~ Rat's Bitch ~
by Larisa


Disclaimer: Yep, they will remind you of our favorite women, but these two are all mine. This story contains everything that a Xena ep would have in it and then some. If your jailbait or live where this life style is against the law, sorry about your luck. Loving scenes between two women, violence, bad language and what ever else I've forgotten. No infringement on songs by famous artists is meant.

Thanks to Lesia and Ri for being my sounding boards. I've set up appointments with the local nut-wards for ya.


Rat's Bitch
By Larisa
Hecate3366@frontiernet.net


The bright fluorescent lights made green eyes ache, after weeks out in the field, Stephanie Carlton was once again back in the office. She typed with a flourish of one who was no stranger to a keyboard, closing her eyes and mouthing the words that her small fingers ticked out, she was coming to the closing paragraph of her report. Raising her right hand high above the keyboard of her PC, she jabbed the enter key and sighed with relief. Even though while she was on her last assignment and sent in reports every other day, she needed to do the closing report and now that it was finished she sighed with relief as the heavy burden lifted from her small muscular shoulders. She had just spent one year undercover to bust a drug ring in Richmond Virginia. It encompassed being able to get herself into a network at the boat docks, take photos of cabin cruisers and other boats coming into and leaving at the late night hours preferred by the drug runners. Making numerous friends of known drug runners, suppliers and users to get the evidence needed by the District attorney, to have a strong case against the parties so that they would be spending a very long time behind bars. When the bust had come down, she was arrested right along with the entire lot of them. No matter what, it had to look like she was as guilty as the offenders were.

Her life depended on it, even when they were all safely behind bars there were still connections that could be made from the inside to make sure that she would end up dead. To make it look real, during the arrest she put up one hell of a fight and had the numerous cuts and bruises to attest to the struggle she gave the arresting officers. She knew for a fact that they didn't fair much better than her, it was one way to work off the frustration of a year in hell as she had told her boss Jacolb Freeman. She printed out her report; paper clipped it and shoved it into a manila folder. Getting up from the desk, she walked stiffly to her boss' office, waltzed right in, and tossed the report on his desk.

"I'm done and I'm going to that place where I think I still live and take a nice long hot bath until my entire body looks like a raisin."

A set of brown eyes looked up at her as she ran her fingers through her short sweaty blonde hair. Jacolb could see the tiredness in the way his young officer held her shoulders; her eyes shot through with red spider webs and worry lines etched across her forehead.

"You do that, but make sure that you're back in here on Monday." Picking up the envelope, he placed it in his in box and offered her a small smile. "You did great out there, no one else could have pulled it off. I'll take you out to dinner next week after you recuperate."

Green eyes rolled at the line he always used on her, if it was not for the fact that he was in his late 50's and happily married with kids her age, she would think he was hitting on her.

"Ohh please, I was just doing my job."

"Steve, you know that you just have something that makes people trust you. That really helps when we're trying to get the creeps off the streets." Coming from behind his desk, he placed an arm around her shoulders and gave her a hug. "Could you see one of those cocky bastards out there flirting with a drug dealer to get into their confidences?"

She thought about some of the other undercover Police Officers and had to laugh. Some of the guys looked like they should be breaking rocks with a ball peen hammer in the nearest quarry. She had to admit that being a woman; certain jobs were easier because she could flirt her way in.

"Thanks a lot for that visual, now I'll have nightmares all night."

His face broke out in a huge grin, the lines near his eyes becoming deeper along with the laugh lines at the sides of his mouth.

"Glad I could help. Now remember Monica wants you over before the weekend."

"I know, or she'll come to my apartment and kick my ass. I'll be there on Friday." She gave him a quick kiss on his cheek and left the office thinking of his wife. Since she had joined the Police Force eight years ago, they had taken her in and were more like surrogate parents than her boss and his wife. When not in the field, she was over a couple of times a week to go shopping or what ever with his wife of 35 years. With being an only child, her mother's passing when she was five and being a survivor as she like to refer to the Step-Mommy Dearest syndrome, it was a welcome feeling to have the older woman look at her like she was their own offspring. With both being barely five foot five, green eyes and short blonde hair, with just a glance people thought that they were mother and daughter. Since her assignment, she had kept in touch by sending e-mails to Monica under the disguise of her health food store. It was not unusual for Steve to get boxes at her office on the docks full of all the latest health food along with a hidden floppy disc in a box of wheat crackers. She was thankful for the food; with the hours she worked, she never had time to shop for proper meals. Most often, it was something she picked up on her way into the phony front the drug lord used to hide his real operation. Now that she would have time to get her life back in order, the first place she was going was a steak house on the outskirts of town. She was dying for a sixteen-ounce medium rare steak, baked potato with the works and a hot fudge sundae with whipped cream and nuts. Her mouth watered with just the thought of real food for a change.

Grabbing her windbreaker, she headed out the door of the Police Station and to her dark blue Toyota Celica GT, she would miss the sporty car when she turned it back in and retrieved her own car. One of the perks for working as an Undercover Narcotics Officer was that she often got to use the seized cars that were taken from drug dealers for her own use while working. Her car was a late model Ford Tempo that was on its last leg. Jacolb had warned her about buying a Ford; he was a die-hard Chevy man. Driving the hour to her apartment, she parked the Celica, searched the glove compartment for her keys, and then walked the ten feet to the front door of the three-car garage. She had found the ad in the paper years ago about the loft apartment for three hundred dollars a month including utilities. At the time, she was not making a whole lot of money and this place was something that she could afford easily and still pay for her tuition to college. At first college was no problem for her money wise, but after her first two years, she changed her major from medicine to law enforcement and pre-law. With one-year left, her father found out what she had done, with the nagging of his wife, he stopped paying for the stuff that wasn't covered. The scholarship she had won only paid for Medical school and with that gone and her fathers help, she ended up working two minimum wage jobs to pay for everything. Now after eight years on the Police force, she could afford to live else where but being here was where she wanted to stay. The owner was an old lady with a heart of gold; Beatrice was in her late 60's that had lived alone her entire life on the small farm. After her parents died, she never married nor moved away. From time to time, the ladies from the nearby church would stop over to visit her. But most of the time it was just her and Steve to keep each other company. For the last year with Steve living in the city area as part of her cover, they had only seen each other when she could sneak away on weekends or when her boss was out of the country. Now she hoped she would be home for a while and catch up on the gossip from around town. Climbing the stairs to her loft, she came to a lightly stained wooden door. The sound of the creaking hinges reminded her that she needed to oil them as well as do some serious cleaning and laundry. That could wait until later; right now, the tub was screaming her name.


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The sound of heavy wheels crunching the gravel came to alert ears; pale eyes scanned the area for the large truck that was scheduled to be at the appointed spot at exactly midnight. It was one minute to midnight now, counting, if it was late the deal was off, and the driver knew this. As the large hand hit twelve, a set of parking lights flashed once and all was dark except the faint glow of a cigarette tip moving towards her. She knew who it was before he came with in sight.

"You're lucky that it's just me here." A deep voice came from the dark. "If I had sent out one of the guys, they would have shot you already."

"Damn I screwed up again, I so wanted to get shot so I could have some time off."

The soft glow of a lantern filled the mans features in, his long black beard streaked with silver matched his long hair. Green eyes twinkled as he held out his hand to his long time friend.

"How you been Big D? I hear you have a big load for me to take to the boss?" He looked up a good two foot into pale blue eyes.

"How's 40 Uzi's, 15 Police issued Sniper Rifles, two case of CIA Glock's and 3 LAWS sound to you?" The tall figure flipped a tarp off the items and stepped to the side. "Plus the usual assortment of drugs and shit. I have a new connection with those, so I should be able to get more than usual."

"Damn D, you did good this haul. I'll tell the old man about the new connection." He pulled a thick envelope from inside his leather vest and handed it over. "Should be a hundred grand in there, minus a dollar. I needed a coffee before I fell asleep at the wheel." His white teeth flashed up at his tall friend.

"That cheap bastard didn't even give you enough money for gas did he?" Pulling a fifty from the envelope, D passed it over to the shorter man. "I won't tell if you don't, lets get this shit loaded so I can get home to my bitch."

Two hours later D was pulling her old truck up to the log cabin and jumping out before it stopped bouncing on its worn out shocks. Wiping dirty hands on worn out Levi's, a large long fingered hand reached out and opened the door. The inside of the cabin was dark except for the flickering of the TV and a light on over the kitchen sink. Shedding the dirty denim shirt, it was tossed near the front door, D walked into the living room to see the skinny blonde that had been won at a fight, sprawled out on the couch. Drugs, a burnt spoon and lighter lay on the coffee table and floor, a needle was still sticking out of the vein in her forearm from when she had shot up on her heroin.

"Fucking disgusting whore." D kicked the passed out woman in her leg and watched as she rolled from the couch to land on her face onto the hard wood floor. "Told you about bringing that shit into my house, first chance I get your sorry ass is gone." Heading towards the master bedroom, D flipped on the light and looked at the damage done to the room. Clothes were thrown all over the furniture and floor, the bed was flipped over as well as the nightstand. The phone was beeping from being off the hook, and from the looks of the thing, it was lucky to still be working. Heading for the master bath, D flipped the light on and saw pretty much the same. Kicking the stuff out of the way of the bathtub, a large hand ripped down what was left of the shower curtain and sent it flying out of the room. Seconds later, clothes hit the floor and a tall muscular tattooed body stepped beneath scalding water. A low rumbling growl echoed in the bathroom as water loosened tight muscles and washed away sandy grit. 45 minutes later pale blue eyes looked into the mirror, long fingers pushed back dark hair from around a bronze face to reveal high cheekbones. Pinching the bridge of the straight nose to push away the aching pain that invaded the area right behind the tired blue eyes did nothing.

"Fuck it, I'm tired and I'm not cleaning this mess up."

After flipping the bed over and tossing the mattress back on, six foot of bronzed body dropped face first into the bed and searched for the lone pillow that had been found. With in minutes a deep snore came from parted lips.


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Steve moaned as she turned the key again and heard the clicking noise come from her starter. Slapping the steering wheel with her hand, she cursed at her Ford Tempo. Turning the key, it clicked once and then turned over to cough a few times until it caught and revved throwing up clouds of black smoke.

