Dragus Ramblings

NaNo Update

2009-11-26T02:26:10Z

So it looks like NaNo is a bust this year. Work just didn't let me have a free moment. And when I did have one, computor decided to give me a fit.

So I will try again next year, and I might be able to get back to this story over the next few months.

Lori

NaNo 2009

2009-11-01T07:09:47Z

It is now one hour into NaNo 2009 and I have yet to right one word of this years novel. Not that my intentions haven't been good. I didn't get drunk this year and I left a festival party early.

Still not one word for Forging Fate. So now that I have rambled here on to the crazyness.

Long Live NaNo.

Nothing Much

2009-10-27T20:59:33Z

it's five days till NaNo starts and I have yet to finish up my outline. Hell I can barely remember the names of the charactors from last years story. But I am psyched to do this. now if work will just give me the time that I need all will be good.

This is gooing to be a short ramble so I can finally get out of the office.

L D

Is It Tuesday Yet?

2009-10-05T19:32:42Z

This is just another one of those Mondays that I wish was already done and over. Not even near.

I have agreed to help a friend while at the same time trying to get back into the habit of writing. Its almost November.

I don't really have a lot to say. I've managed to see three new movies in the past couple of weeks. Enjoyed two of them and the other was Okay.

Lori

Waiting for Friday

2009-09-09T16:17:24Z

This is a short week for me and it's still to long.

The new girlfriend is no longer and I can't be happier. She was driving me crazy. I guess everyone needs at least one crazy ex.

NaNo is about a month and a half away and I am looking forward to it. I've pulled out last years story and have started rereading it. I plan to write the next part for this years NaNo. I've even pulled out my werewolf story and have mad notes on what needs to be reworked. And a few notes for the last few chapters. Here's to actually finishing my other projects before November.

Thats all for now.

Nothing Much

2009-08-17T01:13:29Z

Not a lot to put in here. Work is going the same. Haven't had to time to work on any of my new stories. And the new girlfriend is driving me crazy. Not even up for rambling.

Just another crappy Monday

2009-07-20T20:23:36Z

I have finally realized I haven't wrote anything in about a month. I had plans to finish three stories for IDF, they are still sitting unfinshed on my hard drive.

Right now I just want to leave the office. Another half hour and I'm outa here.

SoonerCon 2009

2009-06-06T05:26:46Z

Okay either I'm getting old or its been way to long since I've done a Con. Alright a little bit of both.

This is my little mini vacation. Two nights and three days with the sci-fi geeks. And I have to admit I've missed this.

I've spent the last three hours at a party being thrown by a small publisher called Yard Dog Press. I had fun and drank too much of something called Hurling Monkeys. I think that's right.

Tomorrow I will check out some of the books printed by Yard Dog. Some of the authors where hilarious.

Now its off to bed. Glad I'm on what seems to be a quite hall.

Just another Boring Wednesday

2009-06-03T18:59:33Z

Just another boring day at the office. been trying to catch up on some of my work so I wont have to think about it while I let myself play geek this weekend.

It's been forever since I spent an entire weekend at a sci-fi/comic book convention. But I'm looking forward to it. Even rented a room for two nights.

So been trying to work on the stories I was going to do for IDF, only to run into some serious writers block. Which I have been trying to relieve by reading Kim Harrison's Hollow's Seris. I have liked the tone she's set in the first three so far. But they are leaving me a bit frustrated. Maybe my musse will latch on to that frustation and I'll snap out of this block.

Okay back to interviewing boring people.

Loving Tuesday

2009-05-20T03:37:11Z

Okay so I'm still trying to decide if I like my new layout. Not really so sure about it being so dark. I'll give it a few more days.

I mostly played hookie from work today. Not to say I didn't go into the office. But I don't thnk I spent more than 30 minutes there any of the four times I stopped in. I have to admit it helped with some of the tension I've had lately.

Trying to work on a AU or PA for a challenge over at P&P. I have most of the begining worked out in my head. And some of it actually typed up. Now to see if I can finish it.

Well tomorrow back to the office.

Nothing Really

2009-05-15T01:44:01Z

Okay its Thursday and I am mostly caught up on work and reading. Managed to go back through my journal and tag all the entries. Really weren't that many of them. Though I was surprised to see that I have had this journal for about 3 years. Sometimes it seems like longer. So this is nothing more than a ramble, I'm bored and can't get my mind to settle on any of my unfinished projects. Or bring myself to some much needed cleaning. Okay the cleanings not that bad I just need to do a little straightning. Right about now I'm thinking I should of went out tonight, even if it was just to watch a movie by my self.

Okay enough of this. I'm going to open up one of my files and force the muse to work. Who am I kidding its off to surf youtube.

Another Monday

2009-05-12T01:02:53Z

Another Monday and another 300 mile round trip out to the middle of nowhere. I guess the trips wouldn't be so bad if I spent more than an hour talking to my employes before I have to turn around and come back. Case in point, today I was on the site for half an hour. I picked up some paperwork and dropped some off.

Enough about work. This weekend while trying to do rewrites on my NaNo story I discovered that I seem to have deleted about 5000 words form the story. And with out reading through the whole thing, I don't know whats missing. It looks what I may have done is just deleted a chapter. If thats all it is, easily fixed.

And just because I feel like rambling and not working I have decided I need to go back through all my entries and tag them. I what this has to do with rambling I have no idea. I think I really need to start getting more than five hours of sleep a night.

Maybe this is enough for now. Roommate just looked in the door to see if I was working. Breaks over.

Drabble Meme

2009-05-07T01:45:30Z

For those that actually read my wandering ramblings.

The first FIVE people to comment in this post get to request a drabble length fic (i.e., about 100 words) of any pairing/character of their choosing from me. In return, they have to post this meme in their journal.

I'll take a shot at any pairing, but be warned I haven't wrote anything not work related for months. And I'm not counting the five pages I completed for Script Frenzy.

Finally Friday

2009-05-01T17:47:15Z

It's friday and my first foray in to Script Frenzy is a bust. I was able to get five pages done. That was at the begining of April though. And then RL got in the way. There really are days when I wish my manager would just fire me. If only I were that lucky.

Tomorrow is my birthday and the only thing planned is a cook out and then the bar. Which wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't so tired and justed wanted to spend the weekend catching up on a weeks worth of missed sleep. But friends have planned the day, and I have ignored them for most of the month.

On a side note, managers should warn you before they decide it would be a good idea for you to spend the day with a company VP. Especially one that gives of the vibe that she enjoys chewing people up and spitting them out. At least that way I wouldn't have spent have the day wondering if she was just here to fire me.

Enough of my rambling, supposed to be working.

Sunday Ramble

2009-04-20T02:52:14Z

It's sunday and I have had a very long week. Made three trips to an out of town client. And will need to make three trips next week. I haven't gotten more than five pages finished for script frenzy. I think this year I will call it a loss. Though I have decided to take the story idea and turn it into a stand alone original story. It's not plotted to be more than one book long. And I like the idea about writing about swords, princesses, dragons, and magic. Now if I can just find the time. the net few weeks I am devoting to my 2008 NaNo story.

Well that's all for now.

The End of the Weekend

2009-04-05T21:31:07Z

So it's Sunday and all I have managed to write since Script Frenzy started is about two pages that I really hate and have decided to start over with something different. Which I should have started on Friday but I have spent the last three days going with my baby brother to a local Ren Faire. I have to say it was fun spending time with my brother even if he did dress up as the Jolly Green Giant Fairy King. Okay,okay he was really some kind of wandering wizard. But with the green tunic I couldn't resist. The second day we took our oldest nephew with us and my brother let him dress up too; he was an apprentice wizard. And if anyone asked my brother why I was not dressed up the story was I was doing community service from dragon land and had to be at the beck and call of the wizard for the entire day. That to explain why I seemed to be the one carrying all the junk we kept picking up.

So now it's off to write a movie about a princess, a were-dragon, and two evil dudes out to trash two Kingdoms.

Lori

Should Be Sleeping

2009-04-01T05:03:27Z

It is now the official start of Script Frenzy and I still have no plot or story idea. I do have a cast of charactors. My brain must have been on vacation when I decided to do this.

So I really didn't have much to say tonight. And I really should be sleeping since I have to make another 200 mile round trip tomorrow to the back end of nowhere.

Look It's Monday

2009-03-24T02:21:42Z

Managed to catch up on some of my reading this weekend, but not enough. I have finally decided on a sort of plot for my ScriptFrenzy script. It will take place in my 'Tales of Grady' universe. Now I just need an actual plot and the cast of characters. I hope to have that by the end of the week.

Not much else to say I'm back to BFE tomorrow and if I'm lucky I'll only have one more trip to make this week.

The L Word and Insomnia

2009-03-15T06:28:11Z

It's like 1am and my insomnia is still going this week. And I am really trying to avoid taking anything to sleep. Which is why I finally got around to watching the last episode of the L Word. It was an either you loved it or hated it episodes. But I think that for what the L Word has become that this was the right ending for it. We should all be used to the abrupt endings.

On another note I spent some time with my sister trying to work out what I was going to do for Script Frenzy. Didn't really pin any thing down but it might have something to do with dragons and gargoyles and maybe witches. Okay so I like to go all over the place. I just need a workable plot and the main characters.

Still trying to edit last years NaNo story. i would like to add another fifty thousand words to it soon. Also I really need to get back to my werewolf story. I really liked how it was coming along.

That's it for the ramblings tonight.

Friday and I finally can breathe.

2009-03-07T00:52:34Z

It's friday and I finally have a minute to my self. I've spent most of the week driving 240 miles round trip. Very tried of driving.

I did find time at the begining of the week to read a book, and not the one for my book club. I actually picked up two books by this author and the one I read was quite good. 'The Dry Salvages' by Caitlin R. Keirnan. It's a dark sci-fi short novel set about three hundred years in the future. Not something I normally read but lately I've been trying to branch out a little more. This is one of the few books I've read in one sitting. Took me about a day to read. I'm looking forward to being able to find the time to read the other book by this author and this months book club selection. Here's hoping I have a quite weekend.

Next month is Script Frenzy and I am still trying to work out how I am going to do this. It's been 20 years since I wrote anything looking like a script.

Waiting for the weekend.

2009-02-26T18:44:29Z

So its thursday and friday can not get here fast enough. Work hasn't been bad just mind numbing. I've managed to finish the corrections on my NaNo story. Now its time to flesh out some scenes get rid of some and try to remember hoe to write in the English language. What I'm hoping is to have time this weekend to really work on this story and my werewolf story.

Still have about a month before ScriptFrenzy starts and I am still trying to come up with an idea. And characters. We'll see.

Back to the grindstone.

Lori

Through The Flames Final Part

2009-02-19T23:01:25Z

Title: Through The Flames
Pairing: Original Story
Rating: R, violence, death, and lesbian sex.
Author: Lori Dragus
A/N: This story was wrote for the 2008 NaNo. This is pretty much how it went into the word count. I have made some minor spelling and grammar corrections.
A/N2: After starting this story I decided I didn't like the names of all my main characters, in later drafts some of the names will change. Also some of the continuity is off. I have tried to correct some as I have read through this story. I've also moved some land marks around.
A/N3: This is the final part, It doesn't resolve much as I always envisioned this as the first book. Actually it leaves a lot of questions. I would like to take this chance to thank my sister who let me borrow her and her best friend. Most of their personalities stayed intact. I would also like to thank those that let me borrow their names for this story. I really didn't have much of an idea when I started writing it. I would also like to thank my partner who sat on the couch next to me while I wrote this. She was very understanding when I would blurt things out to her. She also made sure to poke me when I tried to sneak on to youtube or something. Any and all mistakes are mine. Now comes the rewrites and major edits.
Summary: It's been four years since the plague killed off every living male and ninety-two percent of the female population. In the midwest state of Oklahoma two different groups are trying to survive. The Amazons, who have taken over Oklahoma City and restored some semblance of civilization. And the Freeholders, that live in small family units outside of the large cities. These two worlds are about to collide.

Chapter Eight

Paige had never been this tired in her entire life. Janie had gotten them all up before the sun had even come up. They had eaten a cold meal and been on their way before the sun began to lighten the sky. And now all she wanted to do was lay down and take a very long nap. And to make things even better the battery on the walkie had ran down and since they didn’t stop till after the sun had gone down they were unable to recharge it. And now that meant Sara was going to be worried and there was no way to tell her that every thing was sort of okay.

The girls they had taken from the last farm were still in shock. Some were starting to show signs of coming around, but two of them were still staring off into the air. Paige just wanted to be where Sara was. Wanted to be able to hold Sara, she just wanted Sara.

Instead she was leading a wagon across broken terrain toward a meeting that could possibly lead to a war with a group that had more soldiers and supplies than all the Freeholders put together or at least that was what she had thought until she crested the small hill and saw that Janie had stopped.

Then the reason for Janie stopping finally set in. The valley below them was filled. Filled to the bursting point with women. More women than Paige had thought there could possibly still be alive. And they were all here to hear what Sydney Drake had to say.

“Our clan space is over there,” Janie said pointing off to the left. “Near that big rock.”

