~ On a Wing and a Prayer ~
by kd bard

DISCLAIMERS:

COPYRIGHT: Cass and Rox are figments of my imagination... Yep - I created them all by my 'lil ole self. They do resemble a certain warrior and bard in appearance, and maybe even in mannerisms, but other than that, they are original creations, and are Copyright, 1999 by kd bard. Character or name resemblance to 'real' people currently living or dead is completely coincidental. Download it, print it out and share it if you'd like, but be sure to include the disclaimers.

SUBTEXT: This story is alternative in nature. If you don't know what that means, then you really need to find out before you start reading. The ladies in this story meet and really like each other ... I mean ... they REALLY, REALLY, REALLY like each other. This story does contain some mildly graphic sex scenes. If you're offended by this statement, then you'll be offended by the story. If you're not old enough to be here, then please go find some Disney stories to read. If love is illegal where you live, I strongly suggest you move.

VIOLENCE: Domestic violence plays a focal part of this story. If you are currently in an abusive situation... please get out now! Abuse is a crime that can not be tolerated... stop the cycle with yourself or someone you love.

TIME LINE/CONTINUITY: This is a brand new alternative fan fiction, set in modern day time, starring a couple of new leading ladies. This story can be found on my home page at http://homepages.together.net/~warriorx/WebPage.htm along with a host of other good stories. Enjoy!

AUTHOR'S NOTES: I strongly believe that love is love, regardless of how it is packaged, so please don't flame me for believing in something so wonderful. All flames will be immediately extinguished by a tour through the city's sewer pipes, however, I do beg for constructive criticism. Send all feedback to warriorx@together.net.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: A very big thanks to those of you who took the time to find my booboo's ... Mom, Marn, Mel, Ili, Beck, Rosa. I really appreciate it - you've saved me once more from looking like a literary idiot! Thanks to Little Warrior for listening to my disjointed rambling while I worked through the hard parts, and for helping me practice... ah... ah... I mean, proof the really 'good' parts (^^). Special thanks to Ili for providing the Spanish translations (the English versions are provided in brackets []). Finally, a warm thank you to MQ and BG for their technical wisdom and spiritual guidance.

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO READERS: I want to thank all of you for your patience while I have laboriously worked out this story. I know it has been customary for me to post stories on a more frequent basis, but my life has gone through drastic changes over the past few months... changes that are largely good, but traumatic, nonetheless. A new love has entered my life ... a love that has given me the courage to express my true heart ... a love that will endure for the rest of our lives. I love you my Little Warrior. An old love has left ... the end to a lesson well learned. Family illness, and unprecedented family love ... all of this has worked to change my life in ways I can not describe. Thank you all. kd :-)

CHAPTER XII

Rox rose the next morning around 9:00 a.m., not really knowing where she was. Opening her eyes, she looked around and finally realized she was on Nikki and Jerri's living room couch. She also realized that she smelled coffee. Sitting up, she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and rose to her feet, stretching as far as her bruised body would allow.

"First stop, bathroom," she said under her breath as she padded in that direction.

The aroma of French Roast coffee called to her as she made her way into the kitchen. That's when she saw the note on the table. Picking it up, she read ...

Rox smiled at her friend's easy banter, then sighed enviously. Will I ever have a relationship like theirs? she asked herself. She could only hope so. Pouring herself a cup of coffee, she sat down at the kitchen table and crossed her legs at the ankles under her chair. Leaning on her elbows, and holding her coffee cup suspended in front of her, she thought about the intense, loving relationship her friends shared. They were true soulmates ... a blind man could see it. Nikki was a nurse and Jerri, an EMT on an ambulance crew. She recalled stories about how they would sneak kisses on the elevator, or meet secretly on the loading dock to make out. They were like teenagers in love, constantly touching, caressing, and expressing their love for each other. Rox so longed for that level of intimacy with someone ... someone she could call her soulmate.

Taking a deep sigh, she thought of her own relationship with Chris. Things had started out really good. Chris was very attractive to say the least. Rox was immediately attracted to the unkempt blonde hair and deep brown eyes. Rox had commissioned Chris' company to build her deck and remodel her office space and Chris was appointed foreman for the job. It wasn't long before they began 'seeing' each other ... an occasional dinner or movie, or just a quiet walk, hand in hand, along the beach. Rox was quite smitten.

Rox absentmindedly lifted the cup to her lips and sipped the flavorful brew. Closing her eyes, she recalled the first kiss she had shared with the blonde foreman. They had been walking along the beach at night. Rox had her bikini on, with a T-shirt thrown over the top. Chris was wearing rolled up blue-jeans and a a muscle T-shirt. They were both barefoot, walking along in the surf, the moon very bright overhead in a starless sky, a slight breeze blowing her then, long hair, around her face. As they were walking along hand in hand, Chris stopped abruptly and pulled Rox close. Placing callused hands on both sides of her face and lifting it skyward, lips met lips and tongues invaded moist crevices as Rox melted into a puddle at Chris' feet. That was the first night they had made love. Soon after, Chris moved in.

Things had been fine for the first year and a half that they lived together, although, it didn't take long for them to fall into a routine where Rox was taking care of Chris rather than being a partner. Between housework, laundry, meals, and being on call for Chris' affections, she was finding it harder and harder to make time for her writing. She found herself rising early in the morning to at least outline her ideas for the day, and then rushed through her housework in the morning to make time for writing in the afternoon. She knew her home was suffering from lack of attention, but she had deadlines to meet with her literary agent, so it had to be done. Unfortunately, Chris also noticed the degrade in their living environment, and was quick to call her on it, however, not quick to help improve it.

About six months ago, Rox noticed a change in Chris' behavior. How could she NOT notice it -- she wore the evidence of it on her face, neck and back that very morning. Suddenly, angry rages resulted from late meals or unfolded laundry. Soon, the hitting began. It had gone steadily downhill from there. Thank god for Nikki and Jerri, Rox thought to herself as she remembered the numerous times over the past six months when she had called her friends for comfort after Chris had beaten her and then left to hit the bars with the guys from work. So far, Chris hadn't hurt her badly enough to require medical attention, but Rox knew it was only a matter of time. Lowering her head to her chest, she allowed a tear to fall onto the table. Life was so unfair. Here she was, trapped in an abusive relationship, and the only thing that would free her from it was her father's death. Life sucks, she thought as she hardened her heart to her circumstances and rose to refill her coffee cup.

**********

Cass rose bright and early as usual on Thursday morning, going first to check e-mail before starting her workout, only to be disappointed to find that Rox had not replied to her previous post. She sat there in her chair, shoulders rounded forward in defeat. Damn, she thought. I hope I didn't scare her away with that last post. Cass, you're such an idiot ... telling the woman she enchanted you. You know she's probably married with a bunch a kids. Why are you wasting your time here? she admonished herself. Go ahead and say "I told you so", E, go ahead ... she added.

Not necessary, Enforcer replied. You're doing a good job of beating yourself up -- you don't need my help.

Yeah, well, you'd think I know better than to form new relationships, after what happened with Patti. Cass said.

Turning back to the keyboard, she made a decision. "Okay Roxanne Ward, one more note then I'll leave you alone," she said out loud as she selected 'New Message'.

After sending the note, Cass powered down the computer and headed to her treadmill. With a heavy heart, she powered up the machine and started working her anger and disappointment out. As usual, Enforcer was right there to keep her company.

What are you going to do if she brushes you off, Cass? Enforcer asked as she jogged along at an easy pace.

Throw the computer out the window, she responded.

Throw it out the window?! What will that accomplish? It's not the computer's fault you've got bad taste in women, Enforcer said bluntly.

Cass sighed deeply. God damn it, E. I don't have bad taste in women ... I've just been unlucky in love. My taste in women is just fine thank you very much! Tell me you don't think Rox is beautiful.

Wellllllll, maybe you're right -- yeah, she is very beautiful ... Patti was quite a looker too. Too bad she was a psycho bitch. Enforcer agreed.

Demon bitch from hell is more like it, E. If I had only been smart enough to see that she was into steroids and drugs ... maybe I could have helped her ... maybe I could have prevented her death, Cass surmised.

So, you're finally starting to realize that you weren't the cause of her death, huh? It's about time you lose that guilt and move on, Cass. It will interfere in all future relationships if you don't, Enforcer encouraged.

E, I can't help it. I will never forget how it felt to be so helpless at her hands. I will never allow myself to be so dependent and vulnerable again, and I will never forget how devastated she was when I left her, she vowed.

Not everyone is like Patti, Cass. If you keep looking behind you, you're going to stumble on what's in front of you ... get over it and move on ... it's been almost three years, Enforcer reminded her.

Cass reached over and shut off the treadmill, then stood there on the belt, leaning over the control panel, breathing deeply, sweat covering her overheated body. After several long moments of regaining her composure, she lifted her head and grabbed her towel. Wiping the sweat off her forehead, she reached for the water bottle and drank half it's contents before heading toward the bathroom.

Cass ... stop ignoring me. You know I'm right, Enforcer said.

Cass stripped off her spandex aerobics wear as she entered the bathroom, throwing it in the hamper by the sink. Reaching in, she turned the shower on, then stood in front of the sink and looked at her reflection in the mirror.

Damn it, Cass! Wake up and smell the coffee, E scolded. Look, we haven't been laid in eons ... I have needs too you know. That little episode of self gratification in the shower yesterday was not enough ... we need tenderness. We need to be held and caressed and told that we are loved. Cass ... if the cute little red head rejects you, find out why. A few well placed questions will determine if she's married. Shit, woman ... you don't even know if she's into chicks yet! You've got a lot of homework to do, my friend, and these polite little notes you've been sending are not going to get you anywhere ... capishe?

Sighing deeply, Cass lifted both hands to her face and rubbed vigorously. Get hold of yourself, Cass. Maybe E is right. Take a chance ... she's almost 3,000 miles away -- she can't hurt you.

Resolving to stop looking back, Cass stepped into the shower and washed the sweat from her body. The two day flight to Durango would allow her time to think. By the time she returned Friday afternoon, she should have some reaction from Rox to her last two posts ... she should have some indication about whether to pursue the relationship or not.

Freshly showered and dressed in her airline blues, she headed out the door, with higher spirits and a determined heart.

**********

Rox made herself a fried egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast and sat curled up on the corner of Nikki's couch watching the weather channel as she ate. She watched with interest at the weather for the west coast, specifically California, wondering what Cass was doing at that very moment. Glancing at the digital time displayed at the bottom corner of the screen, she noted that it was 10:30 a.m. She's probably on her way to work, Rox, she said to herself ... just like YOU should be doing. That story will never be finished if you keep allowing interruptions like this, she scolded herself.

After finishing her sandwich, she stood up and stretched, then went into the kitchen to clean up after herself. Wiping her hands on a dishtowel, she looked at the clock once more and noted that it was only 11 am. Rummaging through the refrigerator, she found the fixings for salad and went to work throwing something together to feed Nikki for lunch. Opening a can of chicken noodle soup, she set it on the stove on low, and then looked once more at the clock. "Looks like I have time for a shower," she said out loud as she headed to Nikki and Jerri's room to find something to change into. She and Nikki were basically the same build, except she had a couple of inches in height on her friend.

