Attention: Look, there will be talk of, if not seen, cases of child abuse from Holtz. This happens because in my time line, Holtz took much of his anger out on Casey, and some out on Connor. But Connor was the favorite child of the two. More about that later. There also may be instance of corporal punishment. I would like to inform people that child abuse and corporal punishment are two different things. Corporal punishment will only happen when there is need for it to happen, and it will always be done in a loving environment.
Author's Note: I am going to try and put my teenage characters though what normal teenagers go through. That may be bad grades, idiot teachers, sexual harassment, drugs, alcohol, and that such. Some may be embellished a little, but guess what? If they are, that's because I have yet to experience them in my high school. Now don't say that I make this some kind of soap opera, because quite frankly, life is one.
Summery: The question is, who needs it more?
Chapter Twenty Four: Protection
"So what do you guys want to do?" Claire asked as everyone stood in the now empty gym. Granted it wasn't everyone that had worked during the night, but it was a fairly nice sized group. It consisted of Will, Charlie, Casey, Connor, Claire, Mitch, Lissa, and Kara.
Everyone shrugged, "Why don't we all go to your house and figure it out from there pet," Will suggested, shrugging on his familiar leather coat.
Fifteen minutes later the group was walking down the street to Claire's house. As they walked, Casey found herself walking next to Charlie, striking up a conversation she found that not only was he hot, he could form a complete sentence.
Connor glared at Charlie's back as they sauntered along. He did not like how they were all buddy-buddy. Didn't Casey have any self-respect? Finally he couldn't take it anymore and butted into their conversation, "Could I talk to you for a minute?" Connor asked Casey, grabbing her arm, he forced her to the back of the group.
"What the hell is your problem?" Casey asked through gritted teeth.
"I'm trying to protect you," Connor muttered.
Casey's eyes narrowed. "Well this certainly is new! Where were you when Hotlz slapped me around, kicked me, abused me? I'll tell you where you were; you stood there. Didn't do anything. You may not have touched me, but you certainly never helped!" she spit and then went to catch up with Charlie.
Connor stopped for a moment, she was right. He had never been one to help her. He remembered one time, was he nine? Holtz had gotten mad over something completely silly, a plate broken or something, he didn't really remember the reason, but Holtz started to kick her. And Connor just pretended he didn't notice. He did remember one thing though, her cries. The sobbing was heartbreaking. Feeling wetness in his eyes, Connor pushed the memory back in his brain. Crying was a sign of weakness.
"What was that all about?" Charlie asked as Casey caught up to him.
"My brother's deciding he want's to be overprotective for once," Casey rolled her eyes as she flipped her hair over her shoulder.
Charlie grinned, "I don't blame him."
Casey looked at him, "And why's that?"
"Because if I had a sister as beautiful as you, I'd be defensive," Charlie kissed her cheek.
Casey giggled, "That was almost sweet."
Charlie only shrugged, "Hey, I try."
By that time everyone had reached Claire's house and Casey went to find the nearest phone, dialing the hotel's number, she hoped Angel was actually home for once.
"Hello?" Lorne answered.
"Hey Lorne, can I speak to my dad?" Casey asked as she hopped up onto the counter, the phone line wrapped in her fingers.
"No problemo Cupcake," Lorne answered in his usual fashion.
Soon Angel was put on, "Yes sweat heart?" he answered with a sigh.
"Don't sound so sad to hear my pretty voice!" Casey giggled, making Angel give a small chuckle. "But anyway, I was wondering if you could tell Connor to play nice."
Angel snorted at this, "And why isn't Connor playing nice?"
"Well, he basically told me not to talk to someone. And that's not fair!" Casey whined.
Angel sighed, "Get Connor on the phone and I'll tell him to play nice."
"Okay!" Casey smiled and slipped off the counter. "Connor!" she yelled into the living room.
"What do you want?" Connor asked, coming into the kitchen.
"Daddy want's to talk to you," Casey smiled and flounced off to the living room.
"Yeah?" Connor answered the phone.
"Casey wanted me to tell you to play nice. So, play nice," Angel said.
"And why am I being told to 'play nice'?" Connor asked.
"You're in the dark as much as I am. I think it has something to do with not letting her talk to someone, does that ring a bell?" Angel asked.
Connor nodded, although his father could not see it, "She was talking to a boy. The boy was older. I don't like boys, especially older boys, talking to my little sister."
Angel laughed, "Well never mind my previous order. Play as mean as you want."
"Yes sir, I think that is an order I can follow. See ya tomorrow!" Connor hung up the phone and went back to the living room. "Hey Charlie, can talk to you?" Connor asked. He deliberately ignored Casey's icy glare.
Charlie stood up and they went back into the kitchen.
"What's up mate?" Charlie asked in a lightly accented English. It sounded like a mix of Brazilian and British.
Connor looked at him, his face serious, "You break my little sister's heart, I break you."
Charlie looked at him, his face now expressionless. "You do the same to Claire. She's like a little sister to me. Do me a favor and think with your big head, not your little one."
Connor nodded, "So do we understand each other?"
Charlie returned the nod. "We do."
Author's Note 2: Ooh, sweetness factor is apparent here! Hehe, well the next chapter's even more fun, if not more sappy. So stay tuned!