The Coward

By Mark Annetts

Pointless rambling introduction/disclaimer:

This is one of those uber things that rather cleverly gets around any unfortunate copyright nonsense. But between you and me, the two main characters do bear an uncanny resemblance to two of Greece's finest. Well, Greece in a sort of Texan and New-Zealanderish kind of way, if you know what I mean.

Anyway, this is about a rich kid from California and a stoical private eye from London, and how their courage changed the world. Or something.

The only warning I can give is that at one point two women get hot and sweaty with each other, in amongst all the car chases, huge punch-ups, and massive explosions. Now really, come on, people, this is the twenty-first century. Surely love is love and hardly requiring any such warning, is it?

By the way, I might have exaggerated the action a little bit. Well, quite a lot, really. Sorry about that. And to be honest the sex is pretty tame, too. Oops.

Serious bit:

I'd like to thank the Bards' Village for enduring the early versions and being kind enough to point out my many shortcomings. I'd especially like to thank Stacia for her fabulous proofing, without whom this story would be riddled with ofs instead of offs and yours instead of you'res etc. So, if you think it's bad now, just imagine how awful it was before Stacia spinkled her magic dust on it. :)

Part One

The man took the proffered report but didn't bother reading it. Instead he dropped it to the floor next to his briefcase.

"What does it say?" he asked.

"If you read it, you'll know," came the terse reply. The two people seated on either side of the desk in the small, neat office stared at each other. The only sound was from the gently oscillating desk fan that despite its name was perched on a filing cabinet.

"I'm a busy man, I have people to read these things for me. I don't have time."

"Fine, then get one of them to read it for you."

"Look, I've paid you a lot of money for this, I expect a little effort on your part."

"Okay, bottom line. Yes, your wife's seeing someone else. Several someones, in fact. Now if that's all, I've got other cases to work on, thank you and good day." The woman turned to her computer screen and began moving the mouse.

The man made no move to get up or leave. "You don't like me much, do you?"

"Not much," she said, without looking away from the screen.

"But enough to take my money?"

"You got what you wanted, I got what I wanted. Whad'ya want, my private telephone number?"

"Would you give it?"

"Nope."

"Didn't think so." He paused a moment. "So, you going to tell me what I want to know?"

"I thought you were a busy man?"

"So, I'll just get my secretary to reschedule. No big deal."

The woman stopped studying her computer and turned to the man. She sighed and nodded. "All right, here's the fuller version. I followed your wife from her place of work to a hotel in Mayfair. There she met someone and they went to her room. Did that several times in fact. Last Friday the pattern changed. Two hours after the meeting in the hotel she left with yet another person. I followed her and the third person to a night-club. There, I managed to videotape them being intimate in a cubicle in the ladies. The tape's in the folder, enjoy it at your leisure. Now, if there really is nothing else..." She held out her hand to the office door.

"Was there any trouble?"

"None that I couldn't handle."

"Oh..."

"Your wife's companion spotted me taping them and urged the club's bouncers to recover the tape."

"They didn't get it, I take it?"

"Nope."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that."

He studied the woman across the desk from him. "Why don't you like me?"

"Any reason why I should?"

"I'm a likeable person. If you'd let me, I could prove it to you."

"Not if you were the last man on the planet."

The man smiled a thin, humourless smile. He stood up, placing the folder in his briefcase and closing it with a snap. "Maybe next time, Ms Farmer." He held out his hand to shake, but she ignored it, returning instead to her screen.

"Make sure you close the door on your way out."

He abruptly turned and marched from the room, slamming the door with a loud bang.

"Arsehole," the woman muttered under her breath. In truth, she felt desperately sorry for the woman she'd been paid to spy on. The woman's husband was a hypocrite and an arrogant chauvinist. A man who considered it perfectly acceptable to have a string of mistresses, but thought nothing of setting a private detective onto his wife for trying the same thing.

She smiled at the thought of the look on his face when he got home and watched the tape and found his wife was two-timing him with other women. 'Serves him right,' she chuckled mentally.

After a moment the amusement stopped and the woman sighed. Catching her own reflection in the monitor screen she contemplated it in silence. The brief flash of despair and longing she saw in the piercing eyes staring back at her tightened into a scowl followed swiftly by a grunt of self-disgust. Angrily she switched off the screen and stood up. 'Damn it, time to go home,' she decided. Not that she particularly wanted to do what waited for her at home, but at least it would be away from the four small walls suddenly pressing in on her.

She meticulously locked all the cabinets and switched off the lights and set the intruder alarm. The brass sign on the door needed a proper polish but that could wait for another day; "Terry Farmer, Private Investigations." Her father's name still standing proud. She touched the plate with her hand, feeling the familiar tingle and reassuring sense of comfort. He was still there, keeping a watchful eye -- she could feel him.

'Getting soft in my old age,' she thought. She held her hand up in front of her face, extending her fingers with isometric tension, staring intently at it, looking for any signs of loss of control. The hand remained steady as a rock, despite the muscles flexing under the skin. Good.

Turning thirty hadn't diminished her physical strength and control. She rubbed the hand across her face and frowned. 'Come on, Farmer, get your act together, what if Mr Vadgamma came out of his little office over there and saw you studying your hand?' She smiled briefly at the thought of trying to explain to her neighbour what she might be doing. Not that he'd be so impolite as to question anything she might choose to do, of course. Not least of all because she was over a foot taller than he was. But he was a sweetie and always bid her a smiling good morning when they met on the stairs, always asking how the business of investigating privately was doing. She always smiled back graciously and said it was doing as well as could be expected. He would nod sagely, lift his hat and bow slightly as they passed each other on their respective ways. She turned and left the building.

Reaching her motorbike in the small carpark reserved for the office block, she unlocked the seat holding her crash helmet and crammed it on her head, not bothering to tidy away her long black hair. The large Japanese bike throbbed into life at the touch of a button, as she zipped up her leather jacket. Twenty minutes later she was pulling into the underground carpark of the block of luxury flats on Chelsea embankment, where she lived, overlooking the river Thames. Her father may have founded the company, but it was Teri's hard work, skills and determination that had made it into a highly successful business. Good enough to buy a fancy high-rise apartment and a few expensive toys that she rarely bothered with, plus a bank account that simply grew and grew.

Both her parents were dead and she was an only child. She'd never been married, not even close, not during her time in university, nor her short stay in the army, nor later her even shorter say in the police force. Like money, matrimony and a family just weren't anything that had ever interested her. Being left alone was her main priority in life. Work, keeping fit, and earning money were simply means to that end. A family and kids were so far down the list as to have fallen off it, sometime just prior to her teens. Nothing and no one had ever come along to make her reassess the situation.

The apartment was large by London standards, but then it had cost over two million pounds, so it should be. Large plate glass windows covered one end, looking out onto a narrow balcony overhanging the river. The interior was minimalist, some would say Spartan. A wood floor, a few leather chairs and a sofa, a large plasma screen TV, a few small tables, one of them with a laptop computer on it, and an expensive stereo that rarely got switched on, were all that were visible. A single photograph of her parents hung on one wall.

An expensively equipped kitchen, two very large bedrooms and bathroom completed the two million pounds' worth. Not a lot, considering that amount could buy a mansion in some parts of Britain. But London was where the well-paying clientele expected her to be, so that's where she was. Having far more work being offered to her than she could actually deal with left her in the enviable position of being able to pick and choose what she wanted to do. But even she wasn't stupid enough to turn down the head of an international company prepared to pay ridiculous amounts of money to keep tabs on his errant wife.

Terri hung up her helmet on the coat rack by the front door and removed her jacket, hanging it next to the helmet. It was the one of the two or three nights a week she set aside for a serious work out. She'd been doing it for so long that she neither particularly looked forward to it nor tried to excuse herself from it. It was just something she always did every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, and that was that.

She stopped on the way to her bedroom to collect a small bottle of spring water from the fridge in the kitchen, dropping her motorbike keys into the small dish on top of the worksurface. In the bedroom she peeled off her working clothes, down to her sports bra and panties, and tied back her hair into a ponytail. Pulling on some tight cycle shorts she opened her large, mostly empty fitted wardrobe and pulled out a metal pole and a shaped metal bar.

Having snapped the round pole into some recessed lugs in the doorway to her bedroom, she stooped and snapped the shaped piece into lugs on the floor. Now all that was needed was to turn on the TV, without any sound, and time her repetitions to the programmes running silently in the background.

She eased into the chin-ups with fifty swift two-handed ones. Dropping to the floor, she slid into the two feet holders, provided by the shaped metal bar, and did a rapid fifty sit-ups. All the while her mind remained in neutral as she watched the images float by on the large screen, and her body toned itself on auto pilot. Fifty excruciatingly slow chin-ups, followed by fifty slow sit-ups. On and on it went, as Teri pushed her body harder and harder, switching motions as the mood took her. Sometimes single handed, sometimes with added twists and turns.

So superbly fit was she that it took longer and longer to reach any sort of pain barrier, but that didn't matter. She wasn't going anywhere and had nothing else she'd rather be doing.

A sheen of sweat enveloped her body as her breathing became slightly ragged, but still she pressed on, and would have continued for several hundred more repetitions had not something extraordinary and completely unexpected happened. Her door-bell rang.

Somewhat shocked, Terri reached for the TV's remote and pressed a button. CNN was instantly replaced with a large fish-eyed image of a young woman standing expectantly at her front door. More inexplicable was that it wasn't someone that Terri recognised -- though, now that she looked more closely, the woman did look familiar for some reason. Her private address was a well-guarded secret, so no one should be here that she didn't know personally, and she really didn't know that many people.

Frowning, she unhooked her feet from the floor loops and walked to the door. She pressed the intercom button. "Yes?"

She watched the woman jump at the unexpected voice. The woman looked around startled, finally noticing the speaker in the door frame. Hesitantly the woman leant forward and spoke into the speaker.

"Ms... Ms Farmer?"

"What do you want?"

"I'd like to talk to Ms Farmer... please, Ma'am." The distinctive burr of an American accent came through the intercom.

"What if she doesn't want to talk to you?"

The woman frowned and stepped back, a look of surprise, quickly followed by anger, on her face. For some reason it made Terri smile. Cute indignation suited the strange blonde standing outside her front door, she decided. Sighing, she reached a decision and flung back the door, startling the woman once again.

"I'm sort of busy at the moment, what is it that you want?"

The blonde woman simply stood and stared at the apparition in front of her, her mouth hanging open in astonishment. It was as if a Greek goddess had suddenly materialised in front of her. Terri leaned forward and snapped her fingers in front of the woman's face.

"Hey! Whad'ya doing?" the blonde reacted, her mental processes kicking back into action.

"Look, love, I'm sweaty, hungry and pumping," she said, turning her arm over and presenting it to the blonde "And I don't really want to be standing out here talking to you. If you've got something to say to me, then say it so we can both get on with our lives, okay?"

The woman peered at the proffered arm and gulped. Clearly, watching blood pulse and pump in Terri's veins and arteries in quite such an alarming manner was not something she wanted to be really looking at, but, like a car crash, was apparently something she couldn't look away from.

"Man, that's gross." Her nose wrinkled in disgust. "What the hell are doing to your... self?" she said, looking up into piercing blue eyes that simply stole her voice once more.

"Oh for god's sake, I'm exercising, what does it look like?"

"Eeeww... does it hurt?"

Terri frowned at the unexpected question. "Does what hurt?"

"All that blood shooting around."

Terri looked at her arm, slightly puzzled, as if noticing the excessive bloodflow for the first time. "Er, no... it always does that when you exercise really hard."

"Wow." was all the blonde said for a moment. "I've been going to the gym all my life and I've never seen that before, on anyone."

"Yeah, well... maybe they don't push quite as hard as I do." Terri almost grinned, but managed to stop herself. She could feel the pumping slowing down, returning to normal, the veins sinking back to just below the surface. It would take another long time to get them back up. She sighed. "What is it you want, Miss..."

"Nikkoletta Takis, but everyone calls me Nikki," the blonde said, holding out her hand. Terri wiped her hand on her shorts and grudgingly accepted the proffered hand. Nikki gave her a surprisingly firm handshake.

"What can I do for you, Miss Takis?"

"I'd like to hire you to be my bodyguard for a short while."

"I'm a private detective, not a bodyguard. And how did you find my home address, by the way?"

"You're kinda direct, ain't you?"

"So I've been told, and you didn't answer my question."

"Oh, right. Er, well, I kinda had my dad's people do some checking up on you. You're not easy to track down, that's for sure." Her beaming smile, along with her bubbly character, was infectious and Terri found herself giving into the grin after all.

Terri noted the young woman's expensive clothing, the mental wheels turning in their usual precise fashion. The name Takis and money made a quick connection. "Let me guess, Dad wouldn't be Alexander Takis, Greek shipping magnate, by any chance?"

"That's my dad!" grinned Nikki.

Shaking her head, Terri stepped back. "I suppose you'd better come in, now that you've found me."

"Thank you, I know you won't regret it."

"Wanna bet?" Teri mumbled to herself

"Nice view." Nikki said, peering out of the window at the floodlit river.

"Yeah, I suppose," responded Teri, gloomily, taking a sip of water from her bottle and coming up to stand beside her.

Nikki looked at her expectantly.

"What?" Terri said frowning. Nikki looked pointedly at Terri's drink. "Oh, er, right... would you like a drink... or something."

"You're not one for socialising, are you," Nikki said, smiling once more at Terri's discomfort.

"Only when I have to be. Well?"

"Well what?"

"Want a drink, or not?"

Nikki's grin grew wider. "Sure, thanks. I'd like a beer, if you've got one."

"Sorry, don't drink. Water, milk, or there might be some tea, that's about all I can offer."

"Not even coffee?"

Terri shook her head. "Don't care for it."

"And you don't have guests who might?"

"Nope."

"I see. Well, tea would be nice."

"Figures." Terri gave her a sour look, and padded off to the kitchen. Nikki looked around the apartment, noting the expensive but minimal furnishings. She sat down on the large leather settee to wait for her drink. Terri eventually returned with a mug with a picture of Buffy The Vampire Slayer on the side and handed it to Nikki.

"Nice... mug."

"Thanks," Terri said, sitting on one of the low tables, opposite the couch Nikki was sitting on. "Now, what is it you want?" she asked her visitor.

"I told you, I need a bodyguard."

"Why?" Terri said, sipping from her bottle again.

"I think someone wants to hurt me." Her guest's sudden change from happy-go-lucky to barely masked pain caught Terri unawares, leaving her slightly tongue-tied.

"What makes... I mean who... why would you think that?" She gulped a mouthful of water from her bottle quickly.

"You mean you're interested now?"

"Maybe," Terri replied, wiping the back of her hand across her mouth. Something about Nikki was keeping her flat-footed and off balance. It wasn't a feeling she cared for. Here she was, not only letting a perfect stranger into her own home, but even seriously considering putting all her other clients on hold to come to the stranger's aid. And for the life of her she couldn't work out why. "So, why me, why not one of your dad's people?"

"I... I don't trust any of them. They might be involved. And the other night, when I saw what you could do, well, it didn't take much to realise I'd found what I was looking for."

"You saw me?"

"Yeah, taking out those three big butch types in the club, like they were nothing, nothing at all. Wow, that was so cool!"

Terri frowned a moment. "You were at the gay bar?"

"Sure. Whenever I'm in London I often as not end up there, see a few old friends, have drink, relax a little."

With her brain still not quite up to speed, Terri blundered on. "So, were you visiting, or are you erm... uh, erm..."

"Lesbian, that the word you're looking for?"

"Erm, yeah, I guess so," Terri said, slightly sheepishly.

"What if I am?"

"Nothing. Just a bit surprised is all."

"Why, do I have 'hetero' stamped on my forehead or something?" Nikki's mood had changed like the flick of a switch. Gone was the cheerful good nature, to be replaced by brittle antagonism and narrowed eyes.

"Hey, back up a little, will ya," said Terri, holding up her arms in surrender. "Look, I'm sorry, okay. If I've offended you then I apologise. It wasn't intended, and to answer your question, no, it doesn't bother me, nor is it really any of my concern."

Nikki's grimace remained for a few moments, then relaxed back into the happy mood of before. "I'm sorry too, guess I jumped in with both feet there for a minute. It's just that sometimes I get so sick of it all. The prejudice, I mean, especially from other women."

"S'okay, I understand. Really I do, I get enough crap myself. Not a suitable job for a woman, don't you know," Terri said, attempting a small, and for her, friendly smile.

"I doubt you suffer crap from anyone," Nikki said with a grin.

"You'd be surprised."

They stared at each other for a moment, assessing what each had said. Terri blinked and looked away, breaking the connection.

Clearing her throat, she said "You didn't answer my question."

"Yes I did," Nikki replied, her eyes twinkling. "I am a lesbian."

"No... I er... mean why do you think someone wants to hurt you?" Terri said, realising too late that Nikki was teasing her. She blushed faintly, quickly looking out the window to try and hide it.

"Anyone ever tell you how pretty you look when you blush?"

"Er... no," said Terri, blushing even more.

"Hey, it's all right, I was only joking with ya," Nikki said, reaching out to touch Terri's arm.

Terri coiled back as if stung, her eyes blazing. She rounded on Nikki in an instinctive defence posture. Nikki couldn't help yelping as she too stepped back in surprise, so fast had Terri moved, and so suddenly had she changed her whole body language to one of quite terrifying aggression.

"Whoa there, Tiger, I meant nothing by it," she stammered. "Hey, the little ol' lesbian won't be touching you no more," she said, holding up her hands as if to prove her point.

Terri blinked, her whole body rigid with controlled tension. She slowly relaxed and dropped her raised hands, then stooped to picked up the thankfully nearly empty plastic bottle she'd dropped when her natural defences took over.

"Erm, I... I'm sorry about that. I don't like anyone touching me... unexpectedly."

"So I can see," Nikki said, frostily.

"Now don't go getting like that, male or female, it would've made no difference."

"Yeah, right, I understand. I understand completely."

Terri's expression dropped into a stone wall. "Maybe it would be best if you looked for someone else to help you with your problems, Ms Takis," her voice devoid of any intonation.

"If that's what you think best," Nikki replied. Terri just nodded, her face giving nothing away.

Nikki looked into Terri's expressionless eyes for a moment, then scowled. "Fine!" and with that abruptly left, slamming the apartment door as she went.

"Well, that went well, I thought," Terri said gloomily, to an empty room, unaccountably angry with herself. The apartment suddenly seemed empty of life now that the tempestuous Ms Takis had left. She sighed loudly, rubbed her eyes and sank down onto the leather couch, leaning her head back and keeping her eyes firmly closed. For the first time in a long time it dawned on her just how lifeless her so-called home really was.

Having sat motionless for more than ten minutes Terri finally summoned up the effort to raise herself from the settee and set about putting the exercise bars away for another day. As she was closing the wardrobe a gentle knock came from her front door. It couldn't be, she decided and ignored it. But it came again, this time even more gently if that was possible.

"What is this, Piccadilly Circus?" she scowled. Marching to the door she flung it open, ready to explain just precisely why it was such a bad idea to be knocking on her door, but her words were abruptly held in check. Nikki stood there, her eyes nearly closed, gently swaying as if about to collapse. Her skin was ashen, draining the colour from her normal California tan.

"Would you be kind enough to call me an ambulance, I seem to... have had... something of an accident." Her eyes rolled up as she collapsed soundlessly to the floor. Which she would have hit quite hard had Terri not caught her. Only then did Terri see the trail of blood down the corridor and feel her hands getting wet. Peering over Nikki's slumped shoulder she could see her immaculately tailored suit had been sliced open from shoulder blade to buttock, revealing an equally sliced back. Nikki's blood was draining away at an alarming rate and pooling at their feet. Taking a quick look each way down the corridor Terri effortlessly lifted the stricken blonde into her arms, carrying her back inside. She kicked the door shut with her foot, taking Nikki into her bedroom and carefully laying her face down on the bed.

Tearing open Nikki's clothes Terri examined the wound. It was flesh deep, but not deep enough to kill directly. 'Probably caused by a Stanley knife or scalpel' her analytical mind decided without really thinking about it. Even though the cut probably wouldn't kill, the heavy blood loss might. Grabbing the phone by her bed she dialled 999, explaining in a succinct and efficient manner the problem. In moments an ambulance was on its way, along with a police car.

Terri ran to the bathroom and back, collecting some towels. She pressed them to the wound, trying to apply pressure along the length of the cut, but it wasn't easy. All she could do now was wait for the cavalry to arrive. 'Well,' she thought 'looks like I might be back on the case. And it sure beats spying on wives or searching for runaway heirs.'

Part Two

It took a while for them all to get into the ambulance, due mostly to Nikki's death grip on Terri's hand, which despite all requests Nikki refused to give up. She had come to just as the ambulance crew were attempting to move her to a stretcher. The police had arrived at the same time and were trying to question Terri.

Seeing Nikki's eyes open, Terri knelt down next to her, telling her that she'd soon be in hospital and everything was going to be all right. As she went to brush the blonde's hair from her eyes Nikki's hand shot out, grabbing Terri's wrist. Terri's usual defences were overridden by a sudden willingness to allow the woman to grab her. Terri could have prised her hand off but inexplicably she decided she didn't want to.

"I guess I'm hired again?" she said softly. Nikki didn't speak, just nodded her head in confirmation.

"It's okay, Nikki, you're in safe hands now. These men will take you to hospital and get you patched up, good as new." She smiled reassuringly at the injured woman. Or at least she hoped it was a reassuring smile. She didn't have that much experience in these matters, she was the first to admit.

"D... don't feel so... good."

"I know, but if you let go of my hand we'll soon have you fixed up."

Nikki shook her head violently, steadfastly refusing to do any such thing. Terri looked up at the two ambulance men and shrugged. "Looks like we all go together."

"Looks like," the oldest one said, grinning back at her.

"We haven't finished with our questions," said one of the police officers, a young WPC who looked all of twelve years old to Terri. 'God, I'm getting old,' she thought glumly.

"You can follow us to the hospital. I'll answer any questions I can there."

The policewoman looked over to her older male partner. He nodded, putting away his notebook, and spoke into his shoulder mounted radio, updating the dispatcher on the situation and advising them to contact the hospital. 'Amazing how doors open if you're the daughter of a billionaire,' Terri thought with mild distaste.

* * *

The siren wailed mournfully as they set off. Terri spoke softly to Nikki, hoping that her words were giving some sort of comfort, as the paramedic applied butterfly tapes along the length of Nikki's wound. The ambulance lurched and rocked as it sped on its way to the hospital, making it difficult for the medic to insert a needle for a saline drip.

"Not long now," Terri said, but Nikki had slipped back into unconsciousness, finally allowing Terri to remove her hand.

"Here, give me that," Terri said, deftly grabbing the needle from the fumbling medic. Without any hesitation she neatly slid the needle into a vein, taped it off, attached the tube and opened the valve. She sat back as if it was an entirely normal, everyday occurrence.

"You a doctor?" asked the astonished man.

"Nope."

"Then h --"

"Military training."

"Oh... right." He paused a moment. "You won't tell anyone, will you?"

"About what?"

"About my not being able to... well, you know," he said pointing to the saline.

"Nope."

He relaxed. "She'll be okay, you know. It looks bad, but it's not deep."

"I know," she said, not looking up.

"Friend of yours?"

"Not really."

"Not one for chit-chat, huh?"

"Nope."

They sat in silence for the rest of the journey.

The door of the ambulance opened and a team climbed in, grabbing Nikki's stretcher and taking her swiftly into the hospital. Terri checked her watch. From the time of Nikki's second appearance on her doorstep to their arrival at the hospital had taken just over twenty-seven minutes. 'Not too bad, I guess,' she thought. 'Though I wonder how many of us would get a police escort?'

* * *

Queues and harried, over-stretched doctors were not for Nikki. She was escorted past the general confusion of the emergency room and on to a private lift that whisked them up to an upper floor. She was met by several nurses and two doctors, who immediately set to work on her. Private health care certainly had its advantages.

No one seemed to question that Terri should accompany Nikki to the surgery, though she made sure to keep out of everyone's way. Once it was known that she was Nikki's private bodyguard no one bothered her. She watched as one of the doctors made small, fine stitches in Nikki's back. 'Scars were obviously not meant for the rich and famous,' she smiled to herself. 'Doubt anyone will treat me quite so kindly.'

Finally all the work was done and Nikki was wheeled to a private room, where a nurse carefully changed her into a hospital sleeping gown.

"Guess you'll be wanting to stay?" she asked Terri.

"Uh-huh."

"Would you like a tea or coffee? It'll be awhile before sleeping beauty here wakes up."

"Tea, no sugar, please. Oh, and could you get the police officer something?"

"Sure."

The WPC had been left behind on guard duty until an officer from the VIP protection branch could get there. She obviously wasn't very happy about it, sitting stiff-backed on a seat outside Nikki's room, scowling at anyone who came near.

Terri had answered all their questions, which hadn't taken long as she had little to tell them, knowing nothing of the circumstances of the attack, save it happened somewhere close to her flat. They obviously didn't believe her, apparently convinced that she was holding back information despite her best efforts to convince them she really didn't know anything about it, having only started on the case as they arrived.

Terri sat sipping her tea, watching her new employer sleep her drug-induced sleep. The WPC had been relieved shortly after midnight. The replacement wasn't wearing a uniform but Terri recognised the unmistakable look of a police officer. They conferred outside, beyond Terri's hearing, as she watched them through the half-glass partition. The WPC nodded towards Terri, frowning as she did so. The plain-clothes woman just nodded, tight-lipped. It was obvious Terri wasn't particularly welcome. It was going to be a long night.

* * *

"Still here, love?" asked the nurse softly, having returned for the morning shift.

"Looks that way," said Terri, sleepily. She'd only managed a few catnaps, sitting in the armchair next to the bed.

"She not stirred yet?"

"Still sleeping the sleep of the just."

"What does she like for breakfast?"

Terri raised an eyebrow. "I never got a chance to ask," she finally said.

"I'll order her a standard English."

"Maybe you should wait and ask her directly, she's a Greek American or an American Greek, I'm not really sure."

"Oh, so it's a bowl of Cornflakes and a cup of coffee, then."

Terri just shrugged. "I expect she'll let you know when she wakes up." The nurse moved off to instruct an orderly hovering outside.

As the orderly left two men arrived, approaching the police officer on duty outside the door. She asked them for identification, seemed satisfied and allowed them in the room. One man was small and dark, the other well over six feet tall and extremely muscular. Terri moved to intercept them.

"Who are you, and what do you want with my client?"

The smaller man looked at her liked she'd crawled out from under a stone. "None of your business. Carl, get her out of here, then stay outside while I have a word with my little sister, here."

The large man placed a hand on Terri's shoulder. "Excuse me, darlin', if you'd care to come--" He didn't get much further as Terri pulled his hand from her shoulder, twisted under his outstretched arm and bent it up his back. Grasping his hair, she pulled his head back and kicked his legs out from under him.

"I asked you nicely, who are you and what do you want with my client?" Carl made no attempt to struggle, the tendons of his bent arm screaming for release. It would only take the slightest touch to snap bone. He didn't know who the hell the woman was, but she certainly wasn't joking.

The short man simply stared open-mouthed in astonishment. "Carl?" he said.

"No, we've already established that he's Carl, what's your name?" Terri said, nudging Carl's arm slightly higher making him moan in pain.

"Let go of him, this... this is an outrage!" the small man spluttered.

"It's all right, Ms Farmer, you can let Carl up. This is Christos, my brother. Carl's his bodyguard," said a quiet voice from the bed. Nikki slowly sat upright, wincing as she did so. "Christ, I feel like crap," she groaned. Terri immediately dropped Carl to the floor, moving to Nikki's side.

"You sure we can trust either of these two?" she asked, automatically taking Nikki's hand as she spoke.

Nikki looked up through wincing eyes. "He's a prick, but at least he's family. As for Carl, well he just does as he's told, don't you, Carl?"

"Yes, Miss Nikki," he said, standing up, flexing his freed arm and wincing.

"We need to talk, Nikkoletta, just you and me. Can we make a truce and call off our dogs, please?" Christos asked his sister.

"Please... now there's a change of attitude. Funny what a bit of muscle can do for your manners," Nikki sneered.

"Want me to chuck 'em out?" asked Terri, not taking her eyes of either of the men.

"No, that won't be necessary, Ms Farmer. Would you mind waiting outside with Carl for a moment, we won't be long, I promise," said Nikki, smiling disarmingly at Terri.

"Er, sure, if that's what you want... Boss."

"Boss, now I like that," Nikki grinned, then winced again, closing her eyes.

Returning Nikki's squeeze briefly she turned to leave, only to be met by Carl, now standing over her, glowering.

"You got away with this one because I wasn't expecting it," he said, jabbing Terri in the chest with indignant thrusts of his finger, "but be warned, it won't happen ag--"

For the second time Carl found himself spun around with his arm up his back, but this time a hand had grabbed his nose and was twisting it painfully, forcing his head back onto Terri's shoulder.

"Come on, Caaaarl," she said, drawing out his name, "lets go find some breakfast and leave brother and sister to their touching family reunion."

"Stob, stob, you're bwaking by doze," he whined pathetically, as Terri pushed him towards the door.

"I'll be right outside if you need me, Boss," Terri said to Nikki.

"Roger that," Nikki smiled. Christos could only shake his head in disgust as the two bodyguards left the room.

"Nice moves," said the police-woman, as they passed by her chair in the hallway.

"Thanks," replied Terri, the merest flicker of a smile on her impassive face.

