Miss Katherine (AHS) {Discontinued}

Chapter Eleven (Murder House)

September 2011

Ben paces around his office, a phone to his ear and an irritated look resting on his face. '' No, I have no evidence of any past violence. No, I don't have his Social. Listen, do not transfer me again. I'm trying to report a patient of High School age that I believe could be dangerous. Yes. Yes, I'll hold. ''

He places the phone on the table, and collapses from exhaustion onto his couch, as a younger version of Moira opens the sliding door. '' May I clean in here? '' She asks.

Ben sighs. '' It's not a good time, Moira. '' In response she huffs, harshly placing a bucket onto the floor. '' It's Thursday. I get off in 20 minutes. If I don't do it now, it's not getting done until Monday. ''

Despite Ben telling her that now is not the time, Moira begins cleaning, trailing a duster along the bookshelves, keeping her eyes on Ben. '' Am I distracting you? ''

Moira walks towards him and starts undoing her buttons on her outfit, clutching her breast. '' Why don't you touch me a little? '' Ben clenches his teeth. '' Get out. ''

'' What are you afraid of? You're wife's not home. Shes probably at Pilates. '' Moira shakes her head. '' I won't tell. '' She straddles his lap. '' I didn't tell when you saw me playing with myself the other day. ''

'' Please just go. '' Ben pleads, trying to push her off of him. '' Did you touch yourself after? '' Moira asks.

'' Please just go. '' Ben repeats. '' You did. Do it again. Show me. '' Moira whispers.

A floorboard creaks, making both of their heads snap towards the noise. There, standing close to the door, stands Violet, who had witnessed the whole interaction. But before Ben can do anything, she rushes off, out of the house.

-

At school, Violet has gotten into a fight. She pushes Leah against the wall after she had been punched, all of her friends trying to pry her off.

'' I'm not scared of you! '' Violet shouts. '' You should be! '' Leah screams back as she and her friends overpower Violet.

Other students gather around the four girls, chanting for them to fight.

Violet manages to grab a still lit cigarette from the ground, and holds it against Leah's hand, burning her. '' Oh! She freaking burned me! '' Leah screams as Violet takes her chance to escape from the situation. 

-

Back at the house, Vivien continues to carefully strip the wallpaper from the walls. Ben sighs as he enters the room. '' My professional opinion? Whoever painted this wall had some deep psychological issues. ''

Vivien smiles at her husband. '' I thought you had a patient. ''

'' Ah, they bailed. '' Ben tells her. '' Do you want some help cleaning up? ''

'' Yeah. '' She smiles, handing him a tool. '' Thanks. ''

'' This thing doesn't tweak you out? '' Ben asks, speaking of the walls. '' There's something about it that I find weirdly comforting. '' Vivien admits.

'' One of my psych professors told me that people tell stories that cope with their fears. All art and myths are just creations...to give us some sense of control over the things we're scared of. Afraid of dying? Create reincarnation. Afraid of evil? Create a benevolent God who sends evildoers to hell. '' Ben explains to his wife.

'' I think that I just like that I don't have to think while I do it. '' Vivien admits, causing Ben  to chuckle. '' Okay. ''

Ben puts his cleaning tools down. '' I always thought you were prettiest like this. No makeup, messy hair, a little sweaty. '' Vivien gives him a small smile. '' I'm old. ''

'' Stop. '' He walks towards her. '' You're beautiful. You are. '' Ben holds her from behind. '' You know that...Violet won't be home for an hour. And Katherine is out. ''

'' No. Okay? Ben. Ben. Ben, no. '' Vivien pulls away, making Ben sigh.

'' Sorry. I'm just not-'' Vivien says in a quiet voice.

Ben throws a piece of furniture over. '' How long, Viv? '' He shouts. '' How long are you gonna punish me for? ''

'' I'm not punishing you, you narcissistic asshole. I'm trying to figure out how to forgive you...for having sex with one of your students. You want me to have sex with you? I can't even look at your face, Ben...without seeing the expression on it...while you were pile-driving her in our bed! '' Vivien yells. 

'' I screwed up! How many times do I have to say I'm sorry? I was hurting too! '' Ben yells back at her. '' Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Did-did the life that was growing inside of you die...and did you have to carry that around in your belly? The dead corpse of our baby son? Did you have to go into labor and deliver our child, dead? '' Vivien cries.

'' My son died too! My baby died too! '' Ben yells.

'' And you buried your sorrow in some 21-year-old's pussy. '' Vivien says. 

Ben gets closer to her. '' You know, I could show you statistics on how many men cheat after a miscarriage. I was there for you, Viv. I was patient and understanding and caring, and I put your feelings first. ''

'' My....hero. '' Vivien says, nearly letting her tears loose. '' You know, I don't even have to say this without coming off like an asshole. '' Ben sighs.

'' You know what? Just go ahead. Really. Never stopped you before. You're so angry. Why don't you really tell it like it is? Six months of therapy...with you apologizing and crying was bullshit. So, please, tell me how you really feel. '' Vivien cries.

'' You got a dog. '' Ben states as Vivien laughs. '' I needed you, and you got a dog. It was me you should've been curling up with at night. Not a dog! '' Ben shouts.

'' Oh, so-'' Vivien tries to speak, but Ben interrupts her. '' I needed you! ''

'' You needed me? So she was revenge because you needed me? Because I wasn't there for you in your time of need? Now I get it. '' Vivien yells.

'' We haven't had sex in almost a year. '' Ben says.

Vivien nods. '' Yeah. You think I don't know that? ''

'' October 20th. We had great sex, Viv. It was loving and sexy and personal and even a little-even a little weird. '' Ben pauses. '' I love you. I moved across the country for you...because in all my life the only thing I've been truly scared of is losing you...losing this family. '' Vivien starts crying.

'' Something horrible happened to us...and we handled it even more horribly. But this-this place...is our second chance, Viv. It's our second chance. But I just-I just need to know that you want it too. '' He tries to hold her face. '' Tell me I-''

Vivien pushes him away. '' What are you doing? '' Ben asks as Vivien continues to push him away.  '' Viv, stop it. What are you doing? '' Ben repeats.

They stop fighting one another and begin to kiss with force.