A/N: I'm baacckkk! Hehe. Well, just so you know, I've watched A LOT of Lifetime. You know, television for women. So, you have been warned. Lol...Thanks for the reviews! I'm glad you all enjoy it! Sorry it's taken so long for me to up-date! Well, here's chapter nine!
Disclaimer: I do not own ToS. And if I did, I wouldn't make you choose between Zelos and Kratos.
Chapter 9: The Date
xxxx
Regal returned the phone to it's cradle with more force than needed. Presea still wasn't answering her telephone. Perhaps Zelos was correct in his assumption that Presea was already out on her date with Duke. That thought filled the president with such despair and anger that he grabbed the nearest pencil and snapped it in half. If that was the case, then it was his own doing.
He heaved a sigh and swivled in his office chair, placing his head in his large hands. During their phone conversation last night he had been aggitated and confused, leaving little room for any words to be spoken between them. But now that he could recall that conversation, he got the impression that Presea had wanted to say more. And he had kept her from it. Which wasn't really all that unusual. He was always keeping people at bay.
Had he not done the same thing to every other woman who had tried to get close to him? Of course, there hadn't been many dating options in prison, but after his release, he had become one of the most eligible bachelors. Yet, all of those women had been of little interest to him. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy the company women, it was just that he didn't enjoy the company of those women. All those women had merely been interested in his money. Well, that fact that he wasn't the ugliest man in the universe helped, as well. But, they were just not what he was looking for. In fact, he hadn't been looking for anybody, Presea had just sort of creep up on him.
Trying his best to push his thoughts aside, Regal jumped up from his desk and shuffled across his den, heading out of the door and entering the hallway. He then headed for his bedroom, where he found Raine sitting on his bed, reading a thick novel. He was surprised to see her, it was only seven o'clock; a bit early for retiring.
"Oh, Regal," the half-elf began, peeking over the top of her book, "do you need your bedroom?"
The ex-convict shook his head. "I'm going to take a hasty shower. Do you mind?"
The mage returned her gaze to the book. "Not at all. This is your house."
Regal once again nodded his head. Saying no more, he crossed the room and opened the doors that connected the master bath to his room. Slipping inside, he locked the doors, tossed his clothes on the tiled floor, and stepped inside the large shower, closing the door firmly behind him.
For a while, he merely stood in the shower, allowing the steady stream of hot water to soothe his muscles. Yet while the water washed away ache in his musles, it allowed his thoughts to run rampart.
Presea. She consumed him even though she had already let him know that she wanted only his friendship. He wrung out some of the water that had collected in his hair, then braced his hands against the shower walls so the water could cascade down his back. Why did he have to fall for her? Why did he have to open himself to a woman who felt compelled to reject him?
"Well, in all honesty, you have not truly opened yourself up to her- but you were beginning," Regal spoke to himself, the words barely audible. Presea was the first woman he had found himself opening up to- wanting to share things with- in a long while. His time, his thoughts- everything. Just being with her was enough. And yet...yet she told him no.
She said that she cared for him, that she shared and returned his feelings, yet she said that she could not act on it. Presea couldn't betray her sister. Of course, Regal knew that Alicia would only want her older sister to be happy. When she was alive, there was rarely a day that went by without Alicia mentioning Presea. Presea, however, saw matters in a different light. Because Alicia had felt more than the sibling love Regal had felt towards her, Presea believed that it would be wrong to date him; that it would hurt her sister, or her sisters' memory, at least.
But that is not how Alicia would view it at all. She would see her sister's happiness, see Presea's joy, and she would bless the relationship. Regal was sure of it. It was not off Alicia's to hold grudges or hate in her life, surely death was no different. Perhaps if he could just make Presea understand that, if he could make her see, then maybe, just maybe she would give them a try.
Grabbing a wash cloth, the blue-haired president lathered it up with soap. His hasty shower was turning into a lengthy one. And now, with new resolve, Regal would be lying if he said that he didn't feel just a bit better. In fact, he was so busy trying to think of ways to reason with Presea that he forgot one very important thing.
Duke Calabren.
xxxx
Though it was still early in the evening, and Altamira had rather long days, the sun was already setting, causing the beginning of evening to be very bright. Presea lifted a hand, shielding her eye's from the sight. Duke was walking right beside her, chattering away, the evening sun not evening phasing him. Presea was about to grab her sunglasses from her purse when she saw Duke pull out a foreign object from his pocket.
