Subtext: Oh this is my fav disclaimer, yes there's subtext. Mark the calendars if I don't ever do a subtext story!
Foul Language: Yup, I'll say this contains some cussing but nothing too bad.
Copyright: Xena and Gabrielle are owned by good old RenPics and company. Or do the fans really own them anymore?
Time Frame: Let's see, this is a Uber! Isn't that scary coming from me? Well, its half of a real Uber, taking baby steps.
Started: January 1st 2001, Monday
Mini-Series Two: Today's Partner's of Destiny Story: One
If anybody has comments about my story please let me know at:
Section Three
~*Part 4*~
Megan was in first, followed by Gabrielle then Shannon. Megan went up to the front desk. "Hi," she greeted the police officer.
"Hello," said the young man; Jonathan. He glanced over and saw Gabrielle. "Gabrielle, I haven't seen you around here in a few."
The writer smiled faintly. "Been busy." She sighed then asked, "Can I see one of your prisoners here?"
Jonathan lifted an eyebrow. "Which prisoner?"
"Xena Dusk," replied Gabrielle. "I won't be long."
Jonathan shook his head. "I can't let anybody in to talk to her. Boss's orders, Gabrielle."
"Please, John." Gabrielle put her hands on the counter. "You know you can trust me."
The officer dropped his shoulders. "Alright," he said quietly. "Come with me." He came around the counter and marched towards a large metal door. He greeted the two guards there. "Just taking these ladies in."
The two guards nodded and watched Jonathan escort the three women into the small, white prison house. He went past a number of cells and came to a stop. He nodded at the tall women inside, lying down.
Gabrielle smiled and nodded back.
Jonathan walked back down the prison cell.
The writer watched him close the metal door behind, she sighed and glanced back at Xena on the bed. "Xena," she said quietly.
Xena opened her blue eyes and turned her head.
Gabrielle smiled but her eyes were sad. "I know the truth," she whispered. She grasped the white bars.
The tall woman smiled as her eyes softened. She got up from the cot and neared her lover. "You talked to Ice?" Her eyes flickered over to the other two women.
"We did," answered Megan. "You had a Hell of a life."
"Tell me about it." Xena gave them a grin but smiled at Gabrielle. "Thank you," she uttered. She lifted her hands up.
Gabrielle released the bars and took her lover's hands. "I'm sorry about this."
"It was bound to happen," stated Xena.
The small woman knitted her eyebrows. "Xena, what about your criminal record?" Her voice was quiet. "Ice didn't know anything about it."
"It's not real." Xena's voice was stern, making her words clear and truthfully. "I'll explain later." She lifted her eyes to the other women. "Right now, you three need to get out of here." She averted her focus to Gabrielle. "And stay away. Do you understand me?" She gave a tighter grip to her lover's hands.
"What's… going on, Xena?" Gabrielle shook her head. "This is mysterious enough as it is."
"I know and I'm sorry but that's the way it needs to be right now." The tall woman took a deep breath. "I'm about to leave here."
"What… how?"
"Sssh. I can't explain." Xena held tightly to Gabrielle's hands. "Just get out of here."
"Xena, I'm not going to let you end up like your father," stated Gabrielle harshly.
"I won't," countered the older woman. "Trust me." She released her lover's hand. "Get out of here, now."
"Wait, Xena-"
"Come on, Gabrielle." Megan grabbed her friend's shoulders. "Xena has a point."
"Go." Xena took a step back. "I'll be fine."
The metal door unlocked and begun opening.
The dark woman peered down. "Shit." She glanced back at the women. "Change of plans." She looked back at the metal door opening. "Play along," she instructed in a whisper.
Coming through the door was a large old man, Mr. Cross and the commissioner along side him, followed by a few of Mr. Cross's men.
"Mr. Cross," greeted Xena.
Mr. Cross peered up finally and noticed the three women. "Have visitors, Xena?"
Xena suddenly had an evil grin. "I do." She folded her arms and glanced at the women. "You may want to… invite them to lunch." She corked an eyebrow in suggestion.
The commissioner recognized one of them. "Gabrielle, what are you doing here?"
"I… I came by here to see Sargeant Peter, commissioner."
Mr. Cross folded his arms. "Well, little lady, I'd say you're in the wrong part of the station. Don't you?"
Megan and Shannon stepped closer to their friend.
Mr. Cross's men removed their guns and pointed them at the women.
"Come, come," said Mr. Cross gently. "No need for violence… yet." He glanced at Xena. "Is this the woman you spoke of?"
Xena folded her arms. "Yes."
Mr. Cross smiled falsely at Gabrielle. "You are to join us."
"Wait," cut in the commissioner. "This is not apart of our agreement, Mr. Cross."
The old man reached into his suit jacket and removed a roll of twenties. With his freehand, he lifted the commissioner's hand and put the roll of twenties in it. "It is now. Right, commissioner?"
"Yes, of course." The commissioner tucked the roll of money away. He dug into his pants pockets. A jangle filled the air when the commissioner pulled out his keys. He inserted the key into Xena's cell- he unlocked it.
Xena pushed the door opened, and came out. She came to stand behind the three women. "Matt?"
One of Mr. Cross's men smiled, Matt, and stepped forward. He reached into his leather jacket and removed a revolver. He tossed it.
Xena caught it and slipped it partially down her pants. She covered it back up with her shirt. "Mr. Cross, I'd like to pick up some of my things at my place."
"Of course." Mr. Cross folded his arms. "I have a new place picked out for you already." His eyes went to slits. "Let's not have this screw up again."
"It'll be under control now that we have her." Xena signaled Gabrielle.
"I hope so," stated Mr. Cross coldly. "Time to go." He turned to his men. "Bring the women along."
"Yes, Mr. Cross," replied Matt. He opened his jacket and revealed a gun. "Please no problems, ladies. Cool, calm, and collective. Follow me." He turned and made his way down the prison house. The other two men accompanied him.
"Move," growled Xena.
Megan glared up at the tall woman but pushed Gabrielle lightly.
The writer started walking with her friends.
The large group left the small prison house and went into the police department.
The commissioner stopped at the front desk. "Our apologies again, Miss Dusk."
"Be more careful next time please, commissioner," replied Xena. She turned to the front desk as her eyes rested on a glaring Jonathan. He placed a paper on the counter then held a pen out.
Xena took it, bent forward, and signed the document.
Gabrielle glanced around the station, looking for Peter. But she couldn't find him anywhere in sight. He must be on patrol. She actually felt relief in knowing that.
Xena dropped the pen and gazed up as she received back some of her items. She took the clear bag and removed her watch, necklace, and small pocketknife. She put them all back in their proper places then turned to Mr. Cross. She nodded.
Mr. Cross nodded back and turned to the commissioner. "Thank you again, commissioner." He held his hand out.
The commissioner was hesitant but took the older man's hand. "Sorry again for the mix up."
"Quite alright." Mr. Cross nodded then released the hand. "Have a lovely afternoon." He snapped his fingers for his men to follow. He left the building, as did the rest of his party.
Arrival at Xena's Place…
"Make this speedy," ordered Mr. Cross. He glanced back at the tall woman, whom sat beside Gabrielle. "We have our drop off this afternoon as planned." He eyes flickered to the three women in the middle of the limousine. "Not to mention extra business."
