Chapter Seven
It was night, very late at night. Once returning from the party everyone had gone to bed almost immediately. It had been a long day. Jack and Stephen had both lectured the young men about safety with explosives after they almost blew up a car with fireworks, and Blakeney had spent the entire evening with a group of rather shaggy young men, playing hack-sac and being introduced to the music of a band playing on their stereo by a group called 'Phish'. All had been rather tired from their activities, and had all gone to bed, Jack once again filling the apartment with his loud snores.
Olivia however had not fallen asleep right away. She seemed to stay wide-awake forever, much to Tom's dismay, who was rather tired himself. True to his word though, he stayed with Olivia. Determined not to fall asleep until well after she did. Blakeney had not questioned their trade of beds for the night. In fact, he barely noticed, crawling into his bed well before Olivia and Tom had left the other room and had been asleep the whole time. Olivia had asked time and time again if Tom was okay with the arrangement, and if he didn't mind she was taking his bed, and he had ensured her that he didn't. He had sat on the end of the futon as she crawled in. However, she never seemed to fall asleep. Her eyes staying wide open and she spoke to him softly, amazingly she seemed to talk for hours without actually saying anything. It was almost as if she was afraid to fall asleep.
However, she lost the battle. Eventually her eyelids drooped and her breathing became steady, and she was finally asleep. Tom hesitated for a moment, watching her. He brushed a strand of her hair out of her face gently, and then carefully tucked the blankets closer to her. He hated to leave her. He could tell she was frightened, and she certainly had fought off sleep as long as possible. He did not know what to do. He shouldn't stay, and yet he wanted to stay. He was exhausted and it was late. With a sigh he turned, casting one last glance at sleeping Olivia, and then leaving the room to go to sleep in hers instead.
It was strange being in there alone. The room reflected so much of Olivia's personality and her life. The pictures on the walls of her friends, the various displays. Playbills she had said. One for every opera or show she'd done at the university. There was a great deal of them, as well as photos of various casts and groups she'd been a part of. Everything was in its place of course. Neatness was something that would always be characteristically Olivia, and he knew that would never change.
With a yawn he climbed into bed. It felt strange to be there. The pillow held the slightest lingering scent of her hair and he still was not comfortable in her bedroom alone. It was as if he was invading her privacy, with her permission. Tom sighed, rolling over and looking at the clock. It was far too late and he was tired. No use in worrying now. He closed his eyes and had soon drifted off into a dream filled sleep.
Olivia was standing with her back to him, looking out over the water, humming softly and rocking a little squirming bundle in her arms. Tom smiled contently, watching Olivia and the little creature as she paced, trying to calm the fussy bundle. A wind picked up, blowing her hair over her shoulders. A little hand shot up from the bundle and caught some loose strands, pulling them down. Olivia turned slightly, "Ouch!" She exclaimed. "You've got my hair little one. I don't imagine that's very tasty."
Tom chuckled, watching the pair. He felt an amazing sense of joy and pride watching them. He could not help but smile as she fussed over the wrapped up little creature.
"Tom, Tom I need you." Olivia called, shifting the baby with a pained expression.
Tom approached them, still smiling with pride, reaching for them. To his horror they began to fade and everything around him went dark. "Olivia?" He called, waving his arm around in desperate hope that he would catch them.
Suddenly Olivia cried out in pure pain and agony, "TOM!" Children were screaming and crying in terror as Olivia screamed and his vision slowly cleared once more.
He was running down a dark hallway. He did not recognize the place at all, it was dark and cold and the air seemed strangely moist. None of the doors would open. He rushed from one to the other with urgency, begging them to open, but none would budge. He had to find her. He had to get there.
A piercing scream split the air, echoing down the hall, ringing in Tom's ears as his heart froze as he recognized the voice immediately. Olivia. She was shouting for him, screaming in pain and terror. He had to find her. Now. He ran to the last door, tugging desperately only to find it locked securely.
"OLIVIA!" He pounded at the door, determined to break it down if it killed him. "OLIVIA! I'M COMING!" The door did not move, refusing to give way.
