A/N: Without a doubt, folks, my favorite chapter. From title to content, I love this chapter. And I had a great deal of fun writing it.
Again, if you liked Chapter Sixteen, you'll love this one. It is solely for fun. So sit back, read, and, as always....,
Enjoy.
Disclaimer: As I sit here before my computer, I am prevailed upon to mention that, although this story is original, as are the majority of the characters in it, the setting is not. This is solely the property of JK 'I missed the day in writers class where they learned to write character emotions' Rowling and her 'We don't care, as long as she keeps raking it in for us' publishers.
Chapter Seventeen: Late For What?
Orion found himself pacing the front foyer of his home, glancing at his watch every few seconds. The play was starting in just a little over thirty minutes and Katlin was suppose to meet him at the house forty-five minutes before the play started.
But then, it wasn't like he didn't have other things to occupy his mind while he waited.
The three Aurors had been reported missing the next day when they didn't show up at the ministry. Nothing at their homes had been touched. No one had seen them leave work or their homes.
Investigation had led the Ministry to the spot where the men had died simply because Orion had left enough evidence to allow it. He had wanted the men's fate known. Whispers had gone through the Ministry of what the men had done to the young girl. Knowing their end might discourage others who might get the idea such acts were tolerated.
Eventually the whole thing would be written off to a random Deatheater attack. Which was, in fact, true. And so that matter would take care of itself in the end.
Other events did not prove so easily solved.
He was doing his best to put the events of the party out of his mind for the night. Not so much what Katlin had done, but what her actions had yielded. For several days he had mulled over the envelope, unsure of how to interpret it. Or perhaps wanting to ignore the obvious.
No. There had to be an explanation. Something simple. Something he just wasn't seeing.
Lawrence surely realized the envelope was missing by now, so Orion had done everything he could to put it out of his mind in case Olivers might one day suddenly show up at the Department and question him about it. Orion hadn't even told Charly about it's discovery. Just one more lie he had added to the growing list between them.
Orion continued to pace. In most relationships, being late usually was attributed to choosing what to wear, loosing track of time, or the car not starting. With him and Katlin, it could be anything from a Deatheater last-minute meeting to all out war. And as that Katlin was not known for being late, especially to a play she had been so excited he had managed to get tickets to, he was starting to get extremely worry as five more minutes past.
Just as he was about to call her, an alarm sounded, signaling someone apparating into the house. Most would have been stopped by the spells he had placed around the estate. Only a select few were able to apparate into the house itself. One being the person he was waiting for.
"Your late." He stated, the statement coming out sounding a bit curter than he intended for it to as she appeared in the foyer.
Katlin was taken aback slightly, her surprise showing briefly on her face before she expertly masked it behind her usual calm exterior. But she still had a slight stammer in her voice as she asked, "Late?"
"The play starts in just under a half hour." Orion replied, noting her confused look.
"Oh. The play. Of course. I'm sorry." She quickly replied. "I got a little....preoccupied." She looked up at him. "Forgive me?" She asked with a small smile.
Orion immediately melted under that smile. "Of course." He replied in a softer tone as he kissed her lightly. "But we have to hurry or we'll miss the start of the play."
Katlin followed Orion out to the garage and soon they were on their way into town.
Through most of the trip Orion had tried several times to start conversations with Katlin, but she didn't seem to be having any of it that night. Whatever she had been so preoccupied with earlier was apparently still on her mind. So finally he gave up and the trip finished in silence.
Due to several charms Orion had placed on the small roadster, they managed to arrive not only on time, but with a good five minutes to find their seats and get settled. Of course, finding their seats was no problems as that Orion had reserved an entire box just for them, which an usher quickly showed them to.
Sitting in the corner of the box was a chilling bottle of wine, which Orion quickly opened and poured a glass out of, which he offered to Katlin.
"Oh, no thank you, Love." Katlin replied, shaking her head at the offered glass. "Not tonight."
Orion gave her a concerned stare. "You're sure?" He asked. "It's from that little country winery you said you liked so much."
Katlin gave him an appreciative smile. "You did that for me?" She leaned over and kissed him. "That was sweet, Orion. But really, I just don't feel like anything tonight. All right?"
