Uber Warning: This story is an uber. The two characters are based off of the leading ladies of XENA WARRIOR PRINCESS.
Author's Notes: This story takes place directly after The Hunt Part 1. Please read Parts 1 & 2 before continuing. All POSITIVE comments are welcome. Negatives I will simply ignore. Send your thoughts to startrek@ellijay.com.
My mind did not register I was falling until I saw Jody getting farther away from me. I had no time to be scared. I closed my eyes and waited for the impact. The last thought to cross my mind was relax my entire body. The force rattled my teeth and caused pain to radiate through my entire body. The snow cushioned me to a certain degree. I knew I was hurt, so I remained still. I opened my eyes. Now on the ground, I saw the damage that had been done to Jody's tree stand. "May, I'm coming. Sweetheart, don't move!" I heard the distress in her voice. I smiled at my lover. Move? I couldn't move. I watched in total amazement as Jody jumped off of the platform and flipped high into the air. She executed a perfect front flip, landing on her feet several feet away from me. "May!" She dropped to my side. My eyes moved to meet hers.
"Are you a Russian acrobat or something?" I smiled. She laughed nervously.
"Something I picked up in gymnastics."
"You're a natural."
"What hurts?"
"Everything......but I don't think anything's broken. Just got a huge jolt." I breathed, testing my limbs. Everything seemed to work. "Can you help me up?" Jody carefully grabbed my hand and lifted me from the ground as fluidly as possible.
As she helped me up, I got my first glimpse of the damage to the tree. "Wow." I commented. I grabbed her forearm and leaned my weight on Jody. She easily helped me to the base of the tree. "Its almost uprooted."
"Yeah." she said uncertain. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." I answered, not taking my eyes off of the mutilated trunk. Gash marks could be clearly seen in the bark, reminding me of a grizzly marking. The bears are hibernating. I looked to the ground. Something had disturbed the snow, other than us. Looking around, we couldn't spot a trail of any kind. However, looking at the ground, I saw where one of Jody's bullets penetrated the snow. I made eye contact with my love. She immediately looked away. "What did you see, Jody?"
"Let's get you home, Hon. Your hurt..."
"What did you see?" I repeated. "You must have seen something or you wouldn't have fired."
"May....."
"TELL ME!!" I screamed, mere inches from her face.
"The creature!" she screamed back. "He was pushing at the tree, trying to knock us off." she said nervously. I looked away, taking in the evidence before me. She was right. Something wanted us out of that tree.
"Why Jody? Why would it attack us? You said it was docile." Her jaw clenched. "What are you not telling me?"
"May, we need to get you home........"
"Damn it, Jody! Answer me!" She sighed heavily, looking at the ground.
"I'll tell you at home....Come on."
The pain was intense as I rode my snowmobile back home. My back, I knew was injured. Jody said nothing to me. Her posture told me to leave her alone until we got home. She pulled her machine into its normal spot and wordlessly walked away, after grabbing her weapon. When the door closed behind me, she said, "I'll go back to the tree tomorrow and yank the stand down." Jody placed her muzzleloader into the cabinet. She motioned for my gun and I handed it over. After checking the chamber, she placed it beside hers and locked the cabinet.
"What about your handgun?"
"It stays with me." she said quietly. Upon being reminded, she removed it from her pants, ejecting the clip and chamber placing it on the table.
I followed her to the fire. I watched as she stoked it. She stood and brought her hands out, warming them. There was definitely something she wasn't telling me. I took a deep breath and took my chances. "What is it, Jody?"
"I think you're right. It wanted you." I held in the gasp that rose in my throat.
"Why?"
"Because you were with me." she sighed softly.
"I don't understand." She turned around and removed her camouflage jacket, tossing it down on the floor. I sat on the couch. She approached me. Instead of sitting down next to me, she sat on the coffee table in front of me.
"I love you. You know that.....right?"
"Of course I do. Jody, what is it? Your scaring me."
"Shhh. I'm sorry." she soothed, rubbing my arm tenderly. "You remember the sighting you read out loud?" I nodded. "After I saw it for the first time, I guess you could say I got Bigfoot fever." she grinned. I knew exactly what she meant. "May, I've lived her for a long time....alone. I was happy with that. The sighting just made me want to hunt for it."
"Hunt for it? You mean kill it?"
"I'm a hunter, May. I thought....." I stood. I didn't want to hear anymore. Jody was up just as quickly. "May, listen to me......please." I yanked my arm away from her, but I didn't move. I sat. I asked her, so the least I could do was hear her out.
"Alright." She retook her seat, this time taking both of my hands in hers.
