Trip On Love

Summary: Sebastian takes action against Jackson forcing Kathryn to once and for all choose between them.

Chapter 11: What Fresh Hell Is This?

Soft, succulent flesh. I was surrounded by it, drowning in it really. It felt like velvet and silk running all over my body. Warm, soft silk. Tilting my head back I closed by eyes and allowed it to engulf me. I wanted to drown in it. Just disappear and evaporate until the point where everything was forgotten and I was numb. I was so close.

Then suddenly I was jolted back to reality. That feeling of soft feminine flesh was gone and in it's place was cool air. With a groan I allowed my head to roll to the side and slowly I opened my eyes to find...Tuttle?

"Ahhhhh!"

Nothing short of a gun to my face could have woken me up faster. I bolted upright in the bed to find my flaxen haired friend leaning against my night table seemingly unfazed by my girl like shriek. Taking a minute to catch my breath I looked around my bedroom at the five startled female faces. Ginger and her blond friend who's name escaped me was sitting on my desk, Sara was lounging on the arm chair in the corner with a cigarette and Gretchen and Molly were resting at the end of my bed half dressed, staring at me in confusion.

Blaine chuckled "didn't mean to startle you Valmont."

"Yeah right" I grumbled running a hand through my unruly blond curls. "What do you want Blaine?"

Strolling over to the end of the bed he shooed Gretchen off. "Girls will you give us a moment alone. I'm sure Mr. Valmont will make sure to compensate you later."

Climbing off the bed in an angry huff Molly smacked Blaine in the head and hissed "fuck you Tuttle! We're not hookers."

Reclining back on the bed he snickered "hookers, whores, same thing."

The girls began to get dressed, all in an equally angry huff. As they left they each took their turn slamming my bedroom door. I really couldn't care less if they were leaving or not but I was in no mood to deal with Blaine. Especially when he was wearing that smug grin of his. When the final girl had left I once again demanded from him "what the fuck do you want?"

Examining his nails he sighed "sorry to dismiss your little harem but I had a feeling you wanted to do this in private."

I reached for a cigarette on my bed side table and lit it. "Do what?"

Blaine looked up at me a glint of wickedness in his eyes. "Well I got a phone call from you mummy this morning. Apparently she's terribly worried about you. She says you've been hold up in your room for weeks, with various girls tramping in and out. Whenever you do leave your room you act like a complete nightmare. Screaming at the staff and your father. I told her it all sounded perfectly normal to me." He tilted his head in thought "I don't think she liked my little joke. In any event I'm here to help you get over your latest crisis. So what's bothering you Valmont?"

Sneering at him I got up of the bed and stormed over towards the bar. Pouring a scotch I shook my head angrily at the thought of my mother trying to find someone to call to 'deal' with me. Turning back around I found Blaine staring at me waiting for my explanation. "I'm fine" I spat.

"Obviously" he replied his voice dripping with sarcasm. "By the way what's with the new look? Is shaving out now?"

I ran a hand across my face and definitely found a hefty stubble. Normally I couldn't stand such a disheveled look but at the moment I just didn't give a fuck. "Look I've had it with the Addison DeWitt witticisms. Just fuck off"

Blaine didn't even bat an eye. Rolling over on his side he mused "this charming new attitude of yours, did you acquire it in London?"

At the mere mention of that trip I slammed my glass on the desk and snapped "don't."

Of course he didn't listen. "Somebody else just got back from there. Who was it...oh yes. That charming, coked up ex bitch of yours."

I froze at his words. "What?"

"You heard me" came his cool reply.

"Fuck you!" Grabbing my glass I threw it across the room in Blaine's direction. He easily ducked it and rolled off the bed. As he approached the bar I said "she doesn't do that shit anymore."

"Really? I could have sworn that was princess Merteuil in my townhouse the other night doing lines." Making himself a drink he mused "perhaps you don't know her as well as you thought."

Perhaps I didn't. Taking a seat behind my desk I told myself not to think or worry about Kathryn. After all she was Jackson's problem now. She chose that loser over me and therefore I was not obligated to care about her anymore.

