PART 4
Xena and Gabrielle had spent the afternoon traversing the property, securing their perimeter. Brush was taken down and tree branches were trimmed. Eventually Xena was comfortable with the sight lines and leaned against a pole on the porch. Gabrielle came out behind her with a drink for the both of them. She handed the glass to her partner and leaned against the other side of the pole.
"Well, I think we have everything covered for now. Let me see your phone," Xena said to Gabrielle as she finished the drink and reached around the pole to her partner's waist band searching for the phone.
"I don't have it on me; I left it in the bedroom. Hold on and I'll go get it," Gabrielle giggled as she squirmed away from Xena's fingers that were finding some very ticklish spots.
"Bedroom huh? How very convenient," Xena rumbled at Gabrielle and followed the bard into the cabin. Gabrielle squawked as Xena caught up to her in the hallway and felt arms reach around her. Xena pulled the smaller woman against her and managed to find a soft and tasty neck to nibble on.
"Ha, thought you could get away?" Xena burred against a spot of neckline just under an ear. Gabrielle leaned back into the embrace and tilted her head giving Xena better access. Sliding her hands under Gabrielle's t-shirt, Xena drew fingertips across her bard's stomach. Gabrielle felt the fire deep within her ignite the passions that were always near the surface with her soulmate. She turned within the arms of Xena and slid her hands behind Xena's head pulling her face close enough to share their breathing space.
"Now that you caught me, what do you think you're going to do with me?" Gabrielle whispered with lips just brushing Xena's lips. A growl rumbled deep from within Xena's chest as she closed the distance and nipped a lower lip. She pulled back and looked at her partner with eyes dark with desire.
"Uh, I think I need a shower, I was sweating like a pig and must smell. Care to join me?" Gabrielle said with a sultry note.
Xena growled as she wrapped Gabrielle up and climbed the stairs. Gabrielle tightened her arms around Xena's neck, anticipating the shower to come. Soon enough, the sounds of the shower running were drowned out by the sounds of passion taken and given.
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The first thing Xena was aware of was the warm and secure feeling caused by her bard draped across her stomach. She didn't need to open her eyes to know it was late afternoon, she could feel a stripe of sunlight warm her hand. That hand was gently combing through the golden silkiness covering Gabrielle's head. She smiled and sighed.
"Bad pillow, stop moving. I'm having too good a dream, one where I have any desire fulfilled," Gabrielle mumbled and gently prodded the stomach under her head.
Xena chuckled, causing the bard to turn her head and nip the smooth skin which caused a full belly laugh as Xena pulled the smaller woman up so faces were even to each other.
"And which desire would you like fulfilled?" Xena rumbled as she starting nibbling Gabrielle's lips.
"Ummm, what?" Gabrielle responded with as she started fulfilling her latest desire. Very pleased with herself, Xena rolled over and continued to explore the softness under her. Just about then, a loud rumbling rolled through the room.
"I think your stomach needs fulfilling right about now," the warrior said, patting the offending bardic stomach.
"Yeah yeah, you're just trying to get out of your duties," Gabrielle said with a pout on her face.
"And which duties are those?" Xena asked raising an eyebrow. Her fingers were tracing small random lines over the smooth skin under her. Another rumble from the body under her fingers caused both women to start laughing. They rolled out of bed, slipped on shirts and started out of the room.
"Hey, where's your phone? Wasn't that the point of coming back inside the cabin?"
Gabrielle turned around and stopped Xena. Gabrielle wrapped herself around the warrior and clung to the strong frame of her warrior.
"Let's worry about that tomorrow morning, I need a quiet night with you," Gabrielle said as she buried her face against Xena's chest.
"Uh, ok. If you want to, I thought the whole point of this was to get back to normal," Xena said and tightened her arms around the bard.
"This time, time seems so short. We just found each other, I need some down time," Gabrielle said with a catch in her voice. 'Besides, I don't want one of us to die,' was the thought that ran through Gabrielle's head. Xena could tell there was more to be said but let it lay. She nodded her head and kissed the top of Gabrielle's head.
"Whatever you want, love."
With a sigh and another squeeze, Gabrielle turned with Xena's hand in hers and the two went down to the kitchen for a meal.
