NIKKI/NORA

In Too Deep

docwho2100 and Writerghost2000

Title: In Too Deep

Authors: docwho2100 and writerghost2000

Fandom and Pairing: Nikki/Nora - F/F

Timing: Takes place after the TV pilot

Rating: Heavy R to NC-17 (This one is rather dark and violent at times)

Disclaimer: Nikki & Nora are the property of Nancylee Myatt and Warner Bros. Television. No infringement intended.

Authors’ notes:

Character thoughts appear between ~ ~ symbols

Based off of the beginning of the pilot where Nikki is with the drug dealer.

Feedback: Oh Yes Please - You can email docwho2000@hotmail.com

In Too Deep

docwho2100 and writerghost2000

They call him “The Seducer” but his rap sheet says Douglas McClean.

Nikki absently rubbed her belly as she looked at his mug shot, remembering the night in the alley when he drove his fist into her stomach before trying to escape. Thank God Nora was right there to catch the scumbag.

“What’ve we got?” Nora asked as she entered the squad room, setting down a mug of coffee on her desk before taking a seat.

“Remember the guy we busted for selling drugs last week?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, it looks like he’s just a small piece of the pie.” Nikki handed the file over to Nora. “They’ve been trying to bust that drug ring for probably about a year now and no one’s been able to do it.”

“Mmm,” Nora mumbled as she read through the file, looking at each of the players’ faces who were involved, hoping she’d recognize at least one of them.

Nikki got up and walked over to Nora’s desk, taking a seat on the edge of it and leaning closer to Nora. “I say we try and bust these guys ourselves. We already have an in with McClean so we offer him up a deal, have him rat out all his coke-head friends, stake them out, catch them in the act and we get ourselves up a rung or two on the ol’ ladder around here.”

Nora put the folder on her desk and closed it. “What makes you think that we can pull this off?”

“Are you saying that we can’t?” Nikki was kind of taken aback by Nora’s comment.

“No. I’m not saying that at all. I’m just wondering why you think this needs to be our little mission. Why can’t we…”

“These people are scum, Nora. Bottom of the barrel, shit on your shoe wastes of society. They give out this junk and ruin peoples lives.”

“They don’t just give it out like it’s Halloween candy. People have addictions, they make that conscious decision to go get it and keep going to get it.”

Nikki sucked in a breath and blew it out quickly. “I don’t care. They’re still contributing to deaths, beatings and rapes selling this stuff.” Nikki hopped off the desk and put her hands on her hips. “We’re doing this. Are you with me or not?”

Nora rolled her head to the side, “Nik. Come on. You know I’m with you.”

“Good. Then lets talk to Dan about our game plan.”

“What game plan?”

Nikki smiled and pointed at her head, “It’s all in here.”

“You mind sharing BEFORE we go in there?”

Nikki continued walking towards Dan’s office. “Trust me.”

“Man. Where’ve I heard that before,” Nora mumbled under her breath as she followed behind her.

Nikki rapped her knuckles on the wooden door. “Hey, Dan. Can we have a second?”

Dan looked up and tried to refrain from rolling his eyes. He knew that when these two were together it probably wasn’t going to be good. “Sure. Have a seat.”

Chapter 2

Dan had sat passively as he listened to Detective Beaumont. He was rather proud of himself for keeping a neutral face throughout the entire spiel Nikki had given. At least he hoped he had, he was still trying to master that commanding officer look that gave no indication of what said commander was really thinking. Unfortunately, right now many of the detectives in the Unit could still read him almost like an open book. That made it damn hard to get the upper hand sometimes.

Nikki was especially good at reading him. Managing to twist her words and inflection to counter any protests he might have; often before he even vocalized them. He smiled a bit as he thought at least Nora had to put up with the brunette’s ability as well. Better Nora than him.

He tuned back in as there was silence, Nikki looking expectantly and Nora trying hard not to snicker.

He pointed a silver ballpoint pen at Nora, “Don’t.”

Nora feigned innocence, “Don’t what?”

“Don’t assume I just did what I often did with you…”

“You mean zone off, letting your thoughts kinda plow around and then you end up having to Mm-hmm and uh-hunh a bunch as you have no idea in hell what was said?” Nora’s tongue poked a bit at the corner of her mouth as her smirk grew.

“Yes, that.” He jabbed the pen at Nora, even though he had begun to smile as well. Damn, were commanding officers allowed to smile? He hoped so, he really didn’t know if he could completely get rid of that reflex, especially with the set of detectives he had in the SCU.

He’d caught the introduction that this was related to the drug dealer collar from last week. He’d caught that it seemed there was more to the case than a simple street dealer. Dan had even managed to hang in there with something about an undercover plan, needing some warrants and wanting to bring in… in…. okay, that was around where he’d started drifting.

“So, yes, the short story is…” He drew out the last word, giving Nikki an encouraging smile, hoping the brunette would repeat the last as Nora had been right that he’d lost the last few pieces of what Nikki had been explaining.

“Using the contacts McClean has to pull down the ones that supplied him and other dealers.” Nikki answered, trying to keep it brief.

“I don’t know that we have the man power for something like this…” Dan began.

Nikki jumped in, cutting off Dan, “Nora and I are all that’s needed. Besides, too many cooks spoil the soup. If we get too many hands in this then it’s never going to work. I think that’s why no one’s been able to do it.”

Dan rubbed his jaw, feeling a few bits of stubble he missed during his morning shave. “I’m not sure about this. You’re talking about a whole different league of drug dealers, not just this petty pusher you busted.”

“I know,” Nikki nodded, “Give us a chance.”

Dan was silent for a few moments as he contemplated it in his mind. He knew they were capable, he just didn’t want to see them hurt, especially Nora. He and Nora shared more than just a partnership at one time and even though that was not still the case, he couldn’t help but watch out for her.

“Okay,” he said, putting his hands up for a brief moment. “But this better be swift and clean because I don’t want to have to explain to the suits in P.I.B. why shit’s hit the fan. Got it?”

“Got it,” Nikki said with a smile.

Nora nodded in agreement but was still not entirely sold on the whole thing. But Nikki was her partner and backing her up was part of her job.

“And if it looks like anything is out of order, I’m pulling your two butts out of there immediately. Now, go on, get outta here before I change my mind,” Dan said as he shooed the two detectives away.

The two women walked back to their desks, Nikki glowing with excitement.

“What’s going on with you?” Nora asked quietly.

“Huh?”

“This whole case. You’re like on some crusade or something. What’s going on?”

“Nothing. I just want to get another bunch of crooks off the streets, that’s all. Now, I figure we can have McClean get us an in and we’ll go from there.”

“And what if he doesn’t?” Nora asked, feeling skeptical.

“Oh he will. Let’s go make a deal, shall we?”

Chapter 3

A uniformed officer brought McClean into the interrogation room and shoved him down into one of the chairs across from Nikki and Nora.

“Hello, Douglas. It’s so nice to see you again,” Nikki said in a fake-nice tone.

He smirked at her as he leaned back in his chair. “I’ve got nothing to say to you so this is just going to be a waste of your time.”

Nikki gave hime a sly smile. “I’m not so sure about that.”

Nora sat back and watched as Nikki got closer to him. It made her uneasy, especially when she remembered that night in the alley, seeing Nikki bent over and trying to catch her breath after being punched in the gut.

“Try me.”

“We know that you’re just a small fish in a big pond. And we also know that the big fish dictate everything the small fish do. You don’t own your own life anymore when you work for them, or even when you sample the product. You’re just a puppet.”

“Fuck you, bitch.”

Nora got up and stepped in between Nikki and McClean, ready to punch his lights out. “Watch your mouth or I’ll knock it off the side of your face.”

Nikki put up her arm to hold Nora back indicating that she had it all under control.

Nora huffed and sat back down, staring at him all the while.

“Look, I know and you know that when you get out of here there are going to be some men looking for you who you don’t want looking for you. So unless you’re ready for an early dirt nap, I suggest you take the offer I’m about to give you.”

He looked up at her, suddenly intrigued by what she might have to say. “Go on.”

“We’re offering two years off your sentence in exchange for some names.”

“Piss off. Two years doesn’t mean shit.”

“Fine. Five. That’s my final offer.” Nikki watched as he contemplated it. “You’ll only end up serving two or three if you behave yourself and by the time you get out this mess will be cleaned up IF you give us the names at the top.”

“I want it all in writing.”

Nikki handed him a piece of paper with everything written down. She adjusted the part that read five years instead of two and thought that five was way too generous, but there was no arguing on this one.

He skimmed it, not really reading it before quickly signing.

“Just so you know, if you give me false names or try and bullshit me in any way then this piece of paper disappears. Got it?”

Nora just sat, arms crossed tight over her chest, trying not to stare at the paper or let any emotion flicker across her face. Mentally, however, her mind was racing, emotions flaring as she wondered exactly when and where Nikki had gotten that paper, gotten this deal. It seemed as if Nikki had already known she’d be heading here before going to Dan with it. Hell, considering the time the DA’s office took sometimes getting back with deals and warrants, Nora wondered if Nikki had already had things turning before coming to her with her ideas.

Putting another piece of paper in front of the Dealer and a pen, “Now then, names and anything else that you care to part with; I hear you can hook me up.” Nikki gave him a playful wink as she threw some of her words from the bust at him.

Giving in to the detective’s sudden mischievous manner, McClean leaned forward a little on the table. “You know, it’s always fun with more than one.”

Still sulking a bit over the way this deal was being made and Nikki’s eager jump into this, Nora picked up her foot, pushing the sole of her tennis shoe hard against the table, making it accidentally scoot and jerk towards the dealer making his pen stray across the paper some. The blonde said nothing, even as both the Dealer and Nikki looked her way. “Just giving a helping hand, looked like he was having a hard time getting those names down.” She gave them both an overly bright smile before sinking back into her ‘almost emotionless’ sulk.

Nikki eyed Nora a moment more, then refocused on McClean. She put a finger on the corner of the paper and pulled it along the table’s surface to her, her eyes scanning what was written. “I recognize this name, you sure? I thought he was just a corner man, like you.” She looked up, a studious expression covering her face.

“There’s been a few positions open up. Got ideas from some of the operations out West, decided to do a little reorganization. Shifted people around. Started up some news ways to do business. A little more cutthroat, if you know what I mean.” He shrugged as he spoke, putting his foot up on the table, surreptitiously scooting it back to the original position, an imperceptible flicker of his eyes to the side towards Nora, as he tipped his chair back.

Nora lifted her foot and shoved the table back, the man wavering a little, but managing to keep his balance. “What’s that supposed to mean?” She asked, missing the look Nikki was giving her.

The man said nothing, an evil smile slipping across his face, his lips drawn tight. He used an index finger and slowly drew it over his throat. He then slowly began pushing the table back as he spoke. “Know what it feels like to be cut detective? To have the blood slowly seep out, across the burning ragged edges of your flesh. Dripping down, drop by drop; your precious life trickling away while you get to count each tick of the clock as it collects in a pool where you lay, unable to move enough to lift even a finger. A finger all you would need to stop your life from flowing away. And yet, you can’t manage to even do that. Not when they cut deep… a nice, slow bleed…”

Nora’s eyes narrowed into a squinted stare that Nikki recognized, the blonde was seething inside.

Sighing to herself, Nikki remained quiet as she watched Nora roughly shove the table back, causing the man to tip over. “Just finish giving the detective what she needs.”

Standing, Nora left the interrogation room not once looking back at the criminal or the detective.

After about ten minutes, Nikki exited the interrogation room and immediately went to look for Nora.

Finally finding her outside behind the station, the place she usually sought to escape to when she needed to get some air. “You okay?” Nikki asked, taking a seat on the cinder block next to her.

“I just don’t understand why you’re pushing so hard on this one. I feel like I’m missing something and got dragged in half way through and am flying blind.”

“Dragged into it? Is that what you think I’m doing? Dragging you into this?”

“Nik, I’m just saying that because you’ve got this deal cooked up, paper work drawn up, you’re ready to go all guns blazing out there and I feel like I don’t know why and I don’t know what I’m up against.”

Nora thought for sure this was the part where Nikki would stand up, curse at her and walk away, but Nikki remained quiet - gathering her thoughts.

“I know what I’m doing, Nora. I’m sorry if you feel like you’ve been left out but there’s really no time to explain. We’re THIS close. If we let these guys go then they’re gone and it’ll take years before we ever get a chance to get close again. And I want to take them down.” Nikki stood up and brushed off the seat of her pants. “Come on, let’s go make some arrangements to meet some of these guys.”

