~ Cherish ~
by Ambrosia


Disclaimers can be found in Chapter One.

Feedback: You wanna send me some? Ah gee, thanks! Please send your comments to
SumrBrezze@aol.com.

CHAPTER TEN


March of 1993

While Jaden lay curled up in their bed asleep, Lucky sat at the desk working on the most excruciating letter she ever had to write. So difficult was it she had already started over half a dozen times. Afraid of Jaden awakening from the noise, she carefully folded the reject letters several times instead of balling them up. An unlit Lucky Strike hanging from a corner of her lips, she pressed the tip of the pen to the paper slowly yet neatly attaching words to it.

Only when she signed the letter did Lucky light the end of her cigarette. Sitting back in her seat and wincing at the chair creaked; she glanced over her shoulder to Jaden before reviewing her letter.

Dear Jaden,

When you read this I'll be gone and I hope to God that you don't hate me because of it, but at the same time I don't blame you if you do hate me. I don't deserve your love-- I don't deserve you. I realize that some people use that line when they want to break up with someone, but I mean it. I've known almost from the beginning that I didn't deserve you, but I was too selfish to let you go. You're better off alone than with me. Shit, half the time I don't treat you right. You could do so much better and I hope that with me out of the way you'll have the opportunity to.

Despite everything Jaden, I love you and I will love you until the day that I take my last breath. I've never loved anyone as much as I love you. You did what I thought was impossible--you reached my heart. And I'm sorry that I didn't appreciate you, that I didn't show you enough how much I loved you.

I would have told you all of this when you were awake but I was afraid that if I tried to break up with you while looking at your beautiful face that I'd chicken out and be unable to go through with it. I have to let you go because I'm helping you to ruin your life. You're twenty-one years old, you have so much talent and such a bright light within you. It would shine brighter without me around. I don't want you to end like J.T. I don't want you to be like me. You're so much better.

Thank you for sharing your love with me Jae. I'll never forget it. I'll never forget you.

All my love,

Carla

Tears streaming down her cheeks, Lucky stubbed what remained of her cigarette in an ashtray. Folding the sheet of paper she slipped it inside an envelope with a receipt stating that the rent had been paid for the next four months. Printing Jaden's name on the front, she stood up and walked toward the bed. She propped the envelope against the lamp and then turned to the sleeping young woman. Needing to touch her one last time, she brushed her fingers over a still cheek. The moment Jaden stirred she dropped her hand.

Lucky waited for her breathing to level out again before she leaned down. "I'm sorry baby," she whispered. "I'm so sorry." A final kiss to Jaden's forehead and she left the bedroom. Grabbing her bags from the couch, Lucky hurried out the door, her destination the bus depot.


The letter wrinkled with some of the letters smeared from her tears in her grasp, Jaden knocked on the door. She paced back and forth across the welcome mat until the person she had come to see answered. Slapping the letter against his chest, she shakily demanded to know of Lucky's whereabouts.

Having spoken with Lucky the night before Pirate wasn't surprised to find her girlfriend on his doorstep that morning. Of course, since his ex-manager had intentionally not mentioned where she was headed he wasn't able to give Jaden any answers. It broke his heart to look at her. Her face was flushed, probably from crying, her clothes and hair were in disarray as though she got out of bed and hurried straight to his house after discovering the letter.

"Jae, why don't you come inside?" Pirate delicately inquired while holding out a hand that the young woman didn't take. "Come on and I'll get you a cup of coffee. Shelia's making some and she brews a real nice pot of java."

Her lips trembling, Jaden stubbornly shook her head. "I don't want coffee Pirate. I want Lucky. Where is she? If she told anyone, she told you."

"That's just it Jae. She didn't tell me where she was going." It was evident that she didn't believe him. "I swear that she didn't say. She just said that she had to leave. That it was for your own good."

Jaden had to clear her throat before she asked, "Did she say when she'd return?"

Although it would be painful to hear, Pirate thought it best to be completely honest. "I got the impression from our conversation last night that she never would." The musician's voice was as gentle as he could make it. "But Jaden she loves you. I know it's difficult to understand right now but Lucky left because she loves you."

The brimming tears finally escaped. "That's a bunch of bullshit! She left me alone because she loves me? How would she feel about me if she stayed? Would she hate me?" This was too much to take. Her worse nightmare had just come true--Lucky the woman she loved had abandoned her. Jaden didn't want to think about it. She had to go find something to obliterate these thoughts, even if it only lasted for a little while. Fingering the folded bills in her pocket, she was about to leave when Pirate pulled her back. The more she struggled and yelled for him to let her go, the tighter he held on, until Jaden finally collapsed against him.

Between sobs she murmured that she wanted Lucky back. Deep inside she knew that it wasn't going to happen.

##########

Her eyes on the distracted woman using a fork to shovel her food around on the plate, Georgie had to call her name several times before Jaden looked up. She didn't have to ask her friend what was on her mind because she already knew. Having gone to Lil' Angels daily the past week to visit Evan, she grew quieter with each return home. This evening she had barely spoken a word. Georgie didn't have to ask. The young boy was getting weaker everyday.

"I'm sorry," Jaden said, momentarily halting her dancing fork. "Did you say something Georgie?"

The blonde pointed toward her food, which she had taken two bites from. "Are you going to eat your dinner? I promise that I didn't cook it. It was delivered so I was only responsible for putting it on a plate." She was excited that her jest received a glimmer of a smile.

"It's very tasty but I don't have much of an appetite. Late lunch." She was certain that Georgie didn't buy this explanation, but the younger woman didn't persist. "I'll heat it up later and eat it okay?"

Georgie nodded. "Okay. Anything that you want to talk about sweetheart?"

"No, I'm gonna take a shower." Taking her plate to the kitchen, Jaden covered it with foil and set it by the stove. As she passed Georgie on her way to the bathroom she kissed the top of her head and thanked her for buying them dinner.

Her own appetite zapped, Georgie tossed what remained on her plate, cleared the table and then settled on the couch. Resting her head on the couch, she closed her eyes and listened to the running shower while wishing that Jaden felt capable of opening up and talking to her. It wasn't like her to keep her feelings bottled up inside.

Georgie didn't open her eyes when she felt the cushion beside her move as Jaden sat down. However, it could have been Sasha. Her nose wiggled inhaling the new scent in the air. Unless the Alaskan malamute's canine body wash was fragrant enough that a human might be tempted to use it, the one sitting beside Georgie only walked on two legs. She looked toward her right to notice two baby blue orbs studying her.

"What're you wearing this evening?"

Turned toward Georgie, Jaden sat with her legs tucked underneath her as she rested her cheek in her palm, a soft smile on her lips. "What does it smell like I'm wearing?" She giggled when Georgie made a production out of sniffing from her neck to her shoulders and down her arms where the attention caused goosebumps to rise. Finishing the examination, Georgie looked on curiously. When she asked if Hershey's made body wash her girlfriend laughed.

"You're close, but it's not a Hershey's product. Though I am wearing a chocolate milk body wash. First time. Heather told me about it so intrigued I ordered a bottle."

"That's seriously chocolate soap?" Lifting Jaden's hand, she smelled the inside of her wrist. Sure enough her skin had a cocoa fragrance. Georgie briefly wondered how it would taste.

"Basically, yes. Along with oatmeal, cocoa butter, aloe and some other ingredients, a lot of which I probably couldn't properly pronounce if I attempted to. So how do you like it? Is a chocolate body wash too silly for a thirty-two year old woman?"

"I wouldn't say so. I love chocolate, the smell of chocolate, so of course I love your body wash on your gorgeous body." She grinned. "You may be a touch eccentric because of your phobia of not being able to stick to one body wash for any length of time, but at least I know you're squeaky clean."

"Well…er thanks Gigi…I think. Certainly a compliment was in there." Jaden returned the grin. "You know you can use any of my thousands of body washes, shampoos and conditioners at any time. Take some home if you want. Help yourself to my bathroom cabinets. Pick out some stuff for Van too."

In that case, Georgie wanted to try out her milk chocolate body wash tonight. "I'll do that. Thanks for your generosity Sparkle."

"No problem Flip." The younger woman chuckled in response to the nickname given to her nickname, which Jaden had created when they were in Hawaii. "What are your Thanksgiving plans? Set yet?"

"Yep, they're all set. Van, Todd and I are going to Uncle Jacob's, which we do every year. Van and Todd's aunt from their mother's side is coming with her family too. What are your plans?"

"Going to Mom and Dad's. Heather, Tom and the kids will be there and Grandma and Grandpa have been persuaded to fly back from Florida for a few days. Heather and I have arranged to pick them up the day before Thanksgiving."

"That sounds nice."

"Yeah, I'm excited. Do you like sweet potato pie?"

"I like pumpkin pie."

"Very good, but pumpkin pie isn't sweet potato pie." A grin sprang to the musician's mouth. "Both popular pies around Thanksgiving with different flavors."

"Thanks for that short lesson."

"You're welcome. Now do you like sweet potato pie?"

"Never had sweet potato pie."

Jaden nodded. "Thought so. Mom makes excellent sweet potato pies and she always bakes plenty around the holidays. So could I provide you and Van with a pie for dessert? I'm sure you'll eat dessert at Jacob's home, but when you return here I'd like to have a pie waiting for you. I guarantee that your taste buds will thank you for trying this amazing pie."

"How could I say no to that? Now I really can't wait for Thanksgiving to arrive. We can splurge on Thanksgiving Day, right? So much good and rich food to eat that it'd be a shame to adhere to the diet."

"You just splurged on Halloween."

Georgie stared at her for three seconds. "What's your point?" She started to smile when the other woman chuckled. "I must eat turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce…all of that yummy stuff."

"Then sweetheart you go right ahead." Putting an arm around Georgie's shoulders she gently tugged her closer, kissing the top of her golden head. They quietly cuddled for so long that Georgie was on the verge of taking a nap when Jaden inquired about further plans. She skipped Christmas and went straight to New Years. Fortunately for her Georgie's calendar on and around New Years was clear so she asked if she would like to join her on a five-day trip to Palm Springs to use the gift certificate that Max had given Jaden for her birthday.

Raising her head from the brunette's shoulder, Georgie grinned recalling when she received the luxurious present. She kept quiet, but she had noticed Max's hint that the birthday girl should ask her to go. At the time, Georgie didn't believe she had much of a chance of being invited to the couples resort.

"You and I at a lesbian couples resort in Palm Springs for New Years?" Jaden wordlessly nodded. "Spa treatments, decadent meals…most importantly you?" A blush accompanied her next nod. Georgie opened her mouth to say yes, but the simple word wouldn't take form. Instead she found herself shaking her head as she replied, "I won't be able to make it New Years."

Jaden looked perplexed. "I thought you didn't have anything planned."

"I don't."

Two eyes brows rose. "So…I don't understand. Why can't you go if you don't have anything else to do?"

Georgie sighed thinking of the beloved woman across the hall. "It's New Years. I can't leave Van during that time. I wouldn't feel right going to Palm Springs."

"Okay. I'll take Van instead. She was my girlfriend before you anyway." An elbow connected with her side and Jaden laughed. "Alright, a better solution then. What about we make it a five-day New Years double date? You, me, Van and another woman in Palm Springs living it up. Does she know anyone who would like to go? I was about to suggest Ronnie, but then I remembered she's involved with Mack and surely they'll want to bring in the new year together."

"Van on a double date with another woman?" Georgie promptly answered her own question. "Yes, she's just gay friendly enough to be into that." She thought about the women, especially the lesbian and unattached women that she and her best friend knew. They needed someone who could enjoy themselves although their 'date' was straight. "Maybe Sierra would be interested. I'll talk to Van first." Planting a kiss on Jaden's cheek, she thanked her.

"Kiss me all you want, but why thank me?"

"For including Vanessa on the Palm Springs trip. I don't want to risk her being alone on New Years Eve. Last December 31st instead of going out with Craig, she arranged a New Years party at her dad's house so I wouldn't stay at home." She chuckled. "At midnight she surprised me with a kiss. Only after that did she search for Craig. Jae it means a lot to me that you would suggest we make the vacation a double date."

