CH 44

The referees were blowing whistles as Joan strode towards the face-kicker. An opposing player ran up to put a hand in her shoulder. She opened her mouth to speak. Joan grabbed her arm, jerked if behind her then put a hand on her chest and shoved her hard to the side. The girl did let out a yelp as she flew into another of their players, knocking her down.

"Come on, Kick me again if you dare!" Joan roared.

A ref ran up to the Girl. "YOU, you're out!" To Joan he said "Stop, you need to,..."

"GET SERIOUS!" Joan spat, cutting him off. "They kick me and get away with it? NOT HAPPENING!"

Allison appeared in from to Joan. "Joan, you have to stop! She's not worth it."

"OH, so I get kicked out of the game because of what SHE did? NO, NOT AGAIN!"

"You need attention, leave the field," The ref stated.

"I SAID NO!" Joan stated and crossed her arms over her chest. Players were crowding around them in a loose circle.

Once came close. Joan snapped her head to glare at the girl. "Touch me and I break your bones," Joan intoned. The girl backed off.

"You need to go to the Medic now,"

"I said no."

"Either you go, or the game stops until you do!" the ref said firmly.

"Then I guess the game stops until YOU do something about those ... criminals who like to kick us in the head!"

"Your complaint is heard," the ref sad evenly, "now go.."

"NO!"

"Instead of harassing Joan, why don't you go see who was paying that girl to do this to Joan?" Allison asked.

The ref turned and stated, "The game is suspended until the injured player leaves the field."

He pointed to Allison, "Go back to your bench."

"No," Allison replied. "I stand with Joan. This shit has to stop."

The ref walked away.

"I stand with you too," Maria said on Joan's other side.

Joan glanced at her. "Maria, this could get messy. Please, go back."

Maria then saw Joan's face dripping blood, it looked like her cheek was only hanging in the breeze. A trail of blood was running down her uniform.. "Joan, you're really hurt!"

"Don't care, I'm not moving. I get to keep playing, or no one plays."

Coach Hughes came running with two nurses. Upon sight of Joan's injury, all three gasped.

"You have to come with us," a nurse said with authority and reached for Joan.

Joan slapped her arm down. "NO! I will not be moved!"

"Joan, be reasonable," Coach Hughes said firmly.

"Me be reasonable?" Joan asked in a near screech. "I get kneed, Allie gets kicked in the head, I get kicked in the face and in the chest! WHAT is reasonable about that, HUH? I AM SICK OF THIS SHIT!" she ended in a roar. "Something needs to be done to stop these ... criminals or NO ONE is playing here!"

"This is our protest against violent thugs pretending to be players!" Maria stated loudly.

"It is!"Monica stated from behind Joan.

"Is that the new way to win? Allison asked loudly, "Get a player on the ground and kick her has much as you can? Can we do that too?"

The other coach a larger, strong looking man asked, "What's going on here?"

"You need to keep back," Coach Hughes told him.

"Just let me take care of this, come on." He put a hand on Joan's shoulder. Joan grabbed his wrist and elbow and forced him to the ground then pried the joint to the point of breaking.

Joan said in a grating tone. "Touch me again and I break it!" She then flung his arm away. He stared at her and scrambled back before he got up.

"You want to go to jail, missy?" he asked pointing a finger at her.

"Unless you don't want that finger, stop pointing it at me!" she stated in a hard tone.

"BACK OFF!" Coach Hughes yelled.

The man took on a different tone. "Fine! Look, what do you want so you can go get treatment and we can continue the game?"

Glaring at him, Joan said, "Get rid of your criminals, or take them home with you."

"Both girls who kicked you are off the team."

"Good, can I play now?"

"You're injured, you have to leave the field."

"I'm not leaving the field. What your scum bags did, isn't my fault. I get to play or no one does!"

"Hey! Stop the name calling!" the other coach yelled.

"Oh, did I hurt someone's pride just now?" Joan asked. "Guess what, those and others have gotten PAID to do what they did."

"THEY DID NOT!" he yelled louder.

"YES, THEY DID! Police records SHOW IT!" Joan screamed at the top of her lungs. "Or are your palms greased as well?"

The man took an angry step forward.

