CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

A knew that something was wrong with him the moment he came back for break. At first, I thought perhaps it was Chester. He was the new factor, but when I saw them in a light conversation, I knew that that couldn't have been the cause. Someone else was making him unhappy and only a couple of people came to mind.

Elsa was as dismissive as she had always been. In fact, she actually appeared even more distant than before. The practises would go on as per usual and she didn't even seem to be enjoying her singing solo. I never thought that day would ever come, but whatever we plaguing her didn't seem to have anything to do with Jimmy.

My eyes wandered to the woman who was standing off to the side like I was, but her burning stare was almost enough to set the stage on fire. Surprisingly, I wasn't the target of her ire. Instead, her gaze was fixated on Jimmy who seemed to be avoiding her eyes at all costs. What had happened in the afternoon, while I slept?

The insecure side of me wondered if they had possibly done something behind my back, but that wouldn't explain her behaviour. I didn't know what to think about this new unexpected turn of events that involved the very woman who tried to steal him away from me.

When I asked him about it, he was uncharacteristically dismissive. I didn't know what to do. I wanted to trust that nothing was wrong.

"Don't worry about it, Madi." He kissed my forehead. "I'll take care of it." I didn't know what he was referring to, but now I knew that there was indeed something going on and he wasn't going to tell me about it.

No matter how much I wanted to confront him, I decided not to. I had to trust him to do what was right. I had to believe in our relationship – believe in us.

I pecked his lips, hoping that he could feel that he had my moral support. "It'll be alright." I was trying to convince myself more than I was trying to convince him, Somehow, it really wasn't that reassuring, at all.

This was something that continuously hung over us. This unknown, foreboding feeling that our future was being threatened, again.

In the evening, the police came. They weren't here to cause any trouble, but the entire troupe was on edge at their arrival. The duo quickly took note that Jimmy hadn't run off to another country and left, again. The tension never disappeared after they were gone. It was a reminder that Jimmy wasn't truly free, yet. He was on borrowed time until we could prove his innocence.

I told Morgan about what happened and he agreed with my notion that if we didn't find the true murderer soon, Jimmy was going to be the scapegoat whether they were certain or not. They simply didn't care enough. As long as the masses were appeased, a homeless adolescent could be throw in.

"What about the spoiled child you told me about?" he asked me.

"Dandy Mott?" I mumbled back. Of course, he had come to mind, but thinking about him was instantly accompanied by the pain he had conditioned into me. The fact was, he was probably the murderer. If this was lined to us in any way, Dandy had to be the cause.

Unfortunately, how were we going to convince the authorities? They wouldn't want to upset the Mott family and they didn't' care about us. It would benefit them to have us all put down if it wasn't going to cause some sort of scandal.

"I'm a man of many connections." Morgan's eyes twinkled when he saw the worry on my face. "I didn't get this far alone. Leave this to me."

I frowned. I didn't want to be left out of it. "I'm going with you," I told him. "Wherever – whoever –this is. I don't want to sit around when Jimmy could be put under at any moment and when you're working so hard trying to help us. It doesn't feel right."

He sighed. "I don't' want to put you in any danger. Not everyone I know is a good man like Charlie. Madison, I'm not a good man. There have been many bad things I've done that I regret and many more that I don't."

"I don't care," I adamantly stated. "You've been nothing but kind to me and that's all that matters. What you've done in the past means remains in the past. Everyone has done things they've regret."

I watched as he closed his eyes, leaning his head against the luxurious black leather couch. He shook his head with a low chuckle. "I'll never be able to convince you otherwise, will I?"

"No," I agreed, the corners of my lips quirking upward, knowing that I have won.

The next day, he drove me out of town. I had a thick blanket over me, but just the aspect of leaving Jupiter was enough to make me giddy. I had to keep reminding myself that this wasn't' a vacation. Jimmy was in danger and whoever we were going was to help him. But once everything was over, maybe we'd be able to leave Elsa's Cabinet, if only for a few days.

"Remember, don't leave the car unless I tell you to. Run when I say to run. H – "

I cut him off. "I know. I know. Do what Morgan says because Morgan's friends are bad people."

I could practically imagine the scowl marring his usually relaxed features. "They are not my friends. They were a means to an end – stepping stones to get to where I am today."

I grope around for his hand and he quickly held it, pushing it back underneath the cover. "I'm sorry. I'm just nervous and can't wait until it's all over. I really appreciate everything you've done for me. I'll make it up to you."

His large hand squeezed my own and I felt him place a kiss on my head through the fabric. "Just don't leave me," he whispered. "I'm not as strong as you think I am. Even if I can never touch you. Even if I can never have your love, you have mine and I will be happy with anything you can give me."

My heart ached at his words. Never did I think I would be in a position like this – to have two wonderful men who loved me so completely and having to break one of their hearts. "I'm so sorry, Morgan."

"No need, darling," he sighed. "Now, sit tight while I get a few things at the gas station."

I nodded.

