The Matchmakers
Chapter Five:
Throwing Down
Bennett Household
Jessica hung up the phone, frowning. "She didn't answer. I left a message."
Ivy crossed her arms. "Why does Rina hardly ever return your phone calls, Jessica? I hope you didn't get off on the wrong foot with her. She seems like a sensitive young woman." She gave Jessica a stern look.
Jessica scoffed. "More like a total stick in the mud. Do you know how hard it's been, spending so much time trying to suck up to her? She's so boring. She doesn't date, party, drink, she doesn't even smoke, -all she does is go to work and go to school. We have totally nothing in common."
"Yes, I see how a nice, hardworking young woman would seem like she comes from a different world to you." Ivy murmured.
Jessica gave her a cold look. "Are you on my side or what?"
Ivy sighed. "Of course I'm on your side, Jessica. It's just that you said yourself going through Rina is the best way to get dirt on Kieran. So you're just going to have to suck up a little harder. And you really should stop distancing yourself from your old friends. I never see you with Jessica and Simone anymore and people are talking about how distant you've been. The last thing you need is for Gwen and Kieran to suspect that your supposed remorse is just an act. What you need to do is get back into circulation with a smile on your face. Make sure that no one suspects anything-then strike when their backs are turned. You play things my way, Kieran will be yours." A cold smile spread across her face.
"Kieran." Jessica repeated softly, her eyes going unfocused. "He wants me, Ivy. I hear him, in my head. He wants me to save him, from Gwen and from the marriage she forced him into. It was all a trick, I know it was. A trick to keep us apart, but it won't work." A shaky laugh broke from her lips. "It won't work, Ivy. Everyone wants to keep us apart but I'll stop them. I'll make them pay." She stared off into the distance. "And pay, and pay, and pay..." Her whisper trailed off into the darkness.
"Indeed." Ivy eyed Jessica warily. The young woman didn't notice. She was still staring off in the distance as she sat in her chair, rocking herself back and forth, whispering something Ivy couldn't hear. For a moment, a shiver of apprehension ran down Ivy's spine. Using Jessica and her obsession with Kieran to bring Gwen down, and eventually Theresa, had seemed like a golden opportunity but as time went on, Jessica's mental instability was becoming more and more apparent. Maybe this was a mistake-who knew what the girl was capable of?
"Jessica-right here. Focus." Ivy snapped her fingers in front of Jessica's face and she looked up, her eyes clearing. "Sorry, Ivy, I was just thinking." Her voice was back to normal now and Ivy sighed with relief. She was being silly. Jessica was a little overdramatic and certainly had some issues but she wasn't dangerous or anything. It would be fine. Ivy would get what she wanted, which was Gwen's complete and utter downfall, and Theresa's permanent removal from Ethan's life, and Jessica would get what she wanted-if it didn't interfere with Ivy's plans. As long as her soon to be stepdaughter played her part, all would be well...
Whitney Russell-Crane's Residence
For a moment, Whitney couldn't speak as she stared at her estranged husband, a man she hadn't seen in nearly two months. "Chad." She whispered. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you." Chad gave her a searching look. "I know I left without really explaining, and I haven't called or written, but there is so much I need to tell you. I missed you and Miles-so much, baby."
"So much that you left a goodbye note on our door and just disappeared without a word. Oh, not to mention all the cheating you did before you ran out on us. I'm not interested in what you have to say, Chad, and I don't know what you're thinking, showing up on my doorstep with your suitcase like I'm just going to take you back like nothing ever happened." Whitney's voice was cool as she folded her arms, giving him a reproachful look.
"Oh, this?" Chad looked at his suitcase in surprise. "No, Whit, it's not what you think. I came here right from the airport in a cab, but I didn't expect you to let me just move back in. I'm going to stay at the Seascape Inn. I've already booked a room. It's just I couldn't go any long without seeing you. Please, can I come in?"
Whitney hesitated for a moment, but then she heard a distant giggle from Miles, who was still in the living room. At the sound, Chad's eyes filled with emotion and he gave her a desperate look. "Please, Whitney, don't keep me from my child."
"Alright." Whitney sighed. "I just made dinner. I always make a little too much-haven't really gotten the hang of cooking for just me and Miles, I guess. You can stay and eat with us, but after that, you go to the inn. And don't expect anything from me, you understand? I won't keep Miles from you but I still feel the way that I did before. I still want a divorce."