"What is that?" she questioned, pointing to the small, jagged piece of metal he held in his hand.
"Car keys."
"Car keys!" Presea couldn't hide her disbelief. Nobody had had cars! Well, only a select few. A very privileged few. She had never even seen one of these new inventions. They ran on quite a lot of mana, that she knew for sure. But other than that, she was oblivious.
"Yes," Duke replied, his tone suggesting that he was used to people like Presea. "That's what we'll be driving."
"I get to ride in one?"
Duke chuckled, the sound rich. Presea, however, detected a hint of annoyance amongst the sound. "Of course. Now," he reached for the door, "ladies first."
Presea stood a foot from the heap of metal before, having never seen such an odd looking thing before. Four rubber circles were at the front and the back of the car, each serving to hold it up. It had two doors, a long nose in front of it, and a short back. There was a clear window along the front and back, as well. To Presea, it looked like a heap of metal. An unsafe heap of metal.
"Is it...is it safe?" she quesioned, thinking that it made more sense to catch the Elemental Expressway. It's tracks were already laid out. The new roads that were being prepared for the automobiles were still in process of being made.
"Of course." Duke opened the door a bit wider. "Now, we should be going before we are late." When Presea still hesitated, he added in a softer tone, "I assure you, it is quite safe. No harm will come to you."
Presea took a step foward, and within seconds Duke had her in the car and was climbing in the driver's side. She glanced around the inside of the car, noting that it only had two seat, a large piece of plastic stretching from one end to other before her, and a circular object that Duke was grasping. To her, the car looked highly dangerous.
Duke started the vehicle, turning the keys and revving the engine. He glanced over at Presea and gace her a sly smile. "We're off."
xxxx
"How is your meal?"
Presea glanced down at her plate, not sure exactly what had been ordered, seeing as how she had only got a chance to glance at the menu before Mr. Calabren ordered for her.
"It's very good," she replied, trying her best to be polite. "And yours?"
"I bit dry. But other than that, I suppose it is adequate."
Presea gave a nod of her head, shoving a piece of meat into her mouth. Other than the fact that she wasn't allowed to see the menu, Presea found that evening was...tolerable. The restaurant was truly lovely, with it's large dining area, many tables with white table cloths and beautiful floral center peices, and light music playing in the background. She was seated slightly off in the corner by a large window, and Presea found herself glancing out the window with her thoughts wondering away from dinner and back to her friends. Or more so Regal. She tried to focus on the man across from her, but found it more difficlut as the evening progressed; for the more that it did, he more that she found how she disliked the man.
"So, Presea, you know all about me and my heritage now. How about yours'?" He took a swig from his wine glass, looking up to met her gaze.
Presea dabbed at her lips with her napkin, purposely taking longer to answer. She really didn't want to tell him about herself. In fact, he had offered his life story without being prompted. But, she had to be polite, and make some conversation. Soon the dinner would have to end, anyways.
"Well, I grew up in Ozette. Quite a while back my father became ill and I set out to take over his job. Lumber jack," she added before he could question her. "During that time, the Sybak Reseach Academy got their hands on me, and I became an experimental subject for them."
"No?"
"Yes. For many years I walked around in a state delirium, of sorts. I was neither dead, nor was I really alive. I just...existed. Then, Lloyd and the other's found me. They helped me. They restored my soul. You know the story from there, I assume."
"Yes, of course. Who doesn't know of you eight famous heros? But, how is it that you now look your age? You looked a mere child before." He placed his elbows on the table, leaning towards the woman across from him.
Presea pointed to the necklace around her neck. "This." She didn't feel like going into detail, and she hoped that Duke wouldn't question her further. To her delight he didn't. Instead he nodded his head and took anoher sip of wine.
"So, you wouldn't happen to have any family, would you?"
"No. As I said, my father became ill, and he passed soon after. My mother died when I was young, and my only sister died awhile back, as well. I have no family."
"I'm sorry. That must be very lonely."
She shook her head, pink hair falling over her face. "No. I was alone long before they all passed on. But, I have my friends now. That's all the family I really know- all that I really need."
