Chapter Text
The Grapevine
"Kate Whistler."
"I hope you're happy with yourself! I know you don't like her, but this is low, even for you."
"Hello Cara."
Kate had been expecting this call ever since her conversation with Jane Tennant last week, and she was actually surprised that it had taken this long to come. Lena Van Buren, the woman who had screwed her out of so many things, was doing a magnificent job of destroying her own career, or at least the part of that career that was being played out in Hawaii. Tennant had banned her from the NCIS offices, her counterpart at the FBI had banned her from his building, and there was currently an official sexual harassment complaint filed on behalf of a junior NCIS agent by none other than Tennant herself. Now that Kate was the one who had the inside track on things, she was actually curious to hear what Cara thought she knew.
"Do you know any of the agents at NCIS Hawaii?"
"I do not."
"But you do know Tennant, right?"
"Cara I'm busy, get to the point," Whistler snapped, "and quit calling me from random numbers!"
"Quit ignoring my calls and I wouldn't have to call you from random numbers!" Cara snapped right back.
"Maybe take the hint?" Kate suggested.
"Anyhow," Cara continued, totally ignoring that jab, "Tennant filed a complaint against Lena, said she sexually harassed one of her agents."
"I'm sure she did," Kate replied.
"Whistler!" Cara exclaimed.
"What?" Kate scoffed.
"Like it or not, she's one of us."
"Whatever us you're referring to? Please, leave me out of it."
"She's a lesbian in a position of power who's being threatened by unfounded allegations from what I can only assume is a clearly homophobic accuser," Cara defended, "and as a lesbian in the same male dominated field I would think that you would have her back."
"She's an omnisexual predator who deserves to reap what she sows," Whistler countered, "and if I were you I wouldn't assume anything. Tennant is solid, so if she took the steps to file a complaint then you'd better believe it has merit."
"Wow," Cara responded, a hint of hubris in her voice as she spoke, "you really were in love with me, weren't you?"
"Come again?"
"It's the reason you hate Lena so much," Cara smugly deduced, "because you were in love with me and it broke your heart when you found out I slept with her."
"Don't flatter yourself Cara, Lena was just the last disgusting straw."
"If you were truly over me, why did you even take my call in Hawaii?"
"I literally have no idea," Kate admitted, "in truth, I should have broken up with you before I left, and I regret that I didn't."
"Regret because you were over me? Or regret because now you're just like me?"
"I'm nothing like you!" Kate snapped.
"Are you sure about that Whistler?"
"You were in bed with Lena when you called me," the blonde said in disgust, "whatever you presume I did, it couldn't possibly be worse than that."
A heavy silence hung on the line for a moment, and Kate was sure that Cara had finally gotten the message. Just as she was about to hang up, Cara's voice, dripping with angry sarcasm, asked, "Is it Tennant's agent that you met in Oahu? Is she the one you slept with, the one you cheated on me with, the one you're dying to get back to?"
"Are you insane?" Kate asked, so dumbfounded by the ludicrous accusation that she couldn't honestly formulate a better response. "You led this argument with the idea that Lena's accuser was homophobic, but now you flip the script and accuse me of sleeping with her?"
"All I know is that the Whistler who left here for Oahu was mad and hurt, but seemed willing to work on our relationship. She also said, and I quote, "I don't have a side piece, fool that I am, I would never hurt you like that". But then you got on a plane and you went to that island and over the course of that week things changed, you changed. As I recall, when you first arrived in Honolulu you even went so far as to say that the next time you went I should join you! Tell me Kate, what happened between that conversation on your first night and the total freeze out I've gotten from you ever since?"
Lucy happened. The most adorably amazing, ridiculously sexy and incredibly gorgeous woman I've ever known. "Nothing!" Kate lied, "Did you ever consider the fact that you had admitted to cheating on me right before I left, or think that maybe I needed time to process what I'd just learned?"
"So your little island delight was what, payback?" Cara hotly accused.
"I'm hanging up now, "Kate firmly stated, "good-"
"Wait!" Cara exclaimed.
"What?" An irritated Kate replied.
"Do you think you could reach out to Tennant, for me, and ask her to retract the complaint?"
"Absolutely not," a disgusted Kate retorted, "I hope they throw the book at her."
"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Cara accused.
"I would," Kate admitted, "I really, really would."
"Did you ask her to do it?" Cara whispered, her voice so low that Kate almost missed it.
"Excuse me?"
"Tennant, did you ask her to do it?"
"Are you serious right now?"
"Nobody else has anything to gain by tarnishing Lena's reputation," Cara deduced, "but you? It could potentially get you exactly what you want, which is back on that island with whoever the hell it is that you screwed behind my back. So yeah, Kate, we think you're behind it."
