Disclaimer: I don't own them except for the kids LRT Normal Jennifer 2 1 2001-11-07T06:23:00Z 2001-11-07T06:23:00Z 11 3921 22354 Cabrini College 186 44 27452 9.3821

Disclaimer: I don't own them except for the kids!

Warring Hearts, Part 11

Leigh didn't say anything as she let Ling drive her home from the engagement party. Her mind was still trying to comprehend what had happened in the atrium with Jonathon. A little part of her was hoping that he was trying to say that he loved her. She sighed. It was wishful thinking though. She had thought it strange however that Chris and David both disappeared towards the end of the party and when she caught a glimpse of the two of them, they looked like that had been in a street fight. She was curious to why they looked like that, but deep down she knew that it had to do with Jonathon.

Ling looked over at her as he pulled to a stop in front of her home. She had been quiet by the time she came back from dancing with Jonathon. He was a little curious why he hadn't brought her back. He was a little curious though to as why Wufei was not keen on Jonathon or any other Maxwell. He had his own opinions on the Maxwell offspring. They were all big kids at heart. They seemed like they were always the pranksters; the constant "bad" kids out of the entire lot of Gundam pilot offspring. "We're here," he said as he turned off the engine.

She looked up from her musings. She gave him a faint smile.

He smiled back at her and got out to open the door for her. He rested his hand on the small of her back as he walked her to the front door. "Are you ok?" he asked, concerned.

"I'm fine," she replied. "What made you ask that?" she asked as she struggled to fit her key in the lock.

"You just seem upset about something. Ever since you came back from dancing with Jonathon you've been a little jumpy."

"Jonathon just said something to me, that's all."

Ling frowned slightly. "What did he say that upset you?"

"It was nothing. Jonathon frequently upsets every woman he comes in contact with," Leigh replied nervously as she finally got the door open and walked inside the dark house.

He followed her in as she went to the kitchen. "Do you want me to say something to him?"

"No!" she said loudly, and then noticing his widening eyes, "No, it's all right. I can handle Jonathon. I grew up with him remember. There isn't a thing he's said that I haven't heard before."

"Are you sure?" he pressed as he pressed his hand on her back, rubbing it up and down.

"I'm sure," Leigh said hastily. She looked at the clock. "It's getting late."

He looked over at the clock as well. "Yeah, in about an hour, it'll be Christmas day." He looked back at her. "And since I can't be with you tomorrow, I wanted to give you your gift."

Leigh's eyes widened. "You didn't have to get me anything."

"But you celebrate it and I wanted to get you something anyway even if I don't," he said warmly as he led her into the family room where the tree was. He pulled her down on the couch next to him. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a flat rectangular box.

Her eyes sprung back to his. She felt her stomach tighten.

"Here." He placed the gift in her hands. "Go on, open it."

Leigh hesitated, but she gently tore the golden paper off the box. She stared at the black leather box rimmed in gold. She took a deep breath and opened it. Blood red rubies glittered on their bed of black velvet. "Oh my."

"Do you like it?"

She picked up the bracelet, making the gold gleam in the bright light. "It's beautiful," she gasped.

"I thought of you when I saw it. I know it's a little much, but I really wanted to get it for you," he said as he took it from her fingers and clasped it around her wrist.

Leigh held it up in the light. The rubies and the gold winked at her. "I don't know what to say Ling. You shouldn't have though."

"I know I shouldn't have, but I wanted to. I wanted to because I love you."

Her eyes shot to his, startled by his pronouncement. Her heart thudded loudly in her ears.

"I know we've been together for a short time, but I know that I do. I think I have since I met you Leigh."

She was shocked. She would have never thought she would hear those words. It made part of her happy to hear that a man loved her, but a part of her was saddened by it. It was coming from the wrong man. She felt tears well in her eyes.

Ling saw them. "I didn't make you cry, did I?" He put his arm around her and pulled her close.

Leigh pushed them back, sniffling a little. "They're nothing," she replied tearfully. "I…I …love…you too."

He felt his heart swell with happiness. He gently pressed his lips against hers. He smiled when he pulled away. He wiped the tears off her soft cheeks and kissed her again. "I love you Leigh."

She smiled a little as she kissed him back.

Ling pulled away again. "I think I should go now. I'll call you later tomorrow," he said as he gazed into her ice blue eyes.

Leigh gave him a watery smile as she rose and walked him to the front door. "I'll be looking forward to it," she replied quietly.

He squeezed her hand and walked back down the walk to his car. He felt a lot better now that he had finally told her. "The woman of my dreams loves me back," he said as he climbed into his car. He grinned into the mirror and pulled out.

