Post by adrini on Sept 25, 2013 19:31:25 GMT -5
"I will not hear of it. Your job is to train, that's all. If I send you out there without training-" Mrs. Lance wasn't pleased with her daughter. Her daughter cut her off anyway.
"I'll do about as well as I would without food." The young blonde interjected. "Or do you plan to starve to death instead? We can draw lots."
"You don't know what's like out there. Little Bird, they will kill you without a second thought." She knew this was coming, had known. She was still afraid. Di was too skilled, too well known, she was already a target.
"We're broke, mother. I got a top tier degree from Stanford, the least I can do is use it to feed us." The young woman sat down, frustrated. "We have to do something."
"Assault, Jade. This is assault, three years ago it was child abuse." Kate took the sponge to cover a bruise. "You are a grown adult now, you don't have to take this anymore."
"Mom called it owl training." Jade said quietly. "I don't want to work with the court. I tried calling Di but she didn't pick up."
"She didn't for me either." Kate said, suddenly worried. Something was going on. "You need to get out of that house, now."
"The Lances can't afford it-"
"Then stay with me!" Kate cursed Di's pride, it just got in the way. She would be more then happy to donate to help them make it. "I'll talk to them. See if we can't work something out."
Jade was quiet, it was a script Kate knew well. She was afraid of loosing her parents. It could be argued, however, that she had never had them.
There was a knock on the door and her uncle's under secretary walked in. She handed a file to the young heir.
"This was flagged and sent to your uncle, I was told it might be of some interest to you." The woman said, before leaving briskly.
Kate opened the file and smiled a little. It had taken long enough.
"Get whatever is left of your things packed." She told her friend. "You're moving in."
"How? They can't afford to feed themselves." Jade looked at the folder. Both of the girls had noticed that about twice a month the Lances had nothing but fruit for lunch, it wasn't good.
"Can now." Kate grinned. "This is quite perfect actually. Beth has been needing a tutor."
"What, what?" Jade shook her head.
"And who better then a Stanford graduate." She pulled out her phone, and made a call. "Miss Rice, I have a applicant that has been accepted as the au pair. Please see the paperwork is pushed through right away."
"Sounds like something to be proud of." The doctor said and smiled. "Taking responsibility like that, you've raised her well."
"She was an easy kid, wonderful. We were blessed to have her." She sighed at how quickly the years had flown. "I just hate to see her take on so much. She's been through enough already."
"Every parent hates seeing that. She have a boyfriend yet?" The doctor filled in the chart.
"Not yet, she's picky." Dinah chucked. "Which is fine with me."
"It will happen, give it time." The doctor smiled, and took the chart from the nurse. She looked worried. "Di, come here."
She got off the table and walked over, the doctor put the X-ray on the wall.
"It's a tumor." She looked at it more closely. "I don't see signs of it being malignant, but we need to find out for sure. It's not a fun thought but do you have time for a biopsy today? It's slow, I can fit it in."
Dinah had found a chair and was trying to calm down. The doctor let her absorb the information. It was a few minutes before she could talk.
"How long would it take to know?" She asked at last, trying not to panic.
"About four days from whenever we get the sample. This is up to you." The doctor sat down. "If its cancer you want to catch it early, if not you know not to worry. I can have it done by three."
"Do it." Dinah thought of everything she hadn't seen yet, Di would meet someone some day. She would have a family of her own, find her own happiness. She nodded. "Di has enough on her plate, I'm not making her face it alone."
"I'll get it set up. We'll be ready to go in an hour. Chances really are it's nothing, try not to worry too much." The doctor hurried to the door. "Family helps, try calling your daughter, you'll need someone to drive you home anyway."
"Ya, but when will you be out?" Di had opened the door when she and Kate had arrived. They had hoped to surprise her with their awesome plan but it had become clear very quickly that something was wrong. She was on the phone with her mother.
"Okay, I'll head out now." Di was trying not to let panic take over, but it was clear in her eyes. "Kate and Jade are here, I'll be fine. I'll see you soon. Thank the doctor for me."
