Keefer slammed down the phone and stared at it, willing it to ring... wanting Danni to call her back and tell her it was all a joke. It didn't ring... it just sat there, infuriating Keefer to the very limits of her tolerance. Her hands balled into fists and she took great heaving breaths in order to keep her hands from lashing out and hitting something. She'd never felt this angry before; no one ever had the ability to get her in this state of mind. The tall woman blamed her intolerance on the wine, right before she put a fist-sized hole in the living room plasterboard.

Moments later, staring at the hole in the wall, Keefer's anger bubbled over. "NO!" she shouted. "I will NOT let her do this to me!" The tall woman was trembling with emotion. "Danni sounded so happy, so gleeful to hear my heart breaking..." she seethed. "No way. No fucking way will I allow her to do this."

Keefer darted into her bedroom and threw a sweatshirt over her head, shoved her feet into her sneakers and, in a fit of rage, slammed the door behind her. At first, she didn't know where she was going, but her feet did and they were leading her to the club. She had to see for herself -- she couldn't trust Danni.

*******************

"Turn off that fucking radio, will ya?" Sheridan kicked at the dashboard clumsily. "Everything is about her... they all know her... they're all in love with her..."

Sharon looked sideways at her slurring friend, wondering if she was even aware of what she was saying.

"Go there," Sheridan lurched over towards Sharon and grabbed the steering wheel.

"What are you, fucking insane?" the cop wrestled the wheel back and punched Sheridan in the arm, a move ingrained in her from training, and rendered the blonde's left arm useless.

"It's broke! I can't feel it!" Sheridan stared at her arm in horror.

"Sorry, man, I just punched you in the nerve, it's only temporary. You freaked me out," Sharon said apologetically, her heart still pounding.

"It's just hanging there..." the blonde whined pathetically, "I wanna go to Keefer."

"I'm not so sure she wants to see you right now, Sher."

"She loves me," Sheridan said with a shrug.

"Well... okay, but if she kicks your sorry ass into the street, don't say I didn't warn you."

************************

Keefer walked past the park on the way to the club and concentrated on keeping her breathing under control. She felt miserable about going to the club, but she had to prove Danni wrong. Please, god, be wrong, she thought.

"Hey, Keef! Wait up!"

The tall woman stiffened and growled under her breath.

Danni jogged to catch up to the motionless woman. "I knew that was you," she said, running around to face her. "God, you look awful. I was on my way to your house to see if you were okay."

Keefer narrowed her eyes at the redhead and shouldered past her. Danni had to run to keep up with her.

"You can't ignore me."

"Apparently," Keefer muttered under her breath, counting away her anger from seeing Danni at this particular time.

"I'm the only one who understands you," Danni said with an amused lilt to her voice.

"Fuck off."

"Keefer! Wait up, will you please? Sheridan's not at the club."

Keefer stopped in her tracks.

"They took her home -- she was fucking plastered!" the red head laughed. "You should have seen her..."

"Why should I believe you?" Keefer asked, turning to face Danni.

"Because I care about you. I'm looking out for you, baby. Sheridan's no good, she's nothing but a useless slut and she proved that to you tonight."

Keefer's heart started pounding in her ears and her breath came rapidly through her mouth. "Nothing's been proven. You're lying. I don't believe you."

"Oh yeah? Check her neck, the left side, I believe," Danni said with a smirk. "One of the girls was sucking on her neck like she was starving. Boy..." Danni laughed in glee, "was Sheridan getting into it!"

"Stop it... now!" Keefer turned on her heel and started to walk back towards her house.

Danni started to follow her again. "You should have seen it, Keef. Your little slut, sucking that girl's tongue... I swore they were gonna fuck, right there on the spot."

Keefer stopped walking and breathed deeply. She closed her eyes and tried to erase the images that Danni's words had implanted in her wine-drenched mind.

"You must hate her right now. I don't blame you, sweetheart," Danni spoke close to Keefer's ear. "Let me take you home and hold you."

Keefer spun around, her infuriated, red-rimmed eyes locked on Danni's.

"I'll make it all better, I promise. You can trust me. Sheridan's nothing... she's a lowlife. I know what you need... I'll make you feel better."

Keefer's fist flew so fast that Danni didn't know what hit her. The redhead hit the ground and no sooner than her ass touched the concrete, she was being hauled up to her feet again -- with Keefer's hand wrapped tightly around her throat. Danni tried to pry the surprisingly strong fingers from her throat, but Keefer wasn't budging. Her free hand was cocked back and ready, her fingers in the shape of a claw, scaring Danni witless. Her quiet ex-girlfriend knew exactly what she was doing.

"Keef..." the redhead wheezed, watching the muscles in Keefer's cocked hand twitch with the effort to control them.

The tall woman panted with effort and loosened her grip. "I'll never need you," she spat out, her eyes wild with anger.