She closed the door behind her and locked it. She leaned against it. The cool metal dangled from her wrist. She held it up to the hall light. The rubies gave off a fiery red light. She turned off the lights downstairs and made her way to her room. She closed the door behind her, her smile finally fading as she realized what she had done. She closed her eyes as she slipped her dress off and hung it on the hanger, leaving her in black satin lingerie.  She caught her reflection in the mirror inside the closet. Her eyes fell on the golden cross resting between her breasts. Tears welled up in her eyes again. "Oh no," she whispered brokenly as she placed her hand over her heart. It hurt terribly. She knew that she didn't love Ling. She wanted to believe that she could love him and if she said the words she could believe it. "Oh Jonathon," she whimpered as she let her head fall back, letting the tears stream down her cheeks. She sat down on the edge of her bed. "I can't cry. I won't cry," she told herself as she lay back. She grabbed her remote and flipped on her stereo. A particular song caught her notice. It made her heart ache a little more as she remembered what the song represented.

I've been lonely

I've been waiting for you

She threw her clothes in the dryer, slamming it. She swiped at her wet hair as it hung in her face. She walked briskly back into the kitchen and sat down on the chair, pulling a comb though her hair at the same time. There was a knock on the door. She gritted her teeth. "GO AWAY!" she yelled in the empty house. She yanked the comb through again as there was another knock at the door. She slapped the comb down on top of the table and stalked to the front door. She stared at it for a moment. "GO AWAY!"  She crossed her arms over the dry black tank she was wearing. The door rattled again. She clenched her teeth and threw open the front door. "I TOLD YOU…" Her lips parted in surprise as he stepped in. Water dripped from his bangs to the hardwood floor. She shut the door behind him, locking it. "What do you want?" she asked belligerently as she crossed her arms again.

"I'm sorry," Jonathon, whispered as he got down on his knees in front of her, wrapping his arms about her waist, pressing his face against her stomach.

She looked down at him with astonishment. She could feel the cold water seeping through her dry clothes. She never thought in a million years he would tell her that he was sorry. They hadn't been dating that long yet and it wasn't the first time that she had blown up at him. She had forced him to pull over and she walked home in the pouring rain, too angry to sit next to him any longer. She tentatively reached up with one hand and laid it on the top of his head. Her earlier anger at him evaporated at his words. She loved him that much. "I know. I'm sorry too," she said softly.

I'm pretending and that's all I can do

The love I'm sending

Ain't making it through to your heart

She smiled slightly when he looked up at her. Beads of rain clung to his face. She pushed his bangs off of his forehead. His arms were still wrapped about her waist, his clothes soaking hers. She saw him about to say something, but she shook her head and pressed a finger against his lips. "You don't have to say anymore." He smiled a little at her and stood up, his height making him tower over her. Then before she could even say anything more, he was kissing her. She tilted her head back under the gentle pressure of his mouth. Her back hit the wall behind her, sandwiching her between him and it. Her arms locked loosely about his neck as warmth began to spread throughout her body from this assault on her senses. She felt his hands grip her waist a little tighter before sliding up under her breasts. She gasped as his thumbs brushed over her nipples. "Jonathon?" she asked as his mouth left hers to trail down the side of her neck.

"Hmm?"

Her eyes closed again as his tongue stroked the base of her throat. Her skin was tingling from his touch. "You're…you're making a puddle on the floor," she said breathlessly. She looked up at the cobalt eyes staring down at her. Tiny flames were flickering in their depths. Her heart thudded hard against her ribs. "Maybe I should throw your clothes in the dryer with mine," she said faintly, "I wouldn't want you to catch cold."

"If you say so," he replied, taking a step back from her.

You've been hiding-never letting it show Always trying to keep it under control

She started walking quickly down the hall towards the kitchen and the laundry room. She felt his eyes on her as she walked in front of him. She felt a little self-conscious in the boy cut panties she was wearing that matched the tank top. She turned to face him once they reached the laundry room. She clasped her hands nervously behind her as his eyes continued to travel over her. She raked her teeth across her lips. "Well?" She watched as he arched a brow at her.

"Could you help?"

"Sure," she said with uncertainty as she took a step forwards. She reached up and pushed his windbreaker off his shoulders and down his arms, tossing it over the rack. She raised her eyes to his as his fingers slipped on the buttons of his shirt. He gave her a soulful look. She sighed slowly and reached up with her hands, slipping the buttons from their holes. Her blood was rushing in her ears as the dark blue shirt parted under her hands, revealing his tanned torso beneath. She swallowed hard as she pushed it from his broad shoulders and down the muscled arms. She threw it in the open dryer before making a move to step away. His hand grasped one of her wrists and pressing her palm over his heart. His skin felt hot under her hand. His heart thudded against her palm.

