Part XIII

Alexa Haden slowly and quite gracefully took a seat on the sofa beside the captain.

Captain Jonson was leaning forward and picked up her cup of coffee. "Thank you for the help."

The trooper remained indifferent but her words came out softer than normal. "It was my pleasure, captain."

Caitlin was swallowing down her hot coffee then when the cup lowered to her lap; she turned her head to Alexa. "Are you sure I can't get you anything to drink?"

Alexa shook her head then politely stated, "I do not require anything, captain."

The captain realized that Haden still remained stiff as a board with her hands tucked between her knees. She was amazed at such a feat considering the sofa was absolutely comfortable and typically it was impossible to resist sinking into it. "You know if I painted that dining room myself it would have taken me a good… three days." She lifted her mug up to her lips yet peered over the brim when icy blue eyes turned to her. Caitlin hesitated though from taking a sip of her coffee when she picked out the glint in the corporal's eyes.

"Perhaps that's a sign of your age, captain."

Caitlin had been taking a swallow of her coffee and now suddenly choked on it. She quickly bent forward to put the mug down on the coffee table. She began patting her chest to help the coughing settle down.

The corporal remained calm despite she was concerned. "Are you okay, captain?" She leaned forward to check on her.

Caitlin sat up again, her face bright red from the choking and coughing. "Yes… I think so." She cleared her throat then peered up at the trooper.

The very corner of Alexa's right mouth twitched with a hidden grin. "However I believe you were quite efficient in painting tonight."

"Well… that's a relief to know." Caitlin huffed then picked up her mug again. This time though she made sure to be more careful.

Alexa looked away and curiously started scanning the den room where they were located. She slowly stood up when something caught her interest.

The captain was curious too so she got up and trailed behind the young woman, her hands still holding the mug of warm brew.

The corporal stopped in front of a white wicker desk that had several photos on it. She bent over some and studied each of the pictures on it. "You have many photos, captain."

Caitlin was standing to the side but she too was studying each photo. "A lot of them are family."

"Is this your mother?" Alexa pointed to a silver picture frame that showed an older woman with salt and pepper hair, the captain's similar features but taller.

"Yes, that is actually." The captain leaned against the desk as her thoughts wondered off to her mother. "She still lives in Indiana actually."

The corporal quickly rotated her to the captain. "Indiana? I believe you said you're from the Philadelphia area."

"Not originally," clarified Caitlin, "I was born in Indiana but I didn't come to Philadelphia until college."

"I see," murmured the trooper. She went back to scanning the photos then stopped at another. "And she is?" She pointed to a photo of a young woman, probably not much older than Alexa, who stood in front of a Christmas tree.

Caitlin smirked and replied, "That's my little sister, Paige."

The trooper now pointed at another photo. "This must be your father." She absorbed the photo of a man sitting before an American flag and he adorned his best uniform. Caitlin's father was also heavily decorated but with a closer evaluation, Alexa figured out he must have been a major general in the army.

"It is," whispered Caitlin finally. She held her mug tighter than she needed to. "He was killed in the Vietnam War."

The corporal straightened up. "I am sorry, captain."

"It was a long time ago," murmured Jonson. "He loved the army… he never regretted any of it."

"How long have you been in the military, captain?"

Caitlin lowered her mug after taking a sip. "Well honestly I'm partially retired… that's how I'm able to work at the barracks."

"I was curious about that," stated the trooper.

The captain flashed a grin at Haden.

Again Alexa's attention was drawn to the pictures. Her icy blues came to a stop on an interesting photo that she couldn't quite interpret. It was a picture of the captain wrapped up against a taller man and the pair seemed quite happy. "Who is in this photo with you, captain?"

The captain peered around and inwardly groaned at the one the corporal picked out. She bit her lower lip then quietly answered, "That is Mathew Stewart."

"You seem quite happy together," observed the trooper.

"We… were," admitted the captain.

Alexa picked out the somberness in the captain's tone. She glanced over at the captain and confirmed it by the captain's strained features.

Captain Jonson peered into her almost empty mug as she continued speaking. "Matt and I were… engaged for about a year."

Alexa's mind reeled at this new information that she hadn't expected at all. She didn't outwardly show it as she straightened up to her amazing six feet. "May I ask what happened, captain?"

Caitlin let out a faint sigh and gradually put her attention on the young woman. "Matt couldn't wait for me any longer." She toyed with her mug between her hands. "I kept setting the date back for the wedding day." She shrugged then quietly added, "He wanted to go to California and asked me to move there." She stopped playing with her mug. "I couldn't leave my position at the barracks at the time."

"Yet you are here," reminded Alexa.

The captain grunted at the honest remark. "True." She pushed off the desk and strolled back to the sofa.

Alexa didn't hesitate to follow and take her seat again. "Then why are you here if you couldn't leave your barracks in Philadelphia?"

"It all happened kind of fast," admitted the captain. "While Matt and I were arguing about what to do, I was asked by the Maryland Police Board to transfer. They couldn't find anybody to cover the Salisbury barracks but Pennsylvania had plenty of people they could promote." She leaned forward to place her empty mug on the coffee table. "It was perfect actually because Matt and I were fighting too much. We were living together and I just had to move on." She lightly patted her hands against her knees then stated, "So here I am… that's my short story."

Alexa remained quiet and still for a heartbeat or two as she took in everything. "I believe you made a good choice, captain."

Caitlin shrugged. "I didn't have much of a choice at the time."

"Perhaps," softly spoke the tall blond.

The captain shook her head as if to rid of old memories. "But enough of my past. What about you?" She carefully studied how Alexa seemed to become uneasy and she wasn't sure why. It peeked her interested however she wasn't about to show it. "You said you were from the York area?"

"Yes," slowly answered the trooper. "I moved to Baltimore about five years ago. I was with Golden Ring for that time until I came here."

"I read you graduated with a degree in aerospace engineering."

Alexa nodded. "From the University of Maryland."

"But you decided to be a trooper?"

