A/N: I swear real life gets in the way of everything. This chapter was a little hard for me to write because this situation ACTUALLY HAPPENED. To me. (Not the whole losing my parents and living with my bf thing, but the whole drama part after the shower bit.) It was a pretty insane part of my life. M for a reason. A little citrus, a lot of drama.
Chapter Fourteen: Are You Crazy? Is That Your Problem?
To say I was feeling fine would be a lie. I mean, physically? Oh yeah. I felt fantastic. The huge step Chelsea and I had taken in our relationship still set my mind reeling and I was floating on cloud nine! But mentally? Ugh. Marie Kanker was still on the prowl and I was absolutely terrified.
'Not terrified. Cautious.' I mentally corrected, patting the tazer gun in my cargo pocket of my jeans. Just to make sure it was still there. For the thirtieth time that hour. Scared, who me? Never.
"Double D! I-"
"GAH!" I whirled around and clutched my chest. "What's the matter with you? Going around shouting at people like that!" I demanded my voice an octave higher than it should have been.
"Uh, sorry." Ed said and looked repentant. Eddy was laughing hysterically and I glared at him. "I was just trying to get you to look over there." My tall friend stated and gestured to Chelsea and Lee.
"Helloooooooo nurse!" Eddy said as Lee bent over to pick up her purse from the ground.
Lee straightened, flipping him the bird casually, before straddling the bench at the lunch tables. Chelsea was also straddling the bench facing away from Lee so the redhead could continue brushing her hair. When Lee pulled out a pair of scissors from her purse, my stomach dropped.
"Not the hair. Not the hair! NOT THE HAIR!" My voice rose and sped up each time I said it and Lee gave me the dirtiest look before moving Chelsea's hair out of the way… to start cutting her sleeves off. We, the Eds, as a collective, slowly tilted our heads to the left in confusion. "What the hell is she doing?"
"Beats me but I don't think-" Eddy trailed of as his girlfriend pulled my girlfriend back against her generous chest to peek over Chelsea's shoulder to keep cutting. "Uh, what were we talking about?" he continued when Chelsea rested her head backward onto Lee's shoulder.
"Uh…" was my oh-so intelligent reply. Lee leaned her face down and whispered something into Chelsea's ear. My British beauty blushed softly and slowly began to smile. I, on the other hand, had to adjust my jeans. Again. Chelsea's brand new black, low-cut V-neck shirt was now a tank top. But Lee wasn't done. She put Chelsea's hair up in a bun and began cutting away at the bottom of her shirt in a jagged pattern… kind of like Tinkerbell's dress. Chelsea's knee-length blue jean skirt received the same jagged cut treatment. It wasn't knee length anymore. It was a mini-skirt so short, it was almost against regulation.
When Lee leaned back and asked Chelsea a question, she nodded excitedly and opened her backpack pulling out her black boots that I hadn't seen since she first moved in. She pulled out a pair of socks, too, and then proceeded to shove her flip flips into her bag. The finished product was a little more than I could handle at the moment. So I calmly walked over and sat down with them, asking the question that had plagued me since they began cutting Chelsea's clothes into shreds. Really sexy shreds.
"Why didn't you two do this before school instead of at lunch?" I looked Chelsea up and down and swallowed thickly. It had been a week since our first and only intimate exchange and I definitely wanted more. I was also more paranoid about Marie coming and taking that all away from me, but at the moment, my libido had the reins of thought control.
"We were going to but my alarm clock was broken from the last time it tried to wake me before I was ready and I smashed it." Lee said and shrugged as she continued to fiddle with Chelsea's appearance.
"You do know that that's what an alarm clock's purpose is… right?" I asked and Lee rolled her eyes, ignoring me.
"And we're done." Lee announced, making Chelsea stand and turn a circle. Nodding at her own handiwork, Lee turned to me. "Whatta you think, D?"
I bit my bottom lip and groaned. "I think I shouldn't stand up at the moment." Lee laughed in delight and Chelsea sent me a coy-under-the-lashes look that had me wanting to grab her and do something I had never done before at school. Ditch class.
"That's a damn good compliment." Lee stated and left to toss the scraps of trashed fabric.
I looked around and noticed that a handful of other students were staring at her. In awe and envy. I tried to fight him down, but Caveward overpowered my better judgment and forced me to rise. I sent a level stare to some guy as he was making his way over to Chelsea before taking her in my arms and kissing her senseless. The bell for class rang and I groaned, pulling away. Damn you, Caveward.
"I don't know whether to say 'Thank you' or 'You're welcome.'" Chelsea murmured and I chuckled. At least she wasn't mad… then again, if she knew my testosterone was forcing me to stake my claim she might get angry.
