Dark Shadows Resurrected

The Fortune Teller’s Prophecy – Richard/George

Red Sky At Night

Whispers

Shadows of Love’s Passing

The Crazy Lady in the Tower

Date Story Created: March 25, 2010
Last Updated: September 10, 2010
Uploaded to which blog: MySpace {Revival} Deputy Jonathan Harker
Cross Posted to: Live Journal ~ Collinwood2000 & phoenixfire12
Story Title: The Monster I’ve Become (formerly titled “Never Want to Let You Go” (Want to hold you in my arms forever)
Fandom or Universe: Dark Shadows Revival
Genre: Horror, Romance, Supernatural, Comedy and Tragedy all in the Gothic vein
Author(s): Holly (Jonathan & Carolyn)
Rating: (G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17, Xx, /, H)
Safe for work?: Yes
Characters or Pairing(s): Jonathan, Carolyn
Spoilers:
Summary: Part 3: Boy gets girl back. The ultimate make-up story.
Vague references to: DS Cannon. VERY vague references anyway.
Potential Triggers: None
Author Notes (A/N) and/or Warnings:
Disclaimer: The universe and characters of Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis production. I just write here even though I do believe I’d love to live here.
Tags:
Classification: As Cannon as logically possible, but Cannon is edited for coherency, continuity, and general nit-pickiness. (I can’t help but pick nits.) Face it. Danny-boy never did worry a bit about continuity.




If Carolyn goes with Jonathan when he leaves town than in the morning, on a secluded beach, Carolyn awakens to find Jonathan not in his sleeping bag (yes, same tent, but they have separate sleeping bags. I’m not in any hurry to get them into bed together. This is a ROMANCE not a fling.)




She found Harker sitting in the sand staring out to sea. He was smoking a cigarette, almost finished with it, as she approached.

“I got worried when I woke up and found you gone,” she said softly, taking in the pained and weary look on his face. If she didn’t know any better she’d say he’d been up all night. He sighed and his shoulders slumped as he crushed out the cigarette it he sand and reached for the pack of cigarettes that pay nearby. She knelt in the sand beside him. “Talk to me,” she whispered. She noted the numerous dead butts already buried in the sand, standing like the headstones that dotted the landscape at Eagle Hill Cemetery.

He couldn’t look at her at first. Just shook out another white wrapped smoke and lit it with the lighter that lay beside him. He didn’t answer her until he had taken that first deep inhale and held the smoke in his lungs for a moment before exhaling.

“I damned near beat my brother to death, Carolyn.” Jonathan’s voice was horse and choked with emotion. His eyes, barely containing his tears, glistened in the gradually increasing light as the sun began to crest the eastern horizon far out to sea. “I was so damned mad at him for daring to put his hands all over you. To fool you into thinking he was me. He damned near ruined everything you and I had built.” He sniffed and shook his head slowly. “I was such a bastard to him. I should have known better. I should have reacted better than that.”

He finally turned his face her, to look at her, and the tears he’d tried to keep in check spilled down his cheeks. “I wanted him dead, Carolyn. For one horrifying moment I wanted to kill him. I just wanted to keep hitting him until he stopped breathing… stopped moving… just… stopped… being.” The lit cigarette smoldered between his fingers, forgotten in the conversation.



 

Date Story Created: September 16, 2011Last Updated: September 9, 2010
Uploaded to which blog:
Cross Posted to: Live Journal ~ Collinwood2000 & phoenixfire12
Story Title: A Mother's Love

Fandom or Universe: Dark Shadows Revival
Genre: Horror, Romance, Supernatural, Comedy and Tragedy all in the Gothic vein
Author: Me 
Rating: G/PG
Safe for work?: Yes
Characters or Pairing(s): Stephen Harker & Kate Harker
Spoilers: Having nowhere to turn, Stephen sought out the one person in his life on whose shoulder he could cry. 
Summary: He was beaten up by his brother up at The Blue Whale, was almost jailed for assault, and cost his brother the woman he was in love with. He’d acted disgracefully that day and now all Stephen Harker wanted to do was to break down and cry. Stephen knew he had messed up and there was no way he could think of to mend things between him and his brother. The only person who could understand now was Mom.
Vague references to: DS Cannon. VERY vague references anyway.
Potential Triggers: Broken heart
Author Notes (A/N) and/or Warnings:
Disclaimer: The universe and characters of Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis production. I just write here even though I do believe I’d love to live here.
Tags:
Classification: As Cannon as logically possible, but Cannon is edited for coherency, continuity, and general nit-pickiness. (I can’t help but pick nits.) Face it. Danny-boy never did worry a bit about continuity.




 

Date Story Created: March 25, 2010

Last Updated: September 9, 2010

Uploaded to which blog:

Cross Posted to: Live Journal ~ dsrevival community

Story Title: Three and a Half Weeks (formerly titled: My Love Like A Rose)

Fandom or Universe: Dark Shadows Revival

Genre: Horror, Romance, Supernatural, Comedy and Tragedy all in the Gothic vein

Author: Holly

Rating: G

Safe for work?: Yes

Characters: Ezra Braithwaite, Carolyn, Daphne, Elizabeth, Victoria, Mrs. Johnson, Deputy Barbour

Spoilers: Carolyn gets a surprise gift from “Handsome”

Summary: Ezra Braithwaite, the local silversmith, delivers a very special gift to Carolyn Stoddard: the most perfectly formed rose hand dipped in 24-carat gold. The card reads “Carolyn, I don’t know where this relationship is heading, but whatever the destination I’d like to go there with you. ~ Jonathan” Jon had commissioned this piece two weeks into their “flirtation” and, though it seemed presumptuous, the gesture was spot on correct: Harker was a man in love, as Ezra will point out to her.

Vague references to: DS Cannon. VERY vague references anyway. 

Potential Triggers: None 

Author Notes (A/N) and/or Warnings: None

Disclaimer: The universe and characters of Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis production. I just write here even though I do believe I’d love to live here.

Classification:  As Cannon as logically possible, but Cannon is edited for coherency, continuity, and general nit-pickiness. (I can’t help but pick nits.) Face it. Danny-boy never did worry a bit about continuity.

The old man had every right to be pleased with himself. His mission of love was about to be completed on behalf of his client. The only detail left was the delivery of said treasure and the look on the recipient’s face upon seeing it. He’d created many an object similar to this, but none with such perfection. This time, his step was triumphant and light as he approached the heavy double wooden doors of the grand mansion, oblong box in hand. The brass knocker had a healthy weight to it as he took hold and used it to knock three times on the metal plate beneath it. Removing his hat, he listened as the sound faded away in the foyer beyond his sight.

 Soon the door opened to reveal an older woman in a black dress, watch and fob pinned above her left breast, white hair pulled neatly up into a not so tight bun at the back of her head. Her face showed surprise at finding him standing before her.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Johnson,” he said politely.

“Mr. Braithwaite,” she greeted just as politely. “To what do we own the honor of this visit?”

“I have a delivery for Miss Carolyn Stoddard,” he said, patting the pink box under his arm lovingly.

“Oh my. Well, please come in.” The housekeeper stepped back and to the side opening the door wider. When he crossed the threshold she shut the door after him. “I was unaware that Miss Carolyn was expecting a delivery. The family is usually pretty good about telling me these sorts of things.”

A delighted smile crossed the man’s deeply lined and aged face. “Ahhhh, but she did not commission this piece,” he corrected. “Rather, the beautiful Miss Stoddard she is the recipient of this token of a fine young gentleman’s affections.”

The housekeeper’s voice dropped an octave. “Oh dear.”

Eyebrows arched in surprised realization, the Collins housekeeper knew precisely of whom the silversmith was speaking. Carolyn had been in an unusually light mood these past three and a half weeks, and it was all due to the prolific and, dare she think it – playful - attentions paid to her by a handsome young deputy in the Collinsport Sheriff’s Department. How she had positively glowed like a lighthouse beacon when chatting with Daphne about her new young man. The phone calls, the emails, a letter once in a while that came in the mail, the delivery of flowers… but they had yet to date. Oh yes, they had made plans, but those had been postponed either by him or her for good yet various reason. Now this young man had sent her yet another present.

And therein lay the conundrum. The pleasant look on her face disappeared and Sarah Johnson frowned at the man. “I think you may be taking that back to the young deputy, Ezra,” she said quietly to him. “Miss Carolyn left here earlier to meet her young man for lunch, but she came home a little while afterwards quite unexpectedly and in tears. She locked herself in her bedroom and she’s been in there for most of the afternoon crying her eyes out. Miss Daphne and Mrs. Stoddard d Miss Winters have been trying to get her to open the door and talk to them, but she’s having none of it. The girl sounds like her heart has shattered into a million pieces and she claims she just wants to be left alone.”

“My my,” was all the man said in return. There was a moment of silence between them as the old man thought carefully; staring at the pink box, knowing precisely what was within and why. “Tell you what. Why don’t we let the young lady make the final decision, Hmmm? You tell her that her “Uncle” Ezra is here personally to see her and we shall see what she says about the gift when she comes down.”

