A/N: *Gasp* Another chapter without Tyler… but this one has no one but my OC's… but if you're like really desperate, you can imagine Maximus is Tyler *grins*
NOTE: Yow gang! So for this chapter I'm gonna try and do something different. In TVD they have those episodes that show a person's past (like episode 8 of season 3 - I think), yeah, I'm gonna try and do that. So it'll all be writen like this indicating that it's the past... Ooookay, moving right along.
BTW: These are only snippets of Loretta and Maximus' life, so it's not very long. So yeah... Sorry it's so crappily written, promise next chapter'll be better then this one, promise! The parts that are written in normal will be the parts that are present. But you guys already knew that =).
Disclaimer: NoooooooPe-ah!
MINE!: Loretta
"Rhetti! Rhetti where are you?" Loretta continued to hide, muffling her giggles with her hands. "Rhetti!" Maximus called, looking around the forest for his mate. He'd been at it for a good fifteen minutes now and still he hadn't caught her.
This was Loretta's favourite game. She loved playing it because she knew that Maximus loved the chase and that it made her feel free. She knew all the hiding places well enough to be able to hide from him for a good hour. This is how they spent their past time, her hiding, him chasing and when he finally caught her, enjoying intimate moments together.
"Loretta love, where are you?" Maximus looked around. He spotted his mate disappear behind a tree and he began to run towards the tree. "Rhetti." But she wasn't behind it, giggling was heard behind him.
"Come on Maxie, catch me," she taunted good-heartedly. Maximus turned around, spotting her disappear behind another tree.
"Well if you keep running and hiding how do expect me to find you?" Loretta only laughed. Max began to run again, trying to find her.
"At least give me a clue where you are?"
"Well... I'm not where you are right now."
"Rhetti." She giggled.
"Well..." Maximus felt delicate arms go around his waist from behind. "Maybe I'm behind you," Loretta whispered.
"Well finally, progress." Maximus turned and was about to wrap his arms around Loretta's own waist, but she pulled away.
"Come now Maxie, there's no fun if I surrender, now is there?" Maximus smirked.
"No... I suppose not. But-." Before Maximus could continue his argument someone interputed by clearing their throat. Maximus saw the look on Loretta's face and knew that it was probably someone in his family. He turned around to find his father, George and Uncle Benjamin standing there.
"Maximus," George Lockwood said.
"Father," Maximus replied. Loretta bowed slightly as a way to show respect then walked away to find her sister.
Katherine and Bonnie had been training Jeremy none stop. Everyday Jeremy got stronger, but everyday it seemed he seemed to push people away more and more. He barely spoke to anyone anymore and if he did it was usually to go over some rescue plan. He'd lost his smile and his eyes did have joy or happiness in them.
Currently Jeremy was in the backyard of the Salvartore home. Katherine was faking an attack and he was fighting her off, dodging and ducking while Bonnie kept on with her spell that was causing nothing but headaches.
Jeremy was focused, he was more co-ordinated and he was much stronger then he'd been before. He'd grown some muscle and he'd even cut his hair. He was looking good but feeling like the world had screwed him over.
He hated not having his mate around. Everyday that passed seemed to be another load of unease and dread put on him. He wanted so desperately to just drive to where Loretta was holding Tyler and just take Tyler back. But he knew he couldn't, he needed to be strong, needed back-up and a plan at least semi-full proof because no plan was fullproof when it came to the supernaturals.
Jeremy just needed to stay calm till it was time for him and the others to go. He had to be patient and wait for the right moment, but hell it was hard waiting. He needed his mate back. He needed Tyler!
"Let's take a break," Katherine suddely said, just as Jeremy was about to drive the stake into her heart. He wasn't really, but he was going to fake it, just like how she 'faked' attacking him everyday during training.
"I don't need a break," Jeremy stated. He stood up and turned to Bonnie.
"I've used a lot more magick then I should," she said. "I need a break too. I think I'm just going to head home for some sleep okay?"
"Whatever." Bonnie watched Jeremy for a moment then she sighed.
"I'll be back tomorrow to finalise the plan." She grabbed her cardigan and messenger bag, pulling on the cardigan and slinging the bag over her shoulder. "Bye guys." She waved once then left.
