Part Five of the series:
~Harder,now that its over
Syn:Trent and Daria's relationship hits the rocks when people's reactions to their lies are out,will Jane come to the rescue to help her favourite couple patch things up?
Disclaimer:Lyrics by Ryan Adams
They slapped them on you,where that bracelet used to be
You know the one I bought in Phoenix,where they sell old jewelry
I was trying to make you angry,but I didn't feed you to the cops
When I threw that drink in that guy's face,it was just to piss you off
'Cause honey it's over now ,it's harder now that it's over
It's harder now that it's over now that the cuffs are off
Honey it's over now ,it's harder now that it's over
It's harder now that it's over now that the cuffs are off
You're free
You're free
Free with the history
You're free
You're free
Free with the history
I heard your wrist got bruised,must've felt just like old times
Wish you would have grabbed the gun,and shot me 'cause I died
And I'm nothing now without you,yeah I'm less than nothing now
I am the one between the bars,and lost forever now
'Cause honey it's over ,it's harder now that it's over
It's harder now that it's over now that the cuffs are off
It's over now ,it's harder now that it's over
It's harder now that it's over now that the cuffs are off
You're free.....You're free
You're free
Free with the history
You're free.....You're free
You're free
Free with the history
I'm sorry
I'm sorry
Honey,I'm sorry
Jane Lane paced back and forth in the kitchen.
Her mind was on overdrive,had she just seen what she thought she'd seen.
Was Daria's scarf on Trent?
She shook her head. No,it couldn't be...
Well maybe she'd just lent it to him because he was cold one time..
Maybe she was seeing things,going crazy..
Just as she was thinking,Trent came back inside,grabbed his keys and opened the door "Goin' out for awhile Janey,see ya in a bit"
Maybe she had seen right,and something was going on..
"Thats it," Jane said to herself "Somethings up,and I'm going to get to the bottom of it"
Quickly dialing Daria's number,she knew she wouldn't be home but she wanted to get some info
"Hello?" an unusually cheerful voice called out
"Quinn?" Jane asked with a smile "Hey,do you by any chance know where Daria is?"
A scoff could be heard on the other line "Why would *I* know where that loser is? I have better things to do than moniter my sis-I mean cousin's whereabouts"
Jane bit back her anger at Quinn's comment "Anyway she didn't happen to say where she was going-maybe to your mom or something?"
"Who is this,is this Daria's weird art friend?" Quinn asked with an air of disust
"You know who I am,it's Jane" she replied quickly losing patients "Now are you going to answer me or not?"
Quinn sighed "Ugh alright already,Daria said something about-hey wait a minute she said she was going to your house...isn't she there,oooh I'm gonna have to tell mom about-
Jane cut Quinn off,knowing full well she could outsmart her "Yeah she's here,we were just seeing how long it took before you'd clue in,you really are dense aren't you"
"Oooh" Quinn replied,then imediately hung up
Jane laughed to herself for a second,then remembered her anger about Daria lying to her.
"So step one was a dead end but step two is going to work," Jane left the house and walked towards the library.
Fuming,Jane rushed into the public library pushing past odd people who got in her way.
Walking down a deserted isle,she peeked through the books to the sitting area where people usually read.
Only a teenage boy,and slightly older woman sat reading at opposite table.
Walking to the end of the isle,Jane read off the list of types of books.
After recognizing the project subject,Jane smiled to herself and began to look around.
"No sign of her anywhere," she whispered,anger mounting "Well thats it,I'll just check the other side and then its off to the next destination,the pizza place"
Jane strolled down a few more isles,but then momentarily became side tracked by the art section.
Nearly a half an hour had gone by and Jane sat on the floor against the book stand distractedly reading away.
The library clock struck noon,a small chiming noise startled Jane.
"Crap,you'd think the library would have a less noisy form of keeping time...afterall it is the 'quiet place'"
As she shut the cover of the book and began to get up something caught her eye out the window.
Nearly falling on her ass,Jane's mouth fell open.
Outside in the parking lot Daria's new car,a red vintage jetta sat parked near a tree.
Inside her bestfriend appeared to be making out with a dark haired boy but was blocking the view of his identity.
"Damn girl," Jane replied with a grin "You've been keeping your secret boytoy from me"
Moving closer to the window,Jane looked for a better view of the scene playing out in front of her.
