Love's Guard by Cheeya
Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to me but they are based upon two Xenaverse characters that we know and love. No copyright infringement was intended.
Love/Sex: This story is a work of alternative uber fiction and contains scenes of love between two consenting adults of the same gender throughout. If you're too young to read this, if it offends you or if it's illegal where you live, please don't read any further.
Language: Yes and often enough.
Dedication: For Mel. I hope she knows why.
Archiving: Go ahead but let me know at the address below. I'll get a kick outta it ;-)
Bard's Note: This is part four of an ongoing tale. I hope you enjoy it!
Comments/constructive criticism to cheeya@xenafan.com the rest of my fan fiction/poetry can be found at http://www.geocities.com/cheeya_2000
Part 4
"It's a beautiful day," Dylan said softly as she gently rubbed the soft skin of the back under her hand.
"Hmmm..." Ari replied, not even bothering to pry her emerald green eyes open. She was exhausted and almost every muscle in her body was aching. "It's too early to wake up."
A soft chuckle rumbled through her lover's body, causing her to smile.
"Sweetheart?" Dylan continued.
"Hmmm?"
"I know it's been a wonderful two weeks up here but we need to start the drive back to Dallas."
"No. Sleep... tired..." Long fingers trailed down the blonde actress' ribs and then suddenly began to tickle. Ari was awake and squirming a moment later. "Dylan! Stop it! I'm warning you!"
She collapsed into laughter, trying to fight her bodyguard off.
"Do you give?" Dylan growled as she rolled them over and pinned the petite body to the bed.
"I give! I give!" Ari exclaimed, knowing that she had no chance of winning but very slowly, a dark head lowered and Dylan began trailing tiny kisses along her neck and down her chest. "Mmmm, that feels... ahhhhhhh...Mmm... great."
Serious blue eyes searched the actress' face as Dylan released her hands and Ari smiled up at them.
"You're my everything, you know that?" she asked as she traced soft lips with her finger.
"Ari, I love you," came the whispered reply. "I want forever with you."
"I..."
:BANG BANG:
"Son of a... What?!" Dylan yelled in frustration, ignoring her giggling lover.
"Dylan, Ari, it's Steph. I think you two should come out here. It's important."
"Be right there," Ari called and slipped out of bed to pull on shorts and a T-shirt. Dylan did the same and then led her lover into the kitchen.
"Morning," the bodyguard growled as she padded to the refrigerator to look for juice.
"Dylan, sit down," Steph said softly as she touched the taller woman's arm. Dylan eyed her curiously but carried the carton to the table to pour some for herself and Ari. She was mid-pour when Steph sat beside them.
"Dylan, Tom called this morning."
"Tom? No one was supposed to know we were here. I told David not to..."
"David's dead."
"Tell anyone... what?" The carton slipped from the bodyguard's suddenly nerveless fingers. "What did you say?"
"I'm so sorry. David's dead."
Dylan stood up slowly, shaking her head in disbelief.
"No, he's not... he... couldn't be... I..." She looked to Ari but when she saw the shocked look on her face and her welling tears, she realised that it was the truth and dropped back into her chair, burying her face in her hands. "Oh... no. Oh please no..." The blonde actress wrapped her arms around her lover, trying to offer some comfort but Dylan's face blanched and she shook her head. "I think I'm gonna be..." She was up off the chair and out of the room like a shot and Ari followed her just in time to see her fall to her knees in the bathroom and retch her guts up. The actress rubbed her back and held her hair, whispering soft words to her. When the retching finally stopped, Dylan sat on the floor, her entire body shaking.
"Here, Honey, try to drink this," Ari said as she took the glass of water Steph was offering from the doorway. The bodyguard drank some and then leaned her head back against the wall, her eyes squeezed tightly shut as tears trekked down her beautiful face.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice hoarse and scratchy.
"We're not exactly sure yet. Tom said that he and David were in the security room watching the monitors when he suddenly saw something flash across the screen. David didn't see it but sent him to check it out. Tom said that he didn't find anything but made his way back to the security room to find David lying on the ground just outside the building. He was already dead... a single shot to the head." Steph shook her head. "This is just bullshit. Why would they kill David?"
