Queen of Spades (House of Car...

A/N: Came to the realization this morning that there is only about 5 chapters left of Alice's 온라인카지노게임, maybe a little more as I haven't actually written them yet, and some of htem may go longer. I am both amazed at, and disturbed by how quickly this 온라인카지노게임 has come and gone. I didn't think anyone would like it when I first wrote it, and now I'm in the top 30 of Watty, and within the top 80 of romance. And that is entirely because of you beautiful people. I have never pushed for votes or comments, and you guys have still catapulted me up into a higher eschelon of writing. Thank you all, for the love and critiques, both make me better at what I do. Which is hopefully entertain you all, and take you into a world where you can become hero and victim, boyscout and badass, and hopefully come out the other end with a stronger sense of the characters. They're real only because you guys have helped me shape them that way.

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Alice was sitting alone in Malcolm's apartment, listening to the t.v babble on, not knowing what to do. Malcolm had left about twenty minutes ago to go confront his family, and in a stroke of perverse curiosity, Alice turned on the news to see what exactly his family had learned about her. It was worse than she had feared. The newscaster did a speil on Stuart, how he is wanted for statutory rape and repeated assault, and if anyone knows his whereabouts, to call this hotline.... blah blah blah. Not so bad. But then they segued into the 'possible' victim.

"There is a growing push in the neighborhood to crack down on domestic violence and abuse. Figure-headed by our own, until recently unknown, hero and survivor. Living in silence in our community for years, a young woman named Alice Doni Spade has endured the loss of her family, only to then suffer through six years of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of those who were supposed to protect her. None of the neighbors that were contacted knew anything amiss was happening in the house of the Walter family, saying that never once did the friendly family indicate that within their home was a disgusting den of violence and lust...." Alice ignored the rest of the sensation mongering. THey weren't doing it because they actually cared what had happened to her. This was just a way for them to boost their rating and make more money.

Alice numbly sat there watching the newsreel that went through pictures of Alice, the few that anyone had ever taken, and a somehow an image of her after Stuart's last attack. The one where Malcolm and Salali had taken her to the hospital. She stared at her own bruised and battered mug, stitches in her lip and a hopeless look in her eyes. "That's not who I am anymore..."Alice said softly to herself. She shook herself and turned off hte tv, not needing to see anymore. It was too quiet here without Monster or Malcolm around. After a week of having everyone around constantly, she felt devastatingly alone right now. So she called Salali.

Ten minutes later and Alice was tucked back inside Salali's apartment, Monster barking and jumping, puppy playfulness hyped up on treats so that Alice was laughing as he mobbed her. She ended up being knocked over and sat on the floor, hugging the scarred puppy as he licked her. Salali didn't say anything as the tears started to drip down Alice's face, Monster licking them away as he tried to comfort her. Salali helped her to her feet, the large Native woman hauling Alice up easily, and just as easily pulling her into a bone crushing hug. Alice felt choked, part from the lingering tobacco smell and Salali's impressive bosom, and part because Alice had no idea how to fix things. Her instinct right now was to run, leave it all behind and start over. She was 18 now, but still needed to finish her highschool diploma, no one would hire her without it, and Ace flatly refused to go back into stripping. She was all kinds of done with that, besides, everyone knew that's what she'd done now.

Eventually Salali coaxed the whole thing out of Alice, and the distraught dancer found herself spilling everything to the patient Native woman. How she felt when she first realized that Malcolm from the club was now Mr. Vega her teacher, the guilt she felt over seducing him away from Shawna, the pressure of trying to endure school, the stress of Stuart escaping and coming after her, the joy at Malcolm proposing, it all spewed out in an emotional mess, ending with her conviction that Malcolm's family was currently lambasting him and it was all her fault.

Of course, the issue with unburdening to Salali was that the large Native woman was a force to be reckoned with. Salali was not able to have children of her own, and Ace knew that their shared Native ancestry prompted the large woman to view Alice as a surrogate daughter. So when someone hurts her little girl, Salali was more than a little intimidating. Right now she was directing Alice to wash up her face, grab Monster's leash and then go to Malcolm's house because god d***it, Alice and Malcolm were good together and anyone who would let a little thing like age discrepancy stand in hte way of that was stupid and pitiful. Salali's words, not Alice's.

So Alice was sitting in the passenger seat with an agitated Monster on her lap, trying to stick his head out the window. Ace felt a hard knot in her gut, tightening painfully the closer they got to Malcolm's parents' home. She'd remembered the route there, and Salali had known both Malcolm and his family for a year or so now so she drove with a purpose. Though Sal being Sal, the large Native woman was smoking one of the thick cigars Alice had bought her in Mexico. Normally Salali would have torn the cigar open and dumped the tobacco into her pipe, but the need for haste had her chewing on the stogie. Alice tried not to look like she was about to throw up or pass out, but she couldn't trick the large Native whom was her own surrogate mother.