The screams continued, becoming more and more piercing and urgent with each one. Tom pounded harder on the door. "DAMN YOU! OPEN!" He shouted in frustration and anger. All he could hear where those screams, they filled his mind, driving him mad with a feeling of helplessness.
He began to feel weak as he pounded at the door, and he slowly sank to the ground, still pounding at the door with his fists, "OLIVIA! NO!" He shouted once more, as the screams became the only thing he was aware of, sinking into darkness.
Tom jerked awake, sitting up with a start, breathing heavily. He sighed as he slowly recognized his surroundings. It had been a dream, nothing more, thank God. He slowly lay back down feeling rather shaky. Those screams had sounded so real, so horrible and the terror he felt had made his heart quicken.
"NO!" A scream split the night suddenly, breaking the silence and causing Tom to bolt up once more.
"Olivia!" He jumped up, hearing her screams continue in the next room. She sounded terrified and was shouting words he could not understand. He burst in the room, pausing only to see the scene in the room she had been sharing with Blakeney for the night.
The lad was up, standing about a foot from her, his eyes wide with surprise and terror, staring at the woman on the bed in shock.
Olivia was tossing violently, shouting and stuttering in a language Tom did not understand, her face was streaked with tears and she was screaming in terror, speaking in a tone that was pleading, between her violent sobs. How could she possibly still be asleep?
"Olivia…" Tom immediately rushed to her side, catching her arms as she tossed, trying to hold her still. He noticed she really did seem to be asleep. "Olivia, wake up!" He called, desperately trying to keep her still and wake her.
The door burst open once more and Jack and Stephen stumbled onto the scene looking tired but alert by her screams. "Mr. Pullings, what the devil is all this commotion about?" Jack demanded, staring at Olivia in surprise.
"I have no idea." Tom said, still trying to keep Olivia from pushing him off the futon. "Olivia, sh… wake up!" He frantically gripped both her arms, upset to see her in such terror. He shook her firmly, "Wake up!" He urged.
Olivia jerked awake with a sudden gasp, pushing away from Tom, her eyes wide in terror. Taking deep breaths she looked around in surprise, as if trying to remember where she was for a moment, her eyes still the widest Tom had ever seen, glassy with fear. She stared at the others, as if unsure of what to say. "T…Tom?" She managed to stutter, still gasping for breath.
"Olivia…" He quickly pulled her into an embrace, "It's all right." He said, desperate to comfort her.
She was still choking back sobs, shaking beyond control. She buried her tear-streaked face in his chest, squeezing her eyes shut as he held her tightly, confused but determined to comfort her.
Stephen cleared his throat, casting a significant look at Jack, "Mr. Blakeney." He said, getting the boys attention and nodding to the door. Silently they all left, leaving Tom to the obviously distraught Miss Corin.
Olivia was still shaking, and Tom pulled the quilt off the bed, wrapping it around her in case she was cold, rubbing her back like a child. "It's all right, love, it was a dream, nothing more." He assured her gently.
She looked up slowly, calming a bit, enough to at least speak. "I'm sorry." She said softly.
Tom looked at her quizzically. "Olivia…"
She suddenly jerked away from him, distracted. "I need some air." She declared, rising on unsteady legs and quickly leaving the room with a very confused and stunned Tom Pullings in her wake.
He sat there a moment, trying to make sense of what happened before getting up and quickly following her. He stopped in the main room where the others were seated, but no Olivia. "Where-?" He asked them, looking about.
Jack pointed to the door. "Outside." He said with a nod.
Tom quickly went out the door to see Olivia seated on the steps outside. She was leaning against the wall, staring out at what appeared to be nothing. He approached her slowly, seeing tears silently running down her cheeks.
"Olivia?" He asked, sitting next to her on the cool concrete floor. "What is wrong? Please, tell me."
Olivia shrugged, quickly wiping her eyes and looked away. "Nothing… it's nothing Tom." She said softly.
"Olivia…" He put an arm around her. "Please? I only want to help."
"You can't help me, Tom." She said softly, almost to herself. "No one can."
He stared at her, extremely confused. He had no idea what was wrong, but seeing her in pain, crying alone broke his heart. She had been shouting in terror not minutes before and now she was insisting nothing was wrong. Something had to have seriously upset or disturbed her.
