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apples and vanilla so deadly and sweet

It was several weeks after that night they shared so intimately, over the Fourth of July, that they were able to speak with privacy.

Dr. Arden, since his time away, seemed more suspicious of Violet, never leaving her alone with Tate once.

She thought it might have been her search through his office, or maybe he somehow found the drug in his system that she had injected that woke him from his medicated haze, either way it was painful not to be able to touch him.

It had been so long since she had seen Tate's midnight black eyed stare shining up at her, now he was always sleeping, or too weak to open his eyes, it was painful to take care of him, to know he could possibly be aware of everything but unable to communicate with her.

At night she'd dream of him as an angel, creamy white skin, smooth like velvet pressed against her, his dark glare piercing her soul, seeing the real her as his glorious wide protective wings folded around her small body keeping her safe.

Bounding from her bed from a dream such as this she was happier then she had been in weeks.

Throwing on an old pair of jeans with holes in the knees, and a large black over sized Pink Floyd tee shirt she headed off to the library to look for more clues.

Tonight Dr. Arden and Sister Jude were invited to an evening with the Monsignor, she had heard that a special guest, some Cardinal from the Vatican was staying for the night.

Violet had heard that these dinners were extravagant, going on late into the night, that most guests ended up staying over due to the quantity of wine they often went through.

She also overheard Dr. Arden ordered new locks to be replaced for his office, when asked when he needed the new keys, he had mentioned not till Monday morning, all signs that Violet had Tate to herself at least for tonight.

Looping her converse sneakers around the legs of the wooden hard chair at the library, she spent all day searching through old microfiche trying to find old newspaper articles relating to Tate or his family.

It turns out that his father and mother, both millionaires from old family money, were unable to have children, that all of three of the Langdon children had been adopted.

Tate, and his sisters, Alison, Camille, and Johanna had been found in orphanages all over the world.

What strange was that each one had been found in some of the most remote places in the world.

Scrolling down, with her face just inches from the screen Violet's curiosity was overwhelming, for some reason she had a feeling that this was the key to everything.

Violet found Camille first, her records showing that she was from a tiny village in Malaysia, then she discovered Johanna's birth certificate from somewhere in South Africa.

Sighing she sipped her black coffee still finding nothing on Tate, but that Alison was from what appeared to be Peru.

Hours she spent looking, but all she could find were vague answers relating to the girls, and Tate's parents.

Violet jumped when she felt a shaky hand on her shoulder just as she was about to give up for the day.

It was the head librarian who was, by Violet's estimation, definitely over a hundred, and spooky as hell.

"You're looking for that boy who murdered his sisters aren't you my dear, that Langdon boy?"

Nodding slowly Violet felt a chill rush up her spine, never knowing it was his sisters that he was charged with.

"Yes Ma'am, do you have any information on that case?"

Without answering the little old lady disappeared for a good ten minutes before returning with a newspaper that had looked untouched.

"I keep certain articles that peak my interest for my personal collection, this triple murder rocked this sleepy town, brought it right down to it's knees, practically the entire community came to hear the testimony of that poor Mr. Langdon, and to think it all happened just months after losing his beautiful wife."

Surprised, Violet quickly read over the article before grabbing her things and thanking the elderly woman as she practically ran back to asylum.

vTv

Standing before a cracked mirror in the ladies bathroom, Violet made sure her hair was neatly fastened up in her tight bun, before looking down at her dismal grey uniform searching for any wrinkles.

Sister Jude was making one final inspection for the girls on third shift before leaving for dinner at the Monsignor's, and the last thing Violet needed was for her to find something out of place leading her to look closer.

Bending down she shoved the vial of medication with the syringe further inside her shoe making sure it didn't show.

Her heart was practically jumping out of her chest knowing that soon she would be in his arms once again.

After quickly doing her rounds tending to her other patients, saving Tate for last so she would have the most time with him, she took off for the darkest, and dreariest wing of the asylum.

Making her way down the dark stone walls and twisted hallway she finally came to Dr. Arden's office, checking her key she discovered that the locksmith had already came, so unfortunately she was once again going to be in the dark about what that third drug was.

Sighing she pushed down her disappointment as the anticipation of being with Tate washed over her in delicious waves of excitement.

Just like every night he was there, shirtless, eyes closed, sheet draped down along his waist as his monitors beeped in time with his thumping strong heart.

Unable to wait to speak to him again she quickly secured the three locks on the inside of the heavy metal door before reaching for the medication in her shoe.

Searching his bruised veins she found one that looked like a good option and took a deep breath praying that he would come back to her.

Sitting on the bed by his side she gingerly rested his arm across her lap watching as the mysterious blue liquid surged quickly into his alabaster skin.

She quickly looked down into his unresponsive face devastated, until she remembered that it took a few minutes before he was revived the last time.

Breathing out deeply feeling the strain across her back from the weight of her other patients, she stretched her arms up over her head before removing the pins from her hair.

As hideous as her required bun was, it also gave her a bad headache, taking full advantage of being alone tonight she let her long honey blonde hair fall to her shoulders shaking her head back and forth.

Standing, feeling the freedom of being unguarded, she looked down at her stark white tights with disgust.

It wasn't long before her nylons were tucked in the pocket of her uniform that was now unbuttoned allowing her to breath easily for the first time in hours.

"Are you trying to kill me?"

Gasping softly shocked at his raspy deep voice she quickly adjusted the lever beneath the table lifting the head of the bed up so he was practically in a sitting position.

"Tate, how long have you been awake?"

