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Post by Derek Burke on Apr 23, 2009 0:58:43 GMT -5
Derek's behavior had been gnawing on him ever since the redhaired vixen left his apartment and he knew that an apology was in order. He had never been too fond of apologies, since he lived more or less by a "no apology no regret" sort of code, but he was above all a gentlemen...well perhaps not above *all* but above many things, and of course when it could be helped.
He knew of the location though it took a little digging he still knew Zach well enough to have a few ideas about where he might take the girl, that and pulling up a few resources of his own which Zach had no clue about he was able to find her easily enough. That gnawed at him too, if this girl were hiding from this guy, and Derek could find her...true Derek had his hands in some deep pockets, but who knew about htis other guy. As Zach's dearest friend it was his job to look after what was important to him.
Knocking on the door he waited discreetly outside the unassuming house.
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Apr 26, 2009 1:21:27 GMT -5
Suzie kept the door locked at all times. It was one of those muggle chains that slid into the little slot and let the door open a couple of inches. She trusted Zach's judgement of the place, but she still couldn't be too careful.
When the knock came, she could tell immidiately that it was different from Zach's knock, and it set her on edge. She was sitting by the window, a very simple, but elegant dress on, and her hair down. She was just enjoying the view of the lake, and as her mind wandered, she could see her child running by the lake's edge, and Zach picked the child up, swinging them in the air...
And both disappeared with that knock.
She opened the door the couple inches the lock would allow, and frowned deeply when she saw Derek. She just looked at him for a moment, and then shut the door.
She was tempted to leave it shut, but sighed and undid the lock. When she opened the door again, she stood between the edge of it and the doorframe, raising an eyebrow. "Look who the cat dragged in."
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Post by Derek Burke on May 3, 2009 3:58:07 GMT -5
Derek grinned that absolutely irresistable heart-melting grin, it wasn't his fault he was so handsome, although it had been a curse much of his life. Well not entirely a curse, one could say it was a blessing as well, of course they would think of it that way.
Only a select few knew the complete loneliness that haunted him, and no one knew about the past completely. Now as Derek took in the russet beauty he had to squash the urge to be charming as was his natural instinct. He knew his friend Zach was in love with her, and it would kill Zach were Ms. Rousseau to be anything but the epitome of a lady, therefore Derek would strive to kill any affection on the off chance it would end up badly.
His smile softened, "Miss Rousseau." he said his expression mimicking that of a man tipping his hat.
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Jun 5, 2009 13:28:44 GMT -5
Her frown softened, but it was still there. She left Derek's house on better terms than she'd shown up under, but she didn't fall for that charming smile for one second.
She let him come inside and closed the door behind him, a hand coming to rest on her stomach. It was a nervous habit she had before she became pregnant. Now, it seemed to have more meaning. It just kept her from having to find something to do with her hands.
"Can I help you?" She asked, though she tried to make the question sound as nice as possible. She didn't want to be rude, she just wasn't sure why he was here. Zach picked her up... his obligations were over.
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Post by Derek Burke on Jun 5, 2009 14:16:54 GMT -5
He thanked her for letting him inside and noticed her gesture feeling a jolt through his frame at old haunting memories, a hard glint came into his eyes but it was fleeting and soon replaced by something else.
"I wanted to see how you were doing. Are you comfortable here?" he asked, actually he wanted to take her back to his flat, or one of his other houses, but after the way he had behaved before he didn't want to jump into his offer.
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Jun 5, 2009 14:55:03 GMT -5
Suzie hesitated, then said, "I'm fine. I'm comfortable. It smells like dust most of the time, but it's safe, and the woman who runs it doesn't ask questions." Finally, she smiled. She figured she should to show him that she really was okay, though she was sort of surprised that he came to ask her that. If that was indeed why he came.
She sighed and dropped her shoulders. "I can't really hold a grudge anymore," she told him. "It's too exhausting. Let's just... forget everything. Okay? I promise I don't want to hurt Zach."
She was just tired anymore, and probably more stressed than she should have been. "How are you?"
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Post by Derek Burke on Jun 5, 2009 16:27:44 GMT -5
He raised a brow, he wanted to know why she was so exhausted, but he shrugged the thought away, "That sounds more than fair." he agreed with a nod.
He took a glance around the room, " I could imagine you more suited to one of those hotels." he said wryly smiling.
