Chapter 27: Learning and Leaving

I woke up to the smell of breakfast, "Mmm."

Opening my eyes Jeremy was staring at me, "hey…Just wanted to say I'm sorry for what I said yesterday. I just have a lot on my mind right now."

He kissed my lips and told me to sit up. On the tray were two pancakes, four strips of bacon, two eggs and some toast. I was still a little bitter but managed to smile since I was so surprised, "thanks."

After I finished eating I thought for sure that we were going to go down to the beach. That was until we were told that there was a red flag warning when sharks were spotted not far from the coast. Instead of the beach we decided to check out the city before I had to get ready for the party. The problem was that Jeremy wanted to know what we had planned for Lexa, but the whole thing was supposed to be a secret between me and Shalimar. I could tell Jeremy was getting a little agitated about the party, because he wouldn't be able to go and make sure we're safe. Since I really didn't feel like fighting again with him, I tried to talk about other things.

We had a quiet dinner at small outdoor restaurant that Jeremy let me choose. He told me that he had been saving a lot of money to get out of the apartment we had been staying at rent free thanks to Adam.

"Remember when you said you couldn't leave the team till it was time? Don't you think that now may be that time to let go? I mean, Val we're all grown up now and we need to get out there and try living a normal life. We can't keep battling enemies forever you know? I just think that it's a good time to move on."

I looked down at my dinner while he talked, "Yeah…I know what you mean. It seems living in that apartment has kind of separated the team a little…who knows what things will be like once we go back and Jesse and Lexa are now married. I'm just scared Jer, I tried living on my own and I didn't make it."

He gave me a questioning look, "what do you mean didn't make it?"

I could feel my cheeks flushing a little, realizing the mistake I had made…never did I tell him the problems I had and that Adam had to take me in. "I lost my job…and did some things I shouldn't of, but Adam took me in and helped me. I was starting to lose control again while I was staying at a safehouse."

A dark look came over him that was starting to scare me, "why haven't you told me about this? What happened Val?"

I started getting uncomfortable, "I…I don't want to talk about, not now okay?"

Reluctantly he nodded and we left the place to go back to our hotel room.

When I was changing my clothes Jeremy confronted me again, "you're going to tell me now."

"Tell you what?" I was a bit confused. He grabbed my arm tightly and threw me down on the bed.

"What the hell are you doing?" I protested.

"Don't give me that crap, you're going to tell me what happened or I'll find out myself." I raised a brow, "you wouldn't dare."

Jeremy's smile freaked me out and he moved on top of me, "Oh I would…"

Then I felt him connect to my memories, it was painful…like a migraine as I was able to see the memories he managed to lift from my brain…watching them as I knew them. Now he knew…about the drugs...about losing control with Brennan...about my parents…the whole truth.

When he stopped his hand slapped me across the face, "I'm out of here…" was all he said and he started packing his bag.

"I'm sorry…" I started to cry, "Where are you going? Please don't leave, I can explain." He didn't stop but responded, "there is nothing to explain Valerie, you lied to me…for god sakes you killed your parents? And to think I wanted to marry you…a psychopathic killer."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, "NO Jeremy I didn't do it…I didn't kill them I swear, read my memories...I have no memory of killing them!"

He shook his head, "I've seen enough of what you remember…you weren't even going to tell me. I'm getting a different room; I can't stand the sight of you right now."

That was it…he was gone again. I laid on the bed trying my best not to cry…and kept thinking that he would calm down and come back. Looking at the clock I had only a few minutes to get ready for the party. I took a quick shower and tried to hide the fact that I had been crying. I needed to survive this night for Lexa's sake; there was no way I could ruin this moment for her. Instead of thinking more about it I planned to just forget about the things Jeremy said to try and have fun. I met the other two in the lobby of the hotel and we took a limo to the secret location. "How are things going with you two?" Lexa asked us.

Shalimar smiled, "great, it's beautiful here and there is so much to do."

I faked a smile, "Yeah we went out to dinner and looked around in the city." I thought Lexa had a feeling that we were taking her to the famous club in Quinta Roo, Senior Frogs.

When we got there the place was starting to get crowded with people from all over the area. They gave us tequila shots when we walked into the place. In the back we could see the slide that people were going on that lead into a pool, which answered the question why so many people were wet. We stayed there for hours! Dancing and drinking shots together. Lexa looked very happy, it reminded me of the girl's night out we took every month to get away from Jeremy and Adam.

On the dance floor a guy started dancing with me, putting his hands on my waist and moving both of us to the music. With a clear mind I would have kicked his ass out of the club but leaned back against him, letting him get closer. He took his hand off my waist and turned me around, the guy looked more like a local than a tourist…which was the majority there.

"Hi," I said looking up at him. To my surprise he leaned in and kissed me, pushing his tongue in my mouth and something hit the back of my throat forcing me to swallow.

When he broke the kiss I looked at him confused.

"To get you in the mood," he answered with a thick accent.

I had been tricked. Ecstasy…that's what this guy just shoved in my mouth. I pushed him away and looked around in panic for Shalimar…It was dark.

"Shaaaalmar? Shh"

The guy then pulled me over to the bar to sit down.

"Get away from me!" I guess my eyes must have flashed 'cause he looked at scared and ran away. I covered them with my hands, "why?" I whispered to myself. When I looked up Shalimar was there asking me something, but I couldn't hear her and her face kept changing shape. "He…drugged me." I fell into her and she caught me.