It still didn’t sit right with Nora, but she stuffed her feelings aside and got up to follow her partner back inside.

Chapter 4

Nora found a parking spot and pulled her car in along the curb, shutting off the engine. “Ok, I followed your directions and here we are, but where exactly are we and what is it we are doing here?” She pursed her lips looking expectantly at her partner.

Nikki looked around. Seeing no one in the area, she leaned over and kissed Nora on the nose. “You need to stop putting on that pucker frown face. Didn’t your Mamma ever tell you be careful, your face might freeze like that.” She drew back and got out, immediately turning back around so she could get into the back seat.

Nora sighed, tilting the rear-view mirror to track Nikki’s actions. “Not helping, so spill.”

Nikki’s head bobbed up, a perky smile on her face. “I told you, we’re going down McClean’s list.”

“Yeah, I got that. I got that is why we are wearing what we are wearing.” She looked down at the clothes Nikki had carefully picked for her; stonewashed, torn jeans, beat up sneakers and fading Ac/DC shirt, the right sleeve ripped. Nora looked back to the mirror and angled it a bit more so she could see further down the dark green silk blouse Nikki had donned, the top few buttons left undone, the top complimented by a pair of ultra tight black jeans and black heels completing her look. She was still amazed at how Nikki had pulled the outfits together.

Seeing Nikki pull a bag out of the back seat, Nora recentered the mirror and got out, locking the car as the brunette came round to the driver’s side, a pair of sunglasses now covering her eyes. Designer sunglasses, Nora noted, feeling a bit auspicious standing next to Nikki.

“I was hoping for a little more info as to what you expect to accomplish here.” Nora wished she could say we, but she still was feeling out of sorts.

Nikki set the bag on the hood of the car and lifted her sunglasses to the top of her head, trapping a few strands of her bangs under them. “Octavio Baird aka Black Velvet. He’s a dealer, but also coordinates deliveries between a number of dealers. A slight step up from McClean, and I hope a few more connections for us to follow.”

Nora thought about the interview yesterday and something Nikki had said. “You asked McClean if he was sure, you recognized a name. It was this one wasn’t it?”

Nikki winced, pulling the shades back in place as she picked up the bag. “Caught that did you, well, come we need to stop lolligagging here and get cracking so we can solve this and get back to writing reports about missing jewelry probably stolen by an angry mistress.” She came to a jerky halt as Nora had reached out and snagged her elbow, pulling the brunette back.

“I do believe I asked a question. And as you always go on, it is unbefitting Southern hospitality to leave a woman’s questions unanswered.” Nora crossed her arms over her chest. “So, start answering.”

Nikki’s lips puckered in and out a few times as she silently worked over what to say. She sighed then, shifting her weight to her left leg. “You know I worked in vice and did some undercover before we were partnered.”

Nora folded her arms over her chest and nodded confirmation.

“Well, I got involved in the drug world for a couple of cases, saw some things I’d not…” Again silence as her lips worked a bit more. “Ever had access to in my world.”

Nora’s arms pulled a little bit out of the tight crossed stance, although she still kept the guarded look on her face.

“I remember running across Octavio during… another time in my life.”

Nora caught the hesitation, the dodge and the blonde knew somehow Nikki had switched the timing on her; the last statement not about the undercover work Nikki had mentioned at the start of the explanation. However, she didn’t call her partner out on it, for now she’d let Nikki bring it to her on the brunette’s pace and time. Although if it took too long, Nora was going to push.

She remembered a time, when she and Nikki had first been partnered, an odd conversation in the coffee room. Something about Nikki getting into some hot water and damn lucky she’d had the influence she did to bail her out. Nora had walked away, feeling a little dirty at overhearing gossip, especially about her partner. She’d tossed it away, forgotten about it as nothing like that had ever come up again. Yet now, it suddenly seemed to slap her in the face. All gossip tended to have at least a shred of truth to it. Maybe…

“Come on, let’s just get the contacts so we can go bust some bad ass dealers and then get back to chasing the idiots that Dan assigns us.” Nora stormed away from the car, heading towards the dealer’s house. Nikki stared at her partner a moment, seeing the tension locked up in the blonde’s upper back. Letting go a deep breath, she pushed herself into character, her walk and manner changing immediately as she sauntered after her partner.

Chapter 5

It was a simple looking home, with a few added decorations. Decor that caught Nora’s attention, pulling her behind Nikki as the brunette headed up to the door. There was the ornamental ironwork framing the porch; this type of decor a common sight in some parts of the South. The type of work that was more art than functional. Evidence easy to see a fine craftsman had erected the metal lattice, the designs intricate and detailed.

Nora’s attention had been captured by the assorted statuary sprinkled across the front lawn, placed among the faded brown grass and weeds. Marble, metal, wood, plaster, all mediums were represented. Regardless of the material, the theme was consistent. Each one had something to do with Elvis Presley. Frozen moments of time from all eras of the musicians life. One looking somber and proud, Elvis in his army uniform, saluting. Another of him on one knee, a young girl, Lisa Marie perhaps, throwing her arms around him, placing a loving kiss on the proud papa’s cheek.

Nora walked through the yard, unable to take a straight path as the area was flooded with these pieces of art. She was intrigued by a smaller piece, one that seemed out of place. the artwork almost hidden as it resided near the honeysuckle vines and bushes rimming the porch. This one was black marble, the artist had used rough strokes when chiseling out the crude form. The surface rough, the uneven lines leaving one to guess that perhaps a shaky hand, or unskilled artisan had carved the monument. The figurine did not have the polished surface found on most statues. The King was older, heavier, near the end of his life. He was kneeling, a hand placed by his nose. Nora dipped down on one knee, trying to figure out what the man was doing. There were white lines around his face, on his fingers. The blonde’s eyes crinkled as she leaned closer to examine the details, to tease out the clues the artist had etched into the stone.

“It’s my favorite, a collision of my worlds.”

“Shit,” Nora jumped, falling forward, her face twisting to avert a full face plant.

A deep laugh rang out, a hand grabbing Nora’s shoulder, hauling her back to her knees. She looked up into the face of her savior, frowning.

“I’m not sorry I scared you, your reaction was priceless. Gave me a good belly laugh and I’ve not had one of those in a very long time.”

“So glad I fed your amusement,” Nora said in a sarcastic tone as she stood up, clearly not amused herself, wiping the dirt from her jeans.

“A protege of mine made this for me a few years ago. Said he had just met the dealer who gave the King his last blow. Although he did prefer to dabble in the world of prescription more than what I dabble in. So this depiction is a bit of stretch, although that is a celebrity I would love to meet.

“The King?”

“Well he is a God I would like to meet,” The man laughed, running his dark hand over his head, the hair shaved almost to the scalp. “No, I would love to meet his supplier. There would be a session to die for.” He stepped up close, his body pressing into Nora as he took her wrist in his hand. Not menacing, but with a trace of danger. “Speaking of, what brings you to my hallowed home? I am expecting…”

“Me…” Nikki had been watching and decided to finally step in.

The man continued to hold Nora, rubbing a bit against her as he looked up, a leer covering his face as he looked Nikki over. Nora’s anger rose as she felt the man harden a bit as he was pressed against her. Not liking the idea of Nikki having this effect on the man, she decided to step into her undercover role as Nikki’s bodyguard.

Using a move she’d come across in her training, she stepped to the side quickly, throwing her hip, twisting, arms moving, using the hold he had on her wrist to reverse the lock, pulling hard as now she was behind him, his arm in a grip, thrust up and against his own back, Nora keeping the grip tight as she placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing. “You should learn there is a proper way to greet a lady, it involves your hand rising up to greet not your…”

A brief struggle confirmed that Nora’s hold would not be easily broken. The man however did not seem to become upset. “I see you have upgraded your protection services Southern Belle.”

“Well, a girl’s gotta have someone to watch her back, or even backside.” Giving a half laugh, Nikki came up and ran a few fingers along Nora’s cheek and then performed the same action on the man’s dark skin.

“Your door does swing both ways, the rumors were true.”

“You should not always follow rumors Sugar, they might lead you down a false path.”

“One that could be fun nonetheless…”

Nikki nodded at Nora to let the man go. Feeling lost, Nora complied, although she kept her uneasiness and suspicion on the surface.

“Nora, my bodyguard, this is Black Velvet… a… friend from old times. And hopefully our first step up the ladder.”

Nora just nodded at the man’s offered hand as she crossed her arms tight over her chest.

“Ladder? So the rumors are… coming to my door. Come ladies…” He swept his hand out and indicated they should enter his home.

* * * * *

Nora could not keep from gawking as the inside of Octavio Baird’s, aka Black Velvet, house was nothing short of an explosion of Elvis memorabilia arranged in a cacophony of part gaudy glitter, part humble kitsch and 100% overwhelming. It seemed no surface in the house was left untouched, having some memento, knick-knack, marking or reference to Elvis. Walls, furniture, counter-space, shelves. Nora could not help the odd laugh that left her lips as a small poodle came walking by wearing a doggie shirt that had an image of the King and the words ‘Nothing but a Hound dog’.

“I see you approve of Getlo’s attire.” Black Velvet was watching Nora closely as the blonde continued to examine the decor.

“Um, I just…”

“She doesn’t get out much, hired help is so hard to train properly,” Nikki joked, coming up and running a hand through Nora’s hair affectionately.

“Oh yes, I know. I just had to discipline two of my staff. Sloppy sloppy… I do not tolerate anyone making a mess or crossing me.” Again the man seemed to cross from light banter to dark threats in moments.

Startled, Nora could not contain her reaction to the implied threat, even as Nikki waved her hand and seemed completely at ease. “Then we shall be a match made in heaven.” Laughing she held out the bag she had brought in. “A gift, one to hopefully start things off on the right foot as we will have a long and happy working relationship, I hope.”

His eyes alight, Octavio took the bag and peered inside, gasping. “Oh, this is not…”

“It is,” Nikki’s grin seemed about ready to fall off the side of her face.

“Where did you find this? I was told no one could obtain…”

“It is a symbol of the connections I have and can bring to our dealings. I can step you into territory you’ve been locked out of before.” Nikki gracefully inserted her statement into Octavio’s excited muttering. Easily mixing the “pleasure” with advancing the reason they were there.

Nora begrudgingly admired Nikki’s ability to slide into her role and keep the flow and direction of what they were after while playing at this undercover role. Her mind was still stuck on trying to figure out why anyone would have created what was sitting on the nearby counter, toilet paper that had images of Elvis on each square.

As Octavio continued to simper over the rare Elvis memorabilia that he pulled from the bag, Nikki took a seat and waved at the gift. “Also, a down payment for our transaction. I was told you are the key to some prime X and Ice. I have very upscale clients, they like to throw society parties that are simply to…die for.” Nikki huffed a little, amused at the idea.

The dealer dipped into the bag again, this time to check the bills, fingers ruffling through the currency, making a quick estimate of the amount Nikki had given him. Black Velvet’s face morphed into a lecherous, hungry grin. “The Garden District?” He came and sat across from Nikki, his mind racing over the possibility.

“As a start, it could be a way to branch out…”

“He’s never been able to crack into more than street dealings.”

Nikki leaned forward, the spider reeling the fly in; “It could be quite a feather in the cap of someone to bring this to your little organization.”

“Damn woman, this would be…”

“Do we have a deal? Can you give me what I need? I have a high tea for tomorrow that would benefit from adding a little spark to the teapot.”

Octavio’s eyes narrowed, scrutinizing the brunette. He held up his hand and snapped. 15 seconds later, two young men came in, one carrying a small TV tray table, setting it up between Black Velvet and Nikki. The second placed a small mahogany box on the table, filling the small surface.

The dealer waited until the two had left before opening the box. He brought out a pipe and a small bag, then withdrew another baggie. Closing the lid he put the bags and pipe down on the box. Waving his hand at the implement and drugs. “See if this will meet your client’s standards.”

Nora had stood behind Nikki, amazed and surprised by the way the meeting was progressing. She was just getting around the thought that they were in and who the “he” might be that Octavio had referenced when the others had entered. Feeling completely ten steps behind, Nora didn’t understand what Octavio was indicating with his last comment. Thus, when Nikki nodded at the dealer, picking up the first baggie, Nora never, ever expected what had come next.