You got it down and you're well On your way to the top

But there's something that you forgot

The only sound she could hear was the pounding of their hearts and the splattering of rain on the roof. She raked her teeth across her lips again, raising her eyes to his. "You don't feel cold," she said softly.

"No," he smirked as he took a step closer to her.

Her breathing became erratic as his mouth got closer to hers. And just as his lips were to meet hers, "I have to get a towel," she stammered as she pulled away and left the laundry room. She walked hurriedly to the linen closet and pulled out a towel. "Stop acting like a baka girl, Leigh. You're twenty years old," she berated herself as she made her way back to the laundry room. She averted her eyes from his when she noticed that all he was wearing now were dark red boxers. "Here," she said as she handed him the towel. She wasn't expecting him to go for her wrist at the same time, pulling her against him and his mouth crash against hers. Her eyes flew open in startlement, but at the same time, it thrilled her.

What about love

Don't you want someone to care about you

She could feel his hands smoothing over her hips, before curving around her rear end. Her body flooded with heat at the passion in the kiss as his tongue insinuated its way into her mouth. She clung to him, afraid if she let go she would fall into a boneless mass on the floor. She jumped slightly when she felt his hands sliding up under her tank.

"Maybe we should take this off since I got it all wet too," he breathed against her mouth.

She whimpered her assent as he gathered up the cotton in his hands and pushed it up over her head, tossing it to the floor. She let out a rush of air as their skin came back into contact. Her skin burned wherever they touched. Her nerve endings were crackling. She had never done any of this before. She hadn't even let him before, but his hands were eliciting chills up and down her spine and his mouth on hers was driving every coherent thought out of her mind. Her hands gripped his arms in an effort to keep herself upright. Water still dripped from his hair as it brushed against her face. She whimpered helplessly again as his hands slid between them to cover her breasts. It caused her breath to catch sharply in her throat. She felt his mouth leave hers. She opened her eyes and looked up at the intent cobalt ones staring at her. A slight flush crept up her cheeks from the heat in his gaze. 

What about love

Don't let it slip away

 

"What?" she asked faintly.

"You're shaking."

"I'm not," she protested weakly.

"Are you nervous?"

She swallowed hard. She was, but she didn't want to readily admit it to him. She felt his hand come up and cup her chin gently, his thumb brushing over her lips.

"We can stop."

Her heart rate doubled at the sincerity in his voice and in his eyes. "No, we don't have to stop," she replied quietly as she slid her hands up around his neck, drawing his face down to hers. She kissed him, nipping at his lips until he took the initiative and kissed her back.  The kiss grew increasingly erotic as the minutes ticked by. He was pressing her body between him and the dryer so there would be no way she could miss how she was affecting him. His erection pressed meaningfully at the juncture of her thighs. She arched her body slightly, making him growl. She did it again until her toes were barely touching the floor.

What about love

I only want to share it with you

You might need it someday

She heard him growl again. It sent a trill of satisfaction through her body by knowing that she was affecting him a great deal. His lips left hers again. She looked up at him with heavy lidded eyes. "What?"

"God didn't ordain that the first time I make love to you it would be in the laundry room," he replied as he swept her up in his arms and carried her to her room.

Her knees pressed against his hips as he lay on top of her. She could feel her nerve endings popping and sizzling like mad. He was pressing harder against her, making her feel weak inside… and making her wet. His breathing was labored as he stripped her of her last article of clothing. She arched her throat against his mouth as he moved lower and lower. She felt his one hand slid up the inside of her thigh at the same time his mouth found her breast. Her breath caught in her throat as his fingers deliberately slid inside her. She let out a drawn out sigh as they moved, making pleasurable feelings shoot through her.

I can't tell you what you're feeling inside

And I can't tell you what you don't want to buy

"Oh God," she groaned as his mouth traveled over her stomach and further still. Then she didn't even feel his fingers anymore. She felt his mouth instead. Her hands gripped the sheets under her as he applied his tongue. It caused an avalanche of feelings to rip through her. "Jonathon…" she gasped out. The feelings soon ebbed a little, but her body still throbbed with them. She felt his mouth cover hers again. She could taste herself on his mouth, which made her even hotter. Then she felt him pressing against her insistently. A little panic flooded her momentarily. Her eyes flew open to meet his. They were looking down at her with adoration and something else she couldn't readily define.

