Shady Intentions - Carlin's Story --------------------------------- All the characters--excluding Serena, Darien, Raye, Chad, and some extent Rene--are mine, all mine! If you want to use them, however, you may, if you ask permission. :) "Shady Intentions" is going to focus on Carlin's role she plays with Serena's ultimate decision to get back with Darien. However it goes far beyond that. The first few chapters are going to nostalgic and revisit a few earlier written chapters of "Shady Business." After they are out of the way, the true beginning of Carlin's story will begin. This story may be long in coming since I'm currently working on what will eventually become (hopefully!) my first novel. Sit back and enjoy the ride. :) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter One - Satisfaction ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -- "There's one thing about satisfaction that I've learned; with all the pleasure comes some sort of payment. And your price is too high." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ...Four months later... Carlin gaped with wide eyes when she opened the door, holding her travelling bag. Galen and Serena were sitting on the couch talking. Serena and Galen, the two people on Earth she thought--okay hoped--would never meet, were gabbing away as if they had known each other forever. Suddenly, both sets of eyes swung on her. 'Please,' she thought, 'let me die now. Don't let him ask any questions.' She sent her plea to Heaven, but doubted if anyone had heard. She watched as Serena studied her. Serena cocked her head to the side and then gave it a slight nod in Galen's direction. Carlin interpreted the nod as some sort of signal to get out of Dodge, but she was too slow. Serena stood up and gave Carlin a hug. "Back from Ki's already?" Before, Carlin could reply, Galen muscled his way in. "Was it safe for you to be travelling in...in..." Carlin took a step or two backward. She studied Galen and felt her stomach flutter. He looked good enough to eat. She swallowed and said, trying to keep her voice steady, "Of course it was safe. For as far along as I am, I'm not really that big." Galen watched her slightly tremble. She was afraid of him. He silently cursed himself for being such a jerk. If he wanted what he came for, he would have to be calm. He breathed, "It'd be pretty interesting to know how far along you really are. Your sister kept dodging the subject." Carlin just gazed at him. In the last six months, he had gotten handsomer, and sexier, than when she had seen him last. He had let his hair grow long and his eyes were shadowed. She prayed fervently that she was the cause of them; then she'd know her feelings were mirrored. "I'm far enough along to show," she said as she mentally kicked herself. She had always been quick with her snide and sarcastic remarks, but she was too tired to do anything about it. He arched an eyebrow, then reached forward, and touched her abdomen. He could only vaguely remember that night six months ago, when both of them were so drunk that they didn't care about protection or anything else except their unquenched passion. "Carlin, I know she's mine." Lowering his voice to a whisper, he spoke in a way that sent chills up her spine, "I remember everything from that night." He looked at her impishly, wiggling his eyebrows, "I mean 'everything.'" Carlin looked for Serena, but her sister had decided to vacate the room for the time being. Pulling herself away from Galen--partly because she was tired and partly because it felt way too good to be in his arms--she said, "I need to lie down. Jet lag and pregnancy aren't a good mix." As she moved to walk past him, Galen grabbed her arm and said lowly, "This isn't done by a long shot." He pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. He let himself get carried away in her. Her scent, her touch, the way she felt in his arms... Hearing her softly moan, he pulled away and stalked angrily toward the door; turning only once to say, "Remember that we're far from over." Carlin watched him slam the door and heard him peal out of her driveway. She dropped to the floor like a ton of bricks. This was happening far too soon; far, far too soon for her liking. Serena peeked her head inside the door. She didn't feel like it was her place to interfere with Carlin's life when Car hadn't messed with hers. "Car? Are you okay?" Carlin ran her hand across her eyes. She wanted, no, needed to be strong for Serena. "I'll be fine. Seeing him after so long innerved me." "Well, he was surprised." Hell, surprised wasn't the word; blindsided is more like it. He hadn't expected to see Serena pregnant, but seeing Carlin must have drove him off the deep end. "What did he say?" Carlin sighed. Serena would find out anyway, it would be better to get it out now. "He said that we're 'far from over.'" She turned her gaze to Serena. She wanted Galen so much, but it wouldn't work out. "I want him, Rene, so much that it hurts to breathe. You know. When the air gets heavy when he's near and things like that." She threw her hands up in the air, "It's multiplied now that I'm pregnant." Serena pulled her into an embrace and let her cry on her shoulder. Carlin tried pushing away, but Serena only held tighter and said, "It's going to come out sometime. Better now than never." Carlin let her tears run their course down her pale cheeks. At least the hard part was over. He knew. