Chapter XXXVII

“So exactly how long are we expected to hang around here?” Warren asked, his tone petulant and whiny.  “Desdemona’s dead and we’re free of her machinations.  Can’t we just get on with our lives now?  I’ve got other things I’d rather be doing.”

Melissa cut her eyes in his direction.  “We all do,” she huffed.  “You’d like it to be that simple, wouldn’t you, Warren?  You figure you can step into Desi’s shoes and life will be just peachy.”

Graham frowned.  “He’s not stepping into anything.  I’m still the President of AVID; if anything this should move me up into the role of chairman.”

“Careful, Graham,” Harmon cautioned, leaning forward to lift his drink from the table and bringing it to his lips for a long moment.  “Your attitude could be construed as one of over-eagerness... something akin to joy.  That kind of thing will make the police look longer and harder at you.”

Graham rolled his eyes.  “Whatever... I didn’t do it so I really don’t care.  Desi’s dead and that’s a good thing as far as I’m concerned.  I’m not going to pretend otherwise.”

Bailey nodded her head.  “That’s exactly what I told the detectives this morning.”  Every member of the AVID team turned and looked at her with astonishment and she returned their regard in equal measure.  Then she shrugged.  “What?  I wasn’t going to pretend upset when I felt exactly none.  We already know these detectives are worth their salt; they know at least part of the truth about Desdemona and about our relationships with her.”

“So do you think one of us did it?” Adelia asked Bailey.  Bailey looked at her and held her gaze for a long moment.  Then she shook her head. 

“I don’t think so.  I mean... if one of us were going to try to kill her, why would we wait til here and now?  Why not do it when we were actually somewhere we were familiar with... somewhere we could dispose of the body without anyone being the wiser to the fact that she was gone?”

“Given this some thought, have you?” Graham chuckled wickedly.  Bailey just gave him a look.

“So who do you think killed her?” Dot asked, bringing attention to herself.  “Because someone obviously did, and if it wasn’t one of us....”

“Maybe it was one of those police people.  God knows they would have the knowledge to kill Desi or any of us,” Franklyn offered petulantly.  All eyes turned to him, and Buster sneered.

“Are you trying to be that stupid or is it just a natural talent?”  Before Franklyn could sputter out a retort, Buster continued.  “They would also have the knowledge to keep from being found out.”

“What difference does it make?” Warren asked.  “She’s dead.  We should be celebrating or something.”  They all turned to him with something akin to disbelief in their eyes.  He rolled his eyes at them and shook his head.  “Look... all I’m saying is I didn’t do it.  And if the rest of you claim to be equally as innocent, we have nothing to worry about.  We should be making plans for our futures.”

Bailey gazed at Warren with pity for a long moment.  Then she sighed.  “If they don’t figure out who did this, we may not even have a future.”

Everyone stared at the table thoughtfully, then Harmon signaled for their waitress.  Given the way their weekend was shaping up, a little fortification was in order.  The rest smiled their thanks at him and the conversation turned to other avenues of discussion.

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

Barbara removed her glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.  “I know for a fact my IQ is supposedly above the dim light bulb level, but I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying, Gabrielle.  If you had already erased the records of all the convention attendees, why did you feel the need to go back and share those records now?”

Gabrielle sighed.  “Since Paula didn’t catch the file that held the list of AVID employees and Desdemona’s reasons for blackmailing them, it made the detectives especially suspicious of the listing of our attendees.  By giving them the full list, Xena and I are hoping it will eliminate our guests as suspects.”

“Gabrielle, I’m guilty of murder!”  Her voice was a bare whisper in deference to the set-up crew that was putting the finishing touches on the room even though they were far enough away from everyone not to be overheard.

“No, Barbara.  What happened to Shiva’s sister was an accident.”

“But....”

“No, Barbara.  No buts.”  Gabrielle took Barbara’s hand.  “Trust me; I know the difference.  Besides, no one is going to believe that an award-winning English teacher with ties to law enforcement is going to commit murder... especially of someone she has never met.”

Barbara looked up and cut her eyes in Gabrielle’s direction.  “I’m over-thinking this, aren’t I?”

“Pretty much, Brain,” Gabrielle responded compassionately though there was a distinct twinkle in her eyes.  “Does this mean it’s time to take over the world?”

Barbara snorted.  “Not tonight, Pinky.  One of my dearest friends is giving a command performance and I wouldn’t miss that for any amount world domination.”  She smiled at Gabrielle’s almost bashful reaction.  “Helena will be thrilled, you know,” her tone dry.  Gabrielle arched an eyebrow in mute question.  Barbara shook her head.  “She’s been telling me that for years.”

Gabrielle smiled gently.  “Sometimes it’s easier to believe someone who isn’t quite as, um... invested.  Especially if that someone has personal experience from which to speak.”

Barbara cocked her head to one side and studied Gabrielle for a moment.  Gabrielle held her gaze unflinching, allowing Barbara to read everything Gabrielle wanted her to see and making her wonder once again at the depths of experience and agelessness of the woman who stood before her.  Despite their friendship, she knew there was so much more to Gabrielle than she let on and Barbara wondered if she’d ever be able to get past the first few layers.  Two blonde brows went into an equally blonde hairline and Barbara blushed slightly and dropped her chin to her chest in embarrassment for being caught staring.  Gabrielle smiled.

“Go check on Helena.  I can finish up whatever needs doing in here.”

“You’re sure.”

“Go,” Gabrielle intoned.  “Before I change my mind and find some serious grunt work for you to do.”

Barbara smirked and headed out the back towards the green room.  Gabrielle watched her go, turning only when she felt Dinah come up beside her. 

“Everything all right?” Dinah asked, looking at the empty doorway.

Gabrielle nodded wearily.  “Of the things we have control over... absolutely.  The rest?”  She shrugged.  “No sense worrying about it.”

“Do you think I should offer...?”

“No, Dinah,” Gabrielle stated emphatically.  “The power you have is used to protect so many, and it works so well in that capacity because no one realizes it’s real. If people found out that it was....”  She shuddered slightly and shook head.  “Besides, do you really think they’d believe you?” asked gently.

Dinah blew out a breath and shook her head.  “No, probably not.”  She nudged Gabrielle out of the way and took her seat behind the monitors once more.  “I’ve got this if there is somewhere else you need to be,” making a shooing motion with her hands. 

“Are you trying to get rid of me Dinah?”

Dinah blushed but held Gabrielle’s eyes.  “Nah... I know you and Xena sent everyone back to their seminars.  I figure there’s some responsibility for that.”

Gabrielle smiled.  “Yeah, there is.  You doing all right?”

“I’m fine.  I’ll be glad when this is over though.”

“Me too,” Gabrielle agreed as she headed for the door, only to turn back towards Dinah when the younger woman called out her name.  She tilted her head to one side and waited.

“Do you think they’ll find who did it?”

Gabrielle bit her lip.  “Honestly? No.  There are just too many variables in play, and they’re running on a tight schedule.”

“Does that bother you?”

“I’ll let you know,” Gabrielle replied, then headed into the media conference to check on how things were progressing.

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

“All right, Agent Prince.  The floor is yours.  Convince us that none of the women who are on your list could possibly commit murder.”  Bornlan leaned back in her chair and motioned Diana to speak before she crossed her arms over her chest and waited.

“Would you like me to do so woman by woman or would you simply like a general statement?”

Kennian rose from her seat, blue eyes flashing as she clenched her fists at her side.  Diana returned her look calmly and watched curiously as Shana forced herself to relax.  When she spoke, Kennian’s voice was low and controlled.

“Agent Prince, the courtesy that has been extended to Xena and Gabrielle in this investigation does not automatically translate to you simply because Detective Sergeant Bornlan asked for your input.  Please treat this seriously.”

Diana returned her look evenly.  “Detective Kennian, I have never treated this situation as anything other than serious and I resent your implication that I have.  I was merely asking for clarification of what Detective Bornlan was looking for before replying.”

Shana held her gaze another moment before nodding her acceptance.  “Very well – I can appreciate that.  I... apologize... for the interruption.”  She turned her attention to Bornlan.  “Teresa?”

“Do you know any of these women personally... well enough that you would vouch for them in a court of law if called upon to do so?”

“A few, but I ran cursory background checks on everyone attending both conferences so I can speak confidently on everyone from that standpoint.”

“Wait... you ran background checks on everyone, and it didn’t occur to you to be concerned about some of these things?” Bornlan asked with more than a hint of disbelief in her voice.

Diana smiled patiently.  “Taken out of context, Detective, everything can seem bad... horrible, even.  But sometimes when you know the full story, your perspective tends to change.  And sometimes it’s just something so personal, you’d like to keep it private.”

“For example?”

“Simone Tillman.  All she did to aid her first partner’s suicide was to not prevent Amanda from taking her own life and holding her hand as she died.”  Diana held up a hand to keep Teresa from interrupting and Bornlan bit her tongue and motioned for Diana to continue.  “Amanda was in excruciating pain... both physically and mentally.  She’d recently had a miscarriage of the baby she and Simone had planned to have together, and the reason for the miscarriage was cancer that by the time they found it was inoperable.  Simone simply allowed her partner to die by her own choice with dignity.”

“And you agree with this, Agent Prince?” Shana asked quietly.  Diana shook her head.

“It’s not my place to agree or disagree, but I can’t say I blame either Simone or Amanda for the choices they made.  I can also understand why Simone wouldn’t want something like that to become common knowledge; she knows what it’s like to live under the scrutiny of the press and public.”

“All right,” Teresa conceded.  “What about this Nikki Wade?  She committed murder of a police officer.”

“Not exactly,” Diana returned, smiling slightly at the disbelieving looks the words garnered her.  “Nikki did kill a police officer,” she acknowledged.  “A police officer that was trying to rape her then partner.  She was released on appeal with an apology from the courts for the injustice of her imprisonment.”

“Hmm,” was Bornlan’s noncommittal response.  “Lucy Reynolds – she’s a criminal for God’s sakes.” 

“A reformed criminal, Detective,” Xena stated emphatically.  “I trust her implicitly.”

“And Barbara Gordon?”

Diana smirked, knowing Barbara would kick her ass, figuratively speaking, if she got wind of Diana’s reply; but knowing it was the quickest way to end this line of questioning.  “Detective Bornlan, do you know who Barbara Gordon is?”

Teresa shook her head.  “Can’t say that I do.”

“You should – she’s the woman in the wheelchair that’s been running around the monitoring room all morning.”

“And?”

“And do you really think a disabled woman could physically commit a murder that wouldn’t leave a body to be found or a mark on her own?”  Diana waited a beat then continued.  “Detective, no matter how physically capable you are, a physical altercation of that nature would leave marks, correct?” waiting for Bornlan to nod her agreement.  “Now look at the reports.”

“I don’t see any reports.”

“Exactly.  And that type of fight would generate police reports, hospital reports, even eye-witness reports.”  She sat back and let the two detectives mull over her words.

“Then why would Desdemona have murder listed beside Barbara Gordon’s name?  Surely there isn’t smoke without some fire?”  Kennian looked at Bornlan who nodded and they both turned to Xena and Diana.  Xena raised an eyebrow and Diana gestured for her to take over.

“I think you’re considering this from the wrong angle, Detectives,” Xena replied evenly.  “Instead of what Desdemona had to gain, what did these women... these people on her lists have to lose from her accusations?”  She paused.  “Think about it.  It takes years to establish a good reputation, and only minutes to lose it to mere whispers that hint of impropriety.  And all of these women had something to lose if Desdemona’s accusations got out... true or not.”

“So some of these things are true?”

“Some of them are... yes.  Others I doubt the veracity of, but the fact remains that any of the people on these lists could have been hurt by these things getting out whether they were true or not.”

“In what way?” Kennina queried.

“I know for a fact that Olivia Benson is the product of a rape.  But if that fact became common knowledge, especially among defense attorneys, some might question her ability to separate herself enough to do her job without prejudice.  Colonel Samantha Carter is one of the brightest scientific minds in the world, and yet if it was found out that she was gay, it could destroy her military career and cause her to be shunned by many of her peers.  Sara Sidle’s mother murdered Sara’s father because she couldn’t stand the abuse he meted out to both of them on a regular basis and that tends to make her more vigorous when those kinds of cases come her way.  Again, a reason for defense attorneys to cry foul.”

Bornlan blew out an impatient breath.  “All right!  I get your point since I’m pretty sure you could make a case for each and every name on this list.  And yet I still have a dead body on my hands that my ME insists was murdered.”

“Has she determined the actual cause of death yet?”

“Not that we’ve heard.  But she does believe it’s the work of a professional,” a little surprised when neither Xena nor Diana blinked twice about that revelation.  “Which would imply that pretty much the people from Gabrielle’s convention could be cleared because I’m fairly certain the Doc didn’t mean someone interviewed her to death.

Xena cocked her head.  “Did she say what kind of professional?”

“Excuse me?”

Xena sighed.  “Detective Bornlan, there is more than one type of professional hit.  There’s the assassin, the sniper, the mercenary....”

“Stop, please.  I get the point.  I’ll see what I can find out,” pausing when Kennian rose and put a hand on her shoulder.

“I will go check the computer.  Perhaps I did not set the alert correctly.  Otherwise I will call the doctor and let you know what she says.”

“Thanks, Shana,” watching the woman exit the room.  “In the meantime, do you have any other suggestions?  Is absolutely everyone in both conventions accounted for?”

“Last night or right this moment?”

Bornlan scrubbed a hand across her face.  “Either,” she answered wearily.  “Both.”

“Almost everyone was with us last night at the Halloween party at the Magic Kingdom.  Those who weren’t....  I’ll get you the list.  All of our attendees are present today.”

“All right.  Can you start sending them in one at a time?  I need to make it look like I am at least trying to do this by the book.”

Xena gave Diana a look and Diana gave a brisk nod and left the room.  “So I take it you no longer believe you’re gonna find your killer among my convention attendees?”

Bornlan sighed and scratched her head.  “I don’t know what I believe anymore.  I just know I’m running out of time.”


Chapter XXXVIII

Detective Sergeant Teresa Bornlan blew out a frustrated breath and scrubbed her hands over her eyes.  It was just early evening and still she felt like this day had been years long already.  All afternoon she and Shana had separately interviewed the women from both conferences.  None had taken long and nothing extraordinary had been revealed as far as Bornlan’s interviews were concerned.  As she had expected, no one had shown significant remorse over Desdemona’s death, and most though not happy to discuss the things on Desdemona’s list, gave no indication of being more than aggravated at being forced to do so.  At least some of what Desdemona considered ‘secrets’ were less ‘secret’ and more ‘not for public consumption’.

Bornlan chewed on her lip while she let her mind run over some of the things she had learned – things that like Diana had told her, changed her thoughts about once she had at least part of the story and not just the accusation behind it. 

She started slightly when her phone chirped and she snatched it from her hip.  “Bornlan,” she growled, a little agitated to have had her train of thought so neatly derailed.

