Cowboy Bebop Fan Fiction / Macross Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Lord of the Flings ❯ Catharsis ( Chapter 4 )

Lord of the Flings

Catharsis

By Devon Masterson-Bond

"It's been said that the truth will set you free and that your sins will fine you out. I know that all too well…"

Max Sterling sat as a table in a café. He picked up the glass and downed the contents. He was nervous. Eighteen years passed since he last saw her and now she wanted to meet. Why after all this time? That was the question.

"Max," a feminine voice greeted.

"Claudia," he said standing up. He hugged her affectionately then pulled the chair out for her. "It's been a long time."

"That's my line," she laughed nervously. Her brown eyes twinkled for a moment then became distant. She ran a chestnut colored hand through dark locks. "You're probably wondering why I asked you here."

"The thought did cross my mind," he quipped. He was growing more nervous with each passing moment. The wheels of his mind were turning like turbines to work out the worse case scenario. There were so many possibilities. "Why did you leave?"

Right to the point," she teased then sighed, "well I didn't want things to be awkward. You and Meriya were raising Dana and Lisa didn't need me anymore, she had Rick. So I…just left." Her eyes focused downward.

"Then why come to me now?" Max asked. "We could have seen each at Lisa's party."

Claudia sighed. "I've done something…"

"What?" he asked. The panic was apparent on his face. His life had been going well for him, his daughter was at the top of her class at the academy, and his career and marriage were going fine. Life had been pretty much perfect at least until now. What kind of bomb was she about lay on him?

"I have a daughter," Claudia blurted out, "we...have a daughter."

His heart jumped into his throat as he swallowed. Pregnancy had been one of his scenarios, but he had dismissed it. In face he expected the big secret to be that Lisa she told Lisa about their affair when they met again last week. Arrogance even entertained that she still wanted him after their brief affair. "A daughter?"

Claudia nodded. Her brown eyes misted slightly. "I'm sorry. I just wanted you to know so you wouldn't be shocked."

Blue eyes widened. "Don't tell me she'll be at the party? He asked running his hands through blue locks. He took his glasses off and wiped them; another nervous habit.

Claudia nodded. He was not taking this too well. "Max…"

"Why now? What do you want from me? He asked. He was so distraught, he couldn't think straight.

"I just didn't want you to be surprised," Claudia said annoyance. The implications behind his attitude were highly insulting. She did not want anything from him, but she did hate lying to her daughter. It was not right.

"But I am and I don't know what to think."

Claudia shook her head. "Don't worry about it Lexi thinks that her father died in the war."

"Then why tell me?"

"Come on, Max, you know what passed between us, you would have put it together instantly. I also…wanted to tell you because I am going to tell her the truth."

Max stood to his feet. "I have to go." Claudia only nodded. She picked up a glass of water as he flew from the situation. It was going to be a long weekend.

It wasn't until the cool outside air enveloped him, that Max slowed his gait. He was safe now. So far he was not handling the situation well. Claudia probably thought he was the world's biggest jerk. After all she was not alone in the affair. It took two to tango and tango they did. For the first time in his life he had been ruled by the lust of the moment.

"Claudia…how did we end up in this situation? Eighteen years…that's a long time. It all started with…"

"You are such as a bastard!" Meirya spat. Her eyes were blazing with fury as she started to pace the room. With each turn she, would rake her hands through emerald long locks. It was nervous habit she had developed since killing anyone who aggravated her was not accepted in human society. It was times like this she wanted to reverse the procedure that scaled down her Centraudi size and stomp on Max like a grape. He was truly testing her patience today, the audacity!

"You're being unreasonable," Max replied equally agitated. "You're turning nothing into something." He could feel his restraint beginning to fail. Thank, God, their infant daughter was away with his parents for the week. Dana did not need something like this shaping her impressionable mind.

"Oh, so this is my fault then?" she shrieked.

"If the shoe fits," he snapped. Enough was enough.

