Chapter Six

Brenda whirled around to see Cordelia holding Jax as he wept over the
loss of their son. Cordelia discreetly closed the door, not looking up at Lois
or Brenda.
“Okay,” Lois said, wiping a tear from Brenda’s face. “Come on, let’s go.”
“What?” Brenda asked. “We can’t leave.”
“Come on, of course we can. We can get to Corpus Christi by tonight,
let’s just go.”
“But what about the deal? We’d lose that if we went now.”
“Brenda, this is our only chance to get out of this. Come ON.”
“Lois, no. I didn’t just tell him what I did about Sam so he could take
sympathy on us and let us go.”
“Well then why’d you tell him, Brenda?”
“Lois, I told him because he deserved to know. Sam was his son, too.
Now I really believe that he’ll give us a chance. I’m not going to let him down
by running out on him now.”
“Fine,” Lois said, throwing her hands up dramatically. “Don’t say I didn’t
warn you. I, on the other hand, am out of here.”
“What?! Lois, no, you can’t leave me!”
“Baby, I am out of here, with or without you. Don’t tell them where I’m
going, please, okay?”
“You’re going to Corpus Christi?”
“Yeah, and I’ve got to take the car. They don’t know what we’re
driving, so don’t tell them, okay?” Lois asked, as she frantically gathered her
things. Brenda knew there was no talking her out of this. She just stood
there motionless as her friend prepared to go. “Where are the keys?!” Lois
asked in a frantic, hushed whisper. Brenda jumped to attention then,
realizing they were in her pocket. She tossed them to Lois as she headed out
the door. Lois turned back briefly and hugged Brenda tightly. “This is it,
girlfriend.”
“I don’t know what you’re going to do, but you find a way to get in
touch with me, all right? Don’t let me down, Lois. If you get caught--”
“They’ll never take me alive,” Lois said, her tone sarcastic.
“Don’t say that,” Brenda said seriously. “You just get as far as you can
away from here, and take care of yourself and that baby.”
“Tell Ned--”
“No, I’m not telling him anything,” Brenda said. “You’re going to tell
him yourself. Now go, just go!” Brenda pushed Lois out the door and closed
it softly behind her. She then went and sat down on the bed, her body
drained.

Jax held on to Cordelia for dear life. She took his face in her hands, her
eyes beseeching his.
“Tell me,” she said. “Whatever it is, you can tell me.”
“She told me the truth,” Jax said. “She told me the truth about our son.”
“Your son?” Cordelia asked. “When? How? I didn’t know--”
“All those years ago,” Jax said through his tears. “You remember that
day and half I told you about that was the most perfect 36 hours of my life?
Well that’s when our son was conceived.”
“And you never knew?” Cordelia asked.
“I had no idea.” Cordelia just nodded, her mind racing. It suddenly
came to her what must have happened.
“Oh Jax!” she said, taking him in her arms again. “Is that why she’s
involved in all of this?” Jax nodded, his face now growing somber, then
expressionless. “Did they ever get the guy?” she asked, knowing they
probably didn’t.
“No,” Jax said. “But Brenda got him. She shot him, and she killed him.”
“Good,” Cordelia said softly. “Listen,” she said, “do you need a few
minutes? I can go back--”
“No,” Jax said, taking her in his arms and resting his head on her
shoulder. “Don’t leave me just yet. I don’t think I can take this,” he said,
shaking. “I don’t think I can take this.”