“Teresa, it’s Shana,” she heard her partner say quietly into the phone.  “The women have been dismissed from their conferences for the day and are making their way out of the convention rooms.  That gives us about two hours before they return to this room,” cluing Bornlan in to just where Kennian was.

“Have you heard from the Doc?”

“She is on video conference now – we are simply waiting for you to join us.”

Bornlan scowled.  “Why the hell didn’t you say so?” she fumed.  “I’ll be right there.”

Kennian blinked at the dial tone suddenly humming in her ear and she closed her phone carefully before meeting the coroner’s expectant gaze.  “She is on her way.”

Just then, Bornlan stepped in through the unlocked back door, stepping to the side where Scud had placed their secure line access and sliding slickly into the seat next to Kennian.  She gave her partner a cursory nod before turning her attention to the Medical Examiner.

“What’s the word, Doc?”

“Well, the word from this end is it was definitely a professional that caused her death.  I found a small puncture wound on her neck... just at the base of her skull.  I am still analyzing the substance that entered her body, but I’m fairly certain it’s a neuro-toxin.  I can’t say for sure what the neuro-toxin itself was or where it came from, but I have samples being rushed through the lab as we speak.”

“If you don’t actually know anything for certain, why do you believe it was a neuro-toxin?” Bornlan asked, flinching back from the monitor at the look the ME directed at her.

“I don’t ask how you do your job, do I, Detective?” the woman growled.  Then she let out a sigh and pushed her hair back behind her ears.  “Look Terry... just trust me when I tell you that the blood work is going to show some sort of neuro-toxin present in her system.  I will let you know exactly what drug compound it is as soon as I know, all right?”

“Okay, Doc.  But what about all that other evidence you told us about this morning – you know... the possible poisoning, blunt force trauma and blood?  Why have all those possibilities been eliminated?”

The doc leaned forward and reached beyond the monitor, then sat back with a glass in her hand.  She took a deep draught and released the breath she’d been holding.  “I’m not saying that those things weren’t intended to contribute to her demise, but they didn’t kill her.”  She took another sip of water and swallowed slowly before she continued speaking.  “The food may have been poisoned, but she simply didn’t eat enough of it to die from ingesting it.  As for the blood....”  The ME shrugged.  “There was a lot considering there were no gunshots or stab wounds present on the body.  But there wasn’t enough for it to have been the cause of death.  Part of it was from the blow on her head, but all indications are she did that to herself.”

Blue eyes met brown and two sets of brows flew equally high into blonde and brown hair.  Bornlan gave a tiny shrug and Kennian turned back to the screen first.  “Excuse me, Doctor, but why would she have given herself blunt force trauma to the head?  It seems a less than efficient method to employ if she was intent on committing suicide.”

The Medical Examiner smiled though she didn’t laugh at the seriousness of the question.  Given her own wording and the fact that Kennian was the most factual individual she knew, she basically set herself up for such a query.  She waved her hand.

“I’m sorry, Detective – I worded that poorly.  The blow on her head was a result of her falling and hitting her head on the corner of the nightstand and not someone hitting her with something.”

Kennian nodded.  “Thank you for clarifying that, Doctor.”

“I wish the rest of it was as easy to explain.”

“So do I,” Bornlan agreed as she stretched.  “But then what would we do with all that free time?”

“I dunno, Terry, but I for one wouldn’t mind finding out,” the doctor commented wryly.  She tilted her cup up and drained the last of its contents before leaning forward and placing it beside the monitor once more.  “I don’t know what to tell you guys.  I’ll give you the rest of the results as soon as I have them, but my personal belief is you’re not going to find your killer.”

Teresa nodded.  “Thanks, Doc.  We’ll be in touch.”

The ME returned the nod before reaching forward and cutting the connection.  Teresa and Shana sat still for another minute before Bornlan sighed and stood up.  “C’mon.  I’m starving.  Let’s go grab a bite to eat and some fresh air.  Maybe that will give us some insight into what we know so far.”

Kennian stood and together they walked out the door and down the hallway towards the food court.  The investigation would wait for just a little while.  And who knew – maybe a judicious time out would cause someone to give them the break they needed.

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

“Lucy!  Calm down and take a deep breath,” Xena commanded.

Lucy snorted.  “Easy for you to say.  You’re not the one with a target suddenly painted on your back.”

“Been there, done that... more than once.”

Lucy whirled and Xena met her eyes unflinchingly.  Lucy cocked her head and her eyes widened as she recognized the truth of Xena’s words in her expression.  She took a deep breath and blew it out slowly.  “You really have, haven’t you?”

“Yeah,” Xena admitted, “and under much worse circumstances than this.”  She held Lucy’s eyes.  “Did you do it – did you kill Desdemona?”

“NO!  I’m a thief, not a murderer!  I can’t believe you’d even ask me that.  I thought you trus....”

“I do,” Xena cutting off Lucy’s accusation with serious intent.  “But it got you to stop doubting yourself, didn’t it?” chuckling at the comical bulging of Lucy’s eyes.  “Lucy, I told the police you weren’t a viable suspect... that I trusted you completely.”  She quirked her lips into a crooked grin.  “Besides... killing her now because you were thrown out of Australia years ago?  It’s a stretch.”

Lucy nodded.  “True.  I hope Amy will understand that.”

“She will, Luce.  She loves you.”

This time Lucy’s smile was blinding.  “Uh huh.”  She blew her bangs out of her face. “So now what?”

Xena shrugged.  “Now you go find your girlfriend and have some dinner.”

Lucy arched a brow at her.  “What about you?”

Xena glanced at her watch.  “Our dinner should be ready for me to pick up.  Gabrielle and I will have a quiet meal in our room before we come back here for her storytelling seminar.”

“How do you feel about that?” Lucy asked as they left the green room where they’d gone as soon as the day’s activities were over.  “I mean,” stumbling to get the words out when Xena gave her a version of ‘The Look’.  “How do you feel about Gabrielle doing a seminar tonight?  Didn’t you have plans?”

“Storytelling makes her happy, Lucy.  The fact that people who are respected in their fields not only asked for it but are excited about it is a bonus.  Our other plans will wait.”

“Whipped,” Lucy muttered as they walked into the hallway where Amy and her cohorts were leaning against the wall.  With a word, Max, Dom and Janet turned and headed up the hall towards the food court while Amy sauntered in Lucy’s direction with deliberate concentration.  When she was less than ten yards from Lucy, she squealed and ran causing Lucy to drop what was in her hands to catch the blonde bombshell headed in her direction.

“We’ll discuss that whipped comment later,” Xena promised, then made her way around them to go to the Maya Grill.  She had a bard to feed.

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

“That was uncalled for, Diana,” Barbara said flatly.  Green eyes glared into blue before Diana glanced at Helena and Dinah who were watching the proceedings with interest.  Diana pinched the bridge of her nose in an oddly familiar gesture before bringing her eyes back to meet Barbara’s.

“Oracle... Barbara – it was necessary.  You know and I know that what I told them was the truth... at least as far as they can see it.  There were no marks... no reports... nothing to implicate you in the crime you stood accused of. Just as you know that letting them think otherwise is counterproductive to their investigation as well as to your other pursuits.”  She hesitated, then resumed her speech.  “You know how important it is for your opponents to underestimate you; you know the advantage that gives you.  The fact that they can’t see you past this chair is their loss.”

Barbara nodded reluctantly, recognizing the truth in Diana’s words as much as she hated it.

“I don’t....”

“Red, lay off Diana,” Helena said, watching the green eyes flare with anger.  “She was protecting you and shouldn’t be faulted for that.  I’d have said the same thing if they’d asked me.”

Diana cocked her head. “What did you tell them, Helena?”

“That killing’s really not my style – I’d have just beaten the crap out of her.”

Dinah snorted and Diana chuckled.  Even Barbara couldn’t stop a small smile from gracing her face at the droll reply.  “So why didn’t you?”  Dark brows flew into an equally dark hairline and Helena’s eyes asked her question silently.  Diana cleared her throat before clarifying.  “Why didn’t you beat the crap out of her?”

“Because to beat out that much crap, I would’ve had to kill her.  And that would have made Barbara unhappy.  Besides,” not seeing green eyes widen at her admission.  “Her death might have triggered that list to go public, right?  And no one wanted that.”

They all halted as the implication of Helena’s words sank into their consciousness.  “This is bad, isn’t it?” Dinah asked as she tucked her hair behind her ear.

“You’ve got a talent for understatement, Kid.”

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

“This is highly unusual, Ms....”

“I understand, Marshal Shannon,” the redhead said, smoothly cutting off her keeper’s objection.  “However, it has to be taken care of, and it’s my responsibility to take care of it.”

Mary Shannon screwed up her face in a frustrated frown.  “Can I ask what the hell is so important you’re willing to risk your life for it?”

The other woman’s smile was big and predatory.  “I’m not risking my life, Marshal.  You’re simply ensuring I made it out ahead of the dogs.”

Blonde brows went into her hairline and Mary’s frown deepened.  “Excuse me?”

The redhead chuckled throatily.  “I promise to fill you in as soon as I take care of my business in here,” indicating the large bank building they were currently standing in front of.

“Not without me,” Mary stated firmly, opening the door and gesturing her charge in front of her.  The woman sighed but acquiesced and immediately made her way to the safety deposit boxes.  Mary shook her head, wondering not for the first time what the hell she’d gotten into getting this woman out of Orlando.

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

“Everything all right here ladies?” Mac asked as she approached the table in the bar where Sam and Janet were having a drink.  “You look like you got your feet taken out from under you.”

The two Air Force officers exchanged glances before turning their eyes to the Marine.  Then Janet gestured to an empty chair and Mac took the proffered seat.

“We were just discussing the merits of retirement.” 

“Was your police interview that bad?”

Sam and Janet looked at one another again and Sam took Janet’s hand in hers as Janet answered.  “Not bad, necessarily... just wearing.  Even with the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’, it gets old having to pretend knowing what will happen if you don’t.  It’s especially wearing when you’ve given so much....”  Mac held up her hand and nodded her understanding.

“I’m sorry.  I can’t begin to understand,” knowing both women had seen combat action.  “But I hate that you feel like you’re being forced to choose.”

Sam shrugged.  “We’ve always known it was a possibility; this just sort of brought it all home to us I guess.  At least we could both still find work in our chosen fields as civilians.”

“And probably with a lot higher salary,” Janet continued wryly.

All three officers chuckled.  “Boy, that’s the truth,” Mac concurred.  Makes you wonder about us military types sometimes, doesn’t it?”  She paused then continued.  “At least it’s not something we have to decide today,” motioning the waitress over.  “Next round’s on me,” hiking her brows into her hairline when both of her companions ordered straight juice.

“We’re going to hear Gabrielle shortly.  We’d actually like to be sober.”

Mac nodded her agreement and soon they were sharing a pitcher of orange juice while talk turned to other things.

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

“I think the military has the right idea,” Liz said as the New York contingent filed into the bar and took over a large seating area in the back. 

“We came to the bar to drink orange juice?” Tracey asked with a hint of disbelief in her voice.

“I didn’t say that,” not surprised when Abbie and Casey stopped by the table where Sam, Janet and Mac were ensconced to extend an invitation to join them.  Liz watched as the three turned to glance at them and then rose as one body to make their way to the back of the bar.  Abbie took over the introductions and they quickly rearranged chairs so they were all sitting in a large circle.

“What can I get you ladies?” the perky waitress asked.  Liz turned to Sam. 

“Is that orange juice straight up or with a twist?”

Sam chuckled and blushed, ducking her head.  Janet took pity on her partner and met Liz’s eyes.  “Straight up.  We want to be sober to hear Gabrielle tonight and figured one drink was enough for now.”

“Right.  I’ll have what they’re having... on the rocks, please.  And some nachos... and some wings and – just bring one of everything on the menu.  I’m pretty sure we can make it all disappear,” noting the number of people gathered together seemed to be growing.  Alex and Olivia had motioned Jo and her friends over, while Abbie had made sure Lindsay and her crew was among them.  That had brought the two young women who had gotten engaged the night before as well as Claire’s doppleganger and the CSI group from Las Vegas.  Together with the NCIS and FBI agents, Liz figured that a good percentage of the Law enforcement conference was now located in Rix.

Liz let her attention focus on the conversation that had immediately turned to the demise of the DIVA and their implication in it, not wanting to miss a thing. She wondered how long it would be before the rest of the women involved decided to join them, figuring it would be sooner rather than later.  There was pride at stake here if nothing else.

She looked around in amusement, wondering if this group of individuals would be able to solve the mystery of Desdemona’s murder before the police could.  Given the minds involved, she wouldn’t be a bit surprised if they did.


Chapter XXXIX

“It’s gonna be REAL embarrassing if they figure out the solution to this murder before we do,” Bornlan commented to Kennian as they passed the bar currently filled with a number of the women they had just finished interviewing.  Kennian gave them a cursory glance, but her attention was focused inwardly and Bornlan decided to leave her alone.

She took Shana’s elbow and guided her through the press of people making their way to the food court.  It took a few minutes before Kennian realized that they had reached their destination and she looked around cautiously.  Bornlan chuckled.

“Nice of you to rejoin us, Shana.”

“How did we arrive here, Teresa?”

“We walked,” snickered Bornlan. When Kennian arched a blonde brow she made an effort to get her laughter under control, but she couldn’t completely wipe the smile from her face.

“Thank you. Teresa.  I believe I could have reached that conclusion on my own as I am fairly certain you could not have carried me such a distance.”

Teresa arched her brow in response.  “Would you like to put that theory to the test?”

“No, thank you.  I do not wish to become a public spectacle,” allowing her second brow to join her first when Teresa chuckled again.  Bornlan raised her hands in surrender.

“Fair enough.  We’re close enough to becoming a public spectacle with this case as it is.  C’mon.  Let’s grab something to eat and find a table outside before everyone here discovers it’s nice out.”

“And what of them?” motioning to the full bar across the hall.

“Well,” Bornlan said as she accepted the loaded burger from the woman behind the counter.  “If they figure it out, we won’t have to,” earning herself a glare from Kennian.

“That is not very ambitious of you.  Besides, do you really think they would share if they reached a reasonable solution?”

“This isn’t about ambition, Shana.  It’s about realism. You heard what the Doc said – it’s very likely that this case will remain unsolved.  And given what we have and what we know, I am inclined to agree with her assessment given the time constraints we’re working under.  As for them sharing – they are law enforcement personnel under suspicion of murder.  Do you really think they won’t?”

“Excellent point,” Kennian conceded, removing a salad and a fruit cup from the refrigerator unit.  She placed them on the tray she carried and motioned for Teresa to lead the way. 

“Nothing to drink, ladies?” the cashier asked as they reached the register.  Bornlan gave a heavy sigh even as she reached for her wallet, causing the young woman to see the badge she carried.  Without blinking she held up a hand and motioned a manager over.

With a few whispered words and a slide of her card, the manager waved them out of the food court.  “It’s been taken care of, Detectives.  If you’ll tell me what you’d like to drink and where you’re headed, I’ll be happy to accommodate you.”

