Chapter 24

Roll with the Punches

A few uneventful weeks went by as Kei and Will alike were busy with their duties at work. Will and Skuld had been on several more dates, and Taka seemed to be doing very well picking up on what Will was teaching him at the shop. Bell was still her usual cheerful self, Urd and Shane were getting very close to each other too, it seemed they really had a lot in common after all. Regina and Robert were seeing each other on a regular basis, although she doesn't stay out with him long due to Will's feelings about it all. Will never came to grips with the fact that Regina had an abortion. It was something he just couldn't fathom, unless it was for medical or health reasons. Not because it was an inconvenience to your current boyfriend. This was the biggest reason that Will was against Regina seeing Robert again, but they talked about it and he agreed to trust her judgment once again. Belldandy and Skuld even started taking advanced learning classes at the college that Regina was attending, not that they really needed to learn, but for the interaction and to "fit" in as a manner of disguise. Skuld began to make a few new friends, Callie and Lena took a liking to her because of her expertise in mechs. After seeing her assemble a few rudimentary robots they were quite amazed at her talents. Lonnie had also taken quite a shine to her also. Unknown to Skuld though, Lonnie, however innocent he seemed at school, was a member of the Cruzin Streetz club. At least in a capacity that most people didn't know about. Some of the girls knew he was quite a perv, since he was caught many times in some awkward position with a number of girls from school and the club. Being so trusting, she wasn't quite aware of the way he was feeling toward her. Until he asked her out that is. Of course this wasn't a "real" date, according to him that is. He simply wanted her to attend a convention of engineering one evening in town. Of course it seemed to her to be as innocuous as it sounded, Lonnie was inwardly ecstatic about it, Skuld excitedly accepted his offer without a second thought.

Will: "Hi Belldandy. How are you doing this evening?"

Bell: "Oh Will Hi! I'm fine. You must be looking for Skuld?"

Will: "I thought I would just stop by and see if she'd like to go do a little shopping with me? You're welcome to go too if you'd like."

Bell: "Oh. Well, Skuld went to a Engineering convention in town with someone from school tonite. But I'd like to go with you if I may. Kei is going to be late this evening and I need to pick up a few groceries."

Will: "A convention? Humph. Oh well. We can just go then. I don't mind at all."

Bell: "Ok. Let me grab my pocket book."

Will: "Sure, ok." "By the way, who was it she went with?"

Bell: "Oh. I think his name is Lonnie? He's in our class at the college."

Will: "Lonnie huh? I think I've met him before. You know he deals with the Cruzin Streetz don't you?"

Bell: "Huh? You mean that group that ruined our wonderful party?"

Will: "Yep. He doesn't deal to much with them really. But he's sort of a.."

Bell: "A what?"

Will: "A few girls have told me he's a weird pervert, but it may just be because he's sort of nerdy."

Bell: "A pervert? Now I'm kind of worried."

Will: "She should be fine if that's were they went."

Bell: "I guess so. You aren't mad at her are you?"

Will: "Well, no, I guess. Sorta, maybe." Will tried to hide the fact he was actually kind of pissed off that she didn't mention it to him, much less going with a guy with a really "bad" reputation even.

Bell: "She loves you Will. This I know."
Will: "Yeah. I know. I'm not mad, just worried too I think." Will tried to park it in a void in the back of his mind.

Bell: "She'll be home by ten she told me. Please stay until she gets home tonight, if you don't mind."

Will: "Maybe I will Bell. I don't want her to think I don't trust her."
Bell: "I'm sure she'd be glad to see you. But if you don't that's just fine too okay?"

Will: "Okay. Let's head out to the store now.."

Bell: "Thank you for taking me there. I hate to go at night by myself."

Will: "Your Welcome Belldandy. It's no problem, anytime you need me day or night just call me ok?"

Bell: "I'll be sure to do that, hehe."

Will and Bell left to the supermarket a few miles from the house. They spent a lot of time talking to each other about things they never had the opportunity to talk about in front of others. He could tell she was genuinely sweet and sincere with her comments. Kei was a very lucky man he thought as they wandered the aisles of the store. Meanwhile, back at the convention Skuld was enjoying herself, looking at the various designs of equipment and the legion of robotic equipment that was on display. Lonnie was nice to her and never seemed to be a physical kind of guy, not the "touchy" type. Skuld was grateful of that. She didn't want Will to think she was interested in someone else, because frankly she wasn't. After leaving the convention on the way home, he stopped and bought her a cone at the ice cream parlor on the main parkway, and he headed back to get her home like he promised. Once they arrived at the house, he walked her to the door. He noticed no lights were on, and Skuld dug around for her key in her small purse. She put it in the deadbolt and unlocked it. Suddenly, Lonnie shoved her in the door and slammed the door shut behind him, blocking it with his body.

