Restrained Recovery
Part Four
by owelpost (drakkar@rogers.com) and windrider (chelm@netwalk.com)

– x –

Shane watched Lara walking away very fast, hands stuffed in her pockets, shoulders bunched around her ears. Thats a girl in some trouble, she thought, took a very deep breath, and walked into Pettrucios. She stopped at the bar, got a drink and information, and walked through the front rooms toward a back booth where two women were engaged in a very intense dance of dominance and submission.

What is it with you, Susan? Rachel peered at her over the top of her sunglasses, sipping her drink, puckering at the unexpected tartness. Do you actually care about her?

I care about anything thats mine. Until I decide its not. She tossed down the mescal, bit the lime, tossed the rind on top of the pile. Then I dont give a *****.

Rachel shook her head, flagged the waitress, paid for the last round and ordered the next So is that what the restraining order is about. Reminding her shes still yours? A faint breeze from the overhead fan blew a wisp of blonde hair down on her neck. Rachel nervously tucked it back into place, smiled too quickly.

Susan saw it. Her eyes hardened like flint. You could have struck fire in them with a piece of steel. She leaned her head back. Let me see your eye.

Rachel removed the sunglasses with a shaky hand. Susan reached toward her across the table. Rachel tried desperately not to flinch. Good girl, Susan purred, stroking the bruise with a thumb moistened in her mouth. A waste really. Lee really should take better care of you. She dropped her hand to Rachels, drifted her middle finger over her wrist, pushed her sleeve up her forearm, turned her arm over to expose the track marks, some old, some recent. She’ll be looking for new veins soon, Susan thought. With her other hand, she pulled a packet out of her bra, held it in front of Rachel between two fingers. Horror and hunger wracked the girl’s face. Susan gave Rachel an amused look, knowing she was putting her on dangerous ground where every choice had awful consequences. For Rachel, that is. Lee and Susan had an understanding about such games, especially about Rachel. Shed been a birthday present to Lee from Susan, once she was done with her.

Abruptly, Susans interest cooled and she released Rachel with her eyes. Rachel let go a ragged shaky breath and slumped against the chair. Unnecessary, really. You’ve always been such a good girl, always doing what you’re told; I don’t know why Lee resorted to… she tapped the packet on the table. Susan smiled faintly. You were never disobedient, not like Lara. I tell you, breaking her was like breaking a horse. A cold grin spread across her face at the memory. Maybe I’ll talk to Lee about how she’s … handling you. Fear washed the color out of Rachel’s face.

Excuse me, Shane interrupted.

It only took Susan a split second to mask her annoyance as soon as she saw Shane. Nice, she thought, very nice.

Shane! Rachel smiled. Susan shot her a look. She dropped her eyes to her lap.

Hi, Rachel. She turned to Susan. I dont think weve met. She held out her hand. Shane McCutcheon.

Susan took Shanes hand, laid her other hand on top — it was warm — and held just a moment longer than necessary. Susan. Susan Birch. Rachels told me so much about you.

Her eyes. My God, those eyes, Shane thought. They were hypnotic. She couldnt look away, didnt want to look away, not ever.

Sit down, Shane. Susans voice broke the spell, or rather, cast a different one as she moved over to make room.

Shane grinned shyly, nodded her thanks, and slid onto the seat next to Susan. She felt like she was 12 again, nervous and awkward, unsure of herself. She could feel Susans heat, smell her scent.

I dont think Ive seen you here before, Susan said softly, First time?

Shane looked around. Its not really my scene. Somehow it came out like an apology, full of regret. Actually, I was looking for Rachel.

Well, Susan smiled graciously, Here she is.

A long silence. Its kinda personal, Shane shrugged.

Rachel has no secrets from me, Susan gave her a look, Do you, dear?

No, Rachel shook her head nervously. No.

Watching the tense interplay between the two somehow managed to break Susans thrall over Shane. I guess she cant control more than one at a time.

Um, Susan, Shane slid out of the booth, I dont know how the rules work here. But I really need to talk to Rachel. Alone. And if I need your permission to do that, then consider this a request. Shane put on her street face, the only faade she had that was powerful enough to give her any kind of protection.

Susan noticed the shift. It was in Shanes stance, more than anything. She shrugged. Rachel had ceased to be much fun tonight anyway. She looked at Rachel, and nodded her permission.

