DISCLAIMER:
Infringement Disclaimer: The following is some uber Xena fiction. However, only the characterizations of a certain warrior and her bard are used...any resemblance to actual fictional characters by Universal/MCA/Renaissance Pictures is purely coincidental and any infringement is unintended. This is for adult audiences, over the age of 18.

WARNING:
There is harsh language, scenes of hurt comfort and some rather graphic depictions of the victims and aftermath of a fire.

LOVE/SEX WARNING:
This story depicts a loving relationship between two consenting women and contains scenes of nudity and graphic sexuality.  If you find this kind of subject matter objectionable then please don't read it.  My purpose is to entertain, not offend.

Acknowledgments:  This is a continuation of my story, The Blaze, and should be read in sequence for it to make any sense.  I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my beta readers Betty and Kat.  I thank you once again, ladies.

I own the copyright for this story under 1998ArdentTly. Please obtain permission before posting to a site. Thanks.

You can also find stories by Ardently at MaryD's The Bard's Corner

You can send your comments and other burnt offerings to ArdentTly@yahoo.com

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Inferno
by ArdentTly

Chapter One

Leaning against the wall looking very dangerous, she waited.  Having an air of arrogance about her, it was almost as if she knew the aura surrounding her commanded attention.  Her sleek lines, her blatant sexuality...the power that exuded from her very presence electrified the air in the basement work area of Zeen's apartment building.

Long tapered fingers twitched as they moved through dark ebony hair.  The woman's fierce gaze moved over the dark form and felt the familiar rush of hedonistic desires.  It had taken the firefighter the better part of four years getting the object of so much of her attention to the point where she felt comfortable about taking it for a nice long humming ride. Zeen had anticipated that moment ever since she'd spied the cool lines of what remained on her stripped frame at an out of the way junk dealer.

Zeen had diligently used every hour of every day off cleaning her up, making her respectable and filled out like she might have been, twenty-five years ago.  Looking at the motorcycle with cold objective eyes, Zeen could see that it had all been worth it.
 
She was black and gold with purple trim and was totally chromed out; her three-inch extended forks, superglide tank and drag pipes positively gleamed under the florescent lighting.  She was a 1974 Custom Shovelhead, low rider, Paughco softail frame with STD engine cases, four speed tranny, single disc front-end, 3 ½ gallon fatbobs, tombstone speedo 5 stud clutch, primo belt drive, manual and electric kick-start and was the closest thing to heaven Zeen had ever been.  Zeen sighed as she ran her hands lovingly over her prized bike.  Images of her lover as she lay sleeping in their bed upstairs filled her vision and she smiled.  Arching an eyebrow... until Abby.
 
'Abby'.  Zeen tasted the name on her lips again.  Didn't seem to matter how many times she said the woman's name, it always made her feel like she'd come home. The brunette found herself running a hand lovingly over the cold metal of the bike's handlebars and snapped back to the present and the task at hand.  "Damned petcock", she muttered and dragged greasy fingers through her hair.  She pushed the Harley onto its kickstand and walked slowly around it, rolling her shoulders as she did so.  It had been a long five-hour job and the damned petcock was still leaking.  Both it and the carb had made Zeen feel like pulling her hair out on several occasions.

"...Fuel lines, sparks, ignition and carb." She finished checking each item off mentally and then stretched her hands above her head. A nice satisfying pop made Abby wince as she watched unseen from the doorway. The blonde knew her lover had been in the basement parking lot for quite awhile and could see the frustration in the woman's rigid stance.  She knew Zeen had gotten up at 5:00am, as per usual, and had been working on her beloved motorcycle since then.  By the looks of it, the leaky carburetor had finally been replaced.

She watched as her lover bent over the manual, checking the specs and then going over to her bike again.  Zeen scratched her chin, deep in thought, totally oblivious to Abby's presence.

"Goddamn it.... I ran the 38mm QuickSilver on a FTLCU with a Crane 316-2b and Thunder header.  Not a problem.  Okay.... Throttle response is good.  Adjusted the plugs, running her at 2000 rpm...been there, done that.  Set the idle speed...yeah, that was fun.... Goddamned idle screw was so frippin temperamental.... Man!  Okay, so why the fuck is the petcock still leaking?"
 
Abby arched an eyebrow as the woman muttered, going from workbench to bike and back again.  She'd given up trying to help Zeen; it only got them into arguments as Abby hadn't a clue as to why the bike was called a shovelhead let alone what the devil a petcock was.  So, she just stood back and let the woman rant and rave, preferring to give her the love and attention she needed after the tirade and shower.

The blonde's eyes roamed over the broad back and shoulders as the tall brunette bent over the cycle once more. The loose fitting jeans couldn't hide the narrow waist or muscular thighs and the shortie Harley-Davidson T-shirt really accentuated the firm muscles of her lower back. It had taken Abby at least a month just to get the woman to wear something without long sleeves, even around the house.  Zeen was always very aware of her scars; both internal and external.  Abby closed her eyes and remembered the first time she'd placed a kiss on the red flesh and how Zeen had jumped.  She wasn't sure why at first but gradually began to understand just how very sensitive the burns were.  Even after all the skin grafts. Images of the look on Zeen's face as that part of her body was bathed in wet hot kisses filled her mind.  Feeling bolder, Abby had used her tongue along the ruined flesh and had been gifted with the most exquisite series of moans.  It seemed the firefighter had never let anyone touch her there; sure that the nerve endings were so damaged as to render the area numb. Watching the scene play in her mind; Zeen's head thrown back in ecstasy as they moved together; her hands grasping the brass headboard; her mouth sucking and nibbling on the flesh of the woman's inner arms; Abby felt overcome with such intense passion that her body shook with desire.

Abby blinked a few times and swallowed. Gods, how she wanted her! She slowly walked over to where the Zeen was working, molding herself tightly against the woman and slipped her hands around to caress the smooth flat abs of her lover.  "Hey, babe....", she whispered as she kissed the nape of Zeen's neck.  Abby could hear just a small sharp intake of breath, indicating she'd caught the woman slightly off guard.

"Hmmm?", Zeen smirked around the screwdriver she held in her teeth but continued on with her work. Bending over to inspect the other side of the gas tank, Zeen lifted her other leg off the floor and Abby could feel the tight buttocks against her belly. She moved one hand around and slowly  outlined the woman's ass with her fingers. Zeen closed her eyes and a small sigh escaped her mouth. The blonde could see the reaction she was having and moved her hand slowly up and down the inside seam of the jeans. The heat radiating from the woman's crotch was almost scorching with its intensity. She watched with fascination as a bead of sweat slowly made its way down the furrow in Zeen's back. Abby pulled back a little and touched her tongue to the droplet, tasting the saltiness; it's familiarity filling her senses.

Zeen's fingers continued securing the connections, each wire just where it was supposed to be, belying the rapid beating of her heart, the quickness of her breath, the tremble of her knees. She couldn't get over it; it never failed to surprise her what the mere proximity of the woman did to her. She leaned her forehead onto the cool contours of the bike, her breath condensing on the cool metal of the gas tank. She slowly lowered her foot and leaned back into Abby, who in turn, encircled her lover's waist and pulled Zeen hard against her. Then the blonde felt the torso beneath her shudder as she moved her hands slowly under the T-shirt, running her delicate fingers along the strong rib cage. Abby moved her mouth to the inside of her lover's arm and slid her tongue across the tender flesh, eliciting a rapid intake of breath.  A silent promise was made; one Zeen knew the blonde intended on keeping.

"You've been down here for a long time, babe...you ready for some breakfast?" Zeen dropped her chin down as she felt the soft mouth on her neck.  "Oh, I'm hungry, alright.... Can we wait until after a shower?"  Abby moved her hands higher, cupping her lover's breasts, her fingers making slow, maddening circles closer and closer to Zeen's stiffening nipples. She smiled as her hungry mouth trailed kisses across one shoulder and her fingers claimed their prize.  "I can wait.... Can you?"

Any thoughts regarding the further adventures of a leaking petcock flew out of Zeen's head and were replaced by hot images fanned by the closeness of Abby's breasts as the taut points brushed against her back.

Water cascaded down her chiseled face, washing the grime away and Zeen thought about how good Abby's hands had felt on her body and how excited she became when attention was paid to certain previously off limit areas.

She lathered her torso and then proceeded to slowly drag the cloth over the taut muscles of her belly and then, lost in thought, began moving her hands over her breasts, moving towards the sensitive area of her inner arms.  She gasped as her touch gentled and she imagined Abby's fingers and mouth there. A shudder ran through her frame and she tilted her face back into the hot spray of the shower nozzle.

Humming softly to the music playing on the CD, Abby finished cutting up the raw veggies and scraped them onto a platter.  Madonna's heart felt voice rolled over the woman and she closed her eyes in response.

"...When your heart's not open. If I could melt your heart we'd never be apart.  Give yourself to me, you hold the key.  Now there's no point in placing the blame and you should know I suffer the same.  If l lose you, my heart will be broken...."

She thought about the words and about how they seemed to speak of her life with Zeen. "If I lose you...", she whispered and then had this overwhelming need to be with her lover.  Abby crossed quickly over to the other end of the apartment and stood in the doorway, watching as the woman ran her hands lazily over her body.  Abby moved closer and then disrobed and sat cross-legged on the floor and just took in the scene before her.  She loved the play of muscles just below the
surface of her lover's bronzed skin; the way Zeen moved - totally unaware of the affect she had on those around her. She watched as the woman's strong hands moved down to caress the curls between her legs and swallowed hard.  She moaned as one of Zeen's hands plucked at the delicate tissue there while the other traced the outline of one very erect nipple; her own hands sliding easily into her lap, fingering the dampness there.

"Oh, gods Zeen..." The blonde refocused and brought her hand up, the smell was intoxicating.  Closing her eyes, Abby could just imagine her own hands being those of her lover and moved them to cup her breasts.  The thought of Zeen's tongue encircling her nipples brought goose bumps to her skin, despite the warmth and humidity in the surrounding air, charged her with electrifying desire.

Totally oblivious to what was happening outside the curtain, the firefighter went on with the business of making sure each bit of grease and grime was removed from her skin. Running a hand through her dark tresses, she pinched a few strands between her fingertips until they squeaked.  Zeen sighed audibly and then turned the water off.  Inspecting her nails once more, she nodded and then pulled the curtain open.  Her heart leapt into her throat as she stepped out of the stall.

She stood there, legs apart and looked down into her lover's smirking face.  She felt a torrential downpour of desire hit her full force, making her skin feel tight and hard and ultra sensitive as she watched Abby pleasure herself.

"See something you like?", Abby said, running the tip of her finger up the back of Zeen's hard calves, the other still buried in her crotch. The taller woman's nostrils flared as she reached down and pulled the blonde against her. "I like everything I see and I want it all.... Now."

Abby moved her hands up behind the woman's knees and gently caressed the skin there.... She could see the lust plain in Zeen's eyes but wanted to take things slow...and easy. "Gods, I want you, Abby...right now..." The blonde swallowed and nodded..."I know.... But l want it to go slow, Zeen..."
 
Zeen tangled her fingers in the long hair of her lover and shook her head slowly. "Oh, no babe...not slow.... Cos I want you now and...." She pulled the woman up and moved them both against the tiled wall.  "...Fast. Face forward, Abby...yes, like that." She cupped the shorter woman's buttocks, watching with satisfaction as Abby's breathing changed...She began laying a trail of hot fire across the petite woman's shoulder and neck with her mouth and tongue and when the blonde arched back into her, moved her hand down to caress the swollen flesh of Abby's labia. The response was immediate as Zeen heard a moan from her lover. Her free hand was covered and brought up to cover one of her lover's rosy nipples and Zeen complied, roughly massaging them.

"Oh, gods Zeen....", Abby moaned.  The brunette smirked, "Oh, was that too fast? Should l slow down?", she purred, all the while her fingers continued to play homage, dipping and caressing until they were soaked with the woman's essence.

Abby grit her teeth as she fought to stay upright and Zeen, feeling the trembling body of her lover, pressed her harder against the wall.  "S'okay, Abby...I'm here...l won't let you fall."  The blonde groaned, squeezing her lover's hand.  "It's far too late for that, Zeen...just don't stop...what your...doing...oh, gods."  The firefighter smirked, removing her fingers and pushing her knee firmly between the thighs of her lover. "But l thought I was going too fast...in fact, yes...l think I'll just slow down a bit...more..." She slowly ground her knee up into the tender moist flesh and moved her hand up to caress and massage the other breast.  Zeen began a slow rhythmic movement against Abby, who in turn ground herself against the surface of the cold tiles, trying to build a little friction.

Zeen nibbled a path across one shoulder, finally settling on the sensitive skin near Abby's right ear.  The blonde moaned as sharp teeth nipped her neck but it was the combination of Zeen hungry mouth sucking hard there along with the pulling and pinching action of her hands that drove Abby's need up another notch.

