Authors Notes: Once again, I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed. It's the coolest feeling to see that other people like the things you write. This is the last part in Unexpected Events. Whew, 10,000 or so words in 3 days? I'm quite impressed with myself. Usually it takes two weeks to write half of that. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. Bits of it didn't flow to well but I like the ending.
Part 3: Everything
"What have I gotten myself into?"
Merrill could say one thing with absolute certainty. Being friends with Marty was never, ever boring. In the last few months they had become quite close. Much of their free time was spent together. So much so that it was generally a rule that if you were looking for Marty he could be found with Merrill and vice versa.
They had become comfortable with one another. They were comfortable to a point where that although both of them had begun to have some feelings of the romantic nature for the other neither would mention it. They both feared loosing the closeness they had become adapted too.
On this particular night, both had awoken early and they were playing cards. Marty was using every bit of charm he possessed, trying to convince Merrill to help him play a prank on Essie. He wanted her to spike Essie's blood portion with half a bottle of Tabasco sauce. "Come on," he wheedled, "no one will ever suspect you."
"Exactly. She pointed out, "They'll all think it was you and you'll get in trouble anyway."
"Yes. But when Dr. Murdoch accuses me I will be able to say with absolute truth that I had nothing to do it and he'll believe me."
"Why are you so certain? Hit me."
He dealt out another card, "Because I know Dr. Murdoch. He's tuned into these things. And he wouldn't even think to ask you if you did it. It's the perfect crime."
"Well…" Merrill considered it.
"Please? You know you want to," he smiled charmingly.
"Fine," Merrill gave in. "But how exactly are we going to get a bottle of Tabasco sauce?"
"I have a bottle in my trunk."
"Are you serious?" Merrill was disbelieving.
"Would I lie to you?"
"Yes."
"Well I'm not. You never know when you're going to need some extra spice in your life."
"Says you."
"Anyway, here's the plan…" he leaned closer to her and explained his ideas in a hushed tone.
* * * * * * * * * *
An hour later all five vampires were up and about the cellar. Dr. Murdoch came in with their meal. "Breakfast is served," he said placing five packets on the table. They all headed to the table.
Karl grabbed his allotment first and went to sit down. Essie was coming from the opposite direction. Marty, using his power caused Karl to trip. His already punctured packet sailed through the air splattering all over Essie's clothing. She was horrified. "Karl! Do you have any idea how much this outfit costs! More that a small house!" furiously she left the room.
"Sorry!" Karl called after her but didn't follow, as he was afraid she would attempt to decapitate him. "Dr. Murdoch…"
Dr. Murdoch sighed, "Come along, Karl. I will get you an additional portion."
Karl followed the Doctor out of the room. Merrill, Marty and Drew were the only ones left. Marty gave Merrill the thumbs up sign and headed towards Drew. She rolled her eyes, wondering why she had agreed to this. Marty stood in front of Drew, strategically shielding Merrill, and the remaining blood pack from Drew's sight. As Marty made meaningless small talk with the monosyllabic vampire Merrill made an unnoticeable hole in the plastic and squeezed some of the blood out into a discarded water bottle. Quickly slipping the Tabasco out of her pocket she added it to the blood and mixed it up. She resealed the bag as best she could. "I'm going to head up to the library," Merrill said, letting Marty know that she had completed her "mission."
He turned away from Drew, "Hey wait for me. I have to ask your opinion on something."
They left the room. Merrill was trying not to panic; Marty was concentrating on not bursting out into laughter. Half way to the library Merrill's conscience attacked her. "I can't do this. Essie has never done anything to me," she turned and began to march back to the cellar.
Marty hurried after her and clamped a hand down on her elbow. "Well," he paused, thinking of a good enough reason to stop Merrill, "she hates Bella. That's right! She would knock off the poor, defenseless little rat in a second if she wasn't too afraid to get near it."
"I suppose that's true," Merrill agreed hesitatingly.
"It is? I mean, it is," he stated smoothly, covering his surprise.
It was too late anyway. They heard Essie going for her meal. Marty quirked an eyebrow at Merrill in a silent question. She nodded and together they crept towards the doorway to watch the fireworks. Marty on one side, Merrill on the other they discreetly peeked inside. Essie had begun to rant as a bored Drew looked on. "I can't believe Karl was so clumsy. That shirt I was wearing? Came from a designer showroom in Milan. It's irreplaceable!" She flopped down huffily into a chair, Karl walked back into the room and she glared at him. Karl gulped and slunk over to the couch. Essie sunk her teeth into the blood packet and closed her eyes, expecting the bliss that came with feeling the blood slip down her throat. Within a few seconds her eyes popped open and tears were streaming down her cheeks. She spit out the mouthful of blood dropped the bag as if she had been burned and began gagging.
