Hi peepz,
@ Rainne: no offence taken! I don't think your review sounded pissed at all!
Some words on the structure of this chapter: usually I wrote in one time line and when I switched the POV I used past perfect to mark the stuff happening before. I won't do that this time! Their POVS are going on at the same time.
Additional Disclaimer: I don't own Malchik Gay. That's a song from t.A.T.u. whose album I'm listening to while I write this. The song is great and fits perfectly, I just changed boyfriend into girlfriend.
On with the story.
Feel free to review.
Enjoy.
~*~
*Maureen lay awake. She couldn't sleep, there were just too many thoughts flying through her aching mind. Sadly she listened to the creaking sounds of the house and the light snoring of Elana nextdoors. She was used to these nightly sounds. They were consoling … somehow. Only a few hours left and she would never hear them again. Or would she? How long would she have to stay with that other master? A few months? A few years? Forever?
Geoffrey would surely pay a visit now and then. To see his friend – and perhaps her, too? Or was the fact that he sent her away so easily proving that she meant nothing more to him than just an employee?
Maureen sighed and rolled onto her stomach. Sleep, where were you? This kind of thoughts drove her mad. She had been so happy in Geoffrey's house. She liked all the people in here. Elana was direct, honest and cheerful. Bob was silent and stern but very calming in his attitude. A man to trust. And James – well, who wouldn't like James? Maureen never had had a grandfather and James was quite a substitute. He could tell stories in a way that nobody was able to stop listening. Geoffrey always said James was his strongest rival. Maureen sighed again and closed her eyes. Geoffrey. If he only knew that he had haunted her mind for so long now. Not just for the last month. He was the first man who ever had been friendly to her. And he had found a corner in her mind he found comfortable and had stayed there ever since. Without her noticing he had conquered more and more parts of her mind until finally finding a way into her heart. That had been the moment she had noticed him. And without her influence he had caused feelings she couldn't deny to herself anymore. But he was never to find out!
He was never to know about her feelings for him. There would be only two ways. One was out of question as he didn't love boys. The other would be harder for it involved being totally honest and that was even more out of question than the first way as he didn't like being lied to and would surely be angry to find out she had fooled him for so long. Well, the first possibility would probably involve him finding out, too… His pity and warm hearted feelings were caused by the fortune of poor 14 years old Ryan Pickle. It would certainly not apply to the life of Maureen Pears, 5 years older, who had run away everytime she got into bad conflicts and on her way left several deaths and hurt feelings.
What could she do? Run away again? What would be then? There was no place to go to. She was too weak and cowardly to go to Pete or, which would be the same, murder herself. She knew she couldn't because deep inside herself she liked to be alive, to be amongst living and friendly people though she didn't deserve their friendliness. She liked to love somebody though her love wasn't returned in the way she craved. Just being together with Geoffrey or even the mere imagination of him were enough to make her happy. He wanted to send her away but she still could keep on telling herself he did it only because he cared. If it was his wish that she left the city to work in the country where he considered he to be safe she would do it. She would do anything he demanded from her. Going away (in what way ever) would perhaps hurt him because she didn't obey. She didn't want to risk hurting him. She had hurt just too many people she loved during her life. Especially her father. She had hurt him so much that nothing she did could compensate it. And finally she had finished him off – and run away. Wasn't it quite similar with Jane, her motherly friend?
Maureen didn't want a thing like that happen to Geoffrey, too. Even hurting his feelings seemed to be much bigger than anything which ever happened to Maureen or the people around her.
A sound downstairs made her look up with wide eyes. Had somebody entered the house? Somebody who didn't belong here? For a moment Maureen considered to wake and warn Geoffrey but then she remembered Jaques. He was sleeping in the kitchen. Without further thinking Maureen got up and crept downstairs. There were no more sounds but she could see a light coming from the kitchen. With shaking wet hands and very cold feet she stepped forward to peer inside the room. The bench next to the fire place was empty. Only Jaques' pillow and blanket were still lying there. Maureen could feel panic rising inside her and wanted to turn and go upstairs to find the protecting arms of Geoffrey when – Jaques entered the room coming from the pantry. He held a small bag and was stuffing a pot of goose fat into it. Maureen stepped inisde the room giving him quite a fright.
"What are you doing there?" she hissed.
