Twists of Fate Chapter 16 (PG-13)

[francis]

Disclaimer: the usual, see chapter 1.
Beta: the fantastic redwinter101. I couldn't do this without her help.

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link from chapter 15: viewtopic.php?f=75&t=2722&p=46429#p46429

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Josh's head was pounding.

It was Saturday and he didn’t have anywhere to be. He had looked forward to spending the day with Beth, having breakfast together and then maybe a walk at the beach, as they used to do when love was new and there was a lot to talk about. Now all they talked about was work.

Beth hadn’t even shown him the courtesy of calling him when she got home. If she got home. Maybe she was with Mick. Josh felt like his head might explode any minute. He wondered how his life had come to this.

He busied himself with laundry and groceries. The routine calmed him, made him feel in control. Around noon he got a text message from Beth, „At work. Still escort murder case. Meet you 2 nite?“

He wasn’t sure about that. It was a good sign that she wanted to meet him, but he dreaded the conversation that was long overdue. He was no longer sure if the relationship was salvageable. He was still hurt and angry and if he was honest with himself, being with Beth just didn’t feel right anymore.

In the afternoon he took a nap in front of the TV. It had been a long night after all, and maybe tonight would be another. He dreamt about his stroll with Morgan. The moon was full and the air smelled sweet and fragrant. They walked inside the park, no fence this time, and it was light enough to see clearly. He could hear the ducks breathing in their sleep, smell the flowers
and taste the tang of the stale water in the pond.

When he looked at Morgan her dark hair sparkled in the moonlight, her skin was bright and enticing. He wanted to touch her. She smiled, encouraging him to stroke her shoulders and arms. She kneaded his chest and shoulders and tilted her head, inviting his kiss. The bandage on her arm fell away and revealed a bite just like Beth's. Her eyes started to glow. She stared at his neck, and when she smiled again it was no longer a sweet invitation, but a fanged grimace.

He struggled from his dream filled with a sense of panic. His heart pounded as if he had run a marathon. He forced out a shaky laugh at his childish fears. What a load of bullshit. It must have been the headache in combination with their talk about werewolves and vampires that triggered the dream.

The phone rang. Still a bit shaken he answered the call. „H’llo?“

„Hi, Josh.“ It was Morgan. „Are you okay? You sound – off.“

„I’m fine, just woke up from a nap.“

„Sorry, did I wake you?“

He gave a dismissive snort. „No, don’t worry.“

„I just wanted to tell you that I sorted through the photos from tonight, and I’m so thrilled about the outcome that I just had to call. Can you come over and take a look at them?“ She gave him her address.

She was so enthusiastic. He was stunned that she wanted him to see her work first. He told her yes and hurried out. On his way to the car he got another text message from Beth. „Busy till at least 8pm. Sorry.“

He answered. „Busy myself. No problem. CU.“

But it was a problem. While he was glad he had time to visit Morgan before meeting Beth, he wondered why Beth was avoiding him. It wasn’t far to West Hollywood, and while driving he thought about Beth. They had tried to keep their work lives separate to avoid conflicts of interest, but still they bumped into each other’s cases all the time. Morgan’s work on the other hand was totally different from his, and interesting on a creative level that he hadn’t explored since high school.

Morgan’s apartment was located in a quiet side street next to a café. She answered the door smiling, wearing a kimono style silk robe. „Sorry, I didn’t get around to dressing yet, I was too excited.“

He grinned. „Don’t bother. I like the view, actually.“

She smiled and led him into a spaceous living room decorated in a '50s style. He took a quick look around, not wanting to appear nosy, but genuinely interested in her way of living. She offered him a seat at her desk, and opened a slide show of her latest work.

The pictures were stunning. They had an air of freshness, lightness and solitude. The colors were drained; there were sparkling highlights from street lamps, cars, neon signs. Few of them were showing the decay and darkness he had expected. It was quite different from what MacArthur park was renowned for.

„What do you think?“ Morgan asked, watching his face for signs of approval.

„Beautiful. They are so unique, I’m not even sure we were in the same place yesterday. The lighting, the colors, it’s different from what I saw. It’s how the park is supposed to be at night, a refuge of sorts, peaceful and quiet. So different from what I expected you to capture. I thought you were going for the decay, the eeriness and the danger.“

„Well, there might be danger and darkness, but that’s not what I saw tonight. Maybe it’s because I was with you.“ She looked at him, shaking her head, as if she had told him something that surprised herself. „So, do you like them?“ she asked again.

