I Think I Got It!

I think I figured out what to do next.  Reordering some of my stories and changing them to fit.  Hope I don’t confuse myself more than I already am. LOL  Doesn’t help that so many of them were originally written out of order, does it?  And egads, I’ve been working on this for two years now…

Ummm… What Next?

LOL

When I wrote all this, I hadn’t ever thought of having to put it all together.  And now, I’m stuck.  Not sure what comes next, or what should.  Been trying to patch things together as I go and hopefully it’s been working.  ROFL.

Guess I’m going to have to go back and figure that one out, huh?  I know I’m going to have to do some repair work and make a connection between where I left off today and what will most likely come next.  SO, if you find something that doesn’t make sense, be sure to holler at me.  :)

Code Red 2: Life Sentence ~ Chapter 7

Mika’s Note: Can ya tell that Eric Chruch’s song had just come out? LOL

Two Pink Lines

“Oh… my… god…” Ali groaned, rolling over into the sunlight.

“Whatsa matter?” Blake mumbled sleepily.

“I think the phone’s ringing…”

“Ignore it, babe…” he murmured, attempting to pull her back into his arms.

“Can’t Cowboy.” She placed a light kiss on his cheek and sat up. “The friends I’ve got? If I don’t answer the phone, they come find me.” Stretching, she shrugged on Blake’s discarded flannel and barefooted it down the hall.

“This had better be worth dragging me out of my warm bed,” she announced.

“Don’t you mean ‘away from the warm body I was snuggling’?” Albert’s laughter filled her ears and she gave in and smiled.

“Yeah, somethin’ like that, I guess.”

“Glad to hear it. I was afraid he’d bail on you and then I’d have to kill him.” He paused, trying to phrase what he had to ask next. “So, what’s new?”

“Um, I’ve discovered that there is such a thing as ‘almost too much sex’.”

“Almost?”

“Yeah, because although I’m sure I’m getting there, I haven’t quite reached the ‘too much’ part yet.”

“Oh gods… and you wonder how you got into this situation.” He tried and failed to stifle his laughter. “Sooo… anything else I should know?”

“Subtle, Rogan. Very subtle. The rabbit didn’t die, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Albie breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good news.” He paused. “Or is it?”

“I think so, although I got the distinct impression Blake was disappointed. I could’ve been misreading him but I dunno…”

“Well, I guess its better that he’s disappointed that you’re not than angry because you are.” He coughed out a short laugh. “Did that make sense?”

“Only coming from you it did.”

“Oh, shut up and go back to bed. Lemme know if you actually make it to that point of ‘too much’.”

“Not sure if I’ll make it, but I’m sure we’ll try our best. Bye-bye and thanks for checkin’ up on me, Pop.”

“No problem.”

Ali hung up the phone and laughed.

“Oh, this isn’t good.”

“Hey hot stuff! What are you doing out of bed?”

“Looking for you.”

“Oh well, here I am! Now, what isn’t good?”

“The fact that you were laughing when you saw me nekkid.”

“Ooooh… that!” She covered her mouth to catch an escaping chuckle. “I was actually laughing at Albie. He was calling to check in.”

“Check in? Is he looking to come home already?”

“Maybe, but he was more concerned with whether he was gonna have to shoot you or not.”

“Me? What have I done?”

“Nothing… yet. He was afraid you were going to freak out and bail on me, with last night’s issue.”

“Ahh,” he mumbled, lips against her neck. “Never in a million years.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled. “Glad to hear it. So, so glad.”

Code Red 2: Life Sentence ~ Interlude

Mika’s Note: Just when you thought the Interludes were a thing of the past… LOL

E-mail from Hell

From: crazyalirae

To: scarlettfire

Subject: Dodging Bullets

…and I’m not even on assignment. Imagine that. Not that *I* would ever get myself into any kind of trouble. Nope, not innocent, well-behaved lil’ ol’ me.

Yeah, right!

I can’t really go into details right now because if Blake catches me up again, I think he’s going to tie me to the bed… Hey, now there’s an idea…

Um, sorry? But seriously, I dodged a serious bullet this time. I need someone to smack me a time or two to get my head back on straight. I think it’s off its track again. *Sigh*

What are we gonna do with me?

Aw, crap… I think I hear footsteps.

BYE!

Ali

Code Red 2: Life Sentence ~ Chapter 6A

Mika’s Note: I had written the original chapter entitled Some Beach and then, about six months later, I got a writing challenge to write an entry in a father’s journal. I thought that taking this chapter and re-writing it from Blake’s point-of-view would be interesting.  And I discovered that I do love writing in his voice.  So much fun.  :)  This picks up right after Ali has snuck out of bed, leaving Blake without his heating pad. LOL

Some Beach Flipside

“Ali?” Blake rolled onto his side and stared at the empty half of the bed. “Where could she have gone?”

Groaning, he forced himself out of the warm bed and onto the floor. Stretching, he looked towards the bathroom. Nope, not in there, the door was open. Kitchen? It was empty too. Scratching his head, Blake started back to the bedroom when he noticed Albie’s door partway open.

What could she be doing in there?

Yawning, he opened Albert’s door and glanced in. Not seeing Ali, he started to go back out, stopping when he heard a sob. Looking around again, he noticed a light on in the bathroom. The door was halfway open and he approached carefully, not wanting to scare her. And if she was crying…?

Ali stood in her brother’s bathroom, clad in a plain white Hanes t-shirt, holding a long thin box, crying. Squinting, he tried to read the box when the sudden reality of the situation dawned on him. Very brightly. Oh my god…

“Care to explain that to me?” Blake asked from behind her, motioning to the box in her hand. How the hell did this happen?

“What? I mean, I thought you were asleep.”

“I was. Then I got cold and you weren’t there anymore. What’s going on?” Crap. Please let me be dreaming. I’m not ready to be a daddy yet. Please, not yet.

Ali sighed, resigned to the fact of the matter at hand. She lifted the box up and showed him. She watched him turn even paler as his suspicions were confirmed. “Blake…”

“How long have you known? Or suspected, I guess?” And why the fuck haven’t you told me yet?

“Just a couple days.”

“And you were gonna tell me when?”

“As soon as I was able to use this damn thing!”

“Sorry. Sheesh.” He turned to walk out of the doorway. Damn her anyway. I don’t need this right now.

Ali reached out and grabbed his arm, watching how the muscles played under the taut skin. “I’m sorry. I’ve been really stressed these last few days. I could lose my job, you know.”

“No, I didn’t know. You’d get booted from the military for being pregnant?” How the heck do they expect to get more soldiers?

“Not exactly. It’s more like HOW and WHEN and with WHOM it all happened.” She paused a moment and frowned. “I doubt it’d even matter that it’s been months since that assignment ended. I can hear Caleb now, ‘It’s the principle of the matter, Lieutenant’.” She shook her head sadly.

“Mmm… I see. So, why didn’t you call? Even if you didn’t know, and you were worried, you could have called me.” He held out his arms and hugged her hard. “I need you. I care about you. I want to help you. And I don’t give a damn that your general ordered us to stay apart. If you’re having my baby, I am here. End of story.”  Please don’t let me break down and cry. She doesn’t need that right now.

“I know. You’re just… you, I guess. Superstar and all that crap. I didn’t want you to panic and foul things up for yourself. I certainly didn’t want to screw up your career. I’ve done enough of that to my own lately.” She sighed heavily and kissed his chest. “Besides, I knew Albie would be home in a day or two and he’d smack me around and make me do the right thing.”

He flashed instantly to a memory of meeting Albert in the driveway earlier. Blake started to laugh suddenly. “Sorry,” he mumbled, laughing even harder. No wonder he retreated so quickly.

“What’s so funny?”

“When I met him in the driveway, he said he’d gone to get aspirin for your headache. Couldn’t even go get your own test?”

“Too dizzy to drive.”

Blake looked down at her and smiled. “Too ditzy to drive maybe. Now, are you gonna use that thing or do I need to hold it for you?”

Growling, she pushed his naked body out of the bathroom and slammed the door in his face.

~*~

His smile faltered and faded as soon as she closed the door. He heard her sigh loudly, followed by the ripping of the box. The sounds coming from inside the bathroom were making him nuts. Crumpling paper. The sound of the box hitting the floor. The next three minutes would be the hardest he’d ever waited out.

He glanced at his watch and started the countdown. Then he started pacing. Wondering. Thinking. Praying.

I’m not ready to be a daddy. Not yet. I’m still too much of a child myself. He laughed at that thought. No shit, Blake? You can barely take care of yourself. A wife and a baby? No freakin’ way.

He shook his head roughly, clearing the negative thoughts from his mind. Glancing back at his watch, he noted only forty seconds had passed. Blake looked at the closed door and bit his bottom lip. Am I in love enough to marry her if she’s pregnant? Hell, will she even let me marry her? Will she let her brother beat my ass for this?

Just past a minute fifteen. Blake forced one hand through his unruly curls and sighed. There were so many things to consider. And so much of it had nothing to do with the maybe-baby. What if it was a false alarm? Would she still want to be with him? Would their relationship still be the same? Better? Worse? Stronger? He didn’t know.  And how would this affect the ban on their being together?  Would she even tell her general asshole if she was?

How will I tell my mother if she is? She won’t care how much in love I may be, all she’ll see is that I’ve screwed up. Again. She’ll never forgive me. And if this ruins her career?

Panic set in with that thought. Holy crap. What if she gets into serious trouble over this? I can’t raise a baby by myself. Damn!

He forced himself to take several slow, deep breaths. You’re overreacting. Take it one step at a time. Looking at his watch again, he was both relieved and frightened to see they’d hit the two-minute mark.

One minute to go. He paced, hands tangled in his dark hair, heart pounding. God, I love her. There. He’d said it. Admitted it to himself. And there ain’t a chance in hell that I’m going to let her go no matter what the outcome of this damn test! Finally, he was ready to face whatever fate had in store for him, and damn his parents, his job and her job too. All that revelation and fifteen seconds to spare.

Taking a deep breath, and saying a silent prayer, he raised his fist to knock on the bathroom door.

~*~

“Okay, Cookie. It’s been three minutes. Come out, come out wherever you are…” And please God let this all be okay…

Ali looked at the white stick sitting on the bathroom sink. “Crap.” Sighing, she let him in. “There,” she pointed to the offending object. “Go look.”

Blake took a deep breath and steeled his nerves to what he was about to see. What was it going to reveal? Baby? No baby? Would this tear them apart either way? He knew one thing for certain: he couldn’t let anything ever come between them now. Not ever. No matter what it took, he was on a mission to get her back for good. He closed his eyes as he stepped to the edge of the sink. He swallowed his heart back down into his chest, looked down, and opened his eyes.

“Aw, crap, Ali.” He stared in disbelief at the negative sign on the little plastic stick and sighed. Looking up and meeting her relieved gaze, he gave her a weak smile. “I guess it’s all going to be okay then, huh?”

“Yeah,” she smiled back.

So why do I suddenly feel so empty? And why does it hurt so much?

Mika’s end note: And why the hell am I suddenly crying when I knew how this was all gonna end?  *sniff sniff*

Code Red 2: Life Sentence ~ Chapter 6

Mika’s Note: When I originally wrote this, I was anxious for a baby.  A good friend of mine screamed NOOOOOOOOO!  Ali’s not ready!  Assuming, of course, that Shana would follow right behind.  I was still undecided at the time I finished this chapter.