"Oh Olivia…" He said gently, holding her close, trying to comfort her. "Please, tell me, what's the matter?" He begged, wanting to be let in. Wanting to know what demons were torturing her so that he could chase them away.
She sighed, jerking away from his embrace again more insistently. "Tom, really. I just want to be left alone for a bit, okay?" She snapped.
He froze in shock. She had never used that tone with him before, never. He stared at her as she looked away, refusing to meet his eye. Slowly, he stood stiffly, "Very well." He said, trying to maintain his composure. The truth was he wanted to cry. She had been so upset, so terrified, and he wanted to help her more than anything. He wanted to protect her and she was pushing him away, refusing to let him in and now she was insisting on his leaving her alone. "I'll be right inside if you need me." He promised her, watching as she curled up against the wall again, hugging her legs and staring out into the darkness again.
When she made no reply he slowly turned and went back inside. Worry was etched on his every feature as he joined the others in the main room, who were discussing something softly among them. He sank into a nearby chair feeling quite confused, upset, and concerned.
"Is Miss Corin well?" Stephen asked curiously.
Tom shook his head, "I honestly don't know, sir. She will not tell me a thing." He said frustrated. "Mr. Blakeney what happened?"
"I don't know sir." He replied. "I woke up and she was muttering and tossing in a strange sort of tongue. I've never heard the likes of it. Next thing I knew she was screaming." The boy covered a yawn with his hand. "Excuse me, sir."
"Why don't you go back to bed then, Mr. Blakeney." Tom said with a sigh. "You sound tired, lad."
"Thank you sir." Blakeney said, getting up and going back to bed with a yawn. "Goodnight Mr. Pullings, Captain, Doctor." He said as he went back to bed, leaving the gentlemen in the main room.
"Mr. Pullings, do you happen to know what language Miss Corin was speaking in? I have never heard the like." Jack asked, stifling a yawn.
"I have no idea, sir." Tom answered. "Doctor? You speak a fair amount of foreign tongues, do you know?"
Doctor Maturin paused, thinking. "I'm not entirely sure." He admitted finally.
Tom sighed again, running a hand through his hair feeling incredibly useless at the moment. "She sent me away." He said, reflecting more to himself than anything. "She told me to leave her be, and I was most reluctant to do so, but what else could I do?"
Jack watched the younger man with sympathy, and not for the first time wondered if Tom was in over his head with this woman. In the past he found her secretive, and it appeared she would continue to be so despite being in her own time. Secretes and hidden thoughts and motives were not something a decent woman should have. She was quite kind and cheerful, to be sure, and he respected her well enough, but the whole situation was entirely too complicated for his tastes. She was too complicated for his tastes, and he couldn't help but wonder if Mr. Pullings would be better off with a young lady of his own time, a quiet and cheerful little country girl, like that sweet little thing he had met upon celebrating Tom's promotion to lieutenant years before, that dear mouse of a girl Miss Chubb who had stayed on Tom's arm and smiled so sweet and shyly. He could see her making a far better wife than Miss Corin, that was certain.
And yet he'd never seen a man so in love. It was strange. They were completely mismatched, having nothing in common but their obvious affections towards one another, but that seemed to be enough. He had to admit he was slightly jealous. He and Sophie would never share that sort of love, he was quite sure of it. He felt a great deal of affection towards his wife, of course, but it was nothing compared to Tom and Miss Corin. Jack and Sophie seemed more like comfortable old friends by comparison to Tom and Olivia's fierce sort of love. There was no doubt in Jack's mind that Mr. Pullings would do anything for this girl. The man would throw away his career, his fortune, even his very life for her without hesitation.
"Do you think I should have stayed, sir?" He asked, looking to his Captain for help.
Jack frowned, he was not exactly an expert on these matters. Finally, after a moment of heavy silence, he came up with a reply. "If Miss Corin asked you to leave I imagine you had no other option. If she was determined to keep whatever is troubling her a secret she most certainly will."
