Chapter 1

Relic or Danger Hunt

Short Story

By: Arianstar/Brandi White

Corwin Union was a small town barely noticeable on any map. Until two famous professors took residence within the town and found a discovery that got the small area world fame. Jared and his wife Sidney Wyatt had lived in the town for two years, gaining friends that weren’t quite normal in any sense; this was what drew them close together.

During the research the six friends had pitched in with the couple, volunteering to assist in the heavy work that would be part of the research process. The Indian wall they had found took some heavy translating, study and other aspects. Both were fluent in most ancient languages, pictographs and glyphs, but there was something about this particular discovery that put the professors to the test in the translations.

Jared stumbled over one of the stacks of research present around the large living room that the group now used as an office of sort. Originally it had been a living room, with hardwood floors and various overstuffed pieces of furniture; he managed to catch himself before falling face first into Bianca’s lap.

Bianca glanced over the tall lanky individual above her, his gold rimmed glasses crooked, brown short hair disheveled and dark eyes studying her amused look. “Don’t say a word Bianca; I know that my grace isn’t much better than yours.” She frowned giving him a look.

“True…but that was pretty close.” Margo piped up standing next to the fireplace currently burning unnecessary mail that Sidney had given her to dispose of.

Bianca turned her glare on her friend, eyeing the miss prim and preppy look she had grown used to over the years. Her curly raven hair down her back in an easy flow, a hair not out of place, large brown eyes glancing at her feigning innocence.

“Margo take your pom-poms and shove them.” Neola sat down next to Bianca helping her sort through the folders she had in her lap. “My cousin has more grace than you ever will.” She grinned flipping back her sandy brown hair behind her ears and glancing at Bianca with glee filled brown eyes.

“Alright girls…enough retract your claws.” Ridge came into the room followed by Aaron, easily sidestepping the piles of research that had slowly taken over the room.

He settled himself next to Bianca, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pushed aside her waist length blond hair from her face. Reflexively she met his dark deep brown eyes, flicking at his neck length brown hair. He instinctively grasped her hand and shook his head in a playful warning. Aaron went over beside Neola helping her with the folders she was muttering curses over, ignoring Corbin who ruffled his short blond hair and ignored the venom filled green eyes aimed his way.

“Corbin…you’re as bad as Margo.” Sidney gracefully stepped into the study avoiding everything in her way, coffee held tightly in hand glancing from beneath tired lids, her dark gaze barely concealing her mirth at the group around her.

Corbin tried to duck her hand that tugged on his short shaved red hair, glaring through slit green eyes. “You’re always on Neola and Bianca’s side.” He ignored the giggles he received for the retort flinching when Margo smacked him beside the head.

“Not always…she has some taste you know.” Margo grinned at Neola’s offended look, before following Sidney to see if there was more she could do.

Jared was used to the banter; the friends were close as any one could be. Margo and Neola had never really gotten along but still liked one another. From what he and Sidney had learned when meeting them the six friends were unique in their own ways, each total opposites and alike at the same time. Weird was the only way to describe them all and they had warmed up to them considerably.

“Are we ready to go check out the relics again?” Jared playfully mocked the bickering group all eyes turning to him with annoyance.

He started to gather his notes, tools and adjusted his glasses seeing Neola look at him worriedly. “Is this going to ruin my hair Jared?” she patted down her wild curls trying to smooth them out.

Margo covered her mouth, sometimes Neola made things far too easy for her. “It probably will Neola…but it can’t do anymore damage than there is already there.” She ducked behind Corbin intent on avoiding her, watching her attempt to climb to her feet.

Aaron caught Neola around the arms before she could get into another cat fight with Margo, sometimes their bickering was terribly daunting. Bianca watched the pair closely rolling her eyes skyward as if asking for heavens help, Ridge gently grasped her hand kissing it softly drawing her stare to him.

He smirked watching both Corbin and Aaron desperately trying to handle their girlfriends. “Knock it off already girls…we have some research to accomplish before you rip out each others vital organs.” Bianca pulled Ridge with her ignoring his kiss that still lingered on her knuckles.