Sarah shook her head in disbelief, but turned towards the grand staircase. “All right, Ezra, but don’t be surprised if she doesn’t want to see anyone.”

“I am an old friend of the family, as you well know, Sarah. I think it unlikely that she’d turn me away if only out of politeness and good manners. Now please, go get her.”

♣♥♠

The young woman’s shouted words had been mostly incoherent through the closed and locked door, but Elizabeth Stoddard, Daphne and Victoria stood vigil none the less, hoping that Carolyn would let them in to comfort her and get the full story as to what had happened in town. After intense pleading, the women knew something grave must have happened for they also heard the wind pick up from outside the sturdy walls of Collinwood, and it seemed Carolyn was talking to someone. No, that was incorrect. She had been calling out to someone… arguing with them.

“Why are you so concerned? It’s only the wind,” Victoria said innocently.

Mrs. Stoddard said nothing but focused on the portal before her.

“That’s not just any wind blowing out there right now, Vicki,” Daphne replied when her aunt didn’t. “That’s the Widows and they’re wailing for a soul to join them. You haven’t been here long enough to know all the legends of Collinsport, but the most important are the ones surrounding Widow’s Hill.”

“Well, I know how it got its name,” Victoria said.

The lovely blond nodded her head. “Oh there’s more to it than just that. If you listen closely you can almost make out what the Widows are saying. Not everyone can hear them, but some do. Maggie Evans claims to be able to hear them. Then again she’s psychic so I guess that helps.”

“Is that what you think is happening in there right now? That these Widows are calling to Carolyn?”

Daphne frowned. “Possibly. The fact that we can hear her is a good sign. She was so distraught when she came home a little bit ago.”

“What do the Widows want from her anyway?”

Daphne was quite matter of fact when she replied “To jump.” She nodded emphatically at the other woman’s shocked look. “Yes, to jump from Widow’s Hill. To join them in death.”

“That’s horrible!” And yet for some strange reason it had a ring of familiarity about it.

Elizabeth knocked on the door more firmly this time. “Carolyn, open this door.” She paused for a moment before adding a firm edge to her voice. “Right now!”

“Oh Aunt Elizabeth, she’s just not going to open the door.”

“Then we’ll just have to get the key from the kitchen.”

“I can do that,” Victoria volunteered quickly. “I’ll go ask Mrs. Johnson for it.”

Shameful! The BOTH of you! Stephen Harker! You betrayed your brother with his woman and he will never forgive you for it.

“No,” Carolyn moaned.

The wind picked up and battered the bedroom windowpane now.

… she whored with your blood… your brother…

“LIARS!” Carolyn cried out, startling the three women in the hallway. “LIARS! I LOVED HIM... BUT HE DID ME DEAD WRONG!!

Only then did the Collins matriarch turn her attention to the governess and nod once. “Please do, Victoria. And hurry. I’m terribly afraid for her.”

Victoria only nodded and hurried off down the hall to the servant’s stairs. Mrs. Johnson would be in the middle of cleaning up the lunch dishes and she’d most likely be in the kitchen at this time.

... come to us our beloved...

... come to us beloved Jonathan...

...beloved...

Inside the well-appointed bedroom Carolyn clutched in desperation at the bedcovers and wept. The voices of the Widows seemed to surround her and lift her up with their lamentations, accusations and promises of eternal love in an attempt to lure the man to insubstantial embrace.  Around her she heard others voices as well. A man with two separate tones that her mind eventually separated and eventually recognized as belonging to the two men who looked so much alike. The Harkers were twins. Living all their lives in Collinsport how could have forgotten such a thing?

How dare they play such a dirty trick on her!

Elizabeth’s face betrayed her concern as she realized her daughter actually was talking to the ghosts. She had hoped her fears had been unfounded. The wind and the one-sided conversation could only mean one thing: The Widows were on the prowl for a soul. It had been part of the legendary Collins curse that the Wailing Widows could be heard by a family member if indeed that person were susceptible enough. If they harbored even a tiniest wish for death. Her distraught condition must run deep for Carolyn to be able to hold a conversation with them.

Now Elizabeth had two people to be concerned about: her daughter and the young man who had caught her fancy. Elizabeth contemplated calling George Patterson, but even though they were good friends and certainly George knew of the old legends, he was a pragmatic man not given to a belief in flights of fancy or superstition. Really, what could she say that would convince the man to check on his deputy?

“I know how this sounds, George, but I believe that your Jonathan Harker may be in danger of jumping off Widow’s Hill because Carolyn thinks the Widows are trying to lure him to his death”?

How foolish that sounded, even to her. The path of love was never an easy one that was certain. One had but to look at her own past to see the similarities. Paul had left them and Elizabeth had locked herself away for a time on the great estate. Her own brother, Roger, also had cupid’s arrow hit the wrong mark. She could name others in the family whose lives had been affected by ill luck in love, but that wouldn’t change this situation. Her daughter’s heart was broken, and it was a mother’s duty to soothe and comfort her as best as she could.

Then, with little more than an almost inaudible click, the door opened slightly. By the time Daphne and Elizabeth had entered the room Carolyn was back on the bed laying on her side, tissues clutched in her hand. Her mascara had run creating deep black circles under her red-rimmed eyes, her lipstick worn away and her nose ruddy from blowing. As soon as Elizabeth had sat down on the edge of the bed, her daughter’s head was in her lap and she was spilling her heart out. Daphne’s own heart ached to see her cousin in such despair, and Elizabeth listened quietly, stroking the silken strawberry locks. Pain mixed with indignation and humiliation as Carolyn recounted the details of the deception perpetrated by the Harker twins and ended with her account of the violence she had witnessed in the parking lot a moment before the rest of the Collinsport peacekeepers had arrived.

Still the young Collins girl professed her love for the man who had wronged her so.

A man’s voice filled the room in reply to the unseen Widows, but only Carolyn could hear him.

“… will it make the pain go away?”

This certainly was not the way Victoria Winters had envisioned her first day at Collinwood would be she thought as she stepped into Carolyn’s bedroom clutching the key firmly in her hand. She had been surprised to see the door open and the hallway empty, but took it as a good sign that Daphne and Mrs. Stoddard had finally been able to talk some sense into the woman.

 Victoria wrapped her arms around herself and a hand clutched at the pendant on the chain around her neck as if the very act would comfort her as a woman’s sultry French voice tinged with laughter filled the room.

Do you want the pain to end???

The dark-haired woman gasped in shock and looked around. No one had spoken and yet… was it…?

Nothing. It must have been her imagination.

There was a long pause filled with the pattering of drops of water on some unidentifiable surface before a man’s weary voice choked with emotion whispered almost inaudibly…

“… yes…”

“No…” Victoria whispered in empathy. Yes, she had heard it, this time a man’s voice raspy with emotion. Was this the man who broke Carolyn’s heart? It had to be. In her opinion he sounded to be in as much pain as Carolyn. The whole tragic scene reminded her of a modern day version of Romeo and Juliet, yet she felt as though she had walked into it in the middle of the play.

…Carolyn Stoddard! You, silly little girl! Taking comfort in the arms of poor Jonathan's brother! Already your lover wishes to die and he has been asked if he wants the pain to go away…

…do you know what he said?...

As one the Widow’s voices hissed.

…HE SAID YESSSS!...

…Jonathan Harker YOU WILL BE OURS!...

Anxiety filled the room and surrounded the women. Carolyn, hurting and almost inconsolable, Elizabeth, worried for her daughter as well as for the young man Carolyn had been all a flutter about, Daphne and Victoria standing by as spectators in this tragic drama, both concerned and yet not knowing what they could do to help. Victoria couldn’t help but feel awkward for her lack of knowledge of the pair.

It was at the height of her anxiety that Victoria now clearly heard the whispered voices on the wind this time. She didn’t know this man whom Carolyn was carrying on about, but she added her silent support to the others in the room.

“… please…” the man’s voice begged, sobbing “… someone… make it stop…”

“Oh how dreadful! Don't listen, Jonathan!” she said softly.

Daphne turned her head to the governess and her eyebrows rose. She had actually heard the voices? A part of Daphne was envious. For all the fear they instilled, she wondered what it would be like to hear the Widows.

He's OURS! All he has to do it take his own life and he'll join us FOREVER!!!

Carolyn dabbed at her watery eyes once more. “He’ll never go to you! Jonathan’s stronger than that!” She hated what he had done to her, but she didn’t want him ending up…

No. Don’t think it.

Elizabeth gathered her daughter into her arms and held the sobbing woman. Carolyn must be in a fragile state indeed if she were able to converse so freely with the ghosts of Widow’s Hill.

The voices came at her now from all sides, shouting hurtful words. Relentless accusations that were meant to cause as much harm as possible. It was the Widow’s last ditch effort to drive Carolyn off the cliffs and into their arms along with the man she loved.

