AN:
Okay, here's the next chapter, and it's kind of a big lead in, and (obviously) it's going to alter some relationships.
That being said, I'm sorry if this seems OC Caleb, and I'm sorry if you don't like the way he's being portrayed, and if it's a complete turn-off, just hang in there - it will get better but he won't be a whole lot like the ... 'goody two-shoes?' Caleb Danvers he was in the movie. He's got more of an edge, and in my defense, I'm sure ascending with twice as much power as is usual can alter a man's personality.
Sorry for the lengthy AN, I just wanted to throw that out there in case anyone is displeased.
Nonetheless, please enjoy! :D
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Special shout outs:
Sara188: Thank you! I'm really glad you liked that part; I haven't done a solid Reid and Avery scene in awhile (which will be remedied before you know it) and that line also ties into a few future chapters as well. :)
SammieLuvsFood21: Haha, I can completely understand, and hey, I know it's you so that's all that matters, right? :D And thank you! I'm glad you liked it. :D
Guest 1: Ah! Thank you! You're wonderful. :) I'm glad you have favorites, and considering Tyler and Lace are your favorite, I really think you're going to like the way that they come together. I've already got part of the scene planned out and everything! :D
IA: Haha, I'm sorry for the misery! But I am glad you enjoyed the 'cute but frustratingly fluffy' shot. ;) I promise more to the mystery will come within the next three chapters (excluding this chapter). Sorry! But hey, the wait is half the fun! ;)
okgurl87: Thank you! I'm so glad you like it (thanks for the follow!). If Nat and Caleb are you favorite, I hope you like the next few chapters - a couple of them are pretty instrumental to their ... relationship. :D
To all my reviewers: you guys rock, thank you for the continued encouragement, it means a lot!
To all you non reviewers: you rock too, and I'm glad you're still reading!
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"What the fuck happened to you?" A rough demand, a large, strong hand wrapping around her bicep to pull her to a stop, halting her journey back to the room she had commandeered for she and Devon to do their art project.
Rolling blue-hazel eyes, Natalie smirked up at Caleb, who had abandoned his casual position leaning against the wall in order to better tower over her in an attempt to intimidate the answer out of her.
"You should see the other guy." And not two seconds later, a sharp whistle sounded from down the corridor where a handsome, shirtless Devon stood; arms crossed and shoulder propped up against an empty classroom doorway, shirt slung casually over one of his bronzed shoulders, his body near glowing gold, and his hair splattered with a million different colors.
Rolling her eyes, she quirked an eyebrow, "Do you want my help getting that shit out of your hair?" She called out to the half-naked man; he knew she didn't like being beckoned to like some kind of pet.
"Awe Nat, that's just mean."
"Don't even Dev, you threw the brush." She called back to him, uncaring if they were being loud; school was practically empty anyways.
"Why is there a bruise on your face Parry?" A soft inquiry from Caleb, that pulled her attention from Devon and to him, his dark eyes near pitch black.
She rolled her eyes, a common occurrence whenever she was around him, "I got into a paint war and fell Danvers. It's not a big deal." Pulling her arm out of Caleb's grasp, she began the short trek back to Dev, "Tell Pogue I'll meet him at home for dinner tonight." She didn't look back, not as she spoke, and not when she got to where Devon stood.
It was as Devon wrapped one arm around her waist, his fingers lifting to gently trace the forming bruise on her jaw – his expression turning solemn at the mark – that she felt a violent twist of anger from where Caleb had stood; but before she could even confirm the source, or really register the hard pulse of emotion, the anger was gone, as was the man she could have sworn it had originated from.
The man in question had turned away as soon as Natalie's…boyfriend had taken her into his arms; the sight of it infuriating Caleb for reasons he really didn't want to acknowledge. So he didn't; instead, he made his way outside where Pogue was waiting for him, propped up against his bike.
"Where's my sister Caleb?"
"Busy," He practically growled, "Says she'll meet you for dinner."
Pogue sighed, "Whatever. As long as she isn't late." He murmured to himself before straddling his bike and looking expectantly towards his grumpy friend, "So, you ready?"
Caleb didn't answer, merely walked around to the driver's side of his mustang.
"Caleb?" Pogue tried again, as confused by Caleb's unwillingness to answer as he was by the dark expression adorning his features, "We still going to Nikki's before my parents get here?"
"Change of plans," Caleb murmured roughly, "I've got a few things I have to take care of."
"Okay…" Pogue responded, still confused, "I'll catch you later then?"
Caleb only grunted in response, leaving Pogue to stare after his broody best friend as he slid into his car without any kind of explanation. Not pushing it, Pogue let it go, pulling on his helmet and heading home; with no plans he could probably call his parents, offer to pick them up since Caleb had decided to do something else.