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Galen felt anger course through him. She had been pregnant for six months and she had never bothered to call him. His brother York had heard through the grapevine that Carlin was pregnant and was surprised that Galen hadn't found out. Then again, Galen had been in California, searching for Carlin, to tell her... ...But it was too late for that now. She had seen to it that he would just be another worm, dangling on the end of her fishing line. He had simply been the means to an end, a very permanent end... He grabbed the phone and dialed the number Serena had given him. Maybe if he could get Carlin to talk to him... A sleepy voice greeted, "Hello?" Galen cleared his throat and said, "Hello. May I speak to Carlin?" The voice gave a soft chuckle and answered, "Sorry Galen, she's asleep. She fell asleep about half an hour ago." They paused and continued, "If there's anything you need, anything at all, we're just a short phone call away." "Thank you, you have no idea what this means to me." The voice gave a snort and said, "I understand more things than you could ever know." The voice softened, then said, "Just promise that you'll take care of her." "I will." "Then goodnight, Galen." The soft hum of the dial tone rang in Galen's ear and he hung up the receiver. The next few months were going to be trouble. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The updates happened once a week, after Carlin had gone to sleep. Serena was a willing conspirator in this whole operation. He was kept abreast of Carlin's eating habits, her moods, and whether he had been mentioned at all. It was during one of these updates, that Serena had a stroke of genius. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- "It'll work. She won't suspect a thing. Besides, Nerys is having someone pick us up to take us to the air port, but not on the way back." Galen shook his head, but stopped himself. She couldn't see him through the phone. "Serena, I don't think this is a good idea..." Serena snapped back at him, "Of course it is. Besides, she'll have to talk to you in the car. It will give you both a chance to find common ground again." Galen smiled and said, "Yes, Mom." Serena giggled and said, "That's a good boy. It'll work out. Sam told me so." Galen sighed and said, "Well, I hope this works." Serena giggled again and began explaining the details. "We will arrive at Gate 32 when we come back..." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Nearly a week later, he found himself roused in the fairly early morning to "pick up a package" at the airport. Serena had been vague in the details, but they had laid the basic plans before hand. He pulled out a newspaper and waited by the door for Serena and Carlin. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The plane landed and the girls found their luggage okay enough. Serena kept standing on her tiptoes to see if Galen had arrived yet. Carlin tugged at her and asked, "Who are you looking for?" "Our ride," Serena replied, resuming her position on her tiptoes. A few minutes later she tugged Carlin's arm. "He's over there by the door." Carlin clambered on top of a chair to look. "Where, I don't see anyone for us." Serena pulled her down and motioned her to follow, "Trust me, he's here. C'mon." Carlin followed Serena through the mass of bodies and stopped short when she saw whom Serena was referring to. Turning to Serena she said, "You've got to be kidding me." Winking at her, Serena said, "Hell no. Besides, you kids have some talking to do." She turned toward the door and walked out, leaving Carlin and Galen in her wake. Galen turned toward Carlin and took her arm. He lowered himself to her ear and said suggestively, "We should do our 'talking' in private. I don't like an audience." He placed a kiss on her temple and said, "Let's go. On the way home, we can discuss baby names." Carlin stood there dumbfounded. Serena had better kept things to herself, but that look on Galen's face said otherwise. Carlin slid into the passenger side of the car and waited for Galen to come around and buckle up. She poked her head into the back and smiled at the sight of Serena already sleeping. "She always sleep like this?" "No, she just gets terrible jet lag." She turned her gaze to Galen and said, "Unfortunately for me, it takes me awhile to unwind from the flight." Galen smiled and said, "Well, maybe I'll talk you to sleep, that way I can watch you sleep. You didn't give me that chance before." He put the car