Walking into their room, the first thing she noticed was the state of disarray their bed was in. The pillows were pushed up against the headboard and were nearly on top of one another. Her friends obviously slept very close together. For some reason, that simple arrangement of pillows struck a pang of loneliness in Rox's heart as she imagined her friends spooned together, wrapped around each other in a braid of love. Her bed had never looked like this. Chris simply retreated to the far reaches of the mattress after satisfaction was taken. No tender caresses, no vows of love and devotion. Just 'wham, bam, thank you ma'am', then roll over and go to sleep. Rox took a deep breath and pushed the thoughts from her mind as she made her friend's bed, then found clean underclothes, T-shirt and shorts to wear after her shower.

Rox was towel drying her hair when Nikki arrived home for lunch.

"Rox?" Nikki shouted as she came into the house through the kitchen door.

"In the bathroom, Nik!" Rox called out.

Nikki walked through the living into the downstairs bathroom and leaned against the door frame to watch her friend run her fingers through her short strawberry blonde hair, loosely combing it into place.

"I like your outfit," Nikki said, noticing the familiar clothing.

Rox grinned. "Thanks. I've got good taste in clothes, huh?" she said.

"Very good ... looks like something I would buy for myself," she quipped back.

"Are you hungry?" Rox asked, brushing the last errant lock into place.

"Very," Nikki replied as Rox threw her arm around her friend's shoulder and led her back to the kitchen, sitting her down in a chair. Moments later, Nikki had a bowl of hot soup and a crisp garden salad sitting in front of her.

"Wow!" Nikki exclaimed, looking at her friend. "Aren't you going to eat?"

"No, believe it or not, I just finished an egg sandwich for breakfast less than two hours ago. I'm really not hungry," she replied.

"Don't tell me ... you slept until, what -- 9:00 a.m.?" Nikki asked. Seeing her friend nod her head, she added, "Jesus, Rox, how can you sleep so late? You fell asleep on the couch about 10 p.m. last night. Do you realize that's 11 hours sleep?" she exclaimed.

"I don't know, Nik. I've always been a late sleeper," Rox said in her own defense.

"Bullshit. You slept so late because you don't take care of yourself. Rox, you are so torn between your work and your home and Chris, that you don't take the time to really take care of your physical needs. You are going to run yourself right into the ground if you're not careful," Nikki lectured.

Rox just looked down at the table and endured the lecture. She knew her friend was right.

Nikki set her fork down and reached over to take Rox's hand. "Rox, honey, I'm sorry for yelling, but damn it girl, I care about you, and I know you're not taking proper care of yourself. You need to make some changes, before you become seriously ill ... okay?" she said tenderly.

Rox just nodded, avoiding her friend's eyes.

A short time later, with lunch out of the way Nikki and Rox were in the car, heading toward the ocean. Rox was very animated as she filled Nikki in on some the ideas she had for her next chapter. Nikki enjoyed watching Rox's face when she talked about her work. It was the only real time she saw any passion there of late. She was grateful that she at least had that escape from her nightmarish life with Chris.

Nikki looked around carefully as she pulled into the driveway of Rox's home. No car other than Rox's. Thank God Chris isn't home yet, Nikki thought as she kissed her friend goodbye then drove away. There was no telling what would happen if that bastard came home to an empty house.

Rox waved to her friend and then climbed the front steps to her Victorian home and unlocked the door. The moment she stepped into the house, she felt a hand circle her throat and found herself slammed up against the wall next to door, looking straight into the brown eyes of a very angry Chris.

"Where the fuck have you been?" Chris said between clenched teeth.

Rox could barely speak, Chris was constricting her throat so tightly. Grabbing her attacker's hands, she tried desperately to pry them loose as she started to lose consciousness from a lack of oxygen.

Realizing that Rox was about to go down, Chris relaxed the death lock on her throat and watched her slide down the wall to the floor.

"Answer me, bitch!" Chris screamed, standing over the defenseless woman.

"I ... I wwaas at Nikki aaand Jerri's. They invited me to dinner last night. I ... I fell asleep on their couch," Rox explained in a raspy voice.

"Liar!" Chris yelled as a booted foot landed against Rox's left side, doubling her over in pain. "You were screwing around with them, weren't you? I saw you kiss that bitch before you got out of the car. You whore!" Another boot to the side.

"No ... Ch...Chris, please," Rox tried to protest between gasps. "No..."

Chris reached down and grabbed Rox by the front of her shirt, pulling her back to her feet. Rox could barely stand, her side ached so badly. Slamming her back up against the wall, Chris got right into her face. "Don't you fucking lie to me, bitch ... You couldn't wait until I left, could you. I'll bet you've been there fucking their brains out for the last four days, haven't you? I've seen the way you look at them, Rox... don't you dare fucking lie to me!" came the accusations. "You didn't think I was home, did you? DID YOU!!! No ... You didn't see my car, so you thought it was safe. Well, I've got news for you, Miss High and Mighty ... my car is at the job site, broken down ... I had to catch a ride home with one of the guys yesterday because my girlfriend wasn't home to answer the god damned phone!" The last few words were said in a near scream as hatred and disgust poured from Chris' dark brown eyes.

Rox was terrified as tears poured from her eyes. She could hardly see straight through the pain in her side, her breathing came in painful gasps, her left arm held in a sling-like position at her side to guard her bruised ribs from further injury.

"Chrris... I've been h..home wr....writing since you've bbbeen gone ... except for last night," she tried to say through her tears.

Chris drew back and hit her across the face in a backhanded swing, sending her sprawling across the floor.

Rox curled up into a fetal position on the floor, protecting her ribs, as blood poured from her mouth and nose. "Oh god ... Oh god," she moaned as Chris attacked once more.

Reaching down, Chris grabbed her right wrist and twisted, lifting her off the floor in the same motion. An audible snap could be heard as Rox cried out in pain.

"Shut up, bitch, before the whole neighborhood hears you!" Chris shouted in her face.

Rox continued to cry.

"God damn it, I said shut up!" came the next command as Chris once more hauled back and punched her in the face. This time, she fell against the stairs leading to the second story, and hit her head on the newel post, knocking her unconscious.

*********************************************************************************************

CHAPTER XIII

Jerri's was relaxing in the ER lounge, enjoying her lunch, when her partner motioned her over. He was on the phone taking an emergency call from his dispatcher.

"What is it, Mike?" she asked.

"Domestic battering -- woman unconscious ... 1163 Oceanview Terrace. Let's go," he said.

Jerri thought she was going to lose her lunch. "Oh my god ... Rox," she said, recognizing the address.

Moments later, Jerri and Mike were on their way to the ocean. As Mike pulled up in front of the three-story Victorian, Jerri jumped out of the ambulance even before it had stopped, and was running up the steps to the house.

"Rox!" she called frantically, pushing her way through the policemen who where at the scene. "Rox," she said again as she threw herself to her knees on the floor next to her friend, who was obviously in shock. Looking up at the policeman closest to her, she said, "Get me a blanket, quickly."

Moments later, Mike arrived on the scene carrying their equipment from the ambulance. He looked at his partner with deep concern in his eyes. "You know her, don't you?" It was more of a statement than a question.

Jerri's eyes filled with tears as she looked at Mike, nodding her head yes. Looking back down at Rox, she reached over and cupped the side of her friend face with her hand. "Rox ... Rox, honey, can you hear me?" she asked.

Rox's eyes fluttered open and she tried desperately to smile as she saw her friend's face. "Jer," she said in a faint voice.

"Don't talk yet, sweetheart. Try to relax, we'll have you taken care of in no time," she said, tucking the blanket in around her friend as she and Mike went to work taking her vital signs.

Jerri noticed the bruises around Rox' neck. Four parallel lines on the left side, one line on the right. The attacker was right handed. The purple bruise around her left eye was further testimony to that fact, as was the split lip on the right side of Rox's mouth, which was consistent with a back handed blow from a right handed person. Chris was right handed.

Jerri reached under Rox's head and felt around. Rox moaned. The call from dispatch said that the victim had been found unconscious by the mailman. As suspected, she found a large lump on the back of her friend's head.

"Where was she found?" Jerri asked the police officer by her side.

"She was laying half on and half off the stairs right behind you," he replied, pointing to an obvious pool of blood on the bottom runner of the carpeted stairs.

The injury Jerri found on her friend's head was consistent with a potential impact with the newel post at the bottom of the stairway, and with the bloodstains found on the bottom runner.

"Jer, she's going into shock," Mike noted as Rox began to visibly shake.

Jerri turned her attention back to her friend. "Okay, we need to get her transported to the hospital as soon as possible. Mike, I'll need a c-collar and backboard, stat." As Mike ran to the ambulance to retrieve the requested items, Jerri leaned in close to Rox. "How are you doing, my friend?" she asked.

"My wrist ... ribs ... hurts to breath. I'm so cold," she muttered as Jerri looked at the large welts on the left side of her chest, then tucked another blanket around her.

"Rox, your body is going into shock." Lifting her head to look out the open front door, she called loudly to her partner, "Mike, bring a straight board and ace to secure her wrist." Turning back to Rox, she tried hard to smile as she assured her friend that she was safe. "We'll be on our way in no time, love. Hang in there, okay?"

"Chris ..." Rox whispered.

"Chris ... Chris did this to you, right?" Jerri said, trying her damnedest not to lose her temper in front of Rox. "Chris was here when you got home?" she asked, looking around an empty house. Chris obviously split after knocking Rox out. The bastard probably thought you were dead, my friend, Jerri thought.

Rox just nodded and allowed a single tear to escape her eye.

"Well, you're safe now, Rox. I'll be by your side the whole way, okay?"

Soon, Jerri and Mike had Rox strapped down to the backboard, her neck in the c-collar, and her head taped securely to the board. Jerri took special care to be careful of Rox's ribs as she tied her down, effectively immobilizing the injured woman for the ride to the hospital.

**********

Nikki felt her pager vibrate as she was going on break. Stopping at the nearest phone, she checked the number and dialed the emergency room. She had a standing agreement with the dispatcher that she'd page Nikki whenever she knew Jerri was incoming with a patient. Depending on how much time they had, she liked to meet Jerri for a coffee before she headed back out, or at the very least, a quick trip into a broom closet for an impromptu make out session. Nikki smiled as she thought about how good the timing was ... it was rare that they actually had a real break together.

Mike backed the ambulance into the emergency room bay just as Nikki was coming through the swinging doors into Triage. Jerri spotted Nikki in the corner of her eye as they rushed the stretcher in, containing a very battered Rox. She quickly gave Rox's status to the attending physician, and then attempted to intercept her wife before she saw the condition their friend was in. Unfortunately, she was too late.

Nikki lunged forward when she saw the red-gold hair of the person on the stretcher. "Rox! Oh God no ... Rox!" she cried as Jerri grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her in for an embrace, blocking her view of the battered woman..

"Nikki ... no -- you don't need to see her just yet ... she'll be all right," Jerri whispered into Nikki's ear as she fought to keep the smaller woman from looking over her shoulder at their friend.

"Jerri, please. She needs me!" Nikki cried, fighting against her much bigger and stronger wife. "Please let me go," she begged.