"Oh gods, Zeen...now.... Now..." Abby strained hard against each thrust of her lover's pelvis but it still wasn't enough.  She wanted to feel Zeen.... "Inside...", she gasped.  Zeen growled deeply. "Gods, you taste so good.... Smell so right...You want me to go fast?", the brunette teased, trying to keep her own ragged breathing under control. Abby panted heavily and shook her head as Zeen picked up her pace.  One hand came up and pulled Abby's long hair into a knot and the blonde found her neck fully exposed to her lover's hot mouth.  "You're sure?"  She sank her teeth into the tender flesh just over Abby's pulse point, closing her eyes to the groans of ecstasy coming from her lover.  Abby was barely able to nod her answer as she felt the pressure of Zeen's knee lessen and then stop altogether.  "Well now."  Abby's eyes fluttered as she felt herself entered.  ".... I think I might be able to..." The brunette groaned as she felt a flow of hot juices run down her hand.  Abby leaned her head back and whispered, "I love you, Zeen", and then the brunette fell against her, grinding hard and panting as an orgasm hit her.  "Oh gods.... Abby...", she called out, clutching the woman against her.  Abby felt her knees begin to buckle as the fingers twitched spasmodically within her and it was all she could do not to pass out as her own orgasm slammed into her, full force.

Both women slowly sank to the floor, grateful for its cool surface.  Zeen cradled the woman against her breasts as she slowly regained control of her breathing.  "How do you do that?  With just the sound of your voice.... Just a certain timber...you can make me fall to pieces."  Zeen tried to swallow and grinned lopsidedly as Abby pursed her lips.  "I have many skills, oh warrior mine."  The firefighter nodded and swallowed again.  "Yes...yes, you do."  She leaned heavily against the wall and gathered Abby to her.  "Gods, I'm glad I found you again, Abby.  My life's been so..." A slim hand came up to cover her mouth.  "I'm here.... We did find each other...and I'm glad l can make you let go like that.  It's good for my ego", she smiled smugly.  "I love how responsive we are to each other, Zeen."  The brunette smiled in agreement.  She'd never had such intense love making with anyone else.  Ever.  She leaned down and kissed Abby passionately and then tilted the woman's neck.  "Oops; now you have a matching set, Abby.  They don't quite line up, but..."

Abby felt the swollen flesh and sighed.  "Another one?"  Zeen shrugged, "Oh well."  Abby narrowed her eyes and then drew the dark head down into a fierce kiss.  "Oh well this, fireman...."  She pulled the woman down to lie on the floor and smirked as the cold tiles came in contact with the small of Zeen's back, a startled cry being forced from her mouth.  "Oh, stop...it'll warm up...given time."  The firefighter brought up both her hands and cupped the blonde's face.  "We have all the time in the world, Abby."  She brought her legs up suddenly as Abby pounced upon her.  "Oooof!  Hey, wa....", and then she felt a small wet mouth envelope one of her nipples and Zeen just lay her head back and smiled, the cold hard floor forgotten.

The two lay in bed, the blonde sprawled across the larger woman's torso, but for all that, was as light as a feather and caused little discomfort to the firefighter.  Zeen leaned down and planted yet another kiss on the blonde crown and smiled.  Two things that Abby did really well: sleeping and eating.  Abby moved her legs and Zeen felt a familiar twinge.  Well, three then.

Their lovemaking was so unpretentious to both of them; the usual dance of hesitation and doubt nicely sidestepped. Zeen couldn't get over just how natural and easy it was.  She thought back to their first night, wondering where she'd gotten the strength to just blurt out her past.

It had been a good couple of months and although she still had the occasional nightmare, her life with Abby was helping tone them down.  No longer was she falling into a fitful sleep, afraid of waking up in a pool of sweat, her sheets tied in knots around her.  Oh, the images were still just as strong but now...well, now she got out of the burning buildings and there was always someone there to save her from herself.  She hunkered down a bit lower and pulled the single sheet up over them both.  Although it was already coming on 4:00 PM, it was a nice lazy day when neither one of them had anything to do but lie in the comfort of each other's arms.  And that was just perfectly fine.  Zeen found her eyes drifting closed and decided not to fight it.  She'd been up the night before with a dream, had taken forever to work it through her head and ended up penning a few pieces of prose before slumber finally claimed her. Not certain just why melancholy had a hold on her; Zeen tried to keep the demons at bay.  She sighed and kissed the blonde again.  'Poetry:  cheap therapy, fersure.', she mused.  Stroking the blonde tresses softly, Zeen briefly opened her eyes and then recited from memory, her voice at first soft and hesitant but soon became strong and clear.

The clear bright twinkle of her eyes
Stabs through the gloom enveloping my heart
And I am left speechless,
Unable to wallow in the darkness
That surrounds me.
Her hands caress my stern and serious face,
Calming the lines that grow there
Until I am finally at peace.
Her smile shines through to touch each
Shadowy corner of my being,
Making me smile in spite of myself.
And then I am home, back in the
Comfort of her embrace;
Able to let go of the harsh realities
Of Life and drown in the tranquility
That is she.

Zeen's voice wavered on the last word and she took a deep shuddering breath.  It was hard...hard to look within yourself and see you weren't an island; self sufficient and completely independent.  She knew she'd been kidding herself, just waiting for that one moment in time when Abby would walk back into her life.  She started as she felt a soft fingertip trace her cheek.  "Hey, sweetie.  Penny for your thoughts?"  A pair of bright green eyes looked up at her and Zeen felt her doldrums partially dissipate under the onslaught of a very bewitching gaze.  'There was just something about those emerald orbs', she thought.  'So very hard to deny her anything.  I wonder if she knows just the kind of power that she holds over me?'  Curiously, she found the thought comforting; neither was it daunting nor terrifying in the least.  She pondered this briefly until her mouth was occupied with a pair of very soft and sensuous lips.  "Oh, it was nothing, really", she whispered between kisses.  "Just thinking about you...about us."  Abby stopped to nibble a little on the firefighter's nose before speaking again.  "Yeah, I heard your poem...very nice.  Is that what you were doing in the wee small hours of the morning?"  She'd become accustomed to her lover's insomnia; there were too many past demons to battle for Zeen to have a good night's sleep on a regular basis.  Zeen smiled lazily, yawned and then sighed.  "Yeah, being around you has helped my poetry a lot; I think it's cos you've got this aura of tranquility."

Abby smiled and kissed her lover sweetly. "I've been called a few things in my life but 'tranquil' was never one of em.  Pest, irritant, brat..." Zeen scrunched her forehead in mock horror at that.  "You don't see yourself as peaceful and serene and a brat?  Hell, I sure do."  She yelped as even sharp teeth nipped the tip of her nose, pushing aside all thoughts of a nap.  It was playtime now.

"But seriously, you...you ground me, Abby."

The blonde dropped her jaw and just stared at her lover.  "But...but you ground me.  I'm this vagabond, Zeen; haven't held a steady job to speak of since forever...I just kinda wander around.  With you...us...well, I want to make things more permanent in my life."

Zeen rolled over, tucking the blonde comfortably beneath her, setting herself up on elbows.  "You are the most grounded person I know, Ab.  You just seem to have this...way about you.  Hard to define...you just seem so confident."  She watched as a smirk played across Abby's lips.  "Boy, have I got you fooled.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  I'm just this...This..."

".... This free spirit who loves life and tries her best to make those around her appreciate it.  You once told me I was the strongest person you knew.  Well...I think you are."  She paused as tried to organize her thoughts.  "You said you left home at, what, fifteen?  Man, that had to be fucking hard, babe.  I can't imagine it.  That takes guts, Abby.  You must have done something right...you survived with sanity intact."

Abby pushed a dark lock out of her lover's eyes and leaned up, capturing Zeen's mouth briefly before going on.  "That, my dear woman, is open to conjecture."  The brunette rolled over, pulling the smaller woman into the crook of her arm.  "I wanna hear about it.  Tell me your story, Abby.  All of it."  She snuggled the woman closer and began rubbing small circles over the blonde's lower back.

"My story...Well, there isn't really much to tell."  She paused, biting her lower lip.  She was hesitant to whine about her past; it was nothing compared to what Zeen had endured and just seemed so...inconsequential.  She began making lazy circles around one of her lover's nipples in an attempt to distract her lover.  "Won't work, babe.  Although that feels real good...I wanna hear about you.... Who Abby Dean is.  You pretty much dragged all the dirty laundry out of my closet..." Abby reached up and covered Zeen's lips and sighed.  "Oh, I'm sorry, love.  I know it was a bit much the first night we were together...but...I wanted...god, why can't I explain this..." She flopped back on the pillow, easing out of her lover's embrace.  "I know it was rough...I know it was really painful but I also know...we wouldn't be here...wouldn't have gotten past the 'stuff' in your past if..." She propped herself up on one elbow and looked down into the serious face of her lover.  "There was no way you could've opened yourself to 'us' or even the possibility of a future together before that night, Zeen.  No way."

Zeen reached up and tugged on the blonde's ear.  "Yeah, I know it.  I thought I was okay up until I.... No, I wanted to believe I was okay.  No, that isn't it either.  Lessee...I guess it boils down to not knowing I was so fucked up.  I knew there were parts of me damaged, Ab...but I didn't know...I thought the inferno in my heart, my soul...I thought it was normal.  I thought, well, this was my life; like it or leave it.  As fucked up as I was, I wasn't bailing.  But getting up every day...trying hard not to look too deeply into the mirror...It was so hard, babe.  I swam quite deeply and often in that damn river in Egypt."  She tapped the pert nose before her.  "Bottom line...yer right, I guess there was no way I could begin to open up to someone unless I was open to myself.  And certainly no way I could love someone if I couldn't find enough love for me amongst the ruins.  No way.  Yeah, it was painful, it was hard to do and while l wanted to lash out...well, part of me rejoiced.  Part of me was set free and l love you for it, Abby. You've had the patience of Job these past months."

A faint blush covered the blonde's cheekbones and Abby ducked her head.  What could she say?  It had been a labour of love.  Although Zeen fancied herself hard to read and even harder to decipher, Abby wasn't about to tell her just how easily she'd seen into the dark woman's heart and soul.  After the initial discovery that Zeen wasn't a homicidal lunatic, that is, but a woman who harboured the lion's heart of a warrior.  She was constantly amazed at the depth of the woman but even from the start could see just how special Zeen was.

"Jeez, I love you woman.  C'mere.", Abby murmured.  Zeen chuckled and snuggled the woman back into her position on top.  "Hey, I get any closer...'woman'...and I'll be inside you."

Abby sniggled a leg between the strong muscular ones of her lover and smirked.  Wearing that 'come hither' look Zeen knew oh so well, she slowly leaned in and kissed the woman deeply.  "Just what I had in mind."

Zeen chortled as she dragged the sheet up over their heads.  "You are so good at getting me side tracked, Ab.  You win this time...again...But we are going to talk about it.  Right?"  She gasped as the blonde avoided yet another question, her mouth otherwise occupied.

Chapter Two

It had taken the trio better part of a week to drive out to the west coast and after settling their gear in a fairly decent hotel, they'd made their way across the ferry to Vancouver Island and the nice sleepy town of Mill Bay. They'd poured over the dive books and while the dive at Ten Mile Point had looked the best, Zeen and Pete decided Henderson Point would be the best dive site for the day.

"So, you did your check out dives and what, about thirty dives total?  That about right?"  Abby nodded as she pulled her long hair into a ponytail.  "When was your last dive, babe?" asked the Lieutenant.  The blonde briefly closed her eyes, calculated, and then spoke.  "Almost ten months ago, give or take. The Florida Keys is where I took my dive training. Most of them were at about 80 feet."

Pete smiled and nodded reassuringly.  "Good, good...this should just be a refresher then.  Sorry I couldn't rent a boat; shore divers are okay, though.  Kinda hard dragging your gear back up the beach but hey, you look strong enough."  Abby smirked and made a muscle.  "I am woman!"

Zeen walked over with two tanks, one over each shoulder.  "Yeah, my woman."  She gave the blonde a quick kiss.  "Here ya go.  I'll be right back; gotta get the rest of it."  She plunked the tanks down in the sand and then lay them side by side.  Pete stroked his chin, idly scratching on the stubble he seemed to wear permanently; never any longer than a day's growth, but always present. He watched as Zeen walked back up the beach, her aqua coloured suit clinging in all the right places.  He jumped as he felt Abby's hand on his shoulder.  "Jeez...sorry.  Wool gathering..." Abby smiled her eyes taking in the very same sight the Lieutenant was.  "Yeah, nice wool, huh?"  Pete wiped his hand across his mouth, barely concealing the smile on his lips.  "Aha.... Yeah, well. You know."  He stammered.  And Abby did, truly understand; Zeen Phipolis was a thing of beauty, a living breathing goddess of fire.  She watched the play of tanned muscles as the tall brunette walked towards her, the weight belts over one shoulder, BC's looped through one arm and a large dive bag on her back.  She was truly a walking ad for better living through exercise.

Zeen watched the two people by the water, her feelings so very mixed when she thought of them both.  Pete was a good friend, a damned good fireman, too, but she could never have the kind of relationship he wanted.  They'd been through a lot and probably would go through more before their time together was over.  She didn't have any illusions on the normal life span of a fireman.  They usually developed heart problems due to the stress...those that didn't die in fires, that is.  Abby was Zeen's fail safe; there was no way she was going to let either one befall her.

