Chapter Four (part one): In The Palace
AN/ Chapter four is WAY to long to put into one chapter so I split it up into two. Here's Part One. Hope you like!!!!
Thursday March 15th '07, 9:30 a.m.
Both Becky and Gabrielle woke to the familiar knock of room service. Gabrielle answered the door while Becky got in the shower. Breakfast this morning was waffles and sausage. While Becky was still in the shower Gabrielle went to her side of the closet to find and outfit to wear.
Gabrielle decided to wear the white caprees she had bought yesterday along with the light pink halter top she had bought with them. She aslo pulled out a pair of red, open toed, two inch heels. Gabrielle layed her clothes out on her bed as Becky got out of the bathroom then got in the shower herself.
Becky decided the wear the skirt and top she had bought at the first store they had gone into yesterday and finished with her hair when Gabrielle came out of the bathroom. Gabrielle got dressed and put her hair up in a half ponytail. She then asked Becky where she had put her money and Becky tolled her it was in her suit case. Gabrielle pulled three-hundred out of the money her fathers wife sent her. She put the money in her purse then they had breakfast, finished getting ready and went down to the loby, and as they had done before, left the breakfast cart outside their door.
"So how much are your carrying now? Your mom only gave you two hundred and you went through eighty of it yesterday." Becky asked as they got on the bus to Versailles.
"Four-hundred and twenty." Gabrielle replied as she watched Becky's eyes go wide, "Last night at dinner Tasha said that the gift shop there had some really nice jewlery. And Sara said they sold the old style clothes they used to wear back then."
"The jewlery sounds enticing, but unlike you, I'm not found of the Renaissance garb." Becky said with a smile, "Are your sure it safe to be carrying so much money?"
"Nobody knows thats how much I'm carrying, besides you, and I put my wallet at the bottom of my purse so if it's open and anyone looks inside they won't see it. " Gabrielle replied as she pulled out her IPod.
"Alright, I'm just look'n out for ya. Just wanted to know you got things under control." Becky said as she put her head phones in.
"Thanks Beck." Gabrielle said as she turned on her music.
Dr. Lecter pulled up to Versailles as Gabrielle and Beck were getting off the bus. Dr. Lecter parked his Jag in the parking lot on the side of the building and waited for Gabrielle's group to enter. He didn't want to be noticed right away so he waited about ten minutes before getting out of his car.
Dr. Lecter entered the building as the different tour groups were headed off into the building. Dr. Lecter found Gabrielle rather quickly and noticed that Becky wasn't with her. He found Becky in another group that was headed in the oposite direction of Gabrielle's group and saw that Becky wasn't happy about the situation.
Dr. Lecter followed Gabrielle's group at a safe distance during the tour and noticed Gabrielle was one of the only ones asking questions. He watched in amusement as looks of surprize and amazment crossed Gabrielle's face simultainiously in almost every room they entered.
Near the end of the tour Dr. Lecter left and went down to the front of the palace, he wanted it to look like hed had been waiting for Gabrielle instead of following her. He sat in the chair closest to the door and pulled the "National Tattler" out of his suit coat pocket.
Gabrielle wasn't surprized when she and Becky were split up again, and she wasn't even upset about it. She was surprized however that Becky looked both pissed and devistated that they had been split up. Gabrielle had noticed that Becky had started to become very protective of her lately, but she decided that it was because they were out of the U.S. and didn't know the suroundings. Gabrielle also thought Dr. Williamson's sudden presents in their life, well... her life, was probably a big reason.
Gabrielle put becky out of her mind and paid attention to the tour guide. Gabrielle was facinated by the rooms in the palace and made a mental note to get a really good job so she could get a house that was even a tenth of the palace. During the tour Gabrielle kept getting the feeling she was being watched. She looked back over her shoulder a few times but never saw anything out of the ordinary.
The ballroom was Gabrielle's favorite room in the whole palace. Her mouth dropped open when they entered the room and her eyes darted from left to right and back again trying to take in every detail all at once. Some of her classmates looked at her like she was nuts, but she didn't care. It wasn't her fault they had no appreciation for history.
