Disclaimer: I don't own The Covenant.

Co-Author: SkyyRyder

A/N: Thanks to those who reviewed. Now, neither of us speak Icelandic, but these are what I believe the Icelandic words in this chapter translate to: Amma- grandmother; Afi- grandfather; minn ást- my love.

Fallen Now is Babylon the Great

Chapter 6: The Master Plan is Working

-Reid's POV-

I still couldn't grasp the idea that Aaron didn't fucking believe that I got Babylon to go to the Masquerade and to Pogue's party with me. Who wouldn't wanna go with me? There isn't a girl at this school or any of the local publics that wouldn't die for a chance to go to one of Spenser's biggest parties with me!

Sure, I had to trick her into it, but I figure once I reallyget under her skin, she won't be able to resist the Garwin Charm.

That, I'm sureof.

I grabbed my tray and stepped outside, surveying the quad; only seniors and juniors got to eat out on the quad, though several underclassmen try to weasel their way outside. Most of us upperclassmen like to use the privilege until it's too unbearably cold to sit out there, but it's not too bad today. I headed towards my normal picnic table where my brothers, Kate and Sarah were sitting when I saw an opportunity too sweet to pass up.

Babylon sat, her dark hair loose and resting in curls over her shoulders. What I would do to have my fingers tangled in thatdark mass. Biting my lip, I noticed her table was empty. Not her usual setting. Then again, it's kind of early into the lunch hour.

She was picking at the salad from the styrofoam plate in front of her, enjoying her time alone it appeared. I switched my path and headed right over to her table, letting my tray smack the wood below me as I slid onto the bench smoothly opposite her.

None of her giggling hyena friends had made it over here yet, so now was my time to sway this girl into my good graces, or at least try.

Her eyes snapped up to me. Oh hell, I know thatlook.

"What do you think you're doing Garwin?" she demanded roughly, her lips pursed together in that pissed off scowl she loved to flash at me.

It was actually pretty hot.

I gave her a sly grin before taking a huge bite out of the burger I had and chewed a few times before swallowing. "Eating, sweet cheeks, what's it look like?"

An obvious answer.

I could tell that she was getting pissed at me, it seemed to happen a lot lately, but do I really care? No. It's all part of the master plan. I wantto get under her skin; the more of that emotionless, stone-face bullshit she pulls on me the more it makes me want to make her mad, just to get a reaction out of her.

"You belong over there, with the rest of your annoying friends," she stated pointing to the table that I normally occupied with my three best friends and the two girls.

I took another bite of my burger and stayed seated right there in front of her, my eyes never leaving hers. "You're gonna talk about myannoying friends? Don't you usually sit with half the dance team?" She looked away and took a sip of her water. Water and salad; Jesus someone needs to get this girl a fucking burger.

"Why don't you go sit over there, with people who actually like you?" she pressed, her eyes snapping back up to mine.

I held her gaze for a second, "I'd much rather be sitting here," I teased her. "Don't think you'll get rid of me either."

Babylon's eyes grilled me for a minute before she stubbornly started assaulting her lettuce with her fork. She looked up at me every few seconds as if I was seriously going to just get up and walk away.

"C'mon Babs, you could at least be civil to me while I eat lunch with you. I mean, I'm doing you a favor by not making you sit all alone like some AV nerd." I gave her a short grin as she sent me a death glare that was cold as ice.

"Don't call me Babs." Her voice was lower than usual and a bit deep, but it sounded sexy. I bet she'd say my name all deep and sexy like that while I railed her.

My thoughts were interrupted when I noticed Aaron heading our way. I gave him a nod of the head as I reached over and took Babylon's hand in mine, giving it a gentle stroke of my thumb. I met Abbot's gaze; I could see him look down at my hand holding Baby's and I simply gave him a smirk as he turned back to Bordy and Ryan, a disbelieving look on his face.

That's right, I win.

