> "Doesn't mean he wasn't involved with it."  Lacey shook her head sadly  "I
> know you like him Naomi... but don't let that blind you to the possibility
> that he could be stringing you along all this time.  It lends him
> respectability to be seen with you...."
> 
> "So I'm just useful to him?"  Naomi asked tightly  "It couldn't be that he
> *likes* me?  Maybe he wants to be with me?  At least he doesn't go chasing
> after other women the way Darr....."  
> 
> Naomi bit her tongue on the words, but it was already too late.  Lacey's
> blue eyes filled with tears and she stared miserably at her sister.
> Feeling guilty Naomi tried to hug Lacey and apologise, but Lacey just
> pushed her away.  The call from Calindeth, when it came, was a welcome
> interruption to the pair.....

Lacey was miserable. The thought of Darrkon with Marina kept eating at 
her. Now Naomi brought it to the surface where Lacey had to think about it.

Lacey was interrupted from her thoughts and Naomi trying to apoligize by 
word that Darrkon and Calindeth were back. Lacey tried to leave but Naomi 
knew she needed to hear whatever it was darrkon had to share also.

> >Naomi waved Darrkon into the room.  He sat in the same seat he had when he
> first arrived, just over a year ago.  He noticed the looks on their faces, a
> mix of confusion, amazement and something that he couldn't quite define.
> Bitterness?  Anger?  He noticed the two seemed to be trying to avoid
> looking at each other.  What had been happening while he was gone?
> 
> >"So Darrkon," Naomi began, still staring at him, "Tell us what you've
> >been up to the last few days."

"Yes, tell us all about Marina and your trip" Lacey thought bitterly.

> She listened quietly to the explanations he gave, making notes as he
> mentioned landmarks and identified previously unknown areas.  T'grat would
> need to know everything if they were to launch any sort of counter
> attack.....  She sat in thought for awhile after he'd finished speaking,
> her mind whirling with this latest threat to the Warren.  Was there never
> to be any peace for them?
> 
> "You say this Ardomok seeks revenge?"  she asked eventually.  Darrkon
> nodded, and she continued  "I think the first thing you need to explain is
> why."

Lacey listened and wanted to believe everything he had just said, but it 
sounded so unbelievable. She had lost her trust in Darrkon and didn't 
know if she could regain it.

> Darrkon began to speak then, but her attention was called away by Amethyst.

Lacey refocused on the room as Naomi got up and excused herself.

> "I'll have to leave you to sort this out Lacey."  she said carefully  "I'm
> sorry......"

Lacey wanted to beg her sister to stay but she couldn't. Pride wouldn't
let her.
 >
 > "I'll manage."  Lacey told her, avoiding looking at her > >

Naomi hurried out.....

Lacey looked at Darrkon, bitterness filling her eyes.

"So, do you want to tell me some more of the story?" Lacey said 
dispassionately, the hurt sounding in her voice "Or do you want to go see 
how your precious marina is doing."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

NRPG: Tag, Ismail

sorry so short


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                        Kat Harris: catwoman@indy.net


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