DR: It's that timeagain...
O'Neill: What? Time to stay away from a women here 'cause they're so testy...
(gets glared at by Janet, Leena, Kaylee, Sam, Naomi, Zoe, Sarah and Pierce. River just looks puzzled)
O'Neill: What?
DR: No, not that. Time for another story update! This chapter deals mainly with Pierce, and a certain young pilot...(smirks)
Chapter 12: That Final Step
By the time they returned to the Blitz Base, Pierce was feeling a bit better, certainly more alert. The fresh air had helped her clear her head. Throughout the drive she had sat in the back supported by Jamie. She was still feeling unsteady on her feet, and her vision was still wavering however. It was decided that she would go straight to bed to sleep off the drug that Rico had spiked her drink with.
As the three of them entered the lounge of the base, Naomi looked up from her place under Brad's arm. Her eye's widened in shock as she saw the condition Pierce was in. "Good lord, what happened to you?" Her alarmed voice attracted attention from the others in the team, who all looked up.
Jamie grimaced as he considered what they saw. Pierce was leaning heavily on him since her own legs were acting more like sticks. Her free arm hung loose and her hair hung down in a mess. Despite his best efforts, her clothing was all done up wrong, the bottom of the shirt hanging free.
Stroller stepped forwards while Jamie led Pierce towards the closest stairs. "In brief, she went out to see an… old friend, who spiked her drink."
Sarah gasped before she rushed out of the kitchen to Pierce's free side. "How bad?"
Stroller pulled the glass out of the pocket he had put it in. "Not sure, but it put her out for about a half hour, and she's still feeling woozy. This is the glass she drank from."
"What was he going to do?" Leena asked, worry in her voice. Bit hugged her a little tighter out of reflex.
Stroller paused, unsure how to tell the team…
"He was going to rape me…" Pierce managed to say, her voice barely more than a whisper. Several sharp intakes of breath filled the room.
"What about…?"
"Relax Naomi, the local security forces should be all over him by now." Stroller told them. "I called it in, and not only because of what he was going to do. He had a lot of stuff there, very little of which he could have afforded on a military pay scheme."
"You think he dealt with stolen goods?" Brad asked.
Stroller nodded. "The fact that he was living in an expensive mobile home that was hidden away from the road raised my suspicions."
Sarah looked down at Jamie after she had a look at Pierce. "Get her to bed, that's the best we can do for her right now. I hope the computer can identify the drug used…" She picked up the glass in her hand, wrapped in a handkerchief, while Jamie assisted Pierce up the stairs.
"If not, I'm sure the Security Forces will be able to. They'll probably want the glass as evidence…"
Jamie didn't hear any more since he and Pierce had reached the second floor and were now heading down the corridor. Slow they made their way past Brad and Naomi's room, then past Bit's old room. He had moved across the building to sleep with Leena in her room.
As they came up to the door to Vega's room, Jamie heard the sound of pounding feet behind them. He paused to look over his shoulder, and was not surprised to see the team's pet liger bounding after them. While it was friendly with everyone in the team, she seemed particularly fond of Pierce.
Quickly they moved to Pierce's room, between Vega and Stroller's. Sliding the door open, Jamie gently carried Pierce inside, the liger right behind them. Slowly crossing to the bed, he helped her sit down slowly. Even so Pierce still flopped down, lacking the strength to even sit up right. Jamie helped her remove her coat and then her shoes before he pulled the cover across her as she dragged herself to the centre of the bed. The liger leapt up and laid down besides her, its head by hers. Pierce gently rested a hand on the liger's broad shoulder, taking comfort from the animal's presence. Jamie brushed a stray lock of teal hair back as he bent over her. "I'll go get a bucket, just in case…" he trailed off. Pierce just nodded weakly, too tired to argue.
Jamie quickly returned with the bucket, placing it gently by the side of the bed. "Pierce, it's just by the bed." He told her as he sat down besides her. "You'll just need to roll across to reach it." He gently rubbed her shoulder as he spoke.
"I hope I don't need it…" Pierce whispered.
"So do I…" he breathed in reply. Tenderly he bent over to kiss her on the forehead. "Get well soon, my beautiful little lady." He whispered into her ear softly, his hand moving up to her neck as he spoke. For a long moment he sat there, gentle cradling her jaw, before he drew back. He knew his presence was keeping her awake, and Pierce really needed her sleep. Everyone, including him, had noticed how she had looked constantly tired over the last few days.
