A/N So??? Everyone that said they were going to go check out the lyrics to the Third Eye Blind song Wounded what did you think? Couldn't you just hear Roger all over that? Actually I think you can hear him in a lot of their songs. Except for Ten Days Late. In that all I can see is Mark and Maureen.
Anyway, here's the next chapter. Glad everyone is still enjoying it. And as always thank you all so much for leaving reviews. They are very inspirational to keep me typing!
Chapter 56
Cass knew before she even opened her eyes that the headache she fought all day yesterday was still there and not going away anytime soon. Roger's watch had started beeping signaling ten AM. The only move he made was to shove his head further under the pillow and roll closer to her.
She reached over and turned off his watch, pulling the pillow off his head. She ran her fingers down his bare chest and leaned over him kissing his neck, up to his ear. "Happy… birthday…. to Roger…"
His eyes opened and he grinned up at her, rubbing his rough callous fingers down her back and resting them on her ass. He started to kiss her back, softly sucking on her skin. "Happy… birthday… to me!" He grinned, rolling her over on her back.
"It's cold in here." Cass told him pulling the blanket up around them.
"I'll warm you up Baby." He gave her a mischievous grin as his hands went up and down her body, still naked from the night before.
"Roger we don't have that much time." She laughed. "We need to meet Joanne."
"Real quick… I promise." His lips moved own her neck onto her chest.
"But Baby we need to get up."
"I'm up, believe me, I'm up." He said evilly as he started to tease her.
"Roger you," the words caught in her throat for a second. "You shouldn't start something you can't finish right now."
"Oh I can finish it, believe me."
"Baby we need to go shopping. We used the last on up last night."
That paused him for a second as he kissed her belly button. "I'll get one from Mark." He told her as his kisses started to work their way back up to her mouth.
That was the last thing she wanted. She never really cared before, but taking into consideration her history with Mark, it bothered her some now that she knew that Mark could hear them to begin with. Roger borrowing condoms from him was like sending out engraved announcements that they were about to have sex.
This wasn't where she meant to end up when she woke him this morning. They did have to get up so they could get to Joanne's office. She also had a feeling, considering her head still throbbed, she was glad to have built some time into their schedule. It may take her awhile to get moving this morning. At least moving without puking or feeling like she was going to pass out. That was how she felt yesterday, but she didn't tell either Mark or Roger that.
"Roger…" God she wanted him, but now was not the time. She wanted to make it to the closing, then they could come back here.
"But it's my birthday Baby." He pouted at her.
She only had one ace she could play. She decided she may have to before this went any farther. "I know it's your birthday." She ran her fingers through his hair, pulling his face up to her's. "But wouldn't you rather do it on your birthday in your building. If we go now, we can stop at the store, pick up some food and uh, other necessary supplies, and spend the rest of your birthday here in bed. At least until your friends come in here and drag your incredibly sexy, hot naked butt out of here."
"We can still do all that." He grinned softly kissing her throat, still running his hand up and down her body. "That actually… sounds like… a really … good plan. Except for the naked butt dragging part." He laughed before returning to kissing her face. "Especially the rest of my birthday in bed part."
"Okay if that's what you want." She laughed softly, wrapping her arms around his back, pulling herself closer to him. "But you know Mark's going to want to hang out with you today. Now I don't have a problem with that, but then again I've slept with him before."
She heard him groan a little and smiled. Not that Roger minded that she and Mark used to have sex, she just knew Roger didn't want to be reminded of it while they were about to have sex. It slowed him down, but didn't deter him.
She kept going. "Okay Baby, you want to make us late, that's fine. But you are the one who will have to explain why we're late to Joanne and Allison. And of course Benny, he'll be there too." She could tell instantly that worked.
Roger rolled onto his back and groaned again. "Well if you were looking to kill the mood, which I know you were, that really worked. Bad enough you bring up Mark images, which, so you know, I can so live without. But please don't ever bring up that bastard's name, especially when, you know."