* * *

"Okay, I'll admit you've got some moves on you, but you were lucky, I could've taken you."

Terri turned to look at Carl. He was almost pouting with indignation as he nursed his coffee and bruised ego. "Carl, you're probably a good bodyguard, and you do your job. I respect that. Just don't get in my way and we'll get along fine. We are supposed to be on the same side, you know."

"Yeah, I know, but--" Terri abruptly held up her hand for silence, which caused Carl to flinch and instantly shut up. Terri frowned, touching her other hand to her ear. "Son of a bitch!" she growled, leaping to her feet. "You, stay here," she said pointing her finger directly into Carl's face. He flinched again and nodded in agreement. She ran back up the corridor to Nikki's room, easily dodging past the startled police-woman. She threw open the door, surprising Christos who was standing menacingly over Nikki, holding her roughly by the arm. Nikki groaned from the twisting of her back, trying her best to shrug him off.

Faster than Christos thought humanly possible Terri was across the room holding him by the throat up against the back wall, his feet dangling off the ground. "Jesus, what's the matter with you, she's just been stitched back together, and you're bullying her?"

Christos tried to speak but found it impossible with his throat closed off by Terri's ferocious grip.

"Okay, Miss Farmer, you can put him down now." The police officer had drawn her revolver, but held it pointing at the floor. "I am trained to use this if I think lethal force is required. And right now I'd say you're putting his life in danger."

Without letting go of Christos Terri looked back at the police-woman. "Just doing my job here, protecting my client."

"I think you've made your point, Ms Farmer."

"You," she said, letting Christos slide to the floor on his knees, "are out of here." The man drew in great whoops of breath as he sagged down.

"Carl," he croaked.

"Right here, Mr Takis," said Carl from the doorway. Terri whirled and glared at him. He held out his arms in supplication. "Look, he's my boss..."

Terri scowled. "Just get him out of here. Oh, and Carl, you don't own any knives, do you?"

"Sure I do."

"You didn't use any of them last night, did you? And don't lie to me, 'cause I'll know."

"No! I'd never hurt Miss Nikki. I couldn't," he said, almost whispering the last remark.

"I believe you, Carl. Now take your boss home and don't come visiting anymore. You understand me?"

"Now wait a friggin' minute here," Christos gasped, still on his hands and knees.

"Do you understand me?" Terri repeated, glaring at the bodyguard.

Carl nodded. "I understand," he replied stiffly.

"Good, then get him out of here. Now!" He pulled his boss to his feet and lead him unprotesting out the room.

"You can put that away," Terri said turning to the police-woman. The woman considered her options for a moment. She took a deep breath, putting the gun back in its holster.

"Didn't see a thing," she said, pulling the door shut quietly behind her and resuming her seat in the hallway.

"How... how did you know?" asked Nikki.

"That your brother was misbehaving himself?" Terri finished for her.

Nikki nodded.

"If I told you I'd have to kill you."

"What!" Nikki gasped. Terri was immediately by her side, taking hold of her hand.

"Sorry, Nikki, that was stupid of me. Just a bad joke."

Nikki relaxed slightly, not least of all because Terri's firm but gentle grip really felt good.

"You didn't answer my question, Ms Farmer," Nikki said, almost shyly.

"If you're going to pay me obscene amounts of money to do this, it's your privilege to call me what you like, but I do prefer just Farmer. Especially from my friends," she added, almost getting tongue-tied herself, wondering where the hell that last bit had come from.

"Okay... Farmer," Nikki said smiling. "How did you know?"

"Oh that's simple, I bugged the room," she said, pulling a small radio receiver from her left ear and holding it out for Nikki to see.

"You bugged my room?" Nikki's eyebrows shot up to her hair-line.

"Sure, you can never be too careful on jobs like this." Terri shrugged, putting the receiver back in her ear. "The bug's over there on the corner of the bed."

"I can't believe you did that."

"Good job I did, I reckon, don't you?"

"I guess so. But I'd prefer to know up front if you're gonna do something like that again in the future."

"I'll try and remember that," Terri said, grinning impishly.

They stared into each other's eyes longer than either felt entirely comfortable with but thankfully -- for Terri at least -- they were saved by a doctor strolling into the room, a clipboard in his hand.

"Congratulations, Ms Takis, you're going to be a mother of a beautiful baby girl, just like her mum!" he exclaimed.

"What!" Nikki shrieked.

The doctor made an exaggerated frown. "Oh look, silly me, that's someone else entirely, my mistake." He laughed to himself.

"God, I gotta get outa here," Nikki said, shaking her head and rubbing her temples. "This place is not good for my health."

"Ah, well that's what I've come to see you about. All the blood tests have come back negative, though some others will take a few days to culture, so you might want to phone back and check them out.

"The wound appears as healthy as can be expected and you seem to be in capable hands," he said, pointedly looking at Terri.

"Great, now I'm a nurse too. Your bill keeps getting higher, Ms Takis," Terri said, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"It's Nikki, or Boss, to you, Farmer, and don't you forget it."

"Yeah, sorry, Boss," she said, smiling still.

"Well," the doctor coughed, "let's see about getting you discharged. I'm sure the police officer outside would like to go home too."

"Is she really fit enough to leave?" Terri asked the doctor.

"Yes, of course, nice fit young girl like Ms Takis. Shrug this off in no time. Just take it easy, you've lost a lot of blood. Call back in a week's time or see your GP to get the stitches removed. There should be very little scarring. Top man with the stitches, young Fowler. Taught him all he knows, you know," the doctor said, beaming cheerily.

"Woman."

"I beg your pardon?"

"She's a woman, not a girl." Terri held him with a steady gaze.

"Yes, yes of course, my mistake. My apologies, Ms Takis," he said, bowing slightly to Nikki. He hurriedly left the room, muttering something about other patients.

"Wow, you really take this defending job to heart, dont'ya?" Nikki said, smiling at Terri.

"Yup."

"Wish I'd hired you a half-hour earlier."

"Might have saved some bother."

"You don't like idle chatter much, do ya?"

"So I've been told."

* * *

Terri had organised some clothes to be brought in for Nikki, to replace the ones damaged in the attack. Nikki managed to walk to the waiting taxi, after the hospital had insisted she travel from her bed to the outside world in a wheelchair. Walking stiffly to the cab she decided that the wheelchair hadn't been such a bad idea after all.

"How you doing?"

"Just fine, apart from everything hurts, and I feel like I've spilt all my stitches," Nikki grumped from the back seat of the cab.

"Nah, takes a lot to split stitches, I know that from personal experience."

"Yeah, I bet you do." Nikki said sullenly. Terri just grinned. The journey to Terri's apartment took a lot longer than their trip in the ambulance had. By the time they arrived Nikki was in a deal of pain. Her colour had drained, leaving her pallid and sweating.

"Do you think you could..."

"Sure," said Terri, taking Nikki's arm over her shoulder and helping her up the many flights of steps to her flat.

"You sure this is where you want to recuperate? Isn't there somewhere else you'd find more comfortable?"

"We've already talked about this, Farmer, this is where I'd feel safest for the time being. When I'm feeling a hundred percent again I'll reconsider my options."

Terri unlocked the front door and let them both in. She half-carried Nikki over to the sofa and set her down gently. Nikki winced mightily as she carefully lowered her tender back to the cool leather.

"Want a drink or anything? How about some aspirin or something?"

"Glass of water and some painkillers would be nice right about now." Terri soon returned with the asked for items.

"Bed and board will be extra, you know. It's way beyond what I normally get involved with."

Nikki looked at Terri to see if she was joking. 'Apparently not,' she decided.

"Not a problem, Farmer, my pockets are deep and my arms long."

"Sounds a useful trait to have."

"It sure has been, I have to say."

"Must've been nice growing up with so much money."

Nikki shrugged. "Wasn't all peaches and cream. What with mom and dad divorcing, and us moving back to the States."

"Us?"

"Yeah, me and Mom. She got homesick and decided she didn't like being a lonely Greek housewife no more. Took me with her too. 'Course, I was too young to appreciate how much it broke my dad's heart, but he got to keep Christos, so he couldn't complain too much."

"Seems a bit heartless, splitting up a brother and sister like that."

"Aw hell, we've never really gotten along. I never gave it a second thought. Still don't, as you've seen for yourself."

"So, would now be a good time to talk about what happened? I know you gave a statement to the police, but I'd like to hear it for myself, just you and me. Or would you rather talk about why Christos threatened to shut you up permanently, or why your estranged dad is willing to have you step into his shoes rather than have his own sweet boy take over the reins of one of the biggest shipping companies in the world?"

"You heard all that, huh? Yeah, of course you did, you bugged my room. Stupid thing to say."

"Well, what's it to be, family intrigue or mad stalker?"

"It's kinda complicated... the family situation, that is. Maybe we should stick to solving street crime, for the time being?"

"Whatever, I'm easy. I've got loads of time on my hands at the moment. I've recently got this great new boss who pays me lots to do whatever she wants me to do."

"Anything?" Nikki said, grinning.

"Almost anything."

"Where do you draw the line?"

"You really wanna know Farmer's Rules?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Okay, well, I won't kill anyone, unless they deserve it. I won't steal anything unless I really need it, and I won't stand by and see innocents hurt, especially kids. That's about it, really, apart from I never break my rules unless I have to. Oh, and I don't work for free."

"Nice to know you have such a rigid code of ethics, Farmer."

"It helps to get by."

"I'll bet."

"Now, where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?" asked Terri

Part Three

"So, you're telling me that when you said someone wanted to hurt you, you didn't mean it literally?"

"Well, no, not really," shrugged Nikki.

"The razor attack was coincidental?"

"Yeah, I guess."

Terri closed her eyes and rubbed them. "Okay, then tell me what happened, out on the street, I mean."

"Like I told the cops, I don't really have much to tell you. I was going to my rental, I'd parked it on the street 'bout fifty yards down the road. I wasn't really expecting anything bad to happen. I mean, to tell you the truth I was pretty pissed off."

"Oh... what at?"

"Well, you actually," Nikki said grinning, slightly embarrassed at the admission.

"Me?"

"Yeah, you an' your 'don't touch me' routine."

Terri sighed. "I told you then, and I'm telling you now, it was nothing personal. You just surprised me is all."

"Yeah, well, whatever. That's the reason I wasn't taking much notice of anything going on around me. I mean, this is London for chrissakes, not LA. You get kinda blasé about wandering around in the evening here. I never felt threatened before."

Terri snorted. "Remind me to show you round some of the less scenic areas of our fair city. Then maybe you'd be a bit more careful."

"Yes, Mom."

Terri ignored the remark, her expression as impassive as ever. "What do you remember?"

"Well, there was some people a group of them, kids mostly, I didn't really look. They passed me by coming in the other direction. I got about another ten yards when I felt something hit me in the back. They pushed me over the hood of a parked car. I was so surprised I just lay there wondering what the hell happened. When I eventually looked up there wasn't anyone around. I knew something was wrong as soon as I tried to stand up."

"Your back?" Terri prompted.

"Yeah, white hot pain all down my back. I stumbled back around and sat against the car. That's when I saw the blood running down the hood and dripping down onto the fender. Made a funny splashing noise. I was mesmerised for a moment, till I realised it was my blood."

"What did you do then?" Terri asked gently, seeing Nikki reliving her recent nightmare.

Nikki looked up, frowning. "You know, I've tried to remember, but I'm damned if I can. Next thing I remember is you and the ambulance. Thanks for holding my hand and not letting go, Farmer, you kept me strong. I felt so protected."

Terri coughed and looked at the floor. "Didn't quite happen like that, Nikki," Terri said quietly.

"Sure it did." Terri looked up at Nikki's smiling face and didn't have the heart to contradict her.

"So, you never saw who actually did it?" she asked, changing back to the subject at hand.

"Nah, don't even know if it was one of those kids. Could've been anybody really."

"No attempt at stealing anything from you, money, jewellery, purse?"

"Nope, just wham bam, thank you Ma'am, let's see what your ribs look like. Then phhtt, skeddadle, gone. Sorta weird, now I come to think on it."

"Yup, it is pretty weird. I'll have a word with some friends on the force, see what they've got to say."

"Wow, we gonna find out who done it, an' more importantly, why?"

"You want me to?"

"Sure," said Nikki, grinning happily. Terri couldn't help grinning back at the infectious smile.

"You realise this will be a separate case from what you originally contacted me for."

"What if they're related?"

"You tell me, you've yet to tell me what was it you wanted in the first place."

Nikki frowned, pursing her lips. She remained quiet for a moment, apparently trying to decide if she should say anything or not. "You know I told you my dad was a shipping tycoon an' all, well that's true, he is. But I don't live with him and haven't since I was a kid."

"Go on," prompted Terri.

"Well, I know Dad gives Mom and me more money each year than we can really spend sensibly in a lifetime, but well, I wanted to be normal like my friends in high school, so decided I had to get a job. That meant going to college, getting a degree, the whole works. You know what I mean?"

"Not really, but please continue. I'm sure none of us would've wanted a life of idle riches, really."

"You making fun of me?" Nikki said, but smiling enough to take the sting from the words.

"Maybe."

"It's all right, my mom thought I was crazy too."

"Surely not?"

Nikki tilted her head to one side, regarding Terri. "Anyone ever tell you, you got a very dry sense of humour?"

"Nope, never."

"Hmm, well, anyways, as I was saying, I got a business degree, summa cum laude and all that. One thing lead to another and I... well, I ended up being a boat designer."

"Makes perfect sense. A boat builder you say?"

"Not a builder, a designer."

"There's a difference?" Terri asked, keeping a perfectly straight face.

"Sure there is. I wouldn't know one end of a spoke shave from the other, let alone how to use one."

"Well, you're one up on me, I don't even know what a spoke shave is."

"Oh, it's some sort of doohicky the carpenters use on wood, or something," said Nikki, frowning again. "Look, the point is, I work for a small family boat building company, in their design department. Mostly CAD these days."

It was now Terri's turn to frown. "Fascinating though all this is, could you at least point to why you came to me?"

"I'm getting to that. God, you're impatient, aren't you?"

"Blame my dad, I inherited his eager gene."

"Right," Nikki said grinning. "Anyway, back to my story. As I don't work for the money, per se, and the family that owns the company are old family friends on my mom's side, I sorta get an easy ride, if you know what I mean."

"Funny that."

Nikki ignored the comment and continued. "One of my jobs is to travel to all the boat shows around the world and see what's new. Take photographs and, well, see if there's any designs we might, er, like, adapt for our own."

"Is that strictly ethical?"

"Sure, everyone does it. Been going on since somebody first hollowed out a tree and pushed it in the water."

"And here I was thinking that boat builders were above that kind of thing."

"Hah, I bet you've never even thought about any boat builders anywhere, ever, till just this moment."

Terri smiled. "You could be right."

Nikki just shook her head. "You want me to finish this story?"

"Please continue, it's most... enthralling."

"Well, this is where it gets kind of embarrassing," she paused.

"Nothing goes beyond this room," said Terri, easily slipping into professional mode.

"When I got back to my hotel room yesterday there was a package waiting for me."

"Go on."

"It had some... some compromising pictures of me."

"What sort of pictures?"

"Oh, nothing much. Just me necking an' stuff. Pretty harmless really. You could just view them as a girl's night out and not give them a second look."

"Was there a note to go with them?"

"Yeah, just said something about how embarrassing it would be if my employers were to see these pictures."

"Would that matter?"

"They're kind of old fashioned. The note made it clear what was really going on."

"No, I mean would it matter to you especially, I mean, you need the work?"

"Hell, yes! I worked goddamned hard to get where I am. I'm good at what I do, I like my job and I sure as hell don't want to give it up for crap like this!" she fumed.

'Hey, fire behind the cute exterior, I really like this girl... er, woman,' thought Terri, smiling to herself.

"What about your brother, think this is his handiwork?"

"Nah, he wouldn't have anything to gain. So what if I lose my job? It hardly matters in his great scheme to take over Dad's empire. Probably make it more likely I'd want the job."

"But he thinks you're destined for that job. I heard him say so."

"My brother's a paranoid jerk. I can hardly see my dad not letting Christos take over when the time comes. Why would he put me in charge over Christos?"

Terri shrugged. "Maybe he likes you more than him. Couldn't be that hard, from what I've seen of your brother. He seemed quite easy to dislike. And besides, you've got a fancy business degree and you know about boats."

"Hardly, we build rich people's toys. Ocean going luxury yachts that spend most of their time down in the Keys or over in Cannes, not oil tankers or container ships."

"Okay, but what's Christos got that you haven't?"

"External plumbing for one thing. That counts for a lot in my dad's country," she said laughing.

"Yeah, there is that, I guess. You sure that's how your dad feels?"

"I dunno, like I said I don't really see him that much."

"Do you regret that?"

"Sure, he's my dad."

"Don't you ever try to contact him?"

"I used to, but when he was always in a meeting, or away on business, well, I kind of gave up trying."

"I thought you said that you used your dad's people to track me down to my home?"

"Oh, I did. He has offices all over the world. I get the red carpet treatment whenever I announce myself. It's just I rarely get to see my dad himself."

"Never give up on your dad, Nikki. One day he may not be there to give up on anymore." Nikki caught the unmistakable sadness in Terri's voice.

"You miss yours, huh?" she asked gently.

"Every day." Terri swallowed, blinking a few times.

"Why would someone want to hurt me like that. I've never done anyone any harm, ever?" Nikki said, changing the subject quickly.

Terri shrugged. "Don't know enough to comment. Did you keep the pictures and the note?"

"No, I tore them up and flushed them down the toilet in the hotel room."

"Pity."

"Why, would they have helped? It was just a printed note and some inkjet printed pictures. Could've been done by anyone, anywhere."

"Probably, but if you get anymore let me see them first before you flush 'em, okay?"

"If you insist, though I hope I don't get any more, to tell the truth."

"Where were they taken, any idea?"

"Here in London. At the club, actually."

"Kind of ironic you coming to me, really, then, isn't it?"

"Why?"

"What do you think I was doing there?"

"I... I don't know. I... thought..."

"What?"

"Doesn't matter."

"You thought I was there enjoying myself, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"Sorry to disappoint, Nikki, but I was there doing the same sort of thing as our friend was doing, whoever they are."

"You were spying on me?"

"Spying yes, on you, no."

"I see."

"You upset?"

"No, not really. Par for the course. Guess I should've known," she said sullenly.

"Look Nikki, I like you, you're a bright, good-looking kid. And I'm more than happy to try and get to the bottom of your troubles. But I've found it rarely helps a case to let personal feelings cloud the issue. So if that's not what you came here for, then perhaps you really should seek help elsewhere."

"You want me to leave?"

"I didn't say that. I said I'd be happy to work for you, find out who's trying to blackmail you, who attacked you on the street and why, even act as your bodyguard while you're in London, but that's about the extent of my ability to assist you."

Nikki nodded, her shoulders slumping slightly. "It's okay, Ms Farmer, I understand. Still okay if I stay here tonight? I'm feeling tired, my back really hurts and I just don't feel like going back to my hotel right now."

"Sure, it's your money. Feel free to spend it on me any way you want." Terri said smiling.

* * *

Nikki woke, blurry-eyed and rumple-haired, puzzled as to where she was. It all came back with a stabbing rush as she twisted her back slightly, sitting up. "Ow, ow, ow, ow, owwwww!" she moaned, tentatively feeling along the plaster covering her stitches. Pulling her hand back she was relieved to see no blood. The hurt and anger at Terri's firm but polite slamming of any doors that she hoped might have opened between them came back too. "Hah, screw her, Ms friggin' robot. Her loss!" she grumbled.

She staggered to the adjoining bathroom to be greeted with a floor to ceiling mirror. She groaned and turned away from the unearthly vision staring back at her. "Okay, not so much of a loss," she muttered, shaking her head morosely.

As she emerged from the bedroom, freshly scrubbed and wearing a sweat shirt several sizes too big for her, she was welcomed by the smell of coffee. Terri sat at her desk, studying her computer screen.

"Where did the coffee come from?" Nikki asked.

"Out of a little jar."

"That so, huh. Who'da thought?"

"Yeah, it's neat, you just twist off the lid and there it is."

"I thought you said you didn't have any coffee?"

"Didn't then. Do now."

"You went out and bought me coffee. I'm touched."

"Us robots got to be good for something," Terri said, still not looking up from her screen.

Nikki swallowed. "You er... heard that, huh?" she said, blushing.

"Uh-huh."

"You got your guest room bugged too?" asked Nikki testily.

"Nope."

"Then how?"

"One of my many talents, I'm afraid. Not only have I got a cute backside, but I've got acute hearing too," Terri said, not a little smugly.

"Is there anything you're not perfect at?"

"Hmmm, let's see... can't speak Spanish well enough yet, but I'm working on it."

"I suppose you can manage all the other languages?"

"A lot of them. The important ones anyway."

"Can you ride a horse?"

"Yes."

"Bake a cake?"

"If I have to."

"Wrestle alligators?"

"It's a bit late to be asking for credentials, isn't it?" asked Terri, finally turning from her screen and looking directly at Nikki.

'God, those eyes... snap out of it, Takis, she's made it plain where you stand. You're nothing but a paycheque to her. But Jesus... those eyes...'

"Something wrong?" asked Terri.

"Oh, er no... nothing. So, you're busy on my case, or doing something else?"

"We're making some progress on the attack at least. While you were sleeping I popped out to see some friends at the local nick. Then I went to see someone I know down in the bowels of the Standard."

"I'm sorry -- the local nick?" said Nikki, obviously puzzled.

"Oh, sorry, forgot you speak the President's English, not the Queens. The nick's the police station, or precinct house, to you."

"Does the queen know about the 'local nick'?"

"Probably not, now you mention it. I expect she's got someone to worry about that sort of thing for her."

"And she has a standard bowel too, I suppose?"

"Well, I'd think that's likely, though with royalty you can never tell. All that inbreeding an' all."

"Can we start this again, it's getting a bit too surreal for this early in the morning?"

"That would be as in nearly eleven o'clock too early?" said Terri, checking her watch.

"God, did I sleep that long? You should've woken me earlier."

"Why, you looked liked you needed it. And besides, I wouldn't have bought the coffee by then."

"Yeah, I guess that's true."

"Of course it is. You'll learn that amongst my many talents is the fact that although I may not always be right, I'm never, ever wrong."

"Modest too, I'll bet."

"To a fault," Terri answered breezily.

"How come you were all tongue-tied, almost shy when we first met, and now you're Miss Confidence personified?"

"You took me by surprise, snuck up on my blind side. Caught me with my pants down."

'I wish,' thought Nikki, only just able to stop herself saying it out loud. "And now?"

"Now I've reconnoitred and regrouped. Got the lay of the land."

"You always treat people like a military campaign?"

"Yes," said Terri, her expression clearly indicating she thought it was a dumb question; 'doesn't everyone?'

"Now you think you know me?"

"There's a goodly chance."

"Hah, we'll see, Farmer, we'll see."

"I guess we will at that," replied Terri, smiling.

"So, you wanna start again with the explanation?"

"Oh, right. Well, it seems that there's been a spate of attacks on women in the area over the last eight months or so. Nothing fatal so far, but not far off a couple of times, and nasty with it. I correlated the police records with the reports from the local evening paper; 'The Standard', by the way. It looks like we've got a looney-tunes on our hands. Slightly different MO each time, but you and me both know the link that the police don't," she finished with another insufferably smug grin.

"We do?"

"Sure. Recognise any of these?" Terri said, handing over some photocopy prints of various women.

Nikki flipped through the pages. "Yes, yes I recognise at least three of them, they all go to the... club. Jesus," she breathed heavily, as the implication hit her.

"Jesus indeed, though I doubt we're looking for a six foot, bearded Caucasian male with a halo round his head, who's very light-footed, aquatically speaking."

Nikki looked up from the pictures at Terri. She started to say something but stopped. Her shoulders slumped and she looked back down at the pictures, her eyes unexpectedly watering.

"Jesus loves me, this I know," Nikki sang softly to herself. Terri raised an eyebrow, staring at Nikki.

Nikki looked up again, seeing the puzzled expression on Terri's face. "Oh, sorry, it's the last line of an Aaron Neville song. Actually it's a Bob Dylan song but I like Aaron's version better, you know..." she trailed away into silence, rubbing the back of her hand across her wet cheek.

Terri got up and came over to Nikki, taking her hand and squatting down to match her eyeline. "Are you okay?"

"Yes..." she paused. "No, I'm not all right, damnit! I came here for a friggin' holiday and take in the boat show; take a few pictures and have some fun. Christ, this is London, it's not supposed to have 'phobe fruitcakes runnin' around hurting people. New York, Los Angeles even, but not London. It's just not meant to be like this. It's not fair!"

"Nikki, sweetheart, we've got just as many fruitcakes as you have over there, believe me. Remember we invented them, Jack the Ripper and all that. And you're right, it's not fair. The human race has its defects, just the same as anything else in nature. But we'll stop him or her, I promise," she said emphasising her last remark with a squeeze of Nikki's hand.

"You think it might be a her?" asked Nikki, surprised.

"Can't rule anything out, Nikki. Not till we know more, at least."

Nikki was secretly pleased at Terri talking of 'we' all the time, and she sure liked holding hands. The warmth and incredible strength she could feel just below the surface were unlike anything she'd ever known in another woman.

She sniffed, composing herself. "Do we tell the cops?"

"I don't know yet. I'll see how it goes."

"Won't they be pissed at you? Can't you lose your license for withholding evidence, or something like that?"

"Well, first it's not evidence, only speculation. I haven't been able to track down all the women and confirm it. Not to mention that many of them might be reluctant to admit to this particular connection. And second, private investigators don't need licenses in the UK to operate, just an advert in the Yellow Pages will do it."

"You mean anyone can set themselves up as a private dick here, and no one will say otherwise?" asked Nikki, taken by surprise at the information.

"Yep."

"Even me?"

"Even you. Though wouldn't you be happier building boats?"

"I told you, I don't build boats, I help design them, mostly interiors and fittings, that sort of thing."

"And there I was thinking you were a hot-shot naval architect or something," Terri said, but smiling a dazzling, knock-'em-dead smile to show Nikki she was teasing. She was getting much better at the smiling thing, Nikki thought.

Nikki's bottom lip crept back in as she smiled in return. "Thanks, Farmer."

"For what?"

"Snapping me out of my loathsome self-pity."

"Think nothing of it, all part of the service," she said, still smiling, and still holding hands, Nikki was extremely pleased to note.

"How much extra will it cost?" she asked Terri.

"Oh, I'll work out the bill, don't you worry your pretty little head about that."

"I bet you will," she paused. "So, you think I'm pretty?" Nikki asked, almost shyly.

Terri just smiled, letting go of Nikki's hand and returning to her computer.

"I think tonight we go clubbing and see what we can see."

"You want me to come too?" Nikki asked, her eyes lighting up.

"Relax, party grrrrl, I'm not going in. Don't think I'd be welcomed at the moment. And of course you're coming with me. Can't protect you if I'm there and you're here, now can I?"

"No, I don't suppose you can."

Part Four

Terri parked the small, sleek Mercedes sports car in the shadows across the street from the entrance to the club. Nikki was sitting sullenly in the passenger seat, a pained expression on her face.

"Thanks for driving, Farmer. I knew I should've let you from the start, but I thought I could manage it."

"No problem. That's what the hired help's for."

"No doubt you'll add it to the bill."

"There's a distinct possibility," she replied, bringing a compact set of binoculars to her eyes and scanning the club's entrance.

"Do you know how much an SLK 320 costs to rent?"

"No doubt you'll tell me."

"Well, I'll tell you," continued Nikki obliviously. "It costs a lot. That's what it costs. The trouble I had to go to, to get it in red."

"Matches the colour of your wound."

"Nice."

"Don't mention it."

"I'm paying for all this, you know. I think that entitles me to a little sympathy."

"As my dad used to say, sympathy is in the dictionary somewhere between shit and syphilis," replied Terri absently, still studying the club through the binoculars.

"Oh please, Farmer, that's gross!"

"What... what'd I do?" asked Terri, putting down her binoculars, feigning puzzlement.

"Just... just get on with your Peeping Tom routine."

"This is called reconnaissance, not peeping," said Terri, resuming her watching.

"What, you're telling me you don't use those to peek into people's bedroom windows, whenever you get the chance?"

"Only if I'm paid to."

"Figures, it's all down to money with you, isn't it?"

"And the chance to be as annoying as possible, don't forget that," added Terri.

"How long we gonna do this for, anyway?" Nikki asked.

"Well, I pretty much thought as long as it takes would be about right."

"We could be here for days, weeks, months even. Tell me we're gonna take a few hours off, here and there."

Putting down the binoculars, Terri turned to Nikki. "You're paying the bills. Anytime you want to call it off, just say the word."

"No, no, I didn't mean that. What I meant was, shouldn't we get some help, or something?"

Terri regarded her for a moment. "How about some coffee? There's a small cafe just over there," she asked, ignoring Nikki's comment.

Nikki shrugged. "Sure, why not. I'm hungry too."

Terri pulled the car keys, putting them in her pocket. "Promise me you'll keep the doors locked, the windows closed and the roof up. And don't even think about going anywhere. I'll be watching all the time, you'll be safe."

"Yes, Mom."

"Good, I'll be back a few minutes." Terri got out and locked the doors, slipped silently into the shadows and disappeared. Nikki picked up the binoculars and scanned the area. Seeing nothing of interest she finally settled on the club's entrance, watching a few women come and go. She snickered when she noticed the neck brace, black eye and swollen lip of one of the door-keepers. "Hah, thought you could take on the Farminator, huh?" she grinned to herself. "She'll be back," she intoned in her best Austrian accent.