"Goodbye Cara," Kate said as she ended the call, her annoyance that Lena was still manipulating Cara tempered by the fact that not only did she no longer care what Cara did, but also because she had already known about the complaint. Whoever that agent is, I'd like to buy her a drink.
Returning to her desk, she was annoyed to hear her phone ping with a message. "Dammit Cara, I am not in the mood for-"
Ready to fight, she was pleasantly surprised when she looked at the screen and saw a text from her friend Chloe, who informed her that she was planning a girls weekend in DC with five of her closest friends to celebrate her pending nuptials.
Smiling as she read the message, she readily agreed to help them arrange lodging and to meet up with them for dinner and drinks when they were in town.
Back In The Saddle
I can do this. I can totally do this. I'm young and I'm fun and dammit I'm tired of spending every night alone on my couch watching baking shows and cooking shows and reality shows that really are just scripted non-reality nonsense and I need some fun in my life.
Despite her better judgement Lucy had allowed Trig and Coral to talk her into keeping the date with Candi, the "Coors Lite girl" who had spent a few evenings working the crowd at the bar and chatting up Trig about the reluctant Texan. Lucy had not been even slightly interested, and in all honesty had skipped the bar on the nights the promotion was going on simply because she couldn't stand the woman's shameless flirting. She hadn't anticipated Trig inviting Candi to his going away party, nor had she expected him to have become the irritating blonde's personal cheerleader.
But what is it that makes her so irritating? Is it that she comes on too strong, is it something about how she looks or acts? Or is it simply because she isn't Kate?
In truth, Lucy had been disconcerted by the attentions of both Kiana, Dani's obnoxious roommate who had been aggressively trying to bed her since the night they'd met at the bar, and Dani, who was less aggressive but still clearly interested in something more than just friendship. Now that she had pulled herself somewhat out of the depression that she'd been mired deeply in for the past four months she found it tiresome that the pair couldn't seem to accept that she was just not interested, so accepting the date with the sexy blonde beer girl seemed like the perfect way to send the message that she was open to moving on, just not with either of them. Candi's presence had kept the wolves at bay for the remainder of Trig's party, and even though Lucy had found reasons to cancel their plans the first time (work emergency) and the second (minor head trauma from tackling a fleeing suspect) she now had not a single reason why she couldn't keep the date, which was how she now found herself on her way to meet the woman at Duke's Waikiki for dinner.
Since it was a beautiful Friday night Lucy knew that downtown would be bumper to bumper and packed with tourists, so she decided to just walk to the restaurant. The air was warm, with a cool breeze blowing in off of the ocean, and as she walked she couldn't help but think about the fact that she actually hated the idea of dating. Being in a relationship was fine, though she had never been in a successful one, and neither of her two really serious relationships had actually involved this weird first date moment. Marcella had been a fellow cheerleader, the most beautiful girl on the squad, and their close friendship had turned into an attraction that neither of them could deny. Her second relationship had started in an online poker tournament, where she had thoroughly smoked the competition and impressed a player so much that they had started messaging back and forth in the online chat. Before long they had moved their conversations from the group chat to a private forum, and both were pleasantly surprised when they arranged to meet for drinks and found that there was definitely a physical attraction.
But this, this dating a perfect stranger thing? Totally foreign to her. Which brought her mind back to the mysterious Kate, the only person she had ever known who seemed like both an old friend and a perfect stranger all at the same time. Sliding up next to the tall blonde had seemed natural, inevitable and absolutely impossible to resist, and she wondered for possibly the billionth time how she could have let go of something so special. You aren't the only one that let it go, and it's about time you realized that and got on with your life.
Sighing as she reached the entrance to the Outrigger Hotel that housed the restaurant she considered bailing, but when she turned to leave she literally ran into Candi. "Oh crap, I'm sorry!" She exclaimed as she helped the other woman up, "I didn't see you there!"
"It's ok," an embarrassed Candi insisted, "I was rushing because I was running late! I've been so nervous that you wouldn't show up," the blonde admitted, "then I got stuck in traffic and couldn't find anywhere to park and convinced myself that someone like you would never wait for someone like me."
Regarding the obviously shaken woman with a sympathetic smile, Lucy soothed, "Of course I showed up. Are you ready to go inside?"
Duke's was already packed, the inside bar teeming with patrons either enjoying their cocktails or waiting to be seated. Lucy approached the podium and inquired about getting a table, and when she answered that first available was fine she couldn't help but notice the disappointed look on her date's face. Leading the blonde over to the bar, she leaned up on the smooth mahogany counter and quickly procured two bottles of beer. "I took an educated guess," Lucy laughed as she handed over the brown bottle, "was I right?"
"I can't really hear you," Candi half shouted in response as she wrapped her fingers around Lucy's on the bottle and leaned close, brushing her ample bosom against the brunette's arm and purring wetly in her ear, "do you want to wait outside?"