Ten minutes later, Cordelia came out, her eyes searching the room.
She glanced at Brenda, staring out the window and then knew instantly that
Lois was gone. She rushed to the door and scanned the parking lot. She then
turned to Brenda, sighing.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” she began.
“I’m sure you are,” Brenda said, her tone biting.
“Is there any point in my asking where your friend went?”
“Nope,” Brenda said, still looking out the window. She looked up when
Jax came out of the bathroom.
“Jasper,” Cordelia said, walking over to him. “Lois is gone. I checked
the parking lot, half the cars that were there earlier are gone. I have no idea
what she’s in. I need to call the station in LA, okay? I’m going to update
them.” When Jax didn’t answer, Cordelia just turned to go out the door. Jax
suddenly grabbed her hand.
“What are you going to tell them?” he asked.
“I’m going to tell them that we lost one of our prisoners,” Cordelia said.
“But as far as they know, we haven’t even apprehended anyone yet,”
Jax said.
“Yeah, but--”
“Just--let’s not call just yet, all right? Give me a few minutes to think.”
“If you guys need a few minutes--” Cordelia began.
“Yeah, that’d be nice,” Brenda said, moving to stand beside Jax.
“You know what? We’re almost out of everything, why don’t you give
me your keys, I’ll go across the street to that grocery store, I’ll be back in a
few minutes.”
“Sure,” Jax said, handing her the keys to his truck. He hugged her once
more before she left.
“I’m trusting you,” she said, rubbing his back gently.
“I know,” he whispered. “We’ll be here.” She nodded and quietly left.
“Uh, I’m sorry,” Brenda said, “I didn’t mean to fall apart like that. It’s
been a long time, and I’m usually more together than that.”
“You have no reason to apologize, Brenda,” Jax replied. “It’s only been a
year, and hearing this now, I’m not sure I’ll ever be over it.” They stood
staring at each other for a few minutes before he pulled her into his arms, for
a tight embrace. She sighed and relaxed into it, allowing him to hold her.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, crying softly. “Maybe if I’d told you, you could
have helped out, I wouldn’t have moved that stupid city, and this would never
have happened to Sam.”
“Sam?” Jax asked, pulling Brenda back gently.
“Yeah,” she said, smiling weakly. “That was his name.”
“It’s a great name,” Jax said. “What’d he look like?”
“Exactly like you,” Brenda said, remembering his face like she had seen
him just yesterday. “His eyes were so blue, they were almost clear. And he
had blonde hair. He was a miniature version of you, really.”
“Damn,” Jax said, clenching his fists and turning his back on Brenda.
“You know I don’t condone what you’ve been doing,” he said, “but I’d be
lying if I said I wasn’t THRILLED that you killed the son of a--”
“Listen,” Brenda said, coming up behind him and forcing her to look at
him. “Don’t blame yourself. It’s completely my fault--”
“It’s no one’s fault, Brenda. It’s just the way things are. I understand
now, more than I ever thought possible, why you do what you do. At least, I
can understand why you killed the man that killed our son. But I cannot
understand how you continue to take lives. Is your rage so great---”
“YES!” Brenda said, clenching her fists. “My rage is THAT great. You
didn’t see his body--you didn’t see what it looked like, Jax. It’ll be in my
mind,” she said, pointing to her head, “and in my heart, until the day that I die.
So don’t tell me you can’t understand why I wouldn’t want to kill each and
every piece of trash that walks the street after what they did.”
“Brenda, do you want to go to prison for the rest of your life?”
“Jax, listen to me. EVERY SINGLE MAN that I take off the streets makes
every SECOND I spend in jail worth it to me. I’d do it all again, no questions
asked.”
“Well you can’t do it anymore,” Jax said.
“What? What are you talking about?” Brenda asked.
“Cordelia and I are taking you to Los Angeles,” Jax said, “and we’re
turning you in.”
“What? Excuse me?”
“Brenda, you’ll have your day in court, you’ll have a trial, and most
likely, you’ll get off, and then you’re on your own, but I’m not going to let you
just continue to kill people like this. You’re out of control.”
“After everything that I just told you about your own son--I don’t
believe you.”
“Well believe it,” Jax said. “Because I would rather have you behind
bars, where I can keep track of you, than hopping around this country, taking
revenge on these criminals, even though they deserve it.”
“Do you know how you sound?” Brenda asked, her body filling with
rage. “Don’t tell me you put me on the same level as those--those animals, Jax.”
“Brenda, of course I don’t put you on that level. But I care about you
far too much to let this life suck you in to the point of no return.” Just then,
Jax moved closer to Brenda and took her face in his hands. “I can understand
how deeply you were hurt by all of this. But hasn’t your rage abated even just
a little bit.”
“No,” Brenda said resolutely. “And I quite frankly don’t know that it
ever will.”
“When are you going to stop doing this, Brenda? It can’t go on
forever.”
“When it stops hurting,” Brenda said calmly. “When I get the image of
our little boy out of my mind, when I stop feeling a tiny sense of victory for
my son’s death--then I’ll stop.” Jax was astonished, looking at this woman
standing before him. He just couldn’t understand how on earth she could
continue to feel this way. “I’ll tell you what I don’t understand,” Brenda said.
“Why aren’t you angry? Why don’t you want to get revenge?”
“Brenda, if you think that I don’t want to see Mathers and all the other
criminals out there dead, you’re crazy. But vigilantism is against the law, and
there’s just no two ways about it. You can’t keep this up.”
“So what are you going to do?” Brenda asked. “You going to lock me
up?”
“I don’t want to,” Jax said. “But if you keep insisting that you have to do
this, then you leave me no choice.”
“We always have choices, Jax,” Brenda said. “But you do whatever you
have to do.” Jax and Brenda stared at each other for a few more moments,
mentally begging the other to back down. Neither would. Finally, Jax just
sighed and left the room, slamming the door behind him.
Jax didn’t know how long he had been pacing there in front of the
room until he saw Cordelia pulling into the motel’s parking lot. She got out,
her arms full of groceries, and he went to help her as she switched the bags
from the back of Jax’s truck to her jeep.
“Hey,” she said, when he came down the stairs. “What’s going on?”
“I’ve decided to take her in. She’s going back to LA.”
“What?” Cordelia asked, completely surprised. “You’re taking her back
to LA? You’re actually going to arrest her?”
“Don’t tell me you’ve had a change of heart, here,” Jax said. Cordelia
opened her mouth to argue, and then she closed it again, sighing.
“Jax, you know that I still believe what they’re doing is wrong, and that
they need to be stopped. But I’m not a heartless person. You love that
woman up there. And you just found out about what’s probably the most
heartbreaking thing that will ever occur in your life. Even I can understand
now why she did what she did.”
“Yeah, but all the people in this organization have the same reasons for
what they’re doing, Cordy. Think about it. Each and every parent that’s
involved in this is doing so because they are trying to avenge the deaths of
their children.”
“Right,” Cordelia said.
“So, shouldn’t we just let them all go?” Cordelia stared at the ground,
and Jax forced her to look back up at him. “Answer me, Cordelia. Shouldn’t
we just let them all go then? We understand what they’re doing, what parent
wouldn’t feel this way and be moved to do the same thing? So we just let the
vigilantism go on and on unchecked, because their motives are justified.
Where do we draw the line? With Brenda? With Lois? Her son died, too. No,
this can’t go on. We either bring them all in, or we let them all go.”
“So what do you want to do?” Cordelia asked.
“I’ve told you. I’m going to bring her in.” Jax then moved to finish
putting the supplies in the back of her jeep.
“Jax,” Cordelia said, her back still to him. “Jax, do you know what
you’re doing?”
“Yes,” Jax said, focusing on the task at hand.
“And can you actually do it?” she asked. “Can you really go through with
it? Because I don’t think you can.”
“Trust me, partner. I can, and I will.”
“But you love her,” Cordelia said, brushing her long dark hair out of her
face. “You love her, and if you do this to her, you’re going to lose her forever.
Not only that, she’s going to get a minimum of 25 years. Can the two of you
deal with that?”
“We’re not together, Cordelia, and you know that.”
“Doesn’t mean you don’t want to be.” Jax slammed the back door of
her jeep down and looked at her in annoyance.
“What is this? A few hours ago, you were bound and determined to
bring them in and prosecute them both to the fullest extent of the law. Don’t
you still feel that way, super cop?”
“Hey!” Cordelia said. “Come on, don’t do that. You know I’m doing this
for you. If I had my way, they’d both be locked up. But that doesn’t mean
that I don’t understand, and that doesn’t mean that I’m not willing to let you
handle this the way that you want to.”
“I’ve told you the way I want to handle it.”
“Are you thinking with your badge, or with your heart? Because I
know that both of those things mean everything to you.” Cordelia moved to
take Jax in her arms, and he hugged her tightly, the tension in his muscles
beginning to relax. “I have an idea,” she said. “What if I make you and Brenda
a deal.”
“What kind of a deal?”
“Well suppose I call LA and tell them that in exchange for immunity for
Brenda and Lois, we’ll deliver Mathers.” Jax pulled back from Cordelia, for
the first time, feeling a small bit of hope.
“You can do that?”
“I can pull all the strings I know, and call in all my outstanding favors,
and I might be able to do something for them.”
“And you’d do that?” Jax asked.
“Come on,” Cordelia said, giving him a smirk. “You know that if we got
a conviction off Mathers, it’d make our careers. At least one of us would make
Lieutenant.”
“So you’d be doing this for purely selfish reasons,” Jax said.
“Purely selfish reasons, and I’d be doing it for you,” Cordelia said,
seriously. “Because I don’t think that you can live without her. And you may
pretend to act and think one way, but I know that you can’t see her go to
prison for at least 25 years, and I know you can’t stand to see her get shot
somewhere along the way, because it’s bound to happen sooner or later,
whether the bad guys get her, or whether we get her. It’s going to happen.
This way though, it works out for all of us. So, do I have a deal?”
“You have a deal,” Jax said.
“Great, so why don’t you go and tell Brenda, and I’ll be up in a few
minutes.”
“I’d like you to tell her, actually,” Jax said, putting a hand on Cordelia’s
shoulder.
“Me? Why?”
“Because she’s a little out done with me right now, and I think it’ll
sound less messy coming from you. And she certainly won’t be able to accuse
you of doing her any favors.”
“That’s true,” Cordelia said. “All right, well I’ll go up there and tell her,
and then I’ll bring her down and we’ll get going, okay?”
“Okay,” Jax said, squeezing her hand. “Cordelia?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks. Thanks for being my friend.”
“Always, you know that.” Jax just smiled as he watched her sprint up
the stairs. She turned after a few and called to him. “Jasper!”
“Yes, love?”
“Don’t eat those Bon-Bons. I totally got them for me!” A mischievous
grin crossed Jax’s face, and Cordelia only shook her head as she continued up
the steps.

