The Road Less Traveled

By

Mackenzie

Disclaimer: This is listed as a Xena: Warrior Princess fan fiction. It is an Uber, meaning that the two main characters look like Xena & Gabrielle, but that is where the similarities end. There are no flashbacks to Greece, references to the TV show, or appearances of other characters from the show. These characters are my own creation and any resemblances to real persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. I am not a trained writer, I simply write down what I hear in my head. This story includes the LGBTQ community, so if that is offensive to you in some way, I suggest you refrain from reading any further than the Disclaimer. There will be swearing, illegal activity, adultery, and sex included at various places in the storyline, so consider yourself forewarned. All the towns and businesses mentioned herein are fictional. Well, I guess that covers everything. Please leave some feedback below, it will help me greatly and I will gladly respond.

Chapter 1

Serious Business

"Dude! What the fuck? You know better than that!" said Sage. She was incensed by Shane's actions. It was inconceivable to her that Shane would be so careless. She had always been trustworthy in Sage's eyes.

"Look, it will be fine. I'll fix it. A little touch-up paint and no one will ever know." she explained casually as she was putting some of her wrenches back in her red Craftsman Hightop toolbox. "I don't understand why you are so pissed."

"Shane, I know you can fix it, that's not the point. And even if George doesn't know, I will. He is one of my best customers, how can I look him in the eye from now on knowing that one of my employees took his V-Rod for a joyride and somehow managed to lay it down? How did that happen anyway? You have been riding since you were a teenager. And let's not even get into the cost of materials, man hours and equipment. I mean it Shane, this is not like you, what is going on?"

Spinning around to meet questioning blue eyes the Repair Manager's nose flared in anger, "Look, I said I'd fix the fucking thing, OK? Now, if you don't mind I have three bikes backed up, two of which need to be done by tomorrow. And YOU have customers in the Showroom." She turned grabbing a grease gun and moved around to the rear tire of the bike.

Sage took a deep breath and let it out, shaking her head at the same time. As she slid open the glass door between the Repair Bay and the Showroom, she turned once more to Shane, "Just do the best you can. I'll tell him I was moving it and slipped in some grease on the floor in here." Then she continued on her way.

After she heard the door slide shut Shane continued to appear to be greasing the rear axle. It didn't need done, but no one else knew that. She closed her eyes and took a shaky breath thinking to herself, I have to be more careful! Opening her eyes and calming herself, she got up moved back to her toolbox fishing for her screwdriver set. The hand controls needed checked, the front brakes needed changed, and all the lights checked. After that, the State Inspection should go fine. She could hear the mumbling on the other side of the garage. They would do that every time she and Sage got into a spat, which actually happened more frequently now than it used to. But, it would quiet down in a few minutes.

In the meantime, Sage was checking out some of the new shirts that Blayne was putting out. Nikki was with a customer looking at a used Sportster and there were a couple other ones at the checkout with Owen.

"So, did we get anything good?"

Blayne smiled "Sure. Check this out." Holding up a black shirt with the classic #1 logo of the 1970's on it.

"That design always makes think of Evel Knievel." Sage said laughing. "I can't tell you how many times I pretended to be him, making jumps on my bicycle. I made ramps with old wood and bricks that I found at an empty house down the street. My mother would yell at me about how I was going to break something. I'm not sure if she meant my bones or that precious bike she loved so much. Secretly, I was hoping it would be the bike! I was 11, almost 12 and she had the nerve to buy me a pink Barbie bicycle, with a bell and a basket! Can you picture me on a pink Barbie bike?" she shuddered, shaking her head. "Anyway, I eventually made some money cutting grass and bought black spray paint to change that thing. When mom saw what I did she beat my ass and grounded me."

Blayne was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes. "I bet she never bought you another pink bike."

"She never bought me another bike period! She refused. So, from then on I saved my own money to buy what I wanted."

"Look at this one." Blayne said holding up a baby doll cut women's t-shirt. "I bet this would look great on Jessie."

"Yeah, if she would wear it. I don't know, she just doesn't seem to be interested in riding. When I met her last month at that Poker Run she seemed like she was into bikes, but I'm starting to think it was an act." She said as she took the shirt to look closer at it. "Hey, this looks like an oyster on the front!"

"It does not! Give me that!" the Retail Manager said grabbing the shirt and putting it on a hanger.

"Ha! Made ya look twice though, didn't I?" Sage giggled as she walked way.

"Do some work you crazy ass!"

"That's why I have employees! To do the work, while I get to sit back and supervise."

Walking behind the counter Sage smiled at the few customers waiting in line then turned to Owen, "Do you need any help?"

"The next woman in line has been waiting for a while. I'm still trying to get through on here." He said pointing to the phone that was connected to his ear. "The freaking music is driving me nuts."

"OK, Can help who's next?"

"I'm next." The tall redhead walked up carrying some parts.

"Did you find everything you need?" As she waited for an answer Sage started looking at part numbers and descriptions to make sure everything was for the same model. Sometimes customers got a little eager when they found something they liked and didn't always check the model numbers. Just one number or letter off and the part would not fit, and once they had tried to put it on a bike, it lost return value. She would help with a partial refund, but when it was returned she could not resell it as new, so she had to take a loss by selling it as used.

"Yes. I have been looking for pegs like this in my mags at home. But I should have just asked you." The customer smiled.

"Oh, well, I'm glad they were here for you. I think they have been for a while, but not many places carry them. They look like they will be comfortable." As she started ringing things up she glanced at Owen who was smirking back at her. She rolled her eyes and continued to ring and then bag the items. I guess she was flirting, I thought it was just wishful thinking on my part.

"OK, your total is $129.86. Will that be cash or credit?"

"Debit, actually." The woman said handing over her bank card.

After running the card through, Sage handed it and the receipt back to her with a smile. "OK, you're all set. I put a flyer with all our upcoming events in your bag. Hope to see you at some of them."

"Oh, I'll be there. Bye." She winked with a smile and walked away.

"Hmmph. I guess I still got it."

"Oh, please!" said Blayne who has returned from the floor. "She flirts with everyone, including me! And just in case you forgot, I'm actually one of the ones around here that isn't interested in women."

"I know, you straight chicks are becoming a rare breed indeed!" Sage said as she ducked past the counter to get away. She almost made it, but Blayne was too quick, catching her with a slap on the ass.

"Hey, for a straight chick, you sure like smacking my ass a lot!"

"Yeah, yeah, there was no other body part in reach."

She worked her way through the displays toward her office when she heard the bell for the side door which led to the parking lot. Customers came in and out that way most often. The front door was on the main street, but the majority of the parking was along the side of the building or further out on the side lot where the semis unloaded her orders. As she glanced to see who came in, she saw Shane walking up to a blonde woman and giving her a hug. Hmm, must be a new one. She turned back to her office door and went about her business.