A/N1: alright, so here's the thing... as I was writing this story, I was thinking about how to continue it and somehow this chapter is now the last one. it felt kind of natural and I've written the parts that I wanted to write and that's it. a thank you to those who came along for the ride, I had fun and I hope you enjoy this last chapter.
The law of gravity
.-.-.-.-.
We all fall
Chapter 6 - Somebody make me feel alive
Denna had no idea for how long she'd been sitting in this position. Her muscles were starting to ache but she just couldn't move. It was if her entire body had shut down and all that was left was a paralyzing fear rooting her to the spot. Her head was still cradled in her arms. The sounds outside of her bedroom had long since quieted and yet there was nothing she could do.
The rational part of her knew she should be calling the police, calling for help, but she couldn't focus long enough for a thought to become action.
When there was a quiet knock, her entire body began to shiver and she tightened her hold around her head, pulling her legs even closer to her body until the muscles in her thighs were burning.
"Denna, open the door please. Denna, you're safe, everything's okay."
She heard the voice as it came muffled through the door. It sounded vaguely familiar but she couldn't place it. Instead she pressed her arms over her ears and rested her forehead on her knees, trying to be as small as she could. She ignored the voice for a while but when she eased her arms away it was still there. She'd lost track of time quite a while ago but a couple of hours had surely passed. She only needed to look up to see the clock on her bedside table, but she didn't.
The voice was joined by a second one and then there was noise at the door. Someone was fumbling around with the handle and then there was knocking.
"Denna open the door right now. We've been here for hours and you need to open this fucking door."
"Stop yelling."
"I will stand here and yell until she opens that door."
"She is scared."
"And what about me, you think I'm not scared? What if… what if she can't open the door? The guy said she was okay when she went in but we don't know that."
The voices were quieter now but she could still make out the words through the absolute silence in her room. The knocking had sent adrenaline pumping through her veins and her heart was beating uncomfortably fast against her ribcage. She recognized the voices, they felt… safe.
Denna blinked several times and finally let go of her head. Her arms slid downward until they were wrapped around her knees instead. She took deep breaths until the air was filling her lungs and it stopped seeming like there wasn't enough oxygen around to survive. With her focus on the steady in and out of her breath, she leaned forward and tucked her feet under her body to push herself upwards. Tiny needles attacked her legs as the blood rushed back into each limb. She staggered to the door and rested her forehead against the cool wood before fumbling with the lock.
She unlocked it and moved backwards until the back of her knees hit the bed and she sat heavily, looking at her hands. The door slowly opened and Denna clasped her hands so tightly together that her knuckles stood out in white contrast against her pale skin. The bed dipped beside her but she refused to look up.
"He's gone… the man who… he's gone, the police arrested him," Kahlan said quietly.
Denna furrowed her brow and parted her lips to speak but only a small croak made it out of her mouth. She cleared her throat and tried again. "How… did he get here?"
""Denna please -"
"How?"
"The police said there was some mistake concerning paperwork. He got out and was gone before they realized what happened. He stole a car, somehow found out where you live and… well, came here. He… when they arrested him he said he wanted to… apologize."
A short laugh without a trace of humor escaped Denna's lips. "Apologize? Apologize for what? For ruining my life? Turning me into this pathetic scared version of myself?"
She got up from the bed and clenched her hands at her sides, fighting the urge to hold on to something. Anger made its way through the fear and the pain and bubbled to the surface when Kahlan approached her.
"You are strong Denna."
She whirled around and glared at Kahlan. "Strong? Do you have any idea of what I'm going through? I can't go outside without being afraid someone will talk to me. I can't be around people. I can't function without medication. What exactly about that is strong? I'm broken."
Her voice was rising with every word until she was practically yelling at Kahlan who didn't even as much as flinch. Her blue eyes hardened. "You are not broken."
With a small groan she turned away from Kahlan and grabbed her sweater. She pulled it over her head and tossed it into a corner of the room, leaving her in only a tank top. She clenched her eyes shut before spinning around and stalking toward Kahlan. She grabbed the hem of her top and yanked it upward. "What does this look like to you? I am many things, but I am not whole."
Kahlan's eyes flickered from her throat down to her stomach and back up to her face. "None of this defines who you are."
She let go of the fabric bunched in her hand. "This is what happened to me and it's who I am now. I can't… just stop being afraid. I can't turn back and just become the person I used to be. I'm damaged goods."
Kahlan closed the distance between them with a few quick strides and raised her hand, hesitating for a brief moment. She was about to speak but Denna beat her to it.
"You can't even bear to touch me now that you've seen it, and you're trying to tell me that I am more than just my worst parts? You're a liar. And you should leave. Now."
"No."