Sidney paused glancing at the familiar sight of Neola and Margo trying to hurt one another. “This is getting far too common between them.” She sipped her coffee walking over next to Jared readying herself for the hike to the stone slabs.

“You’re telling me?” Bianca was inclined to agree with Sidney unfortunately she dealt with the bickering sensations on a daily basis. Once they were outside the large two story white house both professors led the way around back toward the property they were renting, on the other side of a strenuous climb down by the creek was three tall stone pillars hidden from the world. They had been uncovered and treated with care with many new discoveries each time the couple worked, finally the last of the vines had been removed revealing a whole new legend about the local Indian tribes.

Bianca ignored Neola and Morgan both during their hike, unlike the two princess’s she loved to hike, loved getting down to the nitty gritty and enjoyed adventure almost as much as the two professors walking with them. She hoped in this little adventure that one of the two would have their makeup smeared just to get a good laugh out of the whole thing. She rescued Ridge from a branch to the face shaking her head at how Jared had already engrossed himself in conversation with Sidney forgetting they had company as usual.

Coming to the final few prickly bushes and dodging around a group of saplings on a cleared path everyone paused. The three stone tablets were worn and chipped with age, but the pictures were still very definable, it was almost like the stones were alive at times.

“Beautiful.” Bianca breathed softly gently touching the stones, the rough texture intriguing her. She was very aware of Neola and Margo’s highly horrified looks. “What?”

“Bianca there is something wrong with your head; all they are is beat up old stones.” Margo attempted to pull twigs from her hair sounding depressed at the discovery her hair was out of place. “Beautiful doesn’t describe them.” Neola too was struggling with her out of whack appearance, almost whining about her makeup and cloths getting ruined.

“Right…she doesn’t have to be geeky like our professor friends,” Neola froze realizing she had two offended looks aimed her way. “Um…no offense.” She added.

“Right.” Sidney and Jared focused their attention on the stones carefully tuning out the drama queens and watching Bianca lean over to look closer at their work.

During their inspection Jared noticed new pictures slowly being revealed with their tools and raised a brow inquisitive to this newfound material to study. Sidney nudged him over trying to get a good idea of what the stories were saying about the native tribe that had lived in the area. Jared appeared to grow more and more puzzled the longer he studied the tablets, before huffing deciding his wife had more concentration than he had at the moment.

Sidney wasn’t the only one to notice Jared’s concentration was off considerably that afternoon. “Sid?” she glanced up from her work watching Bianca gently dusting at the inscriptions, her blue gaze pointedly motioning toward Jared. “What is up with your hubby today?” she dropped her pen caught of guard by Bianca’s innocent question, had he really been that stressed?

Sidney ignored the others attempting to fix their appearance, watching Ridge kneel down next to them. He was good at catching things as well and took Bianca’s hand into his own. Sidney had an uneasy expression on her face, her normally dark tan skin paling slightly, before she rushed a hand through her fine dark hair.

“We were threatened about a week ago…they want this discovery for the black market. Naturally because we take our job seriously, Jared turned them down and threatened them in turn. Police style.” Sidney could see Jared flipping through the folders in his bag, sure that he had overlooked something. “Oliver Archer and his partner Byron Kemtpon…they are wanted men and known to kill for what they want.” She finished the statement almost looking broken, Bianca hated to see her friend so down.

Ridge’s eyes widened his interest in crime, and criminal justice coming to mind. “They are wanted by several law enforcement agencies…world wide.” He added watching Bianca grimace not liking where this was going. “What happened when Jared contacted the police?”

This is where Sidney gave them one of her fixed sarcastic looks over her glasses. “Who said he did? Jared as much as I love him…isn’t always the smartest in these matters.” She watched Ridge and Bianca exchange agitated scowls with one another. “I didn’t say that I was stupid though…they’re supposed to be watching the area. Keep that to yourselves and I mean it.” She warned watching both nod.