Dylan raised her head, pinning the bodyguard with a watery blue gaze.
"They knew. Whoever it was knew that Ari wasn't there. I'll bet they pumped David for information and when he wouldn't tell them, they killed him." Her head lowered again. "I'm so sorry, Davy," she whispered.
"We have to get back to Dallas," Ari said softly. "Steph, can you make sure everything is ready at the other end?"
"Sure," the bodyguard replied and disappeared out of the room.
"This is my fault," Dylan whispered as she wiped a shaking hand over her face.
"No, Dylan, it's..." Ari began softly.
"Yes, it is. I should have been there. We were making love while my best friend was lying in a pool of blood." She got up off the floor, her face cold and emotionless. "I'm going to get this bastard if it's the last thing I do."
"Then start by getting ready to go home," Ari replied, knowing that her lover needed to deal with her grief in her own way. "I'll pack the gear. You... do whatever you need to do."
Dylan went to take a shower but when Ari passed the bathroom door, she heard her lover sobbing and it almost broke her heart. The decision was instantaneous. She moved quietly into the room and quickly shed her clothes before stepping into the shower. Wrapping her arms around the bodyguard from behind, she pressed their bodies close together and rested her cheek between two strong shoulder blades. The hitching sobs continued but Dylan slowly turned and hugged her love close taking the silently offered strength that she needed.
"Honey, I'm so sorry," Ari whispered.
"Let's go and sit down," Dylan replied and, after towelling off, they sat on their bed, holding hands.
Dylan didn't speak. She didn't know where to start and was grateful when Ari broke the silence.
"Tell me where you met David," she asked quietly as she gently squeezed her lover's hand.
"Um..." A sniff. A deep breath. A deeper swallow. "It was during my Secret Service training, ten years ago. David and I were in the same class and he had a... um..." A ghost of a smile crossed her face at the memory. "... a crush on me. He tried everything he could think of to try to get me to go out with him, even though I told him that I'm gay. He bought me flowers and wrote me poetry. He even tried to persuade me to go to the opera with him. He called to my house with wine and Chinese takeout and somewhere along the way, he forgot about his crush and we formed a real friendship. He was the first person I told that I was leaving the Secret Service and he was very supportive. When I told him that I was starting my own private protection service, he asked if I would hire him. I jumped at the chance and he's been my second in command for the past five years." Her face fell again. "That's all over now."
"He was a good man," Ari said softly. "And a great friend."
"We should be moving," Dylan said sadly. "I need to call his mother but let's get back to Dallas first."
Ari nodded and stood up.
"Ok. Back to Dallas it is."
Two hours later, Steph was driving them back to Dallas. The goodbyes at the ranch had been hard for everyone and Martha had made Ari promise to come back with Dylan again soon. Now, Dylan and Ari were sitting in the backseat, the actress snuggled up to her lover while her mother sat in the front seat next to the curly haired bodyguard. Ari gazed up into sad blue eyes and reached up to caress her lover's chin.
"I love you," she said softly and Dylan ducked her head to kiss her.
"Love you too," she mumbled into blonde hair as she rested her cheek on top of the actress head. "Thank you for being there for me earlier."
"Dylan, I'll always be here," Ari whispered. "You said this morning that you want forever with me... well... I want that with you too. I love you so much."
Despite the ache in her heart at losing her best friend, Dylan managed a smile. The truth was there in the young blonde's eyes. Jesus, she loves me... she really does! A single tear spilled over and Ari wiped it away, a gentle smile on her face. Dylan kissed her nose.
"I can hardly believe that I feel this way, considering that fact that only four weeks ago, I would have cheerfully strangled you."
A soft chuckle floated up to her.
"Yeah, well, I was sick of the sight of you. Everywhere I turned, there you were." She winked playfully. "I was beginning to think you had a crush on me."
"I never had a crush on you," the bodyguard replied in a soft growl. "I think I've loved you since the first moment I saw you. It just took me a while to realise it."
In the front seat, Marlene smiled at the romantic gesture from the stoic bodyguard. She turned to say something but when she saw her daughter locked in a fiery kiss with her lover, her smile broadened and she looked straight out the window.
