David and Neds - The Right Guide 4
Jul. 18th, 2005 07:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dimity_bluePart 4
Naturally, after the disaster that was Neds meeting his family, David was more convinced than ever that his own meeting with Neds' family would be just as bad - if not worse. Therefore he spent the week between the weekends worrying endlessly, his anxiety reaching a fever pitch the night before they were due to leave.
Neds would hate it...Neds would insist on breaking their bond...Neds' family would loathe him and he'd have to leave the weekend part of the way through, return to Cascade alone, get a job, find an apartment, give up his soon-to-start art course and try to move on with his life - an unwanted, unbonded, useless ex-Guide.
David buried his head under his pillow and groaned into the mattress. Maybe he could smother himself before morning.
The mattress dipped and he jerked with shock, pushing the pillow away to see why and blinking in the light of his bedside lamp.
"What's the matter?"
He wasn't surprised to find Neds sitting by him, a patient tone in his voice.
"Nothing."
"Then why are you still awake at one in the morning?"
Giving it up, David rolled onto his side and gazed up at Neds. "Just...worrying."
"Uh huh. Don't tell me: my family will hate you, I'll decide I shouldn't have bonded with you, you'll end up going back to Boston and I'll find another Guide. How am I doing?"
David snuggled under the covers slightly to hide his blushes. Was he really that obvious?
His blushes worsened as Neds tucked him in. "My family will adore you." A large hand ruffled his hair. "And if they don't, they'll have me to deal with. Now go to sleep and stop worrying."
"Yes, Neds." As Neds' hand reached towards the switch on the lamp, he added, "Neds?"
The hand stopped. "Yes?"
"Remember when I took my library books back?"
Neds sat back, patiently waiting for the rest. "I remember."
"I ran into Harriet, a friend of mine."
"You mentioned her. I'm hoping to meet her when you start back at Rainier."
"Well..." David wasn't entirely sure how to say it but he'd started now, and Neds would wait all night to hear the rest if he had to - David had learnt that much about his Sentinel. Staring steadfastly at his lamp, he continued, "She said that you went to see Dean Edwards and that - that...people are saying you had a row with her."
"In a manner of speaking, I did." As Neds' gaze met his, Neds explained, "I had a few words with her about the fact that the Guide Prime was almost driven out of Guide School by a bully who should never have been in Guide School in the first place."
"And...she was okay with that?" If David was going back to Rainier, he didn't want to make an enemy of the dean of Rainier University.
"She's not going to blame you for what I said, David." Smiling slightly, he added, "She wouldn't dare."
"But -"
"Dexter Pierson is a bully - and barely ranks as a Guide. He should never have been admitted to Guide School. Dean Edwards needed to know that he was attempting to drive strong empaths out of school. He'd already chosen his next victim and was well on his way to making him quit too." Neds smoothed the covers and tucked them more firmly into place. "He's been removed from Guide School now and he won't be causing any more problems. And if Dean Edwards dares to try to make trouble, she knows she'll have the Sentinel Prime to deal with - and the Senior Sentinel Prime is well aware of the situation and is ready to back me up on it."
"Oh." David felt that he had little left to say. But it did explain that afternoon when he'd been kept busy helping Sentinel Ellison with his paperwork. He'd thought it was odd at the time but hadn't liked to say anything.
"Now then, go to sleep."
"Yes, Neds." He wanted until the light was off then added, "Thanks, Neds."
"My pleasure."
The door clicked shut and David smiled into the darkness, his eyes heavy with tiredness. As his eyes insisted on shutting, he took the warmth of being cared for with him into his dreams.
~'~
"C'mon, David, there's nothing to be scared of." Edwards handed a suitcase to his Guide and shut the lid of the trunk.
"I know that."
"Of course you do." Edwards didn't know if David was trying to convince him or himself, but, judging by his body signs, he was failing on both counts. "Just relax. They'll love you."
A heaved, shuddering breath was his only reply.
~'~
"Clement!"
'Clement?' David didn't say a word, but he totally understood Neds' reticence where his first name was concerned.
"Mother." Neds dropped his suitcase and wrapped his arms around the petite lady who was so pleased to see him.
As she released him, Neds stepped back and said, "Mother, this is my Guide, David. David, this is my mother -"
"And who else would I be?" the lady demanded in a scolding tone, her brown eyes, so like Neds', sparkling with affection. "I'm very pleased to meet you, David. We've all been hoping for quite some time now that Clement would find his Guide."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Edwards." David had to fight to keep a grin off his face at the look on Neds' face.
"Call me Elvira, dear." She slipped her arm through his, and led him into the house and up the stairs, Neds walking along behind them. "We'd quite given up hope on Clement, you know. He's so stubborn." She threw an affectionate glance over her shoulder, then continued, "My sister introduced him to at least seven different Guides that I know of, but none of them would do at all. He's just like his Grandfather in that respect; he didn't find his Guide until he was in his thirties. Of course, once he'd bonded with Uncle Jonathan - that's what we all called him, dear - he was fine. It was a very strong bond - just like yours and Clement's. I can tell that."