Jeremy turned to Katherine who'd also gotten up and was standing there with her arms folded over her chest, examining Jeremy. He just looked at her, not even flinching away when she went vampire. Katherine smirked.
Jeremy just stared at her till her face returned to its normal self. She only smirked as she walked past Jeremy and disappeared into the house knowing he wouldn't follow, that he'd probably stay outside and train.
"Katherine," Damon said with his usual smirk, watching the woman walk into the kitchen.
"Damon," Katherine replied, working her own smirk. Katherine hopped onto the kitchen counter, water bottle in her hand.
"How's our boy doing?"
"Heart still bricked in. But I'm sure he'll get over it." Damon was quiet for a moment.
"Why would you help us?"
"I have my sweet moments Damon, this is one of them."
"Or maybe you're in trouble and you just need allies, and this is your best shot. Help the girl you've been trying to kill. Good angle, not going to work though."
"Now why would I want to kill little miss perfect Elena? She's got handsome knights protecting her, looking after her like she's the most priced possession."
"Let's not kid ourselves here Katherine. We both know that you have some alterier motive and I want to know what it is." Katherine smirked.
"Maybe I'm just being. Every thought of that?"
"'Katherine' and 'nice' really don't belong in the same sentence."
"Believe what you must." Stefan walked into the kitchen too and looked from Damon to Katherine. He narrowed his eyes at them.
"Come for some Bambi blood dear brother?" Stefan snorted.
"I'm still trying to figure out what the alterior motive is," Stefan stated, looking at Kathrine. She just rolled her eyes.
"You boys have such little faith in me," she said, a fake pout on her lips.
"I wonder why," the brothers muttered. Katherine smirked at them.
"Don't get your brief all in a twist boys. I promise there is no alterior motive to this."
"Hmm."
"I want Loretta gone as much as everyone else. She's caused nothing but trouble in my life, and now its pay back."
"Kath-," Stefan was cut short by a thud in the living room. The three vampires rushed into the room to find the dummy Jeremy had been training with lying on the floor, ripped to pieces with Jeremy just standing in the middle of the living room without a trace of emotion on his face.
"Are you alright?" Stefan asked. Jeremy shrugged then grabbed his back pack and a hoodie that belonged to Tyler and walked out the house without a word.
"I'll call miss perfect and tell her her brothers coming home," Katherine said, already pulling out her cellphone. She scrolled down the list of contacts till she got to 'Miss Perfect' and click on call.
Though Jeremy hadn't tried to kill himself since the last time he tried, all his family and friends had been on watch for anything strange. They made sure they knew exactly where Jeremy was and when. They didn't want the kid to try something funny, like go after Loretta on his own.
"Hello?" Elena answered.
"You're sweet brother just completely ripped up a dummy; he's on his way home."
"Okay, thanks."
"Sure thing princess." Katherine hung up and shoved her cellphone in the pocket of her jeans. "I'd follow him, just to make sure he gets home." They all nodded and left the house to follow Jeremy home.
Loretta walked into the house and made her way to the kitchen where she knew she'd find her younger sister Maria.
"Ria," Loretta called, walking into the kitchen to find her sister talking to one of the kitchen girls.
"Lettie," Maria greeted. She quickly finished her conversation with the girl then she went to her sister. "Weren't you with Maximus?"
"I was..."
"But...?"
"His father and uncle wanted to speak to him." Maria rolled her eyes.
"Why do they keep on with trying to break you two apart? You belong together."
"I don't care anymore, Ria."
"What do you mean you don't care?"
"Just that, I don't care."
"But you have to care sister; they are being unfair to you and Max."
"I know Maximus loves me, I don't need their aproval. He's the only one I really need to care about, not them." Maria worried her bottom lip. She knew her sister was stubborn, it bothered Maria, but she could do nothing but support her sister and Maximus' relationship even though the Lockwoods didn't seem too happy that Max was assossiating with witches.
"Be careful Lettie," Maria warned her voice low so only her sister could hear. "I don't trust them anymore."
"Did you hear something? Did they do something?" Maria shook her head.
"No... But... But I don't think it'd be below them to do something. You see the way they act around you, even in front of your mate." Loretta sighed.