"They make a cute couple, don't they?" Steph said with a chuckle. "I'm just glad they're both happy. They both deserve it."
"Yes, they do," Marlene replied. "They really do."
~*~
7am. Dylan sat down in her chair at the head of the table to begin her morning briefing with her team. Before she spoke, she scanned the report from the previous night's activity as she always did but this morning, her eyes constantly strayed from the page to the empty chair to her right. She finally closed the report and leaned back in her chair, her fingers steepled in front of her face.
"The funeral is at 10am tomorrow morning here in Dallas," she said softly. She looked around the sad faces of her team. "Even if it takes every penny I have and the last breath in my body, I'm going to find David's killer." She stood then and began to pace. "I want every piece of footage from that night. I want it watched and watched again until we find something. I don't want every stone unturned... I want it kicked over and every part of it examined. I want everyone working on this. I want this bastard!" Her hands were curled into fists at this stage and her rage was growing out of control so she closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing. She knew she needed to keep a level head... for everyone's sake, especially Ari's. "Alright. The Oscar ceremony is in two weeks time. Ari is going and I am going as her partner but I will be armed at all times. Karl and Paul, I want you on our tails the entire night. Joe and Martin, I want you patrolling constantly. I know the theatre security will be tight but I'm not taking any chances with Ari's safety. Steph, you will be behind the scenes with Ari when she's waiting to present her award. That's it for now, I'll finalise the arrangements nearer the time."
She looked around the table to find all eyes on the door and when she turned, she saw Ari there. The younger woman entered the room and took a seat at the table.
"I wanted to come," she said. "To thank you all for what you're doing. You're probably wondering why I'm doing this. It's because I can't let whoever's doing this win. I'm so sorry about David and I promise you that I'll do everything to make the night go smoothly."
Dylan nodded and looked proudly at her team.
"Let's get the day started, People."
The team filed out the door but Ari just stayed where she was. She was worried about her tall partner. Dylan had barely slept a wink and had left Ari sleeping to go running alone very early that morning. The blonde steepled her fingers in front of her face as she leaned her elbows on the table.
"Honey, feel like getting away for a few hours?" she asked quietly.
Blue eyes slowly tracked to her and Dylan sighed heavily.
"I'd run away with you in a heartbeat," she replied, her voice husky. "But I can't. I need to be here, Ari." She reached across the table and took her lover's hand. "I let him down." A lone tear crept down her cheek and she sniffed, absently wiping at it.
"No, Dylan, you didn't. David was here because he chose to be here. He loved you and he would have done anything for you."
"Yeah... and it got him killed." The dark woman shook her head. "His loyalty to me got him killed."
Ari stood up and moved to stand in front of her distraught lover. She leaned down and kissed the crown of her head as long arms wrapped around her. Dylan buried her face in the blonde's chest and exhaled deeply, absorbing the silent support gratefully. How am I going to get through the funeral?
"I'll be with you tomorrow, Baby. Don't you worry, I'll be right there."
How did she know? "Thanks, Ari, I... " There were no words to express the bodyguard's gratefulness but the actress smiled.
"It's ok. I understand."
~*~
Dylan stood on the edge of the crowd, her eyes fixed on the petite, grey-haired woman who was standing with her daughter and husband. She swallowed, wanting nothing more than to crawl back into bed and stay there for the rest of her life but when gentle fingers curled around her hand and squeezed, she looked into compassionate green eyes and blew out a nervous breath.
"I feel like I've taken her son away myself," the bodyguard murmured as she began the walk toward her best friend's mother. Josephine Cutter looked composed... almost serene... but Dylan and Ari both guessed that, underneath her calm exterior, she was in turmoil. As the couple approached, Jo turned and saw them. Her eyes softened and she walked the short distance to meet the tall woman, accepting her hug and returning it just as fiercely.
"Thank you for being here," she said. "David loved you like a sister."
"You couldn't have kept me away," Dylan replied as she wiped her eyes self-consciously. "Jo, I'm so, so sorry. I had no idea this was..."
The older woman held up her hand and squared her shoulders.