"Piece of shit car, need a new one and soon." Pulling from her drive, she headed to the station; she couldn't believe how fast the week had gone by. After spending all day Friday with Monica and then dinner with her and Jacolb, it seemed like the weekend was gone and she was headed back to her office. Nodding hellos to people she hadn't seen in a year or more, she went right to the desk that she used when she wasn't out in the field. Pulling out the small desk chair, she knew why she never had to worry about someone taking it. Looking around the room, she saw new computer chairs with thick padded seats, backrests and adjustable arm rests. Shrugging her shoulders, she took her seat and booted up the PC that took up most of her desk. Before it had come up all the way, she heard her name bellowed through out the office.

"Now what did I do?" Pushing back from her desk, she looked to the half-opened door of Jacolbs office. "I've been here a whole two minutes and already he's yelling." Taking a deep breath, Steve straightened her shoulders and went forward to face what ever it was.

Jacolb rubbed his face with both hands, looking over the top of peaked fingers, he grumbled to himself as he saw Steve coming through his door.

"Steve, glad to see you're on time today."

Green eyes narrowed at his statement, crossing her arms across her chest, she tapped her foot on the tiles.

"Hey now, I've gotten better at getting up and to work on time."

Brown eyes tracked from her tapping boot up to her raised left eyebrow. "Sorry Stevie." Taking a deep breathe, he leaned back in his chair. "Take a seat, we have a problem." Sliding a folder across his desk to her, he went on to explain. "One of our undercover officers working the drug and weapons trafficking has been found in pieces outside of Fredericksburg. He was undercover in the motorcycle gangs for the last three years trying to get to the big supplier."

"What has this got to do with me?" She flipped through the folder to see pictures of grungy bearded men on all types of motorcycles and choppers.

"I want you to slip into the picture and see if you can work another miracle."

"Do I look like the fairy fucking Godmother?" She tossed the folder onto his desk; a deep rumbling growl came from her chest as green eyes flamed with disbelief. "I just spent a whole year undercover with scumbags trying to feel me up, shot me up and other disgusting things and now you want me to slip into this!" She pointed to a picture showing hundreds of motorcycles grouped together. "I'd be raped before I could open my mouth to scream."

"Stevie, I don't want you to slip into the male part of the gangs, I want you to get into the female side."

"Ohh great!" She stood up and paced in front of his desk, her hands slapping at the air with each word she mumbled. "You want me to play cycle slut instead. Do I look like a slut?" Her temper was at its boiling point, a vein throbbed in her temper.

"No Stevie, I want you to mingle with the females and see if you can find out who the hell is in charge. It's got to be someone that we've not been able to flush out of the tangled little organization they have set up."

Taking a seat, she drilled him with smoldering green eyes. "And how am I supposed to do this, stand out in the middle of a field and pray that they show up?"

Jacolb chuckled at the way she was trying to intimidate him, waving a finger at her, he grinned.

"No, I don't expect you to stand out in a field and wait for the mother ship to zap you into her fold." Pointing to a map, he showed her where they had a small caravan type set up and a small town nearby that they traveled to for supplies. "Get a job in town and make yourself seen, it's a well known fact with this group that they steal woman to add to their group."

"Ohhh great! Now you want me to be kidnapped on top of everything else! Are you nuts? What makes you believe that I'll get into this hell of a mess that no one else has ever been able to do with out ending up in pieces all over the place?" She was back to pacing, with each word she pointed at Jacolb with her index finger. When she finished, she stood with her hands planted on her hips and leaning close to him.

"Because you're beautiful when you're angry?" He just couldn't help but knock her anger down with a cheap line. He chuckled at her wide-eyed expression. "Stevie, you're the best we have in the field. Just use your charms and see what happens."

"If you find more bodies, it's because I used my charms and a chainsaw. When do I leave for another stay in hell?"

"Tomorrow morning, here's the address of a place you can stay and the keys to your ride."

Her face brightened at the thought of driving the same car as before.

"You're going to kill me, but your ride is an older model Jeep. Not much better than your car, it'll be needed for the areas that you're going to be traveling to."

"I hope it's a swamp." She mumbled as she flipped the keys in her hand. "Any other instructions?"

"Yeah, dress slutty." He ducked when she came over the desk at him and tried to grab him by his tie. He looked up from the floor into twinkling green eyes.

"Does Monica know you like to see me looking slutty?"

"Well…I'm in deep shit ain't I?"

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Hundreds of motorcycles were parked in the open field North of Fredericksburg, the whine of dirt bikes as they tore across the paths and jumps as men raced against each other and the stopwatch. Once a year the gangs got together for a huge BBQ, racing, beer drinking and if anyone happened to have the urge at the time, then a wedding. Though it was not performed by the clergy or a Justice of the Peace, it was considered by the other members to be just as binding. A huge pit had been dug close to the beer kegs, men turned spits with hogs and a sides of beef suspended over the flames. The smell of roasting meat reached for miles as it cooked slowly, a pick-up truck with the word Rat painted on the side, had huge speakers sitting in the back of blaring music. Standing in front of the thumping speakers was a skinny, grungy blonde with wild un-kept hair, dark circles under her crazed brown eyes. Her short shorts barely covered her private areas and left all to view the track marks and open sores on her legs that matched the ones on her arms and upper chest. D looked with narrowed eyes at the woman before her, disgusted with what the woman was doing to herself with drugs and alcohol; she made a promise to her self to make sure she got rid of her before she could cause trouble for the organization. She had kept her self-clear of the police and other departments looking into the motorcycle gangs for drug trafficking and gun running, but for some reason deep in her gut, she knew that the crazy blonde could be her down fall. Picking up the full faced helmet, D pushed the dirt bike off the trailer and started to where the races were to start up again. In the past ten years, she had been the sole winner of the all the races held at the get togethers. Being the undefeated Queen of the dirt track, she was always at risk while riding. It was even more dangerous since it was a no rules type of race. The only rule being that no weapons of any kind were to be used, if one went against the rule, they suffered a very slow death at the hands of the one who was endangered.

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Stevie had just pulled into a small Mom and Pops store when 30 or more motorcycles blew past her, the noise was deafening. Clapping her hands over her ears, she watched as they blew past at high speeds. Never before had she seen anything like it and hoped that she would be able to with stand being around so many rough looking characters if she was to get in and do her job. Popping the door on the Jeep, she began to fill up the tank. Turning to the side she watched as another group of motorcycles pulled into the small parking lot, every range of body type was displayed before her blinking green eyes. She felt shivers run up her spine as numerous eyes looked over to her.

"Oohh shit, I don't like this one bit."

A fear that she had never before felt in her 32 years ran through her body. She knew that she would have to go inside the small store and pay for her gas, which would lead her right past a large majority of the men. Feeling self-conscious about the very short cut-offs and half shirt she wore, didn't help her any. Screwing the cap on and closing the door, she went to pay for her gas. With out looking at any of the men, she pushed the door open and ran right into a thick belly. Looking up into a jagged toothed smile, she gulped and whispered a small sorry to the biker.

"It's all right little lady." He bowed his head a little then stepped sideways from her. Giving him a small smile she walked up to the counter and held out her money to the older gentleman.

"I hope you're just passing through, this is not the place to be right now." He whispered to her. "Haul ass out of here in the opposite direction of those bikers."

Steve looked at him with confusion until she felt a large presence behind her.

"Thank you, I'll be sure and do that." She offered him a small smile and made her way to the door. Once out the door, she noticed that only four motorcycles were left and five bikers including the one that was still inside. Walking gingerly to her jeep, she felt a large hand grab her from behind.

"Just the thing I was looking for." A deep voice said close to her ear. "You just became my prom date." Spinning her around, he dragged her towards the other bikers and shoved her up to a mean looking chopper. "Get on or else."

"Are you insane? I'm not going anywhere with you, now let me go!" Steve pushed his hand away from her arm and tried to get around him only to find his hand wrapped around her neck and squeezing.

Don't fuck with me bitch or I'll rip your head off!" He picked her up by her throat, put her on the seat of his chopper, and climbed on behind her.

"Come on Spartan, leave the lady alone." The giant of a man she had met earlier said to the man shoving her. "We're late as it is and I'm not gonna explain that to the boss, now let her go."

With pleading green eyes, Steve looked to her possible savior.

A shiny 38 Special appeared from nowhere and pointed at him. "Fuck you Stump, she's mine now."

Stump rubbed his beard and sighed, he knew if he pushed Spartan, he would be trying to plug a hole in his chest after he was shot. "Damn it, Rat ain't gonna like this." He mumbled under his breath and watched as one of Spartan's buddies pulled away in the lady's Jeep. Climbing on his Shovelhead, he kicked it over and followed the others out of the parking lot. Steve felt her heart slamming in her chest with fear of the unknown; she had no idea what's so ever what was going to happen to her now. Hoping that this was where she was supposed to be as far as her boss was concerned. If not, she was in deep shit. Holding on to the gas tank, she prayed that the biker Stump would help her when they got to their destination.

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On the last jump of the dirt track, a steel covered foot kicked out at D's knee while both bikers were in mid air. Avoiding the foot, D struck out with a gloved hand and smacked the other biker in the side of his unprotected head. Only two wheels hit the dirt and headed for the finish line, the other dirt bike rolled end over end with the biker tangled in it's frame. Screams and yells went up around the winner, while others ran to help the fallen man. D pulled a wheelie and rode it all the way to where Stump was running up to her.

"Rat we got trouble, Spartan grabbed some lady and…" Was all he could say before six foot of pissed off biker rode to where Spartan and his group of friends were circled around his chopper and Steve's Jeep.

"Come on bitch take them off!" Spartan waved a wicked looking butterfly knife in front of Steve's face, she had leaned back as far as she could to keep the blade at bay but found her self with no more room. She could take the blade from him in a heartbeat and ram it up his ass if she wanted, except that would blow the cover she was trying to present and most likely get her killed in the process. Looking over his broad shoulder, she saw Stump coming her way along with someone riding a dirt bike at break neck speed. A cloud of dust billowed up around them and then what seemed like a figure from a dream walked from the cloud to slam a hand down onto Spartan's shoulder. He turned his head and felt all the color fade from his face. Flipping the knife a few times, it closed and disappeared into the pocket of his leather vest.

From behind a dark tinted shield, a deep voice vibrated. "You know the law Spartan, she's mine."

"Fuck you Rat, I found her she's mine."