It occurred to her how comforting it felt having Farmer on her side. Since meeting her, any fear she should by rights be experiencing had never surfaced. Sure, Farmer was a pain in the ass with her 'off-limits' attitude and her deeply annoying habit of being goddamned perfect and all. But, Nikki was first to admit, it sure beat not having her around.

The sudden release of the door locks made her jump. "Jesus, do you have to keep sneaking up on people like that, you damn near made me pee myself!"

"S'okay, not my car," Terri said, gracefully sliding into the low-slung leather seat and handing Nikki a polystyrene cup of coffee and a packet of Walkers salt-and-vinegar crisps. "These are what's called crisps over here. You put them in your mouth and crunch them."

"I know what you do with them," Nikki said, grabbing the crisps and scowling. "We call them chips, which is a damn sight better use of the word than limp, soggy, fried sticks of potato you call chips."

"Bet you still eat them though," replied Terri, picking up the binoculars.

"Sometimes... maybe," admitted Nikki. "Prefer Burger King fries, actually."

"Well, enjoy them while you're young. Get to my age and the bastards seek out your thighs with laser-guided precision."

"You're kidding me, right?"

"Would I kid you?"

Nikki snorted in contempt at such a question. "But you've got a body that's a cross between a catwalk model and an Olympic athlete, with a bit of Arnie thrown in. I don't see fat thighs from where I'm sitting."

"You haven't seen me spend the hours and hours required to stay this way."

Nikki was about to reply when Terri stiffened. She held her breath, waiting for Terri to say something. Peering through the car's steamed-up windows, Nikki tried to make out what was happening across the street.

"What's happening?" she whispered.

"Damn," Terri said softly.

"What, what is it, Farmer? Speak to me, say something... anything."

"You know you asked what were we looking for, and I said I didn't know but I'd let you know when I saw it. Well, I think I just saw it."

"What is it?"

"Someone I recognised going into the club. Someone I didn't expect to see going in there."

"Who?"

"An old colleague. Well, not so old, and we really only worked together for a year or so."

"For God's sake, will you tell me who?" demanded Nikki.

"Her name's Rachel Downs, she's a policewoman. I liked her, she was -- is -- a good copper. Trouble is, I always got the feeling she was never really that fond of gays."

"Not everyone does, or hadn't that escaped your... " She paused. "Oh, I see what you mean."

"Not good, huh?"

"You think that... maybe... she's the one doing this?"

"I'd like to think not, but it would explain some things."

"Such as?"

"Such as why the police haven't made such an obvious connection to the club in over eight months. Why the attacker seems to know exactly what they're doing and never gets seen by anyone. And why none of them seem that interested in solving any of this."

"Jesus, a cop. That's sick."

"Well, it's not healthy, I'll give you that."

"So, assuming it is her doing this, are you gonna go in there and arrest her?"

"Hardly."

"Why not?" Nikki demanded indignantly.

"There's a little matter of the burden of proof. Or the fact that she might be undercover. Not to mention they probably wouldn't let me past the front door. For some reason my natural good charm and charisma isn't likely to work on them at the moment."

"Well kick their asses again."

"Subtle."

"Screw subtle, go get her, Farmer, that's an order!"

Terri slowly turned to Nikki, raising an eyebrow. "An order?" she asked quietly, fixing Nikki with a stare.

"Well, I am the boss... aren't I?" she asked, not sure if she should smile or not.

Terri resumed watching the club, not saying a word.

"Fine, then I'll go and find out if she's one of the good guys or bad guys." Nikki tried to open the door, but a cast iron grip snagged her arm.

"You're not going anywhere where I can't see you."

"Damn it, Farmer, let go of me," she snapped, tugging at the immovable hand holding her. Terri abruptly released her, causing Nikki to lurch over, banging her head on the window.

"Ow... what the hell did you do that for?" Nikki grimaced, rubbing the side of her head.

"You asked so politely, how could I refuse?" said Terri, smiling.

"It's not funny."

Terri's smile vanished. "No, it's not. That's why you're not going charging in there, on your own, making wild accusations at an off-duty policewoman. Rich and spoiled you may be, but magistrates still take a pretty dim view of such things. You'd be lucky to get off with just being put on the first plane home."

"Damn it, we've got to do something. We can't just sit here and watch her to death."

"What do you propose, a lynch mob; should we string her up?"

"No, not really. Not that she wouldn't deserve it, sick bitch."

"Good, because the other thing that really pisses judges off is vigilantism. And we also have this little quirk about being innocent until proven guilty to worry about."

"Hah, this from Ms Jacqui Chan. Tell that to those three in there you beat the crap out of the other night."

"Those three wouldn't have the courage to go to the police and lose face. They know it, and I know it. Listen, we will do whatever it takes to put a stop to this. If and when that requires going beyond the law, then we'll do it when I say, and how I say, and not before. Is that clear?"

Nikki shrugged, mumbling an affirmative. They sat in silence, each wrapped in their own thoughts.

"How's the head?" Terri finally asked.

"Hurts."

"Head-butting cars can do that."

"Yeah, laugh it up, Farmer."

"I'm not laughing, can't you tell this is not my happy face?"

Nikki turned to Terri, catching the playful glint in her eye. She couldn't help but grin back. "I can be pretty stupid sometimes, can't I?"

"You're young, you've not had a chance to work the stupids out of your system yet."

"Thanks a bunch, you're not supposed to agree with me quite so readily when I'm being contrite."

"Well, if it's any consolation, even though you might not win at Mastermind for a while yet, at least you're pretty."

Nikki's smile spread across her face. She sat back in her seat beaming.

'Doesn't take much,' thought Terri, smiling to herself.

* * *

It was well past midnight; the flow of women entering the club had dwindled to a few stragglers.

"What now?" asked a sleepy Nikki, waking from one of her cat-naps. Terri continued her observation of the entrance with her binoculars. A position that hadn't altered much in over four hours.

"We wait. They're a private club, they can stay open all night if they want to."

"This is so dull," said Nikki, yawning loudly.

"But necessary."

"You gonna do this every night? 'Cause I have to tell ya, I've been on better dates with boys than this."

"This isn't a date."

"You're telling me it's not."

"We can stay at my place tomorrow, if you'd prefer."

Nikki was about to reply when Terri abruptly sat upright. She rubbed the window and peered across the street. An ambulance had pulled up in front of the club.

"Stay here, and don't move," ordered Terri.

"What's happening?" asked Nikki to an empty seat. Terri was already half-way towards the club.

"Crap, I wish she wouldn't do that!" Nikki growled. She watched through the binoculars as Terri approached the ambulance and spoke to the driver. A few moments later she was on her way back, her face an angry mask.

"What's happening?" Nikki asked as soon as Terri got in the car.

"Seems our friend is still one jump ahead of us, changed their MO again. Somebody had some industrial cleaner slipped into her drink. It's bad; they don't know if she'll make it. Severe burns to the mouth and throat." Terri answered angrily.

"How's that possible, wouldn't she have smelled it before she drank it?"

"No, it's a damn drain cleaner marketed for its lack of smell. Don't suppose they ever tested its taste," Terri said bitterly.

"Hey, it's not your fault, you couldn't have known that they'd attack someone in the club itself."

"No, I guess not. At least that means either our friend is getting impatient and wants to be caught, or else they're getting sloppy and we'll get them anyway." A siren could be heard in the distance, getting closer.

"I take it we don't need to tell the cops anymore, about the club, I mean?"

"Nope, it was Rachel on the stretcher. Come on, there's not much more we can do here tonight." Terri said, starting the engine.

* * *

"Shouldn't you be wearing gloves, or something?" asked Nikki as they sat side by side on Terri's couch. Terri was examining a package they'd picked up from reception at Nikki's hotel on their way back home from the club.

"Something? What exactly did you have in mind?" asked Terri, smiling to herself as she turned the package over in her hands, studying the bulky envelope carefully.

"Don't tempt me, Farmer. I meant those little rubber gloves you see people on TV using, so they don't disturb the evidence."

"Rubber, huh? Kinky."

"Quit it, Farmer. Just open the damn package."

"Maybe we should leave it till the morning, it's past one thirty now, I'm sure you need your beauty sleep."

"What, you think I can sleep now?" asked Nikki incredulously.

"Just a thought. Okay, here we go." She slid her finger under the flap, prying it open. Looking into the package she could see some folded sheets of A4 paper, wrapped around a video cassette. She carefully emptied the contents onto the glass table, checking that the envelope was empty.

Holding the pages by the corner she opened them out, pushing the cassette to one side using the knuckle of her little finger.

"So, you don't want to disturb the evidence then?"

"Never said I did. You never know, we might get lucky and they might be stupid, but I wouldn't hold your breath on that."

The first page had some writing which simply said "She's pretty. Tall, but pretty. You have good taste, but will the Stevensons agree?"

"The Stevensons?" asked Terri.

"Family that runs the company I work for." Terri nodded.

She slid the first page away, revealing the next page and its pictures. They were of Terri, coming and going from the main door of her apartment, all taken at street level.

"They've caught you pretty well. The camera just loves you, doesn't it?"

Terri ignored Nikki's comment and carefully picked up the video cassette, taking it over to her player. It was a clip of Nikki and Terri with their arms around each other. They watched themselves leave the taxi and go up the stairs to Terri's apartment.

"But you were helping me up the stairs after I left the hospital," said Nikki indignantly.

"Yeah, but if you didn't know that..."

"Just friggin' typical!"

"What?"

"I'm being blackmailed for something I didn't even get to enjoy!" fumed Nikki.

Terri laughed, which didn't help Nikki's disposition much.

"You're in the same boat, Farmer."

Terri shrugged, grinning. "True, but I know my boss and she's cool with me helping less fortunates up some stairs. She won't mind at all."

"I'm glad this is all such a joke to you, Farmer." Nikki said despondently.

Terri sobered up slightly at Nikki's sad face. "You're right, Nikki, I'm sorry."

"Wow, you really bought my sad puppy look!" said Nikki, snapping back into a smug grin.

Terri's eyes narrowed. "Oh, like that is it? Well, two can play games, Ms Takis." she said, cracking her knuckles ominously.

"Typical, all you types understand is violence," scoffed Nikki, but still grinning.

"Your time will come, Blondie, and when it does, then wham!" she said, emphasising her words by smacking her fist into her other hand.

"Ooh, big brave warrior gal, beating up on a little thing like me," Nikki said prodding Terri in a sensitive spot under her back ribs.

Terri flinched. "Quit it, Takis."

"Yeah, what're you gonna do about it?" Nikki said, prodding her in the same spot.

"I said quit it, or face the consequences," Terri growled.

"I ain't scared of you." She tried to prod Terri again but found herself flat on her back on the sofa, both hands held firmly above her head.

"I warned you, little girl," Terri said menacingly, slowly and deliberately transferring both of Nikki's wrists to her left hand, freeing her right. Nikki swallowed nervously, her throat having suddenly gone dry. "Now you face the consequences." She lowered her face to within a few inches of Nikki's.

Nikki closed her eyes, her breathing speeding up. She began to raise her head to meet Terri half-way when Terri's hand flashed down and started to tickle her. Nikki's eyes shot open in surprise, then scrunched tight shut again.

"No please... I can't... stand to be tickled. Please... Farmer... Noooooooo!" She writhed about, but could move very little with Terri holding her down so firmly. She only had one card left to play. "Owwwww, please, Farmer... my back!" she gasped.

Terri leapt off Nikki as if she'd been stung.

"Shit, I'm sorry, Nikki, I totally forgot. Here, let me have a look, make sure nothing's damaged. Nikki reluctantly rolled over, pulling up her shirt, a grin of triumph on her face that Terri couldn't see.

"Everything seems okay," said Terri, gently running her hands up and down the sides of Nikki's dressing. Nikki closed her eyes, sighing softly at Terri's touch. She frowned when Terri pulled her shirt back down and smacked her lightly on the shoulder.

"No harm done. I'm really sorry, Nikki, I don't know what came over me. It won't happen again, I promise."

"It's okay, I rather enjoyed it, to tell you the truth," she said, rolling over and standing up, tucking her shirt in.

"Hmm, I guess you did, judging by that smirk on your face."

"I don't smirk."

"Yeah, right." They both looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"Why are you laughing?" giggled Nikki, caught in the moment.

"Maybe because I've got a good lead on a case."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah. Who knew you'd be here and who else knew where to take pictures from?"

Nikki shrugged. "You tell me, you're the detective."

"I think we need to have a word with the people you used at your dad's place to track me down."

"Why the hell would any of them pull a stunt like this?"

"That's one of the questions I intend to ask them."

"Now who's smirking?"

"I don't smirk. I stopped smirking years ago."

"Very funny, Farmer." They both looked at each other and started laughing again.

* * *

Terri stood in the doorway to Nikki's room, observing her silently as she slept. A small smile played around Nikki's lips as she mumbled something in her sleep followed by what sounded suspiciously to Terri like a contented sigh.

'Gods, Farmer, where the hell did that come from? You hardly know the girl... woman, and already you're having tickle fights with her? Jesus, that's so unprofessional, what the hell were you thinking?' she berated herself.

Shaking her head in disbelief she padded back to her own room and closed the door.

* * *

"So, is it back to the club, or go see my dad's office?" asked Nikki, munching her way through a bowl of cereal. Terri was doing sit-ups, using her metal foot loops.

"Not sure, haven't decided," she grunted between sit-ups.

"Well, let me know when you've decided," Nikki said, picking up the remote, flicking channels from CNN to Channel 4's breakfast show, and turning up the volume.

Terri stopped her exercising to say something about asking first, but shook her head and continued with her sit ups. Nikki laughed and muttered at something on the screen.

Terri stopped again. "What... what did you say?" she panted.

"Nothing, I was talking to the TV."

"You were talking to the TV?"

"Sure, doesn't everyone?" asked Nikki, spooning another great heap of Cornflakes into her mouth.

"Not everyone," muttered Terri darkly, trying to get back into a routine. "Oh, this is hopeless." She got up and unsnapped the loops in disgust, stalking off towards the bathroom for a shower.

"What's the matter, Farmer, another cold, lonely night getting to ya?"

"The rent just went up, Blondie," she shouted back, through the open door of the bathroom. Nikki grinned at her ability to rile Terri so easily. She leaned back on the comfy leather chair, looking over to the bathroom. She realised the door was open enough for her to see the mirrored wall at the back. Her breath caught as she watched Terri stepping into the shower.

"Bad grrrl, stop it... stop it at once!" she chided herself quietly. 'Yeah, right,' she thought, unable to tear her eyes away.

"Stop what?" Terri called from the bathroom, rinsing her long, dark hair, apparently oblivious to Nikki's scrutiny.

'Damn her and her freaky hearing,' she grunted to herself.

"Oh, nothing, Farmer, just something on the TV," she called back, breathing a sigh of relief at her quick thinking. Terri stepped from the shower and started to dry herself. Nikki closed her eyes and sighed. 'Why me? This is just so not fair!'

"Problem?"

Nikki jumped. Terri was standing right next to her, towelling her hair dry.

"Er, no, everything's just fine."

"You looked a little worried there for a moment."

"No, I'm fine. Even my back's feeling better, see," she said, bending over and twisting to demonstrate her new-found suppleness.

"That's good. Maybe we can get a bit more done now you're on the mend," said Terri, moving off to her bedroom.

Nikki closed her eyes and moaned in frustration, shaking her head slowly from side to side.

Part Five

Terri paid the man in the kiosk, taking the paper he held out in return. She quickly flipped through the pages looking for any news on the incident at the club.

"Couldn't you just ask your friends at the station?" asked Nikki, walking by her side as they made their way through the congested streets of the City, the commercial centre of London. They were heading for the main offices of Sparcon, the shipping company owned by Nikki's father.

"I could, but this might tell me what I need to know," replied Terri, still scanning the pages, deftly weaving in and out of the pedestrian traffic without looking up from her paper.

"Do you have built-in radar?" asked Nikki, having been bumped for what seemed like the hundredth time by on-comers.

"It helps being six feet tall, they tend to see you coming," Terri answered, still reading the paper.

"You saying I'm short?"

"Wouldn't dream of it, Kontos."

"That's a bit harsh, isn't it?" said Nikki indignantly.

"Not really."

"Farmer, did you just say what I thought you said?"

"What did you think I said?"

"I'm not going to say."

"That makes it a little hard for me to answer then, doesn't it?"

"You said something crude."

"No I didn't."

"Yes you did!"

Terri grinned at Nikki. "Calm down, I said 'Kontos', it's Greek."

"Oh," said Nikki blushing lightly. "Of course... I knew that. What does it mean?"

"You don't speak your mother tongue?"

"I sure do, I speak American, just like my mom."

"Uh-huh, well read this," Terri said, handing over the neatly folded newspaper, pointing to a small item on the previous night's events at the club.

Nikki read out loud "Police are treating as suspicious an incident in a private club in Soho in which a woman drank some corrosive cleaning fluid. The unnamed woman is said to be poorly but in a stable condition, said a hospital spokesperson last night."

"Interesting, don't you think?" said Terri.

Nikki shrugged. "I suppose... er, why?"

"Well, for one thing there's no mention of the club's name, nor the name of the victim herself, let alone that Rachel's a policewoman."

"What does that mean, that the journalists are lazy, or what?"

"It means that someone's deliberately keeping it low key and out of the papers."

"Is that good or bad?"

"Don't know yet. It could mean many things."

"I thought you said it was interesting?"

"Interesting's such a relative term, don't you think?"

"Why are conversations with you such a chore, Farmer?"

"Are they?"

"See, there you go, answering a question with a question."

"Do I?"

"I give up."

"Good, because we're here."

They both looked up at the towering skyscraper looming above them. Nikki stumbled slightly but Terri caught her, still looking upward herself.

"Sorry, Farmer, looking up at tall buildings this close always makes me lose my balance."

"Why do you do it then?"

"Dunno really," she said, frowning.

"Uh-huh, well, lay on McDuff, take me to your company ferrets."

"Yeah, they are pretty weasely, now you come to mention it," Nikki grinned.

They passed through the revolving doors into a small, nondescript room. A board on the wall detailed who was housed on what floor. Ten lifts with several people standing waiting completed the foyer. Terri and Nikki managed to get a lift to themselves.

"So, Sparcon only takes a couple of floors, I thought it would be more." said Terri.

"No, this is only their London office, the main headquarters are in Athens," replied Nikki.

"That where your dad is?"

"Probably, though he could be anywhere, Sparcon's got offices in New York and Hong Kong, plus a few other places."

"You go to any of them much?"

"Not really, only if there's a boat show near-by."

"Do they have that many boat shows?"

"Enough to keep me travelling for a lot of the year."

"Must be a hard life."

"Well, someone's gotta do it, so I figure it might as well be me," Nikki said, smiling smugly.

"Have you considered your future with Sparcon?"

"No, not really. What do I know about running a shipping company?"

"Christos seems to see you as a threat."

"He's a jerk."

"Doesn't mean he's wrong."

"Well, I don't want the stupid job, and the sooner these goons understand that, the sooner they'll leave me alone."

"What did you mean when you said that they wanted to hurt you?"

"I think they want me to lose my job and come and work for them."

"Who's them, your dad?"

"No, I don't think he's involved. I think there are people in the company that don't want to see Christos take over, and they think I'd make a convenient substitute."

"How long before your dad steps down?"

"Oh, decades in theory, but every now and then he threatens to retire early and 'leave it to the kids' as he says."

"How do you know this if you never see him?"

"I've been told."

"By who?"

"Well, John, for one."

"John?"

"Yeah, he's the guy I asked to find where you lived. His team does all sorts of searches and investigations into whatever the company needs."

"How do you know you can trust him?"

"Jesus, Farmer, you're as suspicious as Christos."

"Maybe, but I've found it's the best way to be."

"Best for what?"

"You don't get hurt so much."

Nikki snorted. "Can't see anything hurting you, Farmer."

"What makes you think that?"

"You're so... together, so at ease with yourself, assured and confident, dynamic... stuff like that."

'Yeah, well add lonely and bored to the list,' Terri thought sadly to herself.

"What you thinking?" asked Nikki.

"That it's a nice lift."

"Right... er, nice."

"Where are we going?" asked Terri.

"Eighteenth floor. That's where operations lives. Where John and his team hang out."

"Why have offices in London at all?"

"Back when my great-great-grandfather founded the company it was originally called the Anglo-Greek Shipping Company. Back when Britannia ruled the waves, it was de rigueur to have a presence here. Not so important now, of course."

"No, I guess not."

"I believe they used to have over half this building back in the seventies, but it's shrunk to just two floors now."

"You weren't even born in the seventies."

"So, I can read, you know."

Terri was about to reply when the lift arrived. A large imposing desk, complete with a sleekly groomed woman, blocked the way to the rest of the floor. Two security guards stood impassively behind her, apparently ready to repel all unauthorised boarders.

"Ms Takis, a pleasure to see you again, and so soon after your last visit," said the woman behind the desk.

"Hi Gloria. This is Terri Farmer, she's my guest, I'm going to show her around."

"Would you like any assistance?"

"Nah, I've got it covered."

The receptionist managed a fixed smile and nodded.

"Would you care to fill out a visitors form please, Miss Farmer?" Gloria asked, sliding a piece of paper towards Terri. Nikki took the form and ripped it in half, dropping it back on the desk.

"Not required, she's my guest," she announced sweetly.

"Miss Takis, it's company policy that all visitors--" Nikki leaned forward holding up a hand, shutting Gloria up mid-sentence.

"One day I'll be running this company, so be nice and do what I say, huh?" Her voice had dropped low and menacing. Gloria swallowed, simply nodding.

They swept imperiously past reception, down a long corridor into a small office. A large door with Nikki's father's name was at the other end, behind an expensive desk.

Terri raised her eyebrows. "So, you're going for the top job after all?"

Nikki shrugged. "Nah, but she doesn't know that. You have to put them in their place every so often, they forget themselves. We can ask John to come up and see us in Dad's office and get this all cleared up."

"I take it you don't think John is involved in your blackmail, or any conspiracy to dump Christos?"

"No, I'm pretty sure he's clean."

"How do you know for sure."

"He's in love with me," Nikki said casually.

"He doesn't know you play on the other team?"

"It's never come up in conversation, but as his job's research and investigation I can't imagine he doesn't know."

"But you do keep it hidden enough to worry about what your present employers might think."

"It's dumb. I'm pretty sure they won't care one way or the other, but they're old fashioned enough to think that it matters that they appear to be, so they'll feel obliged to do something. The stupid thing is, I doubt anyone really cares that much these days, they're all just afraid about what the other person thinks and they act accordingly. If we could just get people to realise that nobody cares it would all just go away."

"You can always try for Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park, I'm sure we can find an extra tall soap box for you."

"You're making fun of me again, Farmer."

"Never," Terri said straight-faced.

"Good, because I'll be forced to prod you in the ribs again."

"That'll cost extra."

"It'd be worth it."

They stared into each other's eyes for a moment till Terri broke away and perched herself on the secretary's desk. "Shall we call John and get this show on the road," she asked.

"Let's get comfortable in the big chair next door first."

"After you," Terri said, sweeping her hand towards the inner office door.

Nikki opened the door and stepped through with Terri a pace behind. Had Terri not possessed the reflexes she did, she would have crashed into the back of Nikki who had stopped still, mid-stride.

"Hello, Nikkoletta," said a man behind a huge desk filling one wall.

"Dad?"

"In the flesh." He spoke in clipped English without a trace of an accent.

"How come... no one said... why..."

"No one but you and your friend knows I'm here." He stood up and came round the desk, holding out his hands. Nikki ran into his outstretched arms, both of them hugging each other.

"Oh, Dad, it's been too long," Nikki whispered, tears in her eyes.

"I know, little one, I know."

"How'd you get here without anyone seeing you?"

"I can't tell you all my secrets, Nikki," he said, smiling.

"Hidden executive lift," said Terri. Nikki relaxed her hold on her Dad, swinging round to look at Terri. He laughed, but didn't deny Terri's statement.

"You must be the redoubtable Miss Farmer," he said, holding out his hand.

She took it, returning the strong grip measure for measure. "And how do you know who I am?"

"I know lots of things, Miss Farmer. I'm grateful for the help you've given my daughter over the past couple of days."

"You knew about that?" asked Nikki.

"My own daughter being admitted to hospital with a major wound? I could hardly miss it, there were so many communications on the matter."

"You never called," Nikki said reproachfully.

"I knew you were in good hands."

"Your fatherly concern does you proud," said Terri.

"Farmer..." growled Nikki.

"No, she's right, I shirk my duties as a parent, I always have. That you've turned out as well as you have it entirely due to yourself and your mother. How is she, by the way?"

"She's fine."

"As if you don't know already," added Terri. Nikki's father slowly released his hold on his daughter.

"You are perceptive, Miss Farmer. My information on you didn't do you nearly enough justice."

"Oh?"

"Let me see," he said, reaching over to a slim file on his desk. He flipped it open, reading the first page. "Teresa Jane Farmer, born eighth of December, nineteen seventy. Educated to degree standard, reading science and engineering. Fluent in several languages and beyond black belt in at least two of the martial arts. Joined the British Army as a graduate student, fast tracked through Sandhurst, where you passed out top of your year. Seconded to the United Nations peace keeping force as a Captain in the Signals regiment. Resigned your commission unexpectedly. Why was that exactly, Miss Farmer?"

"I didn't like the food."

"Of course," he said, smiling faintly. "Returned to the UK and joined the police force, but left after only a year. The food again, I presume?"

"No, I didn't like the hat."

"Ah, quite so. Presently self-employed as a private detective. The food and hats more to your liking there?"

"So far."

"You live in an expensive apartment in Chelsea but still owe over a million pounds on it."

"Yeah, but I own half of it already."

"Would you care to own the other half, while you're still young, Miss Farmer?"

"Is that some sort of threat?"

"No, no, you misunderstand me. I'm offering you a permanent position that will help you to achieve financial security."

"What sort of position?"

"To the point. I like that, Miss Farmer. May I call you Teresa? I'm sure there's no need for such formality."

"Farmer's just fine."

"As you wish. Well, firstly, I want you to protect my daughter. Just do what you've been doing. Secondly, I might have an investigative job for you. Would you be interested?"

"Depends what the job is."

"I think some of my ships are being used by an organised gang of smugglers. I wish to put a stop to it."

"You've got John and his team, so Nikki tells me. Let them handle it."

"They have been trying but with little success so far. One might be tempted to come to the conclusion that they're not trying very hard. But I'll give them the benefit of the doubt for the time being. No, this would be an independent investigation by an outsider, someone with no potential vested interests."

"Why not just hand it over to the police?"

"Of which country?"

"Whichever one suits."

"I think not."

"What if it led to places you might not be comfortable with?"

"Ah, you mean my son?" Terri raised her eyebrows in acknowledgement. "I don't care where it leads, I want the truth. Does this mean you're interested?"

"I'll think about it."

"You're very quiet, Nikki," he said, turning to his daughter.

"It's all a bit sudden, Dad, is all. I'm having trouble taking it all in."

"That's understandable."

"Is there any point in asking to see John now?" asked Terri.

"I've had words, it won't happen again."

"What won't?" asked Nikki, a puzzled look on her face.

"I think someone misinterpreted one of your orders, no?" said Terri.

"Again, I admire your astuteness, Miss Farmer. Yes, somebody over-reacted when I suggested casually to them that it would be interesting to put my two children under some pressure to see what they were made of."

"What the hell did you do that for?" demanded Nikki.

"It wasn't my plan to see either of you hurt, I assure you."

"Well I hope you fired the sorry sonofabitch's ass," ranted Nikki.

"He has been dealt with, I promise you. Now, Miss Farmer, what is your decision?"

"Let me think on it. I've got other things to deal with at the moment. I can't just drop them."

"If it's a financial problem then that can be dealt with swiftly, Miss Farmer."

"Not everything revolves around money, Mr Takis. Or can I call you Alex, now that we're not being so formal?"

He smiled his thin smile again. "I like you, Farmer. I can't tell you how refreshing it is, not to have yet more obsequious fawning."

"I try my best."

"Yes, I think you do." He looked at his watch. "Still, time is money and I'm booked on a flight to Moscow in an hour. If you don't mind I've a few things to attend to before I go."

"How will I contact you," asked Terri. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a business card.

"That's my private mobile and my secretary's private line. One of us will always answer twenty-four hours a day. Please contact me when you have something to tell me."

"Come on, Nikki, we're being politely thrown out."

"Dad?" Nikki said, looking at her father.

"Go with Miss Farmer, Nikkoletta, you're in good hands."

"But... but... "

"Come on," Terri said, gently taking Nikki's arm and leading her to the door.

"One more thing, Miss Farmer," Nikki's father called out.

"Yes?"

"I see that you've never been married, and you are presently without a partner."

"And?"

"Is it something I should be interested in?"

"Yes."

"Oh?"

"I hope you find it interesting that it's something that's none of your damn business."

He nodded, pausing for a moment. "Yes, you're right."

"That it's none of your business?"

"No, it's interesting that there is something that isn't my business. Good day, Miss Farmer. I hope to hear from you soon."

* * *

"Interesting person," said Terri between long, slow licks. They were both sitting on a park bench, eating ice-creams.

"Yeah, that's one word for him," replied Nikki sullenly.

"Not someone to get on the wrong side of, I'd imagine."

"I wouldn't know."

They lapsed into silence, Terri concentrating on her ice-cream, Nikki staring at the carefully laid-out herbaceous borders of the park, not really seeing them.

