Rock and a Hard Place: Chapter 10
Author's Notes: Another chapter is here, this one a bit longer...only because I wanted to give you all a clean chapter break. Don't worry though, there are a few more nasty cliffhangers to come... heheheh. Thanks to everyone for sticking with us and reviewing...the review board is turning into a message board of trying to guess our plot twists and Lisa and I are enjoying every minute of it! .So please keep reading and reviewing!
I also see that we have a new watcher on the author alert listing...I hope we live up to your expectations! Everyone enjoy the next chapter!
Roxanne grew increasingly aggravated as her emotions soared with a mixture of anger towards Annie and herself. She picked up the trash basket and threw it across the room, "I hate you...always rubbing how perfect you are...you never make mistakes, do you?" She knocked over a few chairs, "All I remember was seeing and hearing nothing. Why didn't I see them coming, WHY?!" Roxanne started banging and kicking some of the lockers attempting to satisfy her rage, since she had nobody else to take it out on.
She breathed heavily as she rested her head against a locker. Her eyes drifted upward noticing she rested on Annie's locker. Her hand balled into a tight fist then clamped down on the lock. A sudden compulsion to make Annie feel the true wrath of her hatred over came her. Annie wasn't a difficult person to figure out, so the possible combinations were limited. Within a matter of seconds her locker door was wide open, "Hmm...not wise to use my brother birthday for a locker com.... or did they not teach you that in ranger school." Hanging on the door was pictures of Annie and Scott on their hiking trip in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. She wanted so badly to rip it up, "She doesn't deserve him." Roxanne roamed through her locker, until her eyes caught a knife with a carving of a phoenix on the hilt. "Well hello...this is something valuable." She picked it up and marveled the knife. It had been a gift to Annie from her Ranger friends and practically one of a kind. Annie never left a mission with out it, especially considering it was her favorite weapon. "Considering I have no say about you taking my brother...I think I'll your knife. A worthy exchange if you ask me." She slammed the locker shut then placed the knife into her backpack.
Buddy entered the women's locker room already observing the turn over furniture and trash scattered all over the floor. He shook his head and headed over towards Roxanne, "I sure hope you're cleaning this up!"
Roxanne turned her head and screamed light, "BUDDY!" Roxanne stood by her locker wearing just her jeans and bra. She scrambled frantically to grab her shirt and cover herself.
He diverted his eyes and turned his back to her, but couldn't stop his cheeks from blushing with embarrassment, "I'm...uh...sorry."
"This is the WOMEN's locker room don't tell me you were looking for the broom closet and you just so happen to lose your way."
He still apologize, "It's not like that...I heard a lot of banging. I was just checking to see if everything was all right."
She crossed her arms and smirked at him finding it rather amusing he was acting like a gentleman, "You can turn around now."
Buddy turned around and noticed she was fully dressed. The embarrassment was still apparent on his face, but he approached her trying to take a more serious tone, "What's wrong?"
"What gives you the indication that something wrong?" He tilted his head with disbelief and pointed to the mess around the room. "I was just letting out a little steam. Annie just got under my skin during that briefing, and I'm mad at myself for what happen on the battlefield."
"I've seen you let out steam before...it usually don't involve wrecking the place. I also saw the looks you were giving Annie at the briefing, what's with that?"
"I'm always giving her looks, you just notice that." She rolls her eye at him and grabbed a bottle of pills from her locker.
"I've seen that look before on people who were intending to do physically harm to a person." He grabbed her arms and yanked the bottle out of her hand.
"Do you mind? I have a headache and your making it worse. My doctor gave me those if you want to rule out possible drug abuse."
He handed the bottle back to her and watched as she popped in a few into her mouth, "Are you in some sort of trouble...you know you can tell me anything."
"Of course I'm in trouble, dad and Scott are probably debating if I should be kicked off the team."
"I'm not talking about work...you use to tell me everything. Lately you just seem to bottle it all up." He giver her a concern look, "I just want to help you out anyway I can. So tell me what's really bothering you."
Annie stood outside the locker room with her arms crossed and her eyes on her watch, "What's taking so long? That's it I have to get ready I'm wasting time." She marched into the locker room, but halted as she observed Roxanne and Buddy.
