ichael arrived home, pondering Marc. He couldn't see what it was that Marc had, that *he* didn't. There was no logical reason Kat would prefer Marc to Michael - therefore Michael reasoned, the elimination of Marc would serve to open the path between Kat and Michael again, and he would have his Meerkat back. Michael ticked off his objectives on his fingers. Kill Jade. Kill Marc. Persuade Kat to stay with him. Preferably kill the other two in front of her, he was sure that watching Jade and Marc die as he raped her would make her orgasm that much stronger - she had always liked it a little rough, after all. He wondered if the experience would be enough to cleanse her of the taint Marc must have left on her. Michael supposed that he would ask Mr Mori. The thought of Mr Mori made Michael look for the cats. They weren't in the kitchen with the woman.
"Now, what have you done with those cats, you naughty girl?" Michael asked, wandering around.
He searched the house thoroughly twice, before deciding that the woman must be hiding them from him. He stormed back into the kitchen, and glared at her.
"What have you done with them?" he demanded.
She stared at him blankly, slack-jawed.
Michael slapped her hard twice, before he looked at the door. At the bottom, was a flap. Michael kicked it savagely, and the flap swung back and forth.
"I see. I bet you pushed them out that flap, didn't you? Don't lie to me, I know you did! Well, you will pay, you won't be getting any dinner tonight, and that's final. Now I need to go and find those blasted cats. I hope you're lonely and miss me while I'm gone, because I won't be thinking of you."
Michael stormed out of the house, and began searching the garden.

***

Kat opened the door to Jade's house, and paused, frowning. The cats always came to greet her at the door when she was at home, and they were nowhere to be seen.
"Tenebrae, Lucis?"
"What's wrong?"
"Lux Lucis and Tenebrae aren't here."
Jade frowned.
"They're probably just exploring unfamiliar surroundings?"
"They lived here as kittens, remember, the surrounds aren't that unfamiliar."
"Maybe they headed back to your place then."
"Mm, that's a possibility. I think I'll head over there."
"Alright, let's go."

Kat opened the front door, and the cats appeared and wound their ways around her ankles. Kat smiled in relief, picking them up.
"Hello my beautiful ones."
"Tarrishagh?"
Kat jumped, then laughed. "Marc."
"Didn't Jade tell you that you didn't need to come?"
"Yes, I did," Jade answered for herself. "But the kittens went missing so she had to come looking for them."
"Ah, I see," Marc smiled, and slipped his arm around Kat's waist.
"Why don't you and Darryl go and collect your wayward children," Kat suggested. "Marc and I can do the alarms."
Jade glanced at Marc, then shrugged.
"If you're up to it, okay."

Fifteen minutes later Jade and Darryl had left, and Kat and Marc were laying on their bed, with the cats.
"Alright, love?"
"Yes baby. Better for being home."
"Still want to get married."
"Yes!"
Marc chuckled.
"Just checking."
Kat curled up and Marc gently stroked her hair.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
"Want to move back here?"
"We'll have to wait until the alarm is installed, love, and Jade's organised this hen's night thing to leave early in the morning."
"Well, we'll move home again when you get back, how's that?"
"Sounds good to me."
"I love you so much."
"I know, amor. L'amo piů di la vita."
Marc smiled, and hold Kat close as they waited for the alarm company people to arrive.

***

In the morning, Kat and Jade packed their bags into the car, and then Jade added in all of Jessica's things. Kat stood in the early morning sunshine wrapped up in Marc's arms. "I love you. I'll see you when you get home."
"Yes, you will."
"I think we'll be home tomorrow night."
"Jade said you would be. You'll be there by lunch time today, and leave about lunch time tomorrow."
"Hope you sleep ok."
"I won't. Not without you in my arms."
Kat smiled, and kissed him.
"Think Jade's ready to go."
Kat glanced over, and saw Jade had finished saying goodbye to Darryl, and had strapped Jessica into her baby seat.
"Have a good time."
"I will."
Kat kissed him once more, then got into the car. Darryl and Marc watched as Jade backed down the driveway, then drove down the road. After the girls were out of sight, they turned and went back inside.