When she asked how he was he shrugged, " I can't complain really."
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Jun 8, 2009 13:34:01 GMT -5
Suzie finally quirked a half grin at him. "Yes, well, thanks to a certain friend of Zach's, there's not a hotel in the city that will take me in."
Besides, if for some reason Taylor did come looking for her, he would expect to find her in one of those hotels. He would never look for her here. It was safer, and if Zach wanted her here, then she would be here. Really, she put too much faith in him.
She sat on her bed, gesturing to a chair for Derek. Propriety, and all. "Please, have a seat. If you would like anything, we can go to the kitchen." She wasn't accustomed to serving guests, either, as there was usually a staff for that, but she didn't mind it.
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Post by Derek Burke on Jun 8, 2009 14:55:35 GMT -5
Derek didn't feel guilty about the hotels one bit. He pictured her staying in one of those hotels and her angry fiance finding her, and felt more and more justified. He simply quirked an eyebrow as if asking if he really needed to expain that to her. Still at her continued graciousness, he relented the superior attitude completely and sighed, "I am sorry for that Miss Rousseau. I was doing what I thought was best. I realize to a young woman with as much pride as you have, that I had pushed you to something that might have been very dangerous, and I apologize for that as well."
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Jun 12, 2009 12:55:15 GMT -5
Suzie waved it off. "Don't worry about it. What's done is done, and I'm not concerned with it anymore. This place is... charming."
Granted, she was used to more priveledged travel arrangements, but she wasn't stuck up about it. She wouldn't complain. Zach liked it and trusted it, and that was enough for her.
She looked at Derek, unsure of what to say again. "Can I get you anything?" she asked, trying to figure out why exactly he was here. Maybe Zach had sent him, but wouldn't he have said something about that by now?
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Post by Derek Burke on Jun 12, 2009 14:56:57 GMT -5
"No I'm fine." he answered. He didn't know how to bring up what he wanted to so instead he placed the most charming grin he could muster on his face and rushed forward, " Miss Rousseau, I'd like it very much if you'd return with me. I realize we havn't had the most auspicious of beginnings, but truly I am not such a bore all the time." he grew serious, " I don't believe that this place is safe enough for you, while Zach is sorting things out with his family, he's not here to protect you, and Mrs. Pennywhistle isn't exactly ...well she's a very nice lady." he frowned and felt it was necessary to add, " Please don't decide based upon the past, I am quite capable of being charming when I'm not taken by surprise."
Another truth however, was that Suzie had stayed in his mind. Her brilliant hair, her sad eyes, her unbreakable pride...it was more than any man should have to think about.
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Jul 20, 2009 2:05:12 GMT -5
Suzie's head tilted almost prettily as she watched him try and decide what words to use. He wasn't exactly fumbling over them, but it was more like he was trying to pick each word exactly while he spoke them.
But what he was asking her caught her by surprise, and she raised her eyebrows. "You mean you want me to move back to your apartment until Zachary figures out just what he's doing?" And whether or not it included her? She shook her head. "No, I can't," she said. "This may not be the most secure place in town, but it's probably the last place Taylor would look for me. You said yourself that these aren't the accomdations I'm used to."
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Post by Derek Burke on Jul 20, 2009 2:21:09 GMT -5
"I don't believe it would matter Miss Rousseau...if a man, particularly a man who I can assume by all the fuss is to be considered a serious threat, were looking for you... a man like that Miss Rousseau can and will find you it's only a matter of time... I would, as it were, prefer you to be in better hands...stronger ones at least." he said still using his measured words.
The truth was he didn't want Zach to suffer were Taylor to come and get her, and Zach would suffer the guilt no doubt. But perhaps it was more than that...perhaps it was that he didn't want to see her get hurt himself either.
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Jul 21, 2009 11:39:26 GMT -5
Suzie tilted her head and almost smiled, listening to Derek talk.
"Maybe I have caused you to overestimate my fiance," she said, taking on an air of aristocracy that she hadn't used the entire time she'd been here. London had a calming effect on her. "But he's not a serious threat. At least not to me. He may be angry, but I know him well enough to know how to handle him, and if he should find me, which I doubt he will, I will be fine."
She sighed, her hands clasped together. "I appreciate your offer, Derek, but Zach wanted me here, and I'm trying to learn how to trust him again."