"We'll be fine Ria, I promise you." Maria nodded though she wasn't really convinced. The Lockwoods were sneaky; they could do anything and get away with it.
"I have to get back to work. Not all of us got lucky and married into the Lockwood Family." The two girls giggled. Maria hugged her sister gently then left to continue working.
Loretta looked around the large Lockwood kitchen. The Lockwood's were a very wealthy family, one of the founding families of Mystic Falls. They were powerful and very influential and they were all about status and popularity.
No one knew of their dark family secret. No one - not even the servants in the home - knew. They didn't know that the Lockwood Family was not as normal as they pretended that they held deep dark secrets that could get a person killed. They didn't know that the Lockwood's were these scary, ancient creatures known as werewolves.
When Loretta and Maria had found out - by chance really - they swore they would tell no one. George and Benjamin Lockwood had wanted to just kill them to assure there was no 'future problem' but Maximus had saved the two girls by claiming that Loretta was his mate. Of course they didn't believe him because Loretta didn't have his scent but he went on to say that she didn't want the bond comepleted until the family knew of their love. From that day Loretta and Maximus had gotten to know each other better and had finally mated and wed.
Naturally, the Lockwoods had not been too happy about this. They'd tried numerous times to break the pair up, but nothing worked. They were in love and they were mated, nothing could break them up. And for that Loretta was glad.
Loretta let out a shocked gasp as she felt strong arms wrap around her waist and warm lips place a gentle kiss on her neck.
"There you are!" Maximus voice said in a low voice. He gently bit her exposed neck, making her groan quietly. Loretta giggled and turned to look at the beautiful green eyes that she loved so much.
"Did you miss me?" she asked cheekily.
"Of course I did. What sort of question is that?"
"A rhetorical one?" They both laughed.
"Come, I want to show you something."
"What?" Maximus grabbed Loretta's hand and led her upstairs to their room. He shut and locked the door behind them then turned to her. He pulled his shirt off, smirking at his wife, throwing the shirt onto the bed.
"So...?" Loretta looked at her mates shoulder. It was a tattoo of her name, written beautifully in cursive, whoever had done it had spent quiet a while perfecting it, it looked absolutely amazing. Loretta smiled widely. "I take it you like it?"
"Like it? Oh no, I love it!"
"Good girl." Maximus pulled her closer and kissed her hungrily.
Elena knocked gently on Jeremy's door. She was hoping that he didn't have his earphones on so he could hear her knock. She didn't really want to barge into the room without him letting her in because she knew it would probably piss him off but then again, it would at least let him express at least one emotion.
"Jeremy?" Elena called. She stood there for a moment, waiting for the younger boy to open his door. When no answer came Elena knocked again.
About a minute later the door was pulled open slowly to reveal a straight-faced Jeremy Gilbert. He was dressed in nothing but a pair of Tyler's sweat pants. Carol Lockwood had given him quiet a few of Tyler's clothes, just so Jeremy 'at least had a scent of his mate'. It's the only reason why he hadn't gone in to full on depressed mode.
"Can I ralk to you?" Jeremy stood at the door for a moment then he sighed quietly and moved to the side.
Elena walked into her brother's room. Gone was the messiness of the teenage boy. The room was in a word, spotless. The bed was made and no clothes were on the floor. The only place that was messy was Jeremy's study desk where all his books were layed out.
Since Tyler's 'leaving' Jeremy had drowned himself in his school work, it was actually helping with keeping him sane, and he benefited because his marks had actually gone up and all his teachers seemed satisfied with that, though most worried that he seemed out of it, even more so then when his parents had died.
"Hey," Elena said with a small smile. She sat down Jeremy's made bed - which he probably didn't even sleep in anymore - and he sat down across from her on his chair by the study desk.
"Hi," he said in a neutral tone. Elena took a deep breath then looked staright at her brother.
"Jeremy, I'm worried about you."
"Don't be, I'm fine."
"No you aren't Jere. When was the last time we had a conversation that didn't envolve the rescue plan or your lack of emotions?" Jeremy shrugged. "I miss you Jeremy, we all do. We want you back."
"I want Tyler back but things don't seem to be going my way."
"Jeremy-."
"Don't try and make me feel better Elena, I won't. Not until I know that he's safe, til I know that he's okay and that... that he won't..." Jeremy swallowed though it seemed as though he was forcing it.