Tom nodded, slowly, knowing he was right. "That's true. She is certainly the most stubborn woman I have ever known. Still…." He sighed, not wanting to leave her alone outside at such an hour, especially in light of what had happened at the party this evening. She should not be anywhere alone, suppose that man came and tried to hurt her? Something could happen and he would not know until it was too late. He had to admit he was worried about her safety as well as her mental state. He rose from his seat, deciding upon a course of action. "Still she should not be outside at such a late hour alone." He declared. "I apologize for keeping you gentlemen awake."
"Pay it no mind, Tom." Stephen said, already laying back down in his make-shift bed and yawning sleepily.
"Goodnight Mr. Pullings." Jack said, also returning to the sofa for sleep.
"Goodnight sir, Doctor." Tom replied, turning and heading back outside to check on Olivia.
When he reached the stairs where he left her he found that she was no longer there at all. With a start he looked around, worried something might have happened. Panic started to rise and he fought to control it, hoping that she merely went for a walk. He quickly ran down the stairs into the parking lot, looking about for any sign of her. When he saw none his heart began to beat faster, and he shouted, despite the late hour, "OLIVIA?"
"I'm over here, Tom." Across the street from the apartment complex was a collection of swings that Olivia explained were for children to play and climb upon, she called it a 'playground'. There seated calmly on one of the swings, swaying slightly with the breeze and dragging her bare toes in the dirt was Olivia.
He crossed the empty street to her with caution. Relieved to see her unharmed, but annoyed at her extreme lack of judgment and caution. An unmarried woman outside unescorted at this hour of night, particularly an attractive young woman who had someone after her, seemed highly irresponsible and dangerous to him. Nevertheless he tried to walk casually over to her, keeping the obvious worry out of his voice, yet he knew he was failing miserably, he approached her. "Lovely night." He said, standing in front of her, watching as she continued digging her toes in the dirt, making patterns.
"Hm." Came the reply. Olivia leaned back in the swing, looking at the sky. "It's clear." She said, with a slight smile, sitting back up.
"The breeze is quite cool, refreshing really, it was rather warm today don't you agree?" He said, trying to start a conversation and finding the weather a safe and neutral topic.
Olivia raised an eyebrow, not fooled for an instant by his attempts at a casual conversation. "Tom, I know you didn't come out here to discuss the weather."
"No, you caught me." He said, offering her a weak smile. "I wanted to make sure you were all right. And besides that you shouldn't be out here alone, Olivia. It's very late and dark and certainly not safe for an unescorted lady, especially since…" He trailed off noticing the dark glare she was giving him. With a deep breath for strength he continued. "Olivia, there is a man out there that intends you harm. What would you have me do?"
She sighed, jamming her big toe into the dirt distractedly. "I can take care of myself, Tom." She said determinedly. "I can handle Gary. I'm not helpless you know."
Tom held up a hand in defense, "I am not implying that you are." He said quickly. "I just… Olivia, I just want to help you in any way I can."
"Tom Pullings to the rescue is it?" Olivia said with a hint of sarcasm he knew very well.
"No…" Tom sighed, he was digging himself into a hole and he knew it. "But…" He licked his lips, trying to think of an argument. "Well, I imagine that's what marriage is, isn't it? I help you, you help me, because we love each other?"
Olivia stared at him blankly a moment, surprised at his words. "And you're suggesting we start this… partnership of sorts…. early?" She said, a slightly amused tone hinted behind her question. "Practice makes perfect?"
Tom smiled, "I could not have said it better, dear."
Olivia gave a small laugh and pushed a swing towards him. "Well, it's a nice night and I'm not quite ready to go back to bed. Pull up a swing?"
He nodded, settling down in the swing, his feet settling well in the cool dirt below where the grass was worn away. They sat in silence for a moment, listening to the chirping of crickets that filled the night air.
Finally, Olivia spoke softly, resting her head against the metal chain holding her swing. "I wouldn't worry about Gary too much, Tom." She said. "He'll probably disappear for a while before I see him again. He likes to do that. Surface, then disappear, then he'll show up somewhere a month or so later."
"You should still exercise caution, Olivia." Tom said, quite seriously. He looked over at her, watching her intensely. "Promise me you will?"
