Chapter Twenty: When Two Become One

Two months had past since their vacation to Orange Beach and everything pretty much returned to normal. Andy and Jennifer spent most of their time planning their wedding, even though they hadn't set a date yet, Joe and Leila were constantly out on adventurous dates, Casie and Pete were exploring new ideas for Clandestine and Cara had become closer to Patrick from being there for him after his Aunt Lauren's death. They could never be found apart from one another.

"Cara, can I talk to you a minute?"

Cara had been putting away the dirty dishes from the drain. She placed the last green cup in the cabinet tossing the dish towel as she finished.

"Sure babe, what's up?"

He pondered to himself a moment, thinking of how he should begin. Patrick's every waking moment was spent worshiping this woman he loved. He made sure she had breakfast in bed at least once a week, surprised her with a washed and polished clean car every now and then, let her pick out the movies they rented together and of course kissed her on a regular basis. Their passion for one another had grown to a height that boiled through his veins. He wanted her in a way he had never wanted another before. He wanted to be with her physically. His thoughts crossed back and forth teetering on the fence like a trapezes artist wondering whether Cara felt the same and if she wanted him like that as well.

"You know I love you right?"

Cara laughed watching his hands roll through the other playing with his fingers like a nervous little kid, "Of course I do and I love you. Now what is this all about?"

"I was just thinking about where our relationship was headed and…"

"Wait! You aren't breaking up with me are you?"

"Oh god no! It's not that at all."

"Good. Now, why are you so nervous? You know you can tell me anything" she stood in front of him on the kitchen stool draping her arms around his neck while his found her waist.

He swallowed hard knowing he had to say this. "Cara…it has been very hard for me these past few months and you have been right by my side through it all. I've never met anyone like you before, kind, brilliant, beautiful and always thinking of others. I look at you and see a talented woman who deserves the best, that's why I have been spoiling you like I have. And everyday I show my appreciation and love for you by these things, but now…it's not enough for me. Cara, I want more. Do you understand what I am saying?"

She shook her head furrowing her brow, "What are you saying? Please don't start buying me expensive gifts, you know I hate that."

"No Cara, I wouldn't do anything you don't want me to do, which is another issue in the matter. Its fine if you don't want the same thing and I will understand if you say you aren't ready, but I need you. I have thought it through and I can't handle these feelings and frustrations any longer. You are the woman I want and I want you in my arms tonight."

It finally sunk in what he was trying to tell her. He needed her in the most basic physical way and yet the most emotional and significant way. Cara had thought of Patrick being with her like that also, wrapped in each others arms in a state of bliss. She had dreamt about it, what it would be like for them and how it would change their relationship afterwards. She only saw it deepening to a heaven, her personal heaven with Patrick being her beautiful God.

"Patrick, you know I haven't been with anyone like that in a long time. And, I'm not one to just do it with every guy I meet. It has to be special, with someone I love more than life, more than myself even and…Patrick; you are that guy, that someone special I love with every fiber in me. And I want you to know that I am ready; I want to be with you too. I will make love to you whenever we feel it is right."

Patrick lit from the core out, he had never been so happy before. To him this was better than the first time he played on stage for his fans and better than the birthday gift Cara had given him, the argyle guitar. This was better than anything, because he was going to get her, her love and they would share one another.

"I think it is the right time, don't you?" he snickered hugging her close to him laying his head to her chest. She laughed holding him in her arms as he listened to the rumble it caused.

Joe watched Leila thumb through the latest CD's of Avenged Sevenfold, one of her favorite bands. He loved that about her, a rocker like himself to the bone. They enjoyed so many things alike together; it seemed they should have met sooner. Met up at a restaurant ordering the same thing or here in a music store fighting over the same CD, but only if she had lived in Chicago her whole life and not the south.