“But....”

“Boss’ orders.”

The two police officers exchanged glances, then Bornlan shrugged.  “Well, thank you.  We appreciate it.  We’ll take whatever you have on hand that’s non-alcoholic and contains a significant amount of caffeine.”

The manager chuckled.  “One of those days, is it?” recognizing the look in their eyes.  “Don’t worry, Detectives.  We’ll take care of you.  Where will you be?”

“We’re going out for some fresh air,” Teresa said with a nod towards the door just beyond them.

“Good choice,” the manager said with a smile.  “Go grab a seat; I’ll be right there.”

“That was unexpected,” Shana commented as she set her tray down on the table Teresa had selected.  Teresa put her food on the table and dropped the tray to the ground beside her.

“Yes, but I can’t say it’s unwelcome.  Especially given how the rest of our day has gone.”

Kennian nodded thoughtfully even as she dressed her salad.  “So what are we going to do now?”

Bornlan picked up her burger and took a large bite, chewing with undisguised relish.  “Well,” she started, only to stop speaking when the manager came out of the building with a tray of drinks – drinks, plural – as in several choices for each of them.  There were two Cokes, two Red Bulls, two what appeared to be cappuccinos and two chocolate milks.  Brown eyes met blue in surprise and they turned simultaneously to thank the manager.  She waved them off.

“I just wanted to make sure I had all the bases covered.  Now is there anything else...?”

“No, thank you.  This is more than enough... thanks.”

“Good.  The Market is open til ten and the Café is open until midnight in case you change your minds.”  And with a nod the woman left them in peace to eat.

They ate in silence for a few minutes, allowing themselves a bit of a respite from the case and everything surrounding it.  When they were mostly done, their eating slowed to nibbling, Shana asked Teresa once more, “Now what?”

Bornlan swallowed the last of her milk, then she scrubbed a hand over her face and blew out a breath.  “I think our best bet is to go over everything we learned today.  Maybe between us we’ll see something the other missed.”

Kennian nodded her head and carefully wiped her hands and mouth on her napkin before setting her garbage on her tray and looking around for a trash can.  Bornlan clearing her throat caused her to look up, realizing the other detective had already risen from her chair and now had a hand out to take her tray.  Kennian handed it over without hesitation and sat back to wait for Bornlan to return.

“So what do you have?” Teresa asked, resuming her seat.

Shana blew out a breath.  “Not much,” she confessed, eyes on the table.  “A lot of the secrets are as Xena indicated – things one would not want made public.  However, I did not get an indication from anyone I interviewed that they felt their secret was worth killing for.  Some of them....”

“Yes?” Bornlan prompted when Kennian hesitated too long for her liking.  “Some of them what?”

Shana gave her head a frustrated shake.  “It is all so ridiculous, Teresa.  We have several suspects who by all accounts should have criminal records and yet they do not.  There are even more who have been caught in moral ambiguities to say nothing of legal ones and yet aside from the listing of these charges that the victim maintained, there is not one word to be found against them except in cases where they have been found to be too passionate in their work.  And that brings us to something else.”

“Would you like to share?  Or should I try reading your mind?”

Shana glared before she relented.  “Why is there no record of Xena or Gabrielle?”

“I’m not sure I’m following you.”

Shana allowed her eyes to meet Teresa’s and hold them.  “There is no record of anyone named Xena in any way, shape or form – none.  As though she does not exist and never has.  As for Gabrielle... even running the bots that Desdemona tried, we cannot get a hit.  It simply comes back to Desdemona herself.  And Gabrielle, though not a common name by any means is still a very broad search parameter.  The fact that their last names are purported to be Smith-Jones, you can see why we are having a bit of a problem pinning anything down.”

“So neither Jackie...?”

“... or anyone else can find a word on either of them.  And since we are no longer allowed to investigate them, we have absolutely nothing on them... good or bad.”

“Well, let’s put Xena and Gabrielle aside for the moment.  We can’t do anything about them regardless, and frankly, I don’t think they had anything to do with this.”

“Do you have your eyes on someone, Teresa?”

Bornlan shook her head.  “No.  There are women whose secrets should have landed them in an interrogation room at the least if not a jail cell.  But none of them tried to hide anything when questioned directly about them.   Even the ones who weren’t with the group last night had alibis of one sort or another.”

“And your ‘gut’?  What does it say about them?”

Bornlan sat back and crossed her arms over her chest.  “It says we’re on a wild goose chase.”

“Would it be better if they were tame water fowl instead?”

The question was asked so calmly and with such a straight face that Bornlan blinked slowly twice before recognizing the twinkle sparkling back at her from shining blue eyes.  She chuckled.  “Somehow I don’t think so, Smartass.”

Kennian smirked.  “All right.  Where does that leave us?”

“We still have DIVA’s employees.  And we still have the list of guest speakers.”

“Do we even need to concern ourselves with them?  After all, they were not part of Desdemona’s list.”

“But they were present at the conferences – we need to check on their whereabouts... just in case.”

“And the rest?  Those that were on Desdemona’s list who were not present at either conference?”

“Someone is checking on them on their end.  But so far everyone checks out clean.”

“Did you ever stop to wonder if perhaps we were being set up to fail?”

Bornlan cocked her head in question.  “In what way?”

“You yourself have stated several times that this case is practically unsolvable given the constraints we are working under.  The Doctor has concurred in this opinion.  The Captain has made it entirely clear he is unhappy with the interference and restriction placed upon him by authorities higher up than he is and though our team is as crackerjack as can be found, we seem to be hitting walls every time we try to take a step forward in this case.  So it does appear that we have been set up to fail.”

“Except we were given this case before any restrictions were put into place or before any higher-ups felt the need to step in and interfere.  I think it’s mostly luck of the draw even if it’s only bad luck.  The fact is I think we would have been brought in regardless of who had caught the case originally; because I have a feeling we are better tolerated than any of our male colleagues would be.”

“Those are excellent points,” Kennian admitted with a defeated shrug of her shoulders.

“Then why are you still upset?”

“Because I do not like to be outsmarted by anyone.”

“Then I suggest we get back to work,” Bornlan said as she rose to her feet and grabbed their remaining drinks.  “Who knows – we may get lucky.”

Kennian grinned wryly.  “At this point, I’ll take anything.”

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

“So what do they have... really?” Alex asked calmly, having managed to become the moderator of the conversation to keep things from becoming too heated or too personal.

“Well,” Lindsay drawled slowly.  “It appears they have a number of theories and a lot of conjecture.”

“But as far as we can see, no physical evidence,” Catherine added.

“So in other words....”

“It’s all speculation,” Garcia stated.

“And without evidence,” Abby said.

“They can’t file charges,” Brooke finished.

“I don’t know if I should find it scary or not that we’re starting to finish one another’s sentences.  It’s not like I have known most of you that long,” Emily said dryly, causing laughter to titter around the barroom.

“All right,” Liz spoke up.  “Assuming that everyone here is telling the truth, and we’re all equally innocent of killing that vile creature,” shuddering dramatically and causing laughter to ripple around the gathering again, “then where does that leave us?”

“In a hell of a mess,” Jo commented, seeing the other police officers nod in agreement even as the lawyer and media types waited for further elucidation.  “Because someone, somewhere is guilty of her murder, and until that person is caught people are always gonna wonder about us.”

“So her death caused what her blackmailing didn’t,” came the flat statement from Sabrina.

“That depends,” Olivia replied.

“On?”

“Whether or not our secrets go public now.”

“And that brings us to another point.  Did Desdemona have a cache of these secrets stored somewhere?” Janet asked.  “I know that’s what we were told when she first approached us,” seeing others nod their heads in agreement.  “Not that I don’t think she couldn’t have been lying – hell, she probably was.  But we couldn’t risk it... not and keep our careers.”

“None of us could,” Helen commented.  “And some like Nikki coulda lost more than that.”

“So we’re just waiting for the other shoe to drop,” Kate commented.

“No,” Max stated unequivocally.  “We figure out who did this first.  Then we can decide what to do from there.”

“In the meantime,” Sam said, pointedly looking at her watch.  “Gabrielle should be starting her seminar in about half an hour.  I think I’m gonna head back down to the con room and get me a good seat.”

Her words had the effect of lighting a fire under everyone, and as a single body they rose and headed out of the bar.

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

“Uncle Sal?”

“Yes, my dear?  I take it you were successful?”

“Completely, Uncle.  The book has been left in your safety deposit box.”

“Excellent, my dear.  And you got away safely?”

“Not a problem.  By the time they figure out I’m gone, I won’t even be me anymore.”

“You’re sure about this?”

“A little late for me to decide otherwise, Uncle Sal.”

“I know, Sweetheart.  I just wish....”

“It had to be done, Uncle.  And we both know I was the best qualified to do it.”

“Perhaps,” was Sal’s only concession to the truth of her words.  “Has Marshal Shannon given you any trouble?”

“No more than I expected.  I’m afraid she’s never had a charge like me before.”

“Actually that’s not true,” Mary broke in loudly enough that Sal could hear her voice over his niece’s cell phone.  “I was in charge of Alexandra Cabot once upon a time.  She was probably my most difficult client though you’re running a real close second, Ms....” trailing off when the other woman held up her hand.

“Uncle Sal could hear you.  He’d like to speak to you directly.”

Mary Shannon looked at the woman, then at her phone for a long moment before she sighed and accepted the device.  “Hello?  Yes sir... yes sir.  I understand.  All right, I will.”  She nodded her head even though the man on the other end couldn’t see her.  “Yes sir... we’ll call you when we reach Albuquerque.”  Without another word she handed the red head back her phone and moved away.  She covered her face with her hands briefly before allowing them to scratch through her hair.  It was shaping up to be one of those assignments.

The other woman finished her conversation with ‘Uncle Sal’ and without another word took Mary’s arm.  “C’mon, Marshal.  I need a cup of coffee and I owe you an explanation.”

“This ought to be a hell of a story.”

The red head laughed and the sound caused Mary to smile despite herself.  “Oh Marshal... you have NO idea.”


Chapter XL

“How you doing, Kid?” Helena asked as she fluffed her hair in the living room mirror, keeping a surreptitious eye on Dinah.  Dinah met her eyes in the mirror.

“I’m good, Hel... honestly.  The walls are still strong.”  She tucked a bit of blonde hair behind her ear.  “Whoever killed Desdemona isn’t at either conference now if they ever were.  All I got from anyone when they were leaving was some residual anger about someone messing up their weekend and curiosity to know who did it.  A majority of them think they can figure out who did it before the police do.”

“Really?  That’s it?”

Dinah shrugged.  “Yeah.”

“Hope they’re smarter than Reese ever was.”

“I um... I don’t think that would be a real stretch, Hel.  Most of them are decorated officers in their fields.”

“And you know this how?”

“The same way I know they think they can solve it first – they were broadcasting loud and clear. “

“Wait... I thought you said the walls were holding.”

“They are, Helena.  I opened myself up to test things.  I knew you would be worried and would want to know if we needed to do another session before Gabrielle’s seminar.  So I checked.”

Helena shook her head.  “All right, D.  If you’re sure....” waiting for Dinah to smile and nod.  She clapped Dinah on the shoulder, then she looked over towards the bedroom.  “C’mon, Barbara... we’re gonna be late.”

Barbara’s voice came from around the corner.  “Give me another minute, Hel.  Some of us didn’t get to nap all afternoon and we need more than a fluff of our hair to put ourselves together.”

Dinah and Helena looked at one another, eyebrows furrowed.  Dinah motioned to the door, mouthing, I’ll meet you two there.  Helena nodded and jerked her head at the door, waiting until Dinah closed the door behind her silently before Helena moved to lean on the bedroom doorjamb.  She watched in concern as Barbara slumped against the back of her chair.  Without hesitation Helena pushed off the door and knelt down in front of Barbara.

“I’m sorry, Helena.  That was mean and uncalled for.”

“What’s wrong, Red?”

Barbara closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose.  “Nothing, Hel... really.  I think I’m just tired,” knowing without looking exactly what kind of disbelieving expression Helena was giving her.  Barbara kept her eyes closed.  “Why don’t you go ahead without me, Sweetie?  I think I’m just going to stay here and go to bed early,” finally meeting Helena’s eyes and drawing a deep breath at what she found gazing back at her.

“No.”

One crimson brow popped into an equally red hairline.  “Excuse me?”

“I don’t think I stuttered, Barbara.”

“Helena....” her voice holding a note of frustration.

“Barbara, if I thought for one minute you were gonna actually tuck yourself into bed this early and get some sleep, I’d clear out for the duration.”  Helena captured Barbara’s hands in her own before Barbara could use them to hide behind again.  “But I know you, Barbara.  What gives?”

“Let it alone, Helena... please.”

“No, Red.  Now talk to me.”

“Dammit, Helena!  Don’t you start treating me like some sort of cripple too!” realizing she’d pushed too far when she saw Helena’s eye flicker to cat’s eye yellow briefly before Helena rose to her feet and stepped out of Barbara’s reach.

“That’s not fair, Barbara!  I have never - not once - treated you like a cripple!”

“Then why did you take Diana’s side??”

Helena put her hands on her hips.  “Barbara, I didn’t take anyone’s side,” throwing her hands out before letting them slap her thighs.  “There were no sides!”

Barbara sighed and clenched her jaw.  “Of course there weren’t.  Just give me a moment and I’ll be ready to join you.”

“I don’t think so, Red.  We’re not going anywhere until we get this settled.”

“Jesus, Helena... what in the hell do you want from me??”

“I want everything, Red.  Everything... including honesty.”

Barbara didn’t reply vocally, but Helena waited patiently, knowing the precise moment Barbara surrendered.  She knelt and lifted Barbara into her arms, relying on her meta-human strength and balance to keep from hurting either of them. 

“Put me down, Helena.  Put me down now.”  Barbara’s voice was sharp but held a note of weariness Helena could easily detect.

“No, Barbara.  This isn’t about your supposed handicap or....”

“Supposed??  What... now I’m imagining...???”

“Supposed,” Helena confirmed, cutting in smoothly.  “These,” hefting Barbara’s lower body enough for Barbara to recognize the movement, “aren’t where your strength is – it never was.”  Helena took a seat on the edge of the living room couch, loosening her hold on Barbara’s legs long enough to make a point.  “Your strength is here,” touching her fingers to Barbara’s head, then moving them to cover Barbara’s heart.  “And here.  So not being able to use your legs like everyone else does is only a handicap if you let it be,” encircling Barbara’s legs one again.

“You don’t know....”  Barbara’s voice was full of anger and tears. 

“No, I don’t,” Helena agreed softly.  “I don’t know what it’s like to lose something that is part of my very make-up – or to have it put out there to people who don’t know better as being all that I am.  But Barbara, I do know about loss.”  Barbara shook her head and Helena stopped talking, arching an eyebrow at Barbara who sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, shaking her head again.