Jaques shurgged his meagre shoulders building up his usual attitude "Do you think I'll stay here and wait until that tall bloke brings me away?"
"So what are you going to do instead?" Maureen whispered. Somehow she didn't want anybody to interfere.
"Well, first leave that house, then go into hiding. There are other places in London than just Deep Lane. Places even Pete avoids." He took a fresh loaf of bread from the table and stuffed it into his bag, too. "And I need food for that place…"
"Jaques, no! You know, I don't like stealing, especially not from G…my master. Do you really want to go to that kind of place? Your sister would surely like to have you with her."
Jaques looked at her strangely. "I'm born in London. It's the only place I want to be. My sister was born in the country, in France. She is now living in a very small village, she married a poor man. God knows if they survived at all. I saw them the last time two years ago! They had four children, then. Four! Even if they are still living they could never feed me, too. I'm not like you, Ryan. You can go to a place like this" he gestured around the room "and call a man who isn't better than any of us 'master'. I couldn't do that. I'm born as a free man and I won't give that up!"
With that he shouldered his bag took the precious torch lamp and went to the back door. Maureen didn't hinder him, his speech had stunned her. Never had she heard him talking so much at once. And it was highly unusual for a boy of his age and origin. It had been a speech she would rather have expected from a man like Geoffrey.
On the doorstep Jaques turned to face her and Maureen could see tears in the corner of his eyes. Maureen was dismayed, never had she seen Jaques cry.
He choked back his tears and managed a wry smile. "If you want to come with me…"
Without thinking Maureen made a step forward then stopped and looked behind her and up the stairs. Then she turned to him and slowly shook her head. His small smile faded and he shrugged then, closed the door leaving Maureen in the darkness and the smells of the empty kitchen.
She stood there frozen for some minutes then with a hanging head made her way back to her room. She knew that had been her last chance to leave Geoffrey before he left her but she hadn't managed. She had been too afraid, too loyal, too submissive.
Maureen spent the remaining hours until dawn with whirling thoughts and even some light sleep. All the time memories of situations with Geoffrey were dancing before her eyes, no matter if they were open or closed.
When she heard Elana getting up she sighed and heaved herself out of bed. She just ran a finger through her hair and slipped into her trousers without removing her night shirt (one of Geoffrey's big ones). Then she went downstairs to help Elana and explain to her why Jaques wasn't there, anymore. Elana took it without any comment. Maureen couldn't help but feel very uncomfortable that morning. Ela wasn't speaking to her at all but also she didn't want to go back upstairs where only the thoughts of the night were awaiting her.*
~Geoffrey found it hard to find any sleep. This was the last night Ryan was sleeping in his small chamber. Tomorrow he would have to bring him away. It was to Ryan's best but still Geoffrey could not help thinking his decision and the arguments over and over. He would love to keep him but he could hardly leave the house anymore. If he asked him to stay inside would Ryan do it? No Chaucer – that is selfish! And you know it!
Geoffrey sighed and closed his eyes just to see the boys' face even more clearly than he had before. Why did he behave like this? He desperately needed time to think. And bringing Ryan to Will would give him this time. And it would separate him from Elana… NO, that was not the reason! They were friends, nothing more! … Really? … Shut up! He felt like he never had before and these feelings needed a good thinking about. But now was not the time for that. … Why? Because tomorrow he would go on a whole day ride with Ryan on the same horse. And if he came to certain conclusion this night he would probably draw certain consequences tomorrow. Conclusions and consequences he did not want to confront Ryan with … not yet. It would spoil everything! Ryan would not accept it, he would see Geoff as abnormal, as somebody he did not want to have contact with. Geoffrey had to be sure until he told anybody anything. So he still could imagine they might be happily together some day.
~~~
Malchik Gay
Handsome
Tender
Soft
Why do you look right through me
thinking
"No"
I can't deny my feelings
Growing strong
I try to keep believing
dreaming on
And every time I see you
I crave more
I wanna pull you closer
closer
closer
closer
but you leave me feeling frozen
Malchik gay
Malchik gay
I can be
all you need
Won't you please
stay with me
Malchik gay
Malchik gay
Apologies, might-have-been's
Malchik gay
Malchik gay
can't erase what I feel
Malchik gay
Malchik gay
Choking
Back emotion
I try to keep on hoping
for a way;
a reason for us both to
come in
close
I long for you to hold me
like your girlfriend … does
and though my dream is
slowly fading
I wanna be the object
object
object
object
of your passion, but it's hopeless
~~~
Geoffrey could hear tapping footsteps on the floor. Imagination! He was just worn out and exhausted by the tiring thoughts running over and over in his mind without leading to a result or even a solution.