***

Glenn stood outside the house Kat had written him letters from when she first moved away, and steeled himself. He had to find out if Kat's parents lived there, maybe they'd be able to do something about Michael. Glenn started as he recognised Marc and Darryl through the window. Could it be that Jade lived there still? Glenn frowned. Would it help to talk to the people in the house? Deciding that someone had to know, Glenn strode up the path, and knocked sharply on the door.

Through his binoculars, Michael watched as the door opened, and Glenn entered the house. Michael started to walk back and forth. Glenn appearing wasn't a good thing he knew that but was unsure if he should let Mr Mori know. Plus the two girls had left so he should probably be following them.

"Damn you women will you stop your yapping I can't think" Michael yelled.

He considered his options. He decided not to tell Mr Mori about Glenn. Michael could deal with Glenn and curry favour with Mr Mori over the wench in the kitchen. Oh yes Michael was aware of how she looked at Mr Mori. She never looked at him that way she was such a slut. Not to worry she wasn't what Michael wanted and she didn't exactly satisfy his needs anyway. He stopped his pacing and went back to the window.

***

Glenn looked about the lounge room where he had been led. He had vaguely recognised Darryl though Darryl hadn't recognised him until he showed Darryl the letters. He declined the offer of a drink and shifted uncomfortably until he was told he could take a seat. He waited as Darryl looked over the letters and then handed them to Marc. Glenn had to smile when Marc raised his eyebrows at some of the things said in the letter. He could just imagine what part he was reading.

"Why are you here? Your invitation bounced back so it can't be for that."
Marc asked handing the letters back to Glenn.
"Invitation? Never mind. I came to let Kat know that Michael is out of jail."
"We knew that already." Darryl commented.
"Did you know he's here?"
"What?" Marc moved forward in his seat.
"I was keeping an eye on his movements to make sure Kat was safe when I found that he had travelled here. He was at the café you were at that day and then again at your house. I didn't get photo's of the time at the café but I did get some photo's of him entering your house"

Glenn handed an envelope over and Marc opened it pulling out some black and white photos. He nearly dropped them in shock.

"That's Michael?" He asked
"Yes" Glenn responded.
"He came into the clinic today. As a patient."
"You kidding? No, I guess not. His face seems familiar and I don't mean because I know him. He's changed but it still seems familiar."

Darryl mused then got up and walked into Jade's study and after a few minutes returned with a drawing.

"Here! Jade was drawing this the day she had Jessica." Darryl showed Marc and Glenn the picture. "I didn't think much of it then nor have I since but look" Darryl pointed.
"That's Michael!" Glenn exclaimed.
"And that's me talking to a friend." Marc added.

***

Jade and Kat were driving along windows down and hair flying about in the wind. Behind them another car that had some friends in them including the bridal party sitting in the back seat of Jade's car. Kat was laughing at some joke and smiled at Jade glad that she had allowed Jade to take her out. The wind in her hair and the company had really managed to take some of her worries off her mind. When they arrived at the cabin everyone went inside and got changed and then they all ran down to the lake.

"Thanks Jade."
"Best bit is still yet to come."

Kat giggled wondering what else Jade had planned and splashed her sister, which promptly started a full on water fight. After the fight had ended they eight women traipsed back up to the cabin and showed and redressed before unpacking the car. Jade made them all an early tea since they missed lunch and Kat started the fire in the cabin. They all sat down for tea around the fire chatting idly. After dinner the dishes got cleared and then there was a knock on the door. Jade got the door and then led eight well built men into the lounge where everyone was and the nights activities began starting off with strip poker.

***

Michael had calmed down a bit and decided he needed to eat something. He made himself some pasta and ate in silence. He noticed she hadn't eaten and pulled up a chair beside her.

"I'm sorry, I know I've been a bit harsh. Here" He picked up her fork and started putting food in her mouth whiping her chin every now and then. After the third spoonful the food started falling on to her chest but Michael didn't seem to notice and kept feeding her. Halfway through feeding her Mr Mori appeared.

"Michael what the hell are you doing?" Mr Mori demanded
"Helping her eat her tea." Michael replied simply.
"You idiot. You have other things to focus on."

Mr Mori waved his hand and the womens body disappeared in flames leaving a pile of ashes.

"Now get back to work."

