A/N: My state is teasing me with spring by throwing out some snow, LOL
Maybe by April I can breathe freely.
The shock of discovering the corpse of Hal Bircham, presumably by his own hand, flowed through Langley like a big wave.
In real life, most murder cases don't culminate into a harrowing climax. They more often than not end with a whimper.
The whole department felt the fear of coming across another dead body. And it was safe to say everyone hoped to find Hal Bircham. Tori would wager that nobody had Bircham being the stiff on their bingo card. It had been an intense couple of days, and every man or woman involved were looking for some relief from the insanity.
Fortunately for Tori, she had a very pleasant distraction.
Jade had texted her earlier that day if she wanted to come over to her place. Tori responded that she would and the medical examiner forwarded the address.
The first time she had gone up to Jade's house, it was black as pitch. Now that it was still light enough outside, Tori could appreciate the drive more. Camano Island was a misleading name, as it was technically a peninsula. State Road 532 going West will get you there from the mainland. It used to take about two hours to get from Langley to there but a new ferry from a Japanese company was making waves (no pun intended) and they were being tried out in the Western U.S.
Tori drove onto the vessel and it took her and dozens of other motorists across the pond to Camano Island. These ran hourly and had a maximum vehicle limit. The man in charge of the ferry manufacturer was adamant about that. He would rather run the floating transporter as frequently as possible than to run it one time overweight. Too many stories about these things tipping over all around the world.
And this bad boy was state of the art, equipped with sophisticated navigation tools designed to assist the operator. This ferry can detect anomalies beneath the surface so as to not damage any reefs or mistakenly run aground. It also was listening to live Doppler radar, checking for any rising storms within 25 miles of the route. Another year or two of the firm success rates of these ferries in the US and Japan, it's only a matter of time until cruise ships begin courting this technology, which was exclusive to the manufacturer.
The Latina breathed in the lovely air blowing across the salty sea. Some of the patrons chose not to partake in the view as they looked green around the gills. Tori just marveled at how spectacular this whole vista was. Imagine living somewhere surrounded with this much natural beauty.
"This is gorgeous!" she sighed to herself.
Speaking of things that are gorgeous...
The detective thought about the medical examiner she woke up beside the other day. Tori loved her job very much but she wished she didn't have to report to the precinct that morning. It would have been nice if she had the day wide open and there was no rush. Tomorrow was Saturday...
What if they could...?
Highland Drive was a narrow road, the kind of paved passage that opposing vehicles had to carefully sashay around one another to not get clipped. Tori was on her guard as the street curved here and there, hiding a potential oncoming car. When the GPS chimed that she was at the right place, Tori slowed down. Highland was lined with trees on both sides, the clearings revealing houses. They were each different, in both design and color.
One thing that tied (most) of them together was a rather crude address marker. Each home had what looked like a thick board with the numbers painted on them. Nothing fancy, definitely done by hand. The same could be said for the roughly twenty feet of unassuming fence that obscured a good chunk of Jade's property. There was a wooden plank missing from the barrier and it was unpainted, unvarnished. Tori could tell because the wood took on a green tinge from the elements.
Then again, one of her neighbors had half a dozen boats and about as many gutted vintage Volkswagen, bisected by a damn of hastily stacked firewood. So, it could have been worse.
The gap between a thick tree and where the "fence" ended led right to the driveway, technically the rear of the house facing the road. It was only when you got up to walk around the garage that you saw the front door proper, which oversaw an expansive yard which itself yielded a breathtaking vista of its own.
Again, awash in the darkness of night with no outdoor lighting much of this was lost, especially in the haste of rushing to help Jade's neighbor.
"It's really something, isn't it?"
Tori turned around to see Jade walking up behind her. The Latina realized she had been standing there for a couple of minutes just admiring Jade's home.
"Your house is nice but MY GOD THIS VIEW!"
She just laughed at Tori's incredulity.
Over the years, having spent many evenings relaxing out here, either alone or otherwise; Jade always saw it as a special place. While Tori was in awe, Jade associated this beautiful domain with a warm feeling in her chest. It was more than where she lived. It was her sanctuary.
