Disclaimer: Disclaimer: All canon characters et all belong to
Joss Weadon et al. This is an answer to gidgetgirl's challenges "Rock
Baby" and "Beltane Babies". Both challenges are archived at Chocolate
Covered Strawberries
Warning: This contains bits of the language naughty, and contains bits of the naughty in this chapter.
Thanks: Anastasia, my oh so wonderful proofreader and friend. If it wasn't for her, this chapter wouldn't be half as good as it is now. Also, gidgetgirl, who wrote the challenges, and has always encouraged me. Mainly it was to finish fics, but encouraged me nonetheless.
Chapter Four: Vicariously
"Adele!" Charlie called to her best friend as she bounded down the hall of Walen House. The Californian girl turned at the sound of her name. "How are you?" Charlie threw her arms around her best friend. "I've missed you so much. You've got to tell me what you did, where you went, whom you met. Dallas involved in any of it?" She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
Adele rolled her eyes, but embraced her friend anyway. "That's none of your business. Just because your father still insists you're a non-sexual being doesn't mean you're getting off vicariously through me." She smirked. "But you know, the songs just don't do the whole sex-under-the-pier justice." Adele snickered.
"You didn't!" Charlie looked scandalized.
Adele shrugged. "So Will Dagger uses Rogaine?" She gave her an expectant look. "Your work I presume?" Smirking at Charlie's guilty look, she laughed. "Good job, there's nothing like a little mischief and mayhem to make summer even better."
They walked into Adele's room. "It's better than pictures of me and a bodyguard." Charlie Smiled dreamily.
"Bodyguard and me," Adele corrected, but went on. "Uh-oh, I know that look. Someone had fun in the sun this summer. Details, details. Don't leave anything out."
"Now who's living vicariously?" Charlie asked, raising an eyebrow. Then the girl began to tell her story of the summer, leaving out some of the demonic parts. "So how was DC?" Charlie asked, changing the subject.
"Not bad." Adele shrugged, sitting down on her bed. Charlie couldn't help but think guiltily about the various boxes and suitcases of stuff that she needed to unpack. "The vice-president's kid," Adele continued, "is a lot less stuffy that I remember. He and Greg," she spoke of a mutual friend, a senator's son from Massachusetts, "got along really well. They were attached at the hip, well, when Jon, the vice-president's son, wasn't with Sara, that's the president's daughter." She sighed suddenly. "I met Sara's older brothers. If Dallas wasn't in the picture..." she trailed off grinning. "Well, you get the idea. So this Connor guy…"
Charlie snorted, laughing. "Not the brightest crayon in the box, and He has this serious talk-in-single-word-sentences problem, but loyal to the end. Another plus is that I can go out most of the time without getting mobbed. My dad's happy because I'm actually sticking with someone." She scowled. "I'm seventeen, but he still thinks I'm seven. But hey, he doesn't know about the late nights or the slumber parties."
Adele blinked. "Slumber parties?"
Charlie nodded. "It's weird. Beds become instantly more comfortable when you share them." A far off look crept into her eyes. "We spent many rainy days and nights in a hotel room watching movies."
The pair of friends continued to talk until Adele noticed it was 5:30, and if either of them wanted anything to eat, they should go now. Making their way to Pierce Hall, the two greeted classmates. Apparently Walen House was made up of only senior class members. Charlie decided this year was going to be pretty good. There were not any freshman up at all hours, she had courses she liked, and Connor was going to call in a couple of hours. And, how could she forget, now she could go to New York City, unsupervised, every weekend if she chose to. Charlie loved senior privileges.
"Charlie!" A guy's voice called out, causing her to turn around. She thought it might have been Greg. A quip involving the vice-president's son was on the tip of her tongue, but it wasn't him. Instead, it was Theo, ex-boyfriend extraordinaire. He jogged up. "Charlie," he said again, his voice was soft.
Charlie's eyes narrowed. "What do you want?" She stepped back from him. "Jerk-off." She added the last part as an afterthought. Glaring fully at the guy in front of her, she ignored Adele's sniggering.
"I thought we should talk." He gave her a sad smile. "You stormed out of there so quickly, you never gave me a chance to explain." Theo took a step forward, invading Charlie's personal space, and brushed a lock of hair away from her eyes. "Short and red. Come on, you know I like my girls with long hair and blond. But that's your way I guess. Act now think later. Regardless of what I like."
