A/N: I guess the dvd release sparked a flood of interest in this minimal thread. Thank you to all of my new readers, including Jack's Wench, QueenieMeanie, and Dawnie. For my other readers, thanks for standing by. All of you have been awesome. Without you, there isn't a reason to post stories. So, I owe you!

Xoxo-

McFadden-

Chapter Ten

Morning broke and even though her whole body ached, it was the kind of pain Kathryn wanted to last a little longer. She felt a protective hand holding her hip tightly against another pair of hips. Smiling as her thoughts reverted back to the previous night, Kathryn pressed up against the Earl and received a drawn out moan in return. He was still asleep, but that wouldn't last very long. After a little movement, his eyes opened and immediately snapped shut due to the amount of sunlight that was flooding the bedroom. Kathryn took the liberty of getting up and shutting the curtains.

John rolled over and opened his eyes which immediately landed on her naked form. Raking over the body that he stole last night was like refreshing his memory of every moment, every movement, every sound that he made tear out of her throat. Coming back to bed, Kathryn attempted to snuggle up against him only to hear him laugh softly and stop her with his hand.

"No, no...none of that."

Pulling out of her utter shock, Kathryn realized that he never got close after he got what he wanted. It was written all over his face. And soon, complete disgust was written all over hers. He seemed to be needy only when the lights were dim. As soon as he had a good night's sleep or some spare time to really analyze things, only then did he pull back and become cold to her. Not that she couldn't shoot that treatment back at him with an equally viral viscosity. Kathryn was more than capable of that. Neither was she afraid of him, which was a common comfort that he was used to manipulating in others. His icy exterior was turning her numb. Snatching the robe from her vanity, she hastily tied it around herself. Kathryn didn't know it, but John had been watching her every move with incredible precision. He was gauging her movements and knew that she didn't understand why he never got too close. The Earl caught her eye as he got up and pulled on his pants. She looked at him maliciously and spat quietly to herself.

"I should've let you die."

Apparently it wasn't quiet enough for the Earl not to hear because he spun around, grabbing her and thrust her up against the adjacent wall.

"You should've let me die?"

His voice was cold and it was mocking her as he held her there and continued speaking.

"What? Do you want me to be kind and considerate? So you want me to hold you and whisper sonnets in your ear? Were you expecting that of me? If so, you're going to be very disappointed."

She looked at him in disgust and snarled.

"I guess you only do that when you're drunk!"

His grip tightened but she did nothing to loosen it. She just stared at him emotionless.

"No, I expect nothing from you John."

She clawed his wrist, causing it to bleed and he let her go. She glanced down at the wound for a mere second before she grabbed her overcoat and stomped heavily out of the room, and, from the sound of it, out of the door. As soon as he heard the door slam, his sobriety started to catch up with his hangover and he realized what he just did.

"Fuck...this isn't going to end well."

John was left alone to fume for more than an hour. Honestly, after the first half hour he stopped pacing from anger and started pacing out of worry. When would she be back? Would she be back at all? Not left with many other options, he stayed put until he heard the door open and what seemed to be the sound of things being shoved around followed by angered whispers and tiny curses. The pigeon had returned home.

She tried...she really did. But this was the final straw. She'd had it with him! After the indescribable night she shared with him, he had the audacity to brush it off as nothing. It left her bitter and completely void of any sympathy she possessed for that man. And now she wanted him out. Picking up his different belongings, Kathryn opened up her front door and unceremoniously tossed them out of the in door. John watched in horror from the hall as his writings and drawings were soaked with muddy water as they landed in a murky puddle. Spinning around, Kathryn pinned him there with a glare and two simple words.

"Leave. Now."

Initially, it was what he had wanted to do this morning, until he had time to stew his feelings whilst she'd been gone. Now, he didn't want to move. His insecurity began to grow, and his immediate defense was again, to get angry at whatever was causing him to feel vulnerable. She saw his anger getting the best of him once again but refused to pay attention to it. She didn't care if he threw a temper-tantrum. He had worn out his welcome and it was time for him to go. Muttering obscenities, the Earl stormed past her and began picking up the parchment in hopes of saving whatever genius was left on the paper. Kathryn just looked on from the doorway with frosty eyes, keen on watching every second of humiliation for him.

Only a few sheets were left to gather when a carriage wheel slid into a nearby muddy groove. Splattering the Earl with a mixture of sludge and rainwater as it came to a halt in front of him. The Earl sighed, heavily annoyed.