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Callisto's
tour was very informative. She had three locations to scout out since the agent wouldn't disturb any of the occupied properties. The assassin paced in the room, planning her next move. The map of the properties showed one main road with two private roads that cut off it. One cabin was to the south and the other two could be accessed by the same private road that headed north. One small obstacle the agent had happily supplied was the meaning of "private" that meant locked gates. 'Such a small detail,' Callisto
thought, 'which one first?' She twirled her jeweled dagger across her knuckles trying to decide. Suddenly she flipped the dagger into the air and let it land on the map. It landed smack dab in the middle of the southern location.
"Hum, the southern cabin first will be as good a starting place as any," she murmured as she pulled the dagger out of the map and headed out the door.
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The fire crackled softly and threw a warm flickering light across the living room. The two soulmates were lounging against each other, each lost in their own thoughts, both idly dragging fingertips across bare skin that reacted in goose bumps. Gabrielle was behind Xena, a rare instance of submission for the warrior. Xena soaked up the love and serenity that pulsed from her lover. Gabrielle in turn absorbed the strength and determination from the stoic woman that was her greater good. Never had either felt as complete as when they were so deeply immersed within each other. Time didn't matter, only the togetherness of the moment. Gabrielle traced her fingers up along Xena's shoulder and gently drew her fingers through the dark satiny hair of her lover. Xena closed her eyes and leaned back against the bard, relishing the touch she had missed for so long. She tipped her head back to gaze at her bard and was transfixed by the intensity that blazed from the emerald green eyes above her. Xena's breath hitched as Gabrielle leaned down and staked her claim again on Xena's soul. Lips gently touched. Gabrielle moaned with the need she felt that was taking over her every thought. Xena responded by snaking her hands behind Gabrielle's head and drawing out the kiss, her tongue parting the lips above her. A need for air made for a reluctant pause and Xena
pulled Gabrielle around and draped her across her body. Gabrielle perched above the warrior; her breath came in heavy pants as she looked at Xena with a wild look. She felt the pooling moisture from her sex increase.
Xena parted Gabrielle's legs with a thigh and pressed against the heat and wetness. Gabrielle threw back her head and pressed her need against the muscled thigh. Xena leaned up and drew her tongue across Gabrielle's chest, circled the firm breasts, finally arrived at the nipples puckered in excitement. Gabrielle hissed and pressed herself down harder to grind the support against her need.
"Gods Xena I need you in me now," Gabrielle grated out as each movement of Xena's tongue against her breast sent shocks straight to her groin. Xena rolled Gabrielle over and slowly passed her hand down her body until she was able to cup Gabrielle's sex. Arched hips tried to take advantage of the touch, tried to put the touch where it was needed most. Xena continued to lavish attention to Gabrielle's breasts while her fingers danced in the heat and wetness of Gabrielle's need.
"Please, I need your touch," Gabrielle panted as Xena slipped fingers into the center of her lover. Gabrielle held onto Xena's shoulders and raised one of her knees to press against Xena's sex. Xena ground her sex against the thigh in time to the thrusts of her hand. Hips rose to meet the contact and a rhythm as old as time soon brought a soul shattering climax to them both. Holding Gabrielle tightly, Xena whispered words of love and nothingness to her lover as they drifted off to sleep.
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Callisto scouted around the cabin noticing one car in the drive. Smoke drifted up from the chimney and lights in the kitchen indicated where the occupants were. As she drew close to the back side of the cabin, a blonde head drifted by a window. A wicked snarl crossed Callisto's face as she reached for her weapon. As she was drawing a bead, the slam of the front door distracted her. The blonde head looked up towards the sound and left the room.
Cursing the bad timing, Callisto continued around the cabin noting the windows and which rooms were accessible. Seeing the back door, she crept up to look in. The hallway reached through the cabin all the way to the front door. In the hallway what she saw made her giggle with glee, a couple was wrapped around each other oblivious to the world. A gauzy curtain obscured her view slightly, but Callisto was not going to let that stop her.
'You've made this too easy girls. I didn't expect to find you both so oblivious to the world. I'm a little disappointed that you can't feel me,' she placed the muzzle of the silencer against the glass and drew a bead on the dark head.
Slowly her finger tightened on the trigger and a small tinkle of glass broke the silence. Two more quick pulls of the trigger finished the job as the dark headed figure slowly slumped against the wall as the blonde figure tried to hold the body upright. Callisto slipped away from the cabin as screams split the night.