Xena nodded. "Be back." She opened the car door, got out, and closed it behind herself. She jogged into her small home. Upstairs, she'd gone to her nightstand. She grabbed her cordless phone and turned it on. Quickly, she dialed a number while she shifted to her closet. "Yeah, its me." She opened the closet door with her freehand. "Yes, in 'bout hour or less at the port." She lifted her right shoulder to hold the phone against her ear.
"Make sure you're there." Xena reached in and pulled out her leather trench coat, bullet belt, two revolvers, and her hat. "This is our only chance." She tossed the coat onto the bed and reached under her bed. She pulled out a pair of black Doc Martens boots. "Trust me, he's gonna want you there anyway. It won't look odd."
Xena took off her sneakers. "Good, good." She slipped into the boots, tied them, then she pulled her jean pants back down. "Perfect, I'll see you then." She grabbed her belt. "Alright, bye." She grabbed the phone, turned it off, and tossed it on her bed.
She hastily put on her belt, hooked the black buckle. She grabbed her revolvers and slipped them into their holsters on the sides. Xena grabbed her coat and slung it on. She adjusted the jacket by jerking on the collar at the top. Reaching down, she took her hat and dropped her head forward as she put it on.
The Cow Girl turned around and left her room. She quickly made her way down the steps then out of the house. Once outside, she made her way to the limousine. After she opened the car, Gabrielle was moving, preparing to jump out.
Xena instantly pulled out a gun and aim it at Gabrielle. "Get back in," she growled.
The writer stared at the barrel then she heard a click as Xena pulled back on the hammer in warning. Well, she said play along. Gabrielle moved back to her seat while she studied apologetic blue eyes.
Xena got into the car and slammed the door hard. With a release of the hammer, Xena put the gun back in its holster. "You may want to tie these ladies up, Mr. Cross."
Mr. Cross glanced back at the three women huddled in the middle of the limousine. "I believe you're quite right." He signaled the driver, beside him, to go.
The limousine backed out of the driveway and went back on the road.
"What the Hell are you gonna do with us?" asked Shannon.
Mr. Cross peered up through the review mirror. "Dispose of you," he said coolly. "We don't need any loose ends, ladies."
"Mr. Cross, you don't wanna do this," warned Megan. "Gabrielle's boyfri-"
"Is Sargeant Peter Jessup," cut off Mr. Cross. He glanced back at Megan. "I could care less." He smirked and sat back in his seat. "Meg and Shan, I'd be more included to keep you both alive since you both were some of my best customers." He reached up and adjusted his tie. "But you're no longer customers so I have no use for you both."
Shannon corked an eyebrow at her girlfriend across the limousine. "See what happens when we leave the white ways," she joked coldly.
"Quite true, Shan," agreed Mr. Cross. He glimpsed up in the review mirror again at Xena. "I will have the boys tomorrow pick up your things. Have them taken to your new place."
Xena nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Cross." She tilted her head before she inquired, "We have our pick up at Port Clinton still?"
"Yes," answered Mr. Cross. "Rather important shipment."
"Of course," agreed Xena.
And that's where the car was headed for, Port Clinton along the Schuylkill River.
Twenty Minutes Later at Port Clinton During the Afternoon…
"Take care of the ladies, boys," ordered Xena.
The three men drug the women out of the car and led them across the open parking lot.
"Right this way," informed Mr. Cross. He opened the large door to a warehouse and held it open. His men pushed the three women into the warehouse.
"Xena."
The Cow Girl nodded at Mr. Cross and went into the warehouse.
Mr. Cross followed in and closed the door. "Our sellers will be here soon."
Xena moved her head in understanding.
Mr. Cross turned to his men. "Take the ladies upstairs to the office." He grinned. "And make sure they're comfortable."
"Let's go," commanded Matt to the women.
Megan and Shannon started quietly moving towards the metal steps.
Gabrielle, on the other hand, didn't move.
Matt came up in front of her. "Move," he snarled.
The writer shot a smug look then suddenly kicked him between the legs.
Matt bent forward, breathing hard, and his eyes closed.
"Get her!" yelled Mr. Cross.
The man at the bottom of the metal steps raced over, after Gabrielle.
Shannon was about to move but the third man pulled out his gun and stopped her along with Megan.
Gabrielle saw the other man coming, without thought, she grabbed Matt's gun from his hands. She backed up pointing it at the man coming towards her.
Matt, by now, had recovered and straightened up with a red face. "You can't get out of here."
Mr. Cross peered up at Xena.
Xena sighed and quietly made her way up behind Gabrielle.
"Its sure worth a Hell of a shot," stated Gabrielle. She glimpsed over at Mr. Cross briefly but didn't catch sight of Xena. Suddenly a large arm came up across her chest and locker her arms.
Xena pulled her lover in close and plucked the gun from her small hand. She pulled the hammer back and pressed the barrel against Gabrielle's temple. "Let's not make this hard," she said deeply.
The writer faintly felt herself shook, she wasn't sure which from, the gun or Xena. But she gave a small struggle and snarled, "You goddamn, bitch."
"I know," whispered Xena. She lowered her head closer to Gabrielle's. She grinned. "We have no problem killing you three now but we just don't want a mess on the this clean ground." She lifted up an eyebrow. "So hard way or easy way?"
"Easy way," whispered Gabrielle quietly.
The Cow Girl released the hammer, removed the gun but kept it out. She released Gabrielle and pushed her towards the steps. "Let's go."
The writer glared at her lover yet went towards the steps.
Matt took his gun back from Xena then directed the women up to the office.
One man held open the office door while the women came in.
"Sit down," ordered Xena coldly when she came in last.
Megan and Shannon sat down in two metal chairs.
The Cow Girl narrowed her eyes at Gabrielle. "Now," she growled lowly.
This is a lot of fun, thought the writer as she tried to give her best glare. She spotted a wood chair and sat in it.
Xena glanced at Matt. "Go watch the door outside, things will be fine here."
Matt nodded and left the small office. He went to the entrance of the warehouse and stood guard.
"Let's hurry it up," yelled Mr. Cross from downstairs.
"We'll be right with you," called back Xena. She walked behind her lover and grabbed some rope from the desk near her. After she knelt down, she grabbed Gabrielle's arms and brought them behind the chair.
The small woman sensed her wrists being tied together. She glanced over and saw Shannon and Megan getting tied to her chairs.
The two men finished first while Xena was still tying.
"Go back down," told Xena. "I'll finish up here."
The men left the office after they nodded.
Everybody was dead silent as Xena finished tying Gabrielle's bound hands.
The dark woman reached into her jean pocket and removed her pocketknife, she grasped Gabrielle's hands. "Stay in here, it'll be safe," she whispered. "But if something goes wrong…" She slipped the pocketknife into her lover's hands. "Then get out of here."
"Xena, what are you going to do?" whispered Gabrielle.
"Later, just stay put." The Cow Girl rose up and walked over to the door.
"Xena," growled Gabrielle. "There may not be a later."
Xena was hesitant about leaving but yet she gave a reassuring smile. "There's always a later with me." She winked before she left.
"Shit," grumbled the writer.
Shannon dropped her head back. "This is ssso wonderful." She sighed dramatically. "If Xena screws up, we're all dead."