Chapter 6

Nora was completely thrown; surprised was too lite of a word. Flabbergasted was still not strong enough. Sick to her stomach, that phrase started to get a little closer. Honestly, Nora was unable to really assess how she felt right now as she was still trying to process what had just happened.

She stumbled behind Nikki as the brunette took a slow saunter down Black Velvet’s cement walkway toward their car.

They had been chatting, well Nikki and Octavio had. Nora’d just been standing behind the chair Nikki had sat in, trying to look like the silent, strong, menacing type. Somehow she’d been having images of Charles Bronson and other heavy, silent, menacing types running through her head, distracting her from her attempt to play her part. Her gaze kept shifting to the baggies Nikki had been playing with since Octavio had laid them out on the box.

She had let her mind wander a little as Nikki had ebbed and flowed so perfectly with the way Octavio swung from business to pleasure and business again with very little indication that Nora could see when he was serious versus casual. Somehow Nikki could catch the signals and seemed to know all the right things to say. Before Nora had finished going through the theme song to Shaft, Octavio was kissing Nikki’s hand, a deal having been struck.

They’d gone then to a back room, Nora a bit apprehensive about heading deeper into the tiger’s den. Nikki however had seemed right at home.

Nikki’d turned sharp and calculating as Octavio had brought bags and laid them out on the table. Nora had never seen Ecstasy and Crystal Meth in this amount before. Nikki however was touching, holding, assessing. She then asked Octavio how good this really was, she did have her clients’ high standards to be mindful of when providing the drugs. That’s when things had gone in a 180 from what Nora had expected.

Octavio had asked Nikki to pick a bag, any bag. She had and Octavio had opened it, then taken a bit out, moved to a small table where the box from earlier had been set and picked up the pipe, preparing it and taking a few deep hits. Closing his eyes, he’d stood, a pleasurable smile on his face, the moments stretching until his smile seemed to relax just a bit, his eyes opening slowly. He then had waved at Nikki and Nora and bowed. “And now ladies, enjoy, compliments.” Nora had frozen tensing, were they supposed to take the drugs as well? ~~Oh shit, so much for this case…~~ Kept running through Nora’s mind, the blonde sure when they denied the drug, it would break their undercover roles.

She jumped a bit as a hand touched her arm, then held it tight. Nora looked up at Nikki who was still smiling. “None for Nora, I need the person responsible for watching me completely focused and frankly a bit of a tight ass in staying clean, it helps in her alertness.”

Octavio and Nikki laughed as Nora glowered.

“I however, do enjoy sampling my wares. A girl must know all aspects if she is to sell. However, I do have other business to attend to tonight, how about a nice martini, with something from…” She swiveled her fingers as if playing eeny meeny miney moe before pointing to a random bag of Ecstasy. “There…” And with that, in front of an astonished Nora, Nikki had followed Octavio’s early example.

It wasn’t a startling transformation or earth shattering event, and in fact, anyone who didn’t know Nikki Beaumont well might not even guess she had just taken a major hit of illegal drugs which were now coursing through her system. But Nora did know Nikki, well, or at least she thought she knew her partner well.

Regardless, Nora could tell by the time they made it outside, the drugs were starting to affect Nikki. The brunette wincing as they stepped out into the bright light. Reaching up to pull her sunglasses down, and finding they were not on her head, Nikki had pushed forward and yanked Nora’s sunglasses from her hand even as the blonde was about to put them on. Nikki made overly big kissy lips and blew Nora a kiss of thanks before taking back up her slow Sunday Strolling.

Watching Nikki sashay down the sidewalk, Nora had the completely non sequitur thought that Nikki was crusin’. Albeit without a car and without a major crusin’ strip, yet… there was definitely something going on in Nikki’s head and the brunette was having a good ole’ time. Nora tightened her grip on the bag containing their purchase as she followed along, tripping and hitting Nikki’s shoulder then twisting her ankle as she stumbled off the edge of the sidewalk as her partner had stopped suddenly in the middle of the sidewalk.

“What the hell Nikki?” Nora grimaced as she leaned down to check her throbbing ankle.

“There was a ladybug crossing the sidewalk and I didn’t want to step on it.”

Nora just glared at Nikki as if she had grown a third head. “Excuse me?”

Nikki waved her hand and giggled. “Look there see… ladybug ladybug fly away home… I remember learning that in grade school, did you learn that in grade school too?”

“No I learned how to squash bugs, come on Nikki,” She grabbed Nikki’s elbow and hurried them to the car, her frustration at this whole case building to a pounding crescendo in her temples.

“Oh, you know, that’s actually a very mean song to teach a little girl. The poor bug’s house and kids go poof up in smoke.” Nikki frowned as she stumbled a little pulled along by Nora. “At least I think they all poof. Oh well, at least she gets to fly.”

“Yeah she ain’t the only one flying, dammit Nikki, what the hell just happened?” She pushed Nikki against the car, starring hard at the brunette, trying to make a logical connection and reason for what she had just witnessed and the ease with which her partner had dived into the whole sampling exchange.

“Oh, I do so love it when we play and you are so dominating.” Nikki cooed and reached out, grabbing Nora’s shirt and pulling the blonde against her, their lips crushing together in a searing kiss, Nikki’s hands immediately threading through the blonde hair, her other hand grabbing hold of Nora’s buttcheek and squeezing hard. Still off-center, Nora gasped as Nikki swung them, thrusting the blonde back hard against the car, increasing the amorous attention, the bag sliding to the ground.

Nora managed to get a hand between them, pressing against Nikki’s chest and pulling back. She was panting, licking her lips and trying to calm herself, not wanting to think about how aroused she’d become from the brief contact. She couldn’t be drawn into this. “Nikki…”

“Ohhhh I so love how your voice sounds when it is short and breathy, it is so hot. Just like you…” Nikki purred her words, slinking up and rubbing along Nora’s body, making sure to navigate enough so now her breast was under Nora’s hand, the blonde unconsciously tightening her grip as she was thrown off balance.

“What has gotten into you?” Nora tried again, dodging her head to the right a smidgen so Nikki’s kiss missed her lips. The brunette did not hesitate, instead following through as her lips hit Nora’s cheek. She immediately began kissing along the strong jawline, her tongue sliding teasingly into the dimpled area at the end of Nora’s chin. She laughed a heady, commanding laugh as she heard Nora moan a little, felt her partner shiver against her burning body.

“Right now nothing is in me, which I expect you to remedy immediately.” She husked out the words as she had continued spreading her kisses along Nora’s face, finally finding the woman’s earlobe, her lips and teeth nuzzling, nipping and making love to the tender flesh. “You know I hate to be kept waiting. My body is just abuzz with needing you Nora, please… don’t leave me like this.” She added a pout to her words, her hands having worked over Nora’s body, sliding lower, touching all the spots she had learned would excite and drive Nora crazy.

Nora’s eyes had fluttered closed, the blonde unable to keep up for the moment with the sensations flooding her body as Nikki continued to press and toy with her. One of the wonderful things about Nikki was how she had learned the small things that would pleasure Nora. This was proving at the moment to be a curse as much as a blessing. “Public,” she hissed through clenched teeth, trying hard to stay afloat and not give herself to this erotic madness Nikki had embraced.

“That’s what back seats are for Sugah,’” Nikki returned, her roots showing as her southern accent was thick but not forced, rather slipped back into like a well worn shoe.

“Damn it Nikki, I…” Nora began physically weaving her body back and forth, finding that did not help as it simply created more friction, sending another round of sizzling, sexual energy through her body.

“It’s been too long since we were daring and naughty. Too long since we had a little fun. Besides, there’s no one around, we’d be in the car and the way I am gunning, I don’t think this is going to take very much to send me soaring. And I know you need a good lay, you’ve been all tense and stuffy.” She leaned in and attacked Nora’s neck and shoulder, not letting up, hoping to keep the blonde disoriented and buzzing. God she felt so alive and powerful. She wanted to share it with Nora, to help her partner and lover feel the same way. She knew the woman had been so involved in the case load, and worrying about family issues. “Just a little release Nora, we both need this… it’s not hurting anyone and we’ll feel good.” She continued to tempt and seduce Nora. As she spoke, she walked them along the side of the car a bit.

Distracted, Nora looked around, assessing the area, conflicted. She continued trying to catch her breath, finding it hard to breathe, her body so tight and… needy. She inhaled sharply as she realized how much her body was aroused and how badly she wanted this right now. It seemed Nikki’s kisses and touches were as alluring and stimulating as what the brunette had taken in the dealer’s house.

As Nora warred, torn between her desire and her logical mind, Nikki had been busy, opening the car door. She began pulling and pushing Nora into the back. “Last one to come has dish duty for a week.” She threw her head back a wicked, loud laugh bubbling up as she continued bullying and maneuvering Nora into the car, using every inch of her body now to rub against the blonde not letting Nora have a moment to protest.

Chapter 7

Nora was seated at the kitchen table, reading over a newspaper when she heard a groan bellow forth from the bedroom. She ignored the sound, continuing to scan the paper. Silence had just begun to reclaim the house when there was a thump and a mumbled string of curses. Nora continued to act oblivious to the sounds. She twisted her mug so the logo splashed across the dark blue background faced outward, the movement precise and well-practiced.

Mid-sip, she heard the toilet flush, the bathroom door crash open, and the shuffle of feet down the short hallway indicating someone was approaching the kitchen. Barely batting an eyelash, Nora stood, going to refill her mug as well as filling another mug that had been placed on the counter near the coffeemaker. She brought both over, setting one across from her, before placing hers back in the spot it had just been occupying. Picking the paper back up, Nora chose to open it fully, hiding her form completely behind the paper as she located the spot she had left off reading and began to read once again.

“God, it’s bright in here,” The words croaked out with a low-grade mumble attached.

Nora again remained oblivious to the commotion, turning the page and starting on the next article.

“Did you get the number of the mac truck that sideswiped us?” Nikki tried to joke, falling into the chair across from Nora, her arms flopping on the table, her head following suit to rest in the crook of her folded arms, the brunette wincing and moaning once again as she settled.

“You.”

Nikki twisted her head enough to free one eye so she could peer across the table. “Excuse me?”

“Not us, you.” Again the reply was short, terse and offered only the bare minimum of conversation.

“Oh, well… did you get the number?”

Silence.

Nikki pursed her lips sensing all was not well in Noraville. “Are you upset because I didn’t work on the report any last night?” Well, she assumed she didn’t. Last night was a bit of a blur, so too was yesterday afternoon as she thought about it. She knew from the pounding headache and raging body aches that it must have been a doozy of a night. “Let me get some of this heavenly coffee in me and a shower and then we’ll go report to Dan.”

“Done.”

Nikki lifted her entire head up, wincing as she did, her index finger going to massage her temple. “What? Did you get up with the roosters to go in?” ~~No wonder you are a cranky puss…~~ She thought as she tried to bring the bleary ad on the back page of the paper into focus, she thought she saw shoes and the word sale.

“Nikki, it’s almost five, I went in and covered for you. I gave Dan a briefing on our meeting with Octavio and Roxie and told him we had another meeting set up for tomorrow. I then finished the lab requests for the Yolander’s case and worked with Georgia and Izumi to coordinate our case load for the next few days. That was followed by taping the interview with the Questors, which is now turned over to the D.A.” Throughout the entire diatribe, the newspaper never wavered or lowered, the voice disembodied and clipped.

“5:00? Really? As in P.M.?” Nikki swallowed some, her hand finding its way to the mug and pulling it toward her. She noticed a hand snaking around from behind the paper, pushing a small bottle of medicine to Nikki before it disappeared one more behind the barrier Nora seemed to have erected via the newspaper. Grateful, she took the bottle, peering at it to see what she should take. “Well they say it’s always Five O’clock somewhere…” She tried to tease, grunting as she was having trouble getting the lid to the bottle off.

“That’s not funny.”

~~Oh dear, Nora must be reallllly pissed. What happened last night… and… wait… report on meeting with… Roxie?? Who is that??~~

As she tried to work through that conundrum, she continued to grunt and struggle with the bottle, banging the cap on the table a few times, then grimacing at the noise and how her actions jarred her head.

“Well, um, so… it’s five. We could… go to this sale.” She reached out and flicked a finger at the paper, snapping it on one of the shoe pictures. Have they changed how they seal these bottles?” She was tempted to try and use her teeth to maybe rip the cap from where it was lodged.