"Nikki, please don't fight me on this. Let them do their jobs, sweetheart," she said, pushing Nikki away from the scene.

Nikki continued to fight her. Finally, Jerri just took her by the arm and dragged her out of Triage and into the nurse's lounge. Sitting her in a chair, she placed her hands on the armrests and leaned in until her nose was within an inch of her wife's. Jerri looked into green eyes that were filled with such pain she had a difficult time composing herself.

"Nikki," she said, "Rox will be all right. As far as I could tell without X-rays, she has a broken wrist and maybe some fractured ribs ... possibly a concussion ... but she will be all right. Okay?"

Trying hard to fight back tears, Nikki nodded, then rested her forehead against Jerri's. Without looking at her wife, she said, "Chris?"

"Yes," Jerri said.

Nikki started to cry. "It's my fault," she said.

Jerri dropped to her knees in front of Nikki and took the smaller woman into her arms. "No, Nik. How can this be your fault?" she asked.

"I left her there, Jerri! Don't you see ... Chris must have been hiding in the house. The only car in the driveway was Rox's ... I didn't know!" she said between tears.

Nikki felt Jerri stiffen at that revelation. Sensing the change in her wife she pulled her head back and looked at the hard set of Jerri's face as the taller woman stood erect and started pacing. "Jerri?" she asked.

Jerri was clenching her jaw and her fists over and over, as she paced. "Nikki, you could have been in the house when all this happened. You could be out there lying next to Rox right now," she said, pointing to the door to Triage. "I'm going to kill that bastard, Nik. There will be no hiding from this. Chris will rue the day Rox hired the construction outfit that son of a bitch works for. Chris will not get away with this," she ranted, her voice becoming louder with each word she spoke.

Nikki rose to her feet and approached her wife, intercepting her pacing midstream. Taking her by both arms, she forced Jerri to look at her. "Now you listen to me. You are not going after Chris. I need you with me, not rotting away in some jail cell. Do you understand? Look, you want me to let the triage crew do their jobs - right? ... well then you let the police to theirs. Promise me, Jer," she demanded.

Jerri looked over Nikki's head at the wall behind her, a stubborn set to her jaw, her hands on her hips, refusing to meet Nikki's eyes.

Shaking her lightly, Nikki demanded an answer. "Promise me, Jerri!" she said forcefully. "Please," she added in a soft voice.

Jerri took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and lowered her chin to her chest. Dropping her hands from her hips, she wrapped them around Nikki and held her close. "All right, I promise," she whispered in her wife's ear.

"Thank you," Nikki whispered back. "Now do you think we can check on Rox?" she asked.

Jerri nodded her head and took Nikki's hand before heading back to Triage.

**********

"We'll need a cross table and lateral c-spine x-ray, abdominal x-rays and chest films here. I don't like the looks of that bruising on her side ... oh, and a CAT scan of her head too," ordered the attending physician as he removed the c-collar from Rox's neck. "What's the name of the brick wall you ran into?" the doctor joked as he looked into Rox's bruised face. Being careful not to move her neck, he examined the bruising pattern on her throat before meeting Rox's eyes once more.

Rox was silent, knowing she would cry if she tried to speak. Her ribs were killing her. She was already in enough pain ... she didn't need to add more by sobbing.

"What's your name, young lady," the doctor asked as he replaced the collar.

"Roxanne Ward," she said in a voice just barely above a whisper.

"Well, Roxanne Ward, I'm Dr. Syverson. You want to tell me what happened?" he asked.

Rox started shaking her head, causing the doctor to reach out to stabilize it. "Don't move your head, okay? We need to see if there is any spinal damage in your neck first. The technician should be here in a moment to take you to x-ray. Now, I'll ask you again ... do you want to tell me what happened?"

"Rox!" Nikki exclaimed as she and Jerri approached Rox's bedside.

Rox's eyes darted to the left ... at least the eye she could open. Her left eye was nearly swollen shut from the impact of Chris' fist. Rox immediately teared up and reached out to Nikki with her left hand. Dr. Syverson took Jerri aside to ask her about the procedures done at the scene, giving Nikki and Rox a few moments of privacy.

Nikki reached over and touched the right side of Rox's face, cradling her bruised jaw in a tender caress. Making no attempt to hide her tears, she leaned over and kissed Rox on the unbruised side of her mouth. "I'm sorry," she whispered to her injured friend.

Rox's brow furrowed in a frown, not understanding why Nikki was apologizing.

"Roxanne Ward?" the x-ray technician said from the doorway.

Nikki turned to the man, wiping her tears away at the same time. "Right here," she said, calling the man over to Rox's stretcher.

Moments later, Rox was wheeled to x-ray, where the necessary films were taken. In no time, she was returned to the ER where she found Nikki still waiting for her.

"Where's Jer?" Rox asked as Nikki once again took her hand.

"She's gone on another call. Rox, Chris did this to you, right? Chris was waiting for you in the house ... Gods, Rox, I'm so sorry," she said, starting to cry again.

Rox squeezed Nikki's hand. "Nik, Chris did this, not you. You have nothing to be sorry for," she said through clenched teeth, fighting hard to ward off the pain in her side, jaw, and head.

"But I left you there, Rox," Nikki explained tearfully.

"Nik...." Rox began before Dr. Syverson interrupted her.

"Okay, while we're waiting for those films, let's take care of this gash near your eye," he said. Looking up at Nikki expectantly, he asked, "Are you here to help, or hinder?"

Shocked into action, Nikki replied, "To help, of course!"

"All right then," he said grinning. "We'll need to put a few sutures in this wound."

Nikki immediately went after the supplies needed to stitch the gash in Rox's face, returning moments later with suture materials and Lidocaine.

Rox took one look at the needle of Lidocaine and passed out.

Nikki smiled at her friend. "You big baby," she said, under her breath as she assisted Dr. Syverson with closing the wound.

"It shouldn't scar too much," the doctor said as he placed four tiny sutures along the length of the split. Glancing up at Nikki, he added, "You seem to know her. Do you have any ideas about what might have happened here?"

Nikki nodded. "She's my best friend," she said, her voice cracking. Taking a deep breath, she continued, "She lives with this asshole that brutalizes her whenever the mood is right ... which happens to be more and more frequently these days," she said sadly.

"Why doesn't she just leave?" the doctor asked, putting in the last stitch.

"I can't tell you how many times I've asked her that very question ... it's a long story," Nikki replied.

"Ah, excuse me, I'm looking for a Roxanne Ward," a voice said from the doorway.

Dr. Syverson looked up at the uniformed police officer standing there. "This is Roxanne Ward, but I'm afraid she won't be able to answer your questions right now," he said.

"All right then, are Mike Schmidt or Jerri Lockwood around? I understand they were the EMT's who responded to the domestic violence call?" he asked politely.

Hearing Jerri's name, Nikki stepped forward. "Jerri's my wi.... my friend, but she and Mike are on a call right now. They should be back soon if you'd like to wait in the lounge," Nikki said nervously. Damn, I almost blew it there, she thought. Nikki hated keeping her relationship with Jerri a secret, except from a select few, but Jerri preferred it that way ... it made things at work less complicated.

Rox's x-rays arrived just as Nikki was finishing up washing the blood from the red head's split lip.

"Okay, let's see here," Dr. Syverson said as he examined the films carefully. "Lungs look all right, however two of the ribs are fractured. No fluid buildup in the abdomen. No obvious fractures in the vertebrae. Good. Looks like she was lucky this time," he said, taking the films off the light board. "We will have to set and cast that wrist, though," he added, "... after the CAT scan."

Nikki cringed at the doctor's choice of words, 'she was lucky this time.' He's right, Rox. One of these times that maniac is going to kill you, she thought.

About an hour later, the CAT scan was done, and Rox was once again, returned to the ER until the final diagnosis was made. This time, Jerri was there waiting for her while Nikki returned to work. She had returned about a half hour earlier and met with the police officer waiting in the lounge to provide details of what they found at the scene. Jerri suggested that he return later to interview Rox.

Rox had finally regained consciousness after fainting at the sight of the Lidocaine needle, and smiled at her friend as they once again parked her in one of the examination rooms to wait. She felt miserable. Never before had her entire body hurt so much, not even after the whipping she had received earlier in the week. She was glad Jerri was with her. She hated hospitals. It reminded her that it wouldn't be long before her father would live out his final days here ... take his final breaths. Tears formed in her eyes at the prospect.

"Hey, I can ask for some painkillers for you if you'd like," Jerri said, leaning in close to her friend.

"Drugs? Drugs are good!" Rox replied fighting tears. She didn't know what it was about her tall friend, but when Nikki was around, all she wanted to do was cry and be held, but when Jerri was with her, she had this driving need to put on a brave front.

Jerri bent over her friend again and whispered in her ear, "You know, Rox, you can cry in front of me ... I won't tell, okay?" she said, grinning and winking conspiratorially at her friend.

Rox chuckled, grabbing her ribs in the process. "Oh gods, don't make me laugh," she said. After a moment, she caught her breath and looked up into the concerned face of her friend who was sitting in a chair to her left, resting her elbows on the edge of the gurney while she leaned forward.

Reaching up with her good hand, she touched the side of Jerri's face and said, "I'm sorry Jer. It's just that I'm so used to being the caretaker, its tough to be the one who needs taking care of. It feels so weak to cry," she tried to explain.

"I know. Nikki is such a girl when it comes to crying. Me on the other hand ... well, I avoid it when I can, but sometimes its necessary ... like now." she said softly, reaching across Rox's body to brush the bangs away from her friend's eyes, which were now closed.

Jerri watched Rox's face and played with her hair affectionately as she cried, tears escaping her closed lids and running down the sides of her face to spill over onto the bed.

"That's it, love, let it out, " Jerry cooed softly as she continued to run her fingers through Rox's hair. Rox grasped Jerri's other hand and squeezed it tightly as she cried.

Soon, the crying subsided as Rox took a semi-deep breath, gasping at the pain in her side.

"Feel better?" Jerri asked.

Rox nodded.

"Good," came the reply as they were interrupted by the orthopedic surgeon.

"Okay, I understand we have a wrist to set," he said, looking at the patient lying on the gurney.

Jerri followed them into the cast room and held Rox tightly as they first numbed and then set the wrist. Rox came right off the gurney as the pushed and prodded the bones back into place, screaming out in pain during the procedure. Finally, the fiberglass cast was applied, with Rox insistence that all of her fingers and her thumb remain as free moving as possible. After all, she still had a book to write, and a dead line that wouldn't wait the six weeks she would have to wear the cast.

Finally, they returned to the ER where Dr. Syverson was waiting for them with the results of the CAT scan.

"Okay, you have a small subdural hematoma beneath the skull, near the point of impact. It's minor, but the risk remains for a cerebral hemorrhage or embolism. Several days of complete bed rest should take care of it ... most of which can be done at home ...," he said, seeing the panicked look on Rox's face at the mention of several days in bed, "... as long as you have help," he added.

"She has help," Jerri said immediately, drawing a teary smile from her friend.

"Good. I would like to keep you overnight for observation. If things look good in the morning, we'll release you and send you home. Okay?" he said.