When the tour ended they were brought back to the front of the palace. When the tour guide told them where the gift shop was Gabrielle headed toward it immediately. The gift shop was like any other, coffee mugs, pens and pencils, key chains and note pads, and posters with Versaillies on them. Then Gabrielle noticed a door at the back of the store and headed towards it.
As she got closer she saw the jewlery and clothing she had heard of the night before along the back wall of the store. The door Gabrielle had noticed had beads hanging down like a curtain. Half of the beads were pulled back so Gabrielle decided to go through the door. There were jewlery cases lining the walls and rack of clothes in the center. Gabrielle started to walk around the room looking at the jewlery.
A few seconds later she heard the sound of beads moving and heard someone say gently, "You're not supposed to be back here miss. My boss will throw a fit if he finds you."
"Huh?" Gabrielle said as she turned to see a man standing in the doorway, "Oh, I'm sorry... I didn't... the beads were open. I though it was another part of the store."
Gabrielle walked quickly to the door and exited the back room back into the store.
"It's alright miss, just stay to the main part of the store, okay?" said the man.
Gabrielle nodded her head and the man walked away. Gabrielle turned to look at the clothes she had seen before she went into the back room. She found a beautiful, pastel blue, Renaissance style gown. When she checked the size and was happy to find it was her size. Then she checked the price tag, and sighed in relief when she saw the dress was only eighty-five dollars.
Gabrielle took the dress off the wrack and went to the jewlery case next to the clothes and picked a necklace, earings, and bracelet to match it. When she had everything she went to the front counter to pay. Gabrielle grabbed a Versailles key chain as well for a momentoe. When everything was wrung up the total came to one-eighty. Gabrielle paid and thanked the cashier as she boxed the dress and jewlery, then bagged it all.
Gabrielle walked out of the gift shop and headed to the front door. As she got there she saw Becky pacing in circles. When Becky saw Gabrielle she practically ran up to her.
"Are you alright Beck?" Gabrielle asked as her best friend hugged her, "We've only been apart for...(Gabrielle looks at her watch)...lets see, we got here at eleven and it's now twelve thirty so... an hour and a half, which is amazing cause this palace is HUGE."
"She got a little shook up when she fell into one of the secret passage ways in the 'Kings Office' She happened to fall right into a spider web." said a tour guide Gabrielle hadn't notice before, "I take it your Miss Gabrielle."
"Yes I am. Thanks, I can take it from here." said Gabrielle as she nodded to the guide who nodded back then left.
Gabrielle felt Becky shaking and could hear her crying slightly. Gabrielle put her bag down and hugged her friend tightly, trying to calm her.
"I was so scared." Becky said meakly, "I was just leaning against the wall, listening to the guide when the wall turned on me. As I fell my head went through a spider web and when they pulled me up the spider was on my head. The thing was huge!!!"
Gabrielle rubbed Becky's back and said softly, "It's gone now. You're safe, you weren't hurt which is good."
Becky nodded her head in agreement and pulled away to get a tissue from her purse.
"Hey, you've been kinda emotional the past day or so, are you PMS-ing?" Gabrielle asked with a smile trying to make a joke.
"You know, it is quite possible." Becky said with a chuckle
Just then one of the girls classmates came through he front door and walked right up to Becky and asked, "Hey Beck, Tasha, Carla and I are gonna go get some lunch. You wanna come with?"
"Sure but what about Gabby?" Becky asked.
"You go Beck, we room together so its not like we don't get to see each other all the time." Gabby said before they're classmate could respond.
"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to leave you behind." Becky asked.
"I'm sure, you go have fun. I'm sure I can find something to do." Gabrielle replied.
"Alright, then I'll see you later. The bus, as usual, will be here at one-thirty." Becky said and she left with they're classmate.
After Becky had left the builing Gabrielle sighed and ran her hand over her head. she then picked up her bag and started to walk towards the door.
Dr. Lecter watched Gabrielle comfort Becky and came to the conclusion she did it a lot, because it only took her about two minutes to calm the girl down. And when he saw Gabrielle sigh he knew she did it too much and too often. He admired her patients with Becky though. From what he had seen of Becky he found her some what anoying and found that Gabrielle was more comfortable when she wasn't around Becky.