Roxanne moved closer to Buddy, "You really want to help me out." Buddy's back was up against the locker, and Roxanne came within inches of him resting a hand on his chest. Her hand rubbed his chest lightly, while her head tilted slightly allowing her sapphire blue eyes to gaze deeply into his hazel eyes. Her warm breath on his face made him shiver slightly with excitement, "You know...I could stop by your place tonight...and we could...talk." She smiled a wickedly seductive smile.
Buddy looked down at her gulping at her offer. He could have sworn the room temperature just went up a couple hundred degrees, "I...I...um..." His hands moved down her shoulders slowly ready to pull her closer, then his headed tilted slightly as if he was going to kiss her, but he caught a figure out of the corner of his eyes. What am I doing? She's just trying to get me forget about all this by seducing me. And boy is it working. He then stood up and put both his hands on Roxanne's arms forcing her to put her hands down, "Roxanne...I don't think your intending to come over my place to just talk."
Roxanne pushed him away feeling the anger return to her, "Just like you! Still seeing me as a little kid! Well I'm not so get over it! You know I'd watch what you say around me...cause we wouldn't want this little incident or the one that happen 4 years ago to get out to my father now do we?" She picked up her backpack and headed out of the locker room angry.
Annie stood their stun and her cheeks turned completely red due to the unexpected show before her eyes. She always knew Roxanne had a crush on Buddy, Jess always mange to mention how she enjoyed teasing her about it, but she never knew how serious of an obsession she had with him. It wasn't just Roxanne actions that stun her...Buddy was seriously considering her offer. It's almost like she has something over him. What does she mean an incident 4 years ago?
Buddy still stood there trying to catch his breath and grasp the situation. I think I need a cold shower.
Annie approached him slowly, "Did you...um find out what was troubling her?"
Buddy shook her head, "NO...she pretty much gave me the typical run around."
"I don't mean to be a snoop Buddy, but what does she mean little incident 4 years ago?"
"It's none of your business Red," He then left the locker room not wanting Annie to poke into stuff that didn't concern her.
Roxanne took the transport back to the Trakker mansion feeling completely flush. She wanted to curl up into a little ball, especially after his harsh rejection felt like a stab in the back. Why doesn't he like me? I guess it's true I really don't have any friends left here. But it's my fault...no...it's Annie's. She keeps spreading those awful rumors. Roxanne gripped her backpack tighter, yet felt a bit more in control since she worn herself out from her previous rampage. Once the transport reached the mansion Scott and Matt were waiting on the platform. I knew it was too good to be true.
"Roxanne we need to have a talk," Matt crossed his arms.
"You mean I'm not off the hook just yet?" Roxanne added with a small smile. The three headed towards the study. Matt sat behind his desk, while Scott and Roxanne pulled up nearby chairs. Roxanne looked at her feet, "Dad I know what I did was inexcusable."
"Do you? This job isn't a game; I thought you knew by now. People lives are on the line, and when we make the wrong choices those people get hurt."
"So you're saying...." She lifts her head up, "You want me off the team?"
"We never said that," Scott stepped in, "If anything we need you more then ever, if were going to succeed this coming mission."
Matt sat back in his chair eyeing his daughter carefully, "If I were to report this, you'd be off the team no question ask. There are a lot of people who don't want you here...and I'm not talking about Dusty. The PNA has repeated attempted to get you yanked off this team just because they feel your more of a threat then an asset to us."
Scott turned to face his sister, "Roxanne if you don't improve your behavior by the next battle, I'm going replace you. I know you don't want that...I know how much you love that bike, but if you don't..."
"I understand." She stood up, "I haven't exactly been the most responsible team member. If I ever fail you again...I won't question your judgment if you replace me."
She turned to leave, but Scott reached his hand out to grab hers and states in a firm clear voice, "I don't ever want to replace you."
Roxanne turned her head to look down at his slightly blistered hand stopping her from walking away. She never stopped to look at his injuries or ask if he was ok. Why am I so selfish and stubborn? I never deserved to be on this team, but...dad and Scott still believed in me. A tear escaped her eye and her lips quivered, "I'm so sorry.... Look what I did to you...the team. I'm just doing it all over again ain't I? "
Scott grabbed his sister and hugged her, "NO your not...don't you ever say that. You're only human so you're bound to make mistakes. I know your smart enough to learn from them as well."