Jade looked at Kate, who looked just as worried as she felt. Di listened for a moment longer before she broke and the two saw tears.
"I'm sorry to, it was so stupid. We just need to get through this." The blonde smiled and listened. "I love you to, but no bear hugs today. Heal up first. I love you, mom."
They looked at her as she sat down at the dinner table. She took a deep breath and steadied herself.
"You had better have good news." She said after a moment. "If not come back tomorrow."
"I'll trade my good news for your bad news." Kate said carefully. Di was clearly trying to regain control. "How about I go first."
"I could use it. Sure." The blonde gathered her jacket and purse. "We can talk on the way. I need a ride to South Central."
Jade looked at Kate, who nodded. They got to the car and Kate took the wheel. Di was in no condition to drive.
"You have a job that not only pays well but helps me out and keeps you free for training to boot." Kate said, pulling Into traffic. " I'm hoping you don't mind, I swear it helps me to."
"I knew you would find my application. What's the job?" She sighed and leaned back.
"My personal assistant and Beth's au pair." She smiled as she saw Di grin a little.
"I love Beth. That does work. What would I be helping you with though?" They were nearing the exit.
"Being a shield, mostly. I have to go to events and meetings, you'd be the social butterfly to my sullen counterpart." Kate smirked as Di nodded sagely.
"This is true, you are not good with people." They got on the exit.
"Now the bad news." Jade asked softly.
"I'm not sure it is bad." She admitted. "The doctor found a tumor during Mom's exam today, they're removing it now. We don't know what it is yet. I'm just really scared right now."
Jade felt her eyes go wide and curled into a ball in the back seat. Kate nodded her head. The conversation made sense now.
"We'll deal with whatever it is. I'll have your Mom put on your insurance." They were almost to the hospital. "Also we have additional news. Jade?"
"I've decided to move out, if you still want me." Jade said quietly. "But with the tumor and-
"Finally!" Di cried. "About damn time. We were going to kidnap you at this rate. What put you over?"
"Sandra beat her pretty good, Di. It's getting worse." Kate said dryly.
"Last time she will." Di glared. "Once I get Mom home and settled well pick up your things, unless you want Mom with us?"
"The more people the better." Jade said. "I can really move in?"
"You could have years ago." Di reached her arms behind her to hold the dark haired teen, Jade hurried to return the hug. "As far as I'm concerned you're the sister I never got to have, both of you are. You i can kidnap, Kate would be missed though."
"Just a little." Kate smiled as Jade giggled. "We're here. Lets hope it all went well."
They parked and three linked hands before walking to the surgical wing.
"You really didn't have much left, my Jewel." Mrs. Lance was on her feet again, albeit on edge while waiting for the results. "This shouldn't take long at all."
"I can't believe I'm getting paid for this." Di said, putting the last of Jade's books into boxes. "I've been wanting to do this for ages."
"If anyone asks you assisted me, assisting her. That's how this works." Kate was taping a few boxes closed. "That's how you get paid."
Jade smiled at the scene. Mrs. Lance was wrapping the more delicate items, Di was packing books and cloths, and Kate was sealing and stacking boxes. Within an hour she would be free, the beatings would stop.
"That's the books." Di said happily, scooting the box to Kate. "Pass me a box for clothing?"
"Trading." Kate accepted the box and tossed a large one over. "Anything you want to leave behind, Jade? I have a spare box."
"I'll take it." She hurried around the room grabbing Court items. She never wanted to see them again. If her mother was so proud of them she could have them back.
It was only thirty minutes later that they began putting the boxes in the cars, the Lances and a large SUV Kate had rented. They were trying to find out who was sitting on whose lap, due to lack of space, when they heard very angry foot steps.
"What is this, Dinah?" Sandra's lips were pursed, and she was noticeably upset. "Can we just take daughters now?"
"We're not taking anyone, Sandra." The older blonde said softly. "We were requested, you knew this was going happen someday."
"My punishment for forcing her to be strong, to survive in this world." The woman's eyes glared. "She'll thank me someday."