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Post by Derek Burke on Jul 21, 2009 13:00:48 GMT -5
What could a man say to that? Other than Derek really not enjoying being thwarted in the least. Oh merlin Zach... he shook his head. Zach for as much as Derek loved the guy, wasn't exactly Joe Security. Not that Derek hadn't had his own string of broken hearts out there in the world, but he had always taken care of the girls he'd been with, and they had always known beforehand that he wasn't looking for anything serious, they had always agreed. Derek never let his passions get away with him...not after what had happened oh so long ago.
He feared now something similar happening to Miss Rousseau, and he didn't think Zach's heart would be able to take it. No one should have to live with the guilt that he did, certainly not fun loving Zach.
Unable to proceed with her since it was obvious she was digging in her heels, he was unpleasantly stuck. With a curt nod he turned away from her. Whether she knew it or not, she got to him, it was rare that a man like Derek ever apologized, let alone came as close to pleading with anyone as Derek had with her.
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Jul 21, 2009 13:07:55 GMT -5
Suzie frowned when he turned away from her, and for a second, she thought he was just going to leave, just like that. But he didn't, and she wondered what to say. It was a strange situation, and she sighed.
"You're angry," she observed, though she wasn't entirely sure that she was right. "Or maybe frustrated is more the correct word."
She got to her feet again and took a few steps closer to him. "Will you stay for lunch? I can bring something here, or we could eat in the garden. Usually, Mrs. Pennywhistle likes all of her tennents to eat together, but I imagine she'll make an exception."
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Post by Derek Burke on Jul 21, 2009 13:31:45 GMT -5
He didn't hasten to assure her that he was neither angry nor frustrated, because she was correct, although it was very confusing to him why he should be either of those things. Then as she went on she offered him lunch and then he wanted to laugh, in fact he did chuckle kind of.
"You're quite unexpected Miss Rousseau...you take away a man's noble intentions, deny his gentlemanly honor, then offer him food, which as you know is the key to any man's heart. I do fear now for my good friend, if he isn't half mad in love with you already he will undoubtably be so soon." he was about to refuse still her offer unsure his pride could take anything else she wished to dish out to him, but then he realized that it was a peace offering and at least he'd be in her presence a while longer ...and if anything should happen to her in that time at least he'd be there.
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Aug 6, 2009 23:42:00 GMT -5
It was a compliment, Suzie realized, but it made her frown all the same.
"If I were to ask you a question, would you be honest with me?" she asked. And though she prefaced her question with that, she did not wait for him to respond before she brushed a curl away from her eyes and added, "Do you think Zach is in love with me?"
She stepped towards Derek and gestured to the door. "I'd like it if we could eat outside. Sometimes, this room feels like a prison to me."
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Post by Derek Burke on Aug 7, 2009 5:11:37 GMT -5
He stood self composed and confident as he watched her move about, his mind on many things. When she asked for honesty he didn't know what to reply. The answer she wanted to hear was obvious or at least he thought it was, and yet what did he know about his friend's lovelife? Seeing as how he just met the woman himself it didn't seem as if he knew much. Though Zach had never made such a big mistake before, he wasn't exactly known for always keeping his head.
Not that Suzie was a mistake...well actually according to a lot of people she would be, but Derek's thinking was swinging in a different direction lately.
And that's how he came to answer her question, " Regardless if he is or isn't...you're in love with him, and he's an undeserving bastard." he said the last bit affectionately though to take the sting out of his words. He loved Zach like a brother and he could tell Suzie did mean a lot to the man which prompted him to add, " But he'll take care of you, make no mistake the Scotts are extremely protective when it comes to family, as it looks like you're going to be. He also holds a rather large ammount of affection for you, many marriages go in with far less."
He nodded to her desired location and would follow her out.
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Aug 7, 2009 11:19:57 GMT -5
Suzie laughed softly, though there was no humor in it. "I was running away from a loveless marriage, Derek. Why would I trade that for another? I do love Zach, but I'm not going to tie him down and trap him in something he doesn't want."
She sighed and turned so that her eyes met his. "He keeps assuring me that he loves me and he wanted to come back... but in the end, I'm the one who came after him... maybe that was a mistake. I can't tell him that, of course, because he gets this look on his face..." she sighed again and shook her head, waving the thought off as she lead Derek to the kitchen so that they could make sandwiches or something. It was almost painfully obvious that she wasn't familiar with the way around a kitchen, but she was trying.
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