Megan glimpsed over at her girlfriend then at Gabrielle. "What'd she slip you?"
"Her pocketknife," answered shorthaired blond.
"Well, lets make use of it." Megan creased her lips with a grin. "I'm not about to let Xena have all the fun."
A small click filled the room when the pocketknife was opened.
Meanwhile…
"John," greeted the middle-aged man. "Good to see you again."
The limousine driver smiled falsely and lifted himself off the car. He held his hand out to the drug seller. "Good to see you again, Mr. Vincen."
Mr. Vincen shook the driver's hand before holding that hand towards the warehouse. "They're inside?"
"Yes, sir."
"Been waiting long?" asked Mr. Vincen.
"No, sir." John, the limousine driver, glanced at Matt at the door. "Mr. Cross will want to see Mr. Vincen."
"Of course." Matt smiled at the drug seller. "I assume you brought the goods, Mr. Vincen?"
Mr. Vincen nodded, he half turned to his Cadillac behind him. He gave a small wave in signal.
Three large men got out of the car, each with a briefcase.
"Right this way, Mr. Vincen." Matt held open the door.
Mr. Vincen and his men strolled into the warehouse.
Matt glanced at John and nodded.
John nodded back and watched Matt go back inside. He leaned back against the car once more. Within a minute or so, footsteps echoing off the warehouses came to him. He scanned around and noted an older man coming towards him. He smiled. "Ice, good to see you made it."
Ice strolled up with is hands in his pockets. "I'm not too late, am I?"
"Nope, hurry in. Mr. Cross was starting to get angry that you weren't around."
"Better late than never," joked Ice before he went into the warehouse.
Mr. Cross gave a friendly smile to Ice. "Wonderful to see you've decided to join us, Ice."
The African American joined Mr. Cross. "My apologies, Mr. Cross… had problems getting a taxi over here."
Mr. Cross nodded and turned to Mr. Vincen. "This is Mr. Vincen, Ice."
Ice smiled at Mr. Vincen and held a hand out.
Mr. Vincen grasped the hand and gave a strong shake. "Nice to meet the man behind Mr. Cross's success."
Mr. Cross clung to Ice's shoulder. "Yes, Ice has been my right hand man."
Ice smiled proudly after Mr. Cross's hand left his shoulder.
Mr. Cross then held that same hand out to Xena. "New to my family is Xena Dusk."
Mr. Vincen was momentarily shocked but nodded at Xena. "The Cow Girl from Wyoming."
Xena faintly tipped her hat. "Some call me that." She grinned under the brim of her black hat.
"Welcome to Philadelphia, Miss Dusk.," said Mr. Vincen then he turned his focus back to Mr. Cross. "Now then, the exchange."
"Of course." Mr. Cross glanced at Matt. "Please bring in the cases with John."
Matt nodded and left the warehouse.
"May I see the products?" inquired Mr. Cross.
Mr. Vincen snapped his fingers and his three men all lifted their cases onto the table near by. They unlocked them, flipped out the locks, then opened the tops. They backed away.
Mr. Cross, Xena, and Ice all peered into the briefcases.
Mr. Cross lifted up a clear bag of white powder and hefted it some. He handed it to Ice.
Ice unzipped the top and smelled it faintly. As he handed it back, he gave a nod.
Mr. Cross reached up and closed the suitcase in front of him.
Xena and Ice closed the other two.
"As agreed, a briefcase for a briefcase," stated Mr. Cross as he turned around.
Mr. Vincen glanced over to the warehouse door as John and Matt entered with three briefcases.
"Check them," ordered Mr. Vincen.
The seller's three men took the briefcases from Matt and John. They put them on top of the other ones, popped them open. The men glanced over the money with nods. "All here, Mr. Vincen," said one man.
"Wonderful."
The three men locked the cases back up, took them, and stood behind Mr. Vincen.
Xena peered down at Ice.
Ice's eyes flickered up to the tall woman briefly then back at the sellers.
The Cow Girl tilted her head and looked over at the warehouse door. Her eyes focused on the small opening between the door and the wall to the outside world. She suddenly saw something rush by outside. A bit of a grin twitched at the corner of her lips.
Matt followed Xena's gaze and looked through the tiny opening. He saw, what he thought, was a person running by. His eyes widened and instantly he pulled out his gun. He pointed it at Xena. "She set us up!" he yelled.
Everybody reached for their guns, except for Mr. Vincen and Mr. Cross.
"What's going on?" asked Mr. Cross.
"We're being swarmed by cops," replied Matt. "I just saw somebody run past the outside… she saw them too." He nodded his gun at Xena.
Xena corked an eyebrow. "Matt, I saw nobody." She grinned evilly at him. "Who do you think Mr. Cross will believe?" Her eyebrow lifted higher. "Somebody that uses drugs like you…. or me that's been in this business for years?"
"Somebody that's been loyal to me for years," answered Mr. Cross. He pulled out his gun, pulled the hammer back, and aimed it at Xena.
Xena kept a cool expression. "Mr. Cross, I wouldn't." Her grin spread far across her lips.
"Oooh, I would," countered Mr. Cross. "Heather Smith." His eyes narrowed as his finger started moving towards the trigger.
"No!" came the loud scream from upstairs.
Mr. Cross, instinctively, raised his aim up and shot at the person that yelled. He clearly missed as the shot pinninged off metal.
Everybody else quickly looked back at Xena but she had… disappeared.
"Where the Hell did she go?" yelled Matt. He looked around at all the craters with his gun up. "She's gone."
"No matter," cut in Mr. Cross. "Bring the women down, they're our way out."
Mr. Vincen's eyes shifted into slits as he focused his attention on Mr. Cross. "You said there will be no problems."
"I said there shouldn't be," retorted Mr. Cross. "No promises." He saw his men bringing the women down from the upstairs catwalk. The entire way down, the women struggled. Mr. Cross glanced over at Mr. Vincen. "By now, the entire warehouse is surrounded."
Xena kept her back hard against the crate. She kept the small radio close to her lips. "Not yet," she whispered into the microphone. She lifted it up to her ear and heard, "We're ready whenever, Xena." She raised it back to her mouth. "On my word," she whispered. Her reply from the small radio was, "On your sign, out." She pushed the small antenna down and slipped the radio back into her jacket pocket.
"Now then, we'll calmly walk out of here," said Mr. Cross. "I believe hostages are in line." He snapped his fingers. Three of his men put their guns behind the women's back.
Mr. Vincen signaled his men to be ready while keeping the cases of money.
"John, Ice." Mr. Cross gave them each a briefcase while he kept one himself. He slipped his gun away.
The Cow Girl knelt down, tipped her hat up with the barrel of her revolver. She closed her eyes and tried to come up with a plan. "Please be with me," she whispered under her breath. She pulled back the hammer, took a steady breath as her pulse raced, and she quickly stood up. She came around the crate, and she pointed her gun at the group. "Don't leave yet, the party has just started," she taunted.
"Stop her!" yelled Mr. Cross.
Two men instantly started shooting at Xena.
Xena gave a few shots and knocked out one man. Shots suddenly bombarded her and she leapt behind another set of crates. She peered across and saw a much lower set of crates but they raised up to almost touch the metal catwalk above. She grinned, ran, and jumped onto the crates. She then grasped the catwalk and hauled herself up onto it.
