Disclaimer: I do NOT own any of the names or characters you recognize in this story...and it's a cryin shame. :sigh:

Author's Note: This story was written with a very good friend of mine and she's graciously allowed me to post it here in my name. Hope you enjoy it!

Rating: This story is rated M for colorful language and all the fun stuff I can think of to happen later...

The Broken Road of Fate

The roar of the engine made her smile. Along the long and darkened road, the slight burgundy haired woman felt free for the first time in as long as she could remember. It had been too long since she'd made one of these trips. Then again, it'd been too long since she knew who she was.

Years and years had gone by since she had let herself know what she used to be like. Too many men had come and gone and told her otherwise. This was a new era in her life, she'd told herself over and over again. Since she'd made that declaration, no one had gotten in her way. She'd been alone for a long time and part of her, the bigger part, preferred it that way.

Gunning the throttle on her V-Rod, she tore off down the desolate road. The wind stung her face and her long auburn hair splayed out behind her like flames in the dying desert light. She loved that feeling. It was as if the independence she had forced on herself was screaming back at her, telling her she'd made all the right choices this time.

Somewhere in the distance, she heard the brief keening of a coyote. She smiled wryly again and with no conscious thought, she tipped her head back slightly and answered with a guttural scream. This was her element, open road and wild things living their lives as best they knew how.

Nothing in the desert was oversensitive or complained or cried too much. Oh no, those thoughts were unimaginable out here. With her newfound autonomy, no one would ever say those kinds of things about her again either.

The road made a long sweeping turn and the redhead slowed to take it. All the while, her mind reeled. She gritted her teeth and tried to force the thoughts away but they just wouldn't go.

"Jesus Ash, you're so over emotional…" A voice from the past invaded her conscious mind. Unconsciously, her lips curled into a derisive sneer.

"Never again you fucking bastard." She growled to herself or to the wind, she wasn't sure which.

"If you were more like…" She stopped the memory mid stride.

"I AM NOT THAT PERSON!" She roared. The racing of the motor all but drown her out. She didn't care, the powers that be had heard her, they had helped her get this far.

A light in the distance caught her eye. She wasn't sure how long she'd be riding but she knew it had to be about time for a pit stop. Maybe, she hoped, this would be the place.

It seemed that for the longest time, she was looking for her niche. Somewhere in the big world was a place for her and since she'd kicked over her bike in Detroit and taken off down I-75 she'd had the feeling that she was about to find it. It was like she had been standing on the edge of a sheer cliff waiting. When she'd fired up the engine and taken a long last look at her old apartment before riding away, she thought for sure, she'd jumped.

Everything from that point on seemed to be hurling her toward some unknown destiny. She didn't know why but she was excited, almost expectant.

Somehow, in the back of her mind, she knew if she stopped at the lights ahead everything would come together.

As she drew closer she began to think maybe her instincts were wrong, very, very wrong.

This place fit the roadhouse stereotype.

The auburn haired woman could see that it used to be a farmhouse at some point. Since then however, everything looked like it had gone downhill. The shingled roof was bowing in places. Other places it couldn't even be considered shingled. There were no shingles. The windows were mostly boarded over and the parking lot (if you could call it that) was just desert sand, hard packed from years of tires.

Undeterred, the redhead pulled her bike in next to a few others and killed the engine. Apparently, it was a busy night. Cars of all shapes and makes were littered around the ramshackle building and she could hear what appeared to be a bustling business going on inside.

"It's now or never Ash…" She said to herself as she strode up the three rickety stairs that led to the front door and pushed her way inside.

Immediately she was assaulted on all sides by music from an old jukebox near the back and the sounds of people talking or laughing or fighting. She'd been riding alone for so long with only the sounds of her bike and the night that it was almost more than she could bear.

"What can I get ya?" A grizzled old bartender asked her as she walked up.

"Beer…" She replied without really looking at him. "Whatever you've got in a bottle." The older man nodded and slid it down the bar. The redhead nodded and passed a ten over to him. "Keep the change."

"Thank ya little darlin." He smiled a gap toothed grin but she didn't see it. She was already working her way toward a well-used pool table near the jukebox. There was a familiar clack as two women started up a game of nine-ball. Her beer in hand, she found a ratty stool and sat down to watch.

They were sloppy.

Taking a long pull off her beer she shook her head. This would be too easy.

The two women were laughing and drinking and making the occasional shot but this wasn't anything she couldn't handle. Maybe tonight would be profitable after all?

Half an hour and three beers later, the women managed to sink the nine ball. The taller of the two, another redhead, was dancing wildly around the table proclaiming her victory to everyone within earshot.