Matt smiled seeing that the siblings had made up, "You've come a long way since then and were both proud of you. How about we all get a bite together, it's been years since we've actually sat down as a family and not teammates."
Roxanne nodded, "I think I'd like that very much."
The next morning Scott reinstated Dusty and explained the current details of the mission. Dusty sat back in the chair practically overjoyed with the recall, "Scott you have no idea how much this mean to me...Sunny was going to make me spend a weekend with her parents. On top of that...I get to spend time with my favorite gals."
"As much as I know this brings back old times for you, don't forget we have a job to do." Scott reminded.
"Of course duty always comes first, so what is it you want me to do?"
"Alex has developed a plan as usual to over come VENOM defenses, but there's a trick to it. We need to combine the powers of Phoenix and Jess's mask Thermic in order to melt their armor. Jess is going to need somebody to pilot Gator while carrying out her objective. Also you're the only driver I know who can keep up with Annie besides Brad."
"Well you came to the right man," Dusty stood up proud, "Just tell me what you want me to do first."
"Well were currently trying to repair the damage VENOM caused," Dusty nodded yet gritted his teeth knowing already how bad the situation was, "so until were ready to move out I suggest we give the girls some practice before the real thing."
"You got it partner. I'll go saddle up and head to the training field." Dusty gave a quick friendly smile then headed out of Scott's office.
Dusty whistled as he walked down the corridor towards the garage. Yet his friendly charming personality seemed to diminish, when he noticed a pair of legs sticking out from under Thunderhawk. He glanced around curiously noticing nobody else was around to observe. Dusty stopped in front of Thunderhawk and grabbed the board the individual was laying on and pulled it out from under the car.
"What the heck? I'm working!" Roxanne shouted on her back.
"Well if it isn't little Miss Trouble."
Roxanne sat up already annoyed by his presence; she knew he just wanted an excuse to yell at her, "What do you want? I have a work schedule I have to keep too."
"We'll be working together...and I'll be watching your every step." He threatened.
Roxanne crossed her arms, "Tell me something I don't know."
"I know what you did..."
Roxanne didn't look him in the eyes. Who told him...Scott...Jess...no...Annie of course she would. She was absolutely chipper when she found out Dusty was being brought in.
"...leaving Scott, Jess, Brad, and Bruce to defend for themselves. I don't know how you sleep with yourself at night, you continue to hurt your own family, and if Jess would have gotten hurt I wouldn't of hesitated to get my riffle and hunt you down."
"Fine is that it?" She snapped sarcastically as she stood up and attempt to escape his verbal abuse. He grabbed her arm forcefully, just has he had several years ago when she was a teenager. Just you wait Hayes you'll pay for this...I won't let this go unnoticed.
"You're not a child anymore, but don't go thinking I'm going to let that little mishap go unnoticed and let you get off scott free. I plan to go to Duane after this just to ensure my friends and family are safe from the likes of you." He spitted to the ground with disgusts then violently let go of her arm, before walking towards the training zone.
Roxanne rubbed her arm and starred at him coldly. Don't worry Dusty I won't disappoint you...but I will hurt you.
Phoenix came within inches of tipping over onto the ground before Annie righted the bike and skidded to a complete halt. She watched as Brad turned Condor sharply away from the edge of the practice grounds and headed back towards her. Before he came to a full stop, he popped a wheelie right there in front of Phoenix and turned the front wheel from side to side, in a definite 'nyah nyah—missed me' tease. Annie pulled Firewall off of her head and tossed it on the seat behind her in frustration. She pushed a few sweat-drenched hairs that had escaped her braid away from her face and rested her head on Phoenix's handlebars.
"He..." she said slowly as Dusty and Jess pulled up beside her in Gator, "...is really starting to annoy me."
Annie had been testing Firewall's modifications to make sure that the mask would give her and Gator the streamlined protection she needed, and it seemed to be working so far. Since neither Backlash nor Thermic were necessary for practice, both Jess and Dusty were unmasked, so Annie could clearly see the amusement on their faces.