Caleb waited for Pogue to pull out before he pulled out his cell.
My place, twenty minutes.
He texted swiftly, turning on the ignition and idling, waiting for the return message before he took off, leaving Spencer and everyone else behind.
An hour and a half later found Caleb lying in his bed, hands clasped loosely behind his head, sweaty torso glistening and bare hips covered by his twisted sheets as he watched Sarah fumble around for her clothes, her chest still racing in barely caught breath.
"That was fun," She mused once she found her underwear, clipping her bra in place before sliding the scant material of her thong up her legs, over her hips.
Caleb grunted in response, in no mood to talk to the girl he had once fancied himself kind of in love with; he had, after all, divulged his most important secrets to her, putting not only his existence, but those of his friends and sister as well, in her dainty, unsure hands.
"Could you warn me next time though, when you're in that kind of mood? I was totally unprepared." She mused; again, he didn't answer.
He had been pretty pissed when she arrived, and though he had tempered himself, he had still allowed himself to work that angry tension out by means of her body. She had been more than willing to participate; she just hadn't been able to keep up.
"Shit," She suddenly cursed, before turning to look at him, shifting in discomfort at his steady, blank gaze before asking, "You seen my shirt?"
A pulse of power against his skin, a flash of fire in his blood, and she was standing before him fully clothed. Her fear was visible, even though she tried to hide it by masking it with surprise.
He knew she was afraid of him, when she wasn't bored of him, she was afraid; that was part of the problem.
"Thanks," She muttered meekly, before brusquely walking to the bathroom adjoined to his room to make herself look presentable again; to make it look as if she hadn't just been thoroughly fucked and enjoyed every second of it.
Unbidden, his brain conjured up an image of Natalie, hair tousled, lips sore, skin marked by passion; she hadn't ever had qualms about not appearing presentable, never seemed to try and hide her actions as if they were something to be ashamed of, never seemed to try and hide her actions as if who she was with was someone to be ashamed of.
His jaw clenched at the image, at the rampant thoughts and comparisons filling his mind; his fingers clenching around each other until he was sure he would wind up breaking the bones.
"So, call me this weekend for a repeat?" Sarah inquired, stepping out of the bathroom looking as she had before he had gotten his hands on her.
"That was the finale." He murmured, voice without fluctuation or any hints of the passion he'd just endured.
Sarah froze, face dropping in open-mouthed shock, "I'm sorry?"
Caleb didn't move, didn't bat an eye in the face of her question, "We both know it's over, Sarah. We've gotten all we can from each other."
"But, Caleb," Sarah began, soft plea in her voice, "We've been through so much together."
He wondered if she was merely making an argument for proprietaries sake, they had experienced a lot together; it would almost be like her admitting to her lack of interest if she didn't go down without some kind of fight. "I've kept your secret, I supported your decisions last fall."
She doesn't deserve you.
His eyes darkened as the spoken words echoed in his ears, as if Natalie was physically there, talking into his ear.
She's not worth the shit on Aaron's shoes.
His resolve hadn't wavered, but the firmness of his tone strengthened at the remembered words, "You kept my secret because if you hadn't, the covenant would have taken it from you." He countered, a pulse of warning in his tone that suggested if she thought to betray that secret now, she would live to regret it; by the sickly shade of her pallor, Caleb knew the warning had been received.
"You supported my decisions because you knew no better and it was done for your protection. We did go through a lot," He conceded, "But maybe that's why we ran our course so soon." He shrugged, still not bothered enough to get up or move; he didn't owe her anything, nothing more than he had already given her, at least.
"Either way, our course has run its due. You've got nothing left to offer me Sarah, and I've got nothing left to give you." He didn't blink in the face of her watery eyes, he doubted she was hurt by his ending of their…relationship; Sarah Wenham was probably more wounded by his obliteration of her pride than anything else. "You know where the door is."
She didn't hesitate, didn't offer up more words of bargaining, or a plea to rethink his decision; she just turned around and left. He briefly wondered if that was how little he meant to her, momentarily wondered, if he had been just a little bit nicer, if she would have put up a little more resistance. But those thoughts lasted mere seconds and instead, were replaced by his concerns over just how he was supposed to work out his frustrations now that Sarah was out of the picture.
Once again, Natalie's image burned across his irises, and for just a moment, he entertained the idea before that image was replaced with the memory he had of Devon taking her into his arms, brushing the bruise she hadn't even let him look at. Those particular thoughts had him wanting to call Sarah back into his room, work out his renewed anger just one more time before sending her away for good; but having Sarah would do no good, he didn't want her – that was the whole goddamned problem.
All followers, favoriters, reviewers, non-reviewers, continuous guests, and first-timers: I hope you enjoyed!
Feel free to review or leave suggestions for future scenes!
Until next time,
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