Then he heard hushed voices downstairs and sat upright. A dream? The voices faded as suddenly as they had begun. Was that a door-clapping? Quickly he left his bed and shortly peered into Ryan's bedroom – empty! Alarmed Geoffrey made his way downstairs to the kitchen where the voiced had seemed to come from. There Ryan was standing in the dark, only wearing his night shirt which once had been Geoff's. It was indeed a *stimulating* sight and suppressing a deep sigh Geoffrey forced himself to turn and go back into his room before something happened he could not control anymore. He listened intently into the dark until he heard quiet footsteps coming up the stairs and walking into Ryan's chamber. That calmed Geoffrey a bit and trying to force the sight of Ryan in his shirt out of his mind he focused on all the moments he had shared with the boy beginning with their first meeting in the rain. Tomorrow they would pass that certain tree…
Somehow Geoffrey finally must have fallen asleep for the quiet darkness was the last thing he could remember when he opened his eyes to find his room filled with early sunshine and chirping of birds. Without any passion he washed and dressed himself then went down to breakfast. James had already eaten as usual and was in the backyard preparing Troilus for the long ride. Elana was grumpy and very silent as was Ryan. He looked like he had had a bad night: his skin was even paler than usual and he did hardly ever look up during the whole breakfast. Almost casually Geoff noticed that Ryan was still wearing his night shirt over the trousers.
Jaques was nowhere. With a cheerful smile Bob explained he had not been there in the morning, so he probably run away over night. Gloomily he reported that "the little scum" had taken their torch lamp and food with him. Geoffrey remembered Ryan standing alone in the kitchen last night. Had he seen him before he went?
They had just finished their silent meal when James came in to inform them that Troilus was ready for the tour.
Geoffrey sighed inwardly. The moment of good-bye drew nearer and nearer. "Do you have all your things packed, Ryan?" he managed in a casual voice.~
*Maureen looked up. "No, not yet."
"Then go get them. And take another shirt, all right?" again that emotionless voice which confirmed Maureen in her sad conclusion he might just want to get rid of her.
Slowly she stood up and went upstairs, even more slowly she searched for her rare things in the chamber. Finally they were all stowed in the embroidened food bag she once had got from Geoffrey and kept like a treasure. Maureen looked around her trying to suck in the sight of the small yet cosy room. Who knew where she would be living soon? She took a deep breath of the lavender scent then removed the night shirt and took a normal day shirt. She was just pulling it over her head when she heard a knock on the door and Geoffrey calling "Are you ready?"
With a heavy heart she answered "Coming!" through the cloth of her shirt.*
~Geoffrey had become nervous. What took Ryan so long? Every delay was painfully stretching the time. Finally impatience had washed over him and he had rushed upstairs to remember Ryan that everybody was waiting. After he had knocked he could hear a muffled answer.
"Come in!"
He opened the door and entered – and froze to the spot. Ryan was not fully dressed yet. He was standing there in his trousers pulling on his shirt. Ryan gave a muffled cry and quickly pulled the shirt down revealing a deep red face while Geoff's face was burning itself.
"I'm sorry…understood 'Come in!'…"
Normally he would not have cared to see a boy's bare upper body but it was different with Ryan – very different! The spotless soft-looking skin, the slightly strained abdominal muscles, the way his trousers had hung on his hips, how the sunlight had played around the boy's figure… And there was another thing which had shocked him to see.
"Um, why is your chest bandaged?"
Suddenly the crimson in Ryan's face fled away leaving a sickly-looking paleness. Had that been the wrong question? But he certainly needed to know!
"Do you have…an injury I don't know about?"
He could see the boy pondering very fast. Different expressions washed over Ryan's face so quick he had no time to read them. Then he seemed to have come to a decision. He passed Geoffrey whose hanging arms did not try to detain him.
Ryan closed the door then turned and leaned against it. His eyes looked weary at Geoffrey.
"Can you keep a secret?"
~*~
I'm the goddess of cliffhangers! HA! Sorry for the lack of plot…
Well, *I* know what happens next, but what do *you* think?
Don't forget to review!