Cobalt met cobalt neither willing to budge. Meirya balled her fist. The temptation to knock literal sense into him was entirely too strong. "Goodbye, Max."

"Goodbye, Meriya," he said coldly.

The tall green haired woman stalked out of the once happy home. She didn't care about Max. He was a stupid jerk and she didn't need him. She didn't need anybody.

"Damn it," Max cursed once the door slammed. This was stupid. He was trying to be understanding and all she could do was accuse and insult him. Obviously she was capable of leaving him without a second thought and moving on…so should he.

He stalked out of the house. He needed to think. His spirits started to rise as he jumped into his jeep and sped off. Once he was in the sky everything would be alright.

Sometime later a glint of metal soaring through the air caught his eyes. He had just arrived at the hangar. Avis was an old run down hangar just outside the city. It was not affected by the noise and traffic associated with a metropolis. It was the perfect place for pleasure flying. According to the caretaker, the owner did not get many pilots out this way; mostly the hangar was an emergency fueling stop off. He had heard from the old tier about a few that came by and flew the vintage planes that were kept there, but he had never actually seen someone.

His problems seemed to dissipate as he watched in awe of the flier. He had to meet this person. The company would be appreciated. "Finally, he's landing." Max smiled as the plane touched down perfectly.

Once the plane came to full stop he ran over to greet the pilot. "Nice flying there."

"Thanks," the pilot answered graciously.

Cobalt eyes widened in surprise, he did not expect a woman, but then he was married to one of the finest pilots, he had ever seen. "Max Sterling." He offered a hand.

The pilot laughed and took her helmet off. "We meet again, Max," Claudia teased.

"Claudia?" Max asked. He was dumbfounded. He had worked with this woman for years and never knew she could fly. She had always been pegged as support strategy. "When…how?"

Brown eyes clouded for a second then she smiled! "I was taking lessons to surprise Roy and after he died I never gave it up."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up," Max apologized.

Claudia shook her head. "So, what brings you here?"

"Just felt like flying," he replied. He jammed his hands into his pockets.

Claudia observed his actions thoughtfully. It was apparent that something happened. "I was just about to fix dinner. I would like if you joined me. I haven't seen much of anyone since my tour ended and I could use the company."

"I don't want to talk, Claudia."

The dark haired woman smiled. "Your mind is a steel trap," she teased then grabbed his hand to drag him away. "Humor me, ok?"

~

"Feel better now?" she asked grinning. It had been awhile since she cooked for anyone and Max managed to pack everything away. He was just like Roy.

"My stomach does anyway," Max smiled. He patted his stomach contently. "You're quite the cook."

"Food for the soul," Claudia sighed. "Sometimes a nice relaxing meal can bring about a…"

"…catharsis," he finished.

Claudia wrinkled her nose and chuckled. "More or less. I wouldn't have used that exact wording after we just ate."

"Sorry. I was just being direct."
"Okay then, what happened?" Claudia asked.

"Look, Claudia, I'd rather not talk about it." He stood and put his napkin on the table. "Thank you for the dinner," he said before turning on his heel.

Claudia grabbed his arm. "Running away doesn't solve you problems."

"It seemed to work for you," he replied coldly.

Brown eyes widened then began to mist. That hurt. It really hurt. "I didn't'…I didn't…" tears trailed from lonely eyes. She let go of Max's arm and turned away. "I didn't want you to end up like me." She sniffled.

"Claudia," Max sighed. Everything about him immediately softened. He could not stand this. There had to be something that he could do. "I'm sorry," he replied wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into his chest.

"No," she said lowly. She wiped her eyes and pulled away. "Let me go."

Max turned her around to face him. "What's wrong?"

Claudia stared into cobalt eyes in silence then flushed. This was not the time to notice how attractive he was. Distance, she needed distance. "Let me go, Max." She tried to pull away from him, but his grip was too strong.

"Not in until you tell me…" his sentence trailed as he noticed how vulnerable she looked. Why did not he notice how attractive she was before today? The tears still in her eyes only added to her appeal. "You missed one," he said softly as he touched her face.