"As long as I get to kiss you at midnight it'll be perfect."

##########

Kneeling next to the bathtub, Sharon pushed the small plastic boats through the warm bubble bath scented water. There were mounds of bubbles, but her five-year-old niece had been in the tub so long that they dissipated. Five more minutes of playing with her water toys and then she would have to get out despite the argument she would put up because she would rather stay. Sharon didn't want her looking like a prune.

Because her sister Christine was working a double shift, she was keeping Bailey until the following morning. Striking a deal to tell her a bedtime story in exchange for the small child getting out of the tub (though she had intended to tell her one anyway) Sharon wrapped her in a towel and carried Bailey to one of her two spare bedrooms.

Dried off, moisturized and slipped into a pair of her favorite pajamas she was tucked into bed. Her aunt spent the next twenty minutes paraphrasing the tale of Sleeping Beauty. By the last couple of minutes before the fairytale ended Sharon's little beauty had fallen asleep. Softly saying 'the end' she kissed Bailey's cheek, switched off the lamp and tiptoed from the room leaving the door open just a hair.

Her t-shirt damp from their bath play, she changed into another and headed into the kitchen in search of the dessert she made earlier. Her first time using the recipe, she hoped that what she had created tasted all right. According to her sister Nina the professional chef, if she did exactly what the recipe told her to do (and Sharon thought that she had) then her dessert would come out perfectly.

Carefully spooning warm crumbly apple crisp onto a saucer, Sharon added a dollop of Cool Whip on top and set her dessert on the table next to a spoon waiting on top of a folded napkin. With a mug of decaffeinated coffee in hand, she took a seat at the table ready to try her creation. She would have given Bailey some instead of the vanilla pudding she ate for dessert, but the little girl wasn't an apple fan.

A napkin arranged on her lap, Sharon picked up the spoon, coaxing a slice of tender apple onto it. She was about to sample when the doorbell rang. Checking her watch on the way to her front door she wondered who that could be at 8:47 in the evening. Perhaps Christine wasn't going to work that extra shift after all. Sharon looked through the peephole and then smiled as she opened the door greeting her unexpected visitor with a hug.

"Evening Mack. Is everything okay?" The nurse inquired while she closed and locked the door.

"Something smells good," Mack replied, failing to answer her and not doing so intentionally. "What are you cooking? Apple pie?"

"Apple crisp. Would you like me to dish you up some?"

The younger woman shook her head. She hadn't been able to eat anything all day, although Kelly attempted to feed her several times. She didn't want to be here and she didn't want to do this but her brain informed her that it was the right and best thing to do for them both. Her heart on the other hand objected to her reason for showing up at Sharon's doorstep.

Sharon tried to decipher her expression. Taking Mack's hand she led her to the couch. "Is everything okay?" She repeated seated next to the young singer. Her taste for apple crisp and anything else disappeared when Mack shook her head no. "Please tell me what's wrong Mack. I need you to talk to me."

Sighing, Mack looked toward her shoes unable to meet Sharon's eyes. "This is so hard Ronnie."

"Let me make it easier for you," Sharon replied, her expression unreadable. Her girlfriend hesitantly glanced up. "This is the end for us. We need to move on with our lives separately."

"Are you telling me that?"

Surprisingly, the older woman smiled. "I call myself making it easier for you to tell me that. It's okay Mack. I'm okay. I only hope that we can still remain friends."

Her throat dry, Mack swallowed with difficulty as tears rushed to her eyes. Hurrying to the floor, she knelt between Sharon's legs and captured her hands. She forced herself to look into deep blue pools that were a welcome invasion within her dreams--dreams that routinely caused her to awaken with a faint smile. It was her warm and fuzzy dreams about Sharon that made her face reality. Mack realized that she would never feel as loved by Sharon in real life as she did within the realm of her dreams.

"Ronnie, I love you," Mack fervently whispered, her hands tightly yet not uncomfortably wrapped around the nurse's fingers. "You know that I love you but I don't think that you'll ever love me. I mean I think you love me as a friend but you'll never feel anything beyond that and it's about time that I face the facts. You've given your heart to someone else and you're having a difficult time getting it back. Maybe I'm selfish, but I want your heart and if I can't have it then I can't have any part of you." The singer smiled though her heart wasn't in it. "You need to work out your feelings for Georgie. I'm incapable of competing."

Because Sharon didn't know how to respond, she didn't for an entire minute while she stroked her thumbs over knuckles belonging to petite hands. Leaning forward, she touched her forehead to Mack's, the words 'I'm sorry' passing through her lips. When the younger woman started crying she pulled her into her lap holding Mack for as long as she needed.

##########

She had just put away the last of the groceries when her cell phone began to ring. Unclipping it from her waistband she answered. "Hello?" Georgie stopped folding the paper bag upon hearing Joey's quiet voice. Her heart pumped quicker as she pulled the chair out from the kitchen table to sit in. "How are you? How is everything?" She asked although she dreaded the answer. Joey didn't sound frantic yet this call alarmed Georgie. Her eyes closed as she inwardly sighed. Evan. This call had to pertain to that sweet boy. Georgie's thoughts were confirmed within seconds.

"Evan passed away two hours ago," the other woman solemnly stated. "Jae was with him when…when it happened." Her last words were uttered in a trembling voice as though she were about to cry. Tears forming in her own eyes, Georgie heard the nurse softly clear her throat. "The pain is gone. He was ready to move on and he's at peace now. That's what I keep telling myself."

"He is Joey. I know he is. Is there anything that I can do for you and Kat? Anything at all?"

"No sweetheart, but thank you for asking. I wanted to know if Jaden had arrived home yet? She left about 45 minutes ago so I figured that she would be there by now."

"Hold on just a second," Georgie replied, already on her way toward the front door. "I'll go check." She rang #8B's doorbell three times as well as knocked on the door. The only one to answer was Sasha and she barked after the third ring. Hearing sniffing sounds, Georgie could picture her cold black nose pressed at the bottom of the door, trying to detect who was at her door by their smell. "She's not there yet Joey. Have you tried her cell phone?"

"Yes, but I was directed to her voicemail. Maybe she ran into traffic."

"She said that she was coming straight home?"

"Yes. At least that was the impression that she gave me."

Leaning in the entryway to her own apartment, Georgie's thoughtful gaze settled on the door about ten feet away. Home. Within another second her internal light bulb was burning brightly. Jaden had gone home. Although the studio apartment was her current residence, it wasn't home base. Heading back into the apartment she grabbed her keys from the kitchen counter while informing Joey of her destination. Promising to call her when she contacted Jaden, she hurried to the parking lot.

##########

Walking onto the beach, she stopped near the deck of the three-story house watching the lone figure sitting near the shoreline. Their legs drawn up, they had their arms wrapped around them with a chin resting on a knee. Even if their thoughts weren't, their eyes were leveled toward the ocean while the sun's rays peeked through a cloudy sky to shine down on the face curtained by long dark tresses. She was unable to tell what expression was on that face, although it was simple to imagine.

Cell in hand, she pressed several buttons and put the small implement against her ear while continuing to watch the motionless figure. The first ring barely had the opportunity to complete before the Los Angeles based phone was picked up.

"I found her Joey. She really did venture home."

"Thank God. How is she?" The older woman couldn't conceal her worry. After Evan passed away Jaden said little else. Once the coroner arrived she hugged Joey and Kat as she quietly mentioned that she was going home. They offered to drive her, but she shook her head no and seemingly in a shocked state walked out the door.

"I haven't spoken with her yet. She doesn't know I'm here."

"She's in pain," Joey said, her voice having become softer. "I think she's trying to hold it in, but she is. I know I don't have to say this, but I will anyway. Be there for her Georgie. Please."

Georgie nodded although she was the only person privy to it. "You know I definitely will Joey."

"Talk with you later sweetheart."

The call ended, she resumed her walk along the beach. She was almost upon Jaden when the other woman lifted her head and looked over her shoulder meeting concerned emerald eyes. For a moment she silently stared. And then she lifted her hand out to Georgie as though wanting help getting up. However, when the blonde took her hand, she tugged until she was also seated on the soft sand.

Neither of them speaking, Georgie searched Jaden's face as the woman resumed her observance of the ocean. Although she was obviously at the opposite end of deliriously happy there weren't any signs of her having recently wept. No reddened and puffy eyes and no tear streaks on her face. Squeezing the larger hand intertwined with hers, she gained Jaden's attention for a split second before her crestfallen face looked back toward the water.

"How are the waves today?" Georgie asked, deciding not to immediately bring up Evan's passing because she had her doubts that Jaden wanted to speak of it.

"I haven't noticed anything exceptional," the brunette softly answered. A minute passed before she spoke again. "You didn't have to come all the way out here. I would have gotten in contact with you soon."

"I wanted to see you. See how you were." Georgie paused, slowly releasing a breath. "Joey called me." She waited and realized after a couple of minutes ticked by that Jaden didn't intend to comment. "I thought I'd take a chance and see if you had driven to your Malibu home." Although she still didn't speak at least she acknowledged Georgie with a short nod. The blonde sighed. This was tougher than tough.

"Jaden I--"

"Let's go back to L.A." Keys appearing in her right hand, the musician pulled her remaining appendage from Georgie's and stood up. "Last one there has to buy the other dinner." She pasted on a smile, which failed in convincing her partner that she was all right. Georgie started to say something but then shut her mouth. Standing, she dusted at the seat of her pants as she followed Jaden to their cars.

##########

"Sharon what has you so upset?"

"What makes you think that I'm upset?"

"That deep frown you've been wearing since you entered my office is an indication. People don't usually frown when they're happy." The older woman offered her a gentle smile as she expertly twirled a pen between her fingers. She caught her patient trying to force a neutral expression into place. "Sharon that won't work. Tell me what happened."

Feeling comfortable enough to do so, Sharon rose from the recliner and walked over to a wooden toy chest, which she pulled a miniature embroidered case from. Retaking her seat, she opened the colorful box and removed the pair of steel Chinese stress balls that she had used on many other occasions. She was surprised that the painted on ying and yang symbols hadn't chipped away by now.

Swiftly rotating the iron balls in her right hand and producing a clinking sound that the doctor was used to, she thought about the past week. It certainly wasn't a week that she would mind forgetting for professional as well as--and especially--personal reasons. "Mackenzie and I broke up."

Dr. Townsend didn't appear in the least bit shocked by her disclosure. "How do you feel about that?"

Continuing to manipulate the stress balls Sharon shrugged. "I regret it. I mean I don't regret our brief relationship, but I regret hurting her."

"Why do you think that you hurt her?"

The balls ceased movement for a moment. "Because I couldn't give my heart to her. Because I was unable to love her. She deserves to be loved so as sad as our breakup was, it's best that Mack ended it." They resumed their journey around Sharon's warm and calloused palm.

"That having been said, what's the true reason you're upset?" Dr. Townsend jotted down a note on her legal pad while waiting for a response.

Sharon thought back on yesterday, which happened to be the worst day of the entire week. "My sister is pregnant. Took her to a doctor yesterday and she found out that she was about eight weeks along."

"Which of your sisters?" The therapist created another note. Sharon quickly realized that she was fond of taking notes. It was probably the reason Dr. Townsend hardly ever allowed her pen to rest on the desk.

Sharon's attempt at a smile came out more as a grimace. "Process of elimination Dr. Townsend. Nina hasn't introduced us to a boyfriend since she dated a kid named Jeremy for two weeks while in the seventh grade and is so focused on co-operating her diner that I might faint if she came up pregnant. Chris has Bailey, but she also has a devoted husband so another pregnancy wouldn't disturb me." She loudly exhaled. "Which leaves contestant number three--Becca."

"Is her boyfriend still in the picture?"

"Yeah, deadbeat is still there, but he's not there for Becca and not that I'm trying to be cynical, but I bet he won't be there for his baby either." She shook her dark head. "Neither of them is ready for parenthood."

"Is that what upsets you? That Becca and Ray aren't ready to have this baby in seven or so months?"

