Thanks to catwomen88 ,Bec-Bec, Gemini006007, Nancy, and The Juggernaut for your kind words. I wrote this next part the very day after I published 'I Never Went For That' - though I hadn't planned to continue the story I was just kinda compelled to. Sorry about the wait, my PC went a little crazy and I was forced to send it away so it could learn to behave itself (very expensive!).
To Brightfeather: Never mind a beta I could do with a word processor that had a spell checker! And Jarod is the guy that thought The Centre used his sims for good, so I guess anything is possible.
Part two: Get Away
Her sobs are beginning to subside gradually. I wait for her to say something or to even pull away from me but she does neither. Instead she remains here, in my arms. I still my gentle motions on her back and consider the situation: I am sat on my huntresses sofa; and I am comforting her. If The Centre were to know where I was right now... I silently chide myself again for taking this risk, but the feel of her against my chest, I can't deny it was the right thing to do in the circumstances.
I had just finished up a pretend a few states away this morning and had driven down to Delaware on the afternoon. I had something that I wanted to drop off at Miss Parker's place, something I liked to do personally. However on the way I stopped to offer my assistance to some young ladies with a flat. They insisted on buying me ice cream as compensation - and I couldn't turn down an offer like that could I? Unfortunately it set me back a couple of hours, by the time I got to Delaware I discovered Miss Parker was already home. Instead I left her place and decided to stay overnight - I could leave her 'present' the next day.
I settled down for the night at my usual haunt in Delaware but it wasn't long before I was dialling a familiar number. The phone rang for some time without an answer yet I wasn't overly concerned; I was either going to drag her out of bed or out of a bath. However I began to become worried as it continued to ring - I was certain she was at home. I was determined not to give up, it's almost part of our 'game'. I annoy her, she shows some emotion and I can remind myself she's just as human as I am. And I like to hear her voice when she's just woken up.
The panic set in as the ringing continued and I began to think of the worst rather than the sensible option that she was just ignoring me. And then she picked up. There was no usual, 'What!'. There was no bite. In fact there was nothing. I called out her name surprising myself with the panic that was evident in my voice. And still there was no answer. And then she began to sob. My heart wrenched at the sound, and I asked her if she was ok even though it was obvious she was not. A lump had formed in my throat and my words came out quieter. There was no reply except the crying.
And that was when I made my mind up. I was twenty minutes away I could be there in no time. On reflection I wasn't thinking with my brain, but with my heart. It wasn't like a pretend were I could plan every outcome. And I told her I was on my way!
I rushed out to my car, the phone pressed to my ear, and made my way to her house. I couln't hear her call for a team of sweepers or The Centre though it crossed my mind she could be sat there waiting for me with her gun poised. But I could hear her and I could hear the hurt. And more than anything I wanted to be there for her.
When I got to her place I tapped lightly on her door and called out her name, her first name. I waited cautiously for a few moments and was about to try the door when it opened. She stood in front of me dressed in silk pyjamas, her eyes as red as her clothing. She contemplated me for a few seconds, as if deciding, and then sat down on her sofa leaving the door open. I took this as an invitation and followed her in, shutting the door behind me. I could see a dsa player was set up and assumed her distress was caused by this. A quick glance at the screen confirmed this. At that moment I blamed myself, it was my fault. I had hurt her just like I did twenty five years ago.
I sent her away that day. I tell myself I was manipulated into doing it, but I let her down. I have spent the past few years trying to reach out to her, tried to be part of her life again. I sat down beside her and awaited her next move. I wasn't sure what she would do but she remained still. The urge to just hold her was so strong that I gave in to it and took her in my arms and she didn't resist. Her sobbing, which had abated somewhat when I had arrived, began again.
Now she raises her head to look me in the eyes. "Why? Why didn't you explain?" she asks.
As I look back into her eyes I can see something there that she rarely exhibits. I can see her pain, the hurt and I want to take it away. "Would you have believed me?" I ask her, aware that I'm treading a fine line. I don't want to push her too hard but I want her to understand. Understand something that I'm not quite sure of myself. How we were both played by The Centre, by her father. How I never wanted to let her go.
She doesn't answer me straight away but she remains in eye contact with me. I can see her searching her soul for an answer and I believe it will be an honest one.
"No. No I wouldn't have." She smiles a little at me, "Maybe I would have believed you but just ignored it anyway." Her frown reappears.
"I wanted to tell you, I wanted to try to explain to you. The first time I saw you again I could see, in your eyes, that you had changed. it had been twenty years - I should have expected it. I knew I had lost you, I've spent the past few years trying to get you back." I place my hand on her cheek, brushing away a lock of hair, marvelling at the feel of her skin. "I never found that right moment to tell you, the right moment when you would believe me, understand me. There was always something else happening. I've tried to gain your faith, your trust..." I leave the sentence hanging as she reaches up and places her own hand over mine.
"Jarod, I don't want to do this anymore. I don't think I can."
I nod my head slowly and try to suppress the grin that's threatening to spread across my face. I take a deep breath and grasp her hand against my heart. " You don't have to." I leave the suggestion open to her. I'm here for her and I always have been. I hope that she now knows this and will accept my unspoken offer.
"I want to get away". She whispers and she smiles at me again.