Brenda moved away from the door as Cordelia approached it. She
didn’t want Cordelia to know that she had been watching her entire
conversation with Jax. Seeing their closeness was driving Brenda up the wall.
She knew there was a lot of pain between herself and Jax, but there was also a
lot of passion, and she couldn’t help herself, a lot of love. She had loved him
every second of her life since that night in college all those years ago, and she
didn’t think she could stop herself any time soon. But as much as she cared
for him, she wasn’t blind. She saw that he had something with Cordelia, and
Brenda couldn’t rest until she found out what it was.
Cordelia stepped into the room, surprised to see Brenda so close to the
door. Somewhere in her mind, she filed away the little fact that Brenda had
been watching them, and she decided to just stick to the facts and try not to
upset Brenda.
“Where’s Jax?” Brenda asked.
“Oh, he’s waiting for us downstairs. I wanted to talk to you alone.”
“You did, or he wanted you to?” Cordelia ignored Brenda and just
began talking.
“While we were down there, he told me about his plan to arrest you
and take you back to LA.”
“That must make you happy,” Brenda said, crossing her arms and taking
a seat in a chair beside the table.
“Nothing about this situation makes me happy,” Cordelia said. “And
that is why I’ve decided to cut you a deal.”
“What sort of deal?”
“Well, you and Lois were close to getting Mathers, right?”
“Yeah, but he was on to us so we had to back off.”
“Right,” Cordelia nodded. “And as far as you know, is he aware the
police are after him as well.
“He doesn’t have a clue,” Brenda said, momentarily forgetting her
tension with Cordelia. “He thinks he’s invincible.”
“How’d you like to help me and Jax show him that he’s not?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m going to see if I can get you and Lois total immunity, in exchange
for your help in apprehending Mathers.”
“Are you serious?” Brenda asked, standing up.
“I am completely serious. And if we get a conviction, more than likely,
you and Lois will go free.”
“More than likely?”
“Well we’d have to get Lois first,” Cordelia allowed, “and you’d have to
turn yourselves in back in Los Angeles. And we’d have to secure the deal--”
“Well Lois and I can’t turn ourselves in without a guarantee, I mean,
there’s just no way.”
“Brenda, you have to trust me on this.”
“Why do I have to trust you?” Brenda asked. “You don’t care if I go to
prison for the rest of my life.”
“That’s not true,” Cordelia said, shaking her head. “Believe it or not, I
care about what happens to you, because I care about Jax. Now you listen to
me--we are both putting our careers on the line by even trying to do this, and
yeah, there’s a possibility that this thing may not work out at all, but it’s the
only chance you’ve got, so take it or leave it.” Brenda stared at Cordelia,
trying to find a breaking point in her seemingly cool exterior. Finding none,
she gave up, sighing.
“Fine, deal,” she said. “What’s the next step?”
“You tell us where Lois is, and we pick her up.”
“Uh, I’m not sure if I can do that,” Brenda said.
“Sure you can,” Cordelia said, unfazed. “Where’d she go?”
“I don’t--”
“Yeah right, you don’t know. Okay, fine, I can work with that. Where’s
your purse?”
“What?” Brenda asked, “what are you talking about?”
“Just tell me where it is,” Cordelia said, insistently.
“Here,” Brenda said, reaching underneath the bed and handing it to
her. “What’s in there that you could possibly want?” Cordelia dug through
the purse, delighted that she didn’t find Brenda’s compact in it.
“Is this all of your stuff?” She asked. Brenda looked around the room,
shrugging.
“Yeah, basically. I mean, I have an overnight bag there, but Lois took
everything else with her, why?”
“Yeah, I’ll bet she did,” Cordelia replied, moving to the overnight bag
and searching it. She smiled to herself when it too, came up empty. She
moved quickly to the bathroom and checked there, just in case. She didn’t
see her compact anywhere.
“Look, do you mind telling me what you’re doing?” Cordelia turned
around with a coy smile. She handed Brenda her bag and purse.
“Is this everything?”
“Yeah,” Brenda said, giving her a puzzled look.
“Okay then,” Cordelia said. “Let’s go.” Cordelia didn’t bother to make
sure Brenda was following her, she was assured when she heard Brenda’s
footsteps behind her. Jax was sitting in his truck, and he appeared to be deep
in thought.
Brenda moved to open the passenger side of Jax’s truck. “Uh-uh,”
Cordelia said, shaking her head. She then moved to open the back door of
her jeep. “If you’ll indulge me,” she said, holding the door open as Brenda
grudgingly got in. Brenda held the door open just slightly in order to hear
what Cordelia was saying to Jax. “Do you still have that tracer activated?” she
asked.
“Yeah,” Jax nodded. “Why?”
“Because I think Lois took Brenda’s compact with her, by mistake.” As
Cordelia said this, Brenda began to frantically search through her bag, and
through her pockets, not finding it anywhere. Jax activated the tracer, and
waited for it to pick up Lois’ signal. It began to beep in moments.
“She’s heading south,” Jax said, looking back up at Cordelia. She shook
his hand jubilantly.
“And do you remember that we were only looking at Galveston and
Corpus Christi as possible locations for the organization?”
“Yeah,” Jax said. “So she’s headed to one of the two places.”
“Right,” Cordelia said. Jax pulled a map from his glove compartment.
“She could be headed for either place,” Jax said.
“So what should we do?” Cordelia asked.
“We can split up, like we did before,” Jax suggested.
“But Brenda stays with me,” Cordelia said, giving him a sly smile. “I’ve
given you all the lee way that I’m going to, my friend.”
“Fair enough,” Jax said. “But if she gets to be too much to handle--”
“I can handle it,” Cordelia said. “Now then, 50 bucks says she’s headed
for Corpus Christi.”
“I’d put good money on Galveston,” Jax said. “It’s closer.”
“Fine,” Cordelia said. “You go on to Galveston, and I’ll go get Lois in
Corpus Christi, and then when we meet up again, you can pay me the money
you are so going to owe me.”
“Not on your life, sweetheart,” Jax said. Just then, Brenda stuck her
head out the door.
“Can we go please?” Jax looked at Cordelia, his eyebrows raised.
“I can handle it,” she said, moving to the drivers’ side of her jeep.
“Be nice,” Jax said.
“I’ll try.”
 