A nonplussed Lucy pulled away and gestured to the exit, then followed the blonde through the bar and down the steps. Grimacing when her feet sunk into the sand, she stopped abruptly and reached to stop Candi's progression forward. Grabbing two plastic cups from the server station beside the steps, she handed one to the confused woman and explained, "They don't allow glass containers outside, so if you don't pour your beer into that cup they'll take it."
"Oh,' the blonde replied with an embarrassed smile, "I guess I have a lot to learn if I'm going to stay on this island."
"Yeah, I figured you weren't a local when you chose a Waikiki tourist spot for dinner on a Friday night," Lucy chuckled, "so where are you from?"
"I'm originally from Glendale, Arizona. When I was nineteen my modeling career took me to Hollywood, where I took the job as a Coors Lite Girl to help pay the bills," she explained, "but the money was better than anything else I had going on and the travel opportunities were amazing, so I stopped going on auditions and just went full time on the promotions team. I'm so grateful that I did," she gushed, "because that brought me to this island, where I just signed a two year deal and actually think I've found a home."
"Oh wow, that's really great," Lucy nodded, "what ah, what are your plans after you retire from the bar girl circuit?"
"Why would I retire from such a sweet gig?" A confused Candi asked.
"I guess because eventually you will be too, I don't know, mature? To be a beer girl," Lucy replied, assessing the woman who looked to be just a few years younger than herself.
"With my diet and skin care routine I have at least another five to ten years to worry about that," Candi laughed, "I'm sure something great will come along before then." Taking another drink from her cup as she looked around, Candi asked, "So what about you? Is it true you're a cowgirl? Are you really from Texas?"
"Texas, yes, cowgirl? Not so much," Lucy replied, not bothering to offer any further information about her life.
"So what do you-"
"Looks like our table is ready," Lucy said, reading the text from the restaurant on her phone just as Candi started to speak. The blonde quickly covered her irritation at being interrupted, smiling brightly as she said, "Ok, great!" and followed Lucy across the patio to the hostess station.
"So," Lucy said as she settled into her seat and Candi pouted because they were seated inside, "I hear the macadamia nut crusted fish is to die for."
"Do you think we can get them to move us outside?"
"Sorry it's a little hard to hear you," Lucy deflected, using the noise of the bustling restaurant as a the reason she hadn't heard the question, "I think I am going to indulge and try the fish. You?"
"Yeah, no," Candi said as she crinkled her nose in disgust, "there's too much fat and carbs going on there, I might actually have to work out if I ate that!" As Lucy stared in wide-eyed disbelief, the blonde explained, "The key to this body is what I put into it. You can't do what I do by just indulging in whatever you want."
"Okay well, that's what gyms are for?" Lucy replied.
"Gyms cost money," Candi pouted, "and you get all sweaty and gross. Oh wow!" She said, her face lighting up as she looked at her phone, "It looks like we should be able to see the fireworks from the beach! I don't think we'll finish eating in time for the show, so I wonder who I need to talk to to get out there?"
Fireworks? Oh hell, it's Friday night. I don't want to see the fireworks with you or anyone else, I- "I honestly don't know," she heard herself say, "I guess we'll find out."
Let's Get This Party Started
Despite everything else going on in the whirlwind that was currently Kate's life, she was genuinely excited to see her friend and surf buddy Chloe again. She was surprised to hear that none of the women accompanying her friend to DC had been in Jacksonville, and she said as much when they spoke on the phone the night before the entourage arrived in town.
"I know, it's strange to a lot of people, but I have these different groups of friends who don't interact. The crew in Florida? They are my surf crowd, the kids I grew up with and the non-biological families that Cory and I are a part of. The girls coming with me are my high school and college friends, the women I met and bonded with as I navigated becoming an adult. Most of them are married," Chloe explained, "except for my friend Meghan. She's our free spirit, our wild child, but also the reserved one who sits back and takes everything in and seems quiet at first. But once she gets to know you? She's the most fun of us all!"
"Well I look forward to meeting them," Kate said, and Chloe could swear she could hear the smile in her voice over the line, "heaven knows I need some uncomplicated fun in my life."
Kate, who as usual got delayed by a last minute emergency at work, reluctantly sent a text that she would not make it in time for dinner.
C: How late are you going to be? Would you like me to order for you?
K: No, I don't want you to waste time or money on me. See you at the club?
C: Ok but promise you'll eat something!
K: Promise! Have a nice dinner and I'll see you soon.
"John's Hole In The Wall?" James, her assistant asked as he picked up his phone.
"That would be great," Kate replied, "I'll take the-"
"Whistleblower burger?" James guessed, "With a side of fries," he chuckled, "I swear I don't know where you put it."