"Relax Leigh. I don't want to hurt you," he said in a strained tone as his hands slid under her.

Her breathing became irregular. "I know." Her breathing hitched again as he slid partially inside her. Her body immediately tensed. Her hands tightened on his arms. She knew her movements alerted him to stop because she felt his body still. "Don't…stop…I'll be okay," she breathed.

"Okay. I'm sorry," he whispered back.

She nodded her head on the pillow. Then he kissed her at the same time he pushed forwards. Her nails knifed through his skin as a burning pain shot though her. His mouth muffled the sound of her choked gasp. Her eyes clenched tight as he kissed her cheeks tenderly.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Relax sweetheart," he said in her ear.

Something's missing and you got to

Look back on your life

You know something here just ain't right

She forced her body to loosen up some. She could feel him inside of her, unmoving. It felt good at the same time it felt painful. "Jonathon…move inside me."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes…yes." She took in another gulp of air as he moved tentatively at first. A rush went through her, nearly blotting out all the pain. Her nails left neat marks in his arms. More sensations began to move through her as he thrust inside of her, each one better then the last. Her skin began to tingle and she felt the dam of sensations beginning to pile up. She bit her lip to hold back the whimpers in her throat, but she couldn't. One after another they escaped her lips. Her hands clenched spasmodically on his forearms. It was getting to be too much. "Now…" she rasped out. He seemed to understand what she was asking for and each stroke became a little harder. She came in a sudden rush as everything inside of her exploded. "I love you," she said in a long drawn out sigh.

What about love

Don't you want someone to care about you

She smiled against his mouth as he kissed her again. It was sweet and loving. Her hands gradually released their hold on his arms to slide up around his neck. She felt his begin to move again, harder then before. Her eyes locked on his above her. He bent his head and touched his nose to hers. She closed her eyes briefly at the gesture. His hair, now just damp brushed her forehead as he kept his mouth close to hers. Her eyes opened again to look into his. She had never seen them that blue before. Her hands tightened on his shoulders again as a rush went through her and he groaned her name against her lips. Her knees pressed hard against his hips as his body poured itself into hers.

"God…Leigh," he groaned again against her mouth.

"Jonathon," she sighed as she closed her eyes. She felt his face against her neck. His breathing was hard as was hers. Her arms wrapped around his back. She was amazed how he was keeping most of his weight off of her. She looked up at him once he moved to her side, drawing her against him. She was mesmerized by the look in his eyes as she his fingers traced her face. She caught his hand with hers and pressed it against her lips. She saw that angel like smile light his face as he pulled her against him. The cross around his neck glinted in the golden lamplight. "I love you," she whispered again.

What about love

Don't let it slip away

"I know," he replied as he pressed a kiss on the top of her head.

She quirked a smile against his chest, a little disturbed that he hadn't said it back. But she knew that it might take him some time to say it. She couldn't mistake the feeling in his eyes though. She knew that he cared about her a great deal. It was all right for now.

What about love

I only want to share it with you

After a while, she lay there in his arms. She wasn't sure if he had fallen asleep or not, but she could feel the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest under her palms. She leaned away a little and looked up at him. He wasn't asleep. He was watching her. She flushed a little under his scrutiny. "What?"

"You're so beautiful that's all."

Her blush deepened even more at his compliment. She lowered her eyes as he pushed her tangled hair back over her shoulder.

"Look at me?" he asked gently.

She looked up at him. He didn't say anything, but he continued to touch her face with his fingertips. She leaned in to his caress and then touched her mouth to his. "Jonathon…"

She was startled out of her thoughts when there was a knock at her door. "Who is it?" she called as she got up off her bed. She pulled out a shirt from the drawer along with loose fitting sweatpants, throwing them over her lingerie.

"It's me sweetheart," Sally called though the door.

What about love

Don't you want someone to care about you

"Come in," Leigh yelled as she sat back down on the edge of her bed. She tugged at the shirt absently, not realizing it was one of Jonathon's that she had snitched way back.

Sally pushed open the door, closing it behind her. She observed her daughter critically. "Lost in thought about something?"

"No," Leigh lied, as her mother came over and sat down on the side of the bed. "I didn't hear you guys come in." "If you count thinking about hot sex with Jonathon counts as nothing."

"You have the music turned up a little dear," Sally said with an amused smile. She looked down and saw the glittering bracelet gracing her daughter's wrist. "So Ling drop you off?"

What about love

Don't let it slip away

"Yes, a while ago," Leigh answered as she looked away.

