Authors Notes: This is part 2 of Unexpected Events. I hope you enjoy it and please review!
Part 2: Friends
Marty was rudely awoken from a wonderful dream by a persistent, hardly gentle, tapping on his head. Slowly, he forced his eyes open and looked around, unsure of his location. He knew instantly that he wasn't in his coffin. He realized they were in what the night students used as their living room. "Why did I sleep here?" But oh, there was Drew standing over him. He must have been the one doing the tapping. "He looks pissed," Marty noted. "Um…Morning?" he greeted attempting, for once, to be polite.
Drew simply glared down at him in return.
"You're really not a pleasant kind of guy, are you?" Marty began to stretch but realized that he could not move one of his arms. He suddenly realized that he wasn't alone on the couch. His eyes traveled downward drifting over the body pressed up against him. He and Merrill had slept together, in the purely literal sense. "Which is why I'm getting the evil eye from Drew." Now that his brain was functioning and the pieces were snapping into place he attempted to explain it. "Drew, it's nothing. We fell asleep." He gently began trying to extricate himself from Merrill only to have her mumble incoherently and wrap her arm tighter around his torso. "Damn. Merrill was not being very helpful." Helplessly he shrugged lightly and attempted a smile at Drew.
Drew shook his head angrily and strode away, undoubtedly to brood and picture Marty's head on a large, pointy stick.
Marty exhaled unnecessarily in frustration. This was not a good situation. They both still wore their boots but Merrill's skirt had ridden up to a much shorter length. One of her legs was thrown over his and her arm held him tightly in place, her cool fingers brushing the skin of his side that had become exposed sometime during the day as his shirt had been twisted around him. Her hair, which he happened to notice smelled like raspberries and ginger, was lying across him, a few silky strands brushing his face. His arm lay under her shoulders and along her back. "We must have looked quite cozy," he realized. What was more is that he realized that he would be content to stay like this, with Merrill, for a very long time. Pushing that, and similar, thoughts away he tried to figure out a way to get himself off of the couch before someone like Dr. Murdoch happened along. He also needed a way to do it without waking Merrill because it was way to early to deal with the awkwardness that was sure to come.
"Think Marty." Using his telekinesis he moved her leg off of his. He slipped his free hand underneath the arm she had draped over him and slid it off of him. With his body free he slipped off the couch and kneeled down next to her. He slowly pulled his arm out from underneath her. With the couch to herself Merrill tucked a hand underneath her face and curled up into a ball. Marty watched her for a moment feeling uncharacteristically tender. He pulled her skirt down over her thigh a little more and covered her with a blanket. Then he left the room preparing to face the theoretical firing squad. Well, at least he was hoping it was theoretical.
* * * * * * * * * *
Merrill awoke lazily and instinctively reached out. She felt nothing but empty space. Confused she sat up and pushed her hair out of her face and glanced around. Essie strolled into the room a grin threatening to make it's way across her face. "So Merrill," she asked innocently, "sleep well?"
"Very well," she replied carefully, "why am I here?"
"Think," Essie said, reclining on a chair.
"What?"
"Just think."
"All right." Merrill remembered last night, working on the book project with Marty. She remembered explaining why she thought humans were good, she recalled feeling sleepy. "Oh. I must have been tired."
"Definitely. You and Marty didn't even stir when Karl and I came in. We didn't want to wake you two up because you were just so darn adorable."
More vague, fuzzy images sprung up into Merrill's mind. Her leaning her head against his shoulder, his fingers in her hair, waking up, seeing Marty sleeping next to her and not minding at all. Feeling happy about it, even. Than this morning she had felt him covering her up and than just watching her sleep. Merrill groaned and threw herself backward. "And the hits just keep on coming."
Essie smirked unsympathetically, "Fraid so, my dear. Oh!" she exclaimed as if just remembering something, "Did I mention that Drew saw you two looking very comfortable this morning and he and Marty are having a rather heated conversation as we speak?"
Merrill jumped up nearly tripping over the blanket, "No! Essie!" she admonished and hurried out of the room.
* * * * * * * * * *
Marty rubbed the back of his neck and walked out into the main room. Karl and Essie were seated at the table watching Drew who was pacing about in agitation. He caught sight of Marty, "Well, if it isn't sleeping beauty number one," he sneered acidly.
"Thanks. It's all in the moisturizer."
Essie snorted. Drew glared.
"I'm not in the mood for your lame comments, Marty. What the hell was going on back there!"
"Why is it any of your business!" Marty shouted back.
"Because unlike you, I," Drew stated, "care about Merrill!"
"No. You don't!"
"How can you possibly say that! You're the one who's taken every opportunity to be nasty to her!"
"Is that any worse than the way you play with her emotions?"