The corporal finally stopped staring at the table and turned her head to the captain. "Yes, I prefer the consistency and rigidity of the police force. I also have always desired to help the public… I believe I can do that better as trooper than a scientist."

The captain let out her held breath at the long explanation. "Maybe so but...." She raised a challenging eyebrow. "It's a shame to see such intellect be wasted."

"It is not," argued the trooper. "Each day I am required to use my intelligence to serve the people. As I gain promotion I will be able to better apply myself." She now lifted her eyebrow at the captain. "And Carver would agree with such as I've concluded she is exceptionally bright."

Caitlin couldn't help her forming smile. "I believe you're right."

"Besides that," interrupted the corporal, "you are berating yourself, captain. I've also concluded you're exceptionally intelligent on many levels."

A soft chuckled escaped the captain and her features softened. "Thank you, Haden but I'll admit I have my stupid moments."

"We are all human, captain."

The captain dipped her head in acceptance of the statement. She peered up with a grin. "Except for you?"

Alexa could tell it was a tease but she wouldn't take the bait. "I am mostly perfect but I am still human."

This inspired a deep laugh now from the captain. Caitlin finally settled down but she was still smiling. She leaned back against the sofa but her body was twisted towards the young woman. "Can I inquire about something?"

"Of course, captain."

"What does your tattoo mean?" Captain Jonson dipped her head to the left so she had a better view of the usual tattoo. "I can see it is in a star formation but… it's not quite."

Alexa's jaw tensed, which made the tattoo move in reaction. "It is a called a bionic or biomechanical tattoo."

"And what does it mean… to you?" Caitlin was dissecting the tattoo's possible meaning before Alexa explained it to her.

The tattoo was a starburst formation, as Caitlin observed, yet it also had tube like features that gave it a mechanical feel. It was colored and shaded by pigments of black and blue to give it a metallic look. It was very unusual and truly seemed as if it was apart of Alexa's skin and body.

Alexa licked her dry lips before she explained her tattoo. "I believe sometimes I feel as if my own life is very mechanical. I hold a lot of respect for technology and its capabilities." She hesitated as if trying to back track in her mind. "I also admire the stars greatly and stars have always been a symbol of perfection or heaven to me… peace even."

"The stars are many things," agreed the captain, "beauty, peace, dreams… stories." She now smiled at the younger woman as she leaned back to her original spot. "The final frontier."

"Indeed," murmured the corporal. Then something triggered her to check her watch, which read a quarter before ten o'clock. "Perhaps I should be going, captain. It is late and we both work early."

The captain twisted her head around and glimpsed at her wall clock. "It is late," she agreed with a deep exhale. "And I want you to be well rested for tomorrow." She slowly grinned. "You and your partner have a big day tomorrow."

The officer's eyes slightly narrowed at the implications. "Indeed," she murmured then suddenly stood up.

Caitlin took the signal and got up too. She started around the table while talking. "Thank you again for helping me." She escorted the young woman to the front door at a slow walk. "I wasn't really looking forward to doing it alone." She stopped at the door.

Alexa stood at attention, her hands behind her back, and her features cool as ever. "It was my pleasure, captain. Perhaps you could assist me with painting my bedroom this coming week." She saw how the captain's shifted at the invitation. "I may not be able to reach some of the lower spots."

Caitlin ran her tongue along the top row of her teeth at the jest. "At that rate, you might be doing it alone."

The corporal expression was unmoving but it was her eyes going into an indigo shade that gave her away. "I'd prefer your assistance, captain."

"I'll think about it."

Haden arched her right eyebrow at the captain. She knew the captain would take her up on the invitation merely because of Caitlin's tone. "I would enjoy such." She clasped the doorknob and started her way out.

The captain followed her out onto the small, brick porch and stepped down. She left the door open while she said goodnight to the young woman. "I will see you in the morning."

The trooper dipped her head. "Have a good night, captain." She said nothing else and began to move away yet she stopped when a small hand caught her left wrist. She turned back with an inquisitive look. "Captain?"

The captain stepped up closer and released the taller woman. "I meant to tell you."

"Yes, captain?"

Caitlin's lips curled into a playful smile. "Don't call me captain anymore when we're off duty."

The corporal bowed her head some, closer to the captain's. "Then what would you prefer?"

"My name would be nice." The captain was softly laughing at Alexa's question.

"Then I would prefer it if you called me Alexa."

Captain Jonson now had a growing smile at this. She slowly nodded then offered, "Have a goodnight too. And drive home safely… Alexa." She noticed the glow on Alexa's features and she couldn't decide if it was from their discussion or just simply the outside light.

"I will. See you in the morning, Caitlin." Then with that, she turned and headed down the patio, down the pathway, and into the circular driveway where her car was parked.

Caitlin hadn't realized she remained on the patio for some time just staring at the receding form of the trooper. She shook her reverie away and forced herself back into the house. When she closed the door the night's events swept over her and she dropped her back against the door with a loud exhale. "Ooo my god," she moaned and dropped her head against the wood door with resounding thud. "What was that all about, Cait?" She groaned quite loudly while her hands came up over her face to muffle her sounds. "I really need some sleep… or something." She pushed off the door but her thoughts about Alexa Haden didn't waver.



Part XIV

Ashley decided to leave the front door of her house open for a minute. She followed her girlfriend into the master bedroom.

Katia went into the bathroom with the door closing behind.

Ashley, however, went to the foot of her bed where Katia had her duffle bag sitting. Before they'd left for Ashley's mom's house, Katia had packed her things up so she could leave right away. Ashley though quickly went to her dresser, opening the top drawer, and hastily hunting for something. "Hey K, I'm going to take your stuff out to the car." She was back at the duffle bag, opening it quietly, and slipping a small card into it.

The trooper hefted the duffle bag strap onto her shoulder and headed out of the room. She knew Katia typically left her car open so when she got out the car, she popped the trunk. She carefully placed the bag down then made her way back into the house.

Katia came into the living room with her fingers combing her hair back. "You took my stuff out?"