„Yeah. Yeah, I do.“

„Which one do you like best? Which one should I present as the title page?“

„I’ll have to take a second look to decide on that.“

She shuffled her chair away to make more room for him. „Just go through, then. Take your time. Do you want something to drink? I have a red wine open.“ He nodded.

Going through her file again he tried to decide. Finally he settled on the shot of the Wilshire theatre across the lake, its neon lights mirrored in the dark water. „This one, I think. Maybe it’s more because of the memories when you shot it but I think it captures the enchantment of the place.“

She leaned over his shoulder. „Mmmm. You’re right. And it was you who pointed that shot out to me, you remember? You sure you aren’t an artist yourself?“

He smiled. „I took art in High school but I was never much good at it.“

He turned to look at her.

She held his stare, open, excited, fiery. He leaned in and kissed her, not thinking, concentrating on the feel of her soft lips. But as soon as she reciprocated and hugged him close, his restraint faltered and he melted into the sensation. He pulled her onto his lap and stroked her back, her hair. She was so soft and warm. She smelled amazing, and he opened her lips with his tongue to taste her. Spices. Coffee. Sweetness. Her small, warm hands delved underneath his blue sweater, stroking his belly, moving up to his chest. He pushed her robe aside to reveal a creamy nightgown. His lips found her neck and her shoulder. She leaned into his kisses and moaned, he obviously found a spot she liked.

Her passion flared and she pushed him away, tugging at his sweater. He raised his arms to help her. She shrugged out of her robe, then slipped the straps of her gown from her shoulders. Her deep brown eyes burned into his. She was beautiful. „I want you“, she rasped, pulling him towards the couch.

He wanted to touch her everywhere. She was responsive to everything he tried, moaning and writhing in ecstasy at every little touch. Her touches, featherlight and yet brazen, enflamed him. They lost themselves in each other.

An hour later, they lay there in mutual bliss, her lithe frame sprawled across his chest. He stroked her soft, flawless skin. He felt the bandage still on her arm and chuckled. „I dreamed about you“, he told her. „You had this bandage, and it fell off, and there was a bite underneath. Then you changed into a beast. That’s when I woke up.“

She watched his face with a concern he couldn’t read. „Are you afraid of me?“ she asked.

„Should I be?“ he answered lightly. „You were a different kind of beast tonight.“

She rolled off him. „I’m glad about that.“ Then she laughed. „I still seduced you, didn’t I?“

He looked away, suddenly overwhelmed with guilt. „I shouldn’t have done this. I’m sorry, but it wasn’t right. Beth. I should have waited...“

She took his face in her hands and answered, her voice angry, „You made a choice and chose me. You two grew apart, she humiliated you and she is with this Mick all the time. Don’t you think that’s enough to consider it over? What difference does one night make?“

He had insulted her. He hadn’t wanted that, but he still couldn’t deal with what he had done to Beth. He stood and searched for his pants. „Still. I’m gonna make it right, break up with her, let her free to be with Mick if she wants that…“ he stilled. It still hurt to think about it, an ache in his chest.


Morgan got up and embraced him from behind. „You still feel for her, huh?“

„Yeah. This is all going too fast for me.“

She gripped him tighter. „You are a good man. It’s her fault that you came to me. If she hadn’t rejected you, made your life difficult, you would have never done this.“

He turned around. „What if I go back to her?“

She shook her head. „It’s your choice.“

He looked into her eyes. „But we hardly know each other. It's not like we're in love.“

She laughed, lightly. „It’s way too soon to talk about love.“

He nodded, solemnly. „Then I have to go. Let’s take one step at a time.“

She pouted, but let him go. He dressed in silence and left. On his way home he felt tears prick his eyes, so he pulled the car over and let his emotions run free. He had never wanted to do this. To be true to each other was paramount for him in a relationship. But who was he now to judge Beth for going after Mick if he did the same? Or worse? There was nothing to say for sure that Beth had slept with Mick. In fact, he thought Mick was probably too much a gentleman for that. On the other hand, he had thought he himself was a gentleman too, and where had that gotten him?

Still, he couldn’t be angry with Morgan for seducing him. It was entirely his fault. He had started it. He had sought her out, he had fallen for her. What would he tell Beth?