Tired of the stress balls, Sharon put them back into their box snapping the lid shut. "Partly." She looked on in amusement as her therapist further scribbled on the mustard yellow paper. For Christmas she thought about purchasing a snazzy pen for the doctor. "And partly because I'm certain that I'll end up being the person taking the brunt of responsibilities with the baby. Becca and Ethan graduated high school last year and it's been nice not having to behave so much like a co-parent with my mother. Sure I've babysat but Chris and Mark are capable of caring for their own children. I don't get that impression from Becca and the deadbeat."

"You won't if you refuse to."

Sharon smirked although it wasn't directed at the doctor. "I'm aware that I should just say no, but I know me." Touching her chest, she looked to the woman seated on the other side of the desk. "There's no way in hell that I'll refuse to step in and assist in the raising of my newest nephew or niece. Becca is a pain the ass but she's my sister, I love her and she's only nineteen. So if she needs help, which I'm sure that she will she can count on me."

"So you're open to offering your help yet at the same time the thought of it being accepted distresses you?"

"That sounds about right." She glanced at her watch. Five minutes until the ending of their session. She looked up in time to observe Dr. Townsend pulling a prescription pad from a drawer. Scooting forward, the nurse attempted to read what she wrote. She had been seeing the older woman for the last nine months and Dr. Townsend had never seen fit to write her a prescription before. "What's that Dr. T? Xanax?"

The doctor chuckled and shook her head no as she continued to print with quick drying black ink. The pen capped and set aside for once, she detached the top sheet from the rest of the pad and slid it across the desk to her patient. "You have homework Sharon." The nurse's groan didn't deter her. She rarely gave her assignments--at least not lately--so she could handle this. "While you're on the Spirited Saddlers Ride I want you to complete one task. I want you to…" She pointed toward the rectangular white sheet.

During the Spirited Saddlers Ride your assignment is to do at the very least one thing that you wouldn't ordinarily do. Write about what you did (at least two paragraphs) and bring your written work to our next session--Dr. T. Finished reading, Sharon folded the paper and inserted it in her pants pocket. "Like what?"

"Anything." The therapist smiled. "As long as it's legal and something out of the ordinary for you."

"Wouldn't attending this ride be enough?"

"No."

"Why during the ride? Why not before? I'll see you again before I go."

"Yes, you will but I've chosen for your assignment to take place during the S.S. Ride. That provides you with six days to finish your homework, which should be uncomplicated."

That time her smirk was directed at the doctor. "You think so, huh?"

Dr. Townsend uncharacteristically grinned. "Yes Sharon, I do."

##########

Seated inside her SUV, which was still parked in the lot belonging to the medical offices, Sharon answered her cell after feeling it vibrate in warning that she had an incoming call. She sighed when she read her youngest sister's name displayed across the tiny blue screen. "Hey Becca. What's up?" The nurse asked while securing her seatbelt. Her frown had returned by the time the seatbelt clicked into place. She swore that soon it would become a permanent fixture.

"No, you and Ray may not move into my house while I'm at the Spirited Saddlers Ride. I won't come home to beer bottles littered around and my furniture and possessions trampled on." She inserted the key and turned once just to have her radio on. Tuning to the jazz station, Sharon hoped that the music would help settle her nerves. The driver side window lowered, she rested her arm along the edge.

"I know you're not supposed to drink because you're pregnant. I'm talking about Ray and his bonehead friends getting shitfaced and messing up my house. I won't be worried about it 'cause it's not gonna happen. No one is living in my house but me."

"But Ronnie the apartment we live in now isn't worth the rent we're paying," Rebecca whined through the phone.

"You mean the rent you pay. I doubt Ray--on the occasions that he does work--makes enough to cover the utility bills. Becca I can't continue to hold your hand. You're a grown woman who made the choice to be with that man and support him. You deal with it."

"You can be such a bitch!"

Her eyes tightly shut, Sharon mentally counted to ten and then reversed as her sister continued a talent of ranting and begging at the same time. Half listening to Rebecca by now, she tucked the phone between her ear and shoulder as she started the ignition. In reverse, she released the brake and pressed on the gas. A second later Sharon stomped on the brake when someone or something pounded on her back window. She glanced through the rearview mirror. Someone. Damn.

"Becca I know you wanna yell at me some more but I've gotta go. Talk to you later." Snapping the phone shut, she threw it on the passenger seat and hurried out of her car. The agitated woman pacing back and forth, stopped upon seeing her, pointing an angry finger at her.

"Dios mios! Did you not see me walking behind your Chevy?"

Already in a foul mood, which seemed to be worsening by the minute, Sharon paid little attention to the fact that she had nearly struck someone with her vehicle. "What the hell were you doing behind here anyway? You need to watch where you're walking lady!"

If the near victim hadn't been seething before, she was now. "You need to watch where you're driving! Cars usually come equipped with a rearview mirror. Try using yours next time pal. It's not for freaking decoration."

Sharon unclenched her teeth before she had to take a trip to her dentist. "Try using your eyes and ears. Did you not see my taillights? Did you not hear my vehicle as I started it up? Don't blame this all on me. This is a parking lot so you pedestrians should watch where you're going. I was backing out and you suddenly appeared behind me."

Hands on her hips, the woman incredulously stared. In her opinion this wacko had just won the creep of the year award. "Oh, so let me get this straight. It's my fault that you almost ran me over? Should I apologize for coming damn close to being injured or worse?"

"Look woman--"

If she had feathers they would have become ruffled at that instant. "Excuse me, but the first name on my birth certificate doesn't read 'woman'."

"Well pardon me, I thought you were a woman. Allow me to compliment you on being a superb drag queen." Pissed off was a mild way of explaining how the smaller woman looked after Sharon's snippy reply. If looks could kill I'd be six feet under. Taking note of her behavior she muttered an apology.

"What are you apologizing for? For acting like an asshole or almost backing into me?"

She wanted to take the apology back. "What do you want from me? Are you seeking money?"

"I don't want your money. What I want is a decent apology. For most people in your situation that wouldn't be a problem." Before she could censor herself, she continued, "You're in a bad mood and I get that. But don't take out your sisters' being pregnant with twins on me."

"What?"

"What?" The could have been victim looked around as though she were anxious to make herself scarce.

"How did you--"

The woman waved a hand in the air. "Since it's so hard for you, just keep your apology. I have to run." And run she literally did as she headed in the opposite direction of Sharon. Wanting an answer, the nurse hurried after her, but quickly weaving between parked cars the incensed stranger succeeded in getting away.

Checking around her as she slowly walked back to her SUV, Sharon questioned if the peculiar woman had really been there. The parking lot quiet, there weren't any witnesses to her heated conversation. Perhaps the stress was finally causing her to lose it.

Inside her car, Sharon drummed her fingers on the steering wheel while she studied herself through the rearview mirror. Was I chasing a fictional person? Head shaking, she restarted the car, this time checking all mirrors and twisting around in her seat to look through the back window and make certain that the path was clear. Can't wait for the S.S. Ride so I can get out of this city for a while.

##########

Waking a delighted Vanessa up early with breakfast in bed (food she ordered from a pancake house a mile away from their home) they leisurely ate while watching Saturday morning cartoons, something they hadn't done in ages--at least that's what they would say if asked. Orientation starting at 11:00 am Georgie mentioned that they had appointments at her best friend's favorite beauty salon before they headed to Griffith Park.

Seated in neighboring styling chairs, Georgie prepared to have her freshly washed hair cut shorter than it had ever been since she was a toddler while her now twenty-six year old pal wanting to try a different style of braids was having hers cornrowed. The beautician quick yet skilled, she was about a third of the way complete and Vanessa's 'do looked adorable already.

A grin on her lips, Vanessa gazed toward the many wet locks partially hidden beneath a towel. "Dude I can't believe you're cutting your hair."

"You think I shouldn't?" Georgie inquired, sounding a touch alarmed. Glancing at her reflection, she sighed. "Maybe I should just get a trim."

"No, you should get it cut." The birthday girl grinned for the second time within the span of a minute. "I'm imagining how you'll look." Her grinned widened. "Butch, but in an endearing way." Vanessa chuckled, as did the proficient woman working on her head.

Although Georgie rolled her eyes she was smiling. "Thanks babe. I know having it shorter will help during the ride."

"Yep. Won't have to worry about it sticking to your sweaty neck as you struggle along steep hills and such."

The blonde smirked. "Thanks for reminding me of what lies ahead."

Vanessa managed a sweet smile. "You're welcome dude." She snapped her fingers seconds later. Pointing toward Georgie's hair she said, "Frosted."

Georgie cluelessly stared. "Hm? Do you want some Frosted Flakes after the breakfast I slaved over a stove--I mean bought for you?"

Her friend chuckled. "No silly. You should have the tips of your hair frosted. Get it cut in a way that has little soft spikes arranged on the top of your head at all kinds of angles--sort of a pixie 'do. It would look way cool," Vanessa stated just as Georgie's stylist walked up to her chair and gently removed the towel. Agreeing with Vanessa about frosting, she grabbed a comb and began to run it through her client's hair in case there were any tangles. When Georgie inquired she explained the process of frosting. Remaining unsure, the blonde glanced toward the person responsible for this conversation taking place.

"You don't think I'll look ridiculous?" She tried to picture herself with a spiky hairdo. Would it work?

"Yes I do," Vanessa deadpanned. "My devious plan is to make you look ridiculous 'cause you're too pretty for your own good."

"Haha Van."

"If you're wary of frosting you could get highlights instead."

"Or tipping," Georgie's lavender haired stylist suggested. She watched Vanessa's head bob in agreement. Although she had heard of tipping, she didn't actually know what it entailed. "If we're going to give you the pixie look what we'd do after cutting your hair to your preferred length is spike it up and then bleach the ends. The great thing about tipping is that if you don't like how it turns out, I can simply snip the ends off." Walking around to face her client, she cupped her cheeks while observing her face. "I'm not trying to pick you up, but you've got great skin tone and lovely features so the pixie will bring both out even more." An eye partially covered by purplish bangs winked. "Listen to your friend and your stylist. We can be trusted."

"Dude Eva's right. The woman is a whiz with scissors so you have nothing to fear and everything to gain. Have I mentioned how bodacious you will look with short hair?"

Blushing to the roots of her much spoken of hair, Georgie murmured, "You just did."

"So?"

The sigh sounding dramatic to her own ears, she swiveled toward the mirror to check her reflection. Sayonara longhaired 'do. Been nice knowing you. Glancing between Eva and Vanessa she nodded. "Alright ladies. Let's make it happen."

##########

"Georgie stop touching your hair," Vanessa said, her voice near mechanical because that was the ninth or tenth time she had to say it. "You're going to mess it up."

Wiping the scowl from her face Georgie thrust her hand into her pocket. "I can't help it. It feels weird and it's already messed up."

"You'll get used to the new length and it's supposed to be messed up," the CNA gently argued as they strolled through the path that would lead them to orientation. Since she was a volunteer Vanessa had already completed her orientation on Thursday where all volunteers checked in with their assigned groups and attended meetings. Today the six color teams were in attendance to check the riders in. Because she was on the Purple Team, Vanessa wore a T-shirt to match her team's name.

With four different S.S. Ride T-shirts to select from, her purple top had the name of the event and current year across the upper back. Below the large print words and numerals were five cyclists riding along a highway with whizzing streaks behind them. Though it wasn't a requirement for the color teams to wear these T-shirts, Vanessa enjoyed donning her purchased collection of the four.

Chuckling, she glanced toward the left where two women carrying small white plastic bags with Spirited Saddlers Ride 2003 printed on both sides were strolling in the opposite direction. The moment the women looked away Vanessa pointed toward them. "They obviously don't object."

"What? Who?" Georgie appearing perplexed looked over her shoulder just in time to witness a wink, which without a doubt was meant for her. A short wave her reply she returned her attention to the person beside her. "They were just being nice. Their gazes had nothing to do with my hair."

"You might be right. Their gazes--their appreciative gazes probably had everything to do with your ass though," Vanessa thoughtfully commented.

"Van!"

She snickered. "Okay, I'm sure they weren't ogling your ass." She paused long enough to make Georgie believe that this conversation was done with. "Just all one hundred and twenty something pounds of you--minus your messy hairdo." Laughing uproariously, Vanessa sprinted across grass as a minimally perturbed blonde trailed after her.

