Chapter 20
"Where exactly are we going?" the roar of the engine echoed through the cavern tunnel drowning out her voice, to her ears anyway, god only knows how Canadian was managing with his dog like hearing. "We're headed to the Backlands to meet the others and hang out there a bit"
"But I thought the Backlands were only for the boys?" she heardhim give a short laugh "It is, but who's to say you're really a girl eh?" she gave a killer look at his back but said nothing in reply to his dig
"So why exactly did you invite me on this little escapade?" she felt him shrug "It may be the last time I see you for a while. I figured we should hang out while we can" she gripped him tighter, half hugging him half holding on "You're awesome, you know that! But I don't think I'll ever get used to riding one of these things!" he laughed again and went faster making her grip him even tighter. She silently hoped she cracked a rib.
They pulled up in front of the rest of Diggers team. Aerrow, Radarr, Finn and Junko were with them. "Why'd you bring her?"
"Yeah I thought this was a men's only thing!"
"I'll let you know if I see a man!" she shot
Finn and Billy Rex looked at each other then back at Digger and Blinx "Didn't Stork want to come?" Finn asked pathetically
"Stork would rather watch paint dry then spend time with you Finn" Blinx and Finn glared at each other. "Come on guys! Just this once? I'll take her straight back to the Condor after! I won't take her through the village!" pleaded Digger.
Billy Rex and Bobby Bones, the third in the trio, discussed it between themselves for a minute until finally Rex spoke up "Fine! Just this once! But we tell no one and don't blame me if she breaks a nail eh" Blinx looked down at her hands, specifically her nails "I don't have any nails to break. They're too short" she showed him her hands to emphasise
"And don't think we'll act like gentlemen just because you're a lady!"
Finn scoffed at the Blizzarians comment. Blinx gave a crooked smirk and feigned a slight, bad, Texan accent "I don't know if y'all been told, but, I ain't no lady" Billy Rex gave her a scrutinizing look "Obviously. I've never met a more masculine looking female"
she jumped off the ride advancing on him quickly "Excuse me?!"
"You're excused"
"Don't get smart with me!"
"Someone has to be coz' you aren't eh"
"If I hear another word fall from your mouth I will kick your ass from here to next year!"
"Only next year?"
"I would kick you farther but I don't think you could handle more than a year!"
"Who says I couldn't"
"I do you pup!"
"Oh you're cute"
"I'm not cute! I'll mess you up!"
"Try it!"
"I will!"
The others stood to the side watching the verbal tennis match, Digger and Aerrow both shaking their heads. Finn was just glad it wasn't him this time and thought it was rather entertaining to watch.
Eventually both of them calmed down enough to try and enjoy each other's company, note the word try.
Things got better after the snowball fight, courtesy of Radarr, although Blinx enjoyed taking out Finn on more than one occasion.
After a few hours they all headed back to the Condor and into the Hanger. Turns out the Storm Hawks were leaving momentarily, meaning Piper had also returned a while ago.
The boys, save for Digger, ventured further into the air ship to say their goodbyes.
Blinx leaned against a wall while Digger leaned over her "When you said "it may be the last time you see me" I didn't think it would be so soon. I think I can honestly say, you're my best friend and I'm gonna miss you" a lonely silence hung in the air for a while before anything else was said "You need to remember to practice. If what you said earlier is true, you may find it useful eh"
"How d'you know I wasn't lying?"
"I would hear if you were lying"
They chuckled to themselves before she was enveloped in his arms "You're so warm Diggs"
He gave another chuckle but stopped short when the booming laughter of his mates filled the area. He groaned "Great! They'll never let me live it down" he stepped back "See ya soon eh!"