He continued behind her scanning passed the A's on to the B's of albums. There wasn't much there he hadn't heard before, including a Barry White album he had turned on last night for Leila while they made love. Depending on their mood depended on the type of music they listened too during sex. Joe laughed in hushed tones thinking of the one time they listened to some up beat techno music almost breaking the bed. He loved how speratic she was, which was something else they had in common; he wouldn't call either one of them wild just adventurous, up for most anything.

However, last night had been amazing. They took their time exploring one another's bodies. Making every moment last, and every touch count. Leila had asked if he would go slower; sometimes that could have a different effect on the body and she had been right. Usually, it was hard for him to hold back when his pleasure was peaking, but for her he would have tried anything. He thought of how she had moaned his name louder than ever. It had been an exhilarating experience Joe would never forget, and he was eager to get Leila back home to try again.

Walking up behind her, he pulled her long hair back and nestled his face to her neck, letting his lips caress the skin just underneath her ear. His warm tongue connected sucking with little pressure, sending goose bumps down her arms.

"Not here, Joe. Everyone can see us" she said pushing him away rubbing over her arms.

"Oh come on, you know I don't care what people think."

"Yes, but I don't want to get kicked out for PDA. I like this store."

"True, it is a good store." He turned her around pulling her close to his body. Leila could feel the tension in his lower half and knew exactly what he was after.

"Damn, you didn't get enough last night?" she laughed hard, tossing the CD back onto the rack.

"I can't ever get enough of you…in fact, I don't know if I can make all the way home without jumping you."

"Well, why don't we not go home; you have plenty of room in the back of your jeep."

"God, I love you woman. Let's get out of here…I know a place to park where we can have some privacy." Joe and Leila raced to the car, laughing at each others enthusiasm. Their thoughts were always connected and they would take pleasure in this new adventure they had never experienced before, which was starting to become the norm for them.

"Hey Casie, I need you to come here a sec!"

Throwing the shirt onto the counter, Casie walked the familiar hallway to the back room where Pete had been working with another designer on his new hoodie line, preparing for the fall. He decided classic warm brown and red would be appropriate with the season, even though he didn't like to be predictable.

"What did you need Pete?"

He handed the hoodie to the red-headed woman, "Will you give us a minute. Here, take this and see if you can't change the font of the words and bold them, please."

"Yes, on it." The woman smiled nodding her head at Casie as she passed closing the door behind her. Casie sauntered over to his side. "What's up?"

"Our manager called again, he said we have to go to St. Louis for a photo shoot. They want pictures of us under the arc. We should only be gone for the weekend, so we'll get back on Sunday. I need to call the guys and tell them."

"Humph! I hate it when you have to leave me" Casie whined squeezing him into a tight hug.

"I know I hate leaving you too, but I have responsibilities. So, do the other guys."

"True, but sometimes I think you spread yourself too thin…I mean, you have your clothes line, your band, your bar, your friends you help out, your art that you do on the side and more things I can't even think of right now. I am getting worried this is causing you too much stress."

"I chose this. Everything I do is because I want to, not because I have to. Are you just saying these things to make me stay with you this weekend?" he smirked holding his arms to her back.

"Hey, I'm not that selfish. I really am worried about you; look at your eyes. You look like you haven't slept in weeks. I just think maybe you should take a short break, that's all."

Pete dropped his grip on her and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Look, I can't just pick up and go whenever I want. Things have to be done and I have obligations to my decisions. If you can't understand that, then maybe…I don't know, maybe we need a short break."

"What? How can you say that? I was just looking out for you because I love you."

"I love you too, but I can't be with you every second of the day and maybe you need to be with someone more stable." Pete winced at the thought of her in another man's arms. This wasn't what he wanted and he knew he had taken it too far, but the damage had been done.

"You think I'm too clingy?" Casie felt the knot rise in her throat. She had no idea she had become part of the strain on him.

"Casie, you have a reason to be. You've had a lot happen in the past few years and I don't blame you for needing someone to be there. It's just that I have a hectic life and…"

"Okay, I get what you're saying. I guess me and my traumatized life are holding you back…I understand."