##########

Seated at a park bench, Georgie sipped from a chilled bottle of iced tea, which she had chosen from an array of beverages during orientation. Taking about fifteen minutes to complete, she was reminded of what to bring tomorrow (correct clothing, gear, any medications etc), obtained a set of plastic I.D. bracelets that she was supposed to wear while bicycling and stickers labeled with her I.D. number to adhere to her bicycle and helmet. After her brief meeting with Simon from the Orange Team she took a headshot for her I.D. card, which would be given to her the following morning when she checked in.

Although Georgie was aware that she would be with Jaden no matter what team she ended up on since they had chosen to be tent mates, she was delighted when Simon informed her that she was assigned to the Purple Team. So far, the only people she had found that she knew beside Vanessa and Nina (who she met a few weeks ago) were Dylan and Oscar, but unfortunately they were apart of the Red Team. She spent a few minutes in pleasant conversation with the couple before they had to get going. Finding the bench she now occupied Georgie thought about calling Jaden to inquire of her location but talked herself out of doing so. If she didn't see her at Griffith Park today then she could wait until Vanessa's surprise birthday dinner tonight.

Sighing, she emptied the bottle and threw it into a nearby trashcan. Jaden hadn't been herself since Evan's death two and a half weeks ago. Although Georgie had attempted numerous times to get her to talk about her feelings, Jaden passed on each occasion. She wasn't fooling anyone--especially her parents and Georgie--by pretending that she was fine.

The blonde was tore away from her thoughts when a familiar tune started up. Grabbing her cell she checked the tiny screen while unaware of the sudden smile growing on her lips.

"Hello there," Georgie said, her voice soft.

"Are you in a library?"

She chuckled. "Nope."

"Where?"

"Wear what? Jeans, shorts, a dress?"

"Very cute."

"You most definitely are J-Co." The resulting laugh on the other end warmed her insides. It was wonderful to hear Jaden laugh since she'd been a witness to the sound so little as of late.

"Where are you within Griffith Park? I assume that you're still here. I know you came with Van and I just spoke to her. The braids look so adorable on her. Not everyone could pull that off."

"I know."

"Is it a secret?"

"Is what a secret?"

"Where you are."

Chuckling, Georgie carefully moved on top of the bench aware that some people who were passing by her table sent her curious glances. Raising her left arm into the air she began to wave it back and forth as she asked Jaden where she stood. As it turned out her friend was close enough for them to be within shouting distance. Of course this took a few minutes to figure out, so by the time Jaden arrived at the bench the younger woman's arm had received a nice workout.

Georgie had barely ended the call when Jaden pulled her from her position on the table and swung her around until she shrieked. Grinning, the brunette placed her on the bench and kneeled before her on the grass. Meanwhile, Georgie blinked until the earth was no longer swirling around her. She was about to ask about the impromptu spinning when Jaden seemingly read her thoughts.

"There aren't any adequate words to describe how gorgeous you look Georgie." The musician slowly shook her head. "Van didn't mention your new hairdo. Guess she wanted me to be surprised and surprised I am. Love it. Absolutely love it. Wow." Settling back on her haunches, Jaden gazed up toward Georgie while wearing the most reverent of smiles. To say that she had Georgie blushing would be an understatement. All that she managed was a soft thank you. "Highlights?"

"Hm?" A palm pressed to her face, Georgie felt her warm cheek.

"Did you get highlights?"

"Oh!" Georgie reactivated her brain. "No, started to but we decided on tipping. Have you heard of it?"

"Is that when the ends of your hair are bleached?"

The blonde nodded. "Right. And it looks messy but--"

"Purposefully messy," Jaden filled in. "You really are beautiful. The shorter cut brings out your eyes," she brushed her fingertips against a rosy cheek, watching as green eyes fluttered closed for a moment, "and your beautiful face."

Leaning forward, Georgie pressed her forehead to Jaden's. "I love you Jae," the words tenderly slipped from her mouth. For a split second she wanted to take them back, but then changed her mind. Just because the musician hadn't actually uttered those words didn't mean that she couldn't. She loved her and it felt amazing to express it with those words. Her heartbeat quickening, she watched as Jaden opened her mouth to speak yet whatever she might have said Georgie wasn't about to know since a casually dressed man with a camera hanging around his neck walked up to them interrupting the moment.

"Good afternoon ladies," the man who looked to be in his mid thirties stated displaying a smile almost large enough to present them with every tooth in his mouth. Shaking their hands he introduced himself as Brandon Sharp from T.N.T. Magazine, short for This 'n That. The nationwide magazine bore this name because it was well known for having articles, which spread in multiple directions. Recipes, the fictional tale of the week, advice column, one or two "how to" articles and recounts of amazing everyday people shared space within the thick monthly magazine.

Deciding on a special issue, T.N.T. wanted to cover in detail the Spirited Saddlers Ride from beginning (orientation--today) until the end when they made it to Las Vegas. Brandon a ten-year veteran of T.N.T. had been selected to cover the ride with a team of five of whom he personally chose. Having interviewed a handful of people already and looking for his next interviewee, the journalist had spotted to his great fortune Jaden Connelly and her supposed love interest ex-real estate agent Georgie Franklin. Although there were photographs of them about and the usual rumors, no one truly knew how involved their relationship was.

It looked like such an intimate moment that he started not to bother them, but this was much too great of an opportunity to pass up. T.N.T. was a profitable magazine, but over the years they hadn't interviewed many celebrities--especially those of Jaden's caliber. Brandon thought that he at least had to try to speak with her. He heard and wholeheartedly believed that the musician was an approachable person, so he wasn't too nervous.

Lady luck evidently on his side today, Brandon was granted an interview with the two women once they took a few moments to speak in private. Before the interview started, he snapped a picture of them seated on the bench with an arm wrapped around each other's shoulder, their smiles brilliant for the camera.

Although Brandon had a tape recorder set up on the table he used the traditional pen and paper to take notes. The plastic blue cap of the pen tapping against his knee, he prepared to ask Jaden and Georgie the question he figured they knew was coming. Lately it seemed to him that at least 95% of those in his field wanted to discover the answer to the 'are they or aren't they' question.

You're no male Barbara Walters or Diane Sawyer, so what makes you think that you can get an answer out of them? Brandon asked of himself. His reply was a shrug. Brandon doubted that they would put the speculation to an end. At least not with him, a journalist people would only be aware of if they read T.N.T. magazine. He shrugged again. What the hell, asking wouldn't hurt anything.

Brandon glanced at the politely smiling musician waiting for him to begin this interview. He hoped that it wouldn't hurt anything--namely him. He wagered Jaden had more muscles and stamina than him and because of these attributes would be fully capable of kicking his ass across Griffith Park if he presented her with the one question she most certainly was getting tired of hearing by now. Someone must have been looking down on him with sympathy because Jaden put him out of his misery.

"Yes we are Mr. Sharp," she said, sharing a tender smile with the smaller woman seated beside her. If the journalist held any doubts over what "yes we are" meant, Jaden linked the fingers of her left hand with Georgie's right. Raising the petite hand to her lips, she gently kissed the back of it.

"Bra…Bran…don," the man stuttered, feeling beyond stupid. "Brandon." His shaky smile was filled with bewilderment. She answered. She actually answered and he didn't even have to ask! He would have to remember to erase his stuttering from the tiny tape recording the interview though. That would tickle his colleagues too much. "Please just call me Brandon Ms. Connelly."

When she gave him a smile sweet enough to give him a cavity, Brandon felt as though he could melt into a puddle quick to be saturated by the grass beneath his feet. No woman should be that beautiful. "Then please just call us Jaden and Georgie."

Brandon nodded. "Okay. So." He inhaled sharply and then released that breath just as sharply. So much for not being nervous. "Alright, so let's move on…um…" Brandon turned toward Georgie. "Georgie I know that your partner has participated in the ride before, but have you?" Thankfully his next smile was closer to normal. "Or are you a S.S. newbie?" As he listened to her response, Brandon began to feel more settled and predicted that the rest of this double interview would be a piece of cake.

An interview with Jaden Connelly and the life partner most assumed she would never have. That had to be a sign that this was the beginning to a terrific week.

##########

S.S. Ride bag in hand, Sharon exited a bathroom. Orientation complete, she tried to think of something to do to pass the time while she waited for Nina to finish checking riders in. Her first stop was to put her bag in her car before she ended up losing it. On her way back she decided to check in with her sister before she explored the park, which she hadn't been to since she was in her mid twenties.

Nearing Nina's table, Sharon came to an abrupt stop upon recognizing a particular person standing in the Se-Tr line. What the hell was she doing there? Snapping her mouth closed, Sharon marched toward the woman and demanded an explanation on arrival. Seemingly unphased, the woman looked at her after removing her shades and placing them on top of her head with utmost care.

"Hello to you too Grumpy." She took a step forward as one person finished their orientation. Sharon walked right along beside her, a frown wrinkling her usually smooth forehead. "Huh. You must have a perpetual frown." She nodded while looking thoughtful. "The nickname Grumpy suits you."

"I could think of a few names that would suit you." Based on the tone of Sharon's voice, one could surmise that these names were less than nice. The winning smile flashed her way was unexpected and she admitted only to herself that it threw her for a loop.

"I don't know what your first name is but your middle name must be ass," her tone was pleasant despite the zinger.

"You're stalking me, but you expect me to believe that you don't know my name?"

"What?" The woman pressed the palm of her hand to her chest. "I'm stalking you? Damn, I had no idea what I've been up to! I must have that condition where you blackout for long periods of time."

"This isn't funny."

"And I'm not amused," the other woman countered, sobering within a second. "It's a coincidence that you and I meet again Grumpy."

Dark blue eyes narrowed. "My name is not Grumpy and I don't believe you. Less than two thousand people are involved with this event and I shouldn't have suspicions that you're one of them? Millions of people in L.A. county and you and I happen to be participating in the Spirited Saddlers Ride."

A dark head nodded. "Yep. Tell me your name and I won't refer to you as Grumpy." She took another step forward.

"Sharon." The nurse still appeared to be in a dangerously foul mood. Not that she gave in to paranoia easily, but this was too much to accept. "Quite a coincidence."

"No coincidence there. My name isn't Sharon." She beamed causing the taller woman to smirk. Sighing, she shook her head with an expression bordering on sadness because of Sharon's obvious inability to crack a smile. "Fine. Because your sense of humor is obviously half the size of a gnat I registered for this ride months ago and have been training since March. This will be my second year riding in the memory of my cousin who passed away due to AIDS. If you still doubt me, my name is Sierra Torres. Unless you already have one, find a private detective and have him or her run a background check on me and you'll discover that what I'm telling you is the truth. I'm not stalking you. This is only the second time that I've seen you and as far as I'm concerned it can be the last Sharon."

Repositioning her shades over brown eyes, she turned away from the nurse as though she were no longer there. After ten seconds passed without comment, Sierra figured that she had indeed left. She was about to look toward the left when she heard a soft exhale.

"I'm sorry," Sharon gently replied. Sierra was stunned to hear it once and that doubled when she repeated herself. "I'm so sorry. I just assumed…"

"One could say that when you assume you chance making an ass of yourself," Sierra teasingly slipped in. She hurriedly predicted that Sharon would roll her eyes. She was correct. "Do you have a last name Sharon?"

"McDaniel." Her eyes widened upon realization of something. "Shit."

The other woman cocked one eyebrow. "McDaniel Shit? Is that hyphenated? Boy, I bet the kids must have teased you growing up."

With much effort Sharon ignored the jibe. "Did you say your name was Sierra Torres? Spelled T-O-R-R-E-S?" She watched the dark head bob before quietly repeating her expletive. If she didn't have bad luck then she wouldn't have any at all. "We're roommates. I mean tent mates."

"Really?" Sierra seemed neither delighted nor disappointed that she had to share the close quarters of a tent with a woman who two weeks ago had unapologetically almost ran her over and minutes ago accused her of being a stalker. "What team are we on?"