“We didn’t talk to that many families,” Paige said still in awe at the sight before her.

“We didn’t need to,” Janie said as she turned her horse and headed for the Drake area. “The ones we went to sent out runners as soon as we left to gather every one else. The Amazons have no idea how many Freeholders there are, but I think they are starting to figure out there are more of us than they thought.”

“That’s why Sydney was so worried,” Paige said following the other girl. “If the Amazons knew there was still this many women outside of the City they wouldn’t just leave them alone.”

“Yeah, the Amazons need women to run the city and they don’t have enough. That’s part of the reason for the raids I think. The rest I don’t know.”

“And Sydney,” Paige said as they slowly made there way through the increasing crowds toward the spot Janie said was their’s. “She’ll be here right.”

“Of course. Actually I thought they would beat us here,” Janie said as she maneuvered around a wagon that was blocking their way. “I still bet she makes it here by tonight.”

“I hope your right,” Paige said still trying to get used to all the women in this place.

They finally reached the rock and found that no one else had set up any where near to the rock.

Janie dismounted from her horse and set up a picket line while Paige got the other girls off the wagon and started a fire in the pit near the rock. Paige was able to get two of the girls to help her with the meal. At the same time Janie was fielding questions from other clans and families that wandered into their camp.

Dropping down in front of the fire Janie grabbed the bowl Paige had set aside for her.

“Sydney needs to hurry up and get here before the clan council disbands this meeting and sends every one home.”

“Can they do that?”

“Yes and more,” Janie said. “How are the girls doing?”

“Some better than others,” Paige said.

“Well there’s nothing else we can do until the others get here.”

“I know,” Paige said as she prayed to anyone that would listen that the rest of their little family would hurry up and get there.

Both girls finished eating in silence surrounded by people that they didn’t know or know well and each was lost in their own thoughts. And as the fire died down and the sun set their thoughts turned to what was keeping Sydney and the others and if they would make it before the meeting was ended and any hope they had of keeping out of the Amazons hands became mote.

Rachel was pissed they had been traveling all day and now they were trying to outrun what she wasn’t sure. Rachel had split up the group to make them less conspicuous and now there weren’t enough of them to take on the Generals script gang.

The soldiers were dressed in the uniform of the Gold’s. But Rachel doubted that any of these women could live up to the high standards that Alissa had required. But still they were a pain in the ass. And to top it off Rachel had no idea where they were. This unit had chased them about ten miles out of their way and now Rachel was pissed and tired and ready to stop running.

Turning in the saddle to look back at the women that were following her Rachel smiled. It looked as if they had managed to put a little distance between them and the fake Gold’s and that was all that Rachel needed.

Pulling her horse around Rachel brought the small group with her to a stop.

“Okay ladies I don’t know about you but I’m tired of running from these third rate soldiers,” Rachel said as pulled them all into a tight circle. “We have about five minutes before they reach us and I would like to see that they don’t go any further.”

“All right Commander lead on,” said Mickey who had chosen to go with Rachel’s group incase they got off track. “I’m tired of them too.”

“Good,” Rachel said moving out of the circle and facing the women running down on them. “Pull swords and prepare for contact.”

The rest of the group lined up in a lose line and pulled their swords, a few even loosened the riffles they were carrying.

Rachel squared her shoulders and focused on the woman she thought was the leader for this little group.

The distance between the two groups was quickly diminishing.

Rachel took a deep breathe and let out a battle cry as she spurred her horse and charged at the fake Gold’s.

None of the women were wearing armour. Not that it was hard to make they just didn’t have the time and until now they really hadn’t engaged in a fight with any other groups of women.

Rachel’s sword caught the edge of the other Commanders and sent a jolt through Rachel’s arm. She ignored the shock and pulled back to strike again.

Rachel’s second strike caught the Commander on her padded shoulder. The thick leather and padding kept the blade from slicing all the way through, but Rachel was sure the other woman was feeling the blow. Rachel pulled back and stabbed forward; the motion a little more than she had planned, and was pulled off balance on her horse.

A good thing cause the Gold she was lunging for brought her sword down in a swing that would have caught Rachel had she not fallen forward so far, as the swing went wide over her head. Rachel continued with her thrust and was rewarded when she felt the sword slide through the other woman. Pulling back up into the saddle Rachel pulled her sword from the fake Gold and turned her horse as the other woman fell to the ground.

Looking back at the melee she could tell that her unit was holding, spurring her horse she rode back into the group and ran her sword through the first woman she came to.

In an all to short time the scrimmage was over and Rachel was panting heavily. Three of the little group had wounds that needed to be tended to but on the whole they had come out ahead. The fake Gold Unit lay dead or dying on the ground around them.

Rachel slid off her horse and walked over to the nearest woman and bent down.

“Tell me who leads you,” Rachel asked not really wanting to know the answer. “Who gives your orders?”

The woman on the ground looked into Rachel’s eyes and laughed.

The woman was still laughing when Rachel stabbed her in the heart with the small dirk she had started carrying after Alissa had given it to her as a gift.

Moving to the next woman Rachel repeated the question till she had asked all the woman that had still been breathing and not one had answered her.

After she had dispatched the last woman Rachel walked back over to where Mickey had been bandaging the women that needed it.

“Did any of them tell you what you wanted to know,” Robin asked as Mickey finished with the stitches.

“They all told me what I wanted to know,” Rachel said sitting down beside her first officer. “They all told me.”

“I’m sorry Rachel,” Robin said. “You want to believe that she hasn’t done this.”

“No I know she has done this, what I wanted to believe was that she did this because she thought it was the best thing for the Nation. What she has done and is doing isn’t.”

‘It won’t take us long to catch up with the rest of the group,” Mickey said. “I think it would be better if we weren’t split up.”

“Your right Mickey,” Rachel said. “When you’re done we’ll head for the rest of the group. This isn’t the only raiding party out here.”

“Nor is it likely to be the last one we see,” Robin said as she flexed her arm. “We’ll have a war no matter what. And the Freeholders are going to be pulled into it whether they want it or not.”

“We have always known this day might come,” Mickey said putting her stuff away. “We are ready, and we will fight.”

“Good because I think General Steiner is gong to try and over throw Queen Pilar,” Rachel said standing and grabbing the reins for her horse. “At least that is what I would do. Queen Pilar would never stand for this, and General Steiner knows that.”

“Then we had better get to this meeting,” Mickey said making her way to her horse.

The small group mounted up and headed for the larger group they had left that morning.

Sydney pushed on the wagon once more as they tried to move it through the mud. The creek they had to cross had been wetter than she had thought it would be at this time of year and the wagon was heavier than it normally would have been. So when it got stuck Sydney hadn’t wanted to believe that it was stuck, but here they were almost five hours later trying to get the damn wagon across a creek that was only ten feet across.

“Syd give it a break,” Lindsey called out from the other side of the creek. “Give it a minute you look like you could use I, don’t know water or something.”

Slumping down in the mud, Sydney leaned against the wheel. The morning hadn’t started out on a good note and just gone down hill from there.

First Alissa had a fever from sleeping on the ground. Then the youngest girls had been cranky from having to get up so early. Isabella had barely spoken to her since they had woke up and her sister kept giving her that damn smirk all morning. Then this. Bright Lady help her if she didn’t want to kill them all. Or at least maim them.

Sydney jerked at the light touch on her shoulder, then relaxed and offered a weak smile to Isabella.

“Sorry I was off in another word,” Sydney said looking up into the dark eyes of Isabella. “I didn’t realize you were there.”

“I should be the one to apologize,” Isabella said moving to sit next to Sydney.

“Hey,” Sydney said as Isabella sat down. “You don’t need to sit in the mud.”

“I know, but it is easier to talk to you when I don’t feel like you are straining to look up at me.”

Sydney smiled and placed a muddy hand on Isabella’s leg.

“Thanks,” Sydney said. “I…”

“No it’s me, I just need a little time to adjust,” Isabella said. “Last night was every thing I had ever thought it could be. And then this morning I didn’t know what to do.”

“You don’t need to do anything,” Sydney said. “You just need to do what feels right to you.”

“I know that, but with you that’s hard. All I want to do is hold you and have you hold me,” Isabella said before leaning her head on Sydney’s shoulder. “I just need you to hold me.”

Sydney put her arm around the dark woman and smiled.

“I can do that.”

“Okay you two breaks over,” Lindsey called out and the two women started to laugh.

“Your sister has a great sense of timing,” Isabella said standing up. “But I guess she is right.”

“True but she doesn’t have to use it,” Sydney said standing up also. “Alright Lynd’s I’m moving.”

“Not fast enough,” Lyndsey shouted. “Come on I want to be at least half a day away by tonight.”

Ignoring her sister Sydney leaned forward and kissed Isabella. Leaning back she looked in the startled eyes of the woman she thought she might be falling in love with.

“Why don’t you see if you can help Beth get these nags to pull a bit more,” Sydney said.

Shaking her head Isabella walked to the front of the wagon and stood next to Beth and the lead horse.

“So Isabella lets see if we can get this wagon out of the mud,” Beth said taking hold of one set of reins.

Isabella nodded and as the rest of the group watched from the relative safety of the bank the three women in the creek slowly levered the wagon out.

An hour and a half later the wagon was out and everyone was tired. In the end it had taken all of them to get the wagon out. And now everyone but the youngest two was covered head to toe in mud.

“We all look like mud people,” Mia said as she sat down next to Sara. “And I would like to put in my vote for a bath.”

“I agree with Sara,” Beth said sitting down next to the others. “We all need to clean up.”

“If you hadn’t noticed the creek is nothing but a muddy mess right now,” Lyndsey said looking at her best friend. “And I don’t see how taking a muddy bath will help.”

“It won’t and I wasn’t talking about a muddy bath, the water up stream or down should be clear,” Beth said. “And don’t try that attitude on me you know it doesn’t work.”

“What ever,” Lyndsey said. “So do we go up or down?”

“We should split up,” Sydney said. “Get done faster and can be on our way.”

“I think mom has a point,” Alissa said. “I can take the girls upstream and you four go down with the little ones.”

“Sounds good to me,” Lyndsey said. “Just keep the four of them out of trouble.”

“I will Aunt Lynds,” Alissa said. “Come on you four; don’t want to be at this all day.”

Mia, Karla, Haylie, and Sara got up from where they had been sitting and followed the older woman up the stream.

“You ready,” Sydney asked Isabella as she took the hand of Ginny. “Don’t want the water to get cold.”

Isabella just smiled and walked ahead of the irritating woman.

“May be you shouldn’t try and see if she’ll throw things at you,” Lyndsey said. “I mean the point of someone liking you is that they can actually stand to be around you.”

“She has a point,” Beth said bringing up the rear and pulling Terri along.

“I get it you two, and we are working on some things,” Sydney said.

“I’d say it sounded like it last night,” Lyndsey replied.

Turning around Sydney shot her sister the finger and walked faster to catch up with Isabella.

Alissa stopped when they could no longer see the wagons and led the girls down to the creek. The water was clearer and if they worked fast they should be able to get most of the mud off and be fairly clean.

“Okay let’s get this over with,” Alissa said as she peeled her clothes off. “The water is going to be cold and we need to be fast.”

The four younger girls moved to take their clothes off and follow Alissa in to the water.

Sara was the first one to get undressed and into the shallow creek. She was rubbing water over her muddy arms when she stopped at a sound from just over the little rise in front of them.

Suddenly Alissa was beside her with her finger to her lips; Alissa turned to the other girls and motioned for them to leave the water.

All four girls left the water as quietly as they could. Sara was surprised to see Alissa moving toward the small rise on her stomach.

Reaching the top of the rise Alissa looked down to see a group of about fifty women dressed in the uniform of the Griffon Gold’s. It took a bit of control not to march down the hill and strangle the Commander of these fakes. But Alissa held her position and watched. A few minutes later another group of ten women joined those already at the creek.

At a silent nod from the leader the sixty odd women took off in the direction that the meeting was taking place in. But if they stayed on this course the fake Gold’s should miss the meeting place by a couple of miles if not more.

Alissa watched until the large group had moved out of her line of sight before turning back to the young women that were with her.

“We need to get back to the wagons now,” Alissa said picking up her clothes and quickly dressing. “I need to tell Sydney what we just saw.”

The other four girls dressed as fast as they could and followed Alissa back to the wagons and Sydney.

It was the tenth time in three hours that Jen had to stop and catch her breath. Shadow had watched as she walked out the door. Jen had been hurt when the other woman hadn’t tried to stop her. But that was three hours ago and now she had no idea were she was at. She had tried following the map that shadow had given her. And now she was lost. Lost somewhere in Norman.

Jen sat down on the concrete step and tried to get her bearings. A movement down the street made her pause. After a few minutes when nothing else moved she decided that it had been nothing more than one of the new residents of the city.

Grabbing her pack Jen stood up and started back down the road. She may have gone a block or two when she was knocked to the ground. Twisting around Jen grabbed a handful of her assailant’s hair. The woman attacking Jen grasped and pulled out of her grasp.

Jen rolled and tried to come up but she couldn’t, the resent damage to her body left her weak and slow. Scooting back along the road Jen tried to put her back to a solid object.