Babylon pulled her hand away from me just as quickly as I had grabbed it. Luckily, Aaron was still yapping at his lackies. "Don't touch me." Her words were bitter as she stared at the hand that was sitting on the table between us.

"C'mon, you let me touch you the other night at Nicky's." I licked my lips and watched her gaze rest in that area of my face. It wouldn't be long before she was under my spell and getting as much of these lips as she wanted.

"I had a lapse in judgment that night," she argued back putting her fork to her mouth.

I was about to come back and say something smart when a herd of girls literally came rushing over, all of them flocking towards me like I was some kind of God.

Oh, that's right; I am.

"Oh my God, Reid! What are you doing sitting with us?" one of the girls literally squawked in my ear.

I looked over at Baby and she rolled her eyes at them. I don't blame her; these girls are pretty awful. It's hard to believe someone as high and mighty as Babylon surrounds herself with these idiots. I mustered up my most charming grin and put up the façade that I actually wanted something to do with them. I might as well test the waters for my next conquest after I rock Babylon's world.

The girls started talking to me, asking me questions and I answered, flirting with them, openly and willingly.

I glanced over at Babylon and she was watching as that red head Georgina sat next to me, letting her fingers trail up and down my arm. I whispered something in her ear, causing her to giggle, or should I say cackle like a fucking fairytale witch. But Babylon looked annoyed, reallyannoyed.

I tossed her a smirk as the bell rang indicating lunch was over. She was jealous. It was clear as day. She might pretend she doesn't want my attention, but as soon as it isn't focused on her, she gets all tight lipped and stiff. Speaking of stiff, I could kind of see through her oxford with the sun shining as bright as it was.

As I walked away Tyler came up behind me and slapped a hand down on my shoulder. "Doing some charity work?" Baby Boy asked with a grin on his face.

"Just a bit of homework," I replied a mirroring grin on my face as we walked back inside the hellhole that was Spenser Academy.

-Babylon's POV-

Needless to say, work after school was stressful. Not only was there a huge birthday party there, but a few girls I worked with, mind you, girls much older than I, acted like a bunch of high schoolers and pestered me about Reid coming into the diner that day and 'totally grilling me' as they put it.

I was just glad to be home now, doing homework in the dining room, hearing Shena and Imogen in the living room watching television with Amma. Mother was reading a book at the other end of the table, enjoying a cup of tea and her night off. I stared down at my AP Trigonometry text, wishing problem number six would somehow solve itself. For the first time since I was about twelve, my schoolwork is hard to concentrate on because I can't stop thinking about an upcoming social event.

With a sigh, I leaned my chin on my hand, thinking about how stupid it was to bet against Reid Garwin. He's notorious for winning his gambles at Nicky's against any competitor, even the townies. And I should've been smart enough to know Reid wouldn't just give up pestering me over the loss of a bet. No, he knew he could make that shot and I fell for his trap. He completely hustled me. Now I'm forced to go to the Harvest thing and even worse, Pogue Parry's Halloween party.

I've never found the time, or desire for that matter, to previously go to either event. Now I have no choice. I'm certainly not going to back out. No way. And let Garwin hold that over my head for the rest of eternity? I don't think so. I too have a reputation to uphold.

My mind drifted back to the dance and party. I'm already terrified of what horrible costume I'm going to be forced to wear to that beerfest. I don't even want to think about it right now. The masquerade had me puzzled though.

I've never had any time or motivation to worry myself with such silly things like school dances, but now that I'm actually attending one, the question of what to wear has been prodding at the back of my mind.

All Spenser events are formal, so I know the girls will all be dressed extravagantly and with some hot designer label attached to the inside seam. I certainly don't have the money to buy some Chanel or Versace gown for one night of nonsense. I feel shallow for being so concerned about what to wear to something I don't even want to attend with a boy I certainly am not trying to impress, but I can't erase the thought.