I heard the car keys jingle when he pulled them out of the ignition and then, the doors opened before slamming closed. I curled up in my seat. I wanted the wretched blanket off me. In the darkness, I was stuck with only my thoughts. It didn't help that Morgan refused to tell me much about the people we were going to meet. I hope that they weren't outlaws, but by the way he spoke about them, I wouldn't have been surprised.

I jumped when I suddenly heard loud knocking from beside me. The force of the knocks shook the entire car.

"Who's under there?" The voice was masculine and fir. "Get out from under the blanket."

I didn't know what to do. I couldn't exactly do that in broad daylight without frying myself, but I shifted the blanket until I was able to peek out with my eyes, while still having the fabric loom over my head, casting a dark shadow over my face. I was glad that the sun was on the other side. "H-hi," I hesitantly greeted the stranger.

The man was dressed like the officers in Jupiter, but I wasn't familiar with the badge on his arm. All I knew was that he was probably the next county's police.

"Get out from under there," he grunted, shining his flashlight into my eyes.

I squinted uncomfortably, resisting the urge to drop the blanket back over my face. That would probably make me look suspicious and I really had nothing to hide other than the fact that I was going to burst into flames if I left the safety of my shelter.

Looking warily at the other hand that was resting at his belt where his gun was holstered, I told him, "I can't." I hoped that he wasn't going to take it as resisting him. "I… I'm very sensitive to the sun and I'll burn and blister if I don't have the blanket to cover me." I was also probably going to die, but he didn't need to know that.

His lips became down-turned. "What are you doing here? Where's your partner?" He spoke as if he was interacting to a criminal and even though I wasn't guilty of anything,. I instantly felt as if I had to confess to something – perhaps all the times I stole food or secretly badmouthed nasty pedestrians who shot me dirty looks… Anything.

"Hello, officer. How may I help you?" The low rumble of Morgan's voice immediately calmed me down. He'd know what to do. He always did.

The stranger turned his attention to the new arrival. I could see his fingers inch closer to his weapon and hoped that he wasn't going to do anything.

"Who are you? What business do you have here?" the officer barked.

"Morgan Laveau," he replied. "And the one in the car is my lovely fiancée." I flushed at the lie.

"Fiancée? To a man like you?" I could hear the disbelief in the officer's voice and it made me seethe inside. There was nothing wrong with Morgan! He was a wonderful man. My heart just belonged to another. "Miss, tell me the truth, is he abducting you? I'm an officer. I can – "

"No!" I exclaimed, clenching my hands. "We're going on a road-trip before our wedding. I can assure you that there is nothing you can do. Please, we'd like to be back on our way."

He turned his nose at me. "Then don't expect the state to waste any time and money to help you when he beats you black and blue. Maybe you're the type of girl that likes it."

Before I could say anything else, Morgan had already slipped back into the car and started the engine. "Thank you, officer. I'll be sure not to call you when I do just that." The words came out so politely that it drew a dumbfounded look on the other man's face.

When we were finally away from the police station, I let out a sigh of relief that turned into a quiet, mirthless laugh. Honestly, what was wrong with this world? People like Dandy Mott was free to do whatever he pleased, while someone like Morgan was being questioned left and right simply because he had a different-coloured skin? Or perhaps it was the fact that I was with him. W hat difference did that really make?

The sun began to set by the time we arrived. I left the blanket in the car when I noted how the looming buildings cast long, dark shadows across the town. This place felt… cold… dangerous…

I stuck close to Morgan, scared that I could be pulled into an alley at any moment. He didn't seem too concerned. In f act, he looked comfortable in this town, more than I ever saw him.

"We're going to take a small detour. There's just someone I want to see before we do anything else."

We stopped in front of an old house with decaying walls and dirty windows. The shutters were closed, hiding whoever was inside from the rest of the world.

Morgan went right up to the door and produced a key. The door creaked loudly as he swung it open. "Come on. You can take that off after we're in here. She likes to keep the house dark." I could hear the exasperation in his voice.

I walked in, closing the door behind me, and looked around. The inside of the house was actually immaculate. There was not a speck of dust in sight and every inch of the wall was covered with photos and paintings.

Who lived here?

I stepped forward and looked closer at the framers and spotted four people smiling back at me. "Do you know – "

When I turned around, Morgan was already walking up the stairs.

I had a suspicion who these people were, but what happened here? Surely, they didn't always live like this.

I quickly moved away from the photograph and followed Morgan to the second floor. He had made a beeline towards a closed door at the very end of the hallway. When he opened it, I saw the shelf full of books and when he moved to the side, I saw the woman sitting by a lamp. Her eyes were closed, but the book was still opened in her lap.

"Ma?" he quietly called out, kneeling in front of her.

My heart warmed. He had really taken me to his childhood home – the place he had grown up. I stood back, watching him slowly rouse his napping mother who looked blearily at him. "Morgan?"

"Hi, ma." His voice was soft, almost meek, as he took her wrinkled hand and stroked the back of it.