Jen put her arms up to ward off the next attack that didn’t come. Another shadow broke from the building and tackled Jen’s attacker. All too soon the fight was over and Jen pulled the knife she had.

When her guardian angel stood up Jen started laughing.

“I thought you told me to do this in my own,” Jen said putting her knife up.

“You aren’t very good at keeping yourself out of trouble,” Shadow said moving over to where Jen was sitting on the ground. “Someone has to watch out for you.”

“And your sister?”

“I found someone to take her, she will be safe,” Shadow said as she reached out and ran her hands over Jen. “Are you hurt?”

“No, not hurt,” Jen said grabbing the hands that were roaming over her body. “I’m fine just help me get up so we can get out of here.”

Shadow stood up and took Jen’s hand, “Do you not know how to follow a map?”

“Yes I can follow a map in the daylight with landmarks I recognize.”

“It was a good map I gave you,” shadow said. “You just don’t know how to read a map.”

“All right so my map reading skills need a little work,” Jen said setting her pack back on her shoulder. “Do you think now is the time to call my skills into question.”

“Never to late to keep learning,” Shadow said.

“All right lets get out of here and on the way to the Capital,” Jen said.

“We can’t head for the Capital,” Shadow said moving them in the opposite direction of the Capital.

“What do you mean,” Jen said stopping in the middle of the road. “The Queen is in the Capital and that’s were I need to be.”

“There is a very large army moving into the Capital,” Shadow said as she took Jen’s hand. “And they are not loyal to your mother.”

“How do you know this?”

“Word has started spreading. If your mother is smart she has already left the Capital,” Shadow said.

“I have to get to her,” Jen said trying to pull away from shadow.

Shadow tightened her grip. “There is no getting in to the Capital. These new soldiers are everywhere and they are spreading out into Moore, Norman, Del City, and other close areas.”

“There can’t be that many soldiers.”

“There are and if you want to live we have to get out of the main cities and into the Freeholders land.”

Jen grunted and followed Shadow through the city.

Sherri slammed the door open to Pilar’s private rooms. Pilar was out of her bed before Sherri had made it three steps into the room.

“Get dressed,” Sherri yelled as she shouldered the door closed and put her back to it. “Melinda has moved up her agenda.”

Pulling her clothes on Pilar watched her lover and moved fast.

“What has she done?” Pilar asked.

“Mel is moving her own soldiers into the Capital and surrounding areas. I’ve sent your personal guards to secure the way out for you.”

“And what about you,” Pilar said grabbing the pack she always kept.

“I’ll follow as soon as I can,” Sherri said as she pulled the door open and peered into the hallway. “We need to go know.”

The two women moved into the hall and started down the corridor. The building was quite. Sherri moved them quickly as they made their way out. At the lowest level Sherri stopped them and waited for the signal from Pilar’s Captain of the Guard.

When Monica stepped out into the hallway, Sherri tensed then lowered her gun to her side.

“Where is Captain Wayland,” Sherri asked stepping out into the hall.

“She won’t be coming General,” Monica said raising her gun and aiming at Sherri.

Sherri moved to duck back behind the wall, as a shot rang out through the empty hall.

Captain Wayland stepped out from behind the far corridor.

“Sorry it took so long,” Wayland said holstering her gun. “Ran in to a little bit of a problem.”

“And now,” Sherri asked taking Pilar’s hand and pulling her along the corridor.

“Taken care of for the moment, but we don’t have long,” Wayland said pushing open the door to the outside. “Steiner has most of the city covered.”

“And our escape route,” Pilar asked.

“Still open if we hurry.”

Pilar stopped and turned Sherri around.

“You are coming with me,” Pilar said.

“I have to make sure…”

“No I will not lose anyone else I love,” Pilar said. “Send someone else to do what ever it is you think needs doing, but you are not leaving me.”

“Okay,” Sherri said. “I do this your way.”

Sydney rode into the meeting area at breakneck speed. She had left the others as soon as Alissa had told her what she had seen. She could see that Donna had called the gathering to order. And now she had to get to the rock before Donna sent them all to their deaths.

Isabella rode in silence. She had been that way ever since Sydney had taken off on the fastest horse they had. This was not going how she had imagined it would when she had the girls pack up and head out of the City. It was never supposed to be a war. She was only trying to protect her children.

“She will be okay,” Alissa said moving nearer to Isabella on the hard wooden seat. “She always comes out okay.”

“I don’t …”

“She likes you Isabella,” Alissa said. “And that’s a good thing. And I’m glad.”

“I never wanted there to be a war,” Isabella said.

“You didn’t start this. General Steiner would have done this with or without you running. All you did was cause the General to move up her time table,” Alissa said. “So don’t try and take the blame for this. It’s been coming since the plague killed off the last man and most of the women.”

“I know,” Isabella said. “It’s just Sydney can be intense sometimes.”

“That’s mom’s strong point and her weakness,” Alissa said. “Give her time she’s a good person.”

Isabella smiled at the young woman and continued to push the horses toward the meeting place.

Janie had tried to get Donna to listen to what she knew. But the older woman had just shrugged her off and called the meeting to order. The heads of the other families and clans began to take their seats as Donna started the meeting.

“We’ve all been called here by the Dragon,” Donna began and looked around the crowd. “And as you can see the Dragon has not even shown up.”

The voices from the crowd grew as Donna’s words made there way to those in the back.

“So we all came for nothing,” and old woman at the front of the group shouted out.

“No not for nothing. We’ll take a little time to settle some disputes, and then we will all go home.”

A commotion from the back of the crowd grew.

Janie strained to see who was causing it. All she could make out was a group moving toward the front and the speaking rock.

“Is it them,” Paige asked coming to stand beside Janie. “Have they finally gotten here?”

“I don’t think so,” Janie said. “There are too many in the group.”

“Then who?” Paige asked.

“I don’t know.”

Rachel moved them through the crowd. It had taken longer to get back to the main group than she had planned on. But Mickey knew a short cut to where the meeting area was. And know she was trying to push her way to the front so that Dr. Beagle could tell the women assembled what she knew.

“Come on let us through,” Rachel said trying to move the women out of her way. “We got information that you need to know.”

Donna looked out over the crowd and tried calling for order but no one was listening.

Janie walked over to Donna and picked up the mega phone the older had yet to pick up.

“Everyone quite,” Janie yelled into the megaphone. “Let who ever it is through.”

The crowd grew quieter as the other group moved toward the rock.

Rachel looked up as the way before them opened up to let the group move forward.
Reaching the rock Rachel looked up at the two young women standing with an older woman.

“So who’s in charge here,” Rachel said jumping up on the rock. “I got some news for the Freeholders.”

Paige looked at Janie and shrugged.

The moment was broken when shots rang out on the far side of the gathering. Rachel pushed the two young women off the rock and ran for her horse. The crowd was panicking. But on the edges Rachel could see people organizing to repel the attackers.

Checking her riffle she saw the same two girls moving to the outside with riffles of their own.

“Hey you two,” Rachel called out. “Which way?”

Sydney pulled to a stop about half a mile from the meeting area. She could see the uniforms of the Griffons Gold Unit in close quarters with Freeholders.

Sydney unhooked the riffle from her saddle and rode into the melee.

Beth moved from woman to woman as she assessed the condition of the women. In some parts of the camp fighting was still going on. She had seen Sydney a couple of times, along with Lyndsey who was also triaging those that had been injured. Lyndsey had passed on to her that she had seen Janie and Paige an hour earlier. Reaching the end of the line of woman, Beth took a moment to breathe.

Looking over Beth caught sight of Paige who it seemed had found Sara. The two were leaning close to each other and ignoring what was going on around them. Beth was sure that if she could see Janie and Mia the same scene would be playing out.

Moving back to what she was doing Beth moved to the next line and began working on the women laid on the ground.

Sydney was tired, and all she wanted was to find Isabella and hold the woman. But she hadn’t seen her. She had seen Alissa and Lyndsey. Hell she had even seen the younger girls at different times.

Coming around the rock Sydney almost ran into a small woman and pulled up short.

“Sorry,” Sydney said grabbing the other woman. “I didn’t…”

Sydney stopped in mid-sentence when the other woman turned to look at her and she saw it was Isabella. And in the next instance Isabella was kissing her.

Isabella was the first to pull away and Sydney felt the loss immediately.

“I was worried,” Isabella said squeezing Sydney tighter. “I thought you were I don’t know what I thought.”

“I’m fine,” Sydney said pulling Isabella closer. “We’re all fine.”

“I know, Alissa dragged her girlfriend Rachel off about an hour ago,” Isabella said.

“Her girlfriend,” Sydney said looking around. “What girlfriend?”

“I think she’ll tell you when she sees you.”

“No come on I haven’t seen her since this whole thing started,” Sydney said. “I just want to know she’s safe.”

“Just hold me for a little while,” Isabella said moving them out of the way. “I just need you here for a little bit. And then you can find your daughter.”

“I’m here,” Sydney said. “I’m here.”

Pilar looked over the open plain at the army that was spread out. Sherri was with Andrea and the rest of the Generals and Commanders working out what they would be doing next.

Turning Pilar headed to the command tent to begin what would hopefully get her back her kingdom and free the women of Oklahoma City from a Psycho.

Captain Reese stopped her unit and road out to give the pass word to the sentry on duty before delivering Dr. Yorrick to the Queen.

Mel stood as the door to her private rooms in the palace opened. She smiled at the woman standing in her doorway.

Jen crouched down lower in the hole Shadow had dug for them. The fires from the army camping below them gave her pause. Shadow had been right. There was another army in the city.

The End of Book One

Hope you've enjoyed. Any and all feedback is welcomed.

Lori

Cleaning Up/Fan Fiction

2009-02-17T00:37:38Z

I thought I would clean out a few of my folders. I have some completed fanfiction I've not posted. I think most of it was written for P&P 1001 Nights Challenge. Not beta'd any mistakes belong to me.

Title: The Bet
Disclaimer: Do not own. No copyright infringement intended.
Fandom: Blade
Pairing: Chase/Krista
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Krista makes a bet with Chase.
A/N: Originally wrote for P&P 1001 Nights Challenge. I know I’m way late.
Prompt: Abstinence
Archiving: P&P all others ask.

Chase growled in frustration as the dark skinned young man walked by the booth she was sharing with Krista. Looking over at the younger vampire Chase growled again.

Krista leaned back in the booth, with a smirk on her face. “You know you could always give in and say I won,” the younger vampire said as she watched Chase track a young couple leaving the bar.

“Why, are you afraid I might actually win this little wager and you’ll have to pay up?”

Still watching the older vampire Krista wondered if it had been a wise move challenging the blonde.

“Not really. I’ve watched you. You’ve never gone more than a week without going on a hunt or 72 hours without sex. So I don’t think you can go without both for nine days,” Krista said as she watched the eyes on the blonde narrow followed by a wicked smile.

“I’ve already made it six days, what’s three more,” Chase replied as her eyes followed a young woman passing their booth.

“Oh, I don’t know, maybe because everyone you’ve looked at in the last half hour has had you drooling and licking your lips as if you’re anticipating a fine meal.”

“I am Krista dear,” Chase said as she leaned forward and ran her fingers along Krista’s jaw, causing the younger woman to shiver at the touch. “I believe my reward will be very fine indeed.”

Chase visibly swallowed as the blonde sat back once more.

Yep this really wasn’t a good idea Krista thought as the blonde continued to watch the people pass by.

Title: Can’t Believe Everything You See
Disclaimer: Don’t own just borrowing. You can have them back now.
Fandom: Murder in Suburbia
Pairing: Ash/Scribbs
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Scribbs thinks she saw Ash snogging someone.
A/N: Originally wrote for P&P 1001 Nights.
Prompt: Imagination
Archiving: P&P, all others ask.

“Look Scribbs, what you saw couldn’t have been real. Trick of the light or something,” Ash said as she took a sip from her wine glass. “It was a little hard to see with the strobing lights and all.”

“I know what I saw,” Scribbs ground out leaning back against the sofa pouting. “And what I saw was you being snogged senseless by that cow Sgt. Dee Franklin.”

“Really Scribbs you think my taste are that low?”

Shrugging her shoulders, Scribbs continued to pout as she finished off her wine. Taking the last sip she held the glass out for Ash to refill.

“I don’t know. You did go out with the booking Sergeant a couple of times.”

“What, that was because you lost that silly wager and I had to.”

Taking the bottle from the table Ash refilled her own wine glass. “And any way, you where by the front entrance while Sgt. Franklin and I were at the back of the club.”

Draining her glass quickly, Scribbs leaned closer to Ash. “I’ll have you know, I’ve perfectly good eye sight.”

Sighing Ash leaned forward and once more filled Scribbs glass.

“I know, I’m just saying you didn’t see what you thought you saw.”

Scribbs reached for the wine bottle to refill Ash’s glass and discovered the bottle was empty. Getting up off the sofa she tried to make her way to the kitchen for another bottle when she stumbled. Instead of tumbling to the floor she found herself being caught in the arms of her partner.