"You want that?" asked Terri, nudging Nikki and pointing to her melting ice-cream.

"No, you have it. I'm not in the mood right now."

"I've always figured that there is never a bad time for ice-cream," she said, happily relieving Nikki of her cone.

"Why can't I have a normal father?"

"Probably goes with the territory, I'd imagine."

"What territory?"

"Super-rich business types. All work and no play. Not surprised your mum bailed."

"He couldn't have always been like that, surely?" said Nikki.

"What else were you thinking of?"

"You know, love, romance, dating, all that."

"Maybe your mum liked the idea of a never-ending supply of spending money. Found out too late it was way over-rated?"

"I guess."

"You're young, Nikki. One day your princess will come. Then you can spend the rest of your life showing your dad how it should be done."

"What about you, Farmer. Will your er... whatever come?"

"If they don't I'm not doing it right."

"Very funny, Farmer. I'm being serious here."

Terri shrugged, licking another great scoop of ice-cream into her mouth. "Not something I've ever really dwelt upon," she said, frowning slightly, obviously uncomfortable with the subject.

"You think there's someone out there just for you, the other half of your soul?" Nikki asked.

"I don't know."

"What if they're close by already, but you just don't recognise it?"

"Damned if I know," muttered Terri.

Part Six

Farmer finished her ice-cream. "What now, Boss?"

"Hah, it's only Boss when it suits!" replied Nikki, scornfully.

"At the moment it suits."

"In that case, take me home."

"Would that be hotel home, Farmer Mansions home, or California home?"

"Farmer, I'm not in the mood, just take me back to your place... please."

"Home it is," Terri said, rising fluidly from the park bench, holding out her hand. Nikki took it without comment, allowing herself to be pulled effortlessly to her feet.

"Do we have to go back on the subway?"

"Not if you don't want. There's buses, taxis or legs; take your pick."

"How far would it be to walk?"

"Oh, if we kept up a good pace we could be there in a couple of hours."

"Fine, we'll get a taxi."

"As you wish." Terri looked up and down the street. It was teeming with traffic, but no taxis were amongst the rush. "Let's walk down towards the river. There'll be plenty of taxis down there."

"Sure," Nikki replied, not really listening.

"Still thinking about your dad?" asked Terri, as they ambled slowly southward.

"Yeah, I guess."

"Not happy thoughts."

"No, not really." They lapsed into silence.

"Farmer?"

"Hmmm."

"Did you get along with your dad?"

"He was my best friend."

"And your mom?"

"Her too, though she and I, well... we tended to argue a bit."

"What about?"

"Oh, this an' that; the usual."

"Tell me."

"She didn't like my tomboy ways much. It always caused tension between us."

"You a tomboy, who'da thought?" Nikki said, smiling for the first time since they'd left her father's office.

"Yeah, big surprise, huh."

"When did you realize it was cool to be a girl?"

Terri thought about it for some time. "Not sure really," she said quietly. "Cost me a lot of things I really wanted, over the years."

"Farmer, you can't be serious, you couldn't be more woman if you tried."

"Didn't say I wasn't any good at it," Terri smiled.

"Not that you bother with all the frilly stuff. No makeup, no girly clothes, but you can't hide what you are. I bet the boys were all over you in college."

"A few tried."

"And?"

"They didn't try a second time."

"Kick-ass even then, huh?"

"My dad let me go to karate lessons from when I was four," Terri said, her eyes losing focus as she thought about the past. "My mum wanted me to go to dance lessons and piano. We compromised on martial arts. She must've talked herself into believing it was just another form of dancing." Terri laughed at the thought.

"But your dad knew?"

"Oh yeah. He used to take me to the competitions."

"I bet you had a room full of trophies."

"A couple."

"Is that when you wanted to be a boy?"

"Yeah, they had all the power. I had to work so hard just to be as strong. I felt I'd been cheated. Then I figured God just wanted me to work harder than all the others."

"Which you did, of course."

"They took their muscles for granted, I didn't."

Nikki reached out and squeezed Terri's upper arm. Her bicep tensed at the touch, swelling slightly. It felt like oak covered in velvet to Nikki.

"Damn, woman, they're like... like rock-solid. Awesome," Nikki enthused.

"Yeah, well, I've been doing it for so long, I don't even think about it." Terri shrugged, slightly self-conscious at the close scrutiny.

"So now you can thank God for giving you the drive. Had you really been a boy you would've taking it for granted, like they did."

"Don't believe in God anymore."

"Oh, why not?"

"Nosey little thing, aren't you?"

"Just making conversation, Farmer. Getting to know you more. I think we need to if we're going to be together so much."

"Who says we're going to be together?"

"But I thought... Dad's offer an' all... you'd--"

"Haven't decided yet," Terri said brusquely, cutting off Nikki's words.

Nikki frowned at the thought of Terri not being around for much longer. "Well, you must be getting to like me."

"And why's that?"

Nikki swung round and started walking backwards a few paces ahead of Terri. "Because you let me touch you and you didn't flinch or toss me on my butt," she said grinning. Terri stopped walking, reflexively touching her arm where Nikki had squeezed her.

"You'll catch a fly," Nikki called, still grinning.

* * *

They reached the Thames, neither of them apparently in any hurry to locate a taxi for the ride home. Nikki leaned on the railing overlooking the large river. Across from them, on the opposite bank, they could see the London Eye, the capital's latest landmark, a huge Ferris wheel built to commemorate the new millennium.

"Impressive," Nikki said.

"I suppose," Terri replied.

"Nothing much impresses you, does it?"

"A few things."

"Such as?"

"What is this, bug the bodyguard day, or something?"

"Just answer the question, Farmer."

"Why should I?"

"I'm the boss, remember?"

"Oh yeah, silly me."

"Well?"

"You wanna know what impresses me?"

"Yeah, and don't say employers who don't ask any questions, either!"

Terri was about to comment on that, but she thought better of it; instead, she closed her eyes briefly, shaking her head. "I like watching the sunrise on the African plains. I like the way light reflects off a butterfly's wings. I like sitting in a comfy chair reading Shakespeare on wet Sunday afternoons. I like people who respect the sanctity of life. I like the smell of new-mown grass. Most of all, I like people who leave me alone."

"Wow, Farmer. And I thought you'd tell me how impressive a Smith 'n Wesson was, or how great a Chevy V8 sounded."

"Yeah, well, it just shows you never really know anyone, no matter how much you think you do," Terri said, walking off towards the Tower.

Nikki jogged up beside her. "You're not cross, are you?"

"Nope."

"You kinda look it, a little."

"Not cross, 'promise."

"Good. Where're we going?"

"There'll be plenty of taxis up by the Tower, what with all the tourists, an' all."

"Wow, the Tower of London. I've never been there."

"Just a castle full of old stuff."

"Not on your list, then."

"Nope."

"Why not?"

"It's a homage to war and death."

"I thought you liked all that?"

"Used to, not anymore."

"Is that why you left the army?"

"Sort of."

"What does that mean?" asked Nikki.

"It means sort of."

"You liked the army but not the reason why it's there?"

Terri smiled. "Very good, Nikki."

"I'm not as stupid as you look, you know, Farmer."

"No, I guess you're not."

"Hey, can we stop and sit for a while?" Nikki said, pointing to one of the many benches that lined the river's edge.

"I thought you wanted to get home."

"I do, but... my back's hurting, I'd like to rest it a little."

Terri looked at Nikki. "Why do I get the feeling that you're milking your back a little?"

"You've got a suspicious mind, you told me so, remember?"

"Yeah I did, didn't I. Okay, we can sit awhile, if that's what you want." Nikki grinned in triumph. They sat down, looking out over the river.

"You haven't told me why you don't believe in God anymore," said Nikki, idly watching a small barge drift by below them.

"Do you ever stop asking questions?"

"Not usually."

"You'd make a good detective."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. That's the first requirement of any good investigator, to ask as many questions as possible."

"That I can do."

"Yes, you can."

"So, why don't you?" asked Nikki again, after a short pause.

Terri sighed. "It's a damn good job I'm going to charge your father a lot of money for this."

Nikki grinned. "Does that mean you're taking his job offer?"

"Not permanently, and on my terms."

"I wouldn't expect anything less," Nikki beamed.

"And if you really want to know the reason I don't believe in God anymore is because if he, she, or it, exists and they let the things I've seen happen, and go on happening, well, they're not worthy of my, or anyone else's, belief."

"What things?" Nikki asked softly, slightly alarmed by the venom behind Terri's words, and the sudden fire in her eyes.

"You don't want to know," Terri said flatly. Nikki could see that she had no intention of continuing the conversation.

Nikki wanted to change the subject and said the first thing that came into her head. "Did you ever have any dolls when you were a kid?" 'Ooh, that was lame, even for you, Nikki,' she winced.

Terri paused for a moment, raising an eyebrow. "A few."

"What sort?" asked Nikki, surprised that Terri had even answered the question.

Terri coughed and shrugged slightly. "I erm... I had a couple of Action Men. I think they called them G.I. Joes over on your side of the pond."

"Figures," she said, smiling. "No Barbies?"

"Didn't want one."

"I had loads of them, plus tons of accessories."

"I bet you did, Miss Silver Spoon in her Mouth. I had to make do with a heavy machine gun emplacement and a frogman's outfit, but they were cool. I gave my Action Men names, they were Clint and Burt."

"Cute."

"Burt was never the same after Prince chewed him and buried him in the back garden; suffered some real battle fatigue." Terri smiled at the memory.

"I take it that was a dog formerly known as Prince?"

"Yeah, a big old Alsatian. One of his ears always hung down, never did stand up like the other one. Daft as a brush, but he loved us unconditionally, for all that."

Nikki smiled back. "I can beat that; my mom caught me having two of my Barbies making out on their fairy tale four-poster bed."

Terri laughed out loud. "Even then it was an exclusive girl's club, huh?"

"Oh yeah, I knew even back then that would be no Ken in my life."

"How old were you?"

"Seven or eight, something like that."

"And you knew all about the birds and bees at eight?"

"No, not really. I just knew that I didn't like boys. Not just 'cause they were loud and stupid. Hell, there's plenty of girls afflicted the same way, it's just I knew, and that's all there was to it."

"What did your mum say when she found you and the Barbies?"

"She said I shouldn't do that in public but it was okay at home."

"That was all, no recriminations, no rants?"

"No, she was cool about it."

"Chalk one up for your Ma, I like her already."

"Yeah, she is kinda neat," Nikki smiled.

"And how did your dad react, assuming you've told him."

"I did, when I was fifteen. He didn't react at all, just said 'Oh' and left it at that."

"Could've been worse."

"True, the horror stories a couple of my friends tell just defy description."

"It's a cruel world."

"That it is," Nikki replied, sadly. They watched another barge drift by in silence.

Terri turned to Nikki. "Is your back rested enough, or haven't you quizzed me sufficiently yet?"

"I think it's time we went home," Nikki replied, smiling.

* * *

"This will cost me an extra hour on the bars, you know," said Terri, happily chewing into a large pizza they'd picked up on the way back to the flat.

"A growing grrrl needs sustenance," replied Nikki between bites.

"Yeah, well, when you start growing a fat little tummy don't blame me."

"Abs of steel," Nikki said, proudly jabbing herself in the stomach and taking another large bite.

"Not if you keep this up."

"Then I'll have to join you on the bars."

"I figured you more for a fancy gym type, with lots of expensive exercise machines and hot and cold running personal trainers."

"Unfortunately they wouldn't let me take them on the plane."

"What is it with airlines today, huh?"

"I know, they just don't get the important things, do they?"

They both smiled at each other, their eyes locking. Terri coughed, turning away. "Erm, I don't think there's a lot to be gained by watching the club tonight. I doubt anything's going to happen. I expect the place will still be crawling with cops."

"Whatever you say, Farmer," said Nikki, grinning.

"I'd better phone your father and tell him the good news," Terri said, picking up the telephone and pulling his business card from her pocket. She got up, dialing his number as she headed for the kitchen. Nikki switched the TV on, flicking through the channels. She didn't find anything she wanted to watch despite two full cycles through all of them.

"He accepted my terms," Terri said, coming back into the room.

"You didn't expect him to?"

Terri shrugged. "I doubled my normal fee just to have a starting point to haggle a bit, he accepted it without comment. Wish I'd have trebled it now."

"How did he take you not wanting to become a permanent employee?"

"He didn't say. Maybe he'll offer again, when this is all done."

"Will you accept?"

"Nope."

"Didn't think so. So, what now?"

"Now we wait for a courier. He's going to get some details sent over to fill in the background to the case he wants me to look into."

"What'll we do in the mean-time?"

"There's books, videos, DVDs, and satellite television. I might even be able to come up with a pack of cards."

"Ooh, a girls' night in."

Terri's eyebrows lifted. "Let's just make it perfectly clear. There are no fairy tale four-poster beds here."

"Spoilsport," said Nikki, grinning.

"That's me." Terri smiled back, but inside she was confused. It was all happening so damned easily. Nikki was fitting into her cloistered life as if she was always meant to be here. Could she have found a real friend after all this time?

"Penny for them."

"What?" asked Terri.

"Penny for your thoughts. Or has inflation struck and it's now a pound?"

"That's a great idea."

"What is?"

"I can get you a jar. Every time you want to ask me a personal question you have to put a pound in the jar. That way I'd soon be a multi-millionaire and I could retire to the Bahamas."

"Yeah right, and what would you do in the Bahamas?"

"That'll cost you a pound to find out."

"Screw you, Farmer."

"You can't, you know what your mum said, it was only okay at home."

"I like to think of this as my second home now."

"Tricky," said Farmer, grinning at Nikki's quick thinking.

"That's me," she grinned back.

"How about we just find a film to watch?"

"Do you have any popcorn?"

"Sorry," Terri replied, shaking her head.

"How can you watch a movie without popcorn?"

"Oddly enough, I've managed on a fair number of occasions so far."

"Okay, what did you have in mind?"

"I don't know, I haven't checked on Sky, they've got a dozen or so movie channels, there's bound to be something on."

"Bound, now there's a good movie," said Nikki.

"It's all right, I guess. I preferred The Matrix, their follow-up."

"Yeah, well you would, all that kung fu stuff."

"I liked the science fiction aspect more. The kung fu was... exaggerated."

"You don't say."

"I do say."

"And you should know."

"Yep, I should know."

"Anyone ever tell you, you were too smug for your own good at times, Farmer?"

"Not to my face," Terri said smugly.

"Hmmm, so while we watch a movie, some fruit-loop is out there attacking innocent women?"

"What do you suggest, we go on patrol?"

"Like the Scooby gang?"

"The who?" asked Terri, puzzled.

"The Scooby gang, you know, Buffy."

"The Vampire Slayer?"

"Yeah, her."

"I've never watched it."

"But you've got a mug."

Terri shrugged. "It was a present from a young boy I helped find. He'd had an argument with his parents and ran away. He had it sent to my office."

"So, you don't watch Buffy, is that what you're saying?"

"Er, no, sorry. I've seen enough real horror to not go seeking more of it for entertainment."

"Buffy's not horror," Nikki snorted. "It's comedy."

"Oh, I just figured what with the vampires and stuff... you'll have to introduce it to me, then."

"I'll do that. I'll even hold your hand during the scary bits."

"I thought you said it was a comedy?"

"It is, but it does have vampires, so I thought I'd offer."

"You're too kind," said Terri.

"Are we going to watch a movie or are we just going to talk about it all evening?"

"Call up the guide and see what's on."

"You do it, it's your TV," she said tossing the controller to Terri.

A few presses of buttons and exasperated mutterings later, "There's nothing worth watching."

"Told you," said Nikki.

"When?"

"After I'd gone through all the channels when you were in the kitchen."

"You did not."

"Did too."

"Did not."

"Did too."

"And they say the art of conversation is dead," said Terri, rubbing her eyes.

"You sure there isn't a fairy tale four-poster around here?" asked Nikki with an evil grin.

Terri sighed. "Why me?"

The door-bell chimed. Terri flicked on the TV to show a courier standing at the door carrying a large brown bulky envelope.

"You watched me on that thing?" asked Nikki.

"Sure."

"You're so sneaky, with your hidden cameras and your bugs."

"I like to have an edge," Terri said, opening the door and signing for the package.

"Being Superwoman's not enough?"

"I might meet a small blonde with a fistful of Kryptonite, then where would I be?"

'At my mercy,' thought Nikki, smiling to herself.

Terri opened the envelope, pulling out some documents and photographs. She quickly read through the first few pages.

"So, what's it all about, where're we going?"

"How's the south of France sound? Marseilles, to be exact."

"Cool."

Part Seven

"Would you... come with me? I mean right inside," asked Nikki, hesitantly. Terri could see Nikki was growing more agitated by the minute.

"If you really think it's necessary."

"I do, I do. And besides, Farmer, it's your job to protect me!"

"I think you'll be safe with the doctor. They've taken an oath, you know."

"They could've lied," Nikki said petulantly.

Terri smiled. "If you want me to be there, then I'll be there, okay?"

Nikki's shoulders relaxed. "Thank you, Farmer. I know I'm being a coward, but I've got hundreds of the damn things to come out."

"I know," Terri said, instinctively taking Nikki into her arms and giving her a gentle hug. Nikki sighed, closing her eyes and leaning her head against Terri's shoulder.

"Hmm, this is nice," she mumbled into Terri's shirt.

"Don't get too attached, it's just a hug," cautioned Terri, but still smiling. 'If Nikki were a cat she'd be purring,' she thought.

"I'll take what I can get."

"I'll bet you will, but time's up, Nikki I'm afraid, we should be getting you to the Doc's." Nikki resentfully allowed herself to be gently pushed away from her safe haven.

"You will hold my hand when they break out the pliers, won't you?"

"I think they'll need me to hold you down, especially when they start with the heated needles."

"It's not funny, Farmer," Nikki pouted. "I don't like doctors at the best of times, let alone ones I know are going to hurt me."

"I doubt the doc will actually do it himself. Probably get one of his nurses to do the dirty work. He'll just take a quick look and send you a huge bill for the privilege." Nikki's father had arranged for her to be booked into one of the prestigious, but very expensive, private clinics in Harley Street.

"Will she be a babe?" asked Nikki, perking up a bit at the idea.

"For the money they'll doubtless be charging your dad, I think it highly likely."

"Well, come on, Farmer, what are we waiting for, let's go!"

"Yes, Boss."

* * *

Against either of their expectations it was a young female doctor who saw them. She was happy for Terri to accompany them into the surgery, once they explained she was Nikki's personal bodyguard. Harley Street doctors were obviously used to that sort of thing.

"I thought you'd get a nurse to do this -- ow!" Nikki said. She was lying face down on a deeply padded leather examination table. The room was more how Nikki imagined a gentleman's club to be decorated than a doctor's surgery.

"That's one down, only another forty-seven to go," the doctor said cheerily, dropping the stitch into a stainless steel dish.

"Forty seven!" Nikki exclaimed. "Jesus, I'll never survive," she groaned, gripping Terri's hand harder still.

"I'm sorry, Ms Takis, but you heal faster than anticipated. Some of your stitches are getting a little over-grown, I'm having to dig for them. That's why I'm not asking my nurse to do it. He's a bit squeamish at the sight of blood," she said, chuckling to herself at her little joke. She merrily continued snipping, digging, and tugging her way down Nikki's back.

"Remind me not to get cut up by a loony again, will you Farmer -- ow! " she squealed for the fifteenth time, scrunching up her eyes so hard a few tears squeezed out and ran down her cheeks.

"Doc, can't you do something about the pain?" asked Terri.

"I can give you a quick spray with a mild numbing agent, will that do?" asked the doctor.

"Please," Nikki said gratefully. The doctor left for a moment to get the aerosol.

"Damn doctors, no sense of other people's discomfort. They're the same the world over." said Terri, tracing her thumb across Nikki's cheek, removing another stray tear.

"Sorry, Farmer, you must think me a total wuss," Nikki said, biting her bottom lip in pain.

"Shshhh, Nikki, it's okay. It'll soon be over and we can get out of here. How about we go find some new DVDs to buy? There might be a small cafe somewhere nearby, we can order some ice-cream sundaes?"

"Sounds good," she mumbled into the table. The doctor returned and sprayed Nikki's back. Ten minutes later all the stitches were removed and the wound re-covered.

"It's not going to split back open when I'm least expecting it, is it, Doc?" Nikki asked, attempting to button up her shirt with trembling hands. Terri gently pushed her hands aside, doing up her buttons for her.

"Just take it easy for a week or so," said the doctor. "I wouldn't recommend swimming for at least a month, and try not to disturb the scab too much. Let nature takes its course and you'll be good as new, with nothing but a faint scar to show for your little adventure."

"Thanks, Doc, though I wished you'd have used the spray earlier," Nikki said, sniffing.

"Expensive item, we only use such things when we must," the doctor said cheerily, pulling her latex gloves off and dropping them in a bin.

"Nikki, you go on and wait outside for me a moment. I'd like a word with the doctor," said Terri, gently propelling Nikki towards the door. Nikki stood by the open door, uncertain, looking back at Terri.

"There's not a problem, is there, Farmer?"

"No, no problem, Nikki. You go on, I'll only be a minute." Terri said, smiling warmly.

"Okay, see you in a minute." She closed the door behind her. Terri's smile dropped and her eyes narrowed. She slowly turned around.

"Can I help?" asked the doctor.

* * *

"I thought you said we were going to the south of France, not this... this Southampton place," said Nikki indignantly. They were on a train heading away from London, towards the south coast of England. It had been two days since Nikki's stitches came out, and to Terri's eyes at least, Nikki seemed fully fit and back to normal. They had watched the club again the previous night but nothing of any significance had happened. The night of Nikki's return from the doctors had been spent eating ice-cream and popcorn -- which they'd made a point of stocking up on -- and watching DVDs on Terri's big screen television. Terri was somewhat surprised to discover she had enjoyed herself immensely, chatting about movies and munching popcorn, which she had to admit had added greatly to the experience.

"Patience is a virtue," replied Terri, looking out the window at the passing countryside.

"I don't see how the south of England can be mistaken for the south of France."

"It can't. Well, it shouldn't be, put it that way. I did read once of a tourist who thought he was driving to Newcastle in the far north, from the southern port of Dover. When the police finally caught up with him he'd driven round the London orbital motorway about ten times. So I guess you can never underestimate the ability of folks to get things wrong."

Nikki laughed at the story. Terri found herself unaccountably pleased to have made her happy.

"So why are we going to Southampton and not Marseilles?"

"It's pretty simple really, we're joining a vessel at Southampton oil terminal that sails for Port-de-Bouc in the morning."

"We are?"

"We are."

"And where does the south of France fit into all this?"

"Port-de-Bouc is the major oil terminal a few kilometres down the coast from Marseilles."

"Think you've got it all worked out, huh?"

"Nope, it was all written down in the stuff your Dad sent, which, if I'm not mistaken, I told you to read, and inwardly digest, before we left, did I not?"

"Yeah, yeah, I was busy."

"Busy?"

"Yeah, I had lots of things to do," Nikki said defensively.

"Such as?"

"Hey, is that a cow?" Nikki said, pointing out of the window.

"I expect so, we killed off all the bears centuries ago," Terri said, smiling, closing her eyes and leaning back into the comfortable seats of the first class carriage. When Nikki's father organised things they certainly were organised.

"So, what's our cover?"

"It's tricky, but we should manage. You're playing the part of the owner's daughter on a fact-finding mission to see what it's like to run an oil tanker, and I'm going as your personal bodyguard. Think we'll be able to pull it off?" A smile hovered fleetingly about Terri's lips as she slid her sunglasses down from the top of her head.

"Very funny, Farmer, ha ha."

"Thought you'd like it."

"Farmer, can I ask you a question?" asked Nikki after a short pause.

"Sure."

"It won't cost me a pound?"

"On the house."

"What did you say to the doctor the other day, after I left?"

"Nothing much," Terri's voice an icy monotone.

"Come on, Farmer, I know you said something."

"It's not important now, it's all in the past."

"I wanna know," Nikki said stubbornly.

"I simply reminded her of her duty as a doctor."

"I sort of figured it was something like that. You didn't, erm, hurt her or anything, did you?"

"Never laid a finger on her, though the callous bitch would've deserved it."

"Which of the Farmer's rules did she break?"

"She--," Terri paused, an inner truth revealing itself to her. "She was hurting a good friend of mine, which could have been avoided, all for the sake of a few lousy quid."

"She was only doing her job."

"No, she wasn't, she was failing in her job."

"What did you say to her?"

"I pointed out that the love of money was the root of all evil... amongst other things."

"Is that all?"

"That's all."

"Promise."

"Would I lie?"

Nikki considered it for a moment. "Think she took any notice?"

"Oh yeah, she won't be pulling a stunt like that again in a hurry, least not while I'm around."

Nikki couldn't help smiling at her dark knight defending her behind her back. "Farmer, did you just say 'good friend' a moment ago?" she asked, thinking back to what Terri had said.

Terri paused again. "Yeah, I guess I did."

"Are we?"

"Would you like us to be?" Terri said, a touch of uncertainty in her voice.

"I'd like that very much, Farmer."

"Then it's official, we're good friends," said Terri. Nikki grinned broadly, launching herself at Terri and wrapping her arms around her startled bodyguard. "Hey, steady on there, friend, we're not dating or anything."

"I know, but I hug all my friends when we first meet," Nikki whispered in her ear, underlining her remark with an extra squeeze before letting go of Terri.

"But we met over a week ago, remember we were both there at the time."

"Yeah, but now we're officially friends, we weren't then."

"Uh-huh."

* * *

The taxi dropped them off at the gangplank leading up to the oil tanker, the SS Golden Fleece. At just over one hundred and thirty five thousand tons displacement it was an impressive sight. The side of the ship towered up above them with imperious majesty.

"What do we do now?" asked a slightly overawed Nikki.

"I guess we pick up our bags and climb on up the gangplank, unless you reckon they've got slaves for that sort of thing," replied Terri, shouldering her bag and starting up the steps of the steeply raked aluminium ladder.

"Farmer, what about my suitcases?"

"Told you to pack light."

"Farmer!"

"What?"

"I can't carry these, what about my back?"

"Easy, make two journeys," said Farmer, still climbing upward.

"I thought you were my friend!" Nikki shouted up at her.

Terri stopped. 'You had to go and tell her didn't you, loudmouthed twit!' she admonished herself. She sighed, looking up at the top of the ladder she could see some men leaning over the railing grinning down at her, waiting to see what she'd do. They'd apparently been drawn to Nikki's shouting down on the jetty and came to see what the fuss was about.

Shaking her head she turned and made her way back down to the bottom of the steps.

"You rang, Milady?"

"Yes, thank you Farmer, would you be kind enough to carry my bags up the gangplank for me please?"

Terri pursed her lips and looked up at the sailors looking down at them both. She turned back to Nikki, who was smiling beatifically at her.

"Certainly, your Highness," she growled, slinging her own bag diagonally across her shoulders. She effortlessly picked up both suitcases, sliding one of them under her right arm, leaving her left arm free. Without warning she scooped Nikki off her feet and over her shoulder, then marched back towards the metal stairway again.

"Farmer, put me down!"

"When we get to the top. Wouldn't want you to tire yourself out now," Terri grunted as she made her way up the steps.

"Farmer, I'm warning you, this is not funny."

"Never said it was."

"Farmer, I'll bite you in the butt if you don't put me down right now."

"Then you'll fall in the water and I really don't feel like diving in after you, so keep still and enjoy the ride... friend," she said, somehow making the last word sound like an insult.

"Oooooh, you are so dead, Farmer," Nikki snarled, her face turning bright red, a combination of acute embarrassment and hanging upside down.

They reached the top of the swaying staircase, much to the amazement of the watching sailors. "Where can I drop this?" Terri asked one of them.

"My cabin's number four on the lower deck," said the nearest sailor, in a heavy Greek accent.

"Don't think you want to share your cabin with a really pissed off daughter of the ship's owner, do you?" said Terri, grinning at the man.

"I'd take my chances," he said, grinning back.

Terri swung round so that Nikki was facing the man. "What do you reckon, Boss, you wanna camp down with our friend here?" Terri said, addressing Nikki's backside.

Nikki braced herself on Terri's lower back, pushing herself up to meet the man face to face. "Hi, could you tell me where the captain's cabin is, I've got to arrange a keel-hauling."

He laughed and pointed to a door at the base of the superstructure. "Through that door there, up the first set of stairs then take the elevator to the top floor. The captain's cabin is to your right as you come out."

"Thanks," she said and smacked Terri on the rump. "Onward, slave, take me to our new leader."

"If I'm going to get keel-hauled it might as well be for a sheep as a lamb," said Terri moving across the deck to the ship's edge. She made to toss Nikki over the hand-rail. Nikki shrieked at the top of her voice followed by a fit of giggling.

A man leaned over the bridge wing high above them, shouting something in Greek.

"What did he say," asked Nikki breathlessly, calming down from her laughter.

"I think he's a bit miffed that some silly women are disturbing his watch."

"Is he important?"

"Don't know, couldn't see the number of bars on his shoulder."

"Guess you ought to put me down, huh, Farmer?"

"I guess so," Terri said, lowering Nikki to the deck. "Maybe we should go and present ourselves?" she added.

"Right. And Farmer, thanks for that."

"What."

"It's been a while since I laughed so much."

"Perhaps we should both get out more?"

"Wherever you want to go, I'll always be with you."

Terri raised an eyebrow and looked at Nikki. The blonde blushed slightly. "That didn't come out quite the way it sounded in my head before I said it."

