CAST! So, to help everyone with my OC characters I thought I'd do a little casting for you all. Hope you like the choices and if you disagree with them feel free to tell me your picks. Remember it's all how you want to see them this is just my take.
Claire - Jessica Lange
Irene - Jessica Brown Findlay
Leon - Alan Autry, when he was YOUNG he's old now, but in the 80s woof. or Norman Reedus, double woof.
Jack - Eric Bana
Claire took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. She was standing outside a massive white coloniel house with a red door. The street lights had just came one. She adjusted her dress briefly. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a tight bun, and she had pulled on her favorite dress. The hemling ended at her knees and the sleeves were arm length, the top was a turtleneck and it was black clinging to her curves. She pulled on her high heels and pantyhose as an after thought. She fidgeted maybe dinner with Jack was a bad idea, she heard the chain slide and knew it was too late to turn back now.
"Claire, I'm so glad you could make it." Jack said smiling.
"Thanks for inviting me." She said.
"It's my pleasure." He said moving to let her step inside.
She took in the entryway, white marble floors with a black diamon pattern. The walls were white and the staircase was huge, curving as it acended with a red carpet cutting the contrast of white. It was the kind of house she once envisioned herself living in.
"Dinner is almost ready." He said moving into a room and she followed.
"Can I get you some win?" He asked as they stepped into the large kitchen.
"Sure." She said once again looking around.
The floor was white, but the counters were light brown and light green, stainless steel appliances and an abundance of room. In the middle of the floor was a small bar with two chairs, it was set neatly with candles for light. She slid onto one of the stools and he handed her a glass of red wine.
"Thank you." She took the glass and forced a smile.
"I really am glad you came." He said taking a drink of his own wine.
"You won't be for long." She said honestly.
"Oh? Why is that?" He asked.
"I'm not agreeing to the medicine." She said honestly.
"Is that why you think I brought you over?" He asked with a laugh.
"Isn't it?" She asked.
"Claire, I admit I think the medication is a good idea, but that's now why I invited you over tonight." He said setting his wine on the table.
"Oh." She took a bigger drink of her wine needing the liquid courage.
"Look, The board of directors is having a meeting in a few days, I was going to medicat the patients and then if you agreed I would make a pitch at that meeting for it to be a permanent solution. I can't get them on board without you, and I want to try it until then, but I didn't invite you here to sway your decision." He said.
"I want to believe you, but I don't." She said.
"Claire, since the day I met you on those hospital steps I haven't been able to think of anyone else. I'm obsessed with you, you're like an addiction." He said moving closer.
"Jack, I don't know if I can do this."She said taking a deep breath.
"You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. I've always wanted you, but I didn't want to scare you off." He said he had moved until now he was inches away from her.
She took a deep breath, her heart was pounding so hard. The dark look in his blue eyes was breathtaking. He reached out and took her glass of wine from her hand setting it down on the bar beside her. He reached out and cupped the back of her head with one hand, he drew her towards him. She closed her eyes and leaned into him. His lips fell onto hers gently and her heart leapt.
He deepend the kiss and she let out a small moan. Her hands slid up his chest to wrap around his neck. His hand on the back of her head tugged the pins loose to let her hair tumble down around her shoulders. His other hand slid up leg pushing her dress up with it. His fingers grazed her thighs and edge of her black panty hose. He hooked his finger in the elastic and gave it a playful snap.
He pulled away and she tried to steady herself. He gave her one of his dazzling smiles and she bit her lip. She leaned forward and kissed him again. His fingers slid against the soft silk of her red slip. He pulled away again and smiled at her.
"Claire, you always work so hard to cover up every inch of skin at work." He said teasingly.
"I...I'm sorry." She said.
"Don't be, I like to imagine what's underneath, but thigh high pantyhose and a red satin slip? I never would have guessed." He said.
She flushed a burning red, her cheeks hot with embarassment. He pushed some of her hair back from her face tucking it behind her ear. He kissed her cheek and nibbled on her ear. She tipped her head back with a soft sigh.
"I won't hurt you Claire." He said sensing her stress.
"I know, you're who saved me." She said.
"All those years ago, you still think I'm a hero?" He asked kissing her briefly.
"Always." She said breathlessly.
He kissed her and grabbed the hem of her dress pulling it up over her head. She closed her eyes and prayed this wasn't another vivid dream, not another daydream at work. She wanted this to be real, and as his lips slid down her arms to where their fingers were entwined, she finally felt free.
Claire yawned and rolled over in the massive four poster bed. Jack stretched beside her before smiling and leaning over to give her a kiss.
"Good morning." She said.
"Good morning becautiful." He said.
"Look, Jack about last night. I hope this won't affect work." She said.
"Of course not. I would like to talk about the drug plan though." He said.
"I don't like it." She said.