"He's not going to die. We'll get him in time."
"We don't know that."
"No, but you would've felt it wouldn't you?"
"Maybe." Even after being told the truth there would always be that thing in Jeremey that wondered if Tyler really was his mate.
"He is your mate Jere. I know it."
"How?"
"Because he would've risked his life if he wasn't."
"Don't you get tired of this conversation Elena? We have it almost everyday. Just give it up."
"Not until I know I have my baby brother back."
"I'm not a baby; I'm capable of looking out for myself."
"I know." Elena stood. "If you want to talk Jere, about anything, we're all here for you." Jeremy only nodded. "I love you Jeremy."
"You too." Elena sighed then walked over to her brother. She hugged him and hissed the top of his head then walked out the room.
As soon as the door shut Jeremy got up and locked it then he slid down it and broked down, tears rolling down his face while he bit his bottom lip so no sound escape his lips.
He hated this. He hated feeling so helpless. He wanted so badly to find Tyler. Everyday that Tyler wasn't around his was like a piece of his heart was broken off. Everyday without hearing his mate's voice or seeing his smile was like a blow to his sences.
He missed Tyler so much that sometimes breathing became a problem, it felt like he was going to suffocate without his love, like his heart would give in and stop beating.
Jeremy wished, oh how he wished that things were normal. That the world was normal. That his boyfriend was normal. He wished that life was just... normal. Where there were no vampires and werewolves and witches. Were they were all ordinary people living ordinary lives.
If things were like that, Jeremy would have Tyler and he wouldn't slowly be dying everyday. Yes that's how he felt. Every passing day he felt like he was slowly dying, everyday a small part of him was dying, stopping its functioning and giving in.
It hurt so much! Jeremy had thought of suicide more then once, but he knew that if he did try again and succeed, it wouldn't help anyone, it would just mean that Tyler would forever be in danger, that he really would never be able to touch, smell; hear, see or taste Tyler ever again.
Jeremy didn't want to give up, not now, not ever. He was going to find his mate, they were going to graduate and then get married. He was going to destroy Loretta and get the love of his life back and they were going to live a normal happy life together.
"I miss you so much Tyler," Jeremy whispered as the tears continued to pour. "I miss you and I love you. I promise I'll come find you. We'll be togther again."
"When is the new house going to be done?" Loretta asked as she drew circles on her mates back. They were lying comfortably on the bed with Maximus' head resting on Loretta's stomach.
"I'm not sure as of yet," Maximus replied. "But it'll be done soon, and we can live here together." Loretta smiled brightly.
"I can't wait to have you all to myself." Maximus smiled too.
"Me too, my love."
Loretta was about to say something when someone banged on their door quiet roughly. Maximus sighed and got out of bed, pulling his pants on. He opened the door and found his father.
"Yes?"
"We need you at the new house," his father said. His voice sounded annoyed and irritated as usual when Loretta was around. He didn't even try to hide his dislike for the witch; he made sure that she knew that he hated her guts.
"It's not done."
"It is now. It was completed last night."
"Oh?" Loretta smiled excitedly. Finally! She and Max were going to have the house to themselves...well she, Max and Maria, but Maria wouldn't be a bother; she supported their relationship even though she was a bit reluctant about it.
"Yes. We're going to see if it's been done properly, make sure the cellar is secure." Maximus nodded. Loretta also understood what it meant.
The Lockwood's with the werewolf gene usually 'locked-up' during the full moon so they had to make sure that the cellar was sturdy enough to hold them in it till the morning.
"We need you there." Maximus nodded.
"Let me get dressed and I'll be with you in a moment." His father nodded then turned and went back downstairs. Maximus shut the door and turned to Loretta. They smiled at each other excitedly. "I better go, the sooner we do this, the sooner they leave." Maximus pulled his top and boots on then kissed Loretta and rushed out the house to join his family at the new home.
Loretta got out of bed and pulled on a dress. She went out to find her sister but before she could even start her decent down the stairs, someone ambushed her, putting a cloth over her mouth. She tried to push the person away, but they were holding her tightly.
Loretta inhaled deeply, so she could let out a loud enough scream, but something choked her. She coughed and splutered and tried to scream but nothing happened, the cloth stayed.