"Sounded all right to me," said Terri, stepping over the raised threshold of the door and disappearing inside the accommodation. Nikki looked around the deck at the sailors looking back at her. She smiled at them and cleared her throat. "She's British," as if that explained everything.

"She's very strong," one of them said, leaving the others to nod rapidly in agreement.

"You have no idea," she said, grinning.

* * *

Terri knocked on the door to the captain's cabin. They'd dropped their bags in the corridor, not knowing where else to put them.

"Come," a voice called through the door. They entered the room. It was huge in comparison to the ones they'd passed on the way to the lift. Rank obviously had its privileges.

"Captain," Nikki said, walking forward and offering her hand to shake.

"And you are?" he said, ignoring the hand.

"She's someone who can lose you your job," Terri stepped forward, looming over the man. "Easy, Tiger," cautioned Nikki. Terri glared at the man, but stepped back slightly.

"Miss Takis, I presume," he said, finally taking Nikki's hand. "And you must be Miss Farmer, the companion," he said, turning to Terri.

"That'd be me," she said, not offering her hand to shake.

"I'm not sure why either of you want to be on board my ship, but I must do as I'm told." It was obvious he wasn't happy with the situation.

"I'm not here to spy on anyone, I'm just getting a feel for the company as a whole. We'll do our best not to get in anyone's way," smiled Nikki.

"Please bear in mind that this is a working ship and many places are dangerous, especially to inexperienced civilians such as yourselves."

"We'll keep that in mind, Captain."

"Naturally you'll have the owner's cabin. It's down the corridor, past the bridge, next to the chief engineer's cabin. I've asked the third officer, Martina Gerhard, to be your guide during your stay. She's a good officer, I'm sure she can answer any of your questions. Enjoy your voyage, ladies," he said, returning to his paperwork.

"Where might we find Martina?" asked Terri.

"I expect she's on the bridge at the moment," he said without looking up. They left the cabin, Terri closing the door behind them.

"He's a barrel of laughs," she said to Nikki in a low voice.

"Maybe he's got something to hide?"

"Maybe."

"Shall we take our bags to the cabin, then go find this Martina?"

"Sounds like a plan."

The owner's cabin was as large as the captain's. It consisted of a day room, a shower and bathroom, plus a separate bedroom. Most of the cabins on the ship consisted of a single room. Terri dropped Nikki's suitcases on the bed before shrugging out of her own bag.

"Er, Farmer, there's only one bed," said Nikki, looking directly at Terri.

"S'okay I can sleep on the couch in the living room."

"It's called a day room."

"Whatever."

"You'll have to get with the programme, Farmer. It's now port and starboard, fore and aft, not left and right, front and back. Walls are bulkheads and floors and ceilings are deckheads."

"Yeah, well the captain's a deckhead, let's hope the third mate's a bit more human."

"We can take it in turns."

"For what?"

"To sleep in the bed."

"No, you take it, I've had to put up with a lot worse in my time."

"If you insist."

"You could at least have haggled just a little more."

"You've said it now, so I'm keeping it, the bed is mine," Nikki said in triumph.

"And I seem to recall you wanting to organise a keel-haul," Terri said, advancing on Nikki.

"Now, Farmer, quit it, or I'll be forced to call some of those sailor boys to come and restrain you," she said, laughing, but prudently backing up all the same.

Before Terri could respond someone knocked on the door. Nikki hastily leapt around Terri and raced into the dayroom to open it.

"Evening, Ma'am, I'm this deck's steward. Is there anything I can get either of you ladies?"

"Got any handcuffs?"

"Excuse me?"

"Never mind, I think she's calmed down now."

"Er, right. Dinner will be at nineteen hundred hours in the officer's mess."

"Where would that be?"

"Two decks down, straight across from the lift."

"Thanks," said Nikki, closing the door.

"Handcuffs?" whispered Terri directly into Nikki's ear.

Nikki jumped in shock. "Jesus, don't do that, Farmer! How many times have I told you to get a bell or something, creeping up on people like that ain't right."

"Oh, and handcuffing them is?"

"You'd probably enjoy it. Control freaks are all the same," Nikki said, grinning.

"He seemed like a nice boy, if you know what I mean?" Terri said, ignoring Nikki's comment.

"Who, the steward?"

"No, the guy in the leopard skin loincloth swinging past the window."

"Porthole."

"What?"

"It's porthole, not window."

"Any more perfectly good words I'm not allowed to use?"

"Probably, but I'll feed them in gradually, so you're not overwhelmed. And if you mean the steward was a bit camp, then yes, most stewards are. It seems to go with the territory."

"So we're safe in our beds, or in some cases, sofas?"

"Oh, I don't know, Farmer, I reckon if you flex those muscles at him he might have a change of heart."

"You reckon?"

"Definitely."

"What about this third mate, reckon I've got a chance with her?"

"Who knows, we haven't even met, you might not be her type."

"I bet I could turn her head, if I wanted to."

"Are you purposefully trying to aggravate me, Farmer," Nikki said, trying hard to disguise her annoyance but failing miserably.

"Is it working?"

"Yes!"

"Good, that'll give you something to think about when you're tucked up in that nice big double bed and I'm stuck on the sofa," she paused. "And to think I gave up hunting loonies to be here. Shall we go to dinner now?"

Nikki's eyes narrowed. "Farmer," she growled.

Part Eight

The ship shuddered as the tugs began to pull in earnest. The cargo booms had been disconnected several hours previously as the cargo loading was completed. Nikki watched transfixed from the bridge wing as the bow of the immense tanker swung out into the estuary.

"Awesome," breathed Nikki softly. Terri turned to look at her charge. The sun was just rising, catching the young woman's blonde hair, bathing it in a shimmering glow.

"I didn't think you were a morning person," replied Terri, wiping her face with a towel draped casually round her neck. She'd been exercising on the poop deck since before dawn, her sports vest now stained with a deep vee of sweat down to her tight running shorts, her long muscled legs gleaming in the sunshine.

"Oh, I'm not, but I didn't want to miss this, my first departure."

"It's only leaving port, Nikki, it's not sailing for America with a band playing, and streamers and stuff, you know," Terri said, smiling at the young woman's exuberance.

"Yeah, but it's just so... big. I've never been on anything so huge before. They've all been toys compared to this."

"Size isn't everything."

"I wouldn't know," Nikki sniffed haughtily.

The captain came out onto the wing from the wheelhouse. "Would you care to operate the wheel, Miss Takis?" he asked.

"Could I?" she said with undisguised glee.

"As long as you do as you're told and don't go crazy," he smiled.

Terri regarded the captain thoughtfully. 'Must've realised sucking up to the boss's daughter was a good career move,' Terri grinned to herself.

"The thought of Miss Takis driving amuses you, Miss Farmer?"

"The thought of Miss Takis doing most things amuses me," Terri replied. Nikki gave her a quick shove in protest, pursing her lips. Terri stepped past her, back towards the poop deck at the rear of the accommodation. As she did so her shoulder caught Nikki, making her stumble slightly.

"Sorry," Terri said sweetly.

"Don't mind her, Captain, she's just jealous because you didn't ask her to drive," snorted Nikki, loud enough for Terri to hear, as the bodyguard gracefully slid down the metal stair's handrails to the lower deck.

"I've been watching her do her stuff; flips, twirls, kicks and punches. She's quite impressive."

"Yeah, that's Farmer. Impressive's a good description," Nikki said, dreamily. The captain turned to look at Nikki.

"I see you're not the only one smitten, Miss Takis."

"What?" she said, coming out of her reverie. She followed where the Captain was looking. Several crewmen, and a couple of the junior engineering officers, had found themselves convenient spots to watch Terri as she performed her workout.

"Shouldn't they be working?" Nikki asked, frowning.

"It's their breakfast break. I can't really expect them to go elsewhere or look the other way when a fine looking, semi-naked woman decides to perform impromptu gymnastics for them, now can I?" he said, chuckling.

Nikki continued to frown. Hardly any breakfast was being consumed. Not that it would have been easy to eat with so many mouths hanging open.

"That's enough of that!" said Nikki marching towards the stairway down to the lower deck.

"What about your steering lesson, Miss Takis?"

"Later," she replied curtly.

* * *

"Are you still angry with me at the shove in front of the captain?" asked Terri, freshly showered and drinking some tea. She was lounging on the day bed in their cabin, the stewards having already been in and tidied away the bedclothes.

"Wasn't that that I was mad at, as well you know," grumped Nikki.

"What was it then, I didn't do nothing else."

"You practically put on a peep show for the crew," Nikki said indignantly.

Terri frowned. "I did no such thing."

"Don't tell me you don't know what you're doing when you let fly with those high kicks wearing those skimpy shorts of yours."

Terri burst out laughing. "So that's what all this is about?" She'd been more than a little puzzled at Nikki's sudden appearance on the poop deck demanding she accompany her to their cabin. When she'd refused to say what was on her mind, Terri had simply shrugged and gone off to take a shower.

"Damn it, Farmer, it's not funny!"

"Seems that way to me," Terri said, taking another sip of her tea. "Uggh, I do not like long-life milk!" she grimaced. Nikki didn't reply. "Besides, what's it to you if I want to show my all to the world?"

"You're my bodyguard, I expect you to behave with a little decorum." Even Nikki knew that sounded a little feeble.

"What's really bothering you Nikki?" Terri asked quietly.

Nikki came and sat down beside her. She looked into Terri eyes. "I... I don't like to share you, Farmer." she said haltingly. "I know I've got no real hold over you, and I now you're not like that. It's stupid of me, isn't it," Nikki wound down, tears forming in her eyes.

Terri put down her mug. "No, Nikki, it's not stupid, I understand, really I do." She took Nikki, in her arms, gently pushing her head onto her broad shoulder. "Please believe me when I tell you that I'm deeply flattered you feel that way about me. If I were to have a girlfriend, in that sense, I can't think of a better one than you. It's just that... well, I..." she hesitated "You're right, I'm not like that. Please don't be angry, especially with me. I'd hate to disappoint you."

Nikki closed her eyes, helpless to stop the tears. She felt foolish and embarrassed, especially with Terri showing her nothing but kindness and understanding. "I... I think I've fallen in love with you, Farmer, and it's clouding my judgement."

"Shssh, Nikki, you don't need to explain anything to me."

Nikki pulled away from their embrace and stood up. 'Any moment now she's gonna say it,' she thought dejectedly.

"Please, Nikki, we can still be friends, can't we?" Terri asked.

Nikki spun round, closing her eyes tight shut. 'I knew it!' her voice screamed in her head. She slowly turned back to Terri, surprised by the pain in her eyes. "Yes... yes of course we're friends, and we always will be," she smiled weakly at Terri.

"Come'ere," Terri said, holding out her arms. Nikki stepped forward but instead of embracing Terri she just squeezed her shoulder and stepped back.

"I think I need some fresh air. I'll see you later." She stood in the doorway looking back at Terri. "I'm sorry, Farmer." Before Terri could respond, she was gone.

Terri sat on the day bed, letting her head rest on the back of the seat. "Shit!" she said to an empty room and closed her eyes. She rubbed her hands over her face, trying to rub away the anguish she felt. "Crap, crap, crap, with a side order of crap!" Sudden anger bubbled up past her control. Her eyes narrowed and her mouth turned down. God, she wanted to punch somebody so hard, anybody, it didn't really matter who.

She forced her fists to unclench, knowing that it was herself who she was really angry at, not anyone else. "You're such a friggin' coward, Farmer," she growled, settling for a half-hearted punch to the day bed's upholstery.

* * *

"Miss Takis?" said the officer. Nikki was looking out over the ship's railings watching the coast slip away over the horizon.

"Yeah, for my sins, that's me," she replied, not looking up

"Hi, Martina Gerhard," the woman said, holding out her hand. "The captain said I was to give you the VIP guided tour." She spoke with a thick German accent.

Nikki continued to watch the fast diminishing land. She shook her head. "I should've given her more time. I always do that, just too damn impatient," she mumbled.

"I'm sorry, Ms Takis?"

"Oh, don't mind me, Ms Gerhard, just wallowing in some self-pity. What was it you wanted?"

"The captain--"

"Ah, yes, the captain. Nice guy, shame about the manners."

"Yes, he can be a little, how you say, abrupt, no?"

"I say abrupt, yes." She finally turned to the third mate. "I'm supposed to be learning how to run a ship, reckon you can teach me?"

"I can try, Ms Takis, but shouldn't you be learning how to run a company instead?" she asked, smiling slightly. Nikki smiled back, feeling a bit better than she had a moment ago.

"You're probably right, but then how would I learn all about all your dark, dirty little secrets?" Martina's face became immediately serious. "Relax, Martina, I'm only joking," said Nikki.

The third mate tentatively smiled again. "Of course, Ms Takis."

"And Nikki will do fine."

"Thank you, Nikki. Where would you like to start?"

"Where would you suggest?"

"We are an oil tanker, perhaps a walk of the main deck to look at the cargo tanks?"

"I'm all yours, Martina, lead on."

"Will Ms Farmer be joining us?"

"I doubt it," Nikki said, miserably.

* * *

Terri paced restlessly around the rear deck, like a tiger in a cage. Every now and again she'd stop to look over the railing at the wake. But a few moments of watching the churning water only made her feel more restless. Something about the roiling water unsettled her greatly and she wasn't in the mood to analyse why.

'Damn it, Farmer, why must you hide? Haven't you been alone long enough?' she scolded herself as she paced. 'Fate does you a wonderful twist for once, and what do you do, you run and hide, like you always do, like you've done all your life, you coward.'

She was stopped in her thoughts by the sounding of a klaxon and shouting. Men started running along the side of the accommodation towards the main deck. Not knowing what else to do she sprinted after them, easily catching the tail enders.

"What's going on?" she asked as they ran.

"Been an accident in the for'd pump room," he replied.

"What sort of accident?"

"Not sure, something about a gassing, I think."

"A gassing, what does that mean?"

"Someone's gone into a chamber that's not been vented. Gas from the cargo is poisonous, it only takes a few minutes to kill you," the man gasped out as they ran.

"Why would somebody do that, you're all trained, aren't you?"

"I think it's your friend and the third mate."

The colour drained from Terri's face. Without another word she sprinted to full speed, easily passing all the running men making their way forward up the long main deck.

At the bow of the ship a small raised deck stood proud, a shipwide bulkhead with a door in it, acting as its support. Terri jumped through the open door, landing on some mesh decking. She took a moment to look around, assessing the situation. It was a narrow room filled with nothing but heavy mesh mezzanine decks, connected by a series of metal stairways leading down into the gloom far below. The acrid smell of crude oil assaulted her nostrils.

"What's happening?" she barked at a man standing by the deck's railings looking down.

"I've sent Peterson to get some breathing gear. This one's not been refilled since the last exercise," he said disgustedly, kicking at some apparatus lying on the deck beside him.

"Where are they?"

"Down on the pump plates five decks down," he said.

Terri started for the stairs. "Wait, you can't go down there without breathing gear. The gas will kill you too."

She stopped, turning back to the man. "How long have they got?"

He shrugged. "Could be dead already. That stuff sneaks up on you and you just go to sleep, never to wake up. If it's any consolation, it's completely painless."

"Not to me it's not!"

The man shrugged. "I'm sorry."

"There must be something we can do?" Terri shouted, panic beginning to take hold.

"Well..."

Terri sprang forward, grabbing the man by the front of his boiler suit. "Yes?" she screamed in his face.

"There's a couple of resuscitators in a cabinet down on the bottom deck. They're automatic, just put them on and turn the big valve, they force the wearer to breathe, even if they're unconscious." By the time he'd finished speaking he was alone, Terri had simply jumped over the railing and disappeared from sight.

"Jesus!" he said, running to the handrail. He watched, astonished, as she caught a support stanchion, swinging out then letting go at the full length of her arc, dropping cat-like to the deck below. No sooner had she landed than she performed the same stunt again, dropping down to the deck below that one. "Jesus," he said again.

Terri reached the bottom plates in less than ten seconds, bruised and winded. Some of the drops had been further than she'd have liked, but luckily the decks were of heavy meshing, instead of solid checker plate, and had a good deal of spring in them. Martina and Nikki were sprawled out on the floor, Martina with a nasty cut on her forehead. She'd apparently fallen down the last flight of steps. Still holding her breath, Terri turned Nikki over, touching her throat. Her eyes were closed and there was no sign of breathing. Worse still, she could feel no pulse. Not stopping to check the third mate, Terri jumped over Nikki, heading for a bright red box bolted to the wall.

For some reason her hands weren't responding as quickly as her brain. Frustrated that the box wasn't opening as fast as it should, she stepped back and kicked the glass fibre door straight off its hinges. Reaching into the shattered box she grabbed the two resuscitators and ran back to the two women on the deck. The resuscitator consisted of two small oxygen cylinders in a webbing framework. A rubber mask connected to one of the bottles via a large valve that Terri turned. A little gauge on the side of the valve assembly started to rise and fall.

"Come on, Nikki, breathe for me," she said clamping the mask across Nikki's nose and swollen blue lips. Satisfied that the machine had taken over Nikki's breathing, she crawled over to Martina and did the same for her, rolling her onto her back first to fit it properly.

She blinked away the darkness that was beginning to surround her, swaying slightly as she knelt over the prone form of Nikki.

"Come on, baby, breathe for me. That's it, you're... doing fine." 'God, I feel sleepy, so... tired... got to sit down. Oh, I am already.' Random thoughts drifted through her rapidly clouding mind.

"'Scuse me, Nikki, I think I need a quick pull." Her arm felt like lead as she tugged at the mask over Nikki's face, her eyelids drooping involuntarily over her eyes. Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime, the mask came free and she took a deep, cleansing breath from the mask. Time sped back up and the lights brightened all around her as she took another lungful. 'Damn, that stuff's sneaky, I didn't even smell it' she gasped, hurriedly placing the mask back over Nikki's face.

"Nikki, wake up, you're scaring me, sweetheart," she said, lightly tapping Nikki on the cheek. She leant down, placing her head on Nikki's chest, listening for any signs of a heartbeat returning. She could hear nothing but the roaring of blood through her own ears.

"Come on, damn you!" she shouted, trying to jog Nikki back to consciousness. There was still no response. She could hear shouting and movement way up above as people began to descend the stairways. 'Must've got the breathing gear,' she thought foggily.

She stood up, "Come on, what's taking so long? My friend's dying here, you sons of bitches, get your arses down here!" she screamed up at them, but they were still a long way up and moving slowly in the bulky breathing equipment.

"Shit, this isn't good, Nikki," she said squatting down and taking another deep breath from the resuscitator. "Damn you, you stupid bitch, don't you dare die on me, your father will never pay me now," she shouted at Nikki's limp form. Tears were forming in her eyes and running unbidden down her cheeks. She wiped them away angrily.

"Screw you, Takis," she shouted, pressing down on Nikki's chest in a steady stream of pulses. "Come on, start, you bastard!" she roared at Nikki's chest, willing her heart to kick back into life.

"Please, Nikki, please. If you wake up I'll be truthful with you this time, I promise, no more lies. Never again, no more lies." She frantically pressed on Nikki's chest again.

Nikki's eyes flickered open and she immediately struggled against the mask. Terri let out a whoop of joy. "No, you must leave... it on, honey, it's... helping you to breathe," she panted. The world around her was beginning to drift into darkness again.

Nikki managed to pull the mask off her face. "Farmer?"

"Yeah, it's me Nikki, put... you must... mask... back on, darling. It's keeping you... alive," she whispered, swaying as the room started to spin.

"If this is keeping me alive, Farmer, what's keeping you alive?" Nikki croaked in alarm.

"Damned if I know," Terri managed to smile before she passed out, falling on top of Nikki.

* * *

Terri slowly rose to a bleary consciousness. She opened her eyes, immediately shutting them again at the blinding light and the pounding in her head. 'Shit, that hurt,' she groaned.

"Farmer?"

'Did I imagine that,' she pondered. 'Only one way to find out, I guess.' She tentatively opened one eye to a narrow slit.

"Come on, Farmer, I know you're in there. It's time to wake up and greet the world."

"Nikki?"

"In the flesh, thanks to you, Supergirl."

"Woman."

"Oh, yes," said Nikki smiling. "I understand I owe you my life."

"Maybe," Terri croaked. "You wouldn't happen to have a glass of water and some aspirin would you?"

"I can manage that, for a hero, I reckon." Nikki got up from the bed and disappeared into the day room. She returned with a glass and some pills in her hand. "The chief steward said you'd probably have a major headache when you woke up. It's a side effect of the gas. I know I sure did."

Terri opened both her eyes and groaned. "Oh, god, somebody shoot me, shoot me now," she whined pathetically.

"I'd rather not, now that I've just got you back again."

Terri sat up, gratefully accepted the drink and the pills. She'd swallowed the water and the medicine before she noticed she was naked and sitting up in full view of Nikki. She hastily pulled the sheet back up to cover herself.

"Sorry about that."

"Don't be, I was kind of enjoying the view," smiled Nikki. Terri blushed and looked the other way. "How's my champion feeling now?" she asked, sitting on the bed and taking Terri's hand in her own.

"Like I went under a low slung bridge and forgot to duck." She closed her eyes, cringing at the pain. "How's Martina? Is she... "

"No, she's fine. Seems the bang on the head worked in her favour. It slowed her whole body down enough to survive till you got there. A few minutes longer and she'd have been lost." She went quiet for a moment, looking down at her hands. "We both would," she said, quietly.

"Lucky I was passing by then," said Terri smiling, then grimacing as the muscles required to smile made her head hurt more.

"You're my guardian angel, Farmer, I'd expect nothing less."

Terri snorted, which was another mistake. She held the chilled glass to her forehead, rolling it back and forth.

"Remind me to keep you locked up for the rest of the voyage. You're just too dangerous to be let out on your own," Terri said, keeping her eyes closed.

"If you stay here with me, I might consider it."

An awkward silence descended upon them.

"Look, about yesterday..."

"The day before yesterday," Nikki interrupted.

"What?"

"You've slept for nearly eighteen hours, Farmer."

Terri slumped back onto the bed. "Gee, I guess being a regular all round superhero can really take it out of a gal."

"Don't kid about it, Farmer, you are a superhero."

Terri snorted and immediately regretted it again. "I wish I'd stop doing that," she groaned, rubbing her forehead. "I'm not a superhero. Just a slow bodyguard finally doing her job, is what I am."

"I suppose ordinary people swing and jump their way down over a hundred feet in less time than it takes normal people to get down one ladder?"

Terri shrugged, looking a little sheepish. "It seemed the best thing to do at the time. Damn foolish really, I could've broke my neck then we'd all have been screwed. Some hero."

"But you didn't break your neck and you saved us both. The chief steward said if you hadn't done what you did, we'd both be goners."

Terri looked up at Nikki, still holding hands. "What were you both doing down there, or shouldn't I ask?"

"I wanted to see what was down there, I was curious. Martina thought it was safe. The chief engineer's had a look down there and found a leaking coupling on one of the pumps. It let some of the cargo pool in the bilges underneath the bottom deck. There shouldn't normally have been a problem. The whole thing was just an accident."

"Chief engineer, chief steward, you have been rubbing shoulders with the high and mighty, haven't you?" Terri grinned up at Nikki.

"I'm the boss's daughter, they've got to be nice to me."

"Yeah, of course they do. Look, about the day before yesterday, I... "

"It's all right, Farmer, you don't need to say anything. I understand, it's okay, really."

'No, you don't understand, Nikki,' Terri thought regretfully. 'Go on tell her, you promised remember?' "No, Nikki, I have a confession. I want to be honest. I..."

There was a knock at the door. Terri frowned. 'Not now, please, not now!'

"I'll get it," said Nikki, letting go Terri's hand and leaving to answer the door. It was Martina, in her dress uniform.

"May I come in?"

"Of course," replied Nikki, stepping back to allow Martina in.

"I've just come off watch, and I thought I'd check on Ms Farmer to see if she had recovered yet."

"Yes, she's awake, go on through, she won't mind."

'The hell I won't!' thought Terri, her acute hearing picking up every word. Martina hesitantly stood in the doorway to the bedroom.

"Ms Farmer. I'm glad to see you're awake. You had us all worried." She moved into the room and stood beside the bed. "I brought you something. As a small way of saying thank you for saving my life. It's not much really," she said, handing Terri a small box, "but I can't get to the shops at the moment," she smiled shyly, not knowing if Terri would appreciate the gesture.

"This isn't necessary, Martina, I was only doing my job."

"No, if you only did your job you would have picked Nikki up and got her out of there. You didn't, you stayed and saved us both. I am forever in your debt."

Terri didn't know what to say, her usual caustic wit having deserted her. She opened the small box. Inside was an old battered naval compass. On the back a St Christopher was engraved with the words "Enjoy the journey, but arrive home safely" written in German.

"It was my grandfather's, during the war. He passed it onto my father when he joined the navy. He in turn passed it onto me when I joined the merchant navy. It means a great deal to me, but I want you to have it." She leant down and gave Terri a squeeze on the arm. "Be well my friend, safe journeys always." Terri watched silently as Martina left the cabin. She looked at the compass again, still too stunned to say anything.

"Finally, Farmer doesn't know what to say. Strike one for Martina."

"She didn't need to do that," Terri said, finding her voice again.

"No, but she wanted to. Get used to it, Farmer, you really are a hero to some of us."

Terri scowled, but was more than a little pleased to discover that it didn't hurt so much, causing her to smile. She carefully put the compass back in its box and put it on the stand beside the bed. "It was a nice gesture, but I'll give it back to her before we leave."

"Won't that offend her?"

"Not if I slip it into her stuff with a thank-you note before we leave." Terri smiled again, pleased with the plan.

Nikki sat down on the bed again and once more took Terri's hand. "Now, what was that about a confession?"

Part Nine

Terri looked everywhere but at Nikki, finally settling on staring out the porthole.

"If it's too difficult for you, Farmer, we can do this another time," Nikki said gently.

"No... I want you to know."

Terri lapsed into silence. Nikki wasn't sure what to do or say. It was obvious that Terri was trying to find the words. Finally the troubled woman turned back to Nikki.

"When I told you I wasn't like that... well, how does that expression go? I was, um, being a bit economical with the truth."

'I knew it!' rejoiced Nikki mentally. She smiled, leaning towards Terri hopefully.

"Farmer, whatever you want to tell me, you know it's just between you and me. You know that, right? You do trust me, don't you?"

"Of course, Nikki, but... god, this is so hard." Terri swallowed, looking as miserable as she felt. "Well, the truth is... it's true... I'm not like that."

Nikki frowned, her shoulders slumping. "Oh," she said, not hiding her disappointment.

"No, you don't understand," said Terri quickly, seeing the look on her friend's face. "I'm not... like anything, that's what I mean."

"You're right, I don't understand," said Nikki, puzzled. "What do you mean you're not like anything?"

"I'm not gay, I'm not straight, I'm just... me." Terri sighed wearily.

"I don't get it."

Terri pulled her knees up, crossing an arm over the top and resting her forehead against it. "I've never been with... anyone. Never wanted anyone... before now. You're looking at a genuine thirty-year-old virgin," she whispered.

Nikki didn't know what to say. She tried to think of something, and a couple of times came close to speaking, but each time she said nothing, closing her mouth again. Terri's confession had taken her completely by surprise.

"But surely... well, you know, you have feelings, desires, needs?" she asked finally.

Terri's face remained firmly hidden behind her arm. She just shook her head in denial.

"Being a virgin doesn't make you sexless, Farmer, just... unproven."

"Look, Nikki, all I can tell you is I don't know what I am, okay, let's just leave it at that."

Nikki could see that Terri was close to tears. "Hey, Farmer, it's okay, really," she said soothingly, sliding forward and putting her arm around Terri's shoulder. Terri turned immediately, burying her head in the crook of Nikki's neck, grabbing the startled blonde and holding on with tenacious strength.

"It's okay, Farmer, I've got you. You're safe now." She could feel Terri shaking as emotion overtook the older woman. Warm tears soaked through Nikki's shirt. She gently stroked Terri's long black hair, waiting for the tears to stop.

"I'm sorry, Nikki," Terri gasped between sobs. "I've spent all my life on my own, never wanting anyone's company, but lately, well, I've started feeling so lonely, and you came into my life. I... I felt so disorientated, so out of control," she sobbed. "So helpless, and when I saw you lying on the floor of the pump room and I thought... thought you were dead, I felt I would die, I was panicking so much..."

"Shssh, Farmer, it's okay. You're the most together person I've ever met. A little scary at times maybe, but so together it's not true."

"You... you really think so?"

"Absolutely."

Terri's crying tailed off to some quiet sobs and a few trembles. "Oh Christ, I hate this," she moaned.

"Am I really that bad?" asked Nikki, knowing that wasn't what Terri meant, but hoping a joke might cheer her a bit.

"No not that, I mean this whole emotion thing. It sucks!"

Nikki smiled. "I know, Farmer, I know. Welcome to the real world of us mortals."

"Sod the real world, I wanna stay here."

"Getting comfortable, are we?"

"Yeah," Terri said dreamily, nestling her head a little further up Nikki's shoulder like some overgrown cat. 'A big black shiny panther,' thought Nikki, smiling at the idea.

"Farmer, believe me, I want us to cuddle for days on end, but do you think you might relax a bit with the grip, it's getting a bit hard to breathe here."

Terri released her death hold on Nikki and tried to pull away, suddenly conscious of her weight resting on top of the smaller woman. "God, I'm sorry, Nikki, you should have said something."

