Part XVI

"Hey you don't mind if we stop at the barracks?" questioned Katia.

Erin was sitting in the passenger seat of her roommate's car. "No, Sara can wait."

Katia chuckled and pulled into the fast lane just as they came over the Maryland and Delaware line on Route 13 southbound. She slowed down as she entered Salisbury.

"We still have to pick up some stuff at Cheers before we go back," reminded Erin.

"How could I forget?" Katia grinned at her friend. "I can't believe they want to drink and it's only the first week back at college."

"Gotta start it off right," joked Erin, "Besides it is Wednesday."

Katia rolled her eyes as she went through the green light. She slowed down and got into the left turn lane that went to the barracks. Just as she cut across the northbound lane, Erin's cell phone rang.

The captain remained stern and listened to the argument between the two troopers.

The first sergeant peered over at the captain with a curious look.

"Carver, this officer has the lead." Alexa Haden slammed her fist against the whiteboard that had a local police officer's photo taped up.

Ashley Carver glowered at her partner.

"I think…." Captain Jonson captured both of the troopers' attention. "You still need to do some more surveillance before you can decide." She was sitting on the edge of Haden's desk that was always conveniently cleared of items for her.

First Sergeant Morse leaned back in his chair, his hands on his belt, and his gaze transfixed on the whiteboard. "Have you checked any leads to see if any civilians are involved?"

The corporal turned to the first sergeant. "No, we have not."

"I would advise that you do that." The captain tilted her head at the pair.

"We will comply, captain." Corporal Haden glanced at her partner.

"Is there anything else we need to cover?" inquired the captain.

Sergeant Carver looked at the whiteboard that showed a web of local law enforcement faces and names. The lines drawn between the faces and names described how each officer connected to the other. It was a web of mystery still. "I don't believe so." She turned back to the captain. "It does seem like they're catching on to us though."

"Yes," confirmed the captain, "I received a call this morning from the local sheriff."

"He wanted to know why we were on their turf huh?"

The captain peered down at the first sergeant. "Yes. They are suspicious." She lifted her head. "We need to be a little more aware."

"Perhaps we should back off," suggested Haden, "and do some other foreground research."

"That's what the civilian search is about," reminded the captain. "We only have so much time though."

"And it doesn't help that the SU students are back," reminded the first sergeant. He sensed steel grey eyes on him.

"Actually, it's perfect." The captain suddenly had a grin. "I think that is it." She stood up from the desk. "Dismissed." She started her march back to her office.

"Captain?" called First Sergeant Morse.

The captain was in the open doorway of her office but she turned back.

"Are you joining us tonight at the Outback?"

Ashley Carver slowly grinned when she saw her partner's inquisitive look.

Captain Jonson knew she'd refused the last two times so refusing again was a little hard. "What time?"

The first sergeant took that as success. "Six pm… sharp."

The captain sternly nodded then disappeared into her office.

"Hey Serge, there's somebody here to see you." Ashley turned to the new trooper that'd taken Tarn's position. "Who is it?"

"Her name is Katia."

"Crap." Ashley turned to Alexa.

"I will keep her occupied, Ashley." Without another word, Alexa Haden hurried through the squad room and went to the glass door that separated her from the lobby room.

The sergeant scrambled to her desk and quickly cleared up her folders and paperwork about the case. She neatly tucked them away in her desk drawer while saying to the Caleb Morse, "Get the whiteboard, will ya?"

The first sergeant didn't understand yet he didn't refuse. He sprung up from his chair and easily flipped the whiteboard over so that the clean side showed now.

Alexa directed Katia into the squad room and was relieved to see everything hidden about the local police and SU case. "The captain's office is this way."

Katia was being guided through the squad room but she caught sight of her lover.

Ashley was resting at her desk, smiling, and she winked at her girlfriend. When Katia was in the captain's office with Alexa, she leaned over to the first sergeant. "Katia is a SU student."

"Ah." Caleb Morse nodded while settling down at his desk again.

Captain Jonson had a pleasant enough smile as she was introduced to Katia. She broke the handshake between them. "I hear you're a student at Salisbury." She leaned back against her desk, her hands rested on her hips.

"I am," confirmed Katia. "This is my junior year."

"What is your major?" inquired Alexa, who stood beside Katia and at attention.

The young college student dropped her head back to get a better look at Alexa. "I finally settled on Information Technology… I kept switching majors."