“Look, I think we’ve both had enough to drink,” Ash said as she held her very pissed partner in her arms. “Also I’d like to know what I have to do to make you believe nothing happened.”

Hiccupping, Scribbs put her arms around Ash’s waist.

“Just stay the night, and promise me you’ll never go anywhere near that cow again.”

“Of course I’m staying the night,” Ash said as she led Scribbs toward the bedroom. “And I’ll never even speak to Sgt. Franklin again if that’s what you want.”

Title: Football Season
Disclaimer: Not mine, just borrowing.
Fandom: Facts of Life
Pairing: Jo/Blair
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Blair blackmails Jo.
A/N: Originally wrote for P&P 1001 Nights and has just been sitting on my hard drive collecting dust.
Prompt: Football
Archiving: P&P, all others just ask.

Blair rolled her eyes as she walked into the room she shared with Jo and caught sight of what the brunette was watching on the small black and white T.V. Shutting the door quietly Blair walked up behind Jo and goosed her.

“Jeez Blair,” Jo said after jumping three feet into the air. “Why’d you do that for?”

Smirking at her friend Blair replied, “Because you know that you’re banned from watching football.”

Sighing Jo sat further back on her bed. Turning the volume down on the small set, Jo looked at Blair.

“Come on Blair. Give me a break. Don’t tell Beverly Ann.”

Smiling her thousand dollar smile Blair walked back to the door and locked it before turning to face Jo.

Flipping her hair back over her shoulder, Blair continued to smile at Jo. “So what’s in it for me to stay silent?”

Letting out a bigger sigh, Jo took one more look at the T.V. before focusing on the blonde.

“Come on Blair. You know I didn’t mean to break the T.V. It was an accident.”

Blair walked over to the bed and sat down in front of Jo.

“I know Jo. But Beverly Ann did ground you. And you know it just wasn’t because of the T.V.”

Jo harrumphed loudly and flopped back against the head board.

“All right Princess, what’ll it take to keep you quite?” Jo asked as she quickly glanced at the T.V. to see what was happening.

Blair’s smile grew even wider as she saw how distracted Jo was by the game.

“You’ll do anything I ask, right?”

“Sure, sure. Just make it quick so I can finish the game in peace,” Jo said never taking her eyes from the T.V.

“Okay, first you will escort me shopping in town on four different trips. You will also do a tune-up on my car. And help me clean out my closets.”

“Okay, Okay. Sounds fair,” Jo said finally after a few moments.

“Oh no Jo, you’re not getting off that easy,” Blair said leaning close to Jo to get the other girls attention. “You will also take me to three movies of my choice. Treat me to dinner twice. And be my escort to the Winter Dance.”

“What,” Jo stammered out completely forgetting the football game.

“You heard me Jo,” Blair said as she leaned forward and gave Jo a quick kiss, before getting up from the bed. “Now enjoy the rest of your game. I’ll be back in a couple of hours. The first shopping trip will be today.”

Jo was still sitting on the bed stunned when Blair walked out of the room. Still looping on the fact that Blair had kissed her she almost missed the part about taking the Princess as her date to the Winter Dance.

Author: Lori Dragus
Title: Kiss Me Quick
Pairing: Ash/Scribbs
Rating: PG
Word Prompt: Kiss me quick
Authors Notes: Wrote originally for the 1001 Knights Challenge at P&P.
Disclaimer: Do not own characters. Used for fun only. You can have them back for now.
Archiving: P&P all others ask.

Scribbs looked up from the paper she had been pretending to read to see a fast approaching Ash. Before she got a chance to ask what was wrong, her slightly irate looking partner pulled her into a hug and whispered, “Kiss me quick, think I’ve been made.”

Not one to disobey an order from a superior, Scribbs kissed Ash. Enjoying the feel of her partner in her arms, Scribbs pulled Ash backwards into the fake shrubs she had been standing next to. When her partner began to squirm, Scribbs broke the kiss.

“What were you doing?” Ash sputtered as she watched their main suspect walk out the revolving doors of the hotel. “You know you could let me go now.”

Grinning wickedly at her partner, Scribbs tightened her hold and leaned forward.

“Oh, I don’t know he could come back.”

Squirming more Ash looked up into the intense eyes of her partner and shivered.

The moment was broke when the two women heard static, then Sullivan’s voice in their ears.

“You two okay,” The disembodied voice asked.

“Just fine boss,” Scribbs answered as she finally released her partner. “Ash thought she was made and we pulled the old lover’s kissing routine.”

Ash’s face turned crimson as the two women listened to the snickering from the surveillance van.

“So every things all right now, yes?”

“Oh just great,” said Scribbs as the two women walked out of the hotel. “I think I just beat your record for the longest snog with Ash though.”

Sullivan snorted, as he heard Ash yell, “Scribbs,” and she began to chase the blonde toward the van.

Title: Middle of Nowhere
Disclaimer: Characters do not belong to me.
Fandom: Blade
Pairing: Chase/Krista
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Krista and Chase are on a road trip.
AN: Originally wrote for the 1001 nights Challenge at P&P.
Prompt: Mountains
Archiving: P&P, all others ask.

“So you want to tell me why you brought us to this godforsaken, backwater hole,” the blonde asked as her companion once again checked the map.

“I thought you might like the change,” Krista said folding the map back up. “Mountains instead of high rises, fresh air, no smog.”

“Krista your attempts at humor still need work,” Chase said staring out the window of the SUV as it left the rest area. “And I have never liked red necked, mountain men. The taste always seems a bit off.”

Sighing Krista kept her eyes on the road looking for the cut off her map had showed.

“Look Chase, this was not really my idea,” spotting the turn, Krista made a sharp left. “Marcus wants us to find this guy. And the Intel says he’s here in the Appalachians.”

Silence filled the car for the next half hour as Krista navigated the narrow mountain road.

“Have you thought about my proposal,” the blonde asked as Krista cut the lights on the rental.

“Which one would that be, Chase.” Coasting to a stop a thousand feet from the small cabin Krista turned to look at her companion. “The one where I take a trip to the beach at noon, or the one where I let you ash me?”

Exiting the vehicle quietly both women slowly made their way toward the cabin.

“Neither, I was talking about the one where I asked you to move into my suite,” the dark haired woman faltered a bit, as the blonde continued to move forward. “Why Krista I didn’t think you were ever caught off guard.”

Krista knew the blonde was smirking. That irritating half smile that ground on her last nerve.

“I thought you were joking,” Krista stated as the two of them reached the cabin, and were able to finally see their target.

“Have you ever seen me joke,” Chase said peering into the window. “About something I deem important?”

Grabbing the blonde’s arm as she reached for the door knob,” You can’t be serious Chase. We can barely stand each other.”

“Ah, but the angry sex we have is great.”

“You’re impossible. I can’t do this with you right now. Marcus gave us a job. And I don’t plan on screwing it up.”

“Very well. We’ll finish this conversation when we get out of these bloody mountains,” Chase said as she shoved the door open and rushed into the cabin.

Shaking her head, Krista followed, wondering what surprises death would throw at her next.

Enjoy

Lori

Sunday is for sleeping in./NaNo Story Through The Flames Ch. Seven

2009-02-16T01:40:37Z

Okay so I didn't get to sleep in this morning. Phone started ringing and that was the beginning of my day.

Yesterday was Valentine's Day. I don't really hate it, but like all holiday's its become just a bit over commercialized. So my partner and I did what we needed to yesterday morning, had a late lunch, followed by a movie.

Most of our friends thought we were crazy for not doing Valentine's Day up. But this is our little tradition. We see an early movie followed by her cooking dinner. And she cooks because I do most of the cooking normally. And since we did lunch late yesterday she's cooking today. Not going to complain. Also our friends couldn't believe we went and watched the new Underworld movie. What they don't know was that we had planned on seeing My Bloody Valentine, but we were running a little behind and missed the showing.

So I've probably done enough rambling for today. And now onto chapter/part seven of my NaNo story.

Title: Through The Flames
Pairing: Original Story
Rating: R, for lesbian sex, violence, and death.
Author: Lori Dragus
A/N: This story was wrote for the 2008 NaNo. This is pretty much how the story went in to the flying monkey counting machine. I have made only minor spelling and grammar corrections. So expect mistakes.
A/N2: While writing the story I decided that I didn't like the names of some of my main characters, they will be changed in a later draft. Also the continuity is off. I have tried to correct some of it, sure I've missed something.
Summary: It's been four years since the plague killed off every living male human and ninety percent of the female population. In the Midwest state of Oklahoma two different groups are trying to survive. The Amazons, who have taken over Oklahoma City and restored some semblance of civilization. And the Freeholders, that live in small family units outside of the large cities. These two worlds are about to collide.

Chapter Seven

Pilar was looking over the papers that seemed to multiply on a daily basis when her aide Monica knocked on her outside door. Without putting the papers down she was reading Pilar called out for Monica to enter.

“My lady I have a message from Captain Reese,” Monica said holding the small tube in her hands. “I thought you might like to have it as soon as it came in.”

Pilar put down the report she had reread more than three times. She held her hand out for the small tube.

Has there been any word on Commander Steiner’s Ranger’s,” Pilar asked as she broke the seal on the tube.

“No ma’am,” Monica said. “General Steiner is in a fit to find her daughter and bring her back to stand trail.”

“Well that is good for the General,” Pilar said as she unrolled the piece of paper. She quickly scanned the contents of the tube before handing it to Monica.

“I’ll need to send a reply,” Pilar said picking up a pencil and writing out a short message that looked like nothing but gibberish. “See that this gets sent out as soon as possible.”

Taking the note Monica turned to leave the room and stopped at the door.

“For what it’s worth My Lady I don’t believe what the General is saying about the Dragon. I served with her when the plague hit and I know how she felt about the girls,” Monica said before stepping out the doors.

Pilar sat back in the chair at her desk and wondered if her aide had just told her that she would stand by her no matter what.

Picking the report back up off the table Pilar tried to read it for the forth time that day.

Mel watched the women in the yards drilling. She was impressed, with how fast the other Generals had come around to her. They were ready for something and this was something. The only units not drilling at the compounds were the Queens Own that was led by the High General. But if Mel had her way that would all change very soon.

Mel never looked at the door when her Captain of the Guard came in. Mel waited to see if Captain Isbill would interrupt to tell her what ever it was that she thought the General needed to hear.

“Alright Captain what is it,” Mel said finally getting tired of her own little game. “I don’t have all day.”

“The Queen received a message from Captain Reese today,” Stacy said staring out the window over the General’s shoulder. “Seems she may have found where Doctor Yorrick has been hiding.”

“And what is the Queen doing,” Mel asked.

“That we don’t know. The return message was in code and we have yet to break it.”

“Try harder Captain I want to know what the Queen is up to as soon as she does it,” Mel said.

“Also the Queens eldest daughter is not where she’s supposed to be,” Stacy said.

“What do you mean,” Mel asked turning to look at the Captain.

“The Hawks left this morning from Tulsa for what was to be a trip to Saint Louis,” Stacy said. “But no one’s seen them, the whole unit has disappeared.”

“And the Queen how is she taking the news?” Mel asked.

“The Queen doesn’t seem to be concerned at all,” Stacy replied. “In fact when anyone mentions that the Hawks are not on the road to St Louis, the Queen tells them not to worry that the Hawks are right where they’re supposed to be.”

“Send out scouts to find the Hawks,” Mel said turning back to the window. “I don’t need the little brat showing up in the city before I have everything in place.”

“Yes General,” Stacy said waiting to be dismissed.

“You may go Captain,” Mel said as she went back to watching her Amazons drill in the yard.

Rachel watched the house. There hadn’t been any movement for the last half hour. Moving back to the blind that her scouts had set up she finally relaxed.

“So what is the plan,” Robin asked as she moved into the small space.

“We wait and see what the scouts bring back,” Rachel said moving around to let her senior officer in. “I don’t want to do any thing until I know what is going on at this house.”

“What is going on is a siege,” Robin said.

“I know that Robin, I want to know why they’re trying to get who ever’s in that house out,” Rachel said moving to get a better position. “Whoever is in that house the Amazons want them very badly.”

“It’s not the Amazons that want her badly it’s the General,” Robin said. “And you know that only one is bold enough to send out soldiers dressed in the uniform of the Gold’s.”

“I know but before we go charging in there I would like to have a better idea of what is going on,” Rachel said.

“Sorry you know I don’t do well with all the waiting,” Robin said.

Sonja poked her head into the blind then backed out again.

“Commander,” Sonja said. “Maybe you should come out here.”

Rachel moved to the flap and crawled out.

“What is it Sergeant?” Rachel asked.

“Take a look,” Sonja said handing a pair of binoculars to Rachel.

Rachel moved so that she could see the house and gasped. The scene at the house was chaos. The Amazons dressed as Gold’s were fighting soldiers in the Queens colors.

“Robin get everyone now,” Rachel said running for her horse. “Have them follow me to the house. The Queens guard is here.”

Robin ran for their camp while Sonja and the Commander rode to the aide of the Queens guard.