Chad's jaw tightened for a minute and his eyes went dark, then he nodded slowly. "Alright. I won't pressure you into anything. Tonight, I just want to spend some time with my son-with my family. Thank you, Whitney." He followed her inside, leaving his suitcase right inside of the front door.
An hour later, dinner was finished and Miles was sagging in his high chair, his eyelids droopy. Whitney stood up to get him out, but Chad stopped her.
"Please, let me. I missed this." He lifted his sleepy son out of the high chair. "I'll be back. Before I go, I'd like us to talk a bit. I think you deserve an explanation." He walked down the hall still carrying the toddler and disappeared into Miles's bedroom.
Feeling nervous, Whitney quickly cleared the table while he was gone. He'd been so polite and sweet all throughout the meal, and it was nice, but she already felt like she'd given him too much ground, too much reason to hope. It was easy enough for him to charm her through a meal, but she'd tried sharing a life with him, raising their son together, and he hadn't been able to handle it. He'd betrayed her, dozens of times. She couldn't see how she'd ever be able to trust him again, but it hurt...it hurt to know that she still wanted him, she still loved him. She'd missed him so much and just that made her angry all over again. He wasn't worth her tears and yet, she shed them for him anyway.
"Whitney." Chad's quiet voice broke into her thoughts. He'd returned from putting Miles to bed. "Let's talk, please."
She sighed, but took a seat at the table again and he quickly joined her.
"I think you deserve to know where I've been and what I've been doing." Chad looked at her steadily.
"I don't know if I really want to hear about it, Chad." Whitney looked down at her folded hands on the table.
"I've been in Prescott, Arizona." Chad paused for a minute. "I thought about what you said, Whitney, about how I should have gotten help for my problems and how I expected you to push me into it and take care of me. I needed to be a man and step up and straighten myself out, and that's what I've been trying to do. I've been in a center for people with problems like mine. Problems like..."
He swallowed hard. "It's still a little difficult to say it, but I'm a sex addict, Whitney. I have a problem controlling myself. But I have been committed to turning my life around and it's because of you and Miles. I know you're not ready, but I want you back, and I will do everything I can to get you back. Everything and anything, Whitney. Know that. You may still want a divorce, but I'm nowhere near ready to give you one."
The Briar Rose
Luis was breathing heavy, his eyes narrowed in anger as he lashed out at Jared.
"Get my hooks into Sheridan?" The other man stared at him with a mix of bewilderment. "You've got to be kidding. What the hell are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about you and whatever agenda you've got going now. It's not going to work, and you need to stay away from Sheridan or I'm going to make you sorry you were ever born." Luis's voice was cold and angry.
Sheridan got to her feet, her cheeks reddened in embarrassment and feeling her own temper rise. "Luis, what has gotten into you? First of all, I understand why Jared did what he did, and you seem to forget that he may have saved my life the night that he arrested Chris. Secondly, last I checked I was a grown woman, perfectly capable of deciding for myself who I should spend time with. I don't need you to tell me who's good for me to be around and who isn't."
Luis scoffed loudly. "Of course, because your judgement of character has been so spot on in the past. Gee, what could I have been thinking?" His voice rang with sarcasm.
Infuriated, Sheridan snatched her drink from the table. Luis saw it coming and yet he still didn't manage to duck in time. Next thing the man knew, he was sputtering and wiping wine out of his eyes. "Sheridan, damn it, would you just listen to-"
"I think I've heard enough. Come on, Jared, I'll drive you home." Sheridan snatched her purse up from the table and giving Luis a furious look, started for the door.
"Actually, I can drive-" Jared stopped at the murderous look Sheridan gave him. "Uh, never mind. Let's go."
"You are not going with-" Luis started forward but suddenly a strong arm grabbed him from behind.
"That's enough!" An accented voice bellowed, and Luis looked to see Kieran blocking his way. The Irish man didn't look angry but there was a determined set to his jaw that told Luis that he'd pushed him too far. "There will be no fighting, not in my club. You've had your say, now you need to let them go."
Sheridan's tone softened as she looked at her angry ex. "Luis, I appreciate that you're trying to protect me, I really do. But Jared is a good man, and you're just going to have to believe me on this one. We'll talk soon." Without another word, she turned on her heel and disappeared with Jared out the door.
Luis sighed heavily. "That went well." He grumbled.
"Yes, you might want to try a little more finesse next time. Women don't like to be manhandled, or told what to do." Kieran's voice grew serious. "Nor do they like having romantic interludes interrupted to watch their lovers rush to their ex-girlfriend's rescue-again."
