Alexi and Jana

"No, you had every right to, and I do think I would have done the same if I were in your shoes. I only heard your name at the Purple Palace, but that is all I know of you." Letting my hands play with my cup.

After a little chuckle, "Alright, my friends call me Jana, my name is Janalee Dixon, and as you have surmised, I am a detective with the CPD. Now why don't you enlighten me as to why you wanted to meet with me."

Taking a deep breath and holding it for a second or two I started my story from the time I walked into the Purple Palace and ending it when I was driving myself home the next morning. Even though I had my head down mostly in shame, I did get a glimpse or two of Jana a couple times, and it appeared that she was trying very hard to control her emotions. The lines on her brow were deep and set, her lips pressed tightly together.

After another short pause, I continued telling her that I was not afraid of going to the police, but knew it would be a hopeless cause with no proof. It would be one of those I said, she said, and would be nearly impossible to be proven, even though I did walk out of the Palace freely on my own accord.

I was in the middle of saying that I didn't know what to do when my tears starting down my cheeks. I just sat there, watching my teardrops forming little puddles on the table before me, when I felt a hand lay on top of mine. She then handed me a napkin with her other hand to dry my eyes; Taking the napkin, I thanked her.

"Look, as you have said, there is little that can be done, especially without some proof, but if you'll give me a little time, I'd like to ask around if anyone else at the department has heard anything or knows of something like this happening before."

"No, that is ok, ask around if you want. In the back of my mind, I am starting to feel there is really not going to be any justice for what happened to me, and revenge would only mean I would be spending a long time in prison, and I do not look forward to doing that." Feeling her give my hand a slight squeeze.

"Can I ask you a personal question?" Looking her in the eyes, trying to read her.

"Sure, if it's to personal I just won't answer you." Giving me a little grin.

"Why were you staring at me at the Purple Palace. I mean it was kind of intense, and I admit, it did make me feel a little uneasy."

She looked at me, then lowered her head and pulled back her hand from mine. I really regretted her hand leaving mine, but then I saw that she was starting to turn a little red in the cheeks.

"It's ok, tell me." As I reached out and gave her hand a little squeeze.

"As she looked directly into my eyes; "Promise you won't laugh if I tell you?"

"No, I promise, now tell me."

"When you walked into the Purple Palace, I saw a woman whose beauty stood out more than anyone else I've ever met. Laugh if you must, but I fell in love with you the moment I first laid eyes on you. Christi, the one I was with, kept telling me to go and talk to you. But when you started talking to that other woman, I knew I'd never get a chance to know you."

As I sat looking at Jana, I could see the sadness in her eyes. I had no idea what I wanted to do at that moment. All my emotions seemed to flash before me in an instant.

"Are you hungry?"

"What?" She asked.

"I asked if you were hungry?" Making it clear what I was asking.

"Maybe a little, I haven't eaten since this morning. Why are you asking?"

"I might be taking a big chance here, but follow me home, I'll fix us a diner, nothing fancy mind you, but filling at least. We can sit and talk and maybe get to know one another and not worry about being disturbed. Can you do that?"

"Yes... but are you sure? I mean you don't really know me or anything especially what you have been just put through." Looking at me with skepticism.

"Tell you what, we each pour our own drinks, how's that?"

Watching her smile was almost like watching the sun rising on a beautiful morning...

"I think I would like that very much, shall we go?"

We each got into our own cars, she stayed right on my bumper the whole trip, afraid she might lose me along that way. Once in my apartment, I showed her around my little apartment, not that there was much to see. She took a moment to stop and look at my wall, with the pictures of some of those that I had served with, and of some of the places I had been. I saw her lightly run her fingers over my Silver Star next to the plaque that was presented to me. After she had read the plaque she looked at me with those big dark eyes and smiled.

"One day, if it's not too painful, will you tell me how you earned it?

"Maybe one day, sometimes the memories are too much to bear, but maybe one day." Lowering my head and turning to head into the kitchen.

Once I was in the kitchen, looking through the cupboards for something to eat, Jana came in and sat at the table.