Sidney had always trusted the pair, in her opinion they were most sane out of the six of them. Neola was too into her looks, drama, dances and boys, and Margo was ten to twenty times just as bad. She could never understand how a bookish girl like Bianca could make a friend like Margo, Neola being the relation was her only excuse.

Jared returned to the others glaring at the tablets like they would start talking to him and revealing all of their secrets. His attention was drawn by a snapping sound before he dropped his notes and stood eyes widening considerably at what he saw slinking down the tractor cleared trail toward the old sawmill by the creek.

“Run Sid and take the sextuplets with you.” His voice left no room for argument and none of the others dared to challenge him.

Sidney bolted with the others right behind her, Bianca at her side knowing the area much better because her grandfather had owned the old mill. She took over for Sidney leading the way across the creek, past several piles of timber and finally around the back of the sawmill up into the tractor made road. She continued to lead the way to a large tree that she and her cousin used to hide in often when they were younger.

They got scratched, tangled and mauled by the leaves, thorn bushes and other shrubs but managed to get to the base of the massive tree. Without arguing Bianca pointed up and the others followed leaving Bianca and Ridge to be last, which was good considering he rescued her from falling back down three or four times. “I am so out of practice for this climbing mess.” Bianca noticed that everyone was glancing at her wearily.

Neola was stressed with a branch jerking into her face with Aaron beside her. Margo and Corbin both were struggling to keep their balance, while Sidney remained perfectly at ease. Bianca could see she was a tomboy at heart and was glad she too had the experience to deal with this dilemma.

CR-CRACK

The tree couldn’t hold all of them and finally collapsed under the pressure. The branches were eaten away over the years, clearly not a safe climbing tree anymore. The laughter that the group managed was quickly silenced by Sidney’s worried look before she hopped to her feet. They had been followed that much Bianca was certain of and because of that she led the way hurriedly ahead with Sidney swearing at their bad luck.

They were right back where they started, the sawmill almost mocking them in the daylight with the large silent blades and sawdust covered ground. “Up.” Ridge glanced at Bianca like she was mad. “If we’re in the rafters they can’t find us.” No one argued.

It wasn’t the safest of places to be climbing about in, but her grandfather had built the building itself and she trusted his skills. After all he had built her childhood home and the one she and her mother lived in now, she had no doubt in her mind the rafters would hold them and buy them time to escape their dilemma.

Sidney was concerned for Jared, scrambling around one of the short beams that marked off every few feet of rafters. Neola, Aaron, Margo and Corbin were on her other side each clinging to their own poles for dear life. Her eyes fell on Bianca and Ridge who were a rafter ahead of them both clutching the same beam eyeing the floor below for signs of a threat and hoping that the gloom of the sawmill would keep them hidden.

“OLIVER” all of them froze hearing the accented voice very close to the sawmill.

Oliver shuffled his way quickly after Byron’s voice; this job was proving to be a far more intense job than he had wanted. He had hired goons to help them with the witness’s but didn’t expect there to be eight bodies to deal with. He raked his fingers through his shoulder length raven hair, before landing harshly near Byron from investigating a tree.

“What?” he hissed barely containing his rage.

He scanned over Byron seeing a bleeding cut on his arm and watching thick fingers move aside debris from his short brown hair and glaring daggers with familiar cold blue eyes.

“What?” Byron mocked wondering why he didn’t take the initiative and shoot his so called partner, and then he remembered the man had a brain and used it much better than he himself did. “I heard something near that old mill…maybe those kids and his wife went in there?”

Oliver had to agree with his friends’ skill, he wasn’t the brightest bulb in the box but he was skilled at finding targets. Sometimes he thought Byron might have a six the sense to kill, almost thriving on the blood he could mangle from a victim. He knew it would be time to call in the idiots he hired, knowing two of them were responsible for hubby dearest until he had them all in his clutches and could get all the information he needed to sell the tablets, including information for his hidden client.

“Seth, Foster, Saul around back…” he paused considering his two strongest goons. “ Jamal and Ross front exit.” He grinned watching Byron follow his side toward the entrance and step into the murky dust covered building.