“Dear lord,” Nora crumpled the newspaper in a ball, throwing it to the side in frustration. “No sales, no shoes, nothing. Gimme that.” She reached over and plucked the container from Nikki’s floundering fingers. With a quick twist, she had the bottle open, roughly thrusting it back into Nikki’s hand that was still outstretched, the brunette flummoxed by the display and simply staring at her partner.

As if casting a fishing line into a feeding frenzy of man-eating sharks, or in this case it might well be Nikki-eating sharks, Nikki plucked the first idea she could latch onto and tossed it out into the electrically charged atmosphere. “Who’s Roxie?”

A knock at the door interrupted the conversation and the mild stand-off. “Hey!” Darius’ voice boomed from down the hall as he came inside.

“We’ll talk about that later,” Nora said as she went to greet Darius.

“Afternoon ladies. Got any coffee?”

“Sure,” Nora said, moving out of his way as he walked past her and went into the kitchen, plopping down at the kitchen table opposite Nikki.

“Man! You look like shit, girl.”

“Gee, thanks. I didn’t realize I looked exactly how I felt but thanks for letting me know.”

Nora detected tension in the air as the two sat at the table in silence. She poured some coffee into a mug and set it down in front of Darius.

Nikki drew a long look, neither she nor Darius blinking in the impromptu game of staring. Nora put her hands on her hips and made a grunting noise once again feeling as if she was not even in the city, never mind room.

Nikki looked over her shoulder at Nora, “Nora, honey, could you give us a couple of minutes?” Please?” She tried to slip back into a jovial mode by batting her eyelashes.

Nora’s face darkened, a lowery disposition taking over her body language. She held out a hand. “Gimme a 20.” She said in a rough voice.

Nonplused, Nikki reached across the kitchen table, picking up her purse and going through it to find a twenty. “Do you mind telling me what the purpose is behind this?”

“Everytime you leave me out from now on, you owe me 20. In fact, you owe me another bill for Dan’s office and for the Velvet Man.” She wiggled her fingers and then gripped the money as Nikki put the bill in her outstretched hand.

Nora knew this was stupid, reminiscent of a parent scolding and punishing a child, or an old fashioned nickel jar every time someone cussed. But Nora felt so left out and off balance from everything happening, that she was beginning to just say damn it all and throw her own logical and collected self out the window as apparently her lover already had.

She turned then and stormed to the counter, grabbing a leash and whistling for their dog. “I’m going to be a fucking millionaire by the time this damn case is over.” Still muttering and stomping, she and the frisky dog headed out the front door.

Nikki never turned away, watching the blonde’s antics, still staring at the door after Nora had left, a gentle cough from Darius pulling her back.

He placed a matchbook on the table and slid it over to Nikki before standing, taking a long drink from the cup before speaking.

“I’m not doing this Nikita…”

Nikki turned her full attention to Darius. “What?”

“I’m not watching you drown again. I know you like to play with fire, but things are different now. You have… a place and a life. You have Nora.”

“I don’t need a lecture Darius.”

“This ain’t that baby, if it were I’d be reminding you how we met and what we had to do to get you back on the right track.”

“I’m not that person anymore…”

Again he cut her off, “No? I heard about the visit to Black Velvet. It explains why your call to me last night was so up and down. I delivered what you wanted,” he flicked a finger at the matchbook before taking another drink of his coffee.

Nikki said nothing, her eyes narrowing as she watched Darius like an caged animal watches its jailer.

“I know the undercover is part of the game. I know you especially like that game. Nothing wrong in that. I’m a player to, have to be these days and times. But not everyone is, girl. Not everyone will accept and let you slide on by.”

“You mean Nora,” Nikki’s expression changed, softening as she said the blonde’s name.

Darius nodded, “Aye, and others. You’re a cop, you’re good people, respectable, and easy to take down.”

Nikki held up a hand, “Whoa buster, what? You had me until the end.”

“You can lose it all Nikita, this time you are in a position that’s not so easy to dig out of when you fall. And you will fall if you keep it up. You already let the need back in.”

“How did you…”

“Please Nikita, my ears are always to the ground. When I hear about one of my friends taking the peace pipe when she should be staying away, you should know I’ll dog that rumor to the bone and find out. Which is why I agreed to come when you called. I wanted to personally let you know I’m backing out. I can’t watch another one of my family slide down that slippery slope to hell.”

“You’re making this out to be bigger than…”

“Did you take the crap Black Velvet offered?” Darius bent down so he could look Nikki straight in the eyes.

Nikki found she couldn’t answer, she didn’t back away, but she didn’t respond.

“Did you touch the shit, Nik?” Darius’s tone was dark and edgy, causing Nikki to flinch.

“It was just one, I had to sell the deal and our covers.”

“No girl, the only thing sold was your soul. You know you had a bad reaction last time and that your system can’t handle it right.”

“I only took a small hit. We are going to get these people off the street Darius. We’re going to stop the people who send people to hell. It’s just a case, it’s why I became a cop.”

“To go on a personal vengeance spree?”

“That’s uncalled for.”

“I just call the cards as they’re laid, maybe you should too, stop trying to hide behind the badge.”

“I can handle this.”

Darius just looked at Nikki. He snapped his fingers, a business card appearing. He held his two fingers out, the card wedged between them. “For a stormy day, it’s all I can do.” Once she had taken the card, he turned, walking out of the house.

He stopped as Nora was sitting by the fountain, petting the dog. “Can I go back in now?” Nora asked, worry masking her normally bright green eyes.

“Yeah, I’m done.” Darius sighed and started to walk off, then turned back to face Nora. “Nora…”

Her brow furrowing, Nora hesitated, “Yeah?”

“Love her, love her more deeply than you ever have or think you ever could. And don’t forget what it is you love. She’s going to need you more than she’s ever needed anyone. And the worse thing is, she doesn’t have a clue how much she will.”

“Uh…” Nora didn’t say anything else as Darius had turned and was heading out, not once looking back.

Nora waited until he had disappeared and then looked back at their house a very uneasy feeling building in the pit of her stomach.

Chapter 8

Danny “Blade” Stout was the name scribbled on the back of a matchbook. Darius had slipped it in Nikki’s pocket, reminding her that she owed him one - a big one. He wanted to stay out of it, knowing full well that Nikki was going to take on people that weren’t like any criminals she’d ever come across before. But worse was the fact that she was going to get Nora tangled up in it as well.

As Nikki absently rubbed the matchbook in her hand, she and Nora pulled up to Fuzzy Dice - the stripper joint from which the matchbook was from. According to Darius, Danny was a frequent visitor because he not only got his lap dances for free, but he helped make sure the ladies were “happy” and “well supplied.”

Nora had pulled his rap sheet which read more like a novel - drug trafficking, theft, assault, attempted murder, the list went on and on. Most were repeat performances. It made her wonder about the criminal justice system and how it could allow for someone like him to be out on the street. It also made her want to put him away all that much more.

“You okay?” Nikki asked as the two headed inside.

“Yeah. Just not looking forward to meeting this guy because I know what he’s done and now I have to somehow forget all that and pretend to like him.”

Nikki rubbed Nora’s back. “It’s okay. I’ll cozy up to him so you don’t have to.”

Nora smiled slightly but didn’t feel any better about the situation. She also didn’t like the fact that Nikki was being so nonchalant about the whole thing.

They walked into the club and before they had a chance to approach him, he approached them - excusing himself from the company of two topless blondes on either side of him. “Heard you two were looking for me.”

Nikki nodded as she looked him up and down. “Word travels fast. Then you know we’re here to talk business.”

He motioned towards an empty table and Nora shook her head. “Privately.”

Danny got up in Nora’s face. “Outside then. Follow me.”

They followed him outside to the back of the club into a small alley, not exactly what they had in mind.

“Let’s get one thing straight. I don’t do business with just anyone that walks in here.”

“We’re not just anyone, Danny,” Nikki said with confidence.

Danny wiped his nose a few times. “It’s Blade, call me Blade. Word on the street is that you two have been working your own game for a while, under the radar. I ain’t never heard of either one of you so forgive me if I seem a little suspicious.” He opened his jacket to reveal a .45 tucked inside.

“Easy,” Nora said. “What good is a supplier if everyone can finger point in that direction if shit goes down. We’re like ghosts.”

He smiled and nodded. “I like your way of thinking.”

Both ladies felt slightly at ease knowing how well their contacts had built them up enough for Blade to buy their story.

“So we want in on your territory,” Nikki said as she moved closer towards him. “We hear that your merchandise is top of the line. In fact, I’ve sampled a little bit of it myself.”

“While I’m flattered that you’ve enjoyed your trip, but times are tough and let’s just say I don’t feel like splitting the profits too many ways.”

Nikki moved closer to him, making Nora very uneasy. “Why don’t you and I have a chat alone about how much your profit margin will rise,” Nikki slowly ran her hand down his stomach and towards his crotch, “with the two of us out there selling your product.”

Blade snaked an arm around her and smiled. “Let’s ummm chat then, shall we.”

Nikki gave the man a cutesy wiggle of her nose and a social laugh, seeming to fawn over what he had said. Keeping her hand low, the pressure consistent, Nikki waved Nora off, not even bothering to look the blonde’s way. “I do believe I have found someone who can give me just what I need.”

Nora not only felt like a third wheel but was steaming inside because of Nikki’s actions. “Guess I’ll go back inside while you two talk it out.”

“Sorry, darlin’,” Nikki drawled as she turned back to Nora and planted a smooth kiss on her partner’s lips. “Just give me a few minutes alone with him, it’ll be okay,” she whispered in Nora’s ear.

Nora wasn’t buying it but she had to play along. She stroked the side of Nikki’s face and bit her bottom lip. “Don’t be too long.” She wanted to say more but she had to stay in character.

“I won’t. Wait for me at the bar and I’ll buy you a celebratory drink.”

“Make it a double and enjoy; tell them Blade is taking care of you.” The dealer wrapped an arm snug around Nikki, Nora immediately forgotten as Nikki and Blade walked down the alley leaving Nora to retreat into the club.

* * * * *

Nora placed an order at the bar, she didn’t care to think about the morality of the drink and if she was or was not on duty, she just wanted something and wanted it now. Drumming her fingers on the bar, waiting for the bartender to return, her gaze stayed tight on the club’s back door; her mind trying not to think what Nikki and Blade were discussing or “how” they might be discussing it.

Nikki had dismissed her. The “Southern Belle” had turned on the charm and then had asserted her “authority” and told Nora to go and wait for her. Nora was fuming and seething inside at the way this case was developing. Only the fact that Dan and his superiors had personally thanked Nora and Nikki for taking on this assignment kept her from walking away. She wished this had been one of those cases when their hard work went unnoticed. Damn department trying to get good press. And for better or worse, taking a bunch of dealers and drugs off the street was good; and very good PR.

“Five more, that’s all I am giving them and then I am back out there.” She grunted, all of her cop instincts screaming this was wrong, her lover instincts howling as well. She hated the way that dealer had put his hands on Nikki. Of course she also didn’t like the attention Nikki was lavishing on the man in return. Even repeating ‘this is undercover and just a case’ a thousand times had not damped the uneasy feeling gnawing at her nerves.

A hand on Nora’s shoulder startled her, the blonde so worked up she turned, swinging a fist without thinking.

Her punch was blocked, the fist caught and held by the same hand had that had been tapping her shoulder.

“You have a nice roundhouse and if you’d had a second more, I bet my face would have gotten a bird’s eye view of said punch. You always greet your co-workers that way?”

Nora swallowed hard, not saying a word as she stared at the woman, placing the face, immediately recalling the way she had “meet” this person before. She blushed deeply, her body shivering a little as she remembered the impulsive lovemaking in the car the other day; how she and Nikki had been interrupted by Black Velvet as well as the woman she had almost punched.

“We do keep meeting in the most fucked up places and ways, don’t we?” The woman cocked her head to the side looking Nora over, her eyes lingering on the detective’s chest.

“Um, you’re Roxie right?”

“Corner Store works too.” The young woman laughed, running her thumb along the back of Nora’s knuckles as the woman had not yet let Nora’s hand go.

“Corner Store?” Nora parroted the words back, her eyes straying down to their connected hands.

“It’s close by and you can get what you need. That’s how I do business, sugar.” Roxie looked Nora up and down, licking her lips. “And I’ve got what you need.”

Nora withdrew her hands and smiled slightly, trying to be polite, “I’m all set, thanks.”

Roxie took a seat next to Nora and flicked her chin in Nikki’s direction, “She’s yours, huh?”