"Of course, Katlin." Orion lovingly brushed a stray strand of her auburn hair away from her face. "You're sure you're all right?"
Katlin turned suddenly to him. "I'm fine!" She stated abruptly. "Why....why do you ask?"
"Because you just don't seem yourself is all. You were unusually quiet tonight on the drive here. And I've never known you to pass up a good glass of wine."
Katlin shook her head again as she took her seat. "I'm just a little tired, Orion. I haven't been feeling well today. That's all."
"You're sick?" Orion asked with concern as he came over and wrapped his hands over her shoulders. "Would you rather just go home?"
Katlin shook her head again. "No. I've waited to see this play for a long time. Now, please, Orion. Just come and sit down and watch the play."
Orion stepped around the large settee and seated himself next to her, immediately wrapping his arm over her shoulders.
"You're sure?" He asked. "You wouldn't rather go home?"
"I will if you don't shut up!" She hissed at him as the curtains of the stage began to part. "Now hush. The play's starting."
Throughout the rest of the evening Orion didn't hear so much as a word from Katlin. Halfway through the evening though he felt her shift against him and lay her head on his shoulder. Turning to her with a small smile, Orion suddenly noticed that she had settled against him with closed eyes and seemed to be fast asleep. He thought for a brief moment to wake her up, but then shook it off and went back to watching the play, moving as little as possible so as not to disturb her.
When the play ended, Katlin was startled back awake by the audience's thunderous applause. Pulling up, she politely applauded with the rest of the crowd, then got to her feet and retrieved her wrap.
"So, did you enjoy the play?" Orion asked with a small smile.
"It was very nice. I appreciate you getting us the tickets." She answered in an almost formal manner.
"Really? Because my shoulder is practically numb from your leaning against it."
Katlin looked perplexed. "What?"
"Love, you slept through most of the play. From the looks of you, I'd say from scene three on you were sound asleep."
"Orion!" She stated indignantly. "You should have woken me up! I wanted to see that play."
"But you looked so cute laying there on my shoulder." He replied, kissing her head. "Hardly the fierce Deatheater Elite. You just looked.....cute."
Katlin shook her head. "I'm sorry." She said as they left the box. "I told you I hadn't been feeling well. I guess it just caught up with me."
Orion wrapped an arm about her shoulder and led her down the stairs. "Well, come on. Let's get you home. And you're staying at the house tonight. I want to make sure you're all right."
Katlin smiled as she leaned against his side. "Yes, sir." She replied sleepily.
Back at the estate, Orion no sooner put Katlin to bed than she was sound asleep again. Even when he came to bed himself, she didn't so much as stir. Gently he placed a hand over her forehead. But satisfied she did have a fever, he finally pulled down under the covers and pulled up against her body, sighing contentedly as he wrapped his arm about the soft satin of her nightgown.
Ever since they had started sleeping together in this bed, Orion had suddenly found himself actually starting to resent the Deatheaters in a new way. Every night that she couldn't be next to him due to meetings, complications, or aroused suspicions, he found himself missing her more than he thought possible. The bed seemed impossibly big when she wasn't there with him. And more lonely than he could stand. A hundred times a night he would reach out for her only to grab her pillow instead. And a hundred times he would wish it was her.
More and more he found himself giving into his other habits as well to get him through the long, lonely hours when she wasn't there. Mostly either wandering the seemingly endless halls of the silent house, or finding a nice comfortable sofa downstairs. And an even more comfortable bottle of scotch.
But for tonight she was there, and Orion smiled happily to himself as he allowed the thought to lull him off into a peaceful sleep.
Katlin woke up to something that she couldn't quite place, but which she was sure she didn't like. Although that reason too eluded her for the moment. She sniffed the air, then wrinkled up her nose.
Ah! That was it.
Food.
And she wasn't in the mood for food. Whatever virus she was battling, it had put her off of the stuff for several days in a row. And now it was assaulting her senses as though it was determined to make up for all the times in the past week she had turned her nose up at it.
"Ah, good. We're awake finally." Orion stated as he came in the door to the bedroom carrying a large tray. "And just in time." He promptly deposited the tray at the foot of the bed on his side as he sat down near the headboard. "I thought we could......"
"Take it away."
"What?" Orion looked first stunned, then crestfallen.
