Aura Thundera
deonii@yahoo.com
Friday rolled around, and Cabe made sure that she had a duffel bag packed. She hurriedly did her homework, waiting for Keith to show up at the door. He had promised to come for her once the rest of his family was packed up and ready to go. She sat in the big windowseat, keeping an eye on the sidewalk.
Soon enough, Keith strolled up the sidewalk, garbed comfortably in a snug T-shirt and jeans. Before he could ring the doorbell, Cabe shouted her good-byes and dashed out the door.
"Hey, now, slow down. It's a bit of a drive to get to where we're playing, so you're going to spend a bit of time in the bus. There's no need for you to rush."
Cabe blushed. "I know. But the thought of spending the weekend with you..."
"Wasn't any less tempting than it was to me, and I walked here," Keith said, a faint rebuke in his voice.
"Keith Partridge, it isn't any of your business how much I rush to do anything," Cabe said indignantly.
"I didn't mean to say anything nasty to you."
"I'm sure you didn't," Cabe said, her tone cold as ice. "You just assumed that I would be a docile woman and walk quietly by your side at your command. That kind of thinking, may I inform you, is a bit sexist. I'm sure that Laurie has already made that clear to you, but you seem to be in need of a refresher course!"
"Cabe, please don't get mad at me, it'll just make the trip that much longer," Keith begged. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to come out that way."
"You implied that I have no control over my emotions and acted like I needed you to control them for me!"
"You're acting like you have no control! I simply told you to calm down a bit, and you blew it all out of proportion!" Keith gently grabbed Cabe's arm and pulled her down to sit beside him in one of the porch chairs, where he attempted to put his arm around her in an affectionate gesture. "Now, just sit down and cool it a bit."
Cabe stood away from Keith and stared down at him, fury burning in her eyes. "I can't believe I didn't see through you sooner. This isn't 1920, Keith! I am your equal, and you have no right to boss me around or touch me like that! Get off my property and don't come back, Keith Partridge. I won't go anywhere with you." She turned, intending to run into the house.
Keith wrapped his arm around Cabe's waist and pulled her into a tender embrace. "I said I was sorry for something I didn't even mean to imply," Keith said, his voice gentle. "What more do you want from me?"
Keith never saw it coming. Cabe's open palm struck a heavy blow on the side of his face, and stars exploded in his vision. Keith swayed from the force of the slap, Cabe's palm print reddening on his cheek.
"I want you to unhand me!" Cabe said. "I thought you said I was special to you, and you loved me."
"You are special to me," Keith said. "But not when you act like some insane women's rights crusader who only wants a man to continue the human species. I want a human being that I can love, not some zombie who thinks she's superior."
"Superior? Superior? You were just restraining me against my will and made me fight you off! You're the one acting superior and using force to back it up!"
"Cabe, I won't ever lay a hand on you with the intent to hurt you. You just needed to calm down. And I wanted to remind you of what we shared. Please try not to be so thin skinned. I never meant to hurt you and you know it. You know I respect your beliefs, but don't take it so far."
"How do I know that?" Cabe said, sitting in the chair where Keith trapped her.
"Because I love you too much to ever restrain you. I merely wanted to remind you that I loved you, and try to talk it out."
Keith's arm wound around Cabe again, this time, she relaxed and allowed him to pull her close. He could feel her shudders of rage slowly subside, and before long, she was weeping into his chest.
"All better?" Keith asked.
Cabe nodded.
Keith picked up her bag, and led the way down the sidewalk. Cabe followed him, saying nothing, for she still didn't quite trust her tongue.
Upon arriving in the Partridge house, all was in its usual pre-departure chaos. Tracy was missing, Reuben had hay fever and had lost his box of Kleenex, and Danny's bass had a broken string.
Keith turned to help Danny replace his string. "Cabe, why don't you take a last minute trip to the bathroom," he suggested.
Cabe nodded. "Good idea." She went into the house.
"Keith, what happened to your face?" Shirley asked, checking the red hand print.
Keith grinned a bit. "I made a rather sexist remark, and Cabe slapped me for it. We had a bit of a fight, but everything is sorted out now. Thinking back, I earned it. I don't think it'll bruise."
Shirley frowned. "Are you sure that it's a good idea for her to come along with us if you've just had a fight?"
"I'm not sure," Keith sighed, tightening Danny's string. "We can tune it once we get to Oakland, Danny." He handed the instrument back and looked up at his mother. "I couldn't very well uninvite her."
"I suppose you're right," Shirley sighed.
"Women," Danny remarked. "I told you they were trouble, Keith."
"Shut up, Danny," Keith remarked. "Sooner or later, you'll get slapped too."