She walked closer, openly admiring the luscious blonde waiting for her. While her suit was a Speedo one piece, Abby's was a nice amber coloured bikini.  She held her eyes on the admiring gaze of her lover, not certain just where Pete's eyes would be.  Abby watched the muscles clenching slightly in her lover's jaw and went to greet her, throwing both arms around Zeen's waist.  "S'okay, babe...I think you look lovely...and his eyes are on your boobs, not your scars.", she said, planting a brief kiss on the woman's neck.  "Yeah?  Well...I still wish I'd brought that damned wind breaker...", she whispered back while Abby rolled her eyes.  "Not!  It's firkin 90 degrees out here, Zeen...besides, you look so damned sexy..."  Zeen sighed as she felt her lover's tongue outline her lower lip.  Acting decisively, she held the muscle between her teeth and then slowly sucked it into her mouth.  Abby groaned as she felt a strong hand cup her ass.

"Ahem!"

Zeen arched her eyebrows towards the man while Abby pulled away from their embrace, her eyes wide and cheeks crimson.  "Oh...I, um...forgot you were there, Pete; I'm sorry."  Holding both hands up, Pete shook his head, giving them both his version of a leach.  "No, no...don't mind me...lovin every minute of it..." Abby narrowed her eyes, a mischievous look on her face, "...two luscious babes..." he began backing up, ". Hanging all over each other...", Abby launched herself, knocking into him, "Ooof...and I get to spend the whole day...ooohhhh....", then he stumbled back on the tanks and went down hard, Abby falling squarely on his belly.  He began laughing as two fingers dug into his side.  "Ahhhh.... Stop...stop..." Abby pursed her lips and looked over at her lover.  "Whatcha think, Stretch.... Should I make him holler 'Uncle'?

Pete grabbed the woman's wrists and sat up.  "What?  I'm crushed.  I was just gonna say that I get to spend the whole day with two people in love...two very nice people...that I consider good friends."  He glanced over at Abby, seeing what her reaction was.  Zeen rolled her eyes, knowing full well what was coming.  Abby was too busy being conned to notice anything, buying his puppy dog look, hook, line and sinker.  Pete watched as her face softened and then pushed her back into the sound and grinned.  "Now it's my turn."  He lowered his face and began softly rubbing his stubble across her cheeks.  "Ack....stop...stop...Zeeeeeen!"  The brunette bend down and softly tapped her buddy on the shoulder.  "All done?  I think we'd better get goin if we wanna make this tide."

"Aw, Zeen...what a spoil sport...okay, okay..." He slowly got to his feet, dusting himself off and then watching as Zeen drew the woman up, paying close attention to just how much sand the blonde seemed to be covered in, if the brunette's attentions were any indication, before busying himself with regs, bottom timers and compasses.  He snuck a quick look and found the two kissing and grinned to himself.  'Yup, life is good.  Now, if I can just fi....'   His mind locked as a small dog went barreling past him.  He looked up and had a few seconds to register Dave's grinning face before he was knocked down, his vision filled with black and white.  "Jeez.... Get off...get..." Pete gave up and just succumbed to the wet attentions of the firehall's mascot.  The Dalmatian made a thorough inspection of the man's face and then started in on Pete's neck area.  "Ack!  That tickles...."  Dave whined as his collar was grabbed and Zeen pulled the dog away.

"What have you been up to, ya silly mutt?  Bet there was some female...yeah, love in the air, alright."  Reaching over, Pete found a piece of driftwood and heaved it over his shoulder.  "Go on, boy...fetch!"  Dave bounded off and the Lieutenant got to his feet. Abby smiled and patted the man on his shoulder.  "Oh you know you love it...all that nice unconditional love...not to mention face cleaning..." She snickered as she felt a wet tongue behind her right ear.  "Abby...C'mon, time's a wasting."  Zeen opened her dive bag and dragged out two wet suits.  Both were blue quarter inch neoprene; plenty of protection for the waters in the area.  Pete had scoped out the dive shops before they'd left Chicago so all their gear was nicely set aside, awaiting their arrival.

Abby held the suit up against her chest.  "You think this is gonna fit?  Zeen.... It's too big."  The taller woman tugged hard on her Johnny, wiggling her butt as the groin area snugged in tighter.  "Do me a favour, will ya?  Just try it on."  Zeen knew the woman had only previously worn a shortie since she'd done all of her diving in warm water. She eased the Velcro straps down and then reached for the boots.  A few minutes later, she stood all suited up and Pete helped to check her gauges.  Abby grumbled with exasperation.  "Zeen?  Could you..." Dropping her mask/snorkel, Zeen smirked and came up behind the woman, grabbing the material at Abby's waist and pulled, hard, grinning as the woman's feet left the sand.  "Whoa...give a girl some warning, will ya?"

"There ya go...help you with anything else?"  She smirked, moving her hands to the front of the Johnny, smoothing the neoprene up before fastening the Velcro.  Abby arched an eyebrow and wondered just how long their dive would be and how long it would take to ditch Pete and Dave, leaving them alone on the deserted beach....

Within another five minutes, they were both suited up and walking slowly backwards into the waters of the Saanich Inlet.  Pete shoved his hands into his pockets and smiled at Dave's antics; the dog leapt high into the air and then landed with legs straight, looking very much like a springbok antelope. As he watched, both women adjusted their masks, gave him the thumbs up and then jackknifed into the water, their fins only briefly visible before the surface of the water  closed over them and was calm again.

Zeen had told her about the joys of West Coast diving; the area was rich in marine life, a veritable smorgasbord.  They descended slowly, pausing every now and again to equalize.  At one point, Abby found her mask flooding and entertained her companion with facial expressions as she removed it, crossed her eyes, replaced the object and then blew a steady stream of bubbles up under it, forcing the air out of the small space.  Zeen found herself wanting to take the silly woman into her arms; so she did.  They floated at about 40 feet, adjusting their BC's and then Abby smiled around her reg as Zeen removed hers and mouthed the words 'l love you'.  Mask to mask, Zeen took another breath and let her reg fall.  Abby copied the action and they watched each other, slowly moving so their lips touched.  The blonde wrinkled her nose as small bubbles made their way between them and then felt her mouth covered.  The kiss deepened and she felt lightheaded as her body began starving for oxygen.  Opening her eyes, she found blue ones somberly gazing back at her and then air was being pushed into her mouth.  She inhaled slowly and then her body felt aflame as Zeen's tongue made a brief appearance.  As the kiss ended, Abby reached down and placed her reg near her lover's mouth and pressed the purge button.   Zeen smiled as she inhaled carefully; there was such a feeling of trust between them.  Then both women replaced their regs and just floated, eyes locked.  Zeen brought her hands up, making a heart sign while Abby moved her legs up to wrap around the backs of Zeen's calves and they just basked in the total feeling of contentment.

The brunette tapped her shoulder and pointed to the gauge.  Abby's 3000lb tank was now down a third and they'd only been underwater for 15 minutes.  Zeen wanted to show Abby the bounty that awaited them and indicated further descent.  Nodding happily, the smaller woman let some air out of her buoyancy compensator and began heading for the bottom.  Zeen was pleased with the woman's enthusiasm and slowly kicked after her.  Checking her own gauge, she saw they were at almost 50 feet and the bottom was within sight.  Vis was very clear; between 15 and 20 feet.  They hit a thermocline at about 40 feet but it was almost imperceptible; the one they hit at 60 feet, however, wasn't. Abby came up short, hugging herself tightly as Zeen came behind her and briskly rubbed her arms.  The temp had just dropped from 50 degrees down to 43.  Not a big change but certainly noticeable to someone who'd been out of diving for awhile.  She gained eye contact and then put thumbs up.  Abby nodded and they were off again.  They followed the sandy bottom to the right and there before them was the sea wall at Thomson Cove.  Zeen watched as Abby's eyes grew wide at the spectacle of marine life.  Standing at about 60 feet, the wall looked to be at least another 30 or 40 feet down.

She pointed to Abby's eyes, then to her own and pointed out over the precipice, nodding when she got the thumbs up.  Placing her arms out and parallel to her shoulders, the taller woman closed her eyes and then just fell.  Abby watched as Zeen assumed the free fall position, admiring the clear lines on the woman's body.  It seemed like a long way down as Abby watched and then finally, Zeen flipped over quickly and just lay there on the ocean bed.  Abby hesitated, added a bit to her BC and then jumped off, doing an admirable job at the beginnings of a swan dive in slow motion.  The added air made her fall very slowly and so she had time to watch as she fell towards the waiting arms of her lover.  Zeen reached up and caught the woman by her fins as she overcompensated, almost missing her mark.  Pulling her down into her arms, Zeen felt so alive. Abby removed her reg and kissed her lover's cheek, grinning as she felt her legs lifted and wrapped around her lover's thighs. Zeen took a breath from her reg, let it fall and just smiled as she felt small even teeth nibbling at her jawline.  'This', she thought wistfully, 'is almost as good as sex.  Almost.'

Abby pulled slightly away and replaced her reg, looking deeply into the eyes of her lover; their connection was so strong.  She could feel the total love, knowing that Zeen would be there for her in every way, shape and form.  She smiled around her reg as the larger woman rolled her carefully over.  Zeen tapped the woman's facemask and then gestured outwardly.  Abby followed Zeen's hand and saw a veritable garden before her.  They made there way over to the sea wall and the blonde watched as Zeen picked up two alabaster nudibranch, offering them for inspection.  She took the small sea slugs and turned them over, watching as they twisted and turned, their tentacle-like appendages waving in the current.  Zeen reached over and took one of the small creatures and lifted it high, letting it fall as if in slow motion.  Both watched with total fascination as the creature's body undulated back and forth, looking like a small leaf caught in a whirlwind.  Zeen pointed out further marine life and Abby watched as the sea pens gently rocked in the slight current and the tall stalks of white and pink sea anemones stood proud, looking for all intents and purposes like bunches of cauliflower.  They'd seen the occasional rockfish but Zeen pointed at a long black lingcod and Abby nodded vigorously.  The fish darted in amongst some of the larger rocks and both women followed it with their eyes.  It looked to be a good two feet at least.  Zeen unhooked the spear gun at her belt and made sure the line was untangled before she pulled back on the rubber band, fully arming it.  They moved a bit closer and the cod darted quickly away.  Abby shook her head and stopped.  She was feeling frustrated until she felt a hand on her shoulder.  Crouching down so they were parallel to the ocean floor, Zeen motioned forward and they slowly made their way closer to the fish.  The cod, meanwhile, had decided that staying perfectly still might dissuade any predators from guessing it was food.  It was sadly mistaken.

Zeen brought the gun up to chest level, inhaled quickly and then squeezed the trigger.  Abby watched as the spear cut threw the water and then imbedded itself in the fish's body.  It began to thrash and the line grew taut.  Abby watched as her lover's biceps bulged, and then Zeen was off after the fish before it could pull free.  It was only a matter of minutes as Abby lay there watching her lover but she was hit with such a sense of deja vu...she could truly see the proud warrior, cunning and determined, stalking her prey.

Knowing her lover to be the caring and loving woman she was didn't quite mesh with the dark past she'd been shown. It was hard for Abby to wrap her head around the violence in Zeen's past.  The blonde wondered if the look on Zeen's face as she wrestled with the ling cod was the same one she wore when attacking the two men she held responsible for her son's death.  As the woman grabbed and twisted the spear, wrenching it from the body of the fish Abby also wondered about the prison guard and just how Zeen had killed him. She found her breathing laboured and slowly got it back under control.  She shook her head, casting the dark thoughts away and watched as her buddy held the fish under one arm and made her way back; her strong strokes ate the distance up easily.  There was such power and grace in the woman's movements and Abby was struck again by the animal magnetism of her lover.

As she swam closer, the taller woman could see something was bothering the woman; she had a small worried look on her face and Zeen couldn't help but wonder just was going on behind those emerald green eyes.  Filing the questions away for another time, she picked up her gauge and nodded to herself and then glanced quickly at Abby's console and noted with some alarm that her tank was now down to just above 800lbs.  They still had at least another 15 minutes of strenuous traveling time unless they wanted to do an arduous surface swim and even given Abby's good shape, well, it just didn't seem a viable option.  Tapping Abby's lenses and then the gauge, she pointed back the way they'd come and cocked her head.  Zeen waited as the woman registered the amount left in her tank and then grinned around her mouthpiece as Abby slowly nodded her head and then took a shuddering breath.

Zeen put her hand around the smaller woman's waist and they slowly kicked their way back to the edge of the wall and then upwards, leaving the cod for the decorator crabs and other opportunistic denizens of the deep.  The firefighter was worried; she'd lost track of time and although she had plenty of air left in her own tank, hadn't taken into consideration that Abby might be an air hog.  She kept checking the woman's instrument and then stopped, pulling the woman close. Abby responded by lacing their fingers together and Zeen felt a lump in her throat as she saw the total faith in her lover's eyes.  She checked her compass and altered their course a bit.  Abby's gauge was now down to the red mark, making the airflow slower, wearing the woman down as she fought to drag what remained out of the tank.  This part was going to be interesting, Zeen knew, for although she'd seen Abby's dive log and was aware of her past experience, it was the first dive they'd make as buddies and Zeen wasn't too sure how Abby would react.  Reaching down, Zeen brought up her orange octopus second stage and held it up between them.  Abby just watched, her face serious as she tried to understand what Zeen wanted her to see.  Pressing the purge button, a silvery flow of bubbles leaked out and she watched as the taller woman offered it to her.  She tilted her head as if to say 'huh?' and watched as Zeen's eyebrow movement made her mask wiggle.  Then it dawned on her and she grabbed her gauge; it was well past the red mark.  Panic enveloped her and she looked up at the lighted surface, so near yet so far away.  It was 60 feet...she could do a swimming ascent...she could be back...