"Oh, Morgan!" She threw her arms around him, giving his cheek a long kiss. "I've missing you so much! Why haven't you been visiting?"

He looked regretfully at her. "You know why. Too many memories here. Besides, it's probably best that I didn't come. You know that there are quite a few people here who are more than happy to see me gone forever."

My eyes widened. He really wasn't kidding when he said he dealt with bad people. What had he done to earn their vengeance?

"But I wanted you to meet someone." He beckoned to me and I froze. I wasn't ready for this. He didn't warn me that I was going to meet his mother! "Ma, this is Madi. Madi, this is my mother."

"Come here, dear. My sight isn't what it used to be. Let me have a better look at you." She waved her hand and I hesitantly walked over, kneeling beside Morgan.

She placed a shaky hand on my cheek. "Oh, I have a better feeling about this one, already. I'm so happy that you've finally moved on from that witch."

I flushed. "O-oh! N-no, Morgan and I – "

Morgan placed a hand on my shoulder, stopping me mid-denial. "I know. I'm glad that I met Madison. I've never been happier."

I didn't know what to say as my heart raced in my chest.

"I'll put the kettle on!" As she began to stand up, Morgan quickly stopped her.

"We have to go, soon. There are still a few places we have to be before the day is over," he told her. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "I'll be back soon. I promise."

She looked sadly at him. "You said that seven years ago…"

He looked away. "I know, but I promise, once everything is sorted, I'll come back. Maybe I'll take you with me to Jupiter, this time. I have a nice house there, a large garden. You'd love it there."

"You know this is the only home for me," she chuckled. "Go on. Don't worry about an old hag like me. I'll be fine. I have these books to keep me company, while you get yourself in trouble, but there is no way I will be missing the wedding, you hear me?"

He laughed. The corners of his eyes wrinkled with mirth. I had never seen him so at ease. "Of course, ma."

She, then, turned to me. "I know you're a good girl. You're just what he needs. Please, take care of him. He's a troublemaker. You should've seen him when he was younger." She reached over to what seemed to be a photo album on the shelf, but Morgan quickly stopped her.

"We really have to go. Madison doesn't want to listen to boring childhood stories." He wrestled the book away from her and slid it back in, leaving his hand on it to keep it in case she tried to reach for it, again.

I giggled. "I don't know… Tiny Morgan sounds interesting. I can't even imagine you as anything other than tall."

"He's really grown up big and strong, hasn't he?" She smiled fondly at her son. "I wonder if Jason would've grown up just like you."

"I think he was more like you than anything," Morgan whispered. "He was a good kid."

"I know…" She sighed. "Now, go on. Don't waste your time here in this old place. I'll be here if you ever want to drop by, again."

Morgan stood up, giving her a hug. Once he was done, she turned to me and stretched out her arms. I happily fell into her embrace. She was warm like my mother. If Morgan didn't want to visit her more, I'd probably come here myself or force him to take me here. I was sure that she would bake me delicious cookies, as well.

"I promise I'll take good care of him, ma'am," I told her.

"I know you will."

With that, we left.

The sun had almost disappeared by this time. Only remnants were left of its orange glow.

I looked at Morgan, feeling as if I had finally discovered the person beneath all the expensive clothes and calmed demeanor. "Thank you." I smiled at him.

He turned to me. "What for? I should've warned you before I came here. I should've asked you before I let her believe you were with me, but she's been worried about me for so long. I didn't want her to keep thinking I was still caught up on that woman."

I squeezed his hand. "It's alright. Do what you have to do. You know I'll be there for you." Just as he had been there for me.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

I changed up about half the chapter here last minute. I hope you didn't mind that Jimmy wasn't really here. I kind of ended up going on a tangent because I thought I should give Morgan a little more depth. I didn't want him to just be a character Madi went to whenever she was in trouble. I wanted him to have a story and some flaws.

Thank you HerOverYonder, Mystery Angle, Cosmo39, guests (anonymouscsifan, DaisyChain1993, AuroraSeven) for reviewing!

HerOverYonder: Weellll… What happens in the box, you'll have to wait for it! *hides* You can't see me!

anonymouscsifan: Aww… But I'd love to read what you've written! Teehee… I'm so happy that they showed more of Kai this episode! But he's a little… special in this. I'm not sure how I'll ever work Madi in it if I do end up working on that…

Mystery Angle: Oops! No peace for Jimmy! He's going to be simmering on that for a while.

Cosmo39: I don't know why, but Bette and Dot had always annoyed me. Sarah Paulson's characters are usually ones I really like or ones I really hate.

DaisyChain1993: Maggie is always trouble. Jimmy is probably going to try to find a way out of it… I wonder how that's going to turn out.

AuroraSeven: I love and hate Kai, right now! I still want to see a lot more of him, but oh boy… Some of the things he does… And Madi is always on my mind when I watch it so when it got to a particular scene, all I could think was… How would she react to THAT.

Thank you as well to everyone who has favourited and followed this story.

Please, leave a review if you've enjoyed this!