It had been three weeks since Kathryn left me in London. The initial pain I felt after our fight had quickly gave way to a weird numb sensation. I packed up my things and went back home. For a little while I had been tempted to call Kathryn, apologize, ask for forgiveness but my pride quickly took over. No matter what I felt for the little bitch I wasn't going to resort to begging and pleading with her. If she wanted Jackson then let her have him. I didn't give a fuck.

That is until Blaine came over. Now my numbness was starting to leave and in it's place came all those emotions I had been trying so hard to ignore. Suddenly before I could stop the words from escaping I found myself asking "how is she?"

"I thought you didn't care?"

"Blaine..."

Striding over to the desk he reached into his blazer and pulled out a vanilla card. Tossing it towards me he suggested "why don't you find out for yourself?"

I hesitantly picked up the card and read. It was an invitation to Jackson's latest party on labor day. With a disinterested sneer I tossed it back. "I don't think so."

Blaine took a seat on the desk and then leaned closer to me. "Kathryn will be there" he told me in a sing song voice.

I turned away from him and stated coldly "not interested."

"Fine" he sighed. "If you don't want your lady love back I would at least think you'd want to seek some vengeance against Mr. Movie star."

"Why would you think that?"

"Oh come on Valmont" he drawled. "The man shows up in town and manages to get the one girl you could never have to fall madly in love with him while also making you out to be a complete fool."

"Hey, I did have her."

Blaine stared me down. "Do you have her now?" When I looked away he replied smugly "that's what I thought. Look don't tell me that paying that prick back hasn't crossed your mind."

Of course it had. If Jackson hadn't shown up and told all to Kathryn I would probably be in bed with her right now but thanks to him she hated me and I felt like shit. He had purposely come to London and he knew exactly what he had done that day when I passed him getting off the elevator. That smug, superior look on his face had been haunting me ever since. Still I hadn't made a move against him because I wanted to rid my hands of Kathryn. In order to do that I had to forget about Jackson too.

Looking over at Blaine out of the corner of my eye I asked "why are you so adamant about this? What's in it for you?"

"Entertainment" he laughed. "Watching you take down Jackson a few notches could prove to be very amusing."

Getting to my feet, feeling suddenly more alert and awake than I had in several weeks I began to think. "If, and I mean IF, I was going to make a move it would have to be on an emotional level. I would have to take something from him."

"Or someone" Blaine hinted.

My eyes met Blaine's and I laughed. Yes taking Kathryn from Jackson would be poetic justice. It wasn't like I wanted her back, no it would strictly be for revenge purposes but if she happened to run back to me when she realized what an asshole her boyfriend was I might not push her away just yet...

Leaning back on my desk he asked "so any ideas?"

As a matter of fact I did. Jackson was in for a much earned and truly poetic comeuppance.

* * * * * *

Helena Kovac was stunning. She was somewhere in the area of a little north of forty and yet she easily looked like she was in her early thirties. Long dark, silky straight hair framed around a perfectly structured face that looked far too good to be natural. Her body was a work of art. Legs that went on forever, perfectly toned abs and full, voluptuous breasts. To top it off she was completely tan thanks to the past few years she'd spent at her Miami beach house.

She was so beautiful I almost didn't blame Jackson for blowing off Kathryn to have a fling with her. Almost. In any event his little indiscretion was now my date for the party. A party that I was technically crashing seeing as the invite was for Blaine. It should make things all the more interesting.

As we stepped out of my car, Helena dressed in a sleek black off the shoulder dress and me in Armani I took her arm and led her to the door. "You know you never did tell me why you agreed to come tonight."

"No I didn't, did I?" she answered back, her voice husky and brimming with confidence. "Let's just say I enjoy a good party."

More like you enjoy fucking a movie star I thought cynically to myself. Actually I suspected her real reasons for getting involved in a high school love affair had more to do with making her feel young again than anything else. Still if that's how she got her kicks I wasn't about to judge her. Especially when it served my purposes so well.

When we entered the Maguire town house I was filled with a weird sensation of deja vu. It was only a few short months ago I was at this house attending a party. It seemed strange to think of everything that had happened since that time. It seemed like years ago not the beginning of the summer.