"Mom!" Laurie yelled. "I can't find Tracy!"
The back door of the house opened and Cabe emerged from the house, with Tracy in tow. "I found Tracy. She went back in to go to the bathroom and decided to look for her stuffed tiger to take along. I heard her in her toybox."
"Thanks," Keith said, leaning over to plant a kiss on Cabe's cheek. "Now we can get underway."
Cabe pointedly ignored Keith and chose to sit far from him. She stared out the window, looking at the scenery outside. About twenty minutes into the trip, Keith decided to make the first move, or Cabe would ruin their last weekend, brooding. He stood up and sat down next to Cabe.
"Come on, Cabe, what does it take for you to forgive me?"
"I did forgive you."
"No you didn't or you wouldn't be sitting here brooding. If you'd forgiven me, you'd be sitting next to me."
"I am sitting next to you."
"No, I had to come over and sit next to you. You didn't want me here, and you didn't seek me out."
"Maybe I don't go looking for people that I've just fought with. Keith, I do still love you. I just want some time to get my feelings back in order."
"Will you let me help?" A teasing light danced in his eyes, and Keith's smile was impish. "I can help you prioritize."
"You already are helping me prioritize," Cabe breathed, as Keith's arm slipped around her. His lips soon captured hers in a tender kiss, which she soon returned, the memories of the silly little fight quickly dissipating before warm new ones.
"Ewwww!" came a loud comment in two part harmony from the front of the bus, accompanied with giggles. Keith sat up to give the culprits a glare. Reuben was dozing, but Tracy and Laurie were stifling their giggles, and Danny's face still bore a scrunched-up expression of disgust.
"I swear, Danny, the first time that I see you kissing a girl, I am going to ruin your moment just like you've ruined so many of mine," Keith threatened.
"I won't be making a public exhibition out of kissing either!" Danny said.
"No, you'd charge admission." Keith shot back.
"If they paid enough."
"I'd pay for the ability to ruin your moment of passion."
"Don't give him ideas, Keith," Cabe said. "Just leave Danny alone. Sit back down and put your arm around me again."
"So you liked that," Keith said, smiling at her.
Cabe's finger traced the fading hand print on his face. "Yes, I did. I'm glad that it's not going to bruise, Keith. I didn't mean to hurt you."
"If it bruises, you're going to be the one who covers it up with makeup," Keith said.
"I thought men didn't wear makeup."
"We do to save face. I'm not going out and performing with a hand-shaped bruise on my face. The tabloids would have a field day, and the magazine editors would have heart attacks."
"Vain," Cabe murmured, and snuggled against Keith, where she quickly fell asleep.
Later that evening, Shirley pulled the bus into the hotel. Several porters were waiting to unload the instruments and sound equipment to take it to the concert hall. She turned around to find Reuben still dozing, badly in need of a tissue, and the kids half asleep. In the back, Keith and Cabe rested on each other, both deep asleep. As she watched, Keith gave a soft mumble and his big brown eyes fluttered open. He sat up and the motion jarred Cabe awake.
Soon enough, all eight of them had gotten their bags up to their rooms. Keith was still giving Cabe sheep eyes, trying to convince her to switch with Danny so that she could at least be in the same room. Cabe blithely ignored Keith and settled in, agreeing to share with Laurie. Reuben managed to secure an extra room from a family that had canceled so he wouldn't have to share with Chris.
Dinner was next, and with eight, it was no romantic affair for Keith and Cabe. Somehow, Reuben shoehorned himself between Keith and Cabe, his whispered explanation being that it wouldn't help Keith's image to be seen sitting next to a strange girl. She was introduced to fans as a friend of Laurie's.
The whole deal of appearing to be available for his fans was obviously raising Keith's temper, but he kept it in check.
Later, the girls were sitting in their room, playing a hand of gin and watching TV to pass the time, when there was a knock at the door. Cabe got up and answered.
Keith stood outside, in very brief, formfitting blue swim trunks, with a towel flung over his shoulder. "I came to see if you wanted to come for a swim with me. This hotel has an indoor pool, and it's nice and warm."
"I suppose. Let me get my suit on, and maybe Laurie should come along. Appearances, Keith."
"Can I come in?" he asked. "I really don't want to get cornered by a fan when I'm by myself and dressed like this."
"Sure. I'll just change in the bathroom."
Keith pouted. "I suppose you won't let me into the bathroom with you?"
"Take a guess, Einstein," Cabe said sarcastically.
Keith pouted again, and gave her sheep eyes.
"Keith, NO. N-O. It's a simple word. I'm sure that you used it a lot as a small child."