"Can't go wrong with that," declared the captain.

"I did not realize you were good with computers." Alexa had been slightly displeased with herself for not knowing that about her friend.

"I've been on computers since I was born," joked Katia.

"The captain…." Alexa nodded at her superior. "Lives relatively close by the college."

"Really?" The college student hadn't expected that. "Where abouts?"

"If you're coming down Camden Avenue, you make a right onto Pine Bluff then a left onto Woodland."

Katia ran the directions through her mental map then her head bobbed. "Okay… so you're right along the Wicomico River."

"I'm on it," informed the captain.

"Wow," murmured Katia.

Alexa Haden concluded that the captain probably want to get back to her work. She peered down at Katia and said, "I believe that captain has some work to finish."

"Ooo I'm sorry I interrupted," apologized Katia.

Captain Jonson had been staring at her corporal but she broke away and smiled at Katia. "You didn't. I'm sure I will see you again."

"Definitely." Katia offered a warm smile. "It was nice to meet you finally." Then with that, she headed off.

Alexa saw that narrowed expression on the captain's face from what Katia said. She decided it was best to escape along with her friend. When she got out of the captain's office, she watched the scene of Ashley and Katia hugging tightly.

"How are you?" murmured Katia at the end of the hug.

"I'm good… a little tired. How were classes?"

"They went well." Katia rested her right hand on the trooper's large belt buckle. "I have to go in a minute but I wanted to stop in."

"Thank you," whispered Ashley. "I think I'll be going out tonight with the squad."

"Where to?"

Ashley grinned. "The Outback." She knew this was another one of Katia's favorite restaurants.

"I'm going to crash it," teased Katia.

"Nope." Ashley poked her finger against her lover's nose. "Besides, I thought you and your friends were hanging out?"

"Yeea in Erin and I's room." Katia played with her hair some. "Erin and I have to stop at Cheers to get some liquor for everybody."

"I don't want to hear this." Ashley quietly laughed. "I didn't hear this."

Katia patted her lover's stomach. "Don't worry… we're staying in the dorm where it's safe."

"Alright," murmured the consenting trooper.

"I should go… Erin is waiting in the car."

Ashley solemnly nodded and walked her girlfriend through the squad room.

Katia paused at the glass door and gazed back at Trooper Haden. "Good to see you, Alexa."

The corporal was at her desk and she peered up from her paperwork. "You too, Katia. Study hard."

Katia didn't protest that idea as she left the squad room.

Ashley followed her lover out of the barracks and into the parking lot to her car.

Erin was still chatting away on her phone to her girlfriend.

Katia gave the trooper one last hug then climbed into her car. She put the window down.

Erin just got off the phone and dazzled a smile at Ashley. "Good afternoon, officer."

The trooper rolled her eyes but she smiled anyway. "How are you, Erin?"

"I'm good. How about you?"

"Busy," confessed the trooper. She then returned her focus to Katia. "I need to go." She leaned in for a quick kiss then pulled back out of the car. "I'll see you tomorrow in class."

Katia was amused at the thought of having class with her girlfriend now. She hadn't expected it to happen yet they were taking the same English 101 class together. "Alright. Love you."

"I love you too." Ashley winked then hurried across the parking lot to the front doors.

Katia rolled out onto Route 13 and had to catch the next light to do a turnabout. She decided to stay in the right lane as they slowly made their way into center Salisbury. "What was Sara up to?"

Erin huffed then joked, "She was putting in her drink order."

"Ooo god." Katia rolled her eyes. "I'm surprised Mike hasn't called his in yet."

"Ooo he will," promised Erin. "At least they know how to celebrate the start of the semester right."

Katia had a thin grin at her roommate's words. Just after the discussion, Katia slightly jumped when her cell phone vibrated in her right pocket. "Damn it." She fished it out and saw that it was Mike. She handed it to her roommate.

Erin smirked at her friend. "Told ya." She flipped the phone open and purred, "Hello Michael." She laughed and replied, "No this isn't Katia… well she's busy driving right now." She huffed and answered, "Well you can tell me… Katia wouldn't remember anyway."

Katia shot a dangerous look at her friend. She came up the Peninsula Regional Hospital on her right then the light went red so she stopped on the line. When the light changed, she hit the gas and studied her rearview mirror for a second. In the left lane she noted a local cop rolling up behind them.

Suddenly the cop jerked into the right lane, directly behind Katia, and his blue and red lights went off.

