{Title} Dangerous Devotion
{Author} Sweet Charisma
{Chapter} 3. Trying for You.
{Story Summary} Stanton wakes up, determined to help. Serena sees something she'd never thought she would see. Catty and Stanton getting along smoothly.
{Notes} R & R please. I'm always open to suggestions. =)
- - - - - - -
Later that afternoon, Vanessa, Catty, and Serena stood around the kitchen. They'd set Stanton on the bed in Vanessa's room and Catty suggested a well-deserved snack was in order. Perhaps something to set on the nightstand for when he awoke.
Catty was seated at the kitchen table, talking on the phone with Kyle. After telling him Serena needed her for the day, she murmured a couple of loving words to him and hung up the phone. "He said he understands." she said with a dreamy smile on her face.
Serena smiled at her friend. She was delighted for Catty. Finally finding someone she really liked and all. The two spend a sufficient amount of time together and it was heartwarming to see the look in her eyes.
Catty picked at a piece of fudge from a guest plate. Serena sat up on top of the counter watching Vanessa make popcorn from an old-fashioned machine. Amusement crossed the faces of both girls, sharing occasional giggles as the popped kernels fell from the chute and into the bowl.
"So, the guys understand." Vanessa turned to Serena with a wink. "See? Not any trouble at all."
Serena pushed herself off of the counter and sighed. She couldn't help but think how lucky she was to have such great friends. They'd do anything for her, suppress any doubts for her sake, and vice versa. "Thanks for helping me 'ness-" she said, then turned to face Catty. "-Cat." she finished with a sincere smile. She received the very same from the brunette facing her.
"What kind of friends would we be if we didn't?" Catty asked rhetorically.
Serena's thoughts were interrupted by an antagonizing yell. The three immediately drew their attention toward the kitchen doorway, then exchanged glances with each other. That definitely came from upstairs and belonged to Stanton. Catty shot up from her seat and rushed out of the kitchen and up the stairs, Vanessa and Serena following closely.
Serena sprinted past Catty and was the first to rush into Vanessa's room. Her eyes widened upon seeing the sight of her love, still seeming unconscious but he was flinching in his sleep. As if something was hurting him.
Serena gasped and knelt by his side, grabbing both of his hands and trying to sedate his pain. "Stanton!" she said, moving up to sit on the edge of the bed. "The gods…please be okay."
Stanton's eyes flinched, making it seem as if he were trying to wake. His hands slowly trailing towards Serena, clenching the material on her waist in her fists. "S…Serena?"
"Stanton?" she responded, voice very hopeful.
Catty appeared by her side, carrying a tray of cookies and milk, the glass having a straw protruding from the top of the glass.
Vanessa took a seat on the edge of her bed.
Stanton's eyes shot open and he abruptly sat up, his breathing increasing.
Serena's hands trailed slowly to his once more, her eyes offering comfort. He stared into her eyes and he shook his head. "What is happening?" he asked, voice demanding. "I couldn't open my eyes…the pain was so intense…"
"We're trying to find that out, Stanton…" she confessed, rubbing his forearms. Her mind was trying to feel what Stanton was possibly feeling.
"I…don't understand." Serena was about to speak but Stanton made it clear he wasn't finished. "Serena. I want to help. I want to remember."
Serena bit her lip and turned to Vanessa and Catty.
Catty took a step forward. "It might be too dangerous. We don't want them to find you."
There was a concern in Serena's voice that slightly startled her. Yet, nonetheless, it made her smile. Catty was finally fully accepting him?
"Who is them?" he demanded, voice slightly raised.
"The Atrox. The force you serve." Serena reminded him.
Catty squeezed herself in-between the headboard of Vanessa's bed and Serena. "The Atrox is a force against us. If you remember Serena, you remember what she is, correct?"
"Not why, but I do remember." he turned to Vanessa. "You're her. You're that other goddess." he accused with recognition. Vanessa nodded sagely. "And you say I was against you?" His gaze focused betwixt the three girls in front of him. They sat silent.
