Return Engagement Chapter 10/13
Title: Return Engagement, Chapter 10/13
Author: cunningdeb
Rating: R
Pairing: adam/kris, OMCs
Disclaimer: I do not own the boys. This never happened.
Summary: Adam’s attempt to honor the past creates chaos and terror in the present
Warnings: language, angst, sex, murder off page, hauntings, supernatural possession - BEWARE OF TRIGGERS: new warnings may be added as warranted
New warning for this chapter - PLEASE DON’T READ IF YOU HAVE TRIGGERS TO ABUSE OR VIOLENCE.
Chapter 1 - http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/6232.html#cutid1
Chapter 2 - http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/6630.html#cutid1
Chapter 3 - http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/6833.html#cutid1
Chapter 4 - http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/7322.html#cutid1
Chapter 5 - http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/7499.html#cutid1
Chapter 6 - http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/8153.html#cutid1
Chapter 7 - http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/8258.html#cutid1
Chapter 8 - http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/8898.html#cutid1
Chapter 9 - http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/9503.html#cutid1
CHAPTER TEN
Adam tossed and turned, the dream quickly morphiong into a nightmare.
“You will send them a telegram apologizing and telling them you can not possibly take the job.”
“But I want the job.”
“You have a job.” Bobby Fontaine’s hand moved up Adam’s torso, fondling his breast. “Your job is singing at my club…and being my whore.” He squeezed, making Adam yelp.
“You were nothing until I found you, just a pathetic child with a tiny amount of talent that I made into a star.”
A large hand moved to Adam throat.
“It would be a big mistake on your part to leave me.”
The hand quickly closed in and grasped Adam’s neck, squeezing. Adam’s grabbed at Bobby’s hand, trying to pry it off, the other hand still on his breast.
“No one ever leaves me Kitten. When I tire, I get rid of them.”
Adam’s face grew hot, his breath cut off. He stared towards the ceiling, the ceiling covered with mirrors. He looked up, seeing the bed, Bobby with his hand gripping his neck and Adam saw himself, a naked woman at this monster’s mercy. His long black hair fanned out around his head and his ice blue eyes stared unblinking.
“Are you going to be a good girl Audra?”
Adam tugged at Bobby’s hand. The edges of his sight were turning black and the air roared in his ears. He should have known Bobby wouldn’t let him go, that he was trapped under the monster’s thumb forever if Bobby so chose. Adam managed to nod his head, the best response he could give.
Bobby let go and Adam fell back onto the pillows. He lay there gasping for air, his heart beating a million miles an hour. He swallowed - it hurt. How was he going to sing with a sore throat?
His tormentor got up, looking down at the small body below him.
“Perhaps next time you get such a foolish notion to leave me Audra, you’ll think twice. If I haven’t gotten my point across, here’s one more reminder.”
From nowhere, a fist collided with his right eye. Adam’s head slammed into the pillow and Bobby Fontaine headed back to the club, whistling.
--*--
Kris heard the noises first. He lowered the book he had substituted for the computer and looked to the bed. Adam was on his back, hands at his throat, face was deep red and his eyes bulged. He was trying to talk but only gurgles and strangling noises emerged. Kris pulled Adam’s hands away but the choking spell didn’t stop.
Adam grabbed handfuls of Kris’ shirt and pulled himself up, utter terror in his face. He tried taking again - more stomach churning noises came from his twisted lips.
Kris took his shoulders, holding him upright.
“BREATH, ADAM, BREATH!!!!”
Adam’s lips moved wordlessly, his eyes overflowing. Then as suddenly as it had started, it stopped. Adam’s grip on Kris’ shirt let go quickly, Adam fell back on the mattress hard. He lay there gasping and coughing, reaching out once more for Kris. Kris took his hand and realized he had been holding his own breathe.
“My God Adam! Did you get something caught in your throat?”
Adam shook his head, still unable to speak. He gestured to the water bottle beside the bed and Kris handed it to him. He sipped slowly, the pain fierce. He rubbed his neck carefully, then around his right eye. His vision was starting to blur on that side.