Silently, the auburn haired woman weighed her options. Funds were running a bit low but that was no problem. She always managed to make ends meet. These two would be too easy. Besides, they didn't look to have much. She snorted and tipped back her beer. The two women barely qualified as marks.

"Hold the phone, make that three…" Ash muttered to herself as a greasy looking longhaired man walked over to the women.

"I'll play the winner." He said leaning indecently close to the taller redhead. His voice was thick and louder than necessary with alcohol. The shorter of the two, a pixie-like woman with black and blonde hair and startling blue eyes laughed and plopped down four stools from Ash.

"Buy me a beer and we'll talk darlin." The taller redhead flirted leaning on her cue to give the interloper a nice view of her ample cleavage. The grease ball broke into a leering grin and shuffled drunkenly off to the bar.

Ash shook her head. Men were so easy.

After a moment, he returned handing the tall redhead a beer. She smiled seductively taking the bottle from him.

"What do you say we make this fun?" He slurred at her. The redhead's face transformed into a mask of confusion as she sipped gingerly on her beer. A twisted smile broke through his face as he reached into his jacket and pulled out a wad of bills. The redhead's eyes got huge then she smiled back engagingly. Slowly, she reached into the back pocket of her black, military issue, fatigue pants and produced a similar wad. "Oh baby, you're gonna wish you never did that." He growled and ran a dirty finger down her cheek.

Ash groaned.

"Don't think you'd ever be touching me like that kid." She chuckled as she watched the show unfold.

"Rack'em!" The redhead commanded as she propped her black booted foot through the rung of a stool and chalked the end of her cue. The grease ball chucked to himself and did as she told him.

"Ladies first." He mocked as his opponent reached back and pulled what appeared to be a throwing spike out of the bun at the back of her neck. The woman shook her hair free and sauntered over to the cue ball. "I'll tell you what…" He leaned over her as she bent to make her shot. "I'll let you play slop. That way, you'll have chance there beautiful." The redhead stood back and leaned into him.

"If you're gonna make it that easy for me maybe we shouldn't be playing for money." Her voice was tinged with innocence. "I mean, if you're that good I'd like to have some money to get back on the road."

Ash jumped as the pixie woman burst out laughing.

"Well then, I'll tell you what there Tits…" He sneered at her. "I'll give you something to get home on…if you win." He came forward with another wad of money and tossed it down next to the others.

"Are you sure? I…I mean I don't have anymore money on me."

"Oh we'll work it out…. if I win."

Ash snorted and shook her head. This was beginning to be disgusting.

Silently, the redhead looked over to her friend. No words were spoken but Ash felt the electricity between them. Something was about to happen and from the look on the redhead's face it wasn't going to be good for the grease ball.

With a slight inclination of her head, the taller red head resumed her position on the table. Cue poised at the cue ball she aimed.
"Are you sure about this?" She glanced up at the man with a child like look in her eye.

"Oh yeah baby, I'm sure, more than sure." He said, his voice heavy with the reward he was sure he was about to receive. She shrugged and continued to aim.

"Hey…" She said up to him again, this time a sly grin crept across her dark eyes as he glanced down at her. She winked and let the cue fly, never taking her eyes off him.

There was a loud crack as the cue ball collided with the neat rack. The table all but lit up with flying color. Suddenly there was a solid thunk and the redhead stood up to admire her handy work.

"You crazy bitch!" The grease ball swore as his eyes shot over the table. "You sunk the fucking nine ball!"

"I gave you plenty of opportunity to take your money." She said picking up all three bundles of cash and stuffing them down into her bra. "Have a nice fucking day."

"Stupid whore! You fucking cheated!" He continued. The redhead rolled her eyes and walked over to her friend. The grease ball followed her grabbing her by her arm.

"Take your hands off me." The redhead said venomously, her dark eyes burning through the man's face.

"Give me back my money you cheating bitch." He said wrenching her close to him. The redhead gave a startled squeak as she lost her footing.

Before she had a chance to reply, the brunette was off her stool and behind him, a knife poised to his throat. The grease ball froze.

"Good boy, now let my friend go." She said plainly. Slowly, the man let go of the redhead's wrist and put his hands up in supplication.

"H…hey…c'mon I was just playin around." He stuttered.

"Of course you were…" The redhead cooed to him. There was a nearly inaudible click and Ash caught a hint of silver as the taller woman positioned another knife all too close to the man's groin. "Now, take whatever money you've got left and get the fuck out of here. Okay sweetie?" He nodded nervously and the two women released him.

"Crazy fuckin' bitches…" He muttered and disappeared through the crowd.

Ash watched in amusement as they set up for another game.

"Nice work." She heard herself saying before she could stop herself. The shorter brunette stopped and turned to face her.

"What business is it of yours?" She scowled and stepped closer to her.