Danni attempted to nod, grateful that the tight grip on her windpipe had disappeared. "Thanks..."

Before she could finish her sentence, the hand Keefer had cocked back made contact with the side of her head and she hit the pavement again.

"You know something, Danni?" Keefer said loudly, adrenaline pumping through her body like wildfire. "You're right! You did make me feel good. I feel fucking fantastic!" she squatted over her stunned and bruised ex. "Now get up and let's do it again," she sneered.

"You're a fucking lunatic!" Danni yelled, pushing Keefer away from her. She was stunned when Keefer didn't even budge.

"And you're pathetic! Just for the record, Danni, this is the only time you made me feel fantastic."

Danni watched as Keefer stood up and strolled away. She got up on all fours and shook her cloudy head. "Who the fuck was that? And where did she learn how to do that?"

*****************

"You all right?" Sharon asked her suddenly silent friend.

Sheridan nodded and sighed.

The cop glanced over to see the saddest expression she'd ever seen on Sheridan's face. "What's wrong?"

"Keefer's going to be soooo mad at me," she pouted.

"At least you know that, Sher."

"I really fucked this up." Sharon smiled ruefully at her friend, whose head fell back heavily.

'The Ride Of The Valkerie' started playing from under the front seat.

"Your phone, Sher."

The construction worker opened her eyes and they rolled back, so she closed them again. "Fuck it," she slurred.

Sharon reached under the seat and looked at the display, "It's Keefer."

"KeeferKeeferKeeferKeefer," Sheridan murmured drunkenly and then passed out cold.

***********************

The tall woman slammed the door behind her and patted Fifi mechanically before she stripped off her sweatshirt. She couldn't believe how much she was sweating or how her heart was racing. When she still felt too hot, she took off her pants and blew down her soaked T-shirt. She had never felt like this before; she'd had adrenaline rushes, but never like this one.ĘShe flexed her hands, stretching her fingers all the way out and winced at the feeling. "I kicked Danni's ass," she said, surprised by the revelation. "I actually laid her out," she began laughing out loud, stopping abruptly when her eyes fell on the phone. "I wonder if Sheridan's all right," she picked up the phone and dialed, not surprised when no one answered. "Serves her right. I hope she gets sick all over the place," she said and then felt guilty. "Stupid idiot... how could you do that to me? To us?" she wondered out loud, her heart heavy with hurt. "I really love her... I don't want to let her go. This can't happen; I won't let her do this. I saw her eyes... she loves me, too," Keefer whined in frustration, tears coming feely once again. "Why did she run away?"

Keefer jumped as a horn blew in her driveway. "Who the hell? If that's Danni, I'll kill her this time." Keefer got herself all riled up as she went to the window and looked out. She couldn't see into the car, due to the headlights shining in her window, but she recognized the car. "Sheridan? Oh god, she didn't drive here, did she?" Keefer raised her eyebrows as she watched a woman as tall as herself slide out of the driver's side, walk around to the passenger side, open the door and kneel down. She gasped as the woman suddenly backed out of the car with Sheridan draped over her shoulder. Keefer flung open the door in alarm and waved the woman inside.

"I believe this belongs to you," Sharon said and turned around and allowing Keefer to look at Sheridan's face.

Keefer nodded, her lips tight with disapproval at the blonde's condition. "Put her on the couch," the tall brunette pointed the way.

The cop dropped Sheridan down and pulled off her boots before propping her legs up on the sofa. "I'm Sharon, pleased to meet ya."

Keefer tore her eyes away from Sheridan and saw that Sharon had offered her hand. She accepted it and was caught completely off guard when Sharon kissed her hand. Keefer blushed.

"Hey, go easy on her. I know she deserves hell, but she's really gonna feel this in the morning," the tall cop said.

"You're a good friend?' Keefer asked, staring once again at her lover.

"I like to think so, yes."

"Why did she do this?"

"She's afraid."

"What is she so afraid of?"

"You," Sharon said solemnly. "I'd better go."

"Sharon, thank you," Keefer said as she opened the front door.

"Don't thank me, just understand her," the tall cop said and was gone.

Keefer watched from the window as the tall cop got into a car with two other women and surmised that they must be Dawn and Marie. After they drove away, she turned around and regarded the figure on her couch with a heavy sigh. Keefer was angry, and she had a lot of questions. She was pumped up on adrenaline and frustrated because Sheridan was out cold and couldn't hold her and tell her that everything was all right. Keefer wanted the construction worker to tell her that this whole night was a dream; she wanted to feel her strong arms wrapped around her body, giving her that overwhelming feeling of security and contentment.