"Yea, it's in the car." Ashley took in the tired features of her lover. She knew it'd been a long day for them and it was already fairly late now. "You need to get home, K."

"Mmmm." The college student neared her girlfriend and clasped their hands together. "In a minute." She dragged Ashley through the living room and got her to sit down on the sofa. Katia then straddled Ashley's lap and smiled at her. "Thanks for the weekend."

Ashley smiled and touched her lover's cheek. "Thanks for coming down." She then brought her hands onto Katia's hip to support her better. "Next time I'll come up, how's that sound?"

"That'd be nice," agreed the younger woman. "Next weekend?"

The trooper sighed then shook her head. "I have to report for duty next weekend." She saw the crinkled look on her lover's face. "The following weekend I'll come up… promise."

"You better," lightly teased Katia. She pressed her nose against Ashley's for a second but something came to mind so she pulled back. "They haven't called you in for Iraq, have they?"

Ashley detected the worry in her girlfriend. "No, they haven't." She now gave a confident smile. "I told you not to worry, with me being a trooper."

"And now you're going to be in college," reminded Katia.

"Exactly." The trooper saw how Katia relaxed finally. "It'll be fine."

Katia poked her girlfriend's side. "Don't jinx it either." When Ashley rolled her eyes, Katia decided to ignore it and leaned in for a kiss. At the end of the kiss, she asked, "Have you signed up for classes at SU?"

"In a couple of weeks I do," replied Ashley.

"You think your hours will be reduced at the barracks?"

The trooper shrugged. "May be some… it depends on the school work load."

Katia now rolled her eyes. "This is coming from the somebody who slept through her classes."

Ashley chuckled at the remark. "Well some classes are bound to be a little challenging."

"Right… like your English class."

The trooper groaned at the reminder of English classes, which she could do but never enjoyed. "That's more your forte."

"Not really," admitted the young woman, "I like to write, not read so much."

Ashley's features constructed into curiosity. "Since when was that, K?"

"Since always… I just can't sit still to read although I enjoy it." Katia now shrugged because she couldn't explain it any further.

The trooper was remotely surprised by this information.

"Besides," continued Katia, "English 101 and 102 are just basics… and since we've both been to Oldfields it'll be too easy."

A smirk crossed Ashley's face at that point. "Oldfields was a stickler for five paragraph essays, grammar-"

"Interpretation, reading, and blah blah." Katia waved her hand a little then lowered it back to Ashley's side. "I think that's what burnt me with English." She then leaned in closer to Ashley. "It'll be strange seeing you on campus."

"Is that good or bad?" tease the older woman.

Katia's lips curled into a grin. "Real good."

"Maybe we'll have a class together," whispered the trooper.

Katia really considered this idea then she laughed at her imagination's image. "We'd never learn anything."

"True." Ashley smiled at her girlfriend.

Katia's hands slipped lower and went under Ashley's shirt. "We'd just end up tormenting each other all class period." Her hands traveled up Ashley's muscular stomach. "Playing with each other."

"Hmmmm." The trooper quickly caught her lover's roaming hands by the wrist. "We would…" Her tone held a level of seriousness to it. "You need to get home, K before it gets any later."

"If I had to guess, I'd say you're trying to get rid of me."

Ashley sighed while slowly pulling Katia's hands away from her stomach. "You know that's not true. I just don't want you falling asleep on the drive home."

"I'll be fine," argued the young woman. She then leaned in for a searching kiss, demanding her lover to respond. She was surprised how Ashley managed to pull away from the kiss abruptly.

"I'm serious." Ashley started to shift and easily lifted her girlfriend up then onto her feet. She quickly stood up and loomed over the smaller woman. "We both know how tired you get from driving."

Katia's stare was cold, her hands clenched at her side. "You're somethin' else, some times." She messed with her hair for a second as she debated what to do next. With a shake of her head, she stepped around her girlfriend but Ashley caught her by the arm.

"K, I'm just-"

"Its fine, Ashley." Katia jerked her arm free then continued across the room. "You're right… like always." She grabbed her purse from the rack of hooks by the door. Just after she had the strap across her chest a warm set of hands touched her shoulders. She closed her eyes and tried desperately to control her temper.

"Katia, I don't want something to happen to you." Ashley lowered her head closer to her lover's. "I worry about you."

Katia's body was tense from her anger. She hotly whispered, "I can worry about myself fine." She walked away from Ashley and started out of the house.

The trooper stood dumbfounded by the turn of events. She turned her head sidelong and caught the last glimpse of her girlfriend heading to the driveway. Urgency suddenly filled her and she chased after Katia to catch her by Katia's car.

Katia had her right hand on the door handle but she stared at the ground between them.

"Do not drive out of here with things like this, Katia."

Katia's dark green eyes flashed up at her girlfriend with a sharply lift of her head. "Me?" She let go of the car handle and came closer. "It takes two to tango if I recall correctly."

"And I'm trying to stop this," remarked the trooper hotly.

"You already did, remember?"

"That isn't fair, Katia. You know why I-"

"Yeah I do." Katia's right hand was clenched but she pointed her finger at her. "Because some times I'm still that kid you saved in Pennsylvania months back." She lowered her hand and held her lover's gaze in an intense stare. "I've done a lot of changing since then, Ashley and I plan to do a lot more. So either we grow together… or apart." She finally turned away and yanked her car door open roughly. "I need to get home before I fall asleep behind the wheel."

Ashley hadn't seen Katia this angry since the time she'd written her the citation. This time though she had a more sinking feeling in comparison.

Katia had the door open, her purse tossed in the passenger's seat, and yet she hesitated. She turned her head to Ashley and stated, "You know you're everything to me." Her tone was less hostile but she cut things short by saying, "I'll see you in two weeks." She disappeared into the car and started it up.

The trooper was paralyzed as she watched her girlfriend back out of the driveway. She gradually folded her arms over her chest and her head slowly turned as Katia drove down the road.