"I know, but just hear me out. Please?" He asked kissing her hand.
"Okay." She said softly.
"Great, I'm going to make breakfast you come down when you're ready." He said kissing her gently before rolling out of the bed and pulling on his boxers and an undershirt.
She fell back onto the soft pillows with a heavy sigh, she finally had everything she ever wanted. A great job and the one man she never thought she would get, but there was a sick empty feeling in her stomach, something didn't sit right. She pushed that thought away, she wasn't getting any younger she was already in her fifties, she needed to learn to trust people. Maybe, he was the one.
When she made her way downstairs her turned and offered her a smile and that feeling rose back up. He was younger than her, young enough that she just couldn't wrap her mind around him wanting her. Sure, it wasn't a huge gap in their ages and they'd known each other forever, he made her who she was, but something didn't click.
"Sit, I made eggs." He said.
"Thanks." She smiled pulling at the hem of her dress.
"So, the thing is...I'm up for a promotion, and if this drug thing goes well it could help sway in my favor." He said leaning on the bar.
"Yeah, but if it goes wrong you'll be screwed." She pointed out taking a drink of orange juice.
"It's had great reports so far." He said.
"With criminals, people who need to be sedated, nobody at shady oaks is dangerous." She said.
"Claire, if they give me this promotion someone has to take my place. Why not you?" He asked.
"I won't hurt my patients to help myself." She said.
"I know, but what if this works? what if it just works?" He asked.
She stared at him, he was so ambitious. She couldn't allow herself to believe he wanted to do anything other than help the people at shady oaks.
"I don't know." She said gently.
"Look at it this way, the board of directors won't give me a promotion or agree to making it a full time thing without your consent. In one week they meet to decide about my promotion let me use the drugs for one week, when the week is up if you're still not on board we'll cut the cord." He said.
"One week?" She asked.
"Yeah, if you still don't like it I'll terminate the entire thing, the board won't let it be a permanent thing without you saying so anyway, if you say no and I say yes, you'll win. If it works and I get promoted you can have my spot." He said.
"Who would take my job?" She asked.
"I'm sure someone amazing, but your shoes will be hard to fill." He said.
"Arnold, I won't move up without him. If I get higher he comes with me." She said.
"Okay then, Arnold can have your position." He said.
"You promise if I say no we cut the cord on this?" She asked.
"Absolutely." He promised.
"Okay, I'll write the orders when I go in on monday and you can have your week." She said with a sigh.
"You're amazing." He leaned over and kissed her deeply.
"If my patients struggle I'm killing this whole thing."She said.
"Of course." He said stealing a bite of eggs.
She forced a smile, she had everything she ever wanted, but somehow she felt like she just sold her soul to the devil himself.
Arnold was sitting at his desk monday morning reading Helgas file, the soft knock on his door drew his attention from the file.
"Come in." He called.
"Good morning." Claire said with a smile as she breezed in.
"Good morning." He said taking in her appearnce.
She was wearing loose fitting navy colored dress pants and cream colored silk bouse with a matching jacket, her black heels combined with the pants made her look ridiculously tall, and her hair was down.
"How was your weekend?" She asked.
"Not as good as yours apparently." He said in a condescending tone.
"It's not what you think." She said.
"Isn't it?"He asked leaning back in his chair.
"No." She said.
"You spent the weekend tucked away in his bed just so he could corrupt your values and get you to over drug the patients...how's that ball park?" He asked.
"We weren't in his bed." She said stubbornly.
"So you didn't have sex with him then?" Arnold asked sarcastcally.
"Yes, in the kitchen." She said.
"Okay, ew. Remind me to never eat at Jacks house." Arnold said in a biting tone.
"Like you'd ever be invited." She snapped back.
"I'll cry all night." He said.
"Look, we're going to try this drug thing for one week only, he can't make it permenant without my approval." She said.
"How did I know that was coming?" He asked tossing his pen down.
"He's going places and he wants me and you to go with him." Claire said.
"He might be going places, but he's using you. He won't take you anywhere." Arnold said.
"Arnold..."She started to speak.
"He's using you Claire and you know what's sick? Deep down you know he is. You know he's using you and you're just going to sit back and let him. Why? Because a few years ago he cleaned you up and helped you out? You were never truly a cheap whore until this very moment. "He said standing up.
"I could have you fired for talking like that to me." Claire said.
"Go ahead, but you know I'm right. You're not stupid, you're just too blinded by the shiny lies your boyfriend is feeding you, but in five months this place will be a disaster, it's going to go down in flames and when it's burning he's going to let you here. Like a witch tied to the stake, and he's going to walk away." Arnold said.
"You don't know him, and you don't know me." Claire said.
"I'm the only one here who knows him." Arnold said heading for the door.
"Where are you going?" She asked.