He could tell that Gabrielle felt a little trapped when she was around Becky and Gabrielle didn't seem like the type of person who would do well in a cage. She needed to be free, and with him she would be. It had only taken him four days to come to the decision that Gabrielle would be enjoyable company.
"Miss Helfire." Gabrielle hear a fimiliar voice call from behind her as she reached the front door.
Gabrielle spun around to find "Dr. Williamson" about ten feet behind her. He was wearing a deep blue suit with a white button up shirt, deep blue tie, and deep blue fedora with his dark sunglasses.
"Dr. Williamson. Nice to see you again." Gabrielle said felling stupid that, that was all she could manage to say.
"It is nice to see you as well Miss Helfire. Your friend seems to have run off with others from your school. Does this mean you're free to have luch with me again?" Dr Williamson asked kindly as he held the door open for Gabrielle.
"It would seem that way, yes. Does this mean I get to learn more about the history of France, Doctor?" Gabrielle replied with a smile.
"If you would like to, yes. ... There's a nice resturant to our left." Dr Williamson said as he pointed to his left.
"Okay, ...I would love to learn more." Gabrielle said as she followed Dr. Williamson.
"Alright, well this building here..." Dr. Williamson said as he pointed to a building on they're way.
Gabrielle listened intently as Dr. Williamson told her more about her suroundings. Dr. Williamson was pleased when she compared the new information he was giving her to the information he had given her two days ago, this ment she was good at retaining information. When they got to the resturant they were seated at a table that was, again, near the back.
"France is more facinating in person than it is in our text books. How do you know all this information Doctor?" Gabrielle asked as they sat down.
"Well,...As well as being a psychiatrist, I'm also an Art Historian." Dr. Williamson replied as they were given menus.
"Oh, thats interesting..."Gabrielle replied as she looked ad the menu then said with a chuckle, "Hey I can read this one!"
Dr. Williamson chuckled and smiled as he looked the menu over as well. Dr. Williamson already knew what he wanted so he decided to watch Gabrielle as she tried to find something to eat.
When the waiter came back with glasses of water he asked if they were ready to order.
"Have you found something?" Dr. Williamson asked Gabrielle.
"Yes, yes I have." Gabrielle replied as she closed her menu.
Dr. Williamson gestured for Gabrielle to order so she did.
"I'll have the ceasar salad with italian dressing and a sprite please." Gabrielle said as she handed her menu to the waiter.
Gabrielle looked around the resturant while Dr. Williamson ordered. When Dr. Williamson was done the waiter left with a small smile.
Gabrielle looked back and asked, "Doctor do you know where the restrooms are?"
"Yes, behind me to the right." Dr. Williamson replied.
"Thanks, be back in a second." Gabrielle said as she got up from the table.
As Gabrielle made her way to the bathroom she was glad "mother nature" had left the day they had gotten to France. She hadn't realized how much she had to go till she looked at the beverage side of the menu. She was glad she wasn't wearing a skirt today, and she reapplied perfume before she went out.
Only one spray Gabrielle thought as she pulled out her perfume, This stuff is really strong if you use too much
Gabrielle left the bathroom and sat back down at the table as the waiter came back with their drinks.
"Your meals will be ready in about ten minutes." said the waiter as he put the drinks on the table.
"Thank you." Gabrielle said and the waiter gave a small bow then left.
"So, if you don't mind me asking, what did you buy at the gift shop?" Dr. Williamson asked as he took a sip of his wine.
"I bought dress and a bracelet, necklace, and earings to go with it, and a keychain." Gabrielle replied and she took a sip of her sprite, "Though I don't know where I would wear a Renaissance gown."
"Well, the opera house has a galla every so often to pay tribute to the old ways. They usually have one on every major holliday." said Dr. Williamson his eyes dancing with interest.
"Really? I'll have to ask when the next one is when I go back tomorrow." Gabrielle said as she lit up and then she said half to herself, "I have to remember to rent a car."
