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Post by Zachary Scotts on Jan 8, 2009 17:10:43 GMT -5
Zachary chuckled. "Poor Derek? I daresay he deserves a little intrusion in his life. He's far too perfect."
There was a hint of jealousy in his tone. Derek was his best friend he would do anything possible for him, but there were times when Zach couldn't help but feel envious of him. Derek had everything, and he never seemed to make a mistake. The only one worse was Edmund, and now even he had fallen slightly, now that he was in love with Claire.
"But you're right. I should get you to a hotel, and then get back before Thatcher comes looking for me."
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Jan 11, 2009 6:51:48 GMT -5
"I think the whole bunch of you are too perfect," Suzie murmured.
She got to her feet, a sign that she wanted to get a room now. She was exhausted still and had a lot to think about. "Can we find a room in a small place? I'm not really in the mood for fancy or anything. I want somewhere I can... hide. And you could hide with me, if you wanted."
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Post by Zachary Scotts on Jan 15, 2009 10:22:09 GMT -5
Zach nodded. "I know a few small, out-of-the-way places we could go to. It's probably better to go to places like that, anyway... Thatcher will look in the bigger, more expensive places first."
He sighed, hesitating. He wanted nothing more than to stay with her, just the two of them, right now. But he also knew his brother. Thatcher would be furious with Zach if he disappeared now. It would be safer if they waited until the time was right to make their disappearance. And until that time, he would have to play along with his brother.
"I can't stay with you," he said. "I need to deal with Thatcher and Tanya. But I will come back for a little while every day until Friday. Whenever I can get away."
He pulled her closer and pressed a kiss to her lips. "It's going to be OK," he promised. "I'll take care of you, like I said I would in California."
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Jan 15, 2009 12:58:06 GMT -5
Suzie bit the inside of her lip and frowned.
"No, of course," she whispered. He couldn't hide with her... which only made it easier for him to run, and she wouldn't know for quite some time. How long did he think she'd wait, sitting in her room just hoping he'd knock on the door? She loved him so much that she ached at the thought of not being with him, but she wouldn't sacrifice her dignity if he ran again.
She smiled tightly and stepped past him, reaching for the door.
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Post by Zachary Scotts on Jan 15, 2009 14:30:55 GMT -5
Everything had been so much easier in California. All the sneaking around, the secret meetings, the passed notes and everything else... it had been almost innocent in a way, like little kids sneaking around behind their parents' backs. But when he'd left her, it had destroyed the innocence. She had no faith in him; he could see it in her eyes. He hated that he'd done this to her, and a part of him wondered whether she was right to doubt him. He'd always let everyone else down, why not her? What was really so different this time?
She was. She was different. She made him want to stay, which no one else had ever done. She made him want to be a better man.
AS she reached for the door, he grabbed her hand and pulled her back into his arms, kissing her soundly. "I swear to you, I'll be back. And we'll run away together. It's going to be fine."
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Jan 16, 2009 3:28:51 GMT -5
If it weren't for that kiss and the way it made her feel like everything was going to be all right, Suzie may not have even come after him. But his arms felt like home, and she both loved and hated him for it. If he was true to his word this time, he'd have a child from it. If he ran away again, he never had to know that she was telling the truth all along. She just felt better knowing that it was her, and not just the baby.
She smiled a little, but didn't really respond to anything he said. "I'm really tired, Zach. Let's just go."
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Post by Zachary Scotts on Jan 16, 2009 13:35:58 GMT -5
He pulled away, smiling down at her and kissing the top of her head. "OK, let's go. I think I know just the place we can go to... it's small and out of the way, but very cozy. It's more like a rooming house than a hotel. The woman who runs the place is a charming little old woman who never asks questions."
Slipping his hand into hers, he opened the door and led her out into the living room area, where Derek was waiting for them.
"Derek, thanks again for your hospitality," he said, unaware that Derek had actually been a little less than hospitable to Suzie. "We'll get out of your hair now... I'll take her to stay somewhere else. I'll be round to talk to you some more later if you want."
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Post by Derek Burke on Jan 16, 2009 19:51:34 GMT -5
Zach hadn't answered Derek's earlier question about taking Suzie, so when he came in girl in arm and was ready to leave Derek's nigging conscience got to him.
"No problem. Zach...could I talk to you for a few moments...?" he asked motioning the other man into the kitchen area.
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Post by Zachary Scotts on Jan 16, 2009 20:30:16 GMT -5
Zach hesitated for a moment. He didn't really want to leave Suzie, even for a second, until they got to the boarding house. But he knew his friend had a right to ask questions, especially if he wanted his help down the line. Kissing Suzie's forehead, he nodded quickly. "All right, mate, but just for a moment. I really want to get Suzie settled in so she can get some rest."