"Take - it - away." Katlin spelled it out a little clearer for him.
"But Katlin....."
"Orion! Now!" She stated firmly.
"But...."
Katlin didn't bother to hear the rest. She suddenly bolted from the bed, straight into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her.
Orion sat on the edge of the bed listening to the unpleasantness currently going on in his bathroom.
"Well, maybe its not the best," he stated to himself as he looked over the tray, "but I think that was a bit uncalled for."
Getting up, Orion treaded carefully over to the bathroom door and tapped lightly on it.
"Sweetheart?"
The answer he got was far from encouraging.
Shaking his head, he went back to the bed to wait.
Several long minutes later Katlin staggered back out of the bathroom and headed back over to the bed where Orion was laying against the headboard, reading the morning paper.
He looked over at her as she laid back down and pulled the covers over her.
"Katlin?" He asked.
Katlin rolled over slowly, only to find a piece of less then crisp bacon waving in her face.
"Feel like some bacon?"
Several minutes and a few dodged spells and punches later, Orion conceded that, for a sick woman, Katlin still had a remarkable amount of stamina.
Picking himself up off the floor amid the remains of his tray arrangement, he cautiously made his way back over to where she lay back under the covers again.
"Better now?" He asked, careful to keep himself out of arms reach.
Katlin moaned from under the covers and pulled them closer around her.
"You want me to call you in sick at the office today, Sweetheart? Tell Voldemort you don't feel up to killing anyone today? Although I have my personal doubts about that one."
Katlin sighed quietly and shook her head. "I have to go." She said in a tired, very ill sounding voice. "There's a meeting today. And I have to be there."
Orion cast a quick spell to clean the covers and carefully settled down on the sheets next to her, wrapping an arm over her's as he hugged her to him.
"Love," He said softly, "you're sick. Stay here today. I'll have someone around to have a look at you, all right?"
Katlin suddenly roused herself out of his hold and slid to the edge of the bed.
"No!" She stated firmly. But she quickly quieted back down past a distressed look as she wrapped an arm around her waist. "No doctors, please. I hate doctors."
"Katlin, you're obviously ill." Orion replied, now genuinely concerned. "Just let me call a doctor and you have a nice lie in. All right?"
But Katlin was already on her feet. "I'll be fine." She answered, starting to get dressed. "It's just a little bug or something, Orion. Honestly! I'm not a child. I can take care of myself."
"At least let me see you home?"
"No! Now, really, I'll be fine. I promise." She leaned down and kissed him on the cheek. "I'll see you later."
"Tonight?"
"'Later', Orion."
"'Tonight' is later."
Katlin merely gave him a short wave as she hurried out the door.
Nine disappointing days went past before Orion heard from Katlin again. Such long separations weren't really that unusual due to their circumstances. But Orion had hoped she would have at least let him know that she was all right.
When she did finally show up the night of the ninth day, it was to a very exuberant Orion, who grabbed her about the waist and spun her around, proclaiming loudly how happy he was to see her again.
But Katlin looked less than happy with the display and told Orion in no uncertain terms to put her down.
Setting her down carefully, Orion gave her a concerned stare.
"You're not still sick, are you?" He asked worriedly. "It's not anything serious?"
Katlin turned to face him in the hallway. "Orion, we need to talk."
Orion's features shifted to their usual somber expression. It was his best defense when he found himself in a situation such as this one. Unfamiliar and out of his control. And no good ever came to him from a meeting that started with those words.
"All right." He replied. "About what?"
Katlin stood for an unbearably long time just staring at him. But finally she took a deep breath. "Orion, I'm late." She stated bluntly.
Orion stood for a moment digesting the statement. But then he smiled slightly in a mildly confused manner. "Love, I wasn't expecting you tonight. How can you be late?"
Katlin paused, then shook her head. "No. Orion. Listen to what I'm telling you." She stated slowly. "I'm. Late."
"For what?"
Katlin raised her eyebrows in exacerbation at him as she grabbed his arms and set a hard stare on him. "Orion! Listen to me!" She stated a bit louder. "What sort of 'late' does a woman tell a man about?"
Orion thought for a minute.
All he could contribute his missing it the first time to was his brain purposefully switching off any connection he tried to make to what she was saying. Since when he thought it through carefully, it came in quite clear.