Zeen watched the look of cold panic hit Abby's eyes and grabbed hold of her waist.  Abby made the signal across her throat as the air got harder and harder to suck on.  Zeen held up the safety second again and took her own reg out, replacing it with the orange one.  Abby reluctantly removed her own reg as Zeen passed hers over.  Waiting a few breaths, Zeen then put her mask against her lover's and held a thumb up.  This time there was an almost immediate response and she sighed with great relief.  She really didn't want to fight about it and end up dragging Abby to the surface and then a long swim back...that would be not only physically challenging but also mentally demoralizing.  Although Abby was classified as an Open Water Diver by PADI, Zeen was sure, with a little prodding that she could go for her Advanced Open Water Diver classification.  She had all the skills but none of the confidence, it seemed.

Once Abby was somewhat settled, Zeen removed her orange reg and indicated they should trade.  Abby hesitated briefly but then nodded.  Zeen used hand language to show the hose on the octopus was much longer and she wouldn't have to be clinging onto Zeen the whole way.  Then they set off, Zeen's one hand looped through the back of her buddy's weight belt.

Chapter Three

Pete threw the stick again and checked his watch.  Scanning the horizon, he snorted.  'Must be havin a great time at that wall.'  Dave returned, the roughly munged driftwood clenched loosely in his jaws.  His chest heaved with the exertion yet his tail was still wagging madly.  The Lieutenant made his way over to the rocks and started to drag fixings out of the backpack.  Lunch would be a simple fare but he figured the girls wouldn't care.  He remember the last time he and Zeen had been diving...a while ago...she was well aware of just how stupid it was to go diving alone, but it hadn't stopped her.  He opened her dive log and scanned the past five or six entries; at least she'd limited her dives to shore entries and a depth ranging from 40 to 60 feet.  Zeen was a very experienced diver, having gotten her Specialty Diver certificate.  Hell, she'd done it all; everything but go for Diving Instructor.  She wasn't into that but had at least taken the course on Master Diver; easy for her since she loved the organized way of things.  And the control.  He smiled at that, knowing it to be oh so very true.  She was spontaneous but didn't much like the characteristic in those around her. Structure.... She thrived on it and yet it was a love/hate relationship, causing her to rebel whenever the mood struck her.

He glanced at his watch again.  'Shoulda been up a good ten minutes ago.' He frowned and looked at the Dalmatian who'd walked over to water's edge and sat looking out into the distance.  'Hmmm....' He set his jaw and then began repackaging the picnic.  He wasn't too sure exactly what he had planned but began taking his sneaks and socks off, rummaging through the dive bag for extra mask, fins and snorkel.  "Goddamnit...where's that pony bottle?  There's the extra reg. Okay... first stage hose connected...Yup..." He wiped a forearm across his forehead and tried to formulate a plan.

His head came up as he heard Dave barking wildly and he stared intently, trying to see something.... Anything.  There!  Two dark heads bobbing at the surface...thank god!  Dropping his equipment he ran forward, wading out about mid chest before stopping.  "Zeen!", he yelled in a worried voice, waving his hand frantically over his head.  He let out the breath he wasn't even aware he'd been holding when he saw one hand wave back.  Pete closed his eyes briefly, saying a very fervent prayer. It was as if a great load was lifted off his heart as he saw a smaller hand also waved in his direction.

The two women made their way to shore and plunked themselves down in the shallow water.  Abby removed her mask and pulled her hood off, lying back in the sand with a contented sigh.  Pete squatted next to his partner and cocked an eyebrow in her direction.  Zeen smiled weakly.  "Ah, the joys of buddy breathing.  I kinda got carried away, showing Abby the Thomson Cove sea wall; time got away from me."  He said nothing as he noted the worry lines around Zeen's mouth.  "Sumpin happen out there, babe?"  Abby cleared her throat and sat up.  "No...No, not really.  Abby just went through her air supply kinda quick, is all.  I wasn't expecting it."  The blonde reached over and hugged her companion.  "I got a bit rattled, Pete.  I let myself get distracted and well, kinda inhaled most of my air at one sitting."  Pete nodded slowly.  "Hey, it happens. So, you guys enjoy your dive, other than that?"

Zeen began removing her fins and weight belt and then turned to help Abby with hers.  "Yeah, actually.  It was an okay dive."  Abby scoffed as she pushed her lover's shoulder.  "Oh brother, if that was just an okay dive..." Pete watched as the blonde animatedly described how they'd come upon the wall and all of the rich marine life they had encountered.  "Yeah, it was a blast right up until my gauge went into the red", she said wistfully.  "I want to do another one.  Can we?"  She looked imploringly over at the other woman who was slowly peeling the wet suit from her body.  Pete noted the tension in Zeen's shoulders and got up.  "Hey, I'll just take the gear and stow it in the truck, okay?  It might take me a while..." His voice trailed off unnoticed as he watched Abby come up behind his friend and hug her closely.  Just then, Dave came bounding down the beach with the remains of what appeared to be a good-sized crab.  He dropped it at his master's feet and wagged his tail fiercely.  "Oh, for me...why, Dave you shouldna."  He turned and began making his way back to where the truck was parked, then whistled sharply; nodding with satisfaction as the dog dropped his prize and heeled immediately.

Zeen turned and embraced the smaller woman.  "I'm sorry I..." Abby shook her head and buried her face in the front of her lover's suit.  "No, Zeen.... I got distracted...it wasn't you..." Blowing her lips out, the taller woman lifted the smaller chin and gazed into her eyes.  "Wanna talk about it?  I know something was bothering you, Ab..."

Abby thought briefly about telling the woman it had been a momentary lapse that she'd let her mind wander.  While it was true, she didn't want to start lying just when they were getting so very close.  She took a breath and stepped back, pulling the last of the Johnny off before she went on.  "I was thinking about...stuff.  Things you told me about your life...before." she began hesitatingly.  Abby watched her lover's eyes darken and then Zeen turned and looked out on the horizon.  Abby sat down in the sand and waited for her lover to do something or say something...anything.

"Zeen...I'm just having trouble getting used to...the information you gave me..." She heard a sharp snort from her lover and then Zeen turned and walked over to where she was.  "You mean my propensity for violence; my fiery temper...my..." Abby leapt up and took her lover's arms.  "No...That's who you were, not who you are now, Zeen...it's just that the woman I see here before me...the woman I wake up to, that holds me close, making sweet love to me...and the image of you in prison, being.... Taken and then the..."

"Killing...", Zeen finished in a low voice.  Her hand moved up to her damp hair and slowly fingered the hidden tat.  "Yeah, I have a pretty dark past, babe; l won't lie to you."  She sat down heavily in the sand and gingerly took one of her lover's smaller hands into her own.  "How can I explain this?  I had a choice, Ab.  I had to do what I did to survive...but more than that...I had to become stronger or I'd be lost.  It was so damned hard in that jail...surrounded by those who wanted to eat me alive.  I tried to resist, Abby, really I did.  But it got easier to give in to the shit around me, becoming just like they were.... Worse than they were."  Abby shook her head quickly and swallowed the lump that was forming in the back of her throat.  She blinked back the tears that threatened to fall and found herself pondering what her lover was saying.  "I'm not proud of what I did, just giving into the rage..."; Zeen went on, in a voice filled with self-hatred.

Abby could almost see the woman enveloped with a dark and mournful cloud; the silence was almost deafening.  Letting her damp suit fall, Abby quickly pulled on a pair of shorts and an oversized T-shirt and waited, her eyes never leaving the woman, watching the ritual Zeen performed, almost without knowing she did it.  Suddenly, as if her hand was on fire she pulled her it away from the back of her head and scowled.  "Gods, I hate that damned thing!  Why did I ever get it done?"  Her fingers came away with strands of hair and Abby watched as the woman stared at her own hands as if they belonged to another.  "These hands have done such damage, Ab..."

Abby wanted to rail at the world for causing such a wonderful person such pain, such torment.  She reached up and pulled the woman down beside her.  "These hands," she said, "are capable of such tenderness, such loving care, Zeen.  Don't ever forget that."  She turned the large rough hands over, admiring the well-formed and tapered fingers.  She traced the creases on each palm and then spoke.  "You are the strongest person I know, Zeen Phipolis.  You risk your life every day being a fireman; you pour your heart out in poetry and prose, making my heart ache with tenderness, love and yes, anguish too.  That tattoo that you say you despise...well, I've been thinking about that.  What you did in that prison...what you had to do...I can't condone it but I can understand why you had to act the way you did.  Maybe that dragon symbolizes your stand...your strength?  Why a dragon, anyway?"

Zeen put her face in her hands and just cradled her forehead for a moment.  Then she dragged a hand wearily over her features, almost as if she were trying to erase the images and emotions being evoked.  "Do we hafta talk about this now?  I mean, shit Abby...I just put your life in danger by being so fucking featherheaded..."

Abby hugged her tightly.  "Look, I understand that we both got kinda side tracked...being down there with you...well..." Zeen looked over, afraid she would see the disappointment in her lover's eyes...she couldn't bear that...

"I...um, found it to be...um, very erotic."  Zeen watched as a faint blush came to the woman's fair cheeks.  "Heh...how about that...I found it very nice, too, Abby.  But that doesn't mean I had to be some idiot and completely lose track of time.  What if..." The blonde snaked her hand around her lover's waist and hugged her close.  "How come you always 'what if'?  I know...Without a single solitary doubt that you could get us out of anything.  Truly, Zeen.  And besides...I have been diving before; I could have made that free ascent.  It wasn't that far."  Zeen pursed her lips, "Yeah, you coulda but you were also a bit freaked down there.  People can do things they know they shouldn't at times like that."  Abby took in the woman's furtive movements as Zeen stroked the inside of one upper arm, the fine blonde hairs almost standing to attention.

"Abby?  You gonna tell me that story?  I know you don't really wanna but...well, I'd like to hear about it."  The blonde squirmed a bit in the sand and then leaned back, propping herself up by the elbows.  Zeen reached over and pulled her Harley Davidson ball cap from the side pouch on her dive bag and placed it on Abby's head.  "There.  Now the sun won't bake your brain, you won't get sunburn and there won't be any more excuses.  Right?"  Abby bit her lower lip and then nodded quickly.  She knew it was just a matter of time.

"Well.... It's not much really.  I mean, it's just.... Well, my Dad and I never really got on.  He was always so very critical of me, Zeen.  Didn't matter what it was, my effort was just never good enough.  Mom tried..." Abby snorted at the image of her mother as the woman shook her head slowly, mouth zipped as usual, as her husband laid another verbal barrage on she and her sister.  She couldn't remember exactly how old she had been when the truth of her parent's 'good marriage' became crystal clear for her.

Zeen took the woman's small hands in her own and just began tracing each finger, waiting for her to continue.  Even though Abby was adamant her story was not worth the telling, Zeen was fairly sure by the way she changed the subject that whatever it was, it was serious and still bothering her.  "Go on," she said, giving the hands a squeeze.

"I don't think I was ever happy at home.  Not really.  I guess Lida and I learned at an early age that it was really just the two of us. My father ruled the house like a prison warden and if we were lucky, we got time off for good behavior.  I think he was always afraid of losing control of us girls.  Looking back, I see that's exactly what it was.  He spent quite a lot of time on the road drumming up business for Bruno's Auto Sales and Services.  He decided that since I was coming of age he'd market me.  I guess it was around my fifteenth birthday when he brought the owner by for supper.  It became a regular thing; Father thought it was a good career move.  I hated this guy being so close, the smarmy way he had while in front of my parents that changed when he'd take me out for a Coke.  He gave me the creeps and one day, well, something happened and...And I just lost it."

Zeen let her breath out slowly, her teeth tightly clenched thinking about a father who would put his young and innocent daughter in that kind of position...just for business favours.  She squeezed her eyes shut and then swallowed.  'Breathe...center...relax...' it didn't work. Images of some guy pawing this sweet and trusting kid...it made her blood boil.

Abby moved her hands to rub the raised goose bumps on her arms and Zeen snapped out of her haze, grabbing the dive bag and pulling it closer.  "Hey, you must be cold, huh?"  She began rummaging through things, looking for the heavy blanket she usually kept there.  Her head whipped around as she heard a cough.

"Um...sorry to interrupt...but it is gettin late...you guys want to head back to the hotel?"  He jangled his keys from one hand to the other, looking very awkward.  Zeen finally found the towel and wrapped it around her lover before getting to her feet.  Abby pulled it close and then just sat, looking off into the distance.

"Look Pete...I think you should just go ahead and go back to the hotel, alright?  Me and Ab.... Well, we've got some things to work through and..."