Helena tightened her hold and rocked them slowly back and forth.  To her astonishment Barbara didn’t flinch or push her away; instead she held herself stiffly.  Helena continued to hold and rock, not pushing, not speaking, until finally Barbara curled into her embrace.  Only then did Helena rise and move them to the bed, confident Barbara was ready to talk.  Not that Helena needed to hear – she wasn’t stupid by any means and knew exactly what was troubling her partner.  But she also knew Barbara needed to share it if they were to move beyond it.

She placed Barbara against the headboard, allowing her to situate herself comfortably before Helena flopped onto the bed and put her head in Barbara’s lap.  Then she settled in to wait, knowing Barbara needed to relax and gather her thoughts together before she spoke.  And knowing when Barbara started combing through her hair absently, they were going to be there a while.

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

“Mommy?” Emma asked as she looked up from her cup of grapes.

“Yes, Baby?” Olivia replied, glancing across the food court at all the law enforcement personnel gathered together at the bar for what looked suspiciously like a brainstorming session.

“What kinds of stories do you suppose Gabrielle will tell tonight?”

Olivia blinked and returned her attention back to Emma.  “Well,” she replied thoughtfully, biting off the end of a fry, “I really don’t know, Em.  I don’t know what kinds of stories she knows.”

“I liked the story she told last night.  I thought that was kinda cool.  I’d never heard of anything called Bacchae before.  How do you think she came up with that idea?”

“I don’t....”

“They sounded way cooler than vampires.  Didn’t you think they sounded way cooler than vampires, Mommy?”

“I....”

“I wonder if she knows any princess stories.  Or maybe some detective stories.  Or maybe....”

“Or maybe we can wait and see what she’s gonna talk about,” Natalie cut in when she recognized the overwhelmed look on Olivia’s face.  “But Emma, you have to remember that she’s been asked to teach how to tell stories like she did last night.  I don’t know if that means that Gabrielle will actually be telling stories.”

Emma frowned.  “Why wouldn’t she?  My teacher uses stories to teach us things.”

“I don’t know that she won’t, Sweetie.  I just don’t know that she will either.”

“She will,” Emma stated confidently.  “You just watch.”

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

“Gods, that feels good,” Gabrielle moaned into the pillow her head was currently resting on. 

“Me or the massage?” Xena teased, leaning forward until the front of her naked body was just touching Gabrielle’s bare skin.

She turned her head to meet Xena’s eyes, her own twinkling in response.  “Yes,” she stated unequivocally.  She turned over, taking Xena’s hands in her own and raising them over her head, tugging gently until she and Xena were nose to nose.  “This is wonderful.”

Xena put their lips together, claiming Gabrielle thoroughly for long, passionate moments.  “Yes, it is,” she agreed with a smile as she pulled away.

“So what’s the occasion?”

Xena cocked an eyebrow and smirked.  “Do I need one?”

Gabrielle wrinkled her nose when she smiled in response.  “Of course not.”

“Good,” Xena replied, releasing Gabrielle’s hands and sitting up straighter.  “I’m glad we’re agreed on that point.  Although this time, I do have a reason.”

“Oh?”

“Um hmm.  See I thought you could do with a bit of pampering.”  She slid from Gabrielle’s hips and curled around her back, embracing her from behind.  Gabrielle melted into her and Xena let her hands trace up and down the soft skin.  “This weekend hasn’t really been very relaxing for you so far.”

“I dunno - I’m feeling pretty loose at the moment,” feeling Xena smile against her skin.  “Besides, it hasn’t been a cakewalk for you either,” Gabrielle returned humorously. 

Xena chuckled.  “Sure it has... different circumstances.  I didn’t get thrown into an impromptu storytelling session followed by a request for a lesson on storytelling AFTER finding out that a murder had been committed that caused the local police to look at me as a suspect because the victim was running a search bot on me.  I thought a little pampering might help you relax – a little dinner, a little massage, a little lovemaking....”  She kissed Gabrielle’s shoulder. 

“Well, I’m feeling very decadent – pampered and well-loved.”

Xena grinned.  “Good.  Mission accomplished then.”

“Definitely.”

Xena shifted just enough to glance at the clock.  “I hate to be the one to bust the bubble we’ve got going here, but if we don’t get cleaned up, we’re gonna be late for your storytelling seminar.”

Gabrielle frowned, the looked at the clock and sighed mightily.  “Fine,” she huffed though she never lost her relaxed smile.  “Since I did promise.”

“Yes, you did,” Xena agreed solemnly.  “And an Amazon Queen never breaks a promise.”

 “All right,” Gabrielle agreed as she slipped from the bed.  She held out her hand to Xena.  “Wash my back?”

“Like I’ve ever said no to that offer.”

Gabrielle’s laughter could be heard long after they closed the door behind them.

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

“Boss?”  Lucy looked up at the sound of Scud’s voice.  “You got a minute?”

“Have a seat,” motioning her to a seat across from her.  He let his eyes cut to Amy and Lucy just arched an eyebrow at him.  “Have a seat, Scud.  What’s on your mind?”

“Everything all right?”

Lucy cocked her head to one side and gave him a crooked grin.  “Sure... why wouldn’t it be?”  Scud just held her gaze until a pat on her arm from Amy caused Lucy to change her focus.  She looked at Amy who cupped her cheek and gave her a smile.  Lucy covered the hand on her face before she returned her attention to Scud.

“I’m fine.”

“So you don’t think the cops are looking at us?”

“No.”

Scud’s eyebrows popped to his forehead.  “Really?”

“Really,” turning back to Amy.  When she didn’t add anything else, Scud nodded briskly and rose from his seat.

“Well then.  Good... that’s good.  It is good, right?” seeing them both nod.  “Good.  I’ll go let Janet know.”  They waited for Scud to walk out of sight before they chuckled.

“That wasn’t very nice,” Amy said trying to hide her smile behind her hand.

Lucy captured the hand and held in it hers, keeping their other hands trapped against her face.  “He’ll live,” she said with a smile and a shrug.  “And I’ll give him the whole story later, but right now I’m enjoying the fact that I have no responsibilities and I’ve been cleared of suspicion.”

“Are we going to hear Gabrielle tonight?”

Lucy’s grin turned rakish.  “Do you have a better offer?”

Amy slipped her hand from Lucy’s face and tugged on the hands she still held.  “I think,” she said as she rose from her chair, “I could come up with something.”

“Do tell.”

Amy tugged again, and this time Lucy didn’t ask.  She simply rose and willingly followed where Amy led her.

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

“So where’s your partner, Nikki?” Andy asked as a group of writers made their way towards the otherwise empty convention room.  They were early, wanting to get good seats but were surprised to find themselves the first to arrive.  They tried the doors and found them locked so they settled in front of it to wait for someone to open it.

“She and some of the other law types have decided to solve this mess for themselves, I think.”

Blake’s eyebrows went to her hairline.  “Do they really think they can?  I mean they don’t have the resources of the local police.  Can they figure it out without access to all the facts?”

“I don’t see why not,” Annabelle commented.  “As long as they are equally willing to share what Desdemona was holding over them.”

“Why should that matter?” Emily asked.  Everyone turned back to Annabelle, curious to hear the younger woman’s thoughts.

“It seems to me that would help eliminate each other as suspects,” Annabelle said with a shrug.  “And wouldn’t they need to do that first?”  Everyone sat silently for a few minutes before Nikki spoke again.

“I’ll just be happy to have it done with.”

Before the rest could agree, a bedlam coming down the hall caused them to glance at each other and rise from their places on the floor.  When they realized it was a good portion of both conventions, they chuckled and waited for the rest to join them.


Chapter XLI

Dinah sat alone at the monitoring table behind the stage area when Xena and Gabrielle walked in through the back door.  Xena frowned.

“Everything all right?”

Dinah turned and nodded her head.  “Yeah.  I didn’t know if you wanted me to let people in before you got here so I kept the door locked.”

Xena nodded but didn’t say anything, knowing if there was a problem, Gabrielle would let her know.  Instead she crossed to the other side of the room and opened the doors to allow the seminar participants to stream in and find seats.  When Diana crossed the threshold, Xena jerked her head towards the back.  Diana accepted the wordless directive and headed towards the empty chair beside Dinah.

She got everything on her side situated to her satisfaction, then she turned to Dinah.  “Barbara’s still pissed, isn’t she?” watching Dinah’s face flush with color.  “Yeah, I thought as much.  I knew she would be if she heard about it.  I had just hoped....”  She shrugged.  “You all right?”

Dinah nodded her head.  “Yeah – Barbara’s really focused; she’s good at compartmentalizing things.  And Helena sent me over here before she tackled her.”

“If anyone can get Barbara to open up, Helena will,” Gabrielle said with a knowing smile.

“Which is why they’re not here now,” Diana commented.

Dinah glanced at her watch.  “Pretty much.  I doubt they’ll be here if you want to get started,” she added sparing a look in Gabrielle’s direction.  Gabrielle looked at her own watch.

“We have a few more minutes.  Are you all right to be here, Dinah?”

“Yeah, I’m good.  Helena’s block seems to have done the trick.”

Gabrielle nodded.  “I’m going to go find some water.  You ladies need anything?”

Dinah and Diana shook their heads and Gabrielle headed towards the back.  In a few minutes she returned, a bottle in her hand and an ice bucket with another couple bottles tucked into it.   Xena swooped in and relieved Gabrielle of the bucket, slipping it onto the stage without raising an eyebrow from the women in the audience.  Then she came back and quickly wired Gabrielle up, leaving her alone once she was done.

The murmur of the crowd was level and Gabrielle moved to a quiet corner to center herself.  When she was ready, she gave Xena a wink.  Xena nodded and took to the stage.  “Ladies, you know why you’re here.  So without further delay, allow me to present Gabrielle.”

The applause was loud though not raucous by any means, and Gabriele smiled as she took the stage.  “Good evenings, ladies.”

“Good evening,” came the unexpected response from the audience.  Gabrielle chuckled.

“Well, I have to admit I never expected such a turnout.” She looked around the room.  “You do realize I’m going to be teaching storytelling this evening, not telling stories, right?”  No one moved and Gabrielle shook her head with a smile.  “All right – just don’t say I didn’t warn you.  Now Ms McPherson, since you requested this session you volunteered to be my accomplice by default.  So please... come up here and join me on stage.”

Sam swallowed hard but rose gamely when Brooke patted her leg.  The women in the audience encouraged her by their applause and she made her way onto the stage, standing stiffly to one side as soon as she stepped onto the stage.  Gabrielle tilted her head and chuckled before shaking her head and making her way to Sam’s side.

“Okay – first things first,” Gabrielle said, crossing the platform and taking Sam by the arm to lead her to the center of the stage.  “You need to relax, Sam.  As uptight as you are, you’re not going to be able to remember your name much less the story you want to tell.”

“Huh?” Sam questioned after a long moment, drawing laughter from both Gabrielle and the audience.  She blushed and shook her head.  “Sorry,” she muttered.  “I’m probably not the best choice for this.”

Gabrielle smiled and signaled to Xena who hooked Sam up with sound even as Diana brought two stools to the stage.  Gabrielle nodded her thanks, motioning Sam to one stool while she took the other.  “Give the mic a test, Sam.”

“’Kay... what should I say?”

Gabrielle looked at Dinah who nodded her approval.  “That was good enough, Sam.  Now how about we get on with the business of learning how to tell stories?”

“Is it really something you can learn, Gabrielle?  I mean I’ve been writing stories all my life.  But I don’t know that I’ve ever told a story before.”

“Sam, if you can write a story, you can tell a story.  The difference is all in presentation.”

“But....”

Gabrielle smiled.  “Tell me your story, Sam.”  Sam looked nervously out at the expectantly waiting crowd.  Gabrielle put a hand on her arm.  “Don’t worry about them,” gesturing to the audience that sat in partial darkness.  “It’s just you and me here,” removing her hand.  “Tell me your story.”

“What story would you like me to tell?”

“It’s your story, Sam.  What story would you like to share with me?”

Sam sat quietly thinking, undisturbed by the eyes on her; she no longer saw them.  For her, Gabrielle was her audience and it was only peripherally that she was aware of anyone else in the room.  Sam started unexpectedly when Gabrielle’s hand landed on her arm again.

“Sam, you’re thinking too hard.  Start off with something you know – something familiar... comfortable.  It can be something that makes you laugh or cry, but it should be a memory – something that happened to you that you feel is important or worth sharing for whatever reason.”

Sam blinked, then scowled at Gabrielle.  “Wait... what?”

Gabrielle chuckled.  “The first rule of storytelling is that you stick with what you know.”

“Okay, so you knew about gods and Bacchae and immortals because you are all those things?”

“No,” glad she could reply truthfully because of the exactness of the parameters set in Sam’s question.  “Stories like the one I told last night fall into the second rule of storytelling.”

“Which is?”

“If you’re gonna tell tall tales, sweat the details.  And then practice, practice, practice.”

Sam looked out at the audience and unerringly zoned onto Brooke’s eyes.  “Remind me again why I thought this was gonna be a great idea?”

Brooke met her gaze unflinchingly.  “Because you’re a born storyteller, Sammie.  And having a master teach you can only make you better.”

Sam scratched the back of her neck.  “Oh yeah.”  She turned back to Gabrielle.  “Sorry.  Sometimes I need a reminder.”

Gabrielle patted the arm she still held.  “Sometimes we all do.  Now... tell me a story, Sam.”

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

“That was amazing,” Alex commented as the New York contingent slowly filed out of the convention room at the end of Gabrielle’s seminar.  “I feel like I could be a storyteller now.”

“I think that’s one of Gabrielle’s gifts as a storyteller – she can make you believe anything,” Abbie said ducking a swat from Alex.  “Hey!  Watch it, Cabot!  You’ll damage the merchandise!”

“Well then Casey can pick you up at a discounted price then, can’t she?” Alex snarked causing laughter to titter through the rest of the group.  Abbie pouted; Casey wrapped an arm around her waist.

“I’d pay full price,” she assured Abbie.  Alex wrapped an arm around Abbie’s shoulders and brushed a kiss over her temple.

“Yeah, we still love you, Carmichael.”  Tracey gagged at Alex’s words.

“Is it getting deep in here?”

“This coming from a lawyer,” Olivia snorted, then skittered away from all of them when they all raised their hands to swing at her.  “I’m gonna go walk over there now,” pointing towards Lindsay. 

“Better stay and take your medicine, Detective,” Jo said with a grin on her face.

“Is that your professional opinion, Detective, or are you just whipped?”

“Oh no you didn’t.”

Olivia took off running with Jo hot on her heels.  Alex and Blair exchanged glances and shook their heads though they couldn’t hide the smiles they sported.  The rest of their comrades didn’t even try to pretend indifference – they simply laughed aloud at the antics of the two police officers.  Melinda sighed.

“And here I thought my kids were the children of the group.”

“Your kids are the children of the group,” Alex assured her drolly.  “These are simply five-year-old adults with driver’s licenses and credit cards.”  Jo and Olivia stopped chasing each other and turned to glare at Alex.  The look she gave them caused them to exchange glances and shrug sheepishly, then turn back to join their friends on the walk back to their rooms.