Her arm squeezed his against her side, and David smiled at the waves of affection that flooded through him.
"Now then, dears, I've put you in your Grandfather's old bedroom, Clement, with David next to you." Elvira leaned into David and explained, "It's an adjoining room. After he was bonded, Father insisted that he had to be able to reach his Guide at a moment's notice, so he had a door knocked into the wall between the two rooms. He and Uncle Jonathan were so thrilled when Clement turned out to be a Sentinel. They'd hoped there'd be a few Guides in the family, but we've never produced Guides, and Uncle Jonathan's family only had the one Guide, and that was Uncle Jonathan, of course." She sighed, and David felt the sadness that flickered through her before it was banished. "What about your family, dear? Lots of Guides?"
"Oh, n-no." David felt the flush that covered his face. "I'm the only Guide that I know of." Lord, his father would have gone nuts if any of the rest of the family had dared to let them down by being a Guide too. "And we've never had Sentinels in our family either."
"Just like Uncle Jonathan, then! His family was most surprised when he turned out to be a Guide - they couldn't understand it at all." Again, there was that hint of sadness, then she brightened again. "But you've found each other now, and that's all that matters. Here we are, dear. This will be your room, and Clement," she threw open another door, "is right through here."
David only had time for a quick glance around before she spoke again.
"Now then, I'll leave you two to unpack." She patted David on the shoulder, sending a flush of warm affection through him again, before turning to Neds. "Dinner will be served in an hour, dear, and I'm afraid that Miranda's invited Smedley." She straightened his tie and David smiled to see her glare sternly at the large ex-Marine. "Make sure you're polite to him. They're going to be married in a few months, and there's no point in starting a family feud now." She tugged at Neds' tie and added, "We can do that at the wedding."
"Yes, Mother."
"All right." She patted Neds on the chest and said, "I'll see you both downstairs," then was gone.
David couldn't resist it; as soon as the door was shut, he murmured, "Clement?"
"David!"
"You never told me!" He grinned as Neds advanced on him, and ducked around the other side of the bed for safety. "I thought your name was Humperdinck or Peregrine or," he shrieked as his Sentinel grabbed him and threw him on the bed, "Rumplestiltskin!"
"I'll give you Rumplestiltskin," Neds growled threateningly.
David shrieked again as he was tickled unmercifully.
"Uncle?" Neds demanded, long, breathless minutes later.
"Uncle," David panted as the tickling finally stopped, the last of his giggles still shaking him. The gleam in Neds' eye was a familiar one, and David tilted his head back, taking a deep breath as he stopped laughing. "Marked and claimed." As the Sentinel's gaze shifted to his neck, he added, "Clement."
~'~
"So who's Smedley?"
Edwards smiled as he combed his hair. He'd known that it was only a matter of time before David felt more confident, and the teasing and casual demand for information were proof of that. "Smedley Cunningham the third."
"The third?" David peered around the edge of the doorframe. "You mean there's been two other people called 'Smedley'?"
"Oh yes." Edwards went into his Guide's room and paused to straighten David's tie. "Smedley Cunningham, Senior, and Smedley Cunningham, Junior. Smedley's grandfather and father respectively." Knotting his own tie, he added, "Smedley's very proud of being a third."
"Lord! Does he insist on people calling him that?"
"He'll let it go in casual conversation," Edwards admitted, "but it's all over the wedding stationery. He's marrying my cousin, Miranda. And he's a Sentinel - an unbonded one."
His eyes met David's in the mirror, a gleam of mischief showing in the green ones. "I'm not surprised with a name like Smedley." He paused for a moment then added, a huge grin on his face, "No wonder you call yourself Neds."
~'~
Smedley kept a charming smile on his face as he listened to one of Miranda's relatives. While Miranda was perfectly acceptable, being of a good, wealthy background, and having the beauty, breeding and ambition that he'd expect of his future wife, he frequently felt dismay when he thought of her family. Her parents were very acceptable, as they were rich and solidly respectable, but her aunt's family...well, while they were wealthy, they hadn't got an ounce of ambition between them - to say nothing of their bad habit of accepting people for who they were as opposed to making sure that they were the 'right kind' of person. And now he'd been dragged to meet them, again, in order to see Clement and his new-found Guide.
His thoughts lingered on the Sentinel who was another annoyance, in Smedley's eyes. The Sentinel Prime of Cascade. Smedley really didn't know why Clement had insisted on joining the Cascade Clan - unless....
No. He shook his head. Clement was not ambitious enough to make a play for the position of Senior Sentinel Prime. It was amazing that he'd become a Sentinel Prime.
Fortunately, Smedley had never been interested in Clan politics, preferring the cut and thrust of the stock exchange and the thrill of the FT Index.
He nodded politely as Miranda's boring, but wealthy, old great-aunt drivelled on about the wedding, then managed to catch Miranda's eye. Good, she'd taken the hint.
"Aunt Tally!" Even to Sentinel ears, Miranda sounded sincere. "I haven't seen you in an age - you're looking wonderful!"
The sharp eyes met Smedley's and for a second he thought she'd caught his request for rescue. "I've had your charming young man entertaining me, Miranda. Why wouldn't I look wonderful?"