'Take your time Xena; I want Gabrielle to suffer more. In time we will all move along my friends,
' Callisto thought to herself as she headed back to the motel content in the havoc she believed she had caused.
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Xena came awake in the pre-dawn hour. Something had disturbed her sleep and she took several moments listening to figure out what it was.
'Ah, I'm alone in the bed,' she realized. Xena rolled over and looked around for her partner. Gabrielle was standing at the window that was facing east watching for the sunrise.
"Love, is anything wrong?" the warrior asked as she moved up behind her partner. Xena wrapped the shivering woman up with her arms and pulled them close together.
"No… yes… I don't know. Something isn't right. My ring has gotten brighter and so has your necklace. Callisto is around," Gabrielle absently responded as she entwined her fingers with Xena's and lifted their hands to show the ring. The stone was glowing with an inner fire easily seen in the pre-dawn darkness.
"Well since we are up, want to take a run around the property, and maybe head into town later today?" Xena asked. Gabrielle shrugged and burrowed deeper into Xena's arms.
"I want to get this over with, but hate to risk either of us. I know what could happen, but it doesn't make it easier. My soul is torn apart more and more each time we are separated. I don't know how much more I can take," Gabrielle said with a catch in her voice. Xena turned the blonde around and brushed away a tear. She gently kissed damp eyelids and pulled the bard to her.
"Love, I don't want to go through that any more either, that's why we are going to end it here. When this business is done, I'll take us on a long vacation to an island I know you will enjoy," Xena brushed a kiss across Gabrielle's forehead and held on to her soulmate.
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Callisto was confused. Surely the warrior had died by now. She was sure both bullets had done their job once they finished bouncing around inside the skull. That was the beauty of using the small caliber ammunition. It wouldn't break out of the cranium, just bounce around and scramble the brain to pieces. So even if someone did live, the victim would be a vegetable. Aiming for the eye socket was a tricky shot, but Callisto was an expert at this. Since she was still in this time frame, she had to assume the warrior was still alive.
"Maybe if I took a walk around town, I'll hear some gossip," she grumped to herself. She dressed much like the day before, but left most of her weaponry locked in the room. The only thing she kept with was the dagger. 'Never leave home with out it,' she thought to herself with a maniacal grin. She headed to the town's center and found Dot's Diner.
"How quaint, I wonder if Dot thought it up all by herself," Callisto said under her breath as she looked around.
"Actually, it came from this town being a dot on a map," was the reply from behind her. Callisto turned around to find the town Sheriff grinning at her. "We was jus' gonna call it The Diner but that was too boring," he said with a laugh as he passed by her and slipped into a seat at the counter.
"Honey, you jus' set yourself down right there, I'll be by with some coffee," the elderly waitress called out to Callisto. The waitress poured coffee for the Sheriff and headed back to Callisto's table.
"Today's special is Corned Beef Hash with two eggs, toast, juice and coffee. Heya's a menu," she said and turned away. The Sheriff and waitress leaned their heads together and starting talking about the weather.
Looking at all the options on the menu, Callisto decided on the oatmeal. It seemed the least likely to be covered with grease. As the waitress left again to order the cereal she started to study the traffic outside. So absorbed in people watching, she almost spilled her coffee when the Sheriff started talking about the strange incident at one of the cabins during the night.
"Yah, stranges' thang, at least three bullets if not more went through that house. I never knew a 22 to go that far. The boys we found high tailing it down ta road had the rifle and it sure had been fir'd earlier. They tweren't within 2 miles of the cabin. Not much left of the fragmunts to match up neither, some kind of fragmunting tip. Poor guy never knew what hit him, one of thos thangs, the angle of the shot hit him ded sqaur in the eyeball. N'ver saw nothin' like it. Damdest thang. The wife was in a bad spot and all. She's ok, but n'ver be back this way. Damn shame." The Sheriff shook his head and sipped his coffee.
Callisto sat stunned. How had she missed the tall dark haired figure was a man. That would explain why the time swirls hadn't taken them yet. With a snarl, she stood up and threw some bills down on the table.
"Wonder wats up with her?" the waitress asked as Callisto slammed out the front door.
"Don't know, but I'm gonna keep an aye out on her," the Sheriff mumbled around the daily special he was shoving into his mouth.
