A/N: Hi all, first off I want to apologize for an inconsistency. In the last couple of chapters I mentioned Victoria's Camaro, when in fact Reid gave her a FORD Cobra. Gee, is my face red. Sorry for that, I will change the chapters asap but I did want to apologize first. Hope you forgive me and read the next chapter! Enjoy -Cat
Chapter Thirty-One
Victoria was sitting in the passengers side of the sedan as Ipswich started to come into view. She looked at her vibrating phone in her hand, Caleb's name on the screen, before hitting ignore. She didn't want to talk to him, only able to guess what he was phoning about, still so relatively early in the morning.
She wondered if he knew she was gone. If he had talked to Reid. If he was looking for Pogue. None of it really mattered. She didn't want to talk about any of those things in particular. Eventually she would have to, and eventually was soon enough.
"So, just to clarify," She looked at Pogue as he took the exit off the freeway, speaking for the first time in a while. "Where exactly are we going?"
Victoria took a deep breath, realizing her description of home basically only covered Ipswich, but sadly no where particular for her. The idea of going to Evelyn's house was positively laughable. "Ugh, I dunno." Victoria sank lower into her seat, "I don't feel like going to the dorms..." which was really the only home she had now, and that seemed like a mine-field after her incident with Keira before she left.
"Kay," Without saying more Pogue put on the indicator and turned off the road leading into town and the school instead aiming the car at the neighbourhood where they all grew up.
Victoria looked at him with cold eyes, "I am not going to Evelyn's house, you know that right?"
He actually laughed, let out one sharp laugh, almost like a bark. "Yeah, no, didn't think so."
"So than...?" Victoria looked at him.
"We'll go to my house," He said glancing at her, like it was stupid for her to even ask.
Victoria sat up, "We don't have to, you know. I can take care of myself, Pogue." Suddenly Victoria really didn't want Pogue to think she need to be looked after or whatever. "I'm not a stray."
Pogue looked at her, raising an eyebrow. "I never said you were. But it's nice there, and I can actually get a change of clothes. And there is usually lots of food my dad never eats. And cable TV so ya know, not that bad I think.'
In spite of herself Victoria giggled, "Ok fine. That does sound good. Besides, I have to see your dad anyway."
"If he's home." Pogue added. He didn't say it in a particularly resentful way but something in his voice seemed to allude to the fact that everything was not perfect in his own mind. Victoria looked at him, thinking maybe she could help him out a bit too, rather that just being the damsel in distress.
"Well, either way."
As they lapsed into silence Victoria let her mind go blank. It was easier than trying to think about... well anything. She hadn't told Pogue. She wasn't sure she would ever tell him. She didn't want to hurt him and the thought of Kate and Reid ... well, she knew it hurt her enough, she couldn't imagine how it would hurt Pogue, with his history with Kate and all. She leaned her forehead on the glass of the window. Maybe they deserved it, maybe it was bound to happen. Kate and Reid; tired of being pushed aside. Except that wasn't what was happening.
And she reminded herself that she had done nothing but try to make things work with Reid. She could have dumped him that first morning after prom and ran to Pogue's room. And deep, deep, deep down inside, after that first intense, magically powerful dream, it had crossed her mind. For a millisecond, but of course she had cast it aside, barely let it register, because she loved Reid. She was with Reid, and you don't hurt the people you love. You stand by them. You respect them.
Even if she had been on the way to break up with him, he could have at least had the decency to end it with her, if he was that fed up. He didn't need to treat her like a fool. Let alone with Kate, the ultimate slap in the face. Here Pogue and her had been terrified of hurting people, imploding the group and yet they were the ones who had been burned.
Suddenly, once again rage built in her chest, Victoria felt her hands start to shake, as she couldn't get the image of Reid laying in bed next to Kate out of her head. How peaceful they had looked. Both just so perfectly beautiful, looking like ying and yang. "Pull over." Victoria suddenly demanded.
Pogue glanced at her, "What?"
"Pull over!" She snapped.
Without hesitating, Pogue pulled the car onto the shoulder, "Are you gonna be sick again?"