Loretta started feeling dizzy, whatever was on the cloth was making her dizzy and quiet dazy. Things were getting more blurry as she inhaled whatever was on the cloth. A few more moments of fighting and Loretta's body lost and everything around her went dark. Loretta tried to fight the darkness, but it was impossible, she couldn't fight the darkness and soon it took her.
Elena sneaked into her brother's room in the middle of the night to check on him. She found him sleeping on the floor, curled up in a tight ball with a picture of Tyler in his hands. She could tell he'd been crying by the puffiness of his eyes and nose.
Elena felt the unshed tears sting her eyes and her throat tighten as she tired to fight her emotions back that wanted to escape. Her brother looked so weak like this, so vulenerable even though he'd grown in size.
It was so unfair that he had to suffer like this. He'd lost so much in his life, why did he have to lose the love of his life too? It just wasn't fair!
But Jeremy was strong. Elena knew that he was. She knew that he might feel like giving in at times, especially more so now, but he had something that required him to stay alive, he had to find Tyler. And dammit Elena would do anything for her brother to find make him happy again.
She would go to the ends of the world just to see that sparkle in her brother's eyes, just to see that smile, hear him laugh. And by hell she was going to see it, even if it meant she had to give up her own life!
Jeremy stirred on the floor and Elena waited for him to wake up but he didn't. Instead she saw a lone tears slide down his face and she was certain that her brother was probably having a dream about Tyler, whether it be a good or a bad one.
"Elena," Caroline's voice said softly. Elena turned and saw the blonde cheerleader standing there.
"Hey Caroline," Elena replied. She stepped back from her brother's room, shutting the door quietly behind her.
"I want to take you out!"
"Car-."
"Don't argue! Bonnie and I are taking you to see a movie, Katherine is joining us. It's a girl's night out. Stefan, Damon and Matt will stay here and look after Jeremy; they're going to have a boy's night."
"Caroli-."
"Don't argue with me Elena, just do it. I know you've been dying to go see that new movie with Taylor Lautner(1). And he's going to be shirtless...again!" Elena sighed.
"Fine. But one movie."
"And then we'll all go eat! Perfect! Come on; let's go put you into something less frumpy and more glamerous." Caroline grabbed Elena's hand and led her to Elena's room, talking excitedly about the movie they were going to see.
When Loretta woke up she found that she felt very hot. She opened her eyes slowly and found she was in a room that had smoke all around it. She looked around desperetly and found that she was in one of the rooms in the old house and it was burning.
Loretta clutched her chest as she desperatly tried to breathe. The smoke was everywhere now, and it was filling her lungs quickly. She had to get out of here, and fast!
"Loretta! Lettie!" Loretta looked around the room, eyes going wide despite the smoke.
"No," she muttured, looking around. "Maria? Maria?" she called.
"Lettie help me!" Maria shouted. Loretta got up from the floor and moved towards where Maria's voice was. "Loretta!"
"I'm coming Ria, hold on." Loretta made her way blindly through the room, trying to keep away from the burning walls. She finally spotted her sister who was tied up, her back agaist the metal wall.
Loretta knew instantly that her sister's back was burning from the heated metal. Loretta rushed to her younger sister and tried to untie the ropes.
"I can't get them Ria, I need something to cut them with." Loretta looked around desperatly, trying to find something sharp to cut the ropes with.
"You can't Lettie," Maria said, tears running down her face. "They made sure you wouldn't be able to without hurting me."
"I'm not letting you die."
"You can't do anything. Get out of here Lett, before the house collapses on us."
"No, not I'm leaving you here."
"Go Lettie!"
"No."
"GO!" Loretta held Maria's bound hands.
"Planto mihi ago insquequo vicis subsisto et tribuo mihi vires!" (2)
"What are you doing?" But Loretta didn't reply, she just continued to chant. "Lettie?" The fire roared behind Loretta but it didn't continue to spread. "Lettie?"
The whole place exploded right in front of Maria. Something bashed into her and all sound was lost.