Tori pointed to the edge of the yard.
"Am I seeing things, or is that a private beach?"
The blonde nodded with a smile.
"We kind of share it, but yes I have my own little slice of heaven out there."
"May I see it?" she turned to asked.
Jade thought about it and loved the idea.
"There should still be chairs out. How about you go down there and I'll meet you in a minute with some drinks?"
The brunette blinked and grinned.
"Sounds good," Tori nodded and started walking.
"Just watch your step!" Jade called out before retreating inside the house.
On the way, Tori saw this open structure, no walls with only a floor and ceiling. It was filled with all kinds of junk and some pieces of timber. She just shrugged and moved on, something on the opposite side catching her eye. A small square wooden platform where the only two sides had a railing and those side met at a point, facing the water. The platform was about ten feet from a fire pit. That looked like it would make for a nice intimate spot to relax when the seaside would be too cold.
Finally, she made it to the handful of steps leading to the private beach. Tori made a point to mind her footing per Jade's warning. There was also a little sign that forbade any bonfires on the beach. Again, the fire pit in the yard would render than unnecessary.
Tori looked left and right and saw a few scant neighbors relaxing on their own portion of sandy serenity. She then noticed two lawn chairs with an old wooden crate between them presumably to serve as a makeshift table. The cop shrugged and deftly wiped the chairs down with her hand, knocking off any dirt or dust. No telling how dirty they could get when they're just left out here all the time. Then again, why pack up when the beach was always outside your door?
She settled down onto one of the chairs, letting her shoes sink into the giving ground. Tori was suddenly four years old, smirking at the footprint she was creating with her shoes.
"Having fun?" Jade chuckled.
Tori looked up at the beautiful doctor holding a couple of lemonades. She handed Tori a glass, ice clinking as it moved.
"Thanks," she smiled as Jade got herself situated whilst keeping her glass perfectly leveled to not spill a drop.
"I...hope this was alright," she shrugged.
Tori sipped her sweet beverage and sighed with delight.
"No, I just haven't had any of this in a while. I remember going to the diner with my dad and I'd get this or milk while he had black coffee."
Jade shuddered at that.
"I enjoy some coffee but straight up is too bitter for me!"
"I was a bit thrown off when you said drinks back there."
The medical examiner giggled.
"Yeah, didn't know if you were a drinker or not."
Tori sipped some more contentedly.
"Don't think I'm complaining. This is delicious. You made this yourself?"
Jade drank some of her own.
"I added the water and the sugar, if that's what you mean."
Tori laughed, letting out a tiny snort.
The pair grew quiet and just observed the gently cresting water. How could a body of water this massive be so calm when approaching shore? Tori was used to the raging waves that cascaded down on the hot beaches of California. Then again, this wasn't the Pacific Ocean.
"This must be busy when it gets warm," the detective mused.
"It does," Jade confirmed. "But my favorite thing is whale watching."
The tan one lifted a brow.
"Oh, really?"
She nodded.
"Yep, but you need something to get a good view. I've got some binoculars back at the house."
Tori leaned back into her chair, closing her eyes and savoring the somber sounds of the water and geese in the distance.
"Whales are cool but it's pretty sweet just like this. So peaceful."
Blue eyes couldn't resist seeing the attractive police officer looking so Zen right now. Her heart skipped a beat when Tori licked her lips as she tasted the sour still on her tongue.
"I can't even imagine ever going away. Right here is so...amazing."
Tori opened one eye.
"Why did you leave, Jade?"
The blonde woman blew a long puff of air and let it drift across the water, however far it would travel.
"Remember when I told you my aunt died?"
Tori nodded.
"Shortly after that...it was actually right here when I decided...that I needed to get away from myself."
"Oh...I get it."
"But it wasn't a vay-cay or anything. All I did was kind of what I do here only in Louisiana." Jade sighed and set down her nearly empty glass. "Sounds so stupid when I say it."
"No."
Jade glanced at Tori.
