I'd like to thank my Editor: eatingflapjacks
It's been a while since I've updated and writing and editing these large chapters takes time. Thanks to all those who have stuck around to read this story. A few more chapters left, enjoy.
I'm not sure how many of my readers are international and how many domestic but the chapter title is inspired by an American Country song that deals with this subject matter.
Let me know if you guys want me to keep up dating my stories and please please review this and my other ones, Anything for you and Love thy neighbor. It only takes me a day or two to write them...but the editing process and all getting to the point when i want to write takes weeks.
Pantheon's anger faded into disappointment as he resigned himself to the fact he would spend the night in a cell. Regardless of how much he pleaded his case with the staff, no one seemed to care. Both parties too tired to argue or bicker, Pantheon and Garen were placed in a cell while Darius and his brother were quickly stitched up and placed in an adjacent cell. Garen had been too ashamed with himself having to spend a night in a cell, all because of his jealousy with Pantheon on his involvement with Katarina. He tried not to let his anger show, but he had questions for her and he was sure she had been toying with his emotions.
The early morning sun seeped through a small barred window in the cell. Pantheon sighed at the thought of how he should be waking up with Ahri in his arms. He was writing an apology letter in his head as he sat there wondering how he could ever make it up to her. The sound of the main metal door to their wing drew Pantheons attention as it opened up. One of the security guards walked in and announced "Crownguard, some one's come to bail you out." The guard opened the door and motioned for Garen to follow. Pantheon stood and watched through a small window that showed some activity in the lobby, and was surprised to see that Katarina was standing there dressed in plain sweat pants and a sweat shirt. Her deep red hair was tied in a simple bun and her makeup was nonexistent, she didn't look so dangerous but actually quite cute. Her eyes were either puffy from lack of sleep or crying, but as soon as Garen walked through the door he noticed her eyes light up. She ran up and wrapped her arms around him. Garen's face softened as he spoke, presumably apologizing. As he spoke Katarina's face became angered and she started to wail on Garen's chest, punching it before breaking down crying and nuzzling up to him. He was relieved when he saw them walked out of the small police station hand in hand and a soft squeeze.
…..
Ahri lay in bed for a few hours after she woke up. The thought that Pantheon was out of her life and with Leona saddened her but she decided it was for the best. She knew she was lying to herself but she would rather been disappointed and heartbroken now than later when things seemed better. All the self-loathing thoughts that had kept her from feeling like a useless whore were returning. Why would he want her? Why would any man want to spend his life with her? It was for the best that he leave her now than if he strung her along and made her feel any more human and alive.
She washed herself and sat at her vanity table, slowly applying her makeup and ironing her hair. She did the best she could to hold back tears, not wanting to show any emotion. When she was satisfied she looked stunning, she made her way to her closet and picked out an outfit. Her skirt it was short enough to show some leg but not quite as short as a mini skirt and her pastel pink top was modest yet form fitting. Although her self-worth and self-esteem had taken a shot with Pantheon's abandonment she refused to be seen in public as some sort of victim. If she went back to playing the role of the ostentatious seductress the insults and whispers that followed would have a lessened effect. She didn't want to sound or feel like some sort of martyr but it had been her life, a life she quickly fooled herself into leaving with the help of Pantheon… but by now that was but a dream.
….
Leona had washed herself and put on an ivory sun dress. She wanted to make it to breakfast in time to catch Pantheon and beg him one last time. She was going insane and felt as if her life could not go on without him. She didn't care what he had said the night before, she wanted him to say he was mistaken, that it was all just a mistake and he needed her. She could only manage to put on a small amount of foundation and make up around her eyes to make them look less puffy as a result of her crying. Although the warm summer morning was bright, the day felt very dark and gloomy. Only being with him could lift the grey and sad feeling that surrounded her, the anxiety made her stomach hurt and cramp up but she ignored it and made her way towards the dining hall.
…..
Ahri kept her head down as she grabbed a plate from the start of the food line. She gathered a small meal of yogurt, granola and grapefruit. She hardly ever went to breakfast but she wanted people to see that she was un-phased by what had transpired at the ball; including Pantheon leaving with Leona and not her. She sat down and started eating alone at the farthest table in a quiet corner. She took a few bites of her food and found herself not hungry at all. She kept a mental clock in her head, another 15-20 minutes of sitting here acting fine then she could curl up in her room under a warm blanket and read romance novels all day. She was planning on purchasing some chocolates and ice cream from the commissary before returning to her room. Just keep your head down, eat and act as if everything is fine then you can go cry your eyes out all day.