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

“You know,” Ziva said as the NCIS team exited the convention room, “despite everything, I am very glad we came to this conference.”

“Why is that, Ziva?” Catherine asked.  The CSI team was walking just ahead of the group from DC, and Catherine was naturally curious.

“I am having a good time,” was Ziva’s answer.  Everyone was somewhat nonplussed by her statement and it took them a moment to respond.

“You didn’t expect to?  Ziva, this is Disney World,” JJ replied.

“Yes, but I did not know much of Disney World and I certainly never thought I would meet so many women with so many things in common with me.  I was... hesitant... when it was first suggested we attend this event.”

“That’s true,” Abby piped up.  “Kate and I had to do some serious fast-talking to get her to agree.”

“Well, that and Gibbs insisted.”

“No one had to insist for us to come,” Garcia confessed.  “In fact we were the ones who had to do the fast-talking to convince The Powers That Be that it would be advantageous for us to be here.”

“Well I for one am thrilled you girls insisted,” Sabrina said.  “I wouldn’t have missed the opportunity to get reacquainted with my niece again.  Even Desdemona’s death can’t dampen that experience,” wrapping an arm around Emily’s waist and smiling when the affectionate gesture was returned.

“Do you think the police will solve it?” Sara asked.

The groups looked at each other and finally lifted their shoulders in a unified shrug.  “It’s hard to say,” Kelly eventually commented.  “Especially since we don’t have access to their data or the facts and theories in the case.  I personally don’t think anyone here did it and I’m not sure they will ever find who did.”

“Can I ask why?” Lilly questioned.

“To which part?”

“Both.”

“Well, I don’t think anyone here did it because doing so brought to light things most of us would prefer remained secret for one reason or another.  But by killing her and making all of us viable suspects for however briefly, the waters were muddled long enough for the guilty party to get away.  I don’t think they will find the killer because they aren’t looking in the right direction.”

“Do you know what the right direction is?” from Sophia.

“No,” Kelly replied calmly.  “I just don’t think it’s among us.”

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

“Sam, that was amazing,” Jordan commented.  The rest nodded their agreement vigorously. 

“I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised.  I really didn’t think I could do it.”

“Why not, Sammie?” Brooke queried.  “You’re a natural.”

“I didn’t expect to be... not in this.  This was closer to acting than writing.”

Tootie nodded.  “She’s right – it really is.  You have to put yourself out there.  The difference is an actor puts themselves out there as someone else for someone else.  With a storyteller it’s all them.”

“Well, I thought it was fabulous,” Natalie said with a grin.  “Thank you for asking for the seminar, Sam.  I really enjoyed it.”

“We all did,” Cindy commented.  “I think even the law enforcement types did,” squeezing Lindsay’s hand and returning the smile she got.

“So, Ms McPherson,” Andy said with mock seriousness, holding up her pencil like it was a microphone.  “When can we expect your first performance?”

“Andrea,” Miranda chided.  “Don’t put Ms McPherson on the spot like that.  I’m sure she’ll remember to invite us all to her debut.”  Her tone was serious, but her blue eyes twinkled.  The corner of her lip twitched when Sam’s startled eyes met hers and Sam recognized Miranda’s hidden sense of humor.  She chuckled and shook her head.

“I’m certainly looking forward it,” Simone said.  “I wonder if we could possibly teach this; add it to the curriculum in our schools.”

“Perhaps,” Miranda mulled, “though considering how the arts are disappearing from our school system, we might be better served to do something more along these lines,” motioning around her, “at our colleges and universities.”  She shrugged.  “Something to think about.”

“I think it’s a wonderful idea, Mom,” Caroline spoke up for the first time.  “The question is could you sell the idea to them?”

“The bigger question is would Gabrielle be willing to do it?” Cassidy added.

“I think Gabrielle could be convinced,” Brooke said.  “And with all the influential people on both sides of these conferences, I think we could open some doors to institutes of higher learning.”

Caroline and Cassidy exchanged glances.  “Lawyer, right?” they snickered.  Brooke just laughed and nodded, and the rest were happy to join in.

“So long as we can get some of those visits on the other side of the pond,” Nikki said. 

“Absolutely,” Scribbs agreed.  “I’d pay to see her in concert.”

“I think we all would, Emma,” Helen stated and the rest nodded their agreement.

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

“So what did you think, Sweetie?” Angela asked as they made their way back to the other side of the resort.  Bones shook her head.

“I’m not sure that I can agree with her methods.  After all, my work is nothing like that.  My books are very factual and Gabrielle seems to deal in flights of fancy.

“That’s what makes her so amazing,” Camille said.  “That she can take a thread of an idea and spin it into whole cloth... it’s a gift.  That she can teach others to do the same is extraordinary.”

“I don’t understand that.  How does it make her better?”

“I didn’t say it did,” Camille objected.

“Are you jealous, Sweetie?” Angela asked softly.

“I’m not jealous!  I’m not!” Bones stated forcefully.  “I am a genius after all. That makes me better than gifted.”

“And people relate to her naturally.  She makes it look effortless.” Angela took Bones hand in hers.  “It’s all right to be jealous, Brennan.  It makes you human like the rest of us, all right?” waiting for Tempe to slowly nod her head.  “Now did you enjoy the stories?”

Brennan nodded.  “I did.  That’s part of what I don’t understand.  I really didn’t want to be impressed, but I was.”

Angela and Camille exchanged smiles.  “It’s okay, Dr. Brennan,” Camille offered.  “People in our field feel the same way about you.  You’ve found your place; don’t be so anxious to give it up for something that may not satisfy your scientific curiosity or your search for the truth.”

“There’s nothing that says you can’t enjoy something just because it’s new to you, Sweetie.  How else do we grow as people if we don’t try new things?”

Bones puzzled silently as they reached their rooms.  “Maybe she’ll perform again tomorrow night.  I would like to hear her again,” she confessed.

Angela and Camille nodded.  “So would I,” they chorused as they crossed the thresholds into their rooms. 


Chapter XLII

“Did you enjoy yourself, Jellybean?” Gabrielle asked Emma as Diana and Dinah were wrapping things up for the night.  Emma had insisted that they say goodnight to Gabrielle and Xena so the Spencer-Rivera family were among the last to leave the big hall.

Emma grinned and nodded enthusiastically.  “Oh yes!  That was awesome!  You helped Sam tell some good stories.  You told some good stories too.”

Xena put an arm around Gabrielle’s waist.  “It’s what she does best, Jellybean,” not even drawing snickers from the rest.  Gabrielle leaned into her, accepting it for the compliment it was meant to be.

“Well, I really liked it.”  She looked at Gabrielle seriously.  “You should go on tour or something.  I’ll bet lots of people would pay to hear you tell stories like that.”

Gabrielle smiled.  “Maybe.  But I’m glad you had a good time tonight.  Are you coming to the talent show tomorrow night?”

“Are you telling stories again?”

“No, but Xena is going to sing.” 

Emma’s eyes went round.  “You can sing?”  Xena nodded.  “Wow... I didn’t know a Queen’s Champion had to do so much stuff.”  Emma turned and looked straight at Gabrielle.  “I’ll make you a deal,” waiting for Gabrielle to nod.  “I’ll tell a story if you’ll tell a story.”

Xena chuckled silently, knowing Emma had just put Gabrielle up on the stage again because there was no way Gabrielle would say no to that.  Gabrielle held Emma’s gaze a long moment, but Emma didn’t even blink.

“Are you sure, Emma?”  Emma nodded.  “All right.  You tell a story and I’ll tell a story.”  Emma pumped her arm in victory causing a chuckle to run through the assembled adults. 

“Too cool – I’ll be a Queen’s Champion yet.  Queen’s Champions can tell stories instead of sing, can’t they?”

“Absolutely,” Gabrielle agreed.  “You do know that some songs tell stories too right?”

“Wow!”

“And on that note,” Olivia said, taking Emma by the hand on one side and Natalia by the hand on the other, “we’ll see you ladies in the morning.”

“Goodnight, guys,” grinning when Emma turned around and waved enthusiastically as they walked out the door.  Gabrielle leaned more heavily into Xena’s body. Xena brushed her lips over Gabrielle’s forehead. 

“You all right?” she whispered, smiling when she felt Gabrielle nod against her.

“Yeah,” Gabrielle replied.  “Just tired.  Been a REALLY long day.”

“Well, Diana and Dinah are almost done.  We should be able to leave soon.”

At that moment Diana and Dinah walked over to them.  “Everything’s saved and backed up and we’re ready to go for tomorrow’s sessions,” Diana informed them.  “Dinah’s going to stay with me tonight.”

“Yeah, I think Helena and Barbara need a little time alone and Diana offered so....” tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“I think that’s a great idea,” Gabrielle agreed.  “Helena will put Barbara in a better frame of mind and tomorrow her anger will have turned into something less volatile.  Maybe by then the detectives will have some other leads to follow.”

“That’d be nice,” Dinah said.  “Though I have to tell you guys, I don’t think the guilty party is here.”

“Really?” from Diana.

Dinah nodded and tucked her hair again.  “Yeah.  Everyone is projecting and when I dropped my walls earlier, all I got was frustration and confusion.  I think if our killer was here I would have gotten something different.”

Xena nodded.  “I think you’re probably right.  But I don’t think we can do much about it tonight.  C’mon,” she said, tangling her fingers with Gabrielle’s and motioning Diana and Dinah to walk ahead of them.  “Let the police worry about it.”

Three sets of eyebrows rose to three different hairlines.  “That’s it?” Diana asked incredulously.

“For tonight – yes,” Xena replied.  “As Dinah pointed out, our killer isn’t here and we’ve all had a very long day today already.”  She waited for the other three to walk out the door in front of her, then pulled it shut behind her, making sure it was locked.

“You two go get some rest,” Gabrielle instructed before they could ask any more questions.  “We’ll meet you back here first thing in the morning?”  Both women nodded and Gabrielle gave them a sincere smile.  “Thank you both for your help tonight.”

“I had a blast,” Dinah proclaimed with a smile.

“As did I,” Diana agreed with a nod of her head.  “Thank you for allowing us to attend.  You do realize Mother is going to be inconsolable when she learns she missed this.”

“How fortunate that you got everything on disc.”

“No kidding – Barbara’s gonna be even more pissed when she finds out what she missed,” Dinah chirped.

“She’ll get over it,” Gabrielle promised.  “She’s got Helena and for now, that’s enough.”  She crinkled her nose up when she smiled.  “Besides, she can watch it later.”

“This is our stop,” Diana said, motioning to her room.  She slid the key in the lock.  “Goodnight, ladies.”

“Night,” Xena and Gabrielle chimed together as they turned and headed out towards the suite they were staying in.

“You know who killed Desdemona, don’t you?” Gabrielle asked when she was certain they were alone.

“I know who killed Desdemona; I’m not certain why yet though I have my suspicions.”

“I see.  And how did you figure it out?”

Xena just gave her a look.  “A little research... a little reading.  I’m actually pretty good at putting these things together when I make an effort,” Xena replied wryly.

“Yeah, I’ve heard rumors to that effect though I’d been told by someone in the know,” giving Xena a smirk, “that it was all just natural talent.  I’m actually inclined to go with that natural talent theory, having seen it in action on more than one occasion about any number of skills you seem to possess,” drawing a smile from Xena. 

“Hey!  I work at some of them too,” she protested with the slightest pout.

“Oh, I know,” Gabrielle concurred.  “You’re all about practicing and improving.  I benefit from that a lot,” she added with a grin that widened at Xena’s cocky smirk.  “So would you like to share this particular bit of natural brilliance with me or are you gonna make me figure it out for myself?” asked with another smile.

“In the spirit of good time management and considering the fact that I have far more important things to do with you tonight than discuss this murder, I might be willing to share with you this one time.  Next time, however....”

Gabrielle’s eyes widened.  “You expect us to do this again??”

“The convention... yes.  The murder?  Not so much.”

“Thank the gods.  Once of that circumstance is enough though I’m still not convinced Desdemona didn’t do this deliberately just to cause us all kinds of issues.”

Xena snorted.  “I doubt she’s that talented.  Besides, it’s a hell of a long way to go to make a point, and for most people death is kinda permanent.”

“I guess we should count ourselves lucky she wasn’t our kind,” Gabrielle commented drolly.  “But that doesn’t get me any closer to knowing who killed her.”

“What’s it worth to you to know?” Xena asked as she unlocked the door.

“What’s it worth to you to keep it a secret?” Gabrielle countered with a smirk as she crossed the threshold.  Xena just dropped her chin to her chest knowing it was the one argument she would never win.  Gabrielle chuckled.  “Never try to out-barter a bard – especially one with my years of experience.”

“You’d think I’d remember that after a while,” shaking her head as she followed Gabrielle inside.  They exchanged looks.

“Nah,” they commented together as they closed door on their laughter.

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

“You’re amazing,” Barbara commented with a smile as she ran her hands over Helena’s smooth skin, still slick with sweat.  She realized her error immediately as Helena reared up and leaned over her sporting a cocky smirk on her face.

“You were pretty amazing yourself.  Wanna go again?”

Barbara chuckled and shook her head, drawing Helena’s lips to hers and allowing Helena to deepen it for long moments.  She pulled back slowly, smiling at the golden cat’s eyes that stared back at her hungrily.  “That’s not what I meant,” brushing the dark bangs away from Helena’s eyes, “and you know it.”

“Hey, can I help it if you spoke the truth and it sounded like an offer?” said teasingly... lightly.

“Why do you do that?  Why do you downplay how important you are to me?”  Gold eyes went deep blue and widened.  Helena opened her mouth to respond, but no sound came out.  She dropped her head back to Barbara’s shoulder and replaced her arm on Barbara’s torso.  “Helena, you do so much for me – make such a difference in my life just by being you.  That’s one reason....”  Barbara trailed off and Helena tilted her head up, bringing Barbara’s profile into view.  She watched Barbara bite her lip and sat up again, keeping her eyes on Barbara’s face even though the green eyes were closed to her.

Helena’s brow furrowed.  “This isn’t about what happened with Diana earlier is it?” feeling Barbara’s heartbeat skip before going into overdrive.  “Barbara, look at me.”  Barbara scrunched up her eyes tighter, allowing a tear to leak out from one corner.  Helena leaned up and kissed it away, the lightest touch of her tongue pulling a shiver out of Barbara.  “Baaaaar-barrrrra,” she drawled slowly, the tiniest hint of laughter in her tone.  “Look at me, Barbara.”

“Please don’t make me,” came the barest whisper from Barbara’s nearly unmoving lips.

Helena stroked the side of Barbara’s face tenderly before cupping Barbara’s cheek.  “Barbara... when have I ever been able to make you do anything?  Open your eyes for me... please?  I wanna see those beautiful green eyes looking back at me with love that’s all mine.”

Barbara couldn’t resist that quiet plea any more than she could stop breathing and live.  She blinked her eyes open and felt another tear slide down her face at the look of loving adoration that was shining from Helena’s very blue eyes.