"You're turn Jeremy," Matt said, handing Jeremy the joystick(2). The boys had been able to convince - or more like drag/carry - Jeremy down to the living room to join them for 'guy's night'. He'd tried to say no, wait, he'd said it staight out that he didn't feel like hanging out for guys night, but Damon - because he was such a dick - just picked him up and threw him over his shoudler and got him downstairs.
"Come on, you know you want to," Damon said. "It's fun."
"I'm fine," Jeremy muttured, curling himself in a ball in the corner of the couch.
"Boooo..."
"Come on man, one game," Matt tried. Jeremy tried to shake his head but had to duck when Damon threw an empty bowl at him.
"The fuck man?" Jeremy asked.
"Let's make a deal," Damon said, ignoring the question. "We'll play one game. If you win, we'll leave you alone to mope about your dear werewolf-," Jeremy almost glared at that, "-but if I win, you have to suck it up and enjoy tonight."
"I don't want to."
"Come on Jeremy," Stefan started.
"No!"
"If not for us, or Elena, or yourself, do it for Tyler. He wouldn't want you to be like this." It was a low blow considering the situation but it seemed to work. Jeremy sighed and reluctantly took the joystick from Matt. Damon smirked at his brother then turned to Jeremy.
"Remember," he said. "If you win, we leave you alone but I win-."
"I suck it up and enjoy myself," Jeremy muttured.
"Exactly." The boys turned to the screen and Damon switched games on the xbox and put on a different one. "Ready kid?"
"Sure," Jeremy said. And with that Damon started the game.
When Maria opened her eyes she found that she was no longer bound in a burning house. She found that the pain she'd been feeling on her back was gone too.
"Lettie?" she called weakly.
"Shhh..." Loretta said, placing a cold cloth on her sister's forehead. "It's alright, we're safe now."
"Wah... what happened?"
"I saved us."
"H-how?"
"I cast the immortality spell."
"Wh-wh-what?" Maria tried to get up but she was too weak so she fell back tiredly.
"Relax, we're safe, we'll be fine."
"Where are we?"
"At an old friend's house."
"An old friend? Who is this 'old friend'?"
"Hush sister, you'll meet her soon enough. I saved her life once; she's forever indebted to me." Maria sighed and lay back, closing her eyes.
"Fine."
"When you're feeling better come down and have something to eat."
"Sure." Loretta left the room while humming an unknown song. Maria sighed, looking up at the celieing. She wasn't too happy about what her sister had done, she'd cast a spell that took way too much power, unsure of what it would do to her. "Dammit!"
Maria got out of bed slowly and got dressed then slowly made her way out the room. She didn't feel any pain or anything, but it didn't hurt to be careful.
As Maria walked into the kitchen she found a brunette sitting at one of the chairs, sipping something from that smelt a lot like alcohol from a cup.
"Hello," the girl said, a sort of roguish smile on her face.
"Hi," Maria replied. She looked around the kitchen, trying to locate her sister, but didn't find her.
"My name is Katherine."
"Maria." They shook hands.
"It's nice to finally meet you Maria."
"You too. So you're the friend my sister saved?"
"I am." Maria nodded.
"Ah, you're up," Loretta said, walking into the room. "I made you something to eat." Loretta got Maria her food and placed the plate in front of her sister. Maria ate the food cautiously, not sure if she trusted it or her sister at the moment.
"Are you okay?" Maria finally asked.
"I'm fine. Never felt better." Loretta smiled. Maria smiled too, though hers was leaning a little on the grimace side.
"Good." Maria finished her foor and was about to get up and wash her plate, but Loretta stopped her, taking the plate.
"Relax sister, I'll do it." Maria nodded then looked at Katherine who gave her the same rougish smile as before.
"I think I'll leave you two alone," Katherine said. She didn't even wait for a reply, disappearing out of the house. Maria turned to Loretta expectedly.
"What?" Loretta asked innocently.
"Lettit!" Maria scolded. "What were you thinking?"
"What was I thinking when?"
"When you did that spell? You know that it could've killed you!"
"But it didn't. We're both fine. We're both alive right?"
"But-."
"Stop stressing sister, we're fine."
"But-."
"Now we'll go to the Lockwood's and get Maximus, and he and I can live together in peace once and for all."
"Loretta, you-."
"Stop! We're going to be fine." Maria bit her lip nervously. Loretta sat down and took Maria's hands. "We'll be fine."