Nora looked behind her and saw Nikki and Blade heading towards them. “Yeah.” She didn’t like the fact that Nikki was coined as being “hers” - like a possession. But in this world, everything was about ownership and control.

“Mmm. Mmm. Damn, girl. I do have to say that I enjoyed the performance the other day. You’re more than welcome to give me a buzz if you two would like to add a third wheel to your activities. Unlike some other people around here, I’m all for mixing business with pleasure.” Roxie sidled up closer, rubbing against Nora. “People like you and me gotta stick together. Besides, the way Blade is looking at your little pusher, you might be finding your bed pretty lonely.”

Nora was interrupted from answering as Nikki and Blade reached the bar.

“Have a nice chat?” Nikki asked, rubbing her fingers along Nora’s upper arm, the blonde tensing and taking a step away from Nikki, backing into Roxie who conveniently was right behind Nora.

Nikki detected Nora’s sudden coldness and tossed a fifty dollar bill on the bar. “We better get going. So much to do before tomorrow.”

Blade slid the fifty back over to Nikki, “Keep it, drinks are on me.” He winked at her and smiled with one of those dirty smiles, indicating to Nora that Nikki and Blade had done more than just talk when they were out in that alley.

Nora stood up and immediately exited the bar, leaving Nikki behind to say their good-byes.

“Sorry. You’ll have to excuse her. I think she might be a little jealous.” Nikki grabbed her purse and tucked it under her arm. “Same time and place tomorrow?”

“Most definitely,” Blade said as he hoisted his drink and then downed it. “Make sure your girlfriend there doesn’t get too jealous or I might have to worry about her.”

Nikki shook her head, “Don’t worry. I know how to put her at ease.” With that comment, she exited the bar.

Outside, Nikki found Nora already waiting in the car - arms crossed over her chest.

“What’s the matter with you?” Nikki said as she climbed into the passenger seat.

“I can smell him on you and it makes me gag. Do I dare ask what went on between you two?”

Nikki sighed and leaned back against the car seat. “Let’s go home and clean up, I plan on burning these clothes, taking a very long shower and then we can discuss our meeting tomorrow.”

Nora pushed her tongue deep in her cheek, looking sideways at Nikki. “Meeting? Why do I get the feeling this is not a meeting I will like?”

“Because you won’t, I don’t either, but we’ll be able to put all of those names on the list together. Blade is bringing his suppliers, Snowman and Medusa, to meet us.”

“Great, do any of these people have normal names,” Nora cracked, not trusting herself to say too much as she was apt to just start ranting.

“I’m not sure creativity is a fine point with this group,” Nikki replied, her mien neutral as she knew Nora was struggling with this. “At least I have a nice name, Southern Belle is classy.”

“Class that’s wasted on this trash,” Nora grumbled.

“I know honey. Tomorrow I am bringing another payment, so we’ll have all of them on board for those charges and then it’s just a couple more and we’ll have them for the big stuff.” Nikki paused for a moment and sighed, “Almost there Nora, we’re almost there, just a little more, a couple of more steps.”

“Why do I feel like I am stepping into a big pile of shit?” Nora left those as her final words, starting the car, turning her attention to driving.

Chapter 9

Nora was breathing hard as she found a spot at the bar and ordered a drink. She had to admit, Roxie could dance. The dealer had been keeping Nora busy and out on the dance floor, having consumed Nora’s attention since she’d entered the club as Nikki had been ushered off to do business. The initial meeting with Medusa and Snowman had seemed ok; Nikki’s charms again on high and putting everyone at ease.

The ease of the meeting let Nora hang back, observing and listening. She’d found that the two suppliers gave her the creeps. The way they talked and watched Nikki and Blade. There was something off about these two. Her time with Roxie confirmed her suspicions, “Corner Store” happy to chatter away as it kept Nora close to her. Nora shivered a little, still feeling dirty from having gone along with some of the dancing and petting just so she could keep Roxie talking.

It seemed there might be a coup brewing. And now she and Nikki were getting sucked right into the middle of it. Just what they needed on top of everything else.

Her little distraction with Roxie had kept her from realizing how much time had passed. Hearing a laugh and other rowdy sounds above the music, Nora began weaving through the crowd, intent on finding Nikki. She pulled up short as she saw Nikki, Blade and a couple others in a booth all very cozy, a bunch of money and drug paraphernalia on the table.

She caught Nikki’s eyes and tilted her head toward the bar, hoping to high heaven Nikki would follow her. She made her way to the bar, grabbing a seat, afraid to look back in case Nikki was not coming.

Nikki sat down on the other side of Nora, “Hey, babe. Miss me?” She nuzzled into Nora’s neck, kissing her jawline.

Blade slid a drink in front of the brunette as he watched the two women like a horny frat boy.

Nikki eased away from Nora for a moment to take a few swigs of her drink before diving towards Nora’s mouth for a deep kiss.

Nora flinched slightly as her nose caught a whiff of Blade’s cologne that had clung to Nikki’s skin. All kinds of thoughts ran through Nora’s mind, including how nonchalant Nikki was in cozying up to him one minute and her the next. She almost found it disturbing that she could turn it on and off so easily. She staggered to her feet, wiping at the corner of her mouth, a smear of red on her thumb matching the shade of lipstick Nikki was wearing. She wiped again at her lips, the taste of alcohol mixed with something else permeating her taste buds.

She leaned over and picked up Nikki’s drink, the glass almost empty. She tasted just a little and then spit it back in, her actions out of Nikki’s line of sight but in plain view of the others. She let her eyes drift, seeing if she could find what she was looking for. There, Medusa’s face, a smirk that was challenging. Snowman and Medusa joined them at the bar, their oily smiles so thick Nora wanted to puke.

“Tomorrow is good for me Belle,” Sammy held out a hand to steady Nikki as she wavered a little when standing. “I already heard the rumors from our rivals about a new source putting us firmly in to claim new territory. It seems you are bringing us to new places.” He lifted his glass as a toast. “I’d like to go over some of your contacts, set some lines in place.”

Nikki nodded, “I am at your disposal.” She bowed a little and then turned, grabbing tight to Nora, whispering once they were toward the front of the club. “Nora, I need you to hold me tight, I was feeling fine and great a few minutes ago, but now I feel like I am about to keel over.”

“Yeah, it’s called crashing back,” the blonde said sarcastically, her arm tight around her partner as they staggered to the car. She’d noticed that something was wrong earlier when Nikki began breaking out in a sweat.

It took a few tries, but Nora managed to get Nikki in the car and settled before she moved to the driver’s side and got in.

“That’s it, we need to just cut and run Nikki.” Nora started the car, looking over at Nikki, worried. “Do we need to go to the hospital or something?”

Nikki was curled up on her side, the car seat already reclined as far back as it could go, the brunette’s hands wrapped around her stomach. She slitted her eyes open and looked up at Nora. “No, just, home. I’m sorry. I had no idea there was something in that drink that Medusa gave me.”

“Yeah, about that. I plan to go and personally thank Medusa,” She felt a hand on her knee and looked down, then over to the chocolate eyes watching her. “No distracting me Nikki, this is going too far. They gave you something, again…” She grimaced and focused back on traffic.

“If we stop, then everything I have done, you have done is going to turn into six months to a year, and it will make it almost impossible for anyone to ever get more.” She squeezed Nora’s knee, closing her eyes then trying to quell her nausea. “Remember what happened to that case Detective Hernades and Noughtry were working on. And what about the other cases. How many times have any of these criminals gone away. You saw that report on these people. They all have a charge sheet and yet there they all are… if no one is willing to really chase them…”

“But the drugs Nikki and the interaction…”

Nikki was quiet, her hand simply opening and closing in a slow rhythm on Nora’s knee. The blonde finally let her hand slip down and covered Nikki’s hand.

“We tell Dan tomorrow then we are going to have to really do some heavy activity to sell our covers. If the department frowns upon it, then we’re done. But we both know cops that had to do some heavy stuff to lead to the big takedown.”

Nora sighed, thinking about the cases she was sure Nikki was referencing. “I dunno, Nik. What you’re doing right now, taking these drugs. That’s pretty heavy, don’t you think?” Undercover was never a black and white world and Nora knew it. Lines blurred, hell lines didn’t really exist. But her conscious did exist, and her worry for her lover. Morals and ethics aside, drugs had a biological part. Her eyes flickered to her partner, lying in the seat next to her, sick, a testament to the ups and downs of dealing with these chemicals.

“I just hate how you have to do this to yourself,” Nora changed her tactic.

“I’m doing it for you.”

Nora stomped a little on the brake, apologizing as Nikki groaned and shifted in the seat. “Sorry, just having a what the fuck moment is all. Care to help me with that?”

“I don’t want you to have to get into this role. I need you there with me, I can’t do this alone. You’re a hell of a lot stronger than I am. I did it last time and…”

Nora was quiet, praying Nikki would elaborate on the last time, but she knew Nikki wouldn’t. The brunette just wasn’t ready. And as much as she wanted to slam Nikki for that, she couldn’t. She herself had issues she was not ready to face. Issues that affected Nikki and forced the brunette to alter her lifestyle to help hide Nora’s secrets. And with everything else going on, Nora was not about to step into the line of being a hypocrite.

No, they both were hiding things and hurting each other, all the while telling themselves they were doing it to keep from hurting the one they loved.

“We don’t have a lot of time, so I am doing things I know that are, wrong and dangerous. But it is their world and the quickest way to them, by becoming them. Just be there Nora to keep me, Nikki Beaumont from getting buried by the Southern Belle. Help me get the information so we can stop them. We can do this, I just know it.”

Nora squeezed Nikki’s hand, ruefully acquiescing to the request. She gave the silent agreement even as she felt as if she were throwing out her normal caution, intelligence and sanity.

Chapter 10

Nora paced back and forth, chewing on her thumbnail as her brain tried to make sense of everything going on. The past few days had been unlike anything she’d ever experienced. There were so many things that needed to be discussed between her and Nikki and she knew this wasn’t the time to hash everything out, but at the same time she was chomping at the bit to get to the bottom of it all.

“Will you stop,” Nikki pleaded as she popped more aspirin into her mouth and chased them with a gulp of coffee. “You’re making me nauseous with all that pacing.”

Before Nora could respond, Dan’s voice boomed across the station. “Nora. Nikki. Get in here.”

Nikki was still feeling the ill effects of the drugs. Her insides felt like they’d been twisted into a knot while her head pounded in an annoying rhythm. But she managed to get to her feet and followed Nora into Dan’s office, shutting the door behind them.

“This case you two are on, we’ve got enough evidence to make a slew of arrests. The drug charges alone will stick real tight. You’ve done some good work here.”

Nora nodded in agreement. “Let’s wrap this up then and…”

Nikki stormed out of the office. At first Nora thought she was going to the ladies room to throw up again, but instead she saw her return to her desk and come back with a handful of files.

Nikki tossed a file onto Dan’s desk, pointing at it sharply, “Take a look at that and you tell me that sending these assholes away for a couple of years is going to make up for that!”

Dan opened the file containing crime scene photos. He’d been a cop for a long time, but he never got used to seeing the bodies of kids. There were five, ranging in ages from 14 to barely 21, each shot execution style. Written in blood on the wall by the bodies was “No one crosses Blade”.

Nikki continued to toss down more files in front of him. “How about these kids that overdosed on drugs linked to Blade and his crew, huh? Do you think it will make up for them too?”

Dan closed the files and tried to appear unrattled by what he’d just seen. “Look, I know how you feel and I…”

“No, you don’t. 48 hours, Dan. That’s all I ask is for 48 more hours. We’re the closest anyone has ever been to Blade.”

Nora put her hands on her hips. “Nikki, what more can we do? If we get any closer we risk being made.”

It was as if she never even heard Nora’s voice. Nikki’s stare remained focused on Dan. He was the one to make or break her chances to go further. “Please. We were invited to a party tonight and all the players will be there. If we do this right, we can peg them on the drug charges AND murder.”

Dan tapped on his desktop with the tip of his pen as he contemplated her offer, shifting his eyes between the two women. “48 hours.”

“That’s it, I swear.”

His eyes drifted over to Nora. “What’s going through your mind?”

Nora didn’t want to go against Nikki and she sure as hell wasn’t going to announce that Nikki had been taking the drugs being offered to her. She hated the whole case and wanted out, but she couldn’t abandon her partner. “I just want to get this over with is all. These people disgust me with what they do to themselves and to other people.”