"You know that it is the ultimate rush...the hunt." I nodded. "When this....creature came into these woods, all I could think about was the hunt. I wanted to track it just like any other animal in these woods. It was the challenge. I needed to do this. Its so elusive many people are luckily to see it ONCE in a lifetime, but I had the opportunity to get this legendary animal. I believed that if I got one, I'd be the ultimate hunter. There's one thing I didn't count on."
"What's that?"
"Its not an animal, May. It thinks. Its reasons, just like we do. That's why no one's ever gotten one. It knows to stay hidden."
All of the facts she was quoting to me, I all ready knew from years of reading on the subject. I also understood her nature as a hunter. No one else can quite understand how a hunter can be a hunter and be pro-wildlife at the same time. No wildlife, no hunt. Many hunters understand that simple saying and therefore respected nature. "Well, I wanted it. Pure and simple. For weeks, I tried to follow him and learn his pattern. It stays within my woods, away from the park. So I knew it was a matter of time till I learned what to look for. I found these small trails through the woods. One day I came up on it, after following it for miles that day on horseback. I was pretty well hidden. I raised my 30.30 and I was going for a head shot."
At those words, I began to cry. The thought of hurting such a wonderful creature, made me very sad. She tightened the grip she had on my hands. Jody reached up and wiped the tears that had pooled in my eyes. I saw the remorse on her face. I knew now she doesn't think this way. "Go ahead." I sniffed.
"I uhhhhh....It must have picked up my scent because it turned and looked directly at me."
"What did you do?" I held my breath and waited for an answer.
"It looked right into my eyes. I was so shocked. Like with you the other day, I couldn't move. It looked at my gun and charged me. I was scared, May." I could sympathize with her very easily. The memory was enough to make me shiver. "I uhhhh. I panicked, Hon. I saw it coming for me.......I fired." There was a short silence between us as the information needed to sink in. "It just kept coming. I shot it again at maybe ten feet at the most." My eyebrows lifted. Jody would not have missed at ten feet. I know she wouldn't have.
"Did you wound it?"
"I didn't see a drop of blood, May." Her hands released mine as she began unconsciously animate her story. "After the second shot, I heard this cry, this horrible cry. It terrified me. I lowered the gun and ran." I saw the emotion in her eyes. I saw that she was serious. Jody began to cry, but she continued with her story. "I ran back to where I had tethered my horse. He was upset, rearing. I managed to calm him down enough to get on. It came up behind us. I kicked the horse, urging him to run as fast as he could. The thing just chased me." She stood and began to pace. "It kept up with my horse for almost two miles, May. Right behind me." I knew the creature was known to be a fast runner. That did not surprise me. "It finally gave up." She was clearly shaking.
"What happened?" There was more to this story, much more. Jody stopped pacing and turned to me.
"Over the next day or so, they came around the house."
"They?"
"There were more of them. Three or four I guess. They started to destroy everything that was left out in plain view at night, even my snowmobile. They never tried to enter the house, but they stayed around a few days."
"What did you do?"
"It made me even madder, May. These...things were destroying everything I had. So, I went after them again. I took after them with my 20 gauge this time. I came across a weird trail. It was like two were walking together. I followed it for a couple of miles." The tears were coming back. Jody was obviously remorseful for what she did. I remained still and silent. She needed to finish her story. "I was sure one of them was the same one I shot at before. It was dragging its feet. It was hurt. I came into this small clearing and...." She stopped to wipe her eyes.
"Here Hon." I handed her a tissue from the box next to me.
"Thanks." She wiped her eyes. "and I saw the creature I shot lying in the clearing. I thought it was dead at first. I walked up to it and looked down. That's when I noticed its eyes were open and blinking. I noticed by her chest it was a female.......It was dying, May. I was just so.....sad watching it, I didn't notice the others come up to me." I gasped. I was hanging on every word. "I turned and saw there were three more around me. My heart started beating out of my chest. I was scared."
"Understandably." I commented.
"I backed away, making sure they knew I wasn't going to hurt her. The others were even bigger than she was."
"Did they let you go then?"
"No, not really." she sighed. "I couldn't read their emotions. I didn't know whether they were going to kill me or what. One of them tried to charge me, but another stopped him. Then, I knew something was going to happen. They all moved towards me. Without thinking, I just dropped my gun and spread my arms. I was hoping they would know I was giving up."
"Then what happened?"
"The biggest one walked away...then the rest followed.....I haven't any trouble from them since. I think they know they scared some sense into me."
"Did she die?"
"I think so." I couldn't stop the tear from appearing. "I'm not sure, but I haven't seen her since.
