Tooth and Nail -
Disclaimer - Set in the timeline originally created by Rachel500, of ten years after Dom's death in the events of the original Blackjack episode, this story utilizes characters created and owned by Belisarius and Universal from the original Airwolf series as well as USA's Airwolf II season. They are not mine and I make no claim to them or profit from them. No copyright infringement is intended. The characters of Seb, Nicky and Amelia were created by Rachel500 and belong to her. Roper and Jade are mine, as is the story.
Introduction - Tooth and Nail is the fifth story in this vein, and is set after Progeny, Tempting the Fates, Snails and Crackers, and The Lady Comes Home. It takes place ten years after the events of Blackjack where Dominic died. Stringfellow Roper is Hawke's grown son, Ho Minh from the episode "Daddy's gone a huntin' in Season 1 of the series. Seb is Stringfellow Hawke's younger brother by nearly eighteen years - if you need background on this character, I strongly suggest going back and reading Rachel500's stories.
The morning dawned crisp, cool and clear, the wind coming off the ocean ruffling his hair, the blondish strands catching and lifting on the breeze. Hazel gray eyes squinted at the horizon line watching the waves, surfboard tucked under one arm. Definitely, the perfect day he thought - no people, no worries, no Firm. Nothing but him and the perfect wave.
Tossing the surfboard into the frothing water, Seb waded in suppressing a shiver at the still cool water against his skin. Walking out chest deep, he pushed up, sliding astride the burnt orange surfboard before beginning to paddle out.
It slid across the waves like it was a part of them, his long, lean arms effortlessly slicing into the water and drawing the board out to the wave line.
Ahead of him, a wave rose cresting and he turned the board letting it carry him as he pushed up, biceps flexing, toes gripping, balancing. One with the board and the water, sliding along the flume, trailing a hand in the water.
The wave ebbed, and he dropped down into the water to paddle out again. This he had missed, he thought idly letting his thoughts roam. The peace, the oneness…a world apart from his life at the Firm, he thought bitterness creeping back in. He shoved it away determinedly, refusing to let that world encroach on this one.
Paddling out through the weed line again, he looked up. The waves were beginning to pick up - the earlier, slow rolling swells gaining size and speed. A bigger challenge, one he loved, one that suited his restless mood.
On the sandy-white beach, another figure appeared, long, dark hair blowing in the wind, glaringly bright fuchsia board in hand. In spite of himself, Seb scowled. Much as he appreciated the long, lithe grace of the figure at the water's edge, he still wasn't excited about the prospect of sharing his little piece of paradise.
Turning, he paddled out again, catching the next wave, slicing through the water, feeling the wind and the salt spray rush past him. It was as if everything else fell away in that instant he pitted his skill against nature - and became a part of it.
Floating on the swell of the next set, he glanced south along the shoreline, spotting the lone figure riding the swell there. She was good, he admitted grudgingly - the sleek, natural grace that skimmed the water took his breath away. Anyone who said women couldn't surf, obviously hadn't seen her.
Floating astride his board he watched her, the sun warming his shoulders, catching the occasional wave now, the subtle strain of unused muscles beginning a pleasant ache.
Time for a couple more sets, he thought, before he called it a day. The slow rollers of the morning had been replaced by the faster curls of midday, and those replaced by the occasional eight and ten footers you could ride the curl through - if you dared.
Faster and arching they beckoned, daring him to test himself against them. Best surfing he'd seen in weeks, he thought. Heck, the only surfing he's seen in weeks, he grinned, the joke on himself. It was a challenge he couldn't resist - timing and balance pitted against Mother Nature's awesome power. Glorious if you made it, often painful if you didn't.
Riding the wave was something else - getting sucked under by it, well…Still, he couldn't resist, flinging himself down on his board and sluicing towards the next wave. The girl was beside him now, her grin wicked and challenging as she joined him.
Together, they caught the next wave, balancing down its front, salt spray slinging behind them. Exhilaration pumped through his veins, his joy doubled by it being shared with another like minded soul.