Skuld: "Lonnie! What did you do that for?"

Lonnie didn't speak he simply threw his arms around her and started kissing her all over.

Skuld: "Lonnie! Stop it! STOP! Lemme GO!"

Lonnie: "I want you. You know you want me, I can see it in your EYES!"

Skuld: "Lonnie stop it! I don't like you this way, or ANY WAY like that!"

Lonnie wouldn't let go his grip was tighter as he pulled down the straps of her top off her shoulders, exposing her bra, she fought back trying to push him off her, she never even thought about casting a restraining spell to hold him at bay.

Lonnie: "Come on don't fight it! God you're so beautiful."

He tried to put his hand between her legs to pull them apart, he got as far as touching her panties when Skuld suddenly raked her fingernails across his face.

He reached back with one hand and slapped her, but was off balance and had little force about it. He jerked her ankle down and spread one leg out when she screamed for help, hoping someone would hear her. Lonnie was making his way to forcing his full weight onto her when he felt someone tap his shoulder lightly. As he turned to look at his shoulder an enormous hand grabbed him by the throat, and picked him up off of Skuld like a rag doll as he slammed him in the wall with enough force that the drywall caved in.

Will: "What do you think you're DOING you prick?"

Lonnie couldn't speak, Will's hand still gripping his neck, he felt faint, blackness was entering his sight. Belldandy was shocked with her hands covering her mouth to mask her expression, Skuld jumped up and ran to Bell hugging her tightly. Will let go of Lonnie as his body went limp as he lay passed out on the floor.

Will: "Bell? Dial 911 ok?"

Bell: "Huh? OH! Yes..ok."

Bell handed Will the phone. "Hello? Yes my name is Will Harmmon, can you please come to this address? I need to have someone arrested for attempted rape. Yes. I have the perpetrator subdued in the house. Yes. Thank you."

Will just stood there shaking his head. Skuld ran to him to hold him.

Will: "What the hell were you thinking Skuld?"

Skuld: "Wh-what? I. I didn't have anything to do with this!"

Will: "I didn't say that. Why the hell did you want to go out anywhere with this perv anyway?"

Skuld: "He. He didn't act that way at school. I swear."

Will just kept shaking his head. He wasn't really mad at Skuld, but he was still angry at the thought that she wanted to go out with a guy other than him, at least if he had known, he could have warned her ahead of time.

Will: "If you'd told me about it. I could have told you of the date rape conviction he had and the attempted rape he had a year prior to that."

Skuld: "I-i. I'm sorry." Skuld was crying now, she was hurt that Will was being so stern and aggressive with her. Then she thought of Bell and what she had said when she first met him. "He seems to have a violent spirit" was what she remembered her saying in school that day they met him.

Will showed the police inside and explained to them what happened. They got Lonnie up and alert again, only to find himself handcuffed. Skuld was still upset, with Bell consoling her, Will showed the officers to her to get her statement, and he promptly left without saying goodbye. He thought it for the best before he blew up from the anger of what happened combined with the pent up anger he had from earlier.

Will got in his car and left, he decided a good long drive was what he needed. He headed out of town to a place he liked to go when he felt angry or depressed. The road was long straight and wide, it was a great road to turn on the cruise control and just ride. Before he knew it, it was 4 a.m. He had been so consumed by all that went on, that he had driven all the way to the coastline. He was literally at the beach. It wasn't long until sun up, so he decided to stay and walk the beach a little while until the sun came up. He locked up his car and walked out onto the sand, it was cool on his bare feet. It felt very good. He had not experienced this in almost three years. It made him smile to think of all the fun times he and his sister and parents had each year they came here in the summer. That was a good time in his life. But now with them gone he sometimes wondered what he had to go on for. He had thought of suicide once. But he dismissed it, "Only pussy's commit suicide, it's the ultimate cop out for those who can't fathom that others actually DO care about you" he thought once. And that thought had never entered his mind since then. He thought about everything that he had issues with, and what he needed to do to resolve them. It helped him greatly, and as he returned to the car after the sun rose, he decided to take a short nap before driving home.

Regina wasn't sure where Will could have gone. She was worried that he hadn't been home all night. He hasn't stayed out alone like that since mom and dad died. Skuld was a complete basket case. Belldandy was also very worried, even she sensed that this wasn't very much like the Will she'd come to know.

Regina: "If he'd at least CALL here I'd feel better. I'm getting scared. He's never been gone this long before without at least calling home."

Skuld: "It. It's all my fault. He left because of me."

Bell: "No he didn't Skuld. That's not true."

Megumi: "Don't say that Skuld, it's not funny. I know that isn't why."

