Disclaimer: I don't own The Covenant.

Co-Author: SkyyRyder

A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed. Keep them coming! I just started a Twilight story called Polaris.

Fallen Now is Babylon the Great

Chapter 15: Holding Out for a Hero

-Babylon's POV-

I never realized how jam packed my schedule was until I decided to try and juggle being the president of several clubs, on the dance team, working and now… having a boyfriend. Wow, thatis strange to say. I never thought I'd let myself get involved with a boy at this point in my life, more importantly, a boy like Reid. I've always been so focused on school and getting scholarships to get in to a good college.

I thought boys were just going to be a big distraction that I wouldn't want to deal with. A distraction that would cause drama and make me to lose focus. Now I'm beginning to think that I joined all of these clubs just so I could use them as an excuse notto bother with boys.

I haven't been able to see Reid outside of school since the weekend. The only time we've gotten to spend together really is during lunch, and even then we're not alone. His friends, our friends rather, are always around.

I'm starting to find it impossible to have an actual conversation with him when they're around. Not that I mind having them around, because I really like them. I've grown close to Kate and Sarah and I feel more accepted in their group than I did with the girls I used to hang out with.

Honestly, with all of the things that I do after school I can't even find time to hang out with my new friends either. Sarah and Kate have both asked me to hang out after school but my schedule won't permit it.

Reid has asked me nearly everyday this week to do something, but I have to turn him down. And I can't stand to see that look of disappointment cross his face. It's starting to make me feel really terrible for not having any time for him.

I can't help but feel guilty every time I have to leave to go to my next practice, or meeting, or work. Sometimes I wish I didn't have to work so hard to get a scholarship or help my mother out so I could just forget about all my extra curriculars and have a good time.

Just be a teenager for once!

Sighing I doodled on the paper in front of me, absentmindedly. I was half listening to the professor, but I had already read ahead for this chapter, so I really didn't have to pay attention. I glanced down at the doodle and blushed.

I had spelled out Reid's name, and traced a heart around it, neatly shading in the middle, darkening the letters. Wow, I must really like him more than I'm actually admitting to myself. I feel like a ridiculous schoolgirl from some teen coming of age flick.

This is different for me; I'm not used to thinking about a boy so much. I shouldn't be really. I should be focused on my schoolwork and my extra activities so that I can keep the full scholarship I was offered from Harvard.

My family really likes him though. Ireally like him.

Maybe I could give up one of my clubs; I don't need them all to get in to one of those schools. And I could always use the excuse that I wanted to give more attention to my studies. I could do without yearbook, maybe. Or maybe peer tutoring. I hadn't really liked it before anyway.

Ugh, this is a decision I can't make. I already had the scholarship, so I didn't really need many of the extra curriculars anymore. But it was a personal thing too. I've just become so invested in them all.

Time ticked away slowly as I was focused on trying to find some time this week to spend with Reid. How that was going to happen, I wasn't quite sure. I glanced up at the clock. It wouldn't be today though.

I have a yearbook meeting immediately after this class is over. We'd just gotten all the senior pictures in and we needed to get them arranged on the pages before more big events happened, like prom and such. That was my job; I was the editor and chief of the yearbook committee. We'd been laying them out for weeks; it was just piecing it together now that was left.

I really wished I could just… blow it off.

-Reid's POV-

I hadn't seen Babylon after school in a couple of days. This was going to take longer than I thought if she keeps her schedule so fucking packed. I noticed her coming down the hallway heading for her locker; I had to lay on the charm thick with her. See if I can convince her to skip on her meeting tonight so that we can hang out.

I'm pretty sure she'll do it because she's been a little more open with me the last few days at lunch. I feel like we're definitely making some progress after the other night at her house.

I can't wait to rub this in Aaron's fucking face. He's such a douche for thinking that I can't conquer the 'impossible'. No one, and I mean no one, is immune to the Garwin charm.

"Hey Babs." I smiled at her as I pulled her in to me. She had a huge grin on her face and I just smirked.

I'm getting way too good at this.

"Hey Reid." She turned to her locker.

"So, I was thinking that maybe we could go to Nicky's tonight... you know grab some food or something, dance... play pool..."

