Chapter 2

The weather was getting worse by the minute and patience had never been her strong suit. So it was galling in the extreme to be dependent upon one of the guys to come get them. Lord help her if Gabe sent Jack to collect them. It would be the young man's last living act. “So who do you think he sent to come out here to BFE,” Sara asked more to kill time than because she really expected the other woman to know.

Tara's arms were folded tightly across her chest, "I don't fuckin know but it better be soon. We are gonna freeze to death if it isn't."

A sculpted eyebrow rose at her friend's tone but she knew better than to take it personally. “Chill, it was only a question,” Sara defended holding up her hands in front of her.

The redhead glared at the other woman. “If I chill any more I'm gonna be a fuckin' Popsicle. And that would be the only thing that saves Jack fuckin' Evans from the stabbing he so richly deserves,” she growled tightening her arms even more.

Sara's eyes wandered over the hood of the car which was now white, none of the black paint visible "How long has it been?" she wondered aloud.

"Almost an hour." Tara guessed. The snow was steadily increasing and she was slightly worried no matter who Gabe had sent to get them. She didn't voice the sentiment.

The raven haired beauty ran her fingers through her tousled hair. “They should be here by now,” she groused as she repeatedly scanned the road for any traffic.

“Not everyone believes the speed limit is merely a suggestion,” Tara returned rolling her eyes at the other woman's impatience. “And all the pencils in the world isn't going to fix this,” she uttered before the inevitable comment could pass her friend's lips.

Sara stuck her tongue out at her tag team partner. Yes, it was childish and completely unnecessary but the simple act helped relieve some of the tension she felt building up in her neck and shoulders.

“You know for being the oldest you're remarkably immature,” Tara informed the other woman.

“You didn't just meet me," Sara deadpanned catching a glimpse of headlights, or she thought she did.

"Oh please let that be the Calvary," Tara begged turning to look over her shoulder as the black car made a u-turn and came to a stop behind them. "Bitch can't feel her toes anymore.”

"Well if you would wear real shoes..." Sara looked down pointedly at the four inch heels gracing her friends slender feet.

"Shut the fuck up Sara." Tara growled.

“Just stay put honey, I'll see who it is...if it is indeed our ride I'll come get you,” the raven haired woman said as she reached for the door handle.

“Do you need a pencil?” the redhead asked the corner of her mouth quirking up as the other woman opened the door.

“Naw, I got that covered,” Sara assured her friend as she pulled one out of her hair. The two shared a laugh at that before the dark haired young woman exited the vehicle.

The two men shared a glance as the petite brunette turned to face them. "She looks pissed." Davey observed.

“That's a brilliant deduction Richards. Come up with that one on your own,” Ki drawled sarcastically.

Davey rolled his eyes "Don't make me fuckin kick you Ki."

“If the two of you are done with your pissing contest we'd like to get the fuck out of this shit and to the show. I'll grab our stuff from the trunk, then get Tara and we can be on our way,” Sara barked folding her arms under an ample chest.

Ever the gentlemen Davey opened his door and stepped out. "Pop the trunk, I'll get your gear."

“Thanks but no thanks, I've got it. If you'll just open yours we can get this little freak show on the road,” she told him as the passenger's side door opened.

“Sara be nice, he's trying to help,” Tara snapped shivering as the cold wind bit into her skin.

The raven haired woman turned to her friend. “When have you ever known me to be nice?”

“Try something new for a change,” the redhead tossed back unconcerned by the glare sent her direction. “Look, it's cold I want to get the fuck out of this shit!”

Sara's brows drew together in a fierce scowl. “Fine,” she growled walking over to the trunk and unlocking it. She had to fight the impulse to automatically reach for their gear.

Tara stopped at the open passenger window "Ki, be a love and pop the trunk will ya?"

Ki nodded and opened the glove compartment popping the trunk. Tara continued around to the back of the car and when Davey appeared she smiled "Don't mind Sara. I'd like to tell you she isn't always like that but..." the slender shoulders shrugged.

Davey could only stare, his mouth half open as the snow fell around the most incredible woman he'd ever laid eyes on.

“Close your mouth hun, that's not an attractive look for you,” Sara informed the young man currently ogling her friend. She only resisted the urge to laugh by sheer force of will. It wasn't his fault that Tara always dressed to impress. And she was confident in her own good looks to know that the redhead was smoking hot!

Davey blushed and Tara had the grace to pretend not to notice.

Davey tossed the bags in the now open trunk and turned back to the woman next to him. He had planned on saying something, what escaped him at the moment but hopefully it had been something better than what he ended up with. "I'm Davey." He said sticking out his hand.

It was too much for Sara. She began to laugh and laugh loudly. She clutched her stomach leaning against the car for support. The young woman had been trying so hard not to laugh at him but that was before he'd opened his mouth.

Tara glared at her friend through narrowed eyes. “I thought I told you to be nice,” she growled from between clenched teeth.

The raven haired young woman gasped from breath. “I tried...I really did Tara, but...” she gestured helplessly toward Richards falling into another round of hysterics.