Inside the dusty mill was wooden platforms filled with varying blades for work on the logs sent through, the area smelled of damp timber, sawdust and had a certain almost threatening air if you didn’t know those blades were deadly even off. The group watched the two menaces making their way around below like predators at a buffet.

Bianca could tell Oliver was the brains in the operation; Byron had too short of a temper and made it known when he slammed his foot through a board which crunched with a loud snap. Oliver grimaced at his stupidity, sometimes he considered his partner brainless enough to put a bullet square between his eyes.

“Sidney…I know your in here.” Oliver taunted studying the area around him and thankfully not looking up.

Bianca saw Sidney tense her eyes closing a silent pray moving from her lips. She hated this whole outcome and had to hope that Jared was alright, she also had to keep her and her friends alive. “Think Bianca!” it didn’t help that Ridge was rigid with the desire to strike; she knew he had a wicked temper when threatened and used it only in life threatening situations, which in this case equally bad.

Oliver paused taking a deep breath, fingers pressed to the bridge of his nose. “Sidney I know you have those lovely friends of yours with you. You probably tried to protect them from me and are worried about Jared. I won’t hurt them or you two if I get what I want.” Bianca could see a silver dagger glinting inside the long black coat he wore. “Jared seemed very worried about a smart friend of yours…Bianca Plain?” Bianca stifled her cry; she didn’t want to know that.

Sidney nearly fell from the rafters; Neola covered her startled sound hoping it didn’t give them away. Corbin stifled a comment that was very close to coming from Margo’s lips, sometimes she didn’t think before speaking, which was nearly all the time.

“The clocks ticking…” It was Byron’s turn to taunt, before he destroyed another board. “…Tick tock…Jared’s going to be dead soon.” Bianca wanted to claw out the idiots eyes, she hated them both but Byron was less tolerable.

“Idiot.” Oliver tilted the sawmill doors open a little more taking in more of the room. He wasn’t getting anywhere with this game of cat and mouse. He began to whistle a song considerably off tune to Bianca’s knowledge while she gulped softly glancing straight down, he was right under her, and Ridge was separated from her side by a beam no less, . This was a very discomforting feeling to have a psycho below you ready to rip you and your friends apart.

“If Jared was so intent on Bianca with his research and helping you..” he trailed off watching the room and allowing a dark smile to take over his features. “…She has to be a very clever girl.” He paused directly below her again, not noticing her attempting to hold her breath worried about being found. “I wonder if…”

Bianca was startled to feel a grip on her ankle and was roughly yanked from the rafters. Ridge wasn’t fast enough to react and halted his descent after her. There was no sense of risking them all until she absolutely needed his help.

Crashing to the floor wasn’t the most pleasant of experiences, but the sawdust made Bianca’s landing considerably more tolerable. She realized that during his movement of the door he had caught a glint on her silver necklace she always wore and mentally kicked herself for not tucking it aside. “It’s always stupid things like this that gets the girl killed in the horror movie, being blond not the only reason.” She smiled wryly at her sick sense of humor, why was she joking in such an un-funny situation?

“You must be Bianca…Jared stated something about you being fiery in a sense and that look is awful cute on you.” He added mocking the evil glare she offered him.

“Bite me.” Bianca snapped now successfully tucking her necklace into her black t-shirt and glancing up at his leering green gaze. “Now that I dropped in how may I help?” she didn’t resist the mocking bite to her voice, she didn’t like being easily found out.

Oliver did not like this girl’s boldness; she was full of sharp wit and a tongue to match. “Don’t get cute…I will cut out that sassy tongue.” He emphasized his point by pointing the dagger toward her throat watching her roll her eyes still defiant to her situation. “Where are your friends?” he questioned watching her study her nails, brushing at the sawdust settling on her dark jeans.

He had to admit this girl was either completely insane, or stupid. He figured the latter was his best bet. She casually glanced up at him taking in the young appearance and realized he wasn’t more than thirty at the oldest, he had a slight accent to his voice which she placed around Ireland and he didn’t take kindly to cheek. “Ridge.” She casually waved her finger pretending to mock him instead of actually giving her boyfriend a warning.