She looked at me sadly. "Reid you know I can't. I've got a yearbook meeting..."

I licked my lips and tried my best to look disappointed. "But Babylon, I feel like it's been forever since we've hung out." I wanted to get her alone so I could try and get her to make out again, maybe I could even give her a hickey. Seriously, it's been a month since I've gotten laid; I'm having legitimate withdrawals here.

If I don't get some lip action, or something from her I'm going to have to rethink this 'no-fucking other girls' policy that I put in place to save my own ass. I'm a man for Christ's sakes! I have needs too!

"I can't miss this meeting, Reid. I'm the editor." she insisted.

I pouted. "C'mon it won't kill you to miss onemeeting, Babs; it's only November. I miss you... and I only get to see you before school and during lunch." I pulled her face in to my hands when she turned to look at me, a defeated expression crossing her beautiful features. "Please... for me?"

Her eyes gazed at me longlingly, a contemplative look on her face. She's really thinking about it hard. Do these clubs really mean that much to her? They're all so… nerdy.

"You know I don't beg for anything…" I reminded her, rubbing my thumbs over her cheeks in a caring fashion. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and I tried my hardest to ignore how amazingly sexy that really was.

Those blue eyes softened and she smiled at me, leaning forward to place a quick kiss on my lips. I couldn't help but smile at her knowing that I had won.

She borrowed my cell phone to call in one of the other members of the yearbook and let them know she wasn't going to make it and that Kate Tunney was to take over for today. Kate would definitely be pleased, and now Babylon saw her as a friend, so she trusted her in charge.

"So, you go home and change and meet me back here and we'll head to Nicky's, kay?" I suggested, putting my hands lightly on her hips and brushing my thumbs over the top of her skirt, resisting the temptation to hook my fingers in there. Don't wanna scare her away.

"That sounds good. Where should I meet you?" I shook my head at her, forgetting she doesn't have a cell phone all the time. It's really inconvenient but I guess she can't afford it, judging by the state of her beat up Toyota.

"I need to get you a cell phone," I muttered, seeing a frown crease on her pretty face. Here we go.

"Don't you dare." It's weird, seeing a girl who doesn't want me to spend money on her for a change. "You know I can't pay for a cell phone and I certainly don't want you paying for one for me."

"Why not? I'll just add another phone onto my plan. It'll be like twenty bucks a month. Big deal. I probably drop that much money on the ground in change every week." Having a cell phone will make communicating with her so much easier, and it'll also mean she'll be able to call and cancel whatever meetings I talk her into blowing off much easier.

"No Reid. I don't need a cell phone," she protested, shaking her head as I walked with her outside to her car, true gentleman style.

"Okay, fine," I said coyly. I don't care what she says. I do what I want. She stared hard at me.

"I mean it Reid."

"Sure, sure." I twisted my body to the side as her hand came up and attempted to shove me. I laughed and pulled her car door open for her.

"Please don't Reid. I'll feel bad if you do." I shrugged and shoved the hand that wasn't holding her car door into my pocket.

"We'll call it an early Christmas present. So then you don't have to feel bad." She groaned and put her face in her hands.

"You're impossible," she whined, muffled by her hands. And she's officially caved. I'm too good at this.

I grabbed her wrists and pulled her hands down with little struggle. "I'll meet you by the Hummer in twenty," I told her, taking charge of this situation. I let her hands go and used mine to brush her hair behind her ears, cupping her face and giving her a long, slow kiss I knew would leave her weak at the knees. I tend to have that effect on girls.

I spun around on my skateboard in the parking lot near the Hummer, waiting for B to get here after I changed and stole Ty's keys. He's still pissy at me but he's getting over it.

Kickflips and 360 spins are only so much fun after a while. Where the hell is she? Technically, she isn't late yet but I wanna get the hell out of here.

I heard her car before I saw it and she pulled up near me, parking her vehicle and stepping out of the driver's seat. I kicked my skateboard up into my hand and met her halfway, tucking my board under my arm and using the other hand to press into the small of her back.

"You know, last year you rode that thing right out in front of my car and I wished I hadn't hit my brakes... at the time," she told me with a sideways smile.

I dropped my jaw in mock offense and put my hand over my heart, holding my board up pressed between my side and arm. "That one hurt."