"I need to talk to Leon, and then I'm going to go for lunch. I'm going to try and forget that you just went from a respecte doctor and my mentor to nothing, but the woman who'd screw us all over just to screw her boss." He moved out of his office and left her standing there speechless and suddenly feeling very alone.
Arnold opened the door to Helgas room, she was sitting on the windowsill looking out across the endless yard. He was too frustrated to feel sorry for her today. His chest ached, and his head was pounding. He couldn't believe how easily Claire had been swayed, and a sense of panic was risind from somewhere deep.
"Arnold..."Helga turned to him.
"Look, They're going to put you on new meds, don't take them." He sid quickly.
"What?"
"When the nurse gives you the medicine don't take it. Hide it under your tongue, throw it back up I don't care just don't take it." He said.
"Okay, what's going on?" She asked moving closer to him.
"Claire has lost her damn mind, I won't let them do this to you. I'm going to do something, just buy me time and don't take anything." He said.
She moved a little closer tucking her hair behind her ear. It was when he glanced down that he noticed how hard he was shaking. His hands shook and were sweating, his chest hurt and his vision was somewhat blurry, a stroke maybe?
"It's going to be okay." She said placing a hand on his arm.
He looked at her and their eyes met. He lifted a hand to tuck her hair behind her ear a little better and his finger lingered. He moved before he had time to change his mind, before he had time to think about the line he was about to cross. He kissed her, his lips sealed over hers and he didn't take a second to consider she'd never been kissed.
He kissed her passionately and deeply not taking a second to let her gather her bearings. His lips devoured hers and she made a soft whimpering noise. Her hands rested on his chest. It wasn't enough, he couldn't get enough. His tongue slid against her lips begging for entrance and she timidly gave it to him. He broke away for barely a second before kissing her again. The hand in her hair tipped her hair back so he could deepen the kiss, his other hand slid slowly down her side to her hip. His fingers dug into her hips until he knew he'd let a bruise. Suddenly he realized what he was doing and who he was doing it too. He tore himself away from her and backed up a few steps.
"Helga, I'm sorry...I...that never should have happened." He said.
She didn't say anything, she brought a shaky hand to her lips. Her lips were swollen and puffy from his agression and he felt terrible.
"I...I have to go, just...don't take the pills." He said heading for the door. She gave a feeble nod as he exited the room.
Leon was sitting in the main room on the couch. Irene was sitting beside him, the couch had three cushions but after he sat down Irene had taken the seat directly beside him. He took a deep breath and glanced at her, she was watching television her eyes glued to the screen. He took a chance and lifted his arm intentind to put it around her. From the corner of her eye she saw him move and like lightening she flinched away, She scrambled to move and put distance between them sliding clear to the end of the couch her eyes wide and frozen on him. Her alread pale face white with fear.
"I wasn't going to hit ya." He said softly.
"I...I..."She tried to talk but seemed to rattled.
"I wouldn't never hit a woman, espeacially not you Miss Irene." He said moving slightly to face her.
"I saw you move and I...I guess I just forgot who I was sitting with." She said softly.
"It's alright, I wouldn't hurt ya." He said.
"I know." She said.
He turned his attention to the television and the british drama that it was turned too, but he watched her from the corner of his eye. Slowly and hesitantly she moved back to sit beside him, this time sliding close enough that their legs brushed. He took a deep breath, but didn't say anything. After a minute or two he lifted his arm again and moved a little slower, this time he settled his arm gently on the back of the couch. She bit her lip and glanced up at him, but he kept his gaze firmly on the television. She moved her soft tiny hands gripping his bigger one she gave a soft tug, and his arm slid down to settle lightly on her shoulders. She snuggled in a little closer to his side, he tensed but didn't stop her.
"I like sitting close to you, you make me feel safe." She said softly.
"I'd never hit ya, I'd die first." He said.
He didn't want to like her, he didn't want to enjoy having her this close but he did. He loved the feel of her tiny body against his he wanted to feel more of it. He wanted her pressed against him, he wanted to taste her lips and kiss her senseless, instead he allowed himself to pull her a little closer to him and convinced himself that was enough.
"How long did he beat you?"He asked.
"Four years." She said with a sigh.
"Why?" He asked knowing that most abusers didn't need much of a reason.
"I can't have children, he wanted a son, but I can't get pregnant." She said with a shrug.
"It's for the best if he's a woman beater, he'd strike a child." He said.
"I know, but...I wanted kids too." She said.
He was about to comment when he heard Arnold calling his name. He winced before standing, it was against policy to have romantic relationships with the patients and there he was holding Irene in his arms, desperate for more.
"Leon, I have to talk to you." Arnold said.
"Okay, in private?" Leon asked.
"Yes, step into my office." Arnold started for his office and Leon followed him.
Once they were in Arnold office Leon shut the door and took a deep breath, he was ready to hear he was being let go.