Smedley almost frowned. Surely the old biddy wasn't being sarcastic at his expense?
Miranda laughed, a hint of uneasiness in her voice. "Well, whatever you're doing, it's working."
The old woman smiled affectionately as she patted Miranda on the face. "Riotous living, Miranda. I recommend it every time. Ah, there's Neds and his new Guide. I'll leave you two lovebirds alone."
Smedley allowed his frown to show. Lovebirds?
"You've really got to be more careful with Aunt Tally, Smedley. She's as sharp as a new pin."
He dragged his attention back to his fiancée. "Nonsense, Miranda. I have no difficulty charming elderly ladies." To his surprise, she lightly smacked him on the arm.
"Aunt Tally isn't just an elderly lady - and she can spot insincerity a mile off."
His frown returned as he smoothed his sleeve. "I can assure you, Miranda, I'm quite capable of sounding sincere."
"Well, now's your chance; she's coming back."
Pinning his most charming smile in place, Smedley turned. He felt it falter a little as he realised she was dragging Clement and his Guide in her wake, but his breeding held, as did his smile.
"You remember Smedley, don't you, Neds?"
"Of course I do, Aunt Tally. How are you, Cunningham?"
"I'm..." For a few seconds the words escaped Smedley as he scented the Guide standing a half-step behind the other Sentinel. Blinking, he managed a weak, "Fine." Disengaging his hand from Clement's, he reached out towards the young man. "How do you d-"
A hard hand closed around his wrist. "My Guide, Cunningham. Claimed and marked."
His glance flickered up to meet Clement's hard stare as he realised that he hadn't made such a faux pas in years. Pulling his hand free, he laughed a little. "Of course he is, Clement, do forgive me." Smedley caught the look Miranda threw at him and felt his cheeks redden. Forcing down his anger, he realised that he was acting like a newly-online Sentinel at his first mixer.
"This is my Guide, David Sutherland. David, this is Sentinel Cunningham."
A quiet, glorious voice quickly murmured, "How do you do?" then the Guide ducked out of sight behind Clement's shoulder.
Resolutely smiling, Smedley met Clement's gaze head on. "How long have you been bonded?"
"Three weeks now."
Three weeks, that was still early in a bond, he mused, his mind running on to various possibilities. The challenge in Clement's eyes brought him to a standstill and he managed an insincere, "Congratulations. You must be very happy."
~'~
"You did that on purpose." The accusation in Neds' tone was hard to miss.
"Down, boy," Aunt Tally retorted, not phased in the slightest. "I had no idea he was foolish enough to try that." She turned to David and touched his arm, the gentleness surprising him coming from the acerbic and mischievous old lady. "Are you all right, David?"
"I'm fine, Aunt Tally." He smiled at her, feeling warmth fill his heart even more, then looked up at his Sentinel as he projected as much happiness and calm as he could. "Really, Neds, he didn't touch me at all."
"He tried though."
Neds' arm tightened around David's shoulders, and David watched him glare across the room at the other Sentinel.
"Neds, it's all right. I'm here." He could hear Neds' teeth grinding.
The glare redirected itself to Aunt Tally, who withstood the blast without turning a hair. "Do you know where Cunningham's sitting at dinner?" Neds demanded.
"I'll find out." Daringly, she patted David's arm again, then left them alone.
David glanced at his arm, at his Sentinel, then watched her go. He couldn't believe how brave she was.
A heavy sigh brought his attention back to Neds. "My Grandfather was her brother; they grew up together." A rueful smile settled on his face. "She doesn't have it within her to be afraid of any Sentinel."
David smiled back, "She doesn't seem to be afraid of anyone," but his smile disappeared as he saw Cunningham watching him, a hungry look in his eyes.
Instantly, Neds blocked his view, a growl rumbling in the Sentinel's throat. David leaned into his back, holding on tightly and whispering reassurances, dread filling him as he worried that the two Sentinels were going to start fighting over him. Mrs. Edwards would be furious if that happened - and heaven alone knew what the rest of the guests would say.
"I think it's about time we went into dinner." Mrs. Edwards' quiet voice cut through the tense moment. "Clement, you and David lead the way."
David made no objection as he was promptly hustled from the room, a low growl sounding in his ear every step of the way. Fortunately for all of them, Cunningham especially, Neds and David were seated by Mrs. Edwards, while Cunningham was almost at the other end of the table. And, David was pleased to note, there was a huge silver vase blocking his view of the other Sentinel.
"Who on earth moved the epergne?" he heard Mrs. Edwards murmur.
"That would be me, dear." Aunt Tally sat down next to David and grinned at him. "Well, not me personally." She leaned into David's side and added, confidentially, "I'd have to be built like Arnold Schwartzenegger to lift that thing. I thought that if Smedley did want to ogle you, he'd have to stand up to do it. And I really don't think he'll go that far."
David grinned back at her as he heard Neds choke on a laugh.
Mrs. Edwards raised her wine glass in a quiet salute. "Good idea, Aunt Tally."