"Neither. Just get to class so this day can be over with and we can go home, already." I complained making her giggle. With a parting kiss we went to our separate classes, Lee nodding at me to let me know that she'd keep an eye on her for me. Relief washed over me each day she did this for Chelsea and I sat anxiously in class hating that I couldn't watch over her myself.
The teacher I assisted for final period kept me late to let me know that he was taking an early vacation for his wife's birthday and that he would be gone for the entire week next week. I assured him that I would subtly urge the substitute to keep the class on track in his absence. By the time I got to the meeting point Chelsea and I had set up, she was being chatted up by the guy I had tried to warn off her with my not-so-subtle claim.
He handed her what looked to be an invitation to a party. She took it and smiled excitedly and looked like she asked him a question. When he shook his head, she frowned. He spoke and she glared. I grinned as she shoved the invitation back at him and walked off. I jogged around the corner and smiled brightly at her. "Sorry, I'm late. Mr. Spencer needed talk to me. I get to try and make sure his substitute for next week doesn't screw the lesson plan up." She smiled at me and glared over her shoulder at the guy. He was still just standing there like an idiot looking sad and confused. "What's up?" I asked.
She huffed and rolled her eyes before explaining. "Dylan over there just tried to invite me to a party this weekend. I said it sounded ace and I'd see if my boyfriend and I could make it. He told me it was by invitation only and that you weren't invited. So, I told him I wouldn't be interested if that were the case. Then he had the bloody gall to say forget you and to be his date instead. I shoved the invite back at him and told him to sod off." I put my arm around her shoulder and tilted her chin up with my free hand.
"I love you." I said and kissed her soundly.
Her cheeks flushed in pleasure at my words and she smiled. "I love you, too, Eddward."
My heart did the usual flip at her response and I ushered her to my car. It was time to go home so I could be alone with her. Lee and Eddy showed up not ten minutes after Chelsea and I got home. I wanted to tear my hair out and scream at them to leave us the hell alone for one freaking day! They even stayed for dinner at my mother's invitation. By the time they left, Chelsea and I were in our separate rooms doing our school work.
After I was finished, the shower beckoned me. My back cracked when I sat straight up. "Ow." I muttered and began to strip. Wrapping my towel around my waist, I left my room, staring down as I adjusted said towel. "Ow!" This time my voice was joined with another.
"Sorry, love." Chelsea said rubbing her forehead. Beginning to apologize, I froze when I realized she, too, wore only a towel. The words died on my lips and I groaned. Was I being tested? Teased?
I was about to find my voice when my mother shouted up the stairs, "Bye kids! Don't wait up!"
Chelsea and I frowned at one another as the front door slammed shut and the locks clicked into place. "What the-" I started and stopped, grinning.
"Date night!" Chelsea and I shouted in remembrance. My parents went out on a date the second Wednesday and third Saturday of every month. They said it let them keep up with the romance and I laughed, plugging my ears, and shouting I didn't need details or an explanation as I was the kid, not them.
I looked at Chelsea, reached out to toy with a lock of her beautiful hair, before diving right in and asking, "Would you care to join me?" I knew my face was flaming; I knew my pulse was racing. But I really hoped that if she said yes, that I would be able to control myself and not try to take things too far. Seeing her wet and naked might prove to be too much for me, but damned if I wasn't willing to try.
Her blue eyes widened as a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Join you? In the shower? Do you think that's a good idea?" she asked playing coy.
I swallowed thickly and tried to discreetly adjust my towel. "The more I think about it; yes. Yes, I do." She giggled and shoved at me, bolting into the bathroom. She left the door open and I couldn't believe my legs weren't letting me move. When I heard the water start, I finally moved, walking to the bathroom hurriedly. Then the doorbell rang. "Mother fu-mmmrrrpph!" I slapped a hand over my mouth to muffle my cursing.
Cloak and Dagger bolted out of my parent's room and down the stairs. I heaved a sigh and was about to follow the kittens down when my towel was yanked off. I yelped and Chelsea grinned. "Whoever it is can piss off. We're busy." She said saucily and sashayed naked back into the bathroom.
My brain and body agreed wholeheartedly, following her into the bathroom. The doorbell sounded two more times before I became completely oblivious to everything except for Chelsea… standing naked under the hot spray of water. My entire body clenched hotly as I watched her tilt her head back to wet her hair, my eyes intently following the water as it sluiced deliciously over her body. I swallowed audibly, took a deep breath, and stepped inside the tub with her. The steam made me a little light headed. Or was it the fact that Chelsea hugged me and my brain was melting out of my ears due to the amazing sensation? She turned us so that I was under the spray, groaning at the fantastic feel of the hot water soothing my aching back.