"Are you not listening to me or are you purposefully trying to make it worse? Leave."
"You are the one who's not listening," Kahlan answered.
Denna had never seen Kahlan like this. Her entire face was a mask of cold determination. Not a flicker of emotion crossed her features despite the blue fire burning in her eyes. Her hand that had been hovering in the air next to her reached forward until slender fingers wrapped around Denna's neck, hot palm resting against her scars.
Denna's mouth fell open and a small gasp escaped her. No one had touched her scars since that night the blade had cut through her skin. She felt the blood drain from her face as Kahlan's hand moved very gently until she was tracing her fingertips across the marred skin.
"You are more than your scars, visible or not," Kahlan said quietly and stepped forward, opening her arms.
Denna sunk into the embrace, her fingers curling into the material of Kahlan's shirt. Her face came to rest against a warm throat as the first violent sobs escaped her. Kahlan was quietly whispering into her ear but she could hardly understand any of it. She clung to Kahlan as if she was the last thing still holding her together. Time became irrelevant as every insecurity and fear spilled out of her.
Kahlan eventually maneuvered them to the bed and her muscles relaxed when she hit the mattress. Long limbs wrapped around her tightly and Denna let herself fall into the embrace. It was comfortable, it felt secure and maybe it would be enough to chase away the dark demons that had taken hold of her. Warm breath danced across her temple and she closed her eyes, resting her forehead against Kahlan's chest. The sound of a steady heartbeat calmed her until the sobs finally subsided and she could take deep cleansing breaths.
She heard steps coming from the door and soon after the bed dipped, another warm body curling against her from behind. For the first time in what seemed to be hours, she closed her eyes and allowed the anxiety to leave her body with a deep shuddering breath. Maybe Kahlan was right, maybe there was still a chance for her wounds to heal.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
"No. No, you should go. I'm okay, really."
Denna attempted to reassure Kahlan and Cara with a smile but only received the tilt of a blonde head and a narrowing of blue eyes in return.
"I've been taking care of myself for fifteen years and I'm sure I can manage a couple of hours without supervision. Kahlan you have to write your paper and Cara you've taken several days off already, so please, you have your own lives. I'll be alright."
They'd been discussing the same topic for several minutes and still Kahlan and Cara were reluctant to leave her. They had basically moved into her apartment the last couple of days, not leaving her side for more than some grocery runs and to get their things.
Them staying with her had helped, more than she could possibly put into words, but now she simply needed some time to herself. To think. To regroup.
Kahlan stepped toward her, blue eyes still filled with concern as she pulled her into a hug. "Fine, we'll go, but if you need us, for anything at all, you will call, alright?"
Denna relaxed into the embrace and wrapped her arms around Kahlan's waist with a small sigh. "Okay."
She looked up when Cara stepped closer to them and reached over Kahlan's shoulder to brush a few strands of hair away from her face. "We're here for you, remember that."
"Thank you, and I do."
She smiled and walked them over to the door where they lingered, stealing glances at her as if she would change her mind the last second and ask them to stay.
"I'll be back tomorrow," Kahlan reminded.
"And I'm coming over as soon as I get done at the office," Cara added.
"I'll be here. Now go."
She ushered them out the door and with a final wave closed her door quietly as soon as they disappeared into the elevator. She took a deep breath before turning and looking around her now empty apartment. There were still some clothes strewn about. A couple of blankets piled on the couch where they'd snuggled together for several movie nights.
Those last couple of days had brought back a sense of self she'd almost thought lost during those hours sitting on the floor of her bedroom.
It didn't take long until she had taken care of what clothes and dishes had accumulated during the last days of doing nothing but enjoying Kahlan and Cara's presence. She smiled to herself as she scrubbed the kitchen counter, feeling like an invisible weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Drying off her hands, she slowly moved through the apartment and into the bathroom where she stopped in front of the mirror. She unzipped her jacket and dropped it onto a nearby basket. Straightening her shoulders, she gazed at her face. The dark circles under her eyes had disappeared and she marveled at the smile that seemed to constantly play around her mouth. She liked what she saw and self-confidently raised her hand to trace the scar at her throat with her fingertips.
She still remembered the feeling of Kahlan's hand wrapping around her neck, threateningly and compassionate at the same time. That first moment had scared her to death but somehow Kahlan managed to instill a confidence in her that she shouldn't be able to with a single touch. Those blue eyes had pierced right through the fog of pain and fear until she was forced to finally face her demons. They were still there but she now felt like she had the the strength to not only fight them but also to defeat them.
Sunshine illuminated her living room as she moved through her apartment and a glance outside confirmed that it was indeed a beautiful day. An idea began to form in her head and she quickly walked into her bedroom to grab a pair of jeans and her leather jacket.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
"Where the hell are you?" Cara asked, clearly annoyed.