"Max, you have Meriya," she said softly. She closed her eyes as wrong as it was. The closeness and desire was something she missed greatly. It had been three years and she was tired of being alone.

Sadness crossed her eyes for a moment. "I wouldn't count on that," he whispered before crushing his lips against hers.

"Please," Claudia pleaded as she tore her lips from his. If they kept going, she would not be able to stop.

"We're moving on," he said before kissing her again. The kiss intensified as he felt her arms wrap around his neck. Only one thought now filled his head. "Claudia," he moaned in her mouth as he lifted her onto the table. Dishes and glass were knocked away as rationality became replaced with lust.

Chestnut colored hands intertwined with blue locks as Max hungrily worshiped her mouth and neck. She moaned in pleasure. She would not let guilt taint this moment. "Max!" she cried out in disbelief.

The blue haired man only smiled looking down at his handiwork; her ripped opened shirt. Her body was exotic and glorious. He wanted to see more of it. "I will have you," he declared taking off his jacket.

Claudia gasped in surprise. He was nothing like she imagined. Aggressiveness was a surprising attribute; it always seemed to show up in the most unlikely of people. "You will?" she asked raisin eyebrow. She sat up and smiled seductively.

"Yes," he replied. He pushed her down and started to assault her senses again. Hearing her moans of pleasure and desire made him more aggressive. He wanted to conquer Claudia.

He pulled away to undo his pants. Max smiled as Claudia leaned up to help him. Clearly she was just as willing as he. He nearly melted when she smiled as his pants sank to the floor.

Angry look shined in his eyes as he climbed on top of her. The need was now too great. He was wearing down from the games. "You're mine," he declared as his hand shot under her skirt. He ripped her under wear off then slid her toward him.

She gasped at his roughness and but could not help but turned on by it. "Then take it," replied in a deep voice.

"Ah," she moaned throwing her head back in painful pleasure. Three years of celibacy and loneliness that claimed her washed away.

"I claimed you," he said crushed his lips against her again. With each thrust, she trembled against him. Her glorious arousal scented him and filled his mind. Possession, he would not happy until he did so.

"Mmm," Claudia cried out. She wrapped her legs around him bring him in deeper.

"Say it," Max urged as he moved faster.

Claudia shook her head then kissed Max deeply. The intoxication of the moment was addictive, but in the back of her mind she knew it could not last.

"Say it," he said more forcefully as he increased his thrust.

"Max," she sighed. He was over taking her but she could not give into it.

"Ssssay it," his voice she shook with pleasure. He was quickly reaching that place. With each magnificent thrust he was deliciously closer to climax. "Say it…" his sentence trailed as she put her finger to his lips.

"Max," she screamed out.

"Say it," he commanded as he grabbed her hips and drilled into her. It was all a matter of time. They both were on the edge. His gift would be pushing her over it.

"I can't," she cried out as she climaxed. Her body tensed locking him into place.

"Claudia," he whispered into her hair as he spilled into her. He was instantly drained. There was nothing left to either of them except to collapse. "Claudia," he sighed some times later.

"Don't say any thing," she whispered. She knew what he was going to say. Now that the hunger had passed, there was nothing left but guilt. "Go home."

Max nodded reluctantly and sat up. He pulled his pants on and looked at Claudia meaningfully. "I didn't mean to use you."
"Neither did I," she replied. She held her the scraps of her shirt together feeling a sudden attack of modesty.

"I'll..later," he said before leaving.

"Good-bye, Max," Claudia replied lowly.

Max paused in his actions for a moment. Why did that sound so final?"

"That was the last time I saw her…"

Max dug his hands deeper into his pockets. The memory of their affair brought about conflicting emotions. Part of him hated himself for giving into fleshly desires. The other part…the other part dared to tango again. "I have to figure a way out of this," he sighed.

"Max?" someone called.