"Red," was Sharon's rueful reply. She had hoped that she would be selected for the Purple Team, which her sister and Vanessa were in charge of. Now she discovered that she had been selected to tent with Sierra, the woman who claimed not to know her yet knew about her youngest sister's pregnancy. She believed her about her reason for participating in the ride, but that hadn't been cleared up yet so Sharon brought it up. The words 'I don't want to talk about it' might as well have been plastered across Sierra's face. However, she didn't run away again.

"Skeptic that you are, you probably won't believe me, but long story short, shortly after I turned thirteen I started erratically receiving brief visions during sleep and I would hear voices in my head when I was awake. Not like Joan of Arc--I didn't hear actual voices…they were more like epiphanies, which abruptly popped into my mind. I would suddenly be aware of something that I hadn't been aware of before.

"Sometimes I can go weeks or even months without seeing or 'hearing' predictions. When you and I were fussing in that parking lot it occurred to me that you had a sister who was pregnant with twins and I strongly sensed that you weren't happy about it. However, I hadn't planned on telling you…it just slipped out. I didn't feel like explaining myself so I left instead."

Proving her skepticism, Sharon looked unconvinced. "So what you're trying to say is that you're psychic?"

The waitress shook her head. "Not exactly. If you asked me for tonight's lotto numbers or if you were going to get that promotion you've been praying for I couldn't answer you unless I was granted with another epiphany. My maternal grandmother might have been able to tell you. Her ESP was much stronger than mine."

"So this is a generational thing?"

Sierra shrugged as the line moved forward again. "I'm not sure. I only know of my grandma having the 'gift'."

Sharon studied her face. "You're not pulling my leg, are you?"

"Nope." Placing her hand on Sharon's shoulder for two seconds, she squeezed it. "Congratulations. You're going to be a double auntie!"

"You're probably the only one on this planet who thinks you're funny."

Sierra chuckled. "Lighten up Grumpy."

##########

The sun was still asleep in California when Jaden decked out in a pair of padded cosmic blue cycling shorts and a matching hibiscus patterned cycling jersey knocked on #8A on a very early Sunday morning. Having forced herself to retire to bed at 7:00 last night, she was wide-awake and raring to go. However, first things first…it was time to eat breakfast and her parents who were going to be fifth time volunteers and fourth time leaders on the Food Team had prepared an energy igniting meal within her kitchen.

Although he wasn't accompanying his wife on the ride, Thomas was also inside Jaden's apartment along with her niece and nephews. Because they were taking Sasha home with them, they had decided to say their goodbyes to Mom and wife Heather at her sister's studio apartment. Insisting that her hubby stay at home with their fast asleep young daughters, Maxine had arrived thirty minutes ago having received her breakfast invitation yesterday when Rachel called her.

After they finished breakfast, Rachel and Kevin would usher the volunteers and riders into their van, which seemed large enough to accommodate an NFL team and begin the drive to Griffith Park. Check-in starting at 6:30, they planned on leaving within the next hour.

Vanessa whistled her approval after opening the door and allowing her eyes to freely roam over the 5'10" and a half body. "Love the outfit and love the sexy lady in the outfit!"

Jaden chuckled. "Why thank you so much buttercup." Peeking over the much shorter woman's head, she asked where her partner in crime was. Georgie was neither in the living room or kitchen.

Because her neighbor's door was wide open, Vanessa gently pulled her inside and closed the door so others wouldn't accidentally overhear their conversation. She leaned against the door as she sighed. "Poor baby has locked herself in the bathroom though she has repeatedly told me that she's fine I know she isn't. "Aunt Flo" came early. She wasn't supposed to arrive until the end of the ride. Sounds strange but I know Georgie's period like the back of my hand since we've almost always been in sync with our cycles. Mine are rarely a problem and now their on "vacation" because of my pregnancy but every once in a while Aunt Flo acts like a real bitch where she's concerned and she happened to choose this month to behave like one."

Jaden winced in sympathy as she glanced toward the bathroom. "What are her symptoms?"

"Back and stomach cramps. Plus she's nauseous, which might have something to do with her anxiousness over the S.S. Ride. She took a couple of Midol and," Vanessa paused, checking her watch, "I had her drink a cup of chamomile about an hour ago. In fact, I'm gonna make some more and put it in a thermos to take with us."

"Maybe she could hang out with my parents until she feels up to riding. Their teammates wouldn't mind."

Vanessa shook her head. "I doubt Georgie will agree to that. Wild horses couldn't keep her off that bike. She's determined not to use any other means of transportation to get from Los Angeles to Las Vegas other than her Merlin Extralight." The CNA held up her index finger. "Not one solitary mile."

"What if I stayed with her?"

"Sweet of you hot stuff, but that wouldn't work either. She wants to ride the entire journey on her bicycle." Both women turned toward the bathroom as they heard retching. It didn't last long, but it was enough to have them exchanging concerned looks.

"How many times has she vomited?" Jaden wondered how pissed Georgie would be with her if she took the shiny blue bicycle hostage. Glancing up toward the loft bedroom, she could picture the Merlin leaning against the wall between the dresser and sliding double door closet. She could hurry up there, grab it and then stash it away in her parents van until Georgie was feeling better.

"That was the second time. The first was my alarm clock. Got me up ten minutes before the real clock started beeping." Vanessa thought back to her surprise birthday party that her dad had orchestrated at Spago's, one of her favorite but very rarely visited restaurants. The prices weren't right enough in order for her to be a regular customer. Although Georgie had appeared to be enjoying herself overall, Vanessa couldn't shake the feeling that something was bothering her. However, when she asked of course her best friend said that she was doing fine.

You're a naughty girl, Vanessa reminded herself in advance as she opened her mouth to speak. Touching the musician's arm, she graced her with the sweetest smile she could manage. "Jae were you aware that an orgasm may alleviate menstrual cramping?"

"Um…no I wasn't." Jaden sounded very tentative in her reply.

Hazel eyes lit up as Vanessa prepared to briefly delve into one of her favorite topics. She wasn't ashamed to admit it--she'd always thought that sex was a fascinating and invigorating topic. "Yes. The contractions caused by an orgasm help menstrual fluid to flow and as a result eases tension within muscles of the uterus. Of course this method isn't always effective but," she shrugged, "couldn't hurt to try."

"Mmhmm." One eyebrow lifted while a pair of full lips smirked. "Are you telling me this for a specific reason buttercup?"

"Just tossing out random information. I do that from time to time."

"Right." She listened to Georgie's gargling (obviously she must have been using mouthwash) as Vanessa inched toward the exit. Her eyes on the bathroom door Jaden asked, "Where're you going?"

Fingers wrapped around the doorknob, Vanessa looked back at her neighbor. "To greet the fabulous Connelly/Fletcher fam and taste your mommy's cooking, which I can smell from here. I could bring you and Georgie a plate." In about fifteen minutes. Let's see if you take my advice.

Jaden suddenly smiled. "That's okay buttercup. We'll be over there shortly."

"Take your time hot stuff." Without her consent a grin took possession of her mouth.

She once again smirked. "Mmhmm." Jaden waited until she closed the door before she walked up to the bathroom and knocked. Without a word Georgie opened it. She looked a bit tense yet nowhere as ill as she had sounded minutes ago. Pulling the petite woman into her arms, Jaden softly kissed her cheek. "Feeling any better sweetheart?" She asked in a whisper, feeling Georgie return the hug. She wanted to carry her upstairs, put her in the bed and quietly snuggle.

Sighing, the blonde buried her face against a convenient chest. "I will. I took Midol so it should work soon. I hate my period with an extreme passion." She peeked up toward Jaden's face. "Do men know how lucky they have it?"

Jaden softly laughed as her girlfriend faintly smiled. "I dunno. We'll have to take a poll."

"Yes, we will." Although content pressed against Jaden's warm body, Georgie released her, emerald eyes scanning from head to toe. She recalled the day Jaden purchased this particular outfit. She had actually been the one to find it, excitedly calling the musician over. "This ensemble looks even better on you than I had imagined. You are styling J-Co."

"So are you sweetheart. I told you that those knee warmers would look cute on you." Georgie had been concerned that the pieces of material clinging to her calves would cause her to look 'dorky'. However, dorky or not, they would help to keep her legs warm on chilly December mornings, which was why she had finally decided to purchase a few pairs.

Georgie made a face. "I feel bloated." She found herself back in Jaden's arms before she could blink. A soothing warmth started in her belly as lips brushed across hers.

"You feel amazing baby," Jaden whispered, whisking away any comment with another longer kiss. A few steps backward ended with Georgie's thighs pressed against the back of the couch.

"You've never called me that before," Georgie mentioned in a slightly breathless voice once their second kiss ended.

"Called you what?" Jaden brushed the back of her fingers across a cheek that was pink from a fresh blush.

"Baby," the blonde shyly replied. "I love how you say it."

"Never? Are you sure?"

Georgie nodded. "I'm positive. I've called you baby yet you never returned the endearment until now." Smiling, she looped her arms around the taller woman's neck. "That word coming from your lips makes me feel tingly."

"How much tingly?"

"Very. Extremely." She gasped when a hot mouth found her earlobe, drawing the pliable flesh between even teeth. Her gasp switched into a pleasurable groan when palms found her mostly nylon covered rear giving the cheeks an experimental squeeze. Although her self-control was swiftly evaporating Georgie managed to pull back, cool air immediately rushing to her dampened lobe. "I don't mind…heaven knows I don't mind…but uh…what're you doing sweetie?"

Blushing, Jaden slid her hands upward until they rested on her girlfriend's waist. "I recently learned that having an orgasm could assuage cramps."

Eyebrows skyrocketing toward her hairline, Georgie perched on the edge of her couch. Parting her legs she coaxed the brunette to stand between them and then placed her hands on Jaden's hips. "Recently learned, huh? Sounds like something a certain pal of mine would have told you." A gentle smile reaching her lips she raised one hand to the other woman's cheek. "Because you think an orgasm would help with my cramps you're willing to increase our intimacy?"

Blushing again, Jaden thought about what she would say before she opened her mouth. "My inane plan was to get you started and then you could possibly finish in your bedroom while I waited here or um…wherever."

Thinking Jaden the most adorable person Georgie lightly chuckled. If there were an award given for the most adorable she would be a shoe-in to win it. "I understand. You strike the match and I put out the resulting fire."

"Um, something like that." What were you thinking? She mentally chastised herself. Oh, yeah. You weren't. Hanging her head, the musician offered a softly spoken apology. Fingertips moving to her chin pushed until she hesitantly made eye contact with Georgie.

"Hey, sweetie you haven't done anything wrong. I'm touched--no pun intended--that you would leave your comfort zone to make me feel better and I thank you for that. However, if we ever decide to increase our sexual intimacy I would rather it not stem from a medical reason." Her lips curved into a slight smile, she kissed Jaden. "Besides, you've already eased the cramps. I'm much better."

The musician didn't seem convinced by the declaration. "Really Gigi?" She searched Georgie's face for any sign of pain and was relieved not to find any.

"Really J-Co. In fact I'm ready to eat breakfast, which you can ask Van is a clue that I truly am feeling better. When I'm cramping the last thing on my mind is food." Her feet touching the plush carpet, Georgie stood up. "Now it's the second thing on my mind." Grabbing Jaden's hand she headed toward the front door.

"What's the first thing on your mind?"

Pulling the door open, the smaller woman turned around with her hand still wrapped around Jaden's. "A moment ago somebody was making an appetizer out of my earlobe so what would you guess was the first thing on my mind?" Evidently not requiring an answer she winked at her partner and resumed the short walk to #8B.

##########

Sneaking up behind her best friend, she wrapped her arms around her middle and loudly and wetly kissed her cheek. Pretending to grimace as she exaggeratedly wiped at her cheek, Georgie turned to view her with a smirk on her mouth.

"Hello pimp." Reaching up she tugged on one of the other woman's braids after tossing her empty tea scented Styrofoam cup into a trashcan. With all the tea that she had consumed that morning Georgie was certain that she would have to relieve herself two dozen times before arriving at their first campsite. "Have you completed your check-in duties?"

Vanessa nodded in reply that she had. "Dude what's this with calling me a pimp?"

"You did try to get me some action this morning didn't you? No one ratted you out, but you were my one and only suspect."