"What?" Luis turned, and his throat suddenly constricted as he looked at the empty table where Fancy had been seated a moment before. "Oh no. Tell me I didn't. I blew it, didn't I?"
"Oh, you did, and your pretty bird has flown the coop. She did not look happy, either." Kieran's voice was gentle, but chiding. "I'm going to give you a bit of unsolicited advice, Luis, advice you've probably already heard a million times. You can't have both. You need to choose. And if you can't, leave them both alone, because what you're doing isn't right, for any of you."
Luis groaned softly as Kieran walked back behind the bar and began to take drink orders once more.
'He's right.' He thought to himself. 'I love Fancy, but I keep hurting her, because I have unresolved feelings for Sheridan. What the hell am I going to do?'
The Lennox Residence
"What do you mean, Endora is going to to help you? She would never turn against her own mother!" Tabitha's voice was angry as she glared down at Charity.
"We'll see about that." Charity snapped. Turning, she walked over to the table where Endora sat, and kneeled down. "Endora, I know all about you. I've sensed you. You have such power, such strength of will, even at your young age. And even more, Endora, you have the desire to do good. I can help you fight against your dark side. It's meant to be that you and I work together-I've foreseen it. You will be a child of the light, just as I am. Join me, Endora, and I will save your soul."
Tabitha made gagging noises as Charity spoke. "Child of the light-what nonsense! You know nothing about my daughter! Your prophecies are nothing more than wishful thinking, that's what they are."
Charity ignored her. "Endora, you don't really want to hurt me, do you? You don't want to hurt anyone, but if you let this witch corrupt you, you will. You'll cause pain and chaos even to those you love. You've already hurt Fox, haven't you?" Her voice was reproachful, and Endora's lip trembled.
'I didn't mean to.' The toddler thought as her eyes filled with tears.
"I know you didn't, Endora, but you don't know how to control your powers. You should be a radiant force for good, not a pawn of this vile creature who gave birth to you. It's time to choose, Endora. Stand with me, and I'll take you away from all this evil. I'll raise you myself, and I'll train you, and you can do so much good for the world. As for her-"
Charity stood up and pointed. "You will be imprisoned, Tabitha, for your crimes and misdeeds, until the Tribunal can decide what to do with you. I suppose there's a small chance, if you show the proper repentenance, that you can be rehabiliated, but I don't hold out much hope. You have done so much damage, caused so much pain...and worst of all, you've swayed a Standish woman to the side of darkness." Charity shook her head. "Poor Kay. Thank the forces of good that I am here to rescue her before she becomes irredeemable." She reached out and took Endora's tiny hands in her own. "Choose, Endora, choose now. Join with me."
Endora swallowed hard, looking at Charity, and then back at her mother. 'I choose...' she hesitated and Tabitha's eyes filled with tears that she didn't know she could share.
"Endora...don't. Don't turn against me." She whispered, staring at the child she'd borne.
'I don't want to be evil, Mommy.' Endora telepathed, looking down.
A smile of utter triumph lit up Charity's features. "Then it's settled." Her eyes fixed on Tabitha and the glowing ball of light once again began to form in her hand. "And now, witch, prepare to meet your eternal-OWWWW!"
A pink lightning bolt had shot from Endora's miniature finger, zapping Charity right on the backside. She turned angrily to face the toddler, her hand pressed against her smoking trousers. "Endora, what are you doing?! You said you didn't want to be evil?"
'I don't.' Endora smiled angelically. 'And the most evil thing of all, Charity, is to hurt those you love. You have a lot to learn.'
"Oh, Endora!" Tabitha ran across the room and picked her small daughter up, hugging her tightly. "I should have had more trust in you, sweetpea. Thank you, my darling."
"Oh, you...!" Charity fumed. "Endora, I had such high hopes for you. So be it, then. The Tribunal will judge you both-may they have mercy on you...because I won't."
She raised her glowing hand, ready to strike, and Tabitha's gaze darkened as she raised her own hand, a glowing red ball forming on her palm, the opposite of Charity's sphere.
'Don't worry, Mommy-I've got your back.' Endora chirped.
"Thank-" Tabitha started to say, but then the force of Charity's first strike blew her off her feet.
"Mommy!" Endora cried.
At The Book Cafe
Rina stood frozen in the kitchen for a minute, looking at the lazy smile on Fox's face.
"Mr, Crane! Uh..."