Crystal, as a matter of fact.
For a moment Orion simply stood with his mouth open. But eventually speech returned.
"L...late?" He stammered. "Late as in....late? Like.....pregnant 'late'?"
Katlin sighed, then nodded.
"Y......you're sure?"
"Fairly." She replied in an almost matter-of-fact tone. "Look, it's not really anything for you to worry about. I just thought I'd let you know. I mean, since you were so worried about my being sick the other day. Well, this is the apparent reason. A little touch of morning sickness."
Orion still stood staring at her. "Pregnant?"
Katlin nodded again, reaching into her purse as she absently rummaged about for something. "Well, I just thought I'd let you know so you wouldn't worry. It should be fairly simple....."
But Katlin never got to finish her statement. Suddenly she found herself grabbed up and again spun about as Orion danced with her in his arms about the foyer.
"Pregnant!" He cried happily. "Pregnant! Pregnant! Pregnant! You're pregnant! I can't believe it!!! Pregnant!"
"Orion!" Katlin nearly screamed. "Down! Now!"
Orion suddenly stopped and carefully set her back on the floor.
"Oh! Right." He stated, gently laying a hand on her abdomen. "Can't be too careful. Don't want you hurt. Or the baby."
Katlin was now the one standing looking confused.
"I don't understand." She said slowly, giving him a wary look. "You.....you're happy about this?"
"Happy?" Orion stated with a wide smile. "Happy? Oh, no, Love. Happy isn't even close. 'Happy' is a sad description for how I feel." He grabbed her again, although this time a good deal more carefully, and keeping her on the ground. He quickly drew her into a passionate kiss, releasing her a long time later as he brushed her hair back. "Oh, no, my Love. I'm not 'happy'. But give me some time and I think I can come down to 'delirious' eventually."
A small smile crept over Katlin's face. "You want to have this baby?" She asked.
"Me personally?" He said with a wide grin. "Hardly. Understand it hurts a lot. But Merlin's Beard! Nothing in this world could make me happier than........" A sudden look of wonder crossed his face. "Oh, by the stars!" He stated slowly. "I'm going to be a father!" Katlin found herself grabbed again and once more lifted off the floor. "A father!" Orion cried out happily. "I'm going to be a father!"
"Orion!" Katlin stated again. "Put me down!"
Again Orion set her down quickly and carefully. "Oh. Right. Forgot." He looked at her with the same happy smile. But it quickly faded when he saw her standing before him with tears in her eyes.
"Sweetheart?" He asked uncertainly. "What is it? What's wrong? I didn't hurt you did.....?"
But Katlin suddenly rushed into his arms in a flood of tears.
Orion wrapped his arms about her shaking body, unsure of what was wrong now.
Hormones. Had to be the hormones. He had heard about this stuff.
"I thought you'd be angry." She cried into his shoulder. "I thought you'd be furious at me. That you'd hate me. I thought you'd throw me out. Never want to see me again." She hugged him tighter. "I never thought you'd want this baby."
"Want it?" Orion pulled her back, the tears on his cheeks mimicking her own. "Want it?" He repeated. "Love, I've never wanted anything so badly in my life."
Katlin hugged him fiercely. "I love you." She whispered into his ear. "So very, very much."
Orion stopped for a moment, staring at her.
"What?" Katlin asked.
Orion smiled gently at her.
"It's nothing. It's just.....do you realize that's the first time you've ever said that to me?"
Katlin stared at him, a look of surprise on her face as she slowly realized he was right. She indeed had never told the man standing before her that she loved him.
"Unless...," Orion continued cautiously, "that was just...., you know, some automatic response."
Katlin stared up at him, her smile spreading into a look of utter delight.
"I love you." She repeated plainly, suddenly laughing at him as she wrapped her arms about his neck. "I love you, I love you, I love you!"
Q&A
As I said, just for fun.
skahducky: Uh oh. The confusion starts. The bad news is this story doesn't get any easier from here on out. If anything, it gets worse with the twists and turns. But then again, look at the people involved and how could you expect anything else?
However, if it helps you out any, I'll summarize.
You started with an Auror, who ran into a Deatheater, who, after sizing each other up, said 'What the hey!' and became lovers.