"No, it's not stupid. You wanted to keep busy while you worked through your grief and an empty house that you once shared with her didn't sound ideal."
The pale woman marveled at the officer. What a perceptive soul.
"I mean..." the Latina smirked. "You could have sunk into a rabbit hole of booze and drugs. I think your method of coping was very healthy." Tori frowned, thinking briefly of her mother. "Wished more people had that mentality...when things got to be too much."
A sharp breeze marched across the area, causing the ladies to shiver.
"Our refreshments are getting low," Jade acknowledged. "And so is the temperature. How about we get inside?"
"NO!"
Andre leaned against the wall, refusing to budge.
"Traylor, I'm not going to say this again. I am giving you my room."
The woman ran her hand through her long hair.
"Look it, I know you're a gentleman..." she huffed. "It can be super annoying!"
He just scoffed.
"I'm already putting you out as it is! I will be FINE with the pull-out couch!"
This had been going on for almost an hour, back and forth.
Andre threw up his hands.
"Okay, okay, suit yourself," the man sighed. "I was just trying to be a good host."
Traylor folded her arms.
"And you ARE!" she smiled. "But please allow me to be a good guest!"
"Okay, fair."
He looked down at the backpack, duffel bag and trash bag on the floor.
"Got everything you need?"
"I think so," Traylor huffed, folding her arms. "Why?"
He cleared his throat as he walked around the room casually.
"Being a detective, we normally don't get normal time off. Since getting this case, this'll be my first weekend at home in months. If you didn't have to run back home for something, we could just hang tomorrow. If that's...alright with you?"
She twirled her hair with one finger like she was twisting spaghetti onto a fork.
"A lazy day? That actually sounds kind of nice."
When they were settled inside the house, Jade started a fire and Tori eagerly ran to stand in front of it. She shook her head at the officer's displeasure for the cold. It was clear who grew up in Southern California and who grew up in the Pacific Northwest.
"You alright over there?" Jade chuckled.
"I don't know how you put up with the cold!" Tori shivered.
"Damn, Vega!" the blonde smirked. "It's not even winter yet. Just you wait!" She then threw a blanket over her and perched on the sofa. "Besides, LA is way worse. Isn't it like a hundred degrees down there?"
"Yeah, but its a dry heat!" Tori protested, pulling on the edges of the blanket to make a cocoon. "You must have had fun down in the south!"
Jade chuckled and put her feet up.
"You ain't kidding! That was anything BUT a dry heat. Bitch, if there was no air conditioning I would have left long ago."
Jade noticed Tori rubbing the bandage on her head with the tip of her forefinger.
"Does it hurt?" she asked.
"Not really," the cop huffed. "Just...fuckin itchy!"
The doctor stood up and took her by the hand.
"Come on..." the blonde sighed. "Let's get you in better light and I can check that."
The lady of the house ushered Tori into her bedroom where the adjacent door led to the master bathroom.
"Have a seat!"
Tori obeyed and parked it on the closed toilet while Jade leaned against the sink, the angle having Tori in the direct path of the bright bulb. She put her thin capable fingers on the Latina's chiseled face and tilted it back and toward the side until she was satisfied.
"Hold still..."
"'Kay," Tori breathed softly.
The medical examiner slowly unfurled the bandage so as to no disturb the patch job. Indeed, the sutures had done their job and Tori was showing real improvement in less than a week's time. Jade quickly washed her hands and dried them with a rag hanging near the sink before touching the wound. Tori mentally prepared herself for a stinging sensation but all she did was feel Jade's smooth contact.
"How's it look?" Tori asked.
"Looking good, honestly" Jade smiled. "Wanna see?"
She stepped aside so that Tori could stand and gaze into the mirror with the adequate lighting around her.
As Jade had warned her, she was left with a noticeable scar. Tori could imagine how she would look without stitches and there would be a thin jagged discoloration for the rest of her life. She frowned at first, not used to having so much as a pimple or a black eye. But then Tori remembered what Jade also said.