Rox just nodded and thanked the doctor as he left the ER, saying that a nurse would be by shortly to escort her to her room.

*********************************************************************************************

CHAPTER XIV

Cass ran from her car to the terminal, cursing herself for leaving her umbrella at home, and cursing the weatherman for a bad prediction of the morning weather. Now I'm gonna have to sit in that cockpit in damp clothes for next few hours, she grumbled to herself as she shook the excess rain off her clothing once inside the terminal.

"Nice day for travel, huh?" a voice laced with sarcasm said to her right as she stood at the control desk filing her flight plan. Glancing over, she saw her co-pilot, Brian Anderson, standing there, also a little damp around the edges.

"Forgot your umbrella too, huh Brian?" she asked chuckling.

"Damned weather man couldn't predict rain while standing in the middle of a thunder shower!" he exclaimed irritably.

"God, I hate to fly in this kind of weather," Cass said, handing the paperwork over to the flight controller. Looking at Brian again, she asked, "Have they loaded the cargo yet?"

"Just about done," he said. "You know, Cass, these goodwill missions are starting to wear thin. All cargo and few passengers. Not a lot of action on board, if you know what I mean," he said, winking at his ranking officer. Brian was tall, dark and handsome and considered himself to be a real lady's man, but for the life of him, he couldn't figure out why Cass wasn't interested. "But then, if I could just convince you to take the bait....." he said grinning, leaving the rest of the sentence hanging.

Cass reached up and patted the side of Brian's face. "In your dreams, Brian," she said, before turning and heading out to the runway.

Brian threw his hands up and whined, "Awww, come on, Cass. How can you resist this handsome face?" he said, half in jest.

Cass was very tempted to spill the beans, but decided against it. The fewer people that knew, the fewer questions she would have to field. "Let's just say, you're not my type, and leave it at that, okay?" she said over her shoulder as they dashed from the terminal to the plane.

Brian boarded the plane before Cass did, and went directly to the cockpit to start entering their flight information into the computer that controlled the auto pilot, while Cass checked the cargo status with the rest of the flight crew. As she climbed the last two steps and boarded the plane, she was met by Ginny, the attendant from her flight to Veracruz the previous week. Stopping just inside the entryway, she looked at the woman and smiled.

"Hi," she said, smiling broadly.

"Hi yourself, Captain Conway," Ginny replied.

"Cass ... call me Cass," she corrected, thanking the flight attendant for the towel she handed to her to wipe off the excess rain.

"Cass ..." Ginny repeated.

"I missed you on last week's flight home. I trust things are all right with your family?" Cass asked sincerely.

Ginny smiled. "Yes, thank you. My Mom rushed Dad to the hospital with chest pains ... turned out to be heartburn," she explained, blushing slightly under Cass' gaze.

Cass reached out and placed her hand on the woman's arm. "Good. I'm glad things worked out," she said as she turned to head to the cockpit.

"Ah ... Captain, could I get you anything once we're airborne?" Ginny asked hopefully.

Cass smiled disarmingly. "Coffee would be great," she answered.

"Black, right?" Ginny asked, raising her eyebrows innocently.

"Black," Cass said, answering with her own dancing eyebrows.

Cass stood there for a moment watching Ginny's hips sway back and forth through the tight dress as she walked away. With an uncomfortable ache in her groin, she turned away and entered the cockpit.

Cass old buddy, old pal ... we are gonna score tonight! Enforcer said with glee.

**********

"Flight 203, you are cleared for take off," came the crackly voice over the radio.

"Well it's about time," Brian complained as Cass taxied the plane into takeoff position.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking," Cass said into the microphone to the small group of passengers on board. "We have been cleared for takeoff. Please be sure that your seat belts are fastened securely and that the trays in the seat in front of your are locked in their upright position. Be advised that when flying through a storm we will expect to hit a little turbulence, and highly recommend that your seat belt remain fastened throughout the flight or at the very least, while the seat belt sign above your heads is illuminated. The flight attendant will review safety and evacuation procedures with you in the unlikely event of an emergency. As always, thank you for flying Southern Lights Airline and have a nice flight."

"Th...th...th...that's all folks!" Brian said in his best Porky Pig voice.

"Let's Rock and Roll, kiddies!" Cass added as she opened the jet engines to full throttle and propelled the airplane down the runway. Within moments, they were airborne.

The ascent into the clouds was a rocky one. The 737 was considered a mid-sized plane and not as immune to the turbulence caused by storm fronts as the larger jumbo jets were. Soon, however, they were at a safe altitude above the storm, dramatically increasing the comfort level of the ride. When they were finally at cruising altitude, Cass turned control of the plane over to Brian, and left the cabin to use the ladies' room. Coming out of the washroom, she ran into Ginny.

"Captain," Ginny said shyly as she prepared the snack cart.

"Hi," Cass replied.

The two ladies stood there for a few seconds in awkward silence. Shifting from foot to foot, Cass finally spoke. "Ah ... Ginny, Would you be interested in having dinner with me when we land in Durango?" she asked.

Ginny smiled and reached up to push an errant lock of hair behind her ear. "I'd be happy to, captain," she replied.

"Cass. Please, call me Cass," she reminded the flight attendant again as she reached forward and pushed that same errant lock of hair away from Ginny's face.

Flustered at the almost intimate gesture, Ginny giggled and blushed.

"All right then," Cass continued. Knowing the airline would have booked the entire crew in the same hotel, she asked which room she was staying in.

"304," replied Ginny.

"304. Okay. I'll pick you up at ... 6:00 p.m. Is that all right?" asked Cass.

"6:00 p.m. is fine, cap ... I mean Cass. I'll see you then," she replied.

"I'm looking forward to it," added Cass.

"Me too." Ginny said.

The two women stood there awkwardly again, just looking at each other for a few moments. Finally, Ginny excused herself. "I ... I've got to get back to the passengers. Until tonight?" she asked.

"Tonight," Cass replied, heading back to the cockpit, very proud of herself.

Settling back down into her seat, Cass checked on the weather conditions on route to Durango and realized that they were in for a bumpy ride. It appeared that the west coast from Washington, through Central America was being hit by a severe storm front, and that they were about to fly into the worst of it.

About an hour into the flight, they hit an especially bad patch of turbulence which rocked the mid-sized plane side to side.

"Shit!" Cass exclaimed. "Why they insist we fly in weather like this is beyond me," she commented out loud.

"Anything for the almighty dollar, Cass," Brian said.

Cass reached for the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen. Please fasten your seat belts and stow away all loose pieces of luggage, we are experiencing turbulence at this time," she said before clicking off the microphone and hanging it back up. "God damned weather!" she exclaimed as the plane was tossed around.

Suddenly, a loud crash was heard as the plane shuddered and dropped slightly in altitude.

"What the fuck!?" Brian exclaimed.

Quickly checking the controls, Cass determined that they had indeed lost altitude, and that one of the rudder controls was not functioning. "Shit!" she exclaimed. "I think we've been hit!"

"Hit? You mean by lightning?" Brian asked stupidly.

"Of course by lightning ... what else could we hit up here, a UFO?" she said sharply, suddenly thinking of Rox. "Damn!" she added before reaching for the microphone. As far as she could tell, the closest airport was in San Diego. "Okay, Cass, don't panic," she told herself as the door to the cockpit flew open.

"What happened!" shouted a very upset Ginny.

"We've been struck by lighting, Ginny, make sure the passengers are secure," Cass instructed. Ginny stood there, immobilized.

"Now!" Cass shouted as Ginny turned and left the cockpit in a hurry.

"Brian, hold her as steady as you can," Cass said as she reached for the microphone and switched the radio over to the emergency channel.

"Jesus Christ, Cass ... Jesus Christ!" was all Brian could say as he struggled to keep the plane level.

"Mayday, mayday. This is flight 203 out of San Jose, California on route to Durango, Mexico. We have been struck by lightning. I repeat, we have been struck by lightning," Cass said in a voice much calmer than she felt.

"Flight 203, this is the San Diego airport, we have you on radar, please state your condition," the radio crackled.

Cass closed her eyes and thanked the gods. "We are losing altitude and rudder control. As far as I can tell, we have been hit on our right wing section," she said, looking out the window on Brian's side of the plane and seeing ragged pieces of metal where the wing tip used to be. Suddenly, another jolt hit the plane, causing it to drop sharply. Cass dropped the microphone and grabbed the controls, helping Brian to stabilize the plane. Afraid to release the controls for any length of time, Cass quickly switched the microphone onto the speaker box so that she could talk without using her hands.

"Flight 203, we show a sudden drop in altitude. What is your condition," the radio crackled again.

"We've been hit again, San Diego," Cass said. Checking out the controls, she realized they had very little control over the steering. "Looks like ...."

In the middle of her explanation, the cockpit door swung open again, admitting a panicked Ginny. "Oh my god, Cass, we're going to die!" she screamed.

"God damn it Ginny. You're supposed to be seeing to the passengers. Now pull yourself together and get your ass out there!" she shouted to the woman. Once again, Ginny turned and left.

"San Diego," Cass said, getting back to her damage report. "We have lost directional control. It appears we have been hit again, this time on our tail fin." she explained.

"Flight 203, you are approximately 90 Miles north of the San Diego airport. If you can continue along this flight path and maintain your altitude, your arrival time should be approximately 20 minutes," came the crackle. "We are preparing emergency crews for a potential crash landing."

"On a wing and a prayer, we'll make it" Cass said under her breath. Turning to Brian, she said, "Okay, Brian, we need to hold her as steady as possible. All we need is twenty minutes."

Reaching up, Cass switched on the microphone to the airplane's passenger cabin. "Folks, this is your captain, speaking. As I'm sure you are aware, we have been hit by lightning. We have radioed the airport in San Diego and are now flying with that destination in mind. I ask that you remain as calm as possible, and to stay seated and securely belted into your seats. In the event of a crash landing, you will be instructed to remain seated and to lower your head into your laps, wrapping your arms around your legs. In the event of an ocean landing, your seat cushions can be used as flotation devices. Our estimated time of arrival is 20 minutes. Once again, please remain calm. We will do our best to land the plane as safely as possible. Thank you."

Taking a deep breath, Cass looked over at an ashen faced Brian, who was holding onto his controls with white knuckles. He glanced at her and smiled nervously. "We're gonna make it, right Cass?" he asked hopefully.

"We're certainly going to try Brian," she said.

Fifteen minutes later, they were making their descent into the San Diego airport.

"So far, so good," Cass said as she reached for the landing gear. Nothing happened. "Shit!" she exclaimed. "No landing gear. God damn it!" she shouted. Reaching once again for the radio, she reported their latest failure. "San Diego, this is flight 203. We have landing gear failure. I repeat, we have landing gear failure. Please be prepared for a crash landing."

"We read you, flight 203. Emergency preparations underway," came the voice from the radio.

Cass stared straight ahead spotting the airport in the distance. "Okay, Brian. We need to take her in easy. She's going to slide in on her belly, so we'll need to reduce speed as much as possible without allowing the nose to drop, okay?" Cass instructed, seeing her co-pilot nod nervously. Once more, Cass switched on the microphone to the passenger cabin. "Folks, this is your captain speaking. Unfortunately, we have landing gear failure, so a crash landing will be necessary. Again, I ask you to remain calm, and securely belted into your seats with your head in your laps and arms wrapped around your legs. Please do so now, and remain that way until the plane comes to a safe stop. Flight attendants please take your seats and prepare for the landing."