~'~
Smedley fumed to himself as he undressed for bed. That old witch, 'Aunt Tally' and her trick with the epergne. Not that he was going to spend dinner watching Clement's Guide, of course - he had far better manners than that! And, to make it worse, Miranda had taken her family's side, saying that he had no right to try to shake David's hand before Clement had even introduced them.
He threw his shirt on the chair, his hands trembling. No right, no right - what right did they have to say he had no right?
Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself down, his thoughts dwelling on the Guide. It was really quite a pity that David was bonded to Clement. The boy was obviously well bred and, if the tattle was right, he was a member of the Boston Sutherland family too. What a waste for the boy to be stuck in Cascade with a boor like Clement.
Throwing back the bedclothes, Smedley got into bed and lay back, his teeth grinding. If only he'd met David first. Challenging Clement would be useless - apart from him being a Sentinel Prime, he was also an ex-Marine and looked to be in excellent shape. No, a direct challenge would end in disaster.
Kidnapping David wasn't the answer either, unfortunately, as Clement, with his usual bull-headed, stubborn determination, would turn the world inside out looking for him - and he'd probably bring that Clan of his into it as well. No, the only way to acquire David was for Clement to be dead.
Smedley opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling, mulling it over. If Clement was dead then David would be bondless, and defenceless. Claimable.
His heart beat faster at the thought. Was he prepared to go so far as to kill Clement? He shook his head; he was no killer. He was, after all, a Cunningham and he had standards to keep up. But....
Rolling onto his side, he allowed his mind to recreate that moment when he scented David for the first time. Need cried out within him; unfulfilled longing at the thought of his Guide, bonded forever to a hulk like Clement.
He was no killer...but if Clement were to kill himself....
A smile curved his lips. Now that was a possibility that deserved consideration.
~'~
It wasn't until the next day that David got to meet Neds' father properly. He'd met him and Neds' siblings briefly the night before - before Cunningham had riled Neds thoroughly. Sitting down to breakfast with the main members of Neds' family, he couldn't help but compare it to the breakfast he'd had with his own family.
"Clement tells us you're going to university, David."
He looked up. "Yes, sir," at the stern look, he added, "Jethro."
"Rainier University?" Juliet, Neds' sister, asked.
David nodded.
"He's going to be studying art, dear." Mrs. Edwards - Elvira, David corrected himself mentally - poured her husband a cup of coffee and handed it over.
"Art? Excellent!" Jethro seemed to think it was a great idea. "Do you paint, David?"
"Uh...not yet. I-I draw...a bit."
"He's very talented," Neds threw in from his other side. "You should see his sketchbook."
"He must be talented to get into Rainier," Christian, Neds' brother put in. "Cate Mulrooney applied to there and was turned down."
David could feel his face reddening.
"She's not talented!" Juliet scoffed.
"Yes, she is." Christian frowned at her. "You're just jealous."
"Of what?"
"Perhaps David will show us his sketchbook after breakfast?" Elvira didn't seem to notice his embarrassment, and she was definitely ignoring her squabbling children. "Pass me your cup, David, you're out of coffee."
"Uh...yes...of course." David handed over his cup, butterflies in his stomach. Belatedly, he added, "Thank you."
"I should have guessed you're an artist, David," Aunt Tally chimed in. "You have an artist's hands."
"And you'd know!" Elvira said, darkly.
Juliet grinned. "She certainly would!"
"Of course I would, dear," Aunt Tally chuckled, mischief all over her face.
Leaning over to pinch some of David's toast, Neds murmured, "Aunt Tally spent the swinging sixties in Paris."
"Speak up, Clement!" Aunt Tally promptly demanded, showing that there was nothing wrong with her hearing. "You're muttering again!"
Neds grinned. "I was just saying that you spent the swinging sixties in Paris."
"Oh no!" Elvira muttered, although David could tell she wasn't that dismayed. "More toast, David?"
"Not just the sixties, Clement. And I knew lots of artists!" David giggled as she winked at him. "Some better than others, dear!"
~'~
"C'mon, David."
"You just hold your horses, Clement." Elvira hugged David again. "Come back soon, dear." She smiled, "Bring Clement with you, if you must. I'm sure I can find somewhere to put him."
"Mother!"
David grinned as Elvira let go of him. "I will." As Neds hugged his mother, David moved to face Aunt Tally.
"You take good care of that Sentinel of yours, David. And make sure he treats you right." As he held her gently, the elderly lady wrapped her arms around him in return and hugged him tightly. She kissed his cheek enthusiastically, then added, "And have fun at university - that's what it's there for."
"I couldn't agree more." Jethro hugged David just as tightly as the rest of his family had. "You're very talented, David, anyone can see that; but make sure to have fun too."
The good wishes were echoed by Christian and Juliet, and David smiled as he got into the car. Settling into his seat, he blinked carefully, a lump in his throat. He couldn't believe how much he was going to miss them - and they weren't even his family.
"You keep that Neanderthal in line, David," Christian called, grinning as his mother elbowed him.
"Drive carefully, Clement."
"I will, Mother. We'll be back the next weekend I have off."