“N-N-N-ightmare,” Adam croaked out.
“More like a night terror,” Kris commented, coming to sit beside his husband, holding Adam against him.
Adam nodded.
“Do you remember it?”
Adam nodded.
“Do you want to tell me about it?”
Adam nodded but held his throat, shaking his head.
“In the morning, but I’m staying with you - here, in this bed, with you in my arms, that’s final.”
Not arguing, Adam shifted over and allowed Kris to spoon around his back, arms about him. Kris wanted to kiss him but held off; lately, the time had never seemed right.
An hour or so later, Adam went to the bathroom. On his way out, he looked at himself in the mirror and nearly fainted. His neck was bruised and he had a wicked shiner on his right eye.
“Uh, uh, uh, K-K-Kris?” he forced out his damaged windpipe.
Kris didn’t hear him. Adam went to the bathroom door and banged against it, getting Kris’ attention. He waved wildly and disappeared back in the room. Kris followed.
“What the fuck caused that?”
“The, the dream,” Adam whispered, his raw voice edged in panic. “Choked…in… dream…how?”
--*--
Adam was sitting on the couch in the living room, still in his pajamas, carefully eating a bowl of tomato soup. Each swallow ached, like having had his tonsils out. He hadn’t slept last night and neither had Kris. Earlier that morning, they’d talked about his dream, how Adam seemed to be replacing Audra in it. Adam explained how he’d seen his/her reflection in the mirrors and how freaky it was that she looked like his sister, a female him.
It had seemed so real while he was caught up in it and finding actual, physical bruises on himself in the same places made it much more so. Kris had been trying since they got up to get their lap tops working but every time they tried to google Bobby or his club, the screen went off.
“It’s almost like all those times our TV or radio came on at home by themselves. Do you think Bobby and Audra are interfering with this too?” Kris asked, afraid of the answer.
“It’s possible I guess,” Adam replied, his voice gravely but getting better. “But wouldn’t that mean…”
“…that they followed us again? That they are here?”
The both looked around, fear written across their faces.
“It would explain why they weren’t detected at the house.”
“Oh shit.”
Adam put down his half empty bowl and grabbed Kris’ hand, dragging him out of the beach house and down to the beach, away from ghostly ears.
“We can’t let them stop us Kris. If we can’t get answered through the computer, you’ll have act like a 1940s gumshoe and beat the pavement yourself.”
“Huh?”
“You are going to have to do old fashioned detective work and go out and get answers.”
“You’re coming with me right?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Adam, if you’re worried about your appearance…”
Adam laughed softly and it hurt like a bitch.
“Normally, that would be reason enough to stay home but I seem to be caught in the middle of this. I don’t know why they’re sticking close to me but if you don’t want any interference, I better stay here.”
Kris took his hands.
“What if they go after you again?”
“I’ve survived them so far, I can do it again. Any idea where to start?”
“Yeah, actually. I thought I’d contact Paula once more, this time coming right out and asking her. And maybe the newspapers have archive information.”
“If I weren’t so terrified, this would be fun, you know, the Hardy Boys.”
“I’m Frank,” Kris teased. “He was the smarter brother.”
“Fine by me, Joe was the better singer.”
“Bruised and battered but still a smartass.”
“I love you too.”
Before they parted, Adam made a move. It was small but meaningful. He cupped Kris’ cheek and kissed him. They were tentative at first then let themselves go. Adam licked and sucked Kris’ bottom lip til Kris opened his mouth, welcoming Adam’s tongue inside. It was a hungry kiss, noisy and love starved. They both groaned deep in their chests when they parted.
“You’re feeling better I take it,” Kris sighed, wishing they didn’t have to stop.
“Find out when you come back.”
--*--
Kris had been waiting in the resource room of the city’s oldest newspaper for over an hour. They had a little information on the computer (which worked by the way) but they also had an extensive special collection of clippings, photos and related material. The archivist was tossing around dust looking for him.