Katia made it to the stop sign at the end of the street and it was almost there that her anger broke down. Her eyes started to sting but she cursed herself while muttering, "Don't give in." She wanted to turn back, wanted to grab Ashley into her arms but instead she turned right onto the next road and kept going.

Ashley swallowed the painful lump in her throat. She watched Katia's car vanished down the road and never turned back as she'd hoped. She suddenly became enraged and growled, "Fuck!" She pulled her arms away as her hands fisted up and she willed her emotions to stop being so turmoil. With a stoic attitude she briskly walked back into the house.

It wasn't until two hours later that Katia found her way into her parents' home. She was relieved to back into some sort of safety. She carried her bag of clothes and silently went into the house. Her mind was still turning over the events of tonight and she was becoming more upset. She kept reminding herself that sometimes Ashley required a certain amount of tough love to get any message across. She'd learned that only recently as Ashley could be too stubborn. Katia also discovered that the word 'sorry' was pretty much impossible for Ashley.

Katia finally slipped into her dark room and she turned the light on. Everything was the way she left it except for some of her clean clothes on the bed. She shook her head at her mom's kindness for doing it. She decided she needed to sleep since work was only a seven hours away. First she put her duffle bag on her desk then put her clean clothes there too.

Katia opened her duffle bag so she could retrieve her toiletry bag yet she came up short. She carefully touched the yellow card that sat on top of everything and had her name written out in Ashley's handwriting. Her eyes burned again but she resisted while picking up the card and gently opening it.

Katia read the enduring words from her lover. By the time she came to Ashley's unique signature, she was in tears about everything. She put the card down on the desk and muttered, "What the hell am I going to do with you, Ashlinn?" Her chest rose and fell quickly because of the upset coursing through her. She hated fights with Ashley and despite they were rare they were always the hardest.

After a shake of her head, she wiped her tears away and willed her emotions to stop for now. She finally grabbed her toiletries and headed for the bathroom to clean up for the night. She kept thinking about Ashley though and what would most likely happen next. She could guess that Ashley would try to ignore things in hopes it would settle things down. And Katia, she knew she'd give in eventually and follow suit but it would be a temporary fix.



Part XV

Katia turned the ignition key to the left and listened to her car turn off. Seconds passed as she sat there in her car, staring at the front of Ashley's house. She rid of her strange mood and threw open her car door. When she got out she began to wonder why Ashley had parked her car in the driveway. It was fairly unusual for Ashley to do that considering the two car garage.

She went to the trunk of her car and popped it. Once she had her overnight bag out and trunk shut, she started for the front door. Her thoughts about the last time she was at Ashley's filtered back to her; the argument, the anger, and the emotions. It'd been a month since she'd stayed at Ashley's house.

Katia pulled open the screen door first then she debated whether to just go in or not. Something in her made her uncharacteristically knock before entering at all. She lifted her head when her girlfriend pulled open the main door.

"K, you didn't need to knock." The trooper stepped aside.

"I know… I just…."

"Come on." Ashley pulled her girlfriend into the house and took her bag. She set it down on the floor near the corner between the hallway and living room.

Katia had taken her purse off too and merely tossed it on top of her duffle bag. "When did you get home?"

"Mmmm about an hour ago." Ashley shrugged then came closer to her lover. "Come here."

Katia was drawn into a warm, long hug by her girlfriend and it seemed to ease her nervousness. She didn't understand why she was so nervous about seeing Ashley this evening but she had been. It'd been two weeks since her and Ashley were able to spend anytime together. They both ended up working weekends and the days they had off were never the same until finally these next two days. Katia had planned tomorrow and Thursday off as did Ashley.

"I've miss you," whispered Ashley.

Katia rested her head against her lover's chest, her eyes closed. "I miss you too, tiger."

Ashley drew back but not without placing a kiss to Katia's head. "Happy birthday too, K."

The small woman lifted her head and her features were softened by a smile. "Thank you."

"Did your mom do a nice dinner last night?"

"It was the best." Katia chuckled while adding, "All my favorites." She then released a sigh before saying, "I was glad she didn't mind doing it yesterday even though it wasn't my birthday."

"Well that's perfect because tonight…." Ashley was smiling and pulled out of the embrace. "We'll spend it together." She laced her right hand through Katia's and pulled her along with her.

Katia's features were twisted in confusion as Ashley guided her towards the backdoor that led to the yard. She was surprised Ashley had the drapes closed since typically she left them open during the day for extra light. "Don't we need to get ready if we're going to make it to the restaurant?"

Ashley paused and gazed sidelong at her lover. "We have enough time. I just wanted to show you something I did to the yard. I think you'll be surprised."

Katia narrowed her eyes at how Ashley purred those last words. "Did you build a pool finally?"

Ashley chuckled at the joke as she stood in front of the door and slid the glass door open. "No, I decided on a brick patio… a bit like mother's."

"Huh," mumbled the curious student. "I do have to see that." She came behind Ashley but she had to push the heavy current out of the way. She sensed her feet stepping down onto a hard surface instead of the usual grass. She couldn't see much yet as her tall girlfriend obscured her view.

Finally Ashley stepped aside.

"Surprise!!" yelled the chorus of familiar voices.

Katia's stomach dropped at the sight of all her friends standing before her. She'd never felt more embarrassed, which caused a blush to creep down her face and over her neck.

Ashley had the smuggest expression, her arms cross over her chest, and happily watching her dumbfounded girlfriend take in everything.

"Happy birthday, Katia!" called out everybody then everybody hurried forward to Katia.

Katia was laughing and trying to come over her shock at seeing her friends here. She was pulled into so many hugs and given endless birthday wishes. Her second to last hug was from her closest friend, Mike Sunn.

Mike pulled back from the hug with the silliest smile on his face. "We got you good huh?"

Katia laughed and shook her head, not sure what to say.

Erin and Sara stood off to the side with their arms linked and smiles on their faces. Then off to Katia's right was her little sister, Lisa. Beside Lisa stood Haley and then just behind Mike was a young man she didn't recognize.