"It's okay, Farmer, I just did. Now come back and cuddle some more. Just... quit with the bear hugs, 'kay?" she said, smiling and pulling the scarcely resisting Terri back against her shoulder. "There, that's much better."

Terri closed her eyes, relaxing against the warm body beneath her.

"You rest some more now, Farmer, I'm here to take care of you, like you took care of me." She stroked Terri's hair again, her other hand gently rubbing the small of the troubled woman's back. "We'll talk some more when you're more yourself." It wasn't long before Terri's breathing evened out and deepened into sleep. Nikki closed her eyes and relaxed, joining her complex friend in sleep, a contented smile playing on her lips.

* * *

Terri awoke an hour later, her nap more an emotional reaction than a genuine need to sleep. Nikki was snoring gently just above her head. She smiled at the sound before closing her eyes and groaning. Had she really broken down and cried on Nikki's shoulder? She couldn't believe it. Thirty years old and blubbering like a baby. She couldn't remember the last time she cried it was so long ago. 'Oh, Nikki, what have you done to me?' she wondered.

Nikki's snoring turned into a snuffling noise followed by a sharp intake of breath. Terri could feel Nikki swivel her head from side to side. She could just imagine the cutely rumpled look of bleary confusion on the young woman's face. She groaned silently again. 'God, she's killing me' she chided herself. 'This has got to stop if I'm going to do my job properly.'

"Hey," Nikki said, when she realised Terri was awake too.

"Hey yourself."

"You feeling better?"

"A little."

"Only a little?"

"Nikki, I'm sorry, but this can't go on," Terri said softly, not daring to look Nikki in the eyes.

"Why?" Nikki asked quietly, trying to keep the hurt out of her voice.

"Because... because I can't handle it," Terri sighed.

"Farmer, I think I know you enough now to tell you that you're the toughest person I've ever met. If you can't handle it, then no one can, and plenty of lesser people do. So I have to say you're wrong."

"But I can't handle this emotional stuff, Nikki, I just... can't," mumbled Terri, still keeping her head tucked firmly into the crook of Nikki's neck.

Nikki placed a couple of fingers under Terri's chin, gently forcing her to look up to face her. "Farmer, yes you can. I'll be with you, we can do this together, the two of us."

Terri searched Nikki's eyes for any sign of duplicity, but could see none. "I... want to trust you Nikki, but it's really hard, I'm not sure I'm capable."

"Then I'll teach you."

"Can you do that, can you teach someone to trust so deeply?"

"I'll give it my best shot."

"How?"

"Ever the pragmatist?" Nikki said, smiling down at Terri.

"I need to know," Terri almost whispered, swallowing hard and feeling more vulnerable than she'd done in all her adult life.

"By holding you whenever you need to be held. By being there for you whenever you need me close. By teaching you to share your feelings with me when they get too much for one person. By holding your coat when you feel the need to defend my honour. Things like that," she said, smiling gently.

Terri swallowed again and licked her dry lips. "You'd do all that for me?"

"And more."

"Why, Nikki, why me?"

"Because I love you."

"We hardly know each other."

"Doesn't matter, my soul's found its mate, the rest can catch up later, there's plenty of time for that."

"Got it all worked out, huh?"

"Yup."

"What if I find I don't like playing on your team, what if I find I prefer the company of men?"

"Let's find out, shall we?" Before Terri could answer Nikki leaned down and softly kissed her on the lips.

"How did that feel, revolting or pleasurable?"

"Hmmm, not sure, maybe we should try again?"

"Perhaps we should get one of those sailor boys in here and you can try us both out, see which one you prefer?"

"Nah, leave that for another day, Right now I think we should keep experimenting between just the two of us; see how it goes. In the name of research, of course."

"Of course," Nikki said smiling.

She leant down for another kiss but Terri put her hand up between them, stopping her a few inches from her face. "Nikki, promise me you won't abuse my trust. I think it would kill me if you did."

"I'd never do anything to hurt you, Farmer, I promise," she said, leaning in and kissing Terri again. And again.

* * *

"How are you really feeling now?" asked Nikki, munching on a sandwich plucked from the large plate a steward had brought to their cabin.

"Paper thin... but better," replied Terri, still feeling too fragile to join her friend in eating.

"Wanna talk about it?" Nikki asked between bites.

"Do I have to?"

"Not if you don't want to."

Terri sighed. "What do you want to know?"

"Thirty-year-old virgin, how come?"

Terri looked at Nikki, expecting some trace of contempt or amusement, but there was neither. "When I was young, a teenager, I sort of hooked into the idea of saving myself for the right man, the usual romantic stuff. I dreamed of heroes and heroines, slaying dragons, fighting wrong-doers, rescuing princesses, the usual rubbish you're fed as a child."

"You wanted to rescue princesses?"

"Yeah, I suppose I did, but in those dreams I'd look on, smiling as I handed her over to the prince who'd sent me on the mission."

"You always went on missions?"

"Yeah, even then I wanted to be a soldier. Fighting for good against evil."

"You sure you don't want one of these, they're very good," Nikki asked, offering the plate of sandwiches to Terri.

"What are they?"

"There's all sorts, corned beef, cheese, jelly."

"No, it's okay, you have them."

"That still doesn't explain the virgin bit," she said, biting into another sandwich.

"It just sort of stuck with me that I was the warrior that made it happen, never the one that got rescued or returned to. All through school, and later university, I just never connected with anyone that fitted my idea of a partner. And I was damned sure that I wasn't giving myself to just anyone. When I left and joined the army I threw myself into my career. Anyone who tried to get close got bounced so far, so fast they never tried again."

"Weren't you lonely?"

"Didn't think about it at the time, all I wanted more than anything was an invitation."

"An invitation?"

"To Hereford. That was my number one goal, nothing else mattered."

"I don't understand, what's Hereford got to do with anything, that's some place in England, isn't it?"

"It's the HQ of the SAS."

"And why'd you want that so bad?"

"You've never heard of the SAS?" Terri asked in surprise.

Nikki shrugged. "Some sort of anti-terrorist squad, or something."

"Something like that. They're the elite of the elite, the very cream of the British, or any other, army."

"Kinda like the Seals?"

Terri snorted. "Yeah, sort of, but they're pretty wussy in comparison."

"You're kidding, I've seen the movie with Demi, those are tough dudes."

Terri smiled. "If you say so."

"So, why didn't you join them?"

"It's by invitation only. You have to get recommended by your squadron commander before they'll even consider you."

"And he or she wouldn't do it?"

"Oh hell yes. I got recommended six times over the years before they realised it wasn't going to happen, so they stopped bothering. Most people only needed a second recommendation to get an invitation, though most of them would fail the induction. Less than half of one percent get any recommendations. I got six. I know I would have passed any tests they wanted me to try."

"Don't tell me, wrong plumbing for the job?"

"I suppose, they never said."

"That sucks, Farmer."

"Yeah, it does. Still hurts, too," she said quietly, looking down at her hands.

"Is that why you left?"

"Not really, though it helped with the decision."

"Why'd you leave, then?"

"You really want to know? It's not pretty."

"Of course I want to know. The more I know about you, the faster the rest of me can catch up with my soul."

"You're so sure you've found your soulmate?"

"Yup, aren't you?"

"I'm... I'm not sure, Nikki, to be honest. This has all been so unexpected and sudden."

"You will know, Farmer, soon, I promise."

"I hope so. I do trust your judgement; after all, you've chosen me, so I know you've got good taste." She smiled hesitantly at Nikki, and Nikki smiled back, glad to see that Terri's sense of humour was slowly reasserting itself.

"So, why'd you leave?"

"Not much to tell really. I killed someone. Funny, you'd think the army would like that sort of thing, but they didn't. They asked me to resign instead."

"Jesus, Farmer, what did you do?" Nikki asked, leaning forward, taking hold of Terri's hand.

"I was with the UN peacekeepers in Sierra Leone. There was a local warlord who kept terrorising the villages we were supposed to be protecting. I asked for permission to neutralise him once and for all, but they kept turning me down. Said it wasn't our mission to get involved like that."

"You were a frontline commander? I didn't know they allowed that sort of thing."

"Yeah, we were so stretched everyone was thrown in, even us support troops."

"What happened?"

Terri sighed again, her eyes unfocussed as she remembered the past. "One day the warlord decided that we were never really going to do anything to stop him, so he thought he'd put on a special show for us. Show us who really had the power. A lorry drove by the camp with a couple of men in the back. They started jeering and shouting at us, then throwing things. We thought we were being attacked and dived behind our sandbags. Something bounced over the top and landed at my feet." She lapsed into silence, a single tear trickled down her cheek. "Damn, you've ruined me, Nikki. I didn't cry then, but I can't help it now." She wiped her cheek with the back of her free hand.

"I'm here, Farmer. I think it's best if you let it go now. It's not good to keep things bottled up for so long."

"I'm not sure I agree... it's hurts so much, I just want to forget."

"I know, Farmer, but I promise you really will feel better for sharing."

"If you say so," Terri said, smiling sadly. "It was a young girl's head."

"My god, Farmer," Nikki said, covering her mouth with her hand, suddenly feeling hot and nauseous. Terri's matter-of-fact delivery did nothing to diminish the impact of her words.

"He'd ordered his men to round up a dozen children from the local villages. They'd simply hacked them up into little pieces, then driven by throwing the bits at us." She paused to wipe away some more tears.

"So, you killed him?"

"Not straight away," Terri said quietly.

Nikki swallowed. "I'm afraid to ask."

"I warned you."

"Yes, you did, but I had no idea."

"People don't want to know. Still think I'm your soulmate?"

"Of course. I don't care what you've done. Whatever it was, you had damn good reason."

"I like to tell myself that."

"But you're not convinced?"

"Would you be?"

"I... don't know, I've never been there, I'm glad to say."

"Pray that you don't."

"Did you... torture him?"

"No!" Terri looked up at Nikki, shocked that she would suggest such a thing. "Jesus, Nikki, I know I'm bad, but I'm not that bad."

"I'm sorry, Farmer. It's just that you seemed so ashamed of what you'd done, I didn't know what to think."

"After they still refused permission to do anything about the guy, even after the incident with the children, I asked for volunteers to help me arrest him. No one would help me, they were all either too chicken or too rigid. I eventually found a couple of French commandos who said they'd help. Tough couple of bastards, they were too. We sneaked into the warlord's house one night and abducted him. I found one of the men I recognised from the back of the truck. Slit his throat while he slept."

Nikki swallowed down her bile and looked the other way, but still maintaining her fierce grip on Terri's hand. "Christ, Farmer, you say it like you were opening a can of beans, or something."

"You want me to weep over that piece of shit?"

"No... I... just go on, Farmer, finish this and get it over with."

Terri continued, her voice once more a monotone. "We managed to avoid most of his men, but we ran out of luck when we bumped into a patrol. There was a brief firefight, we got all of them but they got one of the French guys. The other one left with his mate to take him back to his camp. It left me and the warlord. He was trussed up with cable ties, he wasn't difficult to handle. I originally meant to take him back to the UN to stand trial, but then I reckoned they'd probably just release the prick."

"What did you do with him?" asked Nikki.

"I took him back to the village elders. I thought they'd know how to deal with him."

"You knew they'd execute him."

"Pretty much."

"Didn't you think he deserved a trial at least?"

Terri looked into Nikki's pained eyes. "Nikki, sweetheart, don't you ever lose your humanity. I can tell straight from the heart, it's not a nice place to be." Terri wiped another errant tear away as it ran down her cheek.

"How... how did it all end?" Nikki whispered.

"I should've known it wouldn't be nice. They tied him to an old kitchen chair with some barbed wire. I thought they'd behead him or something, or maybe hang him, but before I knew what was happening someone necklaced him."

"Necklaced?"

"Put a car tyre full of petrol round his neck and set it on fire."

"Oh god, Farmer, this just gets worse. I think I need a break." Nikki got shakily to her feet and went into the bathroom. Terri could hear running water, but no other sounds, so at least Nikki was managing to hang onto her lunch. Nikki emerged from the bathroom drying her face on a towel. She picked up a glass of Coke and took a few sips.

"What did you do?" she said, sitting down next to Terri again.

"I did the only thing I could do, I took my sidearm and shot him twice in the head."

"So, you ended up judge, jury and executioner after all?"

"Yeah; villagers went mad. For a moment I thought I'd be next in the chair, but the elders calmed them down and told me to go. So I went, tail between my legs, having achieved nothing except get a few more people killed, including a French commando who was only there because I asked him to be." Terri stood up and stretched, silently watching a seagull hovering off the side of the ship. When it flew off she turned back to Nikki. "You wanna know what the worst part was?"

"I can't imagine it's any worse that what you've already told me."

"Oh, it's worse, Nikki, much worse. They were right all along. Within a week a new warlord had taken over who was even worse than the one I took out. Nothing changed, nothing got any better. I just stirred the pot a little and probably devastated some French family somewhere in the process. Hell, the bastard was probably a front for MI6 or the CIA for all know. I screwed up so royally there was nowhere left for me to go but out. I was lucky they didn't court-martial me and send me to military prison."

"I think what you did was horrific, Farmer, but it was done for the best of reasons and was a noble gesture in a deeply screwed up situation," Nikki said, coming to stand behind Terri, putting her arms around the other woman's waist and resting her head against Terri's broad back.

"Still think you've found your soulmate?" asked Terri dejectedly.

"She's a little darker than even I imagined, but yes, yes I do. You're a brave, caring, loving woman, who's willing to hold up her dark side for my inspection and not even ask for any sort of forgiveness. Someone who's willing to take the blame with honour and dignity. How could I not love you?"

"Shit, Nikki, you're going to make me cry again," she said turning around and welcoming Nikki into a much needed hug.

* * *

"I've asked you both to my cabin to have a private word about the recent incident in the forward pump room," said the captain. Nikki and Terri sat on his day bed couch opposite the captain, who was seated in a large armchair. They all had cups of tea, recently served by a hovering steward.

"Wondered what the fallout would be," said Terri.

"I'm asking you to consider the implications for a good officer, should you wish to report this occurrence to the authorities or your father, Ms Takis."

"Is that strictly legal?" asked Nikki.

The captain smiled thinly. "That might be one interpretation, Ms Takis."

"There are others?" asked Terri, putting down her untouched drink.

"There are always alternatives, Ms Farmer. How are you, by the way?"

"As well as can be expected."

"Good, good, glad to hear it. What I mean is the third mate stands to lose her job for a momentary loss of judgement. It seems a pity for such a good officer." He sipped his tea, carefully watching the two of them over the rim of his cup.

"You're saying that if we don't mention that fact that I almost got killed, and am only here thanks to the rapid action and skill of my bodyguard, that Martina won't get fired?"

"More or less."

"Wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that responsibility rests with the captain under such circumstances?" asked Terri.

He smiled again, though it was anything but friendly. "That is also true, Ms Farmer. But I ask on Martina's behalf, rather than my own, you understand."

"Oh yeah, I understand," said Nikki, standing up. "Don't worry, Captain, neither of us will say anything, will we, Farmer?"

"If that's what you want, Nikki."

"That's what I want."

Nikki stepped back as Terri preceded her through the door of the captain's cabin.

"Thanks for the tea," called Terri as she disappeared down the corridor.

"Remarkable woman," said the Captain, as Nikki turned to follow Terri.

"Oh yeah," she grinned.

* * *

Nikki looked up wearily from a manual she was attempting to read, that the chief engineer had so thoughtfully given her, as Terri came through the door of their cabin.

"Some days, Nikki, this job sucks, other days it's worse," she said, letting her head rest against the door jam.

"What's wrong, Farmer?"

"I know who the smuggler is."

Part Ten

"What do you mean you know who the smuggler is?" demanded Nikki.

"S'funny, really," Terri said, distractedly.

"What is?"

"All this time, I thought all this was not much more than a ruse by your father to get you away from London and send you on a cruise. Never really thought it was a serious case, as such."

"What are you talking about, Farmer?"

Terri pushed away from the door frame she'd been leaning on. "I mean I was stupid to try and second guess your father."

"Is this some sort of funny English dialect you're speaking in, 'cause I don't understand a word you're saying."

"We're docking in under six hours, right?"

"Yes," Nikki replied slowly, still not sure where Terri was going with this.

"I figured it would be a good time to sneak Martina's compass back to her, with a nice 'thanks, but you keep it' note. But no, that would have been too easy."

"I'm still not understanding this."

"I went to her room while she was on watch, okay."

"Farmer, that's terrible; invading her privacy like that."

"Yeah, well, that's what I do, you know."

"So, what did you find?" Nikki said, leaning forward and dropping her voice to nearly a whisper.

Terri smiled. She looked around theatrically then hunched her shoulders, dropping down till she was right next to Nikki's shoulder. "I think we're safe from prying eyes." On impulse she stuck her tongue out and licked Nikki's ear.

"Eeew, Farmer!" Nikki lurched back, frantically wiping her ear with her hand. Terri couldn't help laughing at Nikki's look of disgust.

"What'd you do that for?"

Terri shrugged. "I dunno, just wanted to, I suppose."

Nikki's indignation melted at the look of sheepish contrition on Terri's face. "Hey, c'mere," she said, holding out her arms. Terri reluctantly wrapped her arms around the smaller woman, suddenly feeling awkward and stiff.

"C'mon now, Farmer, chill, will ya. You just took me by surprise is all."

Terri's shoulders relaxed a bit. "You're really not angry with me?"

"Nah, I'm pleased you can be so comfortable with me. God knows it's taken me long enough to get you this far."

"Am I really that bad?" Terri asked in a small voice. Since their experimentation with kissing Terri had felt a strange duality towards Nikki. On the one hand she felt closer to the blonde than anyone since her father, but on the other hand, Nikki still scared the bejesus out of her. It was deeply unsettling to a woman who prided herself on control and decisiveness. How could she want to both run away and run towards someone at the same time, she wondered?

"So, what about Martina's room?" asked Nikki, still holding Terri close.

"I went to put the compass back. I thought I'd better hide it so she wouldn't find it till after we were long gone. I looked around for the best place, that's when I found a small locked vanity case. Being curious I couldn't help it, I had to see what she locked up when everything else was freely open."

"You didn't break it, did you?"

"No, 'course not, I picked it and re-locked it after I'd had a look."

"What was in it?"

"At first I thought it was something private and was about to lock it again when I noticed the thin cord hanging out the end."

"I don't think I follow this, Farmer. Do you have to speak in riddles?"

"Okay, back up a bit. I thought it was a... you know, something women... um... pleasure themselves with."

Nikki could feel the blush warming up Terri's neck and cheeks. "Farmer, you're blushing," she said, smiling and pulling back to take a look. Terri looked at the floor, unable to meet Nikki's eyes.

"No I'm not," she mumbled.

"I once told you before how charming you looked when you blushed, and I really meant it," Nikki said, gently pulling Terri's face back to look at her. She leant forward and gave Terri a kiss on the cheek. Terri closed her eyes, relaxing fully into Nikki's arms. They stayed like that for many minutes, each soaking up the unspoken feelings passing between them.

"So, Martina's got a toy. It's hardly a crime, Farmer."

"Even I know that's not unusual, but then I saw the cord. I picked it up and shook it. It rattled."

"Still not unusual, why I've seen some that--"

"I get the picture, Nikki, believe me I do," Terri interrupted, blushing even harder.

"Oh, Farmer, you're just too precious, you know that, don't you?"

"If you say so."

"I do say so," Nikki said, kissing Terri's other cheek, then moving gently to her eyes, her nose, and finally her lips. Terri moaned softly at the touch.

She pulled back, opening her eyes and blinking slightly in confusion. "This... this isn't helping, Nikki. How are we supposed to solve the case when you're making my legs tremble and my heart start fibrillating?"

Nikki smiled. "Only you would say your heart's fibrillating, Farmer. Most normal folks would say pounding, or yammering, or thumping, or--"

Terri reached up, placing two fingers on Nikki's lips, cutting off her words. "I never said I was normal," she whispered.

"No you didn't, the word dichotomy comes to mind. Now I've had a taste, I wouldn't have it any other way," Nikki said, smiling.

Terri cleared her throat, stepping back. "Yes, well, back to Martina's toy. It's not really a sex toy, it's a device for smuggling. It unscrewed in the middle. Guess what was inside?"

"God, Farmer, what sort of question is that, how the hell should I know?"

Terri's eyebrow raised. "I thought you were the big expert in these things?"

"Just tell me what it was, before I beat it out of you!"

"I thought you were a lover, not a fighter?"

"Depends on the circumstances," Nikki said, narrowing her eyes into a mock glare.

"Diamonds," Terri said flatly.

"Diamonds?"

"Diamonds," Terri repeated.

"As in a girl's best friend?"

"Not quite. These were uncut diamonds. Large ones though. I'd guess, ooh, maybe a million pounds worth, as a wild guess, something like that, maybe even more."

"How do you know that?"

"They're all either blue or red coloured, the rarest types you can get."

"How do you know all this stuff, Farmer?"

She shrugged. "I read a lot."

"How do you know they're not hers?"

"Would you work as a deck officer on a tanker if you had something like that rattling around in your toy?"

"Guess not. So why keep them in... there? Why not take them out once smuggled and put them somewhere else safe?"

"Good place to hide it if your ship gets inspected by customs."

"Farmer, I don't wanna think about it."

"At least I know Martina's hair colour is natural," Terri said, grinning.

"I don't get it."

"Wanna bet that the cord is colour matched to blend in?"

"Eeew, this is so gross," said Nikki, scrunching up her face.

"Could have been worse, what if Martina had been male; you ever read the book Papillion?"

"Oh, purlesse, you just had to go there, didn't you?" groaned Nikki. Terri smirked with glee.

* * *

"What's the plan?" asked Nikki, as they looked out over the deck. The ship had docked in the early hours of the morning and was now discharging its cargo through giant booms connected to the quayside.

"We go on a little sight-seeing trip into Marseilles, but we really double back and follow Martina, see where she goes, who she meets."

"How are we going to do that?"

Terri held up a small radio device with a thin cable attached to an ear piece. "It's a receiver, we'll be able to track her with it."

"She's gonna to sing a song on the radio?"

"Not quite, I bugged her smuggling toy."

"You bugged her dildo?" Nikki asked incredulously.

"Sure, don't want to loose track of the diamonds, do I."

"Farmer, you never cease to amaze me," Nikki said, shaking her head. Terri just smirked.

"We better go find ourselves a taxi and wait. The transmitter's only got a range of a mile or so, though the battery's lithium, should be good for a couple of months."

"Lead on, Jane Bond, let's go catch us some smugglers."

* * *

The taxi driver kept quiet as the strange woman waved the small electronic device slowly back and forth in front of her. She sat next to him in the front passenger seat. A large wad of francs had bought a lot of tolerance.

"She's turning right," Terri muttered in English. "Turn here," she said in French, indicating with her hand where the driver was to go next. Nikki sat in the back seat, watching over Terri's shoulder. Feelings of trepidation and excitement welled up in her stomach. 'Wow, this sure beats designing boats for a living,' she thought to herself. 'I'm really doing this, chasing a gang of diamond smugglers through the streets of Marseilles, this is just unreal!'

"Enjoying yourself back there?" asked Terri.

"Oh yeah," she replied with a huge grin.

"Don't suppose you'll stay in the car?"

"See any flying pigs?"

"Uh huh, well, don't get too smug this could get very nasty, very quickly. Promise me you'll do as I tell you, when I tell you and no arguments, Nikki."

"Yes, Mom."

"Take the next left, then pull over and stop," Terri said in French. The driver did as he was told.

"Looks like she's stopped moving."

"Do you want me to stay and wait?" asked the driver with a grin. He was enjoying himself rather more than he ought to, thought Terri.

"What did he say?" asked Nikki, leaning forward and speaking softly into Terri's right ear.

"He wants to know what your telephone number is," she stage-whispered back.

"He did not," said Nikki slapping Terri on the shoulder. "Did he?" she asked after a pause, her eyes widening slightly as she looked sideways at the man

"Non," said the driver, grinning at Terri then back at Nikki.

"You speak English?"

"A leetle," he said shrugging.

"Not enough to actually use it if a tourist should happen along?" asked Terri dryly. He grinned some more.

"No need, you speak my language well enough," he said, reverting back to French. "Would you give me the young woman's number if I asked?"

Terri turned to look at the man, her eyes narrowing. "She's spoken for," she growled.

"Of course," he nodded, grinning in understanding. "So, should I wait?" he asked again.

"That would be nice. Another thousand will be waiting for you if you're here when we get back."

He grinned again and switched off the engine. "Take your time, Madame," he said, leaning back in the seat and closing his eyes.

"Be ready to roll, we may need to leave in a hurry," said Terri, getting out of the car. Nikki joined her.

"Where now?" Nikki asked, looking around. They were in a shabby part of the city, surrounded by run-down or derelict warehouses. Litter lined the paths and walkways and cars with broken windows were left abandoned. No one was around, the place was deserted.

"Not exactly what I had in mind when I came to the south of France," grumbled Nikki.

"You want them to be doing their deals on the beach at St Tropez?"

"That would have been nice of them."

"Yeah, the state of smuggling today, eh?" Terri swept the small receiver in front of her. "This way," she said, striding off down one of the alleys. After a brisk five-minute walk she stopped in front of one of the shabby buildings. "In here," she said nodding at the building.

"Do we knock on the front door, or burst in, all guns blazing?"

"You got a gun?"

"Well, no, but I wouldn't be surprised if you had one tucked away somewhere."

"They're not allowed in the UK. Don't own one, don't want one."

"Not even for PIs?"

"Especially not for PIs."

"How do you defend yourself then?"

Terri turned from examining the building to look at Nikki, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, all right, silly question. So we go around the back, huh?"

"That's the plan," said Terri, looking up and down the length of the building.

They had to clamber over a waist-high wall, then Terri climbed up a drain pipe to a second floor window, which was broken and conveniently located adjacent to the pipe. Within seconds she had disappeared inside.

"What about me?" Nikki called up as loudly as she dared.

Terri leaned out of the window and sighed. "Can't you make it up here?"

"I don't know, I'm not Spiderwoman like you, you know."

"Try it, you'll be amazed how easy it is," she whispered down.

"Well, all right, but if I break my neck, Farmer, I'm coming back to haunt you, you know that, don't you?"

"Wouldn't have it any other way. You could be Hopkirk and I'll be Randall."

"What the hell are you talking about now?" Nikki huffed as she gingerly pulled herself up the drainpipe.

"Not a show that reached your shores, I suppose."

"Doesn't sound like it," she grunted, pulling herself up level with the window. Terri reached out and dragged her inside.

"Damn, is detective work always this much fun?" Nikki asked, distaste written all over her face, as she wiped her grubby hands on her denim jacket.

"No, usually it involves sitting in cars for hours on end, drinking cold tea, wondering what the hell you're doing. That's the fun part."

They made their way down a half-glassed corridor, past some empty offices and an open unlit stairway leading down. They ignored them all and went on to the end of the corridor. Terri stopped, looking back at Nikki and putting a finger to her lips. She put her ear to the closed door in front of them. Nikki nodded, keeping deathly quiet, not even daring to breathe. Terri slowly turned the door handle, inching the door open slightly. She waited for any sort of response, but none came. Looking back at Nikki she nodded once then slowly opened the door wide enough to squeeze through.

Nikki let out a deep breath as a hand came back through the opening and waved her forward.

"This way," Terri mouthed as Nikki poked her head around the door. They were on a mezzanine floor, overlooking the main open area of the warehouse. Old empty crates and pallets were piled up in stacks surrounding them. Terri motioned Nikki to follow her as she peered carefully over the edge of one of the boxes. Down on the ground floor two cars were parked at right angles to one another. Standing in front of the vehicles was a group of people. Terri pulled some small binoculars from her pocket and scanned the faces.

"See anyone you recognise?" whispered Nikki. Terri nodded, handing the glasses over to Nikki without a word, her face grim.

Nikki adjusted the focus wheel then gasped. "Christos and Carl, and the guy that shouted at us the first day we arrived onboard."

"The second mate," whispered Terri.

"There's Martina, don't know the rest of them. Wish we could hear what they're saying," she said, watching the group intently through the binoculars.

"Ask, and thou shalt receive," smirked Terri, holding up the small receiver she'd used to track the diamonds. She flipped a switch. "Two channels, one long range to pick up homing beeps, the other short range for voice. Only works for a few hundred yards, have to get pretty close to hear anything."

"We in range now?"

"Oh yeah."

"What are they saying?"

"The usual you're late blah blah blah... do you have the stuff?... it's all here... any trouble in Rotterdam?... no it was fine... nice weather we're having," she relayed to Nikki.

"They did not say 'nice weather we're having'," she said, exasperated that Terri would be joking at a time like this.

"Okay, so they didn't mention the weather. But what he said was no less boring."

"Such as?"

"Wait!" Terri held up her hand for silence. "Oh crap."

"What?"

"Second mate's just told Christos about us being passengers."

Nikki could see sudden concern ripple through the group as Carl and Christos immediately pulled out guns and started looking around in panic.

"Guess you spooked them the last time you met," grinned Nikki. She could see Christos frantically ordering his men to spread out.

"He wants them to search the building. Guess it's time for us to go," said Terri, edging back towards the door.

"Why don't we call the police?" Nikki hissed as they crept back towards the door. She nearly bumped into Terri who'd stopped moving. "What?" she barely whispered, sudden fear filling her guts. Terri leaned back towards Nikki, not taking her eye off the door, she pulled Nikki's head close to her mouth, whispering into her ear.

"There's someone on the other side of the door."