@ Rainne: no offence taken! I don't think your review sounded pissed at all!
Some words on the structure of this chapter: usually I wrote in one time line and when I switched the POV I used past perfect to mark the stuff happening before. I won't do that this time! Their POVS are going on at the same time.
Additional Disclaimer: I don't own Malchik Gay. That's a song from t.A.T.u. whose album I'm listening to while I write this. The song is great and fits perfectly, I just changed boyfriend into girlfriend.
On with the story.
Feel free to review.
Enjoy.
~*~
*Maureen lay awake. She couldn't sleep, there were just too many thoughts flying through her aching mind. Sadly she listened to the creaking sounds of the house and the light snoring of Elana nextdoors. She was used to these nightly sounds. They were consoling … somehow. Only a few hours left and she would never hear them again. Or would she? How long would she have to stay with that other master? A few months? A few years? Forever?
Geoffrey would surely pay a visit now and then. To see his friend – and perhaps her, too? Or was the fact that he sent her away so easily proving that she meant nothing more to him than just an employee?
Maureen sighed and rolled onto her stomach. Sleep, where were you? This kind of thoughts drove her mad. She had been so happy in Geoffrey's house. She liked all the people in here. Elana was direct, honest and cheerful. Bob was silent and stern but very calming in his attitude. A man to trust. And James – well, who wouldn't like James? Maureen never had had a grandfather and James was quite a substitute. He could tell stories in a way that nobody was able to stop listening. Geoffrey always said James was his strongest rival. Maureen sighed again and closed her eyes. Geoffrey. If he only knew that he had haunted her mind for so long now. Not just for the last month. He was the first man who ever had been friendly to her. And he had found a corner in her mind he found comfortable and had stayed there ever since. Without her noticing he had conquered more and more parts of her mind until finally finding a way into her heart. That had been the moment she had noticed him. And without her influence he had caused feelings she couldn't deny to herself anymore. But he was never to find out!
He was never to know about her feelings for him. There would be only two ways. One was out of question as he didn't love boys. The other would be harder for it involved being totally honest and that was even more out of question than the first way as he didn't like being lied to and would surely be angry to find out she had fooled him for so long. Well, the first possibility would probably involve him finding out, too… His pity and warm hearted feelings were caused by the fortune of poor 14 years old Ryan Pickle. It would certainly not apply to the life of Maureen Pears, 5 years older, who had run away everytime she got into bad conflicts and on her way left several deaths and hurt feelings.
What could she do? Run away again? What would be then? There was no place to go to. She was too weak and cowardly to go to Pete or, which would be the same, murder herself. She knew she couldn't because deep inside herself she liked to be alive, to be amongst living and friendly people though she didn't deserve their friendliness. She liked to love somebody though her love wasn't returned in the way she craved. Just being together with Geoffrey or even the mere imagination of him were enough to make her happy. He wanted to send her away but she still could keep on telling herself he did it only because he cared. If it was his wish that she left the city to work in the country where he considered he to be safe she would do it. She would do anything he demanded from her. Going away (in what way ever) would perhaps hurt him because she didn't obey. She didn't want to risk hurting him. She had hurt just too many people she loved during her life. Especially her father. She had hurt him so much that nothing she did could compensate it. And finally she had finished him off – and run away. Wasn't it quite similar with Jane, her motherly friend?
Maureen didn't want a thing like that happen to Geoffrey, too. Even hurting his feelings seemed to be much bigger than anything which ever happened to Maureen or the people around her.
A sound downstairs made her look up with wide eyes. Had somebody entered the house? Somebody who didn't belong here? For a moment Maureen considered to wake and warn Geoffrey but then she remembered Jaques. He was sleeping in the kitchen. Without further thinking Maureen got up and crept downstairs. There were no more sounds but she could see a light coming from the kitchen. With shaking wet hands and very cold feet she stepped forward to peer inside the room. The bench next to the fire place was empty. Only Jaques' pillow and blanket were still lying there. Maureen could feel panic rising inside her and wanted to turn and go upstairs to find the protecting arms of Geoffrey when – Jaques entered the room coming from the pantry. He held a small bag and was stuffing a pot of goose fat into it. Maureen stepped inisde the room giving him quite a fright.
"What are you doing there?" she hissed.
Jaques shurgged his meagre shoulders building up his usual attitude "Do you think I'll stay here and wait until that tall bloke brings me away?"