Thanks, Shane waved, and backed away, Rachel following her.

Susan watched them walk out of the room with an approving nod at Shanes *****. See you again real soon, Shane, Im sure.

– x –

Addled by alcohol and misery, Dana stood up and walked over to push Laras buzzer for the third time before it finally dawned on her. If she wasnt home to answer the first time, and she hadnt come past Dana waiting at the entry, which she hadnt, then she still wasnt home. Her shoulders sagged. She wished shed brought a rose or something.

She missed her. Plain and simple. Missed her. Missed her smile, missed her touch, missed her eyes. Whatever it is, she thought, we can work it out. She slid down the wall and sat down again. I cant lose her. I cant. She said it like a bedtime prayer before she finally passed out entirely.

– x –

Laras head rattled gently against the window. She hadnt had the strength to keep her body upright anymore. She watched the streetlight poles whiz by, interjected by a parked car here and there, allowing the blurred stalks to put her in trance-like state. She felt numb. She felt lost. She felt like a failure.

Exhaustion crept up, seducing her, making her limbs feel heavy and dead. She had spent far too much of this day in a constant state of stress. Her body was shutting down. Her eyelids slipped shut and Lara drifted into an uneasy sleep.

Gramps listened to Laras hushed muttering. He knew that she was asleep, curled into a somewhat protective ball, with her head resting against the window. He wished hed been able to offer her more help, do something to ease whatever torment wracked her. Hed done what he could and after tonight, after he dropped her off, it would likely be the last time he would see this tortured soul. He would remember her, though, because she had integrity. She had strength and conviction. He admired her for it.

Gramps located Laras apartment complex and pulled up to the curb. He glanced around, taking in her surroundings. Her neighborhood wasnt too bad, more of a middle of the road kind of place. Her building was older, but seemed well attended. He was just about to wake Lara when he noticed a slumped form propped against the wall, just up the stairs. He got out of the car and closed his door, a little more forcefully than he had intended. He cringed and glanced at the back seat, where Laras head jerked up. She groggily rubbed her eyes and met his gaze.

He pointed to the body. Lara immediately leapt out of the car. Approaching the stairs, she cautiously worked her way up them. On the third step sat a six-pack of beer. Two of the cans were empty and one was three quarters full, the rest were attached to the plastic rings, yet to be touched. As she moved past the beer, Lara could finally make out more details and the slumped form took definition.

Her hand flew to her mouth. Oh my God, she whispered, lunging up the rest of the stairs to drop to her knees beside Dana.

You know her? Gramps asked, getting the rest of way up the steps.

Yes, shes a friend of mine, Lara replied.

Looks a little worse for wear. Is she okay?

I think shes just drunk. Lara brushed aside a strand of Danas hair, checking for any sign of injury. Shes fine. She just passed out.

She was waiting for you, Gramps observed. These two make a fine pair, he thought, shaking his head.

Gramps, I know youve done a lot for me already tonight, but– Lara began, her voice low and trembling, but Gramps held up his hand.

I do what I can because I am able to and because I want to. What do you need me to do?

I dont I dont think I can lift her. I dont want to take her to my apartment. I need to take her home.

Let me see. He squatted next to Dana and worked his right arm beneath her arms and his left just under her knees. He gave a little tug to test her weight. Oh, he said, grinning at Lara, shes pretty light for such a tall lady.

Please, please, dont hurt yourself! Lara worried. Gramps wasnt a spry youngster, but he seemed to straighten with relative ease. Danas head lolled back and Gramps shifted his arm to support her neck, then slowly began to pick his way down the stairs.

No problem, he said. Lara scrambled down the stairs and quickly opened the door to the cab, watching as Gramps eased Dana into the car. Shes lucky. Anything could have happened to her out here. Stupid, really.

Lara agreed, but couldnt help the feeling of guilt that washed over her. This had partly been her fault. If she had spent a little more time convincing Dana that everything would be okay instead of merely blowing her off, Dana might not have been inclined to wait outside Laras apartment for her eventual return. Sliding into the seat next to Dana, Lara eased Danas purse off her shoulder where it miraculously still hung. She fished through and found her lovers keys, breathing a sigh of relief. She gave Danas address, settling back in her seat. Lara pulled Dana close to her, resting the passed out womans head against her shoulder. She stroked Danas hair, making silent apologies.

– x –

End Part Four