Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

25

"Guys, the storm is here!" I shouted as I kept a hand on the rail.

I had moved back up to the bow after the second pass of the shipwreck.

There was nothing there except wood. The gold was gone, and no matter how many times they went through it, it wasn't gonna be there.

"Guys we need to go!" I roared out over their yelling. Tired of the arguing. "All of you shut up!" I came back over to the stern. "Get that drone up and let's get back. We can argue about this on land, I do not want to be capsized."

The group got quiet. Realizing I was right and that staying would mean potentially being trashed by the storm.

We made quick work of heading back. The mood severely dampened.

"So, you gonna tell me what happened?" JJ finally piped up as we started to pull into the dock.

"Yeah. Once everyone heads out. Pope knows already. So I don't care if he's around."

It took no more than thirty minutes for Kie and John B to clear out. Letting me give JJ the same information I had told Pope.

"I can't believe you actually got Rafe to fight you." Pope said as JJ simply shook his head, his eyes looking over the visible bruises. Unfortunately for me, my light make up had been too light and the ocean spray was all it took to become faint. The outline and color of the bruises somewhat visible.

"He's a Kook with an ego bigger than his daddy's bank account. Of course he'd fight me, he probably just wasn't expecting me to beat his ass."

"God, Xena. You, you can't do this again." I raised an eyebrow as I looked at JJ. He was biting his lip in worry as he brought his hands over his head. "I mean, it's one thing to defend us. It's another thing to actually fight someone. You're strong and can handle yourself, but Rafe he-he could have done some serious damage."

"What are you saying JJ?" I crossed my arms waiting to hear him out.

"I'm saying, that Rafe is lucky you aren't hurt worse. I- I don't know what I'd do." I sighed, pulling JJ into a hug. I know why he was more upset about this. He's talked to me about his father beating him after I found him needing medical attention one night. Then after that I taught him a few sturdy moves for self-defense if he ever felt the need to use it.

"JJ, it's okay. I'm okay. I promise, I'm okay. Rafe's fucked up, in every way possible, he's probably going to need stitches. I admire your courage to defend me, but there was nothing which needed defending over." JJ sighed, gently wrapping me in a hug.

"You're one of my best friends, Xena. Someone I care about, someone I love. I can't stand to see you hurt. Especially when it's druggie asshole Kooks." I smiled into his chest.

"Now you know my reason behind it." JJ laughed as we pulled away.

"Yeah, I guess I do."

"Well, boys. I've got to go see Roy. But, I have the day and I overheard Heyward needs some help- so I'll be back within two hours."

"Good, then we can make sure you stay out of trouble." Pope joked.

"No, my friend, it is I who will make sure you two stay out of trouble." We laughed as I started to pull my riding gear on. Baggy pants, leather jacket, tennis shoes, gloves, and helmet.

"I'll be back soon. Y'all want me to grab anything for lunch?"

"I'd go for Suzy's Sandwiches." I shot JJ a thumbs up.

"Text me what you want, and I'll be back later."

"Aye, aye." The two joked as I popped my visor down and drove off. The heat catching up with my attire but I didn't care. I had no business potentially getting more injured if something happened.

"Roy!" I shouted coming in from the back door to hopefully avoid Murphy and the other occupants of the gym.

"In here! Been waiting for ya." He called out as I entered his private training room, my smile turning to a grimace as I saw Murphy sat there waiting on me as well.

"Come, lay down, girlie." Roy spoke patting his bed.

"Well, I guess since you're both in here, I can knock out the story in one go."

"That's the point, Kiddo."

And so, while Roy was looking over my ribs and checking out my arms and face, I told them both what had transpired last night.

I avoided too much detail but told them the basics. Rafe had gone after one of my friends, I got pissed, called him to the gym and gave him a taste of his own medicine.

"Rafe should be coming in an hour or so."

"Kiddo, he already came in. Kid's gonna need stitches from where you cracked him on the temple. He's just lucky he didn't have a concussion." Murphy spoke as I turned to look at him, wincing as Roy rubbed my knuckles clean.

"Any other injuries?"

"Except his pride? No, he had a lot of bruising and you split his lip, I noticed you avoided his nose. Any reason for that?" I turned to Roy trying not to laugh at his question and also not cry out from the alcohol.

"Figured I'd save it for the next time he fucked up."

"Xena!" I laughed as Murphy shouted smacking his forehead in disbelief.

"Xena, you know as well as I do, you can't just go around kicking people's asses without reason." Roy started bandaging back up my knuckles as he gave me the lecture.

"But I did have a reason." They both shot me a look.

"Look, Kiddo, you're almost an adult. And yeah he signed the contract so you can bring him in whenever you want, but you can't just go off script. Both of you could have gotten seriously hurt." I nodded along to Murphy. A question coming to mind as I flexed my hands after Roy finished.

"If you were so worried, why'd you leave? The real answer this time." I cut him off not wanting to hear his previous answer.

"The kid is a good student really, he actually took to boxing well. But he's an arrogant little shit. I felt you knew what you were doing. And well, he needed some humbling." I laughed, Roy chuckling.

"I'm glad you two have my back." I spoke giving both of them a smile.

"Yeah, well you're apart of our team, Kiddo. You're stuck with us."