"So what are you going to do instead?" Maureen whispered. Somehow she didn't want anybody to interfere.
"Well, first leave that house, then go into hiding. There are other places in London than just Deep Lane. Places even Pete avoids." He took a fresh loaf of bread from the table and stuffed it into his bag, too. "And I need food for that place…"
"Jaques, no! You know, I don't like stealing, especially not from G…my master. Do you really want to go to that kind of place? Your sister would surely like to have you with her."
Jaques looked at her strangely. "I'm born in London. It's the only place I want to be. My sister was born in the country, in France. She is now living in a very small village, she married a poor man. God knows if they survived at all. I saw them the last time two years ago! They had four children, then. Four! Even if they are still living they could never feed me, too. I'm not like you, Ryan. You can go to a place like this" he gestured around the room "and call a man who isn't better than any of us 'master'. I couldn't do that. I'm born as a free man and I won't give that up!"
With that he shouldered his bag took the precious torch lamp and went to the back door. Maureen didn't hinder him, his speech had stunned her. Never had she heard him talking so much at once. And it was highly unusual for a boy of his age and origin. It had been a speech she would rather have expected from a man like Geoffrey.
On the doorstep Jaques turned to face her and Maureen could see tears in the corner of his eyes. Maureen was dismayed, never had she seen Jaques cry.
He choked back his tears and managed a wry smile. "If you want to come with me…"
Without thinking Maureen made a step forward then stopped and looked behind her and up the stairs. Then she turned to him and slowly shook her head. His small smile faded and he shrugged then, closed the door leaving Maureen in the darkness and the smells of the empty kitchen.
She stood there frozen for some minutes then with a hanging head made her way back to her room. She knew that had been her last chance to leave Geoffrey before he left her but she hadn't managed. She had been too afraid, too loyal, too submissive.
Maureen spent the remaining hours until dawn with whirling thoughts and even some light sleep. All the time memories of situations with Geoffrey were dancing before her eyes, no matter if they were open or closed.
When she heard Elana getting up she sighed and heaved herself out of bed. She just ran a finger through her hair and slipped into her trousers without removing her night shirt (one of Geoffrey's big ones). Then she went downstairs to help Elana and explain to her why Jaques wasn't there, anymore. Elana took it without any comment. Maureen couldn't help but feel very uncomfortable that morning. Ela wasn't speaking to her at all but also she didn't want to go back upstairs where only the thoughts of the night were awaiting her.*
~Geoffrey found it hard to find any sleep. This was the last night Ryan was sleeping in his small chamber. Tomorrow he would have to bring him away. It was to Ryan's best but still Geoffrey could not help thinking his decision and the arguments over and over. He would love to keep him but he could hardly leave the house anymore. If he asked him to stay inside would Ryan do it? No Chaucer – that is selfish! And you know it!
Geoffrey sighed and closed his eyes just to see the boys' face even more clearly than he had before. Why did he behave like this? He desperately needed time to think. And bringing Ryan to Will would give him this time. And it would separate him from Elana… NO, that was not the reason! They were friends, nothing more! … Really? … Shut up! He felt like he never had before and these feelings needed a good thinking about. But now was not the time for that. … Why? Because tomorrow he would go on a whole day ride with Ryan on the same horse. And if he came to certain conclusion this night he would probably draw certain consequences tomorrow. Conclusions and consequences he did not want to confront Ryan with … not yet. It would spoil everything! Ryan would not accept it, he would see Geoff as abnormal, as somebody he did not want to have contact with. Geoffrey had to be sure until he told anybody anything. So he still could imagine they might be happily together some day.
~~~
Malchik Gay
Handsome
Tender
Soft
Why do you look right through me
thinking
"No"
I can't deny my feelings
Growing strong
I try to keep believing
dreaming on
And every time I see you
I crave more
I wanna pull you closer
closer
closer
closer
but you leave me feeling frozen
Malchik gay
Malchik gay
I can be
all you need
Won't you please
stay with me
Malchik gay
Malchik gay
Apologies, might-have-been's
Malchik gay
Malchik gay
can't erase what I feel
Malchik gay
Malchik gay
Choking
Back emotion
I try to keep on hoping
for a way;
a reason for us both to
come in
close
I long for you to hold me
like your girlfriend … does
and though my dream is
slowly fading
I wanna be the object
object
object
object
of your passion, but it's hopeless
~~~
Geoffrey could hear tapping footsteps on the floor. Imagination! He was just worn out and exhausted by the tiring thoughts running over and over in his mind without leading to a result or even a solution.