"Well there goes your supposed longing for Trent," Jane mused,her small falling a bit "Crap,you woulda made one hell of a sister in law"
Leaning against the edge of the windowsil,Jane watched a little suprised to see Daria so hot and heavy with the guy "Wow,I never thought I'd see the day Morgandorffer was sucking face...its too Quinn"
Jane smirking at that thought "Have ta use that one on her for lying to me,the little scamp"
Straightening back up,Jane spotted the couple begin to pull apart.
Jane rubbed her hands together eagerly,but when the slightly shaggy haired guy came into view he seemed all to firmilar
"No it couldn't be,your dreaming Jane" Rubbing her eyes,Jane refocused on the pair "Well I'll be damned"
Then the realization struck her full force.
Not only had her bestfriend lied to her face,but also her own brother had kept it from her.
A sudden scowl replaced her confusion,then she bolted to the library exit seething.
With a tap on the car window,Daria and Trent broke apart from their embrace.
Trent cringed at the sight of Janes expression and Daria looked heartbroken at hurting her friend.
After a second of being frozen in shock,Trent and Daria exited the car and walked over to Jane who was leaning against a tree.
"Well,well,well" Jane exclaimed,eyes narrowing "Fancy running into you two here,together none the less..you can't imagine the shock you sent through me catching my bestfriend and older brother in a liplock"
Neither replied,sensing Jane wasn't finished venting.
Jane huffed,her eyes not able to meet them.
Daria noticed a slight fleck of what appeared to be a tear in the corner of her eye.
That hit harder,causing her heart to drop.
"Man am I stupid," Jane continued,her hands clenching the fabric of her jacket at her sides "How long have you two been lying to me,how long have the two people I care about most in the world been keeping this thing from me?"
Trent looked over to Daria,seeing her hands shake slightly "Umm,its...its been about 2 months Janey"
"I can't believe it,I knew you had a thing for her and I knew you have been crushing on him forever and then I believed your lame stories and everything...I even thought you,my own brother had led Daria on"
Jane let out a deep breath,then met their gaze "Two months huh,wow you must have had fun laughing about me behind my back...'Jane and her damn yenta act,she's so oblivious'...'gee Janey can't even see whats going on right infront of her face"
Daria folded her arms around her,a frown on her face "Jane that isn't what happened,please just-
"Save it," Jane exclaimed cutting her off "I don't want to hear anymore,I'm going home..thanks,I thought you were my bestfriend and I could trust you and you Trent"
With that,Jane spun on her feet and darted away.
After a second she began to run,disappearing.
Daria sunk to the grass,placing her head in her hands "That was the exact thing I feared was going to happen,Damn it Trent...I've ruined the best..the best friend I've ever had,I love Jane and I crushed her"
Slidding an arm around her shoulders,Trent pulled Daria close and leaned his head against hers "We hurt Janey pretty bad,I'm sorry I asked you to keep this..I'm sorry we.."
"Sorry we what,Trent?" Daria asked locking eyes with him "Sorry we ever got together?"
Sitting frozen for a second,Trent was speechless.
His eyes closed and a tear fell from under his eyelashes.
Taking it as a sign he'd silently answered her question because he couldn't vocalize it,a wave of cold shivers washed through her.
"Okay," Daria whispered backing away "Okay"
As Trent came back into reality he opened his eyes and was suprised to be alone.
Looking up,he saw an empty parking spot where Daria's car once sat.
'Did she breakup with me?' he questioned,suddenly short of breath 'She did,Daria broke my heart'
Trying to gather himself up off the ground he suddenly struggled to keep balance.
Feeling like the wind had been knocked out of him,his heart raced.
Once he managed to get to his feet,he shook a little.
Then more,he wrapped his arms around himself and tried to walk home.
His mind was working against him,or so it seemed.
He couldn't summon up a cognitive thought.
Things around him began to swirl,and he tried harder to walk straight but only managed to stumble down the pathway.
Tripping a few seconds later,he felt dry,crunchy leaves and bits of ice under him as he fell into the dead grass.
Then a second later everything went black as he passed out.
Something screamed,and his eyes focused a little.
Suddenly he felt comfortable,and warm a welcome relief from the harsh elements of the foggy past.
Opening his eyes fully,he was suprised to see Jane sitting next to him,holding a steaming cup.
