An Ocean of Trees

I updated twice today because its been awhile since I've posted. This chapter is a little longer than chapter 16. This chapter may be a little confusing if so and if i get reviews saying that it is I'll re-write the chapter.

Chp.17 It's not what it seems

Meanwhile Legolas had finished his shower and decided to only wear the silk "boxers" that Rachel had given him. It was the only item that was somewhat comfortable, compared to the "sweats" she had given him and the t-shirt that chafed his skin.
Slowly making his way down the stairs Legolas could hear the sounds of Shannon and Haldir down the hall. And for a moment jealously plagued his emotions.

Suddenly Legolas could feel the danger on its way and he stopped midway of the stair case observing the area. Walking up to the stairs Rachel did not notice Legolas as she wasn't focusing on anything at all.

"I decided to only wear the "boxers" as you call them." Legolas said softly awaking Rachel out of her stupor.

Jumping at the sound of his voice and losing her balance Rachel started to fall backwards, but Legolas quickly grabbed her pulling her close to him. Their faces inches apart now, Rachel couldn't help but inhaled his scent. Despite the soap she had provided him with he still had a masculine smell to him that enticed her senses and for a moment Rachel thought about kissing Legolas again.

"I-" she started

All of a sudden Carter and Drake barged through the front door, to find Legolas holding Rachel in his arms.

"I knew it! I fucking knew it!" Carter fumed as he launched himself towards Legolas. Quickly moving himself and Rachel out of the way Legolas jumped out of Carter's path.

"You little prick; I'm going to kick your ass!" Carter yelled as he swung and missed Legolas. Spinning around Legolas came up from behind and tripped him. Although he disliked Carter, he knew Rachel would be angry with him if he truly hurt him.

"Stop! Legolas! Carter!" Rachel yelled in attempt to stop the fight.

Standing in the doorway Drake could only stand back and watch the two fight, as he was mesmerized at how unearthly Legolas looked. And yet there was something familiar about him as well.

Easily evading Carter's punches, for a human Carter was skilled in the art of hand to hand combat however his skills were nowhere near that of Legolas'.

Running out of the bedroom with only a sheet covering him, Haldir looked was shocked to see Legolas and Carter going at it. At the sight of Carter, a sudden rush of anger filled Haldir and he grabbed Carter's arm before he could swing at Legolas again. Startled Carter turned his anger towards Haldir before Drake jumped in between the two. After observing how the unearthly creatures fought Drake thought it best no to fight with them.

"What the hell are you doing Drake, kick his ass and I'll take the other one." Carter said breathlessly.

"There will be no more fighting here, Legolas! Haldir sit your asses down. Drake, Carter what the hell are you doing here?" Shannon fumed. Stepping forward she tied the rope of her robe tightly around her waist. It was a rare occasion if she ever had a man and being interrupted during one of her "benefit sessions" as she called it only made her angrier.

'God this is my entire fault' Rachel said mentally as she put her hands over her face. Taking a deep breath she gathered the courage to face Carter. "Carter… can I talk to you in the other room?" she asked.

"No, whatever you've got to say you say it right here and right now. I want to know why the hell you were sleeping with him." Carter yelled.

"Sleeping with whom?" Rachel asked confused before looking at Legolas.

"Don't play stupid, I heard you two over the phone!" Carter stated barely containing his anger.

"What are you talking about? I haven't slept with anyone, I was just in the kitchen and I decided to go back to my room and I slipped on the stairs and Legolas caught me before I fell." Rachel said trying to make sense of the whole situation.

Everyone stood there for a moment in silence before looking over at Haldir and Shannon.

A sigh of relief left Carter and then disgust filled his entire being.

"That's just sick." Carter stated as he looked at Shannon. "You're going to contract something deadly if you sleep with her." Carter stated disgustedly to Haldir before walking into the kitchen. He truly loathed Shannon and even more so Haldir. Haldir and Shannon were the reason for this whole misunderstanding; however Legolas was still walking on thin ice. Too many times did he get caught in awkward situations with Rachel and Carter needed to put an end to it.

"Let's go Rachel." Carter stated authoritatively before pushing the kitchen doors open.

And like a child Rachel headed to his command without protest. The whole ordeal was too much for one day and she didn't feel like arguing anymore.

"I don't know what the hell to think about you anymore." Carter stated looking out the window.

"Carter I was going to fall and he caught me-"

"That's not the point, if you had fallen you could have called me and I would have come over and comforted you." Despite the harshness of that statement a smirk appeared on Carters face at his statement.