Walking through the party I grabbed a couple of glasses of champagne off of a passing waiters tray and handed one to Helena. Slowing her steps she leaned over and whispered in my ear "there's our boy."

I followed her eyes to across the room where sure enough Jackson was holding court. A group of guys and a few females were all laughing at something he had said. Seeing as Jack had never uttered anything witty in his life I assumed they were all just a bunch of star struck fans. Shaking my head in disgust I grumbled to my date "how can you even stomach him?"

"Sebastian you'd be amaze what a girl could put up with if the pay off is right."

I was about to question what she meant by that when I noticed Kathryn standing a few feat away from Jackson. Unlike his groupies however she wasn't paying the slightest bit of attention to him. Instead she was staring into space as she drank a glass of wine with a look of complete boredom and lifelessness. Suddenly my whole being was filled with this ache as I watched her looking so sad. Then just as quickly it was replaced with anger. Anger for making me care so much about her.

"Is that your girl?" Helena asked me.

Tarring my eyes from Kathryn I looked back at her and stated coldly "she's not my girl."

Helena smirked "she might be by the end of the night."

I decided I wouldn't even let that possibility enter my head. Especially when I saw Jackson approach Kathryn and the blinding smile that suddenly appeared on her face when he did. Scowling I asked Helena "you know what to do right?"

"Of course" she sighed.

"Then get to it."

Drifting into the crowd I watched as Helena strode past the happy couple and noticed when Jackson took note of her. After checking her out a moment longer than necessary, a move that seemed to go unnoticed by Kathryn, he whispered something in his girlfriends ear and then followed after the older women.

I waited a little while before approaching her. After flirting with some girls and making small talk with a few of Jackson's asshole friends I saw Kathryn heading over to the bar. As she ordered a drink I came up from behind her and waited until the bartender handed her a fresh martini. Just as he was putting it in her hands I grabbed it away and took a sip. Immediately Kathryn whipped around undoubtedly ready to tare into whomever was stupid enough to take something of hers. However when she saw it was me her anger turned to disbelief. "Sebastian?"

Leaning against the bar I casually sipped the ice cold martini and smirked back at her. "Oh come on Kathryn. Surely you can manage a more original greeting than that."

Apparently she could. Her eyes narrowed in anger and she quickly blind sided me with a sharp slap to the face then stormed away. I stumbled back a little and some of my drink spilled but I recovered quickly. The bartender who had witnessed the whole scene seemed to be trying not to grin. With one final gulp I finished the drink, set it back on the bar and then followed after Kathryn. Grabbing her by the arm I pulled her back to me. "Not so fast."

"Let go" she hissed through clenched teeth. She tried to yank free of me but I held on tight. "I mean it Valmont if you don't get away from me and leave right now I'll-

"You'll what?" Stepping even closer I whispered in her ear "calm down, you wouldn't want to make a scene. Especially with the press watching."

Kathryn suddenly went still. I looked down to find her glaring up at me with utter contempt. "I'm going to find Jackson and he'll have you thrown out."

I let her go and took a step back. Smiling calmly I replied "that's a good idea. Why don't you go do that."

She started to leave but then stopped. After studying me suspiciously for a moment she demanded "what are you up to?"

I knew it wouldn't be that easy. If there was one thing Kathryn and I had in common it was our rampant paranoia. Still I didn't let it faze me. As I walked past her in the direction of the verandah, I called out over my shoulder "don't worry I'll be leaving shortly."

"No you're leaving now" she ordered following after me.

Kathryn grabbed my arm and started to tug me in the other direction. "Careful" I teased. "You know what happened last time Jackson found you with your hands all over me." She let go of me suddenly and then started looking around obviously trying to make sure her boyfriend hadn't seen us. "Don't worry he's not in here."

"It won't work" she told me confidently. "Whatever twisted little plan you have cooked up to break me and Jackson up it won't work. Face it Valmont you lost. I don't want you, I want him." Pressing her finger to her lip she pretending to ponder then added "come to think of it I don't think I ever wanted you. You were just a pathetic replacement for Jack. A bad knock off of the real thing."