"You're going back to the opera house? What for, the only thing they do during the day is tours?" Dr. Williamson asked as he leaned forward slightly in his chair.
"Well, my tour guide said he would save a ticket to next friday's play for me. I have to go get it before some one else tries to buy it and tomorrow is the first available day I have." Gabrielle replied.
Just as Dr. Williamson was about to say something Gabrielle's phone vibrated.
"Excuse me Doctor." Gabrielle said as she pulled her phone out of her purse.
"Hello." Gabrielle said quietly, "Hi Mrs. Mathews, a little late checking in...oh...having luch...no she's with Carla and others...it better be on...one-thirty same as the last two days...yes I was planning on renting a car...I got my lisence on my birthday...seventeen...yep she has hers as well...alright talk to you later...buh bye."
Gabrielle ended the call then shut her phone off and put it back into her purse.
"Sorry about that Doctor, I was expecting her to call earlier than this." Gabrielle appologized as the waiter came up to the table with their food.
"It's not a problem, its her job to keep track of you." Dr. Williamson said as the waiter put their food on the table and left, "So is your friend going with you to the play?"
"No, she's not really the art and theater type. The only type of theater she likes is the movie theater. She's not one for change either which is a shame." Gabrielle replied as she carefully mixed her salad.
"Yes it is. Wich do you prefer? Movies or plays?" Dr. Williamson asked and he took a bite of what Gabrielle thought looked like steak.
"Definately plays." Gabrielle said when her mouth was empty, "The speacial effects in movies are nice, but I like the drama of the theater. Plays are so much more real, you know, because the actors are right there. Theres no recording, everything is in the moment, and you know the actors are giving it their all because they have one shot to get it right. There's no 'take one' or 'take two' in a play."
"I must agree with you..." Dr. Williamson agreed and they compared movies to plays through the whole meal.
When the check came Dr. Williamson allowed Gabrielle to pay for her meal. Thankfully Gabrielle's meal came to an even thirty dollars. When they left the resturant Gabrielle looked at her watch an saw that it was only one o'clock.
"There's store acouple buildings down that I think you might like." Dr. Williamson said as he pointed to his left, "It's an antique book store. They sell copies of plays as well. Would you like to check it out before your bus get here?"
"Sure. I could use some new reading material. One can only read "The Picture of Dorian Grey" and "The Elric Saga" a few times before they become boring, and after you've read through all the Harry Potter books over and over five times you know you need a larger book selection." Gabrielle said with a chuckle.
Dr. Williamson laughed lightly as he jestured to the right store and followed Gabrielle inside. Gabrielle looked around in amazement at all the books. From the outside of the building she thought the store would be small, but it was quite large and filled with the smell of old books. Gabrielle loved the smell of antique books. The smell of the leather cover and the smell of the old syle paper were her favorite scents in the world.
"Wow! Thats a lot of books." Gabrielle said as she started walking down the first isle.
"There genre oriented. What's your favorite genre?" Dr. Williamson as he watched in amusement as Gabrielle looked up and down the bookcases.
"Fantasy. I love dragons, magic, vampires, and other stuff like that. I like romantic fantasy as well." Gabrielle said only half paying attention as she looked through the titles.
"Alright, those are on the other side of the store. This way..." Dr. Williamson said as he pointed to the right.
Dr. Williamson passed Gabrielle and started walking to the end of the isle. Gabrielle was so wrapped up in trying to read every title she saw she hadn't even seen Dr. Williamson pass her. When Dr. Williamson realized she wasn't following he walked back to her and gently took her arm and guided her down the isle, around the corner and down to the first book shelf marked "Fantasy".
"The fantasy section starts here." Dr. Williamson said as he motioned to the book case, "The romantic fantasy books are mixed in as well."
"Thank you." Gabrielle said quietly as she started down the isle, then stopped and asked, "How expensive are these books?"
"Actually they are quite cheep, ten dollars a piece." Dr. Williamson replied.
Gabrielle's eyes went wide and she looked back to the books. Dr. Williamson watched and studied Gabrielle as she walked down the isles. She would skim through the titles and when one caught her eye she would pull it out of its place and read the first page. If she liked it she would hold on to the book and keep going, if not she would put it back in it's place and keep going.