I hadn't realized I'd groaned in frustration, capturing the attention of my mother. "Something wrong minn ást?" I smiled slightly at the way my mother seemed to still use words in her native tongue even though she'd been in America for more than half of her life and her accent had drastically faded.

I didn't' want to tell her. I don't need her gushing over the idea that the son of the prestigious Garwin family is 'dating' her daughter. But I just can't lie to her. I've never been a good liar, constantly honest, even if it is brutal. "I um... I was invited to the Harvest Masquerade by... a boy. Reid actually... and I decided to go." See how awkward that was? And it wasn't even a full on lie; it was an alteration of the truth.

As I predicted, her face lit up like the moon and her eyes twinkled like the stars. She wants what's best for me. She especially wants me to date more. Or at all in my case. And what could be more of a mother's dream than for her daughter to be going on what appears to be more than one date with the son of one of the most powerful, highly respected and wealthiest families in Ipswich? If she only knew what an obnoxious, self centered, callous—

"So then what is the problem?" She was anxious to hear this one, I could tell.

"I just... Mother, you know all those girls are going to have gorgeous, expensive dresses and I'm not trying to sound like a spoiled brat, but I wish I had something... more appropriate to wear. I mean, I have that party dress but it's so..."

"Old? I know. You could wear my wedding dress!" As gorgeous as the dress was, it was far too much, even for a Spenser event.

"I don't know Mother... it's a bit over the top for a dance, don't you think?" The older woman looked thoughtful before leaning back in her chair, defeated.

"We could go buy you—"

"No, don't be ridiculous. We don't have the money for something so unnecessary. I'll just wear that cocktail dress. It's fine, really." I hadn't noticed my grandmother's presence in the doorway until she spoke.

"I have the perfect thing Babylon, don't you worry." My mother and I both turned to face Amma as she shuffled towards her bedroom, hers being the only downstairs one in the house. She didn't usually use her wheelchair in the house, being a very independent woman.

Minutes later she returned, a flowing satin dress in her aged hands. The satin was a soft gold, the skirt long and draping. The top was embroidered in the same color, ivory lace underneath the halter strap in the shape of a bustier, peeking out beneath the satin, which gathered on the hip. All in all, the dress was breathtaking and looked to be vintage designer.

"Now it should fit. I doubt you're any bigger than I was at your age."

"Mama!" Imogen called from upstairs. My mother brushed by me and placed a happy kiss on my cheek as I gazed in awe at the treasure I had been completely unaware of right before me. My hand hesitantly reached forward, stroking the soft material, then the delicate lace before Amma thrust the hanger forward into my hand. It was one of those dresses that was so gorgeous, you didn't even want to wear it for fear of spilling something on it or tearing the fabric.

"Amma, I can't wear this. It's—"

"Nonsense. I wore that dress to a dinner party with my parents back in Reykjavík. That's where I met your grandfather," she told me through her thick accent.

"Let me guess, love at first sight?" I said with a lopsided grin. My grandparents had always been in love, even until my grandfather's very last breath. And I know she'll love him forever too. It was clear as day the two had eyes only for each other and they were one another's world.

"Ha! Not even close. I thought your Afi was the most obnoxious, arrogant boy I had ever met. But he wouldn't leave me be! Finally, I caved when I saw some daughter of a duke trying to get into his good graces and through my petty jealousy found out that he was a wonderful man. Perhaps this dress will bring you the same luck, hmm?"

The description of Afi immediately brought my situation with Reid to mind and I panicked. I still was puzzled by the jealous feelings at lunch today when the girls were fawning all over him. He's supposed to be interested in me but he's flirting with them? That is just... ugh!

No.

That will not happen. Not in a million years! I don't care how callow Afi was, there is no way he even compares to Reid Garwin. Reid didn't remind me a bit of my grandfather, but if you compared him to my father, I would agree there. A lecherous, selfish , greedy bastard.

The thought of history repeating itself absolutely horrified me, on both accounts.