"Find her," ordered Mr. Cross.
Mr. Vincen signaled his men to watch the women.
Two of Mr. Cross's men, which were left out of the three, begun searching through the warehouse for Xena.
Xena stood in the darkness of the warehouse, she quickly stepped out into the light and shot at one of the men. She hit him directly between the eyes.
The other man left shot back at Xena.
The Cow Girl disappeared back into the dark space of the catwalk. She opened the barrel of her gun and reloaded it with the bullets from around her belt.
Mr. Vincen nodded to two of his men.
They nodded back, cocked their guns and made their way towards stairs for the catwalk.
"Xena, they're coming up on the catwalk!" yelled Gabrielle.
Xena caught them out of the corner of her eye.
Mr. Cross instantly moved and pressed his gun into Gabrielle's neck. "Shut up or die," he whispered coldly.
Xena narrowed her eyes at hearing that, she saw that one man was on the catwalk while the other was on the steps. Also in her view was a chain dangling in midair attached to a track along the ceiling. She grinned, pulled back the hammer on her gun.
The Cow Girl sprinted a little ways down the catwalk and leaped. She flew over the rail, into the air, then she grasped the chain.
The chain, from the momentum, went rolling across the track at a fast speed.
Xena hung on with her one arm while with her gun, she shot at the man on the ground. Her bullet got him in the top of the head.
Mr. Cross, John, and Mr. Vincen all shot at Xena when she flew overhead but missed each time.
Xena swung herself forward once she neared the other side of the catwalk. She jumped and landed on the catwalk, now she was closer to the other men on the catwalk. She knelt down, aimed at the one on the catwalk, and immediately fired.
He took the bullet in the chest and collapsed.
Xena ducked as few bullets missed her from the man on the step. She quickly fired back at him and got the man in the stomach. So he fell down the steps a little way with a hard thud.
"That's it," growled Mr. Cross. He grabbed Gabrielle and dragged her a little in the open. He held his gun to her head. "Xena, if you do not end this, she will have a hole in her head."
Megan tried rushing forward but Mr. Vincen stopped her.
John restrained Shannon from doing anything.
Ice, on the other hand, still held one briefcase. He peered down at it then he glimpsed at Mr. Cross. His grip on the briefcase's handle tightened.
The Cow Girl came closer to the rail. "I'm coming down," she stated.
"Throw your guns down," ordered Mr. Cross.
Xena nodded and threw the one she had down to the ground. Gradually opening her trench coat, she pulled out her other gun from the holster. She tossed it to the ground. At a very slow pace, she walked towards the stairwell, her boots echoing the entire way.
Ice saw his friend come to the top of the stairs- he narrowed his eyes. He watched her come down the steps gradually. He glanced at Mr. Cross and noted his attention only on Xena. After a shaky breath, he rapidly lifted the case and threw it hard towards the back of Mr. Cross.
The suitcase of cocaine flew and slammed into the back of Mr. Cross's head. At once, it knocked Mr. Cross unconscious.
John reacted by dropping his suitcase and fired at Ice.
Ice was hit in his side, he fell to the ground, grasping his pleading side. "Oh shit, that bitch hurts," he muttered.
Xena jumped down two steps, she grabbed the dead man's gun. She rose up while she aimed as she heard Gabrielle yell, "Watch out, Xena!"
Mr. Vincen was only left, he quickly raised his gun at Xena. He fired.
The Cow Girl fired in the same instant.
Mr. Vincen whaled in pain as the bullet sunk into his leg.
Shannon spun around and slugged the drug dealer. She'd managed to knock Mr. Vincen out.
Gabrielle caught sight of her lover crashing onto the steps, she knew Xena had been shot. "Xena!" She ran towards the steps then up them.
Megan and Shannon raced to Ice's side and bent down.
"Ice," uttered Shannon.
"Is everybody okay?" asked Ice in a whisper.
"Everybody but you, Ice," said Megan quietly. She quickly took her jacket off and pressed it into his side.
Gabrielle came next to her lover as she bent down on the steps. She touched Xena's face at seeing her eyes closed. "Xena?" she whispered in plea. Gradually, warm blue eyes greeted her.
"Howdy," whispered Xena with a grin.
"Oh shit, you scared me," mumbled the writer. "Where'd you get it?"
The tall woman pushed back the trench coat's flap at the top. At the shoulder, blood was soaking through the black top. "Nothing bad." She chuckled faintly.
The younger woman shook her head with a grin. "Come on, Cow Girl."
Xena hauled herself up onto her feet with her lover's help. She glanced across at Megan and Shannon then back at her lover whom was standing on the step below her. "Are you okay?" she whispered.
"Yeah."
The dark woman raised an eyebrow. "I thought I had told you to stay up in that office."
Gabrielle grinned devilishly. "You'd be dead right now if I hadn't gotten out."
The tall woman smirked but nodded. "True," she admitted.
"Don't celebrate quite yet," snarled Mr. Cross. He was up on his feet, gun out, and aimed at the couple on the steps.
Megan and Shannon shifted quickly.
Mr. Cross pointed the gun at the two women. "Don't," he stated hotly. "I see you both." He aimed his gun back at the lovers.
Gabrielle was breathing heavily but she tried to relax.
"Mr. Cross, you won't make it out of here," stated Xena, "This place is surrounded by cops."
"That may be so," replied Mr. Cross, "but I'll be sent to prison happily knowing I killed you."
Xena wrapped her left arm around Gabrielle and faintly pulled her in close. "May I ask one thing?" She arched an eyebrow. She faintly slipped her right hand between her body and Gabrielle's.
Mr. Cross smirked. "About your father?"
"That and how you knew who I was," responded the Cow Girl. She pressed Gabrielle hard into her body briefly.
The writer felt something hard against Xena's stomach press into her upper chest. The gun from the prison. She understood what her lover meant and slowly reached up towards Xena's stomach. Her hand slipped under the black shirt. She was thanking god that the black trench coat hid the scene of her hand under Xena's shirt from Mr. Cross.
"My men who returned to Wyoming to… take care of you finally confessed to me that they hadn't killed you." Mr. Cross laughed deeply. "I thought nothing of it, thinking no orphan would care about their family history."
"But then you suddenly heard about a famed drug dealer in Wyoming," cut in Xena. She felt the gun leave from its hiding spot. She knew her lover was about to cock the gun, so she started talking again to hide the noise. "So you did a little checking into things."
Gabrielle sighed after she readied the hammer. She slowly lowered the gun towards her lover's right hand between their bodies.
"Not right away," informed Mr. Cross. "I kept tabs on you, so to speak." He shrugged. "I know your entire supposed criminal records, right down to the name of the drug dealers you've spoken with."
Xena finally took the gun from her lover's hand but kept it hidden between their bodies. "Then you finally did some major digging before you hired me." She grinned.
"Naturally," replied Mr. Cross. "I check everybody's backgrounds before I hire them… even the hidden ones." He smirked. "Especially your fathers."
The Cow Girl narrowed her eyes as the anger fired back up inside. Her grip on the gun tightened exceedingly. "My father has not died in vein," she whispered hotly
Gabrielle dropped her head onto her lover's stomach again. "Don't kill him." Her voice was barely audible but she said it because she could feel how tense Xena had become from Mr. Cross's words. Then she shivered at knowing her lover could die any moment. She closed her eyes while she prayed for a miracle.