Pete smiled, "...and I should take a hint and get going.  Okay, I can pick ya up tomorrow, maybe do another dive or two? Listen, I've got a coupla sleeping bags in the back.  You want em?  It might not get much cooler than this but that sand is gonna cool down once the sun really hits the water.  Sundown in....oh, about half hour, I'd say."

Abby registered them talking and even managed a weak smile when Zeen kissed her neck and said she'd be right back.  Then she was lost to her memories once more, oblivious to the glory of the fading sunset.

Chapter Four

Zeen gathered the last of the driftwood and perked an ear up as she heard Pete's truck misfire again and then sputter to life.  She raised herself to her full height and then took one step in his direction before smiling as the truck backfired and then took off.  Placing the wood by the fire pit Zeen felt the anger building up inside.  It was one thing to be raped as an adult...but a 15-year-old kid?  She placed each piece of the driftwood into the remains of the previous fire as if they were body parts...pieces of the sonuvabitch that had...

Abby blinked slowly, finally taking in her surroundings.  She noted the tense posture, the clenched jaws and the almost palpable feeling of rage coming off her lover.

"I wasn't.... I mean he tried...but he didn't, Zeen". The dark head rose, steely blue eyes locked onto green and then Abby watched with fascination, as the tension seemed to melt off the woman in waves. Zeen pulled some matches from her pocket and lit the fire with shaking hands.

It was like hanging over a precipice, seeing all the jagged shards you were gonna hit on the way down before finally smashing yourself against the rocks below; knowing you were gonna bleed and wish you were beyond the pain you knew awaited you; closing your eyes tight and gritting your teeth, trying to make the best of it only to find yourself whisked away at the last moment.  All the images of her lover being forced...being raped, blew away like wisps of smoke and as her vision cleared she looked across the fire and saw the worried, small face of a woman who had endured something that, while not being rape, was nonetheless harrowing in her own mind.

"You wanna tell me about it?" she said quietly.  Abby bit her lower lip and then held out her trembling hand.  "Come and sit with me?" Zeen could see in the red glow of sunset just how upset Abby was and felt her heart wrench at the small vulnerable voice of her lover. She dropped what remained of her match into the fire pit and slowly stood up, feeling her thighs and calves flex and contract after being so tense.

The blonde pushed at the tears that began to fall with the heel of her hand, blinking quickly and then smiled as Zeen snuggled in behind her, pulling her closely against her strong form.  Abby felt her lover's comforting arms stretch tightly around her and closed her eyes.  Zeen's hot breath at her neck, at her ear, made her shiver, a faint row of goose bumps covering her skin.

"Abby...you know you can tell me anything.  I'm not here to stand in judgement, to offer criticism.  I'm here to listen and accept anything you have to say."  The blonde bobbed her head quickly and then grew silent.

Both women sat there in the sand watching as the impossibly large ball of fire dipped lower in the sky, finally kissing the cold waters of the Pacific.  Zeen pulled the blanket more closely around her lover as she felt the woman begin to shiver.

Many things filled Abby's mind as she sat in the haven of her lover's arms.  Images of her father who had begun to drink in celebration as he pushed his oldest daughter into the arms of his boss.  Abby remembered feeling like the sacrificial lamb, as she was lead out to the car, her mother standing stoically silent.  It was just a date but still...Somewhere in the recesses of her mind, Abby knew her life would never be the same.  She'd tried to talk to her father about how the man made her feel but he hadn't listened.  Had said it was good for his career and that Abby was old enough to start contributing to the family.  By hooking up with Mr. Bruno there could only be prosperity for them in the near future.  'Be nice to the man, give him what he wants, do the family proud.'  She shivered as she remembered how meek and docile she'd been, steeling herself to do what her father had wanted while her insides twisted and turned at the mere thought.

Slowly, she began to tell of the drunken rage that her father had fallen into as the car screeched into the carport, dislodging a weeping fifteen-year-old.  Acrimonious words flew back and forth between the two men as her mother dragged her back into the house.  Zeen's chest felt tight and painful as she listened to the sordid scene painted in vivid Technicolor.

"He tried to...he wanted to seal the deal he and my father had.  I was to 'put out' for him whenever he wanted until l was old enough to be legally married and my father would get a partnership in the business."  She wiped her red nose on the handkerchief provided by her lover, smiling gratefully.  Abby tilted her head back and stared into the heavens and watched as small motes of light began to appear in the darkness.

"God, Zeen.  He was willing to sell me...like I was chattel. That's what it was, really, for a junior partnership in a crummy automotive center."  She snorted derisively, gritting her teeth as her father's harsh words of condemnation filled her ears, hitting just as hard as they had the first time.

"He wanted to know why I hadn't...done anything with his boss.  Was I frigid?  Was I some sort of queer that didn't like men?  I couldn't believe it, Zeen; the hateful things he began spouting at me from the driveway, cursing the day I was ever conceived.  He ranted and raved about how selfish I was, how ungrateful I was being, unwilling to pull my own weight and do what was right for the family.  God..." Zeen tightened her embrace and began whispering small words of endearment against the cooling skin of her lover.

"You know, that was bad but it was nothing compared to the cold disappointing stare of my mother.  God, she just stood there, her eyes burning into the back of my neck.  I tried to talk to her, explain how it had been with Mr. Bruno but I could see...it was a lost cause.  No matter what l said, it was going to fall on deaf ears."

"He was drunk, babe.  Maybe she didn't feel safe..." Zeen drew a heavy sigh and then shut her mouth with a snap.  What the hell was she doing, making up excuses for Abby's low life parents?  Abby turned in her embrace and stared into the brunette's eyes.

"Yes, he was drunk.  Yes, he said some things I don't suppose he would have ever voiced but you know what?  Right there and then I could see my future.  Lida and I were just 'things' to them.  Sure, I suppose they both loved us...in their fashion.  But l could see my life if l stayed.  I ran to my room and slammed the door.  I can't remember too much about packing or hugging my sister and then darting out into the street but I do remember my father yelling obscenities, accusing me of being some lesbian, some dyke...betraying her family."

Zeen put her hands up to Abby's face and gently cupped it.  "Where did you go?  Did you have any money, any friends?  Gods, Ab...you were a child.  How could you think you'd be able to survive on the streets?  When I think of you being out there, all alone and..." She hugged the blonde close to her, hooking her chin over the woman's shoulder.  What she could have lost...in the twinkling of an eye, Zeen could see just how the odds had been against them ever meeting.  It was a miracle that Abby had ever survived life on the street, avoiding gang pressure, drugs and crime.

She took a deep breath, inhaling the soft fragrance of her lover's hair.  "How did you ever survive?"

Abby rubbed her hands up and down her lover's back and snuggled closer, finally moving her cramping legs into a more comfortable position around Zeen's hips.  The brunette moved her hands slowly and pulled the blanket around the two of them and then slowly rocked back and forth, a silent lullaby playing in her head.

A few mournful cries floated down to them from the seagulls' overhead as Abby cleaned off her face and blew her nose.  "S'okay, Zeen.  I did survive.  I'm not too sure how, though.  I spent my first night in the park under some bushes.  I must have looked pretty sorry the next morning because a few people dropped coins into my jean jacket as I sat on one of the benches, trying to organize my next plan of attack.  I guess I made a few bucks there that day before the cops threatened to charge me with loitering.  I'd heard a few comments about a half way house throughout the day and that's where I spent my second night.  Things got easier after that."

The taller woman pondered the last statement, biting the inside of her cheek.  'Easier...yeah, like life on the streets, going from one half way house to the next, living from hand to mouth could be easy.'

"So, just how did you manage to avoid..."

Abby rested her cheek on the strong shoulder of her lover and sighed deeply, lost in her memories.  "Well, I've always been pretty much a loner, not fitting into any particular group.  Lida was pretty much my only friend growing up.  We sure did get into some trouble."  She laughed a little as Zeen's eyebrow shot up.  "Yes, trouble.  I might have looked like Sandra Dee but I felt like Natalie Wood...ready to stand up for what l believed.  You know, like in that movie with James Dean."

Zeen smiled and then drew her lover's face up for a sweet kiss.  "My little rebel without a clue?  And just how do you know about those old movie stars?  You, a babe in the woods?"  Abby smirked and kissed the taller woman's nose.  "Hey," she thwacked her companion's flat belly.  "I had to have some place l could call sanctuary, didn't l?  And yeah, I was a rebel."

Zeen tried hard not to roll her eyes and succeeded, for the time being.  "Man, Lida and I would while away the weekends watching the old movies that came on after midnight.  Our parents didn't really seem to care as long as we didn't make a mess and had our chores done without complaint.  I guess, come to think of it, we were pretty low maintenance kids.  Okay, so we never really did get into what you might call 'real trouble'.  I mean, we did do the usual pranks: toilet papering the neighbour's trees on Hallowe'en and soaping their car and stuff.  That was as mischievous as we got, I guess."

"Ah, so the truth comes out; you were lil Miss Goodie-Two-Shoes, huh?  Well, I gotta tell you a secret: l was pretty quiet when l was growing up, too.  In fact, I spent most of my time with my nose in one book or another.  Used to drive my mother crazy; she was sure I'd need coke bottle lenses before too long."

Abby settled herself a bit more.  "So.  Now you know about me, about stuff..." Zeen touched the woman's nose.  "Hmm.... Yeah, I guess we know more about each other now, huh?"  She paused and then cleared her throat.  "So, when did you know..."

"...That I was different?  Well, l guess my father pretty much gave me a clue about that."  Abby hooked her chin over her lover's shoulder.  "I started thinking about how uncomfortable l was around all the boys in school.  At first, l thought it was just because I knew my parents wouldn't approve of me dragging any friends home.  They really frowned on 'outsiders'.  When I was older and away from their control, well I began to think and do what l wanted.  I didn't like being around guys.  They just seemed so...crass and alien to me.  I remember an incident one night in the girl's dorm when I was about seventeen.  I suppose that particular hole in the wall could be called home as it was the first place up until then, on the streets anyway, that I'd stayed in the longest.  Anyway, there were two girls there that said they were sisters or cousins or something.  They used to spend a lot of time holding hands and hugging and such.  Folks pretty much gave them a wide berth.  I wasn't too sure why so I took it upon myself to make friends with them.  After hanging out with them for a couple of days, I realized they really weren't cousins or anything; just really close friends."  She stopped to push her hair from her face as the wind began changing direction.

"So, this one night I was just kinda lying in bed waiting for sleep and l saw them...Joly kinda crept into Moira's bed and at first, I didn't really think too much about it.  I couldn't see much because of the darkness but I could tell something was going on."

Zeen watched as a faint blush began up her lover's neck and throat.  "Oh, you could, huh?"  Abby smirked and replied, "Yeah...I could.  The kissing was fairly easy to figure out but it was really the terms of endearment, the words of love spoken between them that cinched it for me."  Zeen nodded a little.  "So, a pretty good way to discover how two women can be together, huh?"  She scrunched her forehead as she watched her lover dip her chin down.  "Yeah, they were really good to each other.  My folks...well, they were certainly not what you'd call loving towards each other.  No public displays of affection or anything.  I think Lida and I found out about sex on the Discovery Channel."

Zeen snorted, thinking of the documentaries that depicted animal sexuality and shuddered.  It was amazing this woman hadn't ended up on a therapist's couch for extended periods of time.  "So, a healthy sex life to you is...watching two dung beetles going at it?"  She yelped as two fingers were dug into her side.  "Stop...stop...okay, I give. Why do you keep trying to see if I'm ticklish?  I'm not, you know.  All you're doing is digging between my ribs."  She grabbed Abby's wrists and then leaned in for a smoldering kiss.  "So, little rebel mine, just how did you learn about human sexuality then?"

"Heh, well...they kinda took me aside and introduced me to kissing."  Zeen's eyebrows shot up.  "Both of em...taught you at the same time?  My oh my...you are a wild one, huh?"  Abby got a hand free and swatted her again.  "No.  Jeez, Zeen.  I was curious and they...well, they helped me answer some questions.  I do have this really good imagination, you know.  And well, I began having some pretty good dreams, and fantasies and well...By the time l was twenty, I'd answered most of the questions l had on sex with women."

"Twenty, huh?  Slow learner, Abby?  Aw, that's okay.  I think l was like that with basket weaving."  Zeen smirked as a dangerous glint came into Abby's eyes.  She let herself be pushed back into the sand until the woman was stretched out on top of her.  "I might have been a slow learner, Zeen my love, but I sure made up for lost time.  A woman of many skills, am I."

That was it; the brunette just couldn't stop either the laughter bubbling up or the rolling of her eyes any more than she could have stopped the sun from sinking below the horizon.  Abby tried to keep a straight face but soon the two of them were rolling around in the sand, hooting with childish abandon.

"Gods, I'm sorry, Ab.  I just had this image of you...this wanton woman acting out what she'd seen on the fuckin Discovery Channel...oh, gods...sneaking up on some hapless woman, ready to pounce on her and drag her into the bushes!"  The images threw the taller woman into gales of laughter.  Abby watched in amusement until her lover drew quiet.  Tracing her fingertip along the planes of Zeen's face, Abby watched with fascination as a fine dusting of white sand seemed to highlight the woman's burnished skin, making Zeen look every inch a goddess.