Paige was trying her best not to fall asleep in the saddle. She had done that on the first day out and the fall to the ground had put her off sleeping in the saddle. Janie said they still had one more family to visit before they could start for the meeting place themselves. Paige just wanted this little adventure to be over.

The day before they had run into a very large group of monkeys and apes that had set up a couple of colonies in the area they were moving through. The result was that it had taken them half a day to get out of the area. Paige had decided being chased by a huge black and silver ape was not her idea of fun.

And then they were almost two hours late checking in with the ranch. And Paige knew that Sara would be starting to panic. And she had been right. She had heard the relief in Sara’s voice when she had finally gotten to talk to the younger girl.

Stretching in the saddle Paige spotted smoke from the direction they were traveling in. She stood a little higher to try and see better.

“Janie have you noticed the smoke,” Paige asked.

“Yes and I’m hoping it’s not where we’re headed,” Janie said turning to look at the girl riding along beside her. “That much smoke is not a good thing out here.”

“Are we going to check it out,” Paige asked.

“I’m afraid we’re going to have to that’s where we’re going,” Janie said reaching back and releasing the straps on her riffle. “We’ll stop on that little hill and try and see what’s going on. But if I remember right there’s a line of trees between that hill and the main house.”

“Okay,” Paige said following Janie’s lead and releasing the straps on her own riffle. “I’m right with you.”

Janie nodded and the two young women made their way up the small hill.

The scene that met the two young women was horrible. There were bodies spread out all over the small farm. And the perpetrators were still there.

A small group of women dressed in the colors of the Gold Unit were chasing women that had once called this place home.

Paige watched as a soldier grabbed a woman and threw her to the ground.

Pulling her riffle up and setting the site on the Amazon, Paige was about to pull the trigger when Janie pushed the riffle down.

“We’re not close enough,” Janie said. “We need to get down to those trees.”

Paige looked where Janie was pointing and nodded. Both young women got off their horses and walked the small distant to the trees. They could both hear the screaming from the tree line. Blocking the sounds out the two girls picked their targets, aimed and fired.

Before the Amazons could get their bearings and figure out what was going on, Janie and Paige had taken out five of the seven soldiers. The last two women made a run for the horses tied up next to the house.

Paige fired and could have sworn she had hit the one she had been aiming for but the woman stayed her horse. The other one had been faster and was out of range before Janie could get a bearing on her.

Janie and Paige moved out of the trees slowly and headed to the nearest woman they could see.

Paige had to turn her head when the lunch she had eaten earlier in the day threatened to come back up.

“We need to check the house,” Janie said. “There were young girls at this farm.”

Paige nodded and followed Janie to the house.

The scene in the house made both girls step back outside and puke up their lunch. After a few minutes both girls were a little better.

“I didn’t see any real small bodies in there,” Paige said looking back at the door. “They could have hid them in a secret room or something.”

“You’re right,” Janie said wiping her mouth on the sleeve of her shirt. “We try this again. We can’t just leave little girls out here by themselves.”

Shouldering her riffle Paige led the way back into the house. The two young women covered their mouths and began to search the farm house. It took them a little more than an hour to find the secret room that the children had been put into. And another hour to talk the children out of the room.

Paige kept the young girls occupied while Janie got a wagon loaded with supplies. The four girls that Paige kept an eye on seemed to be in shock. Paige hoped they would get better after they managed to get away from the farm.

Four hours after Paige and Janie had arrived at the Murphy farm they were leaving with the youngest Murphy children. Janie set a course for the meeting grounds and didn’t let them stop till well after dark.

Pilar sat quietly and listened as General Steiner gave her reasons for needing the increase in soldiers in the field. Pilar was amazed at how easyly Mel was able to persuade so many women that what they needed to do was subjugate the Freeholders and take their land and any thing else that the Nation needed.

When the meeting was over Pilar knew she was loosing the Nation to Melinda. It had been over four years since the end of the plague and what scientists were left still hadn’t figured out how to prolong the human race. And right now the Nation was stifling.

The other Generals had left the meeting leaving only Pilar and Melinda behind. Pilar looked at Melinda and put on her best smile.

“Was there something that you needed General,” Pilar asked as she put the papers in front of her back into their folder. “I thought we had discussed everything already.”

Mel watched as Pilar finished putting her papers away before answering.

“Yes there is My Lady. I was wondering if you could tell me where the Hawk Platoon is. They seem to have gone missing.”

Pilar put the folder into her small attaché case then looked up at the General.

“The last I had heard they were where they are supposed to be,” Pilar said with a smile.

“I didn’t realize that the Hawks had been sent on training exercises,” Mel said.

“I didn’t know I had to inform you of any of my decisions,” Pilar said. “The High General knows where they are and has told me everything is fine.”

“That may be so but with the incident with your younger daughters I think the Nation would feel better knowing that Andrea was safe and not running around stirring things up,” Mel said.

“Andrea is a capable leader Melinda I don’t think she runs around trying to see what she can stir up,” Pilar said moving around the table. “If there is nothing else Melinda I have meetings I need to attend.”

“I would like to know where the Hawks and your daughter are,” Melinda said.

“You don’t need to know that General, and you would do well to remember that I am still the Queen. And you still answer to me,” Pilar said opening the door to the room and walking out.

Mel slammed her hand down on the desk. How dare that woman dismiss her as if she was nothing more than a foot soldier. Yanking the door open Mel stomped out of the meeting room and headed for the stables. She had plans to make and couldn’t implement them while she was in the city.

Sydney had stopped the group just before sunset. She hadn’t let them set up the tents saying that it would take to long in the morning to break camp. So everyone had spread their sleeping bags out under the four wagons it had taken to carry every thing Sydney thought they would need in the near future.

Alissa watched as Sydney joked with Isabella. Alissa had tried not to like the woman who was so different from her mother, but she hadn’t been able too. Isabella was kind and considerate. And Alissa found herself liking the older woman. And happy that her mom didn’t seem to be wallowing in self pity.

Alissa walked over to Isabella who it seemed had been designated the camp cook. Lyndsey was checking on all the dogs and Beth had Ginny and Terri. Leaving Mia, Sara, Karla and Haylie to help Sydney deal with the wagons and the horses. And Beth had given orders that Alissa was not to help. So Alissa had decided she would help Isabella.

“Please tell me you have something you need help with,” Alissa said as she leaned against one of the wagons. “I have to be able to help you with something.”

Isabella turned from the box of provisions she had been going through to look at the young woman. She was surprised to notice that so many of Sydney’s little mannerism were mirrored in Alissa. She shouldn’t be surprised but she was. This was Sydney’s daughter. A child with another woman, a woman that possibly wanted them all dead.

“You can chop,” Isabella said bringing her mind back to the question that Alissa had asked her. “I don’t think Beth or Lyndsey will have a problem with that.”

“You don’t know my Aunts,” Alissa said picking the knife up off the board and taking one of the peppers and chopping it in to small pieces. “They’re sure to find some reason I can’t chop up a few peppers.”

Isabella smiled and finished taking the rest of the supplies for the meal out of the wagon.

Lyndsey had been watching her niece and the nun talk while working on the evening meal. She was still trying to decide if she liked the nun. So far she hadn’t found a reason not to like her.

“Come on Lynds,” Beth said walking up to her best friend. “Syd likes her and it has been a long time since she showed an interest in anyone other than the dogs.”

“I know,” Lyndsey said moving around the wagon so she could get a better view. “I just don’t want her to get hurt again.”

“She’s a big girl Lynds,” Beth said sitting on one of the saddles. “Getting hurt happens in life. And anyway when have you ever been able to tell Sydney what to do?”

“Never,” Lyndsey said. “I just always thought that as soon as the both of them swallowed their pride they would get back together.”

“I think they went beyond that. They don’t hate each other Lyndsey; they just found others to be happy with.”

“I know and if this meeting of the Freeholders goes the way Sydney thinks it will, she’ll soon have to go to war with a woman she once loved,” Lyndsey said.

Beth took Lyndsey’s hand in hers and squeezed it.

“Things will work out. The Amazon Nation has laws. And one of them states they can’t force their views on anyone who doesn’t believe. And Pilar knows that Sydney has always been as she is now.”

“But will the past be enough to keep us all alive in the future,” Beth said watching the older girls play some kind of game with Sydney.

Rachel reached the soldiers before Sonja did. Pulling her sword Rachel ran through the first Gold uniform she came across. With in minutes the rest of her Rangers were at the farm house and the battle seemed a little more even.

It didn’t take long for Rachel’s unit and the Queen’s Guard to handle the fake Gold Unit.

Wiping her sword on a piece of cloth Rachel made her way to the Captain of the Guard who was at that moment trying to get information from one of the woman in the small group that had been holed up in the small house.

“All I want to know is if Dr. Louise Yorrick is here,” Captain Reese said. “I need to know your names.”

Rachel stood back as the women stayed silent and Captain Reese threw her hands up in the air.

“How am I supposed to help them if they won’t even talk to me,” Reese said pacing back and forth in front of the ten women. “I was sent by the Queen to make sure that nothing happened to Dr. Yorrick and all I get is silence. If I wanted silence I could be at home and have may partner ignore me.”

“I could always ask Dr. Beagle if she knows what Dr. Yorrick looks like,” Rachel said coming to a stop next to the Captain. “That is if you want my help.”

Reese turned to look at the Commander of the Rangers that had ridden to her aide. She could understand the Commanders attitude since the first thing that Reese had said after the fighting had stopped was that there was a warrant out for Rachel and if she hadn’t been tasked by the Queen to bring back Dr. Yorrick she would have arrested the Commander.

“Sorry Commander Steiner,” Reese said looking form the women on the ground to the officer behind her. “If you could help that would be appreciative.”

“Not a problem Captain. Then I might be able to send some other information back with you for the Queen,” Rachel said.

“You won’t need to get Dr. Beagle,” a small mousy looking woman said. “I am Dr. Yorrick.”

“See Captain,” Rachel said moving over to the woman that had spoken up. “Sometimes you don’t have to use force.”

Reese tried to ignore the Commander but found it very hard.

“If you would come with me Dr. Yorrick,” Reese said not looking at the Commander. “I have a few questions I would like to ask you before we head back to the Capital.”

“Of course Captain,” Louise Yorrick said before turning to look at Rachel. “And Commander it might not be a bad idea if the Captain also heard from Dr. Beagle.”

Rachel smiled as the two women walked away, in a way she felt sorry for the Captain. Her life was about to change and she didn’t even know it.

“You could have given me a bit of warning,” Captain Reese said coming into the tent that had been set up for the officers to share. “Those two women had a lot to say and I’m not sure I should have heard even half of it.”

“Why?” Rachel asked taking a sip from the glass she had in her hand.

“I’m a soldier,” Reese said. “What they know is for Generals and Queens.”

“No we are citizens of the Nation and because of that it is in our interest to know when one of our leaders has stepped over the line,” Rachel said.

“We picked up a few rumors before we got this far out. People are saying the Queen authorized what’s been done to the women in Norman.”

“And did you believe these rumors,” Rachel asked.

“No but from what I saw the people did. The thought was the Queen had to know what was going on she is the Queen.”

“Yes but a leader is only as good as her best advisors and if they have been leading her astray then what do you have,” Rachel asked.

“You have a Nation that will tear itself apart,” Reese said.

“Or if we are lucky the Queen has seen what is happening and has made arrangements,” Rachel said. “I think that’s why she sent you to find this Doctor. She knows something that the Queen hopes will help us.”

“I hope you’re right Commander,” Reese said. “Are you still planning on moving out in the morning?”

“Yes the meeting is in a few days and I really think I need to be there,” Rachel said. “I know my mother. I know how she will do things and if some of us are going to survive this the Freeholders will need all the help they can get.”

“I wish you luck Commander,” Reese said moving closer to Rachel. “I wouldn’t mind if you shared my tent tonight.”

Rachel thought for a moment. If she truly believed that Alissa was dead she would take the Commander up on her offer, but somewhere deep inside Rachel knew Alissa was still alive and as long as she was she wouldn’t do this to her.

“If things were different Reese I would say yes,” Rachel said. “But I can’t.”

Reese backed up from Rachel and smiled.

“I hope for your sake that the rumors are true and that she is still alive,” Reese said. “Good night commander.”

Rachel watched as Reese walked out of the tent. Goddess please let Alissa be alive Rachel prayed before leaving the tent herself.

Sydney moved around the makeshift camp after they had put out the fire. She hadn’t let them leave it burning because she wanted to be on her way as soon as possible in the morning. They still had to make the meeting place and get to their new home.

Looking up at the sky Sydney caught sight of the Bright Lady. If anyone had asked her how long she had prayed to the moon goddess she wouldn’t be able to tell them. It seemed as if she had always done so.

Looking at the sky she marveled at how clear it all was now. She could still remember the hazy glow around everything.

Sydney never moved when the small arms wrapped around her waist.

“You pray to the Bright Lady,” Isabella said. “Has she ever answered you?”

Resting her hands on the arms around her waist Sydney took a moment to enjoy the feeling before answering.

“Yes,” Sydney answered turning around in the arms holding her. “She has, many times.”

“And did she always answer the way you wanted her too,” Isabella asked leaning into Sydney.