"Oh, I think he has," retorted Mr. Cross. "Now his little girl will join his fate." He shook his head and reaimed so that his line of sight was the back of Gabrielle's head and Xena's stomach. "Tell Steve I said, 'hi'."
"Not today," growled Xena. She revealed her gun and fired at Mr. Cross.
Mr. Cross was surprised but pulled his trigger simultaneously.
Xena quickly whirled off to one side of the steps and pressed Gabrielle into the rail.
The bullet just skimmed past Xena's back and bounced off the metal of the steps.
Shannon saw Mr. Cross hunch over from the bullet in his thigh. She bounced up and sprinted towards him. She jumped then her body smashed into the older man. He fell to the ground, Shannon was on top and she faintly rose up but punched him hard in the face.
Mr. Cross's head fell on the ground as he groaned and went unconscious.
Shannon sighed in relief. "Damn, I hope that's the end of everything." She got off him and turned towards the pair on the steps. She chuckled.
Megan peered up at them as well now, wondering what was funny.
Xena smiled softly while she lifted her head up from the warm kiss.
Gabrielle chuckled. "Thanks… partner," she whispered as a grin creased her lips.
"Anytime, partner." The Cow Girl straightened up and helped her lover down the steps.
The tall woman flashed a smile to Shannon. "Thanks, Shannon."
"Don't I get a thanks," huffed Megan.
"Thank you, Megan," said Gabrielle.
"No, I want one from the Cow Girl," teased Megan.
Xena chuckled. "Thank you, Eph." She went serious and walked over to Mr. Cross. She tapped his side and he didn't respond.
The writer neared her lover and peered up at her. "What now?"
"Time to arrest them," replied the tall woman. She reached into her trench coat pocket with her freehand. She extracted her small walky-talky and pulled up the antenna. She lifted it up while she hit the small button on the side. "Alright, commissioner, bring in your men."
"Glad the you decided to invite us in, Xena," came the commissioner's voice from the radio.
"Sorry, had a little trouble," she joked.
"Right, commissioner out."
The Cow Girl turned off her radio and put it away.
Gabrielle folded her arms against her body and shook her head. "Who are you?" She chuckled. "You're so damn mysterious."
Xena winked, gazed up as police officers came storming into the warehouse. "Just a Cow Girl, Gabrielle." She still held the gun from earlier, so she gave it a twirl on her finger then opened her trench coat. She slipped it into a holster.
"Sure, you better explain," declared the small woman.
"I will, promise," replied Xena. She went serious as the commissioner strolled up. "Sorry again, commissioner."
"Just as long as you got them." The commissioner peered down at Mr. Cross. "Still alive, I hope."
"He is, as is Mr. Vincen."
The commissioner nodded and looked at his officers. "Cuff up Mr. Vincen and Mr. Cross, get them to the station."
The officers nodded and quickly handcuffed Mr. Cross and Mr. Vincen. Then a few ambulance medical personal came in with stretchers. They put the two drug dealers in the litters and carried them out.
The officers then begun inspecting the rest of the warehouse out and the dead bodies.
Another pair of medical personal came in with a stretcher and took Ice away. Megan and Shannon went out with him.
"Well, that was quite the mission, Xena." The commissioner held his hand out.
Xena smiled and took the man's hand. "Was worth it."
"Thank you for all the help," added the commissioner as he released the woman's hand
"Anytime." Xena tipped her brim.
The commissioner nodded with a respectful smile then he turned to his men. He had a long report to write up.
One officer came over to Xena, carrying her guns. "I believe these are yours."
"Yup, thank you." The Cow Girl took her guns and put one in a holster while the other went into her jacket.
"Xena, we need to get that wound taken care of."
The tall woman sighed. "Yup." She put her hand behind her lover's back and directed her towards the door. "Let's go see if there's an ambulance outside still."
The writer followed along side and found one, she pointed at it.
Xena chuckled and made a beeline for it. "Hey, I need a wound checked out."
One of the medical personal peered up with a smile. "Of course, Xena." She patted the edge of the ambulance. "Hop in."
The small woman shook her head in amazement. Does everybody know her name? She tightened her arms around her body from the chill. "God, its nippy," she muttered.
Xena turned to her lover after hearing the quiet comment. "Come here." She took her long trench coat off.
"Xena, I'll drown in that thing."
The dark woman grinned evilly. "Don't argue," she warned. She put the coat on the small woman then lifted her up into her arms.
"Woooo, I can walk."
The Cow Girl chuckled and carried her friend to a small crate. She set her down on it. "Wait here, this won't take long."
Gabrielle nodded.
Xena went back to the ambulance and got in.
"Take the shirt off, Xena," said the female nurse after she noticed the shoulder wound.
Xena sighed but took her shirt off then sat down.
The nurse neared and studied the wound.
The small woman pulled the leather jacket close to her body, she felt herself warm back up. Her head turned to the left.
Peter came rushing over. "Gabrielle, are you alright?"
The writer smiled. "Yeah, I'm fine, Peter."
Peter pulled his girlfriend in for a hug then kissed her softly on the lips. "Are you sure?"
"Positive," replied the shorthaired blond. "Thankfully, Xena saved Eph, Shannon, and I."
Peter smiled softly. "I kinda thought so."
Gabrielle knitted her eyebrows. "What you mean?"
The young officer chuckled and explained. "When I did that background check on Xena, I later received a call from the government." He paused. "I can only say so much, but Xena works for a secret service agency."
Gabrielle's expression suddenly went into realization. "Oh god, it all makes sense now." She laughed- completely dumbfounded.
"Good to hear, I'll only have to explain less," stated Xena. She stood tall in front of her lover with her arms crossed.
The small woman chuckled and shook her head; still amazed.
Peter faced the Cow Girl. "Beautiful job, Xena." He held his hand out. "My apologies for the bad go of things."
"No problem." Xena took the man's hand and shook it. She released it, yet she lost her smile. Her eyes flickered over to Gabrielle.
The writer knew what her lover wanted to discuss; she sighed. "Peter?"
The officer turned to her.
"Um…" The small woman flustered, not quite good with speaking verbal words right. "Peter, Xena and I need to talk to you about something."
Xena rubbed the back of her neck, because this wasn't her department either. "Basically…" She turned to Peter and dropped her arm. "Gabrielle and I are… in love."
Peter blinked, licked his lips while his head moved up and down. He glanced at Gabrielle. "How long?" he whispered quietly.
"Since we've met," replied the writer. She sighed and looked at her hands, she peered back up. "Peter, I didn't mean for this to happen." She begun speaking hastily. "You know I've loved you since our childhood but…"
"But?" He waited.
"But…" Gabrielle sighed and finally said, "More like a brother."
The officer swallowed, he stepped closer, and took Gabrielle's hands. "Trust me, I understand." He paused then quietly said, "I've kinda had to wonder." He squeezed the soft hands. "You're following your heart?"
Gabrielle nodded and smiled sadly. "Thank you," she whispered.
Peter smiled softly, he leaned in and kissed the small woman on the cheek. "I'm always here for you."