Nikki, tried to swallow but found she couldn't. What had been an exciting adventure only moments before now suddenly seemed horribly frightening.

Terri crept forward till she was close enough to the door to peek through. A man with a shotgun draped casually over his shoulder was wandering down the corridor, looking into the empty offices, whistling as he went, entirely oblivious to their presence. Terri held up her hand, indicating that Nikki should stay. She sprang silently to a crouching position, her fists balled, and began to stalk the man.

Nikki watched in morbid fascination as Terri crept ever closer, expecting her to unleash some devastating martial arts move on the man. Terri reached to within six feet of him, her soft footsteps masked by his tuneless whistle. Nikki cringed further and further inside herself, the tension unbearable. At any second she expected him to turn around and shoot Terri.

'For God's sake, Farmer, for crying out loud, kick the sonofabitch!' she screamed internally, her heart in her mouth. Instead Farmer bent down and scooped up an old crowbar lying on an office window. In one fluid motion she plucked the shotgun from the startled man's shoulder, at the same time rapping him smartly on the back of the head with the iron bar. He fell face down on the floor, unconscious, never knowing what hit him.

Nikki slipped through the door, closing it carefully behind her.

"Okay, Jet Li, what the hell was that?" she demanded.

"What?" asked Terri surprised.

"That!" she said pointing to the downed man on the floor.

Terri shrugged. "I don't understand," she said puzzled.

"I mean was that another martial art, an ancient British one, where-by you whack people upside the head with an iron bar?"

"What would you rather, perhaps a few summersaults and a battle cry?"

"No, it's just... I just expected something a bit less mundane, is all."

"It worked and that was what I wanted."

"So much for the land of fair play."

"I thought it was pretty fair, considering he had this," Terri said, handing the shotgun to Nikki.

"Yeah, I guess. Er, Farmer what are you doing?" Terri had knelt down next to the man and was busy searching him. She pulled a pistol from a shoulder holster and tucked it into the back of her jeans. Next his wallet went into her jacket pocket. Then she unlaced his shoes and pulled them off, followed by his socks.

"Farmer!" Nikki hissed, as Terri unzipped the man's trousers and pulled them down, along with his underpants. She unceremoniously tugged them off over his bare feet, dropping them on top of the rest of his clothes.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"A bit of insurance," Terri replied, stripping the man of the rest of his clothes. Once all his clothes were removed she bundled them together and threw them out the window, leaving behind just his belt.

"Farmer this is low, even for you," said Nikki, unable to take her eyes off the naked man sprawled out at her feet.

"He'll be extremely unlikely to want to join in any unpleasantness all the while he's waving his little friend in the breeze. Trust me, men just don't."

"I thought that's exactly what they all wanted to do."

"Only in private, not in public."

"So, that's the new plan, we go around pulling everyone's pants down?"

Terri grinned, tying the man's hands behind his back with his belt. "Something like that." She effortlessly picked up the naked man, throwing him over her shoulder. She pointed to a nearby office door. "Open that for me, would you." Nikki pushed the door open, allowing Farmer to carry the man into the room. She dropped him face down on a desk in the middle of the room. She grinned at Nikki evilly as the she arranged the unfortunate man into an embarrassing pose, his backside pointing towards the corridor window, his manhood dangling limply down between his legs which Terri had spread on either side of the desk's drawers.

They returned to the corridor and observed Terri's handiwork through the plate glass.

"You're one evil woman, Farmer," Nikki said, grinning wickedly, herself.

"Here, give me that thing," Terri said, holding her hand out for the shotgun Nikki was holding.

She hefted the weapon in her hands, checking it over. Pointing the gun away from Nikki she swiftly pulled back a small lever on the side. A shell popped out which she caught deftly. She held it up to the light, reading the words on its side. She whistled low. "Whoa, these fellas aren't messing around. This is a single load magnum round."

"Is that good?"

"It would really put a major downer on your day if you got in the way of this baby when it went off. It'll take down an elephant."

"Oh, nice."

Terri shrugged. "You asked." She knelt down, rapidly ejecting the rest of the shells onto the floor.

"Doesn't it work better with them inside the gun?"

"Yeah, but I like to know how many shots I've got going into a fight, rather than find out in the middle." She loaded them one by one back into the weapon. "Okay, do you know how to use one of these?" she said, pulling the pistol from the small of her back.

"Not really, only what I've seen at the movies."

"Well, forget all of that stuff, it's nearly always nonsense." She pulled the slide back slightly, looking into the gap opened up on top. "This is a Beretta 92F 9mm. It's a military weapon, so not kid's stuff. There's one up the spout already." She pressed a button on the front of the grip, causing the ammunition clip to slide out of the bottom of the handle. Holding the clip up to the light she counted the number of cartridges. "There's a full clip of fifteen bullets. That means you've only got sixteen shots, so don't waste 'em." She snapped the clip back into the gun. "This is the safety," she said, pointing to a lever on the side. "Up means 'safe', you can't pull the trigger, it's locked in place, and down means 'good to go'. All you need to do is squeeze the trigger gently, and it will go bang once every time you do so. Try not to let pulling the trigger jerk the gun off your aim. When you're not meaning to shoot it, it's a good idea to keep your finger curled around the trigger guard. That way you won't pull it accidentally. Don't point it at anyone unless you are fully prepared to pull the trigger on them. And finally, don't give a second thought to all that crap about shooting people in the shoulder or shooting the gun out of their hands. The only reason to shoot at someone is to incapacitate them as rapidly as possible. That means hit 'em dead centre, middle of the body. If they keep coming, do it again. If they still keep coming, they're either high on drugs, wearing a vest, or extremely pissed off and motivated people."

"What do I do then?"

"Say you're sorry, run like crazy and don't look back."

"Works for me."

"Good, shall we go and arrest us some smugglers, Ms Takis?" asked Terri, snapping back and releasing the cocking bolt on the side of the semi-automatic shotgun.

"After you, Sheriff."

"That's Shire Reeve, to you," said Terri, grinning.

Part Eleven

Terri stopped near the bottom of the stairs, looking back up at Nikki following along behind.

"What's wrong?" Nikki whispered.

Terri chewed on her lip not speaking for a moment. "It's... it's just I'm not sure if I'm letting my desire to play hero here overcome my proper job," she whispered back.

"Which would be?"

"To protect you, of course."

"Oh," said Nikki, lowering the pistol that she'd been holding up with both hands, mostly, she had to admit, because that's how they did it on TV. "Do you think we'll really have to shoot anyone?"

"These aren't toys, Nikki, and this is no game. Both of us could get killed. It's what bullets do to people when you get in the way of them."

Nikki swallowed. "It's a bit late to be having such thoughts, isn't it?"

"It's just... I've realised something."

"What?" Nikki said in exasperation, after it became obvious that Terri wasn't going to say any more unless pushed.

"Now that I've found you, I... don't want to lose you," Terri said, almost choking, her eyes sparkling with unexpected moisture.

"Aw, Honey, it's okay," Nikki said, smiling and leaning forward to kiss Terri lightly on the lips. "I know you won't let any harm come to me, ever. I trust you to be my champion, always."

Terri smiled back happily then stiffened. She held up her hand to quiet Nikki. "Something wicked this ways comes," she said softly.

"Ray Bradbury."

"Shakespeare actually, Macbeth, act four, scene one."

"Oh."

"Shssh."

Nikki held her breath and pressed herself up against the wall as hard as she could, watching Terri go into a crouch. 'Out comes the panther,' thought Nikki, as Terri's focus locked onto what was coming down the corridor and around the corner towards them. 'Oh Christ, I'm going to be useless at this,' groaned Nikki. She could feel the panic rising in her guts like she'd just jumped off the highest diving board ever invented. She couldn't help it, she closed her eyes. There was a brief noise and a grunt.

"It's all right, you can come out now," a soft voice purred in her ear. Nikki let go a huge sigh of relief. Laying on the ground at Terri's feet was an unconscious man. Terri just shrugged, giving Nikki a quick wink as she tucked a large revolver in the back of her jeans.

"Does he get the nudie treatment too?"

"Darn tootin', pardner," Terri said, affecting an American accent and leaning her shotgun against the wall. A few moments later the man was secured to the stair rail, his hands above his head, tied together with his belt, naked as the day he was born. "Here, lose these somewhere." She handed Nikki the man's clothes.

Nikki felt something heavy hit her leg. "Hey, there's something in the pocket of his jacket."

"Yeah, it's a cell phone. First chap had one too. I reckoned it wouldn't be a good idea to let them keep 'em. They say they can give you brain tumours, so I'm giving them both a break here."

"Uh-huh. You going to pose him too?"

"Nah, you can have too much of a good thing, you know."

"No arguments from me."

Nikki sprinted up the stairs back to the window where Terri had disposed of the last set of clothes and threw them out. On the way back she checked the office. The man was still sleeping, if not peacefully, then at least securely, she was glad to see. When she returned to the bottom of the stairs she noted the unconscious man now had a leg cocked up and pushed though his tied arms. She shook her head, tutting, and continued on. She found Terri peering through a slightly ajar door at the bottom of the ground floor corridor.

"Couldn't resist, huh?" she whispered.

"Dunno what you're talking about," replied Terri without looking away from the door.

"Your performance art."

"Wasn't me, I didn't do it."

"Bart Simpson."

"Hamlet, act seven, scene two."

"You're kidding me!"

Terri just smiled smugly.

"Very funny, Farmer. I thought you said you'd given up smirking?" Nikki whispered, glowering at Terri.

"Old habits die hard," she whispered back. "Okay, fun's over, now listen up. I'd say there are three more heavies, plus your brother and Carl. I reckon we're doing okay so far."

"What if there are more outside?"

"Then I send you down the drainpipe to get one of the mobiles so you can call for the cavalry."

"You mean to tell me you haven't got a cell phone, with all the tricky gadgets you pull out of the air?" Nikki asked, surprised.

"Of course I have, I'd just like to see you struggling and moaning some more." As soon as she'd said it Terri gulped. "Er, that didn't quite come out right."

"Really? I think you've got a dirty mind, Farmer. In fact I know you have," she said, nodding back towards the naked body hanging limply at the bottom of the stairs.

"Girl's gotta have a hobby," Terri replied airily, still not taking her eyes off the open door. Had they not both been in a potentially life-threatening situation Nikki would have laughed out loud.

"Must say, of the many ways I imagined you, Farmer, I never figured you for a bondage freak."

"Who, me? Remember I'm the virgin here. But it takes two to tango, Takis, so watch it, or I'll introduce you to my world-famous round turn and two half hitches, topped off with a monkey fist."

"I've no idea what you're talking about, but I know I don't like the sound of it."

"As well you shouldn't."

They crouched in silence for a while as Terri continued to watch intently. "What are they all doing out there, anyway?" asked Nikki.

"The four are still out in the middle, the three heavies are wondering about down the other end of the warehouse, poking about in the shadows."

"Can you still hear what they're saying out in the middle?"

"Yeah, wait a moment." Terri put her hand in her jacket pocket and then touched her ear. "Christos is saying I hope you've washed this, Martina's laughing, second mate's urging them to hurry up, Carl's keeping quiet. Blah, blah, blah. Nothing of interest, basically."

"So what do we do, we can't sit here all day, I've got a beach to go to sometime."

"It's bad for your skin."

"Oh really, this from Ms Olive Skin herself."

"Mine's natural, radiating fair skin like yours till it burns, isn't."

"Yes, Mom."

Terri finally looked away from the door towards Nikki. "Your mum must have really regretted getting down and dirty with your dad sometimes."

"She most certainly does not!"

"You ever asked her?"

"Well, no, not as such."

"There you go, then."

"Where do I go where?"

"Never mind, the three stooges have just returned to the middle. Time to get the show on the road. There's a small wall over by the loading bays. When I say go, run like hell and get behind it. Stay well out of the firing line, till I tell you it's safe to come out."

"What are you going to be doing?"

"I'm going to put on a little spectacular for our friends out there."

Nikki nodded in agreement. "Hey, Farmer, one last thing."

"What?" asked Terri, turning back to face Nikki again.

"Don't you dare get hurt now, I'm warning you. If you so much as get a scratch, I'm coming out shooting, and I don't care who gets in the way." She leant in and gave Terri a fierce kiss.

Terri sat back on her heels, touching her lips. "All right, I'll do my best, Nikki, just make sure you're not pointing my way when you pull the trigger, okay?"

"Deal."

"Okay then, let's do this."

* * *

Martina counted the money piled up in the small metal case Carl held up for her inspection.

"Don't you trust me after all these times?" asked Christos, standing to her left.

"I have little faith in the old adage of 'honour among thieves', Mr Takis."

"Thieves? We're not thieves, Ms Gerhard. We're merely side-stepping a legally sanctioned cartel and a few greedy governments. I don't think of it a thievery. Quite the contrary in fact, I think we're striking back at nationally organised thieves."

"A regular Robin Hood."

"Something like that." He smiled, tugging open a small velvet pouch and pouring the diamonds into it. "Yours, I believe," he said, holding out Martina's smuggling toy. She nodded, accepting the device and slipping it into her coat pocket.

"It's all here," she said turning to the second mate. He nodded and handed her a plastic carrier bag. Carl upended the case into it as she held it open.

"Nice doing business with you. Till the next time." She smiled at Christos, who grinned in return, bowing slightly. A loud bang thundered through the building as glass from both sets of car windows exploded out, showering them with jagged fragments.

* * *

Terri crept along a line of empty crates, keeping her eyes trained on the group in the middle. Her thumb slipped off the safety catch as she lined herself up for the shot she wanted. Standing up she took aim and fired. The single rifled slug smashed through the back side window of the nearest car, exiting through the front passenger window and on into the windscreen of the other car. The percussive force of the round smashed all the windows, exploding them outward. The slug continued on, crashing into a pile of abandoned crates, shattering them on contact, causing small bits of wood to shower down on the cowering people. For a few seconds no one moved, too stunned to do anything.

One of the heavies, a tall man with a close-cropped head of blond hair, was the first to recover. He stood up drawing his gun, looking around frantically for where the shot had come from. The echoing acoustics of the empty warehouse had effectively masked the source of the noise.

"I'm impressed," shouted Terri, aiming the shotgun at the standing man. "Now put down the gun. I've killed a couple of cars and I won't hesitate to add an idiot to the tally. Same goes for any of you grovelling down there on the floor."

The man hesitated, trying to decide if he could bring his gun round fast enough before the woman with the big gun put a hole the size of football through his side.

"It's not worth it, Blondie, put the gun down and kick it back over here," Terri instructed him. Still he didn't make a move, apparently frozen to the spot, but still gripping his gun.

"He doesn't speak English, Ms Farmer," shouted out Christos anxiously, his arms held above his head, as he crouched down with all the others.

Terri tried again, first in French, then Greek and finally in Italian. He still didn't move. "What the hell does he speak?" she demanded.

"German, he speaks German," Christos squeaked, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Fine. Okay, big boy, slowly put down the gun and kick it back here. If you play nicely I'll consider letting you off with just a ticket, how's that," she said in German. The man scowled, slowly lowering himself to place the gun on the ground. He stood up and kicked it about half-way between them.

Terri walked towards the group, keeping a close eye out for any sudden movement. She scooped her foot around the gun on the floor and flicked it a long way away. As expected, just as she kicked it, the German made a lunge for her. She side-stepped his clumsy dive, cracking him on the back of the head with the butt of the shotgun as he passed by. He hit the floor heavily, not moving.

"Any more heroes here?, 'cause quite frankly, I'd like to get the hitting people on the head part out of the way, as soon as possible."

Christos glared at her in scarcely suppressed fury. "Aren't either of you going to do anything," he demanded of the other two heavies, crouching down with them. They both shook their heads. The massive firepower of the shotgun had completely made up their minds for them.

"Now, anyone found carrying a concealed weapon by the time I get there will be made a severe example of. Am I making myself clear?" asked Terri in a low growl that scared even Nikki, and she was way off to the side and behind.

Carl, Christos and the two other men carrying guns immediately pulled them gingerly out of their holsters and threw them away as if they were on fire.

"What about our nautical friends, either of you got anything I might get upset about?"

They both shook their heads fearfully. The colour had drained from the second mate's face, and Martina was doing her best not to cry. Terri almost felt sorry for them both.

"Carl, I'm disappointed, I thought you were one of the good guys."

Carl just shrugged. "Is Miss Nikki here?" he asked. Terri nodded. His shoulders slumped. "I never wanted her to know," he almost whispered.

"For god's sake," snapped Christos. "What is that prissy little bitch to you anyway?"

Carl didn't answer, he just sat down sighing, resigned to his fate.

"You can come out now, Nikki," Terri called out, still holding the shotgun on her captives, not taking her eyes off any of them.

"Honey, what're you doing back there?" asked Terri without turning around.

"The usual," Nikki grunted as she tugged the unconscious German's trousers down around his ankles.

"What the hell do you think you're doing," demanded Christos. Terri let out a loud laugh.

"What's so funny, Farmer?" asked Nikki indignantly.

"Nothing, darling, you carry on, don't let me stop you."

"Stop that at once, Nikki, are you insane?" shouted Christos, standing up and attempting to walk towards his sister.

"Uh-uh, back down on your haunches, little bro," said Terri, turning the shotgun on Christos.

"But she's gone mad," he exclaimed.

"Right that's it!" shouted Nikki, standing up. "Strip, all of you!" she said picking up her pistol and pointing it at the cowering group.

None of them made a move, not quite sure if they heard her correctly. "You heard me," Nikki shouted. She turned the pistol at the nearest car and fired twice into its side. The loud bangs made them all jump, except Terri, who was also somewhat surprised, but as she had such heightened reactions was already compensating before the others were even aware they were flinching.

"If I don't see naked flesh in one minute I'm shooting feet, is that clear!" Nikki demanded, her face a mask of anger. She fired the gun once more into the other car, blowing out a tyre in an explosion of escaping air. They all hurriedly started to pull their clothes off in a panic, including Christos.

"Not you, Martina, you can step aside," said Terri quietly. Martina wiped the tears from her face and nodded, pulling her top back together and stepping back towards the nearest car.

Within a minute five deeply embarrassed and completely subdued men stood naked before them.

"Hands on your heads and get on your knees," instructed Nikki. "Anyone moves and I'll shoot your dick off. And believe me, gentlemen, I can do it."

"You're having way too much fun," Terri whispered into Nikki's ear. "Nice shot on the tyre, by the way."

"I was aiming for the door," Nikki whispered back, grinning.

A window shattered and a small grey canister sailed in a perfect arc towards them. Without conscious thought Terri raised the shotgun to her shoulder and fired at the canister. It exploded into hundreds of tiny fragments. At the same time the doors at both ends of the warehouse burst open and a dozen men wearing black combat gear and gas masks poured into the building, brandishing machine guns.

Terri immediately pulled the pistol from the back of her jeans and laid it with the shotgun on the floor, then raised her hands above her head. She turned to Nikki and told her to do the same. The first man to reach them shouted at Terri and Nikki in French to kneel down and not move.

"He says we should kneel, Nikki," Terri said, complying with the man's orders. Nikki followed suit. Two more of the masked men stepped forward, roughly handcuffing them both. They were pulled to their feet and hustled towards the warehouse entrance. A large imposing man, dressed in the same gear as the others, stood before them. He slowly pulled off his gas mask and sniffed the air.

"Nice shot," he said in accented English.

"Thanks," replied Terri, her face showing no emotion.

"At least we don't have to wait for the tear gas to clear. I thank you for that, it makes my eyes sting very much."

"Isn't that the idea?" said Terri.

"Ah yes, so it is," he smiled.

"You must be Ms Takis," he said, turning to Nikki.

"Damn right I am, and I'd like to know why the hell I'm handcuffed and being pushed around!" she responded angrily.

"My apologies, Mademoiselle, it is just procedure. We must make certain in such situations." He nodded to one of the men still holding on to her by the arms. Both their handcuffs were released and removed. "Please, follow me, ladies," he said, walking back towards the middle of the warehouse where several armed men held their guns trained on the still-cowering group.

Nikki rubbed her wrists as she walked. "What the hell just happened?" she whispered to Terri.

"I'd say we sprung a trap a little early."

"You are correct, Ms Farmer," the man spoke over his shoulder.

"You know my name, but I don't know yours."

"Of course, Inspector Jacque Cigrande of RAID, some people call us the Black Panthers."

"Ah yes, L'Unite de Recherche, Assistance, Intervention et Dissuasion. Nice to meet you, Jack," replied Terri.

"It is Jacque, Ms Farmer."

"S'what I said, Jack."

"As you wish, Ms Farmer," he said with resignation.

Nikki jabbed Terri in the ribs. "Quit riling the man, Farmer, be nice," she whispered.

"How is it that you know who we are... Jack?" asked Terri, grinning at Nikki as she said his name.

A car drove in through the large bay doors at the bottom of the warehouse, slowly circling around till it pulled up beside the two cars in the middle. A man in the front passenger seat got out and opened the rear door. Nikki's father stepped out.

"Perhaps Mr Takis will be able to explain further," said the Inspector.

"Dad?" said Nikki. "Don't tell me you knew about this all along?"

"Not quite, Nikkoletta, but you and Ms Farmer certainly helped drop the final pieces into place for us."

"You had a man on the inside already, didn't you?" Terri asked the inspector.

"We did, but he seems to have disappeared. You haven't seen him, have you?" he asked, looking back and forth between the two women.

"What's he look like?" asked Terri.

"About your height, short brown hair, light complexion."

"Scar above his left eye, big nose, whistles a lot?"

"Yes, that sounds like him."

"Nah, never seen him," said Terri, shaking her head.

"Me neither," confirmed Nikki, shaking hers too.

"Found this at the bottom of the stairs though," said Terri handing over the wallet she had in her pocket. "Hope nothing unfortunate's happened to him," she added.

"I'm sure he'll be fine," agreed Nikki, trying hard not to smile.

The inspector looked at them both for a moment. Finally he shook his head and smiled. "We'd like you both to make a statement, of course."

"They'll both be happy to co-operate with your investigation fully, won't you, Nikki, Ms Farmer?" said Nikki's father.

"Sure," they both said together.

"But first I'd like them both to get some rest. I will make sure they're at the station house first thing in the morning, Inspector."

The inspector nodded once before turning away. He stopped and turned back. "One thing, why make them take their clothes off, Ms Farmer?"

"Don't ask me, it was her idea," she said pointing to Nikki and shrugging.

"Farmer!" Nikki yelled.

* * *

"Why did you put your own daughter in such danger?" asked Terri. She and Alexander Takis walked along the sea front. Nikki was back at their hotel sleeping, closely guarded by four of Mr Takis's own bodyguards.

"I thought it might be interesting exercise," he said without emotion, as they watched the sun set.

"Callous bastard, aren't you?"

They stopped walking. The two bodyguards following discreetly along behind stopped too, waiting for the explosion that was sure to come. They were surprised when it didn't.

"I really like you, Terri. You speak your mind, you have an alarming scepticism about money and power and you're not scared of anything."

"It's Farmer to you, and you're wrong."

"Oh."

"Your daughter scares me witless."

"Yes, she does have that capacity. Something her worthless brother never understood and couldn't even begin to match."

"Speaking of Christos, what will happen to him?"

"I gather the French authorities are not happy with him. It seems that the diamonds were only one link in a complicated chain involving drugs, organised crime, and possibly even some terrorists. Inspector Cigrande thinks he may be incarcerated for many years to come."

"I wondered why they were involved in a tuppenny ha'penny diamond smuggling scam. I guessed at the time it was due to Daddy's money."

"On the contrary, Farmer, I had little to do with it until near the end. I suspected, of course. Christos always spent far more money that ever I gave him. I knew he was too stupid to have come by it honestly."

"That's why you were backing the filly in this two-horse race for the key to the owner's private bathroom."

"There was never any real doubt. I knew from the time when they were children who would take over one day. Christos was always the weaker of the two. Instead of being grateful for the hand she always held out to help him, he would smack it away in resentment."

"His loss."

"Indeed."

"Didn't you resent her mother taking her away from you and leaving you with the runt of the litter?"

"No, I was pleased. It meant she could have a normal childhood," he said, a flicker of a sad smile on his lips.

They moved off again at a slow pace, as the last of the sun slipped below the horizon. The street lights came on, illuminated the beach in pools of soft light.

"Why do I get the feeling you're going to say something I'm not going to like," said Terri quietly.

"Because it's true, I suspect."

"Tell me then and get it over with."

"You won't leave London will you, permanently, I mean?"

"If you'd have asked me two weeks ago I would have said no without a second thought, but now..."

"Now you're not so sure?"

"I don't know anymore. I sort of hoped that she might want to stay with me."

"Would you really settle for merely being someone's partner?"

"She said you knew about her... tastes."

"Yes, she told me some time ago."

"And?"

"I don't understand the question," he said, frowning slightly.

"How do you feel about it?"

"Oh, I see. Well... I'm not sure I feel about it at all."

Terri turned to look at the man, her eyebrow raised.

"I've not been a very good father, you know this." Terri nodded in mute agreement. "I'd like her to be happy above all else. I thought that becoming one of the richest women in the world, in her own right, might afford her some happiness."

"Does she know what you have in mind for her?"

"No, I've never mentioned it, but I intend to soon. That's where your problem comes in, Farmer."

"You don't want me to stand in the way of her destiny."

"I knew you were a very perceptive woman."

"What if I tell you to go jump in the sea over there?"

"Would you?"

"I've been told I have a wicked sense of humour. I might just throw you in."

"They'd stop you," he said nodding towards the two bodyguards."

Terri looked back at them and smiled. "They wouldn't get within five feet before I'd drop both of them."

He looked into her eyes. "Yes, I believe you, Farmer. But that doesn't answer the question."

Terri sighed loudly and leant on the railings. She looked up at the stars just beginning to come out. "No, I'll not stand in her way. If she wants to follow you, rather than stay with me, then I won't try and stop her."

"That is all I ask. Let her make up her own mind."

"At the moment she's not even talking to me," Terri grinned.

"She'll soon get over it."

'Yeah, but I don't think I ever will,' she thought, as she watched the water lap gently up the beach.

"What are your plans?" he asked.

"I've got a lunatic to hunt, back in London."

"Then good hunting, Farmer."

Part Twelve

"So, you're saying the captain's not involved in all of this?" asked Nikki.

"Not directly, Ms Takis. He's guilty of one of the oldest of crimes, but not smuggling."

"I'm not sure I understand."

"He's having an affair, is what I imagine the inspector's trying to say," said Terri, seated at Nikki's side. They both sat on the other side of Inspector Cigrande's desk.

"But he's twice her age, and married," Nikki said, frowning.

"Am I right?" Terri asked the inspector.

"Do you really need to ask?" he smiled.

"Not really. I guessed as much after his little chat with us about the accident."

"Accident?"

"Yeah, Nikki and Martina poked their noses in where they shouldn't, and got them bitten. Not important now."

"As you wish. This report is far more colourful than I'd like, as it is."

"What's to say? We were asked by Nikki's father to see what we could see. We did, and now it's over."

"Yes, that would be nice and succinct, wouldn't it."

"So, we can go now?"

"Yes, you are both free to go. But next time you visit our fair city, please refrain from discharging any firearms, if you'd be so kind."

"Girl Guide's honour," said Terri, saluting with two fingers touching her temple.

"Ms Takis?"

"Oh absolutely, Scout's honour," she said, mimicking Terri's salute. The inspector simply shook his head and reached for some papers.

"Can I have my bug back?"

"Your bug?"

"Yeah, my bug."

"And where would that be, Ms Farmer?"

"Inside Martina's smuggling toy."

"You're serious?"

"I'm always serious." He shook his head once more, but made the phone call. Soon the device was brought to the inspector's desk. He studied it for a moment, slowly turning it over in his hand.

"How does this work?" he asked.

"And you a Frenchman," said Terri with a smirk. "Here, give me it and I'll show you." She took the device and unscrewed its main body. Twisting and pushing she managed to dislocate the internal workings and drop them into her hand. "I don't understand, it's not here."

"Who would have taken it?" asked the inspector.

"I don't know. Oh well, never mind. There's always more where they come from," she said, handing the device back to the inspector. He frowned but accepted the various bits and pieces, dropping them into a plastic evidence bag.

They signed various forms thrust at them by the inspector then shook hands and left. Outside, Nikki's father waited in the back of a large limousine.

"I'm due at the airport in less than an hour, can I give you both a lift?"

"Our stuff's still on board," replied Terri.

"I took the liberty of having your belongings packed and brought here. I hope you don't mind?"

"No, I guess not. I doubt we'd be particularly welcomed back there with open arms anyway. This okay with you, Nikki?"

"Sure," she said, but Terri could see she was unhappy.

"Excuse us for a moment, I'd like a word with your daughter." She took a hold of Nikki's arm and steered her away from the car.

"What's the matter, Nikki?"

"I dunno, I know my dad means well, but he always just sort of takes over. I've tried everything I can think of to get him to see me as a person who can make up her own mind, but he just keeps on making decisions for me."

"He's only doing what he thinks is best for you. Take it as a sign that, in his own way, he thinks a great deal of you."

"No he doesn't, he thinks a great deal about making even more money. Nothing else seems to matter to him."

"I think you'd be surprised."

"Why, has he ever spoken about me to you?"

"Yes."

"Really." Nikki looked genuinely surprised. "What did he say?"

"He said you're an annoying brat who should be shown the rod."

"He did not!"

"No, he didn't," Terri smiled. "He said that he'd always known that you were the jewel in the family crown, and that one day you would rule the world."

"He did not say that either!" Nikki snapped, with some irritation.