Katia cleared her throat as she picked up the implications of the young man behind Mike. "And who's this, Mikie?"

Mike's wide grin appeared and he grabbed the man's arm to bring him forward. "Katia, I want you to meet Marc Foster."

"Hello, Katia." Marc shook Katia's hand then cheerfully added, "Happy big twenty first."

Katia softly laughed. "Thank you." Then she smirked at Mike. "Now I know why you haven't called back."

Mike sighed then rolled her eyes. "Whatever." His attention then was pulled up to a blond bombshell now standing beside Katia.

Katia was shocked to find Alexa Haden at her left side. She turned to the trooper and offered a warm smile.

Alexa's features were soft, her eyes gentle, and a faint smile playing with her lips. "Happy birthday, Katia." Over the brief encounters she'd had with Katia she'd come to enjoy the young woman's spirit.

"Thank you, Alexa. How are you?"

"I am well." The trooper bent her head down a bit closer. "Ashley actually asked me here incase there is any underage drinking tonight."

"Hey!" chided Sara.

Katia laughed in response.

Ashley touched her lover's shoulders. "She's kidding."

Alexa straightened up to her imposing six feet. "I did bring my citation pad."

Katia started to laugh again but she pulled the tall trooper in for a hug.

Alexa hesitated for a second yet she returned the warm embrace.

Katia withdrew and softly said, "Thank you for coming."

"My pleasure."

Ashley shifted behind her lover and gently touched her shoulders. "We should get things started, K."

The young woman turned her head up and around to gaze at her lover. "What else do you have planned?"

Ashley grinned at the lightness in Katia's eyes. "I have one of your favorite foods." She directed to the picnic table off to the right.

Katia followed the line of sight and discovered a news papered table covered with crabs. "Ooo… my… god."

Everybody laughed together at Katia's reaction.

"I hope there's beer too," called Sara jokingly.

The state trooper raised an eyebrow at the underager. Her focus lowered to Katia, who was already being attracted to the crabs.

Alexa took Katia's vacant spot by Ashley.

The group of friends all found spots at the table but everybody made sure to leave Katia's right side free.

"You like crabs, Alexa?" murmured the sergeant.

"I do but I believe you will have to teach me how to open them."

Ashley widely grinned and patted the other trooper's back. "That's easy. Come on."

The pair strolled across the patio to the group. Alexa took a spot on the opposite side from Katia and on either side of her were Mike and Sara.

Ashley went to the right end of the table where there was a large white cooler. She lifted the top and dug through beverages until she came to the one she wanted. She lifted the clear glass bottle from the ice and easily twisted the metal cap off. She came up behind her girlfriend and lowered the bottle with the label facing Katia.

Katia suddenly laughed after she read Smirnoff Twisted V Apple flavor. "My first legal drink huh?"

"At least she can't give you a citation for this!" hooted Sara from across the table.

Alexa had an inquisitive look about this citation.

Ashley was sighing dramatically while going back to the cooler. "Anybody want something?"

"What you got?" inquired Mike.

Ashley held up a finger. She reached into the cooler and pulled out one of each item and lined them up for everybody's inspection.

"I want a Yuengling," ordered Mike first.

Ashley rummaged through the drink cooler and popped the cap off. She passed the beer down the line.

"You have lime for the Corona?" teased Erin.

The state trooper smirked and reached into the cooler. She dangled a Ziploc of already cut limes.

"I'll have that then," declared Erin.

Ashley easily removed the top, put the lime in, and passed it down. She continued to take everybody's drink order until she got to her own. She decided on a Yuengling and took her reserved spot beside her girlfriend.

"We need a toast." Mike held up his beer. "To Katia's first legal drink…." His eyes glowed as he added, "Served by Officer Carver."

The group laughed and hooted as they clinked drinks around the table.

Katia had a long drink of the sweet soda-like beverage that fizzed over her tongue.

Lisa sat beside Katia and she pointed at the crab at the top of the stack. "You start, Kat."

The birthday girl grinned and picked up the crab, which was the biggest out of the pile. She was surprised by the weight of them but as soon as she had it, everybody else raced for the immense pile.

Alexa was the last one to pick out a crab from the pile. She tilted her head at her partner from across the table in a signal.

The sergeant smirked at Haden and went slowly to show her how to open up a crab. She was surprised how easily Haden was able to mimic her. Monkey see, monkey do inwardly joked Ashley.

"So how did you manage all this, Ash?"

The state trooper grinned at her lover. "Ooo you know." She shrugged.

"No, I don't," teased Katia.

"Well from what I heard," cut in Sara, "a nosey trooper went snooping for phone numbers."

"Hey," cut in Ashley, who was pointing a claw at Sara. "I had Erin's help."

"Oooo no!" Erin held up her hands. "Do not get me pulled into this."

"Yeah," joined in Mike. "How did you get my number anyway, Ashley?"

Haley grinned and spoke up for the first time. "Well I am sure Katia's cell phone was alone at some point."

Katia's eyes widened up at her lover. "You didn't?"

Ashley had just cracked the crab's body in half. "I would never." That twinkle in her eye gave her away though.

"You did," argued Katia.

"As I recall," started the trooper, "there was somebody that went through my cell phone."

Katia's jaw dropped and she poked her lover's arm with a crab claw. "I was trying to protect you from that psycho."

"Right," teased Ashley.

"What ever happened to your ex?" inquired Mike, his eyes on the state trooper.

Ashley shrugged. "It's a long story."

"Ooo we have time," cut in Sara, her grin wide.

Katia knew Sara too well and she quickly shot back, "I don't want to discuss Ashley's ex on my birthday."

Erin laughed at this. "Nice one." She was shaking her head and went back to eating.

"Soooo…" Katia's eyes rested on Mike's boyfriend. "Where are you from, Marc?"

The rather shy man cleared his throat and replied, "I live in Easton."

"What you do?" inquired Haley, who was on the opposite side of Marc.