"More violence? Good, I'm more that ready for you," Joan growled.

The other coach then thought better of it. No mater how a tussle with a bleeding girl turned out, it would not be good with cameras watching. He turned and stomped away.

Another man came striding towards them. It was Martin Riggs. "All right everyone, step back, at least ten feet!"

"Who are you?" the ref asked.

Martin showed his badge. "Homeland Security. "Back, ten feet at least." He motioned to Hughes and the nurses, "Back ten feet."

"WHY?"

"Safe minimum distance from a pissed-off cyborg," he stated.

The nurses moved back.

"Miss, you too," he said pointing at Maria.

Maria looked at Joan, confused.

"Maria, please, move back," Joan told her.

"You can stay in the area, but just move back," Martin coaxed.

Maria stepped back away, eyeing them. "Joan?" she asked weakly.

"Stay back, Maria," Joan told her.

Martin looked at Allison. "How are you doing, Allison?"

"I didn't have the other team group kicking me but I can understand why Joan's angry," Allison replied.

"I do too, hun. Can I talk to Joan a minute?"

Allison said, "I'll be right here, Joan." she stepped back.

Martin stepped closer to Joan to the side. "How are you doing, kid?"

"Not good, Grampa," Joan said softly.

"I saw. You know, everything is on tape, we got both suspects and they are being interrogated. I take it you're making a point here?"

"I am. I want something done about these criminals who pretend to be soccer players."

Martin nodded. "I can understand that," he agreed. Making it a point to look at her face and front, he pointed to her face and said, "Joan, hon, your face looks like hell and you're dripping blood all over that nice uniform. Come on, let the nurses come tend to you. You can stand right here and I'll make sure no one tries to move you."

Joan eyed him.

"Joan, don't be like your grandmother and all stubborn. I know, you'll not be moved, you're waiting for Viccenie," he said in a huff.

Joan snorted out a giggle.

Softer he said, "It's my job here, OK, help me out a bit?"

Joan nodded.

Martin turned and waved to the nurses. "Come fix her face but tell her what you're going to do, before you do it."

The nurses cleaned her face and winced. "It looks like her whole cheek is torn loose."

Joan raised a hand and pushed it in place. "So, bandage, stitch whatever you need to do," she said flatly. She also noted on the side a video camera was watching.

The other coach was coming back with a man in a gray suit. Joan watched him approach.

"We have to wrap a bandage around your head to stop the bleeding," one nurse said.

Joan closed her eyes and let them work. She listened to the men coming.

"We have to get her off the field. Reporters are asking questions."

"Maybe we can salvage this game before it turns into a disaster."

"Not closer than ten feet," Martin stated.

"Miss Connor," the new man stated. "We have reviewed all the tapes. The two girls involved are being charged. You can go get treatment now."

"No, not until you do something about criminals coming to pretend to play soccer,"

"We can remove you," the man said heavily.

"Hey, baldy," Martin said. "See this badge? No one gets within ten feet of this girl unless I authorize it. We have a hazardous situation here, and you're not part of it. This is a crime scene. Unless you can help, turn around and go back the way you came."

"I'll call your superiors!"

"They called me, so have fun."

Joan heard them walking away.

Martin said, "Joan, I'll be right back." he then said, "You, you and you, over here."

Joan listened while her head was being bandaged with a thick pad against her cheek.

"Sir, can you tell me what happened to that girl?"

"I can tell you what I know, generally. It's under investigation. In an least two cases, girls were paid to come and remove players from the field by bodily injury. Who's paying is yet to be seen, but they both admit that's why the did it. Here, against this girl she was kicked hard by a pair of players when she was on the ground. We're still getting information on the details, You can see it on the recorded game video. The victim had stated, she is not going to leave the field until someone does something about this ... criminal violence against players that work hard and play fair just to get beaten down by thugs."

"That girl and her friends are protesting then?"

"If no one would do anything about thugs coming into your office to beat you and do what they want, wouldn't you protest? Wouldn't you want some justice?"

"Yes, may we speak with her?"

"No, maybe later. Right now I just got her to accept medical attention. No one except a select few is authorized to be near her. She'd very angry that no one will do anything to prevent such violence. We need to get her calmed down."