Olivia looked up and met his eyes. With a nod she replied, "I promise."
Silence fell upon them again, and Olivia stifled a wide yawn behind her hand. He could see the exhaustion in her face, and reached over, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear to get her attention. "Why don't you go back to bed?" He asked.
Olivia shook her head, "I don't want to sleep tonight." She admitted. "Not after…" She trailed off, looking away and up at the stars once more.
"Your dream?" Tom asked gently.
She nodded, a small sheepish smile, "Stupid, yes?"
"Of course not." He replied. "Even the best of us have dreams we'd rather not face." Tom shuddered slightly, thinking of his own dream earlier that night.
"Even you?" Olivia looked at him, eyebrow raised curiously.
Tom hesitated, a slight lump appeared in his throat and he swallowed hard, contemplating an answer. "There are things in battle, horrible things, which never truly leave you." He admitted.
Olivia noticed his change in tone and shook her head slightly, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up."
"No, no, it's all right." He said, feeling rather thrown off now and attempting to recover.
She slowly rose from her swing and knelt before him, gazing up into his face and gently reaching up, running her finger lightly down the great scar on his face. "Is this one of them?" She asked quietly.
Tom gave her a slight nod, turning his face to kiss the tip of her finger. "A Turk caught me with his saber, clean across the face when boarding a ship." He explained, reflectively. "I had a great fever afterwards, and was quite certain I would die, but Doctor Maturin, bless him, patched my face back together as best he could and saw me through."
Olivia listened attentively, leaning forward to kiss him gently. "I'm sorry, love." She said earnestly.
Tom gave her a small smile, "Don't be. It wasn't your fault."
"No, but I'm still sorry you were in pain." She said. "That wasn't the only time the Doctor had to patch you up, was it?" She asked, knowingly.
"Heavens no." Tom said with a slight laugh. "I am lucky the Doctor has such a fine hand for stitching or I'd be in worse a state than I already am."
Olivia rolled her eyes, "Your state is perfectly fine, Tom Pullings, and don't you dare tell me otherwise."
Tom could not help but laugh at her scolding tone. "As you wish, Miss Corin." He teased. They stayed in a comfortable silence for another moment. Olivia rose and stood on her swing, rocking it back and forth, absently, humming to herself, seemingly lost in reflection. He watched her a moment before venturing a question.
"And what of your dreams?" He asked. "What haunts you so?"
Olivia paused, looking at him sharply, and Tom knew immediately the question was not a welcome one, yet he could not withdraw it now. Olivia assumed a defensive stance, crossing her arms around the chains to hold herself up and across her front, a deep frown etched on her features. "Different things." She said slowly. "Things that I'd rather forget."
He frowned, puzzled by her reply. "Would you like to talk about it?" He urged gently, hoping she would shed some light on the subject.
Olivia shook her head slowly, leaning back to pick up some sway, swinging calmly, distractedly staring into space. "Not really." She sighed, "I know it's unfair of me, you let me in and now I'm blocking you out. I just… I don't really like to talk about these things."
Tom watched her with sympathy, "Olivia, you don't have to tell me anything. You owe me nothing, you know that."
She smiled weakly, "They're just dreams. Bad memories, that sort of thing."
"About…. about the Wilmington?" He hated to think of that, knowing it had been a frightening experience for her.
Olivia shook her head, "Not so much that. Sometimes, well, after I came out of that coma and you were gone I dreamed of you, losing you. I had a pretty bad break down and was pretty messed up for a while, you can ask Kate and Lannie, it wasn't a good time." She shrugged her shoulders. "But normally they're dreams I've had since I was little. My childhood…. well… there were some things that were…. unpleasant to say the least." She sighed, hopping off the swing. "Can we change the subject please?" She asked, wiping her eyes, hoping he wouldn't notice her tears.
Tom however was watching her too closely not to notice, and he stood, pulling her into a hug. "Olivia, I'm sorry."
She gave him another weak smile, feeling comforted in his embrace. "It's nothing, Tom, really. I turned out… semi-okay anyway." She joked lamely.
"More than okay." He kissed the top of her head, still holding her. "You're wonderful."