"Don't you even go there, Dylan McLachlin. David's death was not your fault. You did not pull the trigger."
"But..."
"No! You listen to me. I've known you a long time, Dylan and I know that, had the choice been yours, you would have taken that bullet for him. His death was NOT your fault."
Blue eyes lowered and Ari's grip increased a little, offering strength. Jo reached out and touched the bodyguard's face.
"Dylan, you're like a daughter to me. You always will be. Call me."
With that, Josephine Cutter walked away. Dylan crumbled and turned to her lover, holding onto her tightly as a profound sense of relief as well as upset moved through her. After a long moment, they made their way to the rest of the security team and waited for the funeral service to begin.
A tall priest, dressed in pristine vestments, arrived and took his position at the altar of the small Catholic church. Dylan sat with her head bowed all during the service until it was time for her to say a few words. She slowly stood and made her way to the podium, unfolding a piece of paper as she walked. The bodyguard stood tall and proud but Ari could tell that she was holding herself together by a single thread. Dylan looked at her thread and smiled briefly as compassionate green eyes looked back. She cleared her throat gently.
"My name is Dylan McLachlin. David was, and always will be, the best friend I've ever had. We met ten years ago and, slowly but surely, we grew to be like family. When I decided to set up my own business, he joined me without thought. That was David... he always had faith in me... always..." Her voice broke and she took a deep breath to try to compose herself. A tear spilled over and she wiped it away. "He always supported me in everything I did. David was like a big brother. He was quick to yell at me when I made a mistake but just as quick to praise when I did something right."
Ari watched the small smile creep onto her lover's face and smiled reflexively.
"I remember one time..." Dylan went on. "Davy and I were going through physical training and we were running an assault course. It was a competitive run with extra credits for the winner and everyone was psyched up to push themselves as hard as they could to win. After the first couple of miles, David and I were neck and neck. We came to this really steep hill..." She demonstrated the angle with her hand. "It was muddy and slippery and, as I was nearing the top, I lost my footing and began to slide. I thought 'that's it, I'm finished' but, as I was falling, Davy grabbed my hand and dragged me up the hill. He kept me in the race, even thought he could have easily got ahead and earned those extra credits. We crossed the finish line together, Ladies and Gentlemen, and earned partial credit each. That's the type of man my best friend is..." She swallowed and her voice lowered. "Was and I'm going to miss him until the day I die." She smiled and looked to the heavens. "Thank you, Davy, for being my right hand and my best friend."
Then she nodded and made her way back to her seat. Jo looked back at her and smiled, mouthing a silent 'thank you'. Dylan returned the smile and then looked at Ari.
"That was beautiful," the blonde said softly as she took the bodyguard's hand. "He would have loved it."
Dylan chuckled softly.
"He would have rolled his eyes and told me not to get all mushy on him... but yeah..." She smiled. "He would have liked it."
The rest of the ceremony was very emotional, but soon it was time to move on to the cemetery. As they exited the church, Ari groaned and rolled her eyes.
"Please tell me they're not here for the funeral," she said as they watched several journalists taking pictures.
"Sweetheart," the tall woman replied. "I think they're here for you."
Ari was mortified and she shook her head.
"Oh God! I'm so sorry, Dylan. I'll tell them to leave." She turned to walk away, but Dylan shook her head.
"Hang on." She stopped to think for a moment. "Ari, even if they're not here for you, maybe the press being here isn't such a bad thing for once. They'll report that you were here. What better way to lure our stalker out? He'll know you're back in Dallas."
"And that's good how?" Ari joked weakly. "Dylan, the Oscars are coming pretty close. Shouldn't we just lay low until then?"
Dylan wrapped her arms around her petite lover and held her close.
"I know you're scared but I promise you I won't let anything happen to you. You have to trust me."
Sea green eyes looked into sky blue and Ari nodded slowly.
"I do trust you, Honey. I'm sorry." She reached up to stroke a lock of dark hair away from the bodyguard's eyes. "Dylan, the press are photographing this."
"I don't care. I love you, Ari." Dylan ducked her head and gently brushed her lips against her lover's. "And I'm so sorry I ever tried to deny us."