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Post by Derek Burke on Jan 16, 2009 23:01:31 GMT -5
"Where are you taking her?" he asked leaning against the counter, subtly he performed a spell that prevented Suzie from listening in as he talked to his friend.
He and Suzie may have started off on the wrong foot, hell she may have still rubbed him the wrong way, but he would make sure she was taken care of, especially if it really was Zach's kid in her womb.
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Post by Zachary Scotts on Jan 17, 2009 0:06:22 GMT -5
Zachary eyed his friend warily. He was of the opinion that the fewer people who knew of Suzie's location, the better. It wasn't that he didn't trust Derek, but he didn't think he needed to know.
Shrugging, he replied, "Do you really need to know? I can take over from here."
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Post by Derek Burke on Jan 17, 2009 6:12:00 GMT -5
"Oh really?" he asked slightly incredulous. He crossed his arms over his chest, "You bring a girl to my place because you got her into trouble and now here she is miles away from where she belongs, with an angry fiance after her, more importantly after you. You're about to run off with her again, only I know Thatcher and Tanya won't allow you to stay with her so you're going to have to go back home which leaves Suzie where exactly? Waiting for you to show up, alone, unprotected. Meanwhile this angry fiance of hers does the right kind of digging figures out where she's at, knows that you'll be back for her and simply waits, doing whatever he wants to do to Suzie in the meantime. Now tell me, were you planning all this out or did you bother to to think of that while planning this romantic interlude?"
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Post by Zachary Scotts on Jan 17, 2009 17:32:28 GMT -5
Zachary clenched his jaw. This was the problem with allowing others to get involved. Now everyone had to know the details and everyone had to offer their unsolicited advice on what he should do.
"She says she lied about the baby," he said. "And whether she's pregnant or not, I want to be with her. I thought I'd lost her due to my own stupidity and irresponsible behavior, and now I want to make it up to her. I don't want to let her go this time. Her fiance is back in California and thinks she's visiting relatives in France. The chances that he'll track her down to the tiny little place I'm bringing her to are slim."
He sighed and began to pace. As much as he hated to admit it, the impracticality of what he was considering was just starting to hit him, but he didn't want to admit it. "And besides, I didn't bloody well bring her to you, Justin did. I didn't want you involved, Derek. And now you're involved, and Jadon, and who knows who else? The less you know, the better, OK?"
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Post by Derek Burke on Jan 17, 2009 21:38:19 GMT -5
Derek was not satisfied at all, the truth was he was worried about Suzie, and he didn't believe for one moment that she wasn't pregnant, but at those words something hard flashed in Derek's eyes. His jaw clenched.
"Fine." he said pulling back his arms crossed over his chest as a sign to terminate the conversation.
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Post by Zachary Scotts on Jan 21, 2009 17:00:07 GMT -5
Zachary sighed. "Listen, Derek... I know you're just trying to help. And I honestly appreciate what you've done so far. But damn it, this is my mess, and for once, I'd actually like to clean it up myself. I need to do it myself. Otherwise, what good am I to Suzie if I've got to have other people fight my battles for me? For years, Tanya's been telling me to grow up and be a man. I'd like to start now."
And with that, he turned around and walked out of the room, taking Suzie's arm. "Come on, Suzie. Let's go."
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Post by Derek Burke on Jan 21, 2009 22:11:40 GMT -5
Derek stood there listening, but didn't really respond. He kept his head down and his mouth shut. Zach was like family to him like a younger brother, which was strange considering Zach was two years older, but Derek hadn't felt younger than 50 since...well it was impolite to speak of the dead, but he thought about her every now and again when he couldn't help but remember the past. He usually proceeded then with brandy to blot out the memories. He saw heartache, and definitely trouble in Zach's future, and it was all Derek could do to try and stop it...but Zach had to make his own mistakes.
He said nothing but let them leave.
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Jan 21, 2009 23:33:13 GMT -5
Suzie looked up as Zach came back, taking her arm and she could hear through the whole apartment again. The barrier on the kitchen that Derek put up just felt oppressive to her, and she didn't like it. It left her alone with her own thoughts too much.
As Zach lead her to the door, she looked at Derek, debating whether or not to say thank you. She was quiet in the end.
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Post by Derek Burke on Jan 22, 2009 20:56:39 GMT -5
"It was my pleasure Miss Rousseau." he said at last before she left. There was something in his eyes, admiration perhaps, gentle humor, gruff apology, all combined into one. His words were amusing considering the past 24 hours but he meant them all the same.
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