Charlie pulled back, as if burned. Adele had stopped giggling; instead she scowled. "What the fuck?" Charlie asked slowly, as if she was trying to process it through her brain. "What the fuck?" She repeated. "Why the fuck would I care what you looked for in a girlfriend? As I remember it, you were quite naked, and stumbling to find your pants. I know it happened a bit too quickly for you to understand, but I was the one who told you it was over." Charlie turned to go, but stopped, as a thought popped into her head. "You know," she said as she cocked her head to the side, "from what I remember, you weren't that good. It was wham, bam, done with you. Control really isn't your strong point. And for the record," she glanced at his crotch, "you really don't have a lot to be proud of." With that, Charlie turned and walked off, Adele trailing behind her.
When the paired entered the hall, Adele was still snickering while Greg joined them. "Word has it that Theo, also known as the Prick, is popping Viagra just to get it up. Any comment?" He grinned.
Charlie rolled her eyes. "Gossip really is the number one sport around here, huh? And I really don't know his drug habits, though it wouldn't surprise me. But I'm thinking Jerk-Off is a better nickname than the Prick. It's even more fitting."
They walked into the dining hall together, getting accosted no less than ten times. By the time the trio was sitting down, another five people had come up to Charlie asking about Theo. The rest of the meal was spent talking about summer vacation and that sort Of Thing, anything but Theo. Samuel Hall, Sam, an actor who once had a crush on Charlie in freshman year, joined them. Now, However, they were just good friends. A few minutes later Kaitlyn Martu, the daughter of an owner of a Fortune 500 company, joined them as well. They joked about various things, the confrontation with Theo rarely brought up, and only when someone approached the table. By the time the small group had wandered outside, Charlie had had six date proposals and over sixteen girls come up to thank her for putting Theo in his place.
As the friends sat under one of the oak trees in the main quad, Charlie couldn't help but feel as though someone was watching her. But she shook off the feeling. She was probably just missing Connor, and the Theo thing wasn't helping much either.
&!&!&!&!
Karlei glowered at the boy. How dare he? How dare he touch one of her chosen like that? The goddess smiled softly; her chosen would be fine. The smile turned wicked; the boy would not. It was going to be so much fun.
&!&!&!&!
"We're going out." Adele pulled Charlie down the stairs. "It's time for you to stop being so mopey and reclusive. Yes, I know it's been months since you've seen Connor, the love of your life."
Charlie scowled, throwing on a light jacket. Even though it was early May, there was still a chilly wind outside; she really did not need to get sick. "In case you haven't noticed," she snapped, "finals are next week, graduation a week after that."
"And your father will show," Adele broke in. "It's like in the daddy code." She successfully shoved Charlie out of Walen House. Greg stood out on the porch. He nodded to the two girls.
Charlie ignored him. "It's easy for you to say." Her scowl deepened. "My father has a hard time getting time off. His handlers schedule every moment." Greg and Adele shared a look, but said nothing about the outburst.
"Damn girl." Greg fell in step with the two girls. Throwing an arm around Charlie's shoulders, he continued. "You need some. Can you say repressed? Next thing you'll be doing is accusing people of being witches."
"Ha, bloody, ha." Charlie's voice dripped sarcasm. "Maybe you'll be first." She shrugged off Greg's arm. "Look, I have to study for finals. If this is just going to be pick on Charlie day, I'm going back to my room."
"No you aren't." Adele shoved her best friend down the steps. "We're going out to eat. And if it wasn't illegal, get you smashed as well. You're going to relax, like It or not."
"Fine." Charlie crossed her arms, pouting.
&!&!&!&!
"Feel better?" Adele asked, as they waited for the check and for Greg, who has gone to the bathroom. She played with the remains of her dessert.
Charlie shrugged. "A little, I guess." She took a sip of her tea.
"Hey, look what I found." Greg walked up to the table. "I believe he belongs to you, Charlie."
She looked up. "Connor?" Charlie blinked. "What are you doing here?"
"Well," Adele clapped her hands. "Why don't we go somewhere else?" She raised a hand. "Check please!"
A few minutes later the four of them were walking down the streets. Connor's hand was grasped in Charlie's; every so often she would squeeze it, just making sure he was still there.