"How brave of you," Duke praised. "I would be lost without my family. Of course, without my family, their would be no family money, correct?" He grinned and finished off his beverage.
Presea offered a small smile and took another bite of her meal. The man cared deeply for his money, that much was certain.
"So, you say that you only need your friends. That is fine. But what about a man? Do you not crave that, as well?"
Presea looked up, a bluch creeping into her cheeks. "Well, I suppose that life just hasn't given me much in that department."
"Yes, but do you want one? Regardless of what life is dealing you?" Duke persisted. Presea was sure she saw a hint of desire in his eye's, so she qucikly decided to squelch any ideas he might get. A man would be nice, but she still had her heart set on one- as much as she denied it- and Calabren was certainly not it.
"I guess life just isn't permitting me one at the moment, and I suppose I am fine with that. Work takes up a lot of my time, anyways. I'm sure that would get in the way of a relationship."
Duke nodded, flagging down a waitress for another glass of wine. "I see where you are coming from. Thoda Island will take up a lot of my time. Perhaps we will see each other there?"
Presea offered a forced smile. "Perhaps. I'm sure Regal will be spending a great deal of time down there."
"What does that have to do with you?"
"Pardon?"
"Well, you are his assistant, not his nanny. Surely you don't baby-sit him."
Presea stayed silent. She had gone on one or two outside cases with him, offering suggestions and lending peices of advice. She had never thought anything of it before, but now that Duke mentioned it, it was odd for an office assistant to go out field assignments.
"I see," Duke murmured, leaning back in his chair.
Presea looked up, his tone irritating her. "Excuse me?"
"You two have one of those boss-assistant things going on. No wonder he seemed so shocked when I told him we were going to dinner. And that explains why you aren't interested in me." He grinned arrogantly, as if no other woman had ever rejected him.
"I'll have you know, Regal is my boss, and as you know, we traveled together for quite awhile. He is also a very good friend of mine. As for me not being interested in you-" she stopped, not wanting to let her mouth get ahead of her brain. "I would be happy to be your friend."
"And you consider your friends your family, no?"
"That's correct." Presea gritted her teeth, forcing a cheerful smile on her face.
"Friends we are!" Duke declared, downing the new glass of wine.
xxxx
The date was over, much to Presea's delight. She was now sitting in the passenger seat of Duke's car, driving towards her apartment- rather fast, in her opinion. But, as long as she got home, and ended this date, then she could tolerate it. They were cruising along at a steady speed, making small chit-chat, when Duke suddenly turned onto side road. The road was still in the process of being built, so Presea instantly tensed up.
"Ah, Duke, where is it that we're going?" Her questioned was ignored. Duke manuvered the car off to the side of the road, stopping when one-half of the car was in the grass, the other half still on the road. Silently he turned off the ignition. Presea decided to try her question again, but the sinking feeling in her stomach told her would be no use.
"Duke, what-" The rest of the words never left her mouth. Mr. Calabren leaned across the seat, roughly covering Presea's lips with his own.
At first, Presea didn't register what was happeing. But within seconds she regained her wits and placed her hand's on Duke's chest, shoving him backwards and breaking the kiss.
"What are you doing?" The pink-haired woman swiped the back of her hand across her lips, trying to erase the traces of wine left there.
"Ah, c'mon. You've been playing hard to get all evening." Duke scooted closer to her, snaking his arm around her should. "I know you're attracted to me."
Presea shook of his arm, her anger rising. The nerve of this drunken idiot! "No. Take me home. Now."
"Ah, don't act like that. We both know that you want this." Duke closed the gap for a second time, this kiss more demanding than this first.
"Get off!" Presea pushed against him again, this time harder, and sent Duke back to his side of the car. "You're drunk. I want none of this. Stop now, and take me home. I won't speak of it to anyone."
"Look, we both want this, no matter what you say." Duke was back on her side of the car, hand now resting heavily on her thigh. He moved his lip's to her neck, his other hand to the button of her blouse. "So stop fighting."
Repulsed by Duke's actions, Presea's anger reached a new hieght. She grabbed his arm, twisted it back forcfuly, and shoved him once again. She then immediately felt for the door handle, but Duke was back, and he was more than a little angry.