"Fuck me..."

Brava... Kathryn had gone and done it now. As promised, it was Alcock coming to collect the now pathetic Lord. The staunch man climbed down from the driver's perch and offered Wilmot a hand.

"So sorry my Lord. These cobblestone streets seem to gather water in the oddest of places. Worst than the countryside really..."

John glared up at Alcock, noting the sincerity in his voice was clearly sarcastic.

"I'd sooner have stakes driven through my palms than to get in that carriage."

Alcock stared for a moment, not being able to decipher the analogy so the Earl offered him a simpleton's explanation.

"I'd rather walk..."

Alcock shrugged, content with whatever his master wanted to do. He wasn't going to risk the extra pence it would cost him if he had argued for a point. If the bastard wanted to walk, let him walk. In the meantime he picked up the remnants of John's papers and the rest of his belongings scattered about the steps of the flat. The Earl made one look to see if Kathryn was enjoying this spectacle and all he caught sight of was the view of her back, retreating into the shadows. Picking himself up, Wilmot attempted to clean up as best as he could, wrapped his scratched wrist within his shirt cuff, and headed down in the direction of his home.

John didn't get more than a few yards away when he heard this beguiling, albeit satisfied, little chuckle from behind him. Turning around the alley corner, pulling off a pair of white stitched gloves, the handsome face of Billy Downs appeared, and he was highly amused.

"Ah...if it isn't the King's darling. Look at you. You've done well John."

Surprised to see the face of anyone so early, the Earl smiled, trying in earnest to come across composed. Although the stains on his frock coat said otherwise. Wilmot tried to retain some of his dignity and tipped the brim of his hat.

"Oh how I do miss your pronunciation of my dear 'Rochester'. What's the cause for ceremony, using such a formal name?"

That's when Billy's expression changed from friendly to cruel.

"To call you anything but John, would prove me a friend of you."

Crooking an eyebrow the Earl looked at him sternly.

"Are you not?"

Returning with an equally harsh stare of his own, Billy tipped his head up high and replied.

"I am not.

Being rightfully shocked but recovering quickly he sneered and sarcastically spoke.

"Beautifully spoken..."

After a moment of silence that followed, John stepped forward, invading Billy's personal space, and continued.

"So that's it then. The end of a friendship and the beginning of another acquaintance. Are you now an enemy?"

Billy locked eyes with him affirming the answer to his question.

"Due to recent, unfortunate affairs that I lay witness to, I say yes, and without regret."

"Care to humor me and explain this sudden change of heart?"

"I saw you with Kathryn through the bedroom window. You bewitched her as you've done with many, including me, into believing that you love her, and only her. I watched you in the theatre, masquerading to her pleasures even though she was unaware of what she desires. You took advantage of her. At first, I wanted to take her because she was someone you were toying with, and I wanted to get your attention. Now that I had it, and her, I realized that I wanted her more. I wanted her before you got a chance to corrupt her. I saw it coming. And I made a deal with myself to write you off if anything more should happen...And it did. But from the looks of it, I don't have to worry about that much. She obviously found out who you really are."

Johnny was put off by this invasion of privacy. The fact that said night hadn't ended very well was only rubbing the pre-existing wounds the wrong way. How dare this little rat shylock pose a threat like that. But, if anything, John knew just what to say to knock him down.

"Kathryn knows full well what she desires. And, much to your dismay, it's still me. We're just in a bit of a lover's tif. That's all. Envy has just painted you green with the realization that I could never love you Billy. Furthermore, you could never give her what she wanted as I can. You may try to steal her away from me if you wish. I will love to play that game if you choose to engage me in it. But know this...If that be the case, then I shall be forced to keep my own promise I've made with myself."

With a hint of a smirk, Billy dared him with his eyes.

"Which is?"

With the quickest of movements, John had Billy caught up against the wall of a building, using his cane as a choking device. While Billy hung there, toes barely touching the ground, and flailing against the restraints, the Earl got ever so close to his face and hissed through gritted teeth.

"I will kill you, Billy."

Releasing the younger man to gasp for air and slide to the ground, John immediately changed his direction and headed back to Kathryn's flat, fearing that if he didn't, Billy would get their first and the thought of that never settled right with him. First, he would surely have to convince her to even open the door. A woman that livid, meant only one thing. The aching scratches on his wrists would not be the last wound he would receive. Second, of he didn't, Kathryn would willingly run into the arms of Downs.

Fuck! He was going to have to apologize...again.