"I plead the 5th." After a two second pause she asked, "Did it work? Not that I'm admitting anything."

"Excuse me sheilas. I hope I'm not interrupting anything important," said the obviously male person now standing behind Georgie.

Not having forgotten that deep Australian accented voice, the blonde turned to greet the man, a surprised yet happy smile on her face. "Riley!" Engulfed in his strong muscled arms, she hugged him tightly. "What are you doing here? Did Jaden know you were coming to L.A.?"

"Georgie!" He flashed her the smile that had been responsible for him going out on many dates since beginning to do so at age fourteen. "I finally decided to get off my lazy bum and participate in this ride, which I've been telling Jae for years that I'd do. I've been practicing for months and you probably won't believe me Georgie, but I haven't drank any grog since summer." Riley shook his sandy haired head. "And no she doesn't know I'm here. It's a surprise."

"She'll be happy to see you!" The blonde grinned at him. "I do believe you about your lack of grog consumption."

Riley shrugged. "Too many carbohydrates and fat, so I'm laying off until after the ride. It's all apples--gives the old liver a rest." His green eyes flitted in Vanessa's direction as he wondered who the little beauty was.

Georgie chuckled. "Well it's good to see you." Wrapping her arm around her best friend's shoulders she introduced the two. "Riley I'd like you to meet my bestest friend in the world Vanessa Martin. Van this is Riley…I feel silly. I never caught your last name mate."

He grinned. "Never threw it to you." Stretching his hand out toward Vanessa he continued, "Cohen. The name's Riley Cohen, Van." When she placed her petite hand in his, he regretfully released it after a couple of seconds. "Stoked to meet you."

Vanessa politely returned the smile he sent her. "Likewise. So you live in Hawaii?"

"Sure do. About ten years now."

"How long have you been in California?" Georgie inquired. "I mean when did you get here?"

"Thursday. Staying with a cobber of mine. Looking forward to sleeping in a tent after weathering his terribly uncomfortable couch for three nights." A grin on his suntanned face, Riley habitually rubbed at the stubble covering his chin. "I shouldn't complain though. He was nice enough to put me up so I wouldn't have to rent a hotel room. Speaking of tents what teams are you sheilas on?" He lifted his right arm to show them the purple I.D. bracelet surrounding his wrist. "I'm a purple person."

They in turn flashed their identical bracelets. Vanessa went a step further by raising the badge attached to a purple and silver weaved thin rope around her neck for his perusal. On the volunteer badge was a headshot of Vanessa, her full name, the team she was associated with and her identification number.

"Ah, you're a purple volunteer. So I'm supposed to report to you Van?" Riley asked, a hint of flirtatiousness in his voice. "I'm all smiles then." A pair of long arms encircled his neck from behind. Riley grinned, feeling a warm mouth touching his prickly cheek. He hoped that he had remembered to pack his shaving kit because he didn't want his closely shaven beard to get any thicker by the end of the week.

"That would make two of us cobber!"

"Jae!" A robust hug ensued between the two as they greeted each other. Vanessa and Georgie exchanged smiles while observing the happily reunited friends.

"You finally made it!" Jaden glanced toward his bracelet. "And you're riding, eh? And on the Purple Team."

"Yep. I told you that I would." His light green eyes twinkled with mirth as he continued. "It only took me five years to get here." He wrapped his arms around two sets of shoulders--Jaden and Georgie's. Riley would have liked to wrap his lips around Vanessa's but he didn't feel like risking a slap to the face that morning. "I've inadvertently landed myself three beautiful sheilas on the Purple Team." Meeting each face he grinned at the trio of friends. "I'm a bloody lucky bloke."

##########

"Eat all of it or you're totally grounded after the ride," the young woman half joked, earning a deep growl from the person seated on the other side of the bench. "Though you sound like a grizzly bear ya don't frighten me. Now eat up."

"I'm full," Sharon muttered around the bit of toasted bread in her mouth. She had only eaten a fourth of the slice of toast smeared with strawberry jam but she didn't want anymore. How was she supposed to eat when her stomach was tied in several double fisherman's knots? Her thoughts focused on the S.S. Ride, the nurse might have slept a total of an hour during the night. She craved real coffee yet hadn't touched any.

"How do you expect to have any energy if you refuse to eat a decent breakfast?" So far, Nina had only managed to make her sister eat a banana and drink a glass of orange juice. That wasn't acceptable.

Sharon shrugged, suddenly looking like a petulant ten-year-old child rather than a thirty-year-old adult. "I'll survive."

"Until one of the pick-up vans have to drag your fragile body inside and drive you to camp because you're too exhausted to pedal any further." She pointed toward the toast Sharon was holding. "Eat that. It's an order not a request Ronnie."

"I'm only doing this because I love you." She frowned and Nina grinned as she obeyed her little sister's order. Within two minutes the entire slice of toast was traveling toward her tummy.

"If I hadn't just witnessed it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it was possible!"

Sharon repeated her grizzly bear interpretation as she glowered up at her unfortunate tent mate. How she found her with well over a thousand people around the nurse would never know. "What? What are you jabbering about?"

"Good morning to you as well sunshine." Sierra rolled her eyes. She glanced in Nina's direction with a friendly smile, briefly returning her attention to the nurse. She noted that they looked an awful lot alike--same deep blue eyes and jet black hair. The younger woman was a few inches shorter though and appeared amicable unlike her…sibling? "Hello. Since she's inclined not to introduce me I'm Sierra Torres, Sharon's tent mate. Nice to meet you…"

"Nina." She pressed her hand to Sierra's for a warm handshake. "Nina McDaniel and it's nice to meet you too Sierra," her voice was soft with a tinge of shyness leaking through. However there was nothing shy about the backhanded slap deposited on her sister's arm because of her insolence. A faint groan was the other woman's only comment. "Have you known Ronnie long?"

"Not long. Two weeks ago we almost ran into each--or should I say she almost ran into me? That's when we met. Didn't we Grumpy?" Surveying Sharon's frown she winked.

"Yep." The nurse sluggishly nodded. "Dislike at first sight."

"Ronnie!" Based on her expression Nina was prepared to lecture her.

Sharon's eyes remained fixed on her tent mate. "I won't lie." She was thrown off balance by the woman's smile. Damn her for being so freaking levelheaded. "What is it that you want Torres? I didn't expect to see you--have to deal with you--until tonight. Why are you here?"

"Could I borrow you for a second?"

The initial reply on her lips was a 'no' yet at the last moment Sharon edited it with a question. "What for?"

"I need to ask you something."

"You two go ahead and talk Ronnie," Nina stated while rising from the bench and collecting their small bit of trash to discard. "I need to go find a couple of my teammates." Wearing a smile she shook hands with her sister's tent mate again. "In case I don't see you before we leave good luck today Sierra. Happy pedaling."

Sierra chuckled. "Thank you honey." She glanced toward the badge swinging in front of the younger woman's chest. "Happy volunteering." Once Nina was out of sight, Sierra occupied her side of the bench. Folding her arms on the table she flashed her un-friend a smile filled with enough sweetness to give someone a cavity. Of course it did nothing to sway the nurse's suspicions. Quite the opposite in fact.

"What do you want with me Torres? What did you want to ask me? I need to meet up with my friends soon."

It was on the tip of her tongue to toss Sharon the quip "you have some of those?" but since she was in need of her assistance now wasn't the time to piss her off. "It won't take up much of your time."

"Okay…"

Sierra nervously pulled at her earlobe as she sighed. "Here's the thing. When I told my parents that I was gay they flipped. They weren't about to disown me or anything like that but it was obvious that they weren't thrilled that I rather be with a woman. When I didn't bring home or speak of any men within the next year I guess that convinced them that I was serious so they did a 180 on me.

"They would set me up with seemingly every lesbian that they could find. A friend, a co-worker, a neighbor's daughter, niece, sister, cousin--whomever would be single and of course gay. Until they started playing matchmaker for me, I had no clue that they were so gay connected. I've lost count of how many times my parents--especially my mother has set me up or tried to."

Lapsing into juvenile antics, Sharon purposefully looked more bored than she actually was. "Are you getting to the point soon? I can feel my skin wrinkling as I age."

Sierra smirked. "Alright Grumpy. Here it is." After a deep inhale and slow exhale she spoke as clearly yet quickly as possible. "Six weeks ago I unthinkingly informed Mama and Papa that I was seeing someone so they wouldn't continue hooking me up with these women. They've wanted to meet her and so I mentioned that she would be participating in this event. Now I'm supposed to be searching for my 'girlfriend', so will you do me this one little favor?"

Staring incredulously, Sharon didn't offer an immediate response. "You want me to pretend to be your girlfriend? Why would I do this when I don't even like you?"

"You could have killed or at least injured me. Now you can't do this one thing to make up for it? After the ride is over I can tell them that we broke up. I'll even put all the blame on myself."

"Are you trying to blackmail me Torres? You don't want to go there."

"In order to blackmail you I would have to threaten you with something if you chose not to help me. Unless my memory is poor I haven't done that. I just thought you could be decent. If you gave it a try you might like it McDaniel."

Two eyebrows jumped upward. "I see. You equate lying with being decent? Are your morals screwed up or what?" Sharon didn't wait for an answer. "You're a grown woman. Just tell your parents in a respectful manner that you do not want them setting you up. You're capable of finding your own dates."

"I've done that. It didn't work. According to Mama if I don't have a partner by the time I'm thirty--not too far away-- it'll be next to impossible for me to find someone to share my life with. She'll 'help' regardless of how I feel about it." Her eyes drawn to the small group of people headed in their direction, she whispered, "Dios mios. We've been spotted. Please Sharon. Please help me."

She looked so distressed and sounded so desperate that Sharon actually felt genuine compassion for the younger woman. However, that didn't mean that she intended to go through with this façade. Lying was something that she attempted to avoid as much as possible. It only led to trouble and Sharon's plate was already filled with enough of that.

Pasting on a smile, Sierra animatedly waved the group of four over. Standing, she introduced them to the quietly seated nurse. The oldest gentleman in the group handsome in spite of the additional pounds having collected in his stomach area in recent years was her father Enrique Torres. The woman pressed so closely to his side that air wouldn't stand a chance of penetrating between them was Marta his wife of forty-one years.

Next to Enrique and Marta was another much younger and unwed couple. The youngest of eight children, twenty-one year old Gabriel held hands with Carmen his girlfriend since their freshman year in college. Standing, Sharon greeted each of them with a smile and handshake.

"It's so nice to finally meet you Sharon," Marta said, surprising the nurse with a kiss on her cheek. "My daughter has been hush hush about you. We didn't learn your last name until today."

"Yeah, I was starting to think you weren't real," Gabriel interjected with a grin splitting his lips. He had no idea how close he was to the truth.

Sierra tried to laugh it off. Linking an arm through Sharon's tense one, she smiled at her. "Well she's almost too good to be true. Lucky for me she entered my life. Like that old Temptations song goes I was blessed the day I found her." Sierra was the only person to notice Sharon's slightly arched eyebrow. Her family and Carmen were beaming too much to pay attention.

"Sharon," releasing her husband Marta walked up to the nurse and sandwiched one of her hands, holding it gently between her palms, "after the ride I want Sierra to bring you to dinner one night. As soon as you return from Las Vegas maybe. Alright?"

Sharon replied with an 'alright' before she could remind herself that she had resolved not to assist her tent mate in deceiving her family. Shit, now what am I gonna do?

##########

Thanking her for what seemed the tenth time, Sierra had to walk twice as fast to keep up with the taller woman's strides. Moving so quickly through the crowds Sharon was a hairsbreadth away from breaking into a run. Finally Sierra was able to tug on her arm, effectively causing her to halt. "Whew." Sierra fanned at her face. "Let's save that energy for the ride Grumpy." She smiled. "I think my parents like you." The nurse just scowled. "What? What's that look for?"

"If you don't know you're more dense than I originally suspected."

"What?!" Sierra appeared a touch indignant as hands settled on her hips. "What did I do now?"

