Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to zetaboards. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Somebody That I Used To Know; Het, James fic, drama/romance
Topic Started: December 16, 2011, 2:04 am (14,462 Views)
Voxx
Member Avatar
Some Kind Of Monster
[ * ]
fiometal
February 21, 2012, 12:40 pm
Spoiler: click to toggle
:lol:

It's no worries. I just got back from a little road trip with my father, so I haven't been home to write really, but I've got something in the works. Maybe later tonight or tomorrow!

I'm glad you're still following and I apologize for the delay! :heart:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Some_Kind_Of_Monster
Member Avatar
☠ (R.I.P) † Return Is Possible †
[ * ]
Voxx
February 21, 2012, 4:00 pm
fiometal
February 21, 2012, 12:40 pm
Spoiler: click to toggle
:lol:

It's no worries. I just got back from a little road trip with my father, so I haven't been home to write really, but I've got something in the works. Maybe later tonight or tomorrow!

I'm glad you're still following and I apologize for the delay! :heart:
You update or :bat

:lol:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Voxx
Member Avatar
Some Kind Of Monster
[ * ]
Thanks for your patience ladies. Here is a shorter update than normal for you. I hope you enjoy it. :)




Chapter 27

What I ended up finding upon entering the apartment was not what I was expecting. In fact, it was the complete opposite and only made me want to break into tears all over again. The first thing I noticed as I walked in and closed the door behind me was how frigid the air was. I noticed the curtains blowing gently in both the kitchen and in the living room area by the balcony doors. All the windows were open and the cool evening air had stealthily invaded the usually welcoming warmth of my apartment.

Annoyed, I went further inside, dropping my heels at the front door and then proceeded to close the windows in the kitchen. I was making my way into the living room, taking in Jason passed out on the couch, when I noticed my big secret spread out on the coffee table as it it was some kind of coffee table book to be viewed by all my visitors. It stopped me in my tracks as I realized that Jason had found, and been going through, the envelopes containing the menagerie of photographs. My stomach dropped, stopped and rolled and I stared down in horror at him as he slept on the couch, unaware of my presence. My highly emotional day was apparently still not over yet.

I silently knelt on the floor of the living room in front of the coffee table, smoothing my long gown underneath me. I reached out with my trembling fingers to touch the photos. I had looked at them so many times, searching for any kind of clue that might tell me who was behind them and what they wanted, that I knew every single photo almost by heart. I even knew the order that they were placed inside the envelopes, just in case that held some kind of clue in and of itself. My fingers touched the glossy surface of the photos, almost caressing them. I felt tears welling in my eyes; on the verge of falling and staining the photos. I felt betrayed by Jason. He had never been the type to snoop and sneak around behind my back. I couldn't even begin to fathom why he would start now. I silently wiped the tears away before they could fall, and then proceeded to gather up the photos. I was careful to put them back into order. When I was finished I slipped them back into their homes and then I stood to place the envelops back into the drawer of the coffee table where they had been when Jason had found them.

When I was finished, I stood over Jason's prone form that was splayed carelessly on my couch. I contemplated whether to wake him or let him sleep. I was hurt by him and I wasn't sure that I would be able to filter the vicious thoughts racing through my mind right now if I woke him. So, I decided to let him sleep. I would address him in the morning when I had had sufficient time to cool down and clear my head. I did not want to say anything that I would later regret. I hiked up my gown and quietly made my way into my bedroom, turning off the lights in the rest of the apartment as I went.

The first thing I did was go into the bathroom and wash off my makeup and tears. The scalding water penetrated deep into my pores to wash the filth of the day off. When I had finished, I patted my face dry with a cotton towel. Though all I wanted to do was crawl into my bed and pass out, I quickly brushed my teeth out of habit. When I was through with my nightly routine, I left the bathroom and crossed my bedroom floor to close my bedroom door. However, when I was standing in the doorway I noticed that I had neglected to close the balcony doors; I had been too distracted by Jason's intrusion into my personal life. I sighed a little, still feeling the cool air on my bare shoulders. As quietly as I could, I went over to close the doors. As I was latching them, the latch protested, squeaking loudly in the silence of the apartment. I cringed as the doors latched close, and turned slowly, hoping to find Jason still passed out on the couch.

To my displeasure, I saw him stirring from his sleep. He opened his eyes sleepily, stretching a little. His gaze wandered over to where he had heard the squeaking and they settled on me, standing frozen in place, my gown clutched in my hands, exposing my bare legs. He sat up slowly and peered at me more closely through the darkness.

"Kat?" he finally spoke, sounding like he was still half asleep.

"Yeah, it's me" I answered him coldly, still not exactly feeling like the friendly host I had wanted to be for him.

Even though in the darkness my expression was impossible to see, I could tell that Jason could sense that there was something wrong. My tone and the fact that I hadn't gone to embrace him in welcome were enough to give that away. Not to mention that he had awoken to a darkened room. He reached back behind him to turn on the lamp that was sitting on a coffee table beside the couch. The light instantly flooded the small room in a soft golden glow. I blinked a few times as my eyes adjusted to the sudden intrusion.

"What's wrong?" Jason asked me carefully when we had both adjusted to the light. I saw his eyes flick over the bare coffee table and I knew that he knew that I had found and cleaned up the photos. Despite this, I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him in frustration and at the game he was attempting to play.

"Jason please. I know you know okay" I said to him, my annoyance clear in my tone. I ran my fingers through my hair, pushing it back off of my face. "I can't talk to you right now. I really can't. I am so upset with you for invading my privacy. And I'm tired; I've had a long shitty day. I really can't deal with you right now. I'll see you in the morning okay".