Some Beach

Ali stood at the sink, head hanging, fingers grasping the countertop desperately. She stared at her haggard reflection in the stainless steel. “Please, just shoot me now,” she muttered. After another week of attitude, Stone had forced her to take a week off. Or else. She often wondered if he thought she would murder someone in the hall for looking at her wrong. He might not have been far off the mark.

She’d opted to come home to Nevada for those few days after reading online that Blake had a concert scheduled in Baltimore during her time off. She figured that was when he’d wanted to see her. Better that she just not be there at all and remove the temptation. For both of them. Another wave of nausea hit her hard and she gripped the sink tightly.

“Ali?” came a familiar, and welcome, voice from the hallway. “Are you here somewhere?”

“Yeah, I’m in here, Albie.”

Albert pushed open the door to the kitchen and just looked at his long-time friend. Frowning, he came up behind her and put his hand on her back. “Babe, are you okay?”

“No. I’m dying. Leave me in peace. And why are you here?”

“I’m still worried about you and don’t give me any of that ‘I’m fine’ crap, because I know you’re not. And, after talking to Blake the other day, I know he’s not either.” He gently turned her until she was facing him. “After listening to him cry, I figured I owed it to the both of you to come after you.” Lifting her chin to meet her gaze, he smiled and looked into her worried eyes. “I also doubt you’re dying. Now, spill it.”

“I’m pregnant.”

“WHAT?”

“You heard me.”

“How late are you?”

“Just about two weeks. But…”

“But, it’s only two weeks. You’ve never been very predictable in that area, you know. And you have been later.”

“Yeah, I know, but then, I’ve never felt like this either.” She gripped her stomach and made a face.

“Like what?”

“Sick. Dizzy. Headachy. Weepy. Too tired to give a…”

“Shit.”

“Well, I was going for a different ending, but close enough.” She’d have laughed, but her tummy would have revolted on her.

He waved one hand in the air. “No, I didn’t mean that. I just meant, ‘Shit, you probably are then’. That’s all.”

“That’s all, he says. Shoot me before Lockhart finds out. Please.”

Albie shook his head and pulled her into a hug. “Caleb’s not gonna find out. Have you taken a test yet?”

Ali shook her head. “Woke up too sick these last few days to do much of anything. Been too dizzy to try and drive.”

“Okay then,” he began. “First order of business is to go get a test. Go lay down. I shouldn’t be too long.”

“You don’t have to…”

“Of course I do. Besides, I need to know if I should take some of my leave time to do some ‘hunting’ of my own.”

“Albert Rogan!”

Laughing, he kissed her cheek. “I’m only teasing. But, have you talked to him lately?”

“No. Not since I gave him the bad news. Not sure what I’d say even if I had.” She paused and caught her friend’s gaze. “You do realize that this could be my ass. Getting preggo is one thing, but doing it with a man I knew I shouldn’t have been involved with? Stone’ll hang me by my toes.”

“I know, but we’ll worry about that when we know for sure, okay?” She nodded and flopped onto the couch. “Until then, try not to freak out on me, okay? It’s my first day back home. You coulda waited until tomorrow to do this to me.” He kissed her forehead and pulled a blanket over her prone form. “Be right back, babe.”

Ali adjusted the pillow and promptly fell asleep.

*~*~

Grabbing the Walgreens bag, Albert climbed out of the Jeep and locked the door. He was halfway up the drive when he heard his name. Turning, he stumbled when he saw who was coming up behind him.

“Hey Albie, wasn’t expecting you here. Thought you were gonna be gone for a month?”

Shit! “Hey Blake, got things done and over with sooner than expected. That always makes the uppity-ups happy.”

“Yup, sure does. Is she home?”

“Yeah, she was just flopping on the couch when I was leaving. How’d you know she was here?”

“Shana told me when I called the apartment. Told me she was alone and unsupervised.” He laughed an evil laugh. “Whatcha got?”

“Um, aspirin. She had a headache.”

“Ah. Lacking something in her diet, maybe?” He gave the other man a grin to match his evil laugh.

Despite everything, Albie couldn’t help but laugh. “Mmm… could be.”

Blake clapped him on the back and let himself into the house. Albie hid the pregnancy test behind his back and escaped to his bathroom to hide the incriminating evidence.

*~*~

“Hey Cookie,” Blake murmured, kneeling down beside her.

“Later, Albie. I don’t wanna think ‘bout it now.”

“Huh?”

“Ignore her,” Albie interrupted. “She talks crazy when she’s half-asleep.”

“Ah, gotcha.” He placed a gentle kiss on her nose and let her sleep.

“Care for a grilled cheese? It’s about the extent of my culinary skills.”

“Sure. That’s about as gourmet as I get.”

*~*~

Ali awoke to the smell of grilled cheese and dill pickles. Forcing her eyes open, she threw off the blanket and staggered into the kitchen. “You are SO gonna make me like, I dunno, five of them things. Now.”

Almost choking on his sandwich, Albie looked up and grinned. “Sure thing, babe.” He pulled the skillet out of the sink and began buttering bread.

“So,” Blake began, “does this mean I’m in the doghouse?” He affected a pathetic pout.

“Huh?” she asked, startled. “Shit! Where’d you come from?”

“Oklahoma. Where’d you come from?” Flashing that grin at her, he got up from his seat at the kitchen counter. Blake reached out to pull her towards him and she took a step back. “Crap. I really am in the doghouse. First you ignore me, now you’re not letting me near you.” He looked hurt. “What’d I do?” he asked quietly. “I know that this is like, an illicit meeting and all, but I thought you’d be happy to see me at least.”

Get it together! She scolded herself quietly. “I’m sorry, Cowboy. I honestly didn’t see you sitting there when I came in. And for the rest, I’m just not awake yet and all that survival crap sticks with you.” She forced herself to go to him and let him hold her. It took all she had to not panic in his arms. “I am happy to see you, though, even if it could cost me my rank.” She tried to laugh her fear and anguish off.

“Mmm… I see,” he mumbled, burying his face in her neck. “I suppose I forgive you.” Relieved, he let her go.

“Here,” Albie handed over three grilled cheese and a handful of dill pickle chips. “I’ve gotta go pack.”

“Pack?” Ali and Blake looked at each other.

“Jinx!” Albie yelled and rushed off to his room.

Ali watched him run off down the hall. Blake watched Ali put away all three sandwiches without pausing.

“I love a woman with an appetite,” he reminded her lovingly.

Horrified, she realized all three sandwiches and the pickles were gone. “Whoops! Hungrier than I thought.”

“Apparently.”

Albert appeared back in the kitchen, a small olive green duffle bag in one hand. Blake eyed him and the duffel warily. “Where are you going? You just got home.”

“Um,” he flicked his gaze towards the tall cowboy beside her. “Gotta mini-job to do. Just remembered it.”

“You are so full of…”

“Blake, please,” she laughed. “Are you going to the base to crash?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?” Blake looked him over, worried he’d done something else wrong.

“Because, Cowboy, he’s afraid you’re gonna stay.”

“Is that a problem?”

“Not for me. You, Albie?”

“Not if I’m not here, it isn’t.” He grinned and kissed her cheek. “Just call me and let me know when the ‘code red’ has ended. ‘Kay?”

Trying to hide the blush creeping up her cheeks, Ali muttered, “Sure.”

Albie shook hands with Blake and wished him luck. “What’s a ‘code red’ and why do I need luck?”

“A ‘code red’ is the prospect of a well, a really good evening. Or weekend. Or well, you get the idea.” She was blushing so furiously now; she couldn’t even look him in the eye.

“Mmm… nice. So why’d he wish me luck then?”

“Probably since I almost killed my last boyfriend on a long weekend.” He’d also turned out to be a traitor, trying to gather sensitive intelligence at her expense, but she wasn’t about to tell him that.

“Ahh… what a way to go, though!” Blake laughed and pulled her into his arms. “So, what do you say? We’re both fed. You’ve had a nap. Should we start the interrogation now?” He nipped at her earlobe, sighing his hot breath along her neck.

Ali shivered at the expectation of an unplanned romp with the hottest man she’s ever known. “Absolutely!” Taking his face in her hands, she pressed her lips against his and forced her tongue into his mouth. He willingly allowed her in, meeting her tongue with his. Ali was just beginning to melt when she felt a vibration at her hip.

“Dammit!” She pulled her phone out of its holster and glared at the caller ID. “Go on back, I’ll be right there.” She pecked him on the cheek and swatted his backside.

“Yes ma’am!” he mock saluted, pulling his shirt off as he headed towards her room.

Ali shook her head and answered her cell. “This better be good.”

Laughter. “Could it get any better? I put the thing in my medicine cabinet. Don’t forget to use it!”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Thanks.”

“Love ya, babe.”

“Love ya too, ya nut.”

Albie disconnected and Ali left her phone ‘accidentally’ on the kitchen counter.

*~*~

Ali snuggled deeper into the covers and closer to her lover. He pillowed her head on his shoulder and held her close with his free arm. Content and satisfied, they were both on the brink of sleep.

“I’ve missed you, Cookie.”

“I’ve missed you, too, Cowboy.”

Within minutes, he was breathing deeply. Ali resisted the urge to let his slow, even breathing lull her to sleep. She still had one very important thing she needed to do.

As soon as she was certain he was asleep, she eased his arm off her, and slipped out of bed. She padded down the hall to her brother’s bedroom. Taking a deep breath, she opened his door and let herself inside. Snagging a freshly laundered T-shirt off his dresser, she pulled it over her head and attempted to cover something of herself.

She opened the bathroom door and rooted in the medicine cabinet until she found what she was looking for. Staring at the box, she began to cry.

“Care to explain that to me?” Blake asked from behind her, motioning to the box in her hand.

“What? I mean, I thought you were asleep.” Nice recovery there, Hart.

“I was. Then I got cold and you weren’t there anymore. What’s going on?” Worry creased his forehead and laced his seductive blue eyes.

Ali sighed, resigned to the fact of the matter at hand. She lifted the box up and showed him. She watched him turn even paler as his suspicions were confirmed. “Blake…”

“How long have you known? Or suspected, I guess?”

“Just a couple days.”

“And you were gonna tell me when?”

“As soon as I was able to use this damn thing!” She hadn’t meant to shout, but her nerves were more frayed than ever.

“Sorry. Sheesh.” He turned to walk out of the doorway.

Ali reached out and grabbed his arm, watching how the muscles played under the taut skin. “I’m sorry. I’ve been really stressed these last few days. I could lose my job, you know.”

“No, I didn’t know. You’d get booted from the military for being pregnant?”

“Not exactly. It’s more like HOW and WHEN and with WHOM it all happened.” She paused a moment and frowned. “I doubt it’d even matter that it’s been months since that assignment ended. I can hear Caleb now, ‘It’s the principle of the matter, Lieutenant’.” She shook her head sadly.

“Mmm… I see. So, why didn’t you call? Even if you didn’t know, and you were worried, you could have called me.” He held out his arms and hugged her hard. “I need you. I care about you. I want to help you. And I don’t give a damn that your general ordered us to stay apart. If you’re having my baby, I am here. End of story.”

“I know. You’re just… you, I guess. Superstar and all that crap. I didn’t want you to panic and foul things up for yourself. I certainly didn’t want to screw up your career. I’ve done enough of that to my own lately.” She sighed heavily and kissed his chest. “Besides, I knew Albie would be home in a day or two and he’d smack me around and make me do the right thing.”