"Do you think I'm here because of you?" I sneered suddenly filled with anger and pride. "I could care less if you want to degrade yourself by being Jackson's whore of the month. If I really wanted you I would have followed you out of the hotel room in London, but did I? No"

Kathryn took a step away from me as if being stung. I felt only a slight bit of pride at hurting her but nothing more. Her lower lip trembled and her hands balled into fists but she didn't say anything. She just turned and walked away. I was suddenly overcome with the need to just leave like she asked and not follow out with the original plan. Kathryn was hurting now but she was about to be in even more pain. Then again everything was already set in motion.

"You wanted the truth?" I called after her as she started away. When she stopped at the sound of my voice I moved closer and told her "I'll tell you the whole truth. Go out on the balcony."

Kathryn turned around and gave me a skeptical look. I wasn't sure if she was going to do as I asked but in the end her curiosity far out weighted her anger. Without a word she went to the double doors that led out side and opened them. I followed her as she stepped out into the cool summer air.

It appeared empty at first. Kathryn looked back at me and crossed her arms to her chest. "And what truth am I suppose to discover out..."

She trailed off when she looked to her right and saw the couple in the shadows. I watched as the color seemed to drain from her face and a look of disbelief crossed over her features. Slowly I stepped out onto the veranda and saw what it was that left her reeling. Sure enough there was Ms. Kovac with her dress around her waist and Jackson between her legs going down on her. They didn't even seem to notice at first that they had an audience. It wasn't until Kathryn took a step back and accidentally hit a piece of wrought iron furniture that scrapped against the cement below that they became aware.

"Hey, do you fucking mind" Jackson groaned not bothering to turn around to see who it was.

"Actually I think we do" I told him.

He turned around obviously ready to go off on whomever it was. However as soon as he saw Kathryn his face fell. "K-Kathryn" he stuttered quickly getting to his feet and approaching her. "Baby it's not what you-"

Kathryn held up her hand to silence him but didn't say anything. "Then what exactly is going on?" I asked not bothering to hide my smugness. "Did you trip and accidentally fall between her legs?"

Jackson shot me a dirty look and sneered "fuck off Valmont this has nothing to do with you."

"Actually it does seeing as Helena is my date for the evening."

Kathryn didn't react but Jackson did. Forgetting about his girlfriend for a moment who instead of resorting to her usual bitchy hysterics, looked nearly catatonic, he got in my face. "You did this didn't you? You set me up!"

"Yes Jackson I tricked you into getting on your knees and eating another women's pussy with your girlfriend only ten feet away." Shaking my head I snarled "all I did was set up the bait. The same as I did on Kathryn's birthday."

"I knew it!" he exclaimed. "You made sure I'd walk in on you and Kathryn that night."

"Yeah but that wasn't the only thing I arranged that night."

Jackson looked back at me and a realization passed over his face as he seemed to guess what I was about to reveal. Kathryn glanced my way and finally spoke. "What are you talking about?"

My eyes met Helena's and then Jackson's. "I made sure Jackson would be gone that night by presenting him with an offer he couldn't refuse. A chance to spend the night in Helena's bed." I waited a beat before adding "again."

Kathryn's eyes went seemed to glaze over as she took another step away from her boyfriend. "You son of a bitch" she breathed.

"Kathryn he's fucking lying, can't you see that? I would never-"

"On the night of my parents party" I interrupted. "Only an hour after he pledged his supposed love for you to me, your boyfriend was off fucking another women. Then on your birthday he lied to you about plans he had with his father. In actuality it was at the Waldorf fucking her. He stood in my living room Kathryn and told me if he couldn't get any from you, he'd get it from her. Then when you went and did the same he broke up with you. That's the whole truth."

"You fucking prick!" Jackson sneered at me. Turning back to Kathryn he pleaded "it's a lie Kathryn. I swear to god he's just fucking with your head!"

Helena let out a sigh as she straightened out her dress. "Actually it's the truth. I have it on video if you'd like a verification."