"What was it you told me..." the tan woman sighed. "That chicks dig scars?"
Jade blushed as she turned to face her.
"Might I ask why that is?" Tori asked in a throaty tone of voice.
"Uh, well..." the doctor coughed, feeling flustered. "I always interpreted scars as...life tried to get you down but you refused. You're a survivor."
It was more than just scars from injuries. There were emotional scars from survivors of abuse who resisted being broken. There were surgical scars from people who achieved gender confirmation. To Jade and many others, scars represented a badge of courage the way a soldier was awarded a medal. Precious few make it in this world and leave without scars.
Jade saw that scar on Tori's forehead, just above the left eye, and only saw a testament to how much of a badass she is.
"Hold still again," she sighed as she applied a fresh bandage to cover the hospital's handiwork. While Tori leaned down just enough for Jade to reach, she used the second to peek down her shirt. "There we go."
"I only survived because of you," Tori whispered as they were only inches apart at this point. "I mean that."
Jade sighed before kissing her sweetly on where the scar was.
Tori lifted her head up, both women's cheeks flushed.
Not thinking, Tori then kissed Jade on her forehead. The blonde reciprocated with a kiss on the detective's long neck, making her hum contentedly. Jade's breath hitched as the taller one bit her lip before her lips landed on the good doctor's porcelain neck. But Tori's was a little spicier, her strong hands clasping her face as if she didn't want anything to get between her and her prey.
Jade was so enthralled that her hands began ascending up Tori's back, under her t-shirt. Tori allowed a wee bit of nibbling on her intense kiss in response. She was this close to being a vampire and Jade wouldn't think of running away.
(Mark me, Vega! MARK ME!)
Tori had never been with a woman before, not like this. Rosalinda blindsided her with that stolen kiss. This was mutual, intimate and theirs. She fantasized about what would she do when faced with a beautiful woman. How would she kiss? Where would she touch first? Surprisingly, the cop didn't think too hard. Tori just went with her baser instincts, and it would appear Jade was enjoying herself.
Jade tested the waters by taking a small step back. No activity on Tori's lower extremities. Then Jade motioned a bit further back and this time Tori followed. Now, she knew she could lead the Latina. Tori released Jade from her love nibble but she was still very much in Jade's grasp. Brown eyes flashed to the side briefly and saw where Jade's reverse maneuver was leading them to.
The cop steadied herself for a soft landing, allowing Jade to plop onto the bed and Tori landing on top but to not crash on her.
Jade exhaled shakily.
(HOLY SHIT! what did we just do?!)
Her intrusive thoughts were quickly dispelled with a grin from Tori before lowering herself down for a kiss. Again, Jade's eyes widened with pleasure when Tori's warm hands enveloped her face.
(You're mine, West!)
A muffled "OH!" came from Tori's throat as her mouth was occupied. Their lips separated so she could see Jade's hand on her breast.
Jade pressed a very unambiguous button. Tori then felt very brazen and something she never thought she'd have the nerve to say just came out.
"You want to play?" the officer asked.
"I want to play!" sighed the medical examiner.
The Latina showed her cat-like reflexes by rolling over to free Jade while positioning herself to the back of the bed.
Chills snaked up Jade's back and she stiffened.
"Um...give me...five minutes!"
Tori had her hand already in position to begin undoing her belt.
"I'll be here..." she smiled.
The blonde ran into the bathroom and leaned against the closed door, looking at her own reflection in the mirror. Licking her lips and trying to control her own breathing, the doctor started taking off her clothes until she was only in a bra and panties. They weren't black but a very deep blue. Close enough. Jade found herself looking at herself at different angles, trying out different poses.
This was the first woman she had taken to bed in months! Sufficient to say, the woman was rattled.
Jade practically jumped over to the sink to squeeze out what turned out to be too much toothpaste and started brushing like mad. In her haste, she inadvertently knocked over the small cup she used to rinse and didn't have time to begin searching where it rolled to. Jade cupped her hand and gathered enough water to sip so she could rinse and spit. Breathing on her hand, she was confident that her breath was fine.