"That was a compliment." Ash said leaning against the wall nonchalantly. "You might want to be more grateful."

The brunette raised an eyebrow and looked back to her friend in surprise.

"Well what do you know, this one's got attitude." The tall redhead nodded.

"Yeah she does. Apparently she doesn't know who she's fucking with." The redhead said pulling out her wicked looking knife.

"Neither do you." Ash chuckled.

"Let's go outside." The brunette said calmly. Ash shook her head.

"Go on if you want. I'm not trying to start anything." She said and slid off her stool to grab another beer.

When she returned the brunette was making quick work of some poor schmuck who had obviously missed the previous scene. She shook her head and smirked as she resumed her place on the rickety old stool.

"I've got next game." She called over to them. Both women turned to her.

"Do you now?" The redhead questioned her. Ash nodded and grabbed a cue off the wall.

"You wanna take this one Tanya?" The taller woman asked her friend.

"Nah, there's a dartboard with my name on it." She shrugged. "You can handle it I'm sure."

"Suit yourself." She shrugged as Tanya sauntered off then turned to Ash. "C'mon kid. This is gonna be fun."

"Rack'em." The auburn haired woman said confidently as she threw her hair back into a ponytail and chalked up the end of her cue.

The balls clacked softly as the taller woman snugged the rack tight and removed the guide.

"After you." She said condescendingly and stepped back hooking her big boot into a stool and leaning down on her knee. Ash walked around the table and took aim at the cue ball. "Nine ball is alright with you isn't it?" The redhead added snidely.

"It's just my game." Ash said without taking her eyes off the table. There was a quick inhalation of breath and then CRACK! All nine balls went flying across the felt. With a solid thunk, the number seven ball rolled placidly into the corner pocket. Ash smiled. "One down, eight to go." She said raising a taunting eyebrow to her opponent.

"By all means…" The other woman said motioning toward the table. Ash cocked her head to the side, green eyes flashing annoyance, then shook it off and aimed for her second shot.

Click… the number one ball disappeared into the bowels of the table.

"Seven…" Ash said through her clenched jaw. Her opponent was clapping.

"Go on, please." She said lighting a cigarette out of a tattered pack in her pocket.

"Time to show her how it's done." Ash muttered to herself as she picked her shot at number two. "Two rails and it's in the corner." She said glancing at the other woman. The tall redhead waved her cigarette toward her. Ash cracked her neck and pulled back for the shot. There was a pop as the cue ball collided into the number two forcing it off the far rail and back across the table to the other bumper. Both women watched as it rolled slowly back toward the pocket and glanced off the corner guard spinning back to the center of the green. "Shit."

"Alright little girl, let me show you a thing or two." The tall redhead chuckled stretching and tucking her hair behind her ear. Her black custom cue flashed in the dim light as she made her way over to the table. "Now, you missed. That means its ball in hand." She smiled the smile a shark would if it were to apologize for eating you. "Let's see, where do I want to put this ball?" She sighed oozing condescension as she walked easily around the table. "This'll work." The taller woman glanced up making eye contact with Ash as she set the white ball down among the others. "Watch and learn."

Inside, Ash was furious. How did she miss that shot! Never in a million years should that have happened. The bitch of a redhead wasn't helping her frustration level any either. Deep down, Ash knew it was all a part of her strategy and that just made it worse. She was playing right into her hand but she'd be damned if her opponent would see it.

"You see…er…what was your name?" The redhead asked absently as she sent the cue ball flying and neatly sunk the number two ball. "Oh never mind, it's not that important." She stood up and walked over to the other side of the table taking aim at the three. "It's all a matter of trajectory, force, and geometry." She rambled arrogantly chalking up her cue. "I know exactly where the ball will go and how fast it will get there." She aimed and suddenly the number three was gone. "Maybe, if you're good, I'll teach you." The redhead took a deep drag off of her cigarette and exhaled over the table. The bluish smoke curled eerily in the ragged light.

"Then there's the matter of attitude." She continued aiming. Two rails later, the number four was gone deep into the corner pocket. "You picked the wrong women to fuck with little girl. This is how we live." She stopped looking Ash dead in the eyes. Ash shuddered at the intensity in her dark brown eyes.

As quickly as the intensity was there it was gone and she was aiming at the five. CLACK! It was gone right behind the four.

"Now, control the cue ball." She said wandering to the foot of the table and taking a clear shot on the six. It was gone. "Did you see how it rolled exactly where I wanted it? I could show you that too." She flipped her long red hair out of the way and reached around her back for a shot at the eight. It bounced off three rails and sunk into the side.

Ash's heart dropped into her stomach.