"Early Christmas gift?" Sally asked as she picked up Leigh's wrist and looked at the rubies.

"Yes," Leigh said softly as she pulled her arm out of her mother's grasp. She looked at the bracelet again. "He said when he saw it, it reminded him of me." She touched it with her fingers.

"I see," Sally said as she looked at the expression on Leigh's face. She didn't look thrilled at all. She eyed the cross dangling around her neck. She knew that it was Jonathon's. And she knew that her daughter never took it off. She reached out and lifted it away from her neck. "Let me ask you something Leigh. Which one is it? The bracelet or the necklace? Which one means more to you?"

Leigh was taken aback by her mother's question. She looked at the cross dangling from the end of the long chain and the bracelet glistening around her wrist. She closed her eyes.

"Let me make it easier for you dear. The two men that gave you these, which one do you love?"

Leigh took the cross out of her mother's hand and looked at it as it rested in her palm. Her eyes went to the bracelet. She closed her eyes. "I love the one that gave me the cross," she replied quietly.

Sally smiled knowingly. "Then why do you pay lip service to loving the other?"

"I don't know mom! I'm trying to convince myself of that! I want to feel something more then just like, but I can't! I thought if I said those words I would believe them and I don't."

"Did you really expect that dear? When someone else rules your heart, no one else is going to take his place. You'll love the one who rules your heart. It's that simple. So no matter what you do Leigh and no matter what your father is attempting to do, you will always love him. You'll love Jonathon come hell or high water."

Leigh smiled ruefully as she dropped the cross back against her shirt. "That's all well and good mom, but it doesn't help that he doesn't love me."

What about love

I only want to share it with you

"Don't say that Leigh. I know he has to. You really think that he's never loved you or that he still loves you?"

"It doesn't help when he never says those words to convince me otherwise."

Sally sighed. She had heard this before. She shook her head. "The looks he was sending you during the party didn't show a thing to you? Leigh, the boy couldn't stop looking at you."

"Jonathon always looks at women," Leigh said blandly.

"Not like the way he was looking at you."

Leigh's lips twitched.

"And don't think I didn't see you dancing with him and disappear into the atrium. You might be able to sneak things around your father, but I'm a completely different story," Sally said with an arched brow.

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean Leigh. All the times you thought you could sneak him in and out of this house without anyone noticing in the middle of the night. You think I don't know what you two were doing half the time?"

Leigh flushed guiltily.

"Don't worry dear. I never told your father or else he would have had that boy skewered on the end of his katana. It went badly enough when you thought you were pregnant."

"Isn't my fault that he's…"

"He's too irresistible? Maxwell men seem to have that trait about them," Sally mused thoughtfully. "And you thought you could hold out against him when he first asked you out too."

"I made him work for it," Leigh replied as she crossed her arms.

"You certainly did. I think that's why he loves you."

Leigh snorted. "I find that hard to believe."

"You started out as a challenge to him. I don't think Jonathon ever had to work that hard to get a girl to go out with him before. And I think it's because of that he fell in love with you. He loves you because he had to work to get you to go out on one date with him. He loves you, period," Sally explained. "Sometimes the deepest feelings can't be said in words," she said as she stood and took the pins out of her thick chignon, letting her light brown hair, streaked with gray fall around her shoulders. Her light sky blue eyes found her daughters. "Just look at the couples around you Leigh. Feelings are not always spoken. They can be transmitted by a look or just a simple touch. And Jonathon looks at you with love in his eyes."

Leigh said nothing; She twisted the hem of the shirt in her hands. "How I wish I could believe that mom. But all we do it hurt each other. It's over. I can't go back to him now. I made my decision and I have to live with it. Plus it would probably give dad a coronary."

Sally sighed, defeated. "If you think that's what you really want Leigh." She opened the door and stepped out. She looked over her shoulder at her. "Just make sure if you think your heart can stand it. Good night," she said as she closed the door behind her. She shook her head as she made her way down the hall towards the master bedroom. "Stubborn, just like her father," she muttered under her breath.

Leigh flopped back across the bed. "I gave him up. It's over." She stared up at the ceiling. The words of the song reverberated in her head. "What about love, don't you want someone to care about you…" She closed her eyes. "Dammit, I care, but I can't do it again. I love you but I have to give you up."

*Song "What About Love" by Heart

A/N: Sorry this one took awhile. Things are really crazy right now since I'm trying to get my senior portfolio put together. I know this is a little long, but I hope you enjoyed it! There will be more coming soon! XOXO!