"You got a piece of paper and a pen? I could make a damn list," Sharon ground out. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Vanessa and Georgie coming toward them. Thank goodness. Perhaps with them there as witnesses the urge to strangle her tent mate wouldn't be so strong. I might have to brave the chilly nights and sleep underneath the stars. That tent won't be big enough for the both of us. A mansion wouldn't be big enough for the both of us.

Sharon's relief over seeing the two women diminished somewhat when they not only greeted her but Sierra as well. Beyond polite, they hugged her too as though she were more of a friend than someone they were meeting for the first time. There was only one explanation--they knew Sierra. Was this supposed to be another coincidence?! Coincidence my ass.

Georgie caught her narrow-eyed look. "What's wrong Ronnie?"

Sharon shook her muddled head. "Nothing Georgie. How do you and Vanessa know Sierra?"

"We met her about…" Georgie turned to her friend and the waitress and they all agreed that it was about a year ago. "She's an employee--a fabulous employee at this female bar, which specializes in aromatherapy. Hey Sierra, speaking of it, were you able to talk to your boss about lending S.S. a kiosk or two?"

She proudly held up her index and middle finger. "Two kiosks, each with five Infusers. A couple of my co-workers and a couple of our regular avid customers offered to oversee the aromatherapy stations. There will be a charge but it's a major discount from prices at the bar."

Georgie couldn't have looked more pleased. "Excellent." Turning to Sharon she asked her if she had ever tried aromatherapy. While staring at Sierra she negatively shook her head. "Ronnie?" The blonde had to repeat her name twice before she gained the nurse's attention. "I know something is wrong. Tell me. Please."

Vanessa nodded, appearing concerned. "Yeah dude. You look like you're close to blowing a gasket." She pointed to Georgie and then herself. "Did we interrupt something?"

"Actually Sierra and I were discussing something. Could you give us just a minute to finish?"

Both women nodded. "No problem. Sierra if you'd like to join us we'd love to have you. We're meeting in," Georgie glanced at her watch, "about fifteen minutes at the merry-go-round for a prayer that Ronnie's little sister Nina will lead us in. She and Jaden are rounding everyone up. Would you be interested?"

Sierra smiled. "That sounds beautiful. I wouldn't miss it. I'll tag along with Grumpy in a minute." Once Georgie and Vanessa were gone she released a drawn-out sigh. "Alright, what's on that stubborn mind of yours now?"

Sharon opened, closed and then repeated the pair of movements twice. She had so much to say that she wasn't sure where to begin. Her breath ragged, she paced within the space of a few feet back and forth, crushing the innocent grass beneath her shoes. Forcing herself to a halt, the glare on her face was directed at the smaller woman standing in front of her. "You're a manipulative, lying, stalking, psychotic bitch!"

Amazingly, Sierra chuckled. "I think you may be holding back. Tell me what you really feel. Explain to me why I'm a manipulative, lying, stalking, psychotic bitch. I thought we had that whole stalking thing cleared up."

"We had until I discovered that you knew my friends."

"Okay…we're not allowed to know the same people? Along with making a list of all the things I've done wrong, make a list of rules for me too. Among them make sure that you write down who I'm supposed to know and not know."

"You're not funny Torres."

"You have no sense of humor. And now that we have that squared away, explain the whole manipulative, lying, etc. thing."

When Sharon began to walk away Sierra followed beside her, assuming that they were headed toward the Griffith Park merry-go-round. Unzipping a compartment of the fanny pack clasped around her waist, Sharon pulled out a piece of cinnamon flavored Trident gum. She chewed a few seconds, the sounds of thoughtful smacking filling the air before she spoke.

"You're manipulative because although I thought I had made it obvious that I wasn't going to help you by pretending that we were a couple in front of your family you forced me into it. You're a liar because you said that you didn't know me when you obviously do and you lied to your parents about us. I'm accusing you of being a stalker again because there are too many damn coincidences for me to ignore. You could have been stalking me for months for all I know!"

Sierra slowly nodded. "Alright. And I'm a psychotic bitch because…"

"Because you are stalking me," Sharon spoke in a deliberate tone as though her so-called stalker were a kindergartener. "You're crazy just for stalking me. Why me? There are many more interesting people in Los Angeles. What about me could possibly fascinate you so?"

Sierra ignored the question. "How long have you been friends with Vanessa and Georgie?"

"I've worked with Vanessa around four years at a rehabilitation facility for the elderly, however we didn't really grow close until the last couple of years. Georgie and I weren't officially friends until this past June. Why?"

"You heard them. We met a year ago--over actually because it was toward the end of the summer. If I were stalking you, why would I wait this long to reveal myself? It can't be possible that we both happen to know those two particular people despite the population of Los Angeles being in the millions as you quoted?"

Raising her hand, Sharon ticked off each point that she made starting with her thumb. "Out of the blue you showed up behind my vehicle two weeks ago. You knew about my sisters' pregnancy. You happen to be a rider in this event. You told your parents weeks ago that you were dating a woman named Sharon. And now I discover that you're friendly with my friends. This all adds up to you possibly being a stalker Torres."

"I showed up behind your vehicle? I was merely walking through the parking lot when you almost ran me over--"

Snorting, Sharon interrupted, "You sound like a broken record."

"Takes one to know one. I've never been branded a stalker yet you've managed to call me one ten thousand times. Please let me finish giving my rebuttal."

Sharon waved her hand through the air with a flourish. "Go ahead. Lie some more. You're on a roll."

"Don't mind if I do McAsshole." She could feel the other woman's withering stare although she was looking straight ahead. "The reason I was in that parking lot on that day was to meet my brother Dr. Enrique Torres Jr. because we had a lunch date." Based on the way Sierra spoke her brother's name, it was obvious that she was proud of his achievement. So proud in fact that Sharon figured she had to be telling the truth. Plus there was solid proof.

"I remember seeing that name on the directory," the nurse mentioned. "However, it doesn't mean you're not a stalker."

"Ten thousand and one." Rummaging through her own fanny pack for her wallet, Sierra selected a photograph from it, which she handed to her accuser. In the picture was a teenaged Sierra seated on the bow tied hood of a cherry red pickup truck, her arm jovially wrapped around the young man seated next to her who didn't appear to be much older. "That's me and my cousin Eduardo on his 21st birthday. His parents gave him that truck we're posing on." After a thoughtful pause she quietly added, "Three weeks later he tried to donate blood and found out that he had HIV. Within a few short years that progressed to AIDS."

Hurrying in front of Sharon to block her path, she pressed her hand against the other woman's chest and waited for dark blue eyes to connect with hers before she continued. "I know you don't know me from Eve, but there is no way freaking way that I would use my cousin's death or make that kind of twisted shit up as my reason for participating in this ride. This is the last time that I will remind you--I am not here because of you. I didn't know that you were here until I saw you." Tears rushed to her eyes as Sierra blew out an uneven breath. "I'm here for Eduardo Torres and only him because I loved him. You understand that?"

Sharon nodded mutely. Within minutes she'd gone from incensed to ashamed. If Dr. Townsend could see me now she would not be pleased. Glancing at the picture once more she gave it back to its owner with the softest apology escaping her lips. The photo tucked back into her wallet, Sierra was about to walk away when her youngest brother found them. The first thing he noticed was the tear sliding down her cheek.

"Sis what's wrong?" Gabriel asked, looking at Sharon as though he expected her to answer.

"We had a disagreement," Sharon answered, her eyes riveted to the woman standing in front of her, obviously trying to hold further tears inside. The nurse inwardly sighed. True, Sierra could be greatly annoying, but she hated didn't wish to see her cry. I'm a shit. That's what I am. A big stupid shit.

"What about?" Gabriel unsurprisingly inquired. Removing a travel-sized pack of Kleenex from his backpack, he handed his sister a couple of the soft tissues.

"I have something to confess Gabe. Sharon and I are not--"

"Just seeing each other casually," Sharon interrupted and at the same time realized that she was digging she and Sierra into an even deeper hole. A big stupid shit who has lost her marbles.

Gabriel looked as quizzical as his sibling. "What does that mean?"

"We're sort of…engaged."

"Already?" The young man blurted out. He then shook his head. "I mean, isn't it a little soon in your relationship?" He hoped that when she heard about their engagement, this wouldn't put ideas into Carmen's head. Although Gabriel loved her, he wasn't ready to make that serious of a commitment.

Sharon nodded, catching Sierra's bemused expression from the corner of her eye. "Yes, but we're in love. And it's not like we're going to plan a commitment ceremony to take place within the next couple of weeks. We're willing to wait a few months--marriage even if ours wouldn't be seen as legitimate by the state of California isn't something to enter into lightly. Isn't that right…honey?"

Sierra barely moved her head back and forth. "Uh huh. Right...sweetheart."

"So why did I see tears on your face?" Gabriel asked his sister. "I confess that I don't know jack about women, but those weren't joyful. This disagreement…what was it about?"

"We disagreed," Sharon spoke before the other woman could come up with a plausible lie, "on whether we should tell our families or not. I wanted to scream it from the rooftops while Sierra wants to wait. We just became engaged during the last week and she wants it to stay private and now I agree so Gabriel could you do us a favor?"

"You don't have to say any more Sharon," he answered, a smile on his boyish face. "No one will find out that you're engaged from me. I can keep a secret." He smirked as a result of his sibling's snort. "Hey, I can! When motivated and I'm motivated now." Gabriel's smile doubled in size. "What a cute couple you make. And Sharon I can't wait to get to know you better during the ride."

The nurse agreed as she indicated his volunteer badge. "You're on one of the road stop teams with my ex--my friend's brother. Have you met a guy named Jack?"

"Met him? I got his autograph! Cool dude." Gabriel gave Sierra a quick explanation of how he was on the same team (the Eagles) with Jack Savage, member of an up and coming band called Harmony. "We're tent mates too." The young man checked the time, hugging Sierra and even Sharon goodbye. "I'm gonna meet up with my team. See you ladies at camp alright?"

Removing a hand from her jacket pocket, Sharon waved. "Later Gabriel."

"Be careful Gabe." Smiling, Sierra pinched his cheek. "Stay outta trouble, ya hear lil' bro?"

Gabriel grinned mischievously. "You kidding sis? I'm always a good boy."

They had already resumed their walk toward the merry-go-round when Sierra addressed the disconcerting woman next to her. "Why did you do that? I was about to tell him the truth. You pointed the finger at me for lacking morals two seconds ago but now you lie to my brother about us being engaged. What's up with that?"

"I felt bad."

"Bad?"

"Yes."

She waited yet Sharon said nothing further. "Care to expound on what you mean?"

The nurse glanced down at her with a minuscule frown. "Isn't it obvious Torres?"

Sierra smirked upward. "Obviously not McDaniel."

She blew out an irritated breath, but Sierra wasn't going to give in. She would be damned if she allowed this stubborn woman to pull the big, strong and silent routine on her. "I felt bad that you were almost in tears over your cousin and I felt guilty about that so when you started to confess I couldn't let you go through with it." She shrugged. "Your parents seemed so happy and I don't want them to learn that it was all a tall tale. So…we'll figure out how to "break up" later."

The Latina's head shook in wonder. "I don't get you Sharon. But thanks."

"I'm an enigma." A genuine smile actually followed her words. It didn't last long, but Sierra focused on the positive fact that it had existed at all.

"Can't argue with that." They walked in silence until she added, "You do know that Gabriel will be keeping a close eye on us? I think my parents probably set him up as a mole to keep tabs on my interaction with my new girlfriend. Not that he doesn't care, but he didn't bother to volunteer last year when I was alone." She hadn't learned until today that Gabriel had signed up a few weeks ago. He referred to it as a surprise. Yeah, sure.

"So I'll be nice to you when he's around."

"Okay…that's good. Um, how will you treat me when he's not around?"

"You're the psycho--I mean psychic. You tell me Torres."

Sierra rolled her eyes. "Dios mios. What kind of week is this gonna be?"

##########

Jaden and Nina had managed to find nine friends and family members to take part in the prayer, which held a total number of fifteen people. Holding hands they formed a perfect circle along the grassy plane near the merry-go-round. However, it took some minutes for the group to figure out who would clasp hands with whom. It didn't matter to most who they held hands with, but just about everyone sensed the tension between Mackenzie and Sharon, which might not have been there or so apparent had the latter of the two not seemed so close to Sierra. How did they get so chummy so quickly?