“No,” Sydney said with a slight chuckle. “Most of the time I had to work very hard for what I wanted. But in the end it was worth it.”

“I still believe in my God you know,” Isabella said. “I am not sure I will ever be able to not believe.”

“I understand,” Sydney said. “I would never ask you to give up your belief. How could I that was one of my reasons for not staying with the Amazons. The it’s our way or no way policy adopted was wrong.”

“I understand way the Queen and her advisors did that, but they should have relaxed things when everything started to settle down,” Isabella said not making a move to leave Sydney’s embrace.

“I know, that was what we fought over just before I left,” Sydney said as she placed a small kiss on the top of Isabella’s head. “And it was the hardest thing I’d ever done, and was one of those times when my prayers to the Bright Lady didn’t turn out the way I wanted them too.”

Isabella leaned back a little and looked into the deep blue eyes of Sydney. She could drown in them she realized a second before she leaned forward and kissed Sydney.
The kiss wasn’t long or soul scorching but it was full of promises.

“I don’t know how to do this,” Isabella said.

“You’ve told me that before,” Sydney said. “And I will give you all the time you need.”

“No I mean I don’t know how to tell you that I…” Isabella trailed off.

Sydney looked down into the dark eyes of the woman in her arms. She was nothing like Pilar. The eyes were different. Isabella’s hair was lighter. They smiled differently. And yet this woman made her feel like no one else ever had except for Pilar.

Leaning forward Sydney kissed Isabella and slowly walked them back towards the wagon they had staked out to sleep under. Sydney could have wished for a bed in a room, but the moon was full and the Bright Lady granted blessings on nights like this. And Sydney wasn’t about to turn down a blessing from her goddess.

Alissa watched as her mother led Isabella back to the wagon they were sleeping under. For a second she was angry and then it flowed out and into the night. Looking up into the night sky she sent a silent prayer to a deity she hadn’t spoken to in four years. But the Bright Lady never held a grudge or at least her mom always said she didn’t.

Turning over Alissa tried to block out the sounds of her mother and Isabella with thoughts about Rachel. And the Bright Lady blessed her with dreams of a life with no war or pain.

Rachel leaned against the tree as she watched the Queens Guard saddle their horses for the trip back to the Capital. Captain Reese did everything by the book; she had copies of the files from Dr. Beagle and recordings from everything else. If the Queen didn’t have enough against the General now she never would.

“So Captain how long do you think it will take you to get back to the Capital,” Rachel said moving from the tree to the picket line. “You think you can beat the rumors that the General is spreading.”

“No, General Steiner has moved faster than I think the Queen thought she would. And Dr. Yorrick has nothing to do with the women in Norman,” Reese said. “I’m not sure why the Queen sent us for the Doctor.”

“Well good luck,” Rachel said. “And when you tell the Queen that I am looking for her daughter make sure she knows that it is a rumor, but I hope it’s true.”

“I know what I need to do,” Reese said. “I will do what I need to help the Queen.”

“Sorry Captain. Whatever is happening is moving faster than any one had planned on,” Rachel said.

“I think you are right but that is not what we are trained for,” Reese said.

“Well good luck on your endeavor,” Reese said. “May the Goddess bless your way.”

Mel was trying to enjoy her breakfast when Commander Green came in to the officer’s mess.

The Commander looked as if she could eat nails for breakfast this morning.

“So do I want to know why you look as if you have just found out that your girlfriends know about each other and are know sleeping together leaving you out of the loop,” Mel said taking a sip from her coffee. “Well Commander I am waiting.”

“Our spy in Norman just checked in,” Commander Green said.

“And that has you like this why?”

“The cannibal they call Shadow was apparently at the Purcell exit. She took one of the bodies,” Green said. “One of the missing bodies.”

“So she took one of the Queen’s daughters for an afternoon snack,” Mel said. “That still doesn’t explain why you are standing here in front of me.”

“No the thing is it looks like the girl wasn’t dead,” Green said standing back and waiting for the information to set in. “It seems Jennifer may still be alive.”

“No that can’t be possible,” Mel said almost at a growl. “The crazies were everywhere, hacking at anyone in a Gold’s uniform.”

“Our spy saw the woman that the shadow took. And now the shadow has started taking more food from the stores,” Green said. “Enough food for three people.”

“Three people,” Mel asked in confusion.

“The shadow cares for another crazy. When she started getting more food our spy checked it out. There is someone else with the shadow,” Green said.

“But no one has seen this person,” Mel said. “It may not be Jennifer.”

“Can we take the chance that it isn’t,” Green asked. “If she is alive she could undo everything you have worked for.”

Mel leaned back in the chair and looked at her senior officer. Barbara Green had been with her almost from the beginning. Mel trusted her, as much as she trusted anyone.

“Send someone to check this out,” Mel said.

“And if it is true?” Green asked.

“Make sure that the Queens daughter stays dead,” Mel said as she picked up her cup and took another sip. “No need to upset the Queen by giving her back one of her daughters.”

“Yes it would be better if the Queen didn’t get her hopes up,” Green said.

“Is there anything else Commander,” Mel asked already forgetting what the Commander had brought her.

Green saluted, turned, and left the room. She had her orders and she would carry them out.

Jen watched as Shadow moved around the room. The woman had been upset ever since she had gotten back a few hours earlier. Shadow had gone over every inch if the living quarters and outside the rooms.

Jen had tried asking Shadow what was wrong but the woman had hushed her and went on doing what she had been doing.

After what seemed like an eternity Shadow came back in to the room and sat down in the chair not far from Jen.

“Some one was here. She tried to hide but isn’t very good. I think I am going to have to move you and my sister,” Shadow said while rocking back and forth. “I just don’t know how I’m going to do it.”

“Are you sure,” Jen asked. “Maybe it was just someone passing through.”

“No they stayed around and watched me and then the rooms,” Shadow got up and went into the kitchen. “You should be strong enough I hope to move on your own. You can walk across the room tonight. My sister is the problem she can not leave her bed.”

“I can go on my own,” Jen said sitting up in the bed. “I’ll be fine and I can find my way back to the city.”

“And if it is one of the General’s women that has found you,” Shadow asked. “What will you do then?”

“The General has no reason to want me dead,” Jen said.

“The rumors she has been spreading in the last few days say other wise. She’s letting it be known that your mother was the one that authorized what was done to the Freeholders and the Crazies. And that your death and your sister’s was in retaliation for what had been done. And that the true Gold Unit knew nothing about it.”

“No one would ever believe my mother would do such a thing,” Jen said.

“They would if the General spreads that it was done while trying to find a way to make cloning work.”

“You don’t need to mutilate people to work on improving cloning,” Jen said.

“And how many people know what the Scientist do?”

“I will go on my own,” Jen said. “Your sister needs you.”

“You won’t get out of here alive,” Shadow said. “And I didn’t save you to have you die.”

“No you saved me because you liked my blue eyes,” Jen said.

Shadow got up from where she had been sitting and walked toward the curtains that divided the rooms.

“You can leave when ever you want too. You have never been a prisoner here.”

Jen watched the woman as she walked through the curtain. Shit she had her mother’s crappy sense of timing that was for sure. Standing up slowly Jen began to find out if she would be able to leave on her own.

Pilar sat in the semi dark room. She had told Monica that she was done for the evening and would be relaxing until High General Desmond came back from her inspection of the army.

Monica said good night and left Pilar to her reports.

What Pilar was reading left an ashen taste in her mouth. General Steiner had worked faster than she thought the woman could have. Most of the army believed that she had something to do with the rumors from Norman. And over eighty five percent of the Nation believed the lies General Steiner had planted. And so far neither Sherri nor Pilar’s trusted advisors had found any evidence that it was Steiner behind the attacks on her character.

Pilar put the file down and rubbed the bridge of her nose. Leaning back she reached into the small drawer on the table next to her. Inside was a picture she rarely looked at these days.

The girls were young; Jennifer was ten if she remembered correctly. And Carlos was alive and breathing and being the clown that he always was when they took family photos. And anyone who didn’t know the family would have been surprised by the fact that Carlos was hanging on Sydney and not Pilar. But that was how they were. How they had been. Carlos pulling Sydney in, Pilar looking on with an air of indignation that wasn’t real. And the girls happy their family was together.

Pilar was startled when the door to her offices opened and Sherri walked in. She had started to put the picture away and changed her mind. That had been her life before. And it wasn’t now and if Sherri couldn’t handle that then whatever they had wouldn’t last.

“Sorry,” Sherri said as she closed the door behind her. “I thought you heard the guards challenge me.”

“No I was lost in the past,” Pilar said laying the picture on the small table. “Did you find anything?”

Sherri moved further into the room. When she got close enough to see what Pilar had been looking at her stomach clenched. Then she cleared her mind. She couldn’t keep Pilar from remembering. Carlos and Sydney had been a part of Pilar’s life for a long time. Between the three of them they had three daughters. And there was no reason for Sherri to be jealous. Sydney had been gone for almost as long as Carlos had been dead.

“No,” Sherri said resuming her walk toward Pilar. “If Mel has anything planned she’s keeping it to herself and those she completely trust.”

Sighing Pilar threw the file that was still on her lap to the floor.

“How could things have gotten this far?” Pilar asked. “How has she managed to get under everything I have done and turn it against me.”

“She was good at this even before the plague,” Sherri said as she knelt down in front of Pilar. “She wanted what you have now. And if your name and status hadn’t been what it was before the plague she would have had it. Even if it had meant taking it by force.”

“No one can believe she has the well being of the Nation at heart.”

“For some it doesn’t matter. You have taken to long to make cloning work. Not all the city has power, or water. And food is still a little short.”

“There are not enough women to do everything that was done before the plague,” Pilar said the anger in her voice giving Sherri pause.

“I know that and you know that. Hell even Mel knows that. That’s way she pushes for forced acceptance of the Amazon way. The more women subjugated the better it is for her,” Sherri said resting her hands on Pilar’s thighs. “She will have mob mentality on her side. And she will use it.”

“I know, I just want a way to stop her,” Pilar said leaning forward to touch her head to Sherri’s. “But that’s not going to happen is it.”

Sherri shook her head, “No, if it were me I would already have someone waiting to come forward with evidence that you are behind the Freeholder kidnappings and because of that you caused the death of two of your daughters. Also I would use the disappearance of the Hawk Platoon to further the idea that you have abandoned the Nation.”

“She’ll do this,” Pilar asked.

“Yes, and that’s why we have done what we did. Andrea will be safe; we’ll get Dr. Yorrick before Mel knows why we want her. And we’ll try to stop a war before it starts.”

“No the war will come Sherri; we just have to decide what side we are going to be on.”

Sherri wrapped her arms around Pilar and held the Queen of the Amazon Nation.

Enjoy

Lori

Nothing Much/NaNo Story Through The Flames

2009-02-13T05:39:40Z

It's Thursday night and today was pretty boring. Considering for the last two days I've drove two hundred miles round trip to help out a new manager. And to top it off we had Tornado's in February. Tomorrow is Friday and I am so glad.

So tonight's ramble will be short, not much to say. On with the next part of my NaNo story. After this I have two chapters or parts left to post.

Title: Through The Flames
Pairing: Original Story
Rating: R, for language,sexual situations, violence, and death.
Author: Lori Dragus
A/N: This story was written for the 2008 NaNo. What follows is pretty much how the story went into the nano word count machine. I've made minor spelling and grammar corrections. This is basically a first draft story.
A/N2: Halfway through writing this story I decided I didn't like the names of some of my main characters. In later rewrites they will be changed. I also discovered that even though I've lived in Oklahoma for 30+ years I can't tell where I'm at. Some of the geography is wrong. I may correct it. Haven't decided yet. Also the continuity of the story is off a little. I've tried to correct some of it before posting.
Summary: It's been four years since the plague killed off every living male human and ninety two percent of the female population. In the midwest State of Oklahoma two different groups are trying to survive. The Amazons, who have taken over Oklahoma City and restored some semblance of civiliztion. And the Freeholders, that live in small family units outside of the large cities. These two worlds are about to collide.

Chapter Six

Pilar was trying to immerse herself in the day to day functions of the Nation. She knew that if she let herself start thinking about Alissa and Jennifer she would never make it through the day. And it was still three days away from the official funeral.

Picking the papers up off her desk one more time she tried to sift through them.

The knock at her door was not expected. Pilar laid the papers down before she called out to who ever was on the other side of the door to enter.

“Sorry to disturb you, but you asked me to notify you when Dr. Yorrick had been found,” Monica said standing at attention in front of Pilar’s desk.

Pilar had to think for a moment before she remembered that this was the woman who had wrote the interesting paper she had read a few weeks ago.

“And she’s been found,” Pilar asked.

“Sort of seems she moved to outside the City limits. And since she never entered a compound she was allowed to leave.”

“Is she on her way back here,” Pilar asked trying not to look too interested.

“No I’m afraid not. Looks like someone attacked the home. Captain Reese found no one at the farm. She said she didn’t even find bodies,” Monica said looking directly at Pilar. “She implied that this wasn’t the first place they had found this way.”