Hearing the sound of his name, Max turned around. "Meriya, what are you doing here?" His eyes quickly accessed her countenance and body language. From the look of her face, she didn't see him come from the café.

"I'm meeting Dana for lunch. Why don't you come with me? You haven't seen her much the last couple of days." Meriya grabbed his arm and pulled him along. "It'll be nice."

~

"I feel like an intruder. You're supposed to be spending time with your mother."

Dana shook her head. "My mother is always glad to meet my friends, and you're a good influence on me."

The younger woman arched a turquoise eyebrow. "How am I such a good influence?"

"I haven't been in the brig in over year, have I?" Dana asked playfully as she poked her friend. "Don't worry Lexi. My mom won't mind, besides I want her to meet the only person to come close to beating me in the simulator game."

Lexi rolled her eyes. She hated when Dana brought that up. It was a fluke. "Re-match."

"Any time," Dania smile. Her smile got even brighter as she caught sight of her mother and father coming towards them. "There she is and Dad's with her."

"On that note, I am going to introduce myself and leave. I have some last minute things to do."

Dana stepped forward. "Mom, Dad, hi. This is a friend of mine. Lt. Commander Alexis Grant. Lexi these are…"

The world moved in slow motion for Max as azure met azure. In front of him stood a tall woman with walnut colored skin and long blue hair adorned in a high twist. From the twist several locks of blue fell across her shoulder. She was a goddess and of course to his misfortune the resemblance was strong.

"Nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Sterling," Lexi greeted. She did not miss a beat.

"She's drawing conclusions," Max thought as observing her eyes. They were studying both hi and Meriya, whose eyes completely betrayed her. "Nice to meet you," he replied.

"Likewise." Meriya painted a smile on her face.

"Lexi just stopped by to say hi," Dana explained. She sensed the discomfort from everyone and began to make her own speculations.

"Yes, I have a few errands to rum," Lexi commented. She took a step back. "It was nice meeting you. Bye!" Lexi hugged Dana and hurried away.

"That's when it all went down hill..."

"I'm going home," Meriya replied as soon as Lexi left. "I feel…" she looked at Max. "Sick." She turned on her heel with a sickening precision.

"Meriya," he called after her as she stalked away. He pace was maddening. She was on the brink of running and he had to jog just to keep up with her. He grabbed her arm and a sound slap cracked across his face causing both of them to stop.

"Don't touch me," she commanded dangerously before stalking off again.

Max was too stunned to move. He simply held his burning cheek as the rest of his face flamed crimson. It was never prudent for a spouse to find out about indiscretions in public and in front of their progeny no less. He was in trouble there was very little that could be done to save the situation.

"So what did you do?" the kid asked listening intently to the story. The others in the room sat straight in their seats trying to catch all of the details.

"I let her cool down for a few hours then I went home," Max answered.

"Meriya," Max called as he walked into their bedroom. His eyes widened as he saw her filling her suitcase.

"I hate you," she snapped.

"Let's talk about this," Max suggested walking towards her.

"Stay away from me," she commanded still shoving clothes into the suitcase. Max moved over toward her and she turned to swing at him, but he merely caught her fists and pushed her against the wall. He held her hands above her head.

"I didn't mean to hurt you," he said softly as tears began to stream down her face. "It happened years ago and it was just that one time."
"That's all it takes," Meriya snapped then sniffled. "It was that night we fought about that mission wasn't it. You didn't come home….and I could…" she began to break down. "I could smell another woman…but I thought it was my fault and I… and then you…Why Claudia?"

"We met at the hangar and ate dinner then…" he sentence trailed as she looked away. "Don't leave me. I made a mistake. It's you I want by my side…"

"And she bought that?" Yohji asked.

"That is a bit over dramatic," Malachite agreed.

"I agree," Max admitted, "But it was true and I do love her." Several of the guys moaned in annoyance, but Max merely smirked. He turned to the kid. "You can't roam forever. Make sure you know what you want and if you ever caught, remember groveling can be a good thing."

The kid nodded his head. There was wisdom in that statement.