Here's chapter seven, I hope you guys enjoy it!
Buffy

Chapter 7

When Cordelia pulled out of the parking lot, Brenda looked out the
back window and saw Jax pull out as well, but turn in the other direction.
Brenda looked back at Cordelia to see if she’d noticed.
“Hey, Cordelia, Jax--he went the other way.”
“Oh, I know,” she said, turning on the radio.
“Well, why is he doing that? I mean, I thought--”
“He’s going to Galveston,” Cordelia said, shaking her head.
“Why?”
“Well we were actually looking at two different places in Texas where
your organization might be. One of them was Galveston, the other was
Corpus Christi.” Brenda’s breath caught in her throat.
“And we’re going to Corpus Christi?” Brenda asked.
“You guessed it,” Cordelia said. She noted the apprehension in
Brenda’s voice, and glanced back at her when they reached a red light. “Hey
listen,” Cordelia said, “I’m pretty sure the place is in Corpus Christi, and
judging from the way you’re looking at me, I’d say I’m right. If it means
anything to you, we’re only going to get Lois. There’s no way we can pull off
this deal without her. She’s got a record longer than yours.” With that,
Cordelia turned back around and continued driving.
“If you were to discover the organization,” Brenda said, “then all the
arrests you could make would be very beneficial to your career, both yours
and Jax’s.”
“True,” Cordelia said. “But a conviction on Mathers would be even
bigger, and I’d rather see him off the streets than you.”
“Do you mean that?” Brenda asked.
“I do,” Cordelia nodded, and she turned onto the interstate. “Listen, I
can’t pretend to know what you’re going through, or even what it means to
lose a child, especially the way that your son was taken from you, and I can
understand why you did what you did, but you have to understand the
position you’ve put Jax and myself in. We’re the law, and you’re breaking the
law, no matter how you dice it.”
An hour passed, and Brenda ventured a conversation with Cordelia. “I
understand why you’re bringing us in,” Brenda said, sinking back into the
comfortable seats. “What I don’t understand,” Brenda said softly, “is why
you’re suddenly on my side.”
“What’s that?” Cordelia asked.
“I said why are you suddenly on my side? Why do you all of a sudden
understand what I’m doing and why I’m doing it? Why the change of heart,
why the 180?”
“It’s not exactly a 180,” Cordelia said. “I understand because you made
it hit close to home when you told Jax about his son. And when he told me--”
“He told you everything?” Brenda asked.
“Oh, I don’t know, I’m sure he didn’t give me all of the details, I don’t
know what you told him, but he told me about your son, and the
circumstances surrounding his death. He didn’t go into much detail though.”
Brenda nodded, sitting back, her curiosity piqued.
“Go on,” Brenda said.
“Well, when all of this was started, I didn’t know you or Lois. And I’m
not saying that I do now, but your stories were all the same to me, you know?
Same name, same face, same crime. Jax made it real for me, because I know
how much he cares about you.”
“He told you that?”
“Not in so many words, but I know that he does.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I know him. He’s easy to read, he always has been for me,
anyway. I don’t think there’s ever been a time when I couldn’t look in his
eyes and tell exactly what he was thinking.”
“Wow,” Brenda said, “it sounds like you and Jax know each other pretty
well.” Brenda was fishing, and Cordelia knew it. She wasn’t about to give up
any information on herself and Jax. It was far too personal.
“Yeah,” was all Cordelia said. Brenda bit her lip in frustration, trying to
figure out how she could get more information out of her without just
coming right out and asking it.
“So, how long have you and Jax known each other, exactly?” Cordelia
smiled to herself, and tried to answer Brenda without laughing. She had no
reason to be jealous of Jax and Cordelia, well, not anymore.
“We’ve known each other for a lot of years,” Cordelia said, as she pulled
to another stop light and glanced at the map she had out on the seat next to
her.
“How many is a lot?” Brenda asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
“Well, we went to the same high school, but we moved in a lot of
different social circles. And I went to PCU for about a year and a half, and
then I transferred.”
“Where’d you transfer to?” Brenda asked, to make it seem as though the
conversation were about Cordelia, instead of Jax.
“That’s not really important,” Cordelia said. “You’re asking me about
Jax and me, aren’t you?” Brenda didn’t have a response to that, she couldn’t
believe Cordelia had figured her out so easily. “It’s okay,” Cordelia said. “I
honestly don’t mind. Jax and I didn’t hang out that much during the short
time that I was at PCU. And then I didn’t see him again until LA when we
were both first in the academy.”
“And you two just hooked up from there?”
“We were friends, Brenda, at first. And he and I worked well together,
so we became partners.” When Brenda started to cough a little, Cordelia
smiled to herself. “I meant patrol partners, Brenda.”
“Right, I knew that.”
“Well anyway, we went through a lot together, he really helped me
with a lot of stuff, he’s my best friend. We made detective, him first, and then
me, so I’m determined to make Lieutenant before he does.” Brenda waited
for Cordelia to continue, but when she didn’t, Brenda prodded further.
“So come on, don’t you have any war stories for me?”
“War stories?” Cordelia asked. “Is that some sort of veiled LAPD joke?”
“No,” Brenda said, chuckling. “I just meant that the two of you must
have some pretty wild stories.”
“Oh, yeah,” Cordelia said, thinking of a particular instance, but she
clamed up immediately, she couldn’t exactly tell Brenda about that one.
“What?” Brenda asked. “What were you going to say?”
“Oh, nothing, you know, if you want to know about Jax’s past, you
should really ask him about it.” Unable to take it anymore, and tired of
dancing around the obvious question, Brenda just asked.
“Cordelia, you and Jax went out, didn’t you? And judging by your
closeness, it was more than a few dates, wasn’t it?” Cordelia opened her
mouth, desperate for something to say, when Jax rescued her on the CB
radio. Cordelia turned it on, and continued to drive.
“Where are you?” she asked, ignoring Brenda’s intent stare from the
back seat.
“Oh I’m nearly there,” Jax said. “Just reaching Texas City. What about
you, love?”
“Well we’ve got quite a drive ahead of ourselves, yet. We’re just coming
up on Bay City.”
“A drive indeed,” Jax said. “Listen, I just wanted you to know that I
really enjoyed those bon-bons that you accidentally left in the back of my
truck.”
“You didn’t, Jasper Jacks--you know what? That’s fine, because I’m so
going to enjoy that fifty bucks you’re going to be handing over when you’re
eating all that crow, my friend. I can’t believe you ate my bon-bons. You
know how much I love them.”
“You know, I think that’s what made them taste better.”
“Shut up,” Cordelia said. “Listen, IF you should happen to find Lois in
Galveston, do you want me to just wait for you somewhere, or what?”
“I’ll call you when I find her, you stay where you are, and we’ll come to
you.”
“And if I find her?” Cordelia asked.
“IF you find her, then still stay put, and I’ll still come to you.”
“Deal, babe,” Cordelia said.
“Hey, Cordy?” Jax asked. “Will you give Brenda your cell phone?”
Brenda had been in the back seat trying, though not very successfully, to
ignore their conversation.
“What for?”
“Because I want to talk to her privately. Please.”
“Fine,” Cordelia said. She reached over onto the seat next to her and
handed Brenda her cell phone, and then turned off her CB radio. “He wants
to talk to you,” Cordelia said, just as the phone began to ring. Brenda smiled
to herself and answered the phone immediately.
“Hello?” she said.
“Hi Brenda,” Jax said softly into the phone. Brenda closed her eyes at
the sound of his voice saying her name. “How are you doing?”
“I’m doing all right I guess,” she said. “How about you?”
“Oh, I’m well, been thinking about Sam, you know?”
“I know.”
“Hey listen,” Jax said, trying to keep the conversation light, “Cordy
hasn’t been too hard on you, has she?”
“No, she’s actually been really nice,” Brenda said. “I’m going to have to
rethink my original opinion of her.” Brenda knew Cordelia could hear her,
and was grateful when Cordelia pretended not to notice. “Hey listen, I want
to apologize to you. For a lot of things. I’ve been a little out of my mind
lately.”
“I understand,” Jax said. “Apology accepted, Brenda. Always.”
“Do you think we could start over?” she ventured. Jax wasn’t sure what
she meant, but he was pretty sure she was asking him for a second chance.
He honestly didn’t have an answer for her. He was sure that he loved her, but
he wasn’t sure he could live with her, not when she was making such reckless
choices. But then, if she was making this deal, and cooperating with them,
didn’t that mean she was changing, too? He was just too confused. “Jax?”
Brenda asked, when he didn’t answer after a few moments. “Are you there?”
“I’m here,” Jax said.
“Well, what do you think?”
“Brenda, I really think we should just focus on getting this deal done,
and making sure you and Lois go free. I can’t make any promises to you until
then.”
“Oh,” Brenda said, pretending not to be the least bit affected.
“I’m sorry too, Brenda,” Jax began.
“No,” Brenda said, her voice barely above a whisper, “don’t you be
sorry. None of this is your fault. Do you want to talk to Cordelia or
something?”
“Sure,” Jax said. He waited until he heard Cordelia’s voice. Cordelia
wanted to reach through the phone and smack him for whatever he had said
to put that look on Brenda’s face, but since she had only heard half of the
conversation, she couldn’t be sure.
“What’s up?” she asked.
“Listen, do me a favor,” Jax said. “Take care of her for me.” Cordelia
smiled to herself.
“I’m not sure if I’m the right person for the job, but until you can take
over, I’ve got you covered.”
“Thanks, love,” Jax said, hanging up the phone and speeding up
towards Galveston.
Cordelia hung up her phone and pulled over into a local Burger King.
“Are you hungry?” she asked, “because I am starving.”
“I could eat,” Brenda said, surprised that Cordelia’s mood towards her
was now so pleasant.
“Well let’s go then,” she said, getting out and walking in. Brenda shut
her car door and sprinted to catch up with Cordelia. When they had gotten
their food and were seated in a booth close to the door, Brenda asked,
“Cordelia, why are you acting this way?”
“What way?” Cordelia asked, munching on three French fries.
“You’re not treating me like a prisoner. You haven’t cuffed me or
anything. I mean I could easily get up and walk out of here, and what could
you do about it?”
“Well, first of all, I trust you not to do that, but if you did, I’d be forced
to put a bullet in you. So yeah, you could run, but you wouldn’t get far.”
“But without me, you wouldn’t get Mathers.”
“True, but you forget, you are the original reason why Jax and I came to
Texas in the first place.”
“Right,” Brenda said. “I see your point. Well, I know that we didn’t get
off to the best start,” Brenda began. “But you’ve been better to me than you
had to be, especially where Jax is concerned and all, so--”
“All’s forgotten,” Cordelia said, waving a hand in the air, “but that
doesn’t mean I’m forgetting that I have you in custody, fair enough?”
“Fair enough,” Brenda said.
“Okay, now what’s this about Jax? You seem to think, what, we’re
going out? A couple?”
“Well aren’t you?” Brenda asked. “I mean come on, I see how close the
two of you are. You claim you’re just friends, but I see the way you look at
him, and I see how protective he is of you. Something’s definitely there.”
Cordelia stared into her coke, trying to form an answer to Brenda’s questions.
“Listen, I don’t know how much Jax told you, but you really should ask
him about his past.”
“I’m asking you,” Brenda said plainly. Cordelia raised her eyebrows,
and Brenda went on. “Look, I’m not going to pretend anymore like I don’t
want Jax. I’m still in love with him.”
“I know that.”
“And you’re not surprised? I mean we only had a small amount of time
together three years ago.”
“You love who you love in this life, believe me, I understand that more
than anyone else out there. And I could tell from the moment I saw the two
of you together, that there was a lot more there than just history. And I’m
okay with that. Jax and I are not together at the moment.”
“At the moment?” Brenda asked. “So that means that you once were,
right?”
“Okay,” Cordelia sighed in annoyance, “obviously, you’re not going to
quit until I give you an answer. So yes, Jax and I were together, for a long
time. We only just recently broke up about six months ago, officially, but we
were apart a long time before that.” Brenda nodded.
“Do you still love him?” Cordelia looked down, smiling.
“Once you love Jasper Jacks, I don’t think you’ll ever stop. But if you’re
asking me if I’m still in love with him, the answer’s no.”
“Can’t say I’m disappointed,” Brenda said, smiling. “So, do you mind
telling me what ended it?” Brenda asked. Suddenly, a cool look came over
Cordelia’s face.
“I’m ready to go, how about you?”
“Well you ate a lot faster than me,” Brenda said.
“Fine, bring it in the car.”
“Really?”
“Yeah really,” Cordelia said, moving to the door. “I honestly don’t
mind.” Brenda put her burger back in the bag along with her fries and
grabbed her drink as she hurried to catch up with Cordelia.
“Hey listen,” Brenda said, when she got into the jeep, “I didn’t mean to
upset you. You don’t have to tell me, really.”
“Good, because I wasn’t planning to. I’m sorry to make you rush out of
there, we can wait a few minutes while you eat.”