I started to walk past him towards my bedroom, ignoring him. I was telling the truth when I said I couldn't deal with him right now. But he sprang up from the couch and caught my wrist, wrenching me to face him violently.

"Where the hell do you get off being mad at me?" he hissed at me, his blue eyes boring into mine. He had dropped his sweet, naive act. He knew exactly what I was referring to and he had decided that a good offense was the best defence.

"Since you decided to snoop around my apartment and invade my privacy" I shot back at him while at the same time trying to rip my wrist free from his grip. But he only gripped it tighter. "Let go of me Jason" I warned him, my voice low.

"No". His grip tightened so that he forced me to face him. "I didn't snoop around your apartment, okay? I got here and there was a message on your answering machine. I thought it might have been you calling to let me know when you would be home, so I listened to it. It was your friend Vince asking if you were okay because he hadn't heard from you in awhile and he wanted to know if you had you contacted the police yet".

Jason eyed me intently, waiting for me to stay something, offer anything. I didn't. I stayed silent. Even if he had heard that message from Vince, it didn't give him a right to pull apart my apartment looking for any sort of clues as to what Vince was referring to. I think Jason new that, but he was trying to rationalize his actions because he had been caught.

"I freaked out Kat. I almost lost it. I couldn't even begin imagine what Vince was referring to! So yeah, I went through a few drawers and I found the envelopes with all the pictures. Why didn't you tell me? I don't understand why you kept this to yourself. I could help you. We used to tell each other everything. When did that change?"

Jason was looking at me imploringly. His eyes had softened and I knew that he wanted me to say that I forgave him and that we were fine. I knew that he wanted me to hold him tight and invite him into bed. But I couldn't. I was still beyond furious. His explanation meant nothing to me. It was lacking the most important thing; an apology.

I pulled my wrist from his grip one last time, and this time he let me go. I chose to ignore what he had just said. "Like, I said, I'm tired Jason. I've had a long day. I'm going to bed. We'll talk tomorrow" I said to him softly, though this time my tone was neutral and held no hint of my anger. I wanted him to believe, at least for now, that I wasn't angry. I just wanted to go to bed.

I turned from him to walk away but I felt his hands reach out and hold on my waist, gripping me firmly in place. "I'm serious Jason. I can't do this now. Tomorrow. Please?" I pleaded with him now.

"Just tell me one thing. Just tell me if you contacted the police. This is serious and I'm worried about your safety" he whispered into my ear, his chest inches away from my back.

"No, I haven't and I don't plan on it". I told him the truth.

He spun me around, anger flooding his blue eyes again. "Why the hell not? Don't you think this is serious? Don't you realize how much danger you are putting yourself in?" he spat at me.

I wiggled out of his grasp so that we were standing face to face. Apparently he wouldn't let this wait until morning; we were going to do this now.

"Of course I realize how dangerous this person is! I'm not an idiot Jason. I'm terrified! I always feel like there is someone watching me; all the time. I never feel alone. I changed the lock on my front door and I put locks onto the windows. Whenever I'm home my curtains are always closed because I don't want him standing in the street and taking my picture anymore. I can't even begin to describe to you how it felt to open those envelops and see those photos. I felt sick, I felt horrified and I felt violated in the most horrible way. I don't need a lecture from you. I am perfectly aware of the gravity of the situation. I haven't contacted the police because I don't want the press knowing about my problem. I'm almost positive that if I filed a police report, everyone would know about it shortly after. I don't need the press printing more stories about me right now. I just want to be left alone, okay?".

I made my speech with every intention of turning on my heel and marching in my bedroom, closing the door behind me and going to bed. But Jason's words stopped me dead in my tracks.

"Kat, the only thing worse than everyone knowing is no one knowing and something happening to you and no one knows why. There is now shame in this. It's not your fault".

He said it quietly, his voice honest and full of concern, his head bowed, not looking me in the eye.

His words seemed to resonate deeply within me. "I know" I admitted softly. It was something that had been gnawing at the back of my mind for some time, but I had refused to allow myself to say it out loud. The truth was I was knew, on some level, that I should have notified the police as a long time ago. But I was so concerned about what people and the press would say about me, that I had refrained from doing so. I didn't want any more intrusions into my privacy. I truly wanted to be left alone.

"You need to decide what is more important to you; your safety or your privacy. I know what I would choose for you".

I raised my eyes to his face and saw that he was looking at me now. His expression was grim and serious. I swallowed hard, but nodded at him.

"I know Jason".

"And look, I'm sorry for invading your privacy. I know saying that I only did it because I care about you and your safety doesn't exactly absolve me of what I did; but I really only did do it to protect you" he replied, his eyes searching my own for forgiveness.

"I'm still pissed about that" I answered, though a small smile was tugging at the corners of my mouth. I did my best to hide it, but my tone lightened considerably as I continued to speak, "We'll talk tomorrow. I really am tired. Good night".

I gave his arm a small reassuring squeeze and then retired into my bedroom, closing the door firmly behind me. I sighed as I leaned back against it, trying to gather my thoughts. I supposed it wouldn't hurt to file a police report, though I doubted that they would be able to do much. I would think about it some more tomorrow. Right now, I was exhausted and about to drop. I shuffled over to my wardrobe to take my gown off and hang it up. I reached around behind me to my back, trying to reach the tiny buttons. I struggled in vain for several moments before I puffed my cheeks in frustration, remembering how I had had to ask a passing assistant stylist do them up for me back when I had been changing into the gown.

I sighed one last time before hiking up the gown once more and walking back to my bedroom door. I opened it slightly and poked my head out.

"Jason" I called softly into the darkness. Jason had turned the lamp off when I had gone back into my room.

"Yeah?" he answered me and I couldn't help but detect a small note of hopefulness in his voice.