"Promise?"
"I promise." Maria sighed.
"Fine." Loretta smiled. She got up and moved around the kitchen excitedly.
"Goodie! Now we have to go find Maximus. He's probably waiting on me to come."
"Maximus? Where'd he say he was?"
"He's probably at the new house."
"Hmm..."
"We've been gone for too long, he must miss me terribly."
"It's only been a day, I'm sure he's fine." Loretta stopped what she was doing and turned to her younger sister.
"A day?"
"I've been out for a day... Right?"
"It's been a week Ria."
"A week?"
"Yes. You took a bad hit and you've been out all week. But you're alright, Katherine assured me." Maria nodded, though now she didn't know what to do. A week?
"So when do you want to leave?"
"Soon."
"How soon?"
"Tomorrow." Maria nodded.
"We leave tomorrow then."
During the course of ther night Jeremy had slightly relaxed, he'd even smiled and cracked a joke to which Damon felt obliged to comment on. Jeremy had scorffed off Damon's 'So he can smile, and joke too'.
For the first time in weeks Jeremy had allowed himself to relax and not worry. He'd lost just about all of the first games, Damon kept up the best out of...till Jeremy just let it go and decided to play for fun and not because he wanted out. And as soon as he started playing just coz he wanted to, he actuallly started winning games.
The night finally came to an end and the girls and Alaric and Jenna came home. And instead of Jeremy disappearing into his room he stayed with his family and friends and they all sat around the kitchen, helping with baking cupcakes for a charity event.
Everyone was in a good mood and they were all happy and relaxed enough. For the first time in forever, everyone was just going with the flow of things and not constantly worrying. It was a good feeling, one they all wanted to keep.
Loretta and Maria stepped out of the carriage and made their way to the newer, better looking, Lockwood home. They could spot a few of the servants looking at them with shock and confusion, and others looked at Loretta with sad eyes.
"What's going on," Maria whispered to her sister. She could see the looks and whisperes though she wasn't close enough to hear them.
"I don't know," Loretta said. "Ignore them. They aren't the reason why we're here." Maria nodded and then walked up the porch steps and Loretta knocked on the door. A few moments passed then it was opened to reveal Tessa Lockwood, Maximus' mother. The woman looked worn out, almost as though she'd been crying.
"What...?" Tessa looked shocked. "What...?"
"Suprised?" Loretta said, evil smirk in place.
"You...you're dead!"
"Wrong! I'm very much alive and well."
"You burnt in the house. Maximus felt you die." Loretta's smirk disappeared, being replaced with a confused frown.
"What are you talking about Tessa?"
"Maximus..." Tessa started crying, hands over her mouth to try and cover the sounds, but was unsucceful.
"Tessa, who is...?" George Lockwood trailed off and glared at the visitors, a growl escaping through his lips. "You!"
"Me," Loretta said. "Where is my mate?"
"Try the grave yard!" Bejamin said from behind. Loretta turned and glared at him. "You killed him." Loretta looked shocked for a moment, but then she glared at Benjamin.
"I did no such thing! And I know he's not dead, I would've felt it if he died." Loretta crossed her arms over her chest with a defiant look on her face. She would not believe any of this! They were trying to keep her away from her mate! Not this time! Not ever!
"He killed himself because he thought you were dead!"
"But I'm not. I didn't die. We can all see that I'm anything but dead."
"He felt you die," Tessa said through her tears. "He felt it! You died and he felt you leave him!"
"Shhh..." George wrapped a comforting arm around his weeping wife. "You have no right to be here!" he said to Loretta, giving her a look that clearing said 'fuck off or die'.
"I have every right!" Loretta said.
"You killed my son!"
"I did not!"
"He thought you were dead! We cannot live without our mates!"
"I didn't die!"
"But you did something that made you lose your humanity." Loretta fell silent but then she shook her head.
"No. No. I don't believe you."
"Believe what you want. My son is dead and it's all your fault!"
"He's not dead! Where are you hiding him?"
"We are not hiding him, Witch! You killed him."
"Fine! Don't tell me. I'll find him and he'll come back to me and we'll be together once more."
