SOUNDTRACK: "Arabella" - Arctic Monkeys

HALLOWEEN

Kate jumped out of the way just as two people carried large tubs of ice into the sound stage. Preparations for Jared's Halloween party that evening were in full swing. Bowls of candy had been set out around the house and areas were being locked and cordoned off to prevent guests from "wandering off". She had personally put up some of the decorations and was positive that the house would look perfectly spooky when the sun went down. She spotted Jared in the loft area of the sound stage and climbed the stairs to him.

"Finding your way around a bit better?" he asked without looking up from his phone.

"Yeah," she said.

It was true; she had gotten used to the layout of the the mansion a bit and had only gotten lost twice that morning.

"I was wondering if I could stay for the party," she asked. His eyes lifted from his phone screen. "I did help set things up," she reasoned.

He sighed. "It's kind of an eighteen-and-up party," he replied.

Jared wasn't comfortable with the idea of Kate mingling with his friends. Especially since most of the party would include drinking. He trusted her not to do anything. He just didn't trust anyone else. And then there was the whole issue of her being his daughter coming out as well.

"Please? I'll just be home alone all night by myself," Kate begged.

"You didn't get invited to any parties by kids at school?" Jared asked. He stood and started down the staircase, passing a sign giving a warning about nuclear content. "Why not invite your friend - Hayley, right? - over to the house?"

She had heard about a few parties - one in particular at a boy band member's house stood out a lot - but no one had invited her anywhere.

"No, I haven't. And Hayley's grounded,"she answered. They walked into the courtyard outside of the sound stage. "Please? You know I'm not gonna drink or anything," she begged again.

He stopped and put his hands on his hips. The teen had helped him out considerably with the party. And other than her outburst with Connie (which he was told she had apologized for on her own) and their little argument a couple of weeks prior, she had been remarkably well behaved. She didn't seem too interested in letting their secret out, so he didn't see the harm. She'd just pass as another barely-legal actress chasing dreams in Hollywood.

"Fine," he relented. "But, only for a little while. No drinking - or anything else. And don't tell anyone who you are."

She had to fight to keep the spring out of her step as they walked around the corner of the house and up the South driveway toward the street.

"Get some type of costume or something, too," he added. A white utility van with a valet decal on the side pulled up next to them. "You guys here for the party?" Jared asked the driver. He nodded. "Go up this driveway. Park outside the gate and ask for Emma," he said.

The driver followed the instructions as Kate and Jared walked up the narrow street.

"Do you think there will be enough space for people to walk and park?" she asked when they got to the main gate.

He shrugged. "That's why I got a valet service. Its their job. Not mine."

Four hours later, Kate was back at the Compound in a strange fairy costume. Emma had come over to the house and helped her create a costume out of the contents in her closet. She hoped her psychedelic makeup would be enough to distract from her backless sequined top and skin tight mini skirt. The black bob wig on her head itched a little bit, but it hid her identity fairly well. Combined with a pair of Emma's platform wedges, the look would fit in as well as any other at the quirky event.

The music was pumping already when Emma dropped her off and handed the car over to a valet. Several early arrivals wandered through the parking lot. Kate wondered if Jared really knew most of the people coming or if they were just warm bodies to fill out the event. She followed Emma through he house and down to the art galleries on the lower level. Multicolored lights flashed across the concrete floors and walls and she could feel the bass in her bones as she walked.

After dropping off a pile of plates at a catering table, Emma took her back outside to the courtyard. Jared was standing by several tables looking at his phone dressed as the Pope. Kate paused for a second, wondering what possessed him to think that was a good costume choice. But then she realized who she was looking at. He turned around when Emma out her hand on his shoulder.

"Who is - Kate?!" he asked, looking her up and down. "Whoa," he muttered.

The teen could easily pass as an aspiring model with her long, thin legs on full display beneath her mini skirt. Her lithe figure was accentuated well and he had to admit in any other situation he'd have given the girl a second look. But it wasn't any other situation and she was his kid. He looked at his former assistant.

"Jesus, Emma. I said get her a costume. Not make her into a prosti-tot," he muttered.

"You said 'unrecognizable'," she countered.

"Yeah. 'Unrecognizable'," he replied. "I thought you'd get her the Scream mask or something," he grumbled.