"I can't reach the buttons of my gown. Do you think you could help me out?" I asked him, feeling embarrassed by my request because we had been fighting only moments before. However, this was a beautiful and priceless gown and I did not want to ruin it trying to undo it myself.

I heard the couch groan as he shifted his weight to stand up. "Yeah, I'm coming".

I retreated into my bedroom, leaving the door open slightly for him. I stood in front of my wardrobe, my back facing the door waiting for him. I heard him enter the room and pad quietly over to where I was standing. His fingers lightly caressed my bare shoulders, sweeping my hair off of my back and over one shoulder. I grabbed it and held it to keep it from falling back into his way.

His fingers began to slowly undo the tiny buttons on the back of my gown. It felt familiar and I was reminded of how he used to undo the zippers on my dresses back in San Francisco when we had lived together. With my free hand I clutched the front of the gown to my chest to keep it from falling to the floor when it became free. Jason took his time unbuttoning my gown. I knew he was doing it on purpose and I shivered a little every time he let his fingers brush against my exposed skin.

When he was through with all the buttons, I let go on my hair and then turned my head slightly to look up at him. He returned my gaze with his own steely one, his eyes darkened by something that was more than just simple lust. I gave him a small smile, trying to ignore the look in his eyes, but I knew what it was.

"Thanks" I whispered to him, turning my head away. I stepped away from him slightly, still clutching my gown to my chest to prevent it from falling to pool at my feet.

"Yeah no problem: he whispered back.

His voice was hoarse and washed over me, like a lover's caress. It sounded closer to me than I expected. I jumped as I felt his arms encircle me and hold me firmly against his hard body. He rested his chin on my shoulder and his lips found my neck, placing the barest of kisses there.

I inhaled, preparing to tell him to stop but Jason spoke first, surprising me by what he said.

"I need to tell you something; something I should have told you a long time ago, something that I've been too afraid to admit to you. I wasn't planning on doing this. Maybe it was the scare of knowing that you may be in danger. I don't know. Maybe this isn't even the right time, but I need to say it now while I have the courage to" he whispered it into my ear and I felt my heart stop in anticipation of what he was going to stay. I stopped breathing, suddenly afraid of what he was going to say to me.

"I love you Kat. I love you so much I feel like killing myself when I'm not around you. I'm crazy about you; maybe in a bad way. I've been in love with you for a long time and I've tried so hard to ignore my feelings for you, but I can't anymore. Do you know how many women I've slept with? I've slept with a lot of women Kat; maybe a hundred, maybe more. But none of them have ever meant anything to me, not the way that you do. I never remember their faces because the only face I see when I'm inside them is you. I married Judy because I thought that if I committed myself to someone then maybe I could learn to let you go" Jason whispered fiercely into my ear, his fingers digging roughly into my sides, keeping me from turning to look at him. But I didn't need to see his face to know that he was earnest in his words. I trembled slightly against body as he held me there pouring his heart out to me. "But I can't. I love you and I want you. It's always been you. Always."

Jason let go of me and I felt his body melt away from mine. The warmth that had been radiating from him and into me was suddenly gone only to be replaced by an icy blanket of self-doubt that was wrapping itself around me, constricting me. Jason's confession made me feel breathless and unsure of how I felt about him. I wasn't sure why his confession made me doubt my own platonic feelings for him, but it did.
I turned around to look at him, my brow furrowed and my jaw set. I was trying to keep an impartial expression on my face, but I knew I was failing at doing so. Jason had backed away a few paces, his hands hanging limply at his sides, his eyes cast down, staring at his feet. He looked like a broken and defeated man; but also a man that had a weight lifted from him. Studying him, I knew how difficult it was for him to confess his feelings for me.

My fingers still clutched the gown to my chest as I struggled to find the appropriate words to say in this situation. Of course on some level I knew that Jason loved me; Judy had even reiterated that to me when she had called. I knew he was waiting for an answer, one that would either give him hope or crush him. But I honestly did not know what to say. My mind was reeling, my heart was racing, my fingers were trembling and I felt like I couldn't breathe.

"Jason..." I managed to squeak out. He raised his eyes to look at me and he bit his lip in anticipation, his expression pained. "James came to see me today, he was waiting outside of the Chanel after party" I finally said to him and then immediately hated myself for saying it. What the hell was wrong with me? Why did I bring up James at a time like this? I was weak. I was weak and I knew it. I was weak for trying to buy some time to think of something to say. Jason deserved better than that.

Jason's expression went from pained to surprised and then angry in the span of about a second. He crossed the short distance between us and cupped my face in both of his hands, searching my eyes for a clue as to what happened with James.

"What did he want? Did he try anything?".

I shook my hand slightly, relishing in the warmth of Jason's hands against my face. It helped to chase back the icy self-doubt I had felt only moments ago.

"I don't know what he wanted. We barely spoke. I said I would see him tomorrow at your show" I replied, giving Jason a version of the truth. I didn't there was any use in rehashing how James had frightened me because I thought he was the man stalking me. The only thing it would do would be to make Jason angry.

Jason nodded thoughtfully. His hands dropped from my face and he took a half a step back again.

"Okay, we'll deal with him tomorrow" he said gruffly.

I looked down at my feet, feeling slightly abashed at how I had so abruptly changed the subject. I knew I needed to address what Jason had said, but I felt like he was asking me right now to make a choice about us, and I wasn't ready to do that yet.

I swallowed audibly. "Jase, I'm going to be honest with you. I don't know what to say about what you just said to me; especially because your wife called me a yesterday, pleading with me to let you go because she loves you". I looked up at him and my mouth fell open to continue talking but nothing came out. I closed it, thought of something to say and then opened it again. But again, no sound came out.