"Mike, I gotta go… I'll call you later." Erin hastily shut the phone. "Katia, you better pull over."

"I know," growled the college student. She saw her opportunity and pulled into the gas station on the corner just after the hospital.

The local cop followed in behind her and parked his car, his lights still flashing brightly.

"You weren't speeding, were you?" inquired Erin.

"No." Katia was nervous, her cheeks flushed, and her hands sweating. "Erin, call Ashley. Tell her what's happened and where we are."

"Katia-"

"Just do it," snapped Katia, who hit her down window button.

The officer approached the driver's side and greeted, "Hello, ma'am. You're in violation of running a red light."

Katia Danforth was utterly shocked by the officer's statement. "Officer, I didn't-"

"Drive's license and registration," cut off the officer. "Please."

Katia blinked and couldn't believe this. She leaned down to pick up her purse tucked between her seat and the center consol. She peered over at Erin while she worked her driver's license free.

Erin shook her head and lowered Katia's phone when Ashley didn't answer.

"Get me my registration, Erin."

Erin quickly opened the glove box and discovered the registration tucked in an envelope.

Katia grabbed it yet arched an eyebrow at her roommate in warning.

Erin understood and quickly tried to call Ashley again.

The officer collected the items from Katia but didn't straighten up yet. "I'll need you to step out of the car too, Miss Danforth."

Katia had a puzzled look at how the officer knew her last name when he didn't even inspect her information. "Um… okay." She opened the door when the officer was out of the way then stood up.

"I need your friend to step out too."

Katia peered through the open window. "Erin, get out."

The roommate compiled after ending Katia's phone again. She still had no answer.

"I will be right back. Wait here." The officer stepped back to his car and sat in it to run the data through his laptop.

Katia turned her head and gazed at her roommate when Erin started rapidly talking on the phone.

"Yes, we're down by the…" Erin dropped her head back to read the sign. "The Exxon right after the hospital." She lowered her head. "Alright… thanks, Ashley." She turned the phone off.

Before Katia could ask anything the officer interrupted them.

"Miss Danforth, I need you to turn your car off for me."

Katia was shaking out of worry but she ducked into her car and turned the engine off. When she straightened up, the officer was carefully inspecting her.

"Now if your friend and you could please stand over there, I'd appreciate it." The officer lowered his hand from where he was pointing.

"What's going on?" protested Katia.

The officer folded his arms over his padded chest. "I need to inspect your car so if you could wait over there, I'd appreciate it."

Katia's knew something was completely off. "You're not allowed to do that."

The cop was half way bent into the car on the driver's side but he pulled back. His stern brown eyes froze the college student in place. "Either you can step aside or you might be more comfortable in my car."

Katia understood his threat and she nodded.

Erin came over and touched her roommate's shoulder. She and Katia stepped away from the car while the cop began inspecting the champagne Mercedes.

Katia had her arms tightly across her chest, her eyes fixed on the officer rooting through her car and belongings, and her hopes rested on her girlfriend showing up in time.

Erin turned her head to the right after a few minutes when she saw a state trooper car pull up beside the local police car.

Katia sensed her heartbeat slow down when two familiar troopers exited the patrol car. She couldn't help her grin either.

By this time the local cop was finished inspecting the car and coming out of the back seat with a slam of the door. He was greeted by two tall female troopers, who neither seemed happy he was there. "I'm Officer Jonathan Smith."

Corporal Haden had her ice eyes locked on the small man. "I am Corporal Haden. This is Sergeant Carver. Why have you pulled Miss Danforth over?"

The officer eyed the pair. "First, she ran a red light."

"I didn't," hotly argued Katia from her spot off to the side.

"And second?" chewed out Ashley Carver.

Officer Smith suddenly dangled the article he'd concealed at his side. "I found this in her car."

Erin gaped.

Katia was dumbfounded as she stared at the Ziploc bag of marijuana. "I've never smoked once in my life!" she yelled at the officer. "You planted that shit in my car."

Sergeant Carver glanced back at her lover in warning not to talk.

Katia was fuming but she held her tongue.

"Where did you find this?" probed Corporal Haden.

"It was located in her center consol between the chairs." The officer gauged the amount of marijuana in the bag. "It looks to be fifty dollars worth or so."

Corporal Haden could tell her partner was livid and she stepped in again to continue the questioning. "Did you have probable cause to search her car?"