"I have a little confession to make, for the past twelve years, the Marines have been doing all my cooking, so I've only had what maybe seven or eight months to learn how to cook, just so your warned I'm not a great cook."

After a few good giggles, she stood and came to where I was standing...

"I'm not all that great either, but maybe between the two of us, we can fix something eatable, shall we give it a try?" Standing in front of me with that big grin on her face.

Going through the cupboards, panty and refrigerator, we found enough to fix ourselves something to eat. While cooking we talked about what we liked eating and some of the different things we've tried and hated. I had told her that I was going to pick up some MRI's to fix for her so she would have an idea how we ate in the field.

During dinner, we talked about what colors we liked, the clothes we wished we had and didn't have. I told her about my running five miles almost every morning and going to a gym to work out a couple times a week to stay in shape. I had mentioned that I was a DI Instructor before I left the Marines, and if she wanted to join me in some defensive tactics sparing. With that question, I did get a raised eyebrow as if telling me I was probably crazy for even asking that question. After a little kidding and some ribbing, she did finally agree that it might be good for her also to brush up on some defensive moves.

After the dishes were rinsed and put in the sink, I had made a pot of coffee. We went into the living room putting on some soft music so we could sit and talk while drinking our coffee. Sitting back enjoying the coffee, listening to the music, I turned towards her, tucking my leg up under me, my hand resting on the back of the sofa.

"Jana, you have no idea how much I have enjoyed this evening with you, and getting to know you. Not knowing what is going to happen next, and if this Nancy or the one I call Elvira approaches me again, I make no promises. My only concern is that I don't mix you up into all of this. I'll keep my cool, I'll even try and keep my head straight, but if either of them lays a hand on me, all promises are off. Can you understand what I am saying?"

Putting her coffee cup down on the coffee table in front of us, she turned, tucked her leg up under herself facing me.

"Yes I understand, but also understand this, I'll be right there, backing you up and making sure you don't cross over that line. I don't intend on loosing you just when I've found you, can you understand that?"

Reaching out and taking her hand in mine and giving it a squeeze... "Yes, and I feel the same for you."

I sat, looking into her eyes, those big brown beautiful eyes, seeing them full of life. I felt her fingers holding my hand, her thumb caressing the back of my hand. She suddenly pulled her hand back and jumping up...

"You know, it's getting late I do believe that we both have to get up early tomorrow for work." I got up following her over to where my pictures and trophies were, watching her pick up her gun and badge from the table, which I never saw her take off.

I walked behind her to the door. She reached out and put her hand on the doorknob and paused. While standing there holding the doorknob, I felt she wanted to say or ask something, but needed to gather her courage to do it.

"Alexi, will we see each other again?" Her voice sounded a little unsure and nervous.

I took her arm and started turning her towards me. When we were facing one another, I cupped her face in my hands and leaned in giving her lips a kiss.

"Maybe, but if you call and ask me out, I just might agree to go out with you again."

Before I had a chance to react, she had me in a tight hug, holding on to me, while holding her just as tight.

She back off suddenly and opened the door, rushing out saying she would call me tomorrow, closing the door behind her. I stood there, my back against the door, thinking of the evening I had spent with Jana, when all of the sudden there was a loud knocking on the door, scaring the shit out of me.

Turning around I yanked the door open only to find Jana standing at the door holding a card in her hand towards me... "I forgot to give you my card with my phone number on it, sorry."

"I think that's not all you forgot, but thanks anyway." Giving her my best smile.

"What else did I forget?" Cocking her head showing a little confusion looking at me.

"Don't I even get a goodnight kiss?"

Grabbing me by the lapels of my blouse, she pulled me in and gave me a full kiss on the lips while holding me tightly against her.

After she pulled back, she smiled and said; "Yeah, I kind of did forget that, didn't I?"

Turning, I watched as she walked down the hall towards the door with a little bounce in her step.

Stepping back into my apartment, I looked at the card she had given me, Det. Janalee Dixon. Below the name was her cell number and work number. Walking over to my purse, digging out my phone, I entered both numbers into it, and then plugged it in to charge.