In the midst of all this, you have 'significant others'. One partner (Charly), and one Deatheater (Treaks).
Now it gets interesting, folks. Follow carefully.
Treaks and Charly are working behind everyone's back for the wizard in the north. What exactly they are doing for that wizard has only been alluded to on Charly's part. But they do have a mission they are working on together. (And by the way, that mission re-introduces itself in Family Relations, one of the reasons this story had to come up first.)
Charly knows who Orion is seeing.
Treaks does not.
Now, onto the currier murder.
1. Orion was suppose to meet a currier in Austria to pick up a package containing information about the wizard in the north. But said currier bit it before he could make the delivery. Package was stolen.
2. Katlin lets Orion see what was in her package that her currier gave to her. Which she states was the same as what Orion's currier had for him.
3. At Oliver's party, Katlin finds an envelope similar to the one her currier gave her with information in it. the only difference is is that the information in that envelope totally contradicts the information Katlin's currier gave to her. Information which was, coincidently, stolen from the Deatheater's lair a few days before the party.
And that, folks, is where we are at.
Hope it helps.
Part of what this chapter was included for was to show exactly how far Orion was willing to go for Katlin, if not for his own sense of justice. It gets a bit questionable when you consider he just handed three of his own people over to a Deatheater for execution. No matter how good or bad you think the reasons are, that is exactly what he did. Some may feel the act was justified. Others may not.
Trust me, Katlin is all Deatheater Elite. Granted, no, it doesn't show through all the time. But I mean, she didn't exactly get voted into that position, folks.
Silverfox: Well, I'm glad you found this chapter. But if it helps any, I generally post only on two days. Sundays and Wednesdays. (Barring illnesses and such.)
Actually, it wasn't as much of a risk as you make it out to be. The party was not a party of Aurors. And I can see where it might have come across that way. But most of the people there were not Aurors. And the highest ranking, most skilled one there was Orion. And if it was a party of Aurors, it is very unlikely, risk taking for fun or no, that Orion would have exposed Katlin to that kind of danger. Or the other people at the party for that matter. Katlin tends to get a little testy when she's cornered.
Kristen was so much like you? You mean you're overly sweet, so bubbly people want to kill you after five minutes in a room with you, you have no common sense whatsoever, you can't pick your friends any better than you pick your enemies, and you're just way to cute for your own good?
Poor child.
I'm sorry, Dear. But you were warned. Don't get attached.
As to whether or not the three were missed was explained in this chapter.
The Department and the Deatheaters already are at war, Dear. Where have we been?
Semmel: Good Heavens!!!!!! You were right. That was long.
Having many family members in Europe, I understand that almost every country in the European commonwealth requires the students to learn English. No idea why, since everyone over there seems to hate us right now. Second choice is usually German or French. But ancient Greek? Latin I can understand. Almost every language int he world has it's roots in Latin. And I guess to an extend Greek also. Oh well.
Why is Olivers associating with the wizard in the north? I didn't say he was. Just because Katlin found the envelope in his house proves nothing yet.
Olivers said why he retired, in an indirect sort of way. The agency was skewing itself from his vision of it too much for his liking.
The third party has one interest. Which, though alluded to, has not been spelled out directly yet.
Now, now. Katlin did promise. True. And she did try. She really did. But its sort of like being on a diet and someone places a box of donuts in front of you first thing in the morning and says, Don't touch!
It's there. It's calling your name. It's full of sugary goodness. It's....it's......NUTS! It's breakfast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sometimes you just can't help but give into temptation.
And remember, Katlin did say she was going to leave it behind until she saw what it was and decided Orion needed to see it also.
I mean......., you know......'ends'-'means'. One of those things.
Unless it begins with foul language, Dear, I never take a review as a flame. However, there's nothing at all wrong with a 'critique'. Constructive or otherwise, you read my stuff. I have no right to say what you can or can not say about it.
But 'thank you' just the same, for a very lovely critique.
Werepup: Just keep going with that, Dear.
Sailor Sol: Yup. Poor little harmless Kristen. But I did give warning about getting attached to characters in some of my stories.
I thought it was very well deserved. And I especially enjoyed writing the Dementor.
All reviews are as of 09212003.
And remember:
Even if the voices are not real, they have some pretty good ideas.