Serena held back tears. He was still the same person he always was, even though he didn't remember. It was incredible, yet a shame. She felt horrible at how clueless they all were. There wasn't even a sufficient place to start looking for clues. Stanton wouldn't remember what happened to him before he lost his memory so to ask would be pointless.
"But you all still want to help me?" Stanton's voice stopped her train of thought. She looked up, meeting his gaze directly eye-to-eye. "I don't understand. Couldn't you show me through your mind?"
Serena shook her head, a bit surprised he still remembered her ability. "I tried…" On the way to Vanessa's, Serena had attempted to do so. "Your mind is blocked. We don't know why." Stanton's muscles seemed to relax, his eyes softening. Serena brought her legs up onto the bed and climbed on his other side, laying next to him. She grabbed his hand.
Vanessa scooted closer, filling Serena's spot. "Serena cares about you a lot." She paused, drawing a breath. "She must have a pretty good reason so we do too."
He gazed to Serena, eyes affectionate, trying to grasp and understand this. Frustration showed clearly as well.
Serena's heart leapt with empathy. She resisted the urge to gather him in her arms and reassure him she felt the same way about this though it couldn't possibly be in the same way. She couldn't do so. He had to remain strong on his own. He had to be the one to maintain his character. And piece from the past might help jog his memory.
Catty nodded curtly. "We had our doubts, I admit, I did the most." she shrugged. "But, we promise to help you…" Catty seemed to trail off. What she was thinking about, Serena couldn't imagine. Catty was accepting him and committing to helping him? She was the last person she'd expected to be so heartfelt about this. She couldn't argue though.
A question popped into Serena's head. What if he got his memory back? Would he be against them a lot more than he already was? What if he never got his memory back, for that matter? Would he become their ally? What if Stanton did become their ally? She tried to picture it, but she couldn't. She couldn't picture him more against them either, but that didn't mean either couldn't happen.
Not giving him enough time to respond, Catty picked up the glass of milk and held the straw to his lips. "Here." she said. She clearly didn't want to think about whatever was running through her mind. "It's a good source of calcium for you."
Serena smiled, inwardly thanking Catty for suppressing her overall hate for what he was.
He nodded in thanks and sipped from the glass gradually. Vanessa picked up a cookie and handed it to him. "You loved these." she said, offering him a smile.
'Loved? Past tense?' Serena thought sadly.
Stanton playfully rolled his eyes and bit into the cookie, apparently savoring the chewy warmth. "I can see why." he said with a laugh in his voice.
Serena's lips tugged into a smile. She loved Vanessa. And Catty. What would she ever do without her friends? They were also her sisters in more ways than one.
Vanessa ran her hand roughly through her blonde curls. "Perhaps we should call Tianna?"
Catty shook her head. "Skateboarding 'conference'" she said, air quoting the last word. "For lack thereof a better term for skate-geek convention."
Serena shook her head and turned to Stanton. "Another goddess." she filled him in, refusing to explain the whole of Tianna's story.
Stanton nodded in understanding, folding his arms across his chest in a lighthearted manner.
Vanessa laughed heartedly. "Tianna's so spiffy ."
"Yeah," Catty began with sarcasm threatening her voice. "But she picked a pretty bad time to go somewhere for the entire day."
Vanessa seemed to be thinking. And off the subject.
"What 'ness?" Serena asked, curiously.
"Where should we start looking?" Vanessa responded, eyes suggesting they'd better start to work on the case.
"Why start now?" Catty asked, appalled by the idea. Her brows narrowed.
"Stanton? Did you have any dreams?" Vanessa asked, ignoring her best friend.
"No." he responded simply.
Serena quirked a brow. What was Vanessa trying to get at. "Why would that matter?"
"Well…Selene came to us in our dreams when-"
"You cannot possibly be suggesting this has anything to do with it."
"You never know, Serena."
Serena jerked back slightly. What if that had something to do with it? No. It couldn't. Stanton belonged to evil. Yet…all daughters had a dark side. Still, the idea was absurd. She forced her mind away from the ridiculous idea and towards more rational possibilities.
Catty held her head, finally picking it up and looking towards Stanton. "I say we wait." she blurted the words as if she'd been waiting to say them for the whole conversation.