They wrapped up a lot faster than Kate had anticipated, and as she polished off her burger she shot Chloe a text asking where they were.
K: Stay there, I'm on my way! See you in ten.
C: Can't wait! We're to the left and in the back.
When Kate entered the dimly lit interior of the club she decided to stop and grab a drink before joining the women, and as she approached the bustling bar she was taken aback by the smooth, lilting drawl of the woman who was directly in front of her ordering a round of drinks. Too tall to be Lucy, but damn does she sound like her. God, I could listen to that all night, but tonight isn't about talking to random strangers with sexy accents, it's about-
"Crazy in here tonight, huh?" Kate was surprised to hear herself ask as she eased up beside the tall brunette, and she felt herself hit a new low as she realized that she was only starting a conversation because she wanted to hear the woman say literally anything in that heavily accented voice.
"You have no idea," the other woman drawled, her sparkling green eyes widening as she turned and assessed the stunning blonde, "it's almost impossible to get waited on. What uh," she smiled as she looked Kate up and down, "what are you having?"
"Come again?" Kate asked, equal parts surprised by both the question and the thinly veiled interest in the other woman's expression.
"You look like a white wine type, am I right?" The brunette asked, her smile triumphant when Kate shrugged and replied, "Pinot Grigio."
"I knew it!" The dark haired stranger exclaimed with a celebratory fist pump, then turning back to the bartender, who had just delivered her drinks she boldly stated, "Where's my Pinot Grigio?"
"You didn't order a Pinot," he replied, looking skeptically back and forth between the two women.
"Didn't I?" She challenged, then turning to Kate she asked, "You've been patiently waiting there since before I ordered, right?"
"Right," Kate replied, nodding her head in agreement.
"Did you hear me order a Pinot?"
"I totally heard that," Kate answered, and the bartender threw up his hands and said, "I'll be right back."
Kate couldn't help it, she busted out laughing as the disgruntled server shuffled away. "Okay, that was hilarious," she admitted, "you have no idea how much I needed that laugh today."
"Well then, I'm happy to be of service," the stranger smiled as she paid for the drinks and handed Kate her glass, "tough day, huh?"
"Any more, they all are," Kate admitted as she accepted the drink. "So thank you, for this," she said as she raised her glass, "and for saving me from waiting for one of those bartenders to notice me."
"How could they not notice you?" The raven haired stranger asked, her tone nothing but sincere.
Kate blushed in response to the unexpected comment, then explained, "Look, you're nice, but-"
"But you're married," the brunette guessed.
"No," Kate replied, then with a sad little shake of her head she repeated, "no, I'm not, but-"
"But you're seeing someone?" The sexily accented stranger interjected.
A flash of pain crossed the blonde's face, then she sighed and admitted, "Not, not anymore. It's complicated, see I-"
"Fell for someone you shouldn't have? Is she married? Locked up? Did you scare her straight too late?"
Crossing her arms as the other woman rambled off the ridiculous guesses in that sexy, sexy drawl, Kate smirked when she finally stopped talking and asked, "Is it a Texas thing?"
"Is what a what?" The confused woman replied.
"Is it a habit to interrupt people when they're talking? Because the last Texan I knew NEVER seemed to let me finish a sentence, so I'm thinking-"
"Did you really just insult me by calling me a Texan?"
"Did you really just interrupt me again?"
"Arkansas," the offended brunette corrected, "and here I thought we could be friends."
"Okay well," Kate chuckled, "it must be a midwestern thing." As the other woman pouted Kate asked, "What do I owe you for the drink?"
"How about if I just find you when I'm ready for my next round?"
"I'm actually meeting someone," Kate replied, a little disconcerted by the way the brunette was looking her.
"Oh shit, sorry, of course you are," Meghan said with a regretful smile, "there's no way someone like you-"
"It's a friend," Kate felt compelled to explain, "I'm meeting a friend. I'd ask you to join us, but that would just be-"
"Weird," Meghan smiled, and Kate nodded her head in agreement and said, "Right? But when you're ready for that drink, come find me."
"I'll do that," the brunette promised, "have fun with your friend, and I'll see you for round two."
Smiling as she watched the other woman walk away, Kate sipped on her drink and sent Chloe a message.
K: Just got here, can I grab you anything from the bar?
C: We're good, we literally just got another round.
As soon as Kate entered the back room she was spotted by Chloe, who vaulted out of her seat and launched herself at her. "Kate!" Chloe squealed as she wrapped her arms around the stunned blonde, "You made it! Everyone, this is Kate, the too serious most of the time kick ass surfer I met in Florida," she slurred, "Kate, this is everyone!"