The writer squeezed his hands before he released them.
The young man faced Xena once more. "Make damn sure you take care of her."
Xena folded her arms and corked her eyebrow.
The officer slowly showed a grin. "Because she's precious."
"I know," responded Xena with a smile. "Thank you, Peter."
Peter nodded. He sighed and glanced between the women. "I need to help out around here." He gave a smile. "I'm glad you're both are okay… and alive."
The women chuckled and watched him stroll off to his duties.
Gabrielle looked up at her lover. "I can't believe he… he just…"
"Went with it," finished Xena.
"Yeah." The younger woman shook her head. "He's a real sweetie."
The Cow Girl nodded in agreement. "I thought I was gonna have to fight for you."
Gabrielle laughed and grinned. "You already did that."
The tall woman sighed dramatically. "Tell me about it." She gave a smug look.
The writer smiled softly back as she sighed. She propped her elbows on her knees and rested her chin in her hands.
Xena studied her lover's smiling face then she asked, "What?"
Gabrielle chuckled but countered, "Can't I stare at my girlfriend?"
"Oooh, is that what you think I am now?" growled Xena with a teasing grin.
The younger woman shot an evil grin back. "Would you prefer my Cow Girl?"
"I just may," retorted the tall woman.
The writer laughed quietly.
"Come on, let's get out of here."
Gabrielle hopped off the crate and took the coat off. "Yes, wear it huh?"
Xena sighed but took the coat from her lover. She slipped it on and straightened her hat out.
"Did they take care of your wound?"
"Yup," answered Xena. She pushed the small woman in front of her. "Removed the bullet, cleaned it, and patched it up."
"Oh damn, that had to hurt."
"Nah." The tall woman lowered her head. "Ready to go?"
"Where we going?"
"My place sound good?"
"Sure." Gabrielle started walking but stopped suddenly.
"What now?" taunted the older woman.
"How we getting back?"
Xena sighed with a smile. "By bus or taxi, come on."
The writer laughed faintly then she started walking again. "I'm glad that's over with."
"Hmmm," agreed the older woman while she continued following her friend out of the port. They weaved through all the police cars and people.
"So, tell me about this agency you work for."
The Cow Girl chuckled. "Its called the Governmental Secret Service Agency… or GSSA."
Gabrielle nodded then asked, "Let me guess, I can't tell anybody you're an agent?"
"Yup," replied Xena dryly.
The writer laughed and shook her head. "Seriously?"
The tall woman shrugged. "Depends on if you want people after you or not." She grinned.
"Neva mind," whispered the young woman. She came out of the port and onto a sidewalk. "Which way?"
"Why you asking me?" teased Xena. "I haven't lived here but more than a week."
Gabrielle laughed hard and peered up at her lover as she came alongside. "You got a point." She looked to her right. "This a waya looks good." She started trekking that way.
Xena followed along side. "Just look for a bus stop."
"Sounds good." The short blond put her hands in her jean pockets. "How long have you been working on that mission?"
"That was my first one," stated Xena but she answered, "Eight years."
"Good lord." Gabrielle shook her head. "Why that long?" She gave a skeptic look.
The Cow Girl grinned down at her friend. "Because it's not easy getting into the drug ring in under a month like most try." She paused then quietly added, "That was what my father did wrong." She slipped her hands into her leather jacket's pockets.
The young woman slowly nodded then she sighed. "Megan and Shannon mentioned Mr. Cross is a pretty big name on the market."
"On the Eastern Shore, yeah," agreed the tall woman. "Just in general, he's big but not the biggest fish."
"What's your next assignment?"
"Vacation." Xena grinned. "Eight years and finally a vacation."
The writer laughed but nodded. "Not my forte." Gabrielle spotted a sign ahead for a bus stop. She came up to it and stood beside the sign. "You know, there were all those damn police cars there and we had to take the bus?"
Xena flashed a grin. "This is more fun." She saw the small goosebumps on her lover's neck. She moved in a fluent motion and stood behind her friend. "Lean into me," she whispered.
Gabrielle took a step back then leaned in. Her back touched a warm body.
The tall woman brought her arms around with the jacket flaps covering the small woman. "Better?"
"Uh huh." The writer sighed softly and relaxed her head on Xena's chest.
"Sure is quiet 'round here," mentioned Xena.
"Yeah, really is." Gabrielle released her breath gradually and she let the serene feeling take her. "So…" She dropped her head back.
Xena peered down with her sky whisked eyes.
"Are we officially… girlfriends?" Gabrielle faintly blushed but was smiling.
"I'd like to think so," replied Xena.
"Me too," agreed the younger woman. She chuckled. "I guess we are."
"You guess?" teased Xena.
"I mean… we are girlfriends."
The tall woman smiled softly then lifted her head. She glanced down the one way road and saw a car pass by followed by another in a few seconds. "That's odd…" she muttered.
"What?"
The older woman chuckled. "Having a girlfriend."
"Wait… hold on…" Gabrielle breathed deeply then said, "You were the one that knew all about that… stuff." She chuckled. "I'm the one that said I'm straight."
Xena laughed deeply and nodded. "Alright, you win." She went serious when she saw the bus finally coming. "Hmmm, time to act straight again," she joked with a grin.
"Rrrright." Gabrielle moved out of her lover's coat and made herself more visible to the bus.
The bus came up to them and stopped.
The pair boarded the bus slowly.
"We'll head to the station to get your car," mentioned Xena.
"Good idea." Gabrielle reached into her back pocket and pulled out her wallet. "Got you covered."
"Thanks." The tall woman went down the aisle and caught a few odd looks from people on already. She completely grinned at them and found a seat.
The small woman finished paying the driver and came down as she slipped her wallet back in its home. She sat on the inside of the seat with her lover.
Xena leaned towards her friend. "See what happens when you leave your state?"
Gabrielle evilly grinned while her body jerked with the motion of the bus moving. "You look like a nut?" she teased.
The older woman instantly glared.
The writer giggled and leaned against the older woman for a moment.
The Cow Girl sighed at her girlfriend but smiled to herself.
Gabrielle sighed then asked, "After we get my car, should we go check on Eph, Shannon and Ice?"
Xena nodded. "Yeah, I'm sure they're at the hospital."
"You think Ice is okay?"
The dark woman nodded. "He can handle a lot."
Gabrielle breathed calmly and sat back up. "What were you planning for a vacation?"
Xena grinned at the other woman. "I was thinking about going to see my folks for Thanksgiving."
The writer tilted her head, she knew Xena meant her adopted parents. "In Wyoming?"
"In Wyoming."
"By plane?"
Xena nodded. "By plane."
Gabrielle shifted a grin on her lips. "Then off to another adventure?"
The Cow Girl nodded and pulled her hat over her head as she slumped down in her seat. "Then off to another adventure," she muttered.
The writer chuckled and leaned into her lover. She slipped an arm behind Xena's back.
Xena brought an arm around her girlfriend's waist and pulled her in closer. "Off to another adventure," she repeated with a huge sigh but smiled happily as her girlfriend.
I watch Xena close the book, her hand glides over the cover, and I peer up at her with a grin; waiting for judgement.
Slowly, Xena's eyes turn to me. "Very nice, Gabrielle. It was perfect," she says quietly.