“Not very cute.” Byron was right under Ridge, primed to be attacked.

“True…but as much as I dislike her impudence, I like how she works.” Oliver found the girl strangely endearing, it was a shame he would have to take away that flair of hers. “It would appear she is useless and we need to continue…

Ridge dived at Byron taking care of his own fight, while Bianca maneuvered her foot kicking the knife from Oliver’s grasp. Unlike most people, she had taken self defense lessons with Ridge most of her life and both were considerably good at both their martial arts skills and gymnastics she had tricked him into with her. Oliver hadn’t expected the attack and was easily sent down flat on his back with a groan.

“Guys down now.” Without a word the others left the rafter easily ganging up on the two morons outside the doors. “RUN!” she watched them start off and followed hearing Ridge right behind her.

They managed to get themselves hidden in some thick brush further up the creek and that is where the splitting up occurred. Corbin, Aaron, Ridge and Sidney were sent to get the much needed help and Neola, Margo and Bianca had made it their duty to find Jared. Ridge knew better than to fight with her, he often lost in situations like this and she worked well with the cat-fighting princess’s when it suited her.

Three female friends knowing each other forever it seemed, made their way hazardously through the thorny plants, weeds, waist high grass, sapling trees, holes, roots and rocks at their feet. Nearly falling countless times in their journey and hearing a very irritated Oliver chasing after them with the clumsy sidekick. Bianca had decided not only did she hate the man it wouldn’t hurt her feelings if he broke a vital part of his anatomy in his chase. She caught Margo’s grin, clearly they thought too much alike at certain points.

Neola found a sturdy tree recognizing the fact that they wouldn’t fall and hurt themselves this time around. She was a princess in many aspects, but when the situation called to get dirty Bianca had them both at her side ready to help. There was something very bad about this spot, Margo could feel it in her gut but instead of talking to the others followed them up the tree.

Oliver come through the weeds cursing everything in the books, brushing at brambles, thorns and anything else that managed to stick on him or in him. “I hate the country.” He growled ignoring Byron who fell face first at his feet won over by a vine.

He focused his attention on the disappearing girls instead of his bumbling idiot sidekick. The others could handle the police fetching group, Margo, Bianca and Neola were far too clever and were obviously after Jared. “I admit it, she’s got spunk.” He smirked brushing out needles in his hair from various pines and turning off to where he saw various broken plant life.

He paused at a sturdy looking tree already gathering the girl was fond of heights, he knelt down feeling around the soft soil and smiled. Apparently the two proper princesses’ with Bianca weren’t half as bright.

Bianca grinned watching Neola and Margo exchange knowing looks. Margo hadn’t been the only one to notice the issue but it could be used to their advantage. Neola and Margo both jumped on Byron who fell easily like a ton of bricks, groaning painfully.

“Cute…

Oliver was cut off when two feet firmly landed in his back forcing him face down on the loose earth. “Yes we are.” Bianca made a show of wiping her feet on him before the three bolted.

Oliver was now red in the face, venomous rage consuming his very being. That had been the last straw, no girl was going to get that much leverage over him and get away with it. Her bravado had just run its course, now she would deal with his really bad side. He stood casually brushing off his clothing ignoring Byron who was swearing angrily. Oliver’s dark eyes focused harshly on Byron who shut up immediately.

“I want that menace alive…I am going to finish her myself.” Byron hated that tone; it usually meant that the sadistic side Oliver couldn’t keep in control had finally won out. “Kill Jared before those three make it to him and kill that bumbling moron Garret while you’re at it. He and the others are proving completely useless at this time.” He didn’t give Byron the chance to argue and was off leaving him to do the dirty work.

Bianca knew that Jared’s life depended on them and had a sinking feeling that toying around with Oliver had created a short time span. She halted halfway down the creek wishing she had at least worn water proof shoes and turned to her cousin and friend.

