Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

70

"Xena!"

"T!"

"Babe!"

"Wifey!"

My laugh was soft as the four goons surrounded me in a group hug. A smile stretching my face as they were careful about my left side.

"Hi, guys." I leaned into each of them and gave a one armed hug until I got to the last person still wrapped around my frame. "JJ." I whispered as he buried his face into my right shoulder. I wrapped my right arm around his back as the left sat on his shoulder.

"You-you scare me sometimes. No, you scare me all the time." He tried to make light of the situation but I could hear the worry in his face.

"I'm sorry. But thank you. You were very helpful in everything yesterday." I slid my right hand up to ruffle his hair as he slowly pulled away. Returning to his full height just a little taller than me.

"I could have been more helpful and got in front of you." I shook my head patting his shoulder before lowering my left hand. My right still on his shoulder.

"You did all you could. If we'd switched we might have made too much noise and she'd have gotten all of us. Besides, you pulled me as close as you could. You both did." I turned to assure Pope as he stood next to JJ.

"This was completely coincidental. Please don't hold any guilt. I'm alive. And now I have a new story I can tell." I tried to make them both smile and I was partly successful as I prodded them with my fingers. "Come on. It could be worse. I could have been the one down in the well and then you'd have a traumatized Xena to take care of." That got them. The two gave a laugh as the three beckoned us from inside the Twinkie.

"Alright, let's go before John B takes off without us." Pope called as he offered me a hand.

I took it, JJ wrapped his arm around my shoulders. The two boys guiding me to the passenger seat as I rolled my eyes. I let them take care of me as they opened the door and watched me get inside. Pope held the door as JJ made sure I was seatbelted in.

"Simp." Kie coughing from the backseat made me laugh and push JJ away. The two jumping into the back of the van as Kie shut the door. "I'm glad you're alive." I turned my head to look her in the eye.

The worry and joy swirling in her eyes made me reach my right hand back blindly, her hand grabbing mine as I squeezed.

"Me too, Kie. Me too." John B cut into our cute moment.

"Let's go trade some gold!" He shouted, the van erupting in cheers as he pulled out of park and we took off down Figure Eight and further along into Outer Banks.

______•*•*•*•_______

We pulled up to the pawn shop, doors opening as I carefully undid my seatbelt.

"Hey," I cocked my head to John B as he reached his hand backwards before pulling something into my lap. It was my backpack. "You never leave without it. Figured you'd want it." I grinned pulling open the bag and checking to find my self-defense gear inside. "We also brought your motorcycle to the gym so Murphy could watch over it until you'd be able to ride again."

I grabbed the holster and pistol out of the bag before looking up at John B.

"Thank you."

"No. Thank you. We wouldn't be half as far without you."

"You two done?" I turned as Pope popped my door open. JJ and Kie arguing in the background.

"Yeah, we're coming." John B spoke as he got out of the van, I followed as Pope shut the door.

"You need a hand?" He asked as I swung my backpack over my right shoulder and made quick work of slipping my holster under the large button up. I guess the size had more benefits than comfort.

"I think I can handle it." I winked as I grabbed my backpack strap and fluffed the shirt out before walking past him.

"No doubt about that." I heard him mumble as we grouped up.

"I could have done. I took a welding class." JJ sassed.

"Well-" Kie buffed up ready to clap back as John B pushed between them two.

"Whoa, whoa. Chill out, okay?" John B tried to make peace.

"Easy for you to say. You're not the one that has to pawn this piece of shit off. How'd I get this job anyway?" I pat the blond on his shoulder.

"Because you're the second best liar." I left going into the pawn shop before the others.

"Wait who's the first?" I heard JJ call from behind me as the door shut the bell ringing as I turned and sent the woman behind the register a quick smile.

"Do you by any chance have any fine China?"

"If I have any they'll be in the back hun. By the furniture."

"Thank you, ma'am." I ventured to the back, carefully listening for the door chime. I took the few seconds to actually take in the dishware. Surprise crossing my face as I found a really cute tea cup set.

The bell rang out as I stretched a hand out to grab one of the delicate tea cups. My hand twitching backwards as I remembered why we were here.

"Afternoon, ma'am." I bit my bottom lip at JJ's voice. Trying not to laugh.

"Afternoon." The older woman responded.

"I see you buy gold."

"That's what the sign say, don't it?" I grimaced, this was about to go downhill.

"Well, I sure hope you buy a lot of it, because I'm about to blow your mind." My face scrunched as I covered my face with my hand.

I was now regretting voting for JJ to take care of the sell.

"I ain't got much mind left to blow, so have at it."

"This is the second best liar?" Sarah whispered as she walked past me.

"He's nervous." I called back as I grabbed ahold of the tea cup. I really wanted it. For no reason at all other than it reminded me of something I'd see in a castle.

"Why are you playing with the tea cups?" I held the cup to my chest as I turned around.

"How 'bout them gold apples?"

"Because I want it? Am I not allowed?" I taunted John B as he followed Sarah.

"That ain't real."

"Do what you want." He rose his hands as he and Sarah ventured further into the store. All of us keeping an ear on JJ.

"I will. Thank you."

"That ain't real?"

"It can't be."

"Feel how heavy it is." JJ hummed as I moved slightly closer with the tea cup cradled to my chest. Worried one move would have it popping out of my right hand and breaking.