In the meantime, Kris had called Paula and asked if she’d had any weird occurrences at the club. She said she hadn’t personally but some of the crew had felt like they were being watched but it stopped a while ago. When Kris pressed her for a specific date, she narrowed it down to the day Adam and the children had visited.
He called Adam and filled him in. Kris asked if anything unusual had happened and Adam told him everything was okay. He sounded sleepy.
“Lover, I think you should stay awake, until I come home. You might have another nightmare and I don’t want you alone.”
“I’m not alone.”
“That’s the problem.”
The archivist returned with a small file folder.
“I think our answers are here.”
“You found something.”
“Hope so, I’ll call you back soon. I love you.”
“Love you more baby.”
“And stay awake.”
“I’ll try.”
“Adam.”
“I will, I promise.”
Kris read through the news clippings, witness testimonies, coroner’s report and photos. Audra Landon had been a singer at the Gaslight Cabaret and Bobby Fontaine’s girlfriend. The night the club closed for good, Audra and Bobby had been seen together in the wings of the stage. They appeared to have an argument then Audra collapsed onto the stage, a knife in her back. An undercover detective happened to be there investigating Bobby’s shady business practices and held a gun on him. Bobby pulled out his own gun and the detective fired, hitting Bobby Fontaine in the chest and killing him instantly. Audra also died at the scene.
The coroner’s report on Audra’s declared she also had extensive bruising on her body, unrelated to the stabbing, particularly around her neck and right eye.
There was a photo of Bobby. He looked debonair with graying hair and a charming smile but the evil in his eyes couldn’t be hidden.
There was also a picture of Audra, a candid photo of her talking with some club patrons. She was wearing a necklace. The image was small and Kris had to use a magnifying glass to see it better. It was round, no, oval, with a dot of something in the middle.
Kris dropped the picture. He was certain that was the necklace Adam was wearing, the one he found. But how did it get to their house.
He then remembered his conversation with Hannah. He called his mother-in-law.
“Kris, how are you? How’s my son?”
“We’re doing good. Is Hannah there, I need to talk to her.”
“Sure, just a minute.”
“Daddy! Daddy! I miss you. I want to come home.”
“I know Sweetpea, just a little longer. Hannah, I need to ask you a question and I want you to be honest with me.”
“Okay Daddy.”
“Madeline’s belt, the one you said you lost. Did Audra give it to you?”
Hannah didn’t answer him.
“Hannah, I need you to answer me.”
“I can’t, I promised.”
“It’s alright Sweetpea. Papa and I know about Audra. You don’t have to keep her a secret anymore. Did she give you the necklace?”
“Yes Daddy.”
“Was it round?”
“Yes.”
“Was it black?”
“Yes”
“Was there a pretty stone on it?”
“Yes Daddy, Audra said it was a diamond.”
Oh God.
“Thank you Sweetpea. I have to go. Papa and I love you.”
Kris closed his phone and started pacing. Okay, so Adam was wearing the necklace that belonged to Audra. Hannah brought the necklace home from the club and Bobby and Audra came with her. Hannah lost the necklace in their driveway and Bobby and Audra stayed at the house. Adam finds the necklace and puts it on. We leave, go to the beach house and they appear to have followed.
Adam is dreaming he is Audra, channeling her some way through the necklace. He’s experiencing things she had experienced. She was hit, he gets the bruises.
His heart stopped and he grabbed the table as his knees turned to jelly. She was stabbed by Bobby and died. What if Adam dreams about her murder? Experiences it through her? Does that mean…?”
He called Adam.
“Pick up, pick up, pick up.”
It went to voice mail.
“Adam, take the necklace off and get as far away from it a possible. The necklace, Adam, the necklace is the key!”
--*--
Adam tried another layer of foundation and discovered cover up couldn’t cover up everything. He washed it off carefully and headed back to the living room. He cranked up the volume on the TV to keep himself awake and walked around. He yawned more and more. He sat down on the couch and concentrated on the entertainment programs. Once more, they were repeating the same old story of the famous reality couple getting a divorce and fighting for custody of their kids. Adam tried to stay awake but soon drifted off.