A glove-covered hand grabbed him by his throat, with the ease of lifting nothing; Rat picked him up from the ground and held him overhead. His face turned purple, eyes bulged as his fingers tried to peel the strong fingers from around his throat.

"I take what I want. She's mine!" Steve watched as this Rat person, relaxed the grip on Spartan's neck and watched as he dropped to the dirt gasping for air. Her wide eyes traveled the worn black leather covered person from heavy black boots to Snell helmeted head. The danger poured from the tall figure before her, she was more afraid now than before. Easing up over the top of her Jeeps hood, she tried to get to the drivers seat with out being noticed. In a flash the tall figure was standing in front of her and a large hand had a hold of her upper arm. She felt her heart drop down to her feet, looking into the dark shield; she tried to see the face that was hidden.

"Please…don't hurt me. I'll do what ever you want." She was pulled forward and slammed up against a hard leather covered body. Fingers cupped her chin and turn her head from side to side. Then both arms were held out and examined.

"Stump, get that heroin addict and get rid of her, take care of this Jeep and my truck. I'll ride my scooter home."

"You got it boss; I'll have everything taken to your cabin." He paused for a moment before he asked what could very well get his ass kicked. "About the addict…you want her…?"

"Give her to one of the other gangs; I don't ever want to see that disgusting piece of shit again."

Steve wondered what the hell was going on and why all of a sudden, she felt like a worthless piece of flesh that was just sold at a horse auction. Her notorious temper rose and screamed out for action.

"Hey wait a minute; don't you want to see if I have all my teeth?" She asked and was yanked forward and then dragged behind the long striding Rat. "If you don't stop yanking on me I'm going to put a foot right up your ass!" She dropped back and let her foot sail upward and right into the leather-clad ass. Looking behind her, she saw Stump cover his mouth and turn his back on her; other snickering noises came to her ears from all directions. She had the feeling that she just stepped on a land mine. A low roar rumbled before her and before she could run, she was thrown over a wide shoulder and paraded upside down across the wide field. Grabbing onto the bottom of the leather jacket, she held on for dear life.

Thoughts flew through Rat's mind, not knowing where to go but only that they had to get away from the prying eyes of the others. I can't believe she kicked me, no one has ever kicked me no less in my ass! Just my luck, I get rid of one problem and get another one in its place. Looking through the dark shield at the large body of water ahead, Rat had just found the space needed to confront the small blonde for what was going to be one hell of a fight.

Steve looked at a funny angle under the Rat's arm, all she saw was sparkling blue, then it hit her, she was going to become quite wet in about two seconds. She gripped the leather jacket with all her strength.

"You wouldn't drown me would you?" She asked with a whimper. "I'll be good and I won't kick you again." She felt her body being moved to a different position, wrapping an arm around the neck of Rat and the other holding onto the back of the leather jacket. "Please don't drown me!" She yelled as she felt her body being lifted and then a ice-cold water hitting her back. She forced herself up through the water, sputtered, coughed and wiped the water from her face. Looking around her, she found herself alone.

"Where the hell did he go?" Spinning in a circle, she looked for the Rat. "He couldn't have just disappeared in two seconds…could he?" She froze when she felt one hand go up under her arm and the other grab her by her upper thigh. She was lifted up over a black helmet and tossed out into the middle of the lake. Coming back up to the surface, she looked at the intimidating soaking wet leather clad Rat standing near the bank with a whole crowd of bikers right behind him. Trudging up to the Rat, Steve grabbed the front of the leather jacket and came nose to shield.

"Do you have a serious problem or what?"

A dripping gloved hand raised and flipped the dark shield up to reveal pale blue eyes. Steve gasped and stepped back, she had never seen eyes that color before and didn't expect them to be able to steal her breath. Watching the eyes travel down her body. She let her own eyes look down to see that her short shirt had climbed up and was now showing the bottom of her breasts, her nipples hard and showing quite clearly through the thin material. Quickly crossing her arms over her chest, she glared into blue eyes.

"I suppose you want the same thing that Spartan wanted, well forget it! I'll drown first!" Stalking past the tall figure she felt her arm grabbed and her body hauled up against the wet leather.

"That's where you're wrong." Rat pulled the wet jacket off and covered Steve with it, then pulled the helmet off and tossed it to Stump. "Is my bag still in my truck or did that sleazebag steal it?"

"Nope it's still there, you want me to…"

"I'll get it; make sure that they leave us some food."

"Got it Boss, I'll go right now." The large man took off at a slow jog to the BBQ pits leaving Rat and Steve in the company of snickering bikers.

"You have a problem guys?" The deep voice asked while pale blue eyes tracked to each one. Then looked to the small blonde still shivering from the cold water.

Steve's mouth was hanging open, her eyes bulging from their sockets as she looked at the Rat. Standing next to her was the most beautiful woman she had ever laid eyes on, the classic Greek Goddess looks and leather made her heart pound in her chest and confuse the hell out of her. She was not a sexual person, she had never dated while in school or college but had always found men attractive, and none of them had made her heart slam in her chest like the Rat did. Taking a deep breath, she just chalked it up to the situation she was now in.

"Uhhmm…what are you going to do with me…I mean?"

"Don't worry about it, come on I need to get out of this leather before it shrinks."

Pulling the wet jacket around her body, Steve felt a large hand grip her elbow and lead her to an old truck not far from where the lake was.

"I have clothes in my Jeep, I could get…them?" She looked to where her Jeep used to be and then turned flaming green eyes to Rat. "Where's my Jeep, you can't take that it's mine!" Rat grabbed her by the front of the jacket and pulled her forward so that they were nose to nose.

"I can give you back to Spartan, so take your pick. Me or him and his gang bangers?"

"Uuhmm…big choice you gave me." Defiant eyes locked with steel blue. "Can you answer a question for me?" With out waiting for an answer she pushed on. "Why can't you just let me go? I mean I won't say anything, I don't even know who you people are." She stopped talking when Rat pulled her wet T-shirt off and tossed it in the back of the truck, turned and faced her bare-chested. Gulping, she looked down at her wet cross trainers.

"For the simple fact that if I let you go, Spartan will find you and him and his friends will make you wish you had never been born."

"Not if I go back to where I came from he won't."

Rat handed her a clean shirt, then pulled one over her head. "Do you have any idea how many bikers are out on the roads right now? Thousands and they're all headed here, for the next week this will be the largest rally Virginia has ever seen in years." She stepped closer and leaned down to look in to green eyes. "Do you think you'd be safe out there? Spartan has already put out the word to keep an eye out for you. Now get out of those wet clothes before you freeze to death."


Steve looked around at all the milling bikers and then back to Rat.

"You expect me to strip right here in the open with all these men wandering around?" Her mouth fell open when Rat pulled her leather pants off, stood before her half-naked and shrugged her shoulders.

"Suit yourself, freeze to death see if I care."

Clapping her hands over her eyes, she let out a groan. "Why me?" Peeking from between her fingers she saw that Rat was now dressed, taking a deep breath, she looked to the truck and got an idea. Grabbing Rat by her hand, she dragged her over to the trucks door and opened it.

She moved Rat so that her large body was standing in front of her. "Stand there for a minute." Green eyes looked up into pale blue. "Will you turn around?" She used her finger and made a spinning motion.

"You don't have anything that I haven't seen before."

"For Gods sake, why couldn't I have been kidnapped by the Krishna's." Turning her back she lifted her shirt over her head then saw all the men watching her through the window of the truck. Spinning back around to face a grinning Rat, she gave up and handed her the wet shirt. Her face a bright red and her teeth ground together she grumbled under her breath. "Pervert." I can't believe that I go through this kind of humiliation for Jacolb, I just hope that I'm with the right people. It would be a real bitch to hook up with the wrong ones, he did say to mingle with the woman. Looking up into the now darkened blue eyes of Rat, she took her wet clothes from her hand and rolled them together. Pulling on the sleeves of the huge flannel shirt, she cocked her head at the tall woman. "You wouldn't happen to have a pair of shorts or something would you? I mean I'm naked under this."

"Nope sorry, come on I'm starving."

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With a paper plate piled with beef, pork, baked beans, baked potato and a fresh roll. Steve sat on a tree stump in front of a blazing fire, she was now warm and comfortable but still ill at ease with what had happened to her that day. She had planed on getting in with the gang by means of a job in town, not being kidnapped and held basically against her will with in 3 hours of her leaving the comfort of her apartment. She wondered how she was going to let Jacolb know what was going on if by chance her laptop had been stolen from her Jeep. Worse her high tech camera's and other equipment that she used in her disguise as an unemployed photojournalist. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end and then a warmth caressed her back as Rat leaned down and handed her a cup of steaming coffee. Glancing up at the tall woman, she nodded her head and whispered a thank you. She sighed after the first sip, feeling it warm her further. She jumped a little when she felt the softness of material slid against her bare thighs when Rat sat down behind her. Looking over her shoulder at the woman, she saw that she was leaning back against a log and eating from her paper plate. Blue eyes looked up and caught green, a small grin came across pink lips while a blue eye winked at her.

A dark figure came to stand in front of the Steve. His bulking size and flaming red hair gave the impression of a Viking. "Hey Rat, how much for the blonde?"

Green eyes grew large at the thought of being sold, with pleading eyes, she looked back over her shoulder at Rat.

"She ain't for sale, besides you know I'm not into that."

He crossed his huge muscular arms across his barrel chest and laughed. "Come on Rat, she's a scrawny thing and I haven't heard anyone say they seen you claim her yet."

"Claim me?" Steve squeaked out. "What's he talking about?"

"What I'm talking about little one is, any new meat is either branded, tattooed or marked in some way. If not, then we fight for the prize namely you." He pointed a thick finger down at her.

"Rat…are you…" She felt a warm hand come down onto her shoulder.

"Red, do you really want to fight me?" Her blue eyes turned a silver color and danced with the flames from the fire. "Remember what happened with the last guy."

"Not really, just want to see you claim her so that I can pass it along to the others. I want this gathering to be a peaceful one." He shrugged his shoulders at her. "Well?"