into gear and pulled out of the parking lot before he spoke again. "That hurt me Car, I thought you felt something for me. That was a wonderful night and when I woke up the next morning--to a letter, no less--I felt crushed. I spent six months trying to find you, when one day, York calls me up and says, 'Hey, that McBride chick you grew up with is knocked up, and you're the dad.' "Do you know how I felt? I felt like a puzzle had been completed, but I was mad-as-hell, Car. I should've been told damn it! I don't want to feel like I'm just a sperm donor!" Carlin just sat on her side of the car and let the tears silently roll down her cheeks. She silently asked, 'What do you want of me?' "I want to be a father to her, Car. I want to wake up and have you by my side. We'll go slowly, but that's my ultimate goal. That and a whole parcel of kids." He wiped a tear from her cheek and looked at her again, realizing her eyes were bugging out. "What?" "I asked that in my head. I never said it out loud." "You didn't? Well, it looks like more than a baby was created between us." They were both silent the rest of the way home. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Galen ushered the sisters inside, but kept a close eye on Carlin; he didn't want her to bolt. He roved his mind, looking for the door that "linked" his and Carlin's minds. 'You won't find it. I've hidden it from you.' He turned around and saw Carlin coming up behind him. Folding his arms over his chest, he asked, "How could you do that?" She tugged at her ponytail and smiled up at him. "Easy, I hid mine." "Why did you do that? Afraid of what you might find?" Carlin could see his barely contained anger and sighed. He didn't understand. She turned away and whispered, "No, I'm afraid of what you'll find." Galen chewed on that a little and when he finally came up with a retort, Carlin had already left the room. "Give her time, she'll come around." Galen turned to see Serena standing behind him with her hands rubbing her belly. Galen blew his hair out of his face and sighed. He knew he had to give her time; they had grown up together, hadn't they? He practically knew her better than he knew himself, but it wasn't helping this time around. "I know. I'm just getting impatient. I've wanted her for so long...and look where it's gotten me. Up a creek without a paddle." Serena smacked him in the head and said, "Pull your head out of your butt for three seconds and you would see that all is not lost. She is having your kid and you two share a doorway. Go with it, but make sure you don't invade her space." Galen rubbed his head and let her words sink in. He smiled at Serena and said, "Tell Carlin I'll be here tomorrow." Serena smiled and watched Galen leave the house. Only after she heard his car take off did she say, "You can come out of hiding now." Carlin stepped out of the stairway and hugged her stomach. Things were so confusing. She loved him, but she couldn't tell him. She wanted him close, but not too close. "Am I doing the right thing?" Serena shrugged her shoulders. She didn't have all of the answers. "I guess you'll have to find out on your own." Carlin stood staring out the window. If only...things weren't so confusing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Over the next month, things got more confusing. Galen made his daily appearance and Carlin would find herself falling deeper and deeper in love with him. One night, they were sitting on the couch, watching an old movie, and the subject of baby names came up. "I like the name Genevieve. It sounds classy." Galen shook his head, "Nah. I like Leala. It was my mom's middle name." Carlin tapped his cheek and said, "That's okay...as a middle name. I think she should have a traditional name." "Fine then, how about Mary?" Carlin vehemently protested, "No! I'm not going to name my daughter something like Mary Leala. It sounds...weird. It doesn't fit." "How about Louise?" Carlin giggled. She was about to say something, when Serena interrupted, "Carlin, can I use your heating pad? My back's killing me." Carlin looked up and smiled, "Sure. Make sure you give it back though, Genevieve has been really active lately." Galen planted a kiss on Carlin's forehead, "I thought we agreed to name her Leala after my mom." Carlin snorted, "That's what you thought." Serena cleared her throat, "Car?" Glaring at Galen, she turned toward Serena and said, "In my closet." Turning back to Galen, she said, "I'm not finished with you yet." Galen said, "Good, because I have a deal for you..." He started whispering naughty little things he would like to do to her. Carlin could feel herself turn five different shades of red. They heard Serena call down, "Keep it clean, kids. I don't want to go into early labor seeing you two." Carlin laughed out loud and Galen said, "Don't worry, you'll hear us first. Carlin's a...oof!" Carlin shot Galen an indignant look as she elbowed him in the ribs. "There are some things I'd rather my sister didn't know." "I'll make you a deal then.," Galen said, cracking his knuckles, "you open your doorway and let me into your life and I promise to never leave you." "You're talking about me leaving myself completely vulnerable to you." "Yes, but you'll be complete and satisfied." "There's one thing about satisfaction that I've learned; with all the pleasure comes some sort of payment. And your price is too high." Carlin got off the couch and looked back only once. She could see the pain in his eyes, but a little pain now, would spare a lot in the end. She softly said, "Good night, Galen," before heading up the stairs and crying herself to sleep. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Another month went by, along with Carlin's due date. As each week went by, Serena and Carlin became more and more miserable; that is until Carlin's water broke. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- June 29th 7:26 AM "Serena, I think I need to go to the hospital," Carlin said as she looked down at the floor, a puddle beneath her feet. She gave a small prayer of thanks and waddled out of the kitchen to see Serena scurrying around. She smiled and said, "Call Galen. He knows where everything is." Serena turned to Carlin and looked at her with pain in her eyes. She turned away from her, and said, "He doesn't know where my things are." She calmly walked over to the living room door and showed Carlin her puddle. "They wanted to come out and play." Carlin shook her head and gave a small cry when a contraction hit. Panting, she said, "I'll call Galen." Dialing Galen's number, in lieu of a greeting, Carlin asked, "How fast can you be here?" Stifling a yawn--unsuccessfully--Galen asked sleepily, "Why?" Carlin grimaced as she got a sharp kick to her abdomen. "Because both Serena and I are in labor. We need a ride." Galen perked right up and said, "In three, if I don't get pulled over." Carlin hung up the telephone and walked into the living room. As she was entering, she heard Serena say, "Please get my things. Galen's on his way to take us to the hospital." Raye went scrambling up the stairs as Carlin waited at the door. Fifteen minutes later--when Galen finally pulled into the driveway-- the only thing Carlin could say was, "You got pulled over, didn't you?" Galen hung his head low and said, "If it weren't for the fact that I told the cop you were in labor, I'd probably still be getting a lecture on reckless driving." 'Well,' Carlin thought, 'that'll teach you.' Galen said, "No it won't," and grabbed her suitcase. Returning a minute later, he asked, "Ready?" Carlin just growled at him as he led her to the car. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- June 29th 4:30 PM Carlin gave a small cry as the contraction hit her. It hurt like hell. Turning her gaze to Galen, she said, "No more kids, I can't handle it." Galen took her hand and softly squeezed. In a soothing voice he said, "If I were physically able to, I would carry the baby myself." Carlin laughed for the first time in hours. "You're only saying that because you aren't in my position." Galen flashed a bright smile, "You are absolutely right. But I made you laugh." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carlin was finally wheeled into Delivery about quarter after five. Everything happened too fast after that. It all seemed to happen in a blur. She had been given an epidural not too long before she was deemed good to deliver. At about 5:30, her daughter was born. The doctor laid this little person on her chest and Carlin felt an overwhelming rush of love. Softly touching the red fuzz covering her daughter's head, Carlin said, "Happy birthday Leala Genevieve McHail. I'm your mommy." When they took Leala away to weigh and measure her, Galen asked, "Why?" "Leala made a better first name than Genevieve," Carlin said as she fell asleep. "We're going to be doing some post-delivery surgery," the doctor said. "Why don't you take your new daughter for a walk to meet her aunt." A nurse handed the baby to Galen. Galen cradled Leala in his hands. He didn't know how he would take care of her. She was so tiny. "You look just like your mother," he softly cooed as they walked to the room Serena was in. Softly rapping on the door before he entered, Galen came in carrying a small bundle. Opening the blanket so Serena could have a better look, he said, "Carlin and I came to a compromise. Serena, meet your niece Leala Genevieve McHail." The baby was softly sucking on her thumb, something she had done many times in the womb. Serena softly gasped when she saw the look of total devotion on Galen's face toward his daughter. She had been right to interfere. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sorry this is so long in coming. I've had a lot of things going on, and this had been put on the back burner. Thanks to everyone who has read so far. Hopefully the next chapters will be faster in coming. As always, send Q's or C's to silver_moonangel@yahoo.com