Leona watched from afar monitoring Ahri's every move. She nervously fidgeted with her hands, her legs nervously shaking. Leona had no clue what she would say to Ahri, would she fight or beg for her to leave her and Pantheon alone and how much she needed him. She never understood what made her push him away but the time apart had showed her how much they were a part of each other's lives. Leona became agitated and enraged at how nonchalant Ahri acted. Ahri just sat there eating her breakfast as if she hadn't destroyed Leona's life by snatching the love of her life from her. She watched and waited as Ahri walked up to the trash bin, cleared her tray and began to walk out of the cafeteria.
Leona trailed behind her mustering up courage to confront her. Ahri had noticed Leona watching and didn't want to speak to her, how could she just sit there and watch, rubbing it in her face that she had stolen Pantheon from her. Ahri decided to take the long way back to dorms as the halls still had foot traffic during breakfast hours and she wanted to avoid people and any awkward public confrontation. She opened a hallway door and heard it close only to be opened a few seconds later. She stood in the middle of the hall with her back to the entrance. Ahri knew it was Leona, she could smells the soft creamy lotion and honeysuckle soap that some Pantheon's clothes had smelled when they first met.
Ahri stopped and spoke loud enough for Leona (whom had been following her) to hear.
"What do you want?" Her voice forcefully proud and stoic.
Leona approached Ahri like a fearful child, looking down at the floor before placing her hand on Ahri's shoulder.
"Please don't take him from me, he's all I have. He left me and told me how much he cares about you." Tears started to fall from Leona's eyes.
Ahri turned to face Leona but she would not meet her gaze.
"Please Ahri, from one woman to another. Please don't take Pantheon from me. He's all I've ever known, he's closest thing to a family I have." Leona finally looked at her. She made quick eye contact with Ahri, her amber golden eyes were watery as the make up around her eyes started to run.
Ahri made a sound as if she was trying to reply back, all she could think was. At least you had him, you had a family, you can always go back to that mountain and start a new beginning.
Ahri realized Pantheon was the only thing she knew. From becoming a humanoid to the present, Pantheon is the only man she had ever spoken to and got to know (that she hadn't seduce and immediately drain of all life essence or kill). She swallowed about to reply in protest when the younger girl cut her off.
"He left last night, I felt like I couldn't breathe from the pain and anguish of knowing I've lost him to you. Ahri, please I beg you. You're beauty knows no rival, you could have any man you want please, I'm begging you. Please, again from one woman to another." Her voice turned into one of grief as the high pitch sound of a small sob broke her words. "I need him, without him I am nothing."
Ahri composed herself, quite unsure how to respond but her fox ears stood straight up when she heard Leona say Pantheon left her and didn't spend the night with her. She would find out where he was and what happened to him but at this moment she had deal with Leona.
"No, I'm not leaving him." She said flat out in a harsh tone.
"But…"Leona looked at her with tears and lip quivering.
"You think a few sad words and tears will sway me?" She wagged her finger in front of Leona's face.
"I love Pantheon and you had your chance. I saw him crying and in pain because you. The one person who was supposed to love him unconditionally broke his heart. I can't and will not let him go, especially not to you!" To Ahri's surprise she found herself poking Leona's chest as she spoke to her in an authorative tone, meanwhile Leona felt like a child being lectured by her elder.
Even though they were only 4 years apart, Leona and Ahri were built very differently. The 5'5" Leona with her broad muscular (yet feminine) shoulders gave her hips and thighs a very attractive yet muscular build. She had been always had self-esteem issues growing up. Feeling like she looked too manly with her muscular build, but she enjoyed it when Pantheon would tell her how beautiful and how visibly pleasing she was. But Ahri attacked every one of her insecurities. Leona found her tall and slender with a lithe build of a dancer and at 5'11 she towered over her, making Leona feel that much more lacking in looks and presence.
Ahri wasn't about to divulge to her how much Pantheon made her feel like a real woman who was loved and made her feel special. She didn't need to know, only thing she needed to know was that she wouldn't concede and that no amount of begging would work. She wasn't about to let the only man who had treated her as more than a piece of ass (all before had died) but actually truly made her feel loved.