"Mmm I'm sure," she mused, rolling her eyes before sliding into the passenger's seat of the Hummer. I shook my head and got into the driver's side, tossing my board in the back.

I actually had a lot to say to her during the car ride to Nicky's since I hadn't seen her outside of school really. I casually mentioned the swim regionals that would be happening before Christmas break, hoping she got the hint to keep her schedule flexible. She's a smart girl; I think she figured it out. There was no way in hell Spenser wasn't going to make it to state and I'm pretty positive we'll be at nationals too. I want to impress her, of course, and by the time we get to nationals, I'll be done with her.

I pushed that thought aside when I pulled Tyler's Hummer into the parking lot and hopped out. I draped my arm around Baby's waist and led her inside, finding Nicky's packed as usual.

I ordered for us, not bothering to ask her what she wanted since I already knew. Salad and a water. What a girl. But hell, if that's how she maintains that hot body, I'm not gonna complain.

We took over a spot right next to an empty pool table and Babs sat down on one of the high seats while I racked the balls, ready to just chill out and mess around after a very long day of school.

After I set the table up, I went over to Babylon with two sticks in my hand and stood over her shoulder, using my free hand to rub my knuckles in circles on the small of her back. I pushed them under the hem of her top, letting them touch the small bit of skin between her shirt and pants. She flinched a little at the contact, but didn't say anything. Nice, I'm definitely getting somewhere.

"How do you feel about another pool lesson?" I breathed down her neck. I love watching her squirm. I can just imagine all the indecent thoughts running through her mind. And how she's chastising herself for thinking them.

She glanced at me shyly and a small smile crept on her lips. "Why, so you can blatantly grope me in public again?" I saw the humor in her eyes, so I played along. She wasn't taking a shot at me.

I gave her a nice, short, open-mouthed kiss, a little surprised when she leaned into it and I was the one who ended up pulling away. Shit, I guess we're really getting somewhere here. "I promise to be subtitle about it," I grinned, nuzzling her cheek only to jerk back when I felt one of the pool sticks being snatched from my hand.

I whipped around, finding Aaron with a smug look on his face. Fucking prick. "Up for a round Garwin?" I watched him eye Babylon over and I frowned, not liking the look on his face one bit. He's up to something.

"You are so rude Aaron," Babylon spoke up, shaking her head and turning in her seat to face the food a waitress had left on our table. "Go ahead Reid. You can use Aaron's money to pay your tab," she announced nonchalantly and I grinned, more than happy to be able to take some cash from Abbot.

"This'll only take a minute babe," I assured her, wandering closer to the table and aiming the break. Aaron glowered at me after the indirect insult and slapped a twenty on the edge of the table. "Allowance run dry?" I teased.

"Fuck you Garwin. Just shut up and play."

Not even halfway through the game, Aaron started acting like a prick, not that that was an unnatural behavior for him or anything, but he started saying shit that might possibly give my cover away. He was just pissed because I was whipping his ass. As usual.

"Any good lays lately Garwin?" He purposely said it loud enough for Baby to hear and that made my whole body tense, causing me to scratch. I cursed under my breath and stood up straight, glaring at him before I glanced at Babylon. She heard. I could tell by the way she had her arms folded over her chest and was staring at the floor.

"Yeah, your mom. I taped it, wanna see?" I snapped back, not realizing what came out of my mouth until it was clearly too late. Aaron got a malicious look in his eyes.

"No, but I can't wait to see your whore over there getting—" He didn't get to finish before I threw my stick down and got in his face, shoving him back into the wall. No way I was letting this shithead blow this for me. Not when I have her where I want her.

"Don't Reid! Don't!" I backed off as soon as Babylon pushed her way between us. I wanted to kick his ass but I don't want Babs in the line of fire. I might do a lot of shitty things, but I definitely am not down for hitting chicks and I'd rather let Aaron go then accidentally have her get physically hurt because of the dick.

Her delicate hands pressed against my chest and pushed me back while I stared Aaron down from where he was glaring at me. "I just want to leave Reid. Please, let's just leave. Please." Her soft, trembling voice made my insides twist and I looked down at her.

I put an arm around her back and led her towards the door, keeping an eye over my shoulder, making sure Abbot wasn't gonna jump me.