"Don't be like that, that's not what I said…"

"No, have a safe trip. Maybe we'll see each other when you get back."

Casie walked out the door to the front to clock out. She couldn't stay there and finish her shift; not when Pete was still there and the tears were surfacing.

The sun had begun to set casting reds and oranges through the sky. Joe had parked his jeep between a hidden alleyway and some tall brushes to the other side. No one would see them. Joe couldn't quite fit his legs inside the jeep unless he was laying diagonal in the back. The seats had been lowered and a blanket spread out underneath. Leila, who wanted to be on top this time, took the reigns while Joe massaged up and down her torso. They were in complete bliss once again ravishing one another.

The car had been one of their greatest ideas yet, it was something both had never tried and they loved it. Joe watched in admiration of this beautiful creature having her way with him; something he never wanted to get out of his mind. She was his and he was hers like Romeo and Juliet.

A moment later, Joe heard his phone playing a tune from Morrissey's Viva Hate. Ugh! Leila stopped her movements and looked to him, "You going to get that?"

"It's Pete…I'll call him back in a minute."

"We just started, is that all it's going to take you, a minute?" Leila laughed rubbing her hand to Joe's hurt face.

"Fine! You asked for it." Joe flipped Leila onto her back positioning him self and pinning her down.

"Joseph Mark Trohman!"

"Ha, now you can't get away from me."

"Who said I was going to try to get away?"

His grin widened, once again loving this woman beneath him even more. And, they continued on until reaching the highest ecstasy known to man, taking hours to fulfill themselves.

Patrick laid Cara down on the fluffy turquoise pillow. The sun had disappeared and candles had been lit around the room, setting the mood for their night of bliss.

"Patrick."

"What is it? Is there something you want me to do?"

"I don't know…. I'm just not sure I want to do this and then you leave tomorrow. What if I go crazy wanting you?"

"Ha ha, I know what you mean. It will be harder to leave you after this, but if it helps we can wait till I get back."

"No no no!" Cara pulled him down onto the bed next to her, making him fall face first into the covers. "Oops, sorry."

"Don't worry; I don't think I could have waited anyways. You are too beautiful right now and my body is craving beautiful."

"Oh my…ha, what a line" Cara busted out laughing while Patrick wore a proud smile winking at her.

"So, did you want to put some music on or something? I mean I want this to be perfect."

"No, I just need you now!" Cara hollered yanking him up to her lips kissing him just as they had many times before, but this time with an eagerness and yearning that absorbed through them. Patrick parted her lips exploring every inch of her mouth with his warm tongue. He was feeling relieved to finally be with Cara this way, to finally be able to show his affection by making love to her.

Cara broke from his cherry lips out of breath. "Oh and there is something I forgot to mention. I have only been with one other guy before, but I found out, I kind of say things when I am having sex. Nothing bad, but I am just warning you before we really start."

"Wow, are you serious?" Patrick asked watching Cara turn three shades of red in embarrassment. "That kind of turns me on."

She laughed tugging him back to her lips continuing where they left off. Intertwining legs, Patrick pulled the belt untying Cara's red silk robe. The way her laced bra and panties formed to her body made Patrick tense with eagerness. The more his hands traced the contours of her curves the harder it became to resist the urge to rip her underwear off. He was ready and excited to have her at last.

He thought it best to gracefully slip his hands behind Cara's back making the hooks of her bra part. She pealed it from her chest revealing her soft creamy breasts underneath which Patrick had been dying to explore. The warmth from his hands and mouth, journeying across, left a sensation plaguing at her stomach. Cara hadn't experienced this in so long; her body's cravings would deny her control.

"Patrick, I want you inside me now."

He lifted his head to read her expression. It was a need, a need that reflected his own and could not ignore any longer. It only took a second for the rest of their clothing to find a place strewn on the floor. And an explosion of pleasure with relief soared within as their bodies connected with ease. The passion and sensual lust for one another blossomed and the building heat danced through the air. Moving towards a state of exquisite bliss, Patrick and Cara praised the moment, wishing they could stay there the rest of their lives; holding each other, exploring each other, loving each other.