Keefer knelt down by her sleeping lover and stared at her slack face. The blonde's lips were half-open, swollen and red, like she was indeed kissing all night long. The inspector felt her heart pound hard. The left side of her neck? She turned Sheridan's unusually pliable body over and felt the tears well up again. Danni wasn't lying? She ran her finger over the big red bruise and sobbed out loud. Why am I crying? I know who Sheridan is and what she did before she met me... so why does it hurt so much? The tall brunette stood up and turned her back on Sheridan -- just looking at her face hurt her deeply. I romanticized, that's what happened. I was lying to myself. Sheridan isn't going to change her whole life because of me. Who do I think I am?

The blonde groaned and kicked her feet. Keefer turned around and watched her carefully. She stinks like a brewery, she may get sick. Keefer sighed loudly, went to the kitchen and brought back a large pot, placing it in plain view on the coffee table. She started removing Sheridan's clothing, taking the opportunity to touch the blonde's warm skin whenever possible. It felt so good to touch her and she found she couldn't stop. Keefer touched her everywhere, feeling the smoothness of her skin, memorizing it, fearing that it was the last time she'd ever be able to feel her. Her crying blurred her vision and she stood up shakily to get a T-shirt for Sheridan to sleep in. She chuckled sadly when she realized she was clutching the blonde's bra desperately, but she didn't let it go. In fact, after she managed to get the shirt on the limp dead-weight of the construction worker, she curled up on the couch behind her and brought her fist up to her face, smelling the bra and Sheridan's personal scent as she tried to relax. It wasn't long before the effects of the evening caught up with her and she fell into a deep sleep, her fist still at her nose.

*********************

Knocking... knocking... pounding... knocking...

Sheridan's head felt like it was going to explode.

BANG

BANG

Good god... make it stop... The blonde groaned and rolled her dry tongue around in her even dryer mouth.

BANG

"Open the fucking door... now!"

Sheridan rolled over slowly onto her back and winced painfully. Someone was banging on her door and she had no idea how she got home. Wait a minute... where are the dogs? A bloodshot green eye opened slightly and she furrowed her brows. Ow.

BANG

BANG

Where the fuck am I? The blonde began to panic, not remembering a thing from the night before. Oh, god... I didn't... Her eyes flew opened and it took her a moment to realize she was lying on Keefer's couch. How the hell did I get here?

BANG

Where is Keefer... and who the fuck is banging on the door?

Sheridan concentrated, which was hard to do with the ringing in her ears, and she heard the shower running behind the closed bathroom door. A sense of relief washed over her knowing that Keefer was there.

BANG

"Motherfucker..." she muttered as she slowly turned her body and put her feet on the floor. "When did I get undressed?" She wondered, looking down at herself as she stood up cautiously.

BANG

The blonde glared at the door as best she could under the circumstances and put her hands to her splitting head as she walked, ever so slowly, towards the infernal banging. She began to feel light-headed and sweaty. Oh god... not a good sign... she winced, swallowing hard.

"I know that's your car, Sheridan! Open this door, you goddamned fucking slut!"

Despite her throbbing head and dreadful nausea, the blonde construction worker's nostrils flared at the words. She flung open the door and gave the most menacing stare she could muster to the woman on the other side.

"You little fucking son of a bitch!" Danni yelled, her fist connecting with the side of Sheridan's face. The blonde fell backwards and groaned pathetically. Danni advanced on her and lifted her up by grabbing a handful of her shirt. "How many girls do you need in one fucking night, you little whore?" Sheridan saw it coming but there was nothing she could do about it, she closed her eyes and swallowed again, willing herself not to throw up on Danni and embarrass herself further.

"DANNI!" Keefer screamed, just as the redhead's fist connected with Sheridan's face again.

"Oh, fuck..." Sheridan whined in an unusual voice right before she lost a night's worth of beer all over Danni.

"Sher... oh my god!" Keefer grabbed the pot off of the coffee table and ran over to the door, not knowing what to do first.

"You stupid asshole!" Danni yelled, ready to attack a miserable Sheridan who had fallen to all fours.

Keefer thrust the pot at Sheridan who held up a hand and took a deep breath. "I think I'm okay," she rasped out.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Keefer pushed Danni hard and the redhead fumed, pushing her back.

"You're pathetic, fucking this excuse for a human being... and after how she treats you."

"You should talk!" Keefer shouted, kneeling down next to Sheridan and picking up her head. She gasped at the way her face was bruising. "Does this make you feel good, Danni? Beating her when she's in this condition?" the tall woman stood up and came at the redhead, her fists clenching and unclenching.

"It's the only time she could beat me," Sheridan said in a low, pained voice as she struggled to stand up.

"You butt out!" Danni yelled angrily, pushing Sheridan back down to the floor.

Keefer raised her fist to hit her ex-lover when nightstick suddenly appeared across Danni's throat holding her in a chokehold.

"What the hell is going on here?" Sharon asked, taking in the unusual scene.