"You make sure you are!" Her stern tone didn't fool anyone.
Part 5.
Naturally, after the disaster that was Neds meeting his family, David was more convinced than ever that his own meeting with Neds' family would be just as bad - if not worse. Therefore he spent the week between the weekends worrying endlessly, his anxiety reaching a fever pitch the night before they were due to leave.
Neds would hate it...Neds would insist on breaking their bond...Neds' family would loathe him and he'd have to leave the weekend part of the way through, return to Cascade alone, get a job, find an apartment, give up his soon-to-start art course and try to move on with his life - an unwanted, unbonded, useless ex-Guide.
David buried his head under his pillow and groaned into the mattress. Maybe he could smother himself before morning.
The mattress dipped and he jerked with shock, pushing the pillow away to see why and blinking in the light of his bedside lamp.
"What's the matter?"
He wasn't surprised to find Neds sitting by him, a patient tone in his voice.
"Nothing."
"Then why are you still awake at one in the morning?"
Giving it up, David rolled onto his side and gazed up at Neds. "Just...worrying."
"Uh huh. Don't tell me: my family will hate you, I'll decide I shouldn't have bonded with you, you'll end up going back to Boston and I'll find another Guide. How am I doing?"
David snuggled under the covers slightly to hide his blushes. Was he really that obvious?
His blushes worsened as Neds tucked him in. "My family will adore you." A large hand ruffled his hair. "And if they don't, they'll have me to deal with. Now go to sleep and stop worrying."
"Yes, Neds." As Neds' hand reached towards the switch on the lamp, he added, "Neds?"
The hand stopped. "Yes?"
"Remember when I took my library books back?"
Neds sat back, patiently waiting for the rest. "I remember."
"I ran into Harriet, a friend of mine."
"You mentioned her. I'm hoping to meet her when you start back at Rainier."
"Well..." David wasn't entirely sure how to say it but he'd started now, and Neds would wait all night to hear the rest if he had to - David had learnt that much about his Sentinel. Staring steadfastly at his lamp, he continued, "She said that you went to see Dean Edwards and that - that...people are saying you had a row with her."
"In a manner of speaking, I did." As Neds' gaze met his, Neds explained, "I had a few words with her about the fact that the Guide Prime was almost driven out of Guide School by a bully who should never have been in Guide School in the first place."
"And...she was okay with that?" If David was going back to Rainier, he didn't want to make an enemy of the dean of Rainier University.
"She's not going to blame you for what I said, David." Smiling slightly, he added, "She wouldn't dare."
"But -"
"Dexter Pierson is a bully - and barely ranks as a Guide. He should never have been admitted to Guide School. Dean Edwards needed to know that he was attempting to drive strong empaths out of school. He'd already chosen his next victim and was well on his way to making him quit too." Neds smoothed the covers and tucked them more firmly into place. "He's been removed from Guide School now and he won't be causing any more problems. And if Dean Edwards dares to try to make trouble, she knows she'll have the Sentinel Prime to deal with - and the Senior Sentinel Prime is well aware of the situation and is ready to back me up on it."
"Oh." David felt that he had little left to say. But it did explain that afternoon when he'd been kept busy helping Sentinel Ellison with his paperwork. He'd thought it was odd at the time but hadn't liked to say anything.
"Now then, go to sleep."
"Yes, Neds." He wanted until the light was off then added, "Thanks, Neds."
"My pleasure."
The door clicked shut and David smiled into the darkness, his eyes heavy with tiredness. As his eyes insisted on shutting, he took the warmth of being cared for with him into his dreams.
~'~
"C'mon, David, there's nothing to be scared of." Edwards handed a suitcase to his Guide and shut the lid of the trunk.
"I know that."
"Of course you do." Edwards didn't know if David was trying to convince him or himself, but, judging by his body signs, he was failing on both counts. "Just relax. They'll love you."
A heaved, shuddering breath was his only reply.
~'~
"Clement!"
'Clement?' David didn't say a word, but he totally understood Neds' reticence where his first name was concerned.
"Mother." Neds dropped his suitcase and wrapped his arms around the petite lady who was so pleased to see him.
As she released him, Neds stepped back and said, "Mother, this is my Guide, David. David, this is my mother -"
"And who else would I be?" the lady demanded in a scolding tone, her brown eyes, so like Neds', sparkling with affection. "I'm very pleased to meet you, David. We've all been hoping for quite some time now that Clement would find his Guide."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Edwards." David had to fight to keep a grin off his face at the look on Neds' face.
"Call me Elvira, dear." She slipped her arm through his, and led him into the house and up the stairs, Neds walking along behind them. "We'd quite given up hope on Clement, you know. He's so stubborn." She threw an affectionate glance over her shoulder, then continued, "My sister introduced him to at least seven different Guides that I know of, but none of them would do at all. He's just like his Grandfather in that respect; he didn't find his Guide until he was in his thirties. Of course, once he'd bonded with Uncle Jonathan - that's what we all called him, dear - he was fine. It was a very strong bond - just like yours and Clement's. I can tell that."
Her arm squeezed his against her side, and David smiled at the waves of affection that flooded through him.