At this point Essie slipped out of the room. Karl was left watching the scene, his head swiveling back and forth between the two male vampires like a spectator at a tennis match.
"What are you talking about?"
"Please Drew. Save it. Not even you can possibly be that much of a moron!"
Drew vaulted over the table and grabbed Marty be the neck shoving him against a wall. "I'm going to ask you one more time," his eyes were now glowing red and his fangs had come out. His voice was a low, threatening growl, "What happened?"
Coolly, Marty met Drew's gaze, his temper, for once completely under control. "A gentleman never tells."
Drew growled savagely and his grip tightened. "Stop it!" Merrill's voice rang out. "Drew! Let him go! For God's sakes. What is the matter with you?" She stomped over to them her clothing still disheveled, her eyes blazing with fury.
* * * * * * * * * *
Essie had rejoined Karl and they were watching with rapt attention.
"Good morning, Merrill. Sleep well?" Marty greeted her cheerily, as if it were the beginning of a perfectly ordinary night. As if Drew didn't still have a death grip on his neck.
Drew was still vamped out and hadn't noticed that Merrill was there.
She shot Marty a look as if to say that it was so not the time for his sarcasm. And he mercifully shut up. She grabbed one of Drew's arms and forcefully tried to pull them apart. Drew was still fanged out and didn't register that it was Merrill trying to get them apart. He blindly shoved her away. Merrill, not expecting the blow stumbled backward tripping and smacking her head against the edge of the table. "Merrill!" Essie exclaimed, rushing to help.
Seeing red Marty tore roughly out of Drew's grasp and was at her side in an instant helping her up. Her temple was bleeding. "Ow," she said, putting a hand up to inspect the damage.
Drew now snapped out of his vampiric state and was instantly regretful. "Merrill…" he said weakly stepping toward her.
Karl stepped between him and the other's, "I think you should let Essie and Marty handle it for now."
"But…" he trailed off.
Essie and Marty were leading Merrill out of the room to get checked out by Dr. Murdoch. Essie sent one last icy glare back at him and Marty… well if looks could kill than Drew would be a pile of ashes.
"Fine." Drew angrily retreated to his coffin.
* * * * * * * * * *
"What in the world?" Dr. Murdoch was more than a little taken aback as the three vampires entered the room. Merrill, looking even paler than usual, was bleeding from the head and was supported on either side by Marty and Essie.
"I fell," Merrill stated.
"What?" Marty said in disbelief, "You were…ow!" He glared at Essie who had pinched him. "Why are all women you abusing me lately?"
Essie had realized along with Merrill that they could not tell the whole truth. If they told Murdoch about Drew pushing Merrill they would have to explain that Drew had vamped out and why, which could lead to some serious trouble. There was a reason why the girls and the boys inhabited separate areas of the cellar.
Marty, catching on fell silent.
"Well?" Dr. Murdoch demanded, "what happened."
"I told you I fell. It's healing already. I didn't need to come up here."
"Yes you did." Essie and Marty stood back as Dr. Murdoch checked her over for any additional damage. "Well, you seem to be fine," he proclaimed. "But do be more careful?"
"Yes sir," Merrill said meekly averting her eyes.
Murdoch glanced critically at the three. He knew they weren't telling the whole truth. However, he trusted them and decided not to pry. "Class is in 45 minutes but I want you to take your time Merrill." Directing his next directions to Marty and Essie he ordered that Merrill was not to be left alone. They nodded in understanding and together left the study.
* * * * * * * * * *
Merrill was fine. She knew that a little bump on her head wasn't fatal but she was slightly amused at everyone's worry. "I'm fine. Absolutely fine, you know." She was seated on her coffin watching Essie laying out clothing for her. "And I'm not wearing that," she said gesturing to the Essie style outfit.
"Sorry. I guess I can't do drab."
"Hey!"
Essie winced apologetically, "I'm really not good at this caring thing, am I?"
Merrill didn't hear her for a minute. She was thinking back to the comments Marty had made about her wardrobe the night before. She smiled mischievously, what harm could a little wardrobe change do in one day? "You know what Essie? It's fine. After all no one down here cares what I look like do they?"
Essie caught the glint in Merrill's eyes and smiled knowingly. Merrill was beginning to understand that someone "Someone's technically," thought Essie were noticing what she looked like.
"Can you leave me alone for five minutes while I get dressed?"
Essie eyed her critically and after deciding that she looked steady enough said, "I suppose. But only for five minutes." Essie left Merrill and ran into Marty who was lurking just outside the doorway. "What are you doing here?" she asked knowingly.
"Waiting. Where's Merrill? We're not supposed to leave her alone."
He went to walk around her but Essie stopped him. You might want to wait. She's changing."