Blake started to laugh suddenly. “Sorry,” he mumbled, laughing even harder.

“What’s so funny?”

“When I met him in the driveway, he said he’d gone to get aspirin for your headache. Couldn’t even go get your own test?”

“Too dizzy to drive.”

Blake looked down at her and smiled. “Too ditzy to drive maybe. Now, are you gonna use that thing or do I need to hold it for you?”

Growling, she pushed his naked body out of the bathroom and slammed the door in his face.

*~*~

“Okay, Cookie. It’s been three minutes. Come out, come out wherever you are…”

Ali looked at the white stick sitting on the bathroom sink. “Crap.” Sighing, she let him in. “There,” she pointed to the offending object. “Go look.”

Blake took a deep breath and steeled his nerves to what he was about to see. What was it going to reveal? Baby? No baby? Would this tear them apart either way? He knew one thing for certain: he couldn’t let anything ever come between them now. Not ever. No matter what it took, he was on a mission to get her back for good. He closed his eyes as he stepped to the edge of the sink. He swallowed his heart back down into his chest, looked down, and opened his eyes.

“Aw, crap, Ali.”

Code Red 2: Life Sentence ~ Chapter 5

The Hardest Part

Pulling herself off the floor, she leaned against the bathroom sink and stared at her pale reflection. “This just can’t be happening to me,” she muttered. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself the luxury of a few self-indulgent tears.

The tinkling of music snapped her eyes open. Her cell phone was ringing. Grasping her robe more tightly around her, she abandoned the bathroom for her bedroom. Rustling around in the mess she’d left on her nightstand, she finally found it and answered, somewhat breathless. “Hello? Lt. Hart.”

A soft chuckle filtered over the line. “Morning, Cookie. Did I disturb you?”

Blake. “No, Cowboy, not at all. I was… just getting out of the shower. Sorry I took so long.” Please God, don’t let him hear that I’ve been crying.

The earlier chuckle became a throaty, all-male laugh. “Nice visual there, I think I like it.”

“You are a pig,” she teased.

“And it’s why you like me so much, isn’t it?”

He knew her too well. “But of course!” She felt her heart fall into her stomach at this easy banter. She still hadn’t been able to break the bad news to him and now, now… this. “So, why are you calling me so early in the morning? Or are you just coming home?”

“Yeah, just got in,” he muttered, sounding slightly embarrassed. “Two shows tonight.” He paused, thinking quickly and deciding to move forward. “I am going to be near you soon and I wanted to see you again.”

Her heart plummeted even farther. “Can’t do that,” she whispered, dreading the next words out of his mouth.

“Busy?”

“No,” she hedged, “not quite.”

“What’s ‘not quite’ mean, Cookie?” His voice had taken on a hard edge.

“Forgive me, but I don’t know how to say this without hurting you.”

“Then just say it,” he spat angrily.

Ali bit her trembling bottom lip, angrily forcing the tears back into their ducts. “I’ve been ordered to stay away from you.”

“What the fuck?” he screamed. “Why? What the hell is it now? It’s not like you’re still my baby sitter or anything!”

“No, I’m not, and I almost wish I was.” The tears had fought back and won, streaming steadily down her cheeks now.

“What’s wrong? Why this, why now?” At least he didn’t sound like he wanted to rip her throat out any longer.

“General Stone. Or, rather, Bryan and his best pal, Caleb.”

He understood now. Her ex and his upper level best friend were out to not just break them up, but keep them apart as well. “Why are they doing this to us? I only just found you and now I have to let you go? I won’t. I can’t. Cookie?”

“I’m sorry, Blake, but I don’t have any choice. Bryan’s jealous, and he’s involving Caleb because he knows I’m encouraging Shana to break away. And Stone…” the tears were close to choking her now. “Stone at least makes sense. Your life is very high profile. By the nature of my job, I have to stay very low profile. A relationship with someone like you is sure to blow my cover. I don’t like it…”

He sighed. “But it does make sense. I never meant to jeopardize your job, or you. I’m sorry.” Blake could feel the tightness closing in on his throat suddenly.

“But it sucks.”

“Yeah, it does. Do I at least get to say good-bye?”

“You’re giving up, just like that?” She was incredulous; he would let her go without a fight?

“I don’t want to, but I’ve met that general of yours. He’d toss me in the pokey without a second thought if I did anything other than what he says. He told me so and I believe him.” The invisible hand clenching at his throat moved lower and squeezed at his heart. “Is there anything either of us can do?”

She shook her head and laughed.

“What’s so funny?”

“Other than me shaking my head at the phone? Nothing.” The sound of his laughter eased the ached in her soul just a bit. “Sadly, once General Michael E. Stone makes up his mind, there’s no changing it.”

“So, no good-bye then.” It was a statement, not a question.

“No,” she whispered. “Our last night together was our good-bye.”

“If I’d known that, I wouldn’t have ever left.”

“I know, Cowboy, and I’m sorry.” And you don’t know just how sorry, either. “I’m going to miss you.”

He looked out the kitchen window and stared absently into his back yard. “I’m going to miss you, too. “

“Good-bye, Blake.”

“Good-bye, Allyson. Thank you for not allowing the bad guys to fill me full of holes.”

The corner of her mouth quirked up at that. “Anytime you need a bodyguard,” she teased and hung up.

~*~

“General, I’m worried about my sister. “

“It’s a bit of heartache, Rogan, she’ll get over it,” Caleb Lockhart spat out. “And probably not even heartache at that.”

“Yeah,” Bryan snorted, “more like a loin ache, I’d guess.”

“Lockhart,” General Stone growled, “and Tracey, that will be enough!” Looking at Lt. Rogan, he glared. “And why are you so worried about her. She’s a grown woman.”

“I know that,” he replied indignantly. “But, she’s not eating, she’s not sleeping, and Shana says she’s been physically ill these last few days. She won’t talk to me or to Shana.”

He stared hard at his lieutenant while considering his options. If he didn’t at least agree to talk to her, there’d be hell from both Rogan and the irrepressible redhead. “I’ll talk to her. Go back to work.”

Albert saluted. “Yes sir.”

~*~

“You requested my presence, sir?” she tried to joke, but without any real heart in it.

“Yes, Lieutenant, I did. Have a seat.”

Allyson sat, worried about was was coming next. “I have been doing as you requested.”

General Stone gazed at her, not understanding at first, and then the realization hit him. “For once, he is not the reason you’re here.” She visibly relaxed and he wondered at that briefly. “No, rather, this time it is because of your brother.

She groaned and rolled her eyes. “What did he and Bazooka do this time?”

Stone gave a belly laugh that shook the small office. “Oh, no, nothing like that. Not today anyway. However, he is concerned for your wellbeing.”

Ali blinked. “Huh?”

“He and Shana are concerned about your health. She says you’ve been ill and your brother concurs.”

Aw, hell. “I feel fine, General.”

“And emotionally? How are you there?”

Double hell. “As well as can be expected, considering.”

“Considering what?”

Considering the fact that I’m almost positive I’m pregnant with the baby of a man I’m not even allowed to see? “Considering you took one of my best friends away from me and insisted I never see him again.”

“You barely knew him!”

“Yeah, and sometimes you just click with someone. Sometimes, General, it’s just right. May I go now?”

“Yes. Dismissed. And shape up or there will be trouble.”

She rolled her eyes inwardly. “Yes. Sir.”

~*~

“Albie?” Ali poked her head into the rec room and looked around for her brother. “You in here?”

“Over here, cutie,” called Bazooka, head down over a foosball table.

“Hey sis,” Albie greeted her, not taking his eyes from the heated match he was sharing with his friend. “How are… OUCH!” He looked up at her then. “Why’d you just hit me?”

She frowned hard at him. “I know you mean well, but please, stop trying to help. I do not need to be grilled by General Stone over my current emotional state. It’s fragile enough as it is.”

“I’m sorry,” he told her honestly, leaving the game half finished to hug her. “He said he was just going to talk to you.”

“I know,” she reassured him, “but you know how he is, especially where Blake is concerned.”

Albie looked at his feet. “If I hadn’t…”

“Shana would. I know. And I’m thankful you beat her to the punch. She’d have made a mess of things. But now? Just leave it alone, okay? I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine.”

“Bazooka? You stay out of it too.”

“Sorry,” he muttered.

“Don’t be, but you are all causing me grief with your well-meaning help. Got me?” They both nodded, not happy, but knowing she was right. “Now , someone call Red so we can get some dinner. I’m starved.”

Code Red 2: Life Sentence ~ Chapter 4

Mika’s Note: Yeah, so I was gone for more than a few days.  Sorry. LOL

Coming Clean

The plate of food sat on the table in front of her, untouched. She hadn’t eaten all day and yet, she couldn’t bring herself to eat this, either. Her stomach was in knots.

“Ali?” her brother asked concerned, “Are you okay?”

She shook her head. “No, not really.”

“You’ve been acting weird all week, wanna talk about it?”

She frowned. “Not really, but I suppose I should.” She picked up a tortilla chip and sighed. Crunching on the cheese and sour cream covered bit of chip, she chewed and thought how to break the news to her brother. “I’ve been ordered to break off my relationship with Blake.”

“What?” The shrill response startled both Ali and Albert.

“Hey Shana,” Albie called out once his heart had started beating again.

“Geez, you scared me.”

“Well, you just scared me too, chickie,” the redhead informed her, plopping down next to her and reaching for her roommate’s nachos. “I thought you just said you were dumping Mr.. HotStuff Cowboy.”

Ali sighed again. “I have to.”

“What the fuck for?” Albert. Never one to mince words.

“No choice. Stone’s afraid that his um, fame will blow my cover and thus ruin every possible future mission.”

“And thus dooming the free world to a fate worse than death,” Shana finished for her, quoting one of their general’s favorite scenarios.

“Something like that,” she mumbled. “More like ruining any chance I had to be happy for a change, that’s for sure.”

Taking her hand, Albie gave it a squeeze. “Have you talked to him yet?”

She shook her head. “Not yet, I don’t even know what to tell him.”

“How about your C.O. is a dumbass?” Shana looked at her two friends and their frowns. “What? Works for me.”

A smile quirked up one half of Ali’s mouth. “Works for me too, but I doubt Blake will accept that.”

“So, what then?”

“I don’t know, Red, but I do know it won’t be easy. He and Leslie had a big row after the awards show. She admitted to her infidelities and he walked away. I don’t know what to say that’s not going to make him feel just as betrayed.”

“Try him, sis,” Albie assured her. “You might be surprised.”

She shrugged. It was possible, although she wasn’t ready to admit it. The possibility that Blake might go along with the dissolution of their almost-relationship hurt more than the idea she had to give him up. After all, didn’t that mean the relationship was that easy to let go of? “Maybe,” she admitted.

“I think that, for once, Albie might be right, Ali.” She squeezed her friend’s arm, wishing there was more she could do. “Hopefully he’ll at least understand, even if he doesn’t like it.”

Ali nodded, fighting back the sudden onslaught of tears forming behind her eyes. What the hell was wrong with her these days? Ever since her last visit with Blake, she’d become more and more prone to tears. And she never cried. Never. “Doesn’t look like I have much choice, wish me luck.”

“Luck,” they chimed in unison.