…The poor man is in pain, child... and all because of a brother whom he trusted with his life. He caught his woman and his brother together in dirty common tavern locked in a shameful embrace, and that hurt him more than you will ever know…

…You don't deserve a good man like him, Carolyn Stoddard…
…You deserve your reputation! …
…Why you are the laughing stock of the whole village! …
…Temptress!…
…Succubus!…
…Party-girl!…
…Good Time Carolyn!…
…Flirting with all the men like some wonton hussy and then just walk away!…
…Trollop we say!…
…Cold hearted Harlot!…
…Dock side whore!…

…You Collins's. You're all alike. You don't deserve the love of a good man or woman!! You just ruin everyone you lay your hands on…

…Jonathan will come to us when he realizes you don't love him and he sees you for what you really are!...

… tramp…

… whore…

…HE'LL COME TO US, AND WE WILL WELCOME HIM WITH OPEN ARMS!...

“No, he won’t,” Carolyn protested. “He’s strong. I love him, and…” she choked on her tears, swallowed hard before finishing. “…and he loves me.”

…HE SAID YESSSS! We’ll take away his pain…

…Soon Jonathan Harker WILL BE OURS!...

…FOREVER!...

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” She sat up screaming now, tears streaming down her face like rivers.

… selfish little girl…

…you prolong his suffering…

… Cruel, spoiled child…

…LET HIM GO!...

“NEVER!”

“Carolyn!” Elizabeth exclaimed as her daughter tore herself away from her mother’s grasp and rushed to the window to stare in the direction of the infamous cliffs beyond the trees.

“JONATHAN!”

Elizabeth saw the housekeeper coming into the room, the thick padding of the carpet and the housekeeper’s own shoes making all the noise of a tiny field mouse running along the baseboards to seek the safety of some bolt hole in which to hide. Mrs. Johnson stood in surprise, watching the tableau before regaining her composure and related the new arrival’s request.

From across the room Carolyn shook her head. Her throat was raw from crying which only served to deepen her husky and sensual tone. “I don’t want to see anyone,” she sniffled.

“But Carolyn” Daphne said, going to her and putting a hand on her cousin’s arm. “It’s Uncle Ezra.”

Elizabeth also chimed in. “Mrs. Johnson said he brought you something, Carolyn. It would be rude not to go down and see him. After all, he did drive all this way just to bring you something.”

‘The young woman sniffled, thought about it for a moment, than nodded. “All right. But just for a minute.”

♣♥♠¨

She had taken a few minutes in the bathroom to put herself back together again before going down to greet her visitor. The smile on the old man’s face when he saw her was infectious and Carolyn found the corners of her mouth turning up of their own volition. Mother and cousin brought up the procession, but Elizabeth stopped on the landing when she saw the box tucked under the man’s arm.

Perhaps her young man sent flowers as an apology for hurting her so earlier? Liz could only hope.

“Carolyn,” old man Braithwaite greeted, presenting her with the gold beribboned pink rectangle box. “My client bade me over a week ago to find the most perfect gift for the most perfect woman, and before he even told me the name of that young woman who had captured his heart so, I had the undeniable feeling it was you.” He handed her the box. “Well. Go ahead. Open it.”

Carolyn shook her head. She had the feeling she knew who this was from, and she was still too hurt and too mad to forgive him for his transgressions. “I... I don’t think that’s a good...” 

“Open it,” Ezra insisted, taking one of her hands and laying it on the box. “Go ahead. I can guarantee you, it’s not going to bite.”

Hesitantly, the young Stoddard woman tool the box, not wanting to accept the gift from her obvious ex-beau, and yet curious as to what he had sent her. Certainly nothing from Braithwaite’s Silversmith Shop came cheap.

As the man held the box, Carolyn lifted the lid off and surprise lit her pale features. “Oh no.”

“Oh my,” Mrs. Johnson gasped, seeing the contents.

Daphne was the first to appear at Carolyn’s side followed closely by Elizabeth.

“It’s beautiful,” Daphne gasped.

Nestled snug inside the bright pink satin interior lay an object of gold that sparkled even in the dim light of the mansion foyer. The thinness of the leaves and petals immediately told everyone looking at it that this was indeed the genuine article: a hand dipped gold rose.

“What’s the card say?” Daphne asked, pointing to the small envelope tucked in the box with the rose.

Carolyn hesitated before plucking the tiny envelope from the box and opening it to reveal the card inside.

Princess,

I don’t know where this relationship is heading, but I do know that whatever the destination I want nothing more than to go there with you.

-Handsome

One hand went to her mouth, covering it in an effort to stifle the sob that sought escape past her lips.

 “I…” She swallowed hard and tried again. “I can’t accept this,’ she said tightly. It was like rubbing salt into the wound. The memory of the Harker twins deception, the feel of being made sport of while they traded insults in the crowded bar, the betrayal she felt… all a joke.

As if hypnotized, Carolyn reached into the box with a tentative hand and removed the gilded rose from its secure nest by the thick stem. How she longed for the words written on the card to be true. How she longed for this nightmare to be over with, to awaken from it as if from a long disturbing sleep. She’d call Jonathan then and tell him all about her nightmare. They’d laugh about it and he’d reassure her it was only but a dream.

Why won’t she wake up?

“Oh but your young man would be so disappointed. He couldn’t stop talking about you, you know. Oh how his eyes lit up when I told him I had found the most perfect specimen to dip for you.” The old man went on, headless of the tears that began to glitter in Carolyn’s eyes. “It’s been far too long since I’ve seen a man so in love like this Deputy Harker of yours. After all, it’s not every man who does something like this for the woman he loves. I should know. My family is the only one in town who does this kind of work.”

Another knock on the door interrupted the gathering in the foyer and Mrs. Johnson immediately went to answer it. This time a tall dark-haired man with a moustache dressed in the uniform of a Collinsport Deputy Sheriff stood there.

“Is Miss Stoddard at home?” he asked.

“Yes. Please come in, Deputy.”

Once more the door opened to admit a new visitor to Collinwood who removed his hat upon crossing the threshold.

Scanning the room it was apparent to Deputy Barbour that he had interrupted something. The woman he had been sent to collect stood there with tears running down her face. He addressed his next statement to her and the Collins Matriarch who stood beside her.

“Miss Stoddard, I’m Deputy Barbour. Sheriff Paterson sent me to bring you down to the station regarding the incident at The Blue Whale earlier this afternoon.”

“Is this really necessary, Deputy?” asked Elizabeth, placing her hands on her daughters shoulders. “My daughter’s had a very bad day as it is.”

Bruce nodded. “I’m afraid it is, ma’am. The Sheriff needs Miss Stoddard’s statement before he can wrap up his investigation.”

Liz turned to Carolyn. “I’ll come with you if you like.”

Carolyn just sniffled and nodded her head.

The sooner she got this over with the sooner Carolyn could start the process of healing her broken heart.

{END SCENE}

The hustle and bustle of the cheery fishing village of Collinsport was quickly left behind as Sheriff George Patterson turned the car off of Main Street and headed inland. Neighborhoods passed by outside the car window, but Jonathan Harker saw none of the houses that lined those streets, nor did he see any of the people going about their daily business. His thoughts were turned inwards, images of the last half hour burned into his brain by shame and disgust and a pain in his chest he dearly wished he could cut from his body with a sharp knife.

(NOTE: This series was started on MySpace and still needs editing which shall be done ASAP)

April 13, 2010 - Tuesday 

There was a moderate lunch crowd in the bar as Harker walked in. He said the usual greetings to good friends who knew him well enough to know better and laughed when those who didn't made the same mistake over again. It had been that way all his life and, truth be told, it amused him.

Taking a seat at the bar he debated hanging his good leather jacket from the back of the chair, then discounted the idea. If everything went the way he'd planned, he wouldn't be here long enough to kill off his beer.

"Hey, Sam," he called out to the bartender. "Bud Lite."

"You working today?" Sam returned as we went to fill the order.

"Maybe," Harker said shrugging. "Don't know. The new schedule hadn't been posted yet. The boss is kinda dragging his feet on the small stuff."

Sam set the beer in front of the man and looked at what the man had in his hand.

"You get yourself a new phone there, Harker?"

Harker was busy with the phone in his hand and didn't look up, but he grinned mischievously. "Ahhhhh.... not quite new... just... ahmmmm... borrowed for the moment..." he said distractedly. He bit the side of his bottom lip in thought and his eyes sparkled as he laughed to himself. Then he thumbed the send button and looked up to grab his beer.

"That should do it," he announced triumphantly. "I should have company soon, Sam. Hopefully very soon."

"You wouldn't be talking about Carolyn Stoddard, now would you?" The woman was a good customer and a friend, but Sam saw how she liked to have fun and he knew she used men up and tossed them aside like tissues.

He sighed when his only reply was a non-committal "Humm-mmmmm" from the man who stuck the open bottle neck into this mouth and took a drink. "You know, I heard she had set her sights on someone new, but I never would have guessed it would be you."

The man just about choked on his drink. When he took the bottle from his lips and could talk again he looked Sam in the eye.

"What do you mean you didn't think it would be me? I'm a young, handsome, single, male with a job no less, and a hot set of wheels parked in my driveway. Not only have I seen some of the guys she's danced with I've seen some of the guys she's dated. Trust me when I say that dating me is a step up from some of the gutter trash she normally hangs with."