"There, at least it's not bleeding now, but you still need surgery." a nurse told her.

Joan opened her eyes The left one was partially covered in bandage, like she was peeking over it. Martin had convinced the reporters to stay at bay for the moment.

"That's the best we can do here. You really need to get to a hospital." the nurse said firmly.

Joan looked to see Martin was talking to the ref, Coach Hughes and a reporter as they walked away. "I go nowhere until there is some assurance myself or anyone else will not be assaulted by paid criminals during a soccer game." She also noted people in the bleaches were thinning out.

Doing the best they could, the nurse left too. Allison slid closer. "Well at least you're not bleeding now. Aren't you using any nanites?"

"I am now, "Joan admitted. "I inhibited them for a while to help prove my point. The next person that attacks me is going to know pain and damn the consequences."

"I was just trying to save you from being the bad guy," Allison offered.

"I thank you for that. Still, I'm at the end of my patience with assholes."

Allison nodded. "So since we're good at what we do, would you say we're out standing in our field?" she asked with a crooked grin.

Joan snorted out, "Lame."

Allison looked around and said, "We are."

The loudspeakers announced, "Attention, the yearly state final matches have been cancelled. A review of all rules and regulations will be completed as soon as possible. Specifically all rules dealing with unsportsman like conduct. Changes will be published upon completion.

"You did it Joan!" Maria said happily.

Martin came back over. He jerked a thumb behind him. "Here that? You rocked-em kid. This was really bad press for the school establishment. You even made the news! You wanted something done, the Governor does too. He's lighting fires under asses, and demanding to know why what he calls, gang violence, is happening on our sports fields. The press love this shit and politicians are squirming."

Joan could only attempt a smile with half her face. "Thank you, Grampa."

Martin shrugged. "It wasn't me, you stuck to your guns and did it yourself. Be proud Joan. OH, and Cameron is itching to see you. You, ahh, better go."

She nodded. Joan walked back with Allison and, Maria, and now she saw half the team was there, backing her up.

Thanks guys.

.

Peggy was squatted down at the edge of the dock, ripping up bits of the fish Jackie had gotten. Jackie caught them and brought them back, then used her liquid metal arm as a knife and cut them up. Directly below Peggy, the alligator floated beside the dock. Making sure there were no bones or scales in it, She sprinkled bits of fish along the alligator's back. In between the raised ridges, many finger-length alligators were snapping up the fish to eat. They came, ate then wiggled away between the alligator's back spines and swam down in the water.

"We really should name this alligator," Peggy said.

Jackie finished chopping the latest fish up. It came to snack on baby gators, now they were snacking on it. "Why? Can you tell them apart?"

"If even most of these grow up, we're going to have a lot of alligators around here," Peggy noted. She also saw a fish dart in and away. "There's another fish!"

Jackie looked, it was gone. "Why don't you do that, scare the fish away thing?"

Peggy shook her head. "I can't focus on one thing, it's all or nothing. I'd scare all the alligators, and everything around here."

Jackie grinned. "Dad would love that."

"Maybe," Peggy said in a musing tone. "Maybe not. He gets irritated, but he does like seeing the wildlife. Just not beating up the lawnmower."

Jackie chuckled. "Keep the gators out of the yard."

"Hey guys, a drink?' JJ asked as he came down onto the dock. He gave one to Peggy and Jackie.

Squatting down by Peggy, JJ looked down on the alligator. "Wow, there's a whole bunch of those little critters. I was reading, only about ten percent of them will live to grow into adults. Like everything in the lake likes to eat them."

"Yeah, it's a shame." Peggy agreed.

"It's how nature works," JJ said with a shrug. "Big things eat the little things. Baby anything is food for larger animals. I guess that's why there's so many little ones, to make sure at least some get to grow up."

"Seem harsh."

"No doubt," JJ agreed. "Survival of the fittest. That's evolution. Alligators have been round millions of years, adapting to the environment. I have to wonder, that DNA change in these gators, if it's beneficial, more will get the change. If not then it will die out."

"I'm routing for it to be beneficial," Peggy said. "I mean look at her, she's content and has her babies right here."

"She almost like a big dog," JJ said with a grin. "Think she'll play catch?"