Jax pulled to a stop in front of a warehouse that appeared to be empty.
He checked the file folder he kept with him at all times on Brenda and Lois’
case. They had two addresses, one for a warehouse in Galveston, the other
for a warehouse in Corpus Christi. This was the only place in Galveston they
could be, as far as he knew, so he got out, concealing his weapon, and started
to look around the warehouse.
The place appeared to be pretty deserted as far as he could tell. Grass
was starting to grow up through the concrete, and half the walls were
covered in graffiti. Jax was just about to give up, when he heard what he
thought sounded like voices. He pulled his gun and approached a closed
door. He opened it slowly, and came in, finding no one. He looked around
the room though, and found several sleeping bags, and a few canned goods.
Someone was definitely staying there. He started looking through the bags,
looking for some kind of ID to determine if this was the organization he was
looking for.
Fake IDs, he could see that very plainly. But the people in the pictures
weren’t grown enough and none of their aliases he recognized as the people
they were looking for. Suddenly, Jax heard the voices again, growing louder,
until he heard screams. He dropped the IDs, and jumped up, barreling
through the door into another room.
“Police!” he shouted, aiming his gun at the two people in a struggle on
the floor. Teenagers, he saw immediately. The young man was on top of the
girl, and it was obvious what would have happened if Jax hadn’t come in
when he did. As soon as the young man saw the gun, he was off of the girl in
moments.
“Hey man, take it easy! It’s just my girlfriend.”
“Shut up!” Jax said, “move away from her.” With his gun still pointed at
the boy, and one eye on the girl, Jax helped her up. “Are you all right, love?”
he asked. She was shaking, but she nodded yes and struggled to cover herself
up. “Is this your boyfriend?” Jax asked, staring at the boy with a deadly look
in his eye.
“Yeah,” she said, nodding quickly. “It’s no big deal.”
“Yeah right, no big deal,” the boy said, moving to stand beside the girl.
Jax stepped in between them immediately.
“All right, you just stay cool,” Jax said, “and back up please.” He turned
his attention to the girl. “I’m a police officer, a detective, and if you want to
press charges, then I can help you with that.” The boy couldn’t hear what
they were saying, but Jax saw and recognized unmistakable fear in her eyes.
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m fine, he just gets that way when
he has too much to drink. I can handle him.” Jax sighed.
“Listen, it would be in your best interest to press charges.”
“I can’t go to the police,” she said. “No way.”
“Yeah, well there’s no way that I’m going to let you stay here with this
boy. Is there anywhere that I can take you?”
“Let me see your badge,” the girl said. Jax glanced behind him and saw
that the boy had taken off. He didn’t feel like bothering with going after him.
She held her hand out expectantly and he handed over his badge.
“Smart girl,” he said, when she gave it back to him.
“Yeah well,” she said, “you learn a few things when you’re in my shoes.”
“Is there anywhere I can take you?” Jax asked. “Home? Are you sure
that you won’t go to the police?”
“I can’t go to the police,” she said.
“Yeah, I heard you the first time you said that. Could it be because the
police are looking for you too?” She glanced down, and then sighed.
“They’re not looking anymore, but my parents still are. Look, I’m 18, I
can do whatever I want, but my parents have money, and if they find out
where I am, they’ll just swoop down and start controlling me again like
always.”
“You mean your parents have money, yet you choose to live this way?”
Jax asked, unable to understand that there were families out there who just
couldn’t solve their own problems.
“Listen, I don’t need any lectures from you right now, okay?”
“Fine,” Jax said, putting up his hands. “What’s your name?”
“Angela,” the girl said softly, brushing her red hair behind one ear.
When Jax realized she wasn’t going to tell him anymore, he asked,
“How about that ride?”
“Sure,” the girl said, “just let me get my stuff.” Jax watched as Angela
gathered her things. A sleeping bag, a duffel bag, and her purse. She didn’t
have much, and it shocked Jax a little when he caught a glimpse of how thin
she really was. Angela walked quickly out the warehouse, spotting Jax’s truck
immediately.
“Is that yours?” she asked, over her shoulder.
“Indeed it is, love,” Jax said, moving beside her. She eyed him
suspiciously.
“What kind of accent is that?” she asked. “You from Ireland or
something?” Jax just laughed and ushered her into the car.
“Australia,” he said, as he closed the door. “This was going to be a long
ride.”