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"Damnit, Damnit it all to Hades! I knew it was too easy, I should have gone with it," Callisto yelled as she slammed shut the motel door. Now she was going to have to really check out the other two cabin's occupants to make sure she didn't waste any more effort. Although it wasn't really a wasted effort, one cabin was off the list. She was sure the bullet fragments would be too small to get any kind of grooves off of. The casings were in her pocket to dump later in another location. Muttering to herself and running her hands through her hair, Callisto started to plan her next move.
"Well obviously the other cabins are where I need to be," she muttered as she tried to recall the excited ramblings of the agent. "I need to remember to enjoy myself. I was in business mode, no wonder I wasn't really happy I was able to make the hit so quickly, I forgot I wanted to make them suffer," Callisto continued to converse with herself as she put all her tools in place.
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Xena and Gabrielle pulled up in
front of Dot's Diner just before lunch time. There were some little shops on either side that Xena could see Gabrielle was eyeing.
"We can stroll through the town if it will help you relax," Xena said with a smile to her partner.
"I know I shouldn't, we don't really have time to be distracted," Gabrielle said still looking around. Xena chuckled and opened the door for her friend. They sat at a booth near the back and read through the menu.
"Afternoon ladies, get ya a drink?" the waitress asked.
"Iced teas and I need a minute," Xena replied.
The waitress nodded and headed back to the kitchen. Gabrielle was trying to decide between the double burgers or triple decker clubs while Xena was checking out the salad list. The Sheriff walked in and sat at his chair at the counter. The waitress poured coffee for him and brought the iced teas to the women.
"Find any more information from the boys?"
"Nah, although they's scared 'nough to admit to the shooting. I still have a hard time b'lieving that .22 they had 'ld do that damage. The ammo they had just weren't the type that would cause that kund a damage," the Sheriff said as he poured sugar into the cup.
Xena quietly held up a hand and listened to the conversation. Gabrielle watched Xena concentrate and waited. Not knowing if the Sheriff was talking about a hunting accident or something worse, Xena still felt the hair rise on her arms. Something wasn't feeling right about whatever incident the Sheriff was talking about. She looked at Gabrielle and knew she was thinking the same thing.
"It's a shame that a visitor to the area 'ld have sumthing this horrible happen to them. I've let the boys go home with the parents. I know where they live. The woman, purty li'l thang, said she understood twas a accident. Said wn't press charges," the Sheriff mumbled around the burger he was munching on. The two locals continued with more local gossip as Xena and Gabrielle looked at each other. The waitress ducked into the kitchen to do waitress things.
"I'll lay odds that was no freak hunting accident. Callisto is here and doing damage already. I'll bet if she hasn't found out about her mistake she's out looking for us again," Xena whispered to Gabrielle who was sitting with her face in her hands. Gabrielle looked up with watery eyes and reached for Xena's hand.
"We have to stop this, she's going to hurt more innocent people trying to get to us," Gabrielle whispered back. Xena squeezed her partner's hand and nodded.
"Let me ask the Sheriff a question or two. Find out if this really is connected to us," she said sliding from the booth and letting go of her hand.
"Xena, I do the sensitive stuff remember?" Gabrielle said with a smirk as she started to get up from the table. A large hand pinning her smaller hand to the table kept her firmly in place as Xena raised an eyebrow.
"This, my sarcastic bard, is called 'pumping a suspect for information'. That I can handle," Xena muttered with a grin and stood up after making sure Gabrielle was going to stay put. Gabrielle rolled her eyes and waved her hand as if to say 'Be my guest'.
'I'll bet she doesn't get through this without using the pinch,' Gabrielle thought to herself and leaned her chin on her fists to watch the fun.
"Excuse me Sheriff, my friend and I are visiting for the first time…" Xena said as she sat down next to the Sheriff. The Sheriff took a look at Xena, shot a look over at Gabrielle who waved her fingers, looked back at Xena and let his burger slide from his fingers. He backed away from Xena with his face turning gray.
"You related to John Dunham?" the Sheriff croaked out. "If you aren't, you could be his twin. His wife didn't mention a thang about a twin. And you," he said in a shaky voice pointing at Gabrielle, "you could be her twin also."
"Sheriff, I'm sorry but we don't know what you're talking about," Gabrielle said as she joined Xena at the counter. She could tell the Sheriff was upset and wanted to ease his mind. Besides she didn't have any medical supplies with her and she doubted the local EMT service would be quick enough to help if the Sheriff had a heart attack.