"I know, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have." She started to stand up. But we really need to," the throbbing in her head got suddenly worse and she got lots of big black splotches in front of her eyes. The dizziness set her right back down onto the bed. "To get moving." Her hands covering her face.
"Baby are you okay"
"I'm fine." She told him, still covering her eyes with her hands.
"Liar. Look at me." He pulled her hands down. "Are you okay?"
"Yes. I'm fine. When I'm lying down at least. So see, we go, we sign, we come back here and get back in bed."
"Are you going to be able to make it there? You been getting sick a lot more often too Cass. Maybe we should call your doctor."
"No. I'll be fine. Ginny said it was going to get worse before it got better. We need to get moving thought." She pulled on one of his tee shirts. "I may be a little slow this morning."
Slowly he helped her stand up, then he quickly threw on his boxers. "You want some crackers? Those seem to work for you."
She sat down on the couch while he went to the kitchen. "Take your pills while you're out there."
He did, knowing taking her the crackers before he took his pills would get him no where. She would just fuss until he did. He brought over the box of crackers and a glass of flat ginger ale for her. Lately they have just been buying it and putting it in the fridge with the cap off so it loses its fizz.
Just then Mark came in the door carrying a deli bag. "Oh good, you're up. Happy birthday." He tossed the bag to Roger on the couch who started to open it. "I got breakfast. Taylor ham, egg and cheese on a bagel. They actually had onion bagels left, so I got yours on that Rog."
Roger was opening the bag as Mark spoke. The smell of the egg and grease mixed with the onion bagel was more than her stomach could take. Cass bolted for the bathroom.
"Oh shit! I'm sorry." Mark told Roger who picked up the glass and walked to the bathroom.
"Don't worry about it. Are you ready?"
"Almost. Ask her if I have to wear a tie."
"Tie?" Roger hadn't thought of that. God he hoped not. Not that it mattered, he didn't even own a tie. He helped her into the shower and went back out to Mark, picking up his onion bagel sandwich.
"She said a tie on you would be a nice touch." He laughed.
"I'm guess you won't be wearing one."
"Uh, no." He bit into his sandwich. "I still can't believe she's doing this."
"We are doing this. Remember? And I can believe it. That's just Cass." He shrugged. "Savior of lost causes." Mark laughed at his own joke.
"What are you talking about?" He asked through a mouthful of food. "Savior of lost causes?"
"You know," he shrugged again, "us."
"What?"
"Well she almost tried to buy this dump once before."
"When?"
"Christmas time, a few years back. When you, me and Mimi were temporarily homeless."
"Oh." Roger looked down at his food for a second, starting to lose his appetite. "So, um, what happened? Why didn't she?"
Mark looked down at his shoes, which suddenly became very fascinating. "Um, she, uh, had an accident or something. Ended up in the hospital."
"Oh." Yeah there went this appetite all right.
"Come on Rog, that's just Cass. And all that other stuff, well it's over. She doesn't have to worry about it. Ever again."
"Yeah, I know." He played with his sandwich.
"You know I never knew about all that stuff. If I had known Roger, if I had any idea, I would have done something. I don't know what, but something."
"Yeah, I know you would have." Roger looked at him. "She is pretty amazing isn't she?"
"You don't even know the half of it." Mark grinned.
Just then Cass came out of the bathroom in a towel, looking somewhat pale.
"You okay Baby?"
"Peachy. You're going to be cold if that's all your wearing." She motioned towards his boxers.
"I'm coming." He stood up and walked over to her grabbing her around the waist. "Any chance you're wearing that?"
Cass covered her nose with one hand and pushed Roger away with the other. "Uhg! Onion bagel breathe! Go brush your teeth and get dressed."
Roger laughed, letting her go. "Okay, okay I'm going. But I'm not wearing a tie!"