"Shit Red, always gotta cause me problems." Tossing her long dark hair over her shoulders, she placed an arm across a trembling Steve and pulled her back against her chest. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you." She whispered close to a small ear. "Now watch carefully Red." She leaned forward and gently kissed the area right below Steve's ear, a grin came to her lips when Steve's breath hitched in her throat. Taking the soft flesh between her even white teeth, she sucked hard enough to feel Steve tense up against her chest. After a few minutes, she pulled back and ran a fingertip across the dark purple bruise on the soft skin. Bringing her eyes up to lock with Red's, she cocked an eyebrow. "Well?"

"I'm satisfied, how about you?" He gave her a great bellowing laugh and walked away.

If not for the strong body behind her, Steve knew she would be laid out on her back. She had thousands of sensations all shooting through her body at one time. Her breathing was ragged and a heat was burning at her center, she had no idea why that had happened.

Rat whispered into her ear. "Hey you OK, I only did that to keep the assholes from bothering you." Running her finger across the deep purple bruise, she heard a small whimper come from Steve. "Ya know, I just put a huge hickey on a strange women's neck. What's your name?"

"Huh?" Steve whispered from what felt like thousands of miles away.

"Your name, what do I call you?"

"Steve."

"Well Steve, I'm exhausted, lets get out of here."

She led the dazed blonde to her customized 1450cc Harley, placing her helmet over tousled blonde hair and taking her now dried leather jacket and holding it out for Steve to slip on, she then straddled the Harley. Holding out her hand, she took the smaller one and helped Steve onto the back. Hitting the start button, the engine turned over and rumbled beneath her.

"Hold on tight, or you'll fall off." She took the small hands and placed them on her stomach, then pulled the bare thighs right up behind her own. Steve was dazed, confused and a bit in awe at the speed that they were traveling. In such a short time, her mind and body had done back flips. She had no idea what she was doing with this tall woman.

Rat took a deep breath and felt her body relax, the small but muscular arms hugged her tightly around her stomach. She had no idea why she had marked the small blond, she had never marked any other female before and didn't know why she had done it this time. Deep inside, she felt something odd and un-nameable, almost like a small flame had been ignited within her. The one problem she knew she now faced, was keeping her activities a secret for the next week until she would let Steve go her own way. By then all the bikers would be gone and the area and roads would be safe for the small blond. Taking a tight right hand turn, she eased her Harley up to her log cabin and parked it in front of Steve's Jeep.

"You awake back there?" Unclasping the small hands, she held on to one as she turned to look over her shoulder. Sliding the shield up, she saw closed eyes and heard a soft snore come from between parted lips. My Gods, she's asleep. Easing her helmet off, she placed it on the mirror, slipped her leg over the tank while still holding onto Steve. Picking her up in her arms, she walked to her front door, opened it and then made her way to the master bedroom. By the light of the moon, she could make out her unmade queen-sized bed. Laying Steve down, she pulled off her shoes and pulled the blankets up over her. You could probably sleep through a tornado.


@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Steve felt a warmth against her back and a tightness around her stomach. Cracking one blurry green eye open, she looked around the strange room. She had no idea where she was but knew that she was not alone, from the warm breath that tickled her ear and neck. Easing forward, she looked over her shoulder at the calm features of Rat. Ohh Gods I'm in bed with a woman! Her inner voice screamed, trying to move away from the larger woman lasted for all of two seconds when Rat's hand moved up to cup her right breast. Ohh Gods, I hope we didn't do anything last night. I would know wouldn't I? Knew I should have paid more attention during sex education. She heard Rat take a deep breath and bury her face closer against her neck. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on the feeling of the warm body spooned against her. Running her hand across the thick forearm and up to the cover the large hand. I really need to talk to Monica about this.

A blue eye looked to the red numbers on the alarm clock, Rat moaned at the time, she was usually up by 6am. Now at 8am she still felt exhausted from the night before. Rolling her head to the side brought the sight of tousled blonde hair into her vision. At first, panic filled her until she realized that it was Steve and not the heroin addict. Even though she had never allowed the sleazebag addict in her bed or had any kind of relationship with her, she wouldn't put it past the horrid woman to try and sneak into her bed. What amazed Rat was that she had slept so soundly, normally; she slept with one eye open and never allowed any one to stay in her bed. For some reason having Steve there didn't bother her. Easing out from under the small woman, she looked when she heard a mumble and a small hand reached out for her.

"Go back to sleep Steve." A green eye opened part way, then both shoot opened as Steve woke completely. "It's OK, go back to sleep."

"Rat where am I?" She asked as she watched the broad back stop in the doorway.

"You're at my cabin, you're safe here."

A light blush colored her face when she realized that Rat was naked, she couldn't pull her eyes away from the broad back with the Chinese dragon tattooed across it.

"And my name is Dirke, Rat is what the gang calls me."

Steve sounded the name out in her head a few times, a small smile came to her face. Dirke fit the tall woman better than Rat.

"OK Dirke, it's Greek isn't it?"

Dirke looked over her shoulder, a slight grin covered her face and traveled to her pale blue eyes.

"Yeah, look in my dresser, I should have something in there that will fit you until I can get the stuff out of your Jeep."

Falling back onto the soft pillow, Steve took in a deep breath and stretched her body out with a low moan. A smile came to her face, she had never slept so peacefully in a strange place before.

"I slept in the same bed with a woman. I see a problem here since I know damn well that I was using her as a human pillow and reached out for her when she got up."

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Dirke ran a hand through her dark hair, leaning on the kitchen counter with one hand, she tilted her head back and let the breath go that she had been holding. She had no idea what the hell she was doing, she wanted to go back to bed and cuddle up against the warm body that was still in there. Come on Dirke, she's a total stranger that you just happened to rescue from Spartan. Shit! Now you're rescuing damsels in distress, what a thing for a drug trafficking gun smuggling motorcycle gang president to be doing. If she knew what you were, she'd run as fast as she could to get away from you. Opening the refrigerator door open, she got out bacon, eggs, cheese, an onion, peppers and a carton of orange juice.

@@@@@@@@@

Steve sniffed the air, she could smell food cooking but didn't know from where since she had not gotten out of bed yet. Letting her strangle hold of the pillow go, she swung her legs over the side and followed the smell of food. She came to a large country kitchen and stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of the tall naked Greek Goddess standing in front of the stove.

"Do you have something against clothes?"

Dirke tossed over her shoulder. "Yeah they ruin my all over tan. You hungry, I made omelets."

"From what I can see and from your Greek name, I don't think you have to ever worry about tan lines."

Dirke placed two plates on the table and motioned to the chair across from her. "OK, so I'm lazy and I never wear clothes in my own house." She sat down and poured orange juice for both of them. "If it will make you more comfortable, take yours off and we'll both be naked."

Green eyes widened at the thought of being naked in front of the tall woman, a slight blush came to her face as she sat down across from Dirke. She couldn't help but look at the ample breasts that were right across from her. I'm a damn pervert. "Nah that's OK, I'll keep my clothes on." She never seen the toothy grin come across Dirke's face, because she was afraid to raise her eyes from her plate.

"I want you to know that you're not a prisoner here, but it would be safer for you to stay here until the rally was over."

"Why do you say that, I mean aren't you with the motorcycle gangs?"

"I'm the president of the Rats, but not all those guys you saw yesterday are like my guys. Some are only out there to be predators, and then you have your Lawyers, doctors, steel workers and every day men and women that just like to hang out at the rallies."

"What makes your guys different, I mean…"

Blue eyes connected with green, Steve could see the color lighten to a silvery color and felt tingles go up her spine.

"My guys know that if I catch them doing wrong, I'll make sure they pay for every little injustice they've every done or dreamed of. Want coffee?"

Steve let out the breath that she had been holding, with a simple nod of her tousled head she answered.

With the breakfast dishes washed and put away, Dirke left Steve to her own amusement while she went out to her garage to get a motorcycle ready to take out to the rally. She had minor adjustments on the carburetor to do and she would be set to head back out. She couldn't help herself while they ate breakfast to not tease the small blonde by strutting around naked. It amused her to see green eyes peeking at her and the dark blush covering the small women's features. She didn't know if Steve was on the same side of the fence that she was on and there was no way in hell that she was going to ask. Wiping her hands on a rag, she shoved it into her back pocket and then pushed the motorcycle out of the garage. Turning the key, she grinned when it fired up and rumbled. Using a screwdriver, she made one more adjustment to the fuel mixture and was happy with the results. Gunning the engine a few times to make sure, she shut it down and returned to the house.

@@@@@@@@@@

Steve had wandered around the log cabin looking at all the trophies and pictures of Dirke on all kinds of motorcycles and standing with numerous bikers. In all the pictures, Dirke had a stoic expression on her face, it was very intimidating to see and yet, Steve knew there was more to the tall biker. She had seen a small side of Dirke that morning at breakfast, a mischievous side that piqued her interest. She wondered if she would be able to capture that on film. Even though part of her job was to collect photos of the subjects, she loved to just take pictures of people for her own interest. So much could be seen from a simple photo, things that the naked eye never saw but showed clear as day when it was printed. Dirke would be perfect for a black and white shot, her high cheekbones caught in a light to show their perfection and the paleness of her eyes. Grabbing her camera bag, she took out her digital camera and made sure that she had cleared the memory from the last time she used it.

"I wonder?" Steve said to her self as she pulled her other camera from the bag.

"Wonder if I'll pose naked for you?"

"Huh…No, I mean…" She became flustered at the thought of photographing Dirke naked. "You would make a wonderful subject but I know that I would never get the pictures back from the developer and you my friend would be posted all over the internet."

"Hey, I'm game if it sells more of my custom made motorcycles." Dirke held out her hands and shrugged. "What's wrong with me, bare ass naked stretched across one of my custom made Rat Scooters?"

Steve gulped; she could see it very clearly. The flame that went through her body settled in the southern region of her anatomy and made her knees feel weak. "Not a thing." Did I say that out loud, I really need to talk to Monica. Maybe I'm suffering early menopause. She looked up into a dazzling toothy grin and twinkling blue eyes. "You're kidding right?"


"Maybe, maybe not." She squeezed Steve's shoulder as she went past her and down the hall towards the master bedroom. "You'd have a heart attack taking a picture like that." She mumbled under her breath and then snorted at the image of Steve laid out on the ground and steam shooting from her ears. Pulling a leather jacket from her closet, she turned it to see the colors of her gang displayed across the back. The background was purple with a silver circle in the center and then a black rat centered inside the circle. On the front was Rat embroidered across the left breast. The leather old and worn but it still held the soft scent of leather. Pulling another jacket from the closet, she headed back out to the living room where Steve was repacking her camera bag.