The warmest smile creases my lips. "It was fun to write," I mention. My eyes lower back to my second published book in Xena's hands. I read the title to myself, 'How I met a Cow Girl', it is my pride and joy.
"Thinking of writing a sequel?" my lover teases.
I chuckle faintly and shrug. "Give me another to write," I taunt back.
The Cow Girl chuckles at my words. "I can do that." She smiles softly at me. Xena then looks up as the other person in our row arrives in the aisle. She simply stands up and gets out of her seat.
I, on the other hand, press back into my seat and let the man through.
He sits down in his seat beside me.
I peek back up at my girlfriend, she's busy putting the book back in her leather case for safe keeping. "Xena, how much longer will the flight be you think?"
Xena closes the cabinet's cover and peers down at me. "I'd say we'll be in Wyoming in an hour and half." She shrugs. "Not much more."
I sigh dramatically. "I can't stand flights," I mutter under my breath but I know Xena heard me.
The Cow Girl corked an eyebrow, telling me she'd heard me.
I just ease a grin on my lips back at her.
Xena chuckles but glances down at the end of the plane then back at me. "I'm gonna go use the head, be back."
"Don't get sucked down the thing," I joke.
My girlfriend rolls her eyes and says, "Tell me about it." She grins. "Some mean suction."
I just groan and close me eyes at her words. I hear her snicker then she leaves, so I sit back in my seat with a sigh. I give a quick glance at the large man beside me.
He coughs again but keeps his eyes closed. He's sick with something, I wasn't in the mood to catch on vacation but knowing my luck…
Instead, I peer over the top of the seat in front of me. I stare at the television monitor a few seats ahead, it is some comedy movie. I can't remember the title but I know it has Helen Hunt in it with Mel Gibson, I haven't really been watching it.
Personally, I am tenser about meeting Xena's folks. I am past worried that they won't like me yet Xena wouldn't stop reassuring me that they would. But from the sounds of things, I can tell Xena's adopted parents are important to her, real important. So I have the nervous feeling of needing to impress them for Xena. I know if I mention that to my lover, she'd get real worried about me. So I try not to say anything even though, I think, Xena knows I'm nervous.
One thing I am not sure about, is whether Xena wants to tell her parents that we're together. Well, she seems to think if things look okay then we can tell them, I had to agree. But I told her we could not tell my family. I'd jokingly said that my parents would disown me, that was even a mistake to joke about in front of Xena. But Xena's reaction still makes me chuckle now.
Suddenly, Xena reappears with a glass of water. She hands it to me and I shake my head- wondering how she knew I am thirsty.
"I figured you wanted something to drink." Xena sits back down next to me.
"Yeah, you're good," I respond before drinking some of the water. I hand the rest back, knowing she wants some as well.
My girlfriend carefully takes it back and finishes the rest. She then places the empty plastic cup in the net of the seat in front of her. She sits back and glances at me. "Gabrielle…" She stops and sighs, I know she's putting her thoughts together. "My folks will love you."
That's when I have to question if she'd heard my thoughts earlier. I blink- not sure what to say back.
Xena sighs again then smiles softly. "Let me put it this way, they love me to death." A grin took her lips. "I'm not an easy person to get along with so if they love me, they're certainly going to love you." She shifts her grin into that warm smile. "I promise." She searches my eyes and quietly asks, "Believe me huh, partner?"
My lover's words seem to just touch me in the perfect spot and make everything okay. "Yeah," I utter, "thank you."
Xena combs my short hair back; she's resisting from kissing me in public.
The yearning for her warm lips takes me but I hold myself back too.
The sleeping man, beside me, coughs with the sound of mucus in his throat.
I close my eyes, as the moment between Xena and me is broken.
My girlfriend chuckles a little and rubs my upper back. "Let's switch seats," she utters, "I don't want you catching what he's got and I know you will."
"I'm fine," I whisper back while opening my eyes. "I know you hate being sick and I can at least deal with it."
"Gabrielle-"
"I'll be fine," I cut her off but give her a look of reassurance. I definitely don't want her getting sick, when it is her vacation.
Xena sighs and gives me a look for being stubborn so I just gave her a grin back.
"Come here," she orders and pushes up the armchair between us. She grasps me and pulls me closer.
I scoot over a little then lay my head in her lap.
"Go to sleep," she whispers in a warm voice.
I nod and close my eyes. I release my breath slowly and relax. I feel my girlfriend's left arm just casually drape over my side. I smile at that, she would do anything and everything to feel me near her, as would I. Then I sense somebody coming near our aisle.
"Excuse me Miss, she can't lay down like that." It was one of the stewardess.
I keep my eyes closed, keep any expression off my face, and wait for my lover's response.
"I'm not about to wake her up," Xena responds. "She needs her sleep," she adds quietly.
I heard a sigh from the stewardess. "Ma'am, I can't let her stay like that, it's not safe."
There's a bit of silence and I know my girlfriend is giving one of her looks. I clamp my jaw down tightly, as I try controlling my giggles.
"She'll be fine, I can take care of her," says the Cow Girl in a deep almost commanding tone.
"Very well," replies the stewardess in a small voice.
I hear her leave, I wait a minute, then let my giggles out.
"Ssssh," hushes my lover. "Trying to get me in trouble?" she teases.
"Get yourself in trouble," I tease back. I stop my giggles then relax again. I shift a little in Xena's lap and settle back in with a long sigh. "Thanks."
"Mmm anytime." Xena gives her own long sigh. "Stupid rules," she mutters. "Think I can't take care of my own girlfriend," she mumbles under her breath.
I let out a tiny chuckle but taunt, "You can't."
"I can take care of you… but I can't control you," jokes my lover.
I have to laugh, she was right… for the most part. She could control me if she wants to, it works both ways for us. "Yeah, yeah," I grumble and tuck my hands under the side of my head but I'm smiling completely.
My girlfriend sighs and rocks my lower body with her arm a little. "Go to sleep," she whispers.
"Yeah," I say quietly and feel myself already slipping. I shift into my dreams, which are centered on Xena and me. Those are the dreams I hate waking up from unless I'm waking up in Xena's arms, because reality is always better than my dreams these days.
Within an hour or more, I feel Xena shaking me gently. I grumble faintly and peered up. "Are we there?"
"Almost," replies Xena. I could tell she'd been sleeping by her half-awake look.
"You need to sit up and buckle yourself in for the landing."
"Right," I say quietly and slowly sit up. I run my hand through my hair while I try waking up. I search for my seatbelt. After a lot of strained searching I find the ends and buckle in.
My lover reaches over and grabs the tail of the seatbelt; she tightens it. Then her eyes lift to me and her lips curl into a grin.
I chuckle and relax back in my seat. I notice the man beside me is still asleep and snoring but he had himself buckled in. I look out the window, seeing Cheyenne far below. "God, I hate landings."
Xena covers my hand on my knee.
I flash her a warm smile for the comfort and she winks back at me.
I gaze back out the small window and start seeing the airport coming into view. "Here we go," I grumble. I turn my hand up and cling to my girlfriend's hand.
The Cow Girl rubs her thumb against my hand as she stares out the window.
The plane had lowered her wheels and is closing in on the runway. I clamp my jaw down when the wheels connect with the ground. There's that small jounce, the plane starts to slow down at an incredible rate. And well, my grip on Xena's hand is a death lock.