As he stepped back out of the room, Pierce felt sleep overtake her again. But just before the darkness fell, she realised something, something she had never expected at all. "I didn't mind him calling me 'Little Lady' at all…'
Her eyes drifted shut, and quickly Pierce was asleep. But the liger continued to watch her, its baby blue eyes locked on her sleeping face…
x x x x x x
It was well into the next day before Pierce woke up again. Groaning, she rolled over to stare up at the ceiling, slowly focusing in on the unlit light above the bed. With a note of joy in her heart, her sight was not wavering or blurry at all. Slowly she pulled herself up, rejoicing at the simple achievement of being strong enough to sit upright unsupported. The liger purred besides her as she gathered her thoughts.
'Looks like that nights sleep worked…' Suddenly she realised two things. One, she was ravenously hungry, and two; she needed the toilet that instant!
One second and four long strides later she was sat on the seat, a sigh of relief escaping her lips as she emptied her bladder. The thought that Rico's precious drug was being sent down to the sewer system brought a smile to her lips. Once done, she took a quick look at herself in the mirror. Her long teal hair was mussed up and heinously tangled, and her clothes were all rumpled and sweat stained. Sighing, she quickly stripped off the rancid garments before stepping into the shower. She turned the heat well up to assist her in getting rid of all the crud that had built up. Plus it helped her feel that she was washing away Rico's touch.
She stepped out slow afterwards, feeling vastly more human. As she towelled herself dry, she noticed the liger watching her. Surprisingly Pierce felt no shame about being stark naked before the liger. 'Maybe because it's not human…'
Dropping the towel to the floor, she picked up her dressing gown, one of the few luxury items she had treated herself to. She had always loved the feeling of a warm fuzzy robe around her, and after her time at the Backdraft with their communal showers, she was not about to pass up the chance to enjoy that feeling again!
As she slipped a pair of slippers on, she noticed the liger had moved so that it sat before the door out into the corridor. It looked at her, then at the door, then back to her. A small cry came from its mouth.
"All right, I'm coming…" Pierce said sweetly as she stepped up to open the door. The liger's nose was practically rubbing the end of the door as she opened it, and once the gap was wide enough the liger slipped through and raced off. Pierce shook her head as she followed at a much more sedate pace.
As she turned onto the main stairs, Pierce was struck by how quiet the base was. There was barely any sound coming from the other rooms… then the smell of bacon reached her nose, along with the hiss of a frying pan. Pierce's stomach rumbled loudly as a reminder, like she needed it, of just how hungry she was.
As she stepped past the breakfast bar, Naomi called from within the kitchen. 'So finally up huh?" Her voice was filled with both cheer and relief. "You had us all worried for a time there."
"Sorry." Pierce replied sheepishly as she sat down on one of the stools. She noticed that there didn't appear to be anyone else around, and so she looked at Naomi directly. "Where is everyone?"
"Oh, after you left yesterday, we received notice of our team's next battle." Naomi told her as she turned the bacon over under the grill. "Unfortunately it's today, and the team had to leave early to make the battle site on time."
Pierce frowned. "How long was I out? My memories a little vague…"
"Not surprising considering what he gave you." Naomi said, turning to face the younger woman. "You got back here just before seven, and you've been asleep since then." She glanced at the clock on the wall. "It's getting on for about two."
'Almost eighteen hours!' Pierce's jaw dropped as she realised just how long she had been asleep. 'No wonder I felt so messy when I woke up…' Her thoughts trailed off as she saw Naomi put her hands to the small of her back and lean back, wincing slightly.
"Naomi, you should not be here alone in your condition!" Pierce quickly stood up and moved round to her. "Surely one of the others should be here too!"
Naomi smiled sadly. "Unfortunately they need everyone for the battle, since we're currently two pilots light."
"What about Sarah?"
"She said she had to go along today as well. Some errand she has to run." With a twinkle in her eyes, Naomi turned back to the food she had been preparing.
Pierce looked at her, an eyebrow raised. 'What on Zi is she thinking?' They had all lived together enough that everyone had learned most of the tell-tale signs of the other members of the team, and Pierce could tell that Naomi suspected the reason for Sarah's 'errand'.
Naomi turned back to her, holding a pair of plates on which where strips of bacon, eggs, and toast. "Not the healthiest meal around," She commented as she sat down at the bar. "But it certainly fills a hole." Pierce's stomach rumbled loudly again, causing both women to break into laughter.