"I don't want you to worry about my wife, okay? I will deal with her when the tour is over" Jason answered, saving me from speaking. "What I need to know, and it doesn't have to be right this second, but I need to know if we have a chance. If we do or if we don't, I need to know Kat. I need you to put me out of my misery".

Jason took that half step forward again so that we were nose to nose. He swept my hair back from my face, pushing it behind me ear. With both of his hands he cupped my face gently, lovingly. He lowered his face to my own so that our noses were touching, our lips barely so. He waited, testing my reaction, waiting to see if I would pull away. When I didn't, he pressed his lips more firmly to my own, tasting me for the first time since we had slept together in Montreal. I responded to his kiss and gently, hesitantly, and kissed him back. At first he was tender and soft, but soon he was probing more deeply, asking me kindly with his body to give him more. In reply, I opened my mouth for him and he kissed me more deeply and frantically. Our tongues entwined in a delicate dance. Jason moaned softly, so softly that I almost didn't hear him. He kissed me until I lost my senses and placed my hands on either side his face, pulling him deeper into my mouth. I felt my gown slide down my body to drop silently to the floor. In that moment though, with Jason's lips on my own, I didn't care.

Jason's hands left my face, travelling down my body, briefly caressing my breasts before smoothing down to my hips, where he pulled me closer again him. My exposed breasts pressed softly against his chest and he moaned once more as he felt my body against his own. His lips left my own and he gently kissed down my neck, licking, and nibbling gently as he made his way down. My head fell back in ecstasy as Jason's soft kisses drove me into a frenzy.

His downward trail of kisses stopped just short of my breasts. His lips returned to my mouth, kissing me softly one last time. When he pulled back his eyes were glassy, from lust or love, that, I couldn't tell. But, I was afraid of what my own eyes were betraying under his scrutinizing gaze. His lips were red from kissing me and his breath was coming rapidly, his chest rising and falling from arousal. He gently cupped the bulge in his tight jeans, adjusting himself. I watched the discomfort play across his face and I grimaced a little, sympathetically for him.

He smiled at me though, and his smile was large and genuine. "Like I said, I don't need your answer now. Just think about what I said".
I nodded at him, still breathless myself from our kiss and unable to form a coherent thought. Jason kissed the tip of my nose and then retreated graciously from my bedroom closing the door behind him as he went.

"I'm still mad at you" I whispered to no one as I stood half naked and alone in my bedroom.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Lilith
Member Avatar
Jaimelicious

Ngh! He was finally honest to her! :drool We knew it all along, but he needed to open himself up. I hope that (delicious) kiss :drool helps Kat to clear her feelings and thoughts. Although she is still in a very confusing situation. I wonder what will happen at the show the next day, when the three are together. :rolleyes:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
CarpeDiemBaby
Member Avatar
// Sunglasses indoors.
[ * ]
WOW!!! :drool :drool
Damn! I love James, but in this fic you're making me love Jason as well :heart: :lol: I think it was so fucking cute when he opened himself up, and told what he felt to Kat ...and that kiss!! :drool Jeez! I'm still drooling :heart:
A.W.E.S.O.M.E!!!!
I'll be waiting for the next update! :D
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Some_Kind_Of_Monster
Member Avatar
☠ (R.I.P) † Return Is Possible †
[ * ]
The am the...I mean....that I would......why....damn...*clears throat* Well, considering the events that took place that night, the young man should definitely ...................STAY!!! :gah

TEASER!!!! :hump
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Scorpion Flower
Member Avatar
Outlaw Torn
[ * ]
GAH!!! It's like I said a million times before, I root for Jason in this, there's no way james can beat his sweetness, let alone open up to her...I hope she sticks with him and something tells me she will. She might have been shaken away by James, but she truly never felt the way she did with Jason, she never even commited herself to James, I remember she didn't want to go out with him or hang around with his budies, that is not commiting. Jason confused her feelings...I think they need to talk honestly to each other, that's the only way to come clean, even if Jason did so a bit now. Only a long and fully honest talk can make things happen for them.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
tuesday's gone
Member Avatar
Poor Twisted Me
[ * ]
Well thank God for that gown!!!! :biggrin

Your best moments are moments of interaction between your characters. This particular scene between Jason and Katerina is their best so far, which makes me happy, because it means that more goodies are to come. I love that you chose to push them both to the limit, to make them loose their control and then finally have THE talk. Angry Jason is one of my favorite Jason modes, probably because I imagine him to be that way in real life, calm and composed all the way to the point of breaking and then just fumingly furious. (yeah, I obviously thought about that a lot... :o )

An absolute killer is the way Jason's holding her during his confession, not letting her turn around until he's said it all. For a moment the whole atmosphere resembled a church confession of sorts, the dimmed light, he almost whispering it, not looking straight in her eyes, and come to think of it, he's really confessing, right, freeing himself from the burden of a secret kept for so long.

Also, though frustrated by her response to his confession to the very core of my being, I actually found it to be a great twist. It's also kind of reasonable, and very woman-like modus operandi. Confused by what she heard from him, she didn't want to loose the control of the situation, so she played the nasty card and brought up James. I can even relate to the fact that she still has doubts about James. He is hard to resist, a strong temptation for any woman, like a street lamp to a moth, you know he'll kill you, but still, you can't keep away.

HOWEVER, that kiss!!!! OH. MY. GOD. *fans* No sane person would let Jason out of that room after that kiss!!!
So she stayed naked. That's very symbolic. Perhaps it's time for her to face the naked truth about her feelings.
And the feeble "still angry" reaction was just a perfect ending.

Jason - 1 Katerina - 0 :biggrin
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Voxx
Member Avatar
Some Kind Of Monster
[ * ]
Thank you each and everyone of you for leaving such lovely comments! I'm glad that all of you were pleased that Jason finally stepped up to the plate to try and get things moving between them! Bo, your comments always make me blush. You're so lovely, thank you!