"Good your up," she exclaimed,pushing the drink to him "I made you tea,drink up"
"Where am I?" he exclaimed frantically looking around "How did I get here?"
"Relax," Jane replied pulling up his covers "You hit your head pretty hard in the park,you must have a concussion...I put you in the backseat of Daria's car and brought home after you passed out"
Trent looked confused,but remained silent
"And believe me,that was an akward twenty mintutes thank you very much" Jane added "It's a good thing she was driving by though,and that I came back or you might have worse problem on your hands now"
"She broke up with me you know Janey," Trent mumbled,barely audable
"I'm sorry Trent," Jane replied,placing a hand on her brother arm "That's probably my fault,I did let you guys have it pretty good,maybe too good"
Closing his eyes,Trents breathing shallowed "No,I'm so sorry..we never wanted to lie to you Jane,but after all that happened at the party we were kind of embarrassed..we were going to tell you in a few days,we were just so happy with the way things were working out..we didn't want to jinx it"
Jane sat in thought for a moment,then nodded "I can't believe you two are finally together,I mean it's just so great..no better than that,I've been waiting for it to happen for so long"
Then Jane saw a tear stream down his cheek
"It was,it was the most incredible thing that ever happened to me Janey," Trent whispered "But like always I screwed it up,and now its over"
Jane was speechless
"Nothing prepared me for this feeling,I've never even imagined losing someone could hurt this badly" Trent continued "No hurt doesn't even begin to describe it,no words do"
Cradling her emotionally drained brother in her arms,Jane leaned her chin against his head lost in thought.
As he silently sobbed,his body shook a little and Jane felt a sinking feeling in her stomach.
Two weeks later,Jane shooked her head as she passed by the livingroom seeing Trent in the exact same spot.
He was pale,and unmoving only getting up to shower and eat every so often.
Her heartbeat raced watching her brother in state of coma,emotionally shutdown.
Across town,Helen Morgandorffer mimicked Janes actions as Daria's unmoving body basked in darkness as she lay in bed.
Slowly closing the door,Helen stared at the form of Daria,her back facing her as she stared at the wall.
Unseen to anyone,tears streamed down Daria's face.
La lalala....
TBC...
~Harder,now that its over
Syn:Trent and Daria's relationship hits the rocks when people's reactions to their lies are out,will Jane come to the rescue to help her favourite couple patch things up?
Disclaimer:Lyrics by Ryan Adams
They slapped them on you,where that bracelet used to be
You know the one I bought in Phoenix,where they sell old jewelry
I was trying to make you angry,but I didn't feed you to the cops
When I threw that drink in that guy's face,it was just to piss you off
'Cause honey it's over now ,it's harder now that it's over
It's harder now that it's over now that the cuffs are off
Honey it's over now ,it's harder now that it's over
It's harder now that it's over now that the cuffs are off
You're free
You're free
Free with the history
You're free
You're free
Free with the history
I heard your wrist got bruised,must've felt just like old times
Wish you would have grabbed the gun,and shot me 'cause I died
And I'm nothing now without you,yeah I'm less than nothing now
I am the one between the bars,and lost forever now
'Cause honey it's over ,it's harder now that it's over
It's harder now that it's over now that the cuffs are off
It's over now ,it's harder now that it's over
It's harder now that it's over now that the cuffs are off
You're free.....You're free
You're free
Free with the history
You're free.....You're free
You're free
Free with the history
I'm sorry
I'm sorry
Honey,I'm sorry
Jane Lane paced back and forth in the kitchen.
Her mind was on overdrive,had she just seen what she thought she'd seen.
Was Daria's scarf on Trent?
She shook her head. No,it couldn't be...
Well maybe she'd just lent it to him because he was cold one time..
Maybe she was seeing things,going crazy..
Just as she was thinking,Trent came back inside,grabbed his keys and opened the door "Goin' out for awhile Janey,see ya in a bit"
Maybe she had seen right,and something was going on..
"Thats it," Jane said to herself "Somethings up,and I'm going to get to the bottom of it"
Quickly dialing Daria's number,she knew she wouldn't be home but she wanted to get some info
"Hello?" an unusually cheerful voice called out
"Quinn?" Jane asked with a smile "Hey,do you by any chance know where Daria is?"