“Thanks, and I better get going. Lots to do and more piling up all the time.” She shrugged, trying to act unconcerned and failing miserably. “I think Bryan is bound and determined to keep me buried under a mountain of paperwork until I agree to date him again.”

“God help us all,” Shana replied, watching her best friend walk away.

“Amen,” Ali called back over her shoulder. “See you at home later.”

“I’ll have the tequila ready!” she shouted encouragingly. As soon as Ali had disappeared from sight, she caught Albert’s gaze. “Is she really okay?”

He looked from where his sister had disappeared over to the redhead sharing the table. “I think so. I know she’s upset, but she’s not one to dump her feelings on anyone, you know.”

“Yeah, I know, but she’s been acting oddly. And she’s pale. And not sleeping. I’m worried.”

Sighing, Albie took Shana’s hand and gave it a quick squeeze. “She’s in pain. She’s been alone way too long and now she’s having to give up the one thing that’s making her happy. Give her some time, okay?”

Shana nodded. “Okay. Thanks.”

“Anytime.”

The Girl and Her Ache

Mika’s Note: This is a very personal piece for me.  My best friend had a bad marriage.  Her husband left before their child was ever born, I believe, and if not, not very long after the baby arrived (it’s been 11 years, I forget, so sue me).  That poor child has this huge hole in her heart that he left and she can’t find a way to fill it without finding him.  I wish I could hug her and tell her that she’s so much better off, but I don’t think she would understand, and that’s a good thing, trust me, that not knowing things can be much worse.  Sometimes, it’s better when the Daddies don’t stay.  Just don’t ask me how I know.

I stood listening to the poor young girl just spilling her heart out over the father she never knew. All the hurt, anger and frustration she’d kept locked inside for the past eleven years overflowed and poured out before me. Her mother sat off to one side, frowning. Mom knew how lucky the poor thing was to have never known her father; the girl had no clue.

Yet, I had been on both sides and knew things that neither of them had a clue to. This is why I was there. Mom had the girl’s best interests at heart, and only wanted her child happy. She knew that deep down, once her budding pre-teen found the man she so desperately sought, that she’d be saddened, broken, and disappointed. However, what she failed to accept was that this, like so many other hurtful ventures, was a needed and necessary part of growing up. Something she needed so she could finally move on. Move forward.

Not pleasant by any means, but something the girl needed to do in order to become the person she was destined to be.

I took the girl’s hand and squeezed it gently. She looked up at me, blue eyes full of tears, and offered up a trembling smile. “So, do you get it? Do you understand or are you like her?” She looked across her shoulder at her mother. Not judging, just questioning.

I shrugged. “Don’t blame your mother; she understands more than you can know. She’s just trying to do her best.” She had, after all, been by my side through most of what had shaped me all those years ago.

The girl sighed. “I know, but she’s not making it any easier.”

Nodding, I agreed. It was a mother’s job to protect, to coddle, to keep safe. “It’s because she knows you have a lifetime of heartache before you, she wants to spare you as much of that as she can.”

The girl nodded, I think she knew that all along, but her quest kept her from acknowledging it. The desire to know, to discover, and to find closure burned in her blue eyes. “But I need this.”

Again, I nodded. I knew so well what she meant. I’ve been there. I’ve suffered the daily heartache of having a father who wanted nothing to do with you. At least, in her case, he’d left and gone away. Mine still came home every night, forcing the rejection into my young, pre-teen face, over and over until I no longer thought I could bear it. And yet, still I strove to make him proud, make him accept and maybe, eventually, want me.

Commiserating on her need to fill that empty space in her chest, to find that acknowledgement and approval that she thinks she lacks, I smiled softly. “I know I needed it once too.”

“How did you get past it?”

She is entirely too perceptive for one of her age, I realized suddenly. “I forgave him.”

The blonde child blinked at me and frowned. “That’s it?”

“That’s it,” I agreed. Sadly, for me, the forgiveness came too late, not until he’d been taken from me and there was no longer a chance for reconciliation.

“How could you give him that?”

It wasn’t easy. He’d destroyed me, more thoroughly than anyone ever could have. He tore down my defenses, beat my self-esteem into submission, and gave me reason to doubt every thought I’d ever had before or since. And yet…

And yet, it wasn’t him that I hated. Near the end, as an adult, I finally came to understand that it wasn’t him who had abandoned me. It was the alcohol. It was the addiction that had torn him away from his family, his job, his life. It abducted him and replaced him with someone no one knew. And that was what had happened to this child as well. The drugs, the lies, the addiction had stolen her father away from her.

She needed to discover that. Would it be easy? Not by a long shot. Did I think she could handle it? Absolutely. She had the heart of gold, an unbelievable group of people who already loved her, supported her, and wanted her. His rejection would hurt, but eventually, I was sure she could find the strength to forgive as well.

“You just let go. You let go of the ache in your heart, the anger in your soul, and the desire to be perfect for him.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Maybe not now, but soon. I promise you that much. One day, you’ll wake up and discover that you can move on. That you don’t need his acceptance any longer to be a whole, beautiful person. It’ll be the most freeing experience of your life. And then you can truly begin to heal.”

She looked over at her mother again, smiling this time. “Okay, but I still need to find him. I don’t know if I can ever move on if I don’t.”

Mom nodded sadly. “I know, and I will do what I can. And you know, that no matter what, when this is all said and done, that I will be there for you, right?”

The girl smiled more broadly. “Of course. I couldn’t do this without you.”

I smiled. She’ll never know just how lucky she was to have grown up with such a loving family surrounding her. How grateful she should be for that hold in her heart, instead of a hole in her soul like I had for most of my life. I’d not change things for me, my trials have helped me become who I am, but if I can spare one child that anguish, then it’s worth it. If I can help this one child that I adore so much, than I have achieved something worthy.

And that in itself is healing the emptiness inside me, my heart, my soul, my very being, making me whole all over again.

Code Red 2: Life Sentence ~ Chapter 3

Mika’s Note: This is it for now, more next week sometime.  Enjoy!

Back to the Grind

They’d managed to steal four days alone before Ali’s leave time was up. Reluctantly, they said good-bye and went their separate ways. Ali went back to her headquarters in Washington, DC; Blake back to his sometime-home in Nashville before heading back to his real home outside of Tulsa.

Ali sat with her booted feet propped on her desk, thinking on her recent mission to Peru. The situation there had been handled and the rebels, aka terrorists, had been contained. Something still didn’t make sense but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Yet. She leaned back in her chair and tapped her lips with a finger.

“Let it go,” the voice told her.

She looked up and met the soft brown eyes of fellow soldier, Andrew Kash. “Hey Andy, let what go?”

“Whatever it is you’re thinking so hard about. It can’t be good.”

Ali grinned, sitting up in her chair and putting her feet back on the floor. “I was just rehashing our last mission.”

Andrew frowned. “See, I told you it wasn’t good.” He leaned forward and rested his forearms on the edge of her desk. “What has you rethinking that one? We went in, we got out, none of the good guys got hurt.”

“Yeah,” she agreed, “but something’s still not right. We never found their ring leader and that worries me.”

He shrugged, unconcerned. “They all slither back to the same dank hole eventually, so why worry?”

“I dunno,” she admitted, “I just feel like we missed something and it’s annoying me.”

“Better put it out of your mind soon. Just heard General Stone discussing a possible new mission with Caleb and Bryan. I think your office was their next stop.”

“Thanks for the heads up. I can look busy then.”

Laughing, he couldn’t pass up the chance to tease her a little. “Also gives you time to get him off your mind.”

Ali growled and he ran for the door. “Jerk,” she muttered. Approximately three minutes later there was a knock on her door. “Enter.”

General Stone entered followed by her two commanding officers, Bryan and Caleb. “Afteroon Lieutenant, may we have a seat?”

She wasn’t so sure she liked this; for any kind of mission debriefing or discussion she’d have been summoned to them. The fact that they had come to her boded ill for everyone. “Of course, General. Can I get any of you a drink?” She had a mini fridge stocked with bottled water and Frappuccinos for those times when she desperately needed a caffeine fix.

“No thank you, Allyson,” Stone replied, urging her to sit. “We’ve come to,” he looked at his two right hand men, momentarily at a loss for words, “have a bit of a discussion with you.”

“Okay,” she began, slightly afraid. “Any other time, I probably would be aware of what I’d done to deserve a confrontation like this, but for once I’m at a loss. Enlighten me.”

Caleb frowned. “I think you’re pretty sure of what you’ve done.”

“Huh?” Ali looked from face to face trying to find some hint of the crime she’d committed but wasn’t getting any help. “Okay, so call me stupid, but I really don’t know.”

“It’s probably because she doesn’t think it was wrong,” Bryan snorted angrily. “Sleeping with a man committed to another woman doesn’t generally cross her mind as wrong.”

“Fuck me,” she mumbled under her breath. “This is about Blake then, I’m guessing?”

“Yes,” General Stone started, leaning forward in an effort to intimidate her. She’d known him for too many years however, he didn’t intimidate her in the least. “It has been brought to my attention that you’ve had an… interlude… with the man.”

Ali choked on the mouth of water she’d taken. Interlude? She swore they’d performed entire concerts… “Excuse me?”

Bryan opened his mouth, ready with an angry response, but the good General beat him. “I have reason to believe you’ve been intimate with Mr. Matson, Allyson.”

Looking from Bryan to Caleb, she realized that they’d either assumed she would or had found out somehow. Undaunted and unashamed she wasn’t worried that she’d done anything really wrong. “And?”

“And you damn well knew you weren’t allowed!” Bryan managed to get his nasty retort in this time.

“Allowed? Are you my father now? I sure as hell hope not because…”

“Bryan! Allyson!” General Stone bellowed. “Stop it now.”

“Yes sir,” they muttered, glaring at one another.

“What he means is that you knew going in that any sort of fraternization between the two of you was not permitted. You broke that rule.”

“Only after the mission was finished.”

The General squeezed his eyes shut, hoping he really hadn’t heard her correctly. “So they’re right then,” he asked her, slowly opening his eyes to look at her.

“Yes, sir,” she admitted, frightened for the first time since they’d arrived.

“Lieutenant, you do know that that’s not allowed either?”

“If I had known, do you think I would have done it?” Seventeen times.

Stone let out a heavy breath. “When did you last see him?”

“My last visit home, a week or so ago.”

“Make sure that it’s your last.” General Stone stood to leave and motioned to the other two to do the same.

“But General…”

“No buts, Allyson. You know the rules.”

“And this is a new one for me,” she fumed.

Bryan crossed his arms and smirked, waiting for the fireworks to fly.

Stone looked around and frowned. “Bryan, Caleb, wait for me back at my office.”

“But,” they both spluttered, disappointed at missing what was sure to be a real show.

“Now,” he growled.

“Yes, sir,” they muttered and slinked out the door.

Ali glared. “When did the rules change?”

Stone held his hands up. “I’m sorry, but I have no choice. Keeping your identity on the down-low is high priority. If you start dating someone who is so high profile, it will blow your cover. Makes it hard to go unnoticed when everyone knows who you are.”

He had a point there, she had to admit. “I have no intentions of being in the spotlight with him. He even said that he didn’t want to share me with the world. I don’t see…”

“Because you are blind. You know what you have to do, now do it. Understand?”

Ali nodded, unhappy. Blake was going to be pissed. And that’s if she was lucky.

Chapter 4: Coming Clean

The plate of food sat on the table in front of her, untouched. She hadn’t eaten all day and yet, she couldn’t bring herself to eat this, either. Her stomach was in knots.

