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SOMETIMES
I WONDER
By
CHAPTER 13
6 MONTHS
LATER: SOMEWHERE
Rory sits on a lounge chair enjoying
the hot sun as she writes in her journal. 'We've
been on the move for the last six months. Julian has done everything he could
to keep me safe. We rarely stay anywhere longer than a month. I admit I do miss
home... my family... school... but I made the right decision to be with my
husband.
He's still constantly working
but still we're together. He never leaves me for more than a day or two. For
the most part from the moment we wake we are not far
from each others side.
I have written a few emails to Mom. She's
written back... she says she understands... and wishes us well. She was upset
that we didn't say anything but she said she
understands why after talking with Jack.
Julian promises that one day we'll
go back... when things are safe and he knows who tried to kill him and who was
watching me.
I find it a little creepy that someone was spying on
me... OK someone other than Simon or the CIA.'
"Darling."
Rory looks up as she hears her
husband's voice. "Taking a break?"
"Mmm"
Rory shrugs closing the journal
"I needed to keep myself occupied somehow."
"How are you feeling?" He
questions. "I know all of this moving around has caught up with you."
He gently brushes her hair back.
"I'm fine." Rory assures
"I was thinking we could go into
the village. Go do some shopping, perhaps. Go to dinner."
"I thought you didn't want to be
out in the village?"
Rory kisses him, "Love you"
"I love you too darling."
Rory enters the master bedroom and
smiles looking around the room. She catches her reflection in the mirror she
brushes her hair back. 'I look so different. Before I'd never wear a bikini...
but around Julian I'm comfortable enough to go beyond what I'm comfortable
with.' She shakes away the thoughts then walks into the bathroom.
EVENING:
VILLAGE
"This was fun." Rory smiles
at
"That it was my love."
"I know you just want to keep me
safe." Rory shrugs
"You are my world."
"Who?"
"Former business associates.
While they are here I want you to be careful... they are not the most... civil
men. If you are going to be out and around I would prefer you not be alone with
any of them." As they stop on a footbridge to enjoy the sight he
continues, "They are dangerous men. I would prefer to do this away from
the house but that is not possible... that would mean I would be away from you
for a week." He kisses her bare shoulder. "I will warn them to stay
away from you."
Rory nods
THAT NIGHT:
HOUSE
"Irina
has expressed concern with you forming an alliance with these men." Lucian
Andros states regarding Irina's
former second in command.
"I have no choice."
"Yes... as long as your wife is
on the premises." Lucian sits across from
"I spoke to Rory about not
wandering the house or yard alone while they are here."
"Perhaps you should ask her to
stay in your rooms for the time they are here."
"I will think about it."
"I take it you haven't informed
her of Brousard's predilections."
"No."
"That is going to be argued and
most likely broken."
"If it is I will deal with
it."
"I advise you inform Rory why you
want her to be careful. She is not of our world. She doesn't
know the history of these men. Who knows if she would be able to ignore Brousard if he started talking to her or how he would take
it if she did ignore him."
"I know."
"You should have taken this
meeting away from here."
"I want control of this
meeting."
"And you wanted to stay close to
your wife." Lucian adds with a faint smile. "My friend you have
changed since the last time I saw you."
"I know."
Lucian nods
"If any of them are within one
room of my wife I want someone there with Rory immediately."
"It will be done."
"Keep the liquor limited around
them."
"Avoid drunken advances towards
your wife."
"Are you going to introduce them
to Rory?"
"I have yet to decide. I know
they will run into her from time to time. You know Antonio will demand an
introduction... being the polite Italian he is."
"Mmm. My advice is to keep the interaction between
all of them as limited as possible."
NEXT MORNING
Rory smiles as she feels
"Morning my
love."
Rory snuggles back against
"Darling"
"Hmm"
"There is something I declined to
inform you yesterday."
"Too early.
Haven't had coffee. Incoherent
thoughts." Rory mumbles
"I know but this is
important."
Rory moves to her back "OK talk.
Then go get me coffee."
"OK"
"Antonio?"
"He's actually a pretty decent
man for being affiliated with some of the biggest criminal activities in the
world. He is one of the few people Irina trusts...
the reason why I contacted him."
Rory nods
"But they are still dangerous
men."
"I'll be careful."
"I know." He kisses her
temple. "When this meeting is done Brousard will
never be near you again."
Rory nods "How long are they
staying?"
"A few
days."
"When will they be here?"
"Two...
three."