Embarrassed by the attention, as well as the fact that Chloe was obviously trashed, Kate forced a smile and helped Chloe back to her seat before turning to address the women at the table. "Hi, I'm Ashley," said the petite woman seated to Chloe's left, her hair a variety of blues and purples and pinks, "you'll have to forgive Chloe, she's had a bit too many free shots. So anyhow, this is Maren, to her right is Frannie, that's Jenna, and you'll meet Meghan in a minute, she's in the ladies room."
"So how did you all meet?" Kate asked, realizing that Chloe was not going to be any good for conversation for the rest of the night.
"Chloe and I were both on the swim team at Virginia Tech," Ashley replied, "and Maren and Jenna, who were my high school best friends, would come and watch our meets when they could. Frannie here works with Chloe, and as soon as we met her we just knew she was one of us! As for Meghan, she was Chloe's college roommate, a transplant from Arkansas who has been with us for over a decade and still hasn't kicked that damn midwestern accent."
"You said she's from Arkansas?" Kate asked, her head spinning as she considered that the woman at the bar might actually be-
"Here she comes now," Ashley smiled, "Meghan, meet Kate, the woman Chloe cheated on all of us with in Florida."
Turning around, Kate locked eyes with Meghan, who was, indeed, the woman with the sexy drawl that had bought her a drink. The mix of recognition and panic that she saw flash briefly across the brunette's face spoke volumes, and Kate put her at ease by smiling warmly and offering, "Meghan, is it? So nice to meet you," and the instant relief that her comment elicited was completely missed by Chloe's oblivious to the dilemma crew. We're all adults here, why do you feel the need to hide who you really are? Are they homophobic? Would Chloe even have invited me if she knew the truth?
As the evening went on Kate discovered that her assumptions were unfounded, as Maren spoke openly about her gay brother and her struggles to accept her own bisexuality. "Oh god, remember Jennifer?" Ashley hooted, then turning to Kate she explained, "She was built like Roman Reigns! The first time I saw her it was from behind, she was wearing this tank top and her shoulders were so broad and she was so ripped I thought she was a guy!"
"Right?" Jenna cut in, "And she was easily six feet tall! But then she turned around," Ashley continued, "and she was absolutely gorgeous! Deep, dark brown eyes, flawless skin and the most amazing smile, Hell, if Maren hadn't fallen so hard for her I'd have probably dated her," Ashley chuckled, then schooling her expression into one of despair she winked at Kate and said, "we were all very sad when she finished school and moved back home."
"Thank god I was actually over her by the time she left," Maren explained, "as hard as I had initially fallen for her, it turned out that we didn't have very much in common, and the more time we spent together the more I realized it was never going to work. The split was amicable," she continued, "and we're still friends, but it's definitely the easiest break up I've ever had."
"Our dear Maren is a vegan," Meghan explained in that thickly accented drawl, "and our beloved Jennifer is a skilled hunter with trophy heads mounted on her wall. You should've seen Mare's face the first time Jen pulled up with a deer in the back of her truck," she chuckled, "that's when we all knew it was over!" The raucous laughter that Meghan's comment had caused was infectious, and Kate found herself laughing just as hard as the women who had actually been there when it had happened.
When it came time for a fresh round of drinks Kate offered to get them, and as she took their orders she wasn't surprised when Meghan offered, "I know all of their drinks by heart, I'll come with you." Once they were out of earshot and waiting for their order Meghan said, "Hey, thanks for not outing me in there. I know it seems silly considering the story you just heard, but I-"
"Hey, it's okay," Kate said as she placed a hand on the other woman's shoulder, Nothing. Why am I so disappointed? "it's your story to tell, not mine."
"Thanks," Meghan gratefully replied, "I think it's because I had a little crush on Chloe when we first met, and it was kind of obvious in a ridiculously awkward way. Cory picked up on it and said something, but I vehemently denied it and even hooked up with one of his guy friends. It wasn't my finest hour," she grimaced, "but now I just can't seem to find a way to say it without sounding like a hypocrite, so-"
"So you stay silent, keep your private life very close to the vest and let them think that you're just not interested in dating," Kate guessed, "am I right?"
"You are, but I would be lying if I said it was easier than just telling the truth."
"Do you have anyone you can talk to?" Kate asked, sympathetic to the very real struggles that keeping that secret could create.
"My ex-boyfriend," She laughed in that lilting drawl, "he and his wife have been great, but those girls in there never could stand him. He went through a really dark time after I chose a woman over him and he got really messed up with drugs and a rough crowd for a while, but he eventually came through it better than before, and in truth he's my best friend. There's nothing he wouldn't do for me, and I am lucky to have found a solid friend in his wife. I was actually the maid of honor at their wedding," she said with an ironic chuckle, "and I'm the godmother to their oldest son. She thankfully understands that he and I will never be anything more than friends, and in all honesty I don't know if I'd have been okay after my first horrific breakup without their support."