The morning came too soon and Cara realized she and Patrick spent most the night making love. They were very exhausted, but the guy's flight was scheduled to depart in three hours. The small burgundy suitcase sat by the bedroom door, while he stood in the bathroom tossing his shampoo and toothbrush into a smaller bag. Cara lay naked snug under his warm covers refusing to get up.

"Why did you have to leave today of all days?"

He tossed the toiletry bag by the suitcase and plopped down next to Cara on top of the sheets. "I know…I don't want to leave, but think of last night as a 'see you soon' gesture."

"Wow, that was some gesture" Cara giggled bunching the covers up to her chin now. Patrick leaned down to kiss her with as much passion as he had last night. Her pulse quickened and her heart pounded against her ribs. The burning desire returned to her just as Patrick pulled away making her pout.

"Yes it was, you were amazing you little minx. Now, get up…you have to come say goodbye when I leave."

"Yeah, and I'm sure the girls are here by now too. Fine."

Cara dressed herself and helped Patrick take his things to the living room where Joe sat in one of the arm chairs with Leila on his lap, making out.

"Uh hum…"

"Oh hey guys!" Leila said pulling away, disappointing Joe's wanting lips. She scrunched her fingers through his curly brown hair he had been growing out. Leila hated longer hair on guys, but he had been refusing to cut it regardless. He liked the hobo look.

"Hey, where's Casie?" Cara noticed Pete dragging his stuff to the front door with only Hemingway, his dog, trotting behind him.

"She's at home." Leila flicked her eyes towards Pete signaling to Cara she would explain later.

"Oh, um…Is Andy and Jennifer coming?"

"He's going to meet us at the airport. He and his bride-to-be wanted to be alone as long as possible, go figure" Joe laughed wrapping his arms around Leila nudging her neck with his nose.

"Come on guys, let's go. We don't want to be late." Pete motioned for them opening the door.

"Fine! We're coming dammit!" Joe pulled Leila close one more time pressing his warm lips on hers and forcing his tongue to her tongue. They remained locked in a passionate embrace. "I love you Ginny girl."

Cara frowned to Patrick, pleading with her eyes to hurry back. He gathered her into a tight hug and whispered to her ear. "I won't be gone long and when I come home I'm going to make love to you as many times as you want. You'll have to talk dirty to me again, that was hot." Cara chuckled placing her forehead to his. "Whatever you want." Her lips found his cherry ones one last time.

"Jesus! We're only going to be gone two fucking days. Get your asses over here and let's go!" Pete fumed watching the two couples' display, a pit of jealousy racking.

"God, we're coming!"

"Bye guy's" Cara waved with Leila walking over to her side.

"Oh will you two feed Hemingway for us? You know where his food is. Thanks!" Patrick waved back while Joe blew Leila a kiss with his free hand.

Sunday finally arrived after an excruciating, boring Saturday of watching The Simpsons reruns with Hemingway asleep on the floor in front. Cara and Leila spent most of their weekend at the guy's place while Casie moped around her place.

She was glad the girl's were gone, babysitting Pete's dog, where she could have time to think about her relationship with him, the things Pete said to her at work and all the stuff that had happened. It was a lot for anyone to experience. Looking back, she saw she had been clingy to Pete, calling him all the time, spending almost every night at his place or him over at hers, him racing from work to comfort her when her depression meds weren't enough. She had been selfish; it wasn't fair to Pete, and she was the cause of his stress. He tried so hard to be there for her and she never returned the favor.

"I may have blown it with the greatest guy I've ever been with. I am such a fool. He deserves so much better than me, I'm like a broken old record and all he needs is a new CD to be happy. Something I can never be."

Despite her reluctance, Casie felt the loneliness and torture of her thoughts weigh on her. She wanted to laugh again and be happy, at least on the outside. The only people who could make that possible were at the very place she wanted to stay away from, but the need was too great.