“Ali?” her brother asked concerned, “Are you okay?”

She shook her head. “No, not really.”

“You’ve been acting weird all week, wanna talk about it?”

She frowned. “Not really, but I suppose I should.” She picked up a tortilla chip and sighed. Crunching on the cheese and sour cream covered bit of chip, she chewed and thought how to break the news to her brother. “I’ve been ordered to break off my relationship with Blake.”

“What?” The shrill response startled both Ali and Albert.

“Hey Shana,” Albie called out once his heart had started beating again.

“Geez, you scared me.”

“Well, you just scared me too, chickie,” the redhead informed her, plopping down next to her and reaching for her roommate’s nachos. “I thought you just said you were dumping Mr. HotStuff Cowboy.”

Ali sighed again. “I have to.”

“What the fuck for?” Albert. Never one to mince words.

“No choice. Stone’s afraid that his um, fame will blow my cover and thus ruin every possible future mission.”

“And thus dooming the free world to a fate worse than death,” Shana finished for her, quoting one of their general’s favorite scenarios.

“Something like that,” she mumbled. “More like ruining any chance I had to be happy for a change, that’s for sure.”

Taking her hand, Albie gave it a squeeze. “Have you talked to him yet?”

She shook her head. “Not yet, I don’t even know what to tell him.”

“How about your C.O. is a dumbass?” Shana looked at her two friends and their frowns. “What? Works for me.”

A smile quirked up one half of Ali’s mouth. “Works for me too, but I doubt Blake will accept that.”

“So, what then?”

“I don’t know, Red, but I do know it won’t be easy. He and Leslie had a big row after the awards show. She admitted to her infidelities and he walked away. I don’t know what to say that’s not going to make him feel just as betrayed.”

Code Red 2: Life Sentence ~ Chapter 2

Headlights in the Rain

It had been months; too many months if you asked him. Sadly, no one had bothered. He missed her and the waiting was killing him. “Just a few more weeks,” he whispered to himself. “Just a few more weeks. Then you can see her again. C’mon. It won’t kill ya.” He sighed. “The hell it won’t,” he mumbled loudly. Their prearranged date, set for Valentine’s Day, was much too far in the future for his taste.

He’d last seen her here in October. It was now New Year’s Eve. A dark, rainy New Year’s Eve to boot. “What a way to start a new year,” he thought sourly. “Just what I didn’t need tonight.” The clouds were thick, grey and showed no signs of letting up anytime soon.

Blake let the curtains fall back into place and paced the hotel room. He and his band should’ve been on their way back to Nashville, back home, by now but the nasty weather was keeping them in Vegas for one more night. “There are worse places to be stuck, I suppose,” he grumbled, unconvinced. At least his band mates were enjoying themselves. Someone had to.

Music floated up from his hip suddenly. Snatching his phone up, he glanced at the display. Seeing her name appear, he grinned. “It’s about time, babe. I’ve been waiting weeks to hear from you!”

“Sorry, Cowboy, been out of the country as you are aware. Kinda hard to make calls from Peru, ya know.”

“I suppose,” he teased, not wanting to let her off the hook quite yet, “but it’s still no excuse.”

“Jerk,” she teased back. “So, what’s new with you?”

“Nothin’. Just stuck here in Vegas for the night.”

“Can you get ‘stuck’ in Vegas?” she asked. “Most people I know would kill for a reason to stay over.”

“Well, if it weren’t for this freak rainstorm, I could be on my way home tonight. I need to go home. I want to go home. This trip has worn me out.”

“Gettin' old there, Cowboy.”

“HEY! That’s not nice!”

Ali laughed at his outrage. “Easy boy.”

“It’s hard to be calm when I’m here in the rain and you’re… um, where are you?”

“Home.”

“Home? Not at your headquarters?”

“Nope. I’m home for the first time in ages. Well, actually more like eighteen months, unless you count a day here and a day there, but I don’t.”

“Hmm. So, where’s home for you?”

“Henderson.”

“Hendersonville? Tennessee? Why didn’t you…?”

She cut him off before he could get too excited. “No dork. Nevada.”

“Huh?”

“I think you need some sleep. Henderson, Nevada. I’m probably about fifteen miles from you, at most, depending on where you’re staying.”

“Oh.” Then: “OH! You’re HERE! So, why aren’t you here then?” Meaning with him. Preferably naked.

“Because,” she said, as if explaining the facts of life to a two-year-old, “I didn’t know where you even were until you answered the phone, remember?”

“Oh, yeah. There is that.”

“Are you always this thick?”

“Not always.”

“Just usually?”

“Right. So, how long until you get here?”

“Gonna tell me where you are first?”

“Nope. Ya gotta guess.”

~*~

After checking his website for the venue he’d been performing at, Ali got into her Jeep and headed down to the infamous Las Vegas Strip. Traffic was atrocious and took her almost forty-five minutes to make a routine, twenty-minute trip. Eventually, she pulled into valet and left her keys with the attendant. He took the keys from her and moaned, “So much for the fireworks, huh?”

She nodded in sympathy. One of the nice things about living in Las Vegas was the fireworks. You got them on the 4^th of July, of course, but also on New Year’s Eve, at every casino opening, and anytime the gambling moguls thought it would work to their advantage. “No fear, they’ll shoot ‘em off tomorrow if they can’t tonight.” And it was true. Anything to bring the people back out.

Stepping off to the side, avoiding all the foot traffic, she pulled out her cell phone and dialed.

“Yeah?”

“Hey Cowboy, I’m down at valet. Where are you?”

“Standing right behind you.”

Grinning, she flipped her phone shut and stuffed it into her pocket. “How’d ya know?”

“You’re too smart for your own good.” He pulled her into a tight hug and held her close. “I knew it wouldn’t take you long to find me.”

“So? Dinner or what?”

“Dinner definitely,” he said, reluctantly letting her go. “I’m starved. They’ve got a good steak place here. C’mon.” He reached for her hand and led her into the casino.

~*~

“Glad to see your appetite hasn’t changed any.”

“Stuff it, Blake. I like to eat.”

“And apparently, you aren’t shy about it either.” She threatened him with a forkful of baked potato. “I’m not complaining, I swear!” he laughed, hands in the air, waving in mock surrender.

Ali lowered her forkful of potato and smiled at him. “I’ve missed you.”

“Me too. I mean, you.” Blake sighed and shook his head. “One more time – I’ve missed you too.”

“Amazing. You write beautiful love songs that woo millions of women but can’t tell me whatcha mean for diddly.”

“Putting words on paper is so much easier. Ya don’t have to have a conversation. Ya just talk to the paper and it stays quiet.”

“Mmm. Imagine that, something that doesn’t talk back.”

He glared at her and thought better than to say what he was thinking. Instead, he grabbed the dessert menu out of her hands. Ignoring her protests, he perused the night’s selections and settled on some cheesecake.

~*~

Resisting the urge to lick the whipped cream from the edges of her mouth, she lifted the napkin to her lips and dabbed at it, hoping she got it all. Blake watched her intently, smiling self-consciously the entire time.

“What?”

“Ya shoulda let me get that for you.”

“Do you ever think about things before you say them?”

“Yeah.”

“Bet that was one of those things that sounded better inside huh?”

Ignoring her, he smiled. “Take me home with you.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I’d take you back upstairs but the entire world would know by daybreak. And this is not something I want to share with the whole world.”

“Just my neighbors?”

“Sure, as long as they’re not too nosy.” He leaned in closer to her. “Please?”

She gave in to the smile building behind her lips. “Can’t resist a man who says ‘please.’ Pay for dinner and we’ll go. Although,” she paused, looking at him, “you’re not gonna be impressed.”

“With you? Too late.”

“No, my house. It’s kinda small.”

“I grew up in a small house. I like ‘em.”

“And that’s why you live on 200 acres?”

Blake blushed. “Well…”

“Come on, Cowboy. I’m just teasing.”

Swatting playfully at the back of her head, he followed happily.

~*~

Ali chatted aimlessly on the drive back to her modest place on the outskirts of Las Vegas. Between singing along with the radio and talking about her latest trip, she stole glances at her some-times-between-times-boyfriend. Wishing she could get him more permanently, she sighed.

“What’s the matter, Cookie?”

“Just thinkin’.”

“’Bout what?”

“You and me and a dog named Boo.”

“Funny.” He let the silence fill the car temporarily. He knew what she was thinking because he had the same idea. Not that it’d ever work, but he was more than willing to try. Instead of speaking his mind, he stared out at the stretch of freeway before them. The darkness of the night overpowered the streetlights overhead. Visibility was almost nothing but Ali was an accomplished driver. She’d driven in much worse.

Contemplating what was to come, and ultimately how it’d end, he stared at the play of the headlights in the rain. The halogens were broken up into shards of light by the storm. Solid for a moment, then shattered by the wind and rain. The gusts of wind and downpour of rain echoed Blake’s scattered thoughts and torrent of emotions. He looked at Ali as she concentrated on the road.

“Next exit, almost home.” She glanced quickly at him and frowned. “Don’t think so much. It’s not good for you.”

“Sorry. Just wondering how I’m gonna leave you later.”

“Easy. Don’t.” She grinned mischievously. “Well, not until you have to, anyway.”

Blake grinned despite himself. “Works for me.”

“Good, because we’re home.”

Ali turned into the drive and paused, waiting for the garage to open. “All ashore,” she teased, pulling in and closing the door behind her.

~*~

He sat on the edge of the bed and watched her getting dressed in the moonlight. It was time to go. The call had come half an hour ago, probably when they discovered he wasn’t in his room. Taking her hand as she passed, he pulled her close to him.

“As much as I’d like to, I doubt your band is going to want to wait another hour or two.”

“You don’t have to drive me back. I can call a cab. Stay here and stay warm.”

“Uh-uh. The storm’s died down and besides, I don’t know when I’m gonna see you again. I can’t just let you walk out my door.” She looked away from his pleading blue eyes. “Anyway, at least this way it feels like I have some kind of control.” She let out a long breath. “Here, put your shirt on. We’ve gotta get moving.”

“This sucks.”

“You said it, babe.”

The words had only barely left her mouth before she found herself flat on her back, with Blake smiling down at her. He was still shirtless, looking good in nothing but his jeans. He had his cell phone in his hand and a grin on his face.

“What are you doing?”

Stealing a quick, chaste kiss, he quieted her. “Shhh…” He dialed and listened intently. “Hey. Yeah. It’s me. Look, head on home without me. I’m gonna stick around here for a bit.” Silence. “No, I’ll catch a plane in a few days.” More silence. Blake laughed. “Noooo, nothing like that. What makes you think I’d be shacking up with someone?” He gave Ali a look that spoke volumes. “Nope, I won’t forget. Ha, ha, very funny. Yeah. Have a safe trip. See ya in a few. ‘Kay. Bye.”

Smiling, he closed his phone and tossed it onto the nightstand. Placing a small kiss on her forehead, he whispered, “Happy New Year, babe.” He snuggled down close to her. “Now I don’t have to leave until you throw me out.”

Ali laughed and closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation of his dark curls against her face as he buried his nose in her neck. “As if that’s going to happen!”

“Yeah,” he agreed. “As if.”