“Barbara,” Helena said softly.  “You have nothing to worry about.  There’s no reason for you to be jealous.  I love Dinah and I’m proud that she trusts me to protect her like that, but I’m in love with you.  I think I always have been.”

“I know that in my mind,” Barbara admitted, pushing her hair off her face, then covering Helena’s hand with her own.  “I know that in my heart too – really, I do.  But sometimes... seeing it – it’s incredibly intimate, Hel - and then being so forcibly reminded of my physical challenges....”  Helena’s hand slid from beneath hers and Barbara felt the slightest soft touch on her lips when Helena’s fingers covered her lips to stem the tide of her words.

“Barbara, if you would like to experience what we share when Dinah and I do an energy transfer, we’d be glad to show you.”

“No, Helena... no.  I would never put either of you in danger like that.  It was just everything and at the end of the day....”

“At the end of the day even superheroes need some down time.  But Barbara, I need you to remember something for me.”

“What’s that, Sweetheart?”

“I want everything.”

Barbara nodded.  “Then you have to remember something as well, Helena.  So do I.  Please don’t discount your importance in my life anymore.  Or pretend you’re not the romantic I know you are.”

“You’re gonna ruin my rep, Oracle.”

“Don’t worry, Huntress – your secret’s safe with me.”  Then Barbara pulled Helena to her again and they stopped talking.

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

“I was kinda surprised Wendy decided we should go to that storytelling seminar tonight,” Nikki commented to Nora as they made their way back towards their room.  “I mean, I enjoyed Gabrielle’s presentation and all.  She should really come to New Orleans; they’d love her there.  But I wouldn’t have had a problem giving it a miss to talk to Wendy a little more.”

“I asked her to,” Nora confessed holding tight to the hand she was clasping.  Nikki snapped her head around swiftly, meeting Nora’s eyes and holding them while silently demanding an explanation with her own.  Nora sighed, but didn’t look away.  “I know what you suspect, Nikki.  I felt the tremor that ran through you when she mentioned the name of the man her mother dated.”  Nora blew out a breath, never dropping the outraged brown eyes now burning into hers.  “I wanted to give you a chance to come to grips with it before we talked to her again.  You deserved the chance to do that privately.”

“You mean before I have to tell her she’s my bastard half-sister?  That the man I’ve idolized and looked up to my whole life is nothing but a cheat and a liar??”  Her voice never rose above a harsh whisper, but the tears slid down her face in rivulets.  Nora pulled them to a halt and cupped Nikki’s face, stiffening when Nikki jerked away from her touch.  She grabbed on a second time... a little more forcefully but only enough to get Nikki’s attention.

“Oh no, Nikki – you don’t get to hide from me.  We’re a couple... as legal as we can make it in the state of Louisiana.  We may not get to be married much to my mama’s disappointment, but that doesn’t lessen our responsibility to or for one another.  You don’t get to carry this by yourself – I won’t let you!”  Nikki blinked at the ferocity in Nora’s voice.  “Are we perfectly clear?” Nora asked.  Nikki just nodded.  “Good.  Now, let’s go back to our room and crawl into that soft bed and snuggle for a while.  This day has been forever long and I want a little time to just be with you.  We can worry about what to tell Wendy tomorrow.”

Nikki wiped her eyes and nodded, taking Nora’s hand in hers once more and holding onto it like it was a lifeline.  “That sounds wonderful.  I love you, Nora.”

“And I love you Nikki... so much.  Who knows?  You may grow to like the idea of having a sister.”

“As long as I’ve got you, Sugar, it’s all good.”

They didn’t even notice the local detectives pass them on their way out.

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

“Wow,” Bornlan commented.  “Wonder what that was all about.”

“Given the way these women have responded to the death of our victim, I believe it is safe to say it had nothing to do with our case,” Kennian replied.

“I’d be inclined to agree with that.”  Teresa stretched and yawned.  “God, I’m tired.  It’s been a long time since I had to work round the clock like this.”

“Would you prefer to return home for the night and resume our investigation in the morning?”

“I would prefer this investigation be over and we have our murderer in custody.  However, since that is unlikely to happen in the next five minutes....”  Bornlan glanced at her watch.  “Damn!  When did it get so late?”

Kennian suspected it was a rhetorical question so she chose not to answer it.  Instead she continued down the hallway that led back to the convention rooms.  “Where are we setting up?”

“Let’s check the computer... see if anything new came in.  Then we can go over to the other room.  I feel better about spreading out in there.  I don’t think anyone will bother us.”

Kennian looked around at the empty hall deserted by everyone but themselves and a couple custodians.  Still she nodded her head and headed for the main room to discover it was locked.  Bornlan banged her head against the wall.

“Of course it’s locked.  There’s a lot of equipment and gadgets in those rooms.”  She blew out a frustrated breath.  “Look, I’ll go see if I can find someone to open this up for us and you go on and get started on my list.  I’ll be as quick as I can.  Then I’ll start going over your list while you check the computer.”

Shana nodded.  “That seems to be the wisest course of action.  You will call...?”

“... if anything comes up – yes.”

“Very well,” Kennian agreed and slipped across the hall to the room that had been set aside for them.  Bornlan waited until Shana opened the door, then she turned and headed back the way she’d come from.


Chapter XLIII

“My brain hurts,” Bornlan complained as she dropped her head down onto the table.  Her actions knocked over a Red Bull can, but she couldn’t bring herself to care enough to pick it up.  Kennian ran a hand through her disheveled hair, wondering absently if she’d be able to find enough pins to put it up again.

“Perhaps we should quit for the night, Teresa, and pick it up fresh in the morning.  A few hours of sleep would do us both a world of good and might give us a different perspective on things.”

Bornlan groaned.  “I know you’re right, Shana, but it feels like we’re soooo close.  Have we gone over everything?”

“At least twice,” Kennian replied cuttingly, rubbing her eyes with her fingertips.  “Sorry,” she muttered.  “I believe I have hit a wall.”

“I think we both probably have,” Bornlan confessed as she lifted her head off the desk.  She reached forward and rescued the can, tossing it into a nearby trashcan before beginning to straighten the stacks of papers on the table.  Kennian tilted her head in question.

“Let’s go see if they’ve got a place we can crash in for a few hours.  All these rooms... there’s bound to be something, right?  And if not, we can probably at least get a nice hot shower somewhere.  That would probably help wake us up if nothing else.”  Kennian stretched, then flinched as she heard her vertebrae pop back into place.  Bornlan cut her eyes in Shana’s direction.  “That sounded evil.” 

“Yes, but surprisingly I feel better,” rising to her feet.  “Come.  Let us find somewhere to get some rest.  We can start again in a few hours.”

“I like the sound of that.”

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

“I have to tell you – this is highly unusual,” Mary Shannon confided in her charge as she sipped from a fresh cup of piping hot coffee.  The truck stop was clean and was a welcome respite from the driving they’d been doing for the past several hours.

“I’m aware, Marshal.  But it’s necessary.”

“So you wanna tell me how I got involved?”

“Because eventually the police will figure out that I’m missing and will start looking for me.  They’re not gonna be looking for you or someone traveling with you.”

“But with your obvious resources....”

The redhead smiled.  “You’re legitimate, Marshal.  If they get as far as you in their search for me, they’ll have to stop looking at that point.”

Mary frowned.  “I’m not sure I like that.”

“Marshal, I assure you that both you and your job are perfectly safe.”

“Why do I get the feeling that the less I know in this situation, the better off I am?”

“Because you’re a really smart cookie,” the other woman said with a smile.  Mary just shook her head.

“C’mon,” she said as she rose and dropped a few bills on the table.  “We need to get on the road and I need to make a phone call.”  The other woman nodded and stood as well.

“You want me to drive for a while?”

Mary looked at her for a long moment.  “This is just so weird,” handing over the keys.  “Most people just aren’t this accommodating.”

“Yeah, but most people don’t want to be where I am at the moment.”  She popped the locks and opened the driver’s side door.  “Make your call, Marshal.  Your partner’s probably wondering what the hell by now.”

Mary dialed the number and turned on the speakerphone.  She figured introducing this woman to her partner even via phone would be partial payback for the psychedelic hallucination her life had suddenly become.

“House of Pie... Marshal Marshall Mann speaking.”

“Hey, Marshall – it’s me,” Mary replied, trying desperately not to snicker at the expression on her companion’s face.  It was going to be an interesting ride to the airport.

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

“You know, Ash... I never expected our first trip to America to be quite so....”

“Convoluted?” Kate offered as she slid into bed.

“I was going to say exciting,” Emma stated drolly as she rinsed her toothbrush and dropped it into the cup.  She shook her head and crawled into bed, shifting the covers until Kate sat up and glared at her.

“Will you please stop that this instant?  It’s most annoying.”

Scribbs pouted just the least little bit.  “I’m just trying to get comfortable.”

“Well do so quickly.  You’re keeping me awake with all your fidgeting.”

“I could keep you awake with conversation if you’d rather,” Emma answered cheekily.  Ash just gave her a baleful stare.  “Oh c’mon Ash - can you honestly say you aren’t having fun here?”

“I am learning some useful information and making some good contacts,” Kate conceded, watching a frown crease Emma’s forehead.  “And I did enjoy the scavenger hunt we participated in last night.”

“That was great fun.  Too bad we can’t do something like that at home.”

Ash chuckled.  “The boys would never stand for it – too much effort,” she added.  Emma shrugged.

“You’re probably right,” she agreed, sliding down until her head hit the pillow.  “Wonder what they’d think about Gabrielle.”

“Oh... that would be bad,” Kate said seriously.  Emma rose up to catch the look on Ash’s face and didn’t see even the hint of a twinkle in her eyes.  She frowned again.

“Why’d you say that?  I thought she was amazing.”

“Oh she was,” Kate confirmed instantly.  “But despite their apparent easygoing nature, I don’t think she or her partner would put up with lewd comments.  And you know there would be some,” thinking of some of their personal experiences.

Scribbs bit her lip.  “I’d pay good money to see that,” she stated plainly.  “It’d be nice to see someone give them their comeuppance.  And I got the feeling they’d be just the ones to do it.”

Ash smiled, letting her mind daydream about it for a moment.  “C’mon then,” she said, turning over on her side and pulling the covers up over her shoulder.  “Shut off the light and let’s get some sleep.  We have another full day tomorrow.”

“Hopefully without any more murders.”

“Bite your tongue, Emma,” Ash commanded sharply.  Emma smirked, having clearly heard the glare behind her words.

“What?” she asked innocently. “I want to see the talent show tomorrow night.  I hear it’s going to be very entertaining.  I don’t want anything else interfering in our weekend.”

“I think it’s safe to say no one does, Emma.  Now go to sleep.”

“Yes, Mum,” Scribbs grumbled, but the room fell into silence and soon only the sound of two women breathing the deep breaths of sleep could be heard in the room.

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

“That was fun, mom.  Thanks for inviting me along,” Ashlee said as they pulled back into the parking lot of her apartment building.  Doris smiled and turned to face her daughter.

“It really was, wasn’t it?  I have to admit I was kind of surprised you wanted to come along.”

Ashlee tilted her head at Doris.  “Why?”

“C’mon, Ashlee... hanging with your old mom on a Saturday night?  You’ve gotta have better things to do.  Don’t you?”

Ashlee shrugged.  “Sometimes,” she replied honestly.  “Don’t worry, Mom.  I’ve got friends here; we go out and do things.  But I am here to work so it’s not like I go out every night or even every weekend.  Geez... I didn’t do that at home with people I grew up knowing.”

Doris tucked a loose strand of blonde hair behind Ashlee’s ear.  “I know.  I just worry.”

“Don’t.  I’m all right.”

“I know.  But I’ll always worry.  It’s my job.”

Ashlee rolled her eyes and reached for the door handle.  “C’mon.  It’s late and I’ve got to work tomorrow while you’re conventioning.”

They exited the car and headed to Ashlee’s apartment.  “But you’re coming tomorrow night, right?  I made sure it was okay.”

“Yes, Mom.  I’ll be there tomorrow night,” Ashlee agreed as she opened the door and ushered her mom inside.  “Are you participating?”

“As a performer?” Doris asked, shaking her head.  “No.  But if the rumors I’ve heard going around are true, it should be a lot of fun.”

“Really?”  Ashlee cringed, recognizing the disbelief in her voice.  “I mean... I’m sure it will be.  But anything has to be better than that whole murder thing, right?”

Doris sighed and dropped onto the couch.  “God, yes.  What an utter disaster that has been,” smiling wryly when she heard Ashlee giggle.  “You know what I mean.”

“Yeah, I do,” snagging a couple water bottles and passing one to Doris.  “Do you think they’ll catch the guy who did it?”

Doris swallowed the mouthful of water she’d taken and tilted her head at Ashlee thoughtfully.  “Honestly, I don’t know.  And I really can’t claim to care very much either.  Desdemona was an ass, and personally I’m glad to see her dead.”

“MOM!”

“Ashlee, I’m not going to pretend to feel remorse or upset because she’s dead.  And I doubt many of the others will either.  She was a leech.”

“Don’t you think your attitude might make the police scrutinize you a little more closely?”

Doris shook her head.  “No, because everyone else feels the same way.”

Ashlee thought about that statement a long moment and shook her head.  “You know... that’s a really sad commentary to have made about your life.”

“Yeah, it really is.  C’mon,” Doris added as she stood.  “It’s late and I’m tired.”

“Me too,” Ashlee agreed, “but I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me too, Baby Girl.  Me too.”

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

“So did you all get it solved then, Love?” Nikki asked as she wrapped her length around Helen’s.  Helen scooted back until they fit perfectly.

“What’s that, Swee’heart?” snuggling close and smiling when Nikki tucked her head into the crook of Helen’s neck.  Nikki brushed a kiss over the juncture of Helen’s neck and shoulder, grinning and doing it a second time when she felt Helen shiver in her arms.

“What’s what?” trailing her lips up Helen’s neck to her ear as her hand skittered up and down Helen’s torso.

Helen closed her eyes and took a deep breath.  “Nik, what’re you talking about?” feeling Nikki smile against her skin.  “You know I canna think when you do that.”

Nikki nodded and propped her head on her arm so she could look down at the woman cradled by her body.  “I know, but it’s fun to make you lose focus so easily now that I can without fear of reprisals or worrying that you might pull away from me.  Do you know how many times I held myself back from you?”

Helen shifted until she was laying flat on her back, causing Nikki to frown until she cupped Nikki’s face in her hand and tenderly stroked away the expression.  “Yes,” she replied simply.  “I canna tell you how glad I am that you were as damned persistent as you were.  I wouldna have wanted to miss this, Nikki... not for anythin’.”

“So you don’t miss it then?  Being a Governor? Working in the prison system like before?”