"You two should go on alone," Adele urged her friend, "we'll cover for you. It's Friday night; no one is going to expect ups to check in the weekend before cram week. Besides, Greg and I are just dead weight." Charlie still looked unsure; Adele rolled her eyes. "Stop being such a good girl. I know better."
"Yeah," Greg agreed. "I missed the girl who actually socialized." He looked at Connor. "For god's sakes, she's repressed. Stop it."
Connor looked confused. "Ignore him." Charlie shot a dirty look towards her friend. "He just gets his rocks off by teasing me." She stuck her tongue out before kissing Connor. "Not that it's working or anything." Charlie winked. Taking a cue, Adele and Greg left the couple, making their way back to the Haywood campus. "So, where are you staying?" Charlie asked as they began to walk down the street.
"There." Connor pointed toward the brick building at the very end of the street.
"Lord Geoffrey Inn? Damn, that place is supposed to be expensive. Supposed to be nice though." She looked at Connor out of the corner of her eye. "I see we're back to one word sentences. A few months without me and you're already regressing."
Connor snorted. "Angel's paying for it." He smirked. "He doesn't know though."
Charlie laughed out loud. "I've corrupted you. How fun." Hugging her boyfriend tightly, she started to drag him toward the Inn.
&!&!&!&!
Charlie's back hit the wall as she scrambled to pull off his shirt; he just ripped hers off. "That was new!" Charlie complained as buttons flew everywhere. He did not say a word, instead his lips descended upon hers. Hands wandered far south of what would be considered appropriate.
Charlie moaned as Connor fumbled with her bra. Grasping his wrists, she placed them firmly on her hips. She unhooked her bra. "Bed. Now." Connor groaned.
"Back to single word sentences?" Charlie smirked, but didn't complain as Connor picked her up and carried her over to the bed.
&!&!&!&!
There were pros in being omniscient. Karlei smirked, as she looked about her chosen. These ones where special, they did things out of their own free will. No pushing from her required. It was so much easier than others. Honestly, one couple, due to one little misunderstanding and blood feud, completely lost their chance to greatness.
"What do you think, my sweets?" The goddess picked up twin baby rabbits. "Do you think they're special? Do you think they're strong enough?" The rabbits gave no response except to twitch their noses in unison; somehow the goddess understood the reply. "I thought so too my sweets, I thought so too."
Warning: This contains bits of the language naughty, and contains bits of the naughty in this chapter.
Thanks: Anastasia, my oh so wonderful proofreader and friend. If it wasn't for her, this chapter wouldn't be half as good as it is now. Also, gidgetgirl, who wrote the challenges, and has always encouraged me. Mainly it was to finish fics, but encouraged me nonetheless.
Chapter Four: Vicariously
"Adele!" Charlie called to her best friend as she bounded down the hall of Walen House. The Californian girl turned at the sound of her name. "How are you?" Charlie threw her arms around her best friend. "I've missed you so much. You've got to tell me what you did, where you went, whom you met. Dallas involved in any of it?" She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
Adele rolled her eyes, but embraced her friend anyway. "That's none of your business. Just because your father still insists you're a non-sexual being doesn't mean you're getting off vicariously through me." She smirked. "But you know, the songs just don't do the whole sex-under-the-pier justice." Adele snickered.
"You didn't!" Charlie looked scandalized.
Adele shrugged. "So Will Dagger uses Rogaine?" She gave her an expectant look. "Your work I presume?" Smirking at Charlie's guilty look, she laughed. "Good job, there's nothing like a little mischief and mayhem to make summer even better."
They walked into Adele's room. "It's better than pictures of me and a bodyguard." Charlie Smiled dreamily.
"Bodyguard and me," Adele corrected, but went on. "Uh-oh, I know that look. Someone had fun in the sun this summer. Details, details. Don't leave anything out."
"Now who's living vicariously?" Charlie asked, raising an eyebrow. Then the girl began to tell her story of the summer, leaving out some of the demonic parts. "So how was DC?" Charlie asked, changing the subject.