"You're not related to John Dunham? Or his wife Isabel?" Shakes of their heads answered his questions. He seemed to calm down; at least Gabrielle could tell some color was coming back to his face. She laid a hand on Xena's arm and stepped in front.
"Sheriff, please sit down and relax. We don't know either of these people. My name is Allison and this is Michelle. I have a time share cabin and want to get to know the area better. There are some people that look like us already living here?" Gabrielle asked trying to put the man at ease. She smiled and helped the Sheriff back to his counter seat. The waitress came back into the dining area and saw the two women standing over the Sheriff.
"Don, are you ok? You look like you saw a ghost!" she said fussing over the man. She looked up at the two women and tried to place the familiar faces.
"Claudette, do you remember the Dunhams? John and Isabel?" he said still keeping an eye on the other two.
"Well sure I do, they were real regulars…. Oh my Blessed Mother of God!" she exclaimed taking a good look at the two. "I mean, you'd have to be his sister, but you child, you could be his identical twin."
Xena looked at Gabrielle and when she minutely shook her head Gabrielle knew what to say.
"Well there is a theory that everyone has a twin somewhere in the world. We may not be as unique as we like to think we are. But no we don't know the Dunhams. Should we?"
"They were a couple what've been vacationing here for years. That is until last night. John was killed," the Sheriff said. Claudette was fussing about the counter, whipping down a spotless spot.
"I remember them coming in at least twice a week, well everyone around here comes in at least twice a week. Exceptin' that blonde I saw earlier this morning. Now her I've not seen," Claudette muttered to herself.
"A blonde woman about this high, brown eyes, slim build?" Xena asked sharply as she reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a leather bi-fold.
"Yup, that would be her. Rather nasty temperament I would venture to say. Said some words as she left that shouldn't be said in polite company," Claudette sniffed.
"My name is Agent Michelle Hausmann. My partner and I are looking for this woman. She is the main suspect in the kidnapping and murder of a hospital employee two days ago. She should be considered armed and dangerous. Do you have any idea where she may be staying?" Xena rattled off quickly as she flipped the bi-fold out quickly and then tucked it away. It was so quick the Sheriff and Claudette didn't get a chance to question the action. The Sheriff stood up and Claudette backed away from the counter. Xena didn't notice the startled look that crossed Gabrielle's face as she grabbed onto a chair and slid boneless into it.
"Armed and dangerous? Kidnapping and murder?" Claudette repeated with a gasp.
"I knew she was no good the minute I laid eyes on her," the Sheriff growled as he hitched up his belt. "The only place we have that travelers stay at is the motel up the road. That's where she would be. Wanna go check it out? I'll put out an APB to the deputies," the Sheriff asked as he started towards the door.
"If you don't mind, we need to check in with our office and let them know the situation. But I don't want an APB out yet, the deputies may startle her and I wouldn't want any of your people to be hurt," Gabrielle spoke for the first time since Xena's story started. She smiled at the Sheriff to take any sting out of her words. He blinked at the blonde, taken in by the sincere concern for his staff.
"Of course Agent Hausmann, just call the main office when you want move on the suspect," the Sheriff nodded solemnly and the three headed out of the diner.
"We'll contact you soon, thank you for your assistance Sheriff," Xena said as she shook his hand and they each went to their cars.
"Agent Hausmann? Where did that come from and what did you flash at them?" Gabrielle asked with tears of an emotion she would have sworn was sadness and held her hand out for the bi-fold. "If this wasn't such bad situation, I'd have to hurt you."
"It's amazing how little shields change over the centuries," Xena handed the bi-fold over to Gabrielle. "Remember the time we ended up working with British Intelligence during WWII looking for the Nazis in South America? I kept the id from that agent that looked like me. If we play this right the deputies and Sheriff will locate Callisto and we can put an end to this all."
"I was serious when I told the Sheriff about any of his staff being hurt," Gabrielle said and handed back the bi-fold trying to pull a memory from the depths of her mind. Something had happened in a past time that was bothering Gabrielle, she just couldn't catch it.
"That's what I love about you, you have always had the innocent's welfare in mind," the warrior smiled at her bard, running a fingertip gently across her cheek. Gabrielle took the hand and kissed Xena's palm.
"I love you," the bard whispered.
"Back at ya," the warrior smiled back.
Continued...