Steve knew that Dirke was standing behind her; she could feel the warmth of the tall body even though she was still standing near the doorway. Looking back over her shoulder into the blue eyes of the biker made her heart beat a staccato in her chest. Then calmness washed over her when the corner of pink lips twitched upward into a wicked grin.

"Do you think anyone will mind if I take pictures of the motorcycles and bikers?"

"Nah, those guys love when people drool over their scooters." Handing her the jacket, she lifted her chin up so that they were eye to eye. "Just be careful, some of them will be doing things that are illegal. If you take pictures of them setting up something or trading off it will mean trouble."

OK Stevie act stupid and naïve, you do it so well. "How will I know? I mean …"

"Ohh you'll know, believe me."

Steve took the jacket and looked it over closely; confusion came to her face as she looked at the large patch on the back and Rat's name on the front. "This is yours."

"Was, it's too small for me and if you wear it then you won't have to worry about anyone bothering you." She held it out for Steve to slip on, smoothing the shoulders down, she felt a slight tremble course through Steve's body. "Ready, I have a scooter to sell today."

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With Steve holding on tight to Dirke's waist, they tore down the road to the open field where the rally was in full force. The sound of firecrackers and the scent of smoke came to them as they pulled up close to a tarp stretched over tall poles. Steve looked over Dirke's shoulder to see Stump stretched out in a lawn chair in a pair of cutoff shorts, T-shirt and his engineer boots. He grimaced when he turned his head to watch them get off the scooter.

"Hey Boss, did you bring a gun with you?"

"Why would I need a gun Stump?" She asked, as she got closer to the mountain of a man. "You know I prefer hand to hand."

"Cuz stupid me, got sunburned and death would feel a hell of a lot better than suffering."

"OK, I could sit here and stare at you until you died from boredom."

"That's OK Boss; I think I'll just suffer alone."

"Where's everyone else at?" She looked around all the bikers looking for her gang.

"Down at the lake, something about trying something out." Before he could finish, the sound of rapid gunfire filled the air. Dirke cussed under her breath and headed off at a jog towards the lake with Steve right on her heels. As they drew closer, a huge boom rang out and water shot up in the air.

"What the fuck are they doing?" Dirke yelled as she pushed through the group of bikers to where two of her guy's were standing. "Are you two crazy?" She grabbed a tall thin man by his arm and took the stick of dynamite from his grubby hand. "You want the police down here?"

"What, I was just trying it out and if they show up I'll just blow them to pieces like I did that undercover guy."

Blue eyes narrowed and turned a stormy grey in color; fists clenched right before she grabbed the man by his throat and picked him up off the ground.

"You killed him? You son of a bitch!" She held out the stick of dynamite to one of the others and ordered him to light it. "You just wrote your death sentence!" Shoving the now lit dynamite down the front of the biker's pants, watching as the fuse grew shorter and he struggled against her grip. At the last second, she shoved him away, jumped up, kicked him in his chest and watched him fly backwards into the lake. Waiting until he surfaced, she pointed to him and told him to meet her in the center of the grounds. Shedding her jacket, she handed it to Steve and strode off with heels pounding into the hard earth. No one in her group killed except her; if they did, then they faced her wraith.

"Dirke wait! What are you going to do?" Steve felt her heart pound; she couldn't let Dirke do something stupid. Being a cop; meant that she had to uphold the law no matter what. Even if it meant having her new friend arrested for murder. "Dirke!" She yelled at the retreating biker. "Damn it!" Watching as Dirke pulled her black T-shirt over her head and dropped it to the ground. She now stood in the center area clothed in a short Tank top, her leather pants and heavy engineer boots. Pulling her waist length dark hair back, she tied it off with a piece of leather. With in minutes, the man still dripping wet stumbled into the center to face his president and soon to be demise.

He held out his hands with palms up, brown eyes looked into steel blue as he pleaded his case. "Come on Rat, he was only a cop!"

"You stupid mother fucker! He was undercover, he had nothing on us and now with him dead, they'll send another to replace him!" She struck out with her foot and kicked him in the stomach. "Now they have something on us!" She spun and hit him in the face with a roundhouse kick. Steve stood back, Rat's leather jacket clasped tightly to her chest as she watched the tall woman beat the shit out of one of her own people.

I can't let you do this; you can't kill him no matter what he did. Dirke had him in a headlock and was slowly strangling the life from him. Her face showed no emotions what's so ever as his face turned a deep purple. Steve handed her stuff to someone standing next to her and ran to where Dirke was standing. Wrapping her hands around Dirke's thick forearms, she squeezed to get the taller women's attention.

"Let him go Dirke, he's not worth it." Her green eyes locked with steel grey and held. "Killing him won't help." Letting go of Dirke's forearms, she cupped her sweaty face in her hands. "Let him go." She whispered to her.

Dirke felt the anger and hate take over her being; she had worked hard getting what she now had. The thought of loosing everything because of an asshole killing a cop was enough to put her into a killing rage. She could feel the man's struggles diminishing as she squeezed tighter with her arm. Then a soft voice came and pushed the red haze away, soft warm hands touched her face and broke the trance that she had fallen in to.

"Please Dirke, let him go." Steve flinched when Dirke dropped the man and let out a loud roar. She turned her back and stomped off into the crowd of on-lookers. Steve retrieved their belongings and ran after her friend. She was thankful that Dirke was so tall and easily seen above the other people's heads. She finally caught up with her outside of the Rally; she was standing in front of a large tree and punching it so hard that the limbs were shaking.

"For the love of…damn it Dirke." She mumbled before she went up, grabbed Dirke's arm and kept her from hitting the tree again. "Stop Dirke, you're hurting the tree." She held onto the strong arm and was lifted up and off the ground. "What good will it do you if you break your hands?" She took a deep breath when she was lowered back to her feet. "I don't know you, but I do know that without the use of your hands, you can't build motorcycles." She held the bloody hands in hers and looked up into furious blue eyes. "I don't like the fact that a cop was killed, but you taking another life will not help. Turn him over to the police, let them handle it."

Dirke's voice was low; she leaned close to Steve and growled. "I can't turn him over, if I do that, every other biker will see me as a trader and I'll be dead with in minutes of him being arrested."

Dropping her eyes to their feet, Steve thought for a few moments for an alternative punishment. Finding nothing that would fit, she looked to blue eyes.

"What else can be done besides you killing him?"

Dirke closed her eyes and tilted her head back; she didn't know what to do. No one had ever stopped her from doing what needed to be done to protect her organization.

"Can you kick him out?"

"Yeah, take his colors and banish him." Shaking the blood from her knuckles, she then ran her hands across her sweaty face. "Stupid god damn fucker!" Striding off towards where Stump was, she cussed the entire way with a grinning Steve right behind her.


"What was going on out there?" Stump asked the pissed off biker.

"Mother fucking asshole was using dynamite; he killed that cop that they found."

Stump jumped to his feet and began pacing in the opposite direction that Dirke was. "Did you…you know kill him?"

"No she didn't, I stopped her." Steve said from where she stood to the side of them with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Boss, what are you going to do now?"

Dirke stopped, turned and faced him. "Get the others together, we're taking his colors and banishing him."

"What? But we've never…"

"This will be the first." She turned to look at Steve.

"Thank you." Steve said, as she got closer to the now calmed down biker. "Let me take care of your hands." She reached out and grabbed them even though Dirke tried to keep them above her head.

"I'm OK, they don't hurt." She tried to remove her hands from Steve's grip.

"Bullshit! Look at them; they look like ground meat and their turning purple." She cocked an eyebrow as she looked into amused blue eyes. "You gave your mother grey hair right after birth didn't you?"

"Why aren't you running for the nearest phone to report all that you now know?"

Steve stared into Dirke's eyes for long moments trying to see if she was serious.

"For the simple fact that if I was to even be that stupid, I know that I would be joining that officer in the other world. I may look young and act it at times but believe me I'm not stupid." Pulling on the bikers arm, she led her over to the lawn chair that Stump had vacated. "Where's your first aid kit?"

"How do you know I have one?"

"How do you know I won't kick your ass again if you don't tell me?"

A slight grin came to Dirke's face; she nodded her head towards a metal footlocker next to Stumps truck. "You're a tough bitch, you know that?"

If you only knew what I was, you'd have me taken care of in a heartbeat. "When I have to be, now don't you move one inch." She pointed a finger at the biker and then retrieved the large first aide box. Pulling out numerous things that she felt she would need to clean and bandage Dirke's hands, she had just poured peroxide over the left hand when she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. A petite bleach blonde strutted over to them, dropped into Dirke's lap and put a lip lock on her that had the tall biker squirming in her seat. A rage flew through Steve as she witness the two women before her. She felt her jaw aching from the pressure she had placed on it while she gritted her teeth. She had no idea why it bothered her so much that some strange woman was kissing Dirke. All she knew was that she didn't like it one bit and the fact that the woman acted as if she wasn't even sitting there. She had enough when the blonde's hands went up under Dirke's tank top and grabbed her breasts. Tapping the blonde on her bony shoulder with enough force to leave a dark red spot where her spaghetti strap left exposed skin, she waited and when she got no response, she grabbed the woman by her arm and pulled her away from Dirke.

"Who the fuck are you?" Her green eyes filled with flames as she glared at the blonde. "Can't you see that I'm doing something? Now get the hell out of here before I knock the shit out of you!" She gave force to her words by jabbing the boney chest of the woman. Turning on her heel, she pointed a finger at Dirke. "And you had better not move or I'll kick your ass!"

Dirke couldn't keep the grin off her face; she had never seen a she viper before until know. She wondered why it bothered Steve so much that another woman had jumped her. Was it disgust? Or, something more that she hadn't been able to pick-up on yet.

"I ain't moving your aim is too good when it comes to kicking my ass." She waved at the other blonde and told her to take a hike, then turned back to Steve. "What was all that about? I mean if looks could kill, she would have been dust at my feet."

"One of my pet peeves is being ignored and over looked like I don't exist. And the way she just blatantly waltzed over her and jumped in your lap…well it got me…"

"Jealous?" Dirke asked then threw up her hands to defend her self from the small one that came towards the top of her head.

"Jealous? Of you…you've got to be kidding." She snorted as she went back to taking care of Dirke's hands. "She's my type at all."