"Don't listen to her Kathryn" Jack ordered. "She's working with Valmont. Can't you see he's setting us up. He blames me for what happened in London so this is his pathetic attempt at revenge."

When she looked my way I simply shrugged. "I'm just telling her the truth. Isn't that what you wanted?"

Kathryn shook her head and whispered "fuck you both."

As she stormed off the veranda and went back into the party Jackson called after her "Kathryn! Kathryn wait!"

"Well I guess that's my cue to leave." Helena gathered up her wrap and told me "don't worry I'll find my own way back to the hotel."

"Good night"

She tossed a smile in Jack's direction before leaving us alone. When the door closed behind her I too decided it was time to go. "Well as much fun as this has been..."

When I got to the door Jackson grabbed me by the arm and let out a short humorless chuckle. "Oh we're not done yet. Not by a long shot." Before I could protest his right hand came up and he punched me in the face. I stumbled back into one of the tables and quickly tried to get my bearings. "Do you have any idea how long I've waited to do that?" he exclaimed almost joyously.

Wiping the blood from my nose I got to my feet and started after him. "Not as long as I've waited to do this." I punched him back just as hard and he tumbled to the ground. Before he had a chance to get back on his feet I got down on the ground and continued to pound on him. I got in a few good punches before he hit me back.

I rolled over onto the cement and Jackson sat up. "How many years has it been Valmont that we've known each other? You chasing after my left overs like some pathetic little puppy dog."

Groaning as I clutched my stomach and replied "I think you got that the other way around."

Jackson stumbled to his feet and then approached me. I too started to get up when he kicked me hard in the gut. As I coughed and sputtered he laughed. "God look at you, fucking pussy. I never could stand you." Leaning down he whispered "I'll tell you a secret. The only reason I ever went after her was because I knew you wanted her. Hell it's the only reason I'm still with her and I'll continue to stay with her. Just that knowledge that every time you see me with her, it will kill you to know that she loves me and not you."

Rolling onto my back I snickered "not after tonight. Kathryn will never have anything to do with you now."

I felt like I was going to be sick when I heard that asshole's triumphant laugh again. "Is that what you think loser? The truth is what you did tonight, it won't even make a dent. Kathryn will come back to me, she always does. You think you know your beloved Kathryn but the truth is you don't have a clue who she really is." Grabbing me by the hair he forced me to look up as he added with a smug grin "I do."

Letting go of me Jackson straightened himself out and then headed to the door. "I guess I should go make nice with the little women. See you around buddy."

I continued to lay on the cold pavement as I heard the heavy door open and close. For the longest time I just laid there, my face and gut throbbing in pain as Jackson's words echoed in my head. At the moment I didn't care so much about my revenge or even Jackson really. I kept thinking about Kathryn wondering if I did truly know her. The girl from a few months ago, the girl who stood on this very balcony trading barbs with me would never take that loser back. That was the girl I was in love with.

Pulling myself up to a sitting position I decided then and there if Kathryn did in fact dump Jackson I would do everything in my power to get her back. Fuck my pride. But if for some ungodly reason she truly couldn't see him for the asshole he was then I didn't want to have anything to do with her. Let her be Jackson's appendage for the rest of her life. I didn't care.

Slowly I got to my feet and after a cigarette and unsuccessfully trying to clean off my face I headed back into the party. I got a few curious glances from guests but I didn't pay any attention. I focused instead of looking for Kathryn. As I crossed the room towards the back staircase I had no luck. Then out of the corner of my eye I noticed her behind a semi closed door in Jackson's study. She was leaning against his desk with her arms folded to her chest looking anything but pleased. I smiled and then started for her but suddenly I stopped. Jackson came up beside her and began to caress her arms.

I couldn't watch. I knew what was coming next and I refused to see it played out and I refused to intervene. Nodding my head in understanding I turned and went for the door. The hands of fate had spoken.

* * * * * *

Fucking Blaine.