After about twenty minutes later she came out of the bedroom ready to go. Mark had dug out a tie and Roger had on his leather pants and his new leather jacket.
"Wow." Mark said as Cass came out in the only business suit she currently owned. "I mean, uh, I, ah, sorry." He started turning red.
Roger just started laughing at him. "He's right thought. You look damn hot in that Babe."
"Let's just go. Please?" Cass was not looking forward to today. She just wanted to get this over with, come home and lay down. Hopefully to feel better later. God this was so not how she wanted to spend Roger's birthday.
**************
With his arm around her waist Roger just looked at her again as he reached for the lobby door. "Stop looking at me like that or next time I'll throw up on you." She told him as she stepped into the lobby. She saw Mark open his moth to speak and she cut him off. "That goes for you too. And stop asking me if I'm okay. God corporate takeovers are supposed to be fun. What are you doing here?"
Roger and Mark looked up at that statement surprised. "I, uh, I thought maybe we could all go to lunch, you know, after." Maureen smiled trying to act innocent.
"Bull Mo, you came hoping to see fireworks." Mark told her bluntly.
"Okay, yeah." She shrugged. "That and lunch."
"Can we stop talking about food please." Cass pleaded, dropping into a chair.
"You want something to drink Cass?" Roger asked her softly rubbing her back.
"No. Mark tell them we're here please."
"So do I get to watch?" Maureen asked.
"No." Roger and Mark told her at the same time.
After a few minutes, Joanne came out to get them. Okay are you guys – Maureen what are you doing here?"
"She came to be nosey." Roger told Joanne while helping Cass up.
"Maureen!" Joanne scolded, wide-eyed as she opened the door back into the inner office. "I can't believe you!" She looked at Cass who had turned ghostly pale. "Cass are you okay?"
"No." She swallowed hard, closing her eyes.
"Honey take her down to the bathroom by my office. We'll be in the small conference room."
Maureen started to walk Cass down the hall. She turned towards Joanne with a grin. "You mean the one we--"
"Yes Maureen!" Joanne said sternly. "The small conference room by my office." She gave her a look that said shut up as Maureen started down the hall again.
The way she snapped at Maureen peaked Roger and Mark's interest who started laughing as Joanne dropped her head into her hand. "I swear, sometimes she is so, so, aghhh!" Joanne tried to regain her corporate composure. "Will you two please be quite. I do have to work here you know." Joanne opened the conference room door and let them in. After the door closed and they got settled she briefly explained what was going to happen.
After a few minutes Joanne looked at her watch. "I'm guessing we aren't gong out tonight. Happy birthday by the way."
"Thanks. And no, most likely we aren't going out. Maybe we can just hang out at the loft. Order in or something."
"Yeah. She puked before we left and again on the way here. I think the subway did her in."
"Yeah maybe we better take a cab home."
Just then Cass and Maureen came into the room and sat down. Joanne gave Cass some papers and briefly re-capped what she told Mark and Roger already. She gave them all papers to sign. "Congratulations. You two together now own almost ¾ percent of your own company. I guess you have to give up your bohemian, vagrant, freeloader union cards now."
"Ha ha. What now?" Roger asked looking over at Cass.
Joanne looked at her watch again. "Allison and her father are due any minute. So now we wait. Cass you want something to drink? Maureen go down to the kitchen and get her a soda. And if you dig around you may find some crackers."
Maureen gave her an annoyed look, but did as she was told. She came back and gave Cass a coke and a few packets of crackers. The receptionist followed her in. "Joanne, the Grey's are here."
"Thank you Cathy. Can you give me three minutes then show them in?"
"Sure."
When she was gone Joanne turned to Maureen who was grinning like a Cheshire cat. "Hunnybear can you go wait in my office"
"What?" Maureen said wide-eyed. "But I wanted to watch!"
"Maureen you can't be in here. It's inappropriate."
"But I wanted to see his face!"
"You can't. You shouldn't even be here. Please wait in my office. Please?"