"Essie?" Karl asked with concern, "what's wrong?"
Essie with her mouth hanging open was fanning it desperately and could only point at the blood and croak out, "Water!" in a harsh tone.
Merrill, watching the scene had a hand over her mouth in horror. Nonetheless a few giggles threatened to escape at the sight of the normally regal Essie regal and hopping around like a monkey in a zoo and begging for water. Drew was headed their way to get Essie something to drink. Thinking quickly Marty grabbed Merrill's hand and they blurred away, reaching the library before Drew could see them. Safely away from the others Marty doubled over, shaking with laughter. Merrill was a little stunned. "I've never done anything like that before."
"Really?" Marty asked, not at all surprised, "well you should have. You did exceptionally well."
"I did?" Marty nodded. "Thank you," she replied proudly.
"No, no, no. Don't thank me yet. I have just had yet another absolutely brilliant idea," his eyes sparkled dangerously.
"Uh-oh. I know that look. That's your I'm-not-content-with-a-little-trouble-I-need-more look."
"Merrill! Do you not trust me?" Marty feigned shock. Merrill threw him an 'oh please' look and he relented. "Of course you don't. But wasn't our last little adventure a barrel of monkeys?"
Merrill considered it and grudgingly agreed, "Figuratively, of course."
"Well, now I say we plant this," he reached into her pocket where she had concealed the blood she had siphoned out of Essie's blood packet and pulled out the bottle, "in Drew's things."
"No!" she gasped.
"Yes!" he answered in the same manner. "Have you forgotten the blunt head trauma he inflicted on you?"
"That was ages ago. And it was an accident," she reminded him, "and besides I forgave him." And she had. It had taken awhile and she had reevaluated her feelings for Drew. She had come to the conclusion that much of it was a fantasy borne of reading too many romance novels. She had also moved past whatever real feelings she had had, knowing that Drew's heart was taken and would be forever.
"That's because you are far too forgiving."
"Marty…" They had talked over the Drew issue to death.
"Merrill…" he countered. "It'll be fun," he said tauntingly. "Just think of how great it will be when Essie find out."
Merrill thought for a moment. She knew Essie wouldn't do anything too violent. She also knew that things had gotten rather stale in the cellar lately. There had been no stirrings, no quiverings, no summonings, and not even a visit from the BPDA. "What the hell?" Merrill thought, "Let's do it," she said aloud
Marty was more than a little surprised but he didn't show it. He had expected her to be completely against the idea as it involved using Drew as a prank victim. "All right," he said approvingly. "Do you want to do the honors?"
"No, you do it. If someone catches me in your coffin room it will look very suspicious."
"Now you're thinking deviously. I like it. Be right back," and he sped away, bottle in hand.
Merrill shook he head fondly and sat down preparing to work. The ability Marty had to talk her into anything could become very dangerous. Her studiousness didn't last long. Within minutes she was staring off into space, her thoughts wandering back to Marty and a smile gracing her features. Her mind often took that path these days and she had given up analyzing it. Marty was…complicated. Pushing those thoughts aside she wondered what their new project would be. Dr. Murdoch hadn't told them what their next would be, only promising that it would be good.
Marty came back in and sat down beside her, "Mission accomplished," he whispered so only she could hear as the others filed in followed closely by Dr. Murdoch.
"Well," he said clapping his hands after they were all seated. "We've had an interesting evening. Or morning, if you prefer."
Essie grumbled something about servants and minions and bodily harm under her breath.
Dr. Murdoch ignored her, continuing with his speech. "Today, we begin an exploration of popular culture."
"Finally! Something that sounds cool," Karl remarked.
"You should find it quite fascinating. It will give you a chance to understand certain things about society when the time comes for you to blend in."
"So what will we be doing?" asked Drew.
"Watching movies, television shows. Listening to music and things of that nature. Karl, will actually be a great asset to you all in this unit as he will be more familiar with the things we study."
Karl smiled importantly and the others rolled their eyes.
"Our first film is quite famous. It's called Titanic."