Sam held up his hands in defense.

"Hey, no offense. I just meant that we all know what kind of men Carolyn Stoddard normally likes to go after - the kind who can show her a good time, maybe take advantage of her if they're lucky, and nothing more. Clearly she's set her sights higher than normal this time. I just hope you realize this isn't going to last. When she gets bored with you she'll drop you like a hot rock and dance on into the night with her next conquest."

Beer in hand, Harker settled back into his bar chair.

"Sam, my friend, I have a newsflash for you. I have it on good authority that the man that hot little sex kitten walks out the door with after lunch today will be the right man for her."

Sam Evan's whole body shook with his laughter and he wagged his head back and forth in knowing disbelief.

"You have the biggest ego in all of Collinsport, did you know that? I'll bet it's even bigger than old Roger Collins', too."

The man shrugged and took the wallet from his hip pants pocket.

"It's a gift. We all have our curses to deal with. Besides being incredibly good looking, I have an ego any stuck-up Texas oil millionaire would envy." He set a $50 on the bar. Sam's eyebrows threatened to leave his face and go into a low altitude orbit. Harker noticed and cut the older man off at the pass. "That is for the beers I'm having right now, the sumptuous lunch you will be serving to one very deserving woman and her date, including desert mind you, drinks and a generous tip for you as well. No need to thank me. It's just one more service I'm happy to provide."

As an afterthought, Sam shoved a basket of cheddar garlic biscuits at the man.

"Have something to eat before you get too much of a buzz there. God forbid you get called in to work after downing a couple brews. I take it you want another?"

The fair haired man popped a biscuit into his mouth and nodded excitedly at the question. Hovering between his lips, the man took in the heavenly smell of cheddar cheese and garlic before biting the morsel in half and chewing slowly.

Sam went to get another cold beer for him.

A half eaten biscuit in one hand and a half full bottle of cold beer in the other, Harker swiveled around in the chair to watch the door.

This afternoon cold go one of two ways: his plans could work out better than he had imagined, or his mother was going to be burying her son. Either way this was going to be one hell of a day!

Carolyn had been delayed with the arrival of the new governess. She had received her text message from her new beau.. so she excused herself from a gathering in the new governess' room and rushed to her room, freshening up and changing her attire. She looked one last time at herself in the mirror and thought to herself, 'Oh Yea. How could HE not resist'. She then scurried down the grand staircase and headed out the front, quickly climbing into her car and sped down the winding roads until she reached the Blue Whale. She turned her rearview mirror so that she could see herself and freshened her lipstick, then dashed into the bar. The place had quite a crowd as she entered. She stopped, trying not to look obvious and scanned the establishment, looking for one particular individual.'Oh darn. I hope he didn't give up on me and leave', she thought, but just as that thought came and left she spotted him sitting so handsomely at the bar. She pranced over and gently rubbed up against him and with a sly smile and a raised brow, she greeted him, "Excuse me but is this barstool taken?"

His face lit up with a smile as she walked into the bar. How could she not be noticed by any red-blooded heterosexual male... and a few so inclined females at that? He saw her scan the place, and then their eyes locked.

"Holy shit," he muttered through the smile. "What a way to die." As she approached he watched her walk. He took her in from head to toe and came to the decision that if this really did blow up in his face it'd definitely be worth the pain. He settled back into the bar chair and licked his lips in open appreciation at the scenery as she slid up next to him, rubbed herself against him, and purred her greeting.

"Why would you want to sit on some dirty old bar chair, my hot little sex kitten" he asked patting one knee, the leg of which was supported by the footrest of the chair he sat in. "... when you can sit on my lap?"

Carolyn looked into his dreamy eyes. Who was she kidding? She was actually out on a date with a deputy, no doubt! Had someone cast a spell on her? Had David spiked her tea with a love potion? For Carolyn knew she was in trouble. The chemistry between the two was enough to cause a major explosion alone, but she knew she would have to take things slow with this one because, this just may be the one she's been waiting for all her life. 

Carolyn pursed her lips, then gave him a radiant smile as she furrowed her brow and flirtatiously responded, "Well... that all depends. If the house was packed tonight, that might not be a bad idea, but... " She hesitated as she scanned the pub. "Oh hell, why not!" she agreed. "So, how are we going to do this? You know I so happen to be wearing a very short skirt, in case you didn't notice and I certainly don't want to give out any open invitations, if you know what I mean," Carolyn cooed, giving him a seductive wink.

"Oh yea, I saw that skirt... right after I saw those beautiful long legs of yours." He paused in thought a moment before straightening up in the chair and braced his other foot on the next stool. Leaning over, he hooked one forearm under the woman's shapely rear grabbing her hip farthest from him in that hand, wrapped his other arm around her waist, and bodily lifted the woman onto his lap. He adjusted her across his knee and smiled.

"That wasn't so difficult, now was it?"

"Actually no it wasn't but I am surprised. I didn't realize you were so talented in that area. I would have never guessed." Carolyn smiled as her eyes fixated on his. "Tell me deputy, how did you come about getting a job working for the sheriff here in Collinsport? There's so much of you that I would love to get to know," Carolyn flirtatiously shared, then looked down and around... "What'cha drinking there Handsome? I sure am parched. What does it take to get a lady a drink around here?" she sarcastically joked.

The couple's antics did not go unnoticed by the Collinsport citizenry gathered at the nearby tables. While the men appreciated the view, the few women who were there marveled at how easily the man had lifted the blonde into his lap. Everyone knew Carolyn Stoddard. Men wanted her and women wanted to be her, especially at that moment. She cold have any man she wanted, but didn't, and he was a shameless flirt.

Carolyn's words, not really meant to be overheard, only reached the nearest table. Deputy? Oh crap! The patrons at the table looked at each other in surprise before burying their faces in their lunch. They knew what was coming next and made an effort to finish their lunch before the floor show began. The Blue Whale was going to turn into a free-for-all soon.

With one hand on her knee to keep her from accidentally sliding off his lap, the man looked around and caught the bartender's eye. "Hey Sam, the lady's thirsty here. Anything she wants, on me, and if you have any more of those garlic cheddar biscuits..." he let the sentence trail off as he turned his attention back to the hot blonde on his lap and lowered his voice so only she could hear. "I get the feeling I'm going to need the extra carbs." He caressed her thigh with a thumb and gave her a dazzling smile.

Carolyn let out a seductive laugh as her tongue slowly skimmed over her bottom lip. Now taking her eyes off of 'Handsome', she looked at Sam and laughed, "Now now. We are just on our first date -- don't jump to any conclusions yet!" she added. "Ohhh... let's see. I can't seem to make up my mind tonight Sam. Why don't you surprise me," she said in her infamous sarcastic tone.

The barman looked at the woman in surprise. "Tonight? It's barely noon, Carolyn. Maybe I should start you out with good old iced tea instead of a drink." He looked at Harker who was clearly enjoying the close proximity of his date. "Then again, maybe it's just your young man here who's scrambled your sense of time." He paused. "I'll get that drink for you. Be right back."

Carolyn laughed. "You know that the days are my nights and the nights are my days.", she sarcastically laughed. "And within these confines of this pub, no one really knows if it's night time or day light outside until they stumble their way out of here", she said, smoothing over her confusion. "Aaaaand, it's a pleasure to see you again, Sam," she said as he walked off to mix her up something special. 

Now setting her sights on 'Handsome', she cooed, "So am I weighing you down yet?", she jokingly questioned.

The man chuckled and bounced the woman on his knee a few times. "You? Nawww. You're light as a feather, Pussycat. Now what would make a slip of a woman like you say such a thing?"

His hand slowly, gently caressed her thigh as he spoke.

Carolyn chuckled aloud... "Well you know Handsome a woman never knows. I was told in a fit of rage by one very disturbed individual that I looked as though I were gaining weight. You do know who I'm referring to, don't you?" she said, as she gently reached down and delicately placed her hand on his.

He gave her in innocent look and grinned. "I can't imagine who that could be, pussycat. You seem to be fogging my brain at the moment. All I can see is you. All I can think of is you. "

A rude noise much like that of a cat hacking a hairball drew both of their attentions as Maggie Evans passed by with a tub full of clean glasses. She just winked at the pair and continued on to the other end of the bar to restock.

"Critic!" Harker snarled after her. Maggie’s only reply was to giggle none too quietly.

Maggie sat the rack full of glasses down, after she had taken a double look at the pair sitting at the bar. "What the…?", she whispered, then turned around and stood in front of the two. "Hey Deputy, do you have a designated driver? YOU of ALL people should know that you shouldn't drink and drive. What would the Sheriff think, and  who are you calling a critic here?" Maggie snapped in mock annoyance.

"Aw, Maggie. It's just a Bud Lite... ok, I admit, I just started my third, but I'm not on the clock yet, and I might not be if the new schedule isn't posted soon. Besides..." he paused as he took a sip from the bottle. "I got dropped off. If I'm needed I'll get picked up again. If I'm not needed than I can always call a cab. Ok with you, Mom?"