"I actually do boat repair work down in Easton."

Katia perked up at this news since her parents were in the marine business. "What kind of work?"

"Nothing amazing," explained Marc, "but things like bottom painting, some fiberglass work, and some basic engine work."

"What kind of engines?" probed Katia.

Marc was remotely astonished that Katia had any interest or knowledge about marine work. "Well I'm strictly outboards and typically Mercury or Yanmar."

Katia just finished pulled out a lump of crab meet from the back fin. "Mercruisers and Yanmar are doing well in the marine business."

Marc smiled at Katia's knowledge. "Yes they are."

Mike picked up on his boyfriend's confusion so he explained, "Katia's parents own a marina."

"Really?" Marc straightened up at this revelation. "What marina?"

"Chestertown Yacht Basin."

Marc was touching his beer and also shaking his head. "You're a Danforth?" He now glared at Mike. "You didn't tell me Katia was a Danforth."

Mike rolled his eyes. "What does it matter?"

Marc eyed his boyfriend. "Chestertown Yacht Basin is one of the most well-known marinas on the bay."

Katia grinned.

Lisa piped in now by saying, "We're the only marina that has a hundred-ten ton travel lift." She flashed a grin at her older sister. "Dad was smart on that one."

"I hear you guys haul out Lady Maryland and the Sultana yearly," stated Marc.

"We do," agreed Katia after she took a drink of her Smirnoff. "But they're not good money because the crews do all the bottom work." She shrugged but added, "It does make the marina look good though."

"Isn't Lady Maryland coming soon too?" Lisa was looking at her sister.

"Next week," confirmed Katia. "Sultana is already hauled and blocked on land now."

"Damn," muttered Marc. "It's great to meet some Danforths."

Lisa actually blushed at this and looked down at her crab.

Ashley peered at her lover. "Your grandfather started the business, right?"

"Yup." Katia nodded. "Lisa and I are third generation."

Mike huffed. "If one of you stays to run the business later."

Katia smirked down at her little sister. "That's all you, Lisa."

"Ooo no," fought Lisa with a wave of the crab claw she just broke off a new crab. "I am not the boater."

Katia chuckled then turned away from her sister. "Lisa is taking over." She grinned at hearing her sister's dramatic exhale.

Sara suddenly had that wicked look again. "I don't know, Katia… I think you're butch enough for the job."

Katia growled, grabbed a crab shell, and threw it at her friend.

Erin kneed her girlfriend under the table. "You deserved that one."

Katia took another long drink of her Smirnoff but when she settled it down, Ashley bumped their shoulders together.

"Taste better now that you're twenty-one?"

Katia chuckled at her girlfriend's words. "Ooo yeah," she teased.

Alexa had just taken a drink of her soda and her inquisitive eyes were on the couple. "Why did Ashley give you a citation, Katia?"

The college student switched her attention to the normally quiet state trooper. She bit her lower lip as she debated whether to bring up one of Ashley's bitter memories. She figured if they couldn't talk about it now then it wasn't getting any better. "Well it happened…." She peered at her lover in question for the date.

Ashley only shrugged and continued pulling her new crab apart.

"It was October fifteenth," helped Haley from at the other end of the table. "I remember my noise violation."

Sara snickered from across the table but she contained her words behind her lips. She turned her head to Alexa though. "Haley was having a party at her house… it's like a couple of blocks away from SU."

"And I had the worst neighbors," complained Haley, with a shake of her head.

Alexa was already figuring out what probably happened that night.

"So the cops showed up," continued Katia.

"And guess who happened to show up?" Sara's tone was light and teasing.

Alexa Haden eyes rested on the downcast head of Ashley.

"I happened to be holding Erin's beer while she went to the bathroom." Katia sighed but she had a grin. "In walks the local cops and one starts arguing with me for holding the beer."

"And Katia did the real bright thing by asking for Trooper Carver." Erin smirked at her roommate.

"Funny," growled Katia. "I did though."

"Needless to say," broke in Mike, "Katia had a date with the court a week later."

Alexa was devoid of any emotions on her face. She was rather surprise by the situation though. "Did you have a fine?"

Katia shook her head. "I pleaded not guilty and got out of it." She peered down at her quiet lover. "And thanks to Ashley playing dumb."

Alexa's icy eyes lowered to her partner.

Ashley grinned at the corporal. "I never performed a breathalyzer test."

Alexa nodded at this information.

"So," started Sara, "would you give any of us a citation, Alexa? Or a speeding ticket?"

The trooper leaned forward some and directed her cold gaze down at the younger woman. "I would not… except for you."

Sara was gaping and offended all at once. Everybody else was laughing at the exchange. "That's fine… I'm legally innocent anyway." As she said that she picked up her beer.

Ashley smirked. "As we can see."

Sara glared at the state trooper.

"So how did y'all get here anyway?" Katia was scanning everybody's faces. She then stopped at her lover.

Ashley gave her girlfriend a devious grin. "You didn't notice my car parked outside the garage?"

"I was wondering about that!" Katia chuckled as the clue given to her. "Everybody parked their cars in there?" She grabbed her drink but paused from picking it up yet. "Still you can't put…." She trailed off trying to think how this worked out.

"Well, I picked up Marc and Lisa came with us." Mike was grabbing another crab as he continued. "Then we parked in the garage."

"I picked up Alexa," offered Ashley.

"Erin, Sara, and I came together." Haley had that warm smile of hers. "And we took a spot in the garage."

"Huh," murmured Katia, who finally had all the pieces together. She leaned towards her lover and whispered, "You're good."

Ashley's eyes glowed in her girlfriend's direction. "So you tell me… often."

Ashley's words were quiet yet Sara didn't fail to hear them. "Wooo I bet!!"

"Sara!" yelled Katia and she grabbed for a crab shell. Simultaneously she and Ashley threw crab shells across at the rude interrupter.

"Ooo god," whined Sara. She was reaching into her mouth to pull out a decent crab shell piece that somehow landed there. "Gross!" She threw the offending object into her crab remnants pile.