“Margo and Neola…get your asses to Jared’s rescue. I’m going to deal with Oliver.” Before either could protest she lifted a hand silencing them. “I pissed Oliver off…he is going to speed things up. I just hope the others get the cops here and soon.” Not liking this idea at all both girls exchanged looks and then met Bianca’s warning stare.

“Shit.” Was all Neola could offer before yanking Margo opposite from Bianca and back into the woods.

Ridge and the others had successfully contacted the police, but weren’t fairing well in getting back to their friends. Not only did things look grim but none of them had a clue on how to find anyone, especially Jared. Sidney was near frantic but keeping a level head and the guys were considering murder.

Oliver stopped watching the creek carefully, there had been recent movement in the area and not caused by the water. He had been good at tracking, it came with the job of assassin, acquiring important objects and being evil at heart. Bianca was clever and very careful, he was sure that he was smarter though. “I always wanted a challenge…who knew it would come in the form of a stupid girl?” he started down the creek wincing when a rock hit him square in between his shoulder blades.

“OW!” he all but shouted turning to an amused looking Bianca who was wiping her hands on her jeans.

“Darn I was aiming for that thick head.” Her smile faded when a knife just missed her shoulder; luckily she had reflexes enough to dodge. “He’s mad.” This did nothing to change her mind about keeping him occupied; she just realized she had to do it better.

Oliver smirked grasping another knife in his hand. “I was aiming for that pretty little throat.” His sweet tone had ever bit of politeness to it, it was just the whole matter that it was forced and he was going to kill her. “Let me try again.”

Bianca took off up the bank through the worst area of plant life and trees. It was full of thorny plants, holes, roots and everything else. She just hoped that she was still in good enough practice to get through it; she hadn’t been through the area since she was ten. Luckily that was her saving grace because Oliver’s cursing was carrying and it didn’t sound pretty. If she was really, really lucky he might hurt himself enough to give her an advantage. She just needed to find a way to get some sort of weapon or rope to keep him at bay, she was sure the cops would be around soon.

SMACK

That was a new trick, she had forgotten that tree had fallen down about four years ago and was now laying flat among the leaf covered forest floor with stars dancing before her eyes. “Oh look stars.” Even her thoughts had turned sarcastic; gingerly she brushed her fingers to her head wincing at the feel of a bump forming.

“That’s going to leave a mark.” She huffed thankful the pretty lights had finally dulled enough for her to focus on the tree before her. “I’m coming back and with a chainsaw…blasted tree.” She got up into a crouch and once she got to her fee the world proceeded to spin. “Crap.” She sat down hard against the tree her head dropping to her hands.

Perfect timing for a head injury, she knew this type of pain and was sure she had a concussion again. She had gotten at least three in her lifetime making the pain annoyingly enough very familiar. Finally she could stand without the world moving but she knew running would make it worse and was very sure attacking a psycho was not a good idea. “Why me?” she wondered tenderly testing the bump again and wondering if she was wrong about the concussion, if she was she would certainly have a nice sized headache in place of it.

She heard the snap of a twig, jerking quickly toward the noise. She knew the woods well, the animals that made sounds and knew when someone other than animal was following her. Oliver had caught up. “This just gets so much better every minute.” She glanced around her feet finding a nice sized branch and waited crouching low against the tree; her uneventful crash test would be her saving grace.

Oliver stopped staring hard at a large tree. “Didn’t get far did you?” he seen her and knew she was hiding there.

“Crap again.” Bianca slowly stood watching him closely; she hated snakes in the grass because you never knew when they would strike. Carefully she kept her weapon concealed behind her back stepping to the side of the tree into his view. She watched his knife lower almost like her gesture was making him reconsider killing her, she knew better though. His respect grew for her, she was very sure of herself but her actions were hard to predict. Maybe he had met more of his match then he thought.

“Surrendering doesn’t seem part of your makeup Bianca.” She smiled wryly at his observation, this man was too smart to be just some random black market dealer, he was something else entirely.

She shrugged eyes watching his knife closely, she was sure that no one was that skilled with knives unless specifically trained. “What is your real profession?” he cocked his head to the side enjoying her observing nature; she was actually too smart for his liking when he thought about it.