Keith flopped on the bed, and waited for Cabe to emerge from the bathroom. Inside, Cabe slipped on her tiny bikini and tried to ignore the hormone rush brought on by the sight of Keith in his swimsuit. She pulled on an oversized T-shirt to keep herself covered up while she walked to the pool and grabbed a towel. Laurie was also preparing to join her and Keith, but she wore a demure one-piece.
Together, the three of them walked through the halls in relative peace. The pool was deserted. The water was illuminated with bright lights, and the area around the pool had artificial palm trees, giving it the air of a tropical paradise.
Keith was the first one into the water. He did a clean dive and popped to the surface, his hair slicked back. He stroked lazily over to the stairs, where the girls were testing the warm water. He stood up where the water would reach just above his waist to wait for Cabe to join him. Keith just hoped that she didn't plan on wearing that T-shirt into the pool.
Cabe got in up to her thighs before pulling the shirt over her head, revealing the tiny bikini in the bright blue and pink floral print. It showed off her small bosom to great advantage, and revealed a lot of skin.
Keith's tight suit suddenly began to feel very confining, and he was grateful that the water came up to his waist. He was not grateful for Laurie's presence.
Cabe slipped gracefully into the water and swam slowly over to him. The view sorely tested Keith's self-control.
"My little sea nymph," Keith murmured possessively, pulling her close. As his hips contacted hers, a crimson blush stained her cheeks.
"Laurie's here," Cabe whispered. "Cool it!"
Keith released her. He was starting to regret his bright idea. What had sounded like fun for him and Cabe was turning into a torture session.
Cabe began to energetically swim the length of the freeform pool. Keith swam with difficulty over to the craggy rocks that lined one side and rested on a ledge that allowed him to sit with one of the waterfalls falling on his shoulders. He allowed the water to massage his shoulder muscles as he watched Cabe and Laurie swim laps. Cabe ducked down and swam underwater, making the whole length of the pool on one breath. Her graceful movements did nothing to relieve Keith's predicament.
When Cabe popped up, Laurie swam over to her. "There's a waterslide built into those rocks over there," Laurie said. "Let's try it out."
"Sure! I always liked slides," Cabe said. Both girls got out of the water and climbed the steps to the top of the slide. Laurie went first, her delighted whoop echoing off the glass roof. Cabe followed Laurie, her laugh choking off as she hit the water.
Cabe popped to the surface, her face crimson and her arms wrapped about herself. "Laurie! I've lost my top!"
Keith groaned. Cabe's tiny top floated in the water near him, and the sight was only making matters worse. Images of what could have happened if Laurie hadn't come along floated through his mind.
"Keith, close your eyes!" Laurie commanded. She collected Cabe's top and helped her put it back on without leaving the water.
Cabe yawned. "Maybe we had better dry off and head back. You guys have to set up pretty early, don't you?"
"You're right," Laurie said. "Come on, Keith, she's right. You could use a full night of beauty sleep before the show tomorrow."
"Ha ha," Keith said, abandoning the shelter of the waterfall and following them to the stairs in the shallow part of the pool. He grabbed his towel and swiftly wiped himself down before draping the towel about his waist.
Cabe and Laurie took their time drying off their hair and bodies before Cabe put her coverup back on. It only marginally eased Keith's discomfort, as it clung to her damp skin. As soon as they reached their rooms, Keith practically ran through the door of his.
"Wonder what's eating him?" Laurie said.
Cabe replied with a shrug and managed to avoid blushing. "You can have the shower first. I've gotta dig out my conditioner."
Back in the boys' room, Keith quickly went into the bathroom. He stepped into the shower, and cranked the cold water knob on full blast. He leaned back against the cold tile wall and allowed the icy water to flow over his overheated body.
"Damnit, Cabe! How are you doing this to me?"
The next morning, they met for breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Keith had managed to recover his equilibrium during the night, and enjoyed his bacon and eggs. Afterward, they all piled into the bus and headed for the concert hall. The morning was an endless sucession of sound checks and tests of the equipment, and the Partridges actually spent most of the time idle as techs adjusted the balky sound system. Cabe remained in Keith's dressing room, which he retired to when he wasn't needed.
After lunch, Keith chased Cabe out of the dressing room so that he could put on his costume. Cabe waited impatiently outside until Keith finished changing into his stage costume and came out to get her. Cabe helped Keith style his hair, fluffing the silky locks until they formed a soft mane about his head.
Keith gathered Cabe into his arms and held her tightly. Cabe responded by laying her head on his velvet-covered shoulder. Keith softly kissed her cheek.
"Come on, Keith, we're on!" Shirley called her son from the far side of the door.