"That's the whole point, darlin' "Dusty pointed out in his lazy drawl. "The more fired up he gets ya, the less yer payin' attention to what's going on around ya. And that's exactly what VENOM'll be doin' too."
"You're getting closer," piped in Jess unhelpfully, "though that only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades."
Brad took Hocus Pocus off and tucked the mask under one arm, flashing a completely vicious and unsympathetic smile at his daughter. "You're 0 for 2 there little girl. Ready to call it quits yet?"
"I don't think so," she spat back at him, matching his stare. "Third time pays for all, and I have not yet begun to fight."
"So you say, but I'm not seeing any proof."
"Then allow me to show you." Annie picked up Firewall and plunked it back on her head as she restarted Phoenix. "Oh, and I'm decreasing the protective radius outward, so let me know if it gets too hot for you."
Brad rolled his eyes as he adjusted Hocus Pocus back on his head. "I might tell you...IF you get close enough to me..."
With that he started Condor and took off. Over in the passenger's side of Gator, Jess started to snicker. "Never knew he was such a complete bastard, did you, Annie?"
Annie's only reply was to rev up Phoenix's engines. "Come on, Dusty, let's go tag the bastard."
Dust flew out from behind her tires as she quickly brought Phoenix up to speed and gained distance on Condor, Dusty practically sticking to her bumper. Annie flicked a few switches on the control panel in preparation for the upcoming firestorm, then radioed back to Dusty. "I'm giving Dad one foot of leeway outward and I'm giving you five from behind."
"Gimme three," he countered. "We can push ourselves and him at the same time."
"Four," Annie negotiated.
"Three and a half, final offer."
"One by three point five it is," Annie called, keying the specified area into Phoenix's guidance system. "Get ready, I'm about to heat things up. Firewall, On!"
A spout of flame kicked back from the afterburners as Annie flipped one last switch, and the air rippled as the flames passed safely around Phoenix and Gator both. Smiling in satisfaction, Annie put her mind into catching up to Brad to make him pay for the two previously insulting runs. She caught up to him quickly so that they ran nearly side by side, Condor's back tire paralleling Phoenix's front tire. The tree line indicating the end of the practice grounds loomed suddenly closer, but Annie didn't slow down. Good try, Dad, but we're not that far out yet. Annie started to second-guess herself when Brad began slowing down. Maybe...no, trust your instincts...he's messing with you. Brad slowed further when they were nearly on top of the supposed tree line, and Annie leapt on the opportunity. She flew past him with only scant inches to spare, through the holographic trees, turning sharply to fly past him on the other side. She made two more rotations before she stopped in front of Condor, spinning her tires and kicking up dust in an obvious retaliation for her previous humiliation.
Buddy smiled in amusement as he put a few finishing touches on Thunderhawk. He could hear the father/daughter banter as Brad, Annie, Dusty, and Jess entered from the practice grounds.
"Man, that was BRUTAL!" Jess exclaimed with her usual exuberance. "Ruthless, just absolutely RUTHLESS. I'm surprised you survived it, Annie."
"Yeah, what's up with that, anyway?" Annie turned on her father in mock angst. "You never showed me half of those tricks before!"
"Sure I did," Brad replied calmly, smirking back at his daughter. "Just now. And I do believe my directions were very clear on the subject."
"Yeah, and since when do you follow orders?" Buddy couldn't help but interject from across the garage.
"Since it's his little girl puttin' her life on the line out there," Dusty replied with a laugh.
"Oh great, here we go again..."
Annie rolled her eyes but couldn't contain her smile. Spirits were running high again now that it seemed that their battle plan actually had a chance of working. They had fine tuned Firewall's protective radius almost exactly to give Dusty and Jess the protection that they would need, as well as limiting the protection VENOM didn't. As she pondered their little victories on the practice grounds, she couldn't help giving Dusty a little bit of teasing.
"Still think you can keep up with me, Dusty?"
Jess broke up their father/daughter bonding session to walk over and greet Roxanne as she entered the garage. Dusty shot a protective look his daughter's way before he slung his arm across Annie's shoulders.