"I still can't believe they just let you go after what you did that."
"Me either. It might have something to do with the fact I used to feed them."
"You did?" I said, confused.
"I used to let them have whatever I didn't use of my kills."
"Why didn't you tell me all of this when I asked you about the Bigfoot?"
"I saw the look in your eyes, May. I knew if you heard that I shot one, you'd leave...I didn't want you to leave." I looked away in thought. "Your not leaving are you?" I looked back.
"No, Jody. I'm not leaving." I saw a small grin emerge. The sudden realization hit me.
"What is it, May?"
"They'll be here. Won't they?"
"Why?"
"You shot at them again....They'll be here." I was beginning to panic. Jody moved to me, holding me.
"Calm down, Sweetheart. I shot at it, just to scare it. I didn't hurt it."
"Why did you do that?...Why?.....They'll....." I was becoming hysterical with fear. Jody's arms held me as she calmly spoke.
"Listen to me. I did it to protect you. They were trying to hurt us, May. I don't know why they've become so hostile lately, but they attacked us. I was protecting you. They won't expect any less. They knew I would."
"Then why did they do it?" Her face changed. She releases me.
"May, do you think it could have been the same one that followed you every time?"
"I don't know.....I didn't see it every time."
"But its possible. Right?"
"I guess. Where are you going with this?" I asked.
"It might be one of them, not all of them. It could be acting alone against us."
"Like an outcast?" I couldn't hide my smile. She immediately gave me a 'why not' look.
"Its not that farfetched." I raised my eyebrows.
"I guess not, Jody. Then you've got to figure out why this 'reject' is targeting you."
"You, May.......not me. Nothing happened until you came."
"So what do you want me do? Huh? Leave?" I said aggravated.
"No, Love. Of course not."
"I don't want you to kill it either."
"I won't, unless it tries to hurt you." Jody took my hands, looking down at them. "Your life is more important to me.....Before you came, I was alone. I want you to stay with me."
"I will."
I sat by the picture window in the bedroom, looking out into the darkness. I looked back to the bed. Jody was still asleep. The light in the yard illuminated the perimeter of the house. It was unbearably quiet tonight, almost eerie in nature. That's probably why I can't sleep. An outcast attacking us? Its almost unbelievable. I chuckle to myself. Unbelievable? Which part? The bigfoot or the story? I believe Jody. One look into her eyes and I know that she isn't lying to me. I feel something on my leg. "AHHHHH!" I pull away.
"Relax." Jody soothes. "Its me."
"Damn it, Jody. You scared me." I said with a smile.
"I'm sorry.....Seems I have a habit of doing that." She sits down where my legs were.
"Its okay. I was pretty deep in thought."
"Really deep." she smiled.
Leaning forward, she kissed me softly on the lips. Taking off her nightshirt, I saw her hardened nipples. "I want you." she whispered as she kissed me again. I licked at her mouth. She opened her mouth, deepening the kiss. "Come here." she mumbled against my lips. Jody sat with her back to the window. I straddled her waist. She grabbed me around my lower back with one arm and lifted me when she stood up. Her other arm, removed her underwear. Sitting down again, she leaned her back against the glass. I straddled her again. Putting my arms around her neck, I grinded into her center.
"I'm glad you don't wear underwear to bed." she groaned, as I my hips thrusted against her. I closed my eyes as felt her clit rub against mine. Jody was dripping wet.
"Oh Jody." Jody's hands squeezed my backside as she guided my hips against her.
"May, I'm almost there." she moaned. "I love you."
"Love you." I was getting closer myself. The throbbing of my clit came harder. Just as
my orgasm began, I felt Jody's wetness increase.
"May!......Ohhh!" Her hips thrusted upwards, giving me more pleasure. Jody's orgasm triggered mine. I bit my lip to stop from screaming as the pleasure swept through me.
"Oh Jody." I whispered as I thrusted harder. I was sure we were heading for another. I opened my eyes. I froze. "JODY!" I screamed. "SHIT!" Jody didn't stop. "JODY!" My fingernails dug into her shoulders. "STOP!"
"Jesus May." she hissed. I tried to get off her lap. "What's wrong?"
"LET ME UP!" Her hands lifted from my ass, but she kept me on her lap by grabbing my arms.
"What's wrong? What did I do?" I grabbed her face in my hands and forced her to turn around.
"Fuck!" she yelled. I scrambled off her lap.
The Bigfoot was staring into the window, her face against the glass. Jody had only one plate of glass separating the creature from her face and back. As soon as I got off of her, she scrambled off of the window seat.