"She's almost sixteen, Jay. This is entirely appropriate," Emma said.

It was the first time Jared found himself caring about what someone else wore for fear of what might happen to them while wearing it. It was a strange feeling. He had to fight the urge to wrap his papal robe around Kate in a blasphemous attempt at warding off evil.

"Well...just...remember what I told you earlier, alright?" he told the teen. "And at midnight I'm getting you a car home."

The night started out alright. Kate got some compliments on her costume but for the most part people left her alone. Everyone seemed to know each other and she felt a little left out. She wasn't complaining though; the more people that spoke to her, the higher the chances of her letting the secret slip became. She spotted Jared occasionally, mingling with guests and posing for photos with them. He was subtly keeping an eye on her as he worked the room, checking in on her every few minutes.

"Excuse me," a male voice said next to Kate's ear. She jumped in surprise. "Sorry," the man chuckled. "I didn't mean to startle you."

He was taller than Kate with blonde hair, perfect scruff, and a great smile. He held his hand out for her.

"Devin Carlisle," he introduced himself.

"Kate Wexler," she replied, too stunned to come up with a fake name.

"I couldn't help but notice you from across the room. You're very beautiful," he said. He leaned in closer under the guise of being heard over the thumping music. "How did you get an invite here?" he asked.

"Oh - uh, Jared is a family friend," she answered. It wasn't a total lie.

Devin nodded. "Interesting. Do you do modeling work by any chance?" he asked.

Kate felt warning sirens going off in her head as he put a hand on her shoulder.

"N-no. I don't," she replied. He was slowly and subtly pushing her against the wall with his body.

"I'm a photographer," he offered. "I'm always looking for new models to do head shots for and you have such a beautiful face. I'd love to shoot you."

She looked up at his face as he brought his hand across her neck and let out a gasp as her back hit the wall. His breath smelled like alcohol, but he wasn't drunk yet. His eyes were set on one thing, and one thing only. She tried to find an exit but couldn't - aside from kneeing him in the balls and hauling ass. But that seemed like it would draw too much attention to her, which was not part of the plan. Lights flickered across his glasses and Kate could count his eyelashes as he brought his face even closer to hers.

Across the room, Jared was standing next to Jamie having a conversation with Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton. His eyes flickered over Gwen's shoulder and widened when he saw Kate cornered by a guy. Everything about her body language screamed 'help me'. He nudged Jamie and jerked his head toward her.

"Jamie," he muttered under his breath.

The younger man's eyes followed Jared's and locked onto the issue. "Got it," he nodded. He squeezed Jared's shoulder as he walked over to Kate.

"There you are sweetheart," a male voice cut into Devin's speech, drawing Kate's attention and forcing Devin to turn around.

"Excuse me, we were having a private conversation," Devin said in irritation.

She took the opportunity to duck under his arm and put a few steps between them. She didn't know who this person was (he had on a Shrek mask), but she was grateful he stepped in.

"Play along, Jailbait," the man whispered into her ear as he pulled her closer to his body, his hand resting on her hip.

'Jailbait'. Only two people had ever called her that. And since one of them was holding court with several leggy models across the gallery like His Holiness himself, that meant it had to be...Jamie. She took his hand and squeezed it tightly, relief filling every fiber of her being. She had no idea how he had spotted her, but she was grateful he had.

"Hi honey," she replied, the words feeling awkward on her tongue.

"Thanks for keeping my date occupied," Jamie said, sliding his mask off with his free hand. "We're gonna go now though."

Kate kept her eyes trained on the ground as Jamie led her through the crowd. Devin disappeared into the party and Jamie eventually stopped in the middle of the dance floor. He pulled her to his body, putting his hands on her hips as a slower song came on and people started pairing off.

"Thanks," she said.

"Don't mention it," he replied as they swayed slightly. "Having fun?" he asked.

She shrugged. "I guess. It's kind of boring since I don't really know anyone and Jared is trying to keep me a secret. It's not like I can go up to anyone and introduce myself."

Jamie smiled. "True." His wild curls bounced as he chuckled.