"Flattery will get you no where, Mr. Pullings." She teased with a slight gleam in her eyes.
"Yes it will." He leaned down, kissing her with a smile.
"Maybe." Her green eyes were shining now, the tears all wiped away. Suddenly she yawned again, covering it with her hand. "Sorry."
"Olivia, you're tired. Go to bed." He pleaded with concern.
She made a face, "Do I have to?"
"Yes." He teased. Suddenly he swooped her off her feet. "You do." He declared.
"Tom!" Olivia exclaimed, laughing. "You'll drop me."
"I will not." He replied, grinning ear to ear, and proceeded to carry her back to the apartment, setting her on the steps, kissing her happily. "There, my lady's feet did not touch the dirt." He declared proudly.
Olivia laughed, "Oh yeah, because they're so clean." She said glancing at her toes, which were dusty red from digging in the dirt.
"Indeed." He chuckled, taking her arm and heading up the stairs. Suddenly, he remembered another mystery he had hoped to fin the answer to and he glanced at her, wondering if he should ask.
"What Tom?" She asked.
"What?"
"You had that look, that look like you're going to ask me something but aren't sure if you should." Olivia said, with a small smile. "I know that look."
He laughed a bit. "Yes well." Tom hesitated a moment. "I was just wondering if you spoke another language."
"Oh, was a muttering during my dream?" She asked casually.
Tom nodded, "But I didn't know what language. I've never heard the like. What was it?"
"Hungarian." Olivia said with a smile. "My Grandmother's Hungarian, and after my Dad left when I was five she moved in with us, and we were required to speak it at home. It made her feel more comfortable." She rolled her eyes. "Useless really, Spanish would have been more practical, but at least I can swear at people and have a good chance of them not knowing what I'm saying."
Tom laughed, "Yes that would be a useful skill."
They stopped at her door and Olivia cracked it, putting a finger to her lips to indicate that Jack and Stephen were both asleep in the main room. They quietly slipped down the hallway and paused at her door.
"Do you mind if I stay in your room still?" She whispered. "That whole hidden camera possibility really bothers me."
"Of course." He kissed her forehead. "Goodnight, love."
She smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck and lingering a moment. "Goodnight Tom." She stood on her toes to kiss him. "And thank you, thank you for being there."
He smiled, kissing her again, both lingering and neither really wanting to part. Finally, Tom could not fight a yawn and Olivia chuckled softly, releasing him. "Go to bed, Tom. It's almost morning."
He smiled, "Goodnight." He said, turning and going into her room to sleep for the night.
Olivia sighed, "Goodnight." She watched him for a moment, disappearing into her room. He had been so perfect tonight, saying all the right things, she badly wanted to curl up next to him and stay the rest of the night, but she knew better. The timing wasn't right. There might be a camera with Gary watching, and the thought of him watching her with Tom made her skin crawl. She did not much like the idea of Gary watching Tom sleep on his own either, but there was little she could do about that. There was no where else for him to sleep except either on the floor or with her, and she was probably just being paranoid, but she could not bring herself to sleep in there until she knew for certain. With a sigh she turned and went back to the room Tom usually shared with Blakeney, who was fast asleep on the air mattress. She sat on the futon for a moment, then curled up and eventually fell into a peaceful sleep until morning.
A/N: Hey! I updated in a decent amount of time! And I finally finished 4th of July! Yay! That's cause to celebrate. Thank the weather for giving me a snow day Monday so I could write. Ahhh snow. It rocks.
So Olivia has issues. Who doesn't? Haha and she has mood swings I know, but she's a girl, and we're entitled to mood swings ladies! So this chapter served no purpose other than to establish that Tom's sweet and Olivia has issues. Oh! And Tom worries too much.
Haha has anyone else noticed that Miss Flossy, Zen Lady, and I all tend to update around the same time? Is that a coincidence or what? Just thought I'd point that out.
Wing Pikepaw: Why yes, Olivia has a stalker. Bum bum bum! And Tom doesn't like it at all. Getting Stephen and Jack away from the water pistols could be difficult though. As for Blakeney, he gets to have a side story coming up…. How big of a side story I don't know yet… but maybe I'll give him a chapter to himself at some point. Don't know. We'll have to wait and see mwahahaha! Thanks for reviewing m'dear! And I hope you liked chapter seven.