Peggy laughed. "I doubt it."

"That's probably a good thing. She wags that tail and it could be trouble."

Peggy giggled and gave him a one armed hug. "You're funny."

Jackie jumped back in the water. JJ saw her swimming under to the left. he always liked that smooth undulating motion. It looked cool. "Peggy did you want a tail?"

Peggy watched Jackie go. "I'm not sure. It's like humans are drawn to the water. Me, not so much. At home, water was for drinking and cleaning, we had none to just play in. It was reinforced to us that if you get in water, you can't breathe and you die."

"That's true, but learning how to hold your breathe, you can avoid that. Same with if you know how to swim, you won't drown." JJ replied.

Peggy looked around and said, "There is a LOT of water, I suppose I should learn how."

"I can teach you," JJ said.

Johnny, with her and teaching her, like in a bath. "OK, sure!"

.

After the alligator feeding, JJ took Peggy up and told her to get ready and meet him at the pool. While Peggy went up to her room, JJ got his swim trunks on and grabbed his flippers. He mentally went over how to show her how to float, and hold her hands to help her. She'd been taught to be afraid of water, so they would go only in the shallow end and he' have to go slow. he put the flippers by the edge, and got in the shallow end. Seeing a ball floating on the water, he went over and retrieved it. It would help show her how buoyancy worked. He was set to give her some serious swimming lessons.

"Johnny?"

He turned to see Peggy beside the pool in a house robe. Pink and speckled with white flowers it was cute. "Ahh, you're not going to wear that in the pool, are you?" he asked.

"No, I just wore it down here," she assured him.

"Ok, well come over here to the corner, there's the steps to get down," JJ instructed. "You can sit if you want, if it makes you more comfortable," he explained and went over to grab the ball. He got the ball and started back. "I wan..."

His mouth froze. He dropped the ball. Peggy was sitting on the steps naked.

"You said it was like a bath," Peggy said meekly.

JJ had paralyzed vocal cords. He worked his mouth, but nothing came out. Peggy here, naked in front of him. Damn she was beautiful, lean and her gentle curves were sexy. Very sexy. Little Johnny wanted to come out and take a look.

"Johnny, are you OK?" she asked and got in the waist deep water to come over to him. "Johnny?"

"So beautiful," he whispered. Yup, JJ's mind was on vacation, and he couldn't do a thing with it.

Peggy blushed and came over to hug him. "You make me feel beautiful," she whispered.

His arms went around her all by themselves. The feel of her holding him naked. Her nips poking into him. He slowly petted her sides. Little Johnny was thumping at his shorts to come see what he was missing. Peggy's perfect form, so close. Looking down he saw water around her perfect behind.

"Swim," he managed to get out. Yeah, he had to teach her to swim. Swim not drown. Drowning like this wouldn't be so bad.

A giggle. "Naked swimming lessons?" Jackie asked with a crooked grin.

"Like the bath, we're suppose to be naked," Peggy told her.

Jackie laughed. She then slipped her bottoms off and tossed her bra to the side, then jumped in. "It this a coordinated event?" she asked, beaming a grin.

"Jackie!" JJ complained.

"What? What's fair for one is fair for all!" she announced.

JJ had to get his shit together. Like Jackie made that easy. Her boobs were already apple-sized. "Peggy is afraid of the water, she has to learn how to swim."

"Well? teach her. Oh, I'll get my tail back on."

JJ ignored miss wiggly butt as she ran for her tail. THINK THINK! Yes, she has to be comfortable with floating. "Ahhh Peggy, you'll float, ummmm stretch your legs out behind you. I'll hold you."

Peggy nodded but didn't stretch out very far. Her feet were planted on the bottom, and she had a death grip on his shoulders. She was petrified. "OK,", he got down on his knees so the water was shoulder deep to him. "Let me carry you. Kinda like sitting on my lap on the bike. OK?"

Peggy nodded nervously. He supported her legs and her back, she still had a good grip on his shoulder.

"Great, now, stretch out flat. I'm right here, nothing's going to happen to you," he coaxed. Except a fantastic view of her. Did He ever get that! He let her sink down a little. "Feel how the water is starting to support you?"

"Some," she said, gazing at him.