Hey everyone! Here is the latest chapter of At Last. I hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think.
Buffy

Chapter 8

Jax was certainly not prepared for the chatter box that was Angela. She
talked continuously about his truck, what she called the high tech radio, all
the controls that fascinated her. She reminded him a little bit of Cordelia.
“So,” she said, “you’re from Australia, huh?”
“I am indeed,” Jax said, chuckling. “My parents moved to the states
when I was a teenager, and I’ve been here ever since.”
“Why’d you pick Texas?” she asked. “Your parents live here?”
“Actually, my parents live in Alaska, and I’m from Los Angeles.”
“What are you doing down here, then?”
“I’m working on a case, young lady, that has absolutely nothing to do
with you.”
“Fine,” Angela said, “I can respect that.” She paused, and then smiled to
herself, asking, “so, I don’t see a ring?”
“What’s that?” Jax asked, turning in the direction in which she pointed.
“I said, I don’t see a ring.” She pointed at Jax’s left hand, and he just
smiled,
“That’s because I’m not married, though that’s none of your business.”
“Got a girl?” she asked. When Jax appeared tight lipped, she prodded
further. “Come on, you saw me and my boyfriend at our worst. I would like to
know that there are some good guys out there. Are you available?” Jax
laughed out loud, to which Angela took a little offense, he could see that
much from the look on her face and her body language.
“Oh hey, come now love, I didn’t mean it that way. You’re a lovely
young lady, but I’m far too old for you, and I just happen to be taken, since
you asked.”
“Well,” Angela said, softening again, “It’s good to know you’ve got
someone in your life, but you don’t look too old for me, how old are you,
anyway?”
“I’m 25,” Jax said, “but that’s neither here nor there.”
“Again, an age I can relate to, but you know, it’s all relative. So, who’s
the girl?” Angela asked, holding up a picture of a raven haired beauty. Jax
glanced at the photograph of Cordelia. It was particularly memorable, since
he had been behind the camera for this particular shot. But it was tasteful, so
he didn’t mind Angela looking at it.
When she saw his smile, she knew she had hit pay dirt. “So this is the
lady of your heart,” she said. “You two look good together.”
“We broke up a while back,” Jax said. “I had forgotten that picture was
even in here.”
“Yeah right,” Angela said sarcastically, “no man forgets he owns a
picture like that.”
“Cordelia and I are not going out anymore,” Jax said.
“So I get a name, huh?” she smirked. “Okay, so if this isn’t your girl, who
is, and why hasn’t she found and destroyed this picture yet?” Jax cast an
annoyed glance at Angela, to which she put the picture down and let her hair
fall in front of her face, hiding her smile.
“Why don’t we talk about you for a while,” Jax said, “until I get you
wherever it is I’m taking you.”
“What do you want to know?” Angela asked.
“Why a young girl like you, with parents who have money, would
choose to live this way, and put yourself in such dangerous situations. How
many of you are living in that warehouse, anyway?”
“It’s different kids there all the time,” Angela said, looking out the
window. “It could be as few as 10, as many as 50, any given night. Sometimes
it’s just kids who want to sneak around, have a place there parents won’t find,
just to hang, you know? Some of the kids there are homeless. But my parents
haven’t cut off my credit cards yet, so I’m good to go, no matter where I am.”
“You should be at home,” Jax said, pulling to a stop at a red light.
“Listen, I already told you--”
“Yeah, and I’m sure I heard you the first time. Now I want you to listen
to me. There are some dangerous people out there.”
“I got this lecture already, thanks,” Angela said, obviously angered.
“Well you’re going to hear it again.” Jax paused, thinking of Sam. “Hey
listen,” he said, putting a hand on her arm. “I had a son once. I didn’t really
know him, but he was killed by some sick animal, and his mother had left him
with someone she trusted completely, and left to go to the grocery store. She
was gone a half hour, and came back to find her son dead.”
“So what’s the point?” Angela said, tearing her arm from his grasp.
Jax continued driving, his anger growing.
“The point is, you have no control over yourself right now, and you
think you do. You could be walking into a grocery store, or a mall, and not
even be aware that someone is watching you, plotting your murder.”
“You’re crazy.”
“I’m RIGHT,” Jax insisted. “I’m not trying to scare you, I’m trying to
make you aware. You have no idea who you can trust out there, and if you
CAN be home, then you should be home.”
“Well I CAN’T go home,” Angela insisted. She stared down into her lap,
sighing. Jax knew she had to be thinking of something painful. He pulled
into a nearby gas station.
“Where is it you’re going, love?” He asked. “Where am I taking you?”
Angela shrugged her shoulders.
“I’ve just been telling you to drive around. I don’t--I don’t even know
where I am.” Jax sighed.
“What am I going to do with you?”
“You can just put me out here, it’s fine,” Angela said. “I’ll thumb a ride
back.”
“Oh no you don’t,” Jax said, grabbing her wrist. “I’m going to--I’m going
to--”
“You’re going to what? Take me with you?” Jax paused, and Angela
prodded him further. “Hey man, you’d really do that?”
“Close the door,” Jax said. She did, and he sighed. “I don’t know what
I’m going to do with you. I’m certainly not going to leave you here, but I
don’t see how I can take you with me.” Angela was quiet, letting him work it
out for himself.
“Listen,” he said when he had thought for a few minutes, “I’m going to
make a deal with you.”
“I’m listening.”
“Okay. I’m on my way to Corpus Christi.”
“That’s a good drive,” Angela said, “but I do have an aunt out there.”
“Yes it is, and it’s getting late as it is. I’m going to drive all night if
you’re up to it.”
“I’m up for anything,” Angela said. “You’re the one that looks tired.”
“I’m dead on my feet, and I’m thinking I should stop somewhere, but I
just don’t have time.”
“Well I could drive,” Angela offered.
“Oh no,” Jax said, “no one drives my truck.” Angela gave him a tiresome
look.
“Come on,” she said, “you can trust me. Listen, I may not know where I
am on all these back roads, but I can follow highway signs, it doesn’t take a
rocket scientist.”
“I don’t know,” Jax said, “it’s pretty dark out already, and I’m not sure--”
“Listen, don’t be a wuss.” Jax raised his eyebrows. “I’m 18, I’ve been
driving since I was ten.” Jax gave her a suspicious look, but she insisted. “I
have. My dad’s a trucker, I can drive anything.”
“I’m only going to sleep for an hour or two,” Jax said, pointing a finger
at her, and getting out to switch places with her.
Once they were on the road again, Jax continued. “Now listen, part of
our deal is that I take you with me as far as Corpus Christi.”
“Yeah, and then what?”
“And then I’m going to call your parents.”
“Hey!” Angela said, keeping her eyes on the road. “You promised you
wouldn’t.”
“Oh no, my dear I did not. Now you’re 18, and I can’t make you do
anything, but you do at least need to let your parents know you’re okay. You
don’t have to tell them where you are.”
“And then what are you going to do with me?”
“You mentioned you had an aunt out there,” Jax said. “Do you think
you could stay there?”
“Oh yeah, she’s totally cool,” Angela insisted. “She will let me stay with
her a while, but I don’t want my parents to know I’m staying there.”
“Angela, you’ve got to give me something to work with, here.”
“Look, I said no, okay? Now if you don’t quit pushing me, I’ll just get
out and walk back to Galveston by myself, okay?”
“Fair enough,” Jax said. He then turned on his CB radio to try and get
in touch with Cordelia.
“What are you doing?” Angela asked, her voice worried.
“Relax,” Jax said, “I’m just going to get in touch with my partner, I have
to check in.”
“Oh,” Angela said. “I knew that.” Jax glanced at her when Cordelia’s
voice came through.
“Did you find her, Jax?” she asked.
“No luck on my end,” Jax said, waiting for Cordelia’s triumphant
laughter on the other end.
“I told you so,” she said. “So listen, where are you now?”
“I’m on my way to Corpus Christi, but I have some news.”
“What’s up?”
“I picked up a young girl, her name’s Angela, she’s riding with me to
Corpus Christi.” There was a pause, and Jax asked, “Cordelia, are you there?”
Angela’s ears perked up as she drove.
“Is that the Cordelia in the picture?”
“Jax,” Cordelia said, after a few moments, “call me back on my cell
phone in twenty minutes, okay?”
“Yeah,” Jax said, turning off the radio.
“Ooh,” Angela said, grinning, “looks like somebody’s in the dog house.”
“Just drive, love,” Jax said.