Avoiding eye contact, Mack ended up between Jaden's dad Kevin and Riley who started to flirt until he caught on that he was the incorrect gender. His eyes roamed around the circle as he silently counted. Ten gorgeous women in this group (even Jaden's mother was a hottie--older hottie but hottie regardless) and half of them were lesbians. Might have been six, but the jury was still out where Nina was concerned. What a shame for him. Riley smiled to himself. But what a delight for other women who played for the same team. He always tried to locate a silver lining.

Before Nina started the prayer she suggested that everyone briefly introduce themselves (full names, where they were from, why they were riding or volunteering…) since Jaden and Georgie were the only people in the group familiar with the other thirteen. She began and then tagged Vanessa who stood to her right. After Vanessa introduced herself, Georgie, Jaden, Maxine, Heather etc. followed until they finished with Sharon about ten minutes later.

Asking that the group bow their heads, Nina inhaled deeply before beginning, mindful of keeping her soft voice loud enough for them to hear. "Lord we thank You for our being able to gather here on this beautiful November day. We thank You for the kind-hearted and generous nearly two thousand people participating in this event, whether they be volunteers or riders like most of the individuals in this group.

"The main reasons for the Spirited Saddlers Ride are to raise money to provide medical services for those who are less fortunate and living with HIV/AIDS and to raise awareness and education. Lord we pray that a cure will soon be discovered so that HIV/AIDS can be eradicated. So many lives…too many lives have been affected by and ended much too prematurely because of them. We pray in particular for Eduardo Torres and Evan Morrow, two beautiful people who were called home at such young ages. Although they are missed and loved by so many we are aware that they are now in Your tender embrace, that they are no longer afflicted, that they now have everlasting happiness and peace.

"Please keep everyone safe during their 470-mile journey in automobiles and bicycles to Las Vegas. This most imperative journey will be challenging at certain points so provide them with strength to continue when they are feeling weak. Give them faith when they believe that they have come to an impasse. Give them courage when fear makes itself known. When their minds are riddled with negativity, help them to focus on the positive. Please guide them to remembering why they are here in the first place and that through You they can and will conquer anything. In Your name we pray. Amen."

**********

Concerned, Georgie leaned against a tree while observing her partner as she polished an already gleaming blue helmet with a handkerchief, which had been in her fanny pack. If Jaden continued to rub it much longer the paint might begin to wipe off onto the currently white cotton cloth. Unable to take it anymore, Georgie gently pulled the handkerchief from the busy fingers as she asked the other woman if anything was bothering her.

Jaden hadn't uttered much after their group of fifteen finished praying, through the opening ceremony and during their goodbyes with her parents, Heather and Vanessa. Dark tinted shades shielded her eyes, which made it that much more difficult for Georgie to read her expressions.

The musician mustered a smile. "No, sweetheart. Nothing's wrong." She put her hand out, palm upward. "May I have my handkerchief back?"

The cloth clutched within her palm, Georgie folded her arms over her chest, obstructing Jaden's view of it. "You may when you tell me the truth. Jae what's wrong?" She softly inquired, moving away from the tree and closer to Jaden. When her friend failed to speak, Georgie used her empty hand to remove the shades. A crack marred her heart upon seeing the watery film covering azure eyes. "Baby…"

Allowing her helmet to drop onto the grass, Jaden pulled the smaller woman to her and held on as though her life depended on the intensity of that embrace. Neither of them immediately speaking, Georgie rubbed along the length of a back that was warm despite the chilly air. When she soon felt the tears staining her neck and the back trembling beneath her hands, she led them to a nearby bench, keeping her arms around Jaden.

Several minutes had passed when with a shuddering breath Jaden removed her head from her partner's shoulder although she kept contact with an arm around both of her shoulders. She fiddled with one of the zippers on her fanny pack, a silent tear falling down her cooling cheek as she observed her fingers slowly moving the zipper back and forth along the tiny ridges.

"I miss him," she whispered through a thickened voice. "I know God has a plan for all of us but he should still be here--alive. He was so young and he went through so much in the short time that he was given." Done playing with her zipper Jaden was about to run a hand through her hair when she recalled that she had put it into a ponytail. She settled for sliding the plastic purple I.D. bracelet around her wrist.

Having placed Jaden's shades and now folded handkerchief next to her thigh on the bench, Georgie pulled a hand into her lap, intertwining their fingers in the process. "I know you miss Evan sweetheart," she began, her voice quiet…gentle. "I've seen it written on your face everyday. But Jae you could think of this…his passing as a reward."

"Reward." Based on her expression she didn't comprehend how that was possible. How?"

Georgie nodded. "Yes. I've given it a lot of thought and have concluded--realized actually--that death isn't an end to life. It's really just the beginning of the next chapter. Your life could be depicted as a novel perhaps and death is the epilogue. True an epilogue's place is at the ending of a book, however, that is when your sequel begins. Your sequel could be titled 'The Afterlife'. Are you with me?"

"Are you high?" Jaden's unexpected yet welcomed smile accompanied the teasing retort. "Kidding sweetheart. Yes, I'm with you."

"Hey watch it J-Co." Smiling back, she nudged the brunette's shoulder. "I'm endeavoring to wax philosophic here. Oh and for your info I've only taken Midol today. It had caffeine in it thou--oops." Appearing like someone wanting to be excused, Georgie raised her free hand into the air. "That was my first caffeine slip. I swear. Didn't even think about the ingredients in those pills."

"Because I'm so nice I'll pretend your slip didn't happen." Winking, Jaden squeezed the palm against hers. "Please continue your waxing sweetheart."

"It's especially terrible when a child passes. It's terrible for us because you know they're fine." She smiled. "They're wonderful--Evan is now in a wonderful place. He is onto his sequel, which is guaranteed to be so much greater than the first novel that took place on this earth. You said it yourself--he went through so much during his short time here. Now all of that is over and Evan has started anew."

Using the back of her hand to wipe away fresh tears Jaden then pressed her lips to her friend's cheek. "You wax well. Thank you baby. You've eased the ache."

"It'll get better. Just take it day by day." Needing to return that kiss, she chose to deposit hers within the center of Jaden's palm. The musician's ringtone interrupted any further conversation.

One upping Georgie, lips smacked her cheek again a second before Jaden flipped open the small phone. "Hello?"

"Okay. We surrender. We can't find you," said the voice pretending to be more exasperated than its owner actually was.

As though someone had put smoldering coals underneath her, Jaden shot up from the bench. "Joey? Where are you?"

"That's what we're wondering about you." The nurse tsked through the speaker. "You try to surprise some people…"

Jaden chuckled. "I am surprised!" Turning around she hopped onto the bench, her eyes scanning the crowd for them. She assumed Joey meant only herself and Kat in that 'we'. "Okay, what are you standing by?"

"We're near the head of the gigantic starting point. Under a rainbow colored flag proudly waving on top of its long white pole. Does that help?"

Jaden spotted the flag, which would be difficult to miss. Studying it for a moment she estimated that she and Georgie were about five hundred feet away. "Stay where you are Joey. We're on our way."

Collecting the few belongings they had with them, Jaden and Georgie walked their bicycles toward the colorful flags. There were two of them positioned on either side of the extensive paved path, which they would shortly use to ride out of the park and onto Los Angeles's streets. They located the couple huddling under the flag nearest them. Excitedly greeting them, the younger pair took turns hugging the longtime-partnered duo.

"Great to see you guys!" Jaden beamed at Joey and Kat who were wearing matching roomy jackets large enough to cover their upper bodies from view. Apparently, they were both cold natured. It was nippy that morning. Soon she, Georgie and Co. would warm up either bicycling or working their tushies off with respective jobs.

"We've been wanting to see you off one of these times and we finally managed to get away for a while this year," Kat mentioned as she grinned. Busy around the clock with Lil' Angels she and her partner never attended a Spirited Saddlers event, yet had wanted to support Jaden. Evan's passing prompted them not to miss this year. Joey and Kat thought that it was especially important for them to show up. "We're going out to breakfast after you thousands of wonderful folks leave. I've forgotten what it feels like to get waited on."

Jaden chuckled. "Well no matter how much you and Joey may want to get out of your seats and help, just sit there relax and enjoy your morning away from your three dozen children." She pulled the older women into another hug. "Thank you so much for coming. It means so much that you're here." With her arms wrapped around Joey, her eyes blurred until everything was fuzzy. A tissue from an unknown source was tucked into her hand and Jaden used the soft aloe containing paper to dab at her eyes.

The small group slipped into conversation for the next few minutes and then a booming voice that carried over many speakers through Griffith Park alerted riders to proceed to the starting point since they would depart shortly. Another round of embraces, cheek and forehead kisses and well wishes, the RNs blended into the crowd of those who would watch the riders exit the park. Many of them held cameras and video recorders as they waited with excitement for Spirited Saddlers 2003 to officially start.

Helmets secure and Merlins at their sides, Jaden and Georgie moved under the thick rope separating riders from observers. At the end of a row of bicyclers with Georgie seated on her saddle next to the rope, she was about to say something when tiny music emanated from her fanny pack. Removing her cell, she put it up to her right ear while pressing on the tab of her left so that she could hear better.

"Hey Van," she greeted having noticed her friend's ID on the screen. "What's up honey?"

"Dude I forgot to ask you before we left the house. Did you bring your atomizer?" Through the last week she constantly reminded Georgie to pack her medication so there was no way that she should forget.

A smile bloomed on Georgie's face. The CNA would make an excellent parent. "Yes ma'am." She knew that her friend would want proof, so she unzipped the compartment closest to her abdomen to be certain that her asthma medication was inside. There it lay capped, new and ready to use if needed. "It's on my person. I'm looking at it right this moment."

"And you packed an extra one in your duffel bag?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"And you'll spray a puff or two at the first sign of tightness or wheezing right? I don't want you having an attack Georgie."

"I promise that I'll use it if I need to. You don't need to worry honey. Did you remember your vitamins?"

"But of course! Okay, that's all I wanted with ya. I love you, be safe. Could you put hot stuff on the phone a sec?"

Sending an 'I love you too' back to Vanessa, she handed the phone to the musician. "Hello buttercup. How are you?"

"Couldn't be better babe. While I'm on the subject of checking medications, did you bring all of yours?"

"Yep. I brought a few doses with me just in case and the medical team has them stored. I've never had any problems."

"You and Georgie are quite responsible. I'm proud of ya dude!"

Jaden laughed as she rocked back and forth on her bike. "Thank you little mama. We like making you proud."

"Alrighty, I'm signing off now. I love you too Jaden," she sweetly added.

The musician had an attack of the warm fuzzies. "Aw, I love you back." The call ending, she returned Georgie's phone. "You couldn't have selected a better best friend."

All smiles, the blonde dropped the cell into her fanny pack. "I can't disagree. Jae, I'm not exactly aware of your intentions, but we both know that you're faster than me so don't let me slow you down. I don't want you to feel obligated to travel at my pace."

Jaden stuck her bottom lip out as though she were pouting. "But I wanted to stay with you during our first day. This being your first time I wanted to stick close by. Show you how to navigate the road stops and whatnot."

"I'll be just fine. We'll probably get separated before we can leave the L.A. city limits. No worries, okay? We'll keep in touch by phone and perhaps we could meet for lunch later."

"You sure? This isn't a race so I'm not in a hurry to reach camp."

"I know that, but I will not hold you back." The blonde grinned. "If you refuse to cycle the twenty-twenty two miles per hour I know you're capable of I'm gonna ditch you. I don't know how, but I'll figure out a way."

Laughing, Jaden nodded. "Alright. But I doubt I'll reach or stay at 22 mph for long. I want to pace myself."

"Cool. As long as you go at your own speed."

Jaden snapped her fingers moments after their conversation lapsed. "Oh yeah. There's something I wanted to tell you as well."

"I'm listening."

Straddling her bicycle, Jaden leaned toward the other woman and whispered in her ear. "I love you too baby." While Georgie looked stunned she took advantage of her muteness by tenderly kissing her lips.


Continued...




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