Swallowing hard, feeling just how dry his throat was from all the drugs, he lifted his dark eyes to her flowing silky straight hair that skimmed the curve of her breasts that peaked out from her unfastened uniform.

"Long enough to watch you practically undress, you're incredible Violet, " weakly he lifted his hand out to graze his fingers through her hair letting his knuckles skim the curve of her breasts purposely. "so beautiful."

Shivers rushed through her as she moved away forcing herself to concentrate on the many questions she had for him.

Watching her move to grab the basin full of hot water and a wash cloth he laid his hand over his heart feeling it hammer roughly.

Smiling at his reaction she squeezed the excess water from the small towel.

"I adjusted the drug so hopefully we have more time together, there's so much we need to talk about, but just to be sure no time is wasted I need to take care of you in the meantime. Tate, as close as we've become… you still are my responsibility, my patient."

Lifting the corners of his mouth upwards, revealing his dimples, she felt a mad rush of butterflies in her stomach.

"I'm at your mercy Violet, I wouldn't have it any other way."

His words were soft, sweet, laced with honesty, not a hint of disrespect.

"I'm just so happy to see your face, to hear your voice, it's been so long, too many nights with Dr. Arden alone. I'm not sure how much more I can take Violet."

Knowing she needed to be strong for him she pulled the rolling table with the water basin closer so she could sit beside him as she washed his body.

"He changed the locks on his office, but I'll get in again, I'll find a way. I just have to figure out what that third drug is, and why he's doing all of this to you, what his reason is for keeping you this way."

Nodding slowly trying not to react as she smoothed the steamy washcloth across his chest he breathed out shakily.

"That feels so good Violet, thank you, for … everything."

Leaning over him she nodded while raising the cloth up one arm and down the other, finding it difficult herself to concentrate.

"I found out some information today, I know this is hard Tate, and the last thing I want to do is upset you, but we need to talk about your conviction."

Squeezing the water out she dipped it once again in the hot basin noticing how his demeanor completely changed,

"We can start slow, I read that you were adopted… your sisters birth places are listed in the paper, but I couldn't find yours at all. Do you have any idea where you were born?"

Nodding slowly he let his eyes drift shut as she smoothed the washcloth along the curve of his neck bringing her body closer.

Breathing in the scent of apples and vanilla, he fisted the sheet by his side wanting so much to keep the truth from her, to just stay in this moment, to enjoy every second with her, but he knew she would only push harder.

"I was born in a small village in Romania, but it's so much more than that... this is so hard Violet - "

Taking hold of her wrist as she ran the cloth over his stomach he looked seriously into her eyes needing her to understand.

"... I'm afraid you won't feel the same way when you find out the truth about me... honestly Violet I'm not sure I could go on if you disappeared from my life."

It was then that she knew she had to tell him her truth, the darkness inside her that she kept from the world, maybe then he would know that there was nothing he could tell her that would make her turn away from him, that there would be nothing she wouldn't understand.

She knew his heart, she could sense the goodness in him, the passion in his soul... the kind of passion that could drive a person to do something others would judge... but not her.

"Tate, I never told you how I ended up here. You see we all have secrets, mine, well they are unforgivable, you think you have to hide from me? It's me that should hide, it's me that should worry about what you will think in the end."

Intrigued, consumed by her every word he slid his hand from her wrist to her fingers urging her to continue as she talked.

"Please, tell me your story Violet."

Easing the hot water down his hip, further to his leg, she started to tell him her about her life.

The death of her mother at such a young age, leaving her alone with a father who drank too much, who would wander into her room late at night, who took her innocence, and so much more, how the rage built up inside her as the years went by, the helplessness, the despair.

She could feel his muscles strain and tense under the horrors of her tale, of the pain she endured, but she refused to look at him, not until she told him everything.

Finishing the other leg, she moved close to him lifting him against her chest to slide the washcloth down his back.

With her chin resting on his shoulder she gazed across the room, as if watching what happened in the past unfold before her.

Her voice was but a silent breath against his ear as she trembled with each word.

"I did something horrible Tate, I'm not sure you - "

Raising his arms around her tiny body he held her close.

"It's ok, I promise, whatever it is things with us will never change... just tell me."

Nuzzling her face inside his neck she squeezed her eyes shut.

"He was standing at the top of the stairs, no one was around, I didn't plan it, but I suddenly knew how to make it all stop, to make sure he'd never put his hands on me again."

Suddenly she felt his hand reach between them, she gasped as he roughly ripped open the rest of the buttons one by one from her uniform, as if he was driven by her story, as if he had no choice.

He was breathless, his hand slipping with urgency beneath her bra, pulling the cup down to clutch her breast, his fingers rolling over her nipple, pulling hard as his lips found her ear.

"Tell me … tell me what you did Violet."

Suddenly felt no shame, she let him know the truth, how she really felt, there was no regret, there never was, she would do it again without thought, gladly in fact, the fucker deserved it, this was something she never doubted, not for a second.

Melting under Tate's touch, how he was worshiping her, she could barely speak, hardly breathe.

"I pushed him, I watched as he fell down each hard unforgiving step until he neck snapped, I felt no remorse, no guilt as I stared at his lifeless body, his head twisted his eyes blood shot glaring up at me."

Pulling back Tate slammed his mouth to hers kissing her passionately, desperate to taste her, falling for her even more than he ever thought possible.

Violet moaned as he caressed her breasts, driving her towards an edge she didn't know was even possible.

"You killed the bastard, you were strong Violet, you're a survivor, you are amazing... fucking beautiful."

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