"At this rate, Sara, you'll have the largest pile of crabs," joked Mike.

"Well thank you," chided Sara. Her glower didn't work on him though so she went to get her beer instead.

"So you were surprised?" whispered Ashley.

Katia had just drunk from her Smirnoff Twisted and her attention went to her girlfriend. Her smile was brilliant and her features soft. "Very… thank you." She leaned over.

Ashley met her halfway and was rewarded with a long kiss.

Almost everybody at the table cheered on the kiss. The only exception, Alexa, intently memorized every heartbeat of it.

Katia was enjoying the mix of tastes between Old Bay, apple Smirnoff, and beer. It was quite usual and she wanted to tangle her fingers in Ashley's hair but that wouldn't have worked so well. She slowly withdrew her tongue then came out of the kiss. When she leaned back some, her eyes were held by Ashley's in a long, intense stare of desire.

The party continued into the early evening and Ashley had planned on everybody still being hungry. She'd recently purchased a grill and finally had the chance to use it. She and Erin managed to grill up several burgers and chicken. The food was spread out on the cleaned up picnic table along with corn on the cob, pasta salad that Alexa made, potato salad that Mike put together, brownies that Lisa baked, and Erin's famous raspberry cheesecake. Everybody was dispersed on the brick patio in various chairs or standing and idly chitchatting while eating.

Ashley stood by the smoking grill, beer in hand, and her gaze on her girlfriend across the patio. She watched the exchange between Katia and Trooper Haden going on but she couldn't hear anything between the grill's sizzling and the music blaring from her screen door to the house. She just could watch the expressions on Katia's face shift and how Katia's animated hands corresponded with her words.

Alexa was ridged in the metal seat she occupied. Her right hand held a new Coke but her attention was carefully placed on the small blond beside her. "Perhaps you should speak to her about it, Katia."

The college student sighed while she remained bent forward, her head turned in the trooper's direction. "It's hard to talk to her sometimes, Alexa."

"Indeed," murmured the trooper yet she kept thinking about her partner. She gaze went to the younger woman. "It is how you approach the topic with Ashley."

Katia huffed then brushed back her hair. "Its strange though because some times she's really great about talking and other times she just rather forget it."

"I have observed this too," agreed the trooper. "Ashley has a high level of pride, Katia. You must remember that about her." She saw the frustration written on the college student's face. "She will never admit she's wrong."

"Let alone apologize for it," added Katia.

"What was the argument about?" probed the trooper.

Katia let out a heavy sigh as she straightened up and leaned back into the chair. Her hands began to move with her story about her fight with Ashley a month ago that never was resolved.

Alexa carefully listened to each detail and tried to process it. When silence fell between them, she murmured, "I recall Ashley being rather volatile for that week."

Katia was shocked by her friend's admission about her lover. "She didn't do anything, did she?"

Alexa picked up on the worry. "No." She looked at the young woman. "However her attitude that week was less than composed. She seemed to settle down later however." She uncharacteristically toyed with her can of Coke. "You should have never gave in, Katia." At seeing Katia's perplexed expression she further explained. "You must hold your ground until she breaks and talks to you. If Ashley wins every battle then you lose any control in the relationship."

"This isn't exactly a war zone, Alexa."

"No," agreed the trooper, "however Ashley is a trained soldier and trooper. She's also been independent for years."

Katia considered the simple diagnosis of her girlfriend and understand where her friend was going with this.

"She must learn to adjust," stated the trooper. "Somewhere in her mind…" Her icy eyes stared across the yard and settled on her partner. "She doesn't see you as her equal in the relationship. She has to have the control." Her stare went to Katia. "I struggle everyday with her to find that balance as her partner."

"And she does with you too," concluded Katia. When Alexa slowly nodded at her, everything made sense to Katia and she sighed at that. "This won't be easy." Her stomach felt unsettled as her mind did right now.

"No, it isn't." Alexa stretched her long legs out finally. "But it is futile for her to resist in the face of love."

Katia had a grin at her friend's words. "I like that… I'll be sure to mention that to her." For the first time, she saw a distance smile on Alexa's face. "Thanks, Alexa."

"You are welcome, Katia." Her silver blue eyes lifted when Ashley approached them.

Ashley sat down beside her lover in the chair next to her.

"Grill everything?" teased Katia.

Ashley's face was masked by a grin. "Yup."

"Get anything to eat?"

"I will in a minute."

Katia patted her lover's knee then got up. "I'm going to grab something. Either of you want something?"

Ashley was shaking her head.

"I'm fine, Katia."

Katia nodded at the pair then made her way to the food table. She was met there by Mike and Sara for chitchat while she picked out her plate of food.

"Thanks for coming, Alexa," spoke the sergeant. "I know it meant somethin' to Katia."

The trooper's calm stature told she was comfortable around her partner. "It was my pleasure. I enjoyed the crabs, thank you."

Ashley chuckled at this information. "They're damn expensive but really good."

"I've heard they're about seventy-five a bushel."

"Mmmm." Ashley took a long drink of her beer then lowered it to her lap. "Katia loves them though." She then had a curious look on her face. "Did you get your bedroom painted? I meant to ask."

"I did," confirmed the blond trooper, "the captain helped me."

Ashley sat up now. "When was this?"

The corporal ran through her mental calendar. "Three weeks ago… on a Thursday night."

"I didn't realize that," mumbled Ashley. "I've noticed you and the captain getting along better."

Alexa narrowed her eyes at her partner because she was intelligent enough to pick up Ashley's implications. "I seem to be finding my place in the barracks."

Very slowly a wide grin spread across Ashley's teasing features. "So it seems."

Katia suddenly reappeared, asking, "What you two talking about?"

Ashley cut to the chase knowing fully well what the results would be. "Alexa was telling me that her and the captain painted her bedroom a few of weeks ago."

Katia got into her chair but her attention was solely on Alexa. "Really?"