Before the car had even come to a complete stop, Victoria was out the door. She knew she was using before her feet hit the ground, she couldn't contain it any more. She stood at the side of the road and let out a blood-curdling scream she had been holding in since this morning. Birds took flight from the trees not ten feet away from her and the tree directly in from of her, lost it's leaves as the magical power of her scream rattled it's branches. The wing mirror on her side of the car's glass cracked like a spiderweb.
And just like that she stopped. Took a deep breath, cleared her throat, cracked her neck and got back into the car. Pogue was looking at her a mix of confusion and concern on his face. "We can go now," She said simply.
Before he put the car in drive again, "I am gonna ask you one more time, and then I am gonna leave it alone until you wanna get into it. But are you ok?"
She looked at him, "I am as fine as I will ever be. Let's go, I wanna munch and binge watch something stupid on TV." He didn't look like he wanted to let it drop, quite the opposite in fact. Victoria took a deep breath, "Look, I know you wanna talk about it, but I don't... not yet. So let's just go to your place. And when I do decide to talk you will be the first one I come to, ok?"
He pursed his lips, but it must have been somewhat ok because he nodded and put the car in gear.
The Parry house was probably the most unassuming of the four families house, it was still a million dollar home but it wasn't quite so old money as the rest. Evidently, Pogue's parents had completely redesigned the family home after a fire had damaged most of the old one. Now it was a very east coast looking log cabin inspired home, with a big A-frame, fronted with enormous windows, built on multiple levels going down the back of the property, it was hard to gauge just how big and sprawling the house actually was.
As they pulled into the driveway, Victoria realized how happy she was to be here, in spite of her earlier hesitation. Although she hadn't been here since years before she went to London, she still remembered the feeling of the house. Like it was a real home. A feeling she certainly never really felt in the Danvers mansion. It always smelt like pine. Victoria now wondered vaguely if that was the actual wood or strategically placed candles.
Pogue pulled the rental up to the front doors and shut off the engine. "Home sweet home," He said smiling at her. Victoria smiled back and they both got out. "Come on," He said, starting to walk to the front door. Victoria fell into step behind him and felt butterflies starting to rampage in her stomach.
She watched Pogue's back as he walked up to the big double front doors, his classic swaying lope. He always had this particular way of walking. Victoria suddenly felt unsure of what to do or how to act, their dramatic declarations ringing in her head.
Pogue opened the door and walked in, Victoria close behind him. "Dad?" He called out. When no response came Pogue turned to Victoria, "He must be at the clinic. Look, I'll go grab the bags, why don't you head to my room. Have a shower or whatever, get settled and I will give my dad a call, see if he wants us to meet him at the clinic about whatever he wanted to talk to you about. Sound good?"
Victoria nodded, trust Pogue to already be working on their next move. Victoria was just glad they had made it to Pogue's house. "Yeah, sounds like a plan."
Pogue pursed his lips watching her and looked like he was struggling against asking her if she was ok again. "Kay," With that he turned back to the driveway and Victoria turned to the right and headed to his bedroom.
Victoria stepped out of the shower and reached for a fluffy white towel. She did feel more like a human being again. "Vicky?" She looked at the bathroom door at Pogue's voice as she wrapped the towel around her.
"Yeah?" She called through the door.
"He was surprised we were said he would just come home to talk." Pogue sounded like he was confused too.
"Kay, I'll be out in a minute."
"Sounds good, your bag is just outside the door. I'll be in the kitchen."
She heard him walk from the room and opened the door to get her bag. She threw on some comfy jeans and a bra then sat on the edge of Pogue's bed. It was totally ridiculous that an eighteen year old would have a king size bed in their family home but that was who they were. That was their world. Victoria noticed one of Pogue's shirts on the end of the bed. She picked it up and put it on. It was odd but the smell of him instantly relaxed her. She had become so familiar with it.
She wandered down the hall to the living room and then through to the kitchen. Pogue was just finishing turning on the coffee maker.
"Ugh, thank you. You read my mind." He smiled looking down at the mugs, his hair falling in his face. "Pogue?" He looked over at her, his eyes intense, "I know I have been all over the place this morning, and I just wanted to say thanks. For being there and not pushing."
"Victoria, I-" Pogue's phone started to ring from its spot on the counter. He glanced at it, "It's Caleb." He looked at Victoria. "Should I answer?"
She opened her mouth to answer but realized she had nothing to say really, instead eyes huge, she simply looked at Pogue and shrugged, "Up to you." She eventually said lamely.