"We all see the beatings, Sandra. That isn't for her benefit. Your daughter is a grown woman now. If she decides to leave, she can leave. None of the girls are children anymore." The former Canary nodded to the girls to get the car. They looked at the two, Kate leading the already shaken Di herself when she hesitated.
"That's it then?" Sandra asked, upset. "My baby is just going away?" Mrs. Lance's eyes steeled. She walked closer to her fellow instructor.
"She stopped being your baby the day you sold her to the Court." She hissed. "You may have carried and bore her but from that day on she was nothing but a tool for you. Jade is the sweetest, kindest, most loving young woman you can find. You were blessed to get her, and you have no reason to beat her. So yes, she's leaving. And you have no one to blame but yourself. She wanted desperately to love you, you made that impossible."
"This is my punishment for not making cookies and popcorn?" The dark haired woman asked with scorn.
Di tried to alert her mother as Jade walked over to her. There was no telling what Sandra might do.
"No, mother." Jade arrived and pulled Mrs. Lance back. There was a calmness in her eyes. "It's not. You're not the Lances, but you still could have been a mother. You are going to keep pushing me to the court, to your path, so long as I am with you. You will see no problem with it. And that's the problem. I'm not you, but you have never respected that. We need space, maybe we'll make up and understand each other better someday. But that day isn't today, I'll see you at the gym." Jade grabbed Mrs. Lance's hand and led her back to the cars.
Sandra was still standing there, stunned.
"That was-" Di looked for the word. "Fun." She zipped her clubbing boots closed and put on her best decorative belt. She had the weirdest job ever.
"You have to mingle, I get to sit." Kate rubbed her leg to get the gel into her skin. "How are you standing right now?"
"Mind over matter, for now." Di sighed and gingerly pulled on her jacket. "Has is occurred to you that since she can't beat Jade-"
"She's going to beat the tar out of us instead? I think that's officially the case now." Kate stood up. "Party time. Welcome to high society."
The parties Kate Kane threw were largely to create an image of a 'party girl'. The guests entertained themselves and Kate hung out with her own small circle. Di was her new face, and go to drink girl of course.
By ten the party was in full swing and Kate was sitting on a raised dais, Di nearby. As per her job she was running clearance and tracking guests. When a more important one came by she welcomed them to the party and brought them to Kate. All she had to do was look hot and run interference. Kate got a call and looked at her friend.
"The man whore is here. Di, you'll need to take this one. If Mr. Queen tries anything punch him out." Kate rolled her eyes. "And under no circumstance introduce yourself."
"Now I'm curious. Who is this person?" She walked off the Dias toward the door.
"Oh, you'll see." Kate downed a drink.
Di got to the door where she saw a stern looking black man looking resignedly at the party.
"Mr. Queen." This wasn't what she had in mind. He was older then she thought he would be. "Welcome, I'm Kate's personal assistant. Miss Kane is expecting you. If you'll just follow me."
"Diggle. Mr. Queen has already joined the party. I'm just here till he decides to leave." He leaned against the door and crossed his arms. "With the flavor of the night."
"I'm so sorry." She nodded. "There's a quiet corner over to the right. Better then the door."
"Thanks." The man smiled. "You aren't a party girl, are you Miss, Mrs?"
"Miss Lance." She grinned. "No, I'm just here to help Kate."
"Alone as ever." She heard him say. "I could fix that, no strings attached."
"You're not my type." Kate looked at him. "See anyone you like?"
Oliver Queen was nice enough so long as you weren't wearing a skirt or heels. If you were he saw you as a source of temporary entertainment. It was all a diversion until he found his 'other half', of found her again as he told it.
"Aside from you, a few. Haven't seen her though, where do you hide her?" He lounged in Di's chair nearby.
"If I knew who this woman was I might be able the help. Stop you from coming to my parties anyway." He and the poor woman would be cloistered at Queen Manor making babies instead. "You have a name yet?"
"Since you want me gone so badly, sure." His joking look went serious. "The Canary. Laugh all you want but I'm crashing every party you throw till I get my shot." He took a drink from the bar. "And don't tell me you can't help me. I've seen her seven times at your shindigs. You know her, you know her well."