This next bit I've had written for awhile, I just tweaked it a bit to make it fit in properly with the story (which is why there is an update so soon after the last one! :lol: ). I've tried to do something a little bit different here than what I normally do. I'm not sure if it was successful, I hope so! And, it's kind of the big reveal! So, hopefully you'll all see what I was trying to do there.

Please Enjoy! :heart:




Chapter 28

My night turned out to be a sleepless one. After his confession, my thoughts became overrun with images of Jason; Jason and I, Jason and Judy or Jason alone. I couldn't stop myself from imagining scenarios; him and I together happily, him and Judy working things out, him and I losing our friendship over my failure to make a decision or by making the wrong decision. I tortured myself imaging what my life would be like without Jason in it. The one thing that I became certain about while I lay in bed obsessing over what he said, my sheets twisted and soaked through with sweat, pushed down to the bottom of the mattress, was that I knew I needed Jason in my life no matter what.

He is my person.

The one person I knew would be there no matter what. He was the person I would call at two in the morning to help me bury a body, no questions asked. He was the only person who was prepared to give me the honest, blunt truth, as he had proven tonight when he found out about my secret. He was the person I valued most in this world. A life without him was inconceivable, incomprehensible and unbearable.

The night seemed to drag on endlessly. Every time I looked at the clock, I was sure an hour had gone by, only to find that it was two minutes later. The second hand ticked away aimlessly, tauntingly. I was too hot, sweating nervously, and then I was too cold, shivering uncontrollably as my hot sweat dried onto my body. I pulled the sheets up to my chin when I shivered and then I threw them off of me impatiently when I reheated. I tossed and I turned and then I tossed and turned some more. I replayed Jason's confession over in my mind countless times. I picked apart every word, every sigh and every pregnant pause. Were there any hidden double meanings? Did he mean hot, fiery love or did he mean platonic love? I remembered where his hands were on my hips, holding me against him. I remembered the heat of his body pressed flush against mine. I remembered his tone and the way his breath against my ear both tickled and soothed me. I remembered the way he smelled, it flooded my nostrils involuntarily, leaving me weak and needing him. I remembered the way my knees had almost buckled violently when he confessed he loved me; the pure rush that had overtaken me, consumed me and made me so compliant and ready to be loved by someone properly. Reflecting on it now in the almost complete darkness of the sanctity of my bedroom, I could identify the feeling as being one of pure and undiluted joy.

I don't know why I had refused to see it before. On some level, I knew all along that Jason was in love with me. And yet, finally hearing him say it to me seemed to flick a switch in my brain. I felt like I was seeing clearly for the first time in a long time.

When morning was just beginning to chase back the glow of the moon and the stars, and the rays of the sun were just beginning to creep through the curtains and spill into my room unabashedly, casting a warm, golden, lazy haze about the room, I knew that I had made a decision.




What I loved about Paris more than any other city I had visited was that the cafes opened with the rising of the sun. They opened only a little earlier than the local grocers, but it was just enough time to enjoy the peaceful stillness of the sunrise and sip on a strong cup of espresso before the start of a frenzied day. But, the days I spent in Paris were not hectic, or stressful, or anything short of being the best days of my life. No, rather they were joyously exciting and therapeutic. The early opening of the cafes also worked to my advantage. It gave me a reason to sit outside Katerina's apartment inconspicuously when I was in town, like today, and enjoy a hot cup of espresso; the perfect jolt in the early morning to get the blood pumping and sharpen the senses.

I enjoyed the game that Kat and I were now playing. I liked games. I had upped the ante yesterday when I had allowed her to glimpse me outside the of the Chanel fashion show. The look on her face when she had seen me, and then registered who I probably was, was a look that I had played over and over in my mind the previous night.

I had lain awake for hours obsessing over the details of her face. The way her beautiful eyes had narrowed as she noticed me and then widened in disbelief; the way her mouth, that had been carved into a perfect and polite smile for the press, had fallen open into a perfect "O" of shock; the way her horror had registered so strongly on her face; it was all enough to keep me up for hours, going over the details endlessly, obsessively. I had lain awake imagining that same look of horror on her face when I chose to end our game. I had tossed and turned, feeling both hot and cold all at once. It was the strangest feeling, shivering in the cool autumn air as my hot sweat had dried on my bare chest. In particular, I loved the way she had stumbled; the only thing keeping from her tumbling down the stairs was the arm of the fat, old man next to her. It was prophetic in a way, because I had every intention of making her stumble and fall off of her pedestal, only when it happens, she will have no one to catch her fall. To say I had a vendetta against her would be putting it lightly.

I knew it would be dangerous to let her glimpse me, but I couldn't resist and I loved the danger of the moment. It made me feel alive.
I had sent her to the two packages, hoping to scare her. The look on her face when she had seen me told me I had. I smiled to myself, pleased with my success. The look of fear was everything that I had hoped and fantasized it would be. I had been careful to disguise my figure with the shapeless hoodie and bulky leather coat. The hood came down low enough that my face was entirely eclipse from view. I had studied myself in the mirror for hours just to be sure that I was unrecognizable. When I was certain that she would not be able to discern who I was, I had been positively giddy with excitement.

To use an overdone metaphor, it had been like a game of cat and mouse or like a wolf hunt, stalking the poor, unsuspecting, helpless lamb. It was almost too easy; but it was thrilling nonetheless. The pure rush of knowing that I was getting away with it was what kept me coming back for more. When I finally tired of the game we were playing; the stalking and hunting, then I would finish it. But until then, I would allow myself to enjoy this while it lasted.