Denna smiled and tucked her cell phone against her shoulder so that she had her hands free to unpack the basket she'd brought. "I'm in West Park, meet me there."
"What? Why would she be in West Park? Is everything alright?" Kahlan's voice sounded muffled and there was some rustling before Cara spoke again. "Okay we'll be there soon."
The line went dead and Denna dropped the cell phone onto the blanket beneath her. She arranged the last couple of things and leaned back to regard her day's work.
A picnic blanket was spread across the green lawn at West Park, a basket that had previously held the finger foods she'd brought sat off to the side. More people were starting to gather around her, bringing their own blankets and chairs. Everyone was trying to soak up the last rays of the setting sun before the nightly chill would replace the warm air. Denna looked around and took a deep breath, noticing the varying scents around her. A young family settled close to her with their own blanket and their youngest daughter smiled brightly at her. She found herself returning the grin before she leaned back onto her hands and gazed ahead at the large screen.
They would be showing two movies in a row, one meant for children and the other a classic. Denna thought that this was a nice change to the nights she'd spent on her couch, and with good food, pleasant company this version of an open-air cinema would be a truly enjoyable date. She was actually planning on leaving after the first movie so that Kahlan and Cara had some time to themselves. Staying with her had meant cutting back on their own time together and it was the least she could do to show her gratitude.
It didn't take them long until they found her and her blanket. Both Kahlan and Cara were looking around with furrowed brows, clearly irritated by the setting.
"What's going on?"
Denna smiled up at them from where she sat cross-legged on the ground and spread her arms. "A picnic and a movie, I thought you might enjoy that. And I wanted to show you that I am okay, that you helped me more than I could possibly put into words. So without trying to sound sappy, I think that this could be the beginning of a completely new part of my life and without you I couldn't have done it."
Kahlan smiled brightly while Cara crossed her arms in front of her chest, a smirk playing across her lips."Sounds good to me."
They settled on the blanket on either side of her while she handed them a platter filled with little pastries and other small delicacies. She'd also brought a bottle of light sweet wine and each of them had a glass in one hand and something to eat in the other as the movie began.
The air around them was filled with children's laughter and Denna settled back against a rolled up blanket, watching the events on screen unfold. Kahlan eventually curled into her side and Cara's head came to rest in her lap, the blonde not entirely interested in the movie.
"This is nice," Kahlan said quietly.
Denna nodded and smiled at Kahlan, folding her arms beneath her head. Despite the noticeable chill in the air she wasn't cold, trapped between two warm bodies like that. If something like perfection existed, then she was pretty damn close to it right in that moment. After all the pain and misery she finally felt like she could breathe again.
The movie ended and Denna reluctantly disentangled herself from the two bodies that had found comfortable spots on top of her. She slowly sat up and looked around. The families that had brought their children to the park were also getting ready to leave and more couples and groups of people joined those who remained on the meadow.
"What are you doing?" Cara inquired sleepily.
"I think I'm going to leave, I'm pretty exhausted actually, but there is another movie right after this one. You still have half a bottle of wine and some food, so why don't you two stay and enjoy yourselves?" Denna answered.
She was about to push herself up and off the ground when slender fingers wrapped around her wrist.
"No stay, please," Kahlan said from her spot beside Denna.
Cara silently wrapped her arms around Denna's waist, safely anchoring her to the ground. Denna smiled and relented with a soft sigh. She settled back against the blankets and allowed Kahlan to scoot closer again.
The next movie started and Denna closed her eyes. "Thank you. For everything."
Cara squeezed her waist in return while Kahlan placed a kiss against her temple. "Always."
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Denna brushed her hands across her dark blue dress, tugging on the material at her hips.
"Stop fidgeting," Jennsen mumbled from beside her and Denna sighed. She reached up to adjust the silken scarf around her neck and then dutifully lowered her hands to her sides. She glanced at Jennsen with a raised eyebrow. "Happy now?"
"Yes. Honestly though, you have no reason to be nervous, you look great."
"That's easy for you to say. You light up like a beacon every time you see Chase, how can woman compete with that?"
"I didn't know we were competing?" Jennsen asked with a smirk. Her entire face broke into a beautiful smile when Chase made his way over to them. He slung his arm protectively around the small redhead's waist and Jennsen waited for him to lean down before she kissed him soundly on the lips.
Denna watched the display of affection with a small smile and only a minor twinge of jealousy. This entire day seemed to be meant for those in love and she wouldn't allow anything to get in the way of the celebratory atmosphere. She glanced around the garden, watching the people mingle. It was a fairly large crowd and it didn't matter. Even if another hundred guests would decide to join them, she still wouldn't break a sweat.