"Now then, dears, I've put you in your Grandfather's old bedroom, Clement, with David next to you." Elvira leaned into David and explained, "It's an adjoining room. After he was bonded, Father insisted that he had to be able to reach his Guide at a moment's notice, so he had a door knocked into the wall between the two rooms. He and Uncle Jonathan were so thrilled when Clement turned out to be a Sentinel. They'd hoped there'd be a few Guides in the family, but we've never produced Guides, and Uncle Jonathan's family only had the one Guide, and that was Uncle Jonathan, of course." She sighed, and David felt the sadness that flickered through her before it was banished. "What about your family, dear? Lots of Guides?"
"Oh, n-no." David felt the flush that covered his face. "I'm the only Guide that I know of." Lord, his father would have gone nuts if any of the rest of the family had dared to let them down by being a Guide too. "And we've never had Sentinels in our family either."
"Just like Uncle Jonathan, then! His family was most surprised when he turned out to be a Guide - they couldn't understand it at all." Again, there was that hint of sadness, then she brightened again. "But you've found each other now, and that's all that matters. Here we are, dear. This will be your room, and Clement," she threw open another door, "is right through here."
David only had time for a quick glance around before she spoke again.
"Now then, I'll leave you two to unpack." She patted David on the shoulder, sending a flush of warm affection through him again, before turning to Neds. "Dinner will be served in an hour, dear, and I'm afraid that Miranda's invited Smedley." She straightened his tie and David smiled to see her glare sternly at the large ex-Marine. "Make sure you're polite to him. They're going to be married in a few months, and there's no point in starting a family feud now." She tugged at Neds' tie and added, "We can do that at the wedding."
"Yes, Mother."
"All right." She patted Neds on the chest and said, "I'll see you both downstairs," then was gone.
David couldn't resist it; as soon as the door was shut, he murmured, "Clement?"
"David!"
"You never told me!" He grinned as Neds advanced on him, and ducked around the other side of the bed for safety. "I thought your name was Humperdinck or Peregrine or," he shrieked as his Sentinel grabbed him and threw him on the bed, "Rumplestiltskin!"
"I'll give you Rumplestiltskin," Neds growled threateningly.
David shrieked again as he was tickled unmercifully.
"Uncle?" Neds demanded, long, breathless minutes later.
"Uncle," David panted as the tickling finally stopped, the last of his giggles still shaking him. The gleam in Neds' eye was a familiar one, and David tilted his head back, taking a deep breath as he stopped laughing. "Marked and claimed." As the Sentinel's gaze shifted to his neck, he added, "Clement."
~'~
"So who's Smedley?"
Edwards smiled as he combed his hair. He'd known that it was only a matter of time before David felt more confident, and the teasing and casual demand for information were proof of that. "Smedley Cunningham the third."
"The third?" David peered around the edge of the doorframe. "You mean there's been two other people called 'Smedley'?"
"Oh yes." Edwards went into his Guide's room and paused to straighten David's tie. "Smedley Cunningham, Senior, and Smedley Cunningham, Junior. Smedley's grandfather and father respectively." Knotting his own tie, he added, "Smedley's very proud of being a third."
"Lord! Does he insist on people calling him that?"
"He'll let it go in casual conversation," Edwards admitted, "but it's all over the wedding stationery. He's marrying my cousin, Miranda. And he's a Sentinel - an unbonded one."
His eyes met David's in the mirror, a gleam of mischief showing in the green ones. "I'm not surprised with a name like Smedley." He paused for a moment then added, a huge grin on his face, "No wonder you call yourself Neds."
~'~
Smedley kept a charming smile on his face as he listened to one of Miranda's relatives. While Miranda was perfectly acceptable, being of a good, wealthy background, and having the beauty, breeding and ambition that he'd expect of his future wife, he frequently felt dismay when he thought of her family. Her parents were very acceptable, as they were rich and solidly respectable, but her aunt's family...well, while they were wealthy, they hadn't got an ounce of ambition between them - to say nothing of their bad habit of accepting people for who they were as opposed to making sure that they were the 'right kind' of person. And now he'd been dragged to meet them, again, in order to see Clement and his new-found Guide.
His thoughts lingered on the Sentinel who was another annoyance, in Smedley's eyes. The Sentinel Prime of Cascade. Smedley really didn't know why Clement had insisted on joining the Cascade Clan - unless....
No. He shook his head. Clement was not ambitious enough to make a play for the position of Senior Sentinel Prime. It was amazing that he'd become a Sentinel Prime.
Fortunately, Smedley had never been interested in Clan politics, preferring the cut and thrust of the stock exchange and the thrill of the FT Index.
He nodded politely as Miranda's boring, but wealthy, old great-aunt drivelled on about the wedding, then managed to catch Miranda's eye. Good, she'd taken the hint.
"Aunt Tally!" Even to Sentinel ears, Miranda sounded sincere. "I haven't seen you in an age - you're looking wonderful!"
The sharp eyes met Smedley's and for a second he thought she'd caught his request for rescue. "I've had your charming young man entertaining me, Miranda. Why wouldn't I look wonderful?"