After the plane lands and gets connected with the air terminal, all the people stand up.
I glimpse back at that man- he is still sleeping. I shake me head- wondering how the Hell he could sleep through that.
Xena gets up and opens the hatch cover above us.
I just sit, waiting for her to say it is time to move.
Xena pulls out her leather trench coat, puts it on, then she pulls out her leather brief case and puts the strap across her chest. She smiles at me. "Ready?"
I grin. "Are you ready?"
"Yup." She holds her hand out.
I take the larger hand and she helps me out. I gaze over at the man and notice he'd finally awoken.
My girlfriend shrugs at me.
I shrug back and nod up the aisle.
Xena grins and starts heading down with me tailing behind.
We finally get out of the jet plane and make our way to the luggage depot. We quickly find which belt brings in our flight so we head there.
"I'll stand on the other side," mentions Xena.
"Gotcha," I reply as I watch her stroll over to the other side of the luggage belt. I reach up and zip my fleece up the rest of the way. I slip my hands into the pockets of my fleece pullover. I tap my foot on the floor, waiting. I study some of the people around me from my flight. Then I look across the luggage belt.
Xena smiles to me.
I grin back.
Xena shifts her smile into an evil grin.
I chuckle and quickly stick my tongue out at her.
My girlfriend looks behind herself as if I didn't mean it to her. She then looks back at me with a silly grin and raised eyebrow.
I laughed quietly and shake me head. I gaze across at her again.
This time, Xena gives me this hilarious seductive look and mouths, 'Hey you, sexy.' I can't help my natural reaction to blush and so I try to look away. Even from here, I can hear my lover laughing at my reaction. I cough and tap my chest. The guy next to me gives me an odd look. I flash him a sheepish smile.
Gazing back at my lover, I shoot her a glare.
Xena just gives me a smug look back but winks and then gives a warm smile.
The guy next to me musta seen all of it, he peers down at me.
"Is she yours?" he asks quietly.
I stare up at him briefly, not sure what to say. Then I smile and reply, "Yeah… she's my crazy sister." I lift my right hand and do that circle at the side of head. "She's real nuts." I drop my arm.
The man laughs a little and nods. "I see." He nods again and looks back up, still holding his briefcase in front of himself with both hands.
I sigh and peer across to my girlfriend.
Xena furrows her eyebrows and nods at the guy beside me.
I roll my eyes and shrug my shoulders.
My lover shrugs back but chuckles. She glances to the left when the belt started moving, the luggage is coming out. She watches the luggage go by, her head turning each way to make sure one isn't ours.
I just chuckle at the scene, finding it rather cute of her but I'd never say that to her.
Xena suddenly leans down and picks up her bag. She sees something, points at it while looking up to me. She gives me a questioning look as she drops her arm.
I nod, knowing it is my bag coming around. I see it come around the bend then come down my side of the belt.
My girlfriend just stands across, watching intently.
I see my bag closing in but suddenly feel myself about to sneeze. I close my eyes, back up, and sneeze a few times. Oooh no, I couldn't have caught that man's flue. I know, once I open my eyes, Xena will have that corked eyebrow and her look of, 'I told you so.' I slowly open my eyes and damned if I am not right when I gaze at my lover.
Xena lowers her eyebrow when she sees my bag came back around on her side. She reaches down and grabs it for me. She comes around, carrying both bags.
I see her coming over but I only sneeze again. I shake my head faintly as I drop my shoulders.
"You okay?" questions Xena once she's by my side.
I hold my hand up briefly, lower my head, close my eyes and sneeze in my cupped hands. I hear Xena drop a bag and then she rubs my back. I shake my head once more and lift my head up again. I sniff and feel a faint amount of mucus go down my throat. "You gotta be kidding me," I mutter.
Xena sighs and whispers, "You caught what he had."
"I didn't," I cut in. I peer up at her.
The Cow Girl just grins.
I sigh and chuckle. "I hope," I add on and sniff again.
"Let's get out of here and get you some fresh air."
I turn and say, "Here, I got my bag." She hands me my bag from her shoulder and I easily take it.
Xena picks up her bag then leads me out of the airport terminal. She reaches into her coat's pocket and pulls out the two bus tickets. "Let's see…" She glances down at them checking the pickup area. She looks back up and weaves through the people.
We get into the cool weather and stroll down to the bus pickup. We both put her bags back down and Xena takes her soft briefcase off as well.
"How long is the bus ride?" I inquire.
My girlfriend shrugs and replies, "Its 'bout an hour to Laramie through the Rocky Mountains." She pauses the finally answers, "Probably about an hour and half. The ranch is outside of Laramie."
I nod and drop my head on my lover's arm. "I'm going back to sleep then."
Xena laughs quietly at my words. "Is that all you do?" she taunts.
"That, write, eat and do your laundry," I tease.
"Mmm, and cook the meals," she tags on.
I laugh then wrap my hands around her arm. "Feels good out here." I sniff again faintly because I can feel a bit of a runny nose coming on. "Oh Hell," I growl.
"Hell is right, you're getten sick, partner." Xena runs her fingers through my hair.
"I neva get sick," I brush off.
"Right." I hear her pause then state, "I'm going to go back in and get you some medicine."
"Oh damn it," I grumble.
"You don't need to get sick on our vacation."
"I'm not." However, I quickly turn my head away and sneeze. "Maybe I am." I release her arm and gaze up at her. "Just don't get my that crap stuff."
Xena raises an eyebrow. "Robatusin?"
I cringe right away. "Don't," I state, "I'd rather be sick." I cork a grin. "Get me like the kid's Dimatap."
My girlfriend laughs a little and grins. "Just for my little girlfriend," she mokes.
"Otherwise, I am not taking anything," I declare and look away with a grin.
Xena chuckles and leans over. She kisses my temple. "I'll be back." She disappears back in the airport.
I sigh and sit down on my bag, not feeling much for standing. I catch sight of Xena's briefcase near me. I reach over and open it; I remove my book. I place it in my lap and stare at the cover of a cowgirl with a gun up touching her brim. I grin, because it even looks a little like Xena.
With a happy sigh, I brush my fingertips over the novella's title then my name below. I carefully open the book as if it were made of glass, I flip through a couple of pages. I stop at one and smile at the few words printed on the page. It reads, 'This novel is dedicated to my Cow Girl. Love Forever, Gabrielle,' and it made me sigh happily. I carefully close up my novel, 'How I met a Cow Girl,' and stare at the cover once more.
My body warms, so I lift my head up and see my lover coming towards me. In one hand, Xena carries a can of fruit juice for vitamin C- I chuckle. And in the other hand, she has a white, purple striped box of Dimatap.
Xena smiles at me as she keeps strolling towards me with her black, leather trench coat flowing behind.
I shake my head, prop my elbow on my knee and rest my chin in my hand. I watch her come to me in all of her glory. I slowly smile with all the love inside of my soul.
Xena mirrors that smile right back at me.
Yes, she's my best friend, my girlfriend, my lover, and my soul mate. My hand brushes the book cover once she comes up to me. I peer up into her twinkling, warm blue eyes and see all that I am missing in my heart and soul, in her eyes.
Yes, she's even my Cow Girl.