Hello fellow fanfiction lovers! I am so sorry for the lack of updates. Work got crazy and then my hard drive crashed so I had to get it replaced. This is a small chapter wrapping up the Piltover part but we will be getting into the final showdown soon. Thank you so much for being on this journey with me and I do hope you enjoy this chapter. More is coming soon! Keep it Classy!
"Well, I think this is going well," Isabella said, and Xavier made a strangled sound.
"I think this is one of the rare times we disagree my dear," he replied.
"It was sarcasm."
"Oh, well. You know I've never been good at noticing that," Xavier said, running his hand through his hair.
"You're right, I'm sorry."
"Could you please try to get on Caitlyn's good side? She's very influential here in Piltover and if we get her support, that would be huge," Xavier pleaded.
"You underestimate my diplomacy dear. I can be charming if I choose to be," Isabella replied, pushing a loose curl out of her face.
"Then choose to be. My parents are easy to persuade but Caitlyn is very… rigid."
"I will do what I can, but this isn't just about me," she pointed out and he nodded.
"You're right, and I might have a better time with Caitlyn now that I think about it. I can try to get her support if you can handle my parents," Xavier suggested, lifting an eyebrow.
"No, war or no war, she is my sister in law. I want her to like me because even if you won't say it out loud, it's important to you. And you're important to me, so I will speak to her," she said.
Xavier smiled, "I love you."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. Now let's go, we don't want to keep them waiting."
"Of course," Xavier replied.
He placed his hand lightly on the small of her back and led her into the sitting room as the rest of the group was in the throngs of laughter. Caitlyn eyed them over her evening tea.
"You do have some of the most entertaining stories Vi," Elizabeth said as the pair sat down.
"Don't let her fool you, mother. Most of our job is paperwork. These stories she tells are few and far between," Caitlyn said.
"Well, I will tell you one thing. Paperwork or not, you guys are making a difference in our fine city," Artreus said as the couple sat.
Caitlyn's face colored slightly. "You're to kind father."
"It's been a long time since those nasty chem-barons have been under control," Elizabeth pointed out.
Caitlyn cleared her throat, "Well, we do what we can."
"What you do is a lot-" Artreus started.
"So, Xavier. What brings you to Piltover?" Vi asked, interrupting and giving Caitlyn a side glance.
"And with a Noxian hanging off your arm?" Caitlyn replied.
"I thought we were done discussing this," Xavier said.
"Then you thought wrong," Caitlyn replied dangerously.
"Caitlyn…" Elizabeth started.
"No mother, he doesn't get to run off and disappear for years then come back and pretend everything is okay," Caitlyn replied, setting her cup down sharply.
"I didn't run off-"
"You left with a letter sitting on your bed. Like those three pages were supposed to be enough," Caitlyn said.
"I said I was safe and I would come visit."
"It's been over six years Xavier! You were safe when you left but who knows what could have happened!" Caitlyn stood, the volume of her voice raising slightly. "You are only here because you want something. What is it, money?"
"I am an adult Caitlyn. I don't need you-"
"Then start acting like one! I was sixteen when you left Xavier. Sixteen and I had to help take care of the family and the business. Nineteen when our parents were kidnapped, and I had to find them. And where were you? On some flying plaything in the middle of the ocean pretending to be a pirate with a Noxian hussy who you are so hopelessly in love with that you can't see that she is using you!"
"That is enough," Isabella said, her harsh voice cutting through Caitlyn's tirade. She stood, matching Caitlyn's height and intensity.
"Isabella-" Xavier started but she raised her hand and he fell silent.
She took a steadying breath before speaking. "I have done nothing to you. I have not wronged you or your family in any way. I have been nothing but respectful to you, your family and your home. The language you are using is offensive and quite frankly, inappropriate. I am sorry that my presence is such an afront to you but quite frankly I do not care. You are angry at me about things I have no control over. It's ridiculous. Your brother was nervous to come and now I understand why. Let me make myself clear. I am here to stay. When I married your brother, I made a commitment. And it is going to take a lot more then you and your nasty attitude to change that. I love your brother. I am who I am today because of him. I do not have to prove myself to anyone here except him. But don't you dare question me or my commitment to him again," she said evenly, and the room was deafeningly quiet.
Caitlyn stared at her evenly, her eyes hardening. The silence seemed to stretch for hours when she turned on a heel and walked out. Xavier stood and placed his hand on Isabella's shoulder reassuringly before following her.
"Isabella, I deeply apologize for Cailtyn's behavior," Artreus said. "You are right, and Elizabeth and I have no concerns with it come to your intentions or loyalty to our son. What she said was completely out of line and I would understand if you would like to leave."
Vi stood and held her hand out to Isabella. Isabella looked at it before taking it with her own. "Takes a lot of balls to talk to Caitlyn like that. I think she's let all the power from being sheriff get to her head. She isn't used to people putting her in her place. For whatever its' worth, you have my respect."
"I do appreciate the kind words. Unfortunately, she was right in that we did come here asking for help," Isabella said, straitening the mass of curls on her head.
"You need some muscle? Because that's about all I'm good for," Vi said, the smile on her face hinting that she didn't mind that too much.
"Yes actually," Isabella replied with a smile.
Xavier walked out on to his family's' balcony as a brilliant firework light up the sky. It cast a blue glow onto Caitlyn's face as she cast her eyes upwards.
"Beautiful, aren't they?" he asked as he took his place next to her. He turned away from the cityscape and rest his back against the railing. Caitlyn heaved a heavy sigh before turning her face away. "Caitlyn… I'm sorry-"
"No. I should be the one apologizing, not you," she interrupted before looking at him. "Isabella is right. My behavior is uncalled for and I am sorry."
"I forgive you, although Isabella should be the one you apologize to," he said.
She sighed, "I know. My pride seems to be the only thing stopping me. I guess I'm not used to any one speaking to me like that."
He chuckled. "Isabella can be hard to deal with at times. She is more of an acquired taste."
She scrunched her face and looked at him in disdain, "I do not need to know about your bedroom life." He widened his eyes in shock before she chuckled. "I'm kidding, Xavier. Although the look on your face was priceless."
He swallowed and loosened his bowtie slightly. "I wouldn't expect that kind of humor from you."
"The wine at dinner helped. But I do admit, spending time with Vi has started to wear on me. I fear her… brash… personality has worn off on me slightly," she said with a chuckle. It was a moment before she spoke again. "I've changed a lot Xavier. I am not the helpless child you left behind anymore."
"I would have never described you as helpless. If my memory serves me right, you would always win when we tussled," he said.
"You were never much competition," she teased.
He laughed and adjusted the glasses on his nose. Another firework lit the sky up a brilliant orange. "Caitlyn, I need your strength now."
"You need my help in confronting the Institute."
"I could never hide anything from you," he smiled sadly.
"When Katarina and Jarvan came out with information about the Institute, I knew I had to help. You being involved just makes the decision more obvious to me," she said, looking at her hands.
"You were always going to help," he said.
"After the things the Institute has done? Of course. What kind of peacekeeper would I be if I let these people continue to cause pain and suffering? What kind of justice would I represent if I stood by and did nothing?"
He smiled wide. "You haven't changed as much as you think."
"I'll consider that a compliment."