With that Mr Mori was gone. Michael sat there looking blank for a second and then fell to his knees gathering the ashes in her arms and started to rock back and forth.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He repeated rocking back and forth on the spot.

***

"No stripper?" Kat asked when Jade and her had gone to get more drinks from the kitchen.
"Don't you like the men?"
"Off course I do. Where did they come from?"
"They are good friends from Uni, from various art classes"
"Damn, now I know why you did art."
"You should have been there where we did the nude sketches. Each class member had to pose."

Kat looked at her sister with a surprised face, her jaw slightly dropped.

"You're kidding?"
"No" Jade grinned.
"Oh my god I can't believe you never told me. Does Darryl know?"
"No."
"Jade. Your naughtier than I thought."
"I learnt from the best."
"Mmm, yes, that's true," smiled Kat, buffing her nails on her top.
Jade laughed, then subsided to a smile.
"Do you like it though? It's very different to what you got me."
Kat smiled. For Jade's Hen's night, she'd organised a day at a day-spa, where Jade and the rest of the bridal party - that being Kat, Jade, Kat's friend Nicole - who was at that point, soon to become Jade's sister-in-law, and Jade's oldest friend, Melinda - had spent the day getting massaged, exfoliated, soaked, manicured, pedicured, and various other relaxing, detoxifying and beautifying procedures. The four women had thoroughly enjoyed themselves. So far Jade had organised Strip Poker, Suck-&-Blow, and had dressed Kat in a T-shirt which had life-savers sewn onto it, in various strategic positions. The boys had been directed to eat them, without using their teeth. Kat had been quite flushed by the end of that game. Kat peeked through the doorway at Nicole, who'd flown over to come to Kat's wedding. She was chatting animatedly to Yasmin, who'd also come back for the wedding. KatE and Jackie were talking about their bridesmaid dresses, and Sarah and Julia, who were friends from Kat's Uni course, were listening avidly, making jealous noises in good humour. The boys had gotten over being ignored for female chatter, and were playing poker in just their jeans.
"Kat?"
"Yes, I like it. Not sure why you invited the eye-candy, but they're interesting to look at none-the-less."
"They're for the entertainment. But I only hired them until 12:00, so they'll be leaving soon."
"Okay," Kat smiled.
"But there's one more game first!" Jade added, producing a bottle of vodka. "And it involves you laying on that table with your top off."
"Uh-uh. No way."
"What?"
Jade attempted to look innocent.
"They are not drinking vodka from my belly-button!"
Jade looked shocked.
"Kat!"
"Yes?"
"How can you think such things?"
"Marc does it. Besides, you can't tell me that's not what it was going to be."
"Well... No... but..."
"It's too much, Jade. Ask the others if they want to do it."
"You're the bride-to-be. It has to be you."
"Okay, but only if everyone else does it too."
"You are the Bride-to-Be. It's you."
"Okay, but I am *definitely* sending them home after this!"
Jade and Kat laughed, and rejoined the others.

***

"We'll keep an eye out for him," he officer promised, still looking suspiciously at Glenn. "And we'll hold him if we see him."
"That's all we can ask for," Marc replied smoothly. "Come on, Glenn."
Marc and Glenn left the police station, minus the photographs.
"Still think you should have said you had them mailed to you anonymously. They think I'm some stalker myself now."
"Because, you know, I often move states just to make sure an ex-girlfriend is okay."
"You think I'm stalking her," Glenn exclaimed aloud.
"No, I don't," Marc corrected. "I think you're still in love with her. Which, by the way, I can completely understand."
Glenn's shoulders slumped slightly.
"I loved her."
"I can tell."
"Michael ruined what she and I had."
"I think we need to get to know each other."
"Where can we go?"
"My and Kat's place."
"Let's go."