"What ever makes you happy." Loretta glared at each Lockwood in turn then huffed and walked back to the carriage with Maria following behind. They got in and the carriage moved. Loretta was very quiet as she thought of what they'd told her. It was all nonsence, she knew it was. They were probably laughing about it now.
"Do you think they were telling the truth?" Maria asked in a small voice.
"Of course Maria!" Loretta snapped. "They're damned fools if they think I believe them."
"What if it is true?"
"It's not dammit! What makes you think it is?" Maria shrugged.
"Maybe-."
"Just shut up Maria! You're not helping." Maria bit her lip to shut herself up. She looked out the window as they were driven back to Katherine's home.
()-()-()
Maria breathed then stepped into the room her sister had shut herself in. Loretta was sitting on a chair, staring at a wall. She looked like she was deep in concentration. This whole thing about Maximus was affecting Loretta more then she realised.
"Lettie," Maria said gently.
"We have to find him!" Loretta stated, looking at her sister with determined eyes.
"What?"
"Maximus, we must find him!"
"But he died Lettie."
"I know he didn't! They lied to us Maria. If he died I'd know, I would've felt it. But I know he's alive, I know he's out there. He's not dead!"
"This is crazy."
"We just need to look, please."
"Loretta, Maximus died. We can't bring him back."
"He didn't DIE! I know he's alive! I know it dammit!" Maria sighed.
"Fine. We'll look for him okay?"
"That's all I need." Maria nodded. She stepped out the room with a sigh. What was she going to do about her crazy sister?
-()-()-
Loretta suddenly sat up, looking around to find that the space beside her was emtpy. She frowned. Maximus kept doing this. He was probably downstairs watching football again. He seemd to love that stupid game more then he loved her.
Loretta rolled her eyes and got out of bed. She pulled on a night gown and slipped her feet into her slippers then went downstairs to find Maximus passed out on the couch. There were packets of crisps and bottles of beer on the coffee table.
"Maxie," Loretta whispered, shaking Maximus gently. "Max..."
"Hmm..." Maximus said, not waking though.
"Max..."
"Wha..." Maximus opened his eyes and saw Loretta smiling down at him. "What's wrong?"
"Come to bed."
"I'm still watching the game." Loretta giggled.
"You're asleep."
"I was resting my eyes."
"Oh please. You were asleep." Loretta walked around the couch. She tried to pull the blanket off Maximus' body but he gripped it. "Maxie..."
"I'll be up in a minute okay?"
"No, not okay. Do you still find me desireble?"
"What?"
"Find me 'sexy'?"
"Of course I do." Loretta frowned. That had sounded forced.
"Maxie..."
"I do, I do." Something suddenly came to Loretta. She ripped the blanket off Maximus' body and threw it across the room. She then procceeded to rip of his sleep shirt and looked at his shoulder.
"You're not him!" He had a tattoo on his shoulder, yes, but it had 'Jeremy' instead of 'Loretta'. "You're not Maximus!"
"What are you-?"
"He had a tattoo!" Loretta screeched. "A tattoo with my name on! You don't have it! You have a tattoo of 'Jeremy'. So he is your mate! He is yours!"
"Wh-."
"I know all Lockwood men get tattooes of their mates, it's a rule!"
"I-."
"You tricked me! You tricked me and made me let that petty human go! He is your mate isn't he? Isn't he?"
"Yes," Tyler replied honeslty.
"I should've known! How stupid was I? I should've seen right through you!" Loretta glared at Tyler. "You fooled me! You tricked me into letting him go! Now you're going pay!" Tyler was about to protest when an excutiating pain ripped through his head, knocking him out instantly. "You're going to pay for this Lockwood!"
TBC...
Heh? Heh? It was crappy, I know, but yeah... Now Loretta knows the truth. Now Jeremy has to work fast in finding his mate and desrtoying Loretta. Whoop! Whoop! Sorry it's so late, I had a bit of writers block, but no stress, I'm trying hard to work through it.
So I couldn't not have Tyler, so I put Tyler in. But it was only for like a few paragraphs =(. But he made an appearance!
(1) I just had to. How could I not? I mean cem-on! I'm obsessed!
(2) Is that what the thing is called? A joystick?
(3) Make time stand still for me and grant me strength
Anywhoo...
MwahzZ
(",) SmilezZ Ya'll