Ever since the movie in the park she was experiencing this beautiful feeling of freedom whenever she did something that had seemed impossible mere months before. She still remembered the day she had entered this very house for the first time. Back then she couldn't have possibly known that the two people that were now the center of attention of this party would change her entire life for the better.
She smiled brightly as they approached her, hands clasped together. They were a vision in their crimson and white dresses that seemed so vastly different but still complemented each other in color and cut.
Kahlan handed Denna a glass filled with champagne and she inclined her head. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. You look gorgeous by the way."
They clinked their glasses together and smiled. "So do the two of you. I know I've said it before but congratulations, I'm so happy for you both."
Cara smirked and raised her hand, the ring on her finger sparkling brightly in the sunlight. "Thanks, we're happy too, but I'm pretty sure we'll be even happier tonight when everyone's gone."
Kahlan gently swatted the blonde, the matching ring on her finger catching Denna's attention. "So have you decided when the big day is going to be?"
Cara tilted her head and regarded Kahlan from the corner of her eye. "Not yet, but I don't see any reason to wait. I know who I'm going to spend the rest of my life with so why not make it official?"
"Always the romantic, isn't she?" Denna remarked.
"That's why I fell in love with her in the first place, her ability to cut right to the heart of the matter, however painful or inappropriate it might be."
Cara placed a hand against her chest, looking at Kahlan with a furrowed brow. "And here I thought my good looks got you first."
"Oh don't worry it's the entire package darling."
Denna laughed quietly as Kahlan fell silent, looking at something behind her. The corners of her mouth turned upward and she motioned with her hand to someone. Denna was about to turn around to see who exactly Kahlan was asking to join them when a delightful scent accompanied a woman appearing beside her. She inhaled quietly and turned her head, staring at the profile of a breathtaking brunette.
Kahlan hugged her briefly before the brunette greeted Cara with a warms smile. She eventually turned to Denna and her smile grew a fraction wider. "Hey."
"Hey," Denna answered somewhat dumbstruck. The brunette looked vaguely familiar but she certainly would've remembered meeting her.
"Denna, this is my sister Dennee."
She realized that the brunette looked only familiar because of certain traits she and Kahlan had in common, like their nose, mouth and piercing eyes. "It's… uh… it's nice to meet you," she offered lamely.
"Likewise. I've heard quite a bit about you and was looking forward to meeting you."
"Really? I mean, great, I hope you heard only good things."
Cara snickered from somewhere beside her and Denna fought the urge to elbow her in the ribs.
"Would you care for a drink at the bar? I've seen quite enough of the two lovebirds today and I need some time off, my teeth already hurt from the sticky sweetness," Dennee asked.
"Hey," Kahlan protested quietly.
Denna laughed, immediately smitten with the other woman's sense of humor. "Count me in."
With one last smile in Kahlan and Cara's direction she followed Dennee over to the bar where a young man was serving champagne as well as colorful drinks. Denna was still holding her empty glass and handed it to the bartender. He inclined his head with a smile. "What can I get you?"
"Something sweet, I don't really need to taste the alcohol to know it's there," Dennee answered and Denna nodded.
"I'll have the same."
The bartender beamed at that and promptly set to mixing their drinks.
"How exactly did they manage to throw such a party in such a short time?", Denna asked as they moved over to the side to make some space for the people behind them.
"Frankly I have absolutely no idea. I'm pretty sure Cara has her connections, but I don't even know what exactly she does so I couldn't tell you who or what they are," Dennee answered.
"I actually don't know either."
"Suspicious, isn't it?"
"You bet."
Denna's gaze traveled to where Cara was chatting with a group of men in suits and she narrowed her eyes at her blonde friend. She would eventually find out what exactly Cara's job was. As she turned back to Dennee she saw that she other woman was wearing the exact same scrutinizing expression on her face as she stared at Cara.
"Still, I don't think Kahlan would be so in love if Cara was anything but a good person," Denna added with a smile.
Dennee sighed and nodded. "Yeah you're right I guess, but as her sister I am required to keep an eye on things."
"She's probably glad to have someone look out for her."
"Yeah, even though I sometimes get the icy stare rather than a 'thank you' for that," Dennee answered. "What about you?"
Denna raised her eyebrows when Dennee's gaze came to rest upon her. "What about me?"
Dennee leaned forward until she was well within Denna's personal space. Their arms were touching and Denna shuddered at the contact, warmth spreading across her body and she swallowed. "Do you have someone to look out for you? Because I'm sure I could make some time if you're interested."
"Oh yeah?" Denna couldn't help the grin that spread across her features.
"Yeah."
A/N2: so hey, anyone interested in an epilogue? drop me a line!