Brenda tapped Cordelia on the shoulder when she turned off the radio.
“Did I hear him right?” Brenda asked. “He’s got a passenger with him?”
“Yeah, you heard him right,” Cordelia said, anger apparent on her
voice. “I cannot believe him, he knows better than to pick up stray kids off
the street.”
“Well maybe there’s some extenuating circumstances,” Brenda allowed.
“I mean, we don’t know the whole situation.”
“I know the whole situation,” Cordelia said, hitting the steering wheel
with her hand. “He just doesn’t think, you know? D@mn!”
“Hey,” Brenda said, “why are you getting so upset? What’s wrong?”
“NOTHING is wrong,” Cordelia said, through clinched teeth. “He
should know better, that’s all. He’s being taken for a ride by some kid, and he
doesn’t even know it.”
“Oh well, I doubt that,” Brenda said. “Jax can take care of himself. I
don’t think you have to be worried.”
“Yeah well, forgive me if I’m not reassured,” Cordelia said. “You see,
this kid, whoever she is, I’ve been in her shoes. I know what she’s thinking,
and times are a lot worse now than when I was a teenager. She could very
well hurt Jax.”
“Jax is a grown man, this girl’s just a kid. Honestly, Cordelia, I don’t
think you have to worry.”
“I hope not,” Cordelia said, flashing back to her own particular painful
history.

Twenty minutes later, as requested, Jax called Cordelia back on her cell
phone. “Hello,” she said, her voice devoid of emotion. “Jax, what are you
doing?”
“I’m helping out a young girl,” Jax said. “You of all people should be
able to understand that.”
“That’s right,” Cordelia said, “I understand more than anyone else. Jax,
you are investigating a case right now. You shouldn’t be letting some kid tag
along with you.”
“Why are you getting so bent out of shape about this, Cordy? I’m going
to drop her off at her aunt’s house before any of this gets out of hand.”
Cordelia sighed and got out of the jeep, pacing around it.
“Jax, listen to me, you remember what I told you about my past? I know
what this girl is like, because I used to be her. She’s smart, sassy, got an
answer for everything, and there’s a little bit of sadness behind her eyes that
you can’t help but want to make right. Jax, she could be taking you for a
ride.”
“I’m not Angel, Cordelia, and this girl’s certainly not you.”
“Jax, listen to me, these kids on the street, they’re just as smart as any
cops out there. Did she spin you some sob story about being lost, or needing
a ride or something? Oh, let me guess, she’s got family, a cousin or
something, in the same exact town that you happen to be heading to.”
“It’s an aunt, Cordelia, and yes, she happens to have family in Corpus
Christi. Look, I don’t understand--”
“You know what? If you want to handle this yourself, then fine. Go
ahead, by all means. But if I hear that you were shot with your own gun, and
robbed--”
“I think you’re making too much of this, Cordelia. I understand your
fears, but let me just tell you right now, you don’t have to worry. I’m worried
about you.”
“Why are you worried about me?” Cordelia asked.
“Because you and Brenda are driving at night, it’s getting pretty late.”
“So?”
“So, aren’t you tired? You need to get some sleep.”
“Well what do you suggest I do, Jax, let Brenda drive?”
“She’s had to have gotten more rest than you. Angela’s driving me--”
“She’s what? Okay, you know what? I don’t want to hear anymore. I’m
fine, Brenda’s fine, we’re all fine. I’ve got about two more hours, and I’ll hit
Corpus Christi. We’ll rest then, maybe. I want to pick up Lois first.”
“I thought you were going to wait for me.”
“Jax, you’re practically two hours behind ME. Listen, just leave it to me,
I’ll get Lois, it’ll be fine, and then I’ll call you and tell you where to meet us. Is
that okay with you?”
“I guess it’ll have to be,” Jax said, knowing that Cordelia wasn’t really
asking his permission.
“Fine, I’ll call you later,” she said, hanging up the phone
unceremoniously. She got back in the car, and slammed the door. Jax
slammed the phone down as well. Angela glanced at him.
“Did you two have a fight or something?”
“No, not really,” Jax said, staring out the window. “I should have known
that telling her what I did would have brought back memories, but I didn’t
think she’d react the way she did. Looking back though, I suppose I should
have seen it.”
“She doesn’t approve of me riding with you, does she?”
“Well,” Jax sighed, “she claims to have you pegged. Cordelia lived on
the streets, once.”
“That girl?” Angela asked, gesturing towards the photo.
“The very one,” Jax replied.
“Nah, she looks too soft,” Angela said. “She could never have handled
it.”
“You’d be surprised what Cordelia could handle,” Jax said. “She just got
a little spoiled.”
“Spoiled? By you?”
“Not by me,” Jax said, his jaw clenching in a tight line.
“Oh,” Angela said in a knowing way, “the guy that came before you.”
“You’re too smart for your own good,” Jax said. “Just drive. I need to
get some sleep.”
“Sure thing,” Angela said.
“And by the way,” Jax said, “my gun’s not loaded, you won’t find
anything in my wallet, I told Cordelia that I trusted you, so don’t make a liar
out of me.” Jax said all of this as he laid back and closed his eyes. Angela
glanced down at him, and had to rethink her plan. Cordelia had her pegged,
all right. She had planned to steal this guy’s truck, take his money, maybe
even his gun, once she got him into bed. She smirked to herself, shaking her
head. This was a good guy, and she didn’t think he could be fooled that easily,
anyway.
“Oh well,” she said softly. “Looks like this time, I’ll have to be a good
girl.”
 

Brenda reached out a tentative hand and touched Cordelia’s shoulder.
She jumped slightly, to which Brenda gave her an apologetic glance.
“I’m sorry,” she said, “but I thought--I thought you might want to talk
about whatever’s bothering you.” Cordelia blinked back the tears and pulled
her jeep back onto the road, speeding up quickly, the rush of driving fast
making her feel slightly better. She slowed down when she noticed Brenda
sit back and buckle her seat belt.
“Don’t worry,” Cordelia said. “I’m not into road rage. But I am feeling a
little bit of rage right now.”
“Well why?” Brenda asked. “What did Jax say?”
“He’s got a kid with him,” Cordelia said. Brenda raised her eyebrows,
but let Cordelia continue. “He’s got some teenager with him, I guess he
picked her up somewhere, after he didn’t find Lois, and now she’s on her way
here with him.”
“Well,” Brenda said, “maybe he has his reasons.”
“I know he has his reasons, but he can’t be sure of her reasons.”
“You’re really worried about him,” Brenda said. “Why?”
“Because,” Cordelia said, opening up for the first time, “I used to be that
girl. I used to live on the streets. I know what they’re like, I know what they’re
about, and if those girls are pushed far enough, they’re going to push back.”
“You actually think Jax may be in danger?” Brenda asked, her concern
growing.
“Oh, I don’t really think so,” Cordelia said waving a hand. “I do trust his
judgment, you know? He can handle himself, he’s been in tighter situations.
It’s really me, not him,” Cordelia said softly. “I’m just tired, I guess, this case
has been running me ragged, and quite honestly, that part of my past is still
more than difficult to deal with.”
“I can relate,” Brenda said, looking out the window as raindrops began
to sprinkle the windows. Cordelia turned on her windshield wipers and
glanced back at Brenda.
“You ever have one of those situations, one of those memories, that
you are usually successful in keeping repressed, unhealthy though it may be?
But just one little trigger, one little memory, sparks so much, you’re helpless
to stop the flood of emotions?”
“Yeah,” Brenda said, the tears on her voice. “Every time I think of my
son, and every time I think of Jax. Whenever I think of how much I love him,
the time I took away from him and his son, and how wrong I was about him.
What a mess I’ve made of both our lives.”
“For what it’s worth,” Cordelia said, looking at Brenda from the
rearview mirror, “he doesn’t blame you at all for what happens. And he still
loves you so much he can’t think straight.”
“He told you that?” Brenda asked.
“Indeed he did,” Cordelia said, giving her a small smile.
“Thanks.”