This time I can't stop the smile taking over. She wants to leave this behind, it's all I've ever wanted for her. That she wants to leave with me is ... well it's everything to me. "Let's go", I say to her and she gently nods her head.
To Brightfeather: Never mind a beta I could do with a word processor that had a spell checker! And Jarod is the guy that thought The Centre used his sims for good, so I guess anything is possible.
Part two: Get Away
Her sobs are beginning to subside gradually. I wait for her to say something or to even pull away from me but she does neither. Instead she remains here, in my arms. I still my gentle motions on her back and consider the situation: I am sat on my huntresses sofa; and I am comforting her. If The Centre were to know where I was right now... I silently chide myself again for taking this risk, but the feel of her against my chest, I can't deny it was the right thing to do in the circumstances.
I had just finished up a pretend a few states away this morning and had driven down to Delaware on the afternoon. I had something that I wanted to drop off at Miss Parker's place, something I liked to do personally. However on the way I stopped to offer my assistance to some young ladies with a flat. They insisted on buying me ice cream as compensation - and I couldn't turn down an offer like that could I? Unfortunately it set me back a couple of hours, by the time I got to Delaware I discovered Miss Parker was already home. Instead I left her place and decided to stay overnight - I could leave her 'present' the next day.
I settled down for the night at my usual haunt in Delaware but it wasn't long before I was dialling a familiar number. The phone rang for some time without an answer yet I wasn't overly concerned; I was either going to drag her out of bed or out of a bath. However I began to become worried as it continued to ring - I was certain she was at home. I was determined not to give up, it's almost part of our 'game'. I annoy her, she shows some emotion and I can remind myself she's just as human as I am. And I like to hear her voice when she's just woken up.
The panic set in as the ringing continued and I began to think of the worst rather than the sensible option that she was just ignoring me. And then she picked up. There was no usual, 'What!'. There was no bite. In fact there was nothing. I called out her name surprising myself with the panic that was evident in my voice. And still there was no answer. And then she began to sob. My heart wrenched at the sound, and I asked her if she was ok even though it was obvious she was not. A lump had formed in my throat and my words came out quieter. There was no reply except the crying.
And that was when I made my mind up. I was twenty minutes away I could be there in no time. On reflection I wasn't thinking with my brain, but with my heart. It wasn't like a pretend were I could plan every outcome. And I told her I was on my way!
I rushed out to my car, the phone pressed to my ear, and made my way to her house. I couln't hear her call for a team of sweepers or The Centre though it crossed my mind she could be sat there waiting for me with her gun poised. But I could hear her and I could hear the hurt. And more than anything I wanted to be there for her.
When I got to her place I tapped lightly on her door and called out her name, her first name. I waited cautiously for a few moments and was about to try the door when it opened. She stood in front of me dressed in silk pyjamas, her eyes as red as her clothing. She contemplated me for a few seconds, as if deciding, and then sat down on her sofa leaving the door open. I took this as an invitation and followed her in, shutting the door behind me. I could see a dsa player was set up and assumed her distress was caused by this. A quick glance at the screen confirmed this. At that moment I blamed myself, it was my fault. I had hurt her just like I did twenty five years ago.
I sent her away that day. I tell myself I was manipulated into doing it, but I let her down. I have spent the past few years trying to reach out to her, tried to be part of her life again. I sat down beside her and awaited her next move. I wasn't sure what she would do but she remained still. The urge to just hold her was so strong that I gave in to it and took her in my arms and she didn't resist. Her sobbing, which had abated somewhat when I had arrived, began again.
Now she raises her head to look me in the eyes. "Why? Why didn't you explain?" she asks.
As I look back into her eyes I can see something there that she rarely exhibits. I can see her pain, the hurt and I want to take it away. "Would you have believed me?" I ask her, aware that I'm treading a fine line. I don't want to push her too hard but I want her to understand. Understand something that I'm not quite sure of myself. How we were both played by The Centre, by her father. How I never wanted to let her go.
She doesn't answer me straight away but she remains in eye contact with me. I can see her searching her soul for an answer and I believe it will be an honest one.
"No. No I wouldn't have." She smiles a little at me, "Maybe I would have believed you but just ignored it anyway." Her frown reappears.
"I wanted to tell you, I wanted to try to explain to you. The first time I saw you again I could see, in your eyes, that you had changed. it had been twenty years - I should have expected it. I knew I had lost you, I've spent the past few years trying to get you back." I place my hand on her cheek, brushing away a lock of hair, marvelling at the feel of her skin. "I never found that right moment to tell you, the right moment when you would believe me, understand me. There was always something else happening. I've tried to gain your faith, your trust..." I leave the sentence hanging as she reaches up and places her own hand over mine.
"Jarod, I don't want to do this anymore. I don't think I can."
I nod my head slowly and try to suppress the grin that's threatening to spread across my face. I take a deep breath and grasp her hand against my heart. " You don't have to." I leave the suggestion open to her. I'm here for her and I always have been. I hope that she now knows this and will accept my unspoken offer.
"I want to get away". She whispers and she smiles at me again.
This time I can't stop the smile taking over. She wants to leave this behind, it's all I've ever wanted for her. That she wants to leave with me is ... well it's everything to me. "Let's go", I say to her and she gently nods her head.