"Yes," answered the officer, "I could smell it in the car when I first pulled them over." He quickly tucked the bag away in his right pocket. "If there is anything else, you can take it up with the sheriff." He reached behind and produced his handcuffs then started for Katia.

Sergeant Carver suddenly moved in front of Officer Smith to stop him short. She angrily loomed over the man, her hands clenched at her side. "You don't need to handcuff her… either of them."

Katia tensed at this news. She didn't expect this to go spiraling out of control but it was more serious than she thought.

Officer Smith cleared his throat and gazed up into wild blue eyes. "It is necessary, trooper. You know the laws." He sidestepped her and went to the two women. "I will need your license as well, ma'am."

Erin was shocked yet she pushed out of her fright. She removed her license from her back wallet and handed it to him.

"Turn around, Miss Danforth and… Miss Mathews." Officer Smith began reciting them their Miranda rights.

The troopers watched in anger as Katia and Erin were handcuffed from behind. Corporal Haden had seen her partner anger before but this was a step beyond that. She too felt her own anger coursing through her body because she knew that this officer was lying and there was nothing she or Ashley could do.

Sergeant Carver moved over to the officer and stated, "I'll help Miss Danforth into the back of your car."

Officer Smith smirked up at the trooper. "I'd appreciate that." He could tell that his words almost brought the trooper to wanting to hit him. He ignored it though and guided Erin away and around the back of his car.

Katia was breathing heavily in fear. She'd never been handcuffed, she was in public, and about to be hauled away in a police car for something she didn't do.

Ashley came behind her cuffed lover and slipped her hands into Katia's as best as she could. "It'll be okay," she quietly promised. "Where are your car keys?"

Katia choked out, "In my car."

"Okay, Alexa will take care of your car." Ashley promised while guiding her lover to the cop's car. She shoved the door open and helped Katia get into the hard plastic seat next to Erin. "I'm going to be right behind you," she gently promised. "Listen to me carefully," she continued, "do not say anything or answer any questions." She lowered her head closer to Katia's ear and murmured, "Don't by shy to ask for a lawyer if you have to, okay?"

Katia nodded but she trembled with fear about what was happening.

Ashley finally saw the fear in her lover's eyes when Katia turned her head to her. "I'll see you in a few minutes," she promised then tried a reassuring smile. Trooper Carver stepped back as the local officer slammed the heavy door shut.

"If you'd like to follow me to the precinct that is fine," suggested Officer Smith as he went to his driver's door.

"Count on it." Ashley Carver's cold eyes watched the local cop get into his car. She turned to her partner, "Get Katia's car back to SU then meet me at the precinct."

Corporal Haden nodded then gently asked, "Where does Katia keep her car?"

"In the large parking lot in front of the Commons off of Camden Avenue."

"I will comply," agreed the trooper. She quickly got into Katia's car and started it up after adjusting the seat to go way back. She quickly realized too that she didn't detect any odor of marijuana.

Ashley Carver hurried to the trooper car. She started her patrol car and sped out of the gas station when the Sheriff's patrol car headed onto Route 13. She followed the local police car down Route 13, onto Route 50 Business, and made a right turn into the local police station.

Officer Smith went behind the station so that he could properly book his suspects.

Trooper Carver however threw her steering wheel to the right and pulled into a parking spot. She cut the engine dead, roughly shoved the door open, slammed it hard when she got out, and stomped towards the front of the station. Each step that brought her closer the station the stronger her anger grew. She stormed through the front door and approached the officer at the front desk.

The officer was sitting behind the counter, a large book in front of him, and he stiffened at seeing the trooper.

"Officer Jonathan Smith just brought in two women for possession of marijuana," snarled Ashley, "I want them released now."

The officer held up his hand as he realized what was going. "You know the rules, Trooper…."

"Sergeant Ashley Carver," hotly educated the trooper.

"Listen, Sergeant Carver they have to be processed and charged before bond can be posted."

Trooper Carver leaned over the counter, her eyes perfectly level with the man's. "Then make it fast… very fast."

The officer was about to slide off his stool to inform booking of the trooper's request.

"And do not question them without my presence," ordered the trooper further. "Are we clear?"

The desk officer nodded then escaped the trooper's rein of anger.