Cass' heart was in her throat as she watched the airport become larger and larger as they approached. She reduced their speed dramatically to the point where she felt like they were floating above the ground, while she struggled to help Brian keep the nose pointed slightly upward. Closer and closer they came ... slower and slower the plane flew ... almost drifting toward the runway. Finally, the tail end of the plane touched the ground as the friction caused by the contact threw them all forward in their seats. The force was so great, that it propelled Cass into the control panel in front of her, causing a deep gash above her right eye before whipping her backward into her seat once more.

The plane shuddered as the entire belly made contact with the ground, rolling the plane side to side. What was left of the wing tips alternately hit the ground, breaking off in pieces and scattering all over the runway. Momentum propelled the plane forward, counteracted only by the friction of metal against concrete as the giant bird slid along the runway on its belly through the foam that the emergency crews had spread moments earlier to prevent the plane from igniting into flames.

An eternity later, near the end of the runway, the plane came to a stop. An eerie silence filled the interior as the passengers looked at each other, amazed that they were still alive. Cass and Brian both remained in their seats, hands glued to the controls, looking straight ahead for long moments. Finally, a collective sigh of relief was released as a cheer rose from the passenger cabin.

The cockpit door flew open, and a very ruffled Ginny entered, tears running down her cheeks as she hugged and kissed Cass, and then Brian. Moments later, the emergency crews began evacuating the plane. Cass insisted on remaining on board until all the passengers had been safely removed, assisting in rescue efforts as much as possible. Several times, she brushed off attempts by the paramedics to look at the gash above her eye, until all of the passengers had disembarked. By the time she did allow treatment, she had blood all over the right side of her face and shoulder.

The moment her feet reached the ground, she was surrounded by TV crews, each one vying for an interview, while the paramedics finally forced her to sit still long enough to tend to the cut on her forehead. It was nearly 5:00 p.m. by the time the crew was debriefed by airport officials, and a special flight arranged to fly them all back to San Jose.

*********************************************************************************************

CHAPTER XV

"Nikki, that isn't necessary," Rox said to her friend who was sitting on the side of her hospital bed.

"Yes it is. Dr. Syverson said you could go home tomorrow if you had help. Now, either you accept it, or you stay here. Your choice," Nikki said to her stubborn friend.

"Nik!" Rox whined.

"Don't you, 'Nik' me! Jerri and I discussed it and we both agree. If you won't come to stay with us, then we're moving in with you until you're able to take care of yourself," Nikki explained quite matter-of-factly.

Rox looked at Jerri who was leaning with her backside against the windowsill.

"Don't look for any sympathy from me, Rox. I agree with Nikki," Jerri said.

Rox threw her good hand up into the air. "I can't win with you two, can I?" she complained.

Nikki leaned in and kissed Rox on the cheek. "No you can't, so get over it. Jerri and I have both arranged to take the day off tomorrow. We'll be by early to get you. Okay?" she said, rising to her feet.

"All right. I guess I don't have any choice, do I?" she said in mock indignation.

"No you don't. Now scoot down there so I can tuck you in," Nikki commanded as Jerri chuckled from her seat on the windowsill.

Nikki is such a mother hen, the taller woman thought as she watched her wife take care of their friend. Walking over to Rox's bedside, she too leaned in and kissed the red head. "Sleep well, girlfriend. The nurse should be by soon to give you something to help you sleep. We'll be here bright and early tomorrow, okay?"

Rox nodded her head to her friend, trying hard not to cry. She felt like such a big baby. It was times like this when she wished she had her own Jerri ... someone who would hold her and comfort her while she cried ... someone who would chase away her doubts and fears ... someone who would make love feel good, not painful. Someone ... someday.

"I love you guys, Rox said as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"We love you too, sweetie," Nikki said from the doorway. Jerri smiled her concurrence. "We'll see you in the morning."

Nikki and Jerri passed the night nurse on their way out. Soon, the meds kicked in and Rox fell into a restless sleep.

**********

Rox awoke in the middle of a forest. Sitting upright, she looked around and saw that she was alone, however, the camping gear and bedrolls indicated that there should be someone else there with her. Rising to her feet, she looked down at herself and noticed that she was wearing leather trousers, tucked into knee high boots, a long white muslin shirt with billowy sleeves, cuffed at the wrists and a large pointed collar, and a sash that circled her waist twice and tied at the side. Looking around, she found a couple of well worn cloaks, one much longer than the other, and a sword approximately two feet long with a black and gold handle, inlaid with milky white stones.

This all looks so familiar, she thought to herself as she walked around the campsite.

Suddenly, in the distance, she heard a moan. She stopped and strained to listen. The moan came again, this time louder. Following the sound, she soon came upon a figure laying on the ground, moaning in pain. Reaching down, Rox turned the person over and realized that it was a dark haired woman. The woman wore leather trousers, boots, a shirt made of muslin with long billowy sleeves that cuffed at the wrists, much like her own, and held together loosely with thin leather laces, and a leather vest. An empty sheath was attached to her side by a leather belt around her waist.

Brushing the hair off the woman's face, Rox soon realized that there was a deep gash above her right eye. Tearing off a piece of her shirt, she went to a nearby stream and soaked the material, returning to the injured woman to cleanse the wound. As she was washing away the blood, the woman stirred.

"Rox," the woman said.

Roxanne was startled that the woman knew her name.

"Do I know you?" she asked the injured woman.

"We have only met in our hearts, however we have spent many lifetimes together," the woman replied.

Thinking the woman was delirious from her injury, Rox ignored her strange ramblings and asked how she had injured herself.

"I fell from the sky," the woman replied.

Rox suddenly awoke, sitting up in bed so quickly that a dizzy spell overtook her, forcing her to lie back down for fear of toppling over and onto the floor. Placing her good hand on her forehead she breathed deeply until her heart beat returned to normal.

Fell from the sky? Rox said to herself as she tried to remember her dream.

Moments later, she succumbed once more to the medication and fell into a deep sleep.

**********

Cass' plane landed in San Jose at nearly 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening. What had started out as a routine two day flight into Mexico, turned into a nightmare of the nth degree. In the ten years that Cass had been flying, she had never had to crash land a plane, until today. Sure, it was a required exercise in simulated flight training, but most pilots lived a life time without having to actually go through it. It was an experience that left her shaken to the depths of her soul.

As in San Diego, the airport was mobbed with reporters and TV crews, all wanting to get a first hand account of the crash landing, and to do an interview with Cass, who had quickly become a local hero. Cass was basically a private person, and all this publicity was giving her a headache. After trying to push her way through the throng of people for 20 minutes, she finally realized that the fastest way to get out of there was to do the interview ... only then, would they leave her alone. Ten minutes later, after each of the local TV stations had taped the common interview, they graciously allowed her to leave.

As she was heading out to her car, she heard a woman's voice calling her from behind. "Cass ... Cass ... wait up!"

Cass turned around to see Ginny heading toward her. After the day's harrowing experience and Ginny's lack of common sense during the crisis, Cass didn't feel much like entertaining the blonde. Besides, her head was killing her and the stitches in her forehead ached and itched. To top it all off, she was still wearing her blood stained uniform, and she desperately needed a shower.

"Hi Ginny," she said, stopping to wait for the flight attendant.

"Hi. Are you still interested in dinner?" she asked hopefully.

"Ginny, after today's flight, all I want to do is go home, shower, and climb into bed," she replied.

"Sounds like a plan to me!" Ginny replied happily.

"Alone ..." Cass added, seeing the disappointment on the woman's face. "Look, I'm sorry Ginny, but my head is killing me, and I need to sleep. Some other time maybe?" she asked.

Obviously disappointed, Ginny pouted and nodded her head.

"All right then, goodnight," Cass said as she walked to her car and climbed in.

Ten minutes later, she was walking through her condo, stripping off her clothes and discarding them wherever they happen to fall on her way to the shower. Standing under the spray, she finally released the nervous tension that had built up since that first lightning strike as realization of her own mortality came rushing in. No Cass, you're not going to live forever, E explained. We could have died today, if it wasn't for your piloting skills. Girl, life is too short to go on living it alone. Whaddaya say we do something about that? Let's e-mail the chick from Maine and ask her to marry us. Okay?

Cass chuckled to herself at the boldness of her alter ego. Oh, E, if it were just that easy, Cass thought as she rinsed the soap and blood out of her hair. I will e-mail her though. Hopefully, she has had time to respond to my last two posts, she thought as she reached out and shut off the water.

Moments later, feeling much better after her shower, a freshly bathed Cass sat in front of her computer waiting impatiently for it to boot up. After the computer had finally booted, she initiated the dial-up connection to log onto the Internet. After three failed attempts to connect, she called the 24-hour user help line and learned that her Internet server was down, and was not expected to be back up for several hours. Slamming the phone down in the cradle, she shut the computer down and stomped off to bed.

**********

Rox was up and dressed long before Nikki and Jerri arrived to drive her home. The doctor had already come in and examined her, proclaiming her well enough to go home as long as she had help around the house for the next few days. She was given strict orders to remain in bed and to get plenty of rest. Sitting back against the array of pillows, she waited, surfing through the channels of the TV with the remote control. Just as she began to take interest in a newscast about a downed airplane in San Diego, she was interrupted by a police officer at the door.

"Miss Ward?" the officer asked politely.

Clicking off the TV, Rox turned to the officer and replied. "Yes. What can I do for you officer?"

"Miss Ward, I'm Officer Richmond, and I'm following up on the domestic abuse report we received yesterday from emergency room personnel. May I have a few moments of your time?" he asked.

"Yes, of course. Please have a seat," she said nervously, directing him to a chair by her bedside.

"Miss Ward, Do you live at 1163 Oceanview Terrace?" he asked.

"Yes, I do," she responded.

"And were you assaulted in your home yesterday by a one Chris Dalton?" came the next question as the officer read the name from his notepad.

Roxanne hemmed and hawed. "Ah ... ah ... I wouldn't exactly say assaulted. Yes, we argued," she said, quickly making up a story, "but assault is a little strong," she replied, not meeting the officer's eyes.

"Miss Ward, your injuries are consistent with domestic violence. We have reason to believe Dalton assaulted you." he charged.

Rox became indignant. "Officer Richmond, we argued ... okay? We were at the top of the stairs ... Chris grabbed me ... I pulled away and lost my balance, falling down the stairs. That is what happened." she lied.

"Miss Ward, are you saying that you don't want to press charges against Dalton?" Officer Richmond asked.

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Rox answered.

Officer Richmond looked at her for several long moments before he took a deep breath and said. "All right then, I guess I'm finished here." Standing, he closed the small notebook he was writing in, and slipped it, along with him pen, in his shirt pocket. Picking his hat up from the bedside table, he looked back and Rox and said, "Miss Ward, if you suddenly remember any new information, please call the precinct and ask for Officer Doug Richmond. All right?"

Rox looked down at the broken hand lying in her lap. "All right, thank you," she said in a small voice.