The blush on the young man's face deepened and he turned to slam the trunk shut. "We better go," he muttered as Tara reached around him to slap Sara in the back of the head.

Normally she would have enjoyed Sara embarrassing a guy but for some reason this time it only made her uncomfortable. "Sorry Davey," she whispered, her head close to his.

He nodded not looking up at her. When he got back to the show he was going to beat someone for not telling him about how attractive the girls were...or more specifically how good looking Tara was.

Sara was already in the backseat when Tara climbed in behind Ki, who began snickering as Davey slid into the drivers seat. Leaning forward she tapped Ki on the shoulder. When he looked back at her he saw her cocked eyebrow and her slim fingers gripping the half hidden pencil stuck in her red ponytail.

He smothered his grin with considerable effort holding his hands up in surrender. He wasn't fool enough to believe that she wouldn't do exactly what her actions were hinting at. However he just couldn't let the opportunity slip by to tease his coworker about his reaction to the young woman. He would just have to make sure she was nowhere around when he did it.

The warning glance was now directed at her best friend, though Tara was pretty sure at this point the smirk on the lips of her girl was directed at Ki.

There was silence in the car as Davey pulled back onto the highway heading in the direction they had came from. The snow was falling faster and heavier with every passing minute. "This keeps up we won't make it back." Tara observed leaning slightly forward.

Davey said nothing though his hands tightened on the wheel. He'd had the same thought himself while driving through this storm. He was hoping that they would make it to the show but it wasn't looking too promising. He took a deep breath then wished he hadn't as Tara's soft scent drifted over him. He wasn't sure how much more of this torture he could take. He refused to give either Sara or Ki any more ammunition to use against him later.

Sara looked over at her friend reproachfully. “Bite your tongue. I refuse to get this far only to be stopped by the fuckin' weather!”

"How about the Michigan Highway Patrol?" Ki asked indicating the flashing lights that had suddenly appeared in the roadway.

"Fuck." Davey gingerly applied the brake and the car rolled to a stop. "That was close."

Richards rolled down his window as an officer climbed out of his patrol car. He figured if the officer could brave this weather the least they could do was endure a little bit of cold air. Though he was secretly hoping the portly man would hurry up, even with the heater on full blast it was freezing.

The officer reached for his belt unsnapping the flashlight. Holding it in an underhanded grip he swept the beam over the cars occupants. “Where you folks headed?” he drawled rolling a toothpick from one corner of his mouth to the other.

Tara squeezed her tag team partner's leg as she opened her mouth to respond. Knowing the young woman like she did whatever came out of Sara's mouth now would more than likely have the four of them spending the night in jail.

“Up to Lansing for the wrestling show,” Davey responded respectfully.

The potbellied officer sighed sadly though the look in his eyes belied the sound. “I hate to break this to you kids but you ain't going nowhere. The road's closed. The snowfall is just too heavy and the road crew ain't likely to be through here for some time yet.”

"I'm sorry officer, we aren't from around here. We just drove up to rescue the girls. Their car broke down up the way." Davey jerked his thumb over his shoulder indicating the location of the now deceased vehicle.

“That really is too bad,” the patrol man said with mock sympathy. He glanced back down the road even though he couldn't make out the vehicle in this weather. “Y'all are gonna hafta turn back around. There ain't no way you're getting through here tonight. There's a little Inn about half a mile up the road a piece. I'll tell you what, I'll even call over and let Missy know that you folks are on the way. She'll have a room all fixed up for you by the time you get there.”

“Thanks officer." The tone in Davey's voice left no doubt there was no sincerity in his words. Rolling up the window he glanced in the rearview mirror, meeting Sara's eyes he shrugged "Don't blame me."

The raven haired young woman had her arms folded under her chest. “I still think you should have let me stab the backwater, hick lookin', muthafucker with a god damned pencil,” she growled glaring at Tara.

“And how many times do I have to tell you that I don't carry that kind bail money on me?” she tossed back tartly. Both of them oblivious to the young men in the front seat.

"Somebody better call Gabe." Ki quipped, the promoter was going to be wicked pissed when he found out that four of his performers wouldn't be showing up.

“I nominate you,” Tara said with a saccharine sweet smile.

“Why do I gotta be the one to call him,” he growled glowering at the women in the back seat.

“Because genius, you were the first to think of it,” Sara replied with the same sickeningly sugary grin as her tag team partner.

“And Davey can't do it because he's driving,” Tara informed the young man.

"Oh fuck me." Ki muttered reaching for his cell phone.

“Maybe later, because I think the officer would frown on such a public display,” Sara quipped allowing a smirk to creep across her face at the small choking sound he emitted.

As Davey crept back up the highway towards the motel, they all heard Ki's conversation with Gabe. Mostly because the irate promoter was simply screaming profanities into the phone.

It took fifteen minutes to drive the half mile, visibility was almost nil and finally Ki hung up on Gabe. "Damn phone died." He grinned as he shut it off and tossed it onto the dashboard as Davey pulled up in front of the small motel.

“Not to mention the weather is playing havoc with the cell towers in the area,” Sara pointed out grinning despite her disappointment about missing the show.