“Not at all, Nik.”  Helen shifted again until they were facing one another, her head propped on her hand mirroring Nikki’s position though they still were not equal in height.  “Nikki, I’ve learned a lot at this conference; I’ve made some good contacts that might be useful for me down the road.  But working in the system... that’s not for me anymore.  I truly believe that I was there for one reason and one reason alone.”  Helen waited for Nikki to look up at her from under her lashes.  “Nikki, I was there to find you. “

Nikki couldn’t stop the grin that started curling the edges of her mouth until it widened to show sparkling white teeth even as a blush crawled up her face.  “Really?” she asked softly, her eyes dropping to the bed again.  Helen slid her hand from Nikki’s cheek until it was under her chin.  Then she gently urged Nikki’s face up until their eyes met.

“Really.”

Nikki leaned forward until their lips met.  Their verbal conversation was over for the night.

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

“So what do you think?” Amy asked while tucked naked into bed with Lucy sharing a snack.

“I think I feel really relaxed,” Lucy said with a smirk.  “This was a great idea.”  She leaned over for a kiss that Amy was more than happy to provide.  They separated after a moment and Amy leaned back slightly to remove the tray of food from between them.  She placed it on the floor and twisted until she was facing Lucy again.

“Yeah, it was.  But that wasn’t what I was talking about.”

“I know,” Lucy said, giving Amy a rakish grin.  “But this really was a good idea.”  She cupped Amy’s face.  “I missed you today.  It seems like....”

“... today was years long?” watching Lucy nod her agreement.  “I know, but at least at the end of it we’re together.”

Lucy’s smile grew impossibly brighter and Amy leaned in for yet another kiss.  “I love you, ya know?”

“I know - and I love you... so much. What happened with Desdemona just brings it home.”  Lucy frowned and Amy smoothed the lines out with a gentle smile.  “Not the Desi part so much.  She got what she deserved,” she declared with more than a hint of force.  “But knowing that things can change in an instant....”

“Yeah.”

“But that still didn’t answer my original question,” Amy said and cuddled into Lucy’s body.  Lucy smiled and wrapped an arm around her, brushing a kiss over slightly sweaty blonde hair.  “What do you think?”

“About?”  Amy shifted enough to look at Lucy, poking her in the side then wrapping an arm over her stomach when she tried to squirm away.  “What?” she added with a hint of laughter.  “Stop that!” when Amy started tickling up her ribs.  “All right!  All right!  I surrender!”

“Heh.”

“I think I don’t care who killed her.  I know I didn’t and you didn’t and Xena made sure the cops understood I didn’t kill her.  That’s enough for me.”

“Really?”

“Really.

“I hope they figure it out just so a cloud doesn’t hang over all the folks here.  Most of them seem like decent sorts and it’d suck to have this following them around for the rest of their lives.”

“Do you think they figured it out – the law enforcement people that were all sitting around the bar earlier, I mean?”

Lucy shrugged.  “I dunno.  Guess we’ll hear tomorrow if they did,” she added with a smile.  “But we have lots of time before tomorrow comes.”

Amy simply reached over and turned out the light.


Chapter XLIV

“Polniaczek,” Jo whispered into her phone as she squinted in the direction of the clock.  She slid out from under Blair’s body, slipping her pillow into Blair’s arms as a substitute and sitting up on the edge of the bed.  “Jamie, is everything okay?”

“You went to Disney World without me,” came the flat answer.  Jo yanked the phone from her ear and glared at it before she glanced at the clock again.

“You’re calling me from Europe at five o’clock in the morning to complain that I came to Disney World without you?”

“Yes!”  A beat.  “No... well, sorta,” she added with a semi-whine.  Jo scrubbed a hand through her hair.

“Jamie....” impatience apparent even in her whisper.

“I heard about the murder.”

“WHAT?!”  Jo’s voice was hushed but still harsh enough to convey her dismay.  Blair stirred behind her and she dropped her voice back to the merest whisper.  “What did you hear?  How did you hear?”

“There was a blurb about Desdemona’s demise in one of the papers.”  Jo frowned. Jamie didn’t know anything about Desdemona so what would she care enough to read an article about her?  Then Jamie was speaking again.  “Actually it wasn’t about her specifically.  It was an article about this massive media convention at Walt Disney World that she had supposedly been attending when she was murdered.  Then it mentioned that there was a sister law enforcement convention that several prominent members of the NYPD as well as the New York bar were attending. It didn’t take me long to figure it out.  You went to Disney World without me,” finishing on a petulant note.

“And you’re in Europe; I’m not seeing the problem.”  Jo jumped when Blair wrapped her arms around her belly and leaned into her back, brushing a kiss on the back of her neck.

“The problem,” Blair growled in a sleep-laden voice as she took the phone from Jo’s hand, “is that her moms went to Disney World without her.  Hey Jamie,” she greeted without missing a beat as she lifted the phone to her ear.

“Good morning, Mother.  Are you both all right?  Seriously?”

Blair smiled and pushed her hair off her face.  Then she shifted to accommodate Jo’s moving form, lying back and putting her free arm around Jo’s back when Jo snuggled up into her body and buried her nose in her neck.  “We’re fine, Sweetie,” Blair said with complete assurance.  “It didn’t involve any of us directly.”

“So why didn’t you tell me you were going to Disney World?”

Blair’s eyes widened.  She didn’t think Jamie was angry; instead she had the distinct impression that despite Jamie’s age and adult status, her feelings were really hurt by the fact that her moms hadn’t included her.

“We didn’t realize it would matter to you, Honey.  Your mom and I have done a lot of things without you since you went away to college; just like you have done any number of things without us.  We didn’t know this was any different.”

“Of course it’s different – it’s Disney World,” like Blair should understand that it made all the difference.  “I’ve never been to Disney World,” she added in a much softer voice.

And finally they were at the crux of the problem.  “Oh Sweetie,” Blair cooed, making Jo sit up and glare at her.  “You know the conference is over tonight and your mom and I are going to be here all week.  Would you like to join us?”

“Really?” tone cautiously hopeful.

“Really.  You’d have to fly commercial, but I bet you could get a ticket out tonight that would get you here in the morning.”

“What does mom say about it?”

Blair tilted her head awkwardly to meet Jo’s eyes.  “Our daughter wants to know how you feel about her joining us for the rest of the week,” handing her back the phone.  Jo looked at it in confusion for a moment before putting it up to her ear once more.

“Jamie, you’re a grown up.  If you wanna see Disney World with me and Blair, then I suggest you get your ass on a plane today.”

“JO!”  Jo just shrugged and gave the phone back to Blair.  She snuggled back down into Blair’s neck, closing her eyes and humming in contentment.  Blair glared at her even as she hugged her close and raised the phone back to her ear.  She heard Jamie laughing.

“Jamie?”

Jamie took a deep breath and then spoke, though Blair could still hear traces of laughter in her speech.  “I see she’s still your barbarian, Mother.”

Blair sighed dramatically.  “Yes – there are some things I’ve actually given up hope of ever changing.  Your mom’s barbarianism is at the top of that list,” biting her lips to keep from squealing when Jo pinched her in a delicate place.  Jamie snorted.

“I can hear she’s bent on making things difficult for you this morning so I’m going to go and find a flight to Orlando and a room there at the Coronado.”

“You can stay with us, Honey.”

“I don’t think....”

“Don’t think,” Jo instructed as she snatched the phone from Blair’s hand.  “We have a suite. Now get your ass on that plane and call us when you land.”

“Love you, Mom.  Love you too, Mother,” in a much louder voice, causing Jo to wince and jerk the phone from her ear.

“Love you, Baby Girl.”

“Love you, Jamie.”

Dual answers made them smile at each other and they could hear Jamie’s laughter before Jo flipped off the phone and placed it on the nightstand.  Then she rolled back over to face Blair again.

“Well, Princess, it looks like this will be our last day here alone.  And since our kid woke us up at the ungodly butt crack of dawn, I think we should make wise use of the time we have left alone together.”

“What did you have in mind, Grease Monkey?” asked as she wrapped her arms around Jo’s neck and urged her down until their lips were nearly touching.  Jo simply grinned and surrendered.

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

“’Lo?” Janet growled as she tried to force her eyes open. 

“Mom?”  Janet removed the phone from her ear and glanced at the caller ID before she spoke again.

“Cassandra?  Honey, what’s wrong?”

“Are you and Sam all right?”

Janet frowned, but nodded her head before realizing her daughter couldn’t see the action.  “We’re fine, Sweetie.  Why?  What’s wrong?”

“General Landry called – said someone had been murdered at the convention you were attending together.”

Janet’s eyebrows flew into her hairline.  She hadn’t known Desdemona’s death would make nationwide news like that.  “No, Honey – we’re both fine,” smiling when Sam shifted over in her sleep and wrapped her arm around Janet’s middle before settling down once more.  “It wasn’t anyone from our conference or anything.  Didn’t he tell you that?”

“He didn’t tell me much of anything,” Cassandra groused.  “He told me that you were in Orlando for a convention and that there had been a murder.  He said you two were all right, but he didn’t have any other details at the moment.  So I thought I’d better call and check for myself.”

“We’re fine, Sweetie... honestly.”

“Who’sit?” Sam mumbled, pressing her lips to the back of Janet’s neck.

“Our daughter,” Janet replied.  “Hang on a second, Cass,” passing the phone into Sam’s outstretched hand.

“Cassandra?  Everything okay?” sitting up on an elbow and pushing her hair behind her ears.  Janet rolled over and pushed Sam back into a fully reclined position, then tucked her head under Sam’s chin and sighed.  Sam grinned and brushed a kiss over the top of her head.

“Yeah,” Cassandra was saying.  “I just wanted to check on you and Mom since you went to Disney World without me,” she added in a mock-irate tone.

“Whoops – gotta go,” Sam blurted, shoving the phone back into Janet’s hands.  Janet looked between the phone and Sam stupidly for a moment, watching Sam bury her face with a pillow before putting the phone to her ear once more.

“Cassie?” hearing snickering coming from the other end of the line.  “Cassandra?”

“Sorry, Mom.  I was teasing Sam about the two of you going to Disney World without me.”  Another snicker.  “I think she sometimes forgets that I’m all grown up now... not that twelve-year-old kid she rescued so many years ago.”

“Probably,” Janet agreed. “Would you like to join us?” feeling Sam remove the pillow from her face and hearing Cassandra’s sharp intake of breath simultaneously.  “You’d have to get your own room,” Janet cautioned, looking at the king-sized bed she and Sam were currently sharing, “but we’d love to have you join us if you can get the time off.”

“Are you sure?” Cassandra asked.  “This is like the first time you’ve taken a trip together since Daniel brought you back to us and Sam came home from Atlantis,” said with only a hint of tears in her voice.  “I don’t want to butt in.”

Janet chuckled and wiped a stray tear from her eye, hugging Sam fiercely when she felt the strong arms tighten around her.  “We’re sure, Cass.  You’re family... we’re a family.  And you’ve been so busy lately... it’d be nice to spend some quality time together.  Besides, I know you’re as anxious to visit Disney World as we were.  I’m your mom, remember?” Janet added before Cassandra could ask.

Cassandra laughed.  “All right – you talked me into it.  I’d love to.  I’ll see what I can arrange on this end and let you know the details when I have them.”

“You do that.  Love you, Cass.”

“Love you too, Mom.  Give Sam a hug and kiss for me.”

“Will do.  Bye, Honey.”

Janet tapped off the phone and snuggled deeper into Sam’s embrace.  “So,” Sam asked casually.  “Is she coming?”

“I think so.  She’s seeing what she can arrange and will let us know.”  Janet tilted her head until she could just see Sam’s profile.  “You don’t mind, do you?”

Sam chuckled.  “Not at all.  I’m kinda surprised we didn’t do this before... like when she was still a kid.”

“We were a little busy and our priorities were a lot different then too.”

“Hmm,” Sam hummed in agreement.  “Speaking of that – after everything that’s happened lately, do you want to stay with the Stargate Program?”

Janet shifted again – this time so she could lean over Sam and look into her eyes.  “Sam, the Stargate Program is not the be all and end all for me... it never was.  I love my job and the work I do there.  And some of what I do can only be done in that environment.  But I can be a doctor anywhere and I can be a civilian and still be part of the Stargate Program.  So it’s not really up to me; leaving the Air Force isn’t gonna change that much of my life except for the clothes I wear,” she added impishly.  Sam nodded and smiled but didn’t speak, her eyes focused somewhat distantly.  Janet watched her for a long moment before she spoke again.  “What do you want to do, Sam?”

“I really don’t know,” Sam responded honestly.  “But I think we should talk about it and consider all the possibilities.”

Janet nodded and chastely kissed the soft lips below hers, drawing a sparkle from the depths of blue eyes that looked back at her full of love.  “All right,” she agreed.  “Whenever you’re ready, Sam.”  Then she slid back down and tucked herself into Sam.

Sam cocked an eyebrow.  “You’ve made up your mind?”

Janet nodded.  “I don’t need the Air Force or Cheyenne Mountain to be able to do my job.  But I’ll do whatever it takes to stay with you even if that means staying in the Air Force and in the Stargate Program for another twenty years.”

Sam chuckled.  “They won’t let us stay that long.”  She brushed a kiss over dark hair, just beginning to show a few strands of gray.  “At least we have choices,” she added.  And the conversation languished as they took comfort in simply being together, watching the sky lighten as the rising sun signaled the start of another beautiful day.

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

“Hello?”

“Mom?  Is everything okay?”

“Lindsey?” Catherine said, trying to shake the cobwebs from her sleep-addled brain.  “Is everything all right, Honey?”

“I dunno... that’s why I called.  I just saw the news.”

Catherine blinked and pushed the hair out of her eyes, sitting up slowly and pressing her body into the headboard.  “Um... what news, Honey?  And why are you up at...?”  She glanced at the clock.  “Lindsey Willows!  It’s two in the morning where you are!  What the...?” Catherine broke off and took a calming breath.  Lindsey took the opportunity to cut in.

“You went to Disney World without me and you’re worried because it’s two a.m. here?  Really, Mom? C’mon.”

“Lindsey, you are eighteen years old and in college now.  Did you really want to come to Disney World with your old mom?”

“YES!” was the resounding answer.  Then she took a deep breath and spoke a little softer.  “But that’s not why I called.  We had a late football game and went out afterwards.  When I got back a little while ago, I turned on the news to help me wind down and they were talking about the murder of some woman at Walt Disney World.”  She frowned and Catherine could hear it in her voice.  “It was kinda weird actually.  But anyway,” she added after a moment, “I wanted to call and make sure you were okay.”

“I’m good, Baby – we’re all fine actually.”

“If you’re sure....”

Catherine smiled.  “I am, Honey... thanks.  So I guess you’re settling in pretty well now?”

“It’s all right.  It was really nice of Sara to pull some strings to make sure I got a good place here.  And my roommate and I get along pretty well.  Oh, did I tell you...?”  Catherine leaned back deeper into her pillows and listened to the sound of her daughter’s voice as they caught up on things they had missed in each other’s lives in the past few weeks.  Even at this ungodly hour of the morning, it was nice to be able to reconnect.  “So when are you coming home?” Lindsey asked as the conversation wound down.

“Next week.  We decided we might as well have a little fun as long as we’re here.”