Marty stopped cold. Now that was a distracting image, giving the mess his head was where Merrill was concerned.
Essie watched Marty's eyes glaze over and shook her head. It didn't matter; mortal or vampire, boys were all the same. She snapped her fingers in front of his face. "Hey! You better quit having those dirty thoughts about Merrill before she comes out here. Since she could always decide to read your mind. You don't want to freak her out or anything."
"Right. I've been forgetting that lately."
"I'm sure," Essie smiled genuinely at him.
"Wait a minute. Why are you being so nice all of a sudden? Just yesterday you were threatening me."
"Because I think you actually care about Merrill."
Marty started to protest. He did have a reputation to protect, after all.
Essie continued speaking before he could get a word out, "You can play it cool and deny it all you want. But I saw the panic on your face when you saw her fall. You're falling for her and falling hard. Alert the media. Marty Strickland has a functioning heart after all. Whoever would have guessed." She left before Marty could form a reply.
Marty stood there for a few minutes thinking over Essie's words. Not brooding. Just thinking. Then he heard a soft sound from inside. He bolted in covering his eyes. "Are you decent?"
Merrill giggled, "Completely. Just a little dizzy."
"Well then," he removed his hand from his eyes and looked Merrill over. Than his jaw hit the floor. She was wearing black leather pants and a clingy, sleeveless black top. Both of which he's seen her wear before but never together. Her hair was pulled off her face and brushed her shoulders.
"What?" She looked down self-consciously. "I look ridiculous don't I?"
"No not at all."
"Than why are you staring at me?"
"It's nothing bad," he assured her. "Just…unexpected."
"I knew it," she reached for a black sweater coat but was hit by another wave of dizziness. "Whoa," she pressed a hand to her head and willed the room to stop spinning.
Marty grabbed her waist and forced her to sit down. "Should I get Dr. Murdoch?"
"No. I checked the book Dr. Murdoch gave me and head injuries take longer to heal when you have the ability to read minds. Something about being more susceptible to strain. I should be fine by tomorrow. Just give me a minute."
Marty waited tensely until Merrill looked up, pain gone. "All better."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"If you're positive. I kind of thought I should apologize for this morning."
"What? Why? You didn't do anything."
"Well sure, I didn't actually push you. But last night, when you fell asleep I could have woken you up. But I was tired and I just kind of fell asleep. And this morning I antagonized Drew."
"You always antagonize Drew," Merrill pointed out.
"Well yeah. Because it's fun," he grinned charmingly.
Merrill couldn't help but smile back. "Marty. It's fine. I'm okay and none of it was your fault anyway. I saw you this morning while Drew was tearing into you and you held everything together remarkably well. You should be proud of yourself."
"So you forgive me?"
"There's nothing to forgive."
Relieved Marty sat down. "As long as we're cool."
She squeezed his hand in response. "We have to get to class."
Marty checked the clock. "Damn. Are you okay to go?"
"Lead the way."
* * * * * * * * * *
They walked in the classroom together and everyone looked up. Essie smiled; proud that Merrill had worn the outfit. Karl's eyes bugged out slightly but Drew and Dr. Murdoch paid no attention. "Merrill? Are you all right?" Dr. Murdoch asked warmly.
"Yes sir. I'll be more careful not to accidentally fall again." She emphasized the words 'accidentally' and 'fall' in case Karl or Drew didn't know the story they had given Dr. Murdoch.
Drew stared at the table not meeting her eyes.
Dr. Murdoch glanced around the table. He was picking up some foreign vibes floating around the room but continued on with the day's teachings, knowing that the young vampires had to learn to work out there own problems just like people.
An hour later they were back in the wine cellar. Doctor Murdoch had answered their questions and they were again working on the literature assignments. Drew timidly approached Marty and Merrill who were again arguing over their project.
"Only you would think like that Marty," Merrill told him shaking her head and scribbling in her notebook. "Marty?" When he didn't answer she glanced at him. He was no longer looking at her, but over her shoulder with a hard angry scowl on his face. "Marty?" she repeated quizzically.
She glanced over her shoulder and saw Drew, the recipient of Marty's glare. She put aside her notebook and waited for him to speak.
"Merrill? Can I talk to you for a minute? Alone?"
Marty sat back, "Why? So you can give her another concussion?" Merrill threw him a look. He smiled apologetically, "Sorry. Reflex."
"Marty? Could you please leave us alone for a minute?" Merrill asked.
Grudgingly he nodded and got up to leave making a point of roughly brushing Drew's shoulder on his way out of the room.
* * * * * * * * * *
Marty found Essie and Karl playing chess and sat down next to Karl. "It seems as if Merrill has lost her shadow," Essie said to Karl.
"Shut up," Marty replied.
"Ouch. Good one," she said mockingly.