“If you two are quite done, I'd like to get the hell out of these clothes and into something warmer,” Tara said interrupting their banter.

“Oh all right spoil sport,” the raven haired woman said gesturing for the guys to hurry up. “Besides I have to pee in the world's worst way.”

“Not on my leather seats you’re not,” Richards growled scrambling out of the car.

“This wouldn't happen if you didn't drink so damn much Pepsi,” Tara chided her friend.

“Oh like you're any better with all that coffee you drink,” Sara shot back blowing a raspberry at the redhead.

"It helps my nerves," Tara purred back.

Davey felt the goosebumps form along his arms and knew it wasn't from the cold. He shook his head to clear it as he opened the door to the lobby.

A matronly looking woman stood behind a scarred wooden counter. Her round face held a welcoming smile her blue eyes twinkling merrily. “Howdy folks, sorry to hear about your luck,” she told the foursome sincerely. “Harold already called down, by the way I'm Mable. I've got some good news and some bad, which do you want first?”

“The bad news,” Sara replied instantly. “What,” she asked at the looks she was getting from the others. “At least this way there seems to be a bright side.”

The older woman chuckled at the young people before her. “Well, the bad news is that there's only one double bed in each room here.”

“And the good news,” Tara ventured.

“Y'all got the last two rooms I had,” she replied almost laughing at the relief that flashed in their eyes at that statement.

"Thank God for small favors." Davey said reaching for his wallet. Tara did likewise and pulled her credit card from her purse. "Any chance of finding anything to eat around here?" She asked as she slid the card across the desk. "I got this," she said waving Davey off.

The gentleman in him had a hard time letting her pick up the tab for their stay. The least they could do was all pitch in to cover it. He was about to say something when a sharp elbow caught him in the ribs. He turned his head glaring at Ki who was subtly shaking his head no.

“There's a small cafe just across the street,” Mable offered pointing out the front window where the faint glow of lights could barely be made out. “It's open for another hour so I would suggest that if y'all are gonna go you do it soon.”

She handed over the keys tellin' them that providing the weather had let up check out time was noon. If not they were more than welcome to stay until it did. The foursome thanked her and headed for their rooms, which were conveniently enough located right next to each other. They agreed to meet up at the diner in fifteen minutes giving everyone a chance to get settled in for a short stay.

Tara opened the door to their room and stood aside letting Sara slip in. Dropping her bag just inside she immediately entered the bathroom as Tara took up a spot on the dresser. Pulling the heels off her feet she let out a sigh of relief.

"My feet are killing me."

“I wonder why,” Sara remarked sarcastically as she opened the door to the bathroom. “I keep telling you dress for comfort rather than style and you'll be much better off.”

“And as I'm always telling you, if you always dress to impress you never fail to make an impact,” Tara returned digging through her bag.

Sara plopped down on the bed, leaning back on her elbows "Well you certainly did that today. I thought Richards was gonna trip over his tongue when he got a load of you."

“That reminds me,” the redhead snapped turning on her friend. “I distinctly remember telling you to be nice. Would it fuckin' kill you to be nice to someone other than me?”

“Actually I'm pretty sure it would,” the raven haired young woman returned blithely.

“Oh please,” Tara snorted, “not everyone you're nice to thinks he's getting into your pants.”

“Honey, you do remember what environment we work in correct? Can you honestly tell me that if I was actually nice to any of these fuckers that they wouldn't automatically assume I wanted in his bed,” she replied rolling her eyes.

Tara sighed sitting down next to her friend to pull on the pink and black Nike's. "No I can't but..." She left the comment unfinished. Normally she was just as lethal with the guys as her partner but there was something about the young man. Something that she sincerely hoped was simply gratitude at his coming to the rescue of two women he didn't even know. Her sudden silence and the sudden change in her demeanor had Sara cocking an eyebrow.

“Please, please, please tell me you're not falling for him,” the older woman begged. “He's eye candy, no doubt about that, but for fuck's sake he's not worth the heartbreak and misery that will follow if he gets wind of it. Hell, we've worked too hard, come too far, to let some dumb shit ruin our reputation now.”

“Don't you think I know that,” Tara demanded of her friend. “Don't you think I know what's at stake here...and for the record I never said I was falling for him.”

“Then what the fuck hun? We've always been on the same page but now I'm getting the feeling that we're not even reading the same book!”

“Can we not do this right now,” the redhead pleaded rubbing her forehead where the beginnings of a fabulous headache was coming on.

Sighing Sara got up off the bed going over to her friend wrapping her arms around the other woman. “I just worry about you honey. You know that...you should be concerned when I stop caring.”

"I would," Tara whispered before pulling back. "Besides, he's far too young for me anyway. He's a sweet kid that's all."

"He's still a boy," Sara said wiggling her eyebrows.

"If he gets outta line, I'll kick him okay?" Tara laughed reaching for her hoodie. Pulling it over her head she saw Sara smile. "The real thing indeed." With rolled eyes she reached for her own and smoothed her hands over the scarlet outline of the black widow.