Shane: "I'll be back in a little bit. I wanna see if I can find him."

Urd: "Be careful Shane."

Regina: "Thank you Shane."

Taka: "I'm going out to the shop. I'm gonna do what I can for him till he gets back."

Bell: "Oh Taka! Thank you, that's very sweet."
Taka: "Well it IS my job now too. See ya."

Will woke about and hour prior to that and had started for home. He was hungry and decided to stop at a restaurant to eat and reflect on his thoughts. Afterwards he took the time to call home. He figured everyone was going crazy with him gone like that.

Regina: "Hello?"

Will: "Hey it's Mr. Disappearo."

Regina: "WILL! Are you ok? We've been so worried."

Will: "Sorry. I had to clear my head, and I ended up at the old vacation spot."

Regina: "Holy shit! You drove all that way?"

Will: "Yeah, I'm only a couple of hours from home. I'll be there soon. Is Skuld ok?"

Regina: "I think so. Ask her."

Skuld: "Will? Oh Will! Are you ok?"

Will: "I'm fine Skuld. I'm sorry I took off like that, really."

Skuld: "I was so scared that something bad happened."

Will: "I'm ok. I just needed to sort things out in my head. It's my fault, and I'm sorry if I upset you."

Skuld: "I love you Will. Are you coming home?"

Will: "Yes, Skuld. I'll be there in about, say two hours. Maybe less. Ok?"

Skuld: "Ok."

Will: "And Skuld?"

Skuld: "Yes Will?"
Will: 'I do love you too. You know that, don't you?"

Skuld: "Yes, i. I do know that. Especially now."

Will: "See you in a bit ok? Bye!"

Skuld: 'Bye Will. Love you, be careful."
With that Will hung up the payphone and settled in his car and hit the road back to his town, with something of a smile on where there was a previously weathered and worn look before the phone call.

Regina: "So what the hell exactly happened last night anyway huh?"

Bell started off talking about everything, with Skuld filling in details that Belldandy had no knowledge of.

Regina was pretty upset by the facts she heard from Skuld and Bell. She was glad that her brother got there in time to stop it. Unknown to her, Bell had asked Skuld why she had not protected herself with a spell, Skuld had only stated she was too confused to think about doing just that. Skuld was visibly limping slightly when Regina noticed the bruise on her right ankle.

Regina: "Skuld? Are you sure you're ok?"

Skuld: "Yes, my leg is just a little sore."

Regina: "I can see why. I just wanted to make sure."

Belldandy hadn't noticed the bruise before then.

Bell: "Skuld? Come with me please I want to take a look at it."

Skuld: "Well. Ok."
Skuld followed Belldandy to Will's Bedroom.

Bell: "Skuld, why do you have a bruise like that? You shouldn't bruise at all!"

Skuld: "I, don't know Belldandy. It doesn't really hurt that bad."

Bell had a concerned look on her face.

Bell: "Well, I'd like for you to try a rudimentary spell for me ok?"

Skuld: "Why? Nevermind. Ok I will."

Skuld began to chat a quiet incantation when a small runic graph appeared on the dresser as she levitated the vase to her hand.

Bell: "Ok, Try one larger spell."

Skuld: "sigh Ok. Lemme see. I'll change into my gown, ok?"

Bell: "Go ahead, the doors locked."
Skuld muttered her spell quietly as the light began to surround her and fill the area where she was standing. Suddenly it left as soon as it had appeared.

Skuld: "How's that?"

Belldandy looked at Skuld with a confused face.

Bell: "How's What?"
Skuld looked down to see she had the exact same clothes on.

Skuld: "Wha? What happened?"

Bell: "I was afraid of this. Skuld just be calm. I'll call in the morning to see what might be going on."

Skuld: "O-oh. Ok. I can't believe it. Am I in trouble or something?"

Bell: "I don't believe so. But I have a theory."

Skuld: "Ok, it's …not too bad is it."

Bell: "No. But I'll talk to you once we're home ok?"
Skuld: "Yes, Belldandy."

Regina was downstairs talking to Shane and Urd about her ideas for an automotive club, Urd had mentioned she should talk to Keiichi about it. He was involved with the club back home after all, and it did very well. Bell and Skuld joined them as she explained to them about Kei's experience with the club.

Sora and Megumi were busy inserting their ideas in the conversation as much or more so than everybody else.

Megumi: "Say, I think it would be a good idea if maybe Taka's club merged into one big club with us. That way we'd be attracting racing enthusiasts from drifting, autocross and drag racing. I think that would be so cool."

Sora: "Yes, it would certainly bring together a diverse group of people."

Bell: "It's always a lot of fun with more people too."