Ashley Carver stepped aside down the counter and waited. Her hands were fisted at her side, her body edgy from her mood, and her quick mind working out what'd happened to Katia. She knew the local cops had setup her girlfriend and were sending a warning to her and Alexa. If anything, it did the opposite and she planned to nail every crooked officer's ass to the wall by the time she was done this investigation.

Ashley wasn't sure how long she stood there yet her thoughts were broken by the beauty bombshell marching into the station. Her grin crept along her face. "Haden," she called.

The corporal went right to her partner. "What are they doing?"

"They're in booking now," replied the sergeant.

Corporal Haden's eyes were colder than normal. "I brought backup."

As soon as Alexa stated that, the front doors of the precinct flew open and in stormed a fiery Captain Jonson.

At this point, the desk officer had returned and he quickly regretted it.

Captain Jonson gripped the edge of the counter and leaned towards the officer. "I want to speak to Sheriff Kline." When the officer didn't comply, her eyes darkened into a violent grey. "Now." Her tone was low and could have peeled the paint off the station.

The officer finally breathed and stumbled on his way to get the sheriff.

"Captain," tried the sergeant. She fell short when the atomic glare came at her from the captain.

"Haden told me everything," whispered the captain, "I'll deal with them." She marched down the counter when she saw the sheriff appearing from his office.

"What can I do for you, Captain Jonson?" The sheriff smiled and tried to be polite.

"I need to speak to you… alone."

Sheriff Kline slowly lost his smile when the short but furious captain was upon him. He shivered at her deathly tone that was so deep. "Of course, captain. This way." He lifted the counter where it had hinges. He escorted the state police captain through the station then into his office. He made sure to close the door on his way in behind her.

Trooper Carver, for the first time, noticed a smug look on her partner's face. "You were riding on that, weren't you?"

Alexa's expression shifted back into her usual void. "I was merely doing my duty, Carver."

For the first time since this mess happened, Ashley had a faint grin. "Thanks, Alexa."

The corporal nodded her head.

Ashley Carver quickly stepped up to the officer behind the counter. "We want to see Danforth and Mathews."

"I can't let you-"

"Either comply or we will come back there," threatened the corporal. Her eyes blazed with her temper.

The local officer had never been stepped all over as much as he had been today. He sighed and went down the counter to lift it up.

The two troopers walked through then were guided through the station to the far back.

The officer held his hand out. "There's booking."

Katia stood up when she saw her girlfriend and Trooper Haden behind her. She grabbed onto the bars in front of her.

Ashley Carver iced over at seeing her lover and Erin in the small cell. Her stormy blue eyes locked on the officer in charger. "Get them the hell out of there!"

At that moment, Officer Smith appeared out of the door next to the booking officer. "When Officer Fisher finishes with processing, bailed is paid, and then they can be removed."

"I don't think so," hotly whispered the furious sergeant. "This is illegal and you know it."

Corporal Haden stepped up beside her partner. "Are you at all familiar with IAB?"

The two local officers went still at the threat of the Internal Affairs Bureau. The booking officer gave in first and gave a discreet signal to Officer Smith.

Officer Smith exhaled put pulled the keys from his belt side. He stepped up to the door of the cell and opened the lock. He pushed the barred door down then stepped aside.

Katia and Erin carefully slipped out and went to the troopers.

"Are you finished with processing?" questioned Ashley as she neared the booking officer.

"No, I just started."

"Well go faster," clipped the sergeant. She approached the officer behind the desk so she could intently watch him nervously fill out the paperwork.

Katia was between Erin and Alexa but she sensed Alexa's warm hand touching her midback. She felt comfort in the hidden support from her friend. She slightly jumped though when a steely voice asked, "Are you two okay?"

Erin and Katia faced Captain Jonson.

"We're fine," answered Katia. "Thank you." She also noted the local sheriff beside the captain.

The booking officer lifted his head and stated, "Four hundred for each."

The captain eyed the sheriff.

Sheriff Kline apprehensively cleared his throat and ordered, "There is no bail."

Officer Fisher was wide-eye at his superior. "Sheriff, they-"

"You heard me," hotly reminded the sheriff.

Officer Fisher was shaking his head and pulling free the paperwork that was a copy for the two suspects. He lifted them yet they were easily snatched from him by Trooper Carver. "The court date will be mailed to their residents."

Sergeant Carver folded up the papers but she grounded out, "I think I know how it works."

The booking officer opened his mouth to say a smart comment however it dropped when he saw all the icy stares from the troopers. Instead he lowered his head and went back to his paperwork.

