This story is a work of fiction solely from the twisted mind of Chromex. Any resemblance to any persons living or dead is purely coincidental. All characters are of at least 18 years of age unless otherwise specifically mentioned. Please do not copy/redistribute the story, in part or total, without the author's permission.
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"How in the fuck do you know that name?" I snarled, closing the distance between us. I was so fucking tired of being played. "Rob, you have about ten seconds to answer my fucking question. After that, you get a demonstration of just how strong I really am when I'm pissed." I wanted to be wrong, I wanted there to be a logical explanation for him knowing about Gandalf.
"Whoa, whoa Sara, calm down," Rob said quickly backpedaling away from me as he realized that was the absolute wrong thing to say, "Jennifer, I know the name from Jennifer. She told all of us about him."
I was completely stunned. Why in the hell would Jennifer tell them about Gandalf? What good could come out of them knowing about him? Does that mean they know the truth about me? Did she tell them absolutely everything? "What did she tell you and don't you dare lie to me? I'm sick of people lying to me and don't you even think of touching me." He had been moving towards me, but quickly stopped and dropped his arms.
Glaring, I watched as Rob crossed the room and sat on the bed. Patting the open spot next to him it was clear he wanted me to sit next to him. Stalking over to the round wooden table, I yanked out a chair and dropped into it. I wanted something between us in case I decided to attack him. "I'm not some dog you can just whistle at and have do tricks." I was trying to be calm but Rob seemed to be pushing all of my buttons at the moment.
"I'm sorry," Rob said, his shoulders slumping as he rested his elbows on his legs, "I didn't mean for it to come across like that. I just wanted you to sit next to me." Standing up Rob walked out to the balcony for a couple of minutes before coming back into the room. Most people I'm sure would have been irritated by this, but I knew it was a family trait. They all liked to walk around and think before talking. "Jennifer called a family meeting right after your parents' funeral and you know how seriously we take those."
"Yes, I do." I'd been to a couple of their family meetings and was kind of impressed. Whoever called the meeting could bring up anything they felt was important and everyone else would sit and let them completely explain their position before commenting. It worked well to help resolve family issues.
I guess he was expecting more from me as it took a couple of moments before he continued. "So at the family meeting, she explained how the person we all cared about. The person we had always considered a member of the family wasn't dead as we'd been told. She told us how you, Rick, were very much alive and trying to build a new life. Gandalf was part of that conversation and believe me; I don't need any additional reminders of your strength."
"So you've known this entire time? You've known since before that first date and you just let me tell lie after lie, story after story. Why? Why would you do that to me? For a family that you claim thought the world of me, you sure seemed content to let me twist in the wind." Watching Rob wince at my words I knew I had struck the truth. Having him knowing the truth should have been a giant weight off of my shoulders, but instead, it felt like just another betrayal. I'm sure Gandalf was having a jolly good time over this.
"When Jennifer sat us down and explained what had happened to you we were shocked, as you can imagine. It was difficult to believe, but she was so adamant about you being who she said you were she eventually convinced us. None of us knew how to deal with it but we were pissed something like that could happen to you."
"So pissed that you were willing to let me dance like a trained monkey for your amusement. I hope you and your family enjoyed the show because it's sure as fuck over." Grabbing my bag of clothes I pulled out my jeans and started getting dressed.
"It's not like that." I could tell from how he was fidgeting he wanted to get up and do something but I think he was afraid of how I would react.
"Really? It's not like that? Exactly what the fuck is it like then? I spent hours yesterday just sitting my ass in the surf beating myself up for running away and not facing my problems head-on. Now I see I shouldn't have bothered." I was all but shaking in anger over being played once again and was fairly certain that once this was over, Tiffany would be the only one in my life.
"Sara for fuck's sake, stop it. Jennifer told us because she cares about you. She told us about Michelle's plan to try and break you free from Gandalf, and how she volunteered me to help." Walking over to me, Rob reached out and took my hand. "You said at the restaurant how you said goodbye to Rick a long time ago. When I look at you, I see you, I see Sara, not Rick. From the moment you poked your head around that corner, not once have I seen Rick when I look at you. I meant it when I said I was here because I wanted to be."
He was throwing my own words in my face and even if they were the truth, they were still bitter to swallow. The fact was that Rick was a part of my life that was long dead. I was Sara and I was comfortable with being a woman and everything that came with it. My anger drained as I realized I wasn't truly upset with Rob, I was pissed at the situation. While I had come to accept myself and even Jennifer had readily accepted me, I just couldn't imagine anyone else who knew Rick choosing to be with me.
"Sara, please look at me," Rob said as I stared at his fingers intertwined with mine. It took his free hand cupping my chin to get me to face him. "I didn't say anything because I wanted you to relax and be yourself. We had so much fun at lunch and the racetrack and you seemed so comfortable, I didn't want to ruin it." Pulling me against his chest Rob wrapped me up in his arms. "The last thing I wanted to do was hurt you and I'm sorry."
"I know in my heart that you didn't mean to hurt me and I am sorry for driving off. I should know better. Honestly, I wanted to see you and Tiffany make love, but only after we were together and I know that finding you two was my punishment. My punishment from Gandalf for daring to think I could be free. That's why he did it when I was sitting in jail so he could spring me just in time for you to finish."
"Why did you want to see us together?"
"Are you sure you want to know? You might not like the answer."
"There have already been too many secrets in this relationship. We need to be honest with each other if this is going anywhere. Hold on for a minute." Pulling away from me Rob grabbed the phone and ordered two turkey sandwiches and drinks from room service. "Ok sorry, I'm getting hungry."
"Really? I'm getting ready to spill my guts and you order food?"
"I was just, yeah that was pretty stupid wasn't it."
"You think?"
"I'm sorry. I did get you a sandwich as well." It seems that Rob's little half-smile was put to use when he was in trouble as well.
"Yes I know, and that's the only reason I am not kicking your ass at the moment. You should probably get some pants on unless you're planning to invite room service in to play." Seeing the smirk on my face, Rob grabbed his jeans and pulled them on. I was still not happy with him, but watching him dress was disappointing as my new favorite toy vanished from view.
A few minutes later there was a knock and as Rob went to answer the door I headed out to the balcony. "I don't think you would have wanted him to join us," Rob said setting my sandwich down, "I'm pretty sure he was about six hundred years old." Dropping into the chair next to me Rob was smiling as he dug into his sandwich.