Sheridan wanted to crawl under the furniture and refused to look up at her friend. Keefer blushed furiously. Last night she wasn't wearing any pants when Sharon had shown up, now she was in a towel.

"This maniac showed up at my house and beat Sheridan!" Keefer explained to the cop.

"Well, it's a good thing I decided to come and check up on you then, huh, Sher?" Sharon asked, pushing Danni into her partner's hands. "Cuff her and put her in the car until I get this squared away," the cop looked at Danni and frowned, "and open the windows, will ya?"

"She fuckin' puked on me!"

"You hit her!"

"Enough, you two," Sharon said sternly. Once a protesting Danni was in the squad car, she squatted down and put her arm around Sheridan's shoulders. "You okay, Sher?"

"Yeah," the blonde said, looking away.

"Wanna press charges?"

"Yes," Keefer answered, "I do."

"Okay, harassment, trespassing... I'll think of a few more things."

"She pushed her," the blonde said, getting to her feet and walking slowly to the couch.

"Yeah, Danni pushed me, but she hit you. Look at you!" Keefer said angrily and hurried into the bedroom, put on her robe and then ran into the kitchen.

"I brought you here last night, Sher; you were pretty fucked up." The cop touched her friends face to inspect the damages.

"I kinda figured, when you said you came to check up on me. OW! That fucking hurts."

"Here," Keefer appeared with an icepack and handed it to Sheridan. "Are you going to press charges against her?" she asked the unusually pale and quiet blonde.

"No, but you should."

Keefer wondered why Sheridan was acting like this and decided to talk to her about it after Sharon left.

"That's gonna be a hell of a shiner, Sher," the cop winced and scrunched up her nose.

"Did I make an ass of myself last night?" the construction worker asked quietly.

Sharon glanced nervously at Keefer who looked away. "Yeah, you did," Sheridan looked at her in horror, "but we still love ya," the cop winked and chuckled.

Keefer looked at Sheridan through narrowed eyes, not caring to hear all the gory details, and turned to Sharon. "What do I have to do to press charges against Danni?"

"Oh, you take your time. We'll keep her comfy until you're good and ready to come down to the precinct and fill out the paper work," the cop said with a devious grin.

"Fine by me," Keefer smiled back and walked Sharon to the door. "Hey, you really are a good friend. Maybe we can meet again under... different circumstances?" The brunette followed the cop outside.

"I'd love to. Hey, just take care of her for now. A lot more of her is bruised right now than her face."

"I am so angry with her," Keefer started, but then shook off the thought. "Can you answer another question for me?"

"Shoot."

"Did she... um, you know... last night?"

"Last night, all she could talk about was you. No, she didn't, I don't think she could have, either. It's all about you, KeeferKeeferKeefer," the cop chuckled.

Keefer gave Sharon an odd look.

"Never mind," the cop laughed.

"Thanks."

"No problem. I know you're pissed off right now and Sheridan deserves everything you want to give to her, but go easy, she's never been in love before."

In the midst of all the emotions swirling around in Keefer's head, she felt her belly tingle from what Sharon said. She's in love with me... Keefer spared one last look at the sneering Danni in the back of the police car and heard her yelling something when Sharon opened her door to get in. The brunette shook her head in disgust and walked back into her house. She found Sheridan struggling to put her clothes on. "Sher, just lay down in my bed and relax," she said as she disappeared into her bedroom to get dressed.

"You have to be at work and I should get home."

"I called in already." Keefer reappeared dressed with her wet hair pulled back into a ponytail. "Just go to bed and give me your keys, I'll take care of your dogs."

"No, I can do it," the blonde said, bending over to put on her pants. "Oh boy..." she gasped, falling into the couch and breathing deeply.

"You're in no condition to drive." Keefer held out her hand, "Address and keys."

"You won't even look at me," Sheridan said sadly.

"I am so incredibly angry with you, but now is not the time to discuss it," she glanced at the construction worker who looked green. Uh oh.... she thought just as the blonde bolted into the bathroom.

Keefer wanted to feel good that Sheridan was feeling so miserable; she wanted to go into the bathroom and taunt her, get her back for hurting her so badly, but she couldn't. The part of her that cared, felt miserable with her; she loved her too much to be vicious.

Sheridan leaned her face where no face should be and groaned pathetically. She jumped when a cold, wet rag appeared on the back of her neck and long fingers sifted through her damp hair soothingly. Keefer was kneeling behind her, and she couldn't turn and face her, no matter how much she tried. She sighed in defeat. "In my jacket pocket, left side. 6801, 19th avenue. Third floor... 3G"

"Where are the leashes?"

"On the back of the door. Take Zeus first, you can't handle both of them," the blonde bit out before she started heaving again.

Keefer rubbed Sheridan's back in circles. "You'd be surprised what I can handle."

part 29