Author: cunningdeb
Rating: R
Pairing: adam/kris, OMCs
Disclaimer: I do not own the boys. This never happened.
Summary: Adam’s attempt to honor the past creates chaos and terror in the present
Warnings: language, angst, sex, murder off page, hauntings, supernatural possession - BEWARE OF TRIGGERS: new warnings may be added as warranted
New warning for this chapter - PLEASE DON’T READ IF YOU HAVE TRIGGERS TO ABUSE OR VIOLENCE.
Chapter 1 - http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/6232.html#cutid1
Chapter 2 - http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/6630.html#cutid1
Chapter 3 - http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/6833.html#cutid1
Chapter 4 - http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/7322.html#cutid1
Chapter 5 - http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/7499.html#cutid1
Chapter 6 - http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/8153.html#cutid1
Chapter 7 - http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/8258.html#cutid1
Chapter 8 - http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/8898.html#cutid1
Chapter 9 - http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/9503.html#cutid1
CHAPTER TEN
Adam tossed and turned, the dream quickly morphiong into a nightmare.
“You will send them a telegram apologizing and telling them you can not possibly take the job.”
“But I want the job.”
“You have a job.” Bobby Fontaine’s hand moved up Adam’s torso, fondling his breast. “Your job is singing at my club…and being my whore.” He squeezed, making Adam yelp.
“You were nothing until I found you, just a pathetic child with a tiny amount of talent that I made into a star.”
A large hand moved to Adam throat.
“It would be a big mistake on your part to leave me.”
The hand quickly closed in and grasped Adam’s neck, squeezing. Adam’s grabbed at Bobby’s hand, trying to pry it off, the other hand still on his breast.
“No one ever leaves me Kitten. When I tire, I get rid of them.”
Adam’s face grew hot, his breath cut off. He stared towards the ceiling, the ceiling covered with mirrors. He looked up, seeing the bed, Bobby with his hand gripping his neck and Adam saw himself, a naked woman at this monster’s mercy. His long black hair fanned out around his head and his ice blue eyes stared unblinking.
“Are you going to be a good girl Audra?”
Adam tugged at Bobby’s hand. The edges of his sight were turning black and the air roared in his ears. He should have known Bobby wouldn’t let him go, that he was trapped under the monster’s thumb forever if Bobby so chose. Adam managed to nod his head, the best response he could give.
Bobby let go and Adam fell back onto the pillows. He lay there gasping for air, his heart beating a million miles an hour. He swallowed - it hurt. How was he going to sing with a sore throat?
His tormentor got up, looking down at the small body below him.
“Perhaps next time you get such a foolish notion to leave me Audra, you’ll think twice. If I haven’t gotten my point across, here’s one more reminder.”
From nowhere, a fist collided with his right eye. Adam’s head slammed into the pillow and Bobby Fontaine headed back to the club, whistling.
--*--
Kris heard the noises first. He lowered the book he had substituted for the computer and looked to the bed. Adam was on his back, hands at his throat, face was deep red and his eyes bulged. He was trying to talk but only gurgles and strangling noises emerged. Kris pulled Adam’s hands away but the choking spell didn’t stop.
Adam grabbed handfuls of Kris’ shirt and pulled himself up, utter terror in his face. He tried taking again - more stomach churning noises came from his twisted lips.
Kris took his shoulders, holding him upright.
“BREATH, ADAM, BREATH!!!!”
Adam’s lips moved wordlessly, his eyes overflowing. Then as suddenly as it had started, it stopped. Adam’s grip on Kris’ shirt let go quickly, Adam fell back on the mattress hard. He lay there gasping and coughing, reaching out once more for Kris. Kris took his hand and realized he had been holding his own breathe.
“My God Adam! Did you get something caught in your throat?”
Adam shook his head, still unable to speak. He gestured to the water bottle beside the bed and Kris handed it to him. He sipped slowly, the pain fierce. He rubbed his neck carefully, then around his right eye. His vision was starting to blur on that side.