"Well I can," he said. he could also feel her smooth back and those soft legs and that flat tummy right in front of his eyes.

"You want to kiss my stomach?" she asked meekly.

Only a few inches under, he said "More like," he took a beep breath planted his head under on her belly and blew out a breath as he shook his head.

Peggy laughed and squirmed. JJ popped his head back up. "Better?" he asked.

"That tickled!" Peggy said with a blushing grin.

"So, you ready to float?"

Peggy winced, "I won't drown?"

"Nope! Just..." Another deep breath and he planted his face in her stomach again and shook his head as he blew bubbles.

Peggy folded some as she laughed and squirmed.

Grinning, JJ said, "Darn, that's having the opposite effect. You're scrunching up."

All smiles Peggy said, "You're tickling me!"

"It makes you smile."

"Well yeah."

"Come on lie flat, get your belly closer or I tickle it again!"

Peggy did. She also felt like he was barely holding her. She gripped him again.

"Easy, let go, put your arms in the water," he said as he lowered her a little. Seeing her eyes widden, he said, "You're OK, I got you. Nothing's gonna happen to you. See? You're all but floating."

"Yes, I am."

"Now a little arm motion, and you'll stay up by yourself," he coaxed. He moved around just to support her back. Seeing Jackie trading water he said, "Look at Jackie, see how she's moving her arms? Do that too, move your arms back and forth, pretend your hands are ... like the windmill blades. flatted your hands and tilt them to push down. "

"OK, yeah," Peggy said as she did it.

JJ eased his support until he was barely touching her. He then let go.

"I'm doing it!" Peggy said in a happy giggle. "Johnny, I'm doing it!"

"You are," he said from the side.

She saw he wasn't holding her and panicked. She flailed out for him, He grabbed her and pulled her close. "Don't panic, that's the worst thing you can do," he said firmly.

Peggy gripped him tight and weakly said, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Just be a little more sure of yourself, hon," he said as he petted her back.

"Can we just hold each other for a little while?"

"Sure."

Peggy shifted into the lap position, JJ held her.

"At least I'm not afraid to be in the water now." she offered.

"That's good. Maybe a bit at a time?" he asked.

She nodded and leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Not a whole lot of swimming going on," Jackie noted from behind him.

"We're taking a break," JJ told her.

"This is a good idea if you're just making out, but hear a car coming," Jackie said.

JJ did too. Holding Peggy in bride's carry, he got up and sloshed over to the side to set her down. He jumped out and grabbed her robe. They quickly got it on her. Jackie launched herself out of the pool and put her bra on. By the time the Excursion was in view, they were more or less re-clothed. Jackie noted she still didn't have panties on. Having her tail on hid the fact for now.

Yes! They weren't in trouble!

"JJ!" Jackie whispered.

JJ was watching the family get out of the car, and saw Joan's face bandage. "What happened to you?" he cried. He then saw Allison was here too.

"Joan stood her ground," Cameron told him, then guided Joan in the house.

Peggy noted a latent but strong violent urge from Joan as they walked in. It wasn't a flash of anger, more like a deep rolling rage that she was containing. She grabbed his arm. "Johnny, Joan is angry."

"I bet someone's in the hospital," he replied.

"A few someone's," Delilah said as she came over. "They were playing soccer, Joan slipped and couple players on the other side thought it was a good idea to kick her when she was down. It didn't turn out well."

"I take it Joan kicked some ass?" Jackie asked.

"She broke one's knee, but she stood in place and refused to move," Delilah told them with a grin. "That got everyone upset and stopped the game. They tried to make her move, she refused. She made them deal with the bad conduct those players used. The game was cancelled and a review of conduct is being looked at."

"So that held more impact than just beating the crap out of them?" Jackie asked.

"Sure did. I heard even the Governor is asked about what happened, and wants answers." Delilah told her. "By the way, Jackie, are those your panties over there?"

"huh?" Jackie asked, then turned red. "Oh, I can explain," she said.

"Save it," Delilah told her, "And Peggy, no more running around out here in just a robe. Go get dressed."

Peggy nodded and ran inside.

.