Code Red 2: Life Sentence ~ Chapter 1

Mika’s Note: Sure as hell is a good thing I don’t have any avid readers as I just posted a chapter and removed it because DOH it was the WRONG ONE.  LOL  Sorry…

Chapter 1: Rainy Day Blues

Ali looked up from her report to gaze out at the cloudy, grey skies. Sighing at the beauty of a rainstorm in the desert, she forced herself to buckle down and get back to work. If only her mind would cooperate.

Raindrops pounded against the window overlooking her neglected herb garden. Herb forest, as her charming brother Albie referred to it. Basil gone wild. Mint and oregano bushes. That sort of thing. At least the rain kept the bees at bay.

Giving up on the report for the time being, she left her desk and walked to the window. Gazing at the green herbs, her thoughts wandered to her missing half.

“Where are you, Cowboy?” she asked herself. “And are you thinking of me?”

They’d parted ways ten days ago in this same city. He’d called a few times; so had she. He’d even sent her a text or two in the last week and a half. But it wasn’t the same. It certainly wasn’t ‘enough’. Enough what? She wasn’t sure. All she knew was that it wasn’t enough.

Thunder rumbled in the distance followed quickly by a flash of light. Ali hugged her arms around herself and leaned sideways against the wall. The emptiness inside her grew a bit.

“Why aren’t you here?” she whispered.

The sound of her cell phone ringing startled her out of her reverie. Smiling at the caller ID display, she answered, “Hey gorgeous, where are you?”

“You stole my line,” he teased. “So, what are ya up to these days?”

Ali laughed. “Not much. Trying to finish the last of the paperwork left over from the ‘Hick Incident’ as HQ is calling it. Then, in a week, I’m being shipped out again; destination unknown.”

“Unknown?”

“Well, until I’m debriefed, it’s unknown. Classified, rather. Other than that, I’m just standing here watching the rain.”

“I’ve always liked rainy days. Makes a small town even smaller.”

“Yeah, I’m sure.” The silence hung easily between them. “Well, I guess I should finish my report. I’ve got a chair by the fire and a cup of hot chocolate calling my name.”

“Oh. Um, okay.”

“Blake?”

“Yeah?”

“I miss you. A lot.”

“Me too.” He gave a short laugh. “I mean I miss you too.”

“I knew what ya meant, Cowboy.”

“Good.” He paused, taking a deep breath. “When can I see you again?” he said in a rush. “How long are you going to be gone?”

Ali sighed. “I really don’t know, Blake. These assignments can last anywhere from a day or three to several months. This last assignment, your assignment, lasted three months.”

“Crap.”

“My thoughts exactly. I wouldn’t think it would take any longer than 6 weeks, from what I already know about it, which would put me back here around the middle of December.”

“That’s too long. I’m not sure I can wait until December!”

“You are so sad, Cowboy.”

“I can’t help it,” he said in small voice. “I’ve never needed anyone like this before.”

She bit into her bottom lip, feeling as if that pit in her chest had opened up and swallowed her whole. “I don’t know what to tell you. I wish we could make a date for New Year’s, but I have no way of knowing if I’ll be home by then.” Or alive even, she thought in horror. Her upcoming assignment was not a pleasant one.

“Alright, alright…” he began. “How ‘bout Valentine’s Day? That’s longer than I want to wait, but you should be home by February, right?”

“I would hope so.”

“Good. It’s a date then, Cookie. I’ll just miss you until then, I guess.”

“Sorry. Wish there was another option but there just isn’t.” Ali took a deep breath; let it out slowly. She hated what she had to tell him next. “Are you going to be okay while I’m gone? You know you won’t be able to have any kind of contact with me.” Tensely, she waited for the explosion.

“What! Why? How…”

“Blake, honey, I’m being sent out of the country and secrecy is our primary priority. I’m sorry,” she finished lamely.

“How am I gonna keep from going crazy? Not knowing if you’re okay or not? What if…” his voice caught slightly, “… if something happens?”

Her stomach tightened at the hitch in his voice. “I’ll be checking in with HQ regularly. I’ll make sure Albert calls you with updates. It’s the best I can do.”

“Okay,” he agreed sullenly. “I guess it’s better than nothing.”

“Thank you for understanding. It’s hard for me too. I hate leaving my friends, my family really, and I hate leaving you.”

“Glad to hear it.”

She smiled at the sound of the smirk in his voice. “Gee, thanks, honey.” Smiling to herself, she listened to him breathe for a moment, remembering a time she made his heart pound and his breath ragged. “I always miss the simple things the most. The phone calls. The sound of you breathing beside me. Chocolate. That kind of thing. I’ll call you the minute I’m back in the states, okay?”

“You better. I’ve got some more of that breathing to do, ya know?”

Catching his not-so-subtle hint, she laughed out loud. “Sure, I’d be happy to help ya with that. But seriously, as much as I like this, I have got to get this paperwork done. Caleb was kind enough to let me bring it home with me and not make me return to DC with him to finish it. But, he also expects it by morning, so I’ve gotta get working.”

The sound of his sigh saddened her. “Okay. Just don’t forget about me, okay?”

“Not so sure that I could do that if I tried, Cowboy.”

“Watch out for yourself, okay?”

“Always. And take care of you, too, right?”

“Right.” Pause. “Miss you, babe.”

“Miss you too, Cowboy. Talk to you soon.”

“Yeah. Bye.”

Ali closed her cell phone and looked back out at the rain. It had picked up while she was on the phone. Water poured from the heavens in a steady stream. Clean. Refreshing. Cleansing. So why’d she feel like crying suddenly?

“So?”

“So what, Albie?” She didn’t turn to acknowledge him, afraid of what he might see on her face. Albert Rogan knew her a bit too well.

“Sooo, how’d he take the bad news?”

“And what makes you think it was even him?”

“Because you still have your back to me, for one.”

Damn. “He wasn’t too happy at first, but he’s okay with it now, I guess.” She wasn’t sure at all, but he didn’t need to know that.

“That’s good news.”

“I guess.” She turned to face him finally. “You’re gonna have to fulfill your promise now, though.” Seeing the mug of hot chocolate in his hands, she smiled.

He held it out to her. “I even remembered the whipped cream, see?” He waved towards the puff of white floating in her drink. “I had every intention of keeping my promise, even if you hadn’t asked. I know what he’s come to mean to you.”

Ali met his eyes, surprised, her drink halfway to her mouth. “You what?”

“It’s only obvious. If nothing else, spending all that time with him on the road, I knew you’d become friends at least. He’s too nice of a guy not to like.” He watched as she sipped her hot chocolate. “And when you add in his odd sense of humor and those blue eyes, I knew you’d be hooked.”

“Am I that transparent?”

“No, I just knew you were that lonely. Now, don’t argue with me,” he stopped her before she could get started. “Hell, I’m in the same boat, remember? If it wasn’t for you, I’m not sure I’d even remember what a woman was.”

Ali rolled her eyes at him and smiled. “Thank you. For everything.”

“You’ll get my bill in the mail.”

“No doubt,” she grinned, rolling her eyes once more.

Code Red 2: Life Sentence: Info

Okay, so it’s been awhile.  And I have no excuse because, if you had any idea how many pieces I have written in this series, you’d shoot me for holding them hostage.  Or well, maybe not.  LOL

Anyway, I’ve been trying to find a better way to tie the first part in with what came after, and I think I have come to a workable solution.  If not, I’m sure you’ll let me know.  *glares at certain somebodies*  This might take longer to get posted and updated because things have changed in Ali’s world since I first started writing this and I need to make sure I have all my fact straight. LOL  Can’t have Ali complaining now, can I?  She does enough of that crap without a reason.  GIVE her a reason?  *shudders*

LOL

Happy Wednesday Faithful Reader (or two)!

~Mika

Sorry, Wrong Goddess

Mika’s Notes: Written in October 2007, this was written after discovering The Seventh Sanctum and it’s Grimoire of Questionable Spells.  Do I really need to go any farther?

He whirled his wand in the air and pointed it at the angry shopkeeper. He’d been yelling, screaming and throwing a tantrum for nearly fifteen minutes, ever since the brothers had crashed through his storeroom wall with their stolen go kart. “Hear me now, Goddess Ophisti, save this man from himself!”

A bright green blast of light shot forward out of his wand, hitting the angry man square in the chest. The shopkeeper stumbled backwards, flailing his arms in a desperate attempt to keep his balance. Falling backwards, he landed in a pile of empty boxes that had been scattered by the crash.

All was quiet for about thirty-five seconds when the once-angry shopkeeper leaped up and looked around nervously. Flinging an arm to the side, he smashed a box of Cheez-Its, causing them to fall to the floor, adding to the mess in the storeroom.

“What the hell is going on here?” the shopkeeper asked quickly. “Why are all these boxes on the floor? Why are you two back here? This is my store and I don’t want you here can’t have you here now you’ve gotta go. Didn’t you hear me? You’ve gotta get out of here now before I call the police!”

Roderick looked at his twin, eyes wide. “My gods, he didn’t even take a breath. Who the heck did you invoke anyway?”

Ramos shrugged. “Ophisti, the goddess of calm.”

“No, you dork!” Roderick declared, smacking his younger brother in the head. “Ophelti is the goddess of calm. Ophisti is the goddess of chaos in small doses!”

“Oh crap,” Ramos muttered, paling visibly. “You know what this means then?”

“What? That instead of hitting him with the laser of collected thoughts you hit him with the luminous ray of caffeine? You idiot! Sometimes I’m ashamed to be your twin.”

Friendship Quotes

My best friend has been collecting these and sending them to me.  Thought I’d share a few since I’m leaving tomorrow morning to go see her.  Can anyone else here just SEE Dakotah in the Old West?

Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow.  Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead.  Just walk beside me and be my friend. – Albert Camus

I no doubt deserved my enemies, but I don’t believe I deserved my friends. – Walt Whitman.

Friends are the family we choose ourselves. – Edna Buchanan

Only real friends will tell you when your face is dirty. – Sicilian Proverb

Friends are the little prize in the cereal box of life. – Anonymous

LOL  Okay, no more for today.  I have a ton more though, so keep your eyes peeled.  :)

Mika

So You Want to Be A Writer?

Amazingly well written article here, on Ms Beth Kery's blog.  Go check it out.

(Thanks Beth and not that you could write anything bad!)

Mika

I Walk Alone

Mika's Note: And apparently that's truer than I thought. LOL  Posted this to another group and didn't get a single response.  Not even a 'You suck, give it up'.  Hmmm... must be worse than I thought. *G*  Ah, the Muse will smite me for that one, I suppose. 

I walk alone

Watching, waiting

Always wondering where

This life I lead will take me

Will you still be there

Always by my side or

Will your memory wilt

And fade like a dream gone by

The future holds unknown

Every answer I seek

Time will tell

But until that day

I forever walk alone

Dakotah: Interlude ~ Bring Me the Sunset in a Cup

Mika’s Note: Yet another inspired by a writing challenge.  This one was based on the first line of an Emily Dickinson poem of the same name.  This particular piece is just a little over two years old. Poor Sierra. LOL

“Bring me the sunset in a cup…” quote the vampire. “Or how about in a bottle, little one?”

The dark-haired infant squirmed in his crib as his papa picked him up. Dakotah situated his small son against his chest and walked out of the nursery, applying the bottle of breast milk and blood to his lips.

Austen grasped at the bottle of pinkish liquid and sucked for all he was worth. Suck. Suck. Sigh. Suck. Suck. Big sigh. The vampire just shook his head and continued out into the living room where the little dhampir’s mama sat waiting.