"I will escort everybody out," offered the sheriff.

Captain Jonson neared Sheriff Kline and looked him up and down then coldly stated, "We know the way out." As her troopers, Katia, and Erin slipped past her she added another piece of information. "See that there isn't a similar repeat of this." She leaned in towards the tall sheriff. "Or IAB will look like heaven compared to me."

The sheriff let out his breath slowly when the captain walked away from him. He turned his head to the left to eye his officers, especially Officer Smith.

Officer Smith shrugged then vanished through the door he'd come through originally.

"We have to go to court?" protested Erin.

"We didn't do a damn thing," shot Katia, who standing next to her roommate in front of two trooper cars.

"Hold on." Ashley held up her hands at the two college students.

Corporal Haden took the opening. "The case will be thrown out, Katia."

"They fuckin' planted that weed in her car!" sharply spoke Erin. She shook her head and distanced herself for a minute.

Katia was taking deep breaths to control her escalating fury. "How is that going to get thrown out of court?"

"Because you were illegally searched," explained the captain, who quickly had all eyes on her.

"The captain is correct," spoke up Haden, "He had no reasonable cause."

"You heard that stupid cop," broke in Erin, "he said he smelled weed in the car."

The corporal quickly looked at Erin. "I can testify I did not detect any marijuana in Katia's car."

"Okay, what about the red light?"

"What light were you stopped at?" Ashley tilted her head closer to her lover's.

Katia quickly thought about it then answered, "The intersection just before the hospital. That's when he got behind us. Carroll Street I think." She questioningly gazed to her pacing roommate for help.

Erin stopped pacing then agreed, "It was Carroll."

Ashley arched an eyebrow at her partner.

The captain had her hands on her hips as she confirmed her troopers' thoughts. "There is a traffic camera there."

Katia understood what that meant, which made her calm down a lot. They could easily punch holes into Officer Smith's story.

"I will research it," offered Trooper Carver.

The captain made her presence known again, her husky voice breaking through. "I think we all need to settle down. This won't be solved tonight… it's late as it is."

Trooper Carver thoroughly agreed with the captain's logic. "Listen, I'll take you both back to SU." She then directed her next words to her partner and the captain. "Are we still going tonight?"

"I believe it is wise," answered the corporal, "the rest of the squad is expecting us."

Captain Jonson did a quick check of her watch and saw it was almost five thirty. "Damn. I need to go to my house first."

"We will do that, captain then go to the barracks to get our cars." Alexa looked to her partner. "Will you meet us there?"

"Yea, that's not a problem. I'll see you later." Ashley directed her lover and Erin into the patrol car.

"Ashley," called Alexa.

The sergeant was by the car door yet turned back to the corporal.

"Here." Alexa threw Katia's car keys.

Trooper Carver easily caught them then with a nod of thank you, she got into the car.

Erin took the hard, back seat while her roommate got into the front seat.

The corporal and captain stepped aside when the trooper car backed out then they too get into their car.

Katia finished buckling her belt. When they got onto Route 50 she finally spoke. "I'm sorry, Ashley."

Ashley reached over and laced her hand through Katia's. "It's not your fault."

"They did that on purpose," mentioned Erin from behind. "Why?"

The trooper knew exactly why however she wasn't about to talk about it so she diverted to another plausible reason. "The local cops have an issue with the SU students."

Erin's eyes narrowed because she felt like that was only half right.

Katia too had that same sense. When she was confronted by Officer Smith she realized she'd been targeted and for a specific reason.

"Here, Katia." The trooper had freed her hand and easily produced the Mercedes car key.

"Thanks." Katia tucked it away in her pocket. The thought of her car and car key made her mind jump to the purse still in her car.

"Did you both get your licenses back?"

"Yes," answered Katia, "and I got my registration too."

The rest of the ride back to Salisbury University was in silence. When Ashley turned onto Camden Avenue she made a left into the drive that led her into the Lot E. She drove around the lot until she was in front of Pocomoke Hall. Ashley didn't bother to shut the engine off but she got out and left her door ajar.

Mike and Sara were sitting on the steps of Pocomoke Hall together. Sara was casually smoking a cigarette but Mike was getting up with a worried face.

"What happened?"

"You won't believe it," remarked Erin to Mike.

Sara snubbed her cigarette out and put the butt into a sand filled plant potter at the bottom of the steps.

"Katia?"