"Catty…we need to solve this."
"We have nothing to start with besides 'Stanton receives headaches, then he faints and this happened a whole three hours ago'. Lets wait to see if we gain clues. Stanton's got to be very overwhelmed right now."
Vanessa looked as if she wasn't about to let them slack. "Catty…we don't know what might happen."
Catty considered it. She quickly shook her head. "We need time to think without forcing it on ourselves."
Stanton cleared his throat and Serena simply watched the two decide. Personally, she wanted to know what Stanton was thinking right now. What Stanton wanted. What Stanton needed. He spoke. "Actually…I'd have to agree with…Catty." he said, remembering now. Serena widened her eyes in pleasant surprise. Yes! They just agreed on something.
"Right!" Catty exclaimed enthusiastically, throwing a glance of thanks to Stanton. "Lets go watch a movie and give our minds a rest, okay Vanessa?" she glanced warmly to the blonde.
Vanessa huffed in defeat, crossing her arms stubbornly. "Okay, okay…"
"Yes!" Catty shouted, holding her hand out to Stanton. He met it in a high-five.
"Only." Vanessa stressed the first word. "-because Stanton wants to."
Serena laughed, slipping his arms around his waist and squeezing gently. He slid his arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead. Warmth filled her at the touch of his lips. It was a feeling he surely couldn't forget if he felt the same way of her as she did of him.
She saw Catty grin and Vanessa bite her lip, stifling the urge to say 'aw!'.
"A movie sounds good." Stanton said to the suggestion.
Catty stood promptly and her eyes lit up. "Great! Let's go set up and get the popcorn." with that, she turned and sprinted out of the room and down the stairs.
Vanessa stood. "You know, she's going to be the end of me." she said matter-of-factly.
Serena and Stanton slid up from opposite sides of the bed. Serena laughed, tugging her dress back down to it's normal length. "That's Catty."
"Yeah." Vanessa began playfully. "That's Catty." She said with mock-exasperation and left the room.
Serena was about to do the same when Stanton grabbed her arm gently. He turned her to face him. She tilted her head curiously as he slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. He lifted her chin with his index finger and kissed her. Just as passionately and sensuously as ever, they held each other.
Stanton withdrew and looked her in the eyes with seriousness. She was in awe. Questions ran through her mind. Did he just simply want to remember that? Or did he do that because he did remember? Her hands strayed up to his chest and rested there. She loved his chest. Her eyes slipped shut but opened upon feeling him tilt her head up, touch demanding she meet his eyes.
"I couldn't ever forget that Serena…" The back of his fingers stoked her cheek. She tilted her face into his touch. Oh God, how she loved his touch. "And I remember…you loved this."
Serena's eyes brimmed with tears, her hand straying up to cover his hand on her face. "You…remember."
"I couldn't forget something so close to my heart…" he said sincerely.
Serena's eyes dilated suddenly. Stanton seemed startled at her abrupt jump. That was it! Things that were close to him! His castle…Vanessa saving him…her. Stanton remembered things deep within his heart! Maybe that had something to do with this!
Happiness filled her eyes, giving her enough strength to suppress the tears of hurt for Stanton. She grabbed his hands and held them between their bodies. "That's what everything you remember has in common."
Stanton nodded. "I tried to tell you earlier. Before the whole fainting episode."
That was what he was going to say earlier. Could something have been trying to keep him from telling her? Did she have to figure it out?
It was slowly piecing together inside her head, but there was still a huge lack of information. She decided she wouldn't bring these thoughts up to Catty and Vanessa until later. She was right. They deserved a break. "Come on Stanton." she whispered, planting a kiss on his cheek. She started walking, tugging him with her. "Let's go watch the movie."
"Sounds like a plan." he said, voice emotionally weary.
They walked out together, Serena carrying a new sense of hope, a determination that now burned within her. Ease suddenly shot through her body. They were all going to be okay. Everybody would make sure of it. Even Stanton in such a state.
Ah, she wouldn't have her summer vacation start in any other way, as weird as that seemed.