He started to turn his attention back to the hot blonde in his lap, but a thought occurred to him and he looked sideways at Maggie and grinned broadly. Of all the people who were in the know he thought she of all people would have caught on by now. Had it really been that long since he'd been in this bar? "You don't know, do you?" he asked her slyly. "All of your psychic powers and you really can't tell?"

Before she could answer he laughed in amusement and popped another warm garlic cheddar biscuit halfway into his mouth, then leaned up to offer the other half to Carolyn. The implication was obvious: a garlic cheddar biscuit kiss.

Yes this day was getting better and better all the time, and he vowed to savor every single minute of it.

Sam Evan came back in the middle of the conversation and set a glass of something delicious on the bar next to Carolyn with a very Cheshire smile on his face.

"One Apple Blueberry Collins, the recipe of which is less than five minutes old," he announced triumphantly.

With a mouth full of biscuit and lap full of blonde all Harker could do in his defense was to spread his hands and shrugged in innocence. He shook his head at Sam's accusation of creating trouble and nodded his understanding with wide eyes at the older man's warning. It wasn't until Sam stalked off that he sighed and started chewing again. The biscuit suddenly felt very dry in his mouth. In a roundabout sort of way it matched the rapid pounding in his chest.

Carolyn gently pulled the corner of the napkin her drink was sitting on and slowly slid it towards her. She gently grasped the tip of the straw and started stirring the new discovery drink.. She looked over at Harker and sarcastically said, "Wow.. if I didn't know any better, I would have thought something had done crawled up Sam's keester and I can't imagine what is wrong with Magguie tonight. I'll tell'ya what, Handsome, why don't we go grab us a table where we can have a more peaceful time together. What do you say?", Carolyn winked as she took her first taste of the drink, sucking on the tip of the straw.

"Sam worries too much," Harker said as he watched the woman suck on the straw. The visual was just far too distracting for words. For a moment his defenses were down and he forgot he was supposed to be watching the door for trouble to come walking in. Oh the things he could say and do to this woman who sat so deliciously on his lat at that moment... all of which would definitely get him into trouble much less arrested in even the most liberal of cities in the country... His heart beat faster and his licked his lips unconsciously. The adrenaline rush hit him like a ton of bricks as the target was acquired and locked.

Harker took the glass from Carolyn and blurted out, "Damn it, woman. That's not fair." His right hand went to her cheek while his fingers buried themselves in her hair and drew her down to his upraised face. "Just kiss me before I die right here."

Carolyn fixed her eyes to his, smiling and replied, "My pleasure Handsome!"

She drew in closer and could feel her adrenaline escalate at the meeting of their lips..

He tasted blueberries and apple on her lips which, he decided, was by far better than the beer he's been drinking. Losing himself in the kiss was easier than he'd imagined and any thought of self control was forgotten. Without forethought because of the beer buzz he was starting to feel in his head, his hands slid down the woman’s curves to her hips and up and around her rear, cupping each cheek. He couldn't help but chuckle. Damn, she could make any man commit sins he'd never even dreamed of.

Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew he was about to get one hell of an ass-kicking, but kissing Carolyn Stoddard was going to make the pain all worthwhile.

Carolyn slowly pulled away as she felt his massive hands grasp her rear-end.. "Whoa there Handsome.. Just because we kissed didn't give you permission to take it any further. You need to slow it down", she reiterated, as she continued to sip on her specialty drink.

There was a respectable lunch crowd at The Blue Whale when the man pulled his patrol car into the parking lot and killed the engine. Inside the door he paused to remove his sunglasses and scan the room. His blue eyes adjusted to the subdued lighting and immediately he spotted the blonde he was looking for at the bar… sitting on the lap of someone he knew all too well.

The explicative the newcomer uttered was heard by nearby patrons who turned in his direction at hearing the familiar vulgarity.

“That lousy son-of-a-bitch!”

Collinsport was a small fishing village and as such gossip spread almost as fast as a storm warning. At one patron’s “uh oh” the alert was repeated over and again with the speed equal to waves heading for their destruction on the rocks below Widow’s Hill. The man who wore the star on his shirt cut his own path through the crowd and navigated around the occupied tables with smooth one-track determination. Everyone along the route noted his passing and the fact that his face showed intense displeasure. It radiated off of him like a presence unto itself.

One bit of sage advice waxed true anywhere people lived, worked or played: It never paid to piss off the cops!

Sam Evans was busy delivering food to a group of longshoremen in a remote corner of the tavern when the alert washed over the table. He turned around to see what all the fuss was about, and the hair on the back of his neck stood on end: There was going to be a beat-down, and considering the bodies packed in to the crowded room, there was no way he’d be able to head anyone off at the pass in time to stop the confrontation. All he could do was watch trouble rapidly approaching the couple at the bar. He caught Maggie’s concerned look from where she stood behind the bar and shrugged helplessly.

“Damn it! I should have known something like this would happen,” Sam told himself.

The woman of his intent was oblivious to his approach, but the man upon whose lap she perched just smiled when he caught sight of the lawman, then took the beautiful woman’s face in hand and kissed her passionately.

The lawman’s frown turned into a scowl and his eyes almost disappeared under furrowed brows.

Chairs could be heard scraping the wooden floor as patrons drew away from the couple at the bar. Things were about to get ugly and no one wanted to be anywhere near Ground Zero.

The Deputy’s voice was deep in timber and growled with warning behind Carolyn Stoddard’s back.

“Take your filthy paws off that woman’s ass before you have need of an ambulance to haul your ugly carcass out of this bar.”

Carolyn once again pulled away quickly when she heard an oh-so familiar voice. She turned in the direction of the voice and did a double take as she turned and looked at the man whose lap she was sitting. "Wha - what the hell is going on here?" she demanded. "Is this some type of sick joke?" she exclaimed loud enough for the whole bar to hear her. Her face turned into one of confusion. Brows furrowed as her smile turned into a frown. Anger began to set in while she waited for an explanation.

It took a great force of will before the man in the clinch reluctantly broke the kiss, and his face lit up like morning sunshine as he looked around Carolyn.

“FLATFOOT! Long time no see! How ya’ doin’, Buddy?”

"FLATFOOT?? Would someone please tell me what in the hell is going on here? I DEMAND AN EXPLANATION !!", she angrily demanded.

A murmur rose from some of the patrons in the bar, and money began to exchange hands. What had started out as a normal lunch break on a normal work day had just become more exciting! Wagers were being made on the combatants… and one was even placed in regards to the beautiful Stoddard woman for good measure.

“I wasn’t aware that Sam had lowered his tavern’s property value by allowing an alien mutant scumbag like you to darken his doorstep much less sit at his bar and molest his patrons.”

The lawman took Carolyn about the waist in a firm grip, lifted her easily from her seat and set her down on her feet next to the bar. His right hand shot out towards the man in the bar chair and landed with an audible thud on his chest. The man grunted as the Deputy’s fist clenched around a generous amount of blue shirt and black leather jacket, and hauled the man to his feet.

At this point, no one was explaining anything to Carolyn. She was in a state of shock as this OBVIOUS TWIN stood her to the side. It took all she had to hang on to the edge of the bar. 'Was this a sick prank?' she thought. Was this a setup? Did she act in haste with what she thought was the beginning of a wonderful relationship with Handsome? A relationship that she never thought she'd ever experience in her life? Carolyn just stood oblivious to the fact as to what had just transpired in front of her. She felt foolish, to say the least. She grabbed her purse and turned around walking as fast as her slender body would take her and fell into the doors of the ladies room. She dropped her purse to the floor and turned the cold water on and leaned against the sink with her arms propping herself up, looking at her reflection in the mirror.

 "Oh my God. What have I done?" she said aloud and her voice echoed through the stalls of the restroom. She began to quiver slightly as she felt her mouth begin to water and at that very moment, a rush of what little she ate and drank that very day had come back up to greet her. Carolyn was in trouble and she felt this time, there was no escaping.

“Hey! This is police harassment!” the first man said loudly. His wide grin showed a set of perfect, white teeth. “And grabbing her ass meant a lot to me,” he finished softly so only the two of them could hear. He stared the lawman right in the eye daring him to make the next move.

After a few minutes, Carolyn composed herself and decided to face the music. She exited the ladies room and made her way back to the bar. "Hey Sam, could you please get me a tall glass of ice water?", she asked as she turned watching the altercation between what looked to her to be TWINS!! She wasn't dreaming at all and she wasn't seeing things. But here again, all she could think to herself was, 'What have I done?'

The Deputy took another handful of the man’s shirt and jacket. “I told you last time that if this sort of thing ever happened again you’d lose more than just your teeth, now didn’t I, pretty boy?”

"DUDE! The jacket! Don't disrespect the leathers! What'd this poor innocent dead cow hide ever do to you?"

Without a word the Deputy let go of his opponent, who removed the jacket to reveal the Paramedics uniform he was wearing underneath. The man Carolyn had been flirting with handed her the garment.

