Authors Note: I own nothing. No ownership rights to Beverly Hills 90210.
Chapter Twelve
Kelly had rung three times since that night and while not apologising she did acknowledge that it was not how she intended the night to go. I didn't need her to apologise as she hadn't done anything wrong but our relationship was based on us not diving too much into that time it was why I could handle being around her above everyone else. We both for the last year had wanted to avoid the discussion and well Donna had wanted to dive straight in. I wasn't interested, I wasn't interested in her easing her conscience or using this to resolve issues between her and Kelly. I just wanted that part of my life to be long over, and everywhere I turned people here wanted to bring it up.
On her third call she rang to find out if I was more mobile, I advised I had to use crutches… well I used one to move around but yes I wasn't couch bound. She then invited me to see Ray perform at the After Dark that night. Donna had pulled strings and had a label head coming so she wanted a friendly crowd to cheer him on. Colin and her were going, and she wanted me to get a chance to get to know him as well as see Ray perform. She said Ray's music was perfect to sit and listen to as the only dance songs were for slow dances.
Roy was still on set filming and due to my injury and me pushing it a little this morning he had taken me off the call sheet for tomorrow giving me a long weekend. Without being able to stand and cook properly, or workout besides weight training I was pretty bored at home. I was already on my second watching of Queens LiveAid set for today. Brandon had also rang earlier telling me he had challenged the editor of the paper to a story duel, they were using the club tonight for their showdown. From everything he told me of this Susan she seemed fun, and I especially liked how she had pegged his ego today as the problem- it did need to be checked.
I told Kelly I'd go, I then called a car service to pick me up at seven deciding to go see Nat for dinner before I head into see the show. My injury left me very little options in the way of fashion choices so when the car arrived I was in jeans, a white silk cami top and a blazer. As I hobbled in on my one crutch through the front door of The Pit two things happened Nat looked up and said, "sweetheart I didn't know you were stopping by", and I was hit with the feeling that he was here. He was by my side before Nat could even finish his sentence.
"Hey Hoppy. Can I help you to a table or the counter?"
"That's okay I can get to the counter myself."
He sighs, "glad to see your stubbornness still extends to all things." As I move past him he follows, "Hoppy where is your other crutch?"
As I sit down unfortunately in the only two spare seats on the counter that just happen to be next to his I respond. "It bugged me so I've taken to using one."
"Of course you have." He moves the crutch so it's not in the way of anyone or at risk of falling as I lift my leg up on the spare seat between us, and then remove my blazer as getting around now is a lot of work.
Nat's in front of me pouring me a glass of water immediately, "you here for dinner tonight sweetheart?"
"Yeah I'm off to see Ray perform tonight so I thought I'd stop in and have dinner as I've missed catching up with you on our daily walks."
"Me too Sweetie but you'll pleased to know I'm still going on them, Val even has come on a couple to keep me company." I smile at him, I'm glad he has continued walking.
"That's good to hear. When Roy's home this weekend I'm going to get him to help me cook. How's your freezer looking? Need me to top up anything for you?"
"That vegetable stew you made I've finished them all off and I've only got two portions I think of the chicken curry but you don't-"
"Nat you are important, your health is important. You've taken care of all of us for years let me do it while I'm here please?"
He gives me a watery smile, "okay." I beam, "but tonight it's my turn to look after you what can I get for you?"
"Just a chicken salad no dressing please, and a peppermint tea."
"Sure thing sweetheart."
When he is walking away Dylan who had been trying to discretely examine my ankle asks, "no burger or tuna melt?"
I hold in my sigh, we are next to each other I can't be rude and just not speak to him. "Too many carbs and too much fat. My injury means I've been put on a more restrictive diet. We have to keep my body strong for the rest of filming, especially if we want to try and gain back some of the time and knowing the ankle is still going to be weak for at least the next few weeks."
He looked at me closely as I spoke and finally say's, "the filming delay is stressing you. Brandon said you are here now till Thanksgiving, does being here in LA really upset you?"
"It's a factor. I was hoping to not be seen here for the months we were planning on being here-"
"And now you have been, and everyone wants to rehash the past with you." I take a sip of water it wasn't a question but a statement I didn't need to reply, and I didn't want to. I'd made it clear so many times that I hated talking about the past. I wanted to remember the good and just let the bad lay there still. I'd already rehashed it all for my own health needs I didn't need another year of therapy because they wanted to throw me back in there with them again.
"Filming delay's cost money. My injury well a grade three sprain can take six weeks to heal completely, this film requires me to be strong, to be a badass who can kick anyones butt, my injury has repercussions."
"Isn't that Roy and the producer's concerns to deal with?"
"Roy is the director and executive producer and I'm one of the producers. We have a lot riding on these films, both of our career's. Then there is the fact that I'll be the first ever female solo main character action hero, not even Terminator films gave Linda Hamilton the full position she had to share it."
"That sounds like a lot on your shoulders-"
"It's a lot on both Roy and I's shoulders."
"How is he taking the injury?"