Nikki’s heart stung a bit from the comment, feeling like it made reference to her drug use. But Nora was right and she knew it.

“I want this all wrapped up by next week. Just be careful, that’s all I ask.”

“We will,” Nikki smiled, feeling victorious. She walked past Nora and went back to her desk.

Nora slowly sauntered over, tossing a jab in Nikki’s direction as she passed. “Happy now?”

“What is your problem?” Nikki hissed at her in a whisper. She didn’t want to make a scene but at the same time her head was killing her and she didn’t have the strength to yell.

“This whole thing is my problem, Nik. And what it’s doing to you is also part of my problem.”

“I can handle this.”

“Right, because you’re doing so well so far.”

Nikki got up and walked out of the office.

Nora counted to twenty before going outside to find her and attempt to smooth things over. So much had happened already and Nora couldn’t help but feel like she didn’t really know Nikki. She thought back to the day when she first met her, with her elite friends throwing large amounts of money around as if it were nothing, designer clothes and endless amounts of ass kissing amongst the party goers. Nora thought she’d had her pegged for another spoiled rich girl, and she was to an extent, but no way would she ever have guessed Nikki had a history with drugs. Then again, money can get you anything - including drugs.

She found Nikki outside sitting on a stack of crates, sitting with her arms folded across her chest.

Nora reached out and put her hand on her shoulder as she sat next to her. “I’m sorry.”

“Why don’t you let me do this on my own then. Maybe that’s what would be best right now. You obviously want to back out so…”

“Hey, hold on. I’m not backing out of this.”

“You want to, I can feel it.” Nikki stood up, brushing a bit of dust from her pants. “It’s fine. I’m closer to Blade anyway.”

“Obviously,” Nora mumbled under her breath.

Nikki’s hands flew to her hips, “Excuse me?”

“You two are quite an item. Are you sure you can see where the line is drawn on this one, Nik?”

“Don’t worry about me.”

“Well I do and THAT’S the problem. I can’t just bail on you, especially when you’re doing what you’re doing. What if it goes further than this and…and you can’t get out of it?”

“I’ve gotten out of it before and I can again. Stop making such a big deal about it.” Nikki looked at her watch. “We better get a game plan together if we want to make it on time tonight. If you’re still in then I’ll meet you inside.” Nikki turned and walked back into the station leaving Nora behind.

* * * * *

Nikki and Nora arrived at the party, both feeling energized with adrenaline but for different reasons. Nikki wanted to nail Blade and his crew while Nora just wanted to end it before Nikki fell deeper and deeper into her old habits, apprehension and concern building with each step they took.

Nikki had gotten into the lifestyle, socializing with Blade, whose arm she had been hanging onto since they’d arrived at the place Blade had brought them to, a very nice plantation, dropped back far from civilization and remodeled with many modern amenities.

Her apprehension had just gotten stronger and stronger from the moment they were picked up in Blade’s limo, their cell phones confiscated as this was to be a weekend of complete relaxation and no outside influence allowed. Nikki had seemingly embraced that idea, telling Nora that she planned on going in deep with the atmosphere to put Blade and especially Aurora at ease and not suspicious.

Nora twisted the strap of her duffel bag as she followed behind Nikki and Blade, the blonde trying hard not to notice how they were walking together and the attention Nikki was giving the dealer. She glanced at her watch as they slowed in front of a door. “45 hours and counting,” she grumbled, stumbling a little as someone bumped into her from behind.

“See, I knew we were soulmates, I always ended up being the bellhop at the functions too,” Roxie had come up and kicked at the small overnight bag Nora had been pulling. “Corner, carry this for me and drop it in my room so I can go grab some action.” The woman gave a nasally inflection to the words as if trying to mimic someone.

“How do you know it’s not mine?” Nora immediately asked, not liking it when someone came off knowing more about her than she liked.

“Designer and so not your colors, besides, a duffel and overnight? You just don’t strike me as the accessory type. Now the Belle,” She jerked a thumb in Nikki’s direction. “So, how about you dump the luggage, do whatever kissy face you need to and then come find me. I’ve got a job Snowman and Medusa need done. They suggested I take you with me, show you the ropes. Who am I do deny?”

About to decline, Nikki came up, entering the conversation. “What a fine example of Southern hospitality. I am planning on just relaxing in our room for a bit Nora, go play, see what you can find out.” Nikki made eye contact with Nora, both knowing the underlying motive to Nikki’s words.

“Yeah, sure, let’s just unpack and then I’ll come find you, Corner.” Nora waved the dealer off, turning to face her partner as she took Nikki’s hand, looking beyond to see Blade watching them. Feeling possessive, Nora pulled Nikki to her, kissing her suddenly, her hands threading through the dark hair, the kiss passionate and intense, her lips taking their time before traveling to the ear, her words low, for Nikki only, “I love you.”

Nikki pulled back, cupping Nora’s cheek, “And I am all yours, let’s go settle in.”

~Only 45 hours, I can do this, it is only a stupid party, right?~~ NOra thought as Nikki turned to wave at Blade before pulling Nora into their room. ~~I’ll just head out later, take the little tour with Roxie and then be done with this.~~

A little meet and greet with a few others, should be a simple, plain, average event. So why was Nora’s instincts kicking her hard telling her there was more going on beneath the surface? At the time, Nora ignored the uneasy feeling, letting it go. She would come to realize later on that ignoring her suspicions was the one step that triggered everything else. That was the moment when everything started to go to hell, dragging her and Nikki along for the ride.

Chapter 11

“Okay, you know what, I think it is time to just get out,” Nora said to herself as she was stuffing some clothes into the duffel bag. She knew the stakes had gotten high when those kids had been killed; the pictures still vivid in her mind. Nikki had been pushing since they had arrived yesterday. Her questions dark, her actions deliberate. The brunette had thrown herself into the role and world completely. Now Nora wished she’d not agreed to the weekend party.

Party…

“Yeah right, party for one.” Nora grumbled to herself. “I am finding out where they took Nikki and then we are done.”

Nikki came stumbling into the room, clearly not herself and high as a kite. She slammed the door behind her and mumbled incoherently to herself. Her normally beautiful brown eyes were rimmed with redness, not necessarily detracting from her beauty but put putting a big question mark as to her current state-of-mind.

“Nik? What’s wrong?” Nora put her hands on Nikki’s arms, trying to keep her still so she could look at her. The brunette felt cold. Not by the touch but by the distance Nora felt when touching her.

Nikki shrugged away from Nora’s grip. “Leave me alone. I just need to find it and I’m out of here.” She continued to frantically search the room, running her hands through her hair as if trying to wrack her brain.

“Find what?” Nora looked at her more closely and knew something was wrong.

“My stuff!” she yelled, annoyed that Nora wasn’t understanding. Tossing a few random items across the room in frustration, she still continued to search the room.

“Nikki look at me. What did you take?” Nora paused for an answer but didn’t receive one. “You took something you shouldn’t have. Please sit down and…”

Nikki shoved Nora away, a little harder than before, causing the blonde to stumble backwards. “Get your hands off me. You’re far from innocent in all of this shit and you damn well know it.”

Nora’s eyes narrowed in confusion. “What?!? Nikki, what are you talking about?”

“You stole my stuff. Didn’t you? You took it!” Nikki balled her fists by her sides, agitated by her inability to locate her drug stash. She was right however, Nora did take it but there was no way she could admit to it with Nikki being this upset. She’d flushed the drugs earlier that morning, just after breakfast. Nora had been telling herself they were just some evidence Nikki was collecting so she was being silly doing that, yet… She knew it was inevitable that Nikki would find that they were gone, but Nora suspected Nikki was beginning to abuse them and thought it best to get rid of them all together.

Nora grabbed Nikki’s arm and squeezed it tight. “Sit down! You’re a mess. Look at yourself! You’re high on God only knows what and you…”

Nikki pulled out her gun and aimed it at Nora’s chest. “Let go of me now or I swear to God I’ll shoot you.” She dug the steel into Nora’s shirt, snarling her lip in anger.

Nora’s heart leapt into her throat and she immediately froze. This was a situation she’d never in a million years dreamt of being in.

Before either woman could say another word, Blade started knocking on the door. “What’s going on in there?”

“Nothing, just taking care of something I should have taken care sooner.” Nikki pressed the gun into Nora’s chest even harder.

“Nikki, what the hell is wrong with you?” Nora didn’t dare make a move because it was obvious that Nikki wasn’t thinking straight and her finger was dangerously wrapped around the trigger.

Blade opened the door and found Nikki aiming her gun at Nora. “Whoa. There a problem in here?”

Nikki’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll say. She’s a fuckin’ pig.”

“Hey, if this is some domestic dispute between you two, I don’t need that shit. As long as you sell…”

“A cop, Blade. She’s a dirty, stinkin’ cop.” Nikki dug the gun into Nora’s shoulder, poking her with it as she spit out each word. In Nikki’s drug-filled haze, she remembered the comment Nora had made about being disgusted by what these people did to themselves and to others. That comment felt magnified and lit a fire within Nikki that heightened her anger toward Nora.

Nora’s stomach plummeted to the floor in disbelief. She’d never been one to scare easily but this shook her right to her core.

“What did you just say?” Blade asked as he moved next to Nikki, now the both of them looking at Nora.

“She’s a cop,” Nikki repeated as she wiped her runny nose across her sleeve. So un-ladylike and so un-Nikki.

For once, Nora didn’t know what the hell to do. Her lover had a gun aimed at her chest, just sold her out, and a big time drug dealer named “Blade” was now staring her right in the face. How was she going to get out of this one?

Blade got up in Nora’s face. “Is what she saying true?”

Nora didn’t flinch and didn’t offer him an answer, she simply turned her head.

Nikki balled her fist and hit Nora in the face then grabbed the front of her shirt, pulling her closer. “Tell him,” Nikki said as she put the barrel of the gun under Nora’s chin, causing her head to tilt back.

She didn’t answer.

Blade moved Nikki away and stepped in front of Nora. “I’ll take care of it from here. I love when they don’t answer me because it just makes me enjoy it all that much more.” Motioning for Nikki’s gun, he took it from her and shoved it roughly into Nora’s ribcage. “Let’s go sort this out, shall we.” He grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the room.

Nora got off one last look at Nikki’s eyes before they left - eyes that didn’t belong to her Nikki.

Chapter 12

Halfway down the hall, Nora was slammed against the wall, her head bouncing off the wallboard as Blade leaned into her with his body, pinning her to keep her from moving. He shoved a gun under her chin to make damn well sure she didn’t move - and she didn’t. Her mind was still reeling from everything that had just happened.

“We’re gonna have some fun, you and I. Well…actually, I’ll have more fun than you.” He took the gun away and tucked it behind his back. “You make a move and I’ll kill you right here.” He pulled her arms behind her back and tied her wrists together with plastic zip ties.

Still, Nora said nothing.

Looking to her left, she could see Nikki standing there, leaning against the doorway - that same crazed smile on her face. Nora figured she was definitely high on something pretty powerful considering she’d lost all of her senses and treated Nora like a complete stranger. Or was it all an act? She knew Nikki was good at playing the part, but would she let her be beaten to a bloody pulp as part of a plan?

He grabbed her by the elbow and dragged her down the hall to a small room. Shoving her inside, he slammed the door behind him.

“Shit,” Nora said to herself as she knew this wasn’t going to be easy to get out of. She didn’t care if he beat the crap out of her, she just didn’t want to endure a sexual assault.

In a sick way, she almost wanted him to hit her so that it would shake her from the numb haze she felt trapped in. It was hard to think and her mind was overwhelmed with questions. Give she was about to have her ass handed to her, it wasn’t a good time to lose focus.

Blade licked his lips and in a flash his fist flew out in a blur towards Nora’s side, connecting with a vicious blow and sending her to the floor gasping for air. She hadn’t expected it, really. She thought for sure he’d taunt her with words and bore her to death with his tall tales of being a badass drug dealer before any physical contact took place.

He followed with a blow to her right eye that not only split her skin but sent a flurry of stars dancing around her head. The bastard could hit, that’s for sure. The thick confusion in her brain just got thicker. She knew right then and there that she was in trouble.

He smiled as he took out a small vile from his pocket, poured the substance into the palm of his hand and snorted it, throwing his head back and rubbing his nose. “Yeah!!” he yelled out like a wild man, his eyes wide and menacing. “Wooo! Nothing packs a punch like this shit!”