“What was that you were mumbling back there?” she asked as she took her son.

“Poetry.”

“Poetry?” Sierra cocked an eyebrow. “A vampire who quotes poetry?” She shook her head. “Now, I really think I’ve seen everything.”

“You ain’t seen nothin’ yet,” Dakotah grinned, doing his best ‘punk’ impersonation.

“Sheesh. What a dork.”

“I’d be careful if I were you, Sierra. This dork has fangs.” He gave her a mock growl.

“Oh yeah. Riiight. Fangs. I think they’re how I got into this situation in the first place,” she lifted the baby outward just a bit to indicate she meant him. “Like I’m sooo scared.”

“Bring me the sunset in a cup,” he began. “Reckon the morning’s flagons up, And say how many dew:”

Sierra raised both eyebrows and looked at her husband oddly.

“Tell me how far the morning leaps, Tell me what time the weaver sleeps, Who spun the breadths of blue!”

“Wow. I’m impressed.”

“It’s Emily Dickinson, and just the first verse. I became enamored of the poem the moment I first read it all those years ago. Nothing has spoken to me quite like these words. It defines a piece of my life that no one quite understands.” He paused and watched her burp their son. “Well, no one that isn’t like me, that is.”

Dakotah walked over and sat beside Sierra. “Please, let me have him again.” Once Austen was nestled quietly against his chest, he went on. “It’s almost like, ‘tell me a story’ and tell me about the day, all you see, all you experience without me by your side. “

“Interesting. So, what brought all this on?”

“I’m not quite sure,” he confessed. “I think it was something about the color of Austen’s dinner.”

Sierra studied her husband for a moment realizing that even after all this time there was still a world of things she did not know about him, and most of which she may never get the chance to discover. That there was more depth to this supposed creature of the night than there was to most ‘deep thinkers’ of her time. She smiled as she wondered what this meant for their child and what kind of man he’d grow to be.

Dakotah: Blood Oath: Chapter 4

Mika’s Note: I’m not sure about this chapter, I teenk it sucks.  And not in the same way Dakotah does. LOL  Oh well ~ this is what I get for taking so long to get where I was going.  *sigh*

Sierra screamed as her heart started beating again. Painfully hard. Awareness flared around her, light stabbing her eyes. Blinking rapidly, she looked around at the scared and concerned faces surrounding her. “What happened?” she whispered.

Dr. Anders cleared his throat. “Apparently, you have a weak heart, Sierra. Giving birth nearly killed you.”

Her eyes widened in fear. “The baby…”

“…is fine,” Dakotah reassured her. “He’s healthy and screaming in the nurse’s arms.”

“Where?”

“In the lobby,” Cheyenne squeezed her sister’s arm. “Are you okay?”

Sierra began to nod yes and then shook it no instead. “I’m not sure. Why do I feel so… weird?”

“Weird how,” Dr. Anders questioned.

She shrugged. “I don’t know how to explain it. Things seem… brighter, clearer somehow.”

“Damnit,” Dakotah growled, “you promised.”

Backing away from the angry vampire, the doctor held up his hands protectively. “I didn’t think…”

“Think? No you surely didn’t think Doctor!”

Before Dakotah could rip out anyone’s throat, Sierra interrupted anxiously, “What the hell are you two arguing about.”

Dakotah scrunched his face up into a look of disgust and despair, an odd combination on so elegant a face. “He insisted I share my blood with you. He was afraid you were going to perish and that was the only way to save you. I refuse to force you to suffer like I have.” He turned and glared at the doctor. “And now it’s too late.”

Sierra was horrified. She knew the hell he suffered through day in and day out. They’d discussed this very thing time and time again, and always came to the same conclusion: neither of them wanted her to come to the dark side. “So I’m now… like you?” The last word was barely audible.

“We don’t know that yet,” Cheyenne added hopefully. “Do we?”

Reluctantly, Dakotah shook his head. “No, but the signs are all there.”

“Can’t you,” she shrugged her shoulders at a loss for a good term, “tell?”

He looked her over and noted her shinier hair, her brighter eyes, the glow to her skin and growled in his throat. But, there was still a lot of her, the human her there as well. “I can try.” Leaning in close, he took a deep breath, in through his nose and held it, briefly, before exhaling. “You still smell human, but there’s one other…”

She screamed again as he moved quicker than she could process and embedded his fangs deep in her neck. One small swallow and he stood back, wiping his mouth. “Am I okay?” Sierra wasn’t sure what had scared her more, the thought of becoming vamp or his sudden lack of respect for her humanness.

He slowly licked the remaining blood off his lips, slowly, thoughtfully. Almost like he was savoring the taste. “You taste… different, but still human. What has happened here?”

Dr. Anders looked nervous before clearing his throat. “I have no way of knowing for sure, but my guess is that she temporarily has some of your abilities. Like an energy drink will give you a temporary boost of power. I would think it should fade in time, but I have no way of knowing how this will affect her in the long run. May I draw some blood to run some tests with?”

Sierra nodded, and smiled weakly. “Only if you bring my baby to me. I can’t believe I’m still without him!”

The doctor looked horrified for a moment. “Of course, right away.”

Cheyenne stopped him before he could run out after the nurse. “Do what you have to do. I’ll get the baby so that we can get them all out of here ASAP.”

He nodded and turned back to Sierra while Cheyenne went in search of the infant. Returning almost instantly, she cradled her new nephew in her arms. Bringing him to her sister’s side, she grinned. “See? He’s perfect. Nurse says he’s adorable and healthy in every way.”

She reached for her child and held him to her chest. His tiny fists were pressed against his pale cheeks, framing two pink lips. A thatch of dark auburn hair topped his head. “What color are his eyes? He’s snoozing much too soundly for me to see.” She stroked his little arm and sighed, happy to finally have him here.

“I think they were blue,” Chey told her, grinning even more broadly. “But we’ll see soon enough, I’m sure.”

Dakotah reached out and touched his son. “I’m sure we will. Let me hold him so you can get ready.”

“Am I able?” She looked to the doctor for his confirming nod.

“Yes, just be careful. And be aware that this is not a normal child. He will require blood as well as his mother’s milk.”

“And how will I get that?” Sierra asked, concerned.

“I will procure it for him, do not worry.”

She looked at her husband as if he’d lost his mind. “How can I not worry?”

He smiled a gentle smile. “We have no idea how much he will need, but even now, I do not need much. We will figure it out and we will make it work.”

She couldn’t argue with that, not really. “Okay then. I’m ready. Are you?” Dakotah and Cheyenne both nodded. “Good. Do we have a blanket for Austen then?”

The doctor blinked for a moment until he realized she was referring to the baby. The blanket he’d been wrapped in was covered in blood and needed changing. “Yes, yes, I do and I think I even have a diaper to send him home in.”

Dakotah shook his head. “Forgot the diaper bag. Bad Mommy.”

“Hey,” Cheyenne threatened. “You be nice to her! She’s had a hard day!”

The vampire looked at his sister-in-law and laughed his first real laugh in weeks. “Oh, so she’s had a hard day, then? And I have not? Almost lost my wife and left with no idea how to raise a child on my own?”

“Oh, okay,” Cheyenne said exasperated, “you have a point.” And then something clicked. “So you decided on Austen after all?”

Sierra nodded. “Yes, I thought it had a nice sound to it – Austen James.”

She nodded in agreement. “I like it, now, let’s go home.”

“That is the best suggestion I have heard in awhile,” Dakotah agreed, wrapping his son in the new, clean blanket, and handing him to his sister-in-law. Lifting the now-dressed Sierra from the table, he nodded in the direction of the doctor. “Inform me as soon as you know something.”

“I promise.” He knew better than to lie to a vampire.

“Good.” Following Cheyenne, he carried his wife out into the lobby and into the desert night.

Dakotah: Blood Oath: Chapter 3

Mika’s Note: I’m not very sure about this chapter, I think it’s a bit lame.  But oh well.  I can fix it later, I suppose.

Stretching his long limbs, Dakotah yawned. It was not like him to awaken and still be tired. He called for Sierra as he went up the stairs, letting her know he was awake finally, hoping she still was as well. At the top of the stairs, he glanced at the clock. Eleven AM?

Not trusting his eyes, Dakotah rechecked the time in the kitchen. “I’ll be damned,” he muttered to himself. Chuckling, he finished the thought with, “You may indeed, if you get lucky.” Cursing Sierra and her love of westerns, he looked out the living room window to see low-hanging, dark clouds. “Monsoon, ten o’clock,” he mumbled, smiling at the early ‘night’. “Might just be able to surprise her today.”

Intending to make a cup of his special tea, Dakotah returned to the kitchen and stumbled across the hastily scrawled note half hidden under a coffee mug on the table. Concerned, he pulled it out and read it quickly.

D—

Sierra’s in labor, took her to the doctor. Come as fast as you are able!

--Chey

“Damnit,” he growled. Looking from the clock to the clouds, he debated whether he should chance it or not. Deciding he didn’t have a choice, he grabbed his trench coat, grimacing at the thought of wearing it in the Nevada summer heat. Better than frying, he thought angrily at himself. Just make it to Anders’ office and you’ll be fine. He’s not that far away.

Taking a deep breath, Dakotah flew out the front door, slamming it behind him and raced for his truck.

~*~

“Breath, Sierra, breathe,” Cheyenne chanted, over and over.

Sierra gripped her hand while she held her sister’s leg. The other was being held by a young nurse, looking rather pale. “I don’t know if I can, I’m so tired.”

“You’re doing great,” Dr. Anders assured her, although his face said something completely different. Machines kept beeping and he was sweating. Not a good sign. A pounding at the front door distracted him. “Excuse me, I’ll be right back.”

Sierra looked up at her sister in a panic. “Where’s he going?”

Cheyenne shrugged. “I don’t know, but he damn well better not go far!”

Before she could reply, Sierra heard the doctor mumbling and a familiar voice answering. “Dakotah,” she whispered.

“But how?” Cheyenne asked, confused.

“I don’t know, but I’m not sure I care,” she gasped. “Gods, Cheyenne, this hurts!”

“You’ll be okay, Sierra, the second dose of medication hasn’t taken effect yet.”

“Sierra, baby,” Dakotah breathed, rushing to her side. “I’m so sorry.”

Sierra shook her head. “Don’t. Worry.”

He smiled a sad smile. “Don’t talk, just concentrate.” He took the nurse’s position, determined to help if he could, but afraid at what he saw.

Her blood pressure’s dropping rapidly, Dakotah, the doctor had told him. I’m not sure if her heart is going to hold out. The baby is going to be fine though. Of that at least, I am certain.

Dakotah was terrified that his beloved Sierra was suffering so. And the thought of losing her? Insane. He refused to even consider it an option. Dr. Anders was an excellent physician and he would not let him down. Not now when it was so important.

“There we go, Sierra,” the doctor shouted. “I can see his head, come on.”

Dakotah leaned in and kissed her forehead. “Be strong, baby, you can do this.”

“For you, I will,” she grunted through clenched teeth, pushing one last time, hard as she could.

“You did it,” the doctor congratulated her, handing the squirming child to his assistant for a bath. “And I’m proud of you. Both of you.”

Smiling down at his wife, Dakotah sighed. “Thank you, Dr. Anders, for everything. But mostly for being here when I couldn’t.”

“I guess this odd bit of weather worked to your advantage then.”