I drained the last of my espresso and signaled to the waitress that I would take another. The sun had risen fully now, doing its best to chase away the chill of the October night. I wrapped my scarf more tightly around my neck, and slid my aviator sunglasses into place, hiding my dark brown eyes. I picked up the baseball cap on the table, New York Yankees, and placed it on my head to hide my hair, making sure to pull it down a bit to hide my face from view.

The waitress came by with my second cup of espresso.

"Merci" I murmured to her politely, giving her a devastatingly handsome smile at the same time. She returned it, lingering a little, perhaps expecting me to flirt or complement her as I had done on several previous occasions while I waited. When I proceeded to open the morning paper on the table before me, she resigned herself and scurried off. She was of no real interest to me; I flirted with her to pass the time until Katerina came down.

But today, I had no patience to play with the waitress. All of my attention was focused on Katerina. I wanted to see if her little sighting had jarred her.

How nervous would she be?

How much of the fear would show on her face?

Now that the sun was up, it wouldn't be long before she would descend from the relative safety of her apartment, down into the hellish, chaos of the abyss. I could already see her sweet paranoia now when I followed her. It wafted through the air towards me and it made me salivate in anticipation of the ultimate result I sought. The way she thought she was being discreet when she looked behind her shoulder; or scanned intersections. It was positively endearing and sent my heart racing. I could only hope that she wouldn't disappoint me today.

It wasn't long before Katerina descended from her roost. She was dressed casually, but impeccably as I knew she would be, in a mid-wash skinny jean, white t-shirt, men's wear blazer and red patent leather peep-toe pumps. She wore a black wool scarf wrapped around fragile neck to ward off the chill of the morning and carried a large Burberry bag that looked to be stuffed to near capacity. I studied her slim form for a few seconds, enjoying the view. But, I was surprised to find a young, lithe, but solid man following in her wake. When they were both on street level he walked at her side, his arm wrapped protectively around her waist. I knew right away, from the way he scanned the small plaza and then the street that he knew.

I gritted my teeth in frustration, squeezing the china espresso mug tightly in my fist in an attempt to control the angry spike in my heart beat. They were a few paces from my table, walking steadily closer. I had sat in the table closest to the sidewalk today, risking the close proximity because I wanted to see her fear as closely as I could. I wanted to be able to taste the rankness of it on my tongue. I could only hope this man wouldn’t ruin it for me.

I took a deep breath to try and calm the angry flush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. Closer still they came and I was able to recognize her male companion as Jason Newsted, visiting again. Apparently he couldn't stay away. The realization helped to put quell the rising tide and I let go of the china mug, smoothing the newspaper in front of me. He was familiar to me. It meant I would not have to engage in extra work, wasting time finding out his identity. I hoped he would not become a problem in the future.

They walked by the table and Katerina turned her head to look at me. Despite the sunglasses I was wearing, our eyes locked as I raised my face to hers. Her expression remained politely neutral, though she flashed me a dazzling smile that was genuine and lit up the emeralds she had for eyes. Her face was framed perfectly by her long chocolate brown locks that blew carelessly in the Parisian wind.

"Salute" she greeted me politely, in the traditional Quebecois way, especially to strangers.

I nodded in response, offering her a polite smile, not trusting myself to speak. Jason looked around her, taking me in critically, eyes narrowed, his face an unfriendly mask. I saw his grip on her waist tighten as they continued to walk past me down to the street. It was only after they were several paces away I let out the breath I had been holding, hoping against hope that she wouldn’t recognize me.

Once at the street, Katerina hailed a cab. She leaned over and whispered something to Jason and his expression changed from slightly pissed to happy, a broad smile playing across his face in a half a second. I felt a small smile of my own tugging at the corners of my mouth, desperately wanting to mimic Jason's. I remembered how she was able to procure a smile out of even the sourest of people. She had a gift for it. She was personable, beautiful and mine. She just didn't know it yet.




Katerina's POV

"We've reviewed your statement Ms. Plushenko. Unfortunately, there isn't much to go on here. Are you sure that there is nothing else that you can remember about the man you saw yesterday outside Carousel du Louvre? Any detail, no matter how small, will help with this investigation" Capitaine Laroux implored me.

I was sitting at a table in a private room having handed over the photos and written a statement that I had signed over to the National Police. The Captain, a young pleasant man with kind brown eyes and dark brown hair cropped close to his head, was sitting across from me. He had read my statement a number of times and had poured through the photos asking me questions about a few of them.

I shook my head sadly, "No, I'm sorry. But there is nothing else. Everything I know and can remember is in my statement".

Capitaine Laroux nodded and then rose from his chair. I followed his lead as he opened the door that led to the hallway.

"Alright, we'll be in touch Ms. Plushenko. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you think of something else or if he makes any kind of contact with you again" he said to me gravely.

I nodded my agreement and swept past him into the dimly lit hallway of the police station. I clutched my Burberry bag that had transported the envelopes to the police station, firmly in my hands as I followed him down the hallway to the front of the station. We reached the last set of doors that separated the front of the station from the back of the station that held the rooms for questioning and several holding cells. Capitaine Laroux took his key card form his belt and swiped it, unlocking the door.

He pulled it open so that it was ajar, but he refrained from pulling it open all the way. He turned to face me, looking at me seriously.

"Ms. Plushenko, what I'm about to say, I say this off record because it is something that we tend to not encourage, as police officers. But, I would suggest considering looking into hiring a private security firm. While we have nothing to go on here, I say without a doubt in my mind, that you are in grave danger. We can't put a team on you because you have not been directly threatened. But if I were you, or if I was your boyfriend out there waiting for you - ," he jerked his head in the direction of the waiting room where Jason was patiently waiting for me, flipping through a magazine.