Rory looks at the clock, "Six
hours... left just us."
"Mmm"
Rory tucks her head under his chin.
"Stupid people"
"Still...
stupid people."
"You just haven't had your coffee
yet."
"And whose fault is that?"
Rory asks "You are my morning coffee getter."
"I will go get your coffee in a
moment."
"Hmm... I think I do."
"Hey"
Rory giggles as they roll around on
the bed.
After a few minutes
"Goody." Rory grins
"Pop-Tart too?"
"Hey you grew up one way... I
grew up another. Pop-Tarts are one of my staples."
"I know."
"Surprise me."
"That I can
do."
Rory lies there grinning foolishly.
'My husband is something else.'
"Good morning sir. How is your
wife?"
"Waiting for
her coffee."
"Does she want breakfast or to
stick with her first food item of the morning?"
"Perhaps both.
I'm still working on her eating healthy."
"That is quite a feat." The
Cook smiles
"Yes sir. The meal plans have
been made."
"Good."
"As is the wines your guests
requested."
"You seem to be in a good mood
this morning
"Are the preparations made?"
"Rooms are ready. Security is
set. I went over the profiles of each bodyguard coming to the house and the
ones staying in town. Arrangements for them have been made as well."
"Good"
Lucian nods in acknowledgement knowing
his semi-employer is serious. "I believe Irina
has informed Antonio about that as well. Oh and Brousard's
guard... also shares his likes."
"I figured. Keep an eye on both
of them while they are here."
"Here you go." The Cook says
serving up two plates of eggs and bacon and fruit just as the toaster pops up
the Pop-Tarts. He puts the plates on a tray adding the coffee as well.
"Thank you."
Rory looks up hearing footsteps to see
"Darling, Pop-Tarts are not the most healthy of food items."
"They have fruit." Rory
argues only to get
Rory picks up the cup of coffee and
takes a sip. "Mmm coffee... how I love
you." She says happily.
"Hey"
"Not more than you." Rory
grins
"Better not"
Rory pouts "Yeah, yeah Mr.
Bossy."
Rory nods "I have no idea why...
I slept through the night. Lately I'm just exhausted."
"You are still getting used to
changing time zones and the weather differences."
"Yeah."
3PM
"Last check she was in your
private study reading."
"Good. Let me know when she
travels outside our quarters."
"You are drinking quite
early." Lucian states
Lucian heads down the stairs to the
front foyer just as the doors open and the six men enter, "Gentlemen. Come
this way."
"Where is Mr. Sark?"
A short grey haired man demands
"He will join you shortly, Mr. Brousard. He has some other matters to attend too."
Lucian gestures "This way gentlemen." 'And
perverts.' He mentally adds.
Rory looks up, "Are your guests
here?"
"And why are you not down there
being all British polite guy?" Rory teases then
grins as
"That's why."
Rory blushes at his compliment.
"Rory"
"I'll be fine." Rory kisses
his palm, "Now go get to work so these guys can be gone and I can have you
back to myself."
"Mmm
you can have me tonight."
"If I'm not
tired." Rory says nonchalantly. "Or not interested."
"Hey"
Rory grins. "Go. I'll be fine
here."
Rory shakes her head, 'That man is
going to drive me crazy.'
"Demands is
more like it." Brousard says coldly.
"Mr. Sark
it is good to see you." A tall dark haired man greets warmly. "How is
Irina doing?"
"I believe she is fairing well
Antonio."
"Mr. Sark
it has been years." Gregorie Laslin
states "We heard of your dealings with the CIA."
"Why should we trust such a man
who betrays everyone he works for?" Brousard
demands
"Oh yes the great Mr. Sark is currently married." Laslin
nods "We have heard that."
"When are we going to meet the
delightful wife?" Antonio asks
"And that is?" Laslin inquires
"Prostitutes are not allowed in
this house... no exceptions." He looks at Laslin and Brousard only knowing
Antonio is not one to step out on his wife. "That includes each of your
bodyguards. If that rule is disobeyed by either of you,
this meeting will be terminated. If your bodyguard breaks that rule... lets
just say that is why I allowed each of you a back up."
"You cannot be serious about
killing our own men" Laslin
argues
"I have already terminated the
employment of two men over breaking my rules."
"Completely."
Antonio assures "We will follow your rules since this is your home."
"Good"
EVENING
Rory stirs feeling a hand smooth her
hair back and slowly opens her eyes to find
"I have no idea."