"Have a good day," Officer Richmond said as he left the room, passing Nikki and Jerri on his way out.

"Hey there, love," Nikki said, planting herself on the side of Rox's bed and kissing her friend on the cheek. "How are you feeling this morning?"

Rox didn't meet Nikki's eyes, but continued to stare at her broken wrist. "Fine," she mumbled.

Nikki lifted Rox's chin to force eye contact. "Roxie, what's wrong?" she asked.

Jerri, who had remained in the doorway watching the police officer walk down the hall, answered for her. "You told him it was an accident, didn't you Rox?"

Roxanne shook her chin free of Nikki's hand and looked down once more without answering.

Jerri threw her arms up into the air. "Well that's great! Just great! God damn it, Rox, why are you protecting that asshole?" she asked angrily.

"My father..." Roxanne began.

Jerri was at the foot of Rox's bed in two large steps. "NO! I don't want to hear about how you're protecting your father, Roxanne. How about protecting yourself for a change, huh?" she said loudly, leaning over the bed to make her point.

"Jerri, honey, please calm down," Nikki said to her wife, then turning to Roxanne, she added, "Is that right, Rox? Did you tell the police it was an accident?"

Rox closed her eyes and deposited several tears onto her cheeks as she nodded her head yes.

Nikki looked up at Jerri, who raised her eyebrows in an 'I told you so' gesture. Taking a quick breath, Nikki closed her eyes and dropped her chin to her chest, bringing her right hand up to massage her forehead. "Roxie ..." she began.

"Look, I know you mean well, and I love you both for it, but it's my life, okay? Now please ... I just want to go home," Roxanne said through pitiful tears.

Nikki stood up beside the bed. "All right," she said in a voice laced with defeat. "Let's go."

**********

The ride to Rox's house was quiet and heavy with tension. Jerri drove as Nikki sat sideways in the seat beside her, constantly looking into the back seat at a very solemn Rox. Rox spent most of the drive looking out the side window, avoiding her friend's knowing looks.

As they stepped into the large open entryway, Rox turned to her friends and said, "Look, I really appreciate what you're willing to do for me, but it isn't necessary for you to stay."

"We're staying, Rox," Jerri said. "Nikki's already arranged for the week off to take care of you ... now I don't want to hear another word about it, okay?" Grabbing the two suitcases that she and Nikki had brought along, she headed up the stairs to settle into one of the guest rooms.

"Come on ... let's go make a pot of coffee before we tuck you into bed," Nikki suggested as she steered Rox into the kitchen. "Rox, please don't be angry with her ... she just cares about you so much ... she's just trying to protect you," Nikki said, trying to explain her wife's angry behavior.

Sitting heavily into one of the kitchen chairs, Rox placed her broken wrist gingerly on the table and sighed. "I know, but I ... damn it, Nik. He only has a few months left to live. It will be all over then ... I promise," she said.

Nikki walked over to her friend and wrapped her arms around her, pulling Rox's head in to rest just above her breasts. Placing a long firm kiss on Rox's head, she said, "Honey, you don't have to let your father's death signal the start of your life. Sweetheart, if he only knew you were living in such pain, he'd be the first to tell you to escape from it ... he'd be the first to kick Chris' ass. Rox, if you want your father to die happy, then let him die with the knowledge that you are truly happy, not living under a facade of happiness."

Roxanne wrapped her good arm around Nikki's waist and hugged her tight, finally allowing the deluge of emotions to escape the prison she had confined them to. Her body shuddered as the sobbed into her friend's embrace. Suddenly, she felt another pair of arms wrap around her as Jerri joined the fray, holding the two women who meant the most to her in her life.

Several moments later, Rox broke the embrace, feeling silly for acting like a helpless child. Wiping her eyes, she started to rise. "I've got to pick up the mail ... get the paper," she began.

"Sit, I'll get it," Jerri said as she pushed her smaller friend back into the chair, then went to gather the mail and newspaper that were in a heap on the living room floor from being shoved through the mail slot in the front door. Returning to the kitchen, she threw the mail on the table, then unfolded the paper and laid it flat in front of Rox.

Rox began to scan the headlines . "Boeing 737 Crash Lands In San Diego," the banner read.

"Hey! This was on the morning news while I was waiting for your two this morning," Rox said as she continued to scan the article. "Southern Lights Airline, flight 203, crash landed in San Diego yesterday afternoon, after being struck twice by lightning. The plane was on route to Durango, Mexico from San Jose, to deliver much needed medical supplies to the drought-stricken area. Airport officials attribute the safety of the flight crew and passengers to the skillful flying of pilot Cass Conway ... Oh my god!! Cass!!" Rox exclaimed, suddenly becoming dizzy and sick to her stomach. "Oh my god!!" she said again.

Nikki placed a cup of coffee in front of Rox and continued reading the article while Jerri rubbed her back, trying to calm her down. "Airport officials attribute the safety of the flight crew and passengers to the skillful flying of pilot Cass Conway, who was forced to land the plane without landing gear. Witnesses say the plane gracefully slid onto the runway, gliding several hundred yards, rolling side to side while pieces of the wings broke off and scattered afield. The plane came to a graceful stop near the end of the runway. Captain Conway refused to exit the plane, and refused medical help for a deep gash on the forehead, until all of the passengers had safely disembarked."

Nikki put the paper down on the table and looked at Rox. "Wow! Looks like your Captain Conway is a hero!" she said. "Are you okay, Rox?" she added, seeing the ashen look to her friend's face.

Rox just stared at the paper on the table, nodding her head. Finally, she looked at Nikki and then Jerri. "I have to get on-line," she said. "I need to send him an e-mail."

"Rox ... you're supposed to be resting," Nikki said, "not spending hours on the 'net."

"I won't spend hours. Nikki, I've got to do this. He almost died! I want him to know that I'm thinking about him," she said, and that I'm proud of him, her mind finished.

"Come on ... I'll help you navigate the stairs," Jerri said as she reached to help her friend up.

"Jer!!!" Nikki whined, exasperated with her friend and her wife.

"Nik, if it were me in that situation, wouldn't you do the same?" Jerri asked, immediately deflating Nikki's balloon.

Nikki just frowned, knowing she was defeated. "All right ... all right," she said. "But you're going to bed right after that, okay?" she said pointedly to Rox.

"Okay," Rox agreed. "I'll sleep on the hide-a-bed in my office," she added.

"Ah! What am I going to do with you?" Nikki exclaimed throwing her hands up.

Jerri and Rox tried hard to hide their grins as they made their way to the stairs.

"Well, its already noon. You have one hour, then I'm bringing lunch up to you. You got it?!" Nikki exclaimed as she watched her wife and best friend head for the stairs. "Kids today ..." she said under her breath as she went to work finding something for lunch.

**********

"Oh my god ... did someone get the name of the guy that ran over me yesterday?" Cass mumbled to herself as she struggled to sit up in bed. Every bone and muscle in her body hurt. "Gee, it feels like I was in a plane wreck," she said sarcastically. Her legs hurt worst of all. Must be when I braced them on impact, she said to herself.

Cass, do you realize your talking to yourself again? Enforcer asked.

E, I've decided to live life to the fullest. After that fiasco yesterday, I really don't give a damn if I talk to myself or not anymore. At least I'm alive, she replied.

Just as she managed to maneuver her feet onto the floor, the telephone rang. Reaching over to pick up the offending object from the night stand, she brought it to her ear. "Hello?" she said.

"Cassidy Conway, I'm gonna kick your ass from here to kingdom come! Damn it, young lady! Why didn't you call me last night when you got in. For Christ's sake ... I pick up the morning paper, and there, across the headlines it says, 'Local Hero, Cass Conway Crash Lands Plane Safely'. Roger nearly had to pick me up off the floor after I read that! What have you got to say for yourself?" the voice said.

"Good morning to you too, Ang," Cass said dryly.

"I'll good morning you! You get your ass dressed and over here to the diner this instant - do you hear me? I need to see for myself that you're all right." Angie insisted.

"Can I take a shower first? It seems like my muscles aren't cooperating today," she commented, mirth filling her voice.

"I'm glad you think this is funny! You've got one hour. I'll have today's special waiting for you, all right?" Angie asked.

Cass smiled to herself. "All right Angie. One hour."

An hour later, Cass was sitting at her usual table, head in her hands, waiting patiently, as she got her ass reamed out for the second time that morning. Angie paced back and forth in front of her table, her hands flailing, as she vented her anger at the young woman. Finally, she stopped in front of the table, hands on her hips and said, "Well?"

Cass looked up sheepishly. Sitting back in her chair, she threw her hands up and exclaimed, "All right, Ang. You're right. I should have called. I'm sorry. The next time I have to crash-land a plane, I'll call you, okay?" she asked.

Feeling somewhat vindicated, Angie softened. "All right ... you remember that. Now, as soon as you're done your breakfast, I want you to tell me about this feat of yours that has earned you hero status, okay?"

Smiling, Cass said, "Yes, Mommy. Can I eat now?"

Angie swatted Cass on the arm, causing the younger woman to grasp it and howl out in mock pain.

Angie swatted her again. "There's another one for good measure!" she said before heading to the kitchen for Cass' breakfast.

Cass just grinned and watched her go.

*********************************************************************************************

CHAPTER XVI

The trip up two flights of stairs took more out of Rox than she cared to admit. Jerri sat her down at the terminal and booted up the computer for her as she caught her breath. While Rox logged onto the 'net, Jerri went over and pulled the hide-a-bed out of the couch, then descended the stairs one flight to the linen closet in the second floor bathroom to retrieve clean bed sheets and a blanket. Returning to the attic, she made the bed while keeping watch over Rox out of the corner of her eye.

Rox was massaging her ribs with her uninjured hand as she waited for the dial-up network to connect.

"Are you all right, Rox?" Jerri asked.

Rox nodded, not taking her eyes off the monitor. "Ribs ache ... I'll be fine," she said.

Finally she was in. Selecting "Netscape Communicator", she went directly to new mail. It had been Wednesday afternoon since she had last checked her mail, and here it was Friday morning. Rox sat patiently as the system retrieved a total of seven new messages for her ... two of them from Cass. Bypassing the other five, she went directly to Cass' first note.

Roxanne sat stunned as she read the note. He's enchanted with me? she asked herself, feeling her heart flip-flop in her chest. Tall, dark, blue eyes. Wow, sounds like a dream come true. God, it looks like he's had a pretty rough life though. His companion passed away three years ago. I wonder if he loved her? Such were the thoughts running through Rox's head as she scrolled to the attached photograph.

"Wow, he is good looking!" Rox exclaimed, looking at a picture of a tall, dark haired man in a pilot's uniform, posing with an attractive woman, also dressed in flight blues. Hmmm, she's quite attractive too. I wonder if they have a history? she thought.

Jerri couldn't resist taking a look at the mystery man. Walking over to Rox, she looked over her shoulder and said, "Yeah, he's good looking all right, but I'm kind of partial to the lovely lady with him."

"You would!" exclaimed Rox, lightly elbowing her friend in the stomach. "You'd better not let Nikki hear you say that ... you'll be sleeping on the couch for a week!"