“Yeah, well don’t have too much.  I wanna visit Disney World soon.”  Catherine chuckled.

“I’ll do my best.  I love you, Lindsey,” hearing Lindsey yawn in her ear for the third time in three minutes.  “You go get some sleep, Young Lady.”

Lindsey rolled her eyes.  “Yes, Mom.”

“Don’t roll your eyes at me, Lindsey Willows.  I am still your mother.”

“I know... and I’m glad.  Love you, Mom.”

“Love you too, Honey.  Night.”

Catherine set the phone on the nightstand, then jumped slightly when she heard Sara’s voice coming from the other bed.  “Everything all right?”

“Yeah,” she said, sliding down under the cover and closing her eyes again.  “She was just checking on us.  Seems Desdemona’s murder made national news.”

Sara frowned.  “That’s kinda weird.  I didn’t think she was that important.”

Catherine shrugged.  “Slow news day maybe.  I suppose we need to get up,” glancing at the clock.

“Probably.  At least today is a short day and tonight is the talent show.  That should be fun.”

“It should,” Catherine agreed.  “And at least this conference has been enjoyable... murder aside, of course.  I’d do it again.”

Sara snickered.  “Wonder if the local cops feel that way.”


Chapter XLV

“I needed that,” Bornlan commented as she stretched beneath the sheet that covered her body.  The sound of her bones popping into place made her flinch and she grimaced.

“That sounded evil as well, Teresa,” Shana commented as she gently released the tension in her muscles.  She turned her head and blue eyes met brown.  Bornlan chuckled.

“Yeah, it did. But I feel a lot better.”  She threw the bedding from her body and rose, reaching her hands up towards the ceiling before bending to touch her toes.  “Ah,” she commented. 

“I feel better myself,” Kennian said.  “Perhaps we simply needed some rest.”

Bornlan shrugged.  “Maybe.  At least we can go at things with clearer heads this morning.”  She grabbed her bag from the dresser across from her bed and took out her hairbrush.  “Do you want the shower first?”

“That will be fine,” Kennian replied as she slipped from the bed.  “I will be quick,” she added before she stepped into the shower area, leaving the sinks free for Bornlan’s use.

It seemed to take a little while, but in reality, less than thirty minutes passed before they were both showered and dressed and walking out the door.  Kennian turned to Bornlan with a frown.

“I know it is a little late to be thinking about this, but do you suppose our reports are where we left them?”  Shana pinched the bridge of her nose.  “I cannot believe I did not think of this last night.  I was obviously exhausted to have been so remiss....”

Teresa put a hand on Shana’s arm, stopping her speech as well as her steps and bringing her attention to the other detective.  Kennian arched a blonde eyebrow, but waited silently for Bornlan to speak.  “It’s all right, Shana.  The manager last night gave me a key; he just asked we return it when we’re done with the room today.”

“Do you think we’ll be done with it today?”

“We pretty much have to be.  The conventions wrap up at three this afternoon.  If we don’t have a viable suspect by then, we really don’t have a legitimate reason to stay on Property.  As it is the captain’s liable to give us grief about staying here last night.”

“Do we have anyone left to question?”

Bornlan shook her head.  “I don’t think so.  We got all of the convention goers and all of Desdemona’s employees.  I want to take a look at those lists again and see if we missed anyone or anything.  My eyes were crossing towards the end last night so I might have overlooked something.”

“Myself as well,” Kennian agreed.

“Hell of a case to be cutting your teeth on, huh?” Bornlan asked with a smile.  Then held up her hand before Kennian could reply.  She pulled her buzzing phone from her pocket.  “It’s the Doc.  Hey, Doc,” she answered, putting the device on speaker so Shana could also hear as they slowly resumed their steps towards their vehicle.

“Morning, Terry.  I’ve got news.”

“Make it good, Doc, ‘cause we’re running on empty over here.”

“Well, I’m not sure how much help this is gonna be.  I’ve got the preliminary tox screens back.”  They reached the car and threw their bags in the back before sitting and closing the doors to afford them a bit of privacy for the doctor’s report.

“Yeah... and?” Bornlan prompted when the silence dragged on too long for her comfort.

“She was killed with a poison extracted from a stonefish.”  Silence for a long moment.

“Excuse me?”

“She was killed with a poison extracted from a stonefish,” the doctor repeated.  “It’s the deadliest fish in the world.” Kennian nodded her head in agreement.  Bornlan shook her head.

“Wait... both of you,” cutting the doctor off before she could speak again and holding up a hand to Kennian.  “Doc, are you saying someone milked a fish??”

“Essentially, yes.  There was enough toxin in her system to ensure a prolonged, painful death.”

Bornlan blew out a frustrated breath.  “All right, Doc... thanks.  Anything else?”

“Not at the moment.  We’re still looking at all the other evidence, but it’s gonna be a while.”

“Okay... thanks, Doc.”

“Anytime Terry.  I’ll let you know if we get anything else on this end.”  Before Bornlan or Kennian could respond, they heard a dial tone.  They exchanged a brief glance, then Bornlan shut off her phone and started the car.  They’d drive back to the convention center and get some breakfast before starting their day of investigation.

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

“So what’s your professional opinion?” Sofia asked Lilly as they sat down to breakfast together.  Lilly took a swallow of her juice, then set it down and turned her attention to her half-sister.

“Of the murder, you mean?” watching Sofia raise an eyebrow and smirk at her slightly.  She slapped her forehead lightly and shook her head with a grin.  “Of course you mean the murder.  I’ve never been much of a storyteller, have I?”

Sofia chuckled.  “Oh, I don’t know.  I seem to remember you told some pretty scary stories during our sleepovers as a kid.”  A beat.  “God that’s been a long time ago.”

“Yeah, it has, but those were some good times; some of the best of my life.”

“Mine too,” Sofia concurred.  “Who’d have ever thought we’d both wind up as police detectives working on opposite sides of the country?  Especially caught in the middle of an unsolved murder in which we are implicated.”

“Yeah – us and several hundred other people.”

“That really is a huge field to narrow it down from.”

“Which is why I think ultimately, there will be no true resolution unless someone decides to confess.”  Sofia tilted her head and Lilly shook her head.  “C’mon, Sofie... you’re a detective.  What we got yesterday was cursory questioning.  The convention ends today and unless they make an arrest, they can’t really compel anyone to stay.  They can’t make an arrest without evidence, and they can’t get evidence without having something to go on in the first place.”

“So you think it’s headed down to cold cases.”

Lilly nodded. “It’s the kind of case I see on a daily basis.”

“I don’t know how you can stand it, Lils.  I mean, that would drive me nuts.”

“It’s all in your point of view, Sofie.  I give people a second chance for justice.  Sometimes I even manage to find it for them.  And there is nothing on earth quite like that feeling.”

“Fair enough,” Sofia agreed.  “I know how I feel when we finally catch the bad guy.  Hey,” changing the subject unexpectedly.  “You’re staying for a couple days after this thing is over today, right?” waiting for Lilly to nod her agreement.  “Good!  You got anything special planned?”

“Not really – I was hoping to see a launch from Kennedy while we’re here, but there’s nothing scheduled.  I wouldn’t mind going to see the new Harry Potter attraction at Islands of Adventure, or riding Test Track and Soarin’ at Epcot, but nothing’s set in stone for me. Why?  Whatcha got in mind?”

“Well, I’d been thinking about seeing that Harry Potter thing too, and I’d love to go to the Food & Wine Festival over at Epcot.”

“Ooh... I’d forgotten about that.  I’d definitely be up for that.”

“Good.  So we’ve got a plan?”

Lilly snickered.  “As much of one as we’ve ever managed anyway.  Mama would be proud of us.”

“She already is and you know it.  Have you heard anything more about the talent show tonight?”

“You mean aside from Abbie Carmichael belly dancing to pay off a bet?” shaking her head at Sofia’s nod.  “Not really.  I’m looking forward to it, though, you know?  It should be an interesting evening, and who knows... maybe Gabrielle will tell another story.”

“Oh, she’s going to,” Emma said as she took a seat at the empty table next to Lilly in the crowded restaurant.  “We made a deal last night.”

“You did?” Sofia questioned.  “What was the deal?”

Emma had popped a grape in her mouth and held up a finger while she finished chewing.  “I told her I’d tell a story if she’d tell one.”

“That was very clever,” Lilly commended.  Emma’s grin was contagious.

“I know,” she said with absolutely no hint of humility in her voice.

“That’s my girl!” Olivia cheered.  Natalia covered her eyes and shook her head, and the table exploded into laughter.

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

“Can I just say how much fun I’ve had this weekend... murder aside of course?” Sabrina asked as she took another sip of her coffee.  The rest of the table - save Kelly - stared at her with varying expressions of disbelief.  Kelly simply smiled into her coffee cup.  Sabrina looked around the table.  “What?” she whined.

“Aunt Bre... you’re kidding me right?  C’mon... this is Disney World.  How did you expect not to have fun here?”

Sabrina just looked at Emily, fighting the blush that wanted to come.  Kris, however, laughed aloud.  “No... she’s not kidding.  We had to practically bribe her just to get her on the plane.  She figured it was Disneyland all over again and that makes it a kids’ place to her.  She even had a bet going that the conference wouldn’t be particularly enlightening either.”

Emily’s eyes went to her hairline.  “What on earth was your bribe?” noting the wideness of Sabrina’s brown eyes.

Kelly shook her head and cut in before Kris could answer.  “Um... no.  That would be telling, and we promised.”

Emily gazed at Sabrina.  “Not even for your favorite niece,” batting her lashes.  Sabrina snorted.

“Especially for my favorite niece,” she confirmed.

Emily pouted but before she could up the ante again, JJ spoke up.  “Well, whatever the reason, we’re glad you came too.  We wouldn’t have met otherwise, and I’m really glad we did.”

“Hear! Hear!” Garcia agreed, raising her glass of orange juice in a toast.  The others grinned but gamely lifted their cups and glasses, joining her.  “And just think,” she added as they set the beverages down again, “we haven’t even gotten to the real fun yet.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Kelly argued.  “I thought that Halloween thing Friday night was fun.”

“It was,” Garcia said.  “But there’s the talent show tonight and then we’ve got a few days to do nothing but play in the parks.”

“That’s right – you’re performing in the talent show, aren’t you?” JJ asked with a smile.

“Yeah – it’s gonna be awesome.”

“Modesty, thy name is Garcia,” Emily snarked though her smile was teasing.  Garcia stuck out her tongue causing laughter to ripple around the table. 

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

“Well, it looks like Disney’s put something in the water this morning,” Serena commented as she stepped into the food court seeing the groups of laughing conventioneers scattered throughout the seating area.  Her companions looked around and nodded their agreement.

“Yeah, you kind of expect it from the people that work here,” Kelly replied, “but it’s a little unusual from some of these guys.  Especially with this whole murder business.”  She reached for a bagel, but both Serena and Tracey shook their heads no.  “But...?”

“They’re not New York bagels, Hon. Do you really want to chance it?”

Kelly grimaced.  “Thanks, ‘Rena,” she said, moving over to the station that was making omelets.  Serena snagged a couple Danishes and then followed.  Tracey moved over to the waffle making station.  In just a few minutes they were searching for a table.

“Crowded this morning,” Serena said as she weaved her way to an open seat on the far side of the restaurant.  She put her tray down and grabbed an empty chair from a nearby table.  Kelly took the seat beside her and Tracey sat across from them both.

“Wow – that’s better for a workout than taking the stairs at Hogan Place,” Tracey commented.  “Aren’t all these people supposed to be out playing tourist or something similar?”

“They are,” Serena returned with a smile.  “Why do you think all these families are eating breakfast together this early?”

Tracey scowled.  “Well, they need to be out somewhere away from here.”

Serena turned towards Kelly who just shook her head.  “Don’t mind her,” she instructed.  “She’s just nervous.”

“About...?”

“Nothing... it’s nothing,” Tracey instructed fiercely, glaring at Kelly who studiously avoided her gaze.

“About performing in the talent show tonight.  Apparently she was bragging about her many skills before this convention and was pointedly told to put her money where her mouth is.”

“And do you have the skills to back up your mouth?” Serena asked without a hint of laughter or apology in her tone.

“Yes,” Tracey bit off.  Serena reached over and patted her hand.

“Then you have nothing to worry about.  I for one am looking forward to your performance.”

“You don’t even know what I’m doing.”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the beautiful woman doing it, does it?”

Completely flummoxed, Tracey’s jaw dropped wide before she snapped it shut.  Then she turned her attention to the food in front of her, methodically decimating Mickey’s ears.  Kelly’s eyes met Serena’s and she mouthed ‘thank you’ before turning her focus to her own breakfast.  Serena just smiled.

“So,” she asked a few minutes later when they had sated their first pangs of hunger, “what are your thoughts on the conference... murder notwithstanding?”

Kelly and Tracey exchanged glances and Tracey shrugged, motioning for Kelly to speak first.  “I’ve enjoyed it,” she replied honestly.  “I’ve met some new people and made some contacts; learned some things I don’t think I’d have had the opportunity to otherwise; and even had the chance to get to know some of my colleagues a little better.  God knows there’s not much time for socialization in the DA’s office.”

“Yeah, I have to say I don’t miss that part of it,” Serena commented. 

“That reminds me,” Tracey said, suddenly looking for all the world like a cobra with its prey in sight.  “Why are you here?  Or rather... how are you here?  You don’t work in the DA’s office anymore.”

“That doesn’t mean I’m not associated with law enforcement, Tracey,” holding the eyes that met hers across the table squarely.  “I’m actually teaching now.”

“Prosecutors?”

“I’m teaching at a law enforcement academy.”

“Do you miss it?” Kelly cut in, hating the sudden rise in tension at the table.  “Prosecuting, I mean.”

Serena held Tracey’s eyes for another moment before she turned to face Kelly.  “Sometimes,” she answered truthfully.  “Other times not so much.  But I do enjoy what I’m doing now, so it’s all good.  And that’s what counts, right?”

“I think it’s wonderful,” Kelly offered.

“So do I,” Tracey agreed unexpectedly.  “God knows we’ve all had moments when we wondered whether this job was worth it at the end of the day.”

“Even you, Tracey?” Serena asked kindly.

“Especially me.  You know those days when you can hear your mother nagging in your ear?” getting nods from her tablemates.  “Sometimes all I have to do is answer the phone to hear that.”  The other two women cringed, knowing exactly what Tracey was referencing.  “And given that my mother is a typical New York Jewish mother,” she added, letting the thought trail off when she saw the dawning understanding in the eyes across from her.  “Exactly,” she confirmed.  “So even me.”

“Well,” Serena said as she stood, “we have one more day of convention then the talent show tonight which should be fun.  Are either of you staying on after today?”

“We all are, actually.  Somehow everyone managed to get time off for a few days.”  Serena’s eyes widened.

“I’d love to know the blackmail that pulled that off,” causing her companions to laugh.  And it was to that sound that they left the food court and headed towards their final day of conventioning.

Part 6