His 'phone buzzed with another text message. „I’m home. Where are you? Beth.“

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link to chapter 17
viewtopic.php?f=75&t=3185&p=60581#p60581

[redwinter101]

And so the games continue. I love the way you've explored how loneliness, Josh's sense of abandonment, has led him to behave in a way he never would have expected:

He had looked forward to spending the day with Beth, having breakfast together and then maybe a walk at the beach, as they used to do when love was new and there was a lot to talk about. Now all they talked about was work.

If that isn't a description of a relationship in crisis, I don't know what is.

And Morgan, clever, knowing Morgan, capitalises on his weakness with attention and flattery. It's no surprise at all that he falls for it - and for her. We saw her charms - and Josh sees them here too:

He was stunned that she wanted him to see her work first.

She made him feel important - something that Beth certainly wasn't doing.

A lovely chapter, my friend.

Red

[coco]

Fantastic francis

Things are moving along swiftly for Morgan and Josh.

That last line has set up the next chapter perfectly

[wpgrace]

Kinda cool to see Josh with a more interesting mental life than we saw on the show... not to mention a more interesting secret life!

[kpyle]

Another great update!! If I didn't think Morgan was up to something, her and Josh seem to make a good couple! I am sure Josh is being played, and not just be Beth! Although in the show it seemed to take her a while to realize how strong her feelings were for Mick!! Maybe you will move them a long a little faster than the show!! Anxious to see what Josh tells Beth, and how she will respond!!

Kelly

[mitzie]

Great chapter! Well, Morgan has Josh right where she wants, her new lap dog, for now!! Scared now for Josh and what she will do with him??!! I don't blame him either, obviously Beth hasn't emotionally been there with him for a while now! I don't know what will happen to any of them but I get the feeling it won't be good!!! I love this story and can't wait for the next update...

mitzie

[wollstonecraft61]

Although I agree with a lot of the wonderful responses from others here, I fervently don't believe a person is held blameless for infidelity because he/she feels abandoned by a partner/loved one. That would imply that any action done by said person would be reactionary. No, Josh knew when he took Morgan into his arms and had sex with her what he was doing; he just didn't want to think with his top head at the moment. Even if Beth had slept with Mick, that doesn't give Josh a golden ticket to do the same, not if he is serious about his feelings for Beth. Wonderful chapter, francis. Boy, oh boy, what is he going to tell Beth?

[francis]

Thank you for your great comments. I love that I spurred a discussion with this.
Yes, wollstonecraft, he knows exactly that it was wrong and he blames only himself, which shows what a great guy he really is. I'm looking forward to Beth's reaction, too. The muses haven't told me yet.

[bank1115]

Well well well isn't this an interesting developement? It also sheads a new light on Josh for me at least. All the whining and insecurity he has felt about his relationship with Beth and this is how he reacts? Regardless of Morgan's motives he did what he wanted to do. I liked this:

There was nothing to say for sure that Beth had slept with Mick. In fact, he thought Mick was probably too much a gentleman for that.

Even knowing this he cheated. I obviously have little tolerance for this kind of behaviour. Has he ever heard of
off with the old b/4 on with the new?

It will be interesting to read his conversation with Beth. Is he going to try to justify his actions by blaming her? hmm....kays

[AussieJo]

Poor Josh That witch is screwing him in every way possible!!
Will he come out of it with his sanity intact, Francis?

[francis]

His sanity will be okay, AussieJo, but I'm not sure about his pride and his heart.
Whatever Morgaline plans, it surely will get Josh and Beth hurt, that's for sure.

[jen]

Interesting dream that Josh had.

If Coraline's plan is to get Mick back, breaking up Josh and Beth would not play well into that.

Hmmm.

[diane31]

Funny Jen that's what I wanted to comment on even before reading your reaction! I see her trying to make Beth jealous to try and respark her interest in him, and get her away from Mick that way. In any case, the guessing sure is fun!
I loved the dream as well, I feel it does add humour in so far that from Josh's POV at this stage, it is incomprehensible, and at the same time it heighens the suspense. And I am amazed at how much I enjoy watching Josh finding himself respect Mick despite his jealousy, and recognising what a gentleman he is. Always so good to watch our Mick gain appreciation, lol!
This is really fun Francis! It's amazing how you take a concept that would seem so unlikely on the face of it, pairing Morgaline and Josh, and you make it work!

[francis]

Thank you, jen and diane. I love your comments, and that you're so engaged into the storyline.

[jen]

This is wonderful!

It adds a level of richness to the already rich storyline that I love. It has been long enough since the first reading to forget some of the details, but why is Coraline leading Josh on. It makes no sense at all.

But is a wonderful ride!

Thanks!!