"There is not much they can do Alice. Remember that. And if they don't like it, tell them to take a long walk of a high cliff." Salali said bluntly, giving the startled Alice a wink.

"Yeah sure. Hi, it's me, the no longer underage student sleeping with your son, her teacher. Oh and we're engaged. Sorry if you don't like it but oh well, jog on?" Alice said sarcastically.

"Exactly. Though I think you can omit the references to sleeping with him. If they haven't figured out that you two are sexually active already, they haven't been paying attention to how you look at each other." Salali calmly critiqued. Alice felt her cheeks flame as the large Native woman calmly pointed facts out.

"I don't think I can do this." Alice moaned softly, almost overwhelmed with the need to bolt, hide and find a safe place to disappear.

"Too late, we're here." Salali stated, pulling the car to park on the side of the road. Alice stared at the Vega house with terror and panic in her eyes. She fumbled with her cell phone, realizing that Malcolm needed to know that they were about to crash the party. Salali just got out of the car, suspension dipping a little as the large woman hauled herself out of the car. Alice took a deep breath and hit send.

Salali and I are here. Brace yourself.

Malcolm probably only got the message a moment before Salali walked striaght up to the door and knocked, seeming far too calm for Alice's frazzeled nerves. But Monster wouldn't let Alice hide back at the car, he pulled her over to the large Native woman, seeming to know that Alice couldn't bring herself over there without prompting. The puppy was snuffling the door and welcome mat, probably recognizing Mal's scent, and trying to memorize the others. Alice felt footsteps come down the hall and she flinched with each echoing footstep, pulling in on herself, hunching defensively.

The front door swung open and Malcolm's Abuela stood there, regarding them solemly. The old woman had given Alice her blessing, but that was before they found out she'd lied to them. Alice didn't expect her youth and status as a student would win her any credit with his family. The Abuela looked Alice straight in the eye and Ace saw the challenge there. Taking a deep breath in, Alice straightened her shoulders, refusing to be ashamed of falling in love with a good man.

"Es hora de maldito." Abuela said, shaking her head. (It's about d*** time). "Si usted es digno de mi nieto, ir allí y mostrarles." she pointed towards the family room. (If you're worthy of my grandson, go in there and show them). Alice gaped at the older woman and did not miss the amusement in the old lady's eyes as she gave Alice a slow wink.

"Gracias." Alice finally stated, blinking away her surprise. The Abuela still approved, that was unexpected. Salali snorted and shoved Alice's shoulder as the young woman still paused, not sure how to just walk in there. These people were discussing her, the issue was all about her, and she was just supposed to walk in there?

Alice stumbled a little, surprised by the rough shove, but once she'd gotten moving, the temporary paralysis fell away. She handed Salali Monster's leash and walked boldy into the family room, with Malcolm's Abuela pulling her along by the hand.

The atmosphere in the room was tense, and every eye turned to face her as she walked in. The discussion died and the room filled with silence as many eyes faced the young woman. Some had anger and disgust in them, Malcolm's father seemed furious. Gloria looked sad but smiled at Alice, and the general consensus wasn't as much hatred as it was pity. Alice had forgotten that they had learned more than just her age from the news. They knew about the rape and abuse too. The pity in most of their eyes nearly drove Alice to run from the room. As it was she stepped back, reflexively putting distance between her and them, ready to make a break for it if necessary.

"Malcolm, su novia está aquí.." The Abuela casually announced, as if that little statement wasn't going to cause an uproar. (Malcolm, your fiancee is here). Alice looked down at the short, older woman and saw the sly smile on the grandmother's face. Ace had put her engagement ring back on theright finger and forgotten to hide it.

"Novia?!" Malcolm's father roared, turning on his son. (Fiancee).

"Por supuesto que estamos comprometidos. Malcolm es un buen chico y escucha los consejos de su abuela." the old woman stated, cutting her son off. (Of course they're engaged. Malcolm's a good boy and listens to his grandmother's advice).

"Usted le dijo a proponer? Ellos no pueden estar juntos! Ella va a conseguir lo arrestaron o dispararon!" Malcolm's father sounded frantic. (You told him to propose? They can't be together! She's going to get him arrested or fired!)

