Journey to the Past

[princesssexci]

-Flashback-
Lady Jessica had just returned from seeing Eric. She had been trying to sneak into the estate without anyone knowing, especially Kelly. Kelly had been a bit more possessive lately, especially after finding out that she’d been spending more and more time with Eric Elliot.

The previous night had been rather…shocking. Eric had transformed into a werewolf, not exactly a monster though. He could understand her easily and but couldn’t speak in that form. It had been like one of those scary novels one would read, except he hadn’t been the least bit scary, not even when he attempted to scare her away. She’d convinced him to let her stay and they would communicate with his nuzzles and his growls.

Still, thinking on that it did sort of shock her and Jessica didn’t wish for anyone to see her in the state she was in. She was pale from the shock still, even being away from Eric. Just as she head up to her room, she’d bumped into the one man she’d been trying to avoid. Kelly.

“Good day, Ms. Hawkins. You’re looking lovely as always.” He said with a smile

“Thank you, Kelly.”

My but he was a charmer.

“I was wondering, if you’d like to go to picnic with me. Today, perhaps?” He wasn’t in the least bit shy, in fact he was rather confident, as though he knew she would say yes. Jessica couldn’t help but smile. It always pleased her to have a man wrapped around her finger and if Eric wouldn’t comply, not yet anyways then Kelly would do, for now.

“Ah, yes that would be lovely, Kelly.” Jessica said with her ever so charming smile.

“Wonderful, I shall come back around lunch time then.” He finished his way down the stairs, then grinned, "Some sun and time away from these dusty halls would do you good, you're looking rather pale. ” He winked at her then left before she could respond.
~End~

“I am not pale!” Jessica muttered being brought back to the present.

Luckily no one had been in the room. Jessica shook her head and then glanced at the clock. She had to find Eric, she needed to find Eric, she wanted to know that whatever happened last night either was or wasn’t a dream.

She finished her tea, grabbed a tart then ran out of the estate and rushed over to his house, knocking on his door frantically. “Eric, it’s me Jessica. Are you awake?” Or even home, she thought silently.

 

[Malvolio]

As Eric opened the door, Jessica's jaw dropped. He was wearing a black bathrobe and his hair was in complete disarray. Dark circles were under his eyes and he looked terrible.

"Jessica," he greeted her exhaustedly. "Come in, please." He held the door open, bidding her to enter. As she did, he hugged her, kissing her cheek lightly. For an instant, they both felt as if another deja vu moment would occur, but it never came.

"What... brings you over?" he smiled sheepishly. "Excuse the attire, I just woke up. And I'm sorry I was such a spoil sport last night and went home early. I... I guess it was the wine and brandy that went to my head. I guess we got separated in the garden and I stumbled home. Rather embarrassing of me, I'd say."

He smiled, his pearly white teeth gleaming, seemingly the only part of him not in complete disarray.

 

[princesssexci]

"Got seperated? I don't ....I mean, t-thats impossible. We were together the whole evening, at least...I think we were together the whole evening." The last part was murmured. Had what happened last night really been a dream? Was it some figment of her imagination?

No, it couldn't have been. It had been much too real to have been a dream.

"You don't recall anything from last night, I mean I understand you probably have a hangover but....I mean...." How exactly did someone go about telling someone things like you turned into a werewolf...or into wolverine or something of the sort.

"You don't remember the cave? Nuzzling me?" Why did that hurt her so badly? It was sure to be expected he had drank alot. "Nothing at all?" Though she had tried to remain calm, non-emotional, she couldn't help but feel a choked sob caught in her throat.

Granted that he didn't really say anything last night and had only nuzzled and growled, it still had been romantic, in an..odd sort of way. "I-I'm sorry I must sound absolutely crazy.."

 

[Malvolio]

"You don't remember the cave? Nuzzling me? Nothing at all?"

Eric stared at Jessica, growing pale at first, then turning away suddenly.

"I-I'm sorry I must sound absolutely crazy.."

He whirled back around, the color having returned to his face. A slight smile was on his lips and he shook his head as if struggling to recall what he'd had for dinner a month ago.

"No, sorry. I wish I could, but I just remember... uh... stumbling home, I suppose. Through the woods."

Jessica noticed his fingernails, which had been clean and well manicured at dinner, looked jagged and lined with dirt beneath them.

"It's alright, Jessica," he chuckled, extending his arms to give her a hug. "I enjoyed your company last night and would love to see you again."

"Perhaps we can nuzzle then, eh?" he slyly added.