He caught Jared's gaze over Kate's shoulder as the two rotated on the spot on the dance floor. The older man glared at him in disapproval for his proximity to the teen, but Jamie just rolled his eyes. He had just saved the girl from a pretty horrible fate. The least he could get was a little dance in return. The song ended several seconds later and Kate pulled away from him.

"Thanks again. I better go somewhere else. He'll probably come back for me if he sees me alone again," she said.

Jamie nodded and watched her retreat into the crowd. Kate felt the sudden need for fresh air. The feeling of Devin's hands lingered on her skin like a sheen of sweat she couldn't wipe away. She shuddered as she pushed her way through the crowd toward the sound stage. When she walked into the open space, she felt a sudden rush of cooler air. Her ears felt like they were full of cotton after being in the blaring music for so long.

The sound stage had been set up as a sort of cooling down space, with a bar and tables placed around the cavernous room. The huge door was wide open, allowing a breeze to drift in. People stood in their costumes, chatting lightly and sipping drinks. Kate walked past all of them, feeling lightheaded. She stumbled slightly and ran right into someone.

"Shit - sorry," she mumbled without looking at them. Her head hurt and she felt herself start to hyperventilate.

"Whoa - are you okay?" he asked, steadying her by her shoulders.

The voice sounded vaguely familiar to her. She'd heard it before but her brain couldn't place it.

"Kate? Is that you?" the man said.

She forced herself to focus on the man's face, though her field of vision was foggy. Shannon's face assembled itself in front of her eyes and she blinked rapidly.

"Come here," he said pulling her to a table near the courtyard. "Sit." She felt herself lower into a chair and allowed her body to rest heavily against the back. The plastic was cool against her bare skin. "Let me get you some water," Shannon said as he walked away. A second later he reappeared with a plastic cup and placed it on the table in front of her. "Drink that."

Kate sighed and picked up the cup with shaky hands. "Thank you," she mumbled.

Shannon watched the girl drink slowly. As she did, the color in her face started to come back. He leaned across the table toward her.

"What have you had to drink, Kate?" he asked. She looked at him apprehensively over the top of her cup. "I'm not gonna tell Jared," he added.

"Nothing. I swear," she insisted. "I just - it got really hot in there and I needed some air. I think I'm dehydrated is all."

She deliberately left out the part about Devin. She was embarrassed more than anything. It was a stupid childish mistake she should have seen coming a mile away. Plus, she had told Jared she'd stay out trouble; getting hit on and trapped by skeevy photographers wasn't exactly staying out of trouble. Not to mention, this was only the second time she'd spoken with Shannon; she wasn't going to spill her darkest secrets to him. What they didn't know wouldn't kill them.

He regarded her carefully but seemed to accept her answer. "Having fun, other than that?" he asked.

She nodded. "Sure. I guess. It's...different from what I expected."

"And what did you expect?" he asked, pulling his e-cigarette from his jacket pocket and turned it on.

Kate sighed and shrugged. "I guess I just thought it would be a little...smaller?"

Shannon laughed as he brought the device to his lips and sucked. "Jared's Halloween party has been a mainstay in the Los Angeles social calendar for years. It's always big. He invites all sorts of people." The smell of apples filled Kate's nose.

"How can one person know this many people?" she asked.

He shrugged. "I think most of them are just tacked on at the last minute."

"So what are you doing out here by yourself, then?" she asked after downing the last of her water.

He stood and stretched a little, collecting her cup and his own before walking over to the bar again. Kate waited patiently for him to return and took the cup eagerly.

"Slow down," he warned her.

To her surprise, there wasn't water in the cup; instead it was Coke with the slightest hint of kick to it. She made a little face as she tasted it. Shannon laughed as he sat back down.

"That's the only one you get tonight," he said sternly, though he winked at her conspiratorially. She seemed like she needed a drink and it wasn't like she was going anywhere. One Jack and Coke wasn't going to do much damage.

Kate nodded, happy to have something unique to share with Shannon. "You never answered my question," she mentioned after another swallow. "What are you doing out here if the party is in there?"

He took another drag from his e-cigarette. "I'm waiting."

"For what?"

No sooner had the words left her mouth than they were answered. A group of college-aged young women came out into the courtyard, teetering on too-high heels and chattering away in their revealing costumes. Shannon's face lit up like a candle as his eyes fell on his prey.