"Feel good?" Chelsea asked after I closed my eyes and sighed. I could hear her amusement.
Smirking and not opening my eyes I nodded. If my eyes had been open, they would have rolled back into my head as she began kneading my lower back with those clever hands of hers. "If you don't stop, I'm going to fall over." I chuckled. She laughed and my breath hitched as I felt her body press against mine again, her lips softly caressing mine.
A loud bang had us both jumping and we froze, wide-eyed.
"What was that?" Chelsea whispered.
"It sounded like a gunshot." I replied, my throat tight. "And close." I held Chelsea tighter. "Baby, stay here. I'll be right back."
"Where are you going?" She asked a little panicked. I smiled and kissed her cheek.
"I'm just gonna peek out a window. If anything's wrong, I'll call the cops. I promise." Reluctantly, she let me go and folded her arms across her chest. I think she was trying to look severe but the look was ruined as the pose served only to lift and press her breasts together enticingly. "I will definitely be right back." I practically growled. She fought a smirk and lost before rolling her eyes and shooing me.
Severely annoyed and hoping a car had merely backfired, I wrapped my towel around my waist to make my way to the closest window. Which happened to be at the top of the stairs. Which happened to overlook my front yard. Where a crowd was gathering, many with cell phones out.
"Damn it." I muttered and proceeded to get dressed. "Baby, you need to get out and get dressed." I said and the water immediately stopped. I watched Chelsea step out of the shower and hated whoever or whatever was causing the ruckus outside. "Not fair." I whimpered as she bent over naked in front of me and picked her towel up off the floor. She smiled, walking to her room to change. "Damn it, damn it, damn it…" I continued to mutter as I made my way downstairs.
When I reached the front door, I heard sirens. 'Uh oh.' I really, really didn't want to open the front door. I must have been frozen for at least a minute because I started when Chelsea slipped her hand into mine. The door opened, Chelsea using her free hand, and we both gasped.
An officer's hand was raised as if he was about to knock and he froze. Water was dripping into my eyes from my hair, and Chelsea squeezed my hand tightly as she looked past the cop. "It's Marie." She whispered.
"I'm Detective Winston. I need to ask you two a few questions." Chelsea stepped back and we both moved to the side to allow him in. I couldn't stop staring outside, though. Paramedics were loading an unconscious and bloody Marie Kanker while another officer was prying a gun from her hand.
"Oh, my God." I breathed.
"I take it the two of you know her?" he asked, his face hard and unreadable. He looked almost too young to be a cop, his face clear of blemishes or wrinkles, but his eyes spoke volumes of experience.
I gestured for him to sit in my father's recliner as Chelsea sat down next to me, clutching my hand for dear life. "Yes. We know her." I said finally. "Can you tell us what just happened?" I asked running a tired hand through my hair.
"It appears that the young woman-"
"Marie Kanker." Chelsea said softly.
"Marie shot herself. Do you have any idea why she would do such a thing?" He asked. Chelsea's head shot up.
"Is she dead?" she asked fearfully. I released her hand and put my arm about her.
"Not yet, but the paramedics said her chances for survival are slim. They have all the details." He began but Chelsea shook her head.
"I don't want to know." She whispered and turned her face into my chest. I held her even tighter.
"What were you two doing when the gun went off? Did you even hear the shot?" he asked.
Chelsea and I looked at one another and both our faces flamed. "We were taking a shower." I mumbled and for the first time, I saw Detective Winston's mouth twitch in a smile. "My parents don't really need to know that." I said pleadingly and looked him in the eyes.
"It doesn't pertain to the case. No worries." He said and cleared his throat. "So, you two were otherwise occupied when you heard the shot?"
I nodded. "I heard someone ringing the doorbell and ignored it, we fooled around a bit, heard the shot, and I went to peek. I didn't see anything but I noticed a crowd beginning to gather, so I told Chelsea to get dressed. We opened the door just as you were about to knock."
"Why did you ignore the doorbell?" he asked. I bit my lip, looked down at Chelsea, and looked back at the Detective. He coughed to cover his laugh and shook his head. "Never mind. Stupid question. How do you know Marie?"
I groaned. "I've known her since elementary school. She and her two sisters were obsessed with my friends and I at that age. Lee wound up dating my best friend Eddy, May lost interest in Ed after a while, but Marie… she never left me alone."
"Eddward…" Chelsea breathed and looked up at me in surprise. She hadn't known the problems with Marie had lasted so long.
"Wait," Winston asked, looking more amused, "you and you're two best friends all have the same name?"