"It's good that you have them," Kate smiled, "we all need someone we can talk to."
"What about you?" Meghan asked.
"What about me?"
"Could you be someone I could, talk to?"
"Sure," Kate smiled, grabbing the tray of drinks and asking, "ready?"
The party went on for another few hours, with Kate mostly listening as the easy conversation flowed around her. She especially enjoyed any story Meghan told, and in truth she wasn't even really paying attention to the words, just the way that they were spoken. As that delightful midwestern accent weaved each tale she would close her eyes and be transported back to that tropical paradise, where the amazing Texan who had been more spectacular than anything else she'd seen on that island came alive with the gentle ebb and flow of the melodically spoken words.
"...right Kate? Kate?"
Realizing that she was being spoken to, a caught Kate opened her eyes and explained, "Sorry, it's been a long week. What, ah, what were you saying?"
"Just that Cory is a mess," Meghan laughed, "he's completely convinced that he only has a twin sister because god wanted her to find him a wife! He's tried to date all of us," she said to a round of amused groans, "and now he thinks you just need time to realize that you're his soulmate. But our poor deluded Cory had better move on because that will never happen, right Kate?"
"Right," Kate chuckled, "he's a confident one though, isn't he?"
"Sure is," Maren agreed, "remember the time he hit on Jennifer? I swear, that boy has a broken gaydar," she laughed, "he always guns the hardest for the gay girls!"
When Meghan ducked her head in response Kate shrugged and said, "Well even if he were my type, he still wouldn't have a chance. I, uhm, I -"
"She fell head over heels for some Hawaiian," Chloe boomed as she found a sudden spurt of clarity, "but she doesn't like to talk about it," the inebriated woman added in a tiny whisper, "it makes her sad."
At Chloe's unexpected outburst everyone in the room went silent, and Kate wondered if she was the only who realized that Meghan looked like she'd just been punched.
"So you said you were in Florida for an interview when you met our Chloe?" Ashley asked, and grateful for the subject change Kate nodded, "Yeah, I was. I work for the DIA here in Washington, and I was offered a position in their newly expanded Jacksonville office."
"Lucky us, she didn't take the job!" Chloe drunkenly squealed, "Otherwise we wouldn't be here hanging out with her right now!"
"Lucky us," Meghan mumbled, appreciatively eyeing the beautiful newcomer when she thought nobody was watching, then a bit louder asked, "so Kate, do you have plans tomorrow, or are you free to join us for brunch and whatever else the day throws us?"
I should say yes, I literally have nothing going on tomorrow. Instead of holing up inside my home and shutting out the world I should go to brunch, have some fun, listen to that drawl all day long. "I can't," Kate lied, "I'm afraid I've got family coming in the morning." Liar liar pants on fire!
"Shucks that's too bad," Meghan drawled, "you'll have to make the trip to Assateague real soon!"
"I will," Kate said as she looked at her watch and, realizing the time, stood to say her goodbyes, "it's been lovely meeting all of you, and I look forward to our next adventure on your little island. Until then," she chuckled, "please get her back to the hotel so she can sleep this off."
Laughing as she regarded a currently snoring Chloe, Ashley replied, "Will do! Be safe going home."
"You too," Kate smiled, "have a great night."
Kate's drive home was surprisingly easy that night, and she managed to be safely inside and changed into her pajamas by 12:30.
C: Did you make it home ok?
K: How are you still conscious?
C: Ok busted, it's Meghan, Chloe is knocked out! It was really nice to meet you
Turning on the tv and selecting YouTube, Kate bit her lip and contemplated how to respond. She wasn't completely clueless, she knew that Meghan was attracted to her. In truth, before Hawaii she probably would have said that attraction was mutual, but now? Now everything is different. Why does it feel like I'm doing something wrong just because I'm talking to another woman? She's hot, I'm single, and I'm tired of being alone.
Then the clock in the corner of the livestream hit 7:45 and the tiny bursts of light lit up the corner of her screen, and silent tears streamed down her face as she yearned to be back on that island, back in the arms of the most amazing woman she'd ever met, and far away from everything and everyone that was this hell of a life that she was currently living in.
M: Hey I took your number from Chloe, hope that's ok?
M: It was really nice talking to you
Sniffling as she wiped the tears from her face Kate finished watching the soundless display, which she had faithfully tuned into every Friday since Raul had introduced her to the livestream. Looking down at her phone once the five minute show was over, she sighed in defeat and thought, Why not? Lucy's probably moved on by now, why shouldn't I?