"Mo, just go, please." Mark pleaded. "I'll give you all the details later. I promise."
"Fine!" She stood up in a huff. "But I want full details Mark. Hmf. The one time you don't bring that stupid camera!" She stormed out.
"Ever the drama queen." Mark said sarcastically.
"I swear!" Joanne said shaking her head. "She had no clue as to what, okay here they come." Joanne stood back up and smiled. "Mr. Grey. Ms. Grey. Mr. Coffin." Joanne had all she could do to keep from cracking up when she saw the look on Benny's face. The smug look dissolved as his mouth feel open seeing Roger and Mark. "Robert." She shook hands with the last person through the door. "Robert Stroud, meet me clients Cass Sullivan, Roger Davis and Mark Cohen. Owners of CDS Enterprise." She looked toward Cass and the guys. "This is Robert Stroud, he's the real estate attorney for Grey Investments."
"Nice to meet you. Glad we could put this together so quickly." He told them sitting down and opening his brief case.
"Yes this is splendid. Hell of an investment you all are getting, if you can handle working within the zoning laws." Mr. Grey told them. "Yes sir, as long as you don't mind dropping that initial money into the necessary renovations and upgrades. A couple of years from now the re-sale on that place should be great. What I always said eh Ben?" He slapped Benny on the back.
Mark has all he could do to keep from cracking up. He knew how much Benny hated it when his father in law called him Ben. He was also loving the look still on Benny's face. Mark looked over at Roger who was glaring at Benny. Damn he thought he really should be enjoying this moment. It was clear Benny had no idea coming here it was going to be them sitting across the table from him. Mark whacked Roger in the leg with his own knee. Roger looked up from Benny to Mark who mouthed the word "relax" and motioned towards Allison, who was obviously enjoying this moment.
"You did Daddy." Allison grinned at him. "When Cass and I first talked about this, I knew you would think it was a good idea. So much better than that stupid Cyber Arts thing."
"Yes, Ben that wasn't exactly one of our finest moment. Now was it?" Mr. Grey asked him. Benny said nothing. "And after that, we got locked into that place. We've been looking for someone willing to take that building on for awhile now. From what Allison tells me Ms. Sullivan, you've got a very good sense of these matters. Good long range vision. See what an investment has potential for in the long run."
"Well are we ready to begin?" Mr. Stroud asked, setting papers in front of Joanne who briefly looked through them.
Joanne flipped through the papers and handed them to Cass. "Okay you need to sign here, here, here, here and here. Roger you and Mark need to sign there as well." They completed all the necessary signatures and Joanne handed the papers and a bank check over to Mr. Stroud.
He took the check, handed it to Mr. Grey and had him, Allison and Benny sign as well. "Well that's it. Congratulations. You now officially own the building and the adjoining lot."
Mark, Roger and Benny were still sitting there, somewhat in shock. Allison started to speak to Cass. "Well I'm so glad to be out of that!" She picked up the check. "That opens up a little playing around money as well."
Benny suddenly perked up. "That's true. That place was always been a financial drain the last few years. Having that extra money will be nice."
"Yes, now we can roll that over into that long term investment I told you about Ben."
Mark watched Benny's grin fade. He knew Benny figured he was going to get his money out of all this. Apparently Mr. Grey had other plans.
"Yes sir Ben, ten years from now, I guarantee we can triple that money."
Mark wasn't sure what would happen first, Benny would start crying or Roger would break out laughing.
"See Benny, I told you Daddy would make you rich someday." She grinned. "Who would have ever though that tiny little initial investment from the sale of your grandparent's house could turn into this. And just think, like Daddy said, ten years from now what we'll be able to do with it. It's a good thing Daddy's such a genius."
"Yeah, great." Benny told her, very unenthusiastically.
Just then Mr. Grey's cell phone ran as he excused himself to answer it. Mr. Stroud started packing up papers. Benny just sat there, glaring back at Roger, who had a stupid looking grin on his face.