Regina: "That is a good idea. But will the LA Drift go for that?"

Shane: "I dunno. But we could get Taka to find out for us."

Urd: "Sounds like it's going to be a blast. Par-Tay! Hehehe."

Skuld: "Honestly Urd. That's all you think about huh?"

Regina: "My only problem is Will. He's not real big on clubs. He says he just doesn't have the time. But I know that can't be the only reason."

Skuld: "Maybe I could talk to him?"

Bell: "That's a terrific idea Skuld."

Regina: "Yeah. But when he's set in his ways, that's pretty much it."

Skuld: "Doesn't hurt to at least try. I need to talk to him when he get's home anyway. I feel so awful about what happened."

Bell: "I'm sure he's just fine Skuld. He's a very understanding person."
Shane: "Say Regina. If it's ok I'm gonna catch a quick shower here ok?"

Regina: "Sure. You don't have to ask."

Urd: "Want me to join you Shane baby?"

Shane just smiled with a red face.

Skuld: "Oh please Urd. Not here."

Urd: "HAHAHA! I was just joking everybody!"

Shane suddenly looked a little disappointed for the obvious reason. But he headed to the bathroom alone regardless.

Will finally arrived back home. Everyone greeted him at the door, especially Skuld. She was almost sewed to his hip the whole time she was there. They did finally get to talk alone in his bedroom before Bell and Urd requested she go home with them for a while. She refused at first, whining like a kid that was torn from a playground. She kissed Will goodbye multiple times as they left to head home. When they arrived they were met by Kei, and his novice attempt to make dinner for them all.

Kei: "Hey guys. You hungry?"

Skuld: "Wow. Dinner? You made it?"

Bell: "Aw. Keiichi! How sweet!"

Urd: "You aren't trying to kill us are you?"

Kei: "Very funny Urd."

Skuld just laughed, and Bell tried really hard to stifle hers.

Kei: "Gee. I was just trying to be nice. You don't HAVE to eat it."
Urd: "I'm joking Kei. Yes I think we're all hungry."

Skuld tried a little of what he had prepared.

Skuld: "Hey, it doesn't look good, but it tastes pretty good."

Bell: "Mmmm. This is good Kei."

Kei: "See. I can cook something."

Urd: "Yeah. It really isn't too bad. What is it though?"

Kei: "Meatloaf. Hehe."

Skuld: "Meatloaf huh? It's pretty good."

Kei: "So what's been going on? When I called everybody was upset this morning. Something about Will being gone? And what happened to the wall in the great room?"

Bell: "Um. We have quite a bit to tell you about. You see, it started last night…"

Belldandy ran through the gamut of what transpired last night, with Keiichi developing a pale expression on his face. He couldn't believe that someone would have gotten away with that. Especially with Skuld.

Kei: "So why didn't you use a spell to stop him Skuld?"

Bell: "Well, this is where it gets interesting. She's lost some of her powers. But we haven't been notified if it was because of something she did, or if it's just simply a malfunction with Yggdrasil. I won't know for sure until the morning when I check in on it."

Kei: "Man. You feel ok don't you Skuld? I mean. I didn't think you could bruise or get hurt in a physical sort of way."

Skuld: "It's sore, but I feel fine other than that."

Bell: "If the problem is a malfunction, that could be why she is experiencing pain and physical problems, but it's only been a theory till now."

Skuld: "A Theory? What theory?"

Bell: "If the system has been corrupted. Say by an "outside" source, like. (she whispers in her ear) like you and Will having sex when it wasn't contractual. It could have unknown repercussions in the system."

Kei: "Huh? What is with all that?"

Bell: "The interference is actually making Skuld "more" Mortal."

Kei: "Holy shit! That can really happen? Sorry..Bell. I should watch my mouth."

Bell only giggled at Kei.

Urd: "This is getting stranger by the minute. But I guess there's no sense getting worked up too much about it tonight. It might just be a bug or a virus in the system."

Bell: "That's also true. So let's all just rest on it tonight. Tomorrow we'll know more about it. So please just try not to worry yourself to much about it Skuld ok?"

Skuld: "Ok Belldandy. I'm gonna go call Will, and then get some sleep. Excuse me Kei, Urd. Thank you for the dinner Kei."

Kei: "Your Welcome Skuld. Get some rest ok. I'm sure everything will be fine soon."

Skuld just smiled and left the table to her bedroom. She picked up the phone and called Will, and they chatted a few minutes before she told him good night and she climbed into bed. She was worried about what had happened to her, and if this was a punishment from the Almighty. If it were, he certainly didn't hit her with the notification they usually got from him. She ran a number of things through her mind as she drifted off to sleep, but it would not be a comfortable one.

Next Chapter

Divine Altercations