Then he heard hushed voices downstairs and sat upright. A dream? The voices faded as suddenly as they had begun. Was that a door-clapping? Quickly he left his bed and shortly peered into Ryan's bedroom – empty! Alarmed Geoffrey made his way downstairs to the kitchen where the voiced had seemed to come from. There Ryan was standing in the dark, only wearing his night shirt which once had been Geoff's. It was indeed a *stimulating* sight and suppressing a deep sigh Geoffrey forced himself to turn and go back into his room before something happened he could not control anymore. He listened intently into the dark until he heard quiet footsteps coming up the stairs and walking into Ryan's chamber. That calmed Geoffrey a bit and trying to force the sight of Ryan in his shirt out of his mind he focused on all the moments he had shared with the boy beginning with their first meeting in the rain. Tomorrow they would pass that certain tree…
Somehow Geoffrey finally must have fallen asleep for the quiet darkness was the last thing he could remember when he opened his eyes to find his room filled with early sunshine and chirping of birds. Without any passion he washed and dressed himself then went down to breakfast. James had already eaten as usual and was in the backyard preparing Troilus for the long ride. Elana was grumpy and very silent as was Ryan. He looked like he had had a bad night: his skin was even paler than usual and he did hardly ever look up during the whole breakfast. Almost casually Geoff noticed that Ryan was still wearing his night shirt over the trousers.
Jaques was nowhere. With a cheerful smile Bob explained he had not been there in the morning, so he probably run away over night. Gloomily he reported that "the little scum" had taken their torch lamp and food with him. Geoffrey remembered Ryan standing alone in the kitchen last night. Had he seen him before he went?
They had just finished their silent meal when James came in to inform them that Troilus was ready for the tour.
Geoffrey sighed inwardly. The moment of good-bye drew nearer and nearer. "Do you have all your things packed, Ryan?" he managed in a casual voice.~
*Maureen looked up. "No, not yet."
"Then go get them. And take another shirt, all right?" again that emotionless voice which confirmed Maureen in her sad conclusion he might just want to get rid of her.
Slowly she stood up and went upstairs, even more slowly she searched for her rare things in the chamber. Finally they were all stowed in the embroidened food bag she once had got from Geoffrey and kept like a treasure. Maureen looked around her trying to suck in the sight of the small yet cosy room. Who knew where she would be living soon? She took a deep breath of the lavender scent then removed the night shirt and took a normal day shirt. She was just pulling it over her head when she heard a knock on the door and Geoffrey calling "Are you ready?"
With a heavy heart she answered "Coming!" through the cloth of her shirt.*
~Geoffrey had become nervous. What took Ryan so long? Every delay was painfully stretching the time. Finally impatience had washed over him and he had rushed upstairs to remember Ryan that everybody was waiting. After he had knocked he could hear a muffled answer.
"Come in!"
He opened the door and entered – and froze to the spot. Ryan was not fully dressed yet. He was standing there in his trousers pulling on his shirt. Ryan gave a muffled cry and quickly pulled the shirt down revealing a deep red face while Geoff's face was burning itself.
"I'm sorry…understood 'Come in!'…"
Normally he would not have cared to see a boy's bare upper body but it was different with Ryan – very different! The spotless soft-looking skin, the slightly strained abdominal muscles, the way his trousers had hung on his hips, how the sunlight had played around the boy's figure… And there was another thing which had shocked him to see.
"Um, why is your chest bandaged?"
Suddenly the crimson in Ryan's face fled away leaving a sickly-looking paleness. Had that been the wrong question? But he certainly needed to know!
"Do you have…an injury I don't know about?"
He could see the boy pondering very fast. Different expressions washed over Ryan's face so quick he had no time to read them. Then he seemed to have come to a decision. He passed Geoffrey whose hanging arms did not try to detain him.
Ryan closed the door then turned and leaned against it. His eyes looked weary at Geoffrey.
"Can you keep a secret?"
~*~
I'm the goddess of cliffhangers! HA! Sorry for the lack of plot…
Well, *I* know what happens next, but what do *you* think?
Don't forget to review!