After I had finished cleaning the dishes and picking up in the living room, I decided to soak in the tub to easy any the tensions I was feeling. Sitting in the tub soaking, I went over the conversation I had with Jana. As hard as I had studied her, I felt that everything she had told me was sincere. We talked a lot of the things we liked and disliked, and so far I was really starting to like her... maybe too much too soon.

For the next two days, I had heard nothing from Jana, but I was kept pretty busy at the shop. We had gotten in ten new cars that needed refitting to be used as taxicabs and we had to strip out the old ones to be sold at auction. It was Thursday that I had to work late, while going over the paper work I had heard a knock on my door. My night shift lead mechanic Joe stuck his head in and said that there was someone here looking for me. Curious as to who would be looking for me, I told him to show them in.

Just as I had cleared my desk of the papers I was going over, I looked up to see Jana standing in the doorway holding a large bag in her hands. Seeing her standing there with a smile on her lips, brighten my evening. As I started to rise, she raised her hand as if to say stay.

"Sorry I didn't get a chance to call you, I've been pretty busy myself lately. I had picked us up a little food from my favorite Chinese restaurant. When I didn't see your car at the apartment, I took a chance and came over here. Is that ok with you?" Sitting the bag down on the desk.

"No... err... yes... as a matter of fact, I'm starving to death. But if you're going to try and make me use those chop sticks they hand out, you're going to have to feed me, I'd starve to death using chop sticks."

"Well, I'm not going to sit here and feed you while I starve, so you're going to have to learn on your own, but I will help teach you how to use them."

For the next ten minutes we both laughed and giggled with her trying to teach me how to hold and use chop sticks. I did get to the point I was finally getting some food into my mouth, but much more practice was needed, that I could see.

While we sat and ate our diner, Jana told me that she had asked around about the two women I had my encounter with. She had told me that I wasn't the first one they had done that to, and it seemed that if anyone did come forward, it was immediately rebuffed, especially without any proof. I told her I wonder how many women they have hurt beyond the point of healing, and that we had to find a way to stop them from doing it to any others.

Jana said that she was at a loss as to how to stop them, but did believe something needed to be done. She needed to think how it could be done. She had said that she did talk to Patty and Jo at the Purple Palace and they weren't very happy hearing what the two of them had done.

Having eaten and cleaned up my desk with the left overs put away for lunch tomorrow, we sat and made some small talk about nothing and everything. Jana said that she had to go back to the station and finish up on some paper work that needed to be turned in before the end of the day. I had asked her if she wanted to stop by the apartment, maybe have some coffee and relax a little. She said she would like nothing better, but thought it might be too late when she got done, but asked if I would like to join her tomorrow at the Palace.

Lowering my head, and biting my lower lip, I felt confused about going back there.

"You know babe's, you can't hide forever from those two. Hell, they probably won't show up. They really haven't been seen there since they were with you; maybe they are running a little scared. Come on, I want you to meet my ex-patrol partner and very best friend." Putting her hand on my arm.

"Why don't I swing by your place and pick you up, say at eight. I promise I won't leave you alone. Please say yes." Again giving my arm a little squeeze.

"Alright, if you promise not to abandon me, else I'll hunt you down with a vengeance."

"Deal, and I'll even leave cookie crumbs to make it easy for you to find me." Trying to suppress her giggles as she said it.

Getting up at five the next morning was a little hard, not getting a good night's sleep, thinking about going back to the Palace tonight. After my morning run I did feel a little better, working off some of my stress.

My day went rather quickly. There were few problems and no one seemed to keep coming to me asking me questions that they themselves could answer. As the day got later and later, my anxieties begin to kick in about my upcoming date. Finely it was time to go home.

After a nice hot shower, I stood in my closet for a long time trying to decide what to wear, go bold, go sexy, or be conservative. Then it hit me, every time I had seen Jana, she was always in a pantsuit or jeans and blouse. Not that I had that many dress clothes, but if I was going to be her date, then I was going to dress as elegantly and sexy as I could for her.