{Author} Sweet Charisma
{Chapter} 3. Trying for You.
{Story Summary} Stanton wakes up, determined to help. Serena sees something she'd never thought she would see. Catty and Stanton getting along smoothly.
{Notes} R & R please. I'm always open to suggestions. =)
- - - - - - -
Later that afternoon, Vanessa, Catty, and Serena stood around the kitchen. They'd set Stanton on the bed in Vanessa's room and Catty suggested a well-deserved snack was in order. Perhaps something to set on the nightstand for when he awoke.
Catty was seated at the kitchen table, talking on the phone with Kyle. After telling him Serena needed her for the day, she murmured a couple of loving words to him and hung up the phone. "He said he understands." she said with a dreamy smile on her face.
Serena smiled at her friend. She was delighted for Catty. Finally finding someone she really liked and all. The two spend a sufficient amount of time together and it was heartwarming to see the look in her eyes.
Catty picked at a piece of fudge from a guest plate. Serena sat up on top of the counter watching Vanessa make popcorn from an old-fashioned machine. Amusement crossed the faces of both girls, sharing occasional giggles as the popped kernels fell from the chute and into the bowl.
"So, the guys understand." Vanessa turned to Serena with a wink. "See? Not any trouble at all."
Serena pushed herself off of the counter and sighed. She couldn't help but think how lucky she was to have such great friends. They'd do anything for her, suppress any doubts for her sake, and vice versa. "Thanks for helping me 'ness-" she said, then turned to face Catty. "-Cat." she finished with a sincere smile. She received the very same from the brunette facing her.
"What kind of friends would we be if we didn't?" Catty asked rhetorically.
Serena's thoughts were interrupted by an antagonizing yell. The three immediately drew their attention toward the kitchen doorway, then exchanged glances with each other. That definitely came from upstairs and belonged to Stanton. Catty shot up from her seat and rushed out of the kitchen and up the stairs, Vanessa and Serena following closely.
Serena sprinted past Catty and was the first to rush into Vanessa's room. Her eyes widened upon seeing the sight of her love, still seeming unconscious but he was flinching in his sleep. As if something was hurting him.
Serena gasped and knelt by his side, grabbing both of his hands and trying to sedate his pain. "Stanton!" she said, moving up to sit on the edge of the bed. "The gods…please be okay."
Stanton's eyes flinched, making it seem as if he were trying to wake. His hands slowly trailing towards Serena, clenching the material on her waist in her fists. "S…Serena?"
"Stanton?" she responded, voice very hopeful.
Catty appeared by her side, carrying a tray of cookies and milk, the glass having a straw protruding from the top of the glass.
Vanessa took a seat on the edge of her bed.
Stanton's eyes shot open and he abruptly sat up, his breathing increasing.
Serena's hands trailed slowly to his once more, her eyes offering comfort. He stared into her eyes and he shook his head. "What is happening?" he asked, voice demanding. "I couldn't open my eyes…the pain was so intense…"
"We're trying to find that out, Stanton…" she confessed, rubbing his forearms. Her mind was trying to feel what Stanton was possibly feeling.
"I…don't understand." Serena was about to speak but Stanton made it clear he wasn't finished. "Serena. I want to help. I want to remember."
Serena bit her lip and turned to Vanessa and Catty.
Catty took a step forward. "It might be too dangerous. We don't want them to find you."
There was a concern in Serena's voice that slightly startled her. Yet, nonetheless, it made her smile. Catty was finally fully accepting him?
"Who is them?" he demanded, voice slightly raised.
"The Atrox. The force you serve." Serena reminded him.
Catty squeezed herself in-between the headboard of Vanessa's bed and Serena. "The Atrox is a force against us. If you remember Serena, you remember what she is, correct?"
"Not why, but I do remember." he turned to Vanessa. "You're her. You're that other goddess." he accused with recognition. Vanessa nodded sagely. "And you say I was against you?" His gaze focused betwixt the three girls in front of him. They sat silent.