"Who said I was saying she was your type. Anyway, what is your type? Tall, blonde, muscles, facial hair, hairy asshole and chest male type…what?"

"Hardly, I don't go for the outside package; it's what's inside that attracts me."

"So you're saying that it could be a short dumpy guy with hair growing out of his ears and nose and if he had a good heart you'd jump him?"

"EEWW that just scared ten years of my life. I'll have nightmares for a month. Thank you very much." Sighing deeply, she looked for a second into twinkling blue eyes and then tended Dirke's other hand. "OK, so good looks does have a standing."

"So you could go for someone like me?" That got Dirke the view of Steve's tonsils when her mouth fell open.

"Excuse me, but if you haven't noticed we happen to be the same sex."

"And here I thought you were the adventurous type."

"My idea of adventure is ordering something off a menu that I've never had before. Not sleeping with another female."

"I'm on the menu and you've never had me and if I remember correctly, we already slept together." She leaned closer and let the words purr in her throat. "And we'll do it again tonight." That brought the desired results she wanted, Steve was now ten shades of read.

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Steve was still flustered from their little talk, she didn't know if Dirke was kidding or not with her. Every time she thought about sharing a bed with the tall biker, she felt her pulse race. Then her stomach fluttered when she thought of what might happen once they were in bed. What she wanted for her first time was love not animal lust like she saw in Dirke's eyes. But with one look and a single touch from her, had Steve tossing all her beliefs out the window including being strictly heterosexual. Now that she had some space from the biker, she was able to sit back and watch her without worrying that she would see the emotions raging through her eyes. Watching Stump and some of the other Rats drag the man that Dirke had nearly killed earlier towards his doom. He was tossed to the ground at her feet and made to stay that way when she put a booted foot in the center of his back. Steel blue eyes glanced around at the other members, Steve could here her tell them of his wrongful deed that would ultimately bring the Police to their fold. The only way that this could be stopped was to take his colors and banish him. She then heard another member ask why she just didn't kill him, her reply was that what he had done was wrong and she was not going to follow in his footsteps. Blue eyes locked with green for a moment then traveled back to the members of her gang. Nor would she allow any one else to either. And if they felt she was wrong in her decision, then they could surrender their colors and go with him. Grumbles were heard all around but no one stepped forward to surrender. Reaching down, she jerked the man to his feet and striped him of his jacket and anything else that showed what gang he belonged to. Shoving him towards Stump, she told Stump to take him to his scooter and make sure that he left the area. Waiting until the other members left, her head dropped until Steve came up to her and lifted her chin with two fingers.

"What you did was the right thing to do."

"I know, but I'm afraid that he may retaliate someway. And because he was banished from the Rats does not mean that some other gang won't sponsor him. He could be a lot of trouble to me now."

"Then we'll handle that if it happens."

Dirke looked at Steve with confusion. "You said we'll handle it, I told you that you don't have to stay here after the Rally."

"I know you did, but I came to this area to find a job in a nice quiet place and that's what I'm going to do. Maybe get a job at a store or something, I consider us to be friends and friends don't run when things get rough."

Dirke gave her a small smile and draped her arm across her shoulders.

"OK, I think it's time I bought you a drink. The Gods know I could use one."

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The sun was lowering in the sky, a slight breeze was blowing in off the lake giving the air a slight chill. Steve wrapped her arms across her chest and rubbed her arms to warm them. She stood off to the side and watched as Dirke did business with a man from another gang. They battered back and forth over the price of the Panzer motorcycle that she had rode to the rally that day.


"Come on buddy, I put 24 grand into that bike."

"25 grand is a little steep Rat, all I've got is 20."

Dirke tilted her head back, shaking her head, she opened her eyes and sighed.

"How about you give me the 20 and you're scooter and we'll call it even. I know that bike you have isn't worth more than three thousand, so that means I'm cutting you a break."

The man scratched his bearded jaw and shook his head.

"I don't know Rat, I've had that bike for fifteen years."

"Then I think it's time to move to something built by the Rat." Steve said from beside her friend. "I know for a fact that the scooter she brought today is one of a kind, I watched her build it from the floor up. And the chrome on that thing!" She rolled her eyes at the man. "You know she had all that stuff dipped three times more than the factory stuff and the engine purrs like a kitten." She cast a sideways glance at Dirke and winked. "You'll have one of a kind and be the envy of every other biker that sees you on it." She held up her hands with fingers extended and thumb tips touching. "Picture your self riding on that two tone midnight black and royal blue two toned scooter. Both Big Bobs filled to the brim and you roaring across country to some scooter show and walking away with the trophy." When she brought her eyes back to the man. She saw a huge grin covering his bearded face. Pulling the keys from his pocket, he handed them to Steve along with a huge roll of bills.

"You got it little lady." He looked to Dirke, held out his meaty hand and shook hers. "I'll pass your name on to my gang. Thanks Ladies." Catching the keys from Dirke, he trotted off to get his new Panzer.

Steve handed the keys and the money to Dirke, her eyebrow rose over her left eye and her mouth formed into a smirk.

"Did I do good?"

Her answer was to be pulled into a tight hug. "You did more than good, that was great!" She kissed the top of a blonde head and gave her one more squeeze before releasing her. "I didn't know you knew anything about scooters."

A light blush came to Steve's face, shrugging her shoulders she mumbled. "I don't, I'm an avid reader."

"Huh? What's reading got to do with getting me a big chunk more than what the Panzers worth and his Harley on top of it."

"While you were out in your garage, I was reading one of your motorcycle catalogs, you know the one where you buy all your parts from?"

"You got all that information from reading a parts catalog?"

"I have a photographic memory and I know how to get what I want."

A dark brow arched at the last part, the corners of her lips curled up in to a smile. "Want a job, I'll pay you good?"


@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Hand in hand they walked to where the band was just starting to warm up for their gig that night. Dirke had pulled out all the stops for this Rally, with having so many connections and the most amount of property that could be used, she thought it a good idea to have a live band for a couple nights. Leading Steve over to where the drinks were being made and the kegs were sunk down into ice, she offered Steve a bottle of Honey Brown beer and took a Guinness for herself. The lead singer for the band looked very similar to Hank Williams Junior but his voice sounded a lot like Vince Gill. Dirke didn't know if the other bikers would like the music but she really didn't care, she liked country music and as far as she was concerned, if they didn't they could all go to Hell.

Not being a real big drinker, Steve felt a little drowsy after two beers. She found herself holding up a pole that was part of the canopy that was shading the band. Watching couples dance in the area in front of the makeshift stage, she felt a little lonely. It had been a very long time since she danced with any one, in fact the last time was years ago at a party thrown for her graduation from college. The lead singer started to sing a song by Alan Jackson called You can't give up on love. She watched as the couples pressed closer together and swayed to the slow song. Tears came to her eyes with the thought of not ever having a loving relationship with anyone. Just once she would like to be held close and pretend that someone loved her. Wiping the tears from her cheeks, she turned and was walking away when she felt a warm hand touch her upper arm. Looking at the hand, she trailed her tear filled eyes upward until she came to piercing blue eyes looking down at her. Dirke gave her a small nod towards the dance area and then lead her out to join the other dancers. Pulling the smaller body close to her own, Dirke pressed her face against a tear dampened cheek.

"What's wrong Stevie?" She whispered into her ear.

"It's stupid." Was all she said as she snuggled into a strong shoulder and wrapped her arms around a trim waist. They danced slowly together until the song ended and started into another slow one also by Alan Jackson called If I had you. Dirke felt the soft sobs rack her small friend, she had never been one to comfort but Stevie brought out a gentleness in her. She hugged her tighter to her body and placed a kiss on her cheek before she ran her fingers through short blonde hair. Steve felt embarrassed with her lack of control, trying to pull away from Dirke was impossible. The taller woman pulled her tighter to her and sang in a low voice into her ear. A calmness came over Steve, she turned her head to bury her face against a warm neck.

Crazed brown eyes watched the couple dance close to each other, her drug induced mind raged at the betrayal. She was the one who should be up there with Rat, not some scrawny little blonde bitch. She sunk back in the shadows to wait for an opportunity to strike. She would take care of the blonde and be back in Rat's life before the night was out.

After the band stopped for a break, Dirke pulled back from Steve just far enough to place a kiss on her forehead and wipe the tears from her face. Hugging her once more, she whispered to her to head over to the Harley and she would join her in a few minutes.

@@@@@@@@

Dirke searched out Stump, after finding him, she pulled him to the side where they could not be seen by anyone.

"Can you meet our guy at midnight? I don't want Steve to know what I'm doing."

"Sure boss, is the stuff in the usual spot?"

"Yeah, he should be giving you twenty five grand tonight. Bring it by my place tomorrow sometime."

Stump shook his head and then gave her a toothy grin. "Do I see the boss with a soft spot for a little blonde?"

"Me with a soft spot?" She snorted. "The only soft spot I have is you know where and she's not into that."

"Could have fooled me, she kept an eye on you all night." He squeezed her shoulder. "Better get your gaydar fixed Boss, I think it maybe out of alignment."

Dirke stood for a few minutes after Stump had left, pondering what he had told her. "Nope old boy, I think you're wrong about her." She shrugged her shoulders and headed to find her friend.

@@@@@@

Steve stood with her back to the other bikers, she was looking over the Harley that Dirke had gotten from the other man that night. The Harley was nothing like the motorcycles that Dirke built. Hers seemed so flashy and had a personal feeling to them, where this one seemed plain in comparison. As she bent over to look at the air cleaner cover, she felt the hair raise on the back of her neck. Before she could straighten up a sharp pain hit her in her left shoulder. Stumbling to the side, she turned and faced a crazed looking blonde.

"So you're the bitch that replaced me!" She screamed with spittle flying from her lips. "That will change right now!" She lunged at Steve with a black tactical baton in her hand. Swinging it over head, she aimed for Steve's temple and missed when she dodged to the side and brought up her foot to kick her in the stomach. A roar of rage tore from the crazed woman's throat, she took another swing at Steve and connected with her left forearm. Steve gasped as she felt the bones crack under the force. Cradling her arm, she took a step back to draw the woman away from the motorcycle. She waited for her to come at her, as soon as she raised the baton over her head, Steve dodged to the side, grabbed her wrist and brought her arm down over her raised knee. She felt the woman's elbow snap and a loud animal like scream came from her.