"I might and I might not." Kate quickly scanned the room. Di was still by the door. "I tend to know people by actual names, not face masks and fishnets. I can poll the room though, see if anyone fesses up." Di was walking back, she had been talking to Mr. Digs. Oliver smirked.
"I can play all day, Kate." He said. "She's around here somewhere. I get free booze and very pleasing company till she shows up. You can end this anytime."
He raised his glass with a smug air and walked back to the party. A second later Di took his seat and rejoined her.
"Mr. Queen had already joined the party. I got his bodyguard situated, though." The blonde smiled and looked over the room. "He was really nice."
Kate looked at her friend. She had no intention of letting the man whore near her.
"No, my Jewel. By section. That's frozen, not dry goods." Mrs. Lance was teaching Jade the art of coupons. "And cleaning and paper products are over here."
"Where are Di and Kate?" Jade and Mrs. Lance were in their pajamas, sitting on Mrs. Lances bed. They were snacking on cookie dough while clipping coupons.
"Party. They'll be back late, if at all." Jade heard the woman say while she took another spoonful of dough. "Any reason for asking?"
"Just miss them." She put another page to the side. "I'm not used to sleeping alone now."
"I might as well move you girls into the same room." Mrs. Lance chuckled. "What do you talk about all night?"
"Everything." Jade grinned. "We're going to marry brothers, or best friends. So we can be in the same area. Keep doing everything together." Mrs. Lance laughed.
"May well be." She said. "It's good to know you'll look after each other. In case something happens-"
"It'll be fine. We need you." Jade said quickly. She latched on to the woman. "I need you."
"Thank you, Jade." Mrs. Lance kissed her forehead. "I need you to, my Jewel."
The phone rang in the kitchen and the woman got up. Jade took more dough and got back to coupon clipping. A few moments later she heard the phone drop to the floor. She walked out to the front of the house.
"Jade." Mrs. Lance saw her and she hurried over. She was quickly pulled close. "Oh God, Jade."
Jade grabbed the phone and dialed quickly, fighting tears. "Di, you need to come home. It's cancer."
"I'll do about as well as I would without food." The young blonde interjected. "Or do you plan to starve to death instead? We can draw lots."
"You don't know what's like out there. Little Bird, they will kill you without a second thought." She knew this was coming, had known. She was still afraid. Di was too skilled, too well known, she was already a target.
"We're broke, mother. I got a top tier degree from Stanford, the least I can do is use it to feed us." The young woman sat down, frustrated. "We have to do something."
"Assault, Jade. This is assault, three years ago it was child abuse." Kate took the sponge to cover a bruise. "You are a grown adult now, you don't have to take this anymore."
"Mom called it owl training." Jade said quietly. "I don't want to work with the court. I tried calling Di but she didn't pick up."
"She didn't for me either." Kate said, suddenly worried. Something was going on. "You need to get out of that house, now."
"The Lances can't afford it-"
"Then stay with me!" Kate cursed Di's pride, it just got in the way. She would be more then happy to donate to help them make it. "I'll talk to them. See if we can't work something out."
Jade was quiet, it was a script Kate knew well. She was afraid of loosing her parents. It could be argued, however, that she had never had them.
There was a knock on the door and her uncle's under secretary walked in. She handed a file to the young heir.
"This was flagged and sent to your uncle, I was told it might be of some interest to you." The woman said, before leaving briskly.
Kate opened the file and smiled a little. It had taken long enough.
"Get whatever is left of your things packed." She told her friend. "You're moving in."
"How? They can't afford to feed themselves." Jade looked at the folder. Both of the girls had noticed that about twice a month the Lances had nothing but fruit for lunch, it wasn't good.
"Can now." Kate grinned. "This is quite perfect actually. Beth has been needing a tutor."
"What, what?" Jade shook her head.
"And who better then a Stanford graduate." She pulled out her phone, and made a call. "Miss Rice, I have a applicant that has been accepted as the au pair. Please see the paperwork is pushed through right away."