She drove the familiar streets around Chicago, parking in front of the apartment. The memory of the first time she walked up these concrete steps with Leila and Cara to retrieve her lost journal ripped through her. Whatever happens, she will never regret losing it or meeting him.

"Hey Casie!" Leila opened the door with Hemingway at her feet wagging his little nub.

"Hi, do you mind if I spend this afternoon with you guys?"

"No! Come on in…we missed you."

Casie smiled walking to the couch with her arm wrapped around her friend. "Hey Cara. How have you been?"

"Great!"

"How are Patrick and Joe doing?"

Leila and Cara glanced at one another blushing from head to toe and busting into laughter.

"Oh lord, you two are crazy." Casie giggled watching her best friends. This was exactly what she needed. They chatted about how romantic Patrick is and Joe's wild ideas he comes up with without going into too much detail. Casie lost her breath laughing so hard with Cara as Leila described one night getting caught by some mall security guards inside one of the arcade cars with Joe.

"It was awkward trying to squeeze out of that plastic car in a hurry while putting your clothes back on attempting to escape."

"Wow, that is bad. You so have us beat with the crazy sex stories" Cara huffed catching her breath as well. She stood up, her throat parched, to get a drink of water. As she approached the sink the door handle to the front door jiggled. She wondered if the guy's were back. The knob twisted as the door creaked swinging open. Cara's eyes flew open wide and gasped as Dylan carelessly walked through, closing it behind him.

"Leila, Casie call the cops!"

Before Cara could scramble away from him, Dylan protruded forward shoving her with all his might. Her body tumbled backwards and her chest slammed into the side of the counter hearing a crack before plummeting to the floor. Cara winced holding her side, she just knew her ribs were broken.

Casie ran to her side while Leila jumped up in furry. "You bastard!" she yelled charging towards him arms wailing. Dylan struggled to get her flying fists to her sides before raring back and punching her in the left eye socket. A cry of pain pelted from Leila as she fell to the floor next to the couch. She trained to lift her head, but dropped it back, relaxing her muscles as consciousness fled her.

Dylan straightened up and admired the damage he had caused, then looked to Casie. She cringed before him and dashed towards the phone, but he snagged her waist from behind. "Oh I don't think so…we don't need anymore company."

"Let go of me!" Casie pulled at his hands that were locked across her stomach. She felt his heavy breath beating against her neck.

"We are going to have lots of time to spend together, you and me."

"What do you mean?" The water filled her eyes as he spun her around to see the fear on her face.

"You are going to take a little trip with me, I know how much you love palm trees."

"No! I'm not going anywhere with you!"

"Yes you will…if you don't I'll make you watch me kill you little girl friends here and then I'll kill you."

Casie glanced over at Leila's limp body sprawled across the floor and then to Cara who had been scooting little by little towards the phone, hoping Dylan hadn't noticed. She held her side as the pain pierced through her chest. As soon as Dylan's attention was back on Casie, she scooted a little closer.

"Please don't hurt them!" Casie cried.

"Then you have to leave with me now and they will remain unharmed."

"You know this will never work right? The cops know who you are and if you take me, they will know it was you and will come hunt you down."

"I plan on that" Dylan chuckled fearless.

Casie twisted in his grip attempting to get away. His right hand shot up to her throat, squeezing as he pulled her closer. "You are coming with me…you are mine and no man can ever have you again."

He released her throat with Casie wheezing through a few coughs. He grabbed her wrist forcing her to and out the door. It swayed wide open, the cool wind blowing in as Cara cried in agony reaching for the phone. Her fingers trembled over the three numbers, 9-1-1. Th phone rang once in Cara's ear while her breath was unsteady with fear. "911 what's your emergency?" the woman's voice asked.

"Oh thank god! Please, you have to help us. I'm hurt, Leila's unconscious and Casie's been kidnapped!"