Serena held back tears. He was still the same person he always was, even though he didn't remember. It was incredible, yet a shame. She felt horrible at how clueless they all were. There wasn't even a sufficient place to start looking for clues. Stanton wouldn't remember what happened to him before he lost his memory so to ask would be pointless.
"But you all still want to help me?" Stanton's voice stopped her train of thought. She looked up, meeting his gaze directly eye-to-eye. "I don't understand. Couldn't you show me through your mind?"
Serena shook her head, a bit surprised he still remembered her ability. "I tried…" On the way to Vanessa's, Serena had attempted to do so. "Your mind is blocked. We don't know why." Stanton's muscles seemed to relax, his eyes softening. Serena brought her legs up onto the bed and climbed on his other side, laying next to him. She grabbed his hand.
Vanessa scooted closer, filling Serena's spot. "Serena cares about you a lot." She paused, drawing a breath. "She must have a pretty good reason so we do too."
He gazed to Serena, eyes affectionate, trying to grasp and understand this. Frustration showed clearly as well.
Serena's heart leapt with empathy. She resisted the urge to gather him in her arms and reassure him she felt the same way about this though it couldn't possibly be in the same way. She couldn't do so. He had to remain strong on his own. He had to be the one to maintain his character. And piece from the past might help jog his memory.
Catty nodded curtly. "We had our doubts, I admit, I did the most." she shrugged. "But, we promise to help you…" Catty seemed to trail off. What she was thinking about, Serena couldn't imagine. Catty was accepting him and committing to helping him? She was the last person she'd expected to be so heartfelt about this. She couldn't argue though.
A question popped into Serena's head. What if he got his memory back? Would he be against them a lot more than he already was? What if he never got his memory back, for that matter? Would he become their ally? What if Stanton did become their ally? She tried to picture it, but she couldn't. She couldn't picture him more against them either, but that didn't mean either couldn't happen.
Not giving him enough time to respond, Catty picked up the glass of milk and held the straw to his lips. "Here." she said. She clearly didn't want to think about whatever was running through her mind. "It's a good source of calcium for you."
Serena smiled, inwardly thanking Catty for suppressing her overall hate for what he was.
He nodded in thanks and sipped from the glass gradually. Vanessa picked up a cookie and handed it to him. "You loved these." she said, offering him a smile.
'Loved? Past tense?' Serena thought sadly.
Stanton playfully rolled his eyes and bit into the cookie, apparently savoring the chewy warmth. "I can see why." he said with a laugh in his voice.
Serena's lips tugged into a smile. She loved Vanessa. And Catty. What would she ever do without her friends? They were also her sisters in more ways than one.
Vanessa ran her hand roughly through her blonde curls. "Perhaps we should call Tianna?"
Catty shook her head. "Skateboarding 'conference'" she said, air quoting the last word. "For lack thereof a better term for skate-geek convention."
Serena shook her head and turned to Stanton. "Another goddess." she filled him in, refusing to explain the whole of Tianna's story.
Stanton nodded in understanding, folding his arms across his chest in a lighthearted manner.
Vanessa laughed heartedly. "Tianna's so spiffy ."
"Yeah," Catty began with sarcasm threatening her voice. "But she picked a pretty bad time to go somewhere for the entire day."
Vanessa seemed to be thinking. And off the subject.
"What 'ness?" Serena asked, curiously.
"Where should we start looking?" Vanessa responded, eyes suggesting they'd better start to work on the case.
"Why start now?" Catty asked, appalled by the idea. Her brows narrowed.
"Stanton? Did you have any dreams?" Vanessa asked, ignoring her best friend.
"No." he responded simply.
Serena quirked a brow. What was Vanessa trying to get at. "Why would that matter?"
"Well…Selene came to us in our dreams when-"
"You cannot possibly be suggesting this has anything to do with it."
"You never know, Serena."
Serena jerked back slightly. What if that had something to do with it? No. It couldn't. Stanton belonged to evil. Yet…all daughters had a dark side. Still, the idea was absurd. She forced her mind away from the ridiculous idea and towards more rational possibilities.
Catty held her head, finally picking it up and looking towards Stanton. "I say we wait." she blurted the words as if she'd been waiting to say them for the whole conversation.