Two hours later, Brenda and Cordelia arrived in Corpus Christi. It was
pretty late, nearly midnight, and Cordelia was exhausted. She pulled over and
checked the map. Brenda seemed pretty calm, sitting there in the back of her
jeep.
“Hey,” Cordelia said, “what’s up with you, are you okay?”
“I’m fine, why?”
“Well, I’m about to go and arrest your friend, before the two of you
seemed totally against that.”
“Well Lois still doesn’t want to be arrested, but I think by now she’s had
a change of heart.”
“Oh really?” Cordelia asked. “You mean, our deal sounded pretty good
to her, but she had a little unfinished business down here first?”
“You’d pretty much be right,” Brenda said. “She probably never
thought I’d tell you and Jax where she was.”
“And technically, you didn’t.”
“Yeah but I didn’t steer you in the wrong direction, and Lois just might
see this as a betrayal.”
“What are you saying?” Cordelia asked.
“Have you got the address to the warehouse?” Brenda asked.
“Right here.”
“Okay, well then would you do me a favor?”
“If I can.”
“I need you to let me go in alone.”
“What?” Cordelia said, looking at Brenda as though she had two heads.
“No, no way. Forget it.”
“Cordelia, please. Lois and the others, if they just see me, maybe I can
get Lois to come out without incident.”
“What do you mean, without incident?”
“Well you must know,” Brenda said, “that these people strongly believe
in what they’re doing.”
“I do know that.”
“So you know that some of them, well, most of them, have no respect
for the law.”
“I am aware of that.”
“Well do I have to spell it out for you?” Brenda asked. “If you go in
there, shouting to high heaven that you’re a cop, and you arrest Lois, in
private, or in front of everyone, there’s a good chance you won’t make it out
of there alive.” Cordelia looked down, knowing Brenda was right.
“Okay, well what do you suggest?”
“I suggest you trust me, let me go in alone, and let me just walk out
with Lois.”
“You’re just going to go in there and get her, and bring her back out
here? With what excuse, exactly?”
“I’m going to tell her the truth,” Brenda said. When Cordelia gave her a
tiresome look, she went on. “Listen, you were right before. She just wanted
to come down here and finish some business. I’m sure she’s done now. We
don’t even have to make the others aware that cops are involved. I’ll just go
in, tell Lois you’re out here, that the deal still stands, and that we need to go
back to Los Angeles.”
“And what if she’s changed her mind?” Cordelia asked.
“She won’t,” Brenda said. “I know my friend. And I happen to know
that she’s got too much to lose right now. This deal is the best thing for her.
Look, would you just trust me?” Brenda asked.
“I guess I’ll have to,” Cordelia said. They rode along in silence until
they were a block away from the warehouse. Cordelia parked and turned off
the headlights. Brenda started to get out, when Cordelia handed her a small
umbrella. Brenda nodded her thanks, and Cordelia caught her arm. “Fifteen
minutes,” she said. “No more, no less. If you’re not back, I’m coming in.”
“I understand,” Brenda said, “I won’t let you down.”
“You’d better not.” Brenda didn’t respond, and instead hurried out of
the jeep and sprinted the short block until she came to the warehouse. She
went up to a side door, knocking three times in rapid succession, and then
followed with five short knocks, small pauses in between. The door opened
immediately.
“Brenda!” A voice said.
“Hi Robby,” Brenda said, hugging the young man that was seated
behind a desk just near the door.
“Well how the h#ll are you?” he asked. “We’ve been waiting and
waiting, Lois said the two of you got split up.”
“Yeah, we did,” Brenda said apprehensively. “Where is Lois, anyway?”
“Oh she’s around here someplace,” Robby said. “Go ahead, I think she’s
in the meeting hall.”
“Thanks, Robby,” Brenda said, out of breath from running.
“Sure, babe.” Robby continued working, and patrolling the door. It
was the part Brenda hated most about the job, watching the door. Often if
the police came, the person watching the door had to sound the alarm, and
was most likely the one that would be arrested, or at least brought in for
questioning. They switched weekly.
Brenda went quickly down the halls, looking in almost every room. She
was met with greetings from everyone, but instead of replying, all she could
say was “Have you seen Lois?” over and over again, to which she got a
resounding “no.” She was growing frantic by the time she reached the
meeting hall. Glancing at her watch, and hearing no voices, she assumed the
meeting was over. She barreled through the doors, hair wet and herself
soaked from running, and of course, as was her luck, the meeting was still
going.
“Brenda!” Lois gasped, standing up. “I was so worried, thank goodness
you’re back.” Brenda knew what she was interrupting, and that she should sit
down immediately.
“Welcome back, Brenda,” a man said at the front of the room. His name
was Harold, and he conducted most of the meetings, and gave everyone their
assignments. He also hated having his meetings interrupted.
“Thanks, Harry,” Brenda said, taking a seat next to Lois.
“I know you’re tired, Brenda,” Harry said. “You’re not due for another
assignment yet, and Lois told us what happened with Mathers. If you’d like a
few days off, no one’s more deserving of them, I hear.”
“Actually, if I could just steal Lois for a minute,” Brenda said, grabbing
Lois’ wrist.
“The meeting’s almost over, Brenda,” Harold said with a smile. “Why
don’t you just wait here, maybe Lois could use your help with her assignment
later.”
“Sure,” Brenda said, sitting down and knowing better than to argue.
Harold continued, turning his attention to the other side of the room. “We
have GOT to get out of here,” Brenda mouthed to Lois. Lois shrugged her
shoulders, a frantic look on her face.
“We have to stay,” she whispered. “We can’t leave yet.”
“We have TEN minutes!” Brenda whispered. Lois’ eyes got big, and she
mouthed an anguished “Sorry” to Brenda. Brenda just rolled her eyes and
folded her arms, her patience growing short.
Cordelia sat outside, waiting patiently. When she glanced at her watch
she was surprised at how fast the fifteen minutes had passed. Brenda and
Lois still weren’t back.
“D@mn,” she said, hitting the steering wheel in frustration. “They
played me. They both did.” Not wasting anymore time, Cordelia loaded her
gun, secured it in her holster, and headed out, slamming the door behind her.
As soon as Harold finished the meeting, Brenda and Lois flew to Lois’
room. “Get your stuff,” Brenda said, pacing the room as Lois quickly gathered
her things. “What were you thinking?” Brenda asked, shutting the door
behind her.
“What?” Lois asked. “I had to keep up appearances, you know that. It
was my turn to go to a meeting, and you know that if I hadn’t, they would
have been suspicious as to where you were.”
“What’d you tell them, anyway?” Brenda asked, her hands on her hips.
“I just told them that Mathers was on to us, and that the two of us had
split up to confuse him, but the plan didn’t work, so I just came straight back
here, and as far as I knew, you were on your way as well. I only got here
about an hour and a half ago. Where’s Jax, what’s going on with him?”
“I’m just here with Cordelia,” Brenda said. “She and Jax split up,
because they thought this place might be in Galveston. He’s on his way,
though.” Lois nodded and turned to face Brenda.
“All right,” she said, “I’m ready.”
“Okay.” Brenda glanced at her watch, her eyes getting big. She let out a
particularly harsh expletive and grabbed Lois’ arm. “We have got to hurry, or
Cordelia’s coming in here.” They both sprinted down the hall, and ran smack
into Cordelia, pointing her .38 straight at Robby.
“Looks like we’re too late,” Lois said, stomping her foot.
“It’s about time you two showed up,” Cordelia said. Brenda glanced at
Robby’s hand, floating just over a small red button. She hoped he wouldn’t
press it, but as soon as she saw the door open behind Cordelia, she knew the
jig was up. Harold came in, and pressed the business end of his pistol right
into Cordelia’s temple.
“Well, well, well,” Harold said. “What’s this all about?”