"Oh sentarse. Están en el amor y estar juntos. Usted debe estar feliz de que Malcolm ha encontrado a alguien que lo ama y él ama. El resto son detalles." The Abuelo added in, supporting his wife. (Oh sit down. They're in love and belong together. You should be happy that Malcolm has found someone who loves him and he loves back. The rest is just details). Alice felt almost dizzy as she realized that both Malcolm's grandparents were giving them their support.

"Detalles importantes. Al igual que el hecho de que ella es su alumno. No está en el amor, es sólo la lujuria y el riesgo!" Malcolm's father argued. (Important details. Like the fact that she is his student. They're not in love, it's just lust and risk!).

"No ser un culo. Incluso si usted se opone a su corta edad, incluso un toro viejo, como se puede decir que está en el amor." Diego spoke up, shooting Alice a smile. Malcolm's younger brother was sitting next to Mal, giving him the support he needed to endure the fallout. (Don't be an a**. Even if you object to her young age, even an old bull like you can tell they're in love).

"I do love Malcolm. And I also apologize for lying to you all. But I will not apologize for being in love with him, or engaged to him. You do not know me. You've heard some.... unsettling facts from the news. But can you honestly say that any of you know me? Malcolm does. And you all know him. So trust his judgement of me, until you can make a complete one of your own. Because I'm not going to let him walk out of my life over something so stupid as the fact that for eight months he's my teacher. It's just not in my nature to give up that easily." Alice stated in English. She looked Malcolm straight in the eye as she said that and he gave her a soft smile.

"Yo no estoy pidiendo que como las decisiones que he tomado. Hay un montón de cosas en mi pasado que me arrepiento, y esto no es una de ellas. Si usted simplemente no puede aceptar que yo escogí, Alice pesar de los riesgos, entonces lo siento. Pero ella es mi novia, y, finalmente, mi mujer. Estás a sólo va a tener que aprender a lidiar con eso." Malcolm stood up and spoke. As he talked, he walked over to Alice and took her hand into his, hiding how her fingers shook. (I'm not asking you to like the decisions I've made. There are a lot of things in my past that I regret, and this is not one of them. If you simply cannot accept that I have chosen Alice despite the risks, then I am sorry. But she's my fiancee, and eventually my wife. You're all just going to have to learn to deal with that).

Malcolm's mother opened her mouth to say something when Monster started to bark loudly from the front hallway. Alice frowned and a few people crowded into the hallway to see what had set the puppy off. Salali was holding his leash and the scarred puppy was straining at it, trying to pull the massive Native woman down the hallway to the back.

"Monster hush." Alice said, voice firm. The puppy kept straining to go, but stopped his barking, a low growl rattling his chest. He was still too young to be really intimidating, but even with a squeaky growl, Alice knew something wasn't right. "Sal, let him off his leash." she instructed, forgetting all about the family drama. Something in Monster's behaviour was giving Alice alarm, and she trusted the puppy to have good instincts. Salali let the leash drop and Monster bounded down the hallway and scampered to the back door of the kitchen.

Alice didn't wait for anyone else, she walked forward and opened the sliding glass door, following Monster out into the dark backyard. It was late March, and the nights were still dark, damp and cold. Monster stood on the back porch and snarled into the dark. His puppy small body shook with tension and aggression, vibrating with the need to protect. Before Alice could ask for lights, someone snapped them on inside, flooding the large backyard with illumination. The cause for Monster's alarm was readily apparent as everyone caught sight of the very grumpy brown bear rumbling through the Vega's trash.

"Oh s***." Alice cursed and grabbed Monster's leash before he could charge the bear. The little dog's growling bark seemed to annoy the bear, but thankfully it only whined and wandered quickly back towards the trees leading off of their property.

"Was that a bear?" she heard someone ask.

"I think it might be time to put up a fence dear." Alice heard Malcolm's mother say calmly to her husband.

"That or get a dog." Diego joked from the back of the crowd.

"Good boy Monster." Alice praised her puppy. The dog promptly sat on her foot and wagged his tail, demanding love and affection.

"I don't approve." Malcolm's father stated, bringing everyone back to the real issue at hand, brief fright over the bear set aside. "I think you're too young to understand all the complexities of real life. You need to go out and experience things for yourself." he said directly to Alice. "Being with you isn't good for Malcolm. He could loose his job, and garner a reputation as a pedophile. Is that what you call love?" he frowned down at her.

"Dad.." Malcolm objected but Alice shook her head, more able now to deal with this herself.