"Coming, Mom," Keith said.
Cabe walked out of the dressing room next to Keith, but remained behind when he walked out onto the stage. She watched the Partridges and the cheering crowd from the side. Keith was fantastic as usual, but Cabe hated watching the other girls scream his name.
Keith rewarded the screamers with a dimpled grin, but at least Cabe could tell that the provocative grin was an act for their benefit. She had recieved what she knew was the real thing earlier. That knowledge made the adoration that the other girls had for Keith slightly easier to bear, and Cabe no longer felt the inclination to scratch their eyes out.
The evening passed delightfully for Cabe once she learned to ignore Keith's fans. Cabe simply concentrated on the heavenly sound of Keith's voice and the brief kisses that they exchanged after each of the two early shows. After the third, Keith packed up his guitar and rested his arm comfortably around her waist as they walked out to the bus. Cabe helped, and soon they managed to reload all teh equipment and instruments.
Reuben was pleased with the ticket sales and enthusiasm of the crowd, and made sure to let everyone know on the way back to the hotel. Keith quickly fell asleep, and everyone but Shirley ignored Reuben. Cabe had to shake Keith awake when they reached the hotel parking lot.
Dinner was in the hotel restauraunt again, but Cabe managed to avoid sitting next to Reuben. Keith and Cabe ended up with the relatively tiny barrier of Tracy in between them. Keith easily packed away an immense platter of spaghetti, and his hunger prevented him from being much of a conversationalist.
"Anyone else want dessert?" Reuben asked. "That chocolate cake looks really good."
"I'd love some of their cheesecake, but the pieces are always too big for me," Laurie mourned.
"I'll split a piece with you," Cabe said. "I can't eat a whole one either."
"Keith?" Reuben asked, after the others had declined.
"Well...the chocolate cake did look delicious..." Keith said.
"What happened to the appetite, o ye of the immense tummy?" Cabe asked, her voice lightly taunting.
"Fine. I'll have the cake."
Reuben passed the orders along to the waiter, who swiftly arrived bearing two immense slabs of chocolate cake and Cabe and Laurie's cheesecake. Keith attacked his with gusto, but quickly slowed down. By the time that Cabe and Laurie finished their cheesecake, Keith was still gamely picking away at his cake. Reuben was forced to admit defeat, as he was unable to finish, but Keith polished his off.
Around ten that night, Laurie was lounging on the bed, bored. "Hey, Cabe, how about another swim? I feel a need to burn off some of that cheesecake before I sleep."
"Good idea," Cabe said. "You wanna invite Keith along?"
"If he can move," Laurie said. "I can't believe that he ate all that."
The two girls changed and knocked on the door of the boys' room. Danny opened it.
"Where's Keith?" Laurie asked. "We're going for a swim and wondered if he'd want to join us."
"In bed," Danny said.
Cabe entered the room. It was a typical masculine disaster area with clothing strewn all over creation. Keith lay sprawled across one of the beds, his hand resting on his stomach. He groaned in obvious discomfort, though his eyes lit up at the sight of Cabe. Laurie stifled a giggle.
"We're going for a swim, Keith, and we were going to ask you if you wanted to come along, but you're in no condition to be able to swim," Cabe said.
"He can marinate in the hot tub for a bit, though," Laurie put in. "It might make you feel better, Keith"
"Okay," Keith hauled himself up and went into the bathroom to change. He emerged in his suit, ready to go.
When they reached the pool, Cabe and Laurie flipped off the diving board and proceeded to do energetic laps in an attempt to burn off the calories of their cheesecake. Keith lowered himself into the hot tub and allowed himself to relax. Laurie was right, he thought, it really does help.
Soon, though, the girls were joined by another young man, near Keith's own age. The newcomer was obviously a surfer type, with bleached blond hair and perfect muscles. He walked over to Cabe and Keith heard him offer to take her out to a late dinner. Cabe refused, but he also refused to leave and continued chatting Cabe up.
Keith left the hot tub behind and strolled over to the blond. "Leave my girlfriend alone." Keith stated flatly.
"Your girlfriend?" the surfer said. "Look, pal, when when Samuel Pisces the Third is looking, all women are available. You got it?"
"Brat," Keith said. "She's mine. I don't care if you're Howard Hughes."
"You don't understand," Pisces said, slamming Keith against the wall. "No one steals the girl that Samuel Pisces wants."
"Hey, Fish-boy," Cabe said, her voice sarcastic in the extreme. Pisces turned, in time to recieve Cabe's incoming fist right on his eye. "My compliments. Come on, Keith, let's go back to our rooms."
Cabe and the two Partridges left the pool.