"Sounds like something to be proud of." The doctor said and smiled. "Taking responsibility like that, you've raised her well."
"She was an easy kid, wonderful. We were blessed to have her." She sighed at how quickly the years had flown. "I just hate to see her take on so much. She's been through enough already."
"Every parent hates seeing that. She have a boyfriend yet?" The doctor filled in the chart.
"Not yet, she's picky." Dinah chucked. "Which is fine with me."
"It will happen, give it time." The doctor smiled, and took the chart from the nurse. She looked worried. "Di, come here."
She got off the table and walked over, the doctor put the X-ray on the wall.
"It's a tumor." She looked at it more closely. "I don't see signs of it being malignant, but we need to find out for sure. It's not a fun thought but do you have time for a biopsy today? It's slow, I can fit it in."
Dinah had found a chair and was trying to calm down. The doctor let her absorb the information. It was a few minutes before she could talk.
"How long would it take to know?" She asked at last, trying not to panic.
"About four days from whenever we get the sample. This is up to you." The doctor sat down. "If its cancer you want to catch it early, if not you know not to worry. I can have it done by three."
"Do it." Dinah thought of everything she hadn't seen yet, Di would meet someone some day. She would have a family of her own, find her own happiness. She nodded. "Di has enough on her plate, I'm not making her face it alone."
"I'll get it set up. We'll be ready to go in an hour. Chances really are it's nothing, try not to worry too much." The doctor hurried to the door. "Family helps, try calling your daughter, you'll need someone to drive you home anyway."
"Ya, but when will you be out?" Di had opened the door when she and Kate had arrived. They had hoped to surprise her with their awesome plan but it had become clear very quickly that something was wrong. She was on the phone with her mother.
"Okay, I'll head out now." Di was trying not to let panic take over, but it was clear in her eyes. "Kate and Jade are here, I'll be fine. I'll see you soon. Thank the doctor for me."
Jade looked at Kate, who looked just as worried as she felt. Di listened for a moment longer before she broke and the two saw tears.
"I'm sorry to, it was so stupid. We just need to get through this." The blonde smiled and listened. "I love you to, but no bear hugs today. Heal up first. I love you, mom."
They looked at her as she sat down at the dinner table. She took a deep breath and steadied herself.
"You had better have good news." She said after a moment. "If not come back tomorrow."
"I'll trade my good news for your bad news." Kate said carefully. Di was clearly trying to regain control. "How about I go first."
"I could use it. Sure." The blonde gathered her jacket and purse. "We can talk on the way. I need a ride to South Central."
Jade looked at Kate, who nodded. They got to the car and Kate took the wheel. Di was in no condition to drive.
"You have a job that not only pays well but helps me out and keeps you free for training to boot." Kate said, pulling Into traffic. " I'm hoping you don't mind, I swear it helps me to."
"I knew you would find my application. What's the job?" She sighed and leaned back.
"My personal assistant and Beth's au pair." She smiled as she saw Di grin a little.
"I love Beth. That does work. What would I be helping you with though?" They were nearing the exit.
"Being a shield, mostly. I have to go to events and meetings, you'd be the social butterfly to my sullen counterpart." Kate smirked as Di nodded sagely.
"This is true, you are not good with people." They got on the exit.
"Now the bad news." Jade asked softly.
"I'm not sure it is bad." She admitted. "The doctor found a tumor during Mom's exam today, they're removing it now. We don't know what it is yet. I'm just really scared right now."
Jade felt her eyes go wide and curled into a ball in the back seat. Kate nodded her head. The conversation made sense now.
"We'll deal with whatever it is. I'll have your Mom put on your insurance." They were almost to the hospital. "Also we have additional news. Jade?"
"I've decided to move out, if you still want me." Jade said quietly. "But with the tumor and-
"Finally!" Di cried. "About damn time. We were going to kidnap you at this rate. What put you over?"
"Sandra beat her pretty good, Di. It's getting worse." Kate said dryly.
"Last time she will." Di glared. "Once I get Mom home and settled well pick up your things, unless you want Mom with us?"