"You'd rather have me fall than have another man catch me?" Rachel asked somewhat hurt. He thought this was funny when she was being serious. 'I can see why Shannon gets pissed at him' she said mentally.

"That's not the point I'm just saying Rachel, he seems to find ways to hold you and I don't like it. All that's doing is opening up the door of opportunity for him to come and take you away from me and I'm not willing to give you up." Carter knew changing the situation around to make him seem like the victim would regain Rachel's affections causing her to think he was only defending their relationship.

"Carter… nothings going on, Legolas and Haldir are just guests in our home. Ok, so Shannon and Haldir have gotten a little close but that's it. You are the one I want to be with so you don't have to be jealous." Rachel said apologetically.

"I don't have to be jealous? Woman, every time I'm here you're hanging all over that freak, and not to mention spending more time with him than you spend with me." His anger slowly fading. "I have every right to be jealous. Why the hell was he walking around in his boxers? And why was he coming from your room?"

"He- He didn't have anything else to wear and he said that the boxers were the only comfortable item of clothing I gave him. And I let him use my shower. Carter he's a guest in my home I treat everyone the same amount of hospitality. You can not be angry with me for being hospitable." Rachel said hoping he would understand.

"Do you know how gullible and stupid you sound right now Rachel?" Carted asked looking at her, "he said that was the only thing comfortable. Hell any man would say that to get away with getting his clothes off and getting next to you. Look at you you're beautiful, you're sweet, you've got the kindest heart in the world and yet you are ignorant to the ways of men. Its not that I don't trust you it's just that I don't trust him. Rachel you hardly know the man and yet you still let him stay in your house. We've been dating for awhile and I don't even cross certain boundaries like he does. I have more respect for you than any other man in the world, and yet you let him get closer than me. There's seriously something wrong with that picture don't you think?"

Carter took a deep breath in frustration. The act frightening Rachel because she assumed he was going to break up with her. Something she did not want.

"If this relationship is going to work we're going to have to set some boundaries when it comes to others interfering with our relationship. First off, I am the only man you're seeing and I want to keep it that way. I don't want that weirdo in your hallway holding you anymore." Carter said with complete seriousness. "Secondly if he's going to be staying here he needs to wear more than his boxers."

"Carter look… I understand that you're angry but this is my house and he is my guest, I want people to feel as comfortable as possible in my house weather you like it or not. But if that will truly hurt our relationship I'll agree to your terms. I'm willing to do anything to make this relationship work." Rachel said sadly, having to compromise some of her ways to please Carter was something she wasn't use to doing but the idea of losing him was worse so she granted his wishes. Despite her words of devotion deep down it felt wrong, and she wanted to cry for lying to herself and lying to Carter.

Haldir's gaze held daggers at Carters comment, although he didn't fully know the meaning behind carter's words he knew it was an insult to both he and Shannon.

Placing his hand over the gun in his pocket Drake stayed alert incase any more quarrels broke out. He didn't know why but when he was around Haldir he felt the need to retreat. Something about him wasn't right and he was going to find out what.

Legolas was somewhat worked up at the whole situation. He wasn't sure if he should be in the kitchen with Rachel and Carter clarifying what happened or standing his ground and declaring his love for her in front of everyone making her choose. It was not his place to make her choose however she had no right to evoke feelings within him when she was already taken. Finally deciding that tomorrow would be an appropriate time to tell her Legolas stood holding the railing of the stairs patiently as he awaited Rachel's return.

When Rachel and carter emerged from the kitchen Carter kissed Rachel's cheek before he and his associate left.

"Legolas… Shannon… Haldir I'm sorry for all of this." Rachel said before running up to her room and closing the door.

As Rachel brushed past Legolas on her way up the stairs he felt her sadness and had the urge to go up after her but decided against it as Haldir and Shannon still stood their watching him. Not knowing what to do Legolas walked back up the stairs and into the guest room, closing the door behind him.

Haldir finally faced Shannon and they stood in awkward silence before they both headed back to the bedroom. Upon entering Haldir asked, "What did Carter mean by contracting something deadly?"

Stopping dead in her tracks Shannon turned and faced Haldir. Her face reddening immediately. "Carter's full of shit, he's just jealous because he isn't getting any from Rachel."

"Getting any of what?" Haldir asked somewhat confused.

Deciding the explanation wasn't worth it she just rolled her eyes and pulled Haldir back down on the bed. "Never mind elf boy. Never mind."