"Well, not in so many words, perhaps, but that's pretty much what he meant."

"Please, Farmer, tell me the truth."

"I am, Nikki, I swear."

"Girl Scout's honour?"

"Do I have to uncross the fingers on my other hand this time?"

"You did that?"

"Of course."

"Jesus, Farmer, you're something else, you know that?"

"So I've been told."

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"Did my dad say that?"

"Yes." Terri touched her temple with two fingers.

"Wow, I don't freaking believe it. After all this time, he still can't tell me, he has to tell my goddamned girlfriend!"

"I am?"

"What?"

"Your girlfriend?"

"You're my friend, aren't you?"

"Of course."

"And last time I watched you get in the shower, you sure as hell weren't a guy."

"You watched me get in the shower?"

"Sure, wouldn't you?"

"I've never thought about it."

"Don't tell me you don't check out the talent walking down the street towards you?"

"Not usually looking, in that way, to be honest."

"I'm really going to have to take you in hand, aren't I."

"Sounds like that could be fun."

"Behave."

"So, we going with your dad to the airport, or what?"

"I guess we don't have much choice."

"Sure we do. We can take our bags and go wherever we want."

"You've only got one small bag, I've got two big suitcases."

"Told you not to, but you wouldn't listen."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I could always make you carry them. You are the hired help, after all."

"Suppose you'd like me to carry you too?"

"No, I think I can walk this time."

"That's big of you."

The horn of the car sounded. "I think he wants an answer," said Nikki.

"What's your decision?"

"Oh hell, let's go to the damn airport."

"Wise choice."

"Hey, one more thing, what was all that about the bug?" asked Nikki.

"Oh, you mean this one," said Terri rolling her wrist with a magician's flourish and producing the missing transmitter.

* * *

Nikki let her cases fall to the floor, sighing in relief. She dropped down on the couch in Terri's living room, kicking off her shoes.

"It's nice to be home," she groaned, closing her eyes.

"This is home now, is it?"

"Shouldn't I think that?"

"Mi casa, su casa," replied Terri, dropping her small rucksack on the table by her computer.

"Good, well shut ya mouth, then."

"Charming as ever, I see."

"I'm tired, I'm hot, and my feet ache. I want a shower, a long cool drink, a massage and a cuddle while I fall asleep. And you, Farmer, are the gal who's going to provide all these things, ya got me?"

"Understood, Boss."

"Now, that's more like it," Nikki mumbled, laying down on the sofa. By the time Terri returned with a glass of ice water Nikki was sound asleep.

"Guess the massage and cuddle can wait till tomorrow," Terri said softly, putting down the drink and carefully picking up the sleeping woman, so as not to wake her. She laid Nikki down on top of her own bed. As gently as she could, she removed Nikki's outer clothing, then pulled the covers over her.

"You may not feel the need for a shower, but I do," she smiled affectionately at the sleeping blonde. Fifteen minutes later she slid into bed next to Nikki. Within moments Nikki murmured quietly in her sleep and rolled over, clutching at Terri and using her broad shoulder as a pillow. Terri softly kissed the top of her head. 'Make the most of it, Farmer, she's not going to be around for much longer,' she thought sadly.

As she stared up at the dark ceiling a deep sense of melancholy settled upon her. 'God, I'm going to miss you so very, very much.' A lump formed in her throat as she blinked sudden tears away from blurry eyes.

* * *

"Farmer, you promised me a massage, so pay up, woman." Nikki held out some ointment given to her by the doctor. "My battle scar is itching like crazy, and it didn't help sleeping in this all night," she said, looking down at her bra.

They'd woken as they'd slept, snuggled in each other's arms, neither seemingly bothered by their change in sleeping habits. Terri had risen first and got them both drinks and bowls of cereal. Now breakfast was out of the way, Nikki wanted to explore their new-found closeness.

"Promised you a massage, huh?"

"You surely did."

"Can't say that I remember that exactly, but I'll take your word for it."

"Good, glad to hear it," beamed Nikki, casually slipping out of her bra and rolling over, laying face down on the bed, her arms sprawled out at her side. The line of her wound stood out darkly against the skin of her back. More than a month away from her native California had reduced her normal tan to almost Nordic tones.

"You want the full treatment, or just a medicinal quickie?"

"Oh, I'm feeling decadent today, so I think the full treatment, don't you?"

"You're the boss, Boss."

"Hmmm, yes, I am, and you can keep on doing what you're doing," she purred. Terri's strong fingers worked their magic up and down her back in a hypnotic, but deeply pleasurable way. "Remind me to give you a raise, Farmer."

"I'm all for that."

"Thought you might be. Ooh, that's nice, just there... no, a little low-- oh yeah, that's the place."

"I think you were a cat in a former life."

"Nope, I was a troubadour," Nikki replied lazily, her eyes still closed in a state of unhurried bliss.

"A troubadour?"

"Yup."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

"And how'd you know that?"

"I went to some regression specialist back home one time."

"Uh-huh, and did he also sell you the Brooklyn Bridge?"

"It was a she, and no she didn't sell me a bridge, or any other kind of structure. I know, I know, it all sounds like total bullshit, but a friend asked me to go with her and-- ooh yeah, just a little higher there, Doc. Hey, don't stop!" she said indignantly, as Terri lifted her hands away.

"S'all done, Boss. I've gone over your back and neck, there's nothing left to do."

"That so?" said Nikki, turning over, grinning up at Terri, who swallowed hard.

"You want me to massage... your front," she squeaked.

"What's the matter, Doc, lost your touch?"

"No... no, I can do this."

"Well, get to it."

Terri nervously rubbed her hands together, trying to decide where to start. At the last moment she pulled away and went for the bottle of ointment again, splashing some into her palms and rubbing them together some more.

"You're going to have the softest hands in the kingdom if you keep this up," smiled Nikki.

"Right, yes, you're right." She stopped rubbing her hands together, looking down at Nikki's topless form spread out below her, as if mesmerised. "God, but you're so beautiful," she whispered.

"Thanks, I know that already, but it's nice of you to mention it from time to time."

Terri blushed a dark shade of crimson. "I just said that out loud, didn't I?"

"'Fraid so, Farmer, you're busted."

"Oh god," said Terri, covering her face with her hands.

"And now you're going to have the softest face in the kingdom, too," Nikki giggled.

Terri just groaned from behind her hands. "Please, just hit me over the head and be done with it."

"Why would I want to do a thing like that, Farmer? Is being with me so terrible?"

Terri shook her head from side to side, gradually opening her fingers on one hand to peek through.

Nikki smiled up at her. "Am I going to get this massage, or are we going to play peek-a-boo all day?"

Terri dropped her hands limply down onto her thighs and hung her head. "This is so difficult for me, Nikki, you have no idea how much."

"I think I can guess."

"Yeah, I bet you charmed your way through high school and college without a second's hesitation or lack of confidence."

"You'd be surprised."

Terri looked up. "You didn't?"

"No you're right, I was always cocky, now that I think about it."

"I knew it," Terri almost pouted.

"Hey, Farmer, just come here and give me a kiss. Let's see where we go from there, okay?"

"Before we start anything I want you to know something, Nikki; something important." She looked to Nikki for confirmation. Nikki nodded for her to continue.

"You know I said I'd decided to wait till the right person came into my life, and that I wanted to be with that person for the rest of my life?"

"I remember," Nikki said softly.

"Well, I've decided something."

"And that is?"

"You're the right person," Terri whispered. "And I... I don't care if we only ever have this one time together. I know it's... the right thing to do." A tear trickled its solitary way down her cheek.

"Hey, Farmer, this isn't supposed to make you cry, you know?"

"I know," Terri said, rubbing her cheek angrily with the back of her hand. "I'm sorry, I've ruined everything now, haven't I?"

Terri flipped herself up on her knees to match Terri's position. She gently took both hands of the bigger woman in her own.

"Teresa Jane Farmer, you could never ruin anything between us, especially this." She wrapped her arm around Terri's shoulders, pulling her into a deep, passionate kiss. After what seemed an eternity they broke for air. "The question is, Farmer, do I have to teach you how to make love, or do you know the theory at least, if not the practice?" she asked smiling softy, stroking Terri's cheek with the back of her fingers.

"Show me everything," Terri whispered.

"Everything and forever, my love."

Terri closed her eyes and forgot about what the future might bring. This moment was theirs, and no one could ever take it away from them.

* * *

"Oh God, I've died and been buried," groaned Terri. She groggily brought a hand up to rub her face but it met soft, but impenetrable resistance. She tried to raise her head but it was held firm under a steady weight. Finally the cogs of a deeply addled brain cranked into place. Her head was covered by a feather pillow, and a sleeping soulmate was lying on top of that.

She groaned again. Her whole body ached like she'd been over a particularly formidable assault course -- twice. No, that wasn't right, she'd done that plenty of times and it never ached like this. The mists cleared a bit more. 'Ah yes... last night.' she thought. A feral grin spread itself across her face. 'Ooh, last night!... wow!... who knew?'

Using her considerable, though somewhat depleted, strength Terri lifted up, toppling a sleeping Nikki onto her back in the middle of the bed, where she lay still fast asleep, gently snoring.

"Guess, I tired you out too?" she grinned. 'Come on, Farmer, don't be so sodding smug. Anyone'd think you've just discovered it for womankind and planted a flag or something.' She rolled off the bed onto all fours on the floor. 'Damn, what have you done to me, you rabid little vixen?' she cursed. Standing didn't seem to be an option at the moment, so she crawled across the bedroom floor to the bathroom. Using the side of the bath she managed to pull herself up till she was sitting on the toilet. The shower cubicle never looked so far away. She rested her face on the cool edge of the basin. "God, if it's like this every time how do people get anything done?"

"It's not always quite so... explosive, or quite so prolonged, for that matter. I think six straight hours for your first time out was more than enough," a ragged voice said from the doorway. A dishevelled blonde head rested against the door frame, a pair of green, slightly bloodshot eyes peered out from under heavy eyelids. "I guess thirty years of pent-up volcanic action had to erupt sometime, huh?" said Nikki.

"I feel weak as a kitten," moaned Terri, still hugging the basin.

"Yeah, we got in a few knee-tremblers all right."

"I hope you're proud of yourself."

Nikki grinned like a cat who found the keys to the cream cupboard. "Oh yeah, Farmer, oh yeah."

"You gonna help me get to the shower, or just stand there and preen?"

"Okay, come on, Tiger, let's get you cleaned up and re-nourished."

"We're not doing it all again so soon, are we?" asked Terri, a note of panic entering her normally stoic voice.

"Relax, Farmer, after last night I think I can take the next thirty years off myself."

"I have to wait another thirty years?" Terri almost pouted.

"Hmmm, Tiger's found a new toy to play with, it's so cute."

"For the love of God, have mercy, Takis, just shut it, and put the shower on."

"Make me, hot-shot."

Terri opened one eye, swivelling her eyeball to look at Nikki. A frighteningly predatory grin formed on her face.

"Now, now, Farmer," Nikki said, slowly backing out of the bathroom. Terri started growling deep in the back of her throat. Nikki shrieked and turned to run, but too late, a suddenly rejuvenated panther pounced on her from behind, turning the shriek into a full-blooded scream, followed swiftly by two sets of giggles.

* * *

The club was doing its usual Friday night business, as several women came and went through its front door, the ever present bouncers standing guard.

"Looks like they've got over the upset of last time we were here," murmured Terri, observing through binoculars.

"Life goes on," remarked Nikki, casually playing with the cup holders of the Mercedes. Terri yawned and stretched, rotating her shoulders. Sitting in a car for several hours, two nights running, was not particularly comfortable, especially after their recent sexual athletics.

"How'ya feeling?" asked Nikki.

"Like I've just run the London marathon -- carrying all the other competitors. You?"

"I'm fine, remember I'm used to it." As soon as she'd said it she regretted it. She stole a quick look at Terri and could see the hurt expression she was trying her hardest to hide. "Hey, I was only joking, Farmer, I'm sorry."

"I know, Nikki." They lapsed into silence.

"It's not all right, is it?" Nikki asked quietly.

Terri lowered the binoculars and turned to Nikki. "It's stupid of me, I know, but I keep wanting to kid myself it was your first time too. Pretty dumb, huh?"

"No, not stupid at all." She put her hand on Terri's thigh. "Trust me, Farmer, if I could make it true I would. But please believe me when I say that it's never, ever, been like that with anyone before."

"Really... you're not just saying that?" 'God, Farmer, that sounded so pathetic!' she chided herself. 'Get a grip, she's going to leave you and there's no point in pretending otherwise.'

"Farmer?"

"Sorry, just drifted off there for a moment."

Nikki smiled gently. "To answer your question, no, I'm not just saying that. It really was out of this world with you. I had no idea it could be this good, I promise. You're something special, darlin', you really are. I'm never letting you go, that's for sure."

Terri hurriedly brought the binoculars back up to her eyes and swallowed hard. Not that she could see a thing through the tears brimming in her eyes.

"What's the matter, Farmer?" asked Nikki, squeezing Terri arm.

Terri lowered the glasses again and slumped down, resting her head on the leather steering wheel. "I... I can't stand the thought of you leaving," she sniffed.

"Hey, hey, Farmer, I'm not going anywhere, you're stuck with me, honest."

"No you won't, you'll go, I know you will."

"Farmer, I won't, I promise."

"He told me," Terri whispered, between sniffs.

"Who told you? What did they tell you? I don't understand."

"Your father, he told me that you're the one. The one who'll take over soon. You'll go off and become the richest woman in the world and you'll forget all about me."

"Don't be ridiculous," she snapped. She couldn't help it, she was getting angry. "Damn it, Farmer, that's just bullshit!"

"But he told me."

"I don't give a flying fart what he said, or what he offered, I am not leaving you, got it!"

"It's okay, Nikki, I understand. You have to go, I probably always knew you would eventually. I guess I'm just not... suited to a relationship."

"Fine!" said Nikki, wrenching open the door and slamming it.

"Where are you going?" asked a bewildered Terri.

"I need a drink," Nikki said, stamping off towards the club.

"Come back, Nikki, it's not safe in there."

"Good, I don't feel like being safe at the moment," Nikki shouted back from across the street. Terri jumped out but got her foot caught in her seat belt. After hopping about on one foot she eventually got free and ran round the car, running towards the club as Nikki mounted the steps to the entrance.

"Nikki, come back, I'm sorry, don't do this!" she called, but Nikki kept on going. As Terri mounted the steps two bouncers stepped between her and Nikki.

"The lady wants a drink and you're not welcome here, so beat it," said one of them, putting out her hand to stop Terri coming any further up the steps.

"Nikki!" Terri called frantically over the bouncer's shoulder, but it was too late, Nikki had disappeared inside.

"Be a good girl and go home," said the other bouncer. "I'm sure she'll find someone else to look after her."

Terri grabbed the woman by the front of her jacket, lifting her clean off the ground. "You're new around here, aren't you?" she snarled into the startled woman's face. Out of the corner of her eye she could see the other bouncer talking rapidly on a radio. Within seconds four other bouncers came out of the club and surrounded them.

"Put her down, Farmer, we don't want any trouble," one of the new arrivals said. Terri recognised her from her last visit.

"You looked better in the neck-brace, at least it made you look like you had a neck," Terri growled, still holding the other woman off her feet.

"I said put her down and get the hell out of here, or you'll be sorry, I'm warning you."

"You're warning me?" said Terri, her voice taking on a deadly chill. "Ah, the hell with her, and the hell with all of you." She tossed the woman into the midst of the other bouncers, toppling them to the ground in an undignified heap.

She threw the car keys to one of the still-standing bouncers. "Make sure she gets these." She stalked back down the steps but stopped and turned back at the bottom. "If anything, and I mean anything, so much as a hang-nail happens to Nikki, then so help me God, I'll be back, and you'll all pay."

She stamped off down the road. 'Jesus H. Christ, did I really say "I'll be back"?' she groaned inwardly, shaking her head as she walked.

* * *

Nikki sat at a table feeling miserable, nursing a drink that she'd hardly touched. A large woman came up to the table, dropping some car keys in front of her. "Your girlfriend said to give you these." She managed to make the word girlfriend sound like an insult.

"Thanks," said Nikki, picking up the keys but not really seeing them. She took a swallow of her drink, grimacing as it burned her throat.

"Hey, why the long face, your pet cat just died, or something?"

Nikki looked up at the woman who'd just sat down uninvited at her table. "Something like that," she mumbled.

"Had an argument with your girlfriend?" the woman said.

"Yeah, our first one."

The woman reached out and touched Nikki's hand in sympathy. "She'll come round, believe me. The first one's always the worst. It all seems like the world's about to end at the moment, am I right?"

Nikki just shrugged. "It was all so stupid. She thinks I'm gonna leave her, she's so paranoid about it. She's got these major trust issues. I just don't know what to do to make her believe in me."

"Does she like flowers?"

"Erm, don't think so, Farmer's not the kind who likes flowers."

"Big, tough, silent type, huh?"

"Yeah, you could say that," said Nikki, smiling for the first time since she arrived at the club.

"How about a pint of oil for her motorbike?"

Nikki looked up at the woman, seeing her properly for the first time. "How'd you know Farmer's got a bike?"

"Oh, they all have, these big, bad warrior types," she grinned.

"Yeah, I 'spect they do," Nikki grinned back. "Nikki Takis," she said holding out her hand.

"Judy Palmer," she woman said, smiling and taking Nikki's hand.

"Wanna drink?" asked Nikki.

"Sure, I'll have whatever you're having."

"You sure, this is good forget-your-sorrows stuff."

"Then we can forget together."

"We can at that, Judy, we can at that," she grinned. "Engine oil you say?"

"Works every time."

"I'll have to remember that."

* * *

"This is real nice of you to drive, Judy. I think I had about three drinks too many," slurred Nikki, her head resting against the leather headrest of the Mercedes, her eyes closed.

"Think nothing of it, Nikki," said Judy slowing the car and turning down a side street and pulling over to the side.

"Why're we stopping," asked Nikki, opening her eyes and looking around in puzzlement.

"Just picking up a friend I said I'd give a lift to, nothing to worry about." She hopped out and flipped the seat forward. Another woman got in and slid across the back seat behind Nikki. Judy got back in and started the engine. The car pulled away smoothly from the kerb.

"Hello, Nikki," said the woman in the back.

"Hi," mumbled Nikki. She frowned. "Hey, don't I know you?" she asked, spinning in her seat and looking over her shoulder.

"We've met before, yes."

"Doctor?"

"So, not too drunk then, my pretty?"

"What?"

The woman sprayed something in Nikki's face. Nikki reeled back, scrunching up her eyes, automatically bringing up her hands to her face.

"I shouldn't rub them, Nikki dear, it'll only make it worse."

"What did you do to me?"

"It's just a little something to make you disorientated, nothing too vicious. It'll wear off in a few minutes." The car pulled over and stopped again. Nikki felt her arms being grasped by two strong sets of hands as they were pulled behind her seat and tied together.

"What's happening, Judy?" Nikki gasped, still keeping her eyes tight shut at the stinging pain.

"We're going on a little journey, and you're not coming back," replied Judy.

She ran her hands up and down Nikki's front, feeling underneath the collar of her jacket.

"Ah-hah, should've known Farmer wouldn't let you out of her sight without a backup of some kind," she said triumphantly, holding up a small black device.

"What is it," said the woman in the back seat.

"Homing bug. Farmer loves her little toys." She tossed the bug out of the window. Judy slammed the car in gear and pulled away again.

"Please, let me go, you can have the car, I haven't got much money on me, but you can have that too."

"You think this is a simple car-jacking?"

Nikki blinked, trying to get her eyes to stop watering. She tugged at her bonds but they held tight. The more she pulled, the tighter they seemed to get.

"Where are you taking me?"

"I thought down by the river would be good. A nice, tranquil spot to say good-bye to the world."

"I have no intention of saying good-bye to the world."

"Oh, but you will, my pretty thing," the doctor said from the back seat, stroking Nikki's hair.

"What are you going to do to me?" Nikki asked, trying to sound calmer than she felt.

"We thought a good classic ending would fit the bill. You can see the headlines now, wayward daughter of billionaire found dead in her car, a suicide note was found at the scene blaming her girlfriend for dumping her. They'll have a field day."

"They'll know it's not suicide if I'm tied to my seat."

"That's why we used silk scarves, they leave no marks. We run a pipe from the exhaust through the window and when the deed's done, we untie you and no one will be any the wiser. Only Farmer will know it was murder, but she'll be so eaten up with grief that, who knows, maybe she'll suddenly commit suicide too."

"Farmer will hunt you down and kill you both. She'll not stop till you're dead."

"Yes, but Ms Robotic won't know who to track down," said Judy.

"Dozens of people saw us drinking together tonight. They'll be able to identify you."

"Really? I don't think so," replied Judy, removing her glasses and pulling off her curly brunette wig, revealing short red brown hair that she tossed loose to her shoulders. "And the name's not Judy, it's Rachel."

"The cop with the burned stomach?"

"Not really burned. It's handy having a doc for a partner. She can say anything and people automatically believe her."

"And having a cop for a partner helps the other way, too," said the doctor from the back seat. They grinned at each other and clasped hands.

"You two are sick."

"No, just bitter."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means, being rich and beautiful, you'd have no idea what it's like to be continually turned down, or worse, laughed at, as you stumble through your teenage years, trying to come to terms with your sexuality."

"Crap, you're just a couple of sick fucks who found each other. There's no excuse for what you've done."

"I really wish we didn't have to make it look like a suicide, I'd so love to burn this little bitch's face off," the doctor said, waving a bottle of clear liquid in front of Nikki, who was finally managing to see properly again.

"Maybe we can find a way to introduce it to Farmer's face?" said Rachel, grinning.

"Touch her and I'll kill you myself," growled Nikki.

"Ooh, the bimbo's suddenly found a pair, I'm impressed."

"Really? You should have heard the bitch squeal when I took out her stitches. Nice cut, by the way."

"Thank you," said Rachel, still grinning.

"You two are both dead already, you just don't know it."

"Funny that, I thought it was you who was going to die tonight," said the doctor.

They drove in silence for the next ten minutes; there seemed little point in trading any more insults. The car pulled into the shadows cast by one of London's many bridges. The place was deserted this early in the morning.

"Ready to meet your maker, Takis?" goaded Rachel.

"Go screw yourself."

Rachel busied herself behind the car, out of Nikki's line of sight. "Tell me, how did you get past Ms Robotic's ice wall, nobody else ever managed it?" Rachel asked, as she fed a plastic pipe through the window, the other end already in the car's exhaust pipe.

"I showed her I loved her unconditionally."

"How nice. You want to do the honours or shall I?" Rachel asked, holding up the car keys to the doctor.

"Oh, you go ahead, I'll watch through the window. I'd like to see how long she can hold her breath."

"They'll know it's not my writing on the note," said Nikki, desperately trying to play for time.

"It's written on a laser printer, the drum of which has already been disposed of."

"I haven't got a laser printer, they'll know it's not mine."

"You forget, I'll ask for the case. I can guarantee that no one will ask the question. And even if Farmer kicks up a fuss, no one will question me, having just come back off sick leave."

"Farmer will, she'll know, she'll come for you."

"I'll take my chances," Rachel said, reaching in and turning on the ignition. The car started to fill with fumes, making Nikki cough.

Her chest felt like lead as the world began to swirl away from her in patterns of glowing light. "I'm sorry, Farmer," she croaked before slumping forward in her seat.

The roar of an engine filled the space as a motorbike thundered around the other side of the arch under the bridge, accelerating towards the car in a flurry of showering gravel. The two women caught in the beam from the headlight turned towards the noise. Rachel dived out of the way, but the doctor never moved a step as the back wheel of the bike swept round in a tight arc, smashing into her, knocking her clear off her feet to land with a dull crunch across the back end of the Mercedes.

Terri slid from the falling bike, flipping into a forward roll, bringing her up close to the side window of the car. Not bothering with the door handle, she punched the glass in, grabbing at the unconscious Nikki, trying frantically to pull her out of her seat. Nikki wouldn't budge, held tight by her bonds. Terri reached for the dashboard and flipped a switch. The automatic roof folded up and away, dragging most of the deadly fumes with it, the pipe falling harmlessly to the ground.

"Praise the lord for German engineering," said Terri, pulling off her helmet. She pulled a butterfly knife from her boot and sliced through Nikki's ties. She lifted her up and dropped her down by the side of the car.

"Come on, sleepy-head," she said, tapping Nikki gently on the cheek. The unconscious woman stirred and opened her eyes.

"Farmer?"

"Yup, it's me, Nikki, you're safe now."

"What took you so long?"

"The bridge masked the signal."

"Farmer, look out!" Nikki screamed as Rachel swung a large piece of wood down at Terri's back.

Terri grabbed Nikki instinctively and rolled out of the way, but the wood still caught her a glancing blow. She sucked in a sharp breath as pain lanced across her kidneys.

Placing Nikki gently back down on the floor, she stood up and faced Rachel, who had backed away, still brandishing her new found weapon.

"Now you will pay the ultimate price, Rachel," Terri said softly.

The doctor came to and started screaming. Rachel dropped the wood and ran to the car. The doctor was thrashing about, screaming her lungs out. Rachel tried to grab her but immediately let go as something burned her hand.

She turned around frantically, looking at Terri.

"Do something, the acid's broken, it's eating her alive."

"Give me one good reason why?"

"I'll confess to everything, just stop her burning. Please, Farmer, you can do anything, I know you can," Rachel said desperately.

"Grab her feet, I'll get her shoulders, we'll get her in the river."

They struggled with the thrashing woman down to the water's edge. Terri'd had enough of the woman's writhing so she punched her hard on the side of the neck, rendering her unconscious, giving them a chance to get her clothes off. Her left side from her breast to her hip and much of her stomach was fizzing with acid.

"She wanted to pour that stuff on my face," a tired Nikki said, coming to stand next to Terri as Rachel dunked the doctor under-water, washing away the acid.

"I know, I heard," answered Terri. Rachel looked up at the two women standing over her.

"You mean this whole thing was a trap? You knew you were being watched all along and you staged the argument?"

"Pretty much."

"Yeah, next time you can be the bait, Farmer," said Nikki. "And don't start about me being in danger again, I had enough of that this morning. This was the only way it would have worked, you know that."

"Did I say anything?" asked Farmer, looking at Nikki.

"The bug under the collar was a fake?" asked Rachel, still rinsing her partner of acid.

"Nope, perfectly real, as are the other five on Nikki. I like to have an edge."

"You bitch," spat Rachel.

"So I've been told."

* * *

"I'll be back, I promise with all that I am," Nikki said softly as she hugged Terri. The PA system announced the imminent departure of the flight to Athens. Nikki's father had requested her presence to discuss her future.

"Go on, Nikki, you'll miss your flight," said Terri, squeezing back as hard as she dared.

Not caring who was watching, Nikki kissed Terri hard on the lips. "I'll be back before you know it. As soon as I've sorted out some things with Dad, I'll be on the first plane back to London."

"I know," Terri smiled, trying hard not to give in to the bone-deep sadness invading her soul.

A small wave and a smile and Nikki disappeared through the departure lounge doors. Terri watched the plane taxi out to the runway, her forehead and hands pressed against the glass of the huge window. A few tears trickled down her cheeks. "Goodbye, Nikki, safe journey," she whispered.

Terri unlocked her front door on automatic pilot. She couldn't remember the trip from the airport at all. She sat on the sofa, blindly staring at the wall. She knew she should eat, but for the life of her she couldn't summon up the will-power to make anything. She thought about her exercise bars for a moment. That would help, she thought, some mindless exercise, let herself get lost in repetitions, switch her mind off against the stabbing pain she felt. The flat was so lifeless and empty now, what did any of it matter any more, anyway?

So lost in her misery she nearly didn't hear the soft knock on the front door. Sighing, she got up and went to the door, not even bothering to check the spyglass. She didn't care whoever the hell they were, they would get sent on their way, even if it was the queen of England herself.

Nikki stood in the doorway, her suitcases on the floor either side of her. "I seem to have had something of an accident," she said.

Terri stood open-mouthed. "I saw your plane leave," she finally managed.

"Yeah, now I'm going to get a snotty letter from British Airways and a huge bill for demanding the plane stop and let me off. Pissed off a whole bunch of people doing it, too," she said proudly.

"Accident?" Terri said, her mind finally snapping into place.

"Yeah, I left my heart here, figured I couldn't go off without it."

Terri couldn't help it, a wave of relief swept through her and she started to cry.

"Hey, it's not supposed to make you cry, Farmer."

"Can't help it, sorry," she said, wiping her hand across her cheeks. "Seems I can't stop this damn blubbering whenever I'm around you."

"I'll have to see what I can do about that. You gonna invite me in, or what?"

Terri stepped back, allowing Nikki to enter. Before she'd taken three steps into the apartment Terri grabbed her up off her feet into a big sweeping hug.

"Thought you could get rid of me that easily, huh?" said Nikki.

"Never, you'll always be a part of me."

"Missed me?"

"Nah, I was faking it."

"Oh, really."

"Yeah, us robots can do that, you know."

"Maybe you need reprogramming?"

"Think you're up for the job?"

"No problem. From now on, where I go, you go, and where you go, I go."

"Yeah? Sounds a bit clingy to me."

"Maybe, but it's the truth. Hey, ya wanna come rule a shipping empire with me and get insanely rich?"

"No, not really."

"Ah fuck it, neither do I. Let's stay here and chase bad guys."

"Charming as ever."

"Darn tootin', pardner."

The End.

August 2001

What's Ya Poison?