A scoff could be heard on the other line "Why would *I* know where that loser is? I have better things to do than moniter my sis-I mean cousin's whereabouts"
Jane bit back her anger at Quinn's comment "Anyway she didn't happen to say where she was going-maybe to your mom or something?"
"Who is this,is this Daria's weird art friend?" Quinn asked with an air of disust
"You know who I am,it's Jane" she replied quickly losing patients "Now are you going to answer me or not?"
Quinn sighed "Ugh alright already,Daria said something about-hey wait a minute she said she was going to your house...isn't she there,oooh I'm gonna have to tell mom about-
Jane cut Quinn off,knowing full well she could outsmart her "Yeah she's here,we were just seeing how long it took before you'd clue in,you really are dense aren't you"
"Oooh" Quinn replied,then imediately hung up
Jane laughed to herself for a second,then remembered her anger about Daria lying to her.
"So step one was a dead end but step two is going to work," Jane left the house and walked towards the library.
Fuming,Jane rushed into the public library pushing past odd people who got in her way.
Walking down a deserted isle,she peeked through the books to the sitting area where people usually read.
Only a teenage boy,and slightly older woman sat reading at opposite table.
Walking to the end of the isle,Jane read off the list of types of books.
After recognizing the project subject,Jane smiled to herself and began to look around.
"No sign of her anywhere," she whispered,anger mounting "Well thats it,I'll just check the other side and then its off to the next destination,the pizza place"
Jane strolled down a few more isles,but then momentarily became side tracked by the art section.
Nearly a half an hour had gone by and Jane sat on the floor against the book stand distractedly reading away.
The library clock struck noon,a small chiming noise startled Jane.
"Crap,you'd think the library would have a less noisy form of keeping time...afterall it is the 'quiet place'"
As she shut the cover of the book and began to get up something caught her eye out the window.
Nearly falling on her ass,Jane's mouth fell open.
Outside in the parking lot Daria's new car,a red vintage jetta sat parked near a tree.
Inside her bestfriend appeared to be making out with a dark haired boy but was blocking the view of his identity.
"Damn girl," Jane replied with a grin "You've been keeping your secret boytoy from me"
Moving closer to the window,Jane looked for a better view of the scene playing out in front of her.
"Well there goes your supposed longing for Trent," Jane mused,her small falling a bit "Crap,you woulda made one hell of a sister in law"
Leaning against the edge of the windowsil,Jane watched a little suprised to see Daria so hot and heavy with the guy "Wow,I never thought I'd see the day Morgandorffer was sucking face...its too Quinn"
Jane smirking at that thought "Have ta use that one on her for lying to me,the little scamp"
Straightening back up,Jane spotted the couple begin to pull apart.
Jane rubbed her hands together eagerly,but when the slightly shaggy haired guy came into view he seemed all to firmilar
"No it couldn't be,your dreaming Jane" Rubbing her eyes,Jane refocused on the pair "Well I'll be damned"
Then the realization struck her full force.
Not only had her bestfriend lied to her face,but also her own brother had kept it from her.
A sudden scowl replaced her confusion,then she bolted to the library exit seething.
With a tap on the car window,Daria and Trent broke apart from their embrace.
Trent cringed at the sight of Janes expression and Daria looked heartbroken at hurting her friend.
After a second of being frozen in shock,Trent and Daria exited the car and walked over to Jane who was leaning against a tree.
"Well,well,well" Jane exclaimed,eyes narrowing "Fancy running into you two here,together none the less..you can't imagine the shock you sent through me catching my bestfriend and older brother in a liplock"
Neither replied,sensing Jane wasn't finished venting.
Jane huffed,her eyes not able to meet them.
Daria noticed a slight fleck of what appeared to be a tear in the corner of her eye.
That hit harder,causing her heart to drop.
"Man am I stupid," Jane continued,her hands clenching the fabric of her jacket at her sides "How long have you two been lying to me,how long have the two people I care about most in the world been keeping this thing from me?"
Trent looked over to Daria,seeing her hands shake slightly "Umm,its...its been about 2 months Janey"
"I can't believe it,I knew you had a thing for her and I knew you have been crushing on him forever and then I believed your lame stories and everything...I even thought you,my own brother had led Daria on"
Jane let out a deep breath,then met their gaze "Two months huh,wow you must have had fun laughing about me behind my back...'Jane and her damn yenta act,she's so oblivious'...'gee Janey can't even see whats going on right infront of her face"
Daria folded her arms around her,a frown on her face "Jane that isn't what happened,please just-
"Save it," Jane exclaimed cutting her off "I don't want to hear anymore,I'm going home..thanks,I thought you were my bestfriend and I could trust you and you Trent"
With that,Jane spun on her feet and darted away.