"You're good here, right?" he asked without waiting for a response.

"I - yeah," she muttered, though he didn't seem to care about her answer.

She watched as he strode across the tiled space purposefully, introducing himself to the group. Squeals of excitement met Kate's ears as she observed him flirt with several of the girls. They were young and pretty and she couldn't really blame him - everyone did it in Hollywood apparently. They were ripe for the picking. Shannon led the group back into the sound stage and disappeared into the party.

Kate picked up her drink and carried it as she walked slowly through the courtyard. She opened the gate easily and squeezed around several service vans and trucks that had parked in the south driveway. As she walked down the hill, she could feel the alcohol starting to kick in. She had never drank before and even through the sugar of the soda she could tell the Jack was doing it's job.

Music drifted into the night and she could hear the noises of cars and people down on the street. The sky was clear and Kate could see the stars shining in the darkness. She leaned heavily against a wall and swayed on her heels slightly as she looked up at the sky.  After another swig, she felt her eyes tearing up.

The events of the past four months finally caught up to her. Her mother's final days. Her death. Her funeral. Ryan struggling to hold everything together. Finding out about Jared. Meeting Jared and learning all about the restrictions that he had for her to be around him. Being forced to move to Los Angeles with Jared and lose all of her friends. Her time at Winterlake. The party. Everything seemed to build on itself and she couldn't hold the tears back any longer.

She crouched down on the ground, partially hidden by a shrub, hugging her knees to her chest and resting her cheek against the top of them. She sniffled as the tears flowed and she didn't try to stop them. So rarely did she give herself a chance to break down like this that she wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or the events of the day. Either way, she let it all out, wiping absentmindedly at her eyes, smearing the glitter on her lids in the process.

She wasn't sure what she expected from the night. Maybe for Jared to pay more attention to her or introduce her to some people. Maybe for Shannon to have a real conversation with her instead of getting her a drink to try to shut her up so he could chase girls. Maybe for Emma or someone else to act like she existed when other people were around. Her expectations had been (predictably) shattered and now her heart hurt.

Kate lost track of how long she stayed like that, crouched on the side of the house. She had downed her drink and left the cup next to her on the cracked concrete. It was the voices that jarred her back to life.

"Maybe we can get in this way?" a girl suggested.

Another familiar voice.

"No, I don't think so. Let's just try the front gate," another girl said.

She'd heard these voices before.

"The guard won't let us in without an invitation," the first girl said. "We're gonna get arrested or something. You don't think Jared Leto has fucking security here?"

"Lily, where's your sense of adventure," Girl #2 said.

The voices were getting closer and Kate stood slowly. She stood and tried to stay in the shadow of the Compound as much as possible. Then she realized where she'd heard the girls' voices before: at school. These were girls from Winterlake.

Shit, she thought.

Even in her depressed, drunken state, she knew they couldn't see her at the party. It would lead to questions and rumors, neither of which were good. Frantically, Kate tried to find her way through the bushes to a hiding place. Any second the girls would turn and see her standing there and without the disorienting lights and music of the party, they'd identify her in a few seconds.

"I have a sense of adventure. It just doesn't include getting arrested!" Lily hissed.

Kate felt her back hit the concrete wall and her eyes searched for a way out. She could hear several people up on the patio above her behind the wall. Her only hope was to climb the wall to avoid walking past the two girls. She found a hand hold and somehow managed to haul herself up onto the wall. The trees blocked her from view as she pulled herself up further over the fence lining the property.

With a groan, she hiked her leg over the top of he wooden fence. Ordinarily the task would have been easy but she was clumsy with her first taste of alcohol and the night's events.

"Fuck!" she exclaimed as she fell over top of the fence, landing flat on her back on the concrete patio with a thud that forced the air from her lungs.

Several people looked over at her in surprise as she gasped for air. She saw stars for a second as she sat up in an attempt to get her bearings.

"Kate?" a male voice asked. Stevie loomed over her, concern on his face. "You okay?" he asked.

She nodded and took his offered hand to stand up. Her face was beet red as she rushed away from him. So she had made an ass of herself and she'd have a bruise on her butt for a week. But at least nobody from Winterlake had found her out.