K: I really enjoyed talking to you too
M: :)
K: Nite
M: Nite
Another One Bites The Dust
Sucking in lungfuls of the cool, cleansing night air, Lucy shivered in disgust as she made her getaway from possibly the worst date she'd ever been on. Candi had turned out to be as clueless and empty-headed as she had originally thought, and she was actually kind of pissed at Trig for forcing her to go on this waste of a date. Between her non-existent career ambition and her distaste for physical activity, Lucy imagined that the party girl would not only begin to show the lack of healthy choices in her appearance sooner rather than later, but also was on a speeding train off the island courtesy of the fickle business she had chosen for her career.
Sitting in the restaurant talking to the woman had been bad enough, but then Candi had started making the rounds and flirting with anyone with a pulse who seemed to be an employee at the restaurant. Before long she was waving at Lucy from the server station at the top of the stairs, beaming as she explained, "Jaison here just found us an outside table, isn't that great?!"
Lucy had been perfectly happy inside, but Candi had pouted when she had said as much and before their drinks had even arrived Candi had charmed the young waiter into moving them to the outdoor patio. "Isn't this so much better?" The annoying blonde had gushed, "Now we can hear each other and hopefully see the fireworks!"
"Yup, great," Lucy replied, eyes on the menu as her stomach growled and she thought, how fast can I eat and get the hell out of here?
Meanwhile across from her the oblivious blonde asked, "Would you like to split the bill or are you buying, or?"
"I think we go Dutch," Lucy said with a glaring eye roll, "and since Trig set this up maybe send him the bill?"
"Oh," a clearly disappointed Candi pouted, "I guess I'll just get the Caesar salad then."
"You can add chicken or shrimp," Lucy helpfully pointed out.
"As long as it's grilled chicken I suppose it'll be ok," Candi sighed, "this menu kind of sucks."
"If you don't like the menu why did you choose this restaurant?"
"I thought it would be romantic to dine in candlelight while fireworks lit up the sky overhead," Candi gushed, "don't you?"
Ewwww. Not with you, never with you. The fireworks are much more spectacular when viewed from a candlelit balcony, served with pizza and wine and chocolate filled- "That's a really sweet idea," Lucy heard herself say, "but I don't think you can see them from here."
Trying and failing to hide her irritation at Lucy's response, Candi schooled her features into a less than authentic smile and said, "We'll see."
As they found out, the fireworks could not be seen or even heard from the restaurant. A disappointed Candi suggested they go out on the beach to see if they could catch at least a few minutes of the distant display, but Lucy ordered dessert and explained that she didn't really do walks on the beach.
"There's no way you look like that and regularly order dessert," Candi cooed, "come on, don't you want to skip that sugar and have a little Candi instead?"
Rolling her eyes at the lamest name play she'd ever heard, Lucy asked, "Does that line seriously work?"
"It does," the obnoxious blonde promised, "especially when you see my whipped cream bikini."
"Okay well, the only whipped cream I plan on seeing tonight will be on top of our Hula Pie," Lucy deflected, "I promise it's worth-"
"I'm not eating any of those empty calories," Candi said with disgust, "especially since I know you only ordered it to avoid trying to see the fireworks with me!"
"As false as that accusation is," Lucy replied as she picked up her spork and dug in, "I'm going to let it slide because this is simply too good to ruin by arguing with someone whose opinion really doesn't matter to me."
At Candi's offended gasp Lucy offered, "Look, we are never going to work, so why don't we just enjoy a little dessert and at least try to be friends?"
"No thank you," Candi said as she refused the offered utensil, "I thought you were hot, and everyone at the bar said how great you were and I thought, wow, maybe I finally met someone that could make life on this overpriced island worth it."
"You said you loved Hawaii," Lucy replied as she took another bite of the heavenly confection.
"I do!" Candi insisted, "I'd just love it a little more if I had a hot girl in my bed and a little help with the rent."
Rolling her eyes, Lucy asked, "Did you really think we were going to end up in bed together after just one date? That I'd just, I don't know, take you home with me and wake up in the morning and say gosh, that was great, let's move in together? Because, sweetie, forever doesn't really work that way."
"So if I were taller and from the east coast and didn't tell you anything but my first name, would that make you want me?" Candi hissed.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Lucy, suddenly no longer hungry, said as she dropped her spork.
"I think you know exactly what it means. They told me about her, that woman, Kate? And I wonder," Candi spat as she stood to leave, "if it was really a tragic love story, or if you were just a hot piece of ass that she realized she couldn't stand once she got a dose of your miserable personality. Better yet, she was probably bored in her marriage and got a little taste of freedom and thought, what would it hurt to hook up with a hot stranger while I'm in paradise? Not that I can blame her, I'd hit it too. In fact-"
"Go to hell," Lucy ground out, shooting to her feet as Candi turned to leave, "you weren't there, you don't-"
"I know enough," Candi smirked, "and that look on your face tells me that you know I might be right."