Dakotah nodded and squeezed Sierra’s hand. “Yes, it did, and I’m very thankful.” Sierra weakly squeezed back. “Are you feeling okay,” he asked concerned. Her grip was weakening by the second, as her face paled.

“Doctor,” Cheyenne screamed from the other side of Sierra, “do something, she’s… she’s not well!”

Anders paled even further; her heart was failing and he didn’t have the right equipment to save her. Calling an ambulance was out of the question; her body had already started to change in preparation of nursing a half-vampire infant. Sending her to a hospital would ensure she wound up in a laboratory somewhere. “I don’t know if I can.”

“What do you mean?” Dakotah spat. “You’re a doctor, save her!”

Anders shook his head. “She has a weak heart, she didn’t tell me that until her BP started to get erratic. She’s having a heart attack and I don’t think I can save her.”

“Then call 911!” Cheyenne shouted. “Or I will!”

She pulled out her phone and started to dial. “Wait!” She and Dakotah glared at the doctor, praying he had a good damn excuse. “I can’t. She… her body has been changing during the pregnancy. The baby… the baby is a dhampir – part vampire, part human. He’s going to need certain things to survive, things a human mother couldn’t provide. She goes to a hospital and…”

They all suddenly understood. She’d spend the rest of her life under a microscope. Not the kind of life they’d wish on anyone. “What do we do then?” Cheyenne’s voice was tiny in the silence.

Dr. Anders looked up and met Dakotah’s eye.

“NO!”

“Just …”

“No,” he repeated. “I won’t do this to her!”

“I’m not asking you to. I’m only asking you give her enough to save her, give her strength. Not enough to turn her.”

“I can’t.”

“You don’t and she’ll die.”

He took a deep breath, and looked into the face of his dying wife. “I don’t have any choice, do I?”

Dr. Anders shook his head. “No, but I can make this easier on you. I have an idea.”

Looking up, questions in his eyes, Dakotah asked, “And?”

“And, I’m not sure if it’ll work, but we can try.”

“Then let’s do it.” He looked to Cheyenne who nodded, once. “And you’re sure…”

“Yes,” the doctor cut him off. “Now, give me your arm.”

Dakotah obliged, handing over one thickly muscled arm. Dr. Anders withdrew a syringe from his stash and inserted it into the vampire’s vein. “I was going to have to do this anyway,” he explained, “so that the baby would have something to eat until we could explain the situation to Sierra. But now,” he laughed, “I’ll have to do it twice.” He removed the first syringe and replaced it with a second, drawing another tube of blood. “There,” he muttered, placing a cotton ball over the pinprick. “Kara, come take this,” he instructed her to empty the blood into a bottle and feed it to the infant while the others looked on.

The heart monitor attached to the new mother started to beep rapidly. “She’s not going to make it much longer, let me near her.”

The assembled family moved, warily and watched as the doctor inserted the needle into Sierra’s arm, injecting her with her lover’s blood.

“Shouldn’t you have used a clean needle,” Cheyenne asked worriedly.

Dakotah shook his head. “My kind can’t catch or spread disease. She will not suffer from the shared needle. “

Cheyenne wasn’t convinced, but she didn’t think he’d lie about something like this.

All three waited, tense, to see if the doctor’s experiment would work. Her heart rate sped while her blood pressure dropped. And then suddenly, her eyes opened. And she screamed.

Dakotah: Blood Oath: Chapter 2

Dakotah smiled slightly at the sight of his wife asleep on the couch, pillow over her eyes, hands on her round belly. She’d obviously been trying to stay awake long enough to see him, but just as obviously didn’t quite make it. He bent low over her and inhaled the tempting scent of her blood, her piña colada scented cologne, and the heat of the day still lingering on her skin.

On second thought, that’s probably not cologne. It was more likely sunscreen.

Deciding that it really didn’t matter, he removed her shoes and tossed them near the doorway. Lifting effortlessly, he carried her into their room and laid her gently on the bed. Pulling the blanket over her still form, he tucked her in before crawling in beside her. He held her, rubbing her belly and enticing his child into action.

He chuckled softly at the first kick from the inside. “Yes, yes, my little one, I know you’re eager. But not much longer and you’ll be free from your prison. And you’ll have so much more room to romp and kick in.” His son agreed with a kick and a stretch, eliciting an anxious smile from the vampire. “Soon, but not soon enough, if you ask me.”

Dakotah gave Sierra’s tummy one last pat and added a kiss on the cheek. Seeing that she wasn’t about to wake up, he decided it was past time to eat. Despite hating leaving her alone, he knew he needed to go while she slept so that he wouldn’t be caught out hungry when she needed him. He’d slip out and be back in no time.

~*~

Opening her eyes, she did a double take before realizing Dakotah must have moved her into the bed when he had woken last night. She smiled knowing that only a vampire’s super strength could have lifted her heavy ass off the couch last night. Maybe two.

Cheyenne was standing in the doorway, tapping her foot anxiously. “Come on already, I thought you’d be dressed by now.”

“Sorry,” she apologized, yawning. “Tried to wait up for Dakotah last night, but the sun sets so late these days and I’m soo tire…”

“You fell asleep,” Chey finished for her.

“Yeah. Lemme go get my clothes on and we can go.” Sierra stood, stretching, when a sharp pain shot across her back and around her front, doubling her over.

Cheyenne rushed to her sister’s side, lifting her mass of red curls to reveal her pale face. “Sie? Are you okay? Want me to help you sit?”

Sierra shook her head to all of the above. “Grab my… cell phone. Quick.”

Chey nodded, rushing off to the kitchen, removing it from the charger and racing back. “Here, I have it, who am I calling?”

“Dr. Dr. Anders, please.”

Cheyenne frowned. “That’s not our regular doctor.”

She shook her head. “No, it’s not, because I’m not having a normal baby. Now, please!” She begged.

Snapping out of her shock, Cheyenne complied, waiting impatiently through the three rings until the doctor finally picked up.

“Dr. Anders, may I help you?”

“Yes,” Cheyenne gasped, “my sister, she’s having a baby!”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t deliver babies, can I direct…”

“You don’t WHAT?” Cheyenne screamed. “Why the hell did Sierra have me call you then?”

“Chey, please…” Sierra pleaded.

“Sierra?” he asked. “Sierra James?”

“Yes, you twit, that’s her!”

“What’s wrong, and who are you?”

“I’m her sister, not that that should matter and I’ve already told you – she’s having HER BABY!”

Dr. Anders closed his eyes and took a deep breath, knowing Dakotah would have his neck and everything in it if he lost his cool with the sister of his beloved Sierra. “Relax ma’am, and tell me where you are?” He listened to Cheyenne’s screaming once more and nodded. “Okay, if she’s able to walk, put her in her car and get the both of you to my office. I’ll have everything ready.” God help me.

~*~

Cheyenne slammed Sierra’s phone shut and growled. “Do you think you can walk to the car?” At Sierra’s weak nod, she helped her sister up and guided her to the car in her pajamas. After getting her settled, she raced back inside, left the vampire daddy a brief note, and took off.

~*~

Dr. Anders paced just inside the office doors, looking out for any sign of his patient. Seeing the lone car finally flash into the parking lot, he propped the door open and hurried to the passenger’s side door. Opening it, he found a very pale, very scared redhead, clutching her belly. He took Sierra’s hand and pulled. “Come on, girl, just a bit farther and we can get you ready, okay?”

Sierra nodded, feeling ill. “Sure, but Dakotah…”

“Grab her other arm and let’s go,” he ordered Cheyenne, who complied in mute agreement for once. “Now, Sierra, we’re going to have to do this together, Dakotah’s not going to be able to be by your side this time.”

She sobbed quietly, not wanting to know how he was going to react, knowing she couldn’t wait for him to awaken. “I’m sorry, Dakotah,” she whispered as they dragged her inside.

Dakotah: Blood Oath: Chapter 1

Mika’s Note: This is a work in progress.  Bear with me.  Hopefully those that read will batter me with comments until I get my fangs in gear and finish this. LOL

She set the box of candles on the counter and gasped for breath. The pains had started two days ago and had been getting progressively worse. Sierra had ignored them for as long as possible, knowing she still had three weeks before the baby was due. Wincing at the ache in her back, she considered the idea that she just may be wrong.

Taking a glance at her watch, she saw it was only 3:30 and that the sun wouldn’t set for close to another five hours. Gotta love summer in the desert. Not only was it 118º outside today, but she couldn’t get to Dakotah until her bedtime.

“Suppose I could call Chey,” she muttered to herself, thinking of her sister. She’d just picked up her cell phone when the bell above the door tinkled merrily, announcing a customer in the shop. “Guess she’ll have to wait,” Sierra laughed, leaving the storeroom and greeting her customer. “Afternoon, how can I…” her voice ended in a laugh when she saw her sister on the other side of the counter.

“What’s so funny?” Cheyenne asked, not sure if she really wanted to know.

Sierra waved a hand in her sister’s direction. “Sorry,” she gasped, “but I was just going to call you.” She rubbed her belly and sighed. “My back hurts and I’m not sure if I should drive home or not.”

Cheyenne narrowed her eyes at her entirely too calm sister. “And how long has this been going on?”

Sierra shrugged, not wanting to either worry her easily excitable sister. “A couple days,” she tossed out, casually.

“A couple of days?” Cheyenne roared. “Are you crazy?” She shook her head at that statement, realizing that her sister was having a vampire’s baby. “Scratch that. Does Dakotah know?”

Sierra looked over Cheyenne’s shoulder and grinned. “Um, noooo, not quite,” she teased, motioning to the bright summer sun beating down on the sidewalk outside. “I’m thinking that he’s not only asleep right now, but under his bed to boot.”

She shook her head in resignation. “That’s not what I meant and you know it! If you’ve been having contractions for ‘a couple days’, you should have told him by now.”

Sierra waved her off. “He’d just worry. And if I went into labor now? He couldn’t do anything to help me. And believe me, he’d try. He stayed up for three days the first time I had one of those Braxton-Hicks contractions and trust me, it wasn’t pretty. Cranky vamp with no sleep? Shudder.”

The older woman’s stern façade cracked at the mental image of Dakotah with bags under his eyes and unkempt hair. “Okay,” she agreed, “I’ll give you that much, but you have got to tell him tonight, no excuses. Got me?”

Sierra nodded. “Got you.”

“Good, now I’ll take you home, if you’d like.”

“Please.”

Cheyenne turned the OPEN sign over to read CLOSED and straightened a few books that had been knocked askew during the course of the day. Watching Sierra close out her register and organizing things for the next morning, she wondered what would happen to the shop during her maternity leave. “Will you be closing up shop until you’re back on your feet again or do you have someone to run it for you?”

Sierra looked up from counting her receipts and stared at her sister. “You know, I hadn’t really thought about it. The few people that I know and trust enough don’t know enough about my lifestyle to operate this place effectively.”

“And those that do know and understand?”

Sierra grinned, despite the pain in her back. “Well, they’re not able to work my hours, if you catch my drift.”

She did. “So, what are you going to do?”

“Play it by ear, I guess. Most of my regulars know and are prepared. But…”

“But?”

“But, I’d hate to lose the income. I guess that’s one more thing to ask Kotah about, I have no doubt he’ll have someone to help out.”

“Well then, that’s good enough for me. Are you done over there?”

She nodded. “Yup, just let me stash this in the safe and we can go.”