"Annie, darlin'," he drawled loud enough for the other two girls to hear, "I would follow you anywhere. I know you'd never lead me astray."
"And I know that you'll ALWAYS be there to back me up," Annie giggled as she leaned into Dusty's shoulder.
Roxanne tried to ignore the show Annie and Dusty were putting on, knowing they were just trying to get her riled. Instead, she concentrated on her friendly conversation with Jess, but she couldn't help sneaking a hidden glare or two.
Brad shook his head at the two, refraining from commenting on the trouble he knew they were purposely stirring up. "Hey Buddy...I do think Phoenix is going to need..." He looked around confused rubbing his head. He was here just a minute ago. He caught Buddy out of the corner of his eye ducking behind a couple vehicles and making a quick break towards the Gas station's entrance. "What's got him?"
"Eh who knows probably doesn't want to be in the same room with a saboteur," Dusty joked lightly.
Roxanne threaten to Jess feeling that comment hurt the worst, "Your father is running a very thin line..."
Jess put a friendly arm around Roxanne and leaded her in the opposite direction, "Oh just block him out. I do it all the time. Besides Roxanne he's running out of threats, just goes to show he's growing old and senile."
Roxanne replied with a loud laugh, "Oh Jess...you surprise me sometimes. Even I wouldn't be caught dead saying that around my father."
Dusty wrinkled his nose slight, "Just like Jess to spoiled my fun."
Brad ignored the typical bickering,"I'm going to see what's up with Buddy, this is too strange even for him."
"Dad he's probably..."Annie stop talking as both Dusty and Brad stared at her. "Ummm...never mind I don't know. I'll...uh...just go hit the shower."
Brad headed over to the service station entrance and opened the door. Buddy jumped slightly as he turned around to see who it was, "Gee Brad you think you could come up behind me any quieter." Once Brad entered the small office, Buddy slightly peaked out the door behind him and closed it shut, "She didn't follow me, did she?" Brad just raised a brow, but Buddy kept rambling on, "I swear she reminds me more of Vanessa Warfield every time I look at her."
Brad got a bit more defensive, "Hey now that's my daughter you're talking about. Just because..."
Buddy took off his hat crushing it, "No...I'm not talking about Annie...Roxanne."
Brad face had the sudden look of 'oh crap.' He always preferred to avoid any topic revolving around Roxanne's name, mostly because he never wanted to be the middleman between Roxanne and Annie. He sighed lightly, but figure he'd be a good friend and listen, "Alright I'm listening...shoot."
"Sorry I confused you...its just the way she's been acting around me...reminds me of the old days when Vanessa use to.... well you know corner you into doing what ever she wanted you to do."
Brad smirked lightly, "Come on...Vanessa was more or less using her charm to seduce me, and I let her. Roxanne just isn't the type of girl who'd act like that."
"Brad I'm serious," Buddy didn't show any hint that he was joking, "She was coming on to me yesterday, I wasn't sure what the heck I should do."
"Every hear of just say NO....you did tell her no right?" Brad couldn't help a feeling of 20/20 hindsight as he gave Buddy the advice he should have listened to long ago.
Buddy looked down with a hint of guilt, "Yeah I said it, but...I almost didn't....heck," He hand his hand through his hair nervously, " I would of said it was ok for her come over my place, if Annie hadn't walked in."
"Buddy...Maybe you should let Matt know her hormones are out of whack, but I don't think he'll be too keen on hearing you were thinking about sleeping with his daughter."
"That's just it...I can't get a restraining order against her Brad...she already blackmailing me."
"What could she possible have to blackmail you with? What she caught you talking to the cars again?" Brad joked lightly.
"Well beside the fact I just walked in on her while she was changing yesterday, we sort of had a slightly," He choose his words wisely before he opened his mouth, "heated moment in the garage a few years back."
Brad looks at him shock, "You are definitely a dead man." He then crossed his arm and raised a questionable brow, "You weren't hitting on anybody else daughter now were you?"
"And have a family vendetta against me? No thanks," Buddy smirked solemnly as he shook his head, "I don't know what it is...just something about her. I like her a lot, but deep down I know it's not right."