“Assassin…by choice and trade.” He mocked her toying with the blade threatening her. “Why do I get the feeling that doesn’t shock you?” she shrugged still trying to recover from smacking into the tree.

“Right now much doesn’t.” She was getting a headache now and knew it wouldn’t be long before it got considerably worse. “Shit." She brandished her weapon watching the knife fly into the thick branch with a thwack sound.

Oliver was not happy with her reaction, nor did he see that coming. He hated when he was outwitted and challenged on his own skills. “This girl should have taken up my profession.” He scowled darkly that thought making him even more irritated. He leered amused with her before throwing two more knives consecutively.

THUNK, THUNK

She swore again just barely catching the second one aimed for her, he was good and getting better. “Can we talk about the whole killing me thing?” she expected him to laugh at her before watching his head tilt, lowering another knife to his side.

He felt a smile twitch across his lips, was she trying to bribe her way out of his anger? “Why? You aren’t the type to turn on your friends.” He already knew this sort of ploy, he seen enough idiot villains to know what she was up too.

“Why does it only work in the movies?” Bianca glowered at the mocking smile on his face wishing more than anything that she could smack it right off. “Fine…but I know that you’re screwed and that’s good enough.” She dropped the branch diving over the tree, grasping her weapon again before bolting through the thick foliage for a second time.

Oliver found her attempt to retreat amusing, she wouldn’t get far if she kept running into the forest scenery and he knew exactly why she looked strangely off. His fingers grazed against the tree before he followed after her, the blood still warm against his fingers.

Bianca felt her strength waver and fell to her knees rolling down a short incline, her theory of the concussion hitting her full force. She now found the sticky wet spot on her head and knew she was in trouble. She was starting to see spots again and felt nauseous, she wondered briefly how far from the creek she was. If she wasn’t too far it would take her less time to get to the others and hopefully get herself some help.

“Miss me?” she glanced up the darkness dancing against her eyes.

She wanted to retort but her head throbbed too much for her to do so, Oliver had found her and would win. She smiled at that thought, at least he would get what he deserved because she was very sure by now the police had come and would take him away.

Margo surrendered watching Neola crash to the ground in defeat. They had just taken out an incredibly stupid man guarding Jared. Margo had a hundred comments going through her mind seeing their friend basically hog-tied with a gag in his mouth, but resisted the urge while Neola and she worked him free from his bonds.

Jared removed his own gag shooting both women a look that stated clearly ‘don’t say a word’, before noticing that they were all that was present. “Where are the others princesses?” he questioned knowing the term would get the information he wanted rapidly.

“Jerk.” Neola grinned at Margo’s retort before shrugging.

“Last I knew Bianca was leading Oliver on a wild chase for his money, we were assigned to find you and the others went for the cops.” Jared’s expression darkened at what he just heard, Bianca was in serious trouble and out there facing off with someone he should have turned in a while ago.

“I let my stupidity win.” He swore glancing between the both of them and flinching at the sound of a gun clicking behind Margo. “Crap.”

Margo stiffened feeling the cool steel come to rest with her neck; this isn’t how she expected to go out. “Not out with a bang please.” She saw Neola wrinkle her face at the bad pun, but she wasn’t exactly capable of coherent thought.

“Why not…always a great show.” Bryon offered in a cold voice hearing something behind him and turning. “Damn.” Ridge and the others come at the perfect time with cops in tow.

Sidney dove into Jared’s arms nearly knocking him to the ground glad he was still alive, as well as the other two men that were with her. Ridge took notice to the lack of Bianca’s presence and brought it immediately to everyone’s attention. He didn’t like the story he heard or the fact Bianca was out there somewhere dealing with a psycho.

Under normal circumstance she would be thrilled to be alive, but seeing Oliver staring down over her from his perch on a familiar tree made her very angry. “Bang up job there Bianca…how do you feel now?” she hated being mocked, especially when he had dragged her all the way back to her crashing point.