"Catty…we need to solve this."
"We have nothing to start with besides 'Stanton receives headaches, then he faints and this happened a whole three hours ago'. Lets wait to see if we gain clues. Stanton's got to be very overwhelmed right now."
Vanessa looked as if she wasn't about to let them slack. "Catty…we don't know what might happen."
Catty considered it. She quickly shook her head. "We need time to think without forcing it on ourselves."
Stanton cleared his throat and Serena simply watched the two decide. Personally, she wanted to know what Stanton was thinking right now. What Stanton wanted. What Stanton needed. He spoke. "Actually…I'd have to agree with…Catty." he said, remembering now. Serena widened her eyes in pleasant surprise. Yes! They just agreed on something.
"Right!" Catty exclaimed enthusiastically, throwing a glance of thanks to Stanton. "Lets go watch a movie and give our minds a rest, okay Vanessa?" she glanced warmly to the blonde.
Vanessa huffed in defeat, crossing her arms stubbornly. "Okay, okay…"
"Yes!" Catty shouted, holding her hand out to Stanton. He met it in a high-five.
"Only." Vanessa stressed the first word. "-because Stanton wants to."
Serena laughed, slipping his arms around his waist and squeezing gently. He slid his arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead. Warmth filled her at the touch of his lips. It was a feeling he surely couldn't forget if he felt the same way of her as she did of him.
She saw Catty grin and Vanessa bite her lip, stifling the urge to say 'aw!'.
"A movie sounds good." Stanton said to the suggestion.
Catty stood promptly and her eyes lit up. "Great! Let's go set up and get the popcorn." with that, she turned and sprinted out of the room and down the stairs.
Vanessa stood. "You know, she's going to be the end of me." she said matter-of-factly.
Serena and Stanton slid up from opposite sides of the bed. Serena laughed, tugging her dress back down to it's normal length. "That's Catty."
"Yeah." Vanessa began playfully. "That's Catty." She said with mock-exasperation and left the room.
Serena was about to do the same when Stanton grabbed her arm gently. He turned her to face him. She tilted her head curiously as he slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. He lifted her chin with his index finger and kissed her. Just as passionately and sensuously as ever, they held each other.
Stanton withdrew and looked her in the eyes with seriousness. She was in awe. Questions ran through her mind. Did he just simply want to remember that? Or did he do that because he did remember? Her hands strayed up to his chest and rested there. She loved his chest. Her eyes slipped shut but opened upon feeling him tilt her head up, touch demanding she meet his eyes.
"I couldn't ever forget that Serena…" The back of his fingers stoked her cheek. She tilted her face into his touch. Oh God, how she loved his touch. "And I remember…you loved this."
Serena's eyes brimmed with tears, her hand straying up to cover his hand on her face. "You…remember."
"I couldn't forget something so close to my heart…" he said sincerely.
Serena's eyes dilated suddenly. Stanton seemed startled at her abrupt jump. That was it! Things that were close to him! His castle…Vanessa saving him…her. Stanton remembered things deep within his heart! Maybe that had something to do with this!
Happiness filled her eyes, giving her enough strength to suppress the tears of hurt for Stanton. She grabbed his hands and held them between their bodies. "That's what everything you remember has in common."
Stanton nodded. "I tried to tell you earlier. Before the whole fainting episode."
That was what he was going to say earlier. Could something have been trying to keep him from telling her? Did she have to figure it out?
It was slowly piecing together inside her head, but there was still a huge lack of information. She decided she wouldn't bring these thoughts up to Catty and Vanessa until later. She was right. They deserved a break. "Come on Stanton." she whispered, planting a kiss on his cheek. She started walking, tugging him with her. "Let's go watch the movie."
"Sounds like a plan." he said, voice emotionally weary.
They walked out together, Serena carrying a new sense of hope, a determination that now burned within her. Ease suddenly shot through her body. They were all going to be okay. Everybody would make sure of it. Even Stanton in such a state.
Ah, she wouldn't have her summer vacation start in any other way, as weird as that seemed.