Jerri laughed. "Fat chance of that happening. She can't resist my beauty and charm!"

"Oh Pluuuuuuuease!" Rox said as she took a closer look at the picture. Where have I seen her before? she thought. She looks really familiar. She certainly is beautiful.

Shrugging off the feeling of familiarity, she decided to read the second post before answering either. Maneuvering the mouse to the "X" in the upper right corner of the screen she closed the note and struggled to align the pointer to the next piece of mail. "Damn it!" she said out loud.

"You okay?" Jerri asked as she watched her friend struggle with the mouse.

"Yeah ... it's just hard to do things left handed. Damned cast. How am I going to write with my hand in this contraption? And look, my fingers are all swollen up. Will it be like that for the whole six weeks?" Rox asked her friend.

"No. The swelling will be gone in a few days. Do you want some help typing a reply?" Jerri asked.

Rox turned to look at her friend with raised eyebrows as if to say, "you're kidding, right?", but instead thought more logically about the problem and furrowed her eyebrows into a frown.

"That was an interesting play of emotions," Jerri said as she saw the expressions parade across her friend's face.

Rox grinned. "I'm sorry, Jer. I just feel so damned helpless. Yeah, I might need some help. Let me read this other post first, okay?" she said.

"I'm in no hurry ... got the day off!" Jerri said as she threw herself down in one of the overstuffed chairs and crossed her legs.

Rox turned back to the monitor and clicked on Cass' second post.

Rox stared at the note. "Nothing could be further from the truth, Cass," she commented out loud. Without turning around, she said, "Jer, I guess I need to take you up on that offer."

Jerri rose to her feet and came to stand behind her friend. Looking down at Rox for permission to read the note, she received her silent approval before allowing her eyes to scan the screen. When she was through, Rox clicked on the first note and allowed her friend to read that one as well.

"Go back to the second note, Rox," Jerri said. Scanning it one more time, she looked at the red head and said, "Sounds like this guy is pretty taken with you. How do you feel about that?"

"I don't know exactly," Rox said, flustered. "I have this tingly little feeling in the pit of my stomach when I read it ... kind of like butterflies," she said.

"Well, what do we know about him?" Jerri asked, trying to take an analytical approach to the issue.

"Well, I know that he's nearly six foot, dark hair, blue eyes, muscular, works out, has a black belt in Taekwondo. He's a pilot for a commercial airline, lives in San Jose, California, apparently very skilled in flying a plane, and crashing one by the looks of it, so he's probably cool under pressure. Considering he refused medical help until all the passengers were safe, he must be pretty gallant. That's about it. Oh ... oh ... I also know that he was in a relationship and that his companion died three years ago," Rox recounted.

Jerri listened carefully, then recapped what she had heard. "Okay, single, tall, dark and handsome, good job, even tempered, smart and respectful. Sounds like the perfect guy. He's also a safe distance away, so that will give you time to get to know him before he physically invades your life. I'd say, go for it!" she recommended.

Rox grinned. "I was hoping you'd say that," she said.

Jerri looked down at Rox expectantly.

"What???" Rox said, confused.

"I can't type if your butt is in the chair!" she said, stating the obvious.

Rox chuckled and gingerly rose from her seat, sitting in the chair Jerri had pulled along side her.

Settling down in front of the computer, Jerri selected 'reply' and sat with her hands poised over the keys. "Shoot!" she said.

"Ah.... ah ... okay... let me think," Rox said. "Okay, type this ..."

"Jerri! Erase that! Jesus Christ, woman, this is MY note, remember!" Rox scolded her friend.

"Gee Rox, you're no fun! I opt for telling it like it is.... maybe Cass will fly out here and kick Chris' ass for all of us!" Jerri whined.

"Jerri......." Rox warned.

"All right ... all right! I'm erasing it! Don't get your panties in a wad, Geesh!" Jerri said as she held the delete button down over the last sentence.

"All right, where were we. Oh yes ..." Rox said.

"Assessment?? Come on Rox... why so clinical? It sounds like your telling the guy you want to do his tax return or something?" Jerri inserted.

"Jerri!!" Rox said, aghast.

"Well, it does!" Jerri said, defending her self.

"Okay... Okay. Change it to ... I am looking forward to knowing you better and to see if my feelings are correct," Rox suggested.

"Better ... much better," Jerri commented as she typed the correction.

"All right... one more paragraph ..."

"Okay, Jer, read it back from the beginning," Roxanne asked.

"What do you think?" Rox asked her friend.

"Well, it doesn't make me cream my jeans, but it's a start," Jerri replied.

"Well, Jerri... what do you want me to do, tell the guy I want to jump his bones? Christ, I don't even know him yet!" Rox responded in a shrill voice.

"Whoa... calm down there Tiger ... I was only kidding. Rox - it sounds good. Not too pushy, not too desperate, but definitely interested. It's good!" Jerri said, trying to soothe her injured friend's temper.

"Do you really think so, or are you just saying that to shut me up?" Rox asked seriously.

"I'm just saying it to shut you up .... No! no! ... Rox, really, it's good," she quickly added when she saw the red head's temper begin to rise again.

"Okay, then... send it," Rox said.

Grinning, Jerri moved the mouse over to 'send' and clicked the button. Seconds later, the note was gone.

**********

Cass was really in a lot of pain from being jostled around in the plane crash. So much so, that it took her forever to pull herself out of the chair when she finished her breakfast at Angie's diner. Of course, it didn't help that Angie sat and talked to her all through her breakfast, feeding her coffee after coffee, keeping her there long enough to get all the details out of her about the crash. Finally, after she had given the woman each and every detail at least three times, she called a halt to the cross examination and simply told Angie that she had to go home and soak in the hot tub.

Half way home, she cursed herself for walking instead of driving to the diner. Damn! And here, I thought I was in good shape, she told herself.

Not enough sex. That's it, you know. Not enough sex! Enforcer interjected.

What the hell are you talking about? What does sex have to do with a plane wreck? Cass said to her alter ego.

Well, what hurts the most? Your legs, right? Enforcer asked.

Yeah ... and your point is? Cass inquired.

Well your legs would be in better shape is you spread them more often... Hey... it can happen! Enforcer said, in defense of herself.

Oh for Christ's sake, will you take a chill pill and go to crawl back into your corner, please? Cass said to herself disgustingly.

Hey ... I'm just trying to help! Enforcer said defensively.

Your kind of help I don't need, Cass said as she unlocked the door to her condo and stepped inside.

Cass went directly to the bathroom and started filling the Jacuzzi with hot water, and scented bath oils. Standing in front of the full length mirror, she stripped her clothes off and stretched her arms straight over her head, bending her body side to side at the waist in an attempt to loosen the sore muscles before immersing herself in the hot water. Turning around to the left, she looked over her shoulder at the shape her body was in. Relatively pleased with what she saw, she turned to the right to look at the left side. It was then that she noticed the large bruises that extended from her shoulder blade to her hip bone, and then again from the top of her thigh to her knee.

"Holy Shit!" she exclaimed when she saw the bruise. Placing her hands against the mirror, she closed her eyes and dropped her head down, trying to remember the point of impact. She remembered being thrown violently forward into the control panel and cutting her forehead, and then roughly to the left against the side of the cockpit when the plane rolled that way. "No wonder you're all bruised and sore," she said to her reflection.

Finally, the Jacuzzi was filled and Cass gingerly slipped into the hot water. "Oooo, aahhh, ahhh, oooo," she complained against the heat as first her feet, then legs, buttocks, back, breasts and finally her arms and shoulders were immersed. She struggled to breathe, gasping in short breaths until her body acclimated to the temperature of the water. Finally, she allowed herself to relax as she leaned her head against the built-in foam headrest and allowed the massaging action of the churning water to chase away her soreness. Closing her eyes, she found herself wishing she had something to read. Recalling the last time she laid in the tub with a book, led her to thoughts of Rox.

"Roxanne," she whispered into the air, liking the sound of the name as it rolled off her tongue.

She imagined what it would be like to hold the petite woman in her arms ... to caress her skin ... to kiss her lips. Closing her eyes, she pictured their bodies entwined ... one light, one dark ... one tall, one short ... green eyes and blue, locked in a gaze of love. If she concentrated real hard, she could hear the woman call out her name in the throes of passion as she pushed her closer to the pinnacle of fulfillment.

This isn't fair, Cass! Enforcer said, snapping her back to reality.

What isn't fair? she questioned the voice.

You're trying to drive me crazy, aren't you? Enforcer complained. You'd better buy those toys real soon before I do something to embarrass you, capishe?

Gimme a break, E. I take care of you when its necessary, don't I? she asked herself.

Your definition of 'when its necessary' and mine, are not the same, unfortunately, Enforcer exclaimed.

Well, my friend, I'm starting to agree with you, and that in itself terrifies me! Cass said, as she reached forward and flicked the drain switch.

*********************************************************************************************

CHAPTER XVII

Nikki carried the lunch tray up two flights of stairs, entering the attic just as Jerri was helping Rox settle into the hide-a-bed.

"Well, did you send your note?" Nikki asked as she placed the tray on the end table next to the bed.

Rox nodded as Jerri came up behind her wife to see what was on the tray. "That looks heavy, you should have yelled, I would have given you a hand," she said, taking in the assortment of fruits, breakfasts cereals, pastries, milk, coffee and dinner wear.

"Hey, I'm stronger than I look. I lug on patients all day, remember?" Nikki said.

"I've got something you can lug on," Jerri said, wicked eyebrows rising up and down, as her arms circled her wife's waist. Nikki grinned ear to ear.

"Ah, guys... yoohoo!! Over here?" Rox said, waving her good hand at her friends. "Can you save that for later? I'm kind of starved here?!" she added.

Still holding Nikki in her arms, Jerri looked down at Rox on the bed. "You're just jealous," she accused.

"You're damned right I am. Now cut that out and feed me!" the redhead demanded.

Nikki looked up at Jerri. "She's a bossy little shit, isn't she? Are you sure you want to stay here with her?" she asked, straight faced.

"Aarrgghh!!!" Rox yelled.

"All right, all right, pull the wedgie out of your butt... we'll feed you!" Jerri exclaimed.

Moments later, all three ladies were sitting on the bed with plates in their laps.

"So, what did the note say?" Nikki asked, plopping a strawberry into her mouth.

"It said that Rox wanted to fly to California and jump this guy's bones," Jerri volunteered. "Oh!" Jerry yelled as a grape hit her in the side of the face.

"It did not!" Rox said, grinning at her good aim, especially considering it was left handed.

Nikki gave Rox a high-five for good marksmanship.

"Hey, you're supposed to be on my side!" exclaimed Jerri to her wife.

"It was a good shot! Even you have to admit that!" Nikki replied. "Can't let good work go un-rewarded, now, can we?" she asked. "So, what did it say?" she asked again.

"Well, he was concerned that I was already involved in a happy relationship, and didn't want to do anything to disrupt it. I told him that wasn't the case, and that I was very interested in getting to know him," Rox explained. "Oh, and he sent a picture of himself with his co-pilot. He's really very good looking," she added.

