- WARNINGS FOR THIS CHAPTER: Erm… Nothing, really. Just a bit of lying.

- Disclaimer: I own it not.

- A/N: I want to get this chapter out of the way, because:

1) It's a bit of a filler chapter, and

2) I want this story finished before Christmas.

I don't even know what to name this chapter, as no one is really doing anything… :S

Enjoy.


Black Mariah

Chapter Five: Lies And Excuses

Opening her eye blearily, Mariah smiled as thoughts of the previous night came flooding back to her. He could almost hear Tala's groaning from the night before. It had been one of the best nights of her life. She sat up, still smiling, and looked at the space next to her. Ray wasn't there.

Mariah got out of bed, and draped her dressing gown over herself. She walked down the stairs and into the kitchen, where Ray was sat at the table, with a cup of cold coffee in his hands. He spared her a glance as she walked in, but didn't look up at her completely.

"You're up early," Mariah commented cheerily, and switching the kettle back on.

"Yeah…" Ray replied quietly, still not looking up.

"Something's wrong…" Mariah said, sitting opposite Ray, and looking at him curiously.

"Not really… It's just. You came home really late last night."

Ray finally looked up at Mariah, and she saw that his eyes were red as though he hadn't gotten a decent night's sleep, and had been crying. Mariah reached over the table, and link her hand with his.

"I wasn't home that late. But when I got home you were already asleep on the couch. I didn't want to wake you, though, so I went straight to bed," Mariah replied.

"Where did you go, anyway?"

Mariah opened her mouth to answer, but hesitated. She need to come up with a good story, and now.

"I was… At Mariam's. She invited me over, and you know what it's like when we get together. You can't shut us up!"

Ray stared at Mariah for a few moments, and Mariah held her breath, wondering if Ray was going to fall for her lie. He wouldn't be able to check if she actually went to Mariam's, as he didn't have Mariam's number. Ray eventually smiled, and Mariah breathed a sigh of relief.

"Just… Leave a note next time, OK?" Ray said, getting up and walking around the table to give Mariah a cuddle.

Mariah nodded, and tried to ignore the twinge of guilt she felt.


Tala rolled his eyes as he listened to Kai complain. Complain about everything. The table they were sat at, Tyson, Tala's shoes, Tyson, the new cooks burning his food, Tyson… Tala was officially bored of hearing Kai speak.

"Kai, will you just shut up?"

Kai stared at Tala, but heeded him all the same. Kai watched as Tala folded his arms on the table, and rested his head on top, so he wouldn't have to look so guilty anymore.

"What's the matter?" Kai finally spoke, realising something was wrong with his chum.

Tala shook his head. Kai rolled his eyes and resisted the urge to slap the back of Tala's head.

"Tala, something's wrong, I know it. Just tell me."

Tala looked up with the most pathetic look in his eyes. It scared Kai so much, he nearly shit himself.

"I fucking slept with Mariah!" Tala wailed, moving his arms and slamming his head down on the hard, wooden table with a loud thud.

Kai winced at the noise of Tala's head making contact with the table, but the wince was also partly for what Tala had just revealed. He had slept with Mariah? Didn't his pathetic, snivelling friend have any self-control.

"Tala… When-?

"Last night. At my hotel room. She was in the hotel reception, getting called a whore by the reception lady, so I rescued her, and we went up to my room, and fucked!"

Kai raised his eyebrows.

"It's not just her fault, though… I should've said no. But as soon as she took her coat off, and her boobs bounced in my face, I just couldn't say no!"

Kai raised his eyebrows even further.

Tala has just revealed that his biggest weakness was boobs.

"Tala… Don't make excuses for her. She is a whore. She tried it on with me, too. But I, unlike you, seem to have more self-control."

"Oh, cheers. Thanks for cheering me up," Tala mumbled miserably, wiping his snotty nose on the back of his hand.

Kai sighed and shook his head. He stood up, and Tala's eyes followed him as he walked to the kitchen door.

"I'm going to talk to Mariah. Don't go anywhere."


A/N: Did you know, that there are only two chapters left? Well, there are.

I hope to get one of many oneshots up tonight, too. I might do the funny one where Tyson visits Tala and Kai…

I'm not too fussed if you guys don't review this chapter. It doesn't deserve one, in all honesty :) I hope you enjoyed, though.