"Look, Miss Irene is a really special lady. I haven't touched her I swear." Leon said.
"What?" Arnold asked and it was now that Leon noticed how frazzled he seemed.
Arnold hair was a mess as if he had been raking his fingers through it. He paced his office rather than sitting down and his face was red. He ran a hand through his hair.
"I'm assuming that's why I'm here...to talk about Miss Irene." Leon said.
"No, I mean I'm glad you are able to work with her." Arnold said.
"That's just it Sir, I like working with her and while I haven't laid a hand on her...I want too." Leon admitted.
"I'm sorry?" Arnold stopped pacing to look at him.
"I think about her a lot more than I should." Leon said staring at the carpet.
"Leon, it's okay. I trust you, but we have a problem." Arnold said.
"Is it Miss Irene?" Leon asked.
"Claire had made a decision to start dosing the patients with a new drug. I disagree." Arnold dug in his desk before finding the files on the new drug and handing it to Leon.
Arnold paced to the window giving Leon a minute to read the files. He stood tall and silent reading each page quickly. Even being quiet his prescence dominated the room thanks to his large stature.
"A dosage like this will have most of these patients completely sedated." Leon said finally.
"I know, I disagree but Jack is pushing for it and what Jack says..."
"Claire does." Leon finished.
"Exactly, listen I want to put Helga and Irene in a room together. I told Helga not to take any of those pills, I want you to pass that information onto Irene. I can't save all my patients, but I won't see two innocent women being drugged like that." Arnold said.
"Yes sir." Leon said.
"I could get fired for knowing they aren't taking their meds, so could you." Arnold said.
"I understand. Whatever you decide, I'll support you." Leon said.
"I appreciate that, because if the time comes that I need to get the women out of here, I'm going to need your help." Arnold said.
"I'll help, gladly." Leon said.
"Good, now, do you want to talk about Irene?" Arnold asked.
"She's a fine lady."Leon said.
"Yes she is, and you like her?" Arnold asked.
"I...I like her a lot."Leon admitted.
"Well, I suppose it's okay for me to keep that to myself. If you want to quit working with her however I understand." Arnold said.
"No sir, I don't believe I want to quit." Leon said.
"Okay, go move Helga in with Irene. Introduce them and see Helga gets settled. Claire is going to start the meds tonight, and we have a one week trial before it goes to the board." Arnold said.
"Okay, but don't you think you should get Miss Helga settled?" Leon asked.
"I'm really feeling a bit overwhelmed right now, it'd probably be best if I just stayed away for a bit." Arnold said.
"Okay, I'll go get the ladie settled." Leon said heading for the door.
"Thanks Leon." Arnold said.
After Leon left Arnold collapsed onto his couch. He rubbed his eyes trying to fight off the building headache. What happened? A few days ago he had it all. A job he loved in a model hospital, a boss that he respected and a complete life. Now, he had a sense of dread deep in his chest that was almost suffocating this hospital was going to go to hell and Claire was unknowingly driving it there. Jack didn't love her, Arnold would bet his last dollar on that. He was using Claire because he needed her.
As for Helga, she had been dumped into his lap at the worst possible time. How could he help her when he was trying to save the hospital? He could lose his job for telling her to not take her meds, let alone kissing her. That kiss, his mind kept replaying it over and over in his head. The sweet innocent way she responded to him, her timidness was the most powerful aphrodisiac he'd ever ecxperienced. Even now he was shaking and he couldn't be sure if it was from stress or desire. Every muscle in his body ached for her and every slice of common sense warned against it. He couldn't help her and make love to her too, he'd have to choose one and right not keeping her safe was his top priority.
If he was caught he'd be thrown out and no help to Helga then, not to mention poor Leon. Leon was so devoted to both Arnold and Irene he'd go down with Arnold if he was caught. In a way Arnold admired him to realize and accept that he was falling in love with Irene. He knew it was against the rules but he didn't appear to be fighting it. He also pitied Leon it was only a matter of time until Irene's husband showed up and wanted her back.
The throbbing in his head got worse and he winced. He pushed to his feet deciding to take a pain killer. He had no sooner stood up then the world began to spin and in an instant he blacked out and there was nothing but darkness.
AUTHOR NOTE: So, I originally planned for Helga to be 14 when she was kidnapped and I started out with that. Somehow at some point I don't know why I put that she was 11 when she was kidnapped. I realized this mistake and I re-tweaked the chapters to make it 14, I'm sorry if anyone noticed and was confused. I do intend for her to be 14 and from now on will say so, but if I missed a place where it says 11 I'm sorry I mean 14 I don't know what happened, I tried to fix it but I'm sure I might have missed a few. So, Helga was missing 15 years and was 14 when she disappeared. Thanks, sorry for the confusion.