There were five isles in all of fantasy books and when she finished with the last isle she had thirteen books in her hand, some of them were thin and some of them were quite thick. When she got to the register, she had to put the books in two piles so they wouldn't topple over.
The man at the registar was an elderly man and was asleep in his chair. Gabrielle saw a bell on the counter and rang it, she didn't want to be rude by shouting at the sleeping man. He woke with a start at the sound of the bell and when he saw Gabrielle with all her books his eyes went wide.
"Good afternoon miss." the man said as he started to wring up the books.
Gabrielle opened her purse and pulled out her wallet.
"That will be one-thirty miss." Said the man as he bagged her books then took the money Gabrielle held out, "Thank you miss have a lovely day."
"You too sir." Gabrielle said as she picked up her two bags of books and walked to the exit.
How to kick the shit out of four-hundred dollars in one day Gabrielle thought as she stepped out into the sun, I only have sixty bucks left.
"So how much spending money did your mother give you exactly?" Dr. Williamson asked as they walked back to the palace.
"Well mum only gave me two hundred." Gabrielle replied, "But I got mail yesturday. My mum and Becky's mum sent us a care package. My step-father and my step-grandparents sent me money, as well as my father's wife. She sent me six hundred because she suposedly feels bad about missing my birthday. Which I know is a bunch of bull because if she really did feel bad they wouldn't have forgotten about it three years in a row. And what makes it more stupid is that my birthday is five days before my brothers, so you'd think they would remember. And I'm not really upset that they do forget my birthday. What upsets me is that they make excuses for it and try to buy me off. I tell ya, my father and his wife have some serious issues. I'm surprised my brother has managed to stay relatively unscathed both emotionally and physically."
"Your father is violent? Has he ever hit you?" Dr. Williamson asked conserned he wanted to know just how deep Gabrielle's wounds were before he tried to help her heal, he didn't want to risk missing something and burrying as she healed.
"Yes my father is a violent drunk and luckly he has only hit me once,...well...I won't lie...it was more of a beating. It was right before mum took him to court and was one of the main reasons she did. When my father gets drunk he is angered very easily. I've seen him throw things, not just into the middle of the room or at the wall, but at people as well. He put his fist through a wall once, then he hit the wall again because IT hurt HIM and ended breaking his hand because he hit a stud the second time." Gabrielle said with a forced chuckle, "My father's a real piece of work."
Gabrielle sat on the edge of the fountain that was infront of the palace and put her bags down. She then looked at her watch, one-twenty. How long had they been in the book store?
Dr. Williamson sat on the fountain about half an arms length away. He felt the urge to comfort her but burried it. Now wasn't the time for comforting, that time would come when Gabrielle got everything out and could begin to heal, but not before. No for now he would listen and watch, learning how she reacted to certain things, learning her triggers as well as her comforts.
Gabrielle became aware of how glad she was to have met Dr. Williamson. The past few days she had been able to get things off her chest and know that someone had heard her. She had talked to Becky about her problems with her father, but she always got the same reaction, a big hung, a huge bowl of ice-cream and a "you'll get throught it don't worry. when you turn eighteen you can move and not have to tell him where you are, and forget about him completely."
As much as Gabrielle knew Becky was trying to help she was actually making it worse. Gabrielle felt like she had to stiffle and burry her feelings towards her father when she was angry at him and around Becky because she knew her friend thought she was being childish and should just move on. When the truth was that she couldn't just move on, her father had hurt her too much for her to be able to do that. Gabrielle was pulled out of her thoughts when she felt someone touch her shoulder.
"Hey Gabby, you alright? You look kinda pale." Came the voice of her best friend.
Gabrielle didn't look up from staring at the blank white bags in front of her. She could tell her friend was waiting impatiently for a response, but she could also feel Dr. Williamson looking at her. She could feel he wasn't waiting for a response for he already knew the answer she would give. He was waiting to see if she would fall into her perfected rythm of hiding what she trully felt from Becky.
Just as Dr. Williamson had predicted Gabrielle put on her best fake smile and said, trying to be cheerful, "Yeah Beck I'm fine. I was just thinking thats all."