"Hold this for me a moment will you, Pussycat?"

The Deputy took a calming breath. His heart was pounding and anger mixed with the confusion he felt.

Him?

Her?

There's an answer. Look for it.

Carolyn was very confused and her anger began to escalate.. "NO.. I WILL NOT HOLD ANYTHING UNTIL I GET AN EXPLANATION!!", she barked in frustration.

“That’s about how long everything takes with you,” the lawman interjected sarcastically.

The Paramedic stopped and scowled over his shoulder at the Deputy. He was about to say something, then though better of it and instead kissed Carolyn once again on the lips.

When he broke the kiss he winked at her and caressed her cheek with his hand. “Thanks, hot stuff. You are so worth what’s going to happen next.” As an afterthought, he grabbed his half empty bottle of beer and drained it. No need to let good alcohol go to waste, he silently told himself.

He turned back to the lawman and took a step forward, deliberately kicking the toes of the lawman's boots with his own in silent and smart-assed defiance.

“Ok. Bossie’s out of the Danger Zone and I'm sufficiently anesthetized. Now where were we?”

Standing nose to nose, the two men looked like carbon copies of each other. Same height and approximate weight, same sandy blond hair, same startling blue eyes… If it weren’t for their distinctly different uniforms, no one would be able to tell them apart.

Something had welled up inside of Harker. Something dark and unsettling. His rational was telling him one thing and his confusion was telling him another.

"For a smart ass you certainly have the memory of a goldfish! Then again, you need two brain cells to rub together to make neurons fire... which obviously, you are totally incapable of. Probably why you're still a Paramedic... and a bad one at that!"

His fists clenched involuntarily as he tried to make sense out of what he had seen upon entering the bar. What was... what could be... might be... couldn't be... no... not true...

“Beats being some jack-booted storm trooper thug terrorizing a town full of honest and upstanding fishermen. Why don't you go back to the station and lick your master’s boots… fuzzy… wuzzy!” The last two words were spat out with venom behind the broad grin.

“Ooooo. I can’t believe you kiss our Momma with that mouth. You should be ashamed of yourself. Then again, you’d actually have to have some self-respect in order to be ashamed.”

The old... the familiar... you want to hit him... you can't... not here... not now... calm down... fall into the familiar pattern and calm down...

"Says the man who uses a special brand of polish so he can see his reflection in that there pretty star.” The Paramedic pointed with a jabbing motion to the emblem on the lawman’s chest. “Maybe the fumes are getting up into your head, bro. Starting to mess with your rationale and common sense. Giving you what they call those delusions of grandeur.”

“Sounds like you’ve been nosing around the dictionary again. Don’t hurt yourself on the bigger words.”

“At least the books I read don’t have pictures as an assisted element.” He smiled easily. “And most of the women even have their clothes on.”

Jonathan raised his voice a bit to address the crowded bar.

“For those present who don’t know, this miserable excuse for a sibling calls himself Stephen Harker, and claims to be my twin brother. In actuality he is just a really butt-ugly changeling left in the crib by trolls shortly after my mother gave birth to myself and my real twin… which explains this thing’s chronic drooling. My father wanted to take it out and shoot it, but my dear mother, being a good Christian, felt sorry for the poor creature and decided to raise it despite its obvious handicap.”

“So says the pompous, overbearing, self-righteous, ugly bag of hot air,” Stephen retorted. “And after growing up with you, I've decided I am in favor of abortion in cases of incest.”

"Please go back to whatever one of my childhood traumas you came from and leave me alone, Steve."

"That would be our birth, Jon"

"My birth, your hatching,"

Sam had made his way across the crowded room who's inhabitants were mostly focused on the pair of verbal sparring partners. He and Maggie exchanged looks, but he shook his head. There was no reason to call the Sheriff... not yet anyway. Sam knew from past experience that these two might be brothers, but no matter how much these two publically fought, they had never before let it get out of hand. For the citizens of Collinsport, this was a rare kind of entertainment, and one which brought in a little more cash when it did occur.

Pockets of excited citizens were placing hush-toned bets on the outcome of the match. Sam hadn't seen this much action in his bar in a very long time, and he noted that since the sparring started, more people had entered his place.

Stephen cast a glance directly at Carolyn Stoddard.

“You know, Pussycat, some people in this world are like Slinkys.” He patted Jonathan’s arm politely. “They don’t fulfill a particular purpose, but they’re still fun to watch when you push them down the stairs.”

Totally focused on the object of his growing hatred, Jonathan wiped away the hand as if it were a disgusting speck of dirt... a little too forcefully.

... don't touch me you little prick...

…stop it... he's your brother... you can't...

bullshit!...

"I'm surprised with all the drugs you handle every day that they still haven't found one to cure stupidity." His vision narrowed. "Which no doubt you overdosed on again, I see."

... you're spinning out of control...

... stop...

... calm... down...

... not what it appears...

“And people like you are the reason people like me are on meds.” He brightened. “Hey, I have access to all sorts of stuff at the hospital. Maybe I could get the doctor to find you a cure for that idiocy complex.” Then, as quickly, he shook his head. “No. On second thought medical science hasn’t progressed that far yet.”

“I gather from the way this train is headed that meaningful conversation is an oxymoron with you.”

“Well, you've cornered the market on the moron part alright.”

... I'll kill you you son of a bitch...

The man's remained stern and unpleasant.

"Do you ever wonder what life would be like if you'd actually had enough oxygen at birth?"

As the match continued, patrons momentarily ceased wagering and drinking to notice Carolyn looking back and forth at the sparring siblings as if taking in a tennis game of the mind. No one was quite sure, but it seemed to many that she had never seen the pair of siblings together before. In fact, one wager stood that, while she had her sights set on the Deputy, she was more than likely oblivious to the fact that he had a twin.

Many folks wondered to this day which one was the real Evil Twin.

The rapid-fire insults ebbed as the combatants sized each other up. Those in the audience who’d seen the boys before knew the end was coming soon for one of them.

Stephen spread his arms out and smiled. “Everyone in this bar knows you’ve never played with a full deck, Bro. It’s common knowledge up and down the Maine coastline that you’ve always been a jack off.”

... calm down...

... shut the fuck up! He wasn't pawing your girl!...

"I heard someone ask you, "A penny for yout thoughts ," and you put your two cents in. So what happened to the other penny?"

... she's not your girl...

... shut up!...

... haven't had a single date yet... not yours...

“If our mother knew you did this for a living,” Stephen jabbed a finger at the badge on Jon’s chest “she'd kill you. She thinks you’re selling dope.”

Jonathan patted Stephen's cheek a little too roughly in mock sympathy, but the fire in his eyes and the twist at the corners of his mouth were not those of pleasure or happiness.

... calm.... he's your brother...

"Well, that's better than being related to one..." a heartbeat passed, then he spat out "... Bro!"

The end was in sight. A couple of minutes more and the whole bar would know who the winner of this little insult to intelligent entertainment would be.

"Hey pig, if you lose your voice will you be dis-gruntled?"

"Everyone knows you have multiple personalities, so please don’t threaten suicide, or we’ll have to considered it hostage situation."

“Jonny boy here always wanted to do good for the community. When we were kids he took a job as a lifeguard…” the grin on Stephen’s face disappeared as he spat out “… in a car wash!”

"Mom said you were wondering what the future held for you in the romance department, well don't go to a mind reader, go to a palmist; I know you've got a palm."

"Well, my broth…” Stephen paused, confused. The adrenalin rush from the spirited competition paired with the three beers he'd drunk without much else except biscuits to put into his empty stomach suddenly mugged him with a vengeance. “Palmist?” He looked at his brother, mouth agape. That made no sense...

They stood there for a heartbeat, and then the reality of it sunk in. The momentary glitch in his train of thought was all it took to disqualify Stephen from the match. "Oh."

“Crap!” he muttered in disbelief.

There was silence in the bar. No one moved. It was obvious what would come next...

"You lose...asshole!"

As he spoke, his hand went to the badge on his shirt and fiddled with it.

A long buried image flickered in the back of his memory...

... remember her?...

... don't say it... don't you DARE say her name...

... RACHEL!...

... NOOOOOO!!... Carolyn's nothing like her!!! ... nothing...

The audience started laughing with the pair as money exchanged hands for the final time. It had been too long since the brothers had gotten together to square off against each other, and this episode of Harker vs. Harker was going to be worth retelling for the next few weeks.

Sam sighed in relief that his bar was still intact. He’d been worried for a while there. It had been a very long time since he’d actually seen the brothers go at each other like this in his bar, and it had proven to be quite entertaining, but it never had been quite this intense.

Stephen closed his mouth, smiled, and with arms spread somewhat dramatically, bowed to his brother in defeat.

Unfortunately for him he didn't see the glint of light off of gold metal, nor did he hear the sharp metal-on-glass tinkle as the emblem of his status in the Collinsport community flew from Jonathan's hand with a forceful flick of his wrist. The badge sailed past Carolyn Stoddard, struck her drink sharply and settled on the bar next to the phone Stephen had set there earlier.