"Not bad." Adele shrugged, sitting down on her bed. Charlie couldn't help but think guiltily about the various boxes and suitcases of stuff that she needed to unpack. "The vice-president's kid," Adele continued, "is a lot less stuffy that I remember. He and Greg," she spoke of a mutual friend, a senator's son from Massachusetts, "got along really well. They were attached at the hip, well, when Jon, the vice-president's son, wasn't with Sara, that's the president's daughter." She sighed suddenly. "I met Sara's older brothers. If Dallas wasn't in the picture..." she trailed off grinning. "Well, you get the idea. So this Connor guy…"
Charlie snorted, laughing. "Not the brightest crayon in the box, and He has this serious talk-in-single-word-sentences problem, but loyal to the end. Another plus is that I can go out most of the time without getting mobbed. My dad's happy because I'm actually sticking with someone." She scowled. "I'm seventeen, but he still thinks I'm seven. But hey, he doesn't know about the late nights or the slumber parties."
Adele blinked. "Slumber parties?"
Charlie nodded. "It's weird. Beds become instantly more comfortable when you share them." A far off look crept into her eyes. "We spent many rainy days and nights in a hotel room watching movies."
The pair of friends continued to talk until Adele noticed it was 5:30, and if either of them wanted anything to eat, they should go now. Making their way to Pierce Hall, the two greeted classmates. Apparently Walen House was made up of only senior class members. Charlie decided this year was going to be pretty good. There were not any freshman up at all hours, she had courses she liked, and Connor was going to call in a couple of hours. And, how could she forget, now she could go to New York City, unsupervised, every weekend if she chose to. Charlie loved senior privileges.
"Charlie!" A guy's voice called out, causing her to turn around. She thought it might have been Greg. A quip involving the vice-president's son was on the tip of her tongue, but it wasn't him. Instead, it was Theo, ex-boyfriend extraordinaire. He jogged up. "Charlie," he said again, his voice was soft.
Charlie's eyes narrowed. "What do you want?" She stepped back from him. "Jerk-off." She added the last part as an afterthought. Glaring fully at the guy in front of her, she ignored Adele's sniggering.
"I thought we should talk." He gave her a sad smile. "You stormed out of there so quickly, you never gave me a chance to explain." Theo took a step forward, invading Charlie's personal space, and brushed a lock of hair away from her eyes. "Short and red. Come on, you know I like my girls with long hair and blond. But that's your way I guess. Act now think later. Regardless of what I like."
Charlie pulled back, as if burned. Adele had stopped giggling; instead she scowled. "What the fuck?" Charlie asked slowly, as if she was trying to process it through her brain. "What the fuck?" She repeated. "Why the fuck would I care what you looked for in a girlfriend? As I remember it, you were quite naked, and stumbling to find your pants. I know it happened a bit too quickly for you to understand, but I was the one who told you it was over." Charlie turned to go, but stopped, as a thought popped into her head. "You know," she said as she cocked her head to the side, "from what I remember, you weren't that good. It was wham, bam, done with you. Control really isn't your strong point. And for the record," she glanced at his crotch, "you really don't have a lot to be proud of." With that, Charlie turned and walked off, Adele trailing behind her.
When the paired entered the hall, Adele was still snickering while Greg joined them. "Word has it that Theo, also known as the Prick, is popping Viagra just to get it up. Any comment?" He grinned.
Charlie rolled her eyes. "Gossip really is the number one sport around here, huh? And I really don't know his drug habits, though it wouldn't surprise me. But I'm thinking Jerk-Off is a better nickname than the Prick. It's even more fitting."
They walked into the dining hall together, getting accosted no less than ten times. By the time the trio was sitting down, another five people had come up to Charlie asking about Theo. The rest of the meal was spent talking about summer vacation and that sort Of Thing, anything but Theo. Samuel Hall, Sam, an actor who once had a crush on Charlie in freshman year, joined them. Now, However, they were just good friends. A few minutes later Kaitlyn Martu, the daughter of an owner of a Fortune 500 company, joined them as well. They joked about various things, the confrontation with Theo rarely brought up, and only when someone approached the table. By the time the small group had wandered outside, Charlie had had six date proposals and over sixteen girls come up to thank her for putting Theo in his place.
As the friends sat under one of the oak trees in the main quad, Charlie couldn't help but feel as though someone was watching her. But she shook off the feeling. She was probably just missing Connor, and the Theo thing wasn't helping much either.
&!&!&!&!
Karlei glowered at the boy. How dare he? How dare he touch one of her chosen like that? The goddess smiled softly; her chosen would be fine. The smile turned wicked; the boy would not. It was going to be so much fun.
&!&!&!&!