Following the party I was so pissed about the way things went down I needed someone to blame. Naturally Tuttle came to mind seeing as he was the one who was pushing the revenge idea so much. So ignoring the pain in my face and possibly fractured ribs I drove out to his place right out side the city only to find he wasn't home. I flirted with the idea of hanging around, waiting till he got home and then beating the shit out of him but frankly I was just too tired to even try.

Instead I found myself driving back home to my empty townhouse. As usual the parentals were nowhere to be found but for once I was glad of that fact. Having to deal with my fathers nagging questions and my mothers concern about my pummeled face was the last thing I needed.

After going to the kitchen for an ice pack I somberly headed up to my room to crash. However when I opened the door and saw the figure sitting on my bed I suddenly stopped. "What fresh hell is this?"

Kathryn sat poised on my bed as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "Jesus, you look like shit."

"Thank you" I replied sarcastically as I closed the door and approached the bed. "Complements of your boyfriend."

She nodded "you probably did have it coming."

"Kathryn there aren't enough words in the English language to express how much I am not in the mood for this right now." Groaning I got onto the bed and collapsed beside her. "Just tell me what you want and get out."

She looked down at me, her face expressionless for a moment. Then suddenly she moved towards me and I was afraid she was going to hit me again. However she surprised me when she took the ice pack from my hand and gently placed it on my face. "Why didn't you ever tell me about Jackson and that Kovac bitch?"

Somewhat confused by this sudden about face I stammered "I-I thought it didn't matter. You guys were broken up. I didn't want to hurt you" I added in a softer voice.

Kathryn snickered "well apparently that sentiment went right out the fucking window."

Scowling at her I grabbed the ice pack back and said "leave me alone. I'm sure you're boyfriend is wondering where you are."

"I don't have a boyfriend" she replied evenly. When I glanced over at her in obvious surprise she asked "did you really think I would stay with him after what happened tonight?"

Actually yeah. After what I saw a few hours earlier I was sure of it. But then again as I got to thinking about it, it occurred to me that I never did actually witness her taking him back. "I saw you talking to him"

Kathryn looked away and explained "yeah he cornered me in there. Gave me a nice speech about how much he loved me and how she meant nothing. He wanted to start over from scratch. I told him to go to hell and then I kicked him in the balls."

I smirked at that imagery. Now that was the Kathryn I knew and love and yet I wasn't quite willing to believe. "So you came to cry on his replacements shoulder."

"Did you have a brain tumor for breakfast this morning?" she demanded icily. "If you reminded me anything of Jackson do you think I would want to be anywhere near you now? You're not Jackson's replacement-"

"Then why did you say-"

"Why do you think? God Valmont you just show up after three weeks. You let me leave London and you never called, not even once."

"I'm nothing but a shallow playboy, remember?" I threw her words back in her face bitterly.

"You lied and manipulated me, remember?"

Looking up at the ceiling I shook my head and spat "I guess we're just fucked then."

Kathryn sighed and started to get up. Before I knew what I was doing I reached out and grabbed her hand. She looked back at me and our eyes locked. Without a word an understanding seemed to be reached between the two of us. She would forgive my fuck ups and I would forgive hers.

Sitting back on the bed Kathryn curled up beside me. Reaching for the ice pack she placed it gently on my face. We laid like that for a few minutes enjoying the comfortable silence. Having her so close and feeling so intimate, I suddenly couldn't feel the pain in my face anymore.

"So" she sighed resting her head on my shoulder "are you still going to marry me?"

I couldn't help but smile at the ridiculous question. Wrapping my free arm around her I pulled her to me and laughed. "I hate you."

Kathryn nuzzled her face against my neck and giggled. "I hate you right back luv."

That moment, just laying in bed next to the only girl who ever meant anything to me, might have been one of the happiest moments of my life. Everything made sense and it seemed we have our entire future ahead of us.

And for awhile we were happy. We were everything we'd sworn long ago we wouldn't become. Two love stuck teenagers with their heads in the clouds. It seemed like nothing was going to stand in our way. Certainly not Jackson who would leave town a few weeks after that night. Everything was perfect. It was like a dream.

But like all dreams however it would soon come to it's inevitable end. After all nothing lasts forever. Especially happiness.

- to be continued (Please Review)