"Your name is Rina, right?" He asked, ignoring her nervousness. At her nod, he continued. "I'd like it if you called me Fox. I was hoping we could talk."
Rina bit her lip, and before she could lose her nerve, she began to speak rapidly. "Look, Mr. Crane, I'm sorry about doing all those things to your breakfast order. I was just trying-well, I have seen you around before and you looked so sad. I thought maybe I could be helping to take your mind off of Kay-I mean...oh, no. I shouldn't have said that. I am so sorry!" She felt her face grow even more red. Was it possible for her to embarrass herself any further?
As she continued to stumble over apologies, Fox shook his head, still smiling. "Rina, could I get a word in here? Great. First of all, relax. I'm not upset with you. And I'm not mad that you mentioned Kay. It's not like I'm not thinking about her, you know? When I walk in a room, everyone goes quiet and pretends like it didn't happen. They don't bring her up like she never even existed, because I guess they think I've forgotten and they don't want to remind me. It doesn't help, believe me. All it does is make me feel worse. I'm glad at least someone is brave enough to mention it to my face."
"Oh." Rina paused. "I am glad I didn't offend you, Mr. Crane."
"You will if you keep calling me that. My name is Fox, remember?" He grinned at her. "And about the breakfast orders..."
"Oh no." Rina moaned softly. "I am so sorry. I know it was a very childish thing to do but-"
"And again with the apologies." Fox laughed. "Rina, that was the nicest thing anyone has done for me in a long time. If you wanted to cheer me up, you succeeded. That's why I came back here to find you. I wanted to say thank you."
"Oh." For a minute, Rina was struck speechless, still feeling the color bloom in her cheeks. "You're welcome, Mr-I mean, Fox." For a moment, she couldn't think of anything else to say, and so they both stood there in silence.
"You know, Rina, it occurs to me that you and I have never really had the chance to talk or get to know each other. I mean, I've seen you around and apparently you've seen me around, but I don't know anything about you, aside that you're from Jesenik and you live with Pilar. I'd like a chance to get acquainted with you...that is, if it's alright with you." Fox sent an entirely too charming smile her way and Rina felt herself blush even more. If she kept this up, her whole face was going to explode into flame.
"That would be nice." She smiled shyly, and felt herself relax a bit. "I don't know too many people in Harmony yet. The Lopez Fitzgeralds have been so kind to me, but usually I am at school or here and... Well, I don't mean to ramble on. I'm sure you have better things to do."
"Not really." Fox grinned once more at her. "I'd really like to hear about you. But I guess I should get going and let you get back to work. I'll give you a call sometime, OK?"
"Yes, OK." Rina nodded and watched as he exited. Once he had left the kitchen, she sighed and sank back into the wall. He had been so kind, and she felt so... She bit her lip in consternation. Why did she feel so fluttery and nervous, yet so happy? Did she have some kind of silly schoolgirl crush on Fox Crane?
'If you do, you are better to get over it.' She scolded herself. 'He is kind, yes, but he is a Crane. I could not be of any possible interest to him, and I will only get hurt if I imagine otherwise.' Steeling her resolve, she straightened up. She didn't have time for daydreams. He may have said that he would call, but he was only being nice. The only time she'd ever see him was when she was serving his food, and of course he would smile, and nod, and say something polite, but he would never see her as more than a poor, foreign waitress that deserved a little charity. No, she wouldn't think about him, or let herself feel anything except gratitude that he hadn't been angry with her. Crushes and puppy love and romantic fantasies-those were for other girls, girls that hadn't lived through the harsh realities that Rina had. So she wouldn't think of Fox anymore... Squaring her shoulders determinedly, she went to find Mike to tell him she was ready to get back to work.
The Lennox Residence
"Mommy!" Endora cried again, alarmed as her mother fell heavily to the floor. Charity ran forward, forming another magical weapon with her hand, but suddenly froze in place as Endora blasted her with a spell of her own. For a second Charity couldn't move at all, but then her eyes flickered furiously and her fingers began to wiggle. Endora climbed off the chair and ran over to her mother. To her relief, Tabitha was only stunned and dazed, and she sat up with a groan.
'Mommy, you have to get up. Charity's strong-the binding spell won't hold her for long.' Endora's eyes were wide and worried.
Tabitha sighed and pulled herself heavily to her feet. "If only I had my full powers, I'd blast that miserable little brat through the wall, so I would."
'I'll stop her, Mommy.' Endora's cherubic face was determined.