"He's not my boyfriend" I mumbled, flushing in embarrassment at the assessment.

Capitaine Laroux smiled at me, though it was a smile that clearly said yeah right. "My apologizes Ms. Plushenko, I don't mean to make assumptions. But, consider what I said. I think it would be prudent to think about private security" he finished his initial thought.

I nodded at him and then paused. "You mean like a body guard?" I asked him, to clarify.

"Yes, exactly like a body guard" he replied, his brown eyes boring into mine, attempting to translate to me how grave he thought my situation was.

I shivered at the thought of having someone being paid to follow me around all day; another invasion of what little privacy I had left. I wasn’t so sure that I was ready to give it up. It had taken a lot out of me to come here today. I could only hope that the police would be able to keep their word and keep my problem quiet. Somehow I doubted it.

"I'll think about it. Thank you for your time" I replied as warmly as I could. I shook his hand and then exited out into the waiting room.

I walked over to Jason, where he was still flipping casually through a magazine. He glanced up at the sound of my heels on the ceramic floors. His eyes met mine and he smiled a little guiltily at me.

When I was within earshot of him I asked him, "What?".

He smiled cheekily and held up the magazine so I could see the cover of it, though his smile didn't reach his eyes and I became a little worried. While I had been filing my police report Jason had been busy in the waiting room flipping through the latest issue of Vanity Fair that featured my editorial spread with Tony Ward. He then let the pages fall back to the first photo of the spread where I was in jeans and a blazer, but topless, my breasts exposed to the camera while Tony lounged at my side, completely nude, though his manhood was covered strategically by a barely there sheet.

I grimaced a little, forgetting that this issue of Vanity Fair was being released today. I shrugged my shoulders at him, though my face flushed a deep crimson. I hadn't been embarrassed or shy when I had done the shoot, but somehow Jason seeing the photos made my stomach flip- flop nervously. I swept my hair back over my shoulders and sat down in the empty chair next to him, crossing my legs.

Jason flipped through the pages some more and I watched my face flash by, almost like it wasn’t me. Jason cleared his throat a little and then gave me a sidelong look as he stopped on a particularly racy photo.

"These are uh..." he trailed off, his eyes locked on the photo, my chest bare and my head thrown back, lips rouged and my face painted in ecstasy as Tony stood behind me, his arms wrapped around me, his fingers undoing my jeans and his lips sucking on my neck. "...interesting" he finally finished his thought. But his voice betrayed his true feelings about the photos and I knew that he wasn't exactly thrilled by them.

"Thanks" I replied a little uneasily. I reached across him and gently closed the magazine.

With my free hand I gently turned his face to my own. His eyes were churning with something close to rage burning at the surface.
"Hey; these," I said, shaking the magazine so he would know I was referring to the photos, "don't mean a thing. It's just work. Don't worry about them, okay?".

Jason regarded me carefully, cupping my hand that was resting on his cheek with his own. He lowered it from his face and entwined my fingers in his, the way we had done hundreds of times before. With his other hand he gently brushed the back of my hand with his fingers, caressing the skin there.

"I don't like the idea of men seeing you like that. You know what guys are like. It doesn't have to be actual porn to get them off" he murmured to me softly in order to keep our conversation private in the bustle of the police station. He left the rest unsaid, as he didn’t need to say it. I knew what he was referring to.

"I can't control what people do with these photographs after they are printed. But I can tell you, that when they were taken, they are taken with respect for the models involved. We are not asked to do anything gratuitous, and Tony, the male model in the photos, is very professional and didn't try to unnecessarily cop a feel. I trust him and I trust the photographers to do their job and make the photos tasteful, considering it is high fashion; and I think he has done a good job. This is what I chose to do with my life Jase. I can't worry about that kind of stuff, so you shouldn't either. Okay?" I asked him gently and gave him a smile, hoping to convince him that I really wasn't bothered by the photos; because I wasn't.

He nodded, though I could tell from the expression on his face that my words had done nothing to change his mind about the photos. I untangled my fingers from his own, giving his hand a small reassuring pat.

"Let's go then. You've got sound check" I reminded him as I stood.

He nodded once more and then allowed me to steer him out of the police station.

"Everything went okay I assume?" he asked me as we exited the station.

"Yeah, everything went fine" I assured him. "There isn't really anything that they can do at this point" I reminded him as we hailed another cab, "but the officer suggested that I might want to consider hiring a private security guard or something" I told Jason a little hesitantly because I was sure that he would concur with that suggestion.

Jason was silent a moment as he considered what I said. He shut the cab door and the driver pulled away from the curb towards the concert venue. His hand found mine in the back of the cab and I swallowed hard. I didn't want to hurt Jason by taking my hand away, but this was different than back at the station. He wanted to hold my hand now as couples might and I wasn't ready to do that with him yet. This morning while we had gotten ready to go out today, I had hinted to him that I was ready to commit to something more with him, but I had yet to say it outright. I wanted what I said to be perfect and heartfelt, not rash and rushed.

Almost as if sensing my hesitancy, Jason let go of my hand to run his fingers through his hair. He started to nod, slowly at first, but then more confidently. "I think that might be a good idea Kat. I would feel better if I knew that there was someone with you looking over your shoulder, keeping you out of trouble" he admitted to me honestly.

I turned my head to look out the window and watch Paris roll by. Couples strolled by, hand in hand, smiling and laughing, pointing enthusiastically to various sites in the city. They looked happy, content and carefree, clearly in love with each other. My heart lurched as we drove by couple after couple. It made me wonder if I would ever be able to have that. Could I ever have it with Jason? As discreetly as I could, I glance over at him. He was occupied with his own window, his hands resting limply in his lap, head thrown back a bit watching the city pass him by.