Jerri looked at Rox with pleading eyes, begging her not to divulge her comment about the co-pilot. Seeing the distress in her friend's face, Rox couldn't resist. "... and his co-pilot is quite a looker too, hey Jerri?" she said, grinning ear to ear.

Nikki looked expectantly at her wife, eyebrows raised into her hairline.

"Ah ... ah, yeah, a real looker," Jerri replied, giving Rox a dirty look.

"Mind if I see?" Nikki said, rising to her feet to boot up the computer.

"No.. not at all ... you know my password," Rox said, maintaining eye contact with a squirming Jerri as she gave her friend permission to log on.

Jerri scooted her way over to Rox so that she was sitting side by side with the red head. Sitting next to her with her long legs stretched out in front of her, ankles crossed, hands clasped in her lap, she looked over at her friend and grinned. "You're lucky your wrist is already broken, little one," Jerri said evilly.

Moments later, Nikki turned from the computer screen to look at her wife, who wore the saddest pair of puppy dog eyes ever seen. Dropping her chin to her chest, Nikki began to chuckle. She just couldn't stay mad at her when she looked like that. "You are in so much trouble Big Guy," she said to her dark haired wife.

Jerry began to whimper like a puppy dog.

"Jerri... it won't work!" Nikki said, trying to act angry, but failing miserably.

"What if I roll over and play dead?" Jerri asked.

"Nope... still angry," the blonde replied.

"What if I sit up and beg?" Jerri offered

Nikki shook her head no, covering her mouth to hide her grin.

"How 'bout ..... how 'bout if I ride your leg?" Jerri said, sexy eyebrows dancing up and down on her forehead.

Nikki's eyes widened as big as saucers. Without breaking eye contact with her wife, she said to their friend, "Ah, Rox. Will you be all right here by yourself for a while?"

"Sure. There are three guest rooms... pick the one you want," Rox said grinning. "I'm just going to take a nap, so keep the noise down, will ya?"

Jerri was off the hide-a-bed in a jiff. Picking Nikki up and throwing her over her shoulder, she carefully negotiated the stairs, while Nikki held on for dear life and squealed all the way down.

Rox grinned as she slowly settled her aching body under the covers. Those two are just way cute. Someday I'll know that kind of love ... someday, she thought as she drifted off to sleep.

*********

Cass put her body through 15 minutes of stretching exercises after she got out of the Jacuzzi, feeling 100% better than when she first stepped into the hot water. After toweling herself dry, she slipped a matching pair of blue briefs and sports bra on and went to power up the computer. Glancing at the clock, she realized that it was already almost noon. She couldn't believe Angie actually sat there and talked to her for three hours. While she waited for the computer for finishing booting, she picked up the phone and called pizza delivery then went to her room to slip on some shorts and a T-shirt. The last time she answered the door in her underwear, the condo association put her on notice for indecent exposure. The poor elderly gentleman who lived in the end unit was collecting association fees when she answered the door and she nearly gave him a heart attack.

Logging onto 'Netscape Messenger', she selected 'new messages' and waited nervously while the server went out to retrieve any new posts. She found herself crossing her fingers, hoping that Rox had responded to her previous two notes. Finally, one new message was displayed ... from Rox@starship.com.

"Yes!" Cass shouted out loud as she double clicked on the note.

Cass sat there, staring at the screen. Scrolling back to the top of the note, she read it again.

"Oh my god! Oh my god! E ... do you read what I read?" she asked her alter ego.

What, you forget how to read English, Cass? Get a grip, woman! What I read, is someone who's interested in getting to know you... maybe you'll even score - ya think? Enforcer offered.

Cass sat there for several more moments, reading the post yet a third time.

Hellllloooo! Anybody home??? Earth to Cass! Okay... it's real easy. Step 1, pick up the mouse. Step 2, click on 'reply'. Step 3, type "I want to jump your bones ... what time do I pick you up". Okay? Very simple, Cass... move your ass! Enforcer demanded.

Cass shook off the voice and poised her hands over the keyboard.

Cass moved the mouse pointer to 'send' and clicked the button. Her heart filled with such an intense feeling of joy and anticipation at this turn of events that she felt like running a marathon, sore body and all. Sitting there, holding her breath, she closed her eyes and allowed her heart to feel the sensation. Suddenly, her eyes snapped open and she jumped to her feet, staring at the computer.

"Oh my god!" she shouted. Pressing her hands against her heart, she took a deep breath and just stared at the screen. "It can't be. I've only known ..... it's impossible! It can't be!" she said, pacing back and forth for long moments. Finally, she realized that no amount of pacing would change the obvious.

She was in love.

**********

Roxanne fought the urge for as long as possible, but finally, had to give in and get out of bed. After three failed attempts at convincing her broken ribs to let her sit up, she laid back down and yelled.

"Nikki! Jerri! Guys!! I could use some help here!" she yelled, waiting patiently.

Moments passed with no response.

"Nikki? Jerri? For the love of Zeus, if someone doesn't give me a hand, we're gonna have a bed to change!" she yelled.

"Geesh, woman! Hold your bladder, will ya?" Jerri exclaimed, taking the stairs two at a time.

"What to you think I've been trying to do?" Rox complained.

"All right ... come on," the taller woman said as she helped Rox to her feet.

"Some nurses your guys are... leaving your patient all alone like that!" Rox fussed, half grinning while she teased her friend.

"I'm not a nurse, I'm an EMT... blame it on Nikki - she's a nurse," Jerri explained.

"All right, I will." Rox agreed as she allowed her friend to help her down the stairs.

"I really gotta have a bathroom installed in the attic," she mumbled as she slowly made her way down the stairs. Reaching the second story, she inhaled as deeply as her injured ribs allowed. "Wow, that smells good, what is it?" she asked as she entered the bathroom.

Chicken with mushroom, wild rice and asparagus with garlic. It's one of Nikki's specialties," Jerri supplied through the bathroom door. "It's just about done too," she added.

"What time is it?" Rox yelled out, unsure of how long she had slept.

"Nearly 6 p.m.," Jerri said. "You must have been tired. You slept for three hours."

Rox washed her hands then opened the bathroom door. "Three hours? Damn!!" she said unbelievingly.

"Ready?" Jerri asked, taking her friends arm once more for the trip down to the first floor.

Nikki met them at the bottom of the stairs where Rox had to pause to regain her strength. "Roxie, maybe we should move your computer down into the living room until you can navigate without so much pain," she suggested, reaching up to brush the hair out of her friend's eyes.

"No, that's too much work. But I can use the laptop. I'll just sleep on the couch for the next few nights," Roxanne offered.

"That'll work. Then you won't have to worry about climbing two flights of stairs every time you want to eat," she said.

"Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of using it on the deck," Rox supplied. "You know how I like to sit out there and work," she added.

"That'll work too," Nikki said as she took Rox's arm and led her to the kitchen table. "Sit. You need to eat to keep up your strength," she said.

Soon, the ladies were enjoying dinner and sharing friendly conversation. At some point during the dinner, the topic turned to Chris.

"Where do you think Chris is?" Nikki asked.

Rox just shook her head side to side. "I don't know. I supposed I could call the job site tomorrow," Rox offered.

"What for? You aren't pressing charges, Rox. Once Chris realizes that, it won't be long before we get a visit," Jerri reasoned.

Rox hung her head, wondering to herself if it was a mistake to let Chris off the hook like that.

Nikki saw her friend's distress and reached over to cover her hand with her own. "Honey, we won't let you out of our sight, okay? Chris won't be able to get near you without one of us knowing it," she assured her friend.

Rox just nodded her head and chased the food around her plate. Putting her fork down, she proclaimed herself done and painfully pushed her chair away from the table. Rising to her feet, she picked up her plate and headed to the counter with it.

"Oh no you don't, Lady Jane. Jerri and I will take care of the clean up. You need to rest. Remember, the doctor said total bed rest for a few days?" Nikki instructed, getting up to lead her friend to the couch in the living room.

"But I want to do my e-mail," Rox complained.

"Does your laptop have a modem?" Jerri asked.

Seeing Rox nod, she asked for the location of the software to load her Internet account, them sprinted up two flights of stairs to retrieve the laptop and disks. For the next hour, Jerri and Rox sat side by side on the couch, loading the account into the laptop. Finally, they were finished and Rox was reclining happily against the arm of the couch, legs covered with a quilt, surrounded by fluffy pillows, and supporting the lightweight computer on her lap.

Nikki brought her a glass of iced tea and kissed her on the forehead after placing the tea within reach on the coffee table.

"A girl could get used to this," Rox grinned to her friend.

"Enjoy it while you can, Sugar." Nikki said as she curled up in the overstuffed chair and started reading a book she had found on the bookshelves in the guest room.

Jerri was off in another world laying on the floor of the living room. She had brought out her collection of Leggo's and was happily building an airport, complete with Cass' plane making a crash landing on the runway.

**********

Roxanne went immediately to her inbox as soon as Jerri finished loading her Internet server into the laptop. She found herself nervously tapping on the keyboard as she waited. The laptop was much slower than her computer, considering it had only a fraction of the hard drive and memory of the larger machine. Taking a deep breath, she tried to quell her impatience, surprised at herself for even feeling that way. She was usually a very patient person. Christ, you'd think I was a schoolgirl in love, she said to herself. Whoa!!! Where did that come from? she asked herself.

Finally, the server delivered two new messages into her inbox. One from her literary agent, and the other from cconway@flyboy.com. She guiltily skipped the note from her agent, and immediately clicked on Cass' note.

Rox smiled, and for some unexplained reason, tears sprang to her eyes as she read the tender passage, Open your heart to me Rox. I promise to hold it near, caress it tenderly, cradle it lovingly, and protect it with my life. Trust in me, Rox. I will not hurt you."

I will not hurt you. My god, that sounds too good to be true, she told herself as she closed her eyes and let a tear fall.

Suddenly, she felt a pair of arms circle her neck from behind, and a cheek press up against her own. "Are you all right?" Nikki asked tenderly.

Rox reached up and patted the arms around her neck. Leaning into Nikki's cheek, she quickly nodded. "I'm okay, love. Thanks," she said. "Nikki, he wrote back. Look," she offered, scrolling to the top of Cass' note.

Nikki read the note over Rox's shoulder, sighing deeply as she read the last line.

"God Rox, this guy is a real romantic, isn't he? How do you feel about this? Do you think you can trust him?" she asked.

Furrowing her brow, she thought for a moment before answering. "I don't know, Nik. It feels right ... from this distance anyway," she said.

Nikki nodded, her cheek still pressed up against Rox's. "Are you going to send a reply?" she asked.

Rox nodded.

"Need some help?" came the next question.

"Yeah, I think so." Rox answered.

"Okay," Nikki said, releasing her friend. She pulled the coffee table up to the edge of the couch so that it was directly next to Rox, then, taking the computer out of her friend's hands, she placed it on the table within comfortable reach of her own hands, but still within viewing range for Rox. "All right, what would you like to say?" she asked.

Rox began to dictate, while Nikki diligently typed word for word.

"Now this is exactly why you're the bard and I'm not," Nikki said, reading the note over again. "God, Rox. This is so eloquent, so intimate. Damn, Girl! You are good!"

"That's good enough for me," Rox said. "Send it."

*********************************************************************************************

Continued in Part 4


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