"Everything
OK?" Rory asks seeing his thoughtful look.
Rory tugs him down beside her and
smiles at him when their nose to nose. "Have I told you that I adore you
yet today?"
"I don't believe you have."
"Well I adore you." Rory
smiles
"And I
you."
"What I do every day...
read."
"I'm sorry if you are
bored."
"I'm fine. You know I love to
read."
"Still you must be bored."
Rory shrugs "I'm fine. I'm a
little too tired to do much lately."
"This type of weather you are not
used too. Perhaps next we should go to...
"Wherever you are... I really
don't care where it is." Rory kisses him lightly. "So where is
everyone?"
"They are having dinner."
"As Grandma always says to Mom, 'It is rude to ignore the guests.'" Rory looks at her
husband
"Fuck 'em."
"Julian"
"Rory"
Rory smiles "Fine"
COUPLE HOURS LATER
"Did I ever tell you about my
first night at college?" Rory asks as she sits at the counter watching
"I don't believe you ever
did."
"Well after we had unpacked and
Mom made numerous shopping trips to get some things she was about to
leave." Rory smiles faintly, "I had a minor panic attack." Rory
admits
"Over
what?"
"Mom
leaving." Rory swings her legs
"Why is that? I know you had
visited your father without your mother."
"I think that was always easier
because I was going to see Dad. But other than my
brief and short visits to Dad... I'd never been away from Mom longer than a few
nights at a time at Lane's." Rory muses. "Anyway, Mom decided that
she was going to help us go through take out in town. We ordered takeout from pretty much every place in town. So Mom, Paris and Tanna, I think I told you about her, the fifteen year old
antisocial genius?"
"I believe so"
"She was in our dorm room for
only two years... her parents ended up moving to
"Now that sounds like your
Mother."
Rory takes a bite of the sandwich
chewing thoughtfully, "Well we discovered Senor Changs
was the best Chinese place... with the fastest delivery time and cutest
delivery guy."
"Yes and that is the important
part of the story."
"Hey it was... I ordered from
there a lot my freshman year." Rory grins then continues. "So Mom
ordered a round of pizza it was like six pizzas... ended up having a floor food
party, though our very scientific project was lost in the shuffle." She
sighs heavily, "We never did agree on the cutest delivery guy." At
"And why did you tell me
this?"
Rory shrugs "I didn't know if I
had." She absently eats at the sandwich, "Its
almost my birthday."
"That it is."
"Brousard
is demanding to talk to you."
"Can it not wait until
tomorrow?"
"I asked him... he said no. He
said that if you avoid this he is leaving tonight."
"He's in the foyer." Thomas
answers before walking out of the kitchen.
"I am." Rory admits.
"Shouldn't be I've been sleeping on and off all day."
"Why don't you take this upstairs
and I will be up shortly."
Brousard smiles as he looks Rory over. "A
moment with her."
"My wife is off limits."
"Since when do you care about
sharing your woman?"
"No one touches my wife. What is
it you want?" He asks coolly.
Rory sits on the bed reading absently
eating her half of the sandwich as
"Fine."
Rory shrugs "I don't know"
Hearing her tone
"I miss my Mom." Rory
whispers. "I've never spent my birthday away from her."
"I know."
"No midnight wakeups to hear the
long details of my birth."
"Rory"
"I'm fine." She whispers her
lower lip trembling.
"I'm fine." She gives him a
sad smile. "I'm fine." She sniffles wiping at her tears. "I'm
just..."
"Missing Lorelai"
Rory nods sniffling.
"Understandable." He kisses
her head. He stands removing his shirt tossing it on the recliner as he kicks
off his shoes and sits down on the recliner removing his socks. "Did you
eat?"
Rory nods "Ate your half as
well." She admits sheepishly.
Rory shrugs watching as he strips off
his pants leaving him naked. She sets her book aside as
"Was Brousard?"
"No worries... he's way too old
for me." Rory grins
"Besides I am completely happy
with my husband" she slips her arms around his neck as he settles over
her.
"Completely
happy huh?"
"More than" Rory smiles
"He's strange and all but I love him."
"Strange hmm"
Rory shivers as he kisses her neck
moving down her chest. "Oh yes he is very strange."
"And what makes him
strange?"
"Anyone who can
put up with my mother and grandmother... and keep their tempers...
strange."
"Oh really?
Why is she so fascinating?"
"Because she married me"
Rory giggles, "Well you are
cute." She smiles running her fingers through his hair.
(not up yet)
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