"He blames himself but it was just an excited actor wanting their big break by impressing a director. Laura kind of set me up for a career looking out for them, they are on every set and every stage. Many think my break was earned the same way but rather than impressing him with my acting skills I impressed him in different ways."
"The rumour Steve started here didn't die?"
"I don't think it flew across the Atlantic with me but it is all over London due to our friendship. Anyone who knows us well, stay's in our home knows it's not true but… let's just say that these films need to be good, I need to be good."
He's quiet for a bit and only starts speaking again once Nat has left from dropping off my tea and salad. "We aren't helping, the drama we are causing stirring up in your life-" yeah why does he need to keep going there?
"So you still don't cook?" He gives me a look at the quick change in direction but eventually nods his head and gets I don't want to discuss any of it.
"I can make toast-"
"Does anyone really make toast beside a baker? It's just cooking bread, why don't we say cooking toast?"
He laughs, "we are going deep tonight I see. Very philosophical."
"I've been very bored for the last eight day's. I can't work much so I'm in my trailer a lot or at home, my mind is full of random thoughts. Thanks for the videos by the way Roy and I are obsessed."
"How's the poetry going?"
"So cooking bread. We say cooking rice when we are just boiling it..." He instantly cracks up.
"In high school you used to love poetry and you love Shakespeare. I'm not sure what about poetry since college has not sat well with you."
"Reading something for pleasure and taking what I want from it is interesting and enjoyable, reading every line and deciphering every alliteration, every literary device is frustrating as hell."
"Isn't that what you do with a script?"
"I'm finding a person in a script. In a poem I'm constantly wondering of the authors meaning. Is the lake a person, is it just water, is it part of a person, oh wait is the lake all of those things at once, but now there's a boat is that another person or is it an emotion, a duck, why does it matter if the boat is green and the sand clean."
He had been laughing the whole way through my diatribe at poetry, "did you throw the book at the wall?"
"No I used it to prop up my ankle."
He's amused, "really?"
"No it's a first edition. I'm on page four, I've been on page four for two day's now. Thanks though but I really don't need gifts."
"I know you don't but I won't turn up and surprise you again-" I raise my eyebrow, "well not at your home or on the set, and as I don't have your number-"
"I'm surprised Brandon hasn't caved."
"You know he's trying to do better."
"I know but three weeks of trying against nearly three years of…" It's like a landslide you think you are in safe territory and then you are back stirring shit up. I look at my watch, "I should hurry up and eat I'm supposed to meet them there at eight thirty."
"You have plenty… oh you are now an early person I forgot."
"Yes I am but it also takes me a while to get places in my current state."
"Maybe if you were using both crutches." I roll my eyes, "does Roy enjoy your stubbornness-"
"I'm not stubborn just determined."
"And Hoppy what are you determined to prove using only one crutch?"
"Aren't you finished your dinner yet, shouldn't you be going?"
He laughs, "no I've got all the time in the world."
"Hmm yeah about that what do you do now? Kelly said something about investigating Jack-"
"You really want to hear it?"
"As long as you are comfortable telling it-"
"I'd tell you anything…" I give him a look- landslide, he stops his sentence. For the next half hour he fills me in on the story about Palm Springs, the arrest and the search he began through the files. When he is finished I look at him.
"Can I give an unsolicited opinion or-"
"There is nothing unsolicited I'd like your viewpoint."
"You told me Senior year that Jack was working for the FBI right when he was murdered?" He nods, "even if they didn't like him, but it sounds like Christine and him were genuine. It's pretty shameful that an informer of their's got murdered under their watch. The arrest say's they are still trying to get justice whether that be for Jack or to save face, either way anything you are doing seems like it might interfere with their case. If you are finding information in Jack's old files maybe they'll be able to use them to actually make their case stick."
"What you are saying is I shouldn't go it alone?"
"It's your natural instinct, how you were raised but I think… well maybe reach out to Christine or even your friend Jonesy and get their handle on the files and the threat, that's assuming you haven't done so already. Maybe those documents hold the key to making the FBI's case stick." I look at my watch, "I should head in there."
"Want a hand Hoppy?"
"Will you stop calling me Hoppy?"
"Would you prefer I go back to calling you Baby?"
"Hoppy it is."
"I thought so."
After helping her into the club and to the table overlooking the dance floor I was encouraged to join them all by Brandon and Donna, she wanted the place full for Ray's performance. I quickly went and got Bren and I soda water; her drink choice I imagine was because she was nervous about last time. Having watched her walls rise and fall throughout dinner it was clear as long as we stayed in the present and away from relationship talk she wouldn't close up on me, she would be like the woman who had gone for burritos with me after her party. Well maybe not completely like that, she was very cautious around any level of friendliness, but that gave me hope that she needed to keep herself so blocked off because she knew she'd give in to us otherwise. She was stubborn after all.