Pogue smirked at her amused but ultimately decided on indeed answering, "Hey,"
"Jesus, finally. Where are you?" Caleb said sounding irritated.
"I'm at home." Pogue said vaguely leaning against the kitchen counter. Victoria made an art of not meeting Pogue's eye as if afraid to find out what was being said and instead focused on getting the out of the cupboard.
"What? What do you mean you're at home?"
"I mean I am at home, left early this morning."
"How?"
"We rented a car." Pogue instantly, for some reason, regretted saying that and Victoria froze, her shoulders tensing.
" 'We'? Are you with Tori?!" Caleb sounded unnaturally suspicious.
"You know she hates being called that right?" Pogue said in hopes of lightening the mood. It didn't work.
"What's going on?! I had Reid in my room at just after six looking like a mess and now I find out you guys are both back in Ipswich?!"
Pogue's eyes went to Victorias back. She had been uncharacteristically tight lipped about what had happened last night. She hadn't brought anything up but seemed set in using Pogue as support so he didn't want to question it too much but now hearing Reid approaching Caleb in a mess had Pogue really wondering what had gone on.
"Look man, I dunno what's going on with him. You're just gonna have to talk to your sister."
"Well, it seems she is with you so let me talk to her,"Caleb sounded more irritated then he would normally get with Pogue, Tyler and Reid maybe but never Pogue.
In turn Pogue felt his own irritation building at being snapped at like a child. Simultaneously, Victoria, evidently having been able to hear Caleb's words turned on her heel to shake her head at Pogue looking nervous.
"She's in the shower." Pogue answered back not missing a beat. "Look man, if you wanna talk to Vic, call her phone."
"I've tried man, she won't take my calls."
"Well, then she must not wanna talk."
"Well, maybe you could just-"
"I'm not her keeper Caleb. Worst case, you'll see her in class tomorrow. Until then I can't get in the middle."
"Seems like you are kind of already there."
Pogue tensed, "I'm gonna put that comment up to brotherly concern and let you go." He hung up the phone and looked up at Victoria. She was biting her lower lip and looking up at him from under her lashes.
"Thanks," She said in what Pogue knew was her trying to sound innocent voice.
"Victoria," He said raising an eyebrow. "I am trying not to push you, but..." He took a deep breath and looked at her, "What's going on? Did you get a chance to speak to Reid this morning?"
Victoria took a deep breath and looked out the kitchen window, "No," She said eventually, just as Pogue thought she wouldn't answer him, "I didn't speak to him." She looked at her feet, "But it's over. And by now I am sure he knows it too." She looked up suddenly at Pogue and he was surprised by the bitterness he saw there. "It's done. And I don't want to get into it. With anyone." She tilted her chin up as she spoke to Pogue as if challenging him to argue, "Least of all my brother." Victoria shrugged, "So there it is,"
Pogue looked at his own feet, "So it's over between you and Reid." He wanted it to sound like a statement but was pretty sure it came out as more of a question.
"Yes." She said it without hesitation.
"You're not going to Europe then?"
"Most definitely not."
Pogue looked at her from through his hair. "Where does that leave us?" He asked.
Victoria stood up off the counter, she took a step towards him and Pogue straightened up as she got closer. His breath felt heavy in his lungs, "I..." She began, her eyes getting bigger. Then, all of a sudden...
"Pogue?! Pogue, you here?" Dr. Richard Parry's voice filled the house. Victoria jumped at the voice and looked at the door way into the kitchen and Pogue froze.
"My dad's home." Pogue turned and started towards his father's voice. Victoria took a deep breath and followed him.
They walked through the house until they got to the family room. "Dad," Pogue said drawing his father's attention for the first time. Richard Parry looked up and instantly Victoria saw the concern on his face, plain as day.
"Victoria, Pogue, what are you guys doing home so soon? Everything ok?" He walked over to them putting his hand on Pogue's shoulder.
"Uh, yeah." Pogue looked over his shoulder at Victoria, "We are... uh... fine. We just needed to... get away." Pogue cleared his throat as his dad wrapped him in a hug, before Richard let his son go to give Victoria a hug. "Anyway dad, you wanted to see Vicky?"