"I love you, Zeen.  I love the way you can make me laugh, poke fun at myself and just not be so serious.  And I'm really glad that I told you about...Mr. Bruno."

Zeen pushed her long fingers through her lover's golden hair and gave Abby a very passionate kiss.  "I'm glad you did, too, babe.  Just remember, there isn't anything you can't tell me, okay?"  Abby nodded and their mouths brushed softly against each other again, their ardor rising.

"Well...there is one thing, but..." Zeen arched an eyebrow at the suddenly quiet blonde.  "Yes?"

Abby smiled gently and then propped herself up on either side of her lover's shoulders.  "Well...it's like this.  You know how l feel about you, right?"  Zeen nodded.  "And you know that I'd do anything for you.  Any time and any place?"  The darker woman scrunched her forehead.  "Yah...that goes double for me."  The blonde moved a few errant wisps of hair out of her lover's eyes and then smirked.  "Well, I guess we know how we feel but I gotta tell ya...if I don't get into a sleeping bag or someplace warm I won't be able to put into action this good imagination I have cos l won't be able to feel anything pretty soon."

Zeen chuckled and then rolled the woman beneath her.  Getting to her hands and knees, she leaned down and kissed Abby and then quickly got to her feet and grabbed one of the bags.  "Well, that's easily rectified...hold on.  Lessee what Pete left us."  She fumbled with one duffel bag and pulled out two sleeping bags and a couple of poncho liners.  "This oughta do the job nicely.  Abby lay in the sand clutching the blanket to her.  The stars twinkled overhead and the wind made her eyes tear up.

Walking down the beach a little, Zeen picked up a few of the dryer pierces of driftwood and piled them close to the fire pit.  Abby watched her with loving eyes and wondered just how strange fate was.  As the brunette fed pieces of wood into the fire, the flames rose and both women watched as cinders floated up into the dark sky.  Zeen's thoughts went back to the night they had met and she glanced across at the wistful look on her lover's face.

Abby sighed contentedly as the taller woman began to set up a small lean to, using some of the larger, heavier pieces of timber that littered the beach.  She could close her eyes and see just how it must have been in that ancient forest eons ago in Greece.  Taking a slow breath Abby imagined the tangy smell of leather and horseflesh and snuggled deeper into her blanket.  It felt so right, so..."Home", she murmured.

Zeen stood silently, watching the emotions play over her lover's face as the flames danced in the darkness casting shadows, highlighting the glorious topography that she could see even with her eyes closed.  Every now and again she found herself feeling an overlap of past and present...the old emotions racing to the fore, overwhelming her.  It was times like that when Zeen had to overcome the urge to sit and sharpen...something.  She stopped the wayward hand that was making its way to the pocketknife in her front pocket.  'Stop it', she admonished herself.
Although it seemed a goodly amount of time had passed, she noticed Abby was still smiling up at the stars, lost in her own reverie.  Clearing her throat, she dragged the Black Ice bags into position by the fire.

"There ya go.  We shouldn't put the sleeping bags too close to the pit just in case but the lean to will help keep the wind off us and reflect some of the heat off the fire.  C'mon, you.  Let's get you into some heavier sweats and warm again."  Abby nodded her eyes twinkling and a grin just playing at the corners of her mouth.  "Well...I suppose we could get me warmed up like that but I thought we'd do it the old fashioned way."

Zeen began unzipping the other sleeping bag, a sly smile playing over her lips.  "I don't suppose we need this one then, huh?"  Abby watched as her lover draped the open material over the lean to and then grinned as her lover began to strip. "Oh, I'm feeling warmer already."  She could feel her arousal like a burning fever as she watched the play of light and shadows accentuate the curves of her lover.  Even the woman's ebony hair seemed to be interlaced with flames as gusts of wind made the short tresses dance and undulate, moving to some primal symphony.

Abby blinked slowly, the spell broken as Zeen rubbed her arms and threw another couple of logs on the fire.  "C'mere you."

Zeen stood and turned, her eyes flashing with desire.  Her hair framed her face with darkness, making the lighted angles of her stand out in contrast.  She slowly dropped to her knees, placing her large well-formed hands on flame painted thighs.

"Warm enough?"  A gentle smirk played on her lips as she felt the amber waves of desire roll off her lover.  Abby nodded slowly and reached out from under her blanket and pulled the woman closer.

"Uh huh...much warmer...but I still have this sense, this desire to be warmer still.  Think you can help me out, Stretch?"  Without waiting for a reply she grabbed Zeen's hands and placed them under her T-shirt against her firm breasts.  The large hands began tentative exploration, as if their owner was afraid to burst the bubble of trust that had been created.  Zeen knew just how much the encounter with Bruno had affected Abby...had he touched her this way?  Had he...She pushed the images away as two smaller hands moved her fingertips over the hardening flesh begging for her attention.  Abby groaned as each rosy bud was brushed and tantalized.

Abby made room as Zeen slid her large frame into the sleeping bag and settled between her lover's satiny smooth thighs.  Moving to entwine one of their hands, she opened her legs wider and then crossed them over her lover's taut buttocks.

"I want you, Zeen...I need to feel you."  A dark head nodded in response and Abby grunted as she felt the tender flesh of her shoulder taken between sharp teeth.  She felt herself sliding wetly against the fireman's belly, a jolt searing through her each time her clit came into contact.

Zeen felt the woman's need rising to a fevered pitch.  She looked into eyes darkened with lust and knew this would not be a night of lovemaking but one of primal lust, an encounter where both parties felt the need to excise demons.

"Do you feel me, Ab?  Do you feel what I do to you and what you creating within me?  Do you?"  Abby nodded and placed both hands on Zeen's biceps, holding on for dear life as she felt her lover begin to rock strongly against her.  Her vision was filled as the woman's mouth descended and began exploring every inch of her mouth with expert strokes and deepening kisses.  She felt her breath taken away as the waves of passion created between them began to roll back and forth, rising like a tidal wave.

Zeen gasped as she felt the liquid fire of her lover paint the surface of her lower abdomen; feeling her muscles clench and spasm as the volume increased.

"Gods, I love how wet you get for me, Abby...so responsive..." She whispered as she trailed her tongue and lips up and down the blonde's exposed neck.  Her hands moved to cup the firm breasts against her, tweaking the nipples before moving her hands quickly over the woman's lower back, pulling the woman's buttocks hard against her.

Abby gasped as the first jolt of her building orgasm came on suddenly.  She felt the zipper give as Zeen locked her elbows and began thrusting against her.

"Oh gods...oh.... Oh gods, Zeeeeeen!"  She leaned in and buried her teeth in her lover's flexed forearm, muffling her scream against its quivering surface.

Zeen shuddered as she felt her flesh claimed, the pain mingling with intense pleasure and cried out as the teeth moved from forearm to breast.

Instead of relaxing against the sand in release, Abby tightened her legs, trapping her lover hard against her.  Zeen's arms gave out and then she found herself looking up with surprise as the stars glistened overhead.

"I know what you do to me, Zeen...I've always known...I want...to see...what I do to...you.  All of it..." She panted between nips upon her lover's breasts and neck area, leaving small red welts in her wake.

Gritting her teeth, the firefighter tried to focus on what her lover was doing but found her mind wandering.  She never liked to be made love to in this fashion, finding it more enjoyable, much safer...the control always hers...."Oh gods....", she whimpered as digits were slowly pushed inside.

Abby began thrusting against her, placing her upper thigh behind her hand and picking up the pace.  She watched as Zeen's eyes fluttered closed and she bent to her task.  One of her hands came up and caressed her lover's face, the softness of the skin too difficult to resist.  She ran her fingers over Zeen's lower lip and then her throat went dry as her thumb was taken into the hot wet depths of her lover's mouth.

"What.... What you do to me...Gods...you set me aflame, Ab.... You heal me...you cauterize every wound..."

As a fine sheen reflected the dancing flames before them, Abby could see just how hard it was for her lover to just...let go.  Removing her fingers, she pressed her pelvis hard against her lover's groin and grabbed the woman's shoulders.  "I want to see what I do to you, Zeen...l want to look down into your eyes when you cum for me...knowing I did it...made you happy...set you free."

Zeen gasped as she felt herself give in.  "I...I can't let...go...Abby..."

"Yes you can. No one...should ever...hurt you, Zeen.... No one will again..." She kissed Zeen hard, gasping out each word as motes of light spiraled up before her eyes.

Zeen couldn't believe just how fast and close her orgasm was building.  She'd never been able to achieve orgasm without mouth and fingers and there she was...being taken...giving up her control...While she found the experience a bit unnerving she was caught up in the throws of it all.  A compassionate look came into Abby's eyes and Zeen could have wept with joy at the total acceptance she found there. "I want it all, Zeen...I want your love, your desire, your total trust.... All of it.  Let me in, Zeen...all the way."

Grabbing her lover's hips, the blonde moved her upper thigh between Zeen's legs and began pounding against the tender heated flesh.  "Gods but I love you, Zeen...oh so very much.  Trust in me, Zeen....l won't let you fall."

Feeling like she was riding a sonic roller coaster Zeen opened her mouth and roared as she felt her heart dashed against her breast bone countless times before it just seemed to explode.

She gathered the blonde to her and buried her face in a curtain of gold as she fought to keep the tears at bay.  New areas were being discovered and walls were being breached each time they made love.  Zeen found herself simply overwhelmed with what she had given and yet...part of her wondered how worthy she truly was.  Why she was the object of Abby's unconditional love was a mystery.  Small teeth gnawed at her as she remembered the afternoon's events and just how stupid she'd been.  'I can't be trusted with this love...sooner or later, I'm going to fuck up.'

Abby frowned as she felt her lover shuddering briefly against her and then grow quiet.  She wasn't sure just what going on.  'Could l have asked too much of her...of us?'  Each woman retreated a little, trying to sort out the ramifications of Zeen's silence.

"I love you, Zeen."

The brunette pulled the blonde down beside her and snuggled her back into the sleeping bag.  "I know."

"I'm glad you do, babe, cos it's never going to change.  Thank you."

Zeen tilted her lover's face up.  "For what?"

"For letting me in.  I..."

Zeen bit her cheek and sighed.  "I'm okay with it, Abby...I've just...never let anyone do that to me before....I'm usually the fucker not the fuckee...you know?"

Abby nodded mutely.

"But...I'm okay, I am.  I guess l was a bit surprised at just how powerful and....liberating that experience was for me."

Abby slowly released the breath she was holding and then leaned in for a quick kiss.  "So....did l do okay?  I mean, I've never made love to anyone like that either...being totally dominant like that...it was kinda...well, thrilling.  You know?"
 
Zeen smiled.  "Well, woman of many skills...don't get too used to it.  Wow..." She held her hand up and watched as the tremors slowly eased off and stopped all together.

Abby raised her brows as she saw her lover gain back all of the control she imposed on herself and then eased back down into the woman's shoulder.  They both gazed up at the clear western skies, pointing out one twinkling constellation after another and went over the events of the day.

"What the heck was that funny gross orange stuff I saw against the wall near the bottom?"  Zeen rubbed her chin in silence and then grinned.  "Oh, you mean the stuff that looked like snot?"

Abby made slow little circles over her lover's warm belly.  "Now there's an image.  Yeah, and that weird thing that looked like a walking branch...what was that?"

Zeen sighed contentedly and began rubbing the blonde's lower back.  She had three passions in life: Abby, her beloved Harley and scuba diving. She'd been an advanced diver for over five years and found marine life fascinating.

"Well, the first one was an egg sack from a Rockfish.  They get pretty territorial.  You didn't notice that reddish fish bumping your leg?"  Abby frowned trying to remember.  "Nope, I guess you didn't.  Well, we were kinda occupied, huh?"  Memories of their first underwater embrace and kiss made them both smile.  "The other one was a Clown Jellyfish.  And yeah, it does kinda look like a branch.  Good bloody thing that sucker isn't bigger.  Those creatures prey on shrimp and those branch like appendages could be really scary if they were any bigger.  I've watched them in action and man, they are tenacious...they just go for it, relentlessly tracking down their prey."

Abby watched in fascination as she felt a shudder run thru her companion's frame. "What is it?" Zeen held her breath and then Abby felt the woman's hand resume its methodic perusal of her willing and very responsive flesh.  "I guess I find it hard to wrap my head around...being so relentless."  The blonde smiled and leaned up for a kiss.  "Ah, but my dear warrior, I think that describes you to a 't'.  Face it, you are tenacious when it comes to your job...those kids are a case in point."  Zeen nodded slowly.  "Yeah, but that is my job.  I have to do that kinda thing."  Abby arched an eyebrow and smirked at the woman.  "Yeah, and hanging upside down on a ladder, suspended a hundred feet from the ground, holding on to this woman who would surely have fallen to her death was just doing your job and not above and beyond the call of duty?"

Zeen scratched her head, thinking back to the night they met.  She hadn't been sure why it was so important to get the ladder truck so damned close to the fire, endangering the crew and herself for some lone woman but it had been.  All she knew was the woman would have jumped and she just couldn't...