Smedley almost frowned. Surely the old biddy wasn't being sarcastic at his expense?
Miranda laughed, a hint of uneasiness in her voice. "Well, whatever you're doing, it's working."
The old woman smiled affectionately as she patted Miranda on the face. "Riotous living, Miranda. I recommend it every time. Ah, there's Neds and his new Guide. I'll leave you two lovebirds alone."
Smedley allowed his frown to show. Lovebirds?
"You've really got to be more careful with Aunt Tally, Smedley. She's as sharp as a new pin."
He dragged his attention back to his fiancée. "Nonsense, Miranda. I have no difficulty charming elderly ladies." To his surprise, she lightly smacked him on the arm.
"Aunt Tally isn't just an elderly lady - and she can spot insincerity a mile off."
His frown returned as he smoothed his sleeve. "I can assure you, Miranda, I'm quite capable of sounding sincere."
"Well, now's your chance; she's coming back."
Pinning his most charming smile in place, Smedley turned. He felt it falter a little as he realised she was dragging Clement and his Guide in her wake, but his breeding held, as did his smile.
"You remember Smedley, don't you, Neds?"
"Of course I do, Aunt Tally. How are you, Cunningham?"
"I'm..." For a few seconds the words escaped Smedley as he scented the Guide standing a half-step behind the other Sentinel. Blinking, he managed a weak, "Fine." Disengaging his hand from Clement's, he reached out towards the young man. "How do you d-"
A hard hand closed around his wrist. "My Guide, Cunningham. Claimed and marked."
His glance flickered up to meet Clement's hard stare as he realised that he hadn't made such a faux pas in years. Pulling his hand free, he laughed a little. "Of course he is, Clement, do forgive me." Smedley caught the look Miranda threw at him and felt his cheeks redden. Forcing down his anger, he realised that he was acting like a newly-online Sentinel at his first mixer.
"This is my Guide, David Sutherland. David, this is Sentinel Cunningham."
A quiet, glorious voice quickly murmured, "How do you do?" then the Guide ducked out of sight behind Clement's shoulder.
Resolutely smiling, Smedley met Clement's gaze head on. "How long have you been bonded?"
"Three weeks now."
Three weeks, that was still early in a bond, he mused, his mind running on to various possibilities. The challenge in Clement's eyes brought him to a standstill and he managed an insincere, "Congratulations. You must be very happy."
~'~
"You did that on purpose." The accusation in Neds' tone was hard to miss.
"Down, boy," Aunt Tally retorted, not phased in the slightest. "I had no idea he was foolish enough to try that." She turned to David and touched his arm, the gentleness surprising him coming from the acerbic and mischievous old lady. "Are you all right, David?"
"I'm fine, Aunt Tally." He smiled at her, feeling warmth fill his heart even more, then looked up at his Sentinel as he projected as much happiness and calm as he could. "Really, Neds, he didn't touch me at all."
"He tried though."
Neds' arm tightened around David's shoulders, and David watched him glare across the room at the other Sentinel.
"Neds, it's all right. I'm here." He could hear Neds' teeth grinding.
The glare redirected itself to Aunt Tally, who withstood the blast without turning a hair. "Do you know where Cunningham's sitting at dinner?" Neds demanded.
"I'll find out." Daringly, she patted David's arm again, then left them alone.
David glanced at his arm, at his Sentinel, then watched her go. He couldn't believe how brave she was.
A heavy sigh brought his attention back to Neds. "My Grandfather was her brother; they grew up together." A rueful smile settled on his face. "She doesn't have it within her to be afraid of any Sentinel."
David smiled back, "She doesn't seem to be afraid of anyone," but his smile disappeared as he saw Cunningham watching him, a hungry look in his eyes.
Instantly, Neds blocked his view, a growl rumbling in the Sentinel's throat. David leaned into his back, holding on tightly and whispering reassurances, dread filling him as he worried that the two Sentinels were going to start fighting over him. Mrs. Edwards would be furious if that happened - and heaven alone knew what the rest of the guests would say.
"I think it's about time we went into dinner." Mrs. Edwards' quiet voice cut through the tense moment. "Clement, you and David lead the way."
David made no objection as he was promptly hustled from the room, a low growl sounding in his ear every step of the way. Fortunately for all of them, Cunningham especially, Neds and David were seated by Mrs. Edwards, while Cunningham was almost at the other end of the table. And, David was pleased to note, there was a huge silver vase blocking his view of the other Sentinel.
"Who on earth moved the epergne?" he heard Mrs. Edwards murmur.
"That would be me, dear." Aunt Tally sat down next to David and grinned at him. "Well, not me personally." She leaned into David's side and added, confidentially, "I'd have to be built like Arnold Schwartzenegger to lift that thing. I thought that if Smedley did want to ogle you, he'd have to stand up to do it. And I really don't think he'll go that far."
David grinned back at her as he heard Neds choke on a laugh.
Mrs. Edwards raised her wine glass in a quiet salute. "Good idea, Aunt Tally."