"No, sweetpea! You just stand back and let me handle this. You're right, she is strong. I can't take a chance of you getting hurt. If worse comes to worse and Charity gets the best of me, you get yourself out of here before she gets to you. You know where to hide. Kay will come and find you when it's safe."
Endora's rosebud mouth thinned into a tight line. 'I won't let that happen, Mommy. Charity's going down!' Her spell finger sparked.
"Is that so?" With a sudden blast, Charity broke through the binding spell. "I don't think so, Terror Tot. And when I get through with your mother, you're going to the corner!" Her hand began to glow again, but before she could strike, Tabitha hit her with a fireball of her own. For a moment Charity was lit up like a one woman inferno, then with a shriek of anger she shook off the flames, and stepped away from them, scorched and smellling of burnt hair, but otherwise unharmed. With a flick of her hands the flames died down as Tabitha and Endora looked on, open mouthed.
"You see? I am protected by forces much higher than you, demon witch! For I, Charity Standish, have the power of all that is good on my side. I am the protector of the faithful, the pure, the innocent-I am the defender of all that is righteous, and holy. I am a child of the light, and it is my destiny to strike you down and reclaim that poor child from your evil clutches! And once I have done so, the angels will sing and my teachers will proclaim a great victory! It is foreseen that-"
As she continued to rant, Tabby and Endora exchanged looks, rolling their eyes. 'Is that part of her power, Mommy? Boring people to death with long speeches?' Endora queried. 'Because If we're not going to fight for a while, I'm going to watch tv until she's done.'
"Lovely idea, Endora. I think Harry Potter is on channel ten. I'll make popcorn." Tabitha stood up to go to the kitchen.
"Very funny." Charity snapped. "Oh Endora, how can you choose an alliance with this bringer of death and chaos? There is nothing she could offer you, nothing that is loving, or good or worthy in her!"
'That's not true.' Endora pursed her lips and gave Charity an annoyed look. 'She loves me.'
"No, she doesn't! She's a witch-she can't possibly feel true love for anyone, no matter what she's told you." Charity's voice was pitying. "She's tricked you, poor naive child."
"That's not true!" Tabitha spat. "I love Endora with all my heart, small and black though it may be. Don't you dare say otherwise!"
'Not only that.' Endora smiled. 'She loves Kay too...your very own cousin.'
"That's not possible!" Charity stared at Tabitha. "You have used and manipulated my poor cousin to do your bidding. You couldn't possibly feel any true emotion for her-she's a Standish, part of the clan you've been trying to destroy for centuries."
"True." Tabitha shrugged. "I did think that Kay would be merely useful to me, nothing more, but I have to admit, I've grown very fond of her. I can't explain it myself, really. And you know, she'll be quite cross with you if anything happens to me or Endora."
"No, not after I explain to her how it's meant to be. You see, I haven't just come back to put an end to your foulness. I've come back to reclaim everything that I lost-like Miguel. Kay has her own part in my destiny, and when I explain it to her, she'll step aside and let Miguel come back to me, so that we can make love and unite, and I'll come into my full powers. And Kay will help me, Tabitha. She'll be at my side, because we're family and she'll assist Miguel and I as we travel the world, eradicating the forces of darkness wherever we go!"
At these words, Tabitha and Endora exchanged a long look, then both of them burst out laughing. "Oh dear, your memory is as short as your prophecies are bad, my dear." Tabitha chuckled. "You do remember Kay, don't you? Your cousin, the one who would gladly see you plummet off a cliff to your bloody death before she'd let you have a second more than you've already had with Miguel? She'll never help you, Charity, and she definitely won't step aside so you can take her man. How can you honestly believe that she'll be content to watch you and Miguel happy together, while she's relegated to being your magical servant? And you call my Endora the poor, naive child! Charity, you have created a fantasy world where everything is exactly how you want it, without a care for how any of the other players really feel. And you say we're evil...what's your excuse for your blatant selfishness?"
Charity's face reddened at Tabitha's words. "I won't listen to you, witch! You're trying to twist everything-I'm not selfish! Kay can't be with Miguel, because I was meant to be with him! You'll see...or perhaps you won't." Her eyes began to glow maliciously, and she prepared to strike. "Are you ready to taste your doom?"
"Bring it on, Charity. Bring it on."
TBC
Thank you Emerald, for continuing to read and review - it's much appreciated!
In the next chapter,
Kay and Miguel come home - but what will they find when they get there?
Fox asks Rina for a favor.
Gwen decides that Sheridan and Luis aren't the only couple she wants to get together.