Candi was a nasty person, and a stranger who couldn't possibly know what had happened between her and Kate, but that remark still stung. Were we really as great together as I like to remember it, or is Candi right? Why was Kate so secretive? Whose name was that room booked under? Who the hell is Chloe Larssen, and why in the hell haven't I googled her yet?
Slide To The Left
"So, how was the date with the new girl?" Ernie asked when Lucy walked into the lair the following Monday morning.
"She likes long walks on the beach and doesn't eat Hula Pie," Lucy groaned, "what am I supposed to do with that?"
"No idea what any of that means," Ernie admitted, "but wait until you see what I found out about our sailor."
An hour later found Lucy at her desk, shaking her head as she read the latest list of documents that she had been denied access to by the DIA offices at Pearl. "How are we supposed to do our job if they refuse to cooperate?" She asked Tennant, who was scowling as she read the list over Lucy's shoulder. "They know we can get it through channels, which takes longer but achieves the same result. Van Buren is pissed about the complaint, so she's not going to make anything easy for us."
"She won't even deal with me," Jesse observed, "I mean, seriously, who doesn't want to help Jesse?"
"Did you really just refer to yourself in the third person?" Lucy smirked, and Tennant smiled at the easy banter that had recently returned between the two.
"Yeah, well, I-"
"How about if you focus on making those formal requests Jesse," Tennant suggested, "and Lucy, head over to AFMES and see if Commander Chase has anything she's able to share."
Returning to her office as the two agents dispersed, Jane shook her head and flipped open the top file on her desk. Aghast at the information the memo contained, she immediately placed a call to DIA Director Marshall Rhodes. "Director, Jane Tennant. In light of the recent complaint I filed against Lena Van Buren for inappropriate sexual conduct, I'm wondering how it's possible that she is being promoted?"
"We interviewed both Lena and her staff who assured us that Miss Van Buren was nothing but professional with your agent," he replied, "and in light of their statements and the lack of evidence proving otherwise, I'm afraid our hands are tied."
"If Agent Tara says it happened, it happened," Tennant insisted, "and you and I both know that-"
"What you and I both know, Special Agent In Charge Tennant, is that it takes evidence to prove a case. At this time it is simply her word against Lena's, which means-"
"It means that from now on DIA comes to us," Tennant growled, "I will never send another agent into that building."
"I think we can agree that in this day and age inter-office visits are more a courtesy than a necessity," he rumbled in his deep baritone, "consider it done."
"Well, thank you Director," she replied, honestly surprised that he had so readily agreed to her terms, "but can I ask what your plans are for-"
"I actually have a meeting I'm running late for," he interjected, "can you meet me in an hour?"
Intrigued, Jane agreed to the meeting and was surprised when the director asked her to meet at the visitor center at Pearl Harbor. As she sat on the gray cement bench at the edge of the meticulously maintained lawn, she wondered what in the world she was about to learn.
"It never fails to take my breath away," he said in greeting as he took a seat next to her, "the majesty of the memorial, a stone's throw from the deck where the perpetrators of that vicious attack surrendered."
Gazing across the water at the USS Missouri, which was anchored directly facing the USS Arizona Memorial she nodded in agreement, softly stating, "What never fails to amaze me is how many Americans don't even know the significance of this site. But, we're not here to talk U.S. history, so.."
"Look, I never know who's listening, which is why I didn't want to discuss this over the phone, and I'll keep it brief. Van Buren is awful. We got screwed over when she got dumped on us by DC, and until something or someone in the command chain changes or I get credible evidence of her revolting behavior I have to learn how to deal with her. This promotion is a sideways move into an advisory role, which means she will be the direct report of the DIA liaison to your office. It keeps her out of your hair for the most part, and-"
"It keeps Jennings happy. Got it," Jane deduced.
"Right," he said, "but it gives me the dubious task of trying to find somebody to fill that role that can put up with Lena."
"Did you have anyone in mind?"
"I have a short list of agents already living and working on the island, each uniquely qualified to fill the position," he replied as he handed her the list.
Glancing at the neatly written note, she chuckled as she read the two names it contained. "Esparza and Flick are both solid choices, and I see why you chose them, but when they fail? Call me."
"How do you know they'll fail?" He challenged.
"Because both already live and work here, and are happy in their current assignments. Esparza is a hothead when he doesn't get his way, and he is quick to walk away from a frustrating situation. We both know that every agency on this island would be happy to make room for him, so he is least likely to put up with Lena's bullshit for the sake of keeping a job. And Flick? Extremely gifted, skilled, would do very well as our DIA liaison. I think my team would work well with him, but reporting to her? His ego would never allow it, especially once he got to know her."
"Be that as it may, one of them will be reporting on Monday."
"I look forward to it," Jane replied, "the less I need to see of Lena Van Buren, the better."
a hui hou