What is Needed But Unexpected

unneeded

See? They don't need you, one screw up and you'll just be alone again.

Katherine tried to suppress the thoughts that had been running through her head since Anne had announced the reincarnation of their former ladies. Everyone had been so close, Anne and Maggie having been basically connected at the hip since they had gotten there, further proving the fact that even Anne didn't need her.

Then again, no one really needed nor wanted her.

Not in the long run.

Closing her eyes, she leaned against the far side of the cafe. Why did she dare to hope this would be different? That she could be happy? Idly her hand went to the necklace that Anne had given her as pressure began to build behind her eyes.

What did I do wrong? Why is it always like this?

"Kat?" 

The voice jolted Kat from her thoughts, causing her to who around to face Anne who was now standing near her.

"You alright? You bolted out of there like a bat out of hell." 

There was no accusation in her tone, only concern and Katherine cursed herself for wanting to fall for it. 

"Sorry, I'm just not good in crowds." Katherine answered, knowing that was not the complete truth but she wasn't about to bother Anne with the truth, not when she could pretend there was a symbalance of love between them.

Anne only hummed in response before lightly placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Come on, We can get a table off to ourselves if you want? Like I'm sure the others won't mind." 

Kat just shook her head at the offer.

"No, it's okay. I'll be fine." She said, trying to fake a smile although from the look Anne gave her, she didn't believe it.

"Uh-huh, alright little cousin. Let's just get out of this weather." 

Katherine allowed Anne to guide her back inside, the touch and voice always gentle in spite of what the younger girl expected.

She didn't expect the other queens to even notice she was gone, not really, however as soon as they saw her she was met with variations of 'are you alright?'. 

Katherine barely managed a nod as she returned to her seat, feeling the hand on her shoulder squeeze slightly before Anne returned to her seat as well.

Maybe I'm wrong? Maybe this time it is different? I mean ...Anne keeps reminding me that were family and shes being nice? Like she let me stay the night with her and she came to check on me? She thought, although she wouldn't entertain that idea. There was no reason to get her hopes up because it would just hurt ten times worse when this fell through.

....   . .  .  . . . . . .. .  . . .. . . .  . . . . . . . . . ._________★________

"She's basically just shut down tonight." Parr commented that night after they got home, causing Anne to groan as she lay back on the couch, legs draped over an annoyed Catherine of Aragon's lap.

"I know. She won't tell me what's wrong and when I asked before she went to bed she practically slammed the door in my face." Anne muttered, only to yelp at a light pinch to the back of her leg sent her rushing to sit up.

"That hurt you stupid…" 

Anne didn't get to finish her statement as Aragon cut her off, scowling as she motioned to the notebook in front of her.

"I'm trying to figure out how we're going to do this show that that those people want us to do but I can't focus with your stinky feet near my face!" 

Catherine Parr rolled her eyes at the two—now bickering—women.

"Guys, focus. We're trying to figure out how to help Kat...and I'm pretty sure if you two kill each other it would do the opposite." 

That was enough for Anne to shut up, although she did cast a last, menacing glare toward Aragon.

"Maybe Anna or Jane would know more about this since Anna actually knows Kat the most and Jane ...Well I'm sure Jane had the perfect life." Anne retorted, earning a groan from both women.

"Oh don't start with all the she was my lady in waiting and took my man shit, you did the same to me!" Aragon retorted, earning a huff.

"Yeah but I died because of her!"

"Yeah well, if it wasn't for Maria i would have died alone! I couldn't even write to my daughter!" 

"Don't blame that on me! It's not like I actually meant for anyone to get hurt! Hell, I Didn't even want to leave France! That's all I really knew! Then my Father ...You know what ...Never mind. You don't care." 

For a moment Anne's flaring temper allowed her mask to slip and the words died in Aragon's throat. She knew the look on Anne's face from so long ago, when Anne was just a girl being appointed to the English court for the first time. 

"Excuse me." 

Anne added quickly in a voice that was barely a whisper as she headed toward the downstairs bathroom, leaving the two Catherine's and the just arriving home Anna.

"Alright, what was that about because even Bolyen is not usually that dramatic?"