Bob rowed over to see how their game went. He was surprised to see Joan in a face bandage. He sat by her as they watched the news that had full coverage of the 'horrid' event on the soccer field, as well as the Mayor of Austin and the Governor both came in to condemn the 'gang violence' and praised Joan for standing up to such brutal treatment. School officials from the other team had no comments. The police Chief even gave an interview on the status of the investigations. The scene kept going back to Joan, standing on the field, bleeding, and refusing to move until something was done about these attacks.

"Good, job, sweetie," Bob told her. He only have her a light, one armed hug. "So how bad is your face?"

"My left cheek was all but torn off. It's better now." she told him. "Could you take my homework in tomorrow? I have to stay home."

"I can. I'll get whatever you got for the weekend too. You're healing up, right?"

"Yeah. by tomorrow I should be healed. Mrs' Hughes said I have to stay home anyway. a Doctor's coming Monday to see me." She leaned into him to snuggle up. "Stupid doctors."

.

Carrigan went into the hallway of his high security apartment building to find the light was out. Figured for the day he had. Arrested on four counts of rigging a sports event, he got to see all four of the girls he hired ratting him out in front of a judge. His lawyer got him out on bail. He'd have visits paid to them later. "Damn janitor, can't even fix a friggin light," he grumbled. He and his body guards went in and started up the stairs. He caught a shadow moving towards him fast. It just registered when he was hit hard. He saw stars before he was knocked out.

Carrigan woke up in pain. His face hurt like hell. He tried to move and screamed from his broken arms, snapped at the elbow. He was lying on his henchmen. "Help!" he cried out. A big hand grabbed him by the hair and pulled him up to see a large shadow in the dark. It was a monster. The only light was two glowing red eyes. The voice came out in a deep growl like it was from the abyss.

"Like to have little girls beat up on, do you? Here's some pain you won't ever forget."

Something slammed into his throat, he felt his knees crushed. His scream only came out as a whisper. He was thrown down, then something drove into his back right above his ass. His legs went numb.

"Suffer," the voice growled.

Unable to move or even scream, it was all he could do to even suck weak breaths through his crushed throat. He was going to hurt for a long time and these hurts weren't going to go away.

.

Joan had thought hard on her soccer adventures. Everything had been fine until they got to Austin. That was when the threats and attacks had started. Going to school Monday, she sat by Bob as usual, but stayed in her own thoughts as they went to school. He held her hand, but didn't press her. She left the stupid face bandage on as Mrs. Hughes told her to.

"So, you alive over there?" Bob finally asked.

Joan nodded. "Just put up with me a bit, OK?"

"Sure. I'm here for you." he said sincerely.

Bob made sure doors were open for her. She sat down in home room and listened to everyone tell her how sorry they were about what happened. Finally Mr. Nader came in. "Joan Connor, come with me."

He took her to see the doctor who came. Mrs. Hughes was there also. Sitting on the table, Joan was still as the doctor removed the bandaging. He then gently prodded her cheek.

"You saw her cheek here was all but torn away?" he asked.

"Yes, I saw it. She was kicked in the face hard," Mrs Hughes said.

"I heal fast," Joan monotoned.

"No pain?" the doctor asked, "Have you had any nightmares, or fear of someone coming after you?" he asked gently.

In her monotone, Joan said, "I fear no one. As far as them coming after me, let them. I'm not holding back any more." Looking the doctor in the eye, she said, "I have killed things many times worse than those girls. It wouldn't even be a challenge to rip their fuckin heads off. Next time, I will. That is why I decided to quit the team. It will keep the body count down. Allison was there to stop me this last time, everyone was lucky. Next time she might not be there."

"Joan, you need to think about this," Mrs. Hughes said.

Joan saw a metal tray on a stand. "I have, watch." She went over and picked the trap up. Holding the middle, she tore the tray in half with a shriek of tearing metal, then put the pieces back down. "Sorry, Mrs. Hughes, I can't play any more. It was fun for a while, but the fun is gone. Trust me when I say you don't want a soccer field turning into a battlefield. May I return to class now?"

Mrs. Hughes nodded blankly.

Joan left.

The doctor stared at the tray. "I can't believe she did that! That was a metal tray!"

Thinking back on how Joan had quickly put that burly coach to the ground, and badly beat the man who'd threatened them, she said, "I can."