"I admit defeat, oh Broth - URK!" The din of the onlookers lowered in decibel at the strangled, unintelligible noise Stephen made.

... he's still your brother...

... he betrayed me...

... you love him...

... bastard deserves a beating...

... STOP IT!... there IS an explanation!... you're a cop... find it!...

... fuck off!...

... don't kill him... not here... not now...

... he was with her...

... not what it looks like... find the answer!

He never saw it coming. The bar stood watching as the now badge-less Deputy Harker seized his brother roughly by the throat and lifted him up onto his tip toes to dangle helplessly in the air. Stephen’s hands came up try and pry his brother’s fingers away, but Jonathan increased the strength of his grip. The look on Stephen’s face was that of surprise, shock and disbelief tinged with a little bit of fear.

“You broke one of our rules… Brother!” Jonathan informed him. “We always said punking each other is expected… our dates and or girlfriends ok… as long as the boundaries were not crossed. Remember that, Stephen?”

The other man tried to choke out a reply but could only manage a gasp.

“Which Boundary Rule did you break, Stephen?” Jonathan's voice growled deep in displeasure.

The helpless man knew exactly what his brother meant, but was hard pressed to choke out the words much less draw in a breath. His face showed with the strain of his plight. 

“No… hands… above… hemline.”

“Oh, you do remember. I'm impressed. Now, you can kiss her feet, lick her ankles, you can even hump her leg if you ask her permission first... ok, on second thought maybe not... all in the spirit if good muddy fun, but the moment your hand strays across Boundaries that’s when you get hurt. If you ever… and I mean ever… break those rules again, I will crush those hands of yours so completely you will never be able to hold a job in any medical profession ever again. Do I make myself clear?”

“…crystal…. crystal…”

Stephen wasn’t ready for his brother to release him so suddenly, and his knees buckled as his feet hit the floor…. followed by the rest of him of course. Sprawled on the deck, Stephen looked up apologetically at his twin and rubbed his throat. He knew he’d deserved that.

... help him up!...

... NO!...

...he's your brother... your blood...

... No!...

... HELP... HIM... UP!

“Very good,” the Deputy said, extending a hand. “Now apologize to the lady for being such a jerk.”

Stephen took the proffered hand and got to his feet. Suddenly embarrassed and proper chastised, he went to Carolyn who was still at he bar.

"Carolyn, my brother's right. I'm not going to apologize for the punking. God himself knows that if you're going to go down Insanity Road and continue this relationship with my ugly twin here..." he hooked a thumb in the deputy's direction "... instead of me..." his hand splayed across his chest, "then you're going to have to accept the fact that we always have and always will be competitive with each other. We're twins, we're brothers. We can't be anything BUT competitive.

"Now I wish I could blame my grabbing that wonderfully shaped ass of yours on the beer, Pussycat, but in all honesty I'm definitely more..." he paused, searching for the word. "... uninhibited than my straight-laced twin here, and I'd take more than that before I even felt a buzz. What I did, I did because you are by far the most intoxicating woman I've ever met, and what you did with that straw... well... you can make a guy lose his mind. Yes, what I did was wrong... pleasurable as it was it was still wrong... and I apologize profusely from the bottom of my heart. I hope you can forgive my tactless, asinine, sophomoric humor."

... calm down...

... but...

... breathe...

... but...

... it's not what it looks like...

... but I saw them...

... trust your heart... not your eyes...

No!

... trust your heart...

Carolyn took a napkin off the bar and wiped her lips, trying to remove the deceit that was just laying upon her lips..

She had undoubtedly been deceived by one or the other, but not anymore -- THIS WAS IT!!

"HOW DARE YOU!!", she scowled.. "I am sooooo outta here", she stated, as she took the cold glass of ice water that sat in front of her and tossed its contents into both the men’s faces. "Now this is what I think of both of you and you can pick up your stinking jacket over there off the floor where it belongs. And furthermore, don't even think of calling.. IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!", she yelled as she grabbed her bag and turned her back and hurriedly walked to the door exiting the establishment.

The shock of the cold water startled Jonathan out of his anger and he looked at himself. Jonathan watched the woman walk towards the door, then whirled on his brother. His eyes flashed dangerously as he came to the sickening realization of what had just happened.

"I take it she's not the one who invited me to lunch... did she, Stephen?" he growled angrily, taking a step towards his twin. His fists clinched again, and this time Jonathan Harker dismissed all those voices that had been ringing in his head. Confusion, logic, rationale' all that died in a gasp as he bellowed "DID SHE?"

"Oh no," Sam muttered as the bar went back to normal again. The patrons’ had their entertainment. Little did they know things had just turned ugly.

The key to being a good bar owner relied a lot on the ability to gauge his patron's moods, and Sam Evans was good at that. Jonathan Harker was starting to turn red with anger.

He touched his daughter on the arm. "Get the Sheriff down here now. Someone's going to get hurt."

Stephen took a step backwards and the smirk on his face disappeared as his brother took a step towards him. He grabbed the phone off the bar where the Deputy had tossed his badge. "I left the message at the station for you to meet her here and then I just send her a text to meet you here, too." He handed his brother the phone. "Really... J.. Jon..I... I just thought... " he just couldn’t make it sound the way he meant it. No matter what, his brother was going to take this the wrong way...

Stephen saw Sam starting to approach. The look on his face was not a happy one. They were about to be thrown out of the bar, so Stephen beat everyone to the decision and turned and hurried from the bar.

In anger Jonathan Harker went after his brother. Patrons fell back as the two men passed, Stephen just steps ahead of Jonathan. The door to the Whale banged open and the paramedic stumbled out into the light of day. He paused, trying to forces his eyes to adjust to the light. His twin stormed from the bar just as the door was swinging shut again. The portal made a terrible racket as it hit the side of the building with the force of the blow the Deputy gave it.

Those few seconds were all the time an enraged Jonathan Harker needed to catch up to his twin. He grabbed the man by the shoulder and spun him around to face him.

"YOU SENT HER PORN FROM MY WORK PHONE YOU SLEAZE!" Jon yelled in the other man's face just a heartbeat before the deputy's fist smashed into it full force.

Stephen hit the ground and skidded a few feet on the asphalt parking lot. Good thing he was wearing that pretty leather jacket.

"YOU PUT YOUR HANDS ALL OVER HER, YOU LOW LIFE SON OF A BITCH!" Jonathan shouted. People passing on the sidewalk stopped and turned to stare at the commotion.

Sirens could be heard in the distance, and from the sound of it they were heading in the direction of the bar.

Jonathan reached down to grab the frightened man who lay on the ground with his arms outstretched to ward his twin off, to no avail.

Harker picked up Harker and bodily slammed him into the side of a parked SUV. The vehicle rocked with the impact and Stephen cried out in pain.

"YOU COULDN'T LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE COULD YOU? YOU HAD TO TAKE IT FARTHER THAN A SIMPLE DRINK AND IMPERSONATION, DIDN'T YOU?"

Stephen wasn't really as helpless as he felt, but he just couldn't bring himself to throw a punch back at his brother. Not when Jon had been right in the first place. He had taken things too far with Carolyn.

"Of all people I thought the one person in this town who could take a joke would be Carolyn Stoddard!"

"YOU CALL THAT A JOKE??" Jonathan yelled. The tone of his voice was beyond angry. He was... there really were no accurate words for his rage.

The only thing that saved Stephen from a broken jaw was the fact he turned his head with the next blow his brother dealt him. Blood sprayed and the Paramedic whimpered.

Patrons from the bar had filtered outside after the brothers and were now standing in stunned disbelief at the sight before them. One Harker brother was about to beat the other one to death. One of the patrons was already on his phone. Probably calling in the altercation.

Sheriff's patrol cars converged rapidly on the Blue Whale parking lot effectively blocking all cars and exits just as Jonathan's fist once more smashed into his brother's face. Uniformed men spilled out of the vehicles and raced towards the combatants, physically pulling them apart just as the Sheriff pulled up.

Hurt more than anything in the world, Carolyn sat in her car still in shock with what just took place. 'How could she have been so gullible?' were thoughts streaming through her head. She did good to get to her car, but once there. It was as if she froze from humiliation. After all, she was 'Carolyn Stoddard! The wealthiest young Collins in Collinsport! What would others think of her now?   The longer she sat there, the more confused she got.   Her frustrations were turning into anger.

'HOW COULD THEY DO THIS TO ME?' she softly, but angrily spoke aloud to herself as fury engulfed her facial features.  

She gripped her steering wheel, clutching it as tight as she could, almost wishing it was one of those Harker boys’ necks, but she was raised better than that. Violence WAS NOT the answer.

 Loud noises came whistling across the parking lot outside of the Blue Whale, and as Carolyn looked up to see the commotion, only then did she realize it was the Harker Boys beating the hell out of one another. Once she saw that, she quickly turned her ignition key and pushed the button to where the convertible top would envelope the top of her car. Once that was done, she locked her car doors and just sat in silence. Before long, she could hear sirens in a distance and red lights flashing as they drew closer to the pub. All Carolyn could do was sit and watch as this nightmare unfolded before her.