Once we got outside and the November air hit us, I took a good look at her and felt a little bad. She didn't look happy. In fact, she looked horrified.

"Sorry. He just pissed me off," I grumbled, hanging my head a little. The scene replayed in my head and I suddenly realized... that made me look great! It was perfect timing! It sounded like I was protecting her honor, not my bet! Oh, this is too perfect.

"For such a stubborn and persistent person, you sure have a short temper," she pointed out, keeping her distance from me. Shit, maybe I don't look like some glorious hero to her. Maybe she's scared of me now. The thought kind of bothered me...

I don't want her to be scared of me because she thinks I'm some violent psychopath.

I stared at her, her eyes avoiding mine at all costs. "Babs, I would never, ever hurt you like that, I swear," I promised, knowing that this is probably one of the only times I've ever put my true feelings out there for her. Most of what she's seen of me has been a lie or based on one.

"You didn't have to prove anything in there Reid. Aaron's a pig. He'll say things like that. You shouldn't let him bother you. I don't," she admitted. I could see she was lying though. I could tell by the flush of her cheeks and her uncomfortable posture.

I sighed, able to see my breath in the air and stepped forward, running my hands up and down her arms before pulling her into my chest and wrapping my arms around her. I decided to humor her, play like I couldn't tell she was putting up a front. "Well it might not bother you, but it bothers me. And trust me, no one is ever going to say anything like that to you without consequences again."

Everyone will be saying things like that about her once the deal is done.

I felt my chest tighten at the thought.

"Wanna go to the Dells? Watch the sunset?" She's definitely a sunset kind of girl. She wants to be wined and dined. Old fashioned type. I need to get back on track here.

"Okay," she mumbled into my sweatshirt and I let her go, holding onto her hand and walking with her towards the Hummer.

-Babylon's POV-

"Cold?" I glanced up at Reid as we sat in the open trunk of the Hummer with our feet dangling over the bumper. The sun had just disappeared behind the horizon and a shudder had racked my body. November was definitely present in New England.

I nodded, having not said much since what happened at Nicky's. The two of us had kind of just sat in silence, enjoying the sound of the waves. My mind was running wild the whole time though. Does Reid really like me so much that he would beat a guy up just for saying something mean to me?

Sometimes, everything feels fake. Like, this could never happen. How had Reid taken interest in me? And more mind-boggling, how had I fallen for him? It all seemed so unreal, so romance novel.

What he did in Nicky's and what he told me once we'd gotten outside made me realize how much he did care about me. Was he really that smitten? Sure, I was just as bad, but I wasn't nearly as experienced in this kind of thing as Reid was. He was well known as the type of guy who just hopped around from girl to girl, never with one for more than a week or two. Why am I different?

Probably because I didn't put out on the first date. I actually gave him something to anticipate.

I looked up at Reid when he wrapped an arm around me, draping a blanket over our shoulders. I moved so I was sitting on my knees and leaned towards Reid, pressing my lips against his softly. The urge was just too powerful to resist.

He flinched back a little at first, I suppose not quite expecting me to make the first move since I never had before. But I quickly felt him smile against me and run his tongue over my lips, causing me to part my mouth. This whole kissing thing was becoming more natural.

I timidly raised my hand up, letting my fingers run through his incredibly soft blonde hair. He leaned into my hand a little, inhaling and tightening his arms around my waist, pulling my body into his.

I continued to comb my fingers through his hair once he'd pulled me into his lap. For a while, his hands rest firmly on my hips, but eventually, they began to rub at my sides, his strokes getting higher and higher until his fingers brushed over my breasts.

I immediately gasped and pulled back, realizing this was going too far. Shyly, I slid off his lap, back to where I had originally been sitting beside him.

"Sorry," he apologized sheepishly, sucking in his lower lip. He sighed and put his arm around my back, pulling my head onto his shoulder and sitting like that, his fingers stroking my hair. "You're just so beautiful. I can't help it sometimes."

"Thank you," I said through a blush. "But I just need to go at my own pace Reid. I'm sorry." I felt his shoulder shrug and I grasped his free hand, his thumb immediately running over the back of my hand.

"Don't be sorry. I can wait."