@@@@@@@@@

Dirke heard the awful scream and knew immediately who it was. She took off at a sprint towards where the sound had come from. Seeing Steve and the addict fighting, she was about to intervene when Steve broke the woman's elbow and took the baton from her weak fingers.

Steve retracted the baton by hitting it on the ground, wrapping her fingers around it, she stepped forward and punched the woman in the jaw and watched as she dropped to the ground in a heap.

"Fucking crazy ass bitch!" Slipping the baton into her back pocket, she turned when she felt somebody come up behind her. As soon as she saw that it was Dirke, she fell into her arms.

"Are you all right?" She pulled Steve closer and jumped when a painful gasp came from the small woman. She pulled her closer to the Harley and flipped the headlight on to see better. She ran her hands down Steve's arms and flinched when she felt the swelling forearm and heard the cry of pain. "I'll kill her!" She swept Steve up into her arms and placed her in front of her on the Harley. After starting it, she took off towards where the crowd of bikers were and looked for one of her members. Finding the small sandy haired woman, she pulled up beside her and yelled over the rumble of the engine.

"I need your help, her arms broke can you set it?"

The woman came over to them and looked down at Steve's rapidly swelling forearm. Running her fingers across the area and then checked for a pulse in her wrist, a small frown came across her face. Hazel eyes looked into green and saw the pain that Steve was in.

"Take her home and I'll meet you there, I have to get some things from home. I should be there in about twenty minutes. Put some ice on it and keep it elevated."

"OK, anything else?" Worried blue eyes looked in to the doctors.

"Yeah, don't worry." The doctor squeezed Dirke's upper arm and then took off in the opposite direction.

Placing her arm around Steve's waist, she pulled her tighter against her chest and told her to lean back.

"We'll be home in about ten minutes OK?"

All Steve could do through the haze of pain was nod her head.

@@@@@@@@@@@@

Steve lay on the bed with her arm elevated with pillows, tears flowed down her cheeks from the sharp pain in her arm and shoulder. She watched as Dirke cussed under her breath and paced the floor like a mad woman.

"Dirke…"

Dirke stopped her pacing and came over to the side of the bed, sitting carefully on the edge, she wiped the tears from Steve's face.

"I'm sorry Stevie, I should have known that crazy bitch would have tried something."

"You couldn't have known." Taking a deep breath, she asked something that she never thought she would. "Will you hold me?"

Dirke tried to swallow the lump in her throat, moving as slowly and gently as she could, she slipped behind Steve and took her in her arms.

"Doc should be here soon." She whispered next to Steve's ear.

After Steve's arm was set and put in a special splint, she was given a pain reliever and slipped into a deep sleep. Dirke and the doctor went into the kitchen so that they wouldn't disturb her.

"How bad is her arm and shoulder?"

"Her shoulder's just badly bruised, she's got a lot of muscle there so and that's what saved her. But the forearm took a beating, I set the bones as best I could from feel alone. She has a strong pulse now, but I want you to bring her to my office tomorrow for x-rays."

Dirke ran her hands through her hair and sighed with relief, connecting with the doctors hazel eyes, she nodded her head.

"Thanks Doc, I owe you one."

The small woman chuckled at her. "Bullshit Dirke, you don't owe me anything. Just take care of your girlfriend."

"Danielle, she's not my girlfriend. I've only known her for a few days."

"Could have fooled me, when I walked into the room you two looked awful cozy." Danielle leaned closer to the tall biker. "Does she know about you? I mean the real Dirke Rathson?"

"Nope, and until the time is right I want her to stay in the dark. It's safer for her there."

"Well my friend, I think the time is close by." She stood up from the table and hugged her friend. "Take care of your girlfriend and those nasty looking knuckles of yours and I'll see you two bright and early in my office."

"She's not…"

"I see a big bad biker falling fast." She chuckled at the shocked expression on Dirke's face and left her sitting there with her mouth hanging open.

"I am not falling anywhere…shit." She rubbed her tired eyes and moaned when she realized that Danielle was right. "Son of a bitch." She got up and went to her bedroom still mumbling under her breath. After taking Steve's shoes, socks and pants off. She undressed and slipped into the bed beside her, placing her hand across Steve's stomach she joined her moments later in sleep.


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A throbbing pain woke Steve from her sleep; she moved her arm and let out a strangled groan when pain shot up to her aching shoulder. Opening one eye, she looked down at the offending limb and closed her eyes to the radiating pain that shot through her neck. She could swear that she had been hit by a truck and left to lie in a ditch. That was if she didn't feel the warm body snuggled up to her side and sharing her pillow. Easing out from under the heavy arm, she slipped from the bed to go to the bathroom. With one look in the mirror, she knew that the truck would have left less damage. A dark purple bruise ran from her collarbone to the middle of her neck and across her upper chest. Her arm was a different story all together, she could feel the swollen appendage throb with each heartbeat and it only got worse if she lowered it. Not knowing what to do with it, she rested it on top of her head and struggled as she tried to relieve herself. She thanked the Gods that she was right handed because something's just wouldn't work to well using the wrong hand. She got tired of trying to pull her panties up and decided to forgo them, her Shirt was just long enough to hide the essentials and at this point she could care less if it wasn't.

Going into the kitchen, she readied the coffee pot and then searched the refrigerator for something to make for breakfast. Sighing when she found nothing but a few slices of Bologna and cheese, she decided that they would go out to eat. Going into the living room, she found her laptop and decided to download the pictures that she had taken the day before. Afterwards, she would download the pictures via the web to a photo list and send a quick encrypted e-mail to Monica for Jacolb letting him know they were there. This had always worked in the past and she knew it would again, things were so much easier with certain features the web had. Most of her last case reports were sent by encrypted e-mails and by using Monica's health food excuse. Steve knew she would have to ask Dirke if she could receive packages there until she got her own place. The idea of living in town didn't really appeal to her but she saw no other way. Hearing the last sputter from the coffee pot, she fixed two cups and took one of them to a still sleeping Dirke. Setting it down on the bedside table, she sat on the edge of the bed and brushed the dark hair away from Dirke's face. Letting her fingers linger on her cheek, she ran her thumb across a dark brow and grinned when it went up an unlined forehead. Continuing to play with Dirke's eyebrow, she watched as a pale blue eye opened to a slit and rolled to look at her.

Her voice rough, Dirke mumbled to her. "What are you doing?"

"Playing. I brought you a cup of coffee."

Dirke rolled onto her back and stretched, the blankets sliding off her naked body to show rippled abs and flexing pectoral muscles. A dark blush washed across Steve's face at the sight, she couldn't hold back the moan that escaped from her lips.

"How's your arm this morning?"

"Hurts like a bitch. How are your knuckles?"

"Swollen and stiff. How about if we just lay around the house today? I really don't feel like going to the Rally and with selling that Panzer yesterday I can afford a few days off."

Steve leaned back against the headboard and looked into sleepy blue eyes. "That sounds good except there's no food in the refrigerator; can we go out for breakfast?"

"Lets get showered and dressed and then I'll take you to the best little dinner in the area."

Steve looked down at her arm and mumbled something under her breath. She was shocked when Dirke answered her, she didn't think she heard what she had said.

"I'll help you get dressed and then after breakfast, we have a date with Danielle at her office. She wants to take x-rays to make sure that she set your arm right and that there's no problem with your shoulder."

@@@@@@@@@

Dirke was still amazed at the amount of food Steve could put away, now after they had fought over the check and Dirke lost because it hurt for her to get her hand into her pocket, they were on their way to the doctor's office. That was one fight that she did win, it was either Steve go along with it or she would be tossed over Dirke's shoulder and paraded through town in that fashion. Steve walked through the door that Dirke was holding open for her, it was the first time that a woman had held a door for her. She had been blushing all morning with all the little things that Dirke did. Every time they were getting in or out of the truck, Dirke would point a finger at her, tell her not to move and then run around and open the door and help her out. At the restaurant, even though they were going to sit in a booth, Dirke held out her hand and helped her to sit down. Steve didn't know any men who did the things that Dirke was doing, not even her father acted that way. She felt Dirke place her hand against her lower back and lead her to a desk that looked like a tornado had landed on it. Grumbling came from behind the desk but Steve couldn't see the person.

"Hey you stupid bitch, you have a patient here." Dirke said in a growling voice, shocking Steve with her manner of addressing the invisible person.

"You don't count because you're an asshole." A dark head appeared above the desk and then a pair of the oddest colored eyes Steve had ever seen, they were a spooky gold color with dark brown flecks. If Dirke hadn't been bracing her back, she would have jump backwards and out the door.

"Spooky ass freak!"

"Mother fucker!"

"Only yours oh royal Sageness."

"Uuhmm excuse me." Steve interrupted the insults.

Dirke smacked her forehead and groaned. "Sorry Stevie, this is Sage, Danielle's evil half. Evilness this is Stevie…" She blushed and looked into twinkling green eyes.

"Carlton, nice to meet you."

"Who did you piss off to be stuck with big bad biker dyke there?"

"You'll have to excuse Evilness, she's suffering from menopause."

A dark brow rose over a green eye, she looked between the two women and just shook her head. Loud bursts of laughs came from Dirke and Sage as they high fived each other and carried on like kids.

"What happened to your desk?"

"You would know if you checked your answering machine. I was with Grandma for a couple days. Her arthritis is acting up and she needed her car fixed. So in those couple of days Danni took care of the paperwork." She held her hands out to show the mess. "This is what she left me."

"You know I hate paperwork." Danielle said as she gave her wife a gentle kiss. "Why do you think I married you?"

"Because I can suck the chrome of a bumper hitch and give you multiples."

Steve felt her face turn beat red, she was wondering if her face would remain that way. Danielle looked at Steve and offered her a bright smile.

"How do you feel today, any problems? Besides these two idiots."

"Just a little throbbing, nothing I can't handle."

"Come on in the back and let me x-ray that arm." She pointed to Sage and Dirke and narrowed her hazel eyes at them. "Don't make me come out here and give you two lower GI's." She lead Steve into the back where her x-ray machine was located. "So tell me how do you know my sister-in-law?"

"Sister-in-law?" She sputtered.

"Yeah. Dirke's, Sage's rotten sister."

Steve dropped her head and looked up from under her bangs. "She rescued me from some bikers."

