Schuyler tipped the cab driver and hurried across the pavement towards Oliver's majestic looking brownstone. Her head was bowed, hiding her distraught face from onlookers as she navigated her way to his front door. She had managed to keep her tears hidden throughout the short cab ride yet she could feel their warmth prickling the backs of her eyes. In several short steps, she reached the door and rapped her knuckles hard on its grainy surface. The late afternoon sun beat down on her forehead yet she still felt cold.
"Miss Schuyler." The door before her opened to reveal the matronly form of Anna, the Olivers' maid. woman took in her stance and waved her into the wide hallway, a concerned look on her face. "Mister Oliver is in the den." She murmurred kindly as she closed the door, shutting out the sounds of the city. Schuyler handed over her coat and headed along a well remembered route towards the back of the house. The lounge was comfortable and filled with squashy armchairs and bean bags. A large widescreen dominated the far end of the room and posters of bands and movies covered every inch of free wall space. Three bookshelves filled with games, films and books were a messy testament to Oliver's passions. The man himself was reclining on one of the more comfortable chairs, a game controller clasped in his hands as he directed some animated babe through a cartoon war zone.
"Ollie." She tried to sound casual but the half sob, half croak that passed through her lips was anything but casual.
"Sky?" Oliver paused the game and stood up quickly, looking back at her with warm concern. "What happened?"
His words were all it took to pitch her over the edge and she burst into tears. Her shoulders shook with the force of her sobs and her nose began to stream. In a heartbeat, Oliver was at her side, his arm sliding comfortably round her shoulder as he sat her down on the sofa. In spurts of tear punctuated words, Schuyler explained what had happened earlier, her voice hoarse with emotion and tears.
"Oh hell Sky." Oliver moaned as he handed her a tissue. "That's gotta suck."
Sky blew her nose and tried to get her sobs under control. "I don't understand it Ollie. I loved him and he said he loved me." She pulled her face out of the tissue and looked up at him, face blotchy with crying. "I know he has to be with Mimi. I left him so he could be with Mimi but I didn't want him to go to her like that." She blotted her eyes with the damp tissue and pulled another one from the box at her side. "And he said he'd hurt her. I saw the bruises on her and I don't understand."
"Sky listen to me." Oliver's voice was soothing and calm, a warm antidote to her frenzied tears. "You deserve better than Jack Force. If Mimi takes that kind of shit then she's welcome to him. I know you loved him Sky, but he isn't any good for you."
"But I want him to be good for me and I don't know why he can't.." Schuyler placed her head on Oliver's shoulder and closed her eyes. Her tears soaked into the cotton fabric of his shirt and she took a shuddering breath. "And I don't know if I ever really knew him."
Oliver awkwardly patted her back, uncomfortably aware of the closeness between them. He never really had time for the Force Twins, but this time he absolutely hated them. Mimi was a bitch and Jack, he gritted his teeth thinking about Jack. Jack had taken Schuyler's heart, breathed on it, made it blossom and then stamped on it with size nines. After Jack had been revealed as Abaddon, Oliver had gone through the archives, checking up on his rival to Sky's affections. The bastard had spent practically every lifetime panting after Gabrielle who clearly wasn't interested and this lifetime he'd moved onto her daughter. Sky had never dated a guy before or even seemed interested in one until Force smiled at her. Dear god it had been sickening, seeing her fall for the flowers and champagne routine, seeing her gaze at Jack with dreamy eyes. Sky was so innocent, she believed it all because he'd dazzled her.
"Look Sky." He pushed her away and looked directly at her. "You'll meet someone else, someone who'll love you for yourself. And this person will be right for you."
"What person? Jack was so right.."
"Jack was a lying dick." Oliver was shocked at how vehement his words sounded. Schuyler stared at him, her eyes wide and mouth open in astonishment.
"Jack knew that he had to be with Mimi. He's always known, he just wants what he can't have. He thought you were Allegra, that's the only reason he wanted you. Sure he may deny it, but that's the truth." He caught the angry flash of denial in her eyes and he pressed on. "If you don't believe me, check out the repository. It's all in there. Jack Force is a lying weasel and don't you dare waste any more tears on him."