 

[princesssexci]

As he denied everything that had happened, but continued to remain with the idea that he'd stumbled home, she stared at his finger nails, they had been clean the night before, freshly manicured. Now, they were grundgy and dirty with dirt between the nails.

She brushed off the thought of him carrying her on his back and made herself believe that it had been because he was probably doing some yard work or something.

"It's alright, Jessica," he chuckled, extending his arms to give her a hug. "I enjoyed your company last night and would love to see you again."

Jessicas attention was brought back and she hugged him. Closing her eyes, she enjoyed the sensation of being in his arms. Again, it felt so right just as the kisses he had given her the night before.

"Perhaps we can nuzzle then, eh?" he slyly added.

"Perhaps...but I'm certain we would do alot more than just nuzzle." She said with a grin, then silently wondered where that had come from. Normally, she wasn't so forward with her flirtation.

Jessica pulled away, "I should probably let you get some rest though. I would hate to be part of the cause of your lack of slumber..." then she added, "I'd rather be the whole reason of your lack of slumber."

Goodness, what was wrong with her?

 

[Malvolio]

"Perhaps...but I'm certain we would do alot more than just nuzzle."

Eric cocked an eyebrow. That had gotten his attention. This was a very different side of Miss Elliot.

"I should probably let you get some rest though. I would hate to be part of the cause of your lack of slumber... I'd rather be the whole reason of your lack of slumber."

That really got Eric's attention. He drew close to her, gently placing his hand on her shoulder and giving it a soft squeeze. He leaned into her slightly, his face mere inches from hers. For a moment, he felt like he wanted to growl and bite her in the shoulder.

What the hell am I thinking, he wondered, catching himself.

Instead, he spoke in a deep, low voice.

"I have some business to attend to, but perhaps you'd like to have dinner again the night after tomorrow. There'll be a full moon and it should make for a beautiful evening."

[Technically, it would be the second night of the full moon. Tomorrow night would be the first.]

 

[princesssexci]

This would've scared her after what had happened the night before, but obviously she'd ahd just a little too much to drink too. Did she even drink? She didn't even recall if she had anything to drink. Strange. Jessica smiled up at Eric.

"That would be lovely, I can't wait." She pushed her dark brown tresses behind her ear.

Jessica paused for a second then gave Eric a playful smile, "You won't get drunk and leave me again, will you?"

 

[Malvolio]

"You won't get drunk and leave me again, will you?"

Eric chuckled.

"Only if you're not. And you'll have to keep my attention. I'm not that easy. Be a good girl then..."

Seeing her out, Eric sighed in relief. As he went back to sleep, he gave the cane sitting on his nightstand a final glance. Somehow, he'd felt as if he'd regained a piece of himself that had been lost for a long, long time.

 

[princesssexci]

"Only if you're not. And you'll have to keep my attention. I'm not that easy. Be a good girl then..."

Random dirty thoughts entered her mind of how exactly she could keep his attention, "I could probably find some way." Jessica gave him one last smile then left him alone. She couldn't help but smile to herself as she walked back over to her own estate.

Something strange had happened last night, or at least she'd thought it had. It didn't matter though, it had probably all been a part of her imagination or something. That was the only possible way she could explain what had happened the night before.

Now, she needed to get ready for two different dates.

 

[Malvolio]

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Jessica finally met Mr Collins, the head groundskeeper. Although he was an older man, he remained energetic and wiry, but a little grumpy and seemed to have a habit of mumbling under his breath. Mr Collins mentioned he hadn't found any sign of the coyotes they'd all heard howling the night before and he speculated that perhaps it had been a stray dog, albeit a loud one.

Mrs Collins indicated that David Prem, the family attorney, was inquiring about paying a visit to the estate the day after tomorrow. [Prior to Jessica's dinner date that evening with Eric.] There was apparently some legal paperwork that required Jessica's signature and some other matters he wished to discuss. Jessica's calendar was quickly filling up!

The next morning, Jessica rose early in anticipation of her afternoon date with Owen. The night had been a quiet one, free of howling, much to Mr Collins' relief. The sun was shining and it looked to be a beautiful day.

Around noon, Owen met Jessica in the Great Hall as they'd planned. He was dressed in a dark polo shirt and khaki pants. The clothing hugged his body, showing off his fine physique. He carried a small wicker picnic basket.

"Ah, Jessica! You look stunning, as usual."

Owen extended his arm for Jessica to take. As she did so, she noticed he was wearing the ring they'd found.

"Mrs Shaffer made her finest chocolate cake last night and included some for dessert. You're in for a treat. Your grandmother was a huge fan of it."

They made their way down to the driveway. The black Rolls Royce and the red convertible roadster sat waiting in the driveway. Mr Chow had just finished polishing both and beamed at the couple as they approached.