The night was going well I thought, Donna was too focused on Ray to bring up the past again, leaving Brenda able to have a good time watching Susan whack Brandon's ego down a bit. She spoke French and compared opinions on novels with Clare with Susan joining in on those conversations when Brandon wasn't doing something that annoyed her. She spoke to Colin about his art and he referenced a few of his current favourite UK artists, I was shocked as hell when Bren said that she owned some of their works. She clarified that they were actually friends who often came to their country home for weekend's. She said some of her pieces were just amazing doodles made over long dinner party conversations that were gifted to her as a thank you for the meal, a couple were because she had visited their studios for whatever reason and liked a piece and then been kindly gifted them, and one was from her buying it at a charity auction.
Colin then wanted to know all about them and their processes. Bren kept her responses very non-specific and never mentioned anything personal- she still was a loyal friend and not willing to break confidences of her artist friends. Throughout the night she only really became rigid when Val was near, and after her fourth drop by to the table she eventually turned to Brandon and whispered something his only response was to nod and say "yeah from the start", when she whispered something else to him he responded with a "no only us". From that point on she was frustrated.
I gave B a questioning look wanting to know if I should be worried he subtly shock his head back. It took Val's fifth visit right after Ray's set where she came over to acknowledge how well he had done before it became apparent what had her frustrated. "Val does Nat ask you to reserve us the best table when we visit?"
Valerie was stunned to be spoken to so directly from Bren, Bren had been polite all evening answering direct questions from Val, saying please and thank you but she hadn't engaged Val in a conversation. This sudden change was taking the Buffalo girl by surprise, she couldn't quite figure out what was going on, Brandon though was smirking knowing exactly what was happening. "No."
"You also only charge us wholesale right, you make no money off us being here?"
Confused she answered, "yeah."
"Have you always done that for the whole gang?"
"Yeah."
"Even when they continue to go out of their way to criticise and disrespect you to your face in your own venue? Being quite happy to take advantage whilst showing you no kindness."
Val didn't answer her mouth along with Steve's was now just hanging open. Colin was looking down obviously aware of the tension but showing all night that he wasn't willing to involve himself in it, unfortunately because of his friendly history with Val his friendliness had escalated Kelly's remarks. Brandon was smirking, Susan appeared impressed, David uneasy, and I knew my face showed the pride I had always had when Bren was in full warrior injustice mode.
Kelly started first, "Brenda you don't understand the situation here Val has been manipulative and-"
"Yeah Kelly I get it all, I absolutely know what Val is capable of. I've known her all my life. I know everything, and I also know everything that she doesn't tell people. I'm not asking or commenting on why you don't like her, I'm commenting on the fact that even not liking her you still are all quite happy to use her, to accept her generosity and do so while expecting her to let you treat her like shit." She looks at Kelly, Donna and even Clare, "last time I checked this isn't the start of sophomore year we don't say horrible remarks like strictly A list anymore, we are no longer in need of perpetuating a popularity competition to conform. If you don't like her that's fine but maybe then don't expect to be treated like you are entitled, like you own this place, and just stop with the put downs."
"Nat-"
"Donna. Nat would expect better, and last time I checked still charged you all full price for everything and doesn't make sure there is a table for you every time you turn up, or Brandon am I wrong on that?"
"No same Peach Pit rules as when you left."
She looks at all of three and then the rest of us, "yeah you all realise that this behaviour is wrong and have let it all go on under your noses. You know being a bystander to bad behaviour and doing nothing reinforces that it's acceptable." She pushes out her chair, I immediately stand to help her grabbing her crutch. "I'm going. I won't stand by and watch her being constantly put down."
As I nod at B to say goodbye she gives me a look she doesn't say anymore but she quietly accepts that I'll be either seeing her to her car or her door. When we are down the steps separating the VIP section from the rest of the club Val catches up with us. "Thank you, you didn't have-"
"Yeah I did. It's shit being subtly put down, though some tonight weren't so subtle, or getting constant looks of disapproval. If they don't want you to be their friend that's fine but to bully you repeatedly while happily taking advantage is not okay. Val everyone deserves more than that, you deserve more than that."
"I've done some pretty shitty things-"
"Everyone has. Just do better and stop punishing yourself for it."
When we get out the front of the club I look at her asking what's next, "my car service will take about thirty minutes to get here, The Pit's still open want to help me get past these-"
"Why don't I just take you home? I promise no conversations of the past, no pushing for more." She nods, as we walk or more accurately I walk and she hop's I keep going, "I promise not to go over any of the things you don't want to talk about but are we allowed to talk about you still being the strongest person I know-"
She sighs, "no. Dylan this is one of the things they hate about me. I've just moved the focus off Val and put the target solely on me."
"Yeah well they may hate you calling them out for their entitlement but I still love it. I still love that knowing what it will cost you, both with them and in you you are still willing to do it."
As we get to the Porsche she looks at me, "you just broke your promise." Fuck. "It's like landslides one minute we are on safe ground and then we are back in the past or in places I don't want to go back over." I help her into my low car and then put the crutch in the back.
When I climb into my seat and turn the car on, I look at her "we could try and find a safe conversation? Like favourite band or we could talk about baseball."
"Baseball?"
"Why not? You tried having a conversation about toast tonight. So how about those Dodgers?" She looks at me to see if I'm serious and then tries to hide a smile when she realises I am.