"Uh hu,...so what did ya buy? Those bags look kinda heavy." Becky said paying no attention to Dr. Williamson at all.
Gabrielle quickly became annoyed with Becky's insensitivity and was in no mood to play "happy go lucky" with her. She wanted to talk more with Dr. Williamson and she knew she wouldn't be able to talk to him fully with Becky around. She was at the point where she was glad they were able to rent their own cars, because it ment she wouldn't have to play shoufer to Becky for the next two months and three weeks.
"I bought some books, and clothes." Gabrielle said a little more shortly than she had intended, "What about you?"
Gabrielle didn't really care if Becky had bought anything she was just desperately trying to be polite so she wouldn't let loose on her.
"Nothing. Carla and I went into a few stores but I didn't see anything I liked. Carla on the other hand almost bought out the store two buildings down over there. It's called fox pox or something like that." Becky said wrapped up in herself.
"Do you mean Faux Paux?" Gabrielle asked as he annoyance flew to an all time high.
Gabrielle knew Dr. Williamson could sense her annoyance, after all he was a psychiatrist. Feelings were his fortay. She just woundered if he thought it was funny. Gabrielle looked at Dr. Williamson and found that he looked just as annoyed as she was, but it seemed darker and more dangerouse than she was feeling.
"Whatever, any way, we saw a lot of cute French boys and caught a few of them staring as we walked by. How cool is that? I got some number as well. I was think'n of call'n two of them and you and I could go on a double date and go club'n this weekend." Becky said as she looked around not even really paying attention to Gabrielle.
What has gotten into her? Gabrielle asked herself, She's never acted like this before. I swear to god if she just acting like this to get rid of Dr. Williamson I'll kill her
Gabrielle stood up and turned to look at the fountain as she said, "No thats alright. Dancing with boys I don't even know isn't really my thing. Why don't you ask Carla to go with you instead. She loves clubing."
"Alrighty, I'll go do that now. I'll see you on the bus." Becky said and she walked away.
"I think I need to rethink my standard of friends." Gabrielle said to Dr. Williamson when Becky was out of ear shot, "She's never acted like that. I wonder what's gotten into her. I swear if I find out she's on something I'll switch rooms with someone. I don't care if I have to room with a teacher. Better yet I'll tell Mrs. Mathews and Beck will be on the first available flight home and I'll have the room all to my self. Then if there's a room of girls that only has one bed I'l switch with them and have a nice big bed."
"You would do that to your best friend?" Dr. Williamson asked his annoyance being replaced by amusement and intrest.
"Yes I would. I can't stand drunks and junkies, I have no tolerance for bull like that. Guess thats something I can thank my father for." Gabrielle said as a dark smile crossed her face.
"Heh, always looking on the bright side of things I see. What time is your next check-in?" Dr. Williamson asked as he stood up, "Your bus wont be here for another seven minutes and it looks to me like you could get some more off your chest."
"Next check-in isn't till dinner which is at seven. I have to be there for that check-in though. Thats when the chaperones do the nightly head count. Why?" Gabrielle replied tilting her head in curiosity.
"Well, I was thinking...If you trust me enough we could go some where quieter and could talk more without anymore annyoing interuptions." Dr. Williamson sugested woundering if he had moved to far to fast, after all they had only known each other for four days.
Gabrielle though for a minute. She knew she couldn't be around Becky right now. She was semi-emotionally unstable and Becky would just make everything much worse. She knew she wanted to talk to Dr. Williamson more and could do without the destractions. Plus she was starting to feel a little crowded with fifty-plus people around her, and if they left now they could get to her hotel and she could grab some things she needed and leave before the bus even got back.
Gabrielle had done the math. If they left now they would have five minutes before the bus arrived then another ten minutes while it waited for all its passengers to board. That wound give them fifteen extra minutes before anyone noticed she was gone. She consulted her instincts and conscience and was glad they were saying the same thing.
"Sure, that sounds great. I could really use some time away from highschool drama. Could we make a slight pit stop though?" Gabrielle asked as she picked up her bags and looked at Dr. Williamson.
