Separate Paths
By
Chajo
After the dance he shared with Zan, he melted back to the sidelines
to watch. Or more like to watch her. He could not help but to find her fascinating.
‘Beautiful is more like it’ he silently admitted to himself. He never thought
he would heal from what had happened in the past, but he was discovering that,
some how, in some way, he was indeed healing.
He would have asked her for another dance if his shyness had
not prevented it. As it was he watched her dance with others. Lord Stefan,
Duke White, she even danced a round with Jon, Mike and Steven. All though
this he was unaware of the looks that were sent his way by a certain group
of ladies.
Will caught glimpses of his sister, Emily, dancing with a tall
auburn haired young man several times though the evening. It seems the stranger
was having an odd effect on her. Every time she would start to refuse, he’d
just grin, do something to distract her a moment then sweep her out onto the
dance floor, with little protest.
As the Gala drew to a close, the children having been put to
bed long ago, the guests slowly started to drift away. Zan was making her
farewells to those departing. A quiet word here, a handshake there, even
a few hugs to those more closely related. Will watched as she moved to a
empty table and sat down.
He wanted to speak with Zan about something and this was the
best chance. ‘Now or never’ He thought to himself as he pulled off the formal
jacket and draped it over his shoulder. Moving away from his position, he
started to cross the dance floor.
Emily managed to interrupt him by stepping into his path. “Lets
call it a night Little Will”
“Huh?” He had been focused on something, or rather someone, when
she spoke.
She frowned, placing a hand on her him. “I said it was time to
call it a Night Will. I’m tired and we have an early flight in the morning.”
He looked down at her a moment, thinking. He could feel her building
annoyance along the bond they shared. Glancing up again he saw Mac reluctantly
handing her another glass, then admonishing her not to have anymore if she
didn’t want to wake up with a hangover that was worse then normal. A small
smile started to form before he was brought back to reality as Emily grabbed
him by the arm and started to try and drag him out.
He held his ground refusing to move. “I’m staying.” Gently removing
his arm from her grasp.
"Will, I do NOT want to haul your butt out of bed in the morning."
"No. You don't understand. I'm not going back to
Earth."
“What??” Stunned was not the word for her expression. “What about
your Apartment? Want about your job? Are you going to throw away all the time
and effort you put into it on some lame brained spur of the moment thought?
Are you Crazy?”
Will felt his sister’s anger but ignored it. He was watching
as that auburn haired stranger spoke with Zan. They shared a laugh as he
said something then she waved him away. The young man managed to capture
her hand and kiss then back of it before leaving. He didn’t hear a word his
sister was saying.
“Will? Will! William! Are you even listening to me?” She demanded
moving in front of him again, both hands on her hips as she glared.
He was about to reply when an arm snaked about Emily’s waist
and the other captured one of her hands. She was spun about several times
in a fast paced dance move then, bent over backwards and kissed. All by that
strange young man.
Emily was startled when she felt a wave of desire wash over her
as she was spun about. And the kiss was beyond anything she had experienced
before. It wasn’t lust she felt, though that emotion did color slightly what
she felt. Helplessly caught up in the moment, her eyes closed as she felt
her legs go weak. The sound of her pounding heart drowned out everything else
as she was left breathless. She had to clutch at the shoulder of the man
kissing her to even keep her balance, least she would fall.
Will tool the opportunity to continue on towards the table Zan
was seated at. “May I join you?” he asked when he was close enough.
“Sure, seat’s not taken.” She replied, gesturing to the empty
seat.
Will smiled and draped his jacket over the back before sitting.
When Emily regained her senses, she found herself staring into
the laughing emerald green eyes of the man that had claimed her for so many
dances. Feeling herself flush, she was sure her cheeks were as red as the
dress she was wearing. She had to dredge up anger and indignation to break
away. “I’m Not that Kind of Girl!” she said icily.
"Honey, they all that kind of girl. You just have to decide
if you gonna enjoy it or not." Chuckling at first he then ducked as she threw
a punch at him.
She turned to say something to her brother, but he wasn’t there.
Looking about she spotted him sitting with Zan. The feeling of betrayal overwhelmed
her. Betrayed by her emotions and her empathy. Betrayed by her body and it’s
reactions. And finally, she felt betrayed by her own flesh and blood. Her
brother was not returning to earth with her. He was staying here on New Eden.
Her sight started to blur as her body once again tried to betray her, this
time in the form of tears. Fighting them back she headed towards the room
exit at a fast pace, hoping that no one she knew would see her in this state.