Nora got up to her knees and while he was enjoying the rush of the drug she got to her feet and charged at him, tackling him to the ground and getting her legs around his neck. She squeezed as hard as she could to try and choke him. He kept slamming his fist into her knee cap, trying to get her to let go. A brutal strike jolted her knee cap and she was sure she felt a tear inside. Loosening her grip, he was able to free himself and scramble away from her.

“You bitch!” he seethed through gritted teeth. The drugs in his system made him seem invincible and incredibly hard to fight. Most would have taken a moment to recover from nearly being choked to death, but he was up on his feet with fire in his eyes. “I’m in charge here!” he yelled as he sent his steel-tipped boot into Nora’s ribs. He circled around her like a vulture as he watched her cough and struggle for air. “Who are you and who sent you here?” Spit flew from his mouth as if he were a mad dog.

Nora winced. Apart from a few gasps of pain, she stayed silent. She tucked away the urge to say something sarcastic, no sense in making matters worse, especially since this was probably going to last a while.

“I suggest you start talking and tell me who you are.” He paced and circled, the drugs clearly having an affect on him.

“You already know I’m a cop so why should I bother giving you my name?” Nora asked as she broke the silence.

He stopped his pacing and squatted down in front of her. His eyes screamed with the drug he’d just snorted - cold and menacing, “Because when I kill you, I’ll be able to add you to the top of my list of kills. Dead pigs are major points in my world.”

Nora chuckled sarcastically.

“What the fuck’s so funny?”

“Just the fact that you THINK you’re going to kill me.” So much for holding back the urge.

That comment ignited a fire inside him. He wasn’t going to stand for some cop, much less a female cop mouthing off to him and trying to insinuate that he wasn’t a threat. “Oh really.” Blade grabbed Nora and hauled her to her feet. As if mimicking a pro wrestler, he placed one hand on her belt and the other grabbed a fistful of her shirt by her shoulder. He hoisted her up and flipped her upside down with ease. As he brought her down, he knelt, slamming Nora’s shoulder down onto his knee - smiling as the sickening pop echoed in the room as it dislocated.

Nora couldn’t help but cry out as he tossed her to the floor like a rag doll. The pain was intense. Intense enough for her to lose her grip on reality for a few minutes as she blacked out.

It was the smell of vomit that drug her awareness up out of the murky pit it had sunk to as the pain flooded her system. As she tried to squirm away from the smell, she vaguely made the connection it was an old, decaying odor. There had been others here, beaten or otherwise tortured. The thought was as painful as the physical blows as it brought back Nikki’s earlier words of how vile these people were. Now she and Nikki were trapped in this hell.

The detective cringed, curling up a bit as she could sense Blade was there, in her face, his putrid breath assaulting her. She could hear his teeth grinding, his tense energy making her sick. Another smell pushed into the mix, one laced with an earthy, coppery odor. She worked to open her eyes, trying to clear her senses and find the source; although she was certain some of her own blood was the cause. Peering through half-slitted eyes, trying to feign unconsciousness hoping for a moment of respite before he started again, she made out his face, hovering above hers. There was a thin stream of red smeared across his lip, the man rubbing at his nose and lip, poking at her face as well as his. She recalled a lecture awhile back about the effects of certain street drugs. Tweakers, users of crystal meth, were prone to mood swings, euphoria, hallucinations, as well as aggressiveness and other physical symptoms.

“You really don’t have as much stamina as I thought a cop would. No wonder Nikki came to me to find some satisfaction.” Blade sneered as he continued to push into Nora’s face, his words laced with his hot, fetid breath. Nora tried holding her breath, turning away slightly; the words stinging. She had a flash of cockiness and a taste of machismo, her thoughts rising to Blade’s bait, the mental reply and taunt that she could run circles around his sorry libido any day or night and take Nikki higher than anything he could ever hope to give. The brief flare of defiance was ruined however by the stark reality that right now she was at the mercy of this dealer and through some wrong misstep by her and Nikki, they had fallen into this bizarre, surreal nightmare.

She wished now she’d not gone with Roxie on that drop. Granted, the ugly turn the events had taken had let her take down the supplier as well as the two rival gang members trying to assassinate Roxie. Funny, as she’d driven back from the precinct and locking the dealers away, she had been trying to think up ways to casually tell her lover she’d been in a gun and knife fight and how to phrase things so she’d not to end up on the hot seat for getting into trouble. Her sidestep into danger seemed moot as Nikki had apparently gotten swept up in Sammy and Aurora’s plan to get rid of Blade and take over the business.

She wondered how they had gotten her to do whatever it was that had messed with her partner’s mental state. She thought Nikki had been staying away from it ever since that talk with Darius. She made it look like she was going along for the ride, maybe a little too much. Yet something had gone wrong.

Nora should never have agreed to split up. Maybe it had even been a set up from the start. Maybe they knew Nora was helping keep Nikki in line. She wasn’t sure, too many possibilities. Any hope of solving those questions evaporated as she was hauled to a sitting position, Blade shaking her body vigorously.

“Wakey, wakey, time to make you shakey…” He bleated, laughing in a staccato pattern as he dragged her towards a wall, laughing harder as she cried out because of her shoulder, the agony searing through her body as if she’d grabbed a live electrical wire. “Let’s see how quickly a sledgehammer can shatter a human bone, shall we?”

Chapter 13

Grabbing the blonde cop’s hair, he pulled her head up, forcing the woman to sit up on her knees. “Now, now, no passing out. Not yet, I plan on having a bit of fun with you. We need to send a few messages. One to the asshole cops thinking they can take Blade down. Two, I want the other gangs to know we don’t back down from no one and ain’t afraid to kill a cop or anyone else. And as an added bonus, I have some new techniques I want to try out, see how long a human can last.”

Nora wavered a bit, pulling against the hand holding her as she tried to fight the nausea and pain. She didn’t want to move as every small bump felt like someone was sticking hot pokers in her shoulder.

“Let’s cut those ties off you. I invite you to be stupid enough to try and fight me.” Blade cut the plastic ties off of her wrists and tossed them aside. “I dare you to try it.”

Nora winced at the sudden freedom of her arms but also at the trickles of blood dripping down her wrists from where the plastic had bit into her skin.

“Hmmm, you know, let’s mark your territory since you’ll be spending some time in this room.” The dealer pulled on Nora’s hair, the woman yelling and cursing but managed to crawl on her knees, her dislocated arm held as tight as she could to her torso.

They reached one of the closet walls and the dealer let Nora’s hair go, the detective slumping down, breathing hard, large shuddering breaths as she tried to manage the pain. She wanted to pass out, but if she did, she could not find out what had happened to Nikki. Even through all of this, she still could not help but worry about the brunette. She needed to know what had happened. She loved Nikki, that was certain, even with what had happened, the image and feel of the gun against her wasn’t enough to tear that love down.

But, there were pieces obviously missing, and she planned on getting the hell out of this and making Nikki talk to her. That was what was keeping her from breaking, from screaming, from just giving up. She had to see Nikki, had to understand. No damn way in hell was she letting her Nikki go, not even with all of this. But things had to come out, she had to know everything, because that would be the only way to start them both healing.

She was pulled from her thoughts by a kick to her lower back, the boot’s steel-tipped toe finding her kidney and hitting it hard. She groaned and looked up.

“Good, welcome back. Spacey blondes, always scattered and dumb.”

Nora wanted to make a comment about stereotypes, but her earlier sarcastic wit had earned her extra beatings and she knew she had to make every hit count, her body was wearing out and would not be able to take much more.

“Now then, I want you to write, ‘I am a dirty cop pig.’ On the wall right here.” He pushed her hard enough that her head smacked on the wallboard.

“I ain’t got nuthin’ to write with.” She spit out, grimacing as she saw blood sprinkle across the wall, the coppery taste spreading through her mouth, her lip pulsing where she’d inadvertently bit it.

“I can fix that.” He reached in, quick, and drew his Bowie knife across Nora’s left thigh. The cop screamed, unprepared for the cut. Leaning down, the dealer took Nora’s right index finger and dipped it in the blood welling from the cut. “There you go, ready made writing tools.”

Sickened, Nora recoiled a bit. “I’m left handed,” she said sarcastically.

The dealer grinned in a way that told Nora this man was insane, she had no doubts. Yelling down the hallway, Blade summoned one of his cronies. “Miguel, come help.”

Before Nora could process, one of the other pushers had come up, bracing against Nora’s back, the main dealer in the front and with a quick, rough jerk, he wrenched Nora’s shoulder back in joint. He was no professional and it certainly wasn’t done with care.

The blonde screamed and slumped to the floor, blacking out.

It was the pain of someone stepping on her right hand that rudely woke her back up. She whimpered and snatched her hand back, panting hard, the world spinning. Not even 20 seconds later she was back on her knees in front of the wall.

“Oh yes, more ink…” He sliced her right thigh, this time guiding her left index finger and coating it. “Now, write.”

Her right hand pressed against the wall, nails clawed into the flaking wallboard to help keep herself upright. Her left hand shaking badly, she started working on the I.

Chapter 14

I leaned against the wall in the corner of the room, enjoying the fact that I was finally alone.

He’s been at me all afternoon, kicking, punching, slicing, stabbing, cursing and taunting. I’m physically and emotionally drained.

I can feel my wounds oozing, making my stomach roll, but what makes my stomach turn even more is hearing Nikki’s voice in my head when she blatantly blew my cover. Just hearing the word “cop” sent a shiver down my spine.

Was it part of Nikki’s secret plan all along? Why is she allowing him to do this to me? Did she really sell me out? If it was the latter, all I can ask myself is why? Was it something I did? Was it something I said? I know she was high on whatever drug she took, but was that enough to make her do something so drastic that might cost me my life?

So many questions why.

I can’t even think straight at this point.

There’s blood all around me - on the floor, on the walls, all over me. It’s all mine, which scares me. They want me to die slowly and painfully. I get it. Can’t tell how many times he stuck his finger in each stab wound just to get me to fight back so he could hit me more. And I did a few times. But after a while I just didn’t want to endure another pain to add to my growing list so I let him poke, trying to ignore the sting and burn.

I close my eyes as I shift over to my right side to relieve the pressure on my left side. My shoulder aches from being dislocated and then roughly popped back into place by some random jackass friend of Blade’s. Then there are the countless other areas that are causing me pain - mostly my knee and a few shallow stab wounds. It’s all too much for me to think about right now. My mind keeps floating back to Nikki.

“Why, Nikki?” I mutter to myself as I slowly open my eyes. It’s starting to become a struggle to open them and keep them open.

My moment of being alone was short lived when Blade entered the room. Worst of all, Nikki trailed behind him. The sight of her sends my stomach into a lurch.

“Nikki and I had a long chat and she told me that you lied to her all along, pretending to be some big-time drug dealer. I have to admit that I wondered why you never sampled the products you sold. Not like Nikki here who enjoys a good quality blow, and I mean that in every sense of the word, huh sweetheart.” He grabbed Nikki and the two kissed - slobbering all over each other, his hand on her backside, groping her like a perv.

I had to look away. This wasn’t my Nikki.

They broke their kiss and Nikki grinned evilly. “I want to play with her, too.”

“You’ll have your chance, baby. For now, I still need to make sure she understands what a huge mistake she made.”

“Please. Just give me ten minutes, that’s all.”

He handed her a five inch Italian Switchblade. “Here. Take this.”

Nikki smiled at him, “It’s so beautiful and shiny. Too bad its not going to stay that way.”

Blade smiled back and exited the room.

I thought this would be it. This would be the point where Nikki would tell me what the hell was going on. She’d tell me that everything was going to be okay and that no matter how brutal this was on me, this was all part of the plan.

I was wrong.

Chapter 15

“Nikki…” Nora said, her voice low, wary as her eyes followed the knife as Nikki was idly swinging it back and forth in a lazy figure 8 pattern.

“That’s my name, don’t wear it out.” Nikki gave a huffy laugh, tilting her head back a bit as she sauntered over to Nora.

Nora began scrabbling up, using the wall to help support her as she was tired and finding it harder and harder to work up her energy.

Nikki began flicking the blade open and closed, open and closed, open and closed. Laughing each time it shot out.

“What’s going on, talk to me, please…” Nora was so tired she didn’t bother to hide the pleading. She was desperate, willing to do anything to try and snap Nikki out of where ever her mind had gone. “I can tell both you and Blade are trippin’ bad. I’m scared here, Nik. Scared you both are going to get hurt.”