"No way," Karl whined.
"What?" Essie asked.
"It's a total chick flick. And it's really long."
"It is about the ship that sank, right?" Drew asked, "we learned about it in school.
"I remember my nanny telling me about it when I was a little girl," Merrill added.
"Wait. The ship sank?" Marty asked.
"Yeah guys. Thanks for ruining the movie for us," Essie chimed in.
"How do you two not know about it? It was a huge thing, the ship was supposed to be unsinkable. And two thirds of the passengers died after it sank anyway." Merrill asked.
"Sheesh. You could have left us something to find out. What year was it, anyway?"
"1912."
"Oh well, back then I was to busy eating people to read the news," Marty told them.
"Marty…" Dr. Murdoch said warningly.
"What? It's true. I wasn't learning to be 'civilized' back then.
"Yeah," Essie agreed. "Me too."
"Than for you two it will truly be a learning experience. Here's the tape and a question sheet. Have fun."
The vampires trooped down to the cellar. "I can't believe you guys had never heard of the Titanic," Merrill was still incredulous.
"I can't believe how ancient you two are," Karl interjected.
"Shut up Karl," Essie snapped. She still hadn't forgiven him for the un-fun kind of blood bath she had gotten earlier.
"Yes. Don't disrespect your elders," snickered Drew.
"Why you…You're no spring chicken yourself Drew!"
"Awww," Karl said mockingly, "my grandma used to use that phrase."
Essie growled and walked ahead. Drew and Karl followed still taunting her. Marty and Merrill were left alone. "Marty?"
"Yeah?"
"How old are you?"
He suddenly clamed up. He hated talking about his past. "I was almost 18 when I was made."
"I meant how long have you been a vampire?"
"One hundred and twenty-three years."
"Wow. So that means you were made in…"
"1868."
"How come you don't talk about your human self?"
"Why would I? You didn't."
"But I did. And you know all about it now. You've barely said one word about your past in all the time I've known you. Not even these last few months. I bet I could probably look it up on the Internet."
"You wouldn't find anything."
He sounded so certain so naturally she was suspicious. "Why are you so sure?" He shrugged and averted his eyes. An idea dawned on Merrill and her eyes widened. "You're not using your real name here, are you?" No answer. "You're not! What is it?"
"Nothing."
"So you're telling me you don't have an actual name? Try again."
"It's not important."
"If it's not important why won't you tell me?" she countered.
"Because."
"Because why?"
"You can be really irritating, you know that?"
She smiled sweetly, "I've learned from the best. Now," she stepped closer to him causing him to back up into the wall, "tell me your name or I'll go digging through your mind and find out for myself."
"You promised not to do that anymore," he reminded her.
"I have a selective memory."
Marty knew when he was beaten. He didn't want her to take another foray into his mind. Not when he was pretty sure his feelings were one-sided. "Fine. But you can't tell anyone else."
"Deal."
She was still standing directly in front of him and he leaned in slightly, pushing her hair back to whisper in her ear. She then stepped back and stared into her eyes, "No way."
"Sadly, I am not joking," he shook his head ruefully.
"Lambert? You're name is Lambert Peterman?"
"Was. And yes."
"That is quite possibly the funniest thing I've ever heard."
"Thanks. So glad to be of service," miffed, her brushed past her.
"Wait," she grabbed his sleeve and hauled him back. "I'm sorry. It's just, Lambert," she gestured helplessly and began to laugh, "I bet you were really close to your mom, huh?" she teased.
Marty turned to face her, her insults stinging. "Yeah. I was a dork as a human, okay? I was going to be a cobbler like my dad. But I hated it, having to be the perfect son. So when I was stripped of my old life I changed. Unlike some people I could name."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"You know perfectly well what that means," Marty said in a low tone.
"Oh. I do. After all this time we've spent together you still think of me as 'meek Merrill' someone not worth a minute of your time, don't you?"
"You said it, not me," Marty tossed out flippantly.
"You're so…arrgghh!" She stormed past him. Essie, Karl and Drew were seated on the sofa waiting for them. Instead of sitting on the loveseat Merrill dragged a chair over and dropped down into it staring straight-ahead at the screen with her arms crossed.
"Uh…Merrill?" started Essie.
"Let's start the movie."
"But…"
"Start. The. Movie."
They exchanged glances. Drew shrugged and pushed play. Karl got up to turn down the lights. Marty slipped in and Karl pulled him aside for a moment, "Hey. What did you do to Merrill?"