 

"What the Hell is going on here!" Patterson barked above the noise as he got out of his car and approached the chaos of struggling bodies.

The Paramedic looked like he needed one at that moment. His shirt as well as his face was bloodied from abrasions caused by Jonathan's fist, nose askew, one eye swollen, lower lip split, a bruise quickly turning black on one cheek... he was not a pretty sight. Both men were clearly upset, but for different reasons.

"Jon, I'm sorry. I... I never meant it to go like that. She really is a nice girl. I really just wanted to get you two together finally. None of this texting shit! It's just..." he swallowed, the sharp metallic tang of blood on his tongue, and took a deep breath. "Damnit, Jon, it's been two years! Rachel's gone! You just can't live in the shadow of what she did to you! They're not all like her!"

The shock and disbelief crossed Jonathan's angry red face. He couldn't believe his own brother had just said the unspeakable.

"NEVER... EVER... SAY THAT NAME AGAIN YOU HEARTLESS BASTARD!" Jonathan screamed as he made a desperate lunge to get his hands on the man before him.

Two more deputies threw themselves on their badge brother in an attempt to keep him from the Paramedic. It was evident that this argument had gone to a completely new level of dangerous, and in their opinions Jonathan was going to kill his brother if they didn't keep a firm hold on him.

Patterson looked at both men in stunned amazement and displeasure. He hadn't heard that name in two years. Was this what the fight was all about? He saw the blood on Stephen's battered face which matched the injuries to Jonathan's right hand and suspected that something more serious than normal had come between the brothers to make them act like the bitterest of enemies.

He turned to the deputies restraining the paramedic and snapped out "Take him to the hospital. And get a statement." Patterson pointed at the bloodied man. "And you, I don't know which one of you started this little dust-up, but if you come around and harass my Deputy one more time I'll throw your ass in jail. Now get out of here!"

As the deputies dragged the paramedic to one of the patrol cars and stuffed him inside, Patterson turned back to his Harker. The man's face ran the emotional gambit between rage and pain.

The Sheriff lowered his voice to talk to his restrained Deputy. "Jon, what happened here?" When the man didn't immediately answer, Patterson repeated the question. "Look at me." Another pause. "Jonathan! I said look... at... me!"

As he was stuffed into the back seat of the patrol car, Stephen took one last look at his brother through the car door window. The pain on his twin's face matched the one in his own heart. They'd always been closer than normal brothers. Mom had said time and again that it was because they were twins, and that they shared that special bond that only twins could know. He hadn't meant to say Rachel's name. It just sort of slipped out when he wasn't able to find any other words to say.

As the sight of the bar grew smaller in the distance, Stephen sunk down in the back seat and silently prayed for some way to make it all right with his brother again.

The red cloud that had hazed his eyes broke and his vision returned to normal once again. His face betrayed his pain and he sighed, shoulders slumping. It was as if the air had been let out of a balloon all at once. He sagged against the deputy who had a hold of him from behind and he hung his head, suddenly ashamed of the spectacle the two of them had made in public.

"Some cop I am," he muttered. "... can't even control myself in a situation like that."

Patterson put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey. You're a good cop. You just remember that. You just had a few buttons pushed is all. It happens. Deal with it."

He nodded to his men. "Let him go, boys. He's going to be okay now. Right, Jonathan?"

At first it didn't seem like Harker had even heard Patterson's question, then the young man nodded slowly, eyes almost vacant except for the haunted look of a man who had just realized that he'd done something horribly wrong... committed an act so hideous he couldn't believe himself capable of...

All he could do was stand in silence as his co-workers watched, probably hoping what they saw wasn't true.

One by one the Deputies released Harker and stood by confused and hoping he wasn't going to give them any reason to handcuff him. It looked bad to the public when you had to arrest one of your own, and it demoralized the unit as a whole.

"Sheriff," Deputy Barbour said "If you have this, maybe the rest of us should get back on duty."

Patterson just nodded and the men walked away leaving the two men alone. As the others headed for the car, Barbour herded the bar patrons either back inside or told those leaving the bar to move along. The show was most definitely over.

George Patterson put a hand on Harker's shoulder. "I have a first aid kit in my car. Come on over and I'll get you cleaned up." As Harker opened his mouth Patterson cut him off. "Do as you're told, Deputy."

The Sheriff kept an eye on his man as he retrieved the first aid kit. Patience curbed his curiosity and it wasn't until he started cleaning the blood off of Harker’s right hand did he even speak again. "Care to tell me what set this off? Was it. -"

Harker sat on the hood of Patterson's cruiser and put his face in his blood stained hands in silence while his boss went to get the first aid kit from the trunk of the car. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that he didn't have the whole picture here. What he first thought was a lunch date with a beautiful woman turned into a very ugly situation indeed. Three deep calming breaths later he raised his face from his hands and looked around. He was shaking in the aftermath of the rush of anger and embarrassment.

A flash of gold caught his attention out of the corner of his eye, but when he looked it was gone. Was that blonde hair he saw? Afraid to look around he just hung his head and looked at his bloody hands. The flesh on the right one was mangled form the blows he'd dealt his brother... and the teeth Jonathan had tried to cram down his sibling's throat. The left was uninjured, but sported a fair amount of blood when he had picked Stephen up off the ground to have another go at him.

Jonathan sighed before answering Patterson's question. "I went back to the station to get some things and found a note on my desk from Carolyn Stoddard asking me to meet her at the Blue Whale for lunch. You know we've been having this..." Oh hell, might as well come out with it now. The rumor had been floating around for a few weeks as it was. Might as well set the record straight. "... email flirtation." He winced as Patterson just nodded that he was listening and poured an antiseptic liquid over his right hand. "Well... the last thing I sent her from my phone was this picture of a bottle of wine and a cat. A Merlot/Purrlot kind of thing. It's cute and she liked it. I was over at Mom's helping her move some things to the attic and I must have set the phone down and forgotten all about it. Next thing I know my phone is missing and I can't find it. I called, but there was no answer. I figured I dropped it somewhere and it was lost for good."

He paused, but when Patterson didn't say a word Jonathan took that as his cue to continue. He sighed. "So when I get here, Stephen... he's got his hands all over her. I tried telling myself he was just joking around, that it wasn't what I saw at all, but I... I couldn’t think straight. I just suddenly wanted to rip him apart." Jonathan looked directly at Patterson. "Carolyn and I haven't even been on one single date yet... this was going to be our first... and I was feeling jealous of my own brother. I mean, he had his hands all over my girl." Harker paused. "I tried to keep calm. I really did... I just..."

Patterson's eyebrows rose and he locked eyes with his Deputy. "Your girl? Carolyn Stoddard? Ok, hand over the phone and let me see what your brother's been sending her."

Harker did as he was told. A couple of minutes of scrolling through messages, both sent and received, and George had a very good idea as to what had happened. He knew the brothers well and their reputation for pranking each other.

"I take it you're serious about this girl, then?" he asked, handing the phone back and continuing to treat Harker's injury.

Harker nodded. "Probably more than I should be at this stage... I don't know. All I do know is when I first saw them together... I hated him. I hated him enough to try and beat the hell out of him." He watched for a moment as Patterson wrapped the hand in gauze and taped it secure. "Then we got into the verbal sparring and all I could think of was how I could almost believe I meant every word I said to him. How much I wanted to put my hands around his throat and choke him." He tried to clinch a fist with his bandaged hand and the pain told him to stop. "I'm sorry for my actions, Sheriff. It was disgraceful of me. I wish I could apologize to Carolyn, too... but she... she doesn't want to speak to either one of us again. Ever."

Patterson put the supplies back into the kit and closed it up. He handed Harker a damp gauze 4x4 and said "Clean the blood off your face and get in the car. I'm taking you home. As of this minute you're on a five day suspension without pay for fighting in public while in uniform and almost putting a citizen in the hospital, and I don't give a rats ass if he is your brother. You are a Sheriff's Deputy and as such it is your responsibility, not to mention your sword duty, to protect the citizens of Collinsport... not beat them to a bloody pulp just because they pissed you off by getting all grabby-ass with your girl. Don't worry about your vehicle. I'll send someone to pick it up later. Right now I want your weapon. I'd ask for your badge, too, but I see you've lost it already."

"Sheriff," a voice called out. "Can I have a word with you?" Patterson turned to see Sam Evans walking towards them. He held something in his hands. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I just wanted to give this back to Deputy Harker. He left it sitting on the bar just before he started choking his brother."

Sam handed over the shiny gold badge. "I guess I have to take some of the blame. When I figured out Carolyn was meeting with the wrong brother I should have thrown Stephen out right then. I didn't know things were going to turn out like this. It never has before. I had no reason to believe it would go this far." He shrugged. "Look, George, I'm not going to ban the boys from my bar, but I do insist they mind their manners from here on out. No more pranking or they get the boot... for good."

Patterson took the badge and gave the barkeep a half smile. "I appreciate that, Sam. I'll inform the boys of your new policy and see to it they understand it completely."