"I'd tell you just to forget about her, cause its just asking for more trouble then she's worth. But I also know...that's not going to change your feelings about her." Brad couldn't help thinking about his own situation as he continued to give his friend some advice. "She's an adult now, so sit her down and have an actual conversation with her. You know there's no way you can avoid her forever."
"I know that, but I'm more worried of the consequences. If I tell her to grow up, she'll turn all evil on me and who knows if I'll have a job the next day. If I tell her I love her..." The door creaking open caused Buddy to quickly end his conversation.
Dusty burst into the room, "Did I hear this right? Buddy's in love? OH sweet doggie...Who's the lucky lady?"
Buddy choked slightly as he spoke, 'Um...you remember Amber?"
"Oh yeah I introduce you to her at my barbeque I had last year, didn't know you two hit it off that well. Wait I remember Sunny said you two went rock climbing every now'n then, but this is great news." Dusty continued rambling on, "So....ya thinking about takin' that big step?"
"Dusty its not that serious right now, I'm just debating if I want to commit that's all."
"Well take my advice, your not getting any younger. Grab your dance partner, before you lose what looks you have left. You wait too long the younger generation won't think twice about you." Brad bit his lip and attempted to stop his sudden urge to laugh. Dusty shot Brad a scolding looking, "What so funny? We know your getting plastic surgery."
"Hey now you can't believe everything you read in the National Enquirer." Brad remarked defensively.
Roxanne stood outside the gas station office door just listening. She wanted a second chance to speak with Buddy; especially after realizing she probably freaked him out with her advance. It grew ever more apparent by the extra precaution he took to avoid her. The mix feelings she always received from him bothered her, yet now it was apparent he wanted nothing to do with her. Amber so that's who he loves, why did he just say so and spare me the heart aches. She began to walk away from the door feeling her only dream being shattered. Hello girl, he was never dating you...you only pretended he was. Still it hurts.
Annie stepped out from beside her locker, tilting her head at her father's voice as she ran a brush through her still wet hair. "All clear," she called back as Brad stepped through the entrance. "What's up?"
Brad shrugged; unsure exactly how to ask his daughter what was on his mind. He should be able to take his friend at face value, if Buddy said he never hit on Annie, then he obviously didn't. But then again, no one's word had ever been able to satisfy him with regard to Annie, except Annie's. How the hell do I ask my daughter if one of my best friends has ever made advances toward her?
"Just finished talking with Buddy. He never...did anything that made you uncomfortable, did he?"
Annie recognized Brad's look as the one he always used to give her when she started asking all those uncomfortable questions related to the facts of life. Except now he was the one doing the asking.
She looked back at him with this look of complete and utter shock. "What are you talking about? You don't really think..." She cut herself off when she saw Scott's shadow fall across the locker room doorway.
Brad saw the confusion in Annie's eyes as he followed her gaze toward the entrance and decided he'd make a hasty exit. "Forget I asked." I feel like an idiot. I should have known better.
"Am I interrupting?" Scott asked as he approached the pair.
"Not at all," Brad said smoothly, "I was just leaving. You kids have fun," he added with a smirk as he walked away.
Scott's face mirrored Annie's confused expression as he watched Brad's retreat. Annie simply shook her head and sat down on one of the benches as she began to deftly re-braid her hair. She pretended to ignore Scott, partially on purpose because of his earlier brush off and his new orders to Brad. She continued to braid her hair, counting the loops around each piece until Scott finally spoke.
"Were you planning on going anywhere special right now?"
"I haven't really thought about it," Annie replied as she twisted a rubber band around the end of her braid. "Why?"
"Well..." Scott paused momentarily as the 'I've-been-a-jackass' look crossed his face. "I kind of blew you off yesterday and thought maybe I could make it up to you today."
"Would that payback also include compensation for complete and utter humiliation at the hands of my own father?" Annie asked, arching an eyebrow at him.
Scott smiled wickedly. "Practice went well then, good. You can tell me all about it over dinner."
"I hope your wallet is fat enough, Scott," Annie teased with an evil grin, "because it's going to take a really NICE dinner to make me forget that you authorized that."
"Somehow, Annie, I think I'll be able to handle it," he replied, placing an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close as they walked out