Ashley bit her lower lip for a second because she knew what this would mean. She just instigated the matchmaker's interest. She took a satisfying drink of her beer.

"Yes," answered Alexa, "the captain was very helpful."

"I heard rumor you two went on a dinner date a week before that." Katia lips played a devilish grin. She was scooping up a forkful of Mike's potato salad.

Alexa's chilled eyes narrowed at her partner on the other side of Katia.

Ashley ignored the grenade glare in her direction.

"Yes," stated Alexa, "however it was not a date as you misinterpreted."

Katia's body was shaking from a silent laugh. "Well what else… did you two do?"

Alexa easily informed her friend about the night's event. She then waited for Katia to say something despite she didn't understand Katia's glowing features about this particular topic.

"So did you have a nice time?" innocently asked Katia.

"Yes, it was pleasant."

Katia heard the snicker from her lover so she secretly smacked Ashley's thigh. "I actually haven't met the captain yet."

Alexa's head bent to the side some. "The next time you come to the barracks I will introduce you to her."

Ashley was rolling her eyes and drinking her beer.

"I'd like that," agreed the college student.

Alexa enjoyed the smile on Katia. She then randomly stated, "I discovered the captain was recently engaged."

Ashley suddenly choked on her beer and bent forward, coughing. She wondered how this kept happening to her all the time.

Katia peered over at her lover and patted her back for support. "She's engaged?"

"She was," corrected the blond trooper.

Ashley finally had control of her breathing again. She sat up and asked, "When was this?"

"She was engaged for a year before she came here."

"What happened?" brought up Katia.

Alexa took a drink of her soda to help with her parched mouth. She then explained what happened between Captain Jonson and the man she'd been engaged to for a long time.

"Wow," whispered Katia at the end. "I don't believe it."

Alexa only moved her head in agreement.

Katia's attention was stolen away when her best friend, Mike, showed up in front of them.

"Katia, this is our song."

Katia groaned and slumped in her seat. "I can't dance… I just ate."

"Ooo come on." Mike held out his hand.

Ashley was evilly grinning and she took Katia's empty plate. "Go on, K."

"No, no," refused Katia was hauled to her feet. "I have two left feet… I got thrown out of a dance club."

"What dance club were you in?" called Ashley.

Katia glowered at her girlfriend and proclaimed, "One up in Wilmington years ago, thank you." Yet she was still being drawn away from her lover by Mike, which she feared.

Ashley's head was bobbing since she knew Wilmington allowed people eighteen or older into the clubs. She made a mental note to ask Katia about going to a lesbian dance club now that she was old enough.

"Aaaah!" cried Katia as she was yanked into Mike's arms.

"Time to dance, birthday girl!" called Sara, who was joining in too.

Katia was bright red as she tried to ignore the silliness of it all. She tried to actually dance to the fast beat of Shakira's song but she felt like she was failing miserably. Yet it really didn't matter in front of her half inebriated friends.

The song started to wind down then it switched to one of Katia's most favorite ones that she could never resist. Katia was into it now and she gave a yell of excitement. She grabbed Haley, who was closest to her now.

Mike got next to the ladies and stared the song with, "Doo doo doo doooo."

Haley laughed and began singing too. "Doo doo doo Doooo!"

The group all called out, "Aaaahhhh, Aaaahh!"

Mike spun around to his boyfriend, who was joining them and Mike called out, "Where have all the good men gone!"

Sara bounced in and called out "And where are all the gods?"

"Where's the street-wise Hercules," sang Haley.

"To fight the rising odds?" Erin suddenly joined in with her group of friend as she was yanked up by her girlfriend.

Katia turned and met her lover's gaze as she sang the next line. "Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?"

Lisa suddenly appeared in the doorway to the house. "Late at night I toss and I turn and I dream of what I need," she sang out while laughing and dancing her way to the group in the middle of the patio.

Suddenly the crowd's voice rang, "I need a hero!!! I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night!"

Katia turned her back to her friends and grinned at Ashley while singing, "She's gotta be strong and she's gotta be fast. And she's gotta be fresh from the fight." She suddenly felt a sharp smack on her ass from Mike. She tossed a wicked smile at him.

"I need a hero!!" chanted the group, "I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light!"

Ashley suddenly rose up as they chanted the chorus. She approached her lover while beautifully singing, "She's gotta be sure. And it's gotta be soon. And she's gotta be larger than life… larger than life!"

Katia was swept up into her lover's beautiful voice that she never knew she had. She was entranced by it and her heartbeat was fast.

"Doo doo doo dooooo!" sang out the group, "Aaaah aah aaaah!"

"I need a hero," sang out Katia in the lead as she saw how Alexa was the last one left sitting. She wiggled across the patio to the blond bombshell that tried every tactic form ignoring them to warning off Katia with cold eyes. "I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night!" By this point she was looming over the blond trooper.

Alexa sighed but rose up while perfectly singing, "Up where the mountains meet the heavens above… Out where the lightning strikes the sea. I could swear there is someone… somewhere… watching me."

Katia was all smiles as she led her friend to the dancing group.

"Through the wind and the chill and the rain," sang out Haley.

"And the storm and the flood," called Mike.

"I can feel her approach," sang Ashley when her lover was close.

Katia faced her girlfriend and quietly sang, "Like a fire in my blood."

"I need a hero," cried out the chorus, who were in a fit of giggles too at the terrible singing.

Ashley captured her lover's hand and pulled her in close as she took the lead with her amazing voice. "I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night." She sensed Katia's arms around her waist now. "She's gotta be strong… and she's gotta be fast. And she's gotta be fresh from the fight," she ended in a quiet singing voice.

Katia pulled her lover down for a long kiss as their bodies swayed to the music. Her friends' voices were drowned out by her kiss with Ashley. It wasn't until the end of the kiss that she realized the song was long over and she didn't care as she wistfully stared up at her beautiful girlfriend. And Katia Danforth couldn't imagine a better way to start her twenty-first year than with her friends and in Ashley's arms.



Continued.