"Beautiful day for a drive, eh Miss Elliot? Which one will you be taking?"

Mr Chow chuckled, his eyes drifting over to the roadster.

 

[princesssexci]

"Beautiful day for a drive, eh Miss Elliot? Which one will you be taking?"

"Hm, thats a good question Mr. Chow." Jessica said as she weighed her decisions. She wasn't really sure which car to choose then decided which car would best fit the occasion.

"I think I'll go with the red convertible. It suits much better than a Rolls Royce, dont you agree?" Jess asked Owen.

Once the keys were handed to Jessica handed it to Owen. "You can drive, I'm certain you know where we're going much more than I do."

Jessica got in the car and waited for Owen to drive them to the cliff.

 

[Malvolio]

Owen's eyes lit up as he took the keys and climbed into the driver's seat. The car roared to life and Owen's hands carassed the steering wheel. He'd clearly been longing to drive this car most of his life. He glanced over at Jessica, grinning.

"Hold on," he said in low voice, his heading leaning forward in anticipation.

The car took off, shooting down the driveway and out onto the feeder road like a bat out of hell. Owen navigated sharp turns perfectly as they darted through the forested lanes.

As they went, Owen's hand reached over and rested on Jessica's leg and he periodically averted his eyes from the road, dangerously glancing at her for several seconds at a time.

 

[princesssexci]

As soon as they shot out of the driveway, Jessica's eyes widened. Perhaps letting Owen drive hadn't been the best of ideas but she had the distinct feeling that if he knew that she knew where this alleged cliff was, it wouldn't have been such a pleasant date, if that was indeed what it was.

"Eek! Owen look out!" She screeched, closing her eyes. She'd hoped that maybe if she kept her eyes shut that everything would disappear. Instead, again it was like she was in another world, another time. Instead of being on a car, they were on a horse moving like the speed of light.

Then, she felt Owens hand on her thigh, bring her back to reality, back to her own time. She gave him a wary smile, "Owen..." she whispered softly, her eyes averted to the road quickly, "Oh my god, Owen! Keep your eyes on the road!!"

 

[Malvolio]

"Oh my god, Owen! Keep your eyes on the road!!"

"What are you afraid of, my dear?"

The world again blurred around them. They were riding on a horse together. Kelly had the reigns and was urging it forward at a breakneck speed. Jessica was holding on to his waist for dear life. While she was terrified, part of her couldn't deny the incredible rush she felt. Kelly seemed impervious to fear, had little concern for safety and she could feel this sensation gripping her as well.

Kelly was laughing, continuing to urge the horse onward at faster and faster speeds. It leapt over a fallen tree, splashed through a shallow creek, rushed up a steep hillside and bounded back down the other.

All the while, Jessica could feel his hand gripping hers, steadying her, as if to reassure her there was no danger, no risk, no fear...

 

[princesssexci]

"What are you afraid of, my dear?"

"I'm afraid of hitting something!!!" She squealed in both the present time and in the past. Her hand gripped his arm tightly as her eyes stay closed. She could still see the images of the past. Her long dark tresses flowed in the wind.

She couldn't help but feel little spurts of excitement flow through her the faster they went. "I swear to god, Owen you better not hit anything or I will haunt your whole family for the rest of your life."

 

[Malvolio]

He could sense her fear and excitement mingled together and it only excited him further, driving him to go faster and faster, taking more risks.

"I swear to god, Owen you better not hit anything or I will haunt your whole family for the rest of your life."

"Haven't you already," Owen asked in the present day, but his voice sounding decidedly different. Like... Kelly's.

For an instant, Jessica felt confused. Who was he, Owen or Kelly? For that matter, where were they, in the past or present?

Suddenly Owen slammed on the brakes and twisted the wheel, bringing the car to an abrupt halt at the end of the road. Just inches from the bumper was a guardrail with a signed posted. "Dead end"

Owen put the emergency brake on the turned off the engine.

"We hike from here. C'mon!"

He climbed out the car, seemingly unfazed but their sudden stop as if he'd planned it all along. Or had done it before.

As he came around to her side of the car, he opened the door for her and extended his hand to help her out. Once she stood beside him, he leaned forward, his face inches from hers.

"You seem... out of breath. Did... that scare you? Or excite you? Or both?"

He suddenly turned and took a few steps away, not waiting for a response.

"Come along now, Jessica. I have something I wish to show you."

 

[princesssexci]

"You seem... out of breath. Did... that scare you? Or excite you? Or both?"