“N-N-N-ightmare,” Adam croaked out.
“More like a night terror,” Kris commented, coming to sit beside his husband, holding Adam against him.
Adam nodded.
“Do you remember it?”
Adam nodded.
“Do you want to tell me about it?”
Adam nodded but held his throat, shaking his head.
“In the morning, but I’m staying with you - here, in this bed, with you in my arms, that’s final.”
Not arguing, Adam shifted over and allowed Kris to spoon around his back, arms about him. Kris wanted to kiss him but held off; lately, the time had never seemed right.
An hour or so later, Adam went to the bathroom. On his way out, he looked at himself in the mirror and nearly fainted. His neck was bruised and he had a wicked shiner on his right eye.
“Uh, uh, uh, K-K-Kris?” he forced out his damaged windpipe.
Kris didn’t hear him. Adam went to the bathroom door and banged against it, getting Kris’ attention. He waved wildly and disappeared back in the room. Kris followed.
“What the fuck caused that?”
“The, the dream,” Adam whispered, his raw voice edged in panic. “Choked…in… dream…how?”
--*--
Adam was sitting on the couch in the living room, still in his pajamas, carefully eating a bowl of tomato soup. Each swallow ached, like having had his tonsils out. He hadn’t slept last night and neither had Kris. Earlier that morning, they’d talked about his dream, how Adam seemed to be replacing Audra in it. Adam explained how he’d seen his/her reflection in the mirrors and how freaky it was that she looked like his sister, a female him.
It had seemed so real while he was caught up in it and finding actual, physical bruises on himself in the same places made it much more so. Kris had been trying since they got up to get their lap tops working but every time they tried to google Bobby or his club, the screen went off.
“It’s almost like all those times our TV or radio came on at home by themselves. Do you think Bobby and Audra are interfering with this too?” Kris asked, afraid of the answer.
“It’s possible I guess,” Adam replied, his voice gravely but getting better. “But wouldn’t that mean…”
“…that they followed us again? That they are here?”
The both looked around, fear written across their faces.
“It would explain why they weren’t detected at the house.”
“Oh shit.”
Adam put down his half empty bowl and grabbed Kris’ hand, dragging him out of the beach house and down to the beach, away from ghostly ears.
“We can’t let them stop us Kris. If we can’t get answered through the computer, you’ll have act like a 1940s gumshoe and beat the pavement yourself.”
“Huh?”
“You are going to have to do old fashioned detective work and go out and get answers.”
“You’re coming with me right?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Adam, if you’re worried about your appearance…”
Adam laughed softly and it hurt like a bitch.
“Normally, that would be reason enough to stay home but I seem to be caught in the middle of this. I don’t know why they’re sticking close to me but if you don’t want any interference, I better stay here.”
Kris took his hands.
“What if they go after you again?”
“I’ve survived them so far, I can do it again. Any idea where to start?”
“Yeah, actually. I thought I’d contact Paula once more, this time coming right out and asking her. And maybe the newspapers have archive information.”
“If I weren’t so terrified, this would be fun, you know, the Hardy Boys.”
“I’m Frank,” Kris teased. “He was the smarter brother.”
“Fine by me, Joe was the better singer.”
“Bruised and battered but still a smartass.”
“I love you too.”
Before they parted, Adam made a move. It was small but meaningful. He cupped Kris’ cheek and kissed him. They were tentative at first then let themselves go. Adam licked and sucked Kris’ bottom lip til Kris opened his mouth, welcoming Adam’s tongue inside. It was a hungry kiss, noisy and love starved. They both groaned deep in their chests when they parted.
“You’re feeling better I take it,” Kris sighed, wishing they didn’t have to stop.
“Find out when you come back.”
--*--
Kris had been waiting in the resource room of the city’s oldest newspaper for over an hour. They had a little information on the computer (which worked by the way) but they also had an extensive special collection of clippings, photos and related material. The archivist was tossing around dust looking for him.