"Good bye, Leona. From one woman to another I would appreciate it if you stopped trying to interfere with mine and Pantheon's relationship. I know I'm not the first woman he loved, but I intend to be the last." She turned to walk away her, her heels making loud tapping sounds as she walked away. Leona acted out of desperation and quickly ran behind Ahri, grabbing her hand and getting on her knees and beginning to beg.
"You can't! Please! You can have any man you want! Please don't take him from me!" Leona became a sobbing mess.
Ahri decided to turn around and continue walking, doing her best to shake her hand free from Leona's grasp. She yanked her hand away feeling the tension in the tendons in her arm. Leona's begging and crying had stopped as the sound of moaning and weeping had taken over. Ahri turned and saw Leona on the ground in the fetal positioning writhing in pain. Ahri ran back and shook her nervously, anticipating some sort of surprise attack from the 18-year-old girl. But all that came back was a muffled cry of pain.
Ahri stood up and started knocking on doors in the hall way screaming for help.
….
The clock on the wall read 9:50 AM, Pantheon looked into the lobby and saw the guard come in and walk towards his holding cell. "You are going to be released 20 minutes before your two friends over there" the guard informed him, motioning towards Darius and Draven. He was released and not charged with anything, as the two brothers were known to be trouble makers it was assumed that Pantheon was just another unwilling participant. But since the brothers looked like they had started the incident, the local security decided to just let Pantheon be, it was a weekend and the less paper work to be filled out the better.
He found himself a few blocks away from the institute compound so he trudged towards it groggy eyed from a tough night of sleep. People gave him odd looks and he felt a bit out of place, wearing a now wrinkled tuxedo this early in the day. His stomach growled and he decided to grab some food before looking for Ahri. He made his way to the cafeteria but before entering he was quickly intercepted by one of the institute's medics.
"Pantheon! We've been looking for you! Follow me!" Confused, Pantheon started to ask why before the medic cut him off.
"It's Leona, she's in the hospital." Without question he followed behind the young man.
….
He saw Ahri, waiting outside the room where Leona was resting. He gave her his best "I'm sorry" looks and she just gave him a soft smile.
"I'll explain everything after..." One of the staff members opened the room and ushered him in.
Ahri thought it best she wait outside but Pantheon softly held her hand in as he passed by her, beckoning her to follow him into the room. She decided to follow but stood back behind Pantheon as both of them saw Leona laying down with her back to them. Shen was reading over a clipboard dressed in a doctor's coat and baby blue cotton slacks and shirt. He gave them a warm smile, although he looked a bit nervous.
"Is she fine?" Pantheon asked walking slowly towards the bed.
Shen nodded.
"She will be fine, I can tell you what's wrong with her in private if you'd like." He looked over Pantheon's shoulder and saw a nervous Ahri.
As if reading Shen's mind Pantheon wanted to not exclude Ahri, she could be there for the news. He didn't want to keep anything from her, and after last night he wanted to regain her trust. He had so many things to tell her, like apologizing for disappearing the previous night (even though he was ambushed), and tell her how much he loves and needs her. But right now he still cared for his lifelong friend and wanted to make sure she was alright.
Shen gave out a soft sigh before speaking.
"I gave her some herbal tea to help her with her pain and to help her sleep. She has been under a lot of stress and she looks like she hasn't slept well or eaten well. It's not good for them." Shen, spoke softly not wanting to wake up his patient.
"Them?" Pantheon asked, his face had a look of confusion.
"Yes, her and the baby. She's pregnant at least three months."
Before Pantheon had time to comprehend what he had been told, he heard the door behind him open and he saw Ahri run away in tears. The commotion woke the Leona as she still lay with her eyes closed tightly trying to fight off the horrible stomach cramps.
"Pantheon is that you?" she moaned out quietly.
He wanted to run after Ahri, give her an apology and the declaration of love he had written and re-written in his head. But he knew he couldn't leave Leona, not now. He walked slowly up to her, "I'm here" he announced as she tried to roll over and face him. But after making a couple painful sounds he walked around to comfort her.
When envisioning a real life version of Ahri, Katherine Webb comes to mind. While, Leona very much reminds me of Helen Maroulis. Which, if googled could it helps expand on Leona's insecurities. Let's remember she was raised for the rite of kor.