"So she was doing the damsel in distress thing." Danielle chuckled. "She's good for something other than causing trouble."

After chatting while the x-rays developed and then checking them, the two smirking women rejoined the other two in the waiting room. They didn't expect to find Sage hog tied with her own boot strings and Dirke shooting paper wads at her.

"I swear I can't leave you two alone for a minute!" She gave each of them a glare and motioned to her wife. "What did you do this time?"

"Me? Why is it always me that has to have done something?"

"Easy, you're the instigator, what did you do?" Danielle asked again.

"I asked badness there if she's," Sage stuck her tongue out and wiggled. "Yet?"

"That explains it you pervert." Danielle turned to see a blushing Steve. "Brats, plain and simple." Turning hazel eyes to pale blue, Danielle raised an eyebrow at Dirke. "Damsel in distress?"

Dirke shrugged her shoulders and grinned. "What can I say, I'm a sucker for a beautiful blonde."

Steve knew for sure that her face would stay permanently red, never had anyone called her beautiful not even cute. She always considered herself plain and no one ever argued with her. She found herself giving Dirke a shy smile, it was then that she realized that Dirke seen her as more than a friend. It was so boldly shone in her blue eyes. Shit now what do I do? Is it just plain old animal lust on her part? Most likely, after all she's a biker.

"So what are you two doing tonight, going to the Rally?" Danielle asked as she untied her wife and slapped her on her ass for the hell of it.

Dirke shook her head at them. "Nope, staying home tonight. We both need some rest and recuperation time."

"Good, from the looks of you two you both need it. Steve keep that arm elevated and use the sling I gave you. It's actually used for people that have had shoulder surgery but since your left shoulder is all bruised." She held her hands out to the side and shrugged her shoulders.

"Ohh I will on all counts and thanks for all your help. You're actually the first doctor that I've liked." She moved close to Danielle and gave her a quick hug. "Don't worry about badness there, I'll hog tie her when we get home. Give her hands a chance to heal." It was after they left the office that she realized that she had referred to Dirke's place as her home. How she wished that it was true, in the next day or so it would be safe for her to venture out on her own and be able to find a small apartment somewhere. Price really didn't bother her since the department would be paying the bill. A lump formed in her chest and made it hard to breath, she didn't want to leave Dirke, she cared about her a lot and wanted to be close to her. In the tall bikers company, she felt safe and protected, maybe even a little bit of love. Dirke noticed the strained look on Steve's face, wrapping an arm around her shoulders she pulled her close to her side.

"Are you OK, you look a little pale?"

"It's nothing really." With a quick glance to worried pale blue eyes, she then glanced back to the small store fronts that they were walking past. "Can we stop so I can get a newspaper?"

"The local newspaper is about ten pages and most of it is the local farm reports."

"What I was looking for is the listings for apartments." She choked out with a rush.

"Stevie." Dirke stopped their walk and turned her friend to stand in front of her. Cupping her face with her large hands, she tilted her face upward so that she could look into her green eyes that were quickly filling with tears. "I would like you to stay with me, I know my place isn't really big or anything but I like having you there." Using her thumbs, she wiped the trailing tears from soft cheeks. "Will you stay? I can fix up the loft and you can use that as your room." She watched as a small smile came to Steve's face, before she knew what happened, she found the small woman wrapped around her body.

"Thank you, I would really like that."

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

"Jacolb!" Monica yelled to her husband who was out at the grill making hamburgers. "Pictures from Stevie, and some interesting ones to." She finished the last part in a softer voice. "What are you up to little one?" Brown eyes looked longer at the pictures of a tall stoic looking woman standing alone in the middle of an open field. The stance that of a proud warrior after a battle. She looked at another one and gasped at the paleness of blue eyes that she swore looked right to her very soul and burned it crispy. "Ohh Stevie, if you get tangled up with this one, you're going to be in deep trouble." Looking to the sliding glass doors, Monica watched her husband flip the burgers. "Hey you old buzzard, get in here and look at these. I think you're going to have a big problem."

Jacolb thrust his head into the open door and growled. "If my hamburger burns…" He didn't finish when he saw the look on his wives face. He knew it all to well after 35 years. "Ohhh all right, will you watch the food?"

"Don't worry about the food." She pointed to the picture that had her so riled up. "Worry about her."

"Ohh my God, I hope Stevie's being careful." He looked up into strained brown eyes. "This one here is scary, her picture alone gave me gray hair." He scanned through the other pictures and saw quite a few of the tall dark woman. "What is she doing a modeling shoot? There's more of this woman than anything?" He then came to one that Steve had taken of Dirke giving her a lopsided grin with the raised eyebrow. "One thing for sure, she's a beautiful woman who ever she is." That got him a smack on top of his head. "But not as beautiful as you Mama." He looked at the pictures again and thought for a few minutes about all the other pictures Steve had sent to him while working past cases. "Mama do you think that maybe Stevie is you know…gay?"

Monica yelled from where she was pulling the burgers from the grill. "What makes you think that?"

"It's just that she has never dated or showed interest in anyone and now all of a sudden, she sends 35 pictures and half of them are of the same woman."

Monica looked over his shoulder at the pictures again. "Maybe she sees that the stoic one there is very photogenic, could be all innocent. You know Stevie, she sees things that the rest of us don't see."

Jacolb nodded his head and made a small sighing noise. "I hope you're right Mama, because that woman scares me. Did she send anything else?"

"Yep, her usual health food order." She gave him a wicked grin because she knew he had never figured out her and Steve's little code words. Becoming impatient, he threw his hands in the air and grumbled.

"Come on Mama, what did she say?"

"Ohh I didn't know that you wanted me to tell you." She couldn't help but laugh at the look on his face. "She's OK, was kidnapped but saved. staying with a biker."

"That's all she said?" He was hoping for more, this was a very important case since one of his officers was killed trying to bring the bikers to justice.

"Give her a chance Jacolb, it's only been what five days?" Just as he was about to sign off line, the PC voice told him he had mail. Pulling up the small window, he saw the screen name as Chatterbox and knew it was from Steve. "OK little one what have you got for me?" Double clicking on the name, he watched as one of Monica's ordering forms came up. "Mama it's for you." He looked over his shoulder at his grinning wife. "Now will you put this into terms that I can understand?"

"Right, how many times have I explained this to you?"

He shrugged his shoulders and leaned his head back against her chest. "Maybe if it made any sense what's so ever."

"Before I start on this one, all her orders mean something to her state of mind. For example, if she orders bean sprouts and lots of different spices. She bored stiff and there's no action. If she orders lots of vitamins like Valerian root or Chamomile teas, then it's hectic and she needs something to calm her down."

He cocked an eyebrow at her. "Then what's all the damn crackers you send her mean?"

"Nothing, she just likes them." She grinned at him then went on to the new e-mail.
Monica looked at the items that Steve had ordered and grinned. "Ohh Stevie, what are you doing?" She looked down at her confused husband. "It's not her usual order, that means that this is not a typical case for her. Look here." She pointed to the list of health foods and supplies. "She wants that herbal hand cleaner that will take barnacles off a ship hull, Ginseng, Aloe Vera, passion fruit shampoo and conditioner, sandalwood oil, and two orders of… strawberry body lotion. What in the hell is she going to do with all that, those are industrial size bottles?"

Jacolb was just about jumping in his chair with impatience. "What's it mean Mama?"

"Our little one is trying to get someone's attention and I don't think it has anything to do with the case."

"Ohh shit! Maybe I should pull her out of there?"

"Just wait, she may have other ideas roaming around in her wicked little mind besides capturing someone's heart. This may all be part of it."

Jacolb rubbed his eyes and nodded, he sure hoped that Steve was losing her marbles. She was the best damn cop he had and he didn't want anything to happen to her. "Send her one of those encrypted things, I want to know who tall dark and scary is and if she's dangerous to Stevie."

@@@@@@@@@@@

Steve had just sent off her e-mail to Monica when Dirke came into the kitchen. She looked up with a small smile. "I thought you were going to be lazy today?"

"I thought the same as you." She looked over her shoulder at her laptop and saw that she was playing on-line. "Looking at Porno sites?"

"Huh? Ohh Gods no! I ended up on one of those sites and I kept getting all these e-mails for Viagra, penis enlargers, stay stiff products and everything else that you can imagine."

"Happy to say that I don't need a penis enlarger. So what web sites do go to? Anything interesting?"

"Only if you like health food, I just placed my order."

Dirke snorted at learning that Steve was a health food case, with all the food she ate including deserts that could put a normal person into a diabetic coma, she found it hard to believe. "What did you order?"

"Ohh some really good hand cleaner, and other stuff like shampoo, body lotion, ya know stuff like that." She picked Dirke's grease covered hand up by a finger and groaned. "Maybe I should get a sandblaster to clean your hands?"

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@


Dirke pulled open a trap door she had under her workbench, flipping on the light that lit up the small area and the steps leading down to it. She ventured forth and closed the door behind her. Rounding a sharp corner in the large area that had been dug out after the garage was built; she flipped on more lights over other workbenches. Scanning each area, she found what she was looking for and took a seat at her computer terminal. Signing on to a special link, she typed out a series of coded numbers and hit send. Going into the area where she received her mail, she pulled up a list of the stuff that Stump had delivered to the contact for her. Checking it against her memory, she finalized it and sent it back to the author. Signing off, she shut down her PC and went to the wall directly across from her and pulled down a well-worn double shoulder harness and two 357 magnums. She didn't know if she would need them but better safe than sorry. To complete her arsenal, she grabbed extra clips, throwing knives, a tactical baton and her 38 special police issue revolver and its clip on holster. She would have to make the pick-up tonight because Stump was out of town on another mission for her, the biggest problem would be Steve. She didn't know how she was going to get around her with out having her become suspicious.

"I need an excuse." She sat down in her office chair and spun in circles. "I have to check on grandma? Nope, she'll want to go along." Running her hands down her face, she sighed with frustration. "Shit! Don't even think about it Dirke, you can't take her along with you and you can't tell her that you're going to pick up 50 kilos of cocaine to sell to your contact." Her chair stopped in mid spin as the alarm system she had set up for the garage door went off. Dropping her stuff in the chair, she sprinted to the stairs and took them two at a time. "I really need to put a camera link up there." She said as she eased the trapdoor up.

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Part 2....



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