Richard held Victoria at arms length. "Yes, I did." He let his arms drop and looked at the two kids. "Come on, let's have a seat." He turned at walked to the sofa and sat down.
Victoria followed him and sat down on the love seat across from him. She looked up at Pogue and he met her eyes, before walking over and sitting down beside her. Victoria looked back at RIchard who was watching them with shrewd eyes, but he simply smiled and looked up at them. "What did you need to see me about?" Victoria asked looking at him.
Richard cleared his throat and put his hands together. "Victoria." He looked up and met her eyes, "I wanted to give you time to let this all absorb, but I realize there really will never be enough time for that. Your father was a shrewd man," Victoria furrowed her brow at the topic, "Even if he did have a tendency to be short sighted. When he started to lose his battle, he got his affairs in order. He also knew that if the truth did come out," Richard took a deep breath, "About your mother that Evelyn would... well, you know Evelyn." Richard looked at Victoria but she couldn't help but look down at the coffee table.
Suddenly, Pogue's hand rested on Victoria's knee. She looked up to see his eyes looking sympathetic. He gave her a small smile. Victoria looked back up at Richard, wrapping her arms around herself, letting one of her hands drop lower so it rested on the back of Pogue's hand on her knee. Victoria took a deep breath, "Yeah, we know Evelyn. So Dad thought if the truth came out Evelyn would go all ... Psycho and cut me out basically." Richard gave Victoria a sympathetic look. Victoria shook her head, "So Evelyn, followed through on Dad's fear, sooo... whats the deal?"
Richard shifted on the couch to lean forward. "Well, your dad feared exactly that. So he made a stipulation in his will. As you both know, all you kids have family trust funds set up for all of you, to receive on your twenty-first birthdays." Pogue looked up at his dads words and squeezed Victoria's hand. "But Richard of course knew there was an enormous chance the truth would come out before your twenty-first. He knew it was more likely it would happen on your eighteenth." Richard rubbed a hand along his jawline. "So he made sure, to circumvent Evelyn's bad blood from having you written out, or forgotten about, William made sure to put a loop hole in your trust fund. If things did change, and Evelyn did not respect his wishes, you were to receive full access to your trust fund on your eighteenth birthday. As well as your mother's entire estate, which he also held in trust for you." Victoria felt slightly numb. Richard gave her a weak smile. "After a few signatures, you will be an exceedingly wealthy young woman Victoria."
Victoria blinked. "Umm, well...ok." She sat back and looked at Pogue taking his hand in both of hers, ignoring Richards eyes on them. Pogue looked back at her and squeezed her hands in his big protective one, "So,..." Victoria was about to make a glib remark about shopping when she wanted but stopped. "Wait, my ... my mother's estate?" She sat up again, finding herself leaning in to Pogue's side. He glanced at her before looking back at his father. "You knew my mother?"
Richard looked sad, "No, unfortunately I did not." Victoria felt deflated, "Your father kept her," Richard took a deep breath, "Well, safe to say William played things close to the vest. I know your mothers name," Victoria looked up, "Her name was Catherine Buchanan. She was very successful, and came from a very old family, so you have a very hefty inheritance as well as a brownstone in New York and a penthouse overlooking the park."
"Central?" Victoria squeaked.
"Yes," Richard smiled, "Central Park."
"Wow." Victoria sat back again on the couch, blinking at the coffee table. All she could do was seem to think, over and over again, Catherine Buchanan... Catherine Buchanan... Catherine Buchanan.
"Victoria," Richard stood up and Pogue and Victoria did the same. "This is a great deal for you to take in. Why don't you go ahead and head up to Pogue's room, or one of the guest rooms, or possibly the games room downstairs. Make yourself at home. I need a moment to talk to my son."
Victoria nodded, she looked down at her hands resting around Pogues and looked up into his eyes, which were already looking down into hers. He smiled at her. She suddenly didn't want to let go of his hand, it was the only way she felt anchored to anything. But she shook her head, it would be fine. "I'll be in your room." He nodded. She let go, and turned to face Richard. "Thank you for your time."
Richard put a hand on Victoria's shoulder. "This is a lot, and I am here for you. Once Pogue and I are done, we can all figure out what to do for brunch."
Victoria nodded and turned to head up to Pogue's bedroom.