"That was uncalled for," he hissed, grabbing her hand and jerking it away from the door handle. Presea again made an attempt to fight back, but Duke was ready for her. He blocked her strike and delivered one of his own. His blow was so hard that Presea's head cracked against the window. "That's better."
Stunned, Presea sat motionless. Her anger was quickly dwindling, and fear was replacing it. He was stronger than she had thought. She hadn't been training. In fact, at this very moment, all of her training completely left her. Duke's hand was creeping up her leg, and he already had half of her blouse unbuttoned, yet she could do nothing.
Duke moved his mouth to the hollow of her neck, slowly moving down. His hand did the opposite. Suddenly Presea leaped to life, her combat skills coming into play. Grabbing his arm, she jerked in behind him, and with her the heel of her other hand, she brought it up on his nose.
Duke, momentarily stunned, cradled his face in his hands, giving Presea the opportunity to punch him hard in the stomach and move for the door handle. Grasping the piece of metal with her hand, Presea tugged on it, forcing the door open. She lunged for the opening, stumbling in the process and ending up on the ground, her foot in the entry way.
Or in the way of the door opening. Because she had thrown the door open with such a force, it rocked against it's hinges, coming to close with the same force. Unfortunately, Presea's foot was in the way of the door, and the hunk of metal cracked off her ankle, the sound confirming that it had hit it's mark with a sickening crack.
Presea let out a cry of pain, pulling her foor back and scooting away from the car. Now fear consumed her. She could not run. He would pursue her. He would win.
"That's what you deserve!" Duke yelled out from inside his car, his voice coming in puffs from the blow he had recieved. He turned on the engine. "You can walk home, you ungrateful filth." He chuckled in dry humor, adding on, "At least, if you can walk."
Presea sat on the cold, wet grass, watching as Duke spun out into the road, hit the accelerator extra hard, and took off towards the main road. For a moment she merely sat there, shaking and breathing heavily, her mind reeling, yet not thinking anything. She felt a hot tear roll down her cheek, but she quickly swiped at it. There was no need to cry. She was fine.
But that wasn't true. She was stranded along the side of an unknown road, with an injured foot, and no clue of where to go. The Elemental Railroad only ran late on certain days, and tonight was not one of those days. She would have to walk home, but she didn't even know if she could walk. But, there was only one way to try.
Pulling herself to slowly to her feet, Presea gritted her teeth and took a tentative step forward. She cried out as soon as she put the slighest weight on her injured foot. She looked down, and even in the faint moon light is was evident that the foot was swollen.
"But I have to get home..." She spoke the words aloud, the desperate sound heard only by the surrounding trees. "And I will," she added softly. Presea picked up her nearby purse- which had miraculously fallen out of the car with herself- and moved towards her home.
She walked all the way back to the main road, stopping every few minuts to relieve her throbbing ankle. She made it all the way to the Elemental Expressway stop before she collasped, plopping herself on the strip of grass that grew by the water's edge. Walking home was not going to work. She had been walking for twenty minutes to reach a five minute destination.
What do I do? I can't sit here all night long, yet I can't very well walk home...She sighed, despair feeling her entire body. She was injured, she was alone, and it was nearly the morning hours. What was she to do?
Her communicater!
The idea popped into her head instantly. The Lezereno company had supplied all of their employees' with one of the portable devices- devices that were like portable telephones. Searching through her purse frantically, Presea pulled the communicater out with a shout of glee. She was saved!
Without even thinking, she dialed the first number that popped into mind. On the fifth ring, a groggy voice spoke into the device, and Presea nearly cried out in joy.
"May I inquire as to who is calling at such an hour?"
"Regal." The word was a faint breath, but Regal recognized it's owner immediately.
"Presea?" His stomach took a dive. Surely not all was well. "Why- where- what is going on?"
"Oh, Regal, I'm so sorry for calling and waking you," Presea began, her voice getting shaky as she continued speaking. "But I don't know of anyone else to call. You were the first person to come to mind, but I wasn't thinking. I never even thought of waking you-"
Regal was up and out of bed, pulling on a pair of blue jeans as he spoke. "Nonsense. You can always call me. At any time."
His words were sincere, and Presea felt her heart swell, despite the circumstances. "Thank you," she murmured softly.
Regal smiled, though Presea could not see the warm gesture. "What is the matter, Presea? Do you need me?" he asked, his voice low, yet willing to do anything she asked of him.