Ari shook her head and smiled tenderly.
"No. That's all in the past now. What's important is that we're going to take care of each other from now on, right?"
"Right," Dylan confirmed with a firm nod of her head. "Come on. Let's go."
~*~
"It was a nice service."
Dylan nodded as Steph patted her shoulder in quiet support.
"Yeah, it was."
"What you said was really nice. He would have appreciated it." The bodyguard bowed her head. "I just can't believe he's gone, you know?"
"Me neither," Dylan replied with a sad smile. "So... um... how's John?"
Steph rolled her eyes and pushed her curly, blonde hair back from her eyes.
"Let's just say that John and I aren't on speaking terms." She sighed. "Things aren't going too well, Dylan."
Dylan watched her petite lover walk toward them as she nodded.
"Wanna talk about it?" she asked.
"Nothing really to talk about. I found out that he's been cheating on me... therefore, he gets unceremoniously dumped."
The dark bodyguard nodded.
"I'm sorry, Steph."
"You never liked him," the blonde pointed out with a small smile. "I guess you were right."
"Yeah, well, I just didn't like him 'cos he was the first after..." She trailed off and sighed.
"I know. I know it was hard for you but we made the right decision..." She looked in Ari's direction. "That woman is crazy about you. You're a lucky woman, Dylan... and so is she."
"I'm just as crazy about her," the bodyguard replied with a tender smile and Steph punched her lightly in the shoulder.
"No, really?" she deadpanned. "I was wondering why you look like you've got torches burning behind your eyes. I've never seen such a goddamned sparkle in my life."
"Smart ass," Dylan chuckled, trying to look mean and only succeeding in holding a weak smirk.
"Who's a smart ass?" Ari asked as she reached them.
"Dylan," Steph replied.
"Steph," Dylan replied.
Blonde eyebrows lifted as Ari perched her hands on her hips. She affected her best parental tone as she scolded the two grown women facing her.
"Now, now. If you two can't play nicely, I'm going to have to separate you. Now, am I going to have to separate you?"
"Honey, have I mentioned that I think you're the most wonderful and talented actress I've ever seen?"
Ari shook her head in amusement.
"Oh, you mean my acting in the ONE film you've ever seen me in, huh? You, Dylan McLachlin, are a shameless flatterer. Now I suggest that you and Steph kiss and make up..." She stopped and closed her eyes. "No... you can make up. Forget the kissing bit." Dylan and Steph started to laugh and Ari chuckled softly. "I really need to think before I speak. You know me... 'Open mouth, insert foot'"
The tall bodyguard took her hand and leaned in to kiss her on the nose.
"You look cute, even with your foot in your mouth. Come on, Sweetheart. Let's get you home."
Dylan led them all to the car and climbed into the driver's seat. Steph's experienced eyes swept the area before she got in.
"Alright," she nodded and they set off for the Strand Estate.
Dylan was quiet on the way back to the estate. There was something eating at her and she just couldn't put her finger on it. Her mind was whirling with both sadness and anger over David's death and she found it very hard to concentrate. She sighed and looked at Steph.
"When we get back to the house, I need you to make sure that Ari is safe, ok?"
"Why?" Ari called from the backseat.
"Sweetheart, I need a little time alone, ok? I need some time to think."
The actress nodded her understanding as she smiled.
"Ok, I'll keep you a space at dinner."
Gentle blue eyes gazed at her through the rear view mirror.
"I'll look forward to it."
Once safely inside the grounds of the estate, Steph dropped Dylan off at her apartment. The tall woman changed into sweats and sneakers and decided to take a run to clear her mind. She tied her hair back in a loose tail, tucked her gun in her pocket and took off at a brisk pace. She was jogging along the main path of the drive, her mind whirling with thought. There was something bothering her, something was eluding her and she couldn't put her finger on it. The further she jogged, the more calm her mind became and she thought calmly and rationally about the problem at hand. How is the stalker getting into the house? There's ALWAYS someone on the monitors. How is he or she getting past security cameras? Just then, Dylan stopped in her tracks, her breathing slightly ragged, as something occurred to her. Who was on the monitors?
To be continued...