"So Cass, here's that contractor's information I told you about." She gave her the paper. "He's really good. Reliable, dependable, fairly priced and quick too. Right Benny?"
"Yeah, whatever." He just shook his head and looked down at the table.
Allison gave him a disapproving look and kept going. "Well once you're done and ready to decorate let me know. I love to redecorate. Don't I Benny?"
"Oh, um, yeah, I guess, whatever." He obviously wasn't paying attention.
"We'll go shopping again. Get you guys some new furniture. Benny do you know they still have that ugly old couch your uncle gave you when you lived there! I couldn't believe that when I picked up Cass last week. We'll have to go shopping again soon."
"Sure, soon." Cass told her.
Roger leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Baby are you okay?"
"No. I'll be right back. Excuse me." Cass quickly got up and walked out of the conference room.
"Roger is she okay? She suddenly went from pale to kind of greenish." Allison asked
Joanne looked from Mark to Roger. "Well Robert," she tried to hurry them along, "anything else?"
Before the other lawyer could answer Benny glared at Roger and Mark. "I guess living with you two and being in business with you two is enough to turn anyone's stomach."
"Benny!" Allison yelled at him.
"Or is she just another of your strung out girlfriends?" He said evilly.
For once in his life Mark moved faster than Roger. Joanne's mouth dropped open. Roger Stroud looked around uncomfortably. Allison looked like she had just been slapped. For the first second Roger sat there stunned. He didn't know what surprised him more. The fact that Benny would say that, especially considering he supposedly cared so much about Mimi, or Mark's reaction.
Before Roger could even react Mark had jumped up and grabbed Benny by the shirt and started screaming at him. "You fucking bastard! You used to be one of our friends remember? And don't you ever fucking say anything about her ever again. She's fucking pregnant you low life!"
By then Roger had grabbed him. He hadn't stopped him or anything but he had grabbed him. Finally he spoke. "Just never mind Mark. He's not fucking worth it."
Allison had slunk back into her seat. Mark thought back to what Benny had said about her trying to get pregnant. He knew as much as it hurt him and Roger to hear him say things like that about Mimi, it had to hurt Allison as badly. The way Benny had treated her during all that. And here Cass was pregnant on top of it all.
"Wow." Allison said almost numbly. "She uh, didn't tell me she was pregnant. That's really great Roger. Congratulations. We should go. I'm really sorry." She looked at Benny as they stared to come around the table. "Tell Cass I'll call her. I'm really sorry. I had hoped this would go really well. You know, new start and all."
Mark just sat in his chair, fuming as Roger stood up. "It's okay Allison. It's not your fault." Roger told her, surprised not only at his own voice, but he words coming out of it. Never before had he sounded so much like Mark. Or Mark reacted so much like him. What a weird day. "But call her, okay?"
Allison nodded as they started to walk out the door towards the lobby where her father still was on the phone. Roger saw Benny reach for Allison's arm. She shook free of him. "Don't fucking touch me!" And with that they were through the door.
A minute later Maureen opened the conference room door. "I saw them leave." Was all she said as she picked up Cass' soda and walked back out to her.
Cass and Maureen came back a few minutes later. Roger stood up as they walked in. "You okay Babe?"
"I'll survive. I just can't get rid of this migraine."
"Sweetie have you been able to keep anything down recently?" Joanne asked.
"Crackers. And ginger ale. That's about it."
"You gotta eat something besides that Cass." Roger told her, taking her hand.
"I know, it's a vicious cycle. You eat, you throw up. You don't eat, it makes the migraine worse, and you throw up. How about some soup? There is a nice place not far from here. They have really good soups." Joanne suggested to them. "Maybe we could go get a bite for lunch?"
"I think I just want to go home and lay down."
"Okay, I'll see you tonight after work then. And congratulation you guys." Joanne smiled at them.