"Okay...so, I'm relentless at my job.  I'll grudgingly give you that one. And do you see me as this predator, relentlessly pursuing her victim like some creature from the black lagoon?"  Arching her frame forward, Zeen did a decent impersonation of Bella Lagosi, eye teeth exposed and nails curled.

"Eeek!  Oh, please...No.... Not the...dreaded Zeen the Fiend!  Have mercy!"  The brunette had a hard time suppressing a grin as she watched Abby fall into a swoon.  Hissing demonically, she slowly pushed the blonde's chin aside and bent in, teeth exposed.  Abby felt a shudder run through her as Zeen's hot mouth began sucking on her neck.  She could feel her toes positively curling and sighed deeply.  Her lover's eyes twinkled as Abby mentally compared their intensity to the stars that dotted the sky above them.  There really was no contest, none whatsoever.

"Zeen, you can be a predator all you want...just as long as you are my very own personal Dr. Jeckle."

The taller woman placed a hand over her heart, wounded to the quick.  "Gasp!  That was my best imitation of Bella Lagosi's Dracula, I'll have you know.  I can see you have a lot of edjumacatin in your future."

Abby smiled and pulled the woman down on top of her.  "Oh, I'm counting on it, lover."  The brunette leaned in, a lecherous grin on her face and then felt a fist gently poke her in the stomach.  "But first...well, it's not silver or a cross but maybe...just maybe this will get me in good with the head vampire."  Zeen looked down and saw the small brown jewelry box and quickly looked up into her lover's eyes.  "What..." Abby took her other hand and smoothed the frown lines blossoming in the woman's forehead.  "Oh, please...it's just a necklace, not a ring or anything."  Zeen wasn't sure whether she was disappointed or relieved.  Not that a ring wasn't a good idea but she'd kinda thought maybe the ring thing would be her idea.

The blonde smirked as a thoughtful look came into her lover's eyes.  'Ah ha.... So, she's thought about it, too.'  She cleared her throat, reminding herself that they'd only been together for six months, not a great span of time in itself but a benchmark for her when it came to long term relationships.  No, she decided, it was far too soon.  She knew Zeen was her destiny but...How many times had they gone through different lives before they'd ended up in this one?  She firmly believed that a soul had to pass through many lives before everything that needed to be learned, all the problems had been dealt with, before a state of inner peace was achieved and the soul was finally at rest was accomplished.  Abby didn't think they were that far along but didn't want to do anything without really thinking of all the ramifications, thus preventing them from making some sort of cosmic mistake.

What if they were supposed to be married and because Abby didn't feel she was ready they missed their chance and somehow changed their future? It hurt her head the more she thought about it.

"So, you gonna open it?"  She poked Zeen with the box again and then watched as a lovely gold chain was pulled from the case.  Dangling at the end was a St. George's medallion.  She held it up and watched as the flames seemed to make it come alive.

Abby's smile slipped a little and she wondered if she'd made a blunder.  "If...if you don't like the medallion..." Zeen shook her head and held it out to the blonde.  "No...l love it." Abby sighed as the necklace went back into the box.  She'd hoped to see the firefighter wearing that as a symbol of their bond and was disappointed that it seemed destined to remain in a box deep in some drawer.  Deciding this wasn't really the time to get into just why Zeen wasn't going to wear her present, she lifted the woman's chin with her forefinger and gazed deeply into endless blue.

"I got you St. George because he slays dragons and I think you do, too.  I thought about St. Christopher...him being the patron saint of travelers but I kinda like this one better.  We can exchange it if you want."  Zeen reached over and captured her lover's lips in a gentle kiss that seemed to last forever.  "Oh gods, I love you Abby" she said between kisses.  "I'll treasure it forever."

*****

Both women sat sunning themselves on the beach, fingers entwined, when Pete appeared beside them.  He'd shaved and was wearing his swimming trunks.  Zeen turned her head briefly, noting he'd brought the dive gear back down to the beach.  They were to head back home in the next few days and she felt a little uneasy about doing another dive.

"Oh, come on, Zeen.  I know you want to.  Tell you what.  Why don't you and Pete just do this great dive you've been talking about...Hundred Mile Point...or whatever...and Dave and I'll hold down the fort.  Whataya say?"

She smirked as Pete's face lit up.  Zeen's fingers twitched and then the woman sat up and smiled.  Abby would be more than pleased to see that shining face every day of her life forever...and beyond.

Getting to her feet, Zeen punched her partner in the shoulder and smirked.  "Well, okay...if you insist.  It won't take us long.  Say, Pete...race ya to get all the equipment back in the truck."

Pete's eyes danced with merriment.  It was like old times.  "Well, you gotta deal, baby...but Dave's in the cab and the loser gets a face licking.  Deal?"

"How come he's stuck in the cab, Pete?"  Abby got to her feet and began dragging some of their camping equipment closer to the dive gear.  "Well, it's like this:  l spent almost all night picking little marine life outta that dogs fur, not to mention the sand fleas he now grants residence to.  Forget that. Had to buy some special flea powder from the local vet in Victoria and it cost me a goddamned fortune.  Regardless of the rate of exchange.  So, no...he ain't getting out on this beach for a while. He's gonna be a nice clean mutt for the drive back to Chicago."

Zeen shook her head sadly, her empathy rising at the plight Dave was enduring.  Nothing worse than denying your true self.  Dave was an animal that reveled in the freedom of racing up and down the beach.  She'd never seen a dog who took more readily to the sea.  Most dogs didn't like the taste of fish or other seafood delicacies but he sure did.  The crabs didn't scare him and after a close encounter with a stinging jellyfish, he knew enough to mind them.

It had taken them only five or ten minutes to get all the gear loaded back into the truck.  Although Pete carried the bulk of the heavier items it was Zeen's speed that enabled her to make more trips and have most of the gear packed away, thereby winning the contest.

They drove in companionable silence and then made their way over the rocks down to the entry point at Ten Mile Point.  Abby watched as the two went over the dive tables and factored in slack tide.  Although the Dalmatian was somewhat cowed after his close encounter with the vet, his spirits perked up as Abby urged him to explore the area.

She sat and smiled indulgently as each lure and bit of fishing tackle was brought to the surface and only expressed a keen interest when Zeen came up with a bit of branch coral.  Being divers, they all knew the cardinal rule of leaving the marine life and site pretty much as they found it.  Touching living coral was a no-no and to be avoided at all costs, thereby ensuring that other generations could reap the bounty much as they had.  Apparently, that small piece was found on the sea floor and although Abby found it very interesting and a definite treasure, she closed her eyes and kissed it before throwing it back into the ocean.

The two did back to back dives that day and Abby managed to con her companion into a brief shore dive at the breakwater in Victoria before the end of the day.  Abby found it rather sweet when her lover all but doted on her while diving but the romance of it soon paled and an uneasy truce was put into effect.  That lasted for all of about twenty minutes, until Abby pulled her lover into a heated embrace, kissing the woman soundly.  After replacing their regs, Abby held up her gauge and smiled.

A weight seemed to be lifted off of Zeen's shoulders after that dive and she began to mentally set the blonde up in some night courses in Advanced Diving given at the local university back home.

Chapter Five

It had been a nice couple of days on the West Coast but both Pete and Zeen seemed very keen to get back to work. The drive home was relatively uneventful, the three of them opting to drive straight through from Billings, Montana.  It was during Zeen's time at the wheel that he began to notice a sense of withdrawal coming from his partner, at first putting it down to a lack of sleep.  After all, three adults and a dog that preferred the company of humans to a lonely truck's bed certainly made for a cramped living space.  However, before too long, the woman's moodiness was more than apparent and Pete sat silently, his efforts to draw the woman out dwindling down to nothing.

It was funny how the woman could mirror the advent of an oncoming storm.  Her eyes seemed to take on the slate grey of the lowering ceiling and the Lieutenant could feel the tension rising, coming off the woman in waves.  Pete found it quite easy to get the woman to relinquish the wheel at the next gas station, hoping that perhaps she'd doze, sparing him the sight of her stony profile.  She seemed almost lost, somewhere beyond their side of the rainbow.

Zeen sat, cheek twitching as she absently stroked her lover's temple as the woman lay dozing on her lap.  Dave rumbled low in the back of his throat and seemed to be watching the woman with trepidation...almost as if she were the oncoming storm, bolts of electricity ready to fly from her blazing eyes.  His flanks quivered with anticipation and Pete kept glancing his way, offering a word or two to calm the dog.

Pete was almost drenched in sweat as they finally rolled up to Zeen's apartment building.  He offered to help get Abby upstairs but a curt shake of the head stopped him in his tracks.  While he'd been through Zeen's darker moods and lived to tell the tale, this one seemed deeper than the others and he couldn't help but wonder just what was going on inside the woman's head.

Abby had awakened enough to stumble up the stairs leading to the entranceway of their building but Pete could see she'd be asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.  Although there were dark circles under the woman's eyes, she'd gotten quite a bit of sun, bronzing up nicely beneath the clear western skies.

The man sat in his truck, scratching the tender area behind his dog's ears, wondering just what had transpired between the two women.  There had been some tension after the Henderson dive but things had seemed much better the past couple of days.

He shook his head, muttering nonsensically to his adoring companion who seemed more that willing to be soothed by his master's voice.  The sense of foreboding had lessened for the dog as soon as Zeen had left the cab.  The dog whined and Pete threw the stick into gear.  A couple of backfires later and they were on their way, Pete finding things to pick at absently in his growing neck fur as he tried to ponder things out.

Abby had stood mutely, eyes closed, as her lover removed all of the rumpled clothing she'd been wearing for the last 24 hours.  Even though they'd both gotten into bed it was a long while before the brunette's eyes fluttered closed and she dropped into an uneasy slumber.
 
Some time during the night, Zeen had gotten up and gone out to the balcony, pen and paper in hand.  Lightening began flashing in the distance across the darkened sky and the surrounding air became super charged with positive ions as the sometime poet began to write furiously.  Heaps of crumpled paper sat morosely under and around her lawn chair but Zeen remained undaunted as she squinted in the Coleman's glow and continued to write.

Abby slept soundly, oblivious to the approaching storm.

The next morning was dull and grey with the promise of rain and while the humidity index rose, it was kept at bay until late afternoon.  Thunder rolled across the horizon looking like a shell barrage in the distance.

Zeen stood looking out the window as the heavens finally opened up, splattering the panes with cold rivulets of rain.  Although it was now into Fall, the days were still comfortable with the heat of a late Indian Summer.  The rain was a welcomed respite and Zeen pressed her forehead against the cool glass gratefully. She started as a small hand moved up the small of her back.

"Hey, sweets.  You're a million miles away, huh?  Wanna talk?"  Zeen stilled her own hand as it moved up the back of her neck.   It was almost as if the green dragon called to her.

"Oh, just thinking, is all."  She said, dismissing any further talk on the subject.

Abby had been aware of her lover's moodiness but knew it would pass.  She seriously doubted whether Zeen had ever taken two weeks off for a vacation.  Pete had basked in the time away from their hazardous job but Zeen seemed preoccupied after the first three days.

"Think a storm is comin.  I can almost feel the rain on my skin."  The taller woman turned and pinned Abby with a fervent gaze.  "You can feel it, right?  The energy?  It feels like waves...like being underwater, caught in a rip tide."

Abby frowned and then placed both hands on Zeen's upper arms.  "What's the matter, baby?  You seem...really jumpy.  You having those nightmares again?"

Zeen dropped her gaze and turned back to the window.  Abby watched as the woman's shoulders dropped and then had to lean forward in an effort to hear the soft muttering of her lover.

"Yeah, but I don't want to talk about it, okay?  Not now."  Abby nodded once but wasn't willing to let the woman completely off the hook.  She knew something was bothering Zeen and decided then and there that if she didn't want the woman's mood to get any worse, she'd have to do some probing.

The same dream had plagued the firefighter for as long as she could remember.  Sometimes days, even weeks passing and Zeen would be nightmare free and then it would begin again.  Abby had gotten somewhat used to the midnight wanderings of her lover after the first few months but it still bothered her that Zeen didn't feel comfortable enough to talk about them.

"Are they the same dream or just change from night to night?"  Getting no reply, she turned and went to put the kettle on for another pot of tea.  "Hey, Zeen?  Why don't we have some of that Murchie's tea we got in Victoria?  You game for a little Lapsang Soochong?  I mean, what the heck, let's live dangerously."  Zeen didn't answer and continued to stare out at the gathering storm.

Abby sighed deeply and decided to just keep her distance for a while until Zeen gave her some sort of clue she was ready to resume their lives.  It was times like this that Abby felt the most vulnerable.  Zeen was the strong one, the protector with more than capable shoulders; her shelter from whatever life would throw at them.

A few hours went by and still Zeen stood by the window.  Abby had tried to entice the woman with a nice fresh salad, had even waved a hero sandwich nearby but Zeen was having nothing to do with either.  At least she'd said a few words.  The silence was making the blonde uneasy.  Finally, she'd put her half eaten supper away and had once more bared the lion in her den.

"C'mon, Zeen.... Talk to me.  Tell me what's going on.  You've been like this before...but never for so long.  Is there...have I done something..."