"Sure where do you need to go?" Dr. Williamson replied as they walked toward his car.
"The hotel my class and I are staying at. I want to grab the rest of my money, my insticts are telling me not to trust Becky with my money while she's there and I'm not. I just want to be on the safe side, my instincts have never steered me wrong." Gabrielle said as Dr. Williamson popped the trunk of his car and put her bags in it.
"No problem, which hotel are you staying at?" Dr. Williamson asked as they got in and he started the car and pulled out of the palace parking lot.
Both Dr. Williamson and Gabrielle were silent as the drove to her hotel. Gabrielle was trying to think of everything in her hotel room she would have to safe gard from Becky while she was away. She didn't like having to hide her stuff from her best friend but it had to be done. If she knew her best friend right, Becky and Carla would probaly go up to the room she and Becky shared to spend the rest of the day talking about the boys they met and which ones they would want to date.
Then when they had chosen the boys they would want to pick out something to wear. Gabrielle also knew the Becky, Carla and herself were all the same size. She didn't want them going through her clothes because when she invited the two to her birthday party last year, they had gone through her closet with out her knowing. The next time Gabrielle went through her closet she noticed that four of her best shirts were missing. She wasn't about to take that chance again.
Gabrielle decided that she would put her clothes in her suit cases and lock them. She thought about hiding them under the bed but she didn't want Becky getting the idea that she had left and ask Mrs. Mathews to switch Carla into her room, so she decided she would leave them in the closet. She knew the girls wouldn't be able to get into the locks because they were the "Master Lock" locks like the ones on highschool lockers. She had everything planned out and was certain her safety plan would work.
Dr. Lecter watched Gabrielle out of the corner of his eye while he drove. It had only taken her two minutes to make her decision to leave with him, instead of taking the bus. He knew that Becky had crossed a line with Gabrielle and he was interested as to how Gabrielle would confront her friend about it. He had made his decision to ask Gabrielle if she wanted to leave with him and talk more after she had looked at him when Becky was talking to her.
He saw complete annoyance and raw anger toward Becky when she looked at him. He knew she needed to vent, she didn't seem like the type who would take her anger out on herself but he wanted to be on the safe side just incase. As he drove, Dr. Lecter made note of the first similarity between Gabrielle and himself. Neither one of the tolerated rudeness or disrespect. Something in the back of his mind said there were many more similarities to be found.
As they pulled up to the hotel Gabrielle looked at he watch and noted that they had a little less than fifteen minutes till the bus arrived.
"I'll be back in less than ten." Gabrielle said as she got out of the car.
"I'll be right here." Dr. Williamson said as he nodded his head.
Gabrielle ran into the hotel. She went straight past the elevator and headed for the stairs. She knew the elevator was to slow, and she wanted enough time to get everything locked up. Gabrielle bounded up three flights of stairs to the third floor, and was happy her room was only three doors away. She got into her room and set to work like she had planned.
She pulled her money out of her suit case and put it on her bed so she wouldn't forget it. She then put all her clothes from her side of the closet, her clothes from her side of the dresser and all her shoes in the three large suitcases she had brought. Before locking them she went to the care package her mom and Becky's mom had sent and pulled out the extra nylons and the perfume they had sent. She knew Becky never wore perfume and Carla couldn't live without it. She didn't want Becky just giving it away, and she had notied that the perfume was her favorite she she definately wouldn't allow Carla to have it.
Once she had everything she wanted safely in her suit cases, Gabrielle locked each one with two locks. She had brought extra locks on the trip anticipating problems with Carla. When the suit cases were back in the closet, Gabrielle shut it and grabbed her money off her bed, leaving the room like she haddn't been there since the morning.
Gabrielle raced down the stairs and out of the hotel, geting back into Dr. Williamson's car making sure to shut the door without slamming it. She hadn't noticed what type of car it was till just now and she would not be the one to scratch such a beautiful Jag. She put the envelope with her money on her lap and then put her purse on top of it. After that she put her seat belt on and looked at Dr. Williamson...
A/N: This is only the end of the first part of this chapter!!! Please review!!!!