The wave arcing behind them he rode it to it's end, only to find her right behind him. Tumbling gracelessly off the board, he bobbed up grinning and slinging water from his eyes. "Now that was something else!" he exclaimed.
Kneeling and scooping water, she eased down beside him, the dark hair plastered to her head like a seal's. Beautiful green eyes sparkled. "You better believe it," she tossed back.
Climbing aboard his surfboard, Seb laughed. "That alone would've made today worthwhile."
Laughing back, she smiled. "You betcha."
This time they both grinned. "Seb Hawke," he said introducing himself.
"Jade Sinclair," she returned, her dimple flickering. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Hawke."
"Seb," he rejoined. "So, how long you been surfing?" he asked.
"Couple hours," she teased, laughing at his raised eyebrow. "Well, more like forever," she murmured. "At least it seems like it. I practically grew up here. Just don't seem to get to make it out here much anymore."
"Know what you mean," he said sobering. "But days like today make up for it."
"Speaking of which," she said. "I think we've got time to catch a few sets before we call it a day."
Catching her eye, Seb gestured behind him at the crashing surf, "Then what're we sitting here for?"
Side by side they paddled out, Seb's longer arms outdistancing hers, just barely. Stroking his way up to the cresting wave, Seb turned, catching the wave as he did so. Jade scrambled lithely to the top of her board beside him.
Zig zagging the board, he swung away from her, swerving back and then crossing behind her. Agilely correcting the faltering balance he crouched, leaning into the curling pipeline. Racing the closing tube, he eased out of it doubling out of it in the froth.
Turning back, he watched Jade sluice her way out to the next set, long, tan arms pulling her up the face of the swell. Propelling herself downward, she caught the wave just ahead of the break hurling herself down the slope, leaning into the breaking curl.
Seb's breath caught in appreciation. She was poetry in motion, he'd always thought that a corny phrase until now. Watching her, he was quick to admit it fit.
Scrutinizing as she leaned into the curl, hazel eyes narrowed as he gauged the water, and the speed of the breaking wave. It was starting to gain on her.
A feeling of unease tightening in his chest, he turned his own board, watching, willing her faster, to outdistance the curl. The lip was nearly even with her now. Unthinkingly, he began paddling in her direction.
The curl was curving over her now, the fuchsia surfboard skimming the surface, half-hidden by the falling, crashing tube of water. He held his breath unaware he was doing it as he watched.
"Damn," he cursed, flopping down and stroking in earnest now. The wave crashed and slammed in front of him, foaming froth and sea spray. Pouring in a never-ending onslaught it curved over her, winning the race between board and water. The sleek fuchsia board popped to the surface, splitting the water.
Scooping water, then on his feet, toes gripping the board, hand trailing the curve he watched for Jade, praying to spot her dark flowing hair, a glimpse of her anywhere.
The water crashed behind him now, tunneling, creating a tube, glorious to ride, deadly to get caught in. He was oblivious, watching only to see if she broke the surface of the water after the wave had caught her and dragged her under. Nothing, he thought, fear clenching his heart. Casting a glance sideways, he spotted her board floating towards shore - no sign of her though.
Despairing, he outran his own wave without thinking, the movements purely instinctive as he sought her.
A dark head broke the surface ahead of him, one arm flailing weakly. Spotting her, the foaming white water pulling her under, Seb sucked in a breath, arms wind milling as he caught his balance, crouching poised on the end of the board. Knifing his hands, he dove into the water as it slammed around him.
The water roiled about him, tumbling him, rolling him as he fought for the surface. Above and below converged into one swirling, frothing, foaming mass sucking him downward. Stroking powerfully, he fought his way upward, his head breaking the water, salt in his eyes, and nose and mouth.
Gasping he sucked air, still hunting for some sign of her. "Jade!" he yelled, the cry frantic, breathless. "Jade!"
Ahead of him, a dark head surfaced long tendrils floating like seaweed on the water as she struggled to stay afloat. Even as he watched, she sank beneath the waves again.
