eyes, "I'm not yours Trent. We're dating."

Trent gave an exasperated sigh before closing the distance between them. Josephine landed on his shoulder.

Rachel leaned against Trent for a moment, then looked back at Josie, "What is it between you and Josephine anyway?"

"Telepathy through touch."

Rachel smiled and buried her face in his free shoulder, inhaling the scent of crushed leaves in the sun. She liked honest Trent, a year or two ago he wouldn't have told her that so easily.

"Ask her to tone it down, please. I don't want to do anything we'd regret."

"I'll try."

He kissed her forehead and slowly moved out of her embrace, "I spilled the pepper on the floor to make up the excuse to come in here."

Maggie, who had been watching the entire time with a dreamy smile on her face quickly went to grab her canister of freshly cracked pepper to put back in the shaker. "I'll be out in a moment."

"Thank you Maggie."

He gave Rachel one more glance before taking a deep breath and putting his mask back on and returning to dinner. Rachel looked weakly at Maggie, "I wish I could just eat dinner in here."

Maggie gave her a sympathetic and mothering look before going into the dining room to refill the pepper shaker. Rachel took a deep breath and was about to push the door open when Maggie came back in holding her plate; "You're carrying two precious miracles, you can do as you damn well please. I'll be making sure none of them bothers you."

Rachel felt like fainting from happiness, she didn't have to go back in! No more games, no more pretending! At least for a little while... She sat down heavily, her head still spinning... maybe it wasn't the happiness she felt lightheaded from? The world started to loose focus and it seemed like suddenly she was surrounded by Maggie's plush frame.

"Mr. Kalamack! Somethin's wrong with Rachel!"

Rachel woke up to beeping. A lot of it. She groaned at the brightness of the room and turned to see Ivy sitting next to her, relief flooding her elegant face, "You're awake!"

Rachel frowned, "How long was I out?"

"Three days."

Her eyes widened and hands went straight to her bump, "The babies?"

"Perfectly fine."

She gave a sigh of relief, "Oh, thank God." she frowned, her head spun a little, "What happened?"

Ivy put a hand on her hip, "Four hours of sleep every night, that's what. Babysitting Riley and trying to find time with Trent was what did it."

Rachel's eyes widened, "Oh God! Trent? Where is he? Did Riley--?"

Ivy gave Rachel a sad smile, "Trent was the first one in the room. He was the one who carried you down to the hospital." She gave a bit of a snort, "Riley was about to tell Trent something and Quen hit her in the back of the head and knocked her out."

Rachel gave a small laugh, "We should tie her up until we get this figured out."

Ivy shook her head, "We thought of it, but it's too dangerous. If she gets out again she'd be out for revenge. We told her she slipped. She bought it. She even bought the business trip we sent Trent on."

Rachel bit her lip and looked at Ivy, "Can I go with him?"

Ivy gave a deep sigh and looked away, "We thought of that too, but you can't fly and Trent refuses to let you travel all that way by car or plane." Her elegant fingers swept something towards Rachel, she picked it up and flipped open the phone, confused.

"It's a private line between you and Trent. He's worried."

Rachel nodded and took the phone. She ached to call him, but Ivy needed her right now, "I'm sorry I scared everyone."

Ivy took her hand and squeezed it, "I know why you did it, and it was worth a try."

The witch looked down at the phone, "We were so close, Ivy."

Ivy looked away, "He said he loved you when you were passed out. He didn't think anyone heard him, but he was terrified for you and the babies. He said it was all his fault."

Rachel's fingers went white around the phone, "He did?"

Ivy only gave a short nod of her head, her golden tipped hair fluttering about her shoulders, "He reeked of crushes leaves, that pure chlorophyll scent was just overwhelming." Ivy glanced back to Rachel, "He wasn't in a good way. And I was glad. I'm glad he suffered a little, but mostly..." she licked her lips and gave a confused look to Rachel, "I know now that he may not be a good person to everyone else, but to you and the babies he'd give up everything. It's all I want from him." Rachel opened her mouth to say something, but Ivy pulled away. "You need to talk to him Rachel, he needs you now." She left a trail of vamp pheromones in her wake. The door shut silently and Rachel was left alone in the room.

She picked up the phone, unsure of what to tell him. She was fine, but she had ruined everything, again. Trent loved her and she still couldn't say it. Crap on toast, she was having his kids and she couldn't say those three little words that would fix everything!

The phone rang in her hands, and she jumped. She saw it was Trent. It rang twice before she decided to pick it up.

"Hello." she said, meekly.

"Thank God you're okay." Trent said with a sigh, "Why didn't you let me know you were so tired? God Rachel, I've been so worried. I heard the babies are okay, but you need to take care of yourself!"

"I can take care of myself!" she said irritated. "I don't need--"

"You cannot take care of yourself, evidently."