I sighed and nodded. "The only difference is that my name has two D's and we all go by different nicknames." Detective Winston nodded thoughtfully. "Anyway, there's a warrant out for Marie." He looked at me in surprise. "She tried to kill Chelsea last week and wound up stabbing Eddy. He had to go to the hospital for a transfusion and stitches."
Detective Winston stood. "Okay. I think I'm getting the picture here. I'm going to call the hospital and make sure that if she's alright, that she go to the psych ward for evaluation after I verify your statements." Chelsea looked up at me and looked so lost, all I could do was lean down and kiss her. I didn't know what else to do. I escorted the Detective out, answering a couple more routine questions and giving him the Kanker's contact information before closing the door.
"What the fuck." I muttered. My cell phone rang twenty minutes later and I groaned. I should call my parents. "Hello?"
"Double D." A hoarse voice whispered.
'Fuck me.' I groaned internally. "What do you want?" I said softly, wanting her to just leave me alone forever.
"I just… they said… not gonna… live." Her sentences were broken and I could have sworn I heard her laughing. Maybe crying. "Feels like… Fight Club. Like I killed… the crazy part…"
My heart twisted painfully in my chest. I wanted her to leave me alone. Not die. I'm not a monster. "Marie… what do you want?" I asked again, just as softly as before. Chelsea was plucking away thoughtfully on her guitar looking beautiful and lost.
"Can I say… I'm sorry… in person?" she rasped and my throat tightened. Did I dare? I couldn't leave Chelsea home alone. What would it do to Chelsea emotionally to face Marie? Who cared if she was dying in a hospital bed. Was I willing to put Chelsea through that? "Wanna… 'pologize… to Chelsea… too." She whispered.
"Hold on." I whispered and set the phone on the counter. I walked over and knelt before Chelsea. She set her guitar aside and smiled softly down at me when I took her hands in mine. "Marie is on the phone. She said she wants to apologize in person. Are you okay with that?" I was completely blunt.
Chelsea's hands squeezed mine in reflex as her breath caught. "I… I don't know. Is she…" she couldn't finish the sentence.
"I don't know if she's going to live or not. It could very well be another one of her tricks. I wouldn't put it past her even if she is dying." I replied.
She bit her bottom lip and nodded. "Benefit of the doubt." She murmured and rose, pulling me to stand with her.
I picked my phone back up and heard Marie's rattling breath. "We'll be there in ten." I said, remembering the name of the hospital emblazoned on the side of the ambulance. On the way to the hospital, I called my parents and explained everything as briefly as I could. They were both appalled and proud that I was willing to grant Marie a last request. Chelsea and I entered the hospital hand in hand, not surprised to see Lee and May crying and holding one another.
Chelsea walked over and held them both while they thanked her over and over again for coming. For letting Marie try to apologize to her. Chelsea said nothing, only nodding, kissing Lee's cheek as she was ushered into Marie's room in ICU.
I stood with May and asked. "Is this really it?"
May nodded, her blonde hair bouncing as she cried. "The doctor said she has an hour, tops, even with the machines helping her to breath. They can't fix the organs she trashed." She murmured and wiped her eyes. "Seriously, thanks for coming. I still have a bad feeling, but I think it's just about over." She whispered and I had no idea what she was talking about. "Marie is crafty… even now." She whispered though I wasn't sure I'd heard right.
Moments later, an angry Lee ushered a disgusted looking Chelsea out. I was about to ask what was wrong when Lee shook her head and jerked her thumb behind her, telling me it was my turn. Ridiculously confused and worried about Chelsea, I wondered what Marie had said.
"Marie?" I asked and shut the door behind me.
"Oh, Dub," she started coughing and her hand came away bloody. I fought the shudder and stayed at the foot of the hospital bed. "Double D, I'm… so glad you came." She shivered violently but smiled at me none-the-less. How was it she was even creepier now than ever before?
"Well, I figured it couldn't hurt." I said quietly.
"I'm so sorry… for all… the trouble… I've caused." She wheezed and smiled. "Loving… morphine, though." I sighed and waited, knowing she had more to say. "Can you… forgive me?"
I nodded. "Yeah. I think I can do that." I said and offered her a small smile. She held her hand out and I moved a little closer. Unfortunately, too close. "What are you-" she snatched my wrist and yanked me down, pressing her bloody mouth to mine.
Wrenching away violently, she tried desperately to hold on. "Dub D… please… don't want… die a virgin…" the look in her eyes absolutely terrified me. More disgusted than I thought humanly possible I back pedaled from the floor where I had landed before scrambling to my feet.
"Are you crazy? Is that your problem?" I exclaimed.
"PLEASE!" she screamed as her body started convulsing. "NO!" she screamed as I ran out the door and alarms started screeching. I noticed nothing but myself as I stuck my head over a trashcan and vomited.