"No. But to be honest, I also refuse to let the good things in life pass me by because I'm too afraid of what might happen to reach out and take a risk. But I do have experience you cannot simply reject because of my age. I'm 18 and I have already learned how to live on my own. You have heard hte reports, so if nothing else you should know that I am a survivor, and I am a fighter. I know he'd be the one suffering more if we were found out but I would still be right there with him. I would love to have the opportunity to get to know his family because he loves you all very much, but even if you all hate me, I'm by his side." Alice stated, meeting his father's hostile gaze.

"You can't even vote yet." His dad scoffed at her.

"No, but I can fight and die for my country. I can't drink alcohol legally yet, but I've already accumulated enough life experience to require intensive therapy. Just because I'm young doesn't mean I don't know how to budget my finances, or figure out how to set up a 401-k off of the salary of a stripper. I never promised that life with me would be easy for Malcolm. But don't dismiss my life experience just because it isn't the same as yours." she stated, refusing to back down.

"En ese sentido, yo creo que es hora de volver a casa." Malcolm interrupted before things could deteriorate. (On that note, I think it's time we went home.) He held his hand out for Alice and she stepped passed him family to weave their fingers together. Salali was still standing out of the way in the hall, her eyes dark with amusement. She found all of this far too entertaining.

Malcolm and Alice walked with Salali over to her car, Monster now quiet and sleepy looking at hte end of his leash. "I'll leave you two alone to do some talking. Come by tomorrow to grab Monster and his things. After work of course." The large Native woman instructed, giving the couple no chance ot object as she opened the door for the tired puppy to hop up. "And Malcolm, just think of it this way, as bad as today was, at least you didn't get her pregnant first."

Alice let out a startled laugh, not believing Salali had just said that. Malcolm gave a dry laugh, understanding the attempt at humour, but not really sharing in it. "Good night Salali. And thank you for driving Alice out." he waved goodbye. Alice had already gotten another rib crushing hug.

They both climbed into his Jeep in silence, and hte entire ride back Alice felt like she'd done the wrong thing in coming out. Maybe he'd been handling it on his own and she'd just messed things up? Ace fretted about it the entire way back to his place, convincing herself that she'd just screwed the pooch. Malcolm's continued silence didn't help bolster her confidence either, and she followed along silently as he unlocked the apartment and let them in.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that." Malcolm finally spoke. Alice frowned as she looked at him.

"For what? A little awkwardness never hurt anyone." Alice dismissed immediately. Malcolm gave her a look, as if he was assessing her and thinking things through.

"No but it still had to have been umcomfortable for you. But I'm glad you showed up." he walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her and holding her in a tight hug. "I didn't want to drag you through one of my family 'interventions', or I would have brought you myself."

"Interventions?" Alice asked, tucking her head under his chin.

"You seem to forget that my family was keenly aware of my misspent youth." Malcolm chuckled, some of his usual good humour returning. "I have sat through more than one family meeting where my life and habits were under direct scrutiny. It's nothing new for me." he kissed the top of her head. "Besides, my father needs someone who's not intimidated by him. You two can fight over politics, or even the weather while the rest of us sit back and relax." he added in.

Alice moved a little away so she could look at him. "Wait, I thought your dad hated me and felt that we shouldn't be together." she stated, reviewing conversations she'd had with Mal's dad.

"Oh he's not thrilled. But everyone already knows that his bark is a lot worse than his bite. He'll be angry and confrontational for a while, but as he gets used to it, he'll learn to back you just like Abuela did." Malcolm shrugged.

"You're family is weird." Alice stated. "Though at least now I know where your moodiness comes from." she added in.

"I'm not moody." Malcolm objected. Alice just raised her eyebrows at him, a smile tugging at her lips. "I'm not!" he objected again, but the laughter in his voice belied the words.

"Sure sure." Alice mocked.

"I'll show you moody." Malcolm growled at her jokingly and then promptly started to chase her around the apartment, trying to tickle her into submission.

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A/N: Malcolm's family is sort of behind them. It's not all good though, They have some supporters, but his parents are not for the relationship.

Anyone wondering why I stuck the bear in there, a lot of this scene was taken from my own experience. NOT a student/teacher thing, but a serious family discussion being broken up by a random bear. This is Canada and that sort of thing happens with distressing regularity if you live far enough outside the city.

I'll be starting West's 온라인카지노게임 with Ms. Avery tonight. Try to have it posted tomorrow so you guys can start to get some of his back온라인카지노게임. Remember though, that his 온라인카지노게임 is in the past of this 온라인카지노게임, so some of this 온라인카지노게임 will bleed over into that one. That's right folks, even though Alice and Mal's 온라인카지노게임 is soon ending, you will see more of them in West's 온라인카지노게임, though they will be secondary characters there, and everything will be in West's POV. This'll be interesting.......