"The more people the better." Jade said. "I can really move in?"
"You could have years ago." Di reached her arms behind her to hold the dark haired teen, Jade hurried to return the hug. "As far as I'm concerned you're the sister I never got to have, both of you are. You i can kidnap, Kate would be missed though."
"Just a little." Kate smiled as Jade giggled. "We're here. Lets hope it all went well."
They parked and three linked hands before walking to the surgical wing.
"You really didn't have much left, my Jewel." Mrs. Lance was on her feet again, albeit on edge while waiting for the results. "This shouldn't take long at all."
"I can't believe I'm getting paid for this." Di said, putting the last of Jade's books into boxes. "I've been wanting to do this for ages."
"If anyone asks you assisted me, assisting her. That's how this works." Kate was taping a few boxes closed. "That's how you get paid."
Jade smiled at the scene. Mrs. Lance was wrapping the more delicate items, Di was packing books and cloths, and Kate was sealing and stacking boxes. Within an hour she would be free, the beatings would stop.
"That's the books." Di said happily, scooting the box to Kate. "Pass me a box for clothing?"
"Trading." Kate accepted the box and tossed a large one over. "Anything you want to leave behind, Jade? I have a spare box."
"I'll take it." She hurried around the room grabbing Court items. She never wanted to see them again. If her mother was so proud of them she could have them back.
It was only thirty minutes later that they began putting the boxes in the cars, the Lances and a large SUV Kate had rented. They were trying to find out who was sitting on whose lap, due to lack of space, when they heard very angry foot steps.
"What is this, Dinah?" Sandra's lips were pursed, and she was noticeably upset. "Can we just take daughters now?"
"We're not taking anyone, Sandra." The older blonde said softly. "We were requested, you knew this was going happen someday."
"My punishment for forcing her to be strong, to survive in this world." The woman's eyes glared. "She'll thank me someday."
"We all see the beatings, Sandra. That isn't for her benefit. Your daughter is a grown woman now. If she decides to leave, she can leave. None of the girls are children anymore." The former Canary nodded to the girls to get the car. They looked at the two, Kate leading the already shaken Di herself when she hesitated.
"That's it then?" Sandra asked, upset. "My baby is just going away?" Mrs. Lance's eyes steeled. She walked closer to her fellow instructor.
"She stopped being your baby the day you sold her to the Court." She hissed. "You may have carried and bore her but from that day on she was nothing but a tool for you. Jade is the sweetest, kindest, most loving young woman you can find. You were blessed to get her, and you have no reason to beat her. So yes, she's leaving. And you have no one to blame but yourself. She wanted desperately to love you, you made that impossible."
"This is my punishment for not making cookies and popcorn?" The dark haired woman asked with scorn.
Di tried to alert her mother as Jade walked over to her. There was no telling what Sandra might do.
"No, mother." Jade arrived and pulled Mrs. Lance back. There was a calmness in her eyes. "It's not. You're not the Lances, but you still could have been a mother. You are going to keep pushing me to the court, to your path, so long as I am with you. You will see no problem with it. And that's the problem. I'm not you, but you have never respected that. We need space, maybe we'll make up and understand each other better someday. But that day isn't today, I'll see you at the gym." Jade grabbed Mrs. Lance's hand and led her back to the cars.
Sandra was still standing there, stunned.
"That was-" Di looked for the word. "Fun." She zipped her clubbing boots closed and put on her best decorative belt. She had the weirdest job ever.
"You have to mingle, I get to sit." Kate rubbed her leg to get the gel into her skin. "How are you standing right now?"
"Mind over matter, for now." Di sighed and gingerly pulled on her jacket. "Has is occurred to you that since she can't beat Jade-"
"She's going to beat the tar out of us instead? I think that's officially the case now." Kate stood up. "Party time. Welcome to high society."
The parties Kate Kane threw were largely to create an image of a 'party girl'. The guests entertained themselves and Kate hung out with her own small circle. Di was her new face, and go to drink girl of course.