It was dark by the time Glenn finished speaking. Marc forced himself to lean back in his chair, and unclench his fists. Kat had told him about everything before, of course, but she, understandably, did not want to relive the experience and so brushed over details. She also wanted to spare his feelings. Glenn had no compulsions about telling Marc exactly what had occurred - in vivid detail, including the details Kat brushed over. The torture. The psychological games. The guy was a sociopath, Marc decided. He needed to be locked up. Or maybe killed. Marc wouldn't mind being the one who killed him. Neither would Glenn, from the sounds of things.
"What can we do about him?"
"Last I saw him, he was keeping a close watch on this house, but then I lost him after he broke in here, so I don't know where he is now."
"Kat and I moved in to the old house until we got the alarms fitted. He's probably watching there now."
"I'll keep an eye out for him," Glenn promised, standing.
"Can I drive you home?"
"Still don't trust me?"
"I was just offering..."
"I know you were. I'm sorry. I'm staying just around the corner so there's no need."
"Okay. So, we'll see you at the wedding?"
"And any necessary time before."
"Thank you."
"Thank you for listening."
Glenn left the house, and Marc sat in the darkness, thinking about Kat. If anything happened to her, he'd die, he decided. He wondered if maybe Jade should be told about Michael. He'd discuss that with Darryl. Marc left the house and drove back to the Old House.

Outside the house, hidden within the garden, Michael watched as Marc got in the car and drove off. A few moments later, Michael was jogging slowly in the direction Glenn had so casually strolled only minutes before.

***

The boys had left, and the wine replaced with coffee and port, with the eight women sitting around the fire. The breeze coming across the lake was chill, and they had decided a fire was nicer than stumbling downstairs and locating jumpers in the pile of baggage. Kat had vanished into the depths of the house, but shortly reappeared carrying a large brown paper bag.
"What's in there, Kat?" teased Yasmin. "Is it time for us to move onto the sex toys?"
The other women all laughed, and Kat smiled.
"No, not quite."
Kat reached into the bag, and produced a beautifully wrapped present, with a tiny gift tag on top. She peeked at it, and smiled.
"Yasmin, this is for you. For your friendship when I first moved here, for coming all this way, for all those little inside tips about Marc..." Everyone laughed as Kat handed over the gift. "Just... Thank you."
Yasmin slowly opened the present, to reveal a pair of quartz bookends, which had been engraved with gold pressed into the indentations with a message.
"Yasmin - Thank you for everything, Love Always, Kat and Marc," she read aloud. "Aw, Kat, thank you so much."
Kat smiled and pulled out the next present. She didn't look at the tag, just passed it to Nicole.
"Nicky, you've stuck around for a long time, you came all this way, and you even put up with my sister marrying your brother... Which makes us sister in-law-in-laws, I think," Kat grinned. "Thank you."
Nicole opened her present in silence, then gasped.
"Where did you find this?"
"I had it in my photo album. I think it's one of the first times I met you," Kat smiled. "I don't remember who I was dating at the time, but it was his house."
"Peter. I dated him after you."
Everyone laughed again, and Nicole held up the silver photo frame, with the photo of her and Kat sitting in bathers, heads close together, beaming for the camera.
"Sarah, and Julia," Kat fumbled in the bag for a moment, before handing both a present. "We made it through 4 years of under-grad, and stayed friends through post-grad, and this is just a little thank you for your friendship."
Sarah opened her candlestick, and Julia her clock, and both smiled. Julia's clock was embedded in a chunk of rock, which Kat claimed came from the same place Julia had twisted her ankle in first year, causing Kat to carry her books around for 6 weeks. Sarah's candlestick was so they would never again be without light as they had been at the end of 3rd year when studying during a power failure.
"And finally... My bridesmaids."
Kat handed out the three matching boxes.
"Thank you from me and Marc."
Kate got hers open first, and gasped, quickly followed by gasps from Jackie and Jade.
"Oh... It's Beautiful!" Jackie exclaimed, at which Kat sighed in relief.
The others all demanded a look, so the three obediently presented their gifts.
"Oh, is that ruby, Kate?"
"It says it is. Jade, did you get Jade?" laughed Kate, catching a glimpse of green from Jade's hand.
"Emerald," Kat replied. "And Jackie's is sapphire. Mine has a diamond. Marc and I thought maybe you could wear them at the wedding..."
There was a melee of comparison, laughing, talking, and a few tears before Kat was buried under an avalanche of hugs and 'thank-you's. When everyone had packed their gifts away, had some more to drink, and a bit more of a chat, Kate announced it was time for her to go to bed. The others agreed, and Kat and Jade cleared the glasses while the others jostled for use of the bathroom with much laughter, shrieks and splashing.