"That's better Pierce." Naomi commented after their mirth had subsided. "You haven't been laughing nearly enough lately."
"I know." Pierce sighed as she attacked her food. "I had a lot on my mind."
"Concerning Jamie?" Pierce nodded, her mouth full. "I understand. I had plenty of sleepless nights myself about Brad."
Pierce smiled with her. "Ah, but were you worried that he'd lose that quality that makes him who he is?"
"You mean his aloofness and distance from everything?" Naomi smiled, her eyes flashing. "To a degree, but really he hasn't. Besides, I was willing to risk it." She laid her fork down, locking her gaze with Pierce. "Is that why you've been holding back with Jamie?"
"Yeah…" Pierce said quietly, her head tipping forwards. She still felt uncomfortable talking about the subject. "He's got this innocence about him that I really love, and if we… take things further, I'm worried he'd lose that…" Pierce stopped as she saw that Naomi was chuckling. "What's so funny?"
"Jamie, innocent? I wouldn't say that about him, considering he's been around everything that's been going on recently…" Pierce couldn't help but smile at Naomi's allusion to the passion shared by her and Brad, Bit and Leena, and most clearly Leon and Sarah.
"Personally, I'd say it's more embarrassment rather than innocence. He's still a little shy Pierce. I'm sure you'll have great fun finding out just what's hidden under that…" Pierce blushed brightly at Naomi's bold statement. She couldn't think of a reply to that for the rest of their meal.
As they finished, the liger stalked in, crying up at them, eyes wide open. It was the cry she used when she was really hungry.
"Yes, I'll get you yours." Naomi told the kitten as she stood up. "Pierce, could you deal with the plates, while I feed Angel?"
Pierce looked up in shock. "Since when did the liger get a name?"
"Since last night. She laid next to you all night, like a little guardian angel." Naomi left out the fact that Jamie had spent most of the night outside Pierce's room himself.
"Well, she isn't going to be a 'little' angel for much longer." Pierce commented as the aforementioned Angel wolfed down the meat that Naomi had set out for her. With the plates in the wash, both women sat down on the sofa to watch the ZBC broadcast of the battle featuring their team. Angel soon joined them, lying down between them to have good wash.
The Blitz was up against the Thunder team, a team that had a strong preference for heavy weaponry. They were also one of the larger teams in Class S, able to field ten warriors and twelve zoids. Today's selection had a pair of Gunblusters, four Dibisons, a trio of Command Wolfs fitted with heavy turrets and a Raynos loaded out with a pair of cluster bomb racks.
Things started badly for the Blitz as the Thunders opened up with their heavy artillery. A curtain of explosions descended on the team, bottling them up. The Four Dibisons were firing all their cannons singly, keeping up a constant rain of fire. Two of the wolfs and both Gunblusters had slipped forwards and laid down a ferocious crossfire while the third kept Jamie at arms reach, beyond the range of his lightweight lasers. The Opposing Raynos lumbered forward towards the Blitz, slowed by the heavy bomb racks.
First blood went to the Thunders, battering the Fury and Liger Zero, but first kill went to the Blitz, as Brad slipped to the side and cut down one of the Gunblusters. Leena then unleashed her own artillery fire, backed up by Stroller and his Elephander. The hail of fire tore apart one of the Dibisons and stunned the others, allowing Leon to break through the barrage and go for the flank across from Brad. The rest of the team scattered to evade the bombs dropped by the hostile Raynos on its first pass, but before it could loop round for a second, Jamie slipped in behind it and cut a wing off. Pierce smiled as she watched him work. Neat and precise were the hallmarks of a kill made by Jamie.
The remaining Dibisons correctly decided that Leena was the biggest threat, and their next barrage tore up the ground around her. She tried to evade, but the other pilots seemed to be able to predict her moves and the rain of shells continued. It seemed that the massive Iguanosaur would never go down, but after one volley it finally slumped forwards, slowly rolling onto its side.
The Thunder Team were the first to bring down Leena's new zoid, but they paid the price for their concentration of fire. No longer being shelled, Bit and Vega had raced forwards, their ion engines bright. Leon sliced both the zoids on one flank apart in a single charge, while Brad pounced on the Wolf on his flank. Stroller cut down the third wolf at the rear, while Bit and Vega got in close. The Liger Zero used its laser claws on the one Dibison, while Vega slammed feet first into a second. Pierce noted that Vega seemed to like doing that now. She recalled having seen it first used by Raven during that 'Gauntlet' course. 'Looks like he picked up some tips from his forefather…' She thought as the last Dibison pilot surrendered.
x x x x x x
It was much later that day when the Blitz returned home, flushed with their victory. Even Leena was happy at the win, though the damage to her zoid annoyed her. Bit promised to help her fix it, which quickly brought a smile back onto her face.