By ten the party was in full swing and Kate was sitting on a raised dais, Di nearby. As per her job she was running clearance and tracking guests. When a more important one came by she welcomed them to the party and brought them to Kate. All she had to do was look hot and run interference. Kate got a call and looked at her friend.
"The man whore is here. Di, you'll need to take this one. If Mr. Queen tries anything punch him out." Kate rolled her eyes. "And under no circumstance introduce yourself."
"Now I'm curious. Who is this person?" She walked off the Dias toward the door.
"Oh, you'll see." Kate downed a drink.
Di got to the door where she saw a stern looking black man looking resignedly at the party.
"Mr. Queen." This wasn't what she had in mind. He was older then she thought he would be. "Welcome, I'm Kate's personal assistant. Miss Kane is expecting you. If you'll just follow me."
"Diggle. Mr. Queen has already joined the party. I'm just here till he decides to leave." He leaned against the door and crossed his arms. "With the flavor of the night."
"I'm so sorry." She nodded. "There's a quiet corner over to the right. Better then the door."
"Thanks." The man smiled. "You aren't a party girl, are you Miss, Mrs?"
"Miss Lance." She grinned. "No, I'm just here to help Kate."
"Alone as ever." She heard him say. "I could fix that, no strings attached."
"You're not my type." Kate looked at him. "See anyone you like?"
Oliver Queen was nice enough so long as you weren't wearing a skirt or heels. If you were he saw you as a source of temporary entertainment. It was all a diversion until he found his 'other half', of found her again as he told it.
"Aside from you, a few. Haven't seen her though, where do you hide her?" He lounged in Di's chair nearby.
"If I knew who this woman was I might be able the help. Stop you from coming to my parties anyway." He and the poor woman would be cloistered at Queen Manor making babies instead. "You have a name yet?"
"Since you want me gone so badly, sure." His joking look went serious. "The Canary. Laugh all you want but I'm crashing every party you throw till I get my shot." He took a drink from the bar. "And don't tell me you can't help me. I've seen her seven times at your shindigs. You know her, you know her well."
"I might and I might not." Kate quickly scanned the room. Di was still by the door. "I tend to know people by actual names, not face masks and fishnets. I can poll the room though, see if anyone fesses up." Di was walking back, she had been talking to Mr. Digs. Oliver smirked.
"I can play all day, Kate." He said. "She's around here somewhere. I get free booze and very pleasing company till she shows up. You can end this anytime."
He raised his glass with a smug air and walked back to the party. A second later Di took his seat and rejoined her.
"Mr. Queen had already joined the party. I got his bodyguard situated, though." The blonde smiled and looked over the room. "He was really nice."
Kate looked at her friend. She had no intention of letting the man whore near her.
"No, my Jewel. By section. That's frozen, not dry goods." Mrs. Lance was teaching Jade the art of coupons. "And cleaning and paper products are over here."
"Where are Di and Kate?" Jade and Mrs. Lance were in their pajamas, sitting on Mrs. Lances bed. They were snacking on cookie dough while clipping coupons.
"Party. They'll be back late, if at all." Jade heard the woman say while she took another spoonful of dough. "Any reason for asking?"
"Just miss them." She put another page to the side. "I'm not used to sleeping alone now."
"I might as well move you girls into the same room." Mrs. Lance chuckled. "What do you talk about all night?"
"Everything." Jade grinned. "We're going to marry brothers, or best friends. So we can be in the same area. Keep doing everything together." Mrs. Lance laughed.
"May well be." She said. "It's good to know you'll look after each other. In case something happens-"
"It'll be fine. We need you." Jade said quickly. She latched on to the woman. "I need you."
"Thank you, Jade." Mrs. Lance kissed her forehead. "I need you to, my Jewel."
The phone rang in the kitchen and the woman got up. Jade took more dough and got back to coupon clipping. A few moments later she heard the phone drop to the floor. She walked out to the front of the house.
"Jade." Mrs. Lance saw her and she hurried over. She was quickly pulled close. "Oh God, Jade."
Jade grabbed the phone and dialed quickly, fighting tears. "Di, you need to come home. It's cancer."