Now closer to the mirror, Jade leaned on the edge of the sink. She was going for that sultry lean that makes the bust pout out. Her creamy mounds were presented very nicely by the blue bra. Jade pushed on them, did some light jumps to make them jiggle, and even moved one strap down and practiced her bedroom eyes.
(Bitch, you're overthinking it! Clearly, she wants you, so get your ass out there!)
Jade opened the bathroom door and saw Tori was under the covers. Her clothes were thrown asunder around the bed.
"Hey," the blonde swallowed.
"Hey yourself," Tori smirked back.
Brown eyes darted this way and that, raising Jade's curiosity.
"What?"
"In my excitement getting to this point..." Tori bit her lip. "I kind of...don't know what to do."
Suddenly, that silly useless sapphic back in the bathroom was gone and Jade felt more in control.
"Well...I suppose since I've been at this longer...I could show you how."
Tori lifted the blanket, inviting her in. Jade slid into the bed, Tori wasting no time cozying close to her.
"You're sure?" Jade asked with those heavenly eyes.
"I want you," Tori nodded. "I feel safe in your hands already."
Jade blushed and softly took Tori's right hand and kissed her fingers, sucking on them randomly. Tori gasped the whole time as she put her left arm around Jade's waist.
"Just follow my lead, okay?"
The tan woman's brain was getting every loud signal from down below.
"I've always been good at following doctor's orders," she teased.
Soft knocks made Andre stir but he stubbornly held onto his sleep. He ignored the creak of the door but couldn't ignore the jostling from his house guest.
"Andre...Andre..."
The man rolled over at the quiet whispers of his name and opened his eyes. The faint moonlight that came through the window captured the green highlight of Traylor's beautiful hair.
"Hey, T" he groaned. "What time is it?"
"It's um...one in the morning," she replied.
Andre rubbed his eyes with his arm and propped himself up with his elbows.
"You alright?"
It was then he noticed her tired but worried face.
"I had a hard time falling asleep."
She took some melatonin earlier, but it wasn't cutting it. While this was anything but unfamiliar surroundings, being alone in the living room didn't sit right with her. It wasn't that the couch bed wasn't comfortable. Frankly, she's experienced worse in her life. But the unease was refusing to let her close her eyes and relax.
"Do you mind if...I sleep with you...just for..."
Andre just shifted over to one side, giving Traylor some room.
"Sorry!" the girl blurted out as she walked around. "It's just that I didn't want to sleep so close to the front door and..."
"Traylor," he sighed. "You don't have to explain. I get it. It's fine, really."
Traylor smiled and got under the covers. She couldn't help but notice that he shifted to the side facing the door, creating a barrier between her and any intruder who would (theoretically) come through. The dark-haired girl looked at the back of her best friend warmly and nestled onto the double pillow setup.
Sleep came within minutes this time.
Two thunderous orgasms later, Tori clung hard to the medical examiner. She was out of breath like she had run a marathon but neither of them left this bed.
Tori Vega proved to be an easier mark than Jade imagined. Or maybe her hands were just that gifted.
"How was that?" the blonde asked.
"Fucking amazing!" the brunette sighed with closed eyes.
She kissed the top of Jade's head while Jade kissed the firm spot between Tori's boobs. She knew that's where the sternum was. That was where the ribcage came together, starting in the back with the spine. The Latina very much enjoyed Jade's breasts, but Jade liked Tori's more understated chest. After kissing that area, the blonde pressed her ear against it, listening to the detective's hammering heartbeat.
"What about you?" Tori asked.
"Mmm?"
"What do you want me to do to you?"
Jade chuckled and played with Tori's erect nipple with the tip of her finger. Her mind went to a silly place.
(Fingerprints in the lab. Finger tits in the sheets. God, I'm a dork!)
"Don't worry..." Jade finally said with a yawn. "You're doing something right now."
"And... that is...?"
"Tori?"
"Uh-huh?"
"Just keep holding me, dummy."
A/N: After all the mayhem, we needed a little cozy time with some of our characters.