Jamie smiled sadly as he walked up the stairs to the second floor. He had hoped to see Pierce when they got back, but she had not been in the lounge when they came through. Naomi had told them that she had been up, but that she had retired to her room after watching the battle.
He sighed as he stepped into his room, unclipping his jacket as he did so. Deep down he was not sure how to approach her, wondering just how scarred she was by her recent event. To be betrayed by an old friend like that… it turned his stomach just thinking about it.
Try as he might, he couldn't stop thinking about yesterday, when he and Stroller had busted in on Rico. The image of Pierce with her shirt open and pants round her ankles kept on sliding in, and it was he could do to push it aside and concentrate on the matter at hand. Her smooth creamy skin, not quite as pale as Leena's, that rich teal hair, that slim figure with those long legs…
Shaking his head to try and dislodge the thoughts that were whispering in his ear, he shucked off his jacket before tugging at his gloves. He had removed his shoes when he looked up, his eye drawn to just besides the door. Sitting there in the chair that normally was tucked under his desk was the woman he had been daydreaming about. Even in his shock, Jamie noted that she was not wearing the long boots or gloves that she normally wore.
"Pierce!" He sat bolt upright, his eye's widening in shock. "Wh… what are you doing in here?"
"I wanted to see you." She answered, a tremor in her voice. "Alone."
"Huh? Why?" Pierce didn't answer right away, but stood up and walked towards him. She sat down besides him on the foot of the bed.
"Jamie, I… didn't get a chance to thank you for what you and Stroller did for me yesterday." She laid a hand on his thigh as she spoke, doubling Jamie's pulse.
"Uh, you're welcome…"
Pierce smiled gently. "Jamie, I've been thinking. In fact that's how I got into that mess. I needed a little time to think things through." She paused and took a deep breath, and suddenly Jamie could see that she was just as nervous as he was, if not more so.
She looked into his eyes. "Don't you think it's time we stopped dancing round the issue between us?"
"Er…yea, I suppose…" Jamie gulped.
"Do you love me Jamie?"
"Yes…"
"Do you want me?" Pierce asked, her heart in her throat. What if he said no?
"Oh yes…" He breathed, not quite realising what he was saying until he had. His face flushed brilliantly red.
Pierce smiled happily as she suddenly pivoted round to sit on his lap. Jamie had to crane his head upwards to look at her face. She looked down at him, passion in her eyes.
"If you want me to stop, all you have to do is say so…" She whispered as her head dropped to his. Her hands held the side of his head as their lips touched.
For poor young Jamie, it was if he had kissed a live wire. A sudden rush of heat swept through him, and he returned her kiss with interest. His own hands slid round her waist, before taking a solid grip on her hips. Her own had fallen down to his shoulders, while her hair hung down between them. They both luxuriated in the feeling of the others lips on their own, and any thought about the rest of the team faded from their minds.
Reluctantly Pierce had to pull back to breathe. Opening her eyes, she looked down at his sweet young face. Sparks danced in his eyes and his mouth was slightly open. "Wow…" he breathed.
"If you liked that, you're going to love this…" she growled lustfully. Jamie watched in confusion as she pulled back a little more, one hand going to her throat. His eyes quickly widen rapidly however as she slowly unzipped her jacket, running the zipper all the way down. Slowly she moved her hand back to his shoulder, before sliding it up into his hair on the back of his head. Jamie however barely felt this, as he couldn't take his eyes away from the slice of her skin now completely exposed. She wasn't wearing anything under that suit!
"You want me to stop?" she asked huskily, her breath coming in short pants.
Jamie was completely unable to pull his eyesight away from her heaving chest. "No…" he breathed, before he let her gently pull his head towards her heart…
DR: OKay, we'll give their privacy now...
Jayne: Why? This is getting good...
DR: (glares at Jayne. Jayne backs away, eyes wide. DR turns back to screen) Anyway, next time we meet up with the 'Raiders' again, and Miranda meets the Blitz...(evil grin)
Shadow: And don't forget, reviews are always more than welcome!