That was a question she tried to answer to herself. She wasn't even sure if she was excited or scared, or even both. Though, part of her kept telling her that she was excited. Quickly, Jessica rushed off to catch up with Owen, or Kelly or...whomever he was.

"Come along now, Jessica. I have something I wish to show you."

God, she hated when he did that, when he didn't give her a chance to answer. It annoyed her to no end. "What do you want to show me?" Jessica asked curiously as she followed him.

 

[Malvolio]

"What do you want to show me?"

He knew she was annoyed. Part of him wanted to be more polite and gentlemanly. Another part of him... like a second voice in his head... told him not to worry about it.

He pressed ahead in silence, not bothering to respond.

They pressed up the hill, reaching the crest. A small cave was visible off to the side in a nearby rock outcropping. From the top of the ridge they could see out across the entire valley.

Jessica instantly knew she'd been here before. Both in the past and two nights ago.

He stopped and turned back to face her.

"This. But you've already been here before, haven't you," he whspered.

 

[princesssexci]

"This. But you've already been here before, haven't you," he whspered.

"I...what? What are you talking about?" She whispered, her ring around her neck glinted in the sunlight. "You're being absolutely insane..."Jessica said, her voice was not her own anymore. Instead it had that faint hint of an english accent.

"I've never been here before." Jessica responded.

It was as though she were having an out of body experience. Normally, she would have never lied but now she couldn't seem to stop herself. Part of her wanted to say, 'Yes, I've been here...last night.' But she couldn't, no she wouldn't.

"Why would you say such a thing?"

 

[Malvolio]

"Why would you say such a thing?"

Owen looked confused himself, his ring also gleaming in the sunlight.

"Somehow... I... just know it," he stammered confusedly.

A moment later he looked up at her, his eyes narrowing. His demeanor visibly changed.

"Jessica, I brought you here because I knew you'd love the beauty of this place. Why don't we sit and enjoy lunch? Then we could always explore that cave over there."

He smiled up at her as he placed the basket down and began to unpack things.

 

[princesssexci]

"Jessica, I brought you here because I knew you'd love the beauty of this place. Why don't we sit and enjoy lunch? Then we could always explore that cave over there."

Explore the cave? She wasn't sure she wanted to...not after what had happened two days ago. "We don't...have to explore the cave..." She started wondering what she could say to influence him not to want to go.

Lie again... the small british female voice in her mind said.

"I have a fear of dark places...don't laugh! I've had it since I was a child." Jessica said

 

[Malvolio]

"I have a fear of dark places...don't laugh! I've had it since I was a child."

Owen frowned a little.

"Mmm... sorry to hear that. Somehow I'd figured you were different from other girls and were braver and more of an adventurer. Oh well, let's eat then."

Owen seemed to forget about the cave and laid out the picnic lunch. As they ate, the world around them blurred again. Jessica and Kelly were sitting on the overhang side by side, their legs dangling down, enjoying their meal. They were laughing about the world and nothing at all. Things seemed so simple and Kelly was so charming.

"It feels like rain might be coming tomorrow. We should enjoy the sun while we can."

Kelly's right hand rested upon Jessica's and slowly closed, squeezing lightly. His left reached across and stroked her cheek.

"Jessica..." he whispered huskily.

 

[princesssexci]

Jessica was no longer herself but was someone else, sort of. She felt a blush

cover her cheeks as Kelly's hand squeeze hers. She fluttered her eyes

flirtaciously as she looked up at him, before lowering her lashes

demurely. "Yes?" she said, her voice was soft and seductive.

 

[Malvolio]

Without a further word, Kelly leaned into Jessica and kissed her lips. The kiss was soft and gentle, but both of them felt their heads spinning, the world around them seemingly flying out of control as the electricity between them sent shivers down their spines.

Their lips parted for a moment and then met again, unable to pull away from one another. Their bodies cried out to one another, his hands pulling her waist close to his.

In that moment, Kelly knew he would let nothing come between them ever again. Somehow he knew he'd lost her once, a long long time ago. This time, he vowed subconsciously, he would let nothing stand between them.

 

[princesssexci]

At first when Owen had kissed her it had shocked her somewhat. Not too much though, only slightly. Finally, she felt herself responding. The kiss had been soft at first but as soon as Jessica had started to respond to the kiss it seemed as though the kiss had become more hungry, more urgent.

They parted for a brief second, but not for too long. Soon, they were kissing again, the kiss was even more so hungry, even more desperate. Her hands ran down his chest as he pulled her closer.

The only thing that ran through her mind was how right this felt but at the same time dangerous which made it even more exciting. She clutched his shirt tightly as she continued to kiss him.