Time, Death & Scar Tissue...

32. Coping

Kathryn still hated airports. The coffee was still tepid and overpriced and the holiday crowds were decidedly less than jolly but at least she wasn't alone. She was also managing to hold her worry in check and she was convinced it was because he was next to her.

Kathryn also had to admit that the effect he had on people could be very useful at times. She had never had such good service. She had never gotten through security without being searched. She had never traveled without meeting that one guy who was absolutely convinced that every woman desired his company. They were just getting settled at the gate when she heard Corey call her name.

“KAT!” She was weaving through the throng.

“What are you doing here? I thought you were leaving tomorrow.” Kathryn hugged her.

“I was, but Andy pissed me off and then I canceled my ticket and then we kinda made up and this was all they had.” Corey looked past Kathryn for the first time when Lucien took Kathryn's cloak off of her shoulders. “Um, hi.”

“Miss James. Are you on this flight as well?” Kathryn knew he still didn't like her, but at least he was being cordial.

“No, not even this airline, but I saw Kat so I thought I would say hi.” Corey looked a little nervous, that wasn't like her but Kathryn put it down to travel anxiety. He nodded and sat down.

Kathryn was surprised. In the khaki pants and blue twin set she was wearing Corey looked less like the wild child she was reputed to be and more like a young soccer mom.

“You 'kinda made up'? What does that mean?” She sat down and offered Corey a seat, noting that Lucien was giving the appearance of being absorbed in a newspaper.

“All he does is tell me what's wrong with me and he was on the phone lecturing about something or other and I told him I wasn't coming, but later he e-mailed me and said the holiday wouldn't be the same without me. Bonnie probably told him to write it.” She was looking away again.

“Be honest, has your mother ever picked her head up out of Vogue magazine to tell him ANYTHING?” Kathryn said.

“Well, no.” She said, looking nervously at Lucien. He was completely impassive.

“Just go home and try to give him the benefit of the doubt. He says dumb things and he doesn't realize how much those dumb things hurt you but he's trying. When does your plane leave?”

Corey looked at the clock.

“SHIT! They start boarding in five minutes and I'm on another concourse!” She got up and hugged Kathryn quickly.

“Call me if you want to talk.” Kathryn said and waved as Corey ran off into the crowd.

“She's got the mouth of a longshoreman.” He said quietly.

“I know, but it's the only way she knows to get attention. Once she gets things settled with her father she won't need to get attention that way anymore.” He handed her the Arts & Living section of the paper.

“And is this Andy her latest conquest?” His tone was neutral, but the disapproval was there.

“No, Andy is her father and Bonnie is her mother.” He turned and looked at her curiously then.

“She uses their given names?” He sounded appalled by the idea.

“It certainly gets attention doesn't it?” Kathryn said with a little smile.

“Disrespect usually does.” He said.

“Something else she won't need to resort to once things are settled.” Kathryn said, ignoring the implications of his words. She had noticed that the perception of respect meant a great deal to him, as did his perception of control. She got a pen out of her bag and started the crossword puzzle.

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When they boarded the plane Kathryn was convinced that everything was going to go smoothly. The weather had other ideas though. Twenty minutes into the flight the weather had roughened to the point that reading was impossible. Ten minutes after that she had one arm wrapped around his and her rosary in her other hand. She prayed silently with her cheek against his shoulder and wondered which was giving her more solace at that moment. After what seemed like forever, they landed in a raging storm.

She was grateful that he had already arranged transportation; her knees were shaking so badly and she certain they wouldn't support her for any great length of time. The weather made it slow going though, giving Kathryn plenty of time to start ruminating about every conceivable way the visit could go badly. She checked her watch for the third time in five minutes.

“Kathryn,” He put his hand over her wrist and she could tell that he was annoyed. He was doing his best to hide it though. “We're going to be a bit late. Why don't you call her?”

“Sorry.” She blushed a bit and he took his hand away so that she could find her phone. It amazed her that there was a signal.

“Bettancourt residence.” Kathryn recognized the soft edges of an Irish brogue in the voice.

“Bridey, it's Kathryn.”

“Kathryn! Mrs. B. was just wondering if the weather had turned you back.”

“No. It was pretty rough and it looked like just about everything after us was delayed or canceled but we made it through. The weather is really slowing everything down on the highway too though. Is Grandmother around?” Kathryn leaned against his shoulder and he pulled her close.

“And where else is she likely to be on a night that's not fit for man nor beast?” Kathryn could picture her standing there, a trim woman with her graying hair pulled back in a tight, efficient bun. “Just hold on a minute.” Kathryn could hear Bridey walk into another room and tell her grandmother who it was.

“Bridey says your running late.” Minerva said in her usual, matter-of-fact way.

“Yes, I didn't want you to think we were still in the air or stuck at some midpoint somewhere.”

“And you’re worried.” She said with a certainty that unsettled Kathryn.

“What makes you think I'm worried?” Lucien chuckled softly.

“I've known you since before you were born Kathryn. Take deep breaths and remind yourself that I don't usually turn people to stone at a first meeting.” Kathryn laughed softly and shook her head a little.

“I'm in trouble, aren't I?” She said.

“Quite probably.” She could almost hear the little smile in Minerva's voice. “Relax, Kathryn. I promise to be on my best behavior.”

“I'll try. See you soon Grandmother.”

“I look forward to it.” Minerva hung up and Kathryn ended the call on her end.

“Feel better?” He asked, a little smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“I would feel better if I had started drinking on the plane.” She laughed softly.

“I've never seen you take more than a glass of wine.” He stroked her cheek softly.

“Then it wouldn't have taken long to become pleasantly oblivious.” He laughed and kissed her softly. Kathryn tried to sit still for the rest of the ride. She didn't quite succeed, but she was reasonably certain that she didn't annoy him too badly.

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The irony of Kathryn's way of coping with her fear on the plane was not lost on LaCroix. The arm of a vampire and the rosary would seem to most to be an odd combination, but the more he thought about the more it seemed to suit her. Through her books and their conversations on the subject he learned that she believed vampires to be natural creatures, no less acceptable to whatever concept of god she held than mortals. He wondered who she would seek comfort from when she was immortal herself.

Minerva Bettancourt was going to be interesting. She read Kathryn as well as he did and he was curious what else she would be able to read. If that vision was too extensive he would have to decide how to deal with it. The few conversations he had heard also told him where Kathryn's quick tongue came from. He kissed the top of her head softly, certain that this would be an interesting visit.