"We're going out." Adele pulled Charlie down the stairs. "It's time for you to stop being so mopey and reclusive. Yes, I know it's been months since you've seen Connor, the love of your life."
Charlie scowled, throwing on a light jacket. Even though it was early May, there was still a chilly wind outside; she really did not need to get sick. "In case you haven't noticed," she snapped, "finals are next week, graduation a week after that."
"And your father will show," Adele broke in. "It's like in the daddy code." She successfully shoved Charlie out of Walen House. Greg stood out on the porch. He nodded to the two girls.
Charlie ignored him. "It's easy for you to say." Her scowl deepened. "My father has a hard time getting time off. His handlers schedule every moment." Greg and Adele shared a look, but said nothing about the outburst.
"Damn girl." Greg fell in step with the two girls. Throwing an arm around Charlie's shoulders, he continued. "You need some. Can you say repressed? Next thing you'll be doing is accusing people of being witches."
"Ha, bloody, ha." Charlie's voice dripped sarcasm. "Maybe you'll be first." She shrugged off Greg's arm. "Look, I have to study for finals. If this is just going to be pick on Charlie day, I'm going back to my room."
"No you aren't." Adele shoved her best friend down the steps. "We're going out to eat. And if it wasn't illegal, get you smashed as well. You're going to relax, like It or not."
"Fine." Charlie crossed her arms, pouting.
&!&!&!&!
"Feel better?" Adele asked, as they waited for the check and for Greg, who has gone to the bathroom. She played with the remains of her dessert.
Charlie shrugged. "A little, I guess." She took a sip of her tea.
"Hey, look what I found." Greg walked up to the table. "I believe he belongs to you, Charlie."
She looked up. "Connor?" Charlie blinked. "What are you doing here?"
"Well," Adele clapped her hands. "Why don't we go somewhere else?" She raised a hand. "Check please!"
A few minutes later the four of them were walking down the streets. Connor's hand was grasped in Charlie's; every so often she would squeeze it, just making sure he was still there.
"You two should go on alone," Adele urged her friend, "we'll cover for you. It's Friday night; no one is going to expect ups to check in the weekend before cram week. Besides, Greg and I are just dead weight." Charlie still looked unsure; Adele rolled her eyes. "Stop being such a good girl. I know better."
"Yeah," Greg agreed. "I missed the girl who actually socialized." He looked at Connor. "For god's sakes, she's repressed. Stop it."
Connor looked confused. "Ignore him." Charlie shot a dirty look towards her friend. "He just gets his rocks off by teasing me." She stuck her tongue out before kissing Connor. "Not that it's working or anything." Charlie winked. Taking a cue, Adele and Greg left the couple, making their way back to the Haywood campus. "So, where are you staying?" Charlie asked as they began to walk down the street.
"There." Connor pointed toward the brick building at the very end of the street.
"Lord Geoffrey Inn? Damn, that place is supposed to be expensive. Supposed to be nice though." She looked at Connor out of the corner of her eye. "I see we're back to one word sentences. A few months without me and you're already regressing."
Connor snorted. "Angel's paying for it." He smirked. "He doesn't know though."
Charlie laughed out loud. "I've corrupted you. How fun." Hugging her boyfriend tightly, she started to drag him toward the Inn.
&!&!&!&!
Charlie's back hit the wall as she scrambled to pull off his shirt; he just ripped hers off. "That was new!" Charlie complained as buttons flew everywhere. He did not say a word, instead his lips descended upon hers. Hands wandered far south of what would be considered appropriate.
Charlie moaned as Connor fumbled with her bra. Grasping his wrists, she placed them firmly on her hips. She unhooked her bra. "Bed. Now." Connor groaned.
"Back to single word sentences?" Charlie smirked, but didn't complain as Connor picked her up and carried her over to the bed.
&!&!&!&!
There were pros in being omniscient. Karlei smirked, as she looked about her chosen. These ones where special, they did things out of their own free will. No pushing from her required. It was so much easier than others. Honestly, one couple, due to one little misunderstanding and blood feud, completely lost their chance to greatness.
"What do you think, my sweets?" The goddess picked up twin baby rabbits. "Do you think they're special? Do you think they're strong enough?" The rabbits gave no response except to twitch their noses in unison; somehow the goddess understood the reply. "I thought so too my sweets, I thought so too."