Consequences of Falling ch. 24
From: Nicole
Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2001 00:12:00

Collinwood, 1:00 PM

Constance sat on the bed, fumbling the silver chain between her fingers.  She had found it just outside Quentin's door.  She examined it the moment she stepped into the room and was surprised to see that it was the same one she had tossed out the window--twice.  She could not figure out where they were coming from.  Her best bet was to ask Quentin about it but she did not want to worry him.  So, when she heard the door open, she rammed it into her pocket and fell face first into the bed and began to sob.  When she felt Quentin touch her, she grabbed his arm and pulled herself into his body.  "Why does he have to be so cruel," she cried.

"Because he's angry and wants to take it out on someone."  Quentin lifted her chin and kissed her gently in an attempt to raise her spirits.  "You shouldn't pay any attention to Barnabas right now.  He's being a fool."

"All right."  Constance knew what he was trying to do and appreciated it.  She only wished that Barnabas was her problem.  "I guess I should have expected as much from him.  He will never accept me and I need to recognize that."

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault."  Constance kissed Quentin and brought him down on the bed.  "I don't mean to change to subject, but I want to talk to you about Josef."

"Are you still afraid of him."

"Yes and no.  Like I said before, he won't hurt me directly...at least not again.  You see, Josef can't control his impulses.  You saw him around Angelique: he was trying not to touch her but he couldn't help himself.  You can't piss him off or he'll make you regret it."

"You shouldn't have told me that," warned Quentin playfully.  "I'll have to anger him just to see what will happen."

"Don't!  He'll find a way to hurt you," said Constance.

"How?  The portrait is safely locked away.  So he can't really hurt me.  You don't need to worry about my safety."

"I know but it's hard for me to remember that sometimes."  Constance threaded her fingers through his hair as she brought his mouth to hers.  It was hard for her to be serious with Quentin when she could not keep her hands off him.  "But you have to remember that revenge against Josef is almost impossible.  He loves little and can't die."

"There has to be a way to get to him," insisted Quentin.  "I don't really want to hurt anyone, but if he messes with you, I'm willing to try it."

"He thinks he's in love with Angelique."

"When did this happen?"

"1798.  We were all wandering in and out of Spanish court after they were pummeled because of their aid to the French nobles during the revolution.  We were there to spice things up.  We knew what she was and Angelique eventually discovered the truth about Josef and I.  We just kind of stuck together and she and I became friends and they...became lovers.  Ick!  Josef and I knew to much to like each other.  We only stood together so that others wouldn't become to suspicious of the other.  If he was kicked out, I knew I would soon follow.  It was about survival."

Quentin kissed her gently and pulled her into him, letting Constance rest her head against his chest.  "Why don't you like Josef?  I'm not complaining, but I'd like to know why you hate him."

"We'll, we've never really liked each other," sighed Constance.  "He severely ruined my life in the 1500s and I've promised to ruin his because of it."

"What did he do to you?"

"He framed the man I was in love with.  He told the authorities about him and they killed him."  Constance lifted her head closer to his, managing to tighten her hold on Quentin as she rested her cheek against his.  "You should've seen me.  I cursed that town to ruin and it was off the map fifty years later.  No magic involved, just pure karma."

"God Constance, why did he do that to you?"

"Because he's an asshole."  Constance pulled away and began to laugh.  "But none of that really matters now.  Josef gets to pine hopelessly for Angelique and I have you.  No one can take you away from me."

"I don't want to leave you."

"I know.  That makes it all the better."  Constance fell back into the bed, letting Quentin slip atop her as his hands and mouth wandered the length of her body.  "Shouldn't we wait until later? she managed to ask between moans.

"They know where we are if they need us," murmured Quentin, his hand rummaging beneath her shirt.

"Well, if you put it that way."  Constance ripped off her shirt and began to work on his zipper.  "I've never needed much persuasion."

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