Zeen swiveled her eyes around, locking them on a worried sea of green.  "Hey....s'okay.  I'll be fine...just need some time alone, is all."  She frowned as Abby grabbed her by the arm and dragged her away from the fading daylight.  Sighing heavily, she allowed her lover to remove her sneakers and socks.  She lay back against the headboard, lost in thought, totally oblivious to the young woman who was quietly disrobing before her.

Abby ground her teeth a little and then pushed onward.  If she was going to help Zeen out of this funk she was in, well, it was going to take a lot of patience and even a seduction scene or two.

The brunette lay there, every fibre in her body seemed to be twitching.  She felt an overwhelming sense of foreboding settle on her chest, making it difficult to breathe.  It seemed as if an anvil were sitting there.

Slowly removing her shirt and pants, Abby added a wiggle here and a grind there, doing her best burlesque imitation.  She remembered watching a great old movie with Shirley Somebody or Other...doing the bump and grind.  She thought it was sexy and had filed the info away for another time.  Right now seemed perfect.  Hearing the squeak of the bed she zoned back in and watched in shock as the taller woman just got up off the bed and walked away. "Zeen?"  She stood there, mouth hanging open, as the woman grabbed her coveralls and tool box.

Zeen ducked once as the thunder crashed directly overhead.  She punched the elevator for the basement and stood impatiently, drumming her fingers against her thigh.

Abby appeared in the hallway wearing a short bathrobe.  "Honey?  What's wrong?"  Zeen looked up but found it hard to meet her lover's eyes.  Just what was up?  All she knew was there was something coming...something bad.  That little voice inside was all but screaming and had been since the last day of their vacation.  'Vacation...more like enforced exile', she thought in a fit of pique.  Oh, the first few days had been good; sleeping under the stars had been the best.  It had always been hard for her to sit still and just relaxe for long periods of time.  It made her antsy and moody, regardless of how much she loved being with Abby.  It was just hard to step away from the mindset that was needed to be a fireman and slow everything down.  While some of the guys really looked forward to 'vacation', neither she nor Pete were in their ranks, preferring the high tension and focus that the job required.

The brunette thought back to that night under the stars.  That wonderful moment when she'd truly felt happy, relaxed and at peace.  Learning that Abby had been strong enough to not only fend of that Bruno character but also flee a home where submission was doled out like mother's milk had clarified a few things for Zeen; she couldn't look at the young woman as being vulnerable or dependant any more.  It was one thing to exist on the streets; anyone could hide in the shelters and curry favours with the dominant gangs.  It didn't seem that was the case with Abby; she'd shunned that and had simply made a niche for herself, using good intuition to make friends that would help instead of use, refusing to get caught up in violence and crime.  That was really something and Zeen admired her all the more because of it.  She wasn't sure why but it was shortly thereafter when the nightmares started to come back.  This time, though, there was a different feel to them...almost as if Zeen could sense them reaching out to her.

Zeen shook her head slowly, pushing away the sinking feeling that something...

"Why are you pushing me away, Zeen?  Why are you...running?  Have you...I thought you were ...we were happy..." Suddenly, Abby felt disjointed, almost as if the world had just shifted.  She closed her eyes and could almost smell the salt air, the creak of a ship, the snap of unfurled sails.

Zeen watched as Abby reached a hand out to steady herself and rushed forward.  A cold feeling of fear and guilt hit her squarely and she suddenly had a glimpse into another place...another time.

She'd been saying goodbye to her lover and their parting had been awkward.  She could almost feel the uneasiness radiating off the other woman, her sea green eyes both troubled and accusing.  She could also feel the awkward emotions that.... Xena...had felt when having to make the decision and it was killing her.  She didn't want to leave but duty demanded it.  Intense feelings of guilt floated up within the warrior and Zeen felt almost swamped by them.

She stumbled and then embraced Abby, holding her very close.  "I'm sorry...I'm so sorry, baby.  I...I haven't been honest with you...or myself.  Gods..."

Abby blinked up at the solemn expression on her lover's face and felt fear clutching at her belly.  She swallowed once and then again as the tears began to fall.  Then, turning away, she pulled Zeen back towards their apartment and then carefully closed the door.

The firefighter placed her equipment on the floor and then slowly stood up.  How was she going to explain something that she didn't understand herself?  She took a breath and then opened her mouth to speak.  Her jaw snapped closed as she noticed the pallor in Abby's face.  And then the blonde began to speak and she felt her guts twist into tight knots.

"When do you want me to...leave?  I guess everything was just too good to be true, Zeen...It won't..." She wiped her runny nose on the back of her trembling hand.  "...Take me long to pack up..."

Zeen watched Abby's face as it crumbled before her and felt hot tears spring from her own blind eyes.  How could she have been so stupid?  And how could she not see that Abby would take this on a personal level, thinking her...Her withdrawal, cold distance...were aimed at her...gods.

Abby closed her eyes tightly and then, unable to hold herself together any longer, buried her face in her hands and sobbed uncontrollably.

"Abby."

The blonde had a sudden flash of memory and images of them making slow love beneath the stars on the beaches of Henderson Point.  The way Zeen's hair had felt clutched between her fingers as the woman moved against her lower torso, pressing her face hard against her...

"Oh, gods Abby, no.  Look at me."  It broke Zeen's heart to think she had caused her lover to question their love, their life together.  Cradling the woman's tearful face, Zeen locked eyes with her and then, in a trembling voice spoke from her heart.  "This isn't about 'us', about 'you'.  This is...yeah, the dream is back but it's something more this time.  I can't put my finger on it...gods."  She paused as a light went on inside her head.  "You never gave in, Abby...you didn't kowtow to social pressures.  I did and I hate myself for it."

Abby watched as her lover's face crumpled and she wrapped her arms tightly around the woman's torso.  "You are the strongest person I know, Zeen...you are.  You did what you had to...you survived any way you could.  There's no way you can go back and change any of that, don't you see?"

Suddenly Abby's fears about being rejected, about being parted from the only person she'd ever loved...they vanished and all she could see was that Zeen needed her right now.

She pulled the woman over to the couch and they sat holding each other close.  Abby placed her head over Zeen's heart and just stayed there, waiting for the staccato drums playing in the woman's chest to slow and even out.  Finally, she looked up and watched as two gloriously blue eyes met her own.

"Everything we've ever done, Zeen, in our past lives, in this life time, has brought us to this moment in time.  All the pain and horrors you've been through have helped shape who and what you are.  Right here and right now.  I couldn't imagine going through what you have and still have any hope I'd still be sane.  That takes strength of character.  Living on the streets was hard, yes, but I didn't have the temptation you did...I didn't have someone offering me power and a sense of family.  I'm not too sure just what kind of relationship Debbie Ma was offering but I think she gave you much more than you could give her.  Am I right?  She could sense your strengths, Zeen, and she utilized them but also fortified them, giving you a sense of your own worth."

Zeen looked at the blonde, her mouth hanging open.  "Where the heck did that come from?"  Abby bit her lower lip self-consciously and ran her hand along Zeen's arm.  "Well, I've had some time to think about this the past few days...I thought you might be comparing what we have to...I dunno, a woman in your past and found I didn't measure up.  Maybe you'd made a mistake and... we weren't destined to be together this time either."

The firefighter tilted her head back, blinking the hot tears that began forming and shut her eyes tightly.  "Gods, Ab...no.  Debbie was important and she made an impact on my life.  I think...I know l loved her..." She reached down and grabbed Abby's hands.  "I loved her the only way I could back then with what little I had in my heart.  She taught me how to love myself, Abby, and because of that I could begin to open my own heart and share something of myself with another human being.  I was so fucked up, babe...I didn't want to give myself to anyone, knowing that in a fraction of a second they could be taken away.  Love was an investment, something I felt had to be meted out carefully.  I gave her what I had but I can see now that it was just a small fragment of the bigger picture.  I think she sensed that, too.  Although we were rather close in age she always made me feel like a young punk, someone she had to nurture and care for...and I guess she was right."

"But don't you see, Zeen...she could see what you had inside.  I'm just glad she was there to offer that nurturing and that you were strong enough to accept it."

Zeen swallowed and then held the small hand against her lips.  "The nightmares...are pretty bad, Abby.  They are always pretty much the same.  I'm back in the prison and l'm walking down the corridor as if l owned the place.  Not many of the cons will meet my eye and some turn away.  I see a knowing look on some of their faces but brush it off...it means nothing because I know there isn't one of them that would win in a fight against me.  Even the guards make themselves scarce as I go about collecting the money from those who need Ma protection.

I can hear the snickering, the bantering between some of the other gangs and I just let it wash over me.  As I enter a cell...and here's where it changes...sometimes there's a fight and I end up being attacked with a shiv...sometimes l get stuck with it and other times l just turn it on my attacker and then watch dispassionately as she lies bleeding on the floor, the blade sticking out of her guts and her life just seeping out of her.  That one is pretty bad.  But lately there's another twist."

Abby felt her hand squeezed a little and snuggled closer, entwining their legs and all but sitting on the woman's lap.  "S'okay, Zeen...we don't have to talk about this now."

Zeen nodded and then cleared her throat roughly.  "I think maybe I could use a little time...something to drink."  She looked down, seeing her lover's robe falling open.  "And why are you dressed like that?  Not that I'm complaining but you were just in clothes not two seconds ago, right?  And why is it so damned cloudy?  Wasn't it just nice and sunny a minute ago? I miss something?"

The blonde smiled and patted the firefighter's hand.  "You just stay right here and I'll put on a pot of coffee."  She got up and cinched the belt around her robe as she moved about the kitchen.  "You've been kinda preoccupied, Zeen.  You tend to zone out when something is bothering you and you've been gone most of the day.  You know?  Really gone.  I kinda thought if I distracted you a bit you'd relaxe and tell me what was going on.  Hence the robe."  She turned and loosened the belt, letting the robe fall open, revealing some of her many charms.

"I figured it must be pretty bad, whatever was bothering you, because you didn't even notice me.  I mean, Zeen...just where were you going with your stuff?"

Zeen looked over to the door and frowned.  There was her toolbox and covies.  Arching an eyebrow she gazed up at Abby and smiled.  "Ah...well, when I really get zonked I tend to go and work on my Harley.  That damned petcock has me all but spitting nickels.  I don't know what the fu.."

"Ah hah...so there is another female in your life.  You and that motorcycle..."

Zeen smirked at the woman's pretense at jealousy.  "Yeah, we do so many hot things together.  I love to get down and dirty with her whenever I can.  And she moves me, babe.  Like no one else can."

"Ha ha."  Abby reached down and swatted the woman's shoulder.  Zeen inhaled slowly as the apartment began filling up with fresh coffee.  "Ya know...I can't stand but a little bit of coffee with my cream but that sure does smell good.  I think I'll have me a cup."

"No tea?  Okay by me."

They sat snuggled on the sofa, sipping the java, lost in each other's eyes.  "You said something about a new twist...in your dreams, I mean.  Wanna elaborate?"  Abby gently stroked her lover's face, watching carefully for any signs that she was pushing again.

"Um...yeah, I guess I can talk about it now."  Her belly rumbled and Abby struck her forehead.  "Man!  I guess we're going for burger's tonight, huh?"

Zeen had just decided they'd go for Chinese when the phone rang.  Abby looked up at the clock on the wall - mid afternoon.  "I wonder who that is? If one more bill collector phones..." A pair of highly sensitive ears began to sift through the traffic noises and detected a siren, it's mournful wail barely discernable.  "Oh?", Zeen said absent mindedly.  "Yeah, just the usual...truck payments.  But I paid that the first of the month.  Zeen...?"   The brunette was over slipping on her boots, the phone cradled between her chin and shoulder, a frown on her face.

Chapter Six

"Look, I gotta go.  That was just Ted.  He seems kinda worried.  My Lieutenant and a couple of other squads went into this warehouse just before lunch today and...well, some of the others have been located but not Pete and his crew.  Hey, I know I'm officially on leave for another coupla days but..." She grabbed up her jacket and pulled the door open.  "I have to go down there, Abby.  Another pair of hands can't hurt and besides, it's my squad."

"Hey, don't you dare leave me behind.  Look, go start the truck and I'll be down in a jiffy.  No, really Zeen...I want to come.  I'll be dressed in no time, okay?"

Zeen saw the determined look on her lover's face and knew she'd be wasting her breath.  "Alright...but make it quick, huh?"

The brunette took the stairs two at a time and then raced to the underground lot.  Casting a brief look at her Harley, she jumped into the truck and and sat revving the engine, praying Pete would be okay, that Abby would get her ass in gear, that she'd be in time to help.  Blood red fire began coursing thru her veins as she felt her own motor begin to rev, higher and higher.  Just when she thought she couldn't possibly wait another second, the side door was thrown open and Abby all but threw herself into the cab.  "Let's go!"

It was a little after three in the afternoon when they arrived.  The cordons were already in place and both women could see throngs of police and firefighters working together to set up road blockades around the industrial park.

Zeen stepped out of the truck and climbed into the back.  Shielding her eyes she surveyed the destruction before her.  Two smaller buildings had already been reduced to blackened cinders and another larger one was slowly being consumed despite the efforts of the firemen. Zeen counted the pumper trucks and other vehicles and whistled.  The area was dense with billowing grey smoke and for a moment the w