In the meantime, Kris had called Paula and asked if she’d had any weird occurrences at the club. She said she hadn’t personally but some of the crew had felt like they were being watched but it stopped a while ago. When Kris pressed her for a specific date, she narrowed it down to the day Adam and the children had visited.
He called Adam and filled him in. Kris asked if anything unusual had happened and Adam told him everything was okay. He sounded sleepy.
“Lover, I think you should stay awake, until I come home. You might have another nightmare and I don’t want you alone.”
“I’m not alone.”
“That’s the problem.”
The archivist returned with a small file folder.
“I think our answers are here.”
“You found something.”
“Hope so, I’ll call you back soon. I love you.”
“Love you more baby.”
“And stay awake.”
“I’ll try.”
“Adam.”
“I will, I promise.”
Kris read through the news clippings, witness testimonies, coroner’s report and photos. Audra Landon had been a singer at the Gaslight Cabaret and Bobby Fontaine’s girlfriend. The night the club closed for good, Audra and Bobby had been seen together in the wings of the stage. They appeared to have an argument then Audra collapsed onto the stage, a knife in her back. An undercover detective happened to be there investigating Bobby’s shady business practices and held a gun on him. Bobby pulled out his own gun and the detective fired, hitting Bobby Fontaine in the chest and killing him instantly. Audra also died at the scene.
The coroner’s report on Audra’s declared she also had extensive bruising on her body, unrelated to the stabbing, particularly around her neck and right eye.
There was a photo of Bobby. He looked debonair with graying hair and a charming smile but the evil in his eyes couldn’t be hidden.
There was also a picture of Audra, a candid photo of her talking with some club patrons. She was wearing a necklace. The image was small and Kris had to use a magnifying glass to see it better. It was round, no, oval, with a dot of something in the middle.
Kris dropped the picture. He was certain that was the necklace Adam was wearing, the one he found. But how did it get to their house.
He then remembered his conversation with Hannah. He called his mother-in-law.
“Kris, how are you? How’s my son?”
“We’re doing good. Is Hannah there, I need to talk to her.”
“Sure, just a minute.”
“Daddy! Daddy! I miss you. I want to come home.”
“I know Sweetpea, just a little longer. Hannah, I need to ask you a question and I want you to be honest with me.”
“Okay Daddy.”
“Madeline’s belt, the one you said you lost. Did Audra give it to you?”
Hannah didn’t answer him.
“Hannah, I need you to answer me.”
“I can’t, I promised.”
“It’s alright Sweetpea. Papa and I know about Audra. You don’t have to keep her a secret anymore. Did she give you the necklace?”
“Yes Daddy.”
“Was it round?”
“Yes.”
“Was it black?”
“Yes”
“Was there a pretty stone on it?”
“Yes Daddy, Audra said it was a diamond.”
Oh God.
“Thank you Sweetpea. I have to go. Papa and I love you.”
Kris closed his phone and started pacing. Okay, so Adam was wearing the necklace that belonged to Audra. Hannah brought the necklace home from the club and Bobby and Audra came with her. Hannah lost the necklace in their driveway and Bobby and Audra stayed at the house. Adam finds the necklace and puts it on. We leave, go to the beach house and they appear to have followed.
Adam is dreaming he is Audra, channeling her some way through the necklace. He’s experiencing things she had experienced. She was hit, he gets the bruises.
His heart stopped and he grabbed the table as his knees turned to jelly. She was stabbed by Bobby and died. What if Adam dreams about her murder? Experiences it through her? Does that mean…?”
He called Adam.
“Pick up, pick up, pick up.”
It went to voice mail.
“Adam, take the necklace off and get as far away from it a possible. The necklace, Adam, the necklace is the key!”
--*--
Adam tried another layer of foundation and discovered cover up couldn’t cover up everything. He washed it off carefully and headed back to the living room. He cranked up the volume on the TV to keep himself awake and walked around. He yawned more and more. He sat down on the couch and concentrated on the entertainment programs. Once more, they were repeating the same old story of the famous reality couple getting a divorce and fighting for custody of their kids. Adam tried to stay awake but soon drifted off.