Nikki moved, fast, so fast Nora never really anticipated it and thus screamed a bit as Nikki slammed into Nora’s injured shoulder, the blow causing Nora to slide back to the floor. “You hurt me,” Nikki growled, “You lied. You’re a lie. I trusted you.” The brunette’s face had morphed into a dark and dangerous expression, her hands shaking.

Nora looked up through her sweaty bangs, breathing hard. “This is that new stuff Sammy and Aurora brought in, isn’t it?” Nora was trying to hold on, to grasp anything. She remembered the conversation she and Nikki had overheard the other day. Maybe there was a takeover brewing in the organization and this was the way to take down Blade… and anyone else along the way.

Nikki crouched down to eye level. “What’s it to you? Still trying to solve the case…” She paused, wavering a little and Nora instinctively reached out, grabbing the brunette’s arm to steady her. “I knew someone once who was always doing that. Always her little brain working.”

With a spark of hope, Nora squeezed Nikki’s arm. “What was your friend’s name?”

“N-N…” Nikki stuttered and started to fall a bit more toward Nora. Reaching up, Nora bit her lip as she used her injured arm to lay a hand against Nikki’s cheek, green eyes searching for a spark in those chocolate brown eyes. She felt like crying as she didn’t see anything, Nikki’s eyes unfocused, watery, dull and vacant.

“N-No,” Nikki threw out in a guttural tone, ripping away from Nora, turning her head, pulling away. “No more hurt, it hurts, no more hurting.” Nikki grabbed at the sides of her head as the drugs in her system continued to play with her mind. She was sweating, her eyes darted around…she looked as if she were going insane.

“Nikki, listen you’re… there was something wrong with what you took, you need to listen and get us…” Nora held her breath so she could place both hands along Nikki’s cheeks, trying once more to reach her lover.

“Stop hurting me,” Nikki said, louder, harsher. She pulled back, twisting her head violently to get away from Nora’s hold, the action causing her already tipsy equilibrium to be thrown off more. She fell back, kicking out at Nora, the blonde screaming a bit as Nikki’s heel connected with her already bruised and probably fractured ribs.

“God, ugh,” Nora grunted, having to let go as she put a hand down on the floor next to Nikki, trying to keep herself upright.

“Stop hurting me,” Nikki practically screamed. Distressed, the brunette gripped the open blade and thrust it straight down with force as she tried to use the action to beat away the demons and images flooding her mind. Her stomach and chest hurt, her mind hurt, everything was wrong. She needed to find someone. Someone who could help her feel better. “Get away,” she said through clenched teeth and brought the knife down again, not really aware of the screams echoing around the room.

Blade however heard the screams and threw the door open. “Nikki, darling, what the hell’s going on in here?” He stood at the doorway trying to see through the double images and the aches he was feeling.

Nora meanwhile was clutching her hand to her chest, trying to scrabble away, her hand bleeding profusely as Nikki had stabbed the knife into the back of it.

“Was that bitch trying to escape?” Blade came over, arms wrapping around Nikki who had started crying and was shaking more.

Nora found the beatings and cuts and other bruises did not even compare in terms of pain as what seeing Nikki in the arms of that dealer was doing to her. She could not keep the sob contained that leaked out as she huddled against the wall, her body shaking from all of the torture it had been taking, physical and mental.

“It hurts.” Nikki whimpered, pushed back against the wall, curled up, arms wrapped around her stomach, the knife beside her as she’d dropped it there after stabbing Nora’s hand.

“I’ll take care of you, but first, I think it’s time to get rid of some trash.” Blade paused, clutching at his stomach, his face contorting in pain. He was feeling the same ill effects as Nikki. He took in a breath and then opened his glazed eyes, turning to look at Nora. “I’m done playing with you. No one makes a fool of Blade. Time to make an example.”

Chapter 16

Nikki woke up, quickly realizing she was face down on the cold cement floor. The coppery smell of blood filled the air and made her wince as the scent filled her nostrils.

She couldn’t move. Her head felt like a jackhammer was chipping away at her brain so she closed her eyes and remained still for a few more minutes.

Rolling onto her back, she groaned as she slowly opened her eyes. Staring up at the ceiling, she noticed the dirt and grime…even some spattered blood.

Her head rolled to the side and her breath caught in her lungs as she took in the sight of Nora propped up against the wall, her head slumped to the side, her usually olive tinted skin now pale….and than there was the blood. Lots of it. On her, on the floor, on the walls…everywhere. And just above her head was “I am a dirty cop pig” written in blood, now dried in a sickening shade of maroonish brown.

~Oh God, they know she’s a cop,~ Nikki thought to herself as she read the words, not recalling when or how Nora’s cover was blown.

Nikki ignored the pain in her head and crawled over to Nora’s side, checking her pulse only to find a weak one. “Nora? Nora, can you hear me?” Cupping Nora’s face gently, she felt nauseous as she took in all the bruises, especially the large one under Nora’s right eye that was accentuated by a weeping cut. There were the multiple stab wounds all over her lover’s body, some still leaking fresh blood. She started to count them but stopped after six.

Nora was unresponsive, not even so much as a whimper.

Nikki began to panic, her thoughts racing as she tried to figure out what had happened. Thank God for adrenaline because it was the only thing allowing her to function.

Clutching Nora tightly, she began to sob, rocking back and forth and she stroked Nora’s hair. “I’m so sorry I got you into this. This is all my fault.”

Nora remained frighteningly still.

“I should have just taken care of this myself and left you out of it. I can’t believe they did this to you.” Nikki kissed the top of Nora’s head, completely unaware that some of the wounds were caused by her own hand. Even worse, she witnessed and cheered on the torture inflicted upon her lover. “I need to get you out of here. Nora? Can you hear me, baby?” Nikki checked her pulse again and it felt like it was getting weaker by the moment. She knew she was running out of time.

Nikki gently moved away from her and ran to the door. Opening it slowly, she peered down the hallway and found it empty. Returning to Nora’s side, she hooked her arms under Nora’s armpits and began dragging her towards the door. A slight moan came from Nora and the obvious pain became etched on her face. “Shhh, it’s okay. I’m getting you out of here. Hold on.”

She managed to get outside and get Nora into the car, lying her down in the backseat. Shutting the door, she turned and Blade was standing on top of her.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“I…I’m dumping her. She’s no good to us if she’s dead and she’s about an hour away from dead.” Nikki nearly choked on her own words. “I have a place where no one will find her.”

Blade placed a hand on the car, trapping Nikki where she stood. “I don’t believe you.”

“What?”

“It doesn’t make sense,” he said as he leaned closer to her, poking her in the chin with his index finger. “Last night you watched me beat the snuff out of her and then you had your turn - stabbing her with my Switchblade. I think at one point you said something about ‘this pig cop needs to die.’ So why are you not letting that happen so we can watch?”

Nikki almost threw up hearing him tell her things she had no memory of, but she had to stay in character. “I thought more about it last night and I think this is what we need to do. I’m not going down because of a lousy dead cop, so I’m cleaning this up before this comes back to bite us both in the ass.”

Blade grabbed her wrist, “You’re not going anywhere.”

Chapter 17

Nikki sat in the chair by Nora’s bed, never letting go of Nora’s right hand. She felt wrong being there and felt like she didn’t deserve to be by her side given she had assisted in nearly killing her.

What would happen when Nora woke up and saw here there? What could she say to make up for what she’d done? Would Nora ever forgive her? Even if she did, would she ever trust her again?

Nikki laid her head down on the railing and closed her eyes.

“You should be resting. Nora’s mother told me you were still here but you should be in bed,” Dan said as he quietly entered the room with a bouquet of flowers.

“My pain can wait and it can’t hold a candle to the pain Nora’s in right now.” Her voice cracked with emotion and she didn’t hide it.

“The doctors said she probably won’t fully wake up for another day or two. Go. I’ll stay with her. You really need to rest.”

Nikki shook her head as a few tears fell. “No. I…I need to spend some more time with her. Talk to her. Maybe she’ll wake up if she hears me.”

She didn’t.

Two more days passed and Nora still hadn’t awoken.

Nikki was sure she hadn’t any tears left to cry, but they continued to flow. The more time Nora remained unconscious the guiltier Nikki felt.

She took Nora’s un-bandaged hand in hers and scooted closer to Nora’s side. “Nora, sweetheart. I hope you can hear what I’m about to say. I feel like you need to know about my past because it’s part of why you’re lying here.” Nikki snuffed away some tears and cleared her throat. “Before I joined the force, I was involved in the drug scene. Of course, the high society drug scene is nothing like the stuff we see on the streets, but the only difference is visual. I was into some scary stuff and ended up spending some time in rehab for a bit. When we went to see Octavio, I felt my past rushing back to me. I figured that I’d take the sample because I’d been around these drugs before and would be able to handle it. I was wrong.”

Nikki started to cry, thinking back to the turn of events after they’d met Blade.

“Blade told me that I ratted you out but the department doesn’t know it. Yet, at least.” Nikki paused for a moment and looked at Nora’s bruised and cut up face. “There’s nothing I can do or say to tell you how sorry I am. I’m absolutely disgusted with myself and I’m sure you’d be disgusted with me as well. Hell, I wouldn’t blame you if you never spoke to me again.” Nikki wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater. “So I’m going away for a little while. Dan’s given me some time off in addition to the vacation time I’ve got saved up, so I’m going to take some time to reflect on what I did to you.”

Nikki stood up and gave Nora a quick, soft kiss on the lips, setting an envelope down on the nightstand by the bed with Nora’s name on it, before heading for the door.

She paused at the doorway, taking a small card out of her pocket, the one Darius had given her earlier, it had the name of a contact for a rehab clinic. “Guess it’s that stormy day Darius…” she said softly, her gaze lingering on Nora for a few moments more before she turned away, heading down the hallway, tucking the card back into her pocket.

* * * * *

Nora woke to faint sound of a woman’s voice calling her name.

Struggling to open her eyes, she noticed her mother’s face staring down at her, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Nora, sweetie.”

“Momma?” Nora croaked out in a raspy, dry-throat voice.

“It’s okay, you’re going to be okay. You scared us for a while there, though.” Her mother leaned over and kissed her forehead and then began stroking Nora’s hair.

Nora shifted a little, wincing at the pain that engulfed her entire body. “Wh….what happened?”

“You and Nikki were working on a case and you were badly hurt.”

Nikki. Where was Nikki?

Nora’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of her name and memories of her beating came rushing back. The vision of Nikki standing by the doorway, seeming to enjoy watching Nora being beaten - telling Blade to hit her harder.

She closed her eyes as her heart monitor picked up on her anxiety and beeped in rhythm with each erratic beats.

“Nora, honey calm down. You’re okay. Shhh.”

“Where’s N-Nikki?”

Her mother frowned slightly. “I’m not sure, dear. She was here by your side for a few days but no one has seen her since. I’m assuming this is from her.” Her mother held up the envelope to show Nora but then put it back down on the small table beside the bed.

Nora was silent, grimacing as she shifted a little in the bed. She thought she felt stitches on her hip, but it was hard to tell the individual aches and pain right now. Her whole body ached and she was sure she’d get the list of her injuries when she was more coherent.

“Can I get you something?” Her mother fretted, pulling at the blanket some to try and dispel the nervous worry she had built up over the last day.

“Yeah, could you hand me that envelope and then maybe give me a few minutes… ok?” Nora’s eyes held tight to her mother’s, hoping to convey her desire to have a few moments. She knew the next few days would be nerve-wracking considering she suspected her mom would be mother hen hovering just as she always had when any Delaney was hurt. She remembered Bobby going crazy when he’d broken his arm. Given her injuries were much worse, that meant generous helpings of Momma Delaney mothering.

The elder Delaney nodded and placed the envelope in her daughter’s hands. “15 minutes, alright?” Her question belaying the fact she felt that was too long.

“Yes, Momma,” Nora conceded, already beginning to feel tired again. She nodded as the envelope was deposited in her hands, her mother heading out of the door, a murmur of conversation signaling to Nora that other family members were nearby.

She counted a number of machine beeps, starting at the opposite wall as she steeled her nerves before she opened the envelope, a $20 dollar bill fluttering to her lap as she removed a single sheet. Nora felt tears starting to gather as she looked at the $20, a lump forming in her throat as she realized it felt like an eternity ago when she demanded the first twenty. She brushed at the tears that had become more numerous as she had a good idea what the letter would say given Nikki’s absence.

Dreading the words, Nora bit her lip and began to read.

fini