Taken In Again
Disclaimer: It's a fan fiction, what do you expect? I own whatever wasn't invented already.
A message reached the Nautilus this morning, coming from the teacher we helped from my school; the one who almost got slaughtered by the Teneacherous member. Apparently Nemo and I successfully created a way to have messages from the other world arrive at the Nautilus, as a best way to reach us, the league.
She was getting married, and she wanted us to be there, as a thanks for saving her life.
The wedding was in three days…a Saturday, and at a beautiful garden, outdoor type of place.
Hm. We all agreed to go, and soon enough, time flew by and we were at the wedding.
---
"Do you, Marion Riga, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do."
"And do you, Joseph Kruger, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I most certainly do."
The blonde haired woman draped in white lace smiled sweetly.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The pastor beamed pleasantly as the groom leaned in, pressing his lips against the beautiful bride's'. Alisha smiled at the warm and lovely feel of romance around her, the charming sight under the archway draping with vines and flowers. The cool sound of the ocean played in the background; the breeze passing by her skin. The witch closed her eyes and breathed in, smelling the sweet salt. Rodney Skinner sat next to her, his arm barely around her chair. He never took his eyes off the ceremony, the view of the two in their glory. It almost seemed as if he thought the subject boring, or saddening. The rogue glanced over to the groomsmen, then over to the bridesmaids. One caught his eye…a fair skinned woman with dark brown eyes and crazy brown, frizzy curled hair. She eyed him intently with a smile, giving the invisible man a wink or two. Rodney Skinner raised his brow in return.
---
The wedding reception was held at a marvelous hall at the edge of the town, and it was nearing the end of the night when I stepped out the back door, facing the busy railroad tracks and slightly foggy weather. A few people were outside, having a smoke or privately chatting with a companion or two. I spotted Tom by one of the benches near the railroad, and approached him with near curiosity, and chills from the cold that scraped along my skin.
"Hey Tom."
"Oh, hey Alisha."
"Hey, have you seen Rodney anywhere?" I couldn't find him at all in the hall, so I figured he must be out in the back, taking a smoke possibly.
"Um…yeah, actually. I think I saw him go down that way not too long ago." He pointed to the right, cascades of side buildings and stone. Even looked cold.
Alright. So maybe I'm not per say the best gal a guy can get…when it comes to Rodney, I'm guessing that whatever it is that he looks for in a relationship, I'm not supplying. Because what I saw down that alleyway, far from the corner of the bend of stone made my heart enrage, made my mind explode, and…most importantly…made me happy.
I passed the fog, I passed the few that paced near the buildings, and I stopped when I peered down the alleyway.
Ok…so I don't know what triggered it. He could have been drunk and have no intention of what he was doing, he could be bored with me, I honestly don't know. And honestly, I didn't care. I think it was a little bit of both, really.
Sitting against the stone wall was Rodney, invisible except for his hat, glasses, grease paint, open trench and boots (that, therefore leaves his sweater and pants), holding a bottle of barely empty white wine in one hand, and suspending the other around some frizzy haired woman's shoulders. Sickening shrieks kept coming from my mind.
The frizzy haired woman…I believe her name was Jennifer, somebody mentioned before when introducing people…had one hand upon Rodney's groin and the other on his bare, invisible chest.
Yet the only thing I didn't like about the situation was the exposure he had given out. And no…not that kind of exposure. The 'secret invisible man part of the league with extraordinary powers' kind of exposure.
They were both smiling, laughing and giggling…and I couldn't help but think the scene was funny, so I myself places my hands on my hips and shook my head with a huge grin on my face.
When Rodney saw me just standing there, it was like a jolt of electricity had just stuck his memory…like he just realized that I, his 'closest to a girlfriend he's ever gonna get' still existed.
"Alisha!" his voice matched his face…utterly shocked and full of unexplained guilt.
I just simply raised my eyebrow while I enjoyed his attempt to make up an explanation, rising up from Jennifer's grasp with a pout upon her face. He swung the bottle of wine around; it almost looked like he was about to throw it up in the air. Rodney wasn't drunk…I knew that. A little tipsy, maybe…but still all so very conscious.
"I—I didn't know what I was thinking…I just…she approached me and I had a bit to drink and I let her…oh god…Alisha say something, please. Say anything! Are you mad? Don't be mad, I—"
I stopped him right there. This was my moment to shine.
"Mad? Oh, no. I'm not mad…I'll get my revenge."
With that, I clicked my black high heels, and walked on, out of the alleyway, took out the portaleiver…
I could hear the music being played over and over again in my mind.
Lead me the way, don't let me down…
Got to shape up, got to frown…
Show me the way, don't break my heart…
"W—where are you going? What's that supposed to mean? Look, I'm sorry!" I could tell Rodney got a little frightened by my tone of voice.
I opened the portal, went through, and shut out the crazed voice of Rodney Skinner.
I ended up in the Nautilus. In the middle of the hall, not too far from my destination.
When I say revenge, I really do mean it. But I wouldn't exactly call what I was about to do 'revenge'.
I frantically knocked on Henry's door, giving the illusion that something was wrong, or I was upset. He must have been murmuring through his pocket watch or something because he sounded startled, dare I say even teary.
"Come in!"
I hurriedly walked in on him, and he stood up from his bed…putting away his pocket watch. He seemed surprised to see me.
I shut the door and turned to him, giving him a face of remorse.
"Is everything alright?"
I paced around the room nervously, not really knowing what to say.
"I—well, uh…something…something happened at the wedding…"
"What? What happened? Are you hurt? Did somebody attack you?" Henry placed his hand on my shoulder, trying to comfort me.
Henry didn't go to the reception. Neither did Mina, Allan, or Nemo. I guess they didn't want to stray around, showing off their abnormal selves for the pathetic and uninformed era.
"No…I'm not hurt…nobody's hurt…even though Rodney will be…" I mumbled that last part under my breath.
"Pardon?"
"Oh, nothing…it's just…I don't know…something happened and I just came straight to you. I thought maybe you could help me out with something?"
"Oh? What may that be?"
I looked him in the eye, and silence lasted between us for quite a while. After pursing my lips and pushing the bravery and chance out of my soul, I finally gave in.
"With something I should have done a long time ago."
With that, I swiftly leaned in under Henry's face and pressed my lips against his, my hand rested against his shoulder. After the shock he got from the kiss died down after a few seconds, he slowly rested his hand upon my cheek.
Then we heard a knock at the door.
"Hey Henry, by any chance have you seen—"
We barely had time to break apart before Rodney opened the door and found us in each other's arms.
He stood there, shifting his position onto his hip, and continuously yet very lightly nod his head, spreading a large grin on his face. He looked down, almost seeming to be laughing.
He thought this was funny.
He thought this was my idea of revenge.
Oh no, but it wasn't.
This wasn't revenge at all.
This was getting what I've wanted for the longest time possible.
This is me getting control of my love life.
But the worst was to come, if Rodney thought this was revenge.
Oh, no…revenge was to surely come his way.
Or…maybe somebody else's.