At about five to eight, there was a knock on my door. Knowing who it was going to be, I opened the door, staying mostly behind it, trying to hide what I had on, wanting it to be a surprise for Jana. After she stepped into the apartment, I closed the door so that she could see what I was wearing. She turned and froze in place, her eyes were as big as saucers, with her mouth gapped open, she held her breath for a moment or two. In a soft whisper, "God you look so beautiful."

Standing there, wearing my 'A' line skirt that fit snuggly against my hips and thighs, showing off my well-rounded ass, my white blouse with three quarter sleeves rolled up once. I had on my gold chain necklace with pinnate and matching earrings. I had makeup on this time, not much, but just enough to bring out my eyes and cheeks, and a little gloss on my lips.

"I'm sorry, if this is too much, it'll only take a minute to go and change." Thinking maybe I went too far.

"Don't you dare! You look so beautiful, even more so now than the first time I saw you."

"Thank you, I just wanted to look pretty for you." Feeling my face beginning to blush. "I was hoping that you would like my selection. During my time in the Marines, I always wore fatigues, which aren't very flattering, but tonight I wanted to feel like a woman, and since I'm your date this evening, your woman."

For a moment there, I thought I could see her eyes beginning to mist up, but before I could really tell, she turned and opened the door. Grabbing my purse off the table next to the door, we were on our way.

As we were walking down the hall towards the parking lot, I felt her take my hand in hers. Turning my hand over, I interlaced my fingers in hers and giving her a little squeeze.

On the drive over, she told me about Christi. They were partners while they both were on patrol. It was during this time they got to really know one another. Christi was as straight as they come, and had no reservations with Jana being a lesbian. She was dating a fellow officer, and because they were a couple, they had to work different shifts. Since she hated being alone on her weekends, she often came to the club with Jana just to get out of the house. Her boyfriend Chris, knew all about Jana, and welcomed her accompanying Christi, keeping an eye on her.

It didn't take to long for us to get to the club. After we parked, she motioned for me to stay a moment. Leaning over she gave me a kiss on my cheek, then jumped out of the car, running around to open my door.

Once inside of the Purple Palace, Jo was there to greet us, as she greets everyone who enters. This time she stopped us, standing in front of me, I could see the look in her eyes like she was having trouble forming the words she wanted to say to me.

"Honey, I've heard what happened to you the last time you were here, and I promise you, as far as Patty and I are concerned, they will never step foot in here again."

Reaching out and putting my hand on her arm; "Jo, thank you for your words of kindness, but I have been formulating a plan, after I talk to Jana more about it, I might need for you and Patty to give us a little leeway with it, do you think that might be possible?

It took only a second, but a big toothy smile was all over her face, and a hint of a gleam in her eyes.

"Anything... you just tell me if I need to do anything."

"I promise, you'll know all about it before it happens." Giving her arm a little squeeze.

As Jo stepped aside, Jana took my hand and started leading me over to the booth where I had first saw her. Already sitting there was Christi, with a bright smile on her lips.

I slid into the booth sitting between Christi and Jana. From what I could see of Christi, she appeared to be maybe four or five inches shorter than Jana or myself. She had on a loose fitted blouse and could see that she was at least a C cup or maybe a small D cup. She had short red hair and freckles across her nose and forehead.

"Christi, I want you to meet the very lovely Alexi, Alexi, this is Christi."

I started to put my hand out to shake hers, but before I knew it she had her arms wrapped around my neck hugging me in a death grip.

As the waitress came over to our table, I ordered my usual, Bud Light. It was quickly decided that what we needed was three glasses and a picture of beer. Christi then piped up telling the waitress the tab was on her tonight and there were going to be no arguments about it.

We sat, and talked about past experiences and stories of the things we had done. I really got to see Jana letting her guard down, and her laugh was becoming very contagious. Christi on the other hand, was also doing her fair share of giggling and laughing.

During the evening, Jana and I got up and danced to a few songs, including a couple slow ones. Christi even got me on the dance floor for a couple fast ones. Once when Jana had returned from the restroom, Christi grabbed my hand saying she wanted me to accompany her to the restroom with her. Not that I minded, but I let her drag me along behind her.