"Finally, there's winning graciously." She laughed. "You'll have to learn that on your own, kid. I don't play for the fun of it." The redhead smiled wryly at the smaller woman and made her shot without taking her eyes off her quarry. The nine ball bounced around the table before sliding back across the green and into her hand that was covering the corner pocket closest to her.

"Jesus Christ…" Ash muttered as her opponent walked over to her, the last ball still shining in her hand.

"Why don't you keep this, hon? Consider it a souvenir from class tonight."

Ash reached out and took the ball staring at it as if tonight was its fault, then dropped it down onto the green.

"Good game." She said and tossed down a wad of bills before turning to leave.

"What the hell is this?" The taller woman called to her before she got far. Ash sighed heavily and, sucking the defeat into her where it wouldn't show, turned back to her.

"Call it a class fee." She said and continued back toward the door.

"KID!" She turned again. "I don't want your fucking money." The redhead grinned, walked over to her, and stuck the money into the waistband of Ash's road soiled jeans.

Ash snorted.

"Take it. I'm not gonna owe you anything." She seethed and threw the money on the floor at the redhead's feet.

"Oh, so you know this game too eh?" She nodded appreciatively. "Smart kid." Ash felt like the redhead's too dark eyes were boring into her brain. "My name is Erica." She continued holding out a hand.

"Ash." The smaller woman returned but didn't shake her hand. Erica raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe not so smart."

"What do you want?" Ash asked crossing her arms over her chest. Erica shrugged and smiled a strange smile. "Whoa, no… Don't even think that. I don't swing that way." Ash blabbered unconsciously stepping away from the other woman. Erica burst out laughing.

"Jesus Christ! You are so not my type." The redhead was near tears.

"So you're gay."

"Hardly dear…I was not coming onto you."

"Oh…" The redness was creeping up Ash's face. "Then…what?"

"I dunno yet. You like riding alone?" Now Ash shrugged. "I didn't think so. What are you looking for, kid?"

For a long moment the auburn haired woman was quiet. What was she looking for? Was this it? Granted, Ash hadn't been much of an angel since she left Detroit but finding two serious hustlers in a shit hole roadside bar couldn't possibly be what the Fates had signed her up for, could it?

"Just getting through I guess." She finally said quietly. Erica laughed.

"C'mon, let's find my friend and the get the hell out of here."

Erica dragged Ash by the arm through the seedy crowd to a row of battered and punctured dart boards in a room Ash hadn't realized was there.

"Watch this…" Erica whispered to her as they crossed the threshold. From the door, they had a perfect view of the brunette woman as she loosed a dart. It stuck firmly into the triple twenty spot. There was a crowd gathered around her and a tall gangly man as they played.

Tanya smiled confidently and let another dart fly. It bit down right next to the first. The drunken spectators let out a ragged cheer. Erica laughed as the aggravation bubbled to the surface of Tanya's opponent's face.

Ash could see Erica and her friend shared the same knowing grin as she let her last dart fly. There was a thump and it stuck making a perfectly straight line with the other two.

The crowd when crazy, screaming and yelling and thrusting beers toward her as they watched.

"TANYA!" Erica yelled and ran a hand through her long hair. "Time to go!" The smaller woman held up a beer and nodded before pounding it.

"Yeah, this place is about tapped out." The short brunette said as she sauntered over to her friend. "What's she doing here?"

"I think she's gonna be riding with us for a little while." Erica cast her dark eyes over Ash again. It made her shiver.

"Whatever…" Her friend shrugged. "Let's go."

"Don't mind her. She warms up slow." The taller woman reassured Ash as they followed the brunette's lead out the front door to their bikes.

"What's your name anyway?" The little woman asked finally as she threw a leg over her red flamed Sportster.

"Tanya, this is Ash. Ash? Tanya." Erica interjected before she kicked over her old black Night Train.

"Ah…Good. Where's your bike?" Tanya asked looking Ash up and down.

"It's the V-Rod on the other side of that truck." She pointed. Both women craned their necks and nodded approvingly.

"Nice ride." Tanya said honestly.

"Yeah, it is. Now, why don't you go get on it so we can get the fuck out of Dodge?" Erica agreed.

"Where are we going?" Ash finally got up the nerve to ask. Both women looked at her strangely.

"To find your destiny kid. Or to hell, whichever comes first." Erica laughed and revved her beast of a bike.
"LET'S GO!" Tanya called impatiently and walked her bike up so it was parallel with Erica's. "Just try to keep up. Alright?"

"Don't worry about that." Ash chuckled and pulled her bike up to meet theirs.

"Great, then let's go." Tanya said. "Lead on oh red haired one!" She teased Erica. The taller woman rolled her eyes and gunned the engine sending up a cloud of sand as she tore out onto the road, the other two women close behind her.