Katia peered up at her lover and she knew her lover wanted to talk to her alone.

The trooper clasped her girlfriend's shoulder and steered her to the other side of the trooper car.

Katia leaned back against the car, her hands in her jean pockets, and an inquisitive expression.

"I'll gather all the evidence for the case." The state trooper was stoic and her tone dire. "I think you need to talk to your father about this." She reached into her shirt pocket and pulled out the folded pieces of paper. "Besides that there probably will be a court date confirmation showing up at your parents' house in the next two weeks."

The college student sighed as she dropped her head against the car. "I can't wait to explain this." She lifted her head then accepted the paperwork from Ashley.

"I'm sorry about everything, K." The trooper had her head hung down, her angry thoughts running wild.

"Hey." Katia grabbed her lover's hand with her freehand. She caught Ashley's attention so she smiled. "You did more than you had to." At seeing Ashley's disbelieving features she tried to argue more. "It'll work out, Ash."

The state trooper nodded then stated, "It will. I just never wanted to see you get cuffed… driven in the back of a patrol car then locked up." Her eyes were no longer a sky blue. She knew that none of that was required by law especially considering Katia's gentle nature. The local police had done it on purpose with precise results.

"I know," murmured Katia, "but I'm okay." She squeezed her lover's hand then softly added, "I was just happy you were there." She shook her head as a grin shaped her lips. "Your captain was pissed, I noticed."

"To put it nicely, yes." Ashley had a distant grin now. She lowered her head. "I'll stop by after I leave the Outback. Alright?"

"Ash-"

"No," interjected Ashley, "I just want to check on you."

"Alright, mom," teased Katia.

The state trooper rolled her eyes despite she had a smile. She kept hold of Katia's hand as she guided her back to her friends. She released Katia once they were back in front of everybody.

"Well, Katia I didn't know you were into grass now." Mike swung his arm across his best friend's shoulders. "You should learn to share."

"Whatever." Katia pushed Mike off, her mood demonstrating she wasn't ready to joke about it.

Sara leaned closer to Mike and muttered, "You better leave her alone."

Mike sighed and watched as her best friend went back to Ashley's side.

"I better go," stated Ashley. She embraced Katia for a long hug.

Katia kissed Ashley's neck then murmured, "Thanks again, Ash." The only response she received was a tighter squeeze then Ashley released her.

The state trooper stepped off the sidewalk and grabbed her open car door. "I'll see you all later."

"Bye, Ashley," called the group together.

The state trooper flashed one last smile at the college students then put her car into drive. She needed to hurry up but she'd still be late anyway.

Katia watched her girlfriend drive back out of the lot until the patrol car disappeared around the bend in all the trees. She sighed then her head lowered and she stared at the paperwork from the local police.

Erin came closer to her roommate and whispered, "You alright?"

"Yea." Katia glimpsed at Erin. "Sorry about everything, Erin."

The roommate shook her head and brought her arm around Katia's waist. "It's not your fault."

"I don't know," debated Katia, "I think this had to do something with the fact I'm dating Ashley."

"How could the local police know?" challenged Erin.

Katia arched an eyebrow at her roommate. "Erin, they are cops."

"Still," tried Erin, "it doesn't seem logical."

"I don't know." Katia was shaking her head while separating her paperwork from Erin's.

"Come on." Erin took her information then said, "Let's go to the room."

"In a second, I need to grab my purse out of the car." Katia dissected her body from Erin's and started across the parking lot to find her car.

"Wait, does that mean you got the drinks before you got pulled over?" called Sara to Katia.

Katia twisted her head back and gave Sara a dower look.

Sara cringed and looked at her girlfriend. "She'll be in a bad mood for awhile."

Erin threw up her hand with the paperwork. "Only 'til the court case is settled," she joked yet she was serious too.

"It won't be that long." Mike saw the doubtful looks at the girls' faces so his shoulders slump. "Grrrreattt," he sighed out. "Just what we need to start this semester off perfect."

"Well… it can't get much worse," brought up Sara, a grin on her face.

"You shouldn't have said that," snapped Mike, "now you just jinxed it."

Sara snickered and folded her arms across her chest. She now saw Katia coming back and teased, "Well our lives will never be dull with Katia and Ashley in it."

"I'm starting to think you're right," muttered Erin but when her roommate was near, she turned and went up the steps to the front door. All of her friends followed behind her as she threw open the now unlocked door.



To be continued.