Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

91

"Mom! Gray!" I shut and locked the garage door behind me. My hands shaking as I realized just how deep this situation was.

"Xena?"

I ran to the backroom, wrapping my mom in a hug.

"Honey, are you alright? We went upstairs to make you breakfast but you weren't there." I pulled back, moving to give Gray a hug.

"She said yes." I laughed, wiping beneath my eyes as I pulled back. Grabbing each of their hands.

"Congratulations, both of you."

"And happy birthday, to you."

I let out a shaky sigh.

"Has Ward or anyone contact you?" I asked more so at Gray.

"Uh, other than he canceled his trip to the Bahamas last night. No why?" I took a deep breath.

"Mom, Gray. Sheriff Peterkin was shot yesterday and passed in surgery." My mom gasped, raising her hands to cover her mouth. Gray was quick to comfort her.

"What does this have to do with Ward Cameron?" Gray always asked the right questions. He and I both played detectives when watching any crime or murder mystery movies and tv shows.

"Ward Cameron was there when Peterkin got shot."

"And where were you?"

"I was in the cruiser." I whispered, my eyes shutting as I built up the courage.

"The only reason Ward would have called is if he was trying to blackmail you." I nodded. There was a reason Gray and I always fought for the win in Clue.

Except this was real life.

"I know who shot the sheriff. And Ward has already threatened to harm both of you if I said anything."

"That shitbag." Gray hissed letting go of my mom.

"Stop. Look. You both need to take a vacation somewhere. Go back to Texas, go visit family. Make it seem like you were planning this trip for when Mom said yes."

"What? Honey, no."

"Mom. This isn't up for discussion. You two need to get out of here. This is my mess. And until I know you two are safe, I can't clean it up."

"What's the alibi?" I rose my right hand at Gray's question. My palm facing me as I showed them the gold knot ring. The weight of it heavy to counterbalance the pressure on my shoulders.

"You weren't the only one with a ring. A birthday present and nine month anniversary gift to a secret relationship. I'd been at the Cameron residence last night. From the middle of the afternoon until early this morning when I left for my internship."

"Okay. Okay I'll start working on travel arrangements."

"What? Gray, no!"

"Mom!" I grabbed her shoulders pulling her to look at me. "Give me three weeks. Go with Gray. Go have fun, be young. Enjoy each other. I just need to sort things out until this settles." I choked down the sob in my throat. "They put a hit on John B. Ward blamed him for this. So I have to go save him. But I won't risk you."

"Honey, you don't..." my mom cupped my cheek as I let out my first sob.

"You're my blood. You will always come first. And Gray, you've been a better father than Marcus ever will. I can't risk you two. I can't risk John B either. But you two come first."

The two adults wrapped me in a hug. My silent cries wracking my body as I squeezed them close.

"We love you, honey."

"I love you both. So much."

"We know. Xena. We know."

_______•*•*•*•________

"If Ward or Rafe come poking around. Tell them I was here and that I shared the news. You're happy for us. But if Rafe hurts me-"

"Don't worry, Xena. I'll have my shot gun waiting." I grinned at Gray as I gave each of them a hug.

"Go save your friends honey."

I hopped onto my motorcycle, quickly slamming my helmet on and peeled off. My cargo pants and dry fit long sleeve under the leather jacket were way too hot for a summer's day, but I didn't care.

I raced out of the neighborhood. A sense of urgency pushing me forward as I planned to look for my Pogues. I wasn't entirely sure what my game plan was going to be, but I'd make do with what I had.

"Wait." I slowed down at a stoplight. My feet hitting the asphalt as I stared at the glowing red. "Where the hell am I supposed to start look-"

My jaw dropped as I watched a green Nissan recklessly make its way to the light, heading right toward me as it kept going. My eyes tracked its movements, head turning with it.

It was like everything slowed down.

My eyes met the passenger's eyes. Her own wide and glowing as we watched each other. My head moving left to right. And just as she got out of reach I saw a reclined figure in a pinkish jacket with the hood pulled up.

The car passed the intersection and time started running again.

"Ask and you shall receive." I flicked my indicator on and tore off after the car. The driver doing a shitty job about keeping it on the road.

I sped up only to slow down several times to keep from getting hit. My eyes narrowed as I tried to figure out a plan. I gave a small peace sign as I saw a tuff of blond hair poke out from the driver side backseat window and could only assume JJ was aware of me as well.

Leaving one person to be driving.

Pope.

I watched as he drove the car straight into a pair of randomly placed mailboxes. On the other side of the road.

A shocked laugh rips free from my throat.

I hung back, waiting for them to stop or provide an opportunity for me to get to them. And I wasn't disappointed.

"What the fuck is going on!" I shouted as I slowed down my motorcycle once they stopped the car.

"Well, John B was about to get the fuck out of here. But Pope's a little buzzed." I shot JJ a glare, rising my visor.

"What does that mean? Pope?"

"My signal, is," he flared his hand looking for words, "no longer clear."

"Are you kidding- why the hell is he driving? John B, get out of here man." I scolded everyone in the car, my eyes meeting each Pogue.

"Hey! John B! 3 o'clock tomorrow. 3 o'clock tomorrow at the dump!" JJ shouted as John B took off in a sprint. My gaze back on the other three. The steady call of sirens in the distance shot me into gear.

"I'm certain John B told you guys everything. Kie get your phone working. Don't believe everything you hear or see. I will contact you when I can." I sighed setting my hand on the car. My voice dropping to a whisper, "I'm so sorry guys. For everything. I love y'all. I love y'all so fucking much. P4L."

"Wait, Xena! What's-"

"Wah?"

"We love you too!" I smiled sadly as JJ shouted over the wind. My body turning the motorcycle back onto a main road as Pope gunned them forward. A trail of shouting following as Pope nearly ran into a tree.

I gave the green Nissan one last glance before kicking off. My heart sinking as I felt my situation slowly swallow me whole.