~'~
Smedley fumed to himself as he undressed for bed. That old witch, 'Aunt Tally' and her trick with the epergne. Not that he was going to spend dinner watching Clement's Guide, of course - he had far better manners than that! And, to make it worse, Miranda had taken her family's side, saying that he had no right to try to shake David's hand before Clement had even introduced them.
He threw his shirt on the chair, his hands trembling. No right, no right - what right did they have to say he had no right?
Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself down, his thoughts dwelling on the Guide. It was really quite a pity that David was bonded to Clement. The boy was obviously well bred and, if the tattle was right, he was a member of the Boston Sutherland family too. What a waste for the boy to be stuck in Cascade with a boor like Clement.
Throwing back the bedclothes, Smedley got into bed and lay back, his teeth grinding. If only he'd met David first. Challenging Clement would be useless - apart from him being a Sentinel Prime, he was also an ex-Marine and looked to be in excellent shape. No, a direct challenge would end in disaster.
Kidnapping David wasn't the answer either, unfortunately, as Clement, with his usual bull-headed, stubborn determination, would turn the world inside out looking for him - and he'd probably bring that Clan of his into it as well. No, the only way to acquire David was for Clement to be dead.
Smedley opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling, mulling it over. If Clement was dead then David would be bondless, and defenceless. Claimable.
His heart beat faster at the thought. Was he prepared to go so far as to kill Clement? He shook his head; he was no killer. He was, after all, a Cunningham and he had standards to keep up. But....
Rolling onto his side, he allowed his mind to recreate that moment when he scented David for the first time. Need cried out within him; unfulfilled longing at the thought of his Guide, bonded forever to a hulk like Clement.
He was no killer...but if Clement were to kill himself....
A smile curved his lips. Now that was a possibility that deserved consideration.
~'~
It wasn't until the next day that David got to meet Neds' father properly. He'd met him and Neds' siblings briefly the night before - before Cunningham had riled Neds thoroughly. Sitting down to breakfast with the main members of Neds' family, he couldn't help but compare it to the breakfast he'd had with his own family.
"Clement tells us you're going to university, David."
He looked up. "Yes, sir," at the stern look, he added, "Jethro."
"Rainier University?" Juliet, Neds' sister, asked.
David nodded.
"He's going to be studying art, dear." Mrs. Edwards - Elvira, David corrected himself mentally - poured her husband a cup of coffee and handed it over.
"Art? Excellent!" Jethro seemed to think it was a great idea. "Do you paint, David?"
"Uh...not yet. I-I draw...a bit."
"He's very talented," Neds threw in from his other side. "You should see his sketchbook."
"He must be talented to get into Rainier," Christian, Neds' brother put in. "Cate Mulrooney applied to there and was turned down."
David could feel his face reddening.
"She's not talented!" Juliet scoffed.
"Yes, she is." Christian frowned at her. "You're just jealous."
"Of what?"
"Perhaps David will show us his sketchbook after breakfast?" Elvira didn't seem to notice his embarrassment, and she was definitely ignoring her squabbling children. "Pass me your cup, David, you're out of coffee."
"Uh...yes...of course." David handed over his cup, butterflies in his stomach. Belatedly, he added, "Thank you."
"I should have guessed you're an artist, David," Aunt Tally chimed in. "You have an artist's hands."
"And you'd know!" Elvira said, darkly.
Juliet grinned. "She certainly would!"
"Of course I would, dear," Aunt Tally chuckled, mischief all over her face.
Leaning over to pinch some of David's toast, Neds murmured, "Aunt Tally spent the swinging sixties in Paris."
"Speak up, Clement!" Aunt Tally promptly demanded, showing that there was nothing wrong with her hearing. "You're muttering again!"
Neds grinned. "I was just saying that you spent the swinging sixties in Paris."
"Oh no!" Elvira muttered, although David could tell she wasn't that dismayed. "More toast, David?"
"Not just the sixties, Clement. And I knew lots of artists!" David giggled as she winked at him. "Some better than others, dear!"
~'~
"C'mon, David."
"You just hold your horses, Clement." Elvira hugged David again. "Come back soon, dear." She smiled, "Bring Clement with you, if you must. I'm sure I can find somewhere to put him."
"Mother!"
David grinned as Elvira let go of him. "I will." As Neds hugged his mother, David moved to face Aunt Tally.
"You take good care of that Sentinel of yours, David. And make sure he treats you right." As he held her gently, the elderly lady wrapped her arms around him in return and hugged him tightly. She kissed his cheek enthusiastically, then added, "And have fun at university - that's what it's there for."
"I couldn't agree more." Jethro hugged David just as tightly as the rest of his family had. "You're very talented, David, anyone can see that; but make sure to have fun too."
The good wishes were echoed by Christian and Juliet, and David smiled as he got into the car. Settling into his seat, he blinked carefully, a lump in his throat. He couldn't believe how much he was going to miss them - and they weren't even his family.
"You keep that Neanderthal in line, David," Christian called, grinning as his mother elbowed him.
"Drive carefully, Clement."
"I will, Mother. We'll be back the next weekend I have off."
"You make sure you are!" Her stern tone didn't fool anyone.
Part 5.