“Just wonderful…I love a good beat, just not in my head.” She ignored the amused laughter he offered before leveling her gaze with the knife casually resting in his hand. “Why am I breathing, not that I’m complaining of coarse.” She would smack that smug smirk of his face; she just needed to buy some time.

Oliver started to answer but faltered, even he wasn’t sure why he didn’t take his much needed opportunity and kill her. She had become an obsessive thorn pricking in his side, he hated everything she stood for but he couldn’t resist another verbal battle. He realized with distaste he was fond of the woman that could put him in his place, a bad thing to happen to an assassin with no friends or a life to begin with.

“Not sure myself…I thought your head would look nice on a stick but changed my mind.” The knife in his had fell from his grasp dangerously close to her cheek, another appearing in its place.

She felt the warm trickle of blood on her face and knew he was just testing to see if she was dumb enough to challenge him. “What do you want Oliver?” she was bored with this show of dominance and considered going for the knife beside her, but she had a suspicion that was his intention. “Try ramming that someplace useful, up your ass maybe?”

“I dislike your cheek.” He nearly growled startling her when he reached down slapping her harshly across the face.

That really didn’t help her head any and the pretty lights had started all over again. One thing she had sworn was the day a guy hit her was the day she showed them exactly what century they really were in, unfortunately she had no strength to go after him or fight back. Her head was throbbing worse now and the metallic taste in her mouth didn’t encourage her any either. “I wonder.” She smirked meeting those cold eyes above her.

“Can’t use that tongue to fight back so have to get physical with me?” she taunted ignoring the cloud of hatred in his gaze knowing she was probably dead anyway.

“Does your boyfriend know what you’re really like?” he retorted watching her eyes narrow a warning in her gaze. “Thought not…because you enjoy danger, this type of life and you aren’t that innocent book geek that they credit you with.” He turned to the sound of sticks cracking wondering what was coming his way.

“That’s because I’m not any better.” Ridge tackled him from behind managing to ram his fist into Oliver’s face; a crunch indicated a broken nose for the assassin.

Bianca struggled to sit up ignoring her pounding head and took a branch in hand ramming it between Oliver’s eyes; he was out without a chance to fight back. She fell back down on her bum groaning painfully, before ducking into her arms to stop the spinning world of bright colors. Ridge was at her side moments later gently nudging her bump and wincing at the cut he found, she had another concussion.

“Bianca…” she ignored the urge to meet his stare, he already knew her predicament. “…I know you’re an Aries but why do you always have to use your head for everything?” under her usual conditions she would have smacked him, but lacked reservation to do so.

More voices and feet could be heard catching up to them, this time she reluctantly looked up seeing Oliver hauled off with his idiot comrades in cuffs. Her day went from bad to great, and she had a blast giving him the worst time of his life.

“Not again.” Neola and Margo practically cried out seeing the problem the minute Ridge lifted her into his arms.

“Again…and so what, I had fun doing it.” Bianca added with a half smile watching her favorite married couple join them, both shaking their heads in her direction.

Jared and Sidney went off to discuss the situation with police, while the others got Bianca to the nearest ambulance and to the hospital. It was going to be a long night of waking her up every half hour, painkillers and mood swings that come with them. It was their fourth concussion with her and they were used to them. Bianca had always gone head first into messes and it stood to reason she always would.

“Cuz…you really need to use that head for something other than collecting bumps.” Neola watched Margo nod in agreement with a flicker familiar mischief.

“Not here Margo.” Bianca warned miserably from the hospital bed she was assigned too until she could sneak home, she had to wait for the x-rays and already knew the condition they would come back with.

“This is going to be a long night.” Corbin muttered already seeing the familiar cat fights coming exchanging a weary glance with Aaron.

“Probably.” Added Sidney walking into the room with Jared in tow. “The cops are so annoying.” She flopped in a chair rubbing her temples; she was now being graced with a headache.

“Only because of Oliver.” Bianca wrinkled her nose at the name, she never wanted to say, hear or see that name again. “My head.” She moaned ducking under her pillows hating hospital lights and inconsiderate doctors.

THE END