"Shut up, inbred princess?"
Essie considered it, "That's a little better."
"Thanks."
"So where is Merrill?" Karl asked.
"Talking to Drew. She better not forgive him too easily."
"This is Merrill we're talking about," Karl said, "she'll forgive him."
"Especially since it's Drew," Essie goaded.
"What does that mean?" Marty said sharply, not really wanting to know Essie's answer.
"As far as Merrill is concerned Drew can do no wrong, remember?"
"He nearly cracked her skull open."
"Yeah. But he'll look at her with his tormented eyes, she'll melt and poof! Forgiven, forgotten and all is right with Merrill's world."
Marty glowered for a minute before heading for his coffin leaving Essie and Karl alone.
"That was mean," Karl informed Essie.
"I know. But he does deserves it for everything he's pulled in the past."
"If you say so. But I feel like I've stepped into an episode of The X-Files."
"The what?"
"The X-Files. It's a television show about FBI agents who investigate weird happenings. Usually in small towns. Remind me to ask Dr. Murdoch to install a satellite dish or something. The four of you know absolutely nothing."
"I still have no idea what you're talking about but I agree about the weird happenings," Essie replied.
"Marty and Merrill," muttered Karl, "who'd have thunk it?"
* * * * * * * * * *
Drew sat down across from Merrill and was silent for a minute as he collected his thoughts. "Merrill about this morning…" he reached to touch her arm but she flinched away.
"Sorry," she said.
"No! It's my fault. This morning, well all I can is that I'm really, really sorry."
"I know."
"It's just, I was so angry at Marty and I wasn't thinking."
"And you acted instinctively. I get it. It's okay. I accept your apology"
Drew sighed in relief. "Thanks Merrill." After a moment of quiet he spoke again. "Can I ask you a question?"
"I guess so," Merrill knew what he was going to ask and wasn't looking forward to answering. But, it had to be done.
"Are you and Marty… What I mean is are you and Marty together?"
Merrill thought about it and studied Drew before answering, "Would it matter if we were?"
* * * * * * * * * *
"Stupid Drew and his stupid turned up collars and sideburns and girl magnetism!"
"Wait. What is my problem?" Marty stopped mid-stride. "Why do I care if Merrill forgives Drew? Why should it matter to me if they go riding off into the night together?" He ruminated for a moment. "It just does, I guess." Marty was sick of this. Sick of the moping. From now on, he decided he was just going to go with the flow. Do his own thing. Whatever that ended up being.
As he was standing quietly, congratulating himself when he heard Merrill and Drew talking. He heard his name being mentioned. Against his better judgment he inched closer.
"…you and Marty together?" said Drew's voice
"Would it matter…" he heard Merrill reply faintly.
He inched even closer until he could hear clearly and waited for the conversation to continue.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Of course it would matter!" exclaimed Drew.
Merrill winced at his tone; "Do you mind? Head injury."
"Sorry. But it's Marty. And you. And it's just a very bad idea."
"Why?" she asked simply.
"Marty is reckless. And mean spirited and a troublemaker. And you're, well you."
"Meaning boring?"
"No. Not exactly. You know what I mean"
"I do. And three days ago I might have agreed with you. But now… Now I just don't know."
"So you are interested in him."
"I don't know. Before he was just an annoyance but I know things about him now. It's almost like I'm meeting him for the first time. Which is silly, but… I guess you could say that, for now I'm interested in being his friend."
"Okay. But promise me you'll be careful?"
She smiled, "Always."
* * * * * * * * *
"Friends? Merrill and me? Hmmm."
Marty heard Drew's footsteps and backed up quickly so he wouldn't be caught eavesdropping. He sat in a chair and grabbed the nearest book pretending to be engrossed in the story. As soon as Drew was out of sight he strolled casually into the room where Merrill was. "So," he said picking up his book, "where were we?"
Without looking up from her book Merrill said, "You know it isn't polite to listen in on private conversations."
"Man," Marty groaned, "how did you know?"
"I am psychic. So?"
"So?"
"What's your opinion?"
On the 'friends' issue?" Merrill nodded in the affirmative and Marty pretended to think hard. "I'm in favor of it. I mean, I'll probably still annoy you from time to time and I can't promise I won't screw things up but I'll try my best"
"Sounds good to me." Merrill held out her hand and Marty shook it.
An alarming thought hit Marty, "So, now that were friends do I have to try to be nice to other people too? Because if that's a stipulation I'm going to have to reconsider."
"You should be nice to other people…"
"But that's just so boring."
"But you don't have to be."
Marty clapped childishly, "Yay!" He bounced in his seat and smirked evilly, "I think I'm going to like being your friend, Merrill. I have a few things in mind that we can do…"
"What have I gotten myself into?"