Great now I have woman outside the city disappearing Pilar thought as she shuffled the papers on her desk.

“Tell Captain Reese to follow the trail and to keep me informed,” Pilar said.

“The Captain is on her way back for the funeral,” Monica said.

“Why?” Pilar asked.

“All units were ordered back to the city no exceptions,” Monica said trying not to look as if Pilar should already know this. “The order was sent out yesterday.”

“Send my personal orders to Captain Reese. I don’t want her to lose the trail,” Pilar said looking down at the papers on her desk. “And Monica make sure they go out.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Is that all Monica?” Pilar asked.

“Yes.”

“Very well you’re dismissed,” Pilar said going back to the papers on her desk.

Janie pulled the horse to a stop outside the fence. A few seconds later another horse came to a stop beside her.

“Now remember what I told you,” Janie said putting her riffle in the saddle holster and hooking the cross bow to the other side. “The Able’s are a little off. So no sudden moves, and let me do all the taking.”

Paige followed what the other girl had done and nodded to her companion.

“I’ve got it,” Paige said as she straightened back up. “Keep mouth shut and hands from weapons.”

“You got it,” Janie said as she kicked the horse into motion.

Both girls rode slowly up to the house. It was the fifth family they had visited in the last two days. And according to Janie there was another seven they needed to get to in the next two days so that everyone would have time to make the meeting place on time. But each meeting went differently. Some where fast others were not. And Paige didn’t think this would be one of the fast ones.

The house wasn’t real small, but it looked a little on the run down side. Paige could see what looked like three large stills sitting off to the side of the house. Only one looked like it was being used at the time though.

There was a small garden on the other side of the house. Paige could see a few chickens and some pigs running around. What she didn’t see were horses or people. And that didn’t feel right.

Following Janie’s lead she moved her horse at a slow trot and wished that she had a little more experience riding.

Janie stopped about ten feet from the front of the house and got off her horse. She was trying hard not to let Paige know that she was scared. It had never taken the Able’s this long to acknowledge someone. They always wanted people to know that they knew you were there.

The front door opened slowly and the stench that wafted out almost made Paige lose her breakfast.

“Wha’ ya want,” the voice behind the door yelled out.

“We’ve been sent by the Dragon to let you know that there’s a meeting in five days,” Janie called out to the unseen woman.

“Don’t think any of the Able’s be making the meeting this time,” the voiced replied. “We got something and don’t look like we’re gonna make it.”

Shit Janie thought. It had been six months since the last outbreak of anything. And she didn’t think they could afford this one.

“Is there any one in the area we should invite,” Janie called back.

“Yeah a new family,” the voice behind the door said. “They call themselves the Wrights.”

“Which way,” Janie asked.

“West and north of here about four hours,” the voice said. “But watch ‘em, don’t know ‘em well.”

“Thanks,” Janie said getting back up on her horse. “Anything we can do to help?’

“No, the Bright Lady will care for us.”

Janie watched as Paige got back on her horse and the door to the house closed tight.

“Let’s go before we catch what they have,” Janie said setting off down the road.

Paige followed her mind swirling with the thoughts of what was happening in the house.

Lyndsey found Sydney in the barn cleaning tack. She had been looking for her sister for over an hour. And this was the last place she had looked. It had been two days since the girls had left and three days since Sydney had brought Alissa to the ranch, three days since Sydney had even looked at the young girl.

Sydney seemed to be engrossed in what she was doing but Lyndsey knew better. There was no way Sydney didn’t know she was there.

“So you going to ignore me like your doing your daughter,” Lyndsey said from the open door of the tack room.

“Its hard to ignore something you don’t have,” Sydney said as she continued to rub the saddle.

“Don’t play this game with me Syd. Alissa’s your daughter just as much as she’s Pilar’s and Carlos. The three of you had what ever you had and no one in either family ever thought of the girls as any thing but the three of ya’lls. So get off that stick and go see your daughter, she’s awake,” Lyndsey said then turned to leave. “Also talk to your girlfriend, she’s a bit weirded out at your silent treatment.”

Sydney continued to rub the cream into the saddle that she had been working on for over an hour. She had snuck out of Isabella’s room early. Sydney hadn‘t felt like talking to the nun about Alissa or what was going on between the two of them. Her mind was stuck on the meeting that would take place in less than a week and Sydney still didn’t know what she was going to do to get the Freeholders ready for an invasion from the Amazons. And Alissa being here wasn’t making anything better. She brought back memories that Sydney had thought she had dealt with years ago. Memories of happier times.

Setting the saddle down Sydney wiped her hands on the rag and left the tack room. Lyndsey was right she had to see Alissa. Had to know how she was doing. And if nothing else to let the girl yell at her or tell her that she hated her for what she had done.

The door to the den was open a little and Sydney could hear voice’s inside talking. And when Alissa’s laugh floated into the hallway Sydney smiled to herself.

Peering in the door she could see Alissa sitting up and talking and when the other woman in the room moved into Sydney’s line of sight her stomach dropped. Isabella was sitting in the room and taking to her daughter and they were laughing together. Something had to be cosmically wrong with that.

Straightening her shoulders Sydney pushed the door open and walked into the room.

Isabella had wondered if Sydney was going to come in the room. She had almost given up when the door opened and Sydney walked in.

“Hey kiddo how you feeling,” Sydney asked as she moved through the room. “You kinda look like shit.”

“Kinda feel that way too,” Alissa said as she watched her mother walk across the room. “Sister Isabella was keeping me company. Aunt Beth told me I wasn’t allowed to get up yet.”

Sydney nodded at Isabella. She wasn’t aware that her eyes had lit up when she looked at the woman.

“Isabella’s a great listener so I guess she could be a good talker,” Sydney said trying to figure out what to say to the girl she hadn’t seen in about four years.

“She’s made the time go by,” Alissa said turning to look at the other woman in the room.

“The Commander’s a very intelligent young woman,” Isabella said looking over at Sydney. “It has been a pleasure to talk with her.”

“I didn’t mean to interrupt the two of you I just wanted to see how you were doing,” Sydney said.

“You aren’t interrupting,” Alissa replied with a slight look of trepidation on her face. “I’d like you to stay.”

“No I’ll let the two of you get back to your conversation,” Sydney said looking from her daughter to Isabella.

“Don’t be silly Sydney,” Isabella said. “We were done and I was just getting ready to leave. I need to check on Sara the girl has been moping around this place since Paige left.”

“Isabella…” Sydney started to say.

“I’ll be back later Alissa,” Isabella said getting up from the chair and walking toward Sydney. She reached her hand out and touched Sydney‘s face. “Stay and talk to your daughter, I’m sure the two of you have a lot to catch up on.”

Sydney watched as Isabella walked out of the den.

“I can see what the General and you both see in Sister Isabella,” Alissa said. “She is something else.”

Sydney turned and looked at her daughter with a smile on her face.

“So are you,” Sydney said. “I’m sure your mother is proud of you, I am.”

“Are you mom,” Alissa asked the fear she felt coming out in her voice a little.

“Of course I am,” Sydney said as she walked over to the chair that Isabella had been sitting in earlier. “You have turned into a wonderful young woman.”

“And you know this how?”

“I don’t live that far away you know,” Sydney said smiling. “You and your sisters have done wonderful things.”

Sydney watched as Alissa’s face fell.

“Jennifer, I was supposed to make sure nothing happened to her,” Alissa said as the tears she had been trying to hold back start to fall. “And I failed.”

“You didn’t fail,” Sydney said leaning forward and wrapping her arms around Alissa. “There was nothing you could have done, nothing either one of us could have done.”

Sydney held Alissa as the two of them finally let go of the grief they had been holding in.

Isabella stepped away from the door when she heard Sydney start to cry and made her way to the kitchen. She knew she would find Sara there.

Mel watched from her seat as Queen Pilar said her goodbyes to her daughters and condemned the woman she had once loved. The roar of the crowd was so loud that Mel wouldn’t be surprised to find out they had heard it in some of the Freeholder ranches.

The tears running down Pilar’s face made Mel giddy. She loved to see this woman in pain. Her mood was broken a little when her Captain of the Guard moved to stand beside her.

“I’ve found the two missing units,” Stacy said under her breath. “The Queen ordered her Guards to continue their search for Dr. Yorrick and your daughter seems to be with the Techno Geeks.”

Mel barely managed to keep her fury in check. How dare the Queen counter an order given to all the soldiers. They all should have been here for this. Gripping the chair arm Mel never looked at her officer.

“Do you know exactly where Rachel is?” Mel asked.

“Not yet her keeper hasn’t been able to get anything out,” Stacy said. “But the rumor is they’re on their way to meet someone that can bring proof back to the Queen about what is going on in Norman.”

“Tomorrow you will make the announcement that Rachel and her Rangers are traitors, then you are to send someone to find Rachel and this unit the Queen has running around out there.”

Stacy nodded and stood for a few more minutes behind Mel’s chair.

“And Captain don’t screw this up,” Mel said focusing back on the events playing out down below her.

Jen watched as her savior moved around the rooms they were in. She knew that there was someone in the back of the dwelling but since she was unable to walk she hadn’t been able to see who it was.

The Shadow was cooking a meal at the moment and Jen was trying to figure out how she was going to get a message to her mother or to anyone for that matter.

“Sorry the foods not better,” Shadow said. “Things have been a little hard to get around here lately.”

“No it smells good,” Jen said trying to stay on the shadows good side. “I know your doing your best.”

“Not really,” Shadow said. “You think I’ve kid knapped you and that may be true. But you would have died if I had left you there. And I like your eyes they are an unusual color.”

“I have my mothers eyes,” Jen said without thinking.

“I have seen pictures of Queen Pilar and her eyes are not blue, they are a very deep brown.”

“I have …”

“No don’t tell me, it will be safer that way,” the shadow said. “The meals done, I’ll bring yours to you in a moment.”

Fixing a bowl and walking through the curtain at the back of the room Shadow never made a noise as she feed the other woman.

Jen watched as the young girl moved out of her line of site. The girl was crazy Jen knew but she was functioning. Functioning better than Jen would have been in the same circumstances. And Jen couldn’t believe she had made a slip like that about her mother. Leaning back on the bed Jen closed her eyes and waited for the shadow to finish what ever she did in the other room so that she could eat.

It wasn’t long before Shadow came back to the main area.

“Sorry that took longer this time than I thought it would,” Shadow said fixing a bowl for Jen and herself. “She gets worse as the days go on.”

“She,” Jen asked Shadow a look of confusion on her face.

“My sister,” Shadow said. “I got her out of the camp but not before they had done what was done to her and me.”

“What kind of things,” Jen asked sitting up on the bed as Shadow brought the bowls over.

“Different things, for me it was my mind that was affected, my sister her body. I don’t know what they were looking for but I don’t think they ever found it.”

Jen took the bowl that was offered to her and took a small bite. The food really wasn’t that bad.

“I’m sorry do you know who it was that did this to you,” Jen asked not really expecting an answer.

“I know very well who did this. The great General Steiner is responsible for me and my sister. And a few hundred others,” Shadow said.

Jen paused with the spoon halfway to her mouth, the General, Shadow was crazy she had to be.

“And how can you be sure,” Jen asked.

“Some of what was done to me heightened certain senses, The General tried to hide who she was and who her soldiers were. All her soldiers wore the uniforms of the Gold Unit every time they procured women or dropped them off in Norman. But the smell of the General never changed. And when your unit passed through here earlier I was able to tell that no one in the uniforms that you wore had ever been to the Freeholders. And that the General who had always hid was Steiner. But I have no proof and no easy way to prove it.”

Jen set her bowl down, she didn’t know if she would be able to eat anything else. General Steiner was behind the abduction of women that no one knew about and had been using the Gold’s status to do it. She had to get back to her mother, there was nothing else to do.

“I need to get back to my mother,” Jen said.

“That’s not possible right now. The General has made everyone believe you’re dead. They’ve already had your funeral and your mother has issued a degree against the Freeholders and the Dragon.”

“The Dragon, no my mother would never do that to Sydney, she could never believe that Sydney had anything to do with my death,” Jen said turning a little green.

“The Queen may not believe it but every one else does thanks to the General. They are preparing to attack the Freeholders as soon as they can get everything together,” Shadow said.

“I need to get to my mother before she does this, she can’t issue a death warrant for Sydney. She just can’t,” Jen said.

“To late the warrant went out yesterday. The General also issued one for her daughter Commander Steiner for treason,” Shadow said as she watched the emotions play across Jens face .

“On Rachel,” Jen said.

“Yes when the commander didn’t return for the funeral the General sent a unit to bring them in they found the Ranger’s gone along with the Techno Geeks. Rachel has a death warrant on her head,” the shadow said.

“Do you know where Rachel is?” Jen asked.

“On her way to meet with the Dragon,” Shadow said.

“Why?”

“I don’t know, the Geeks gave her something and I can’t find out what. The others think I’m a cannibal remember.”

Jen swung her legs over the side of the bed. She had to go. She could stop this war, she could stop her mothers from killing each other. Jen tried to stand and her world started to spin. When the strong arms reached around her she relaxed into them.