Sakai213: Hehe suspense and horniness are a great combination. I'm glad you're enjoying my story as much as I'm having fun writing it. Working on this is a great break from writing for my classes. Thanks for reviewing and I hope you liked chapter seven.
ArcherofDarkness: Haha I have no idea where Olivia comes from. She's original. Some of the characters in this story are based off of people I know though. Learn more about Gary in August? Patience my dear… he'll show up eventually. Fencing lessons! I'm jealous! I always wanted to learn! But growing up in a relatively rural redneck town you don't exactly have many options for fencing. Everyone can shoot a deer, but no one can fence. Good luck doing your homework m'dear! Hope you enjoyed the update! Bye!
Eldarwen999: Haha no I don't have a plot to get rid of Jack, Stephen, and Blakeney. They fade into the background because they're not really the primary focus of this story. They're there quite frankly as comic relief and to keep Tom company. They'll have more scenes throughout the story, but my main storyline is obviously Tom and Olivia. Are they going to beat the snot out of the stalker? You'll have to wait and see! Hope you enjoyed chapter seven and thanks for reviewing!
Miss Flossy: Well, it WAS taking off. Haha I sort of crashed on this chapter, getting bogged down in relationship and character development. Do you think I emphasized that Tom's overprotective and worried enough? Stop teasing them you say? Why? I'm having fun teasing them! It's torture! Hehe you torture Tom in your way and I'll torture him in my way… mwahahahaha. I don't think the thinness of apartment walls helps. Blakeney's living there and he doesn't need to hear the lieutenant and Miss Corin in mattress chorus. And let's face it, I'm having fun teasing them. Olivia really wasn't in the mood in this chapter, and Tom was worried about her… awww…. Oh. And do tell Mowett to keep it in his pants or I'll tell Maddie on him! Hope you enjoyed the chapter, and hope school's going well. Cheers m'dear!
Anyana: Haha okay so this chapter wasn't as long as the last one, so I won't apologize. Hope you enjoyed it despite it's being shorter than the other one. Thanks for the support, it inspires me to spend my spare time in front of the computer writing instead of curled up in my beanbag chair in front of the TV. Hope you enjoyed! Thanks!
Angel of the Night Watchers: Haha inside jokes are the best. Stalking people is fun too. I internet stalk my friends through away messages and livejournal. I stayed well informed of their social lives while out of the country that way. Hope you enjoyed the update and thanks for reviewing m'dear!
An-CatGaelige: Haha thanks for the review m'dear! And look! You didn't have to wait two months! Aren't you proud of me? Hope you enjoyed the update.
ClaireRickman: I'm glad you've enjoyed it thus far. I aim to please! Thanks for the review. For your kind words I'll send Stephen with brownies, but be careful, knowing Stephen they're probably "special" brownies! Thanks again!
Adena27: Hahaha just let them do it already? Never! I have to torture them some more! It's fun! This chapter though they weren't quite in the mood though, so no doing it yet. Sorry. Haha your review certainly made me smile. Thanks for the review. As for Tom killing Gary… you'll have to wait and see yes? So stick with me and see if I let the "horniness be expressed fully" or if Tom kills Gary. Hope you enjoyed the emotionally sappy chapter! Thanks!
Elessar King: Hahaha yay! Eldarion and galaxy bars! You rock! Scary Gary! Whoo! Yes, pirates in August mwahahaha. And now Olivia is even MORE screwed up. But you already knew that. All my Pullingses is starting! Whoo! Please keep Bors from stalking anyone. Oh. And start thinking of a new phrase to teach him. Thanks for reviewing! And good job on getting a good grade on your paper! YAY!
Thanks for reviewing guys! See? I wasn't that mean to Tom in this chapter was I? Anyway, I love to hear what you think of this chapter! So review and I'll send you a slushie! I got snow, I got strawberry lemonade, I can make a good slushie from that! Until next time guys, happy reading and drive safe!