After a second she began to run,disappearing.
Daria sunk to the grass,placing her head in her hands "That was the exact thing I feared was going to happen,Damn it Trent...I've ruined the best..the best friend I've ever had,I love Jane and I crushed her"
Slidding an arm around her shoulders,Trent pulled Daria close and leaned his head against hers "We hurt Janey pretty bad,I'm sorry I asked you to keep this..I'm sorry we.."
"Sorry we what,Trent?" Daria asked locking eyes with him "Sorry we ever got together?"
Sitting frozen for a second,Trent was speechless.
His eyes closed and a tear fell from under his eyelashes.
Taking it as a sign he'd silently answered her question because he couldn't vocalize it,a wave of cold shivers washed through her.
"Okay," Daria whispered backing away "Okay"
As Trent came back into reality he opened his eyes and was suprised to be alone.
Looking up,he saw an empty parking spot where Daria's car once sat.
'Did she breakup with me?' he questioned,suddenly short of breath 'She did,Daria broke my heart'
Trying to gather himself up off the ground he suddenly struggled to keep balance.
Feeling like the wind had been knocked out of him,his heart raced.
Once he managed to get to his feet,he shook a little.
Then more,he wrapped his arms around himself and tried to walk home.
His mind was working against him,or so it seemed.
He couldn't summon up a cognitive thought.
Things around him began to swirl,and he tried harder to walk straight but only managed to stumble down the pathway.
Tripping a few seconds later,he felt dry,crunchy leaves and bits of ice under him as he fell into the dead grass.
Then a second later everything went black as he passed out.
Something screamed,and his eyes focused a little.
Suddenly he felt comfortable,and warm a welcome relief from the harsh elements of the foggy past.
Opening his eyes fully,he was suprised to see Jane sitting next to him,holding a steaming cup.
"Good your up," she exclaimed,pushing the drink to him "I made you tea,drink up"
"Where am I?" he exclaimed frantically looking around "How did I get here?"
"Relax," Jane replied pulling up his covers "You hit your head pretty hard in the park,you must have a concussion...I put you in the backseat of Daria's car and brought home after you passed out"
Trent looked confused,but remained silent
"And believe me,that was an akward twenty mintutes thank you very much" Jane added "It's a good thing she was driving by though,and that I came back or you might have worse problem on your hands now"
"She broke up with me you know Janey," Trent mumbled,barely audable
"I'm sorry Trent," Jane replied,placing a hand on her brother arm "That's probably my fault,I did let you guys have it pretty good,maybe too good"
Closing his eyes,Trents breathing shallowed "No,I'm so sorry..we never wanted to lie to you Jane,but after all that happened at the party we were kind of embarrassed..we were going to tell you in a few days,we were just so happy with the way things were working out..we didn't want to jinx it"
Jane sat in thought for a moment,then nodded "I can't believe you two are finally together,I mean it's just so great..no better than that,I've been waiting for it to happen for so long"
Then Jane saw a tear stream down his cheek
"It was,it was the most incredible thing that ever happened to me Janey," Trent whispered "But like always I screwed it up,and now its over"
Jane was speechless
"Nothing prepared me for this feeling,I've never even imagined losing someone could hurt this badly" Trent continued "No hurt doesn't even begin to describe it,no words do"
Cradling her emotionally drained brother in her arms,Jane leaned her chin against his head lost in thought.
As he silently sobbed,his body shook a little and Jane felt a sinking feeling in her stomach.
Two weeks later,Jane shooked her head as she passed by the livingroom seeing Trent in the exact same spot.
He was pale,and unmoving only getting up to shower and eat every so often.
Her heartbeat raced watching her brother in state of coma,emotionally shutdown.
Across town,Helen Morgandorffer mimicked Janes actions as Daria's unmoving body basked in darkness as she lay in bed.
Slowly closing the door,Helen stared at the form of Daria,her back facing her as she stared at the wall.
Unseen to anyone,tears streamed down Daria's face.
La lalala....
TBC...