“I told you, you’re not ready to leave. You lost a lot of blood and you need to rest,” Shadow said as she helped Jen lay back down on the bed. “I’ll help you when you’re ready.”

Jen looked up at the woman who had brought her here all because of her eyes.

“The others you’ve collected where are they?” Jen asked.

“Some died others left when they were able too,” Shadow said releasing Jen. “I don’t keep anyone here that doesn’t want to stay. I may be crazy but not that crazy.”

Jen smiled at the young woman, “No your not.”

Rachel stood in the stirrups and looked over the open expanse they were about to enter. They had meet up with Dr. Beagles contacts in Norman the day before and had been moving toward the meeting place that one of them said the Dragon would be at. All Rachel cared about was finding out if Alissa was alive and delivering the information about the General. She didn’t even think of the general as her mother anymore. And if she had been able to get the information to the Queen she would have. But Rachel thought she had another spy in her camp. They had intercepted a courier with warrants for her and the Dragon. The General had signed her warrants for treason. If it was treason the General wanted it would be treason she got.

“Commander,” Sonja called out as she rode up to the Commander. “Dr. Beagle says there is a small farm about two miles over that hill that we could stay at for the night.”

Rachel looked at her scout and nodded.

“Check it out and don’t take to long, I want you to scout the area ahead of us for tomorrow. We don’t need to run in to an ambush at this point,” Rachel said looking over the other women in the unit.

“Yes Commander,” Sonja said turning her horse and heading off in the direction of the small farm.

Rachel looked over her shoulder and motioned for Robin to come over.

“You got something for me,” Robin said bringing her horse along side of Rachel’s.

“Yes lieutenant I want you to go through every one in the unit and have them change out of their uniforms. I don’t want the Dragon to think that we are coming to fight. When you get their uniforms pack them in something and stow it,” Rachel said as she looked around the women in the clearing.

“There a reason we’re keeping a uniform we can’t wear anymore,” Robin asked.

“We may be able to wear it again someday,” Rachel said. She then noticed that Dr. Beagle and her two contacts were headed her way. “Just get it done Robin.”

“Not a problem Commander,” Robin said moving away from the small group headed toward the Commander. “Keep your chin up Rachel.”

Rachel squared her shoulders and looked down at the three women that were quickly approaching her.

“What can I do for you ladies,” Rachel said trying her best to be diplomatic. But that had never been her strong suit.

“Commander we just need to know what you plan to do when you reach the Dragon?” Rene asked outright.

“I don’t know what I plan to do,” Rachel said looking at the older woman who put some of her girls to shame with what she did around the camp and while doing it blind. “It depends on what I find out when I get to this meeting.”

“You have to know that Sydney would never do anything to hurt the girls or undermine Pilar’s standing,” Mickey said.

“I am one of the few people that know why the Queen let the Dragon leave and exactly why she would never be able to harm Alissa or Jennifer. But I am a traitor now, my officers and unit have followed me cause they trust me. But I don’t know the Dragon. I only know what I’ve been told. And people do change. And not always for the better.”

“I agreed to let you come cause you wanted to know the truth,” Rene said.

“I realize that Rene, but I’m a soldier. It’s what I was going to be before the plague and it’s what I have always wanted to be. Politics mean nothing to me, defending the people do. And I believe that my mother has overstepped her authority. And I will do what is necessary. And if it is at odds with the Dragon I will leave and do what I need to do on my own.”

“And if both agenda’s are the same or near enough,” Rene asked.

“Then I will follow the Dragon until what we both want is no longer the same,” Rachel said staring down at all three women. “If there is nothing else ladies I need to check on my girls. It has been a long few days and I want to make sure they are still good with this.”

Rachel backed her mount up and rode down into the tents spread out below the small hill.

“So Rene what do you think?” Laura asked.

“I think she’s more like her father was then what her mother is,” Rene said looking off in the direction that Rachel had ridden off in. “She will do what is right, and it might not be what we think is right, she is a lot like Sydney. Which could explain why Alissa choose her for a partner.”

“I think Rene is right,” Mickey said looking at the two women with her. “I haven’t seen the Commander in to many situations or know her very well, but her officers trust her and the regular soldiers respect her or they wouldn’t be here.”

“Well I just hope that Sydney appreciates what we’re bringing her,” Laura said. “A trained scout and siege unit.”

“I’m sure Sydney will be happy and so will Alissa,” Mickey said.

“How can you be sure that Sydney has Alissa,” Laura asked.

“Cause she told me she had her,” Mickey said pulling the hood of her jacket further down. “I think we should get ready to leave.”

“Why?” Laura asked.

“The scout is on her way back and I don’t think with good news,” Mickey said.

“Why do you say that?” Rene asked.

“She’s riding too hard,” Mickey said looking at the rising dust cloud. “We need to get back to the wagon and horses.”

Rene reached out and took Mickey’s hand and let the other woman guide her back to the wagon.

Laura watched the rider as she got closer, what could be going wrong now.

Sydney loaded the last of the supplies on the wagon they would be needing. Lyndsey had wanted to leave someone behind on the ranch, but Syd had vetoed it. She knew that as soon as things settled in the city a unit would be sent out to take care of her. And the Dragon ranch wasn’t a secret. A lot of people knew where it was and Sydney wasn’t going to take any chances with her family. Pulling the last strap down she looked up to see Isabella playing with Terri and Ginny. The little girls looked happy someone was taking time out to play with them. Sydney was still smiling when Alissa hobbled up to her.

“You’re falling in love with her,” Alissa said in a whisper.

Sydney turned to look at her daughter and saw the sadness in her eyes.

“Yes I am,” Sydney said. “That doesn’t mean I don’t love you. You know that right?”

“Yes I just hoped that someday the two of you might get back together,” Alissa said.

“We grew apart. The world changed in a way that we weren’t ready for. You would think two lesbians would be able to cope in a world without men. But we couldn’t. Your mother loved your father and so did I. As odd as that sounds. He was a part of our family. And when he was gone there was no one there to make the two of us see how much we loved each other and that with time we could come to a compromise.”

“I know, I think mom’s in love with Sherri,” Alissa said watching the face of her mother. “They spend a lot of time together. But I think mom doesn’t want us to know.”

“That sounds like your mother and I’m glad that she has someone, she deserves that,” Sydney said looking back up at Isabella. “We all deserve that.”

“Mom I want you to know that I love you,” Alissa said grabbing Sydney in a bear hug and squeezing as hard as she could. “Also when this is over if possible I have someone I would like you to meet.”

“I’d like that,” Sydney said. “Now lets see if you can help me with this before one of your aunts comes out here and orders you back into the house to rest.”

Isabella had been trying not to listen to the conversation between Sydney and Alissa, but she had caught bits and pieces of it. She was glad that Sydney had finally been able to move beyond what ever it was that had kept her from talking to her daughter the first few days. And this morning Isabella had been happy to find that Sydney hadn’t snuck out of the room before she had woken up.

One of the young girls grabbed Isabella’s hand and tugged on it.

“We need to get our toys,” Ginny said pulling on the older woman’s hand. “Mia said if we wont them we have to get them.”

Smiling at the two small girls Isabella took both their hands.

“Then we had better go get the ones we will need,” Isabella said as she let the two girls pull her off into the house.

She grinned as Haylie and Sydney’s other niece, Karla, went running by their arms full of blankets.

Isabella knew that Karla was Janie’s younger sister, and that the other girl was two years younger than Haylie even though both girls were about the same size. And both had that dirty blonde hair color.

As the two older girls burst through the open front door Isabella caught site of Sara at the top of the stairs. Sara was talking animatedly with Mia. The two girls had seemed to hit it off once Sara figured out that Mia wasn’t going to try and take Paige from her.

Isabella wished she knew what was wrong with Sara, but that was going to have to wait for later. And she would find out.

Mia was trying her best to calm Sara down but it wasn’t working with the other girl.

“Sara they’re only about an hour late with their check call,” Mia said to the upset girl. “Knowing Janie she has them at some out of the way swimming hole and lost track of the time.”

“Paige would never lose track of the time,” Sara said. “She wouldn’t want me to worry.”

“I know that but they may not be able to call us and that doesn’t mean anything is wrong,” Mia said trying her best not to shake the girl before her. “Things don’t always go as planned. You just have to trust in the Bright Lady that everything will be alright.”

“How can you be so calm?” Sara asked.

“Just on the outside,” Mia said. “I worry every time Janie goes out without me but I can’t let that rule me. This world is so different from what it use to be and we have to learn how to live in it all over again.”

“I know I just can’t help worrying,” Sara said looking down the stairs and seeing Isabella going into the younger girls play room. “I just need to know…”

“I know Sara, Janie is different than anyone I ever remember knowing. I remember thinking that boy’s were gross and icky, but there are nights when I wish they were still here. I miss my brothers a lot.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t know,” Sara said.

“Don’t worry I dealt with their deaths a long time ago, and Aunt Sydney helped to make things easier.”

“She is really good at making you feel better,” Sara said.

“She should be,” Mia said. “Along with Lyndsey and Beth she helped raise us.”

“So is your Aunt Lyndsey and Beth a couple?” Sara asked her face turning a light shade of pink.

“Not like you think,” Mia said getting into the discussion which seemed to have taken Sara’s mind off of Paige. “They were best friends before the plague and when things went crazy they followed Sydney out here. Beth had two little boys and well her and Lyndsey took over raising Ginny and Terri when we all moved out here.”

“So they don’t…”

“Not that I know of,” Mia said. “They love each other, they just don’t want to well you know.”

“Yeah I know,” Sara said. The young woman had started to say something else when the radio she had been carrying around for an hour came to life.

“So any one on the other end of this thing,” Said Janie through the mike. “Hello anyone home.”

Mia reached for the radio and was surprised when Sara gave it up.

“No one here but us mice,” Mia said into the radio. “What took the two of you so long?”

“You wouldn’t believe me,” Janie said. “Look is Sara around Paige is driving me nuts to talk to the girl. You’d think she’d never been in love before.”

Mia looked over and saw that Sara was a bright shade of red.

“Yeah she’s here,” Mia said handing the radio back to Sara. “Here talk to her so that we can finish what we’re supposed to be doing.”

Sara took the radio back and smiled at the other girl.

Mia just smiled as Sara let her fears go when she heard Paige’s voice.

Lyndsey watched as her sister and niece finished tying off the tarp covering the supplies. Beth had started to tell Alissa to come back in the house and lay down when she noticed that Alissa and Sydney were actually working together and not fighting. And she hadn’t had the heart to tell Alissa to take it easy.

“Okay young lady,” Lyndsey said as she came down the stairs. “You need to take it easy. I don’t want Beth yelling at me about you pulling your stitches out.”

Alissa stopped what she was doing when her aunt called out.

“I’m being careful Aunt Lynd’s,” Alissa said. “We’re almost done here.”

“I can see that but still I’m the one that has to deal with Beth when you two don’t do what you’ve been asked to do.”

Sydney placed her hand on Alissa’s arm to stop the girl from doing any thing else.

“She’s right and this is almost done,” Sydney said. “Go in and rest a little, I can finish this. And we can be off before the sun sets.”

Alissa started to argue then changed her mind. She was a little tired.

“Okay, but just for Beth,” Alissa said. “She can make life miserable for her patients I’ve noticed.”

Sydney and Lyndsey both chuckled at that.

“She can at that,” Lyndsey said. “Now get in there before she comes looking for all of us.”

Alissa climbed the stairs and walked through the open door.

“So you doing okay,” Lyndsey asked.

Sydney tied off the rope and turned to look at her sister.

“Its nice having her around again,” Sydney said. “I’ve missed them.”

“And how are you coping with the Jennifer thing?” Lyndsey asked.

“Not thinking about it right now,” Sydney said.

“That’s not always a good thing,” Lyndsey stated.

“I know and it’s times like this that I wish you were something other than a Psychiatrist.”

“Sorry, habit.”

“Look when this is over I’ll mourn her, right now I need to concentrate on how I’m going to keep Mel from having Pilar start a war that will leave us weaker than we are.”

“Okay but if you need me,” Lyndsey said.

“I know where to find you,” Sydney said walking around the wagons and making sure everything was good. “Have we heard from Janie and Paige yet?”

“Just a little bit ago,” Lyndsey replied. “They said they still had two more families to visit then they would head for the meeting place.”

“Their a little behind,” Sydney said.

“They had a little bit of trouble,” Lyndsey said. “Nothing they couldn’t handle but it but them a little behind.”

“They okay?”

“Yes, Janie said it will be one for the campfires.”

“She would, that girl sometimes scares me with her need for the crazy stuff,” Sydney said coming to stand beside Lyndsey. “Did you see where Isabella took Ginny and Terri?”

“To the play room,” Lyndsey said. “Have you two worked everything out.”

“No but we’re going to have to,” Sydney said. “She’s still trying to come to terms with us and her religion.”

“Give her time Syd,” Lynd’s said. “This isn’t easy for her.”

“I know and it’s not easy for me either,” Sydney said. “I never expected to feel this way ever again.”

“I know, just give it time.”

Sydney nodded and walked up the stairs to the main doors.

Enjoy

Lori