"Jade!" he cried, her name ripped from his lungs as he stroked towards her, muscles bunching. Desperately, he clawed his way through the water.
Tan fingers broke the water in front of him again, her head right behind. She gulped a breath of air and then was gone.
Grabbing a breath he dove after her, his fingers reaching, stretching frantically. Something brushed through his fingers and instinctively he grabbed for it, clenching his fingers and heaved. Buried to his elbows in her swirling dark tresses, he dragged her upwards by her hair.
Together they broke the surface, him hauling her upright, supporting them both as they floated. She gulped in choking gasps of air, spitting sea water as she did so.
Wrapping his arm around her chest, he pulled for shore with his other arm. Weakly she trailed behind, beginning to stroke with one arm as he supported her weight.
As one they pulled for shore, the distance seeming insurmountable as Seb began to tire. Jade was beginning to regain some strength, but he was about gone. Chest heaving, arms burning he'd about decided he was never going to make it when his foot brushed sand beneath him. Stumbling, he staggered to his feet, dragging her with him as he did so.
Reeling and tottering, they lurched out of the surf, collapsing on the wet, white sand. Rolling to his back, Seb just laid there chest heaving, and numb with exhaustion. Beside him, Jade wasn't much better. Red rivulets still ran wetly down her arm, mingling with the salt-water that dripped off her.
"You okay?" he gasped, finally finding enough energy to ask the question.
For a moment, she simply lay beside him breathing, before she answered. The words when they came were breathless, tired. "Yeah," she whispered quietly, "Thanks to you."
His fingers tightened on her hand.
"…sorry I about… mucked it up for both of us," she murmured.
"You didn't muck it up," Seb whispered wearily, blue-gray eyes meeting her green ones as he turned his head towards her. "I'm just glad we're both here to tell the tale and survive."
"That makes two of us," she murmured weakly. "So much for a perfect day," she whispered, tears threatening.
"Perfect, so far as I'm concerned," Seb replied, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek. Slowly, he pushed up, his arms trembling with the effort. "I'll go see if I can find the boards, stay here."
She nodded, too exhausted to protest. Besides, her left arm was positively aching now. Cradling it against her ribs, she closed her eyes, keeping them too much of an effort to manage any longer.
What seemed like only a minute later, a slender, square-tipped hand shook her awake. "Hey, come on sleeping beauty," he teased, a beautiful grin lighting his storm colored eyes. "Time to wake up."
"Mmph," she muttered, struggling to sit up. "No luck, huh?" she frowned, thinking longingly of her new board and seeing his empty hands.
"Well,…" he drawled. "Actually, yes. They're both sitting on my back step."
"Oh,…" she answered, not really following.
"Didn't think I was up to balancing both of them and you," he admitted flushing.
Comprehension dawned in her emerald green eyes. "Oh, Seb you don't have to," she protested. "I'm perfectly capable of seeing myself home, if you'd give me a little help getting the surfboard into my car."
"Maybe," he answered, blonde hair fluttering in the wind. "But I'd like to."
Solemn blue-gray eyes quietly met hers.
Searching his face, Jade felt a grin dimple her own. Maybe she was tireder than she had thought previously, and it would be nice to have someone look after her for a change. "You're sure?" she asked, looking up at him.
The gorgeous grin he shot her, liked to have melted her on the spot. "Positive," he avowed, reaching down to give her a hand up. Carefully, he avoided her scraped and bruised left arm, as he set her on her feet and wrapped a companionable arm around her waist.
Wavering slightly, Jade leaned into him, breathing in the salt air and the warm, sunscreened scent of him. Looking down at her with concern in his eyes, he drew her closer to his side. "It's just a little way up the shoreline," he murmured as they walked, white sand shifting beneath their feet.
Feeling a little lightheaded, she nodded, long, black silken tendrils whipping around both their shoulders in the wind. He was awfully nice, she mused fuzzily, feeling his muscled arm embracing her protectively. And despite everything, she had to admit she wouldn't trade the experience of having spent the afternoon surfing with him.