"Yes," she replied, the word coming out in a shaky quiver. "I need you. I need you to come and get me."
xxxx
More than twenty minutes elasped before the sound of a motor filled the air. Presea's heart hammered at the sound. She had an absurd notion to run, but soon realized that it was not a car's motor, but a boat's. Within seconds, Regal had his boat tied down and was out on dry land, coming towards Presea as though he was on a mission.
"Presea, what in Martel's name is..." His words tralied off. Though he had been told nothing but her location, he soon put two-and-two together. She looked like she had just engaged in combat...and lost. "...going on."
Presea got to her feet, wincing at the motion. She looked down, surveying herself, and realized that she must look awful. Her black skirt was rumpled and wet from her ground seat, and her blue blouse- well, it was awful. Missing some of the buttons, Presea found it impossible to close it, so the material hung off one shoulder. She had no idea what her hair looked like, but she was sure it looked jst as bad.
"Presea...?" Regal took a step forward, but stopped when he was a few inched from her. They hadn't discussed the matter of their current situation, and tonight was the first time he had talked to her in nearly two days. How was he to react?"
"Oh, I must look horrible." The pink-haired woman attempted to straighten herself out, but found that she could do nothing. It was then that the events of the night truly caught up with her, and when the she felt the tears threaten to fall. "I-I don't know how this happened."
The help-lessness of the woman before him broke Regal's heart. It was rare to see the proud, always composed Presea show any weakness, but never had he seen her like this. When her tears began to fall, it was his undoing. He closed the gap between them and drew her into his well-muscled arms, nearly hoisting her off the ground.
"I didn't want to go, honestly I didn't. I just didn't want to cause you heartache," Presea sobbed against his chest. "I never imagined that he would- that he would..." Her words trailed off, but she continued to cling to the man holding her.
"Calabren." Regal guessed. He felt Presea nod her head. "He shall reap what he sows, Presea. I will make sure of it."
"He didn't actually do anything, but he did try," she eked out, pulling back to wipe the tears from her face. "I'm- I'm so sorry for calling you in the middle of the night. If you could just- just take me home-"
"When you say 'home', I hope you are referring to my residence, because that it where you are going." He gently grasped her hand, propelling her towards his floating vessel.
Presea began to trudge after him, but let out a cry of pain when she took the first two steps. The pain that shoot thoughout her left foot quickly alerted her that she had moved to fast.
Regal stopped in his tracks, turning around quickly. Dear Martel he had hurt her. "Presea? Wha- I am so-"
Presea help up a hand, silencing him before he could finish. "My ankle. I injured it during the...episode."
Regal shifted his gaze from her face to her ankle. Even in the darkness he could that it had nearly doubled in size. Without saying a word, he swooped her up and started of towards the boat. Presea gave a startled yelp of surprise, but quickly settled into her current seat. He sat her down on inside the boat, placing her on the bench-like structure that took up one side of the boat. To Presea, the seat wasn't nearly as comfortable as his arm's were, but at least she was with someone she knew she could trust.
Regal jumped back out of the craft, untying it from the Expressway stop sign that he had used as a dock. Returning to the boat, he walked over to the captain's quarters and started the engine.
"Let's head home. You can tell me of the matter on the way."
xxxx
Before the couple reached the house, Presea had told Regal every detail about her evening, leaving nothing out. He had merely nodded his head, offering one or two words here or there, but otherwise remaining quiet. He maneuvered the craft to the dock with expertise, tied it down, then returned for Presea. He lifted her silently into his arm's for the second time the night, and carried her to the house. From there they progressed to the lower bathroom, where he gently sat her down on the counter.
"Let me see your foot." It was the first complete sentence he had spoken since the boat ride home, and Presea complied, lifting her leg up. He gingerly picked up Presea's injured foot, brushing his finger's lightly over top of it and applying pressure here and there.
"Aah." Presea tugged her leg back, then offered it out to him again. "That hurt."
"Sorry." He stroked the ankle gently before lowering it. "It does not seem to be broken, but it could very well be cracked."
"It sure feels broken."
Regal offered her a sad smile. "I will prepare you some tea and an ice pack." He moved to pick her up again, but Presea placed her hand's at his chest, stopping him.
"May I take a shower?"