"Nothing."
"Than why is she so pissed?"
"She's a chick. They get like that sometimes," he stated flatly
Karl rolled his eyes, "Sure. Or more likely you did something to piss her off and now your both upset about it."
"Whatever," Marty sat down on the empty loveseat. He tried to catch Merrill's eye to let her know that he was sorry. She stared stoically ahead. Resigned, he settled in to watch the movie and resolved to clear things up with Merrill afterwards.
* * * * * * * * * *
Merrill did her best to concentrate on the movie. It was an assignment, after all. It wasn't easy because she was still fuming. "I hate him!" she thought. "He's just so, so smug and conceited. He thinks he knows me so well. And that he's so superior. Well he doesn't and he isn't I can't believe I've wasted so much time on him, thinking about him… Aarrgghh!"
"Stop it, Merrill. At least you figured it out how he really feels about you now, before you got too involved." The thought depressed her and she slouched down into her seat, trying in vain to ignore her the racing of her mind.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Karl was absolutely correct," Marty thought, "Titanic is a chick flick." Sure, he had never heard the term before but it was pretty self-explanatory.
He glanced over at Merrill whose eyes had not left the screen. He willed her to look at him. She didn't. He suppressed a groan. Once again he had screwed up. Big time. He had let his pride rule his actions. He couldn't take an insult; even a good hearted one. Truthfully, he wasn't quite sure why Merrill had been so upset. They had joked around before but she had never blown up at him before. "Why is she so upset?"
* * * * * * * * * *
The movie ended. Rose and Jack were reunited and everyone was happy. Merrill wiped away a few tears that had sprung up. "I want that necklace," Essie said, "and that Jack boy? So cute." Leave it to Essie to watch a movie about overcoming obstacles for love and care about nothing but the jewelry and the lead actor.
Merrill got up and prepared to head to her coffin, but Marty spoke up. "My name was Lambert." She stopped in her tracks.
"Excuse me?" Drew demanded
"When I was mortal. My name was Lambert."
Essie, Drew and Karl all laughed. Finally getting control of herself Essie asked, "And what made you tell us just now?"
His eyes locked with Merrill's, "Just thought I should share."
She tore her eyes away and entered the room where her coffin was. She crawled onto it trying not to notice that Marty had followed her in ignoring the insults of the other's. "Merrill, don't shut me out."
"Why not?" she stared at the ceiling
"Because I told you in the beginning I would probably screw up and you accepted that. And now that I have you're ready to scrap the whole thing," he sat down on the edge of her coffin.
"I'm thinking about it."
"Why?"
"Because you still think I'm utterly pathetic."
"I do not. You're not pathetic. A pathetic person wouldn't have done what you did earlier. A pathetic person would not have put up with me for long. You're anything but pathetic. You're one of the strongest, most…you're just incredible."
Finally she looked at him but he was staring at the floor seemingly afraid of her reaction. "Hey," she sat up and touched his face, an idea hitting her. "I believe you owe me a little story." Marty smiled at the familiar though slightly altered words that had started this whole thing. He opened his mouth to protest, for posterity's sake, but she cut him off, "You know since you screwed up and bit my head off and all."
Marty faced her, "All right. What do you want to know?"
Merrill smiled, drew her legs up so she was seated cross-legged facing him. She took his hand and squeezed it, "Everything."
* * * * * * * * * *
So that's what they talked about. Marty and Merrill spent the next four hours talking. He told her his life story, just as she had hers. Before they knew it Essie was kicking them out so she could get her beauty rest. They left, only to find that Karl and Drew had also gone to sleep as well.
Neither of them felt like sleeping. Impulsively Merrill spoke up, "Let's go outside! There's about an hour before sunrise."
"What? We're not supposed to leave."
Merrill stopped in her tracks, "What did you just say?"
Marty couldn't believe it either, "You are a very bad influence on me, Miss Young."
"Ditto, Mr. Peterman."
"Could you please not call me that? Ever?"
"Sorry. Do you want to go?"
"I'm right behind you."
Stealthily the two vampires exited the academy and began to wander the grounds. Merrill took off her shoes, raised her arms and twirled around in the wet grass staring up at the night sky. "You forget how big it is," she remarked.
"What?" asked Marty distracted for a moment. The light shone off Merrill's pale skin and she was more luminous and carefree than he had ever seen her before.