Almost as if he knew I was peeking at him, he turned his head suddenly and caught me watching him. I flushed in embarrassment for the third time that morning. An amused smile played across his face, lighting up his eyes with a warm, content glow, curling the corners of his lips adorably.

"What are you thinking about?" I whispered to him suddenly and without thought.

"I'm thinking about how easy it would be to leave Metallica and just stay here with you" he replied, his voice a low whisper, but terrifyingly genuine.

I quivered involuntarily as his words floated across my skin, caressing and then sinking down through my pores and into my core before nestling contentedly against my heart. When was it that I had fallen for this man? Why hadn't I wanted to realize it earlier? Things might have turned out so much differently than they had.

I was able to suppress the broad grin that was threatening to claim my face as its own. I needed to tell him how I felt and I needed to tell him soon. I applauded the fact that he was waiting patiently for an answer. If it had been me who had confessed my love for him last night, I would be in agony waiting for an answer. But he was being patient and tender, giving me time and as much space as he could. As it was, there was nothing I could say back to him. Everything that popped into my head felt inadequate, cheesy or not a true reflection of how I felt. All I could do was give him one more smile.

We arrived at the venue and climbed out of the cab. I opened my purse and paid the cab driver. We then walked around to the back of the venue and went in the door there. Jason was recognized by security there and they let him in immediately. Very quickly, he was able to get a hold of a backstage pass for me, that he pulled over my head so that it hung around my neck, to ensure that I would not be thrown out when he was on stage.

He pulled me along behind him; through the labyrinth of hallways until we came to what I assumed was Metallica's dressing room. From behind the closed door I could hear music, laughter and loud chatter. I remembered that James was obviously going to be here and I was sure that I would find him behind this door.

I mentally steeled myself, reminding myself that no matter what he said to me, I shouldn't take it personally. But I also knew that I needed to talk to him, even if just to offer him an apology for my part in how we ended things. Jason turned the door knob, and then held the door open, wrapping his arm around my waist to usher me inside the room before him.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
CarpeDiemBaby
Member Avatar
// Sunglasses indoors.
[ * ]
"He was the person I valued most in this world. A life without him was inconceivable, incomprehensible and unbearable."
I LOVED that line!!

Damn, she's in love with Jase too :cloud9 was kind funny see how he's jealous about the pics in the magazine... and about the stalker, I wanna know who is!! the way that he talk is just creepy :ugh:
Please I need another update!! :lol:
Keep writing! :heart:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Voxx
Member Avatar
Some Kind Of Monster
[ * ]
fiometal
February 23, 2012, 11:45 pm
"He was the person I valued most in this world. A life without him was inconceivable, incomprehensible and unbearable."
I LOVED that line!!

Damn, she's in love with Jase too :cloud9 was kind funny see how he's jealous about the pics in the magazine... and about the stalker, I wanna know who is!! the way that he talk is just creepy :ugh:
Please I need another update!! :lol:
Keep writing! :heart:
Thank you so much for your kind words! They're always appreciated! :) :heart: :heart:

I think I was able to drop a few clues as to who the mysterious stalker is. I hope they weren't too obscure!!

This next bit I want to include the talk with with James. I haven't decided yet how it is going to play out. But I will say, that it's too soon for one big happy ending between Jase and Kat.

I hope to get the next update up within the next few days! :)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Some_Kind_Of_Monster
Member Avatar
☠ (R.I.P) † Return Is Possible †
[ * ]
Something new, like the way you tried. :)

Although I'm team James I can see her why she has feelings for Jason. When it goes to the stalker, it must be some dude from Canada. I get the feel that it's the bloke James was fighting with. (sorry forgot the name) :blush:

All good. :heart:

More James please :P
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
tuesday's gone
Member Avatar
Poor Twisted Me
[ * ]
Could be the one we suspect the least, the kind, good friend who was very attached to her ex and took care of her after his death? Those overly friendly, protective, "he could never do something like that" types are always my first suspects :D
Stalker's creepiness transposes really well.

Very nice part when she realized Jason is the one. I could really identify with her tossing and turning and replaying the "confession" countless times.
The scene with him in the cab, looking out the window got me all aaaaaaawwwwww. And then the spontaneous answer to her question, his boyish honesty, that part was perfect. Generally, I can say you strike the right note with him, this overwhelming honesty, almost child-like quality of his, you captured that perfectly.

Now, let's get her and James together in the room and see what happens. I'll hold my horses until then :cool

Edited by tuesday's gone, February 24, 2012, 8:59 am.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Metalicious
No Avatar
Blackened
[ * ]
Oh dear. Oh my. I just about fell out of my chair when I realized the person getting all romantic and descriptive of lovely Parisian mornings was the stalker! I was all "Yes, yes, I adore cafes in Paris first thing in the morning, too, with the HOLY SHIT YOU'RE THE CREEPY GUY!" Seriously. That was me.

This is the first met-fic I've read that's not simply romance. That element of danger and uncertainty really adds a whole other dimension to your story, I'm totally enjoying it. I'll be interested to see what James thinks of Kat's decision to be with Jason, and I'm not sure which of them would be more protective if they knew the full extent of how much danger is actually about to surround her. And Jason's thinking of leaving Metallica... the plot thickens!

So well done. Such a great accompaniment to my morning coffee (which, sadly, is not at a charming little cafe, but at work. Bugger). Looking forward to more!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Scorpion Flower
Member Avatar
Outlaw Torn
[ * ]
Everything well written and lovely. :) I'm so glad that she realized, finally, that Jason is the one. I do think she's taken the right choice, quite honestly, but then let's see how James reacts to all this.

Good job.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
DealsFor.me - The best sales, coupons, and discounts for you
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Het / Gen · Next Topic »
Add Reply