"Yes. Try to be hasty. We need to get that swelling down quickly.
We. Presea offered a half-smile. "All right." He made a move towards the door, but Presea reach out for him, grasping his upper arm. "Thank you," she added softly, meeting his cobalt-eyed gaze.
He smiled, and moved back to stand in front of her. Silently, he brushed his lip's against her cheek, the gesture full of tenderness. "Do not take to long," he murmured, turning and exiting the room.
In Regal's wake, Presea removed her clothes- vowing to burn them, or bury them, or something- and hobbled into the shower. She washed as quickly as possible, trying to keep all thoughts from entering her mind. Shutting of the scalding water, she stepped out, wrapping the terry cloth robe around her slender frame. Not bothering with drying her hair, Presea walked- slowly- into the family room.
Regal was already waiting for her, a steaming cup of tea on the coffee table and an ice pack and two asprin in his hand. Seeing her enter the family, he immediately jumped up, assisting her in getting comfortable on the couch.
"Thank you," Presea breathed, the words coming with effort. The exercise was taking a toll on her ankle.
"Here." Regal offered her the asprins, and handed her the cup of tea. She downed the asprin and finished half the glass in one gulp.
"Thank you," repeated Presea, leaning back in the couch. She felt her eyelid's drooping, and knew that she could fall asleep within minutes. Yet, stragly, she didn't want to. Not alone, at least.
"I made your bed down here," Regal told her, indicating the pillow and blanket laying on the couch. "I thought the stairs might be troublesome."
"Oh. Thank y-" Presea stopped. She sounded like a broken record.
Regal smiled. "You are quite welcome. Now, if you need nothing else..." He trailed off, standing in the middle of the living room, prepared to leave, yet not really wanting to. He felt compelled to protect the woman sitting before him, however, he did not want to upset her anymore than she already was.
"Actually...you don't...have to leave. You could stay here...with me."
Regal had to keep himself from grinning like a school boy. Saying nothing, he watched as Presea scooted up and offered him the cushion behind her. He accepted, and, after positioning the pillow so that he could get comfortable, he pulled Presea to him.
Making sure the ice pack was positioned on her ankle correctly, Presea leaned into the man behind her, allowing him to drape his arm around her and hold her loosely. "Good night, Regal," she said softly, burrowing deeper into his broad chest.
Regal clicked the lamp off, then settled back down into the couch. "Good night," he whispered against her hair.
Soon, the steady breathing of Presea filled the room, and Regal had to smile. He was thankful that she had gotten to sleep eaisly enough. Too bad the same could not be said for him.
Sighing, he leaned into the back of the couch, careful to not disturd the sleeping woman in his arm's. Perhaps she and him had a shot, perhaps they could indeed have a relationship. But that's not what was on his mind. She had suffered tonight, suffered something that no one should be forced to suffer, and it was his fault.
Well, maybe not completely, but partly. He had wanted her to go on that date at first, and she had felt compelled to do so, felt that she had to to insure Duke's place in the company. In his company.
Regal forced the thoughts from his mind for the time being. It was late. He needed to sleep. Pulling Presea closer to him, he closed his eyes. But not before saying the words: "I am sorry, Presea."
xxxx
Reply to my wonderful reviewers...
Fallenharbinger: So can I! Lol. He just strikes me as that type. Glad you like it!
Kei-Kun: That's okay, sometimes we can't get to the internet when we need to. Lol.
GirlyButTough: I won't abandon it. It might take me awhile to get up chapters, but I will finish it! Hehe. Regal makes you think of prunes, huh? He's only like, what, 32, 35 at the oldest. At least, that's what I think. And, she did go on her date, but it was like a date from h-e double l. Lol!
WhitterZ: Yep, all is well. I suppose. Hehe..I could just see Sheena running after Kucinawa, so I had to put it in my fic! Lol. And, I will write more! As long as you keep reviewing! ; )
ChibiPresea: Wonder why it wouldn't let you review? Oh well. Maybe it will this chapter! Anyways, glad you like!
A/N: Blame Liftetime! That's what happens when you decide to stay at home and watch it all day long! Lol. Actually, I watch it all the time. But, lately I've been watching it a lot. Well, what did you think? Let me know in a review! Sorry it took me longer to up-date! I'll try to go faster next time! Don't forget to leave me a review!