"The sky," she clarified. "We only see a little sliver of it in the cellar. And now out here it's just so beautiful."
"I know," he said softly. Merrill stopped twirling and glanced back at Marty. He wasn't looking at the sky. His eyes were fixed on her and the look in them made her tingle in a way she hadn't since Drew had stopped her from falling that first night.
Right then and there Merrill made a decision. She was going to throw caution to the wind and listen to her instincts. Looking back up at the sky she said calmly, "Marty? What did you mean before?"
"What…when?" he swallowed hard, knowing that this conversation could lead places he hadn't dared to think about.
Taking a deliberate step towards him she stared straight into is eyes. "When you said I was incredible."
Startled by her boldness and affected by her proximity, he moved to take a step back. But Merrill had grasped the material of his shirt at his stomach and held him in place. "Merrill," he said hoarsely, "I think…"
Taking another step and closing the remaining distance between their bodies Merrill allowed her hand to slip up to where his un-beating heart was. She cut off his words, "Then don't think. Just feel," she paused allowing her words to hang in the air between them. "Now tell me what you meant."
Anchored by her touch Marty studied her eyes. She wasn't going to back down and whatever happened, whatever he said, their relationship had already been irreversibly changed. He also knew that he wouldn't be able to explain himself the way he wanted to. So he, like Merrill had now decided to go with his instincts. He swallowed hard and raising one of his hands he cupped her cold cheek.
Merrill let her eyes fluttered closed and leaned into his touch. If Drew had made her tingle, Marty made her tremble. His thumb grazed her bottom lip and her eyes sprang open again instantly catching his. "Read my mind," he said, his eyes burning right through her.
Merrill nodded slightly, her hand coming up to cover his. She closed her eyes and concentrated. But it was unnecessary. He was allowing her complete access to his mind and with it his soul and his heart. Merrill gasped as emotions flooded her. Intrigue. Wonder and awe. Respect. Trust. Tenderness. Desire. Love. And she saw herself the way that he saw her. And she was beautiful.
Overwhelmed she stopped reading. Marty who had been waiting anxiously watched as her eyes opened and was dismayed to find tears in them. "Oh no. Merrill, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry." He dropped his hand from her face and began to back away, the self-loathing already beginning.
"No. It's okay," she laughed shortly and brought her hands up to brush away the tears. "It's just…The way you see me. It's taking some time to absorb."
"Okay. I can leave you alone, I understand that you don't feel the same way," he turned and began to walk away.
"But I do," Merrill said, so softly that he wouldn't have heard it without his heightened senses. He stopped, not turning back to face her. "I mean," she said, "I think I do."
"You think?"
"I think…" He turned to face her and his eyes told her that if she wanted to turn back now was the time, "that I could love you."
He smiled elated and relieved and so, so happy. He hugged her to him and felt, rather than heard a laugh bubble up from her throat. Merrill she would never again be as happy as she was in that moment. A few seconds later, when his face descended toward hers she was proved wrong.
Gently at first his lips caught hers. Slowly, searchingly they shared their first kiss. His hand reached up and caressed her face and her arms slipped around his shoulders. Pulling back slightly he rested his forehead against hers and watched her. Her eyes were still closed and she was smiling. When she opened them the expression in them made Marty's brain spin. She tilted her face up and kissed him fiercely. Mouths and bodies moved hard against each other striving to get as close as possible. Her hands tangled in his hair pulling him closer. His hands traveled down her back, roughly gripping her hips. Her lips parted and his tongue entered her mouth and swept it possessively. She moaned and stood up on her tiptoes putting everything she had into this kiss..
Neither knew how long they stood their entwined in each other's arms. Memorizing the moment so they would be able to relive it over and over for years to come. The tastes and smells and sounds and the way it felt to be together would forever be imprinted in their memories. With no need for breath there wasn't any need to be parted.
Finally, the kisses gentled and looking up at the sky Merrill noticed the stars fading. "Marty," she breathed regretfully, "we have to go inside."
He glanced around knowing she was right yet hating it at the same time. Out here it was just them and the stars in the sky. He nodded in agreement and Merrill stepped back and held out her hand. He took it and with their hands entwined they left the haven of the fading darkness and entered the harsh light of the school.
But it was okay. Because in each other, they had both found their one.
-THE END- Seriously, this time.
Reviews are greatly appreciated.