"I'm just too busy trying to get your Elf ass out of trouble!" she sighed angrily, "If you just would have listened to me in the beginning, this never would have happened!"

There was an angry noise on the other end, "I don't regret a moment of it."

Rachel was stunned into silence, "I didn't mean--"

"I know." he said softly, but the way he said it was unsure.

There was a small pause, "Ivy told me what you said."

"... She has better hearing than I thought."

"Do you?"

There was another pause, then a deep breath, "I'm not saying it to you for the first time over the phone, it's tacky."

She gave a small snort of laughter. Same old Trent.

"I remember more now, but it's disjointed, discolored. I remember the food fight, but I don't remember what was said or what I was feeling."

Rachel licked her lips at the pause, hesitant to say anything.

"Rachel... I--"

"Not over the phone Trent." Rachel said, almost afraid of the words, "It's tacky."

He gave a dry chuckle, "I don't care if you love me Rachel."

Her heart stopped at the words.

"I can find a way out of this, I'll figure it all out. I don't want you to hurt anymore because of me. I don't... I don't want you to love me if you don't want to."

"Trent..."

"Think about it." he said quickly, "I'm up in Washington state by some of my blackberry and apple farms. The weather is matching our moods, and I've missed the green of it all. Riley doesn't have this number, Jonathan is intercepting all the calls on my other phone. Quen and Ceri came with me... they decided a vacation was in order."

"Thank you, for letting me know where you are." and she meant it.

There was another deep breath from Trent, "Are you still going to go through with Riley?"

"Yes... I want you home, Trent. I want to see her in cuffs and brought to trial for what she's done to you."

"Be careful Rachel. I don't know what's going on, but it's stinking of demons. Quen and I have been reading some of the old books, he's teaching me a few things. It's helping to keep my mind off of things. But I want you with me, it's killing me being this far from you."

Rachel's face quirked into a smile, "I miss you too."

"I'll be home in a month." there was a slight pause, "Riley is moving up the wedding for when I get back. She was upset I was leaving."

Rachel's heart dropped, "What? But I thought there was at least two more months! You're supposed to get married around my due date!"

"I know, I know... the wedding dress design came through, and money talks when it comes to everything else."

"I need more time!" she whined, "And I can't go there, or no one will keep her here!"

"You couldn't come here anyway, you're in much too delicate a condition. Besides..." there was a new heaviness to his voice, "You aren't going to fall in love with me Rachel."

Her fingers dug into the phone, "Don't say that! I just--"

"It either happens, or it doesn't. It's not a matter of time anymore Rachel."

"Let me try!" Rachel argued, "When I want to stop trying, I'll stop."

There was an aggravated sigh on the other line, "Rachel, I care. I don't want you hurting yourself."

"As long as I can try, I will." She said stubbornly.

There was a moment of silence, "For now."

She gave her own moment of silence, sulking.

"Stay safe Rachel, I'll be home soon." he said softly.

Rachel was kicking herself for hurting his feelings because he was worried about her, "I may not... But I care Trent. I care about you. I want you here with me, I want to be selfish and have it all. I'm just sorry I can't--"

"Don't be sorry." he said stiffly, as if he was offended, "I care about you too. You and my children are all I care about anymore and I want to make sure you're all safe and happy."

"What about the whole 'Elven Race' thing?" she said trying to lighten the mood a bit in a teasing voice.

It fell on deaf ears, "Those children are the Elven race. I feel like I've succeeded with them, and... it's freeing."

She was a little shocked at that, but tried again to lighten the mood, "Does this mean you're stopping all the murdering and drug lording?"

He gave a dry laugh, "I have to protect the people in Cincinnati, I can't give up the 'drug lording'. As for the murdering..." he gave a deep sigh, "I make no promises when it comes to you and... our children."

Something in her heart leapt at the sound of 'our children', "I..." as she tried to say the words, they faltered, "I think I fall a little more every time you seem a bit more human." that sounded better, truer.

He gave a light chuckle, "Then I will strive to be more human for you whenever possible. Get some rest Rachel, you and the babies need it."

"Good night Trent, take care."

"You too."

She hung up the phone and stared down at it. Her heart ached, she missed him. She wanted back their scant month where she'd come back to her room and find him there, reading, cooking, or naked. She enjoyed naked, but there was something home-like to catch him reading some old detective novel with a pair of reading glasses and a glass of merlot. He was naked and vulnerable in a sense there as well, and it was enjoyable. Her heart ached to see him cook for her, while he never made anything spectacular (Usually something Maggie had made that he was heating up or putting some small touch to), it was the thought that counted. She missed the small moments in the kitchen trying to teach him to cook and him looking almost panicked when something started to burn or boil.

Blast it all back to the Turn! She was starting to fall in love with Trent-freaking-Kalamack!