Hunter and Tracker - Chapter 1

Throwing the keys on the counter Jaden ripped her jacket off and threw it at the nearest piece of furniture. She closed her eyes a minute just listening to the sounds from the apartment hoping she wasn't alone again for the night.

Sighing she opened her eyes just as a shadow streaked across the counter tearing into her keys. Thrusting her hands out in reflex, Jaden screamed and jumped back, tripping on her jacket which had slid off the vinyl chair.

Breathing hard, unable to hear anything but her beating heart, she looked up and after a moment began laughing. "Shit Mr FancyPants. What the hell are you doing? Taking a page from Sheri's book I see." She shifted on the floor stretching her legs out actually glad to be resting.

She'd been unable to even get a seat on the bus, ridership had been up as had the gas prices making it tougher to find a resting spot for her 44 minute commute one way to and from her job.

Wiggling her legs around she looked at the apartment her eyes traveling from object to object finally coming to rest on the calico tabby looking down at her from the counter. "Guess Sheri did not feed you, or you are playing me." Laughing a little she pushed off the floor and stood by the counter running a hand over the cat's back.

Going through oft practiced motions, Jaden fed the cat while also rooting through the cupboards trying to decide what to fix them for dinner. She halted her search her eyes finding the note taped to the fridge. She frowned and just stood there as she reread the note.

"Well, looks like I've been stood up again." She declared and opened the fridge finding the wrapped plate of food that had been left for her. She took it out and put it in the microwave typing in the time.

She turned to move towards the bedroom, her hand gliding slowly over the faux marble countertop as she walked. Another night alone, another job to create a distance. She stooped by her backpack she'd placed on teh floor and took out her cell before heading back to change out of her work clothes.

Slipping her shoes off, she hit the shortcut for sheri and listened to the phone as she started struggling out of her shirt. As it continued to ring she started pulling the shirt over her head with out unbuttoning it. With her head stuck, she started fiddling with finding a button just as she heard a familiar voice. "Hello?"

"MFGSHTFUBCK..." Jaden called into the phone through her shirt as she struggled with it.

"Hello?" there was a pause and then a sweet laughter as the caller had identified the number. "So it seems I have a prank caller. You know I am tracing this number and calling the authorities even as we speak."

"HAHA," she mumbled. Exasperated she heaved on the cloth and heard it rip and then a metallic ping as the button went flying hitting the lamp across the room.

More laughter rang out through the connection. "Why do I get the feeling something just fell victim to the Great Patience of a Ms. Jaden Softenhire?"

"Because you get feelings about every thing," Jaden gasped finally free of the clothing.

"True, and I am getting the feeling the exasperation I am hearing actually started before the phone call?" Sherri hesitated knowing she had disappointed Jaden by having to stay in the city and work an extra shift.

"Yeah, sorry, was just hoping for a friendly face." Jaden replied softly picking up the destroyed shirt and tossing it at the hamper. She watched the shirt hit the side and fall to the floor beside the bin.

"Make sure that gets into the hamper," the voice said over the phone followed by laughter as Jaden started to splutter an excuse.

"And friendly faces, I am sure Mr. FancyPants greeted you."

"Yes, yes he did."

"Damn I missed a screaming Jaden didn't I?"

The woman paused loving how Sherri always knew... well that was her talent and why she was called into work so often. Jaden shook her head at that thought. The characteristic she loved so much was also one that she was learning to hate. Or at least be insanely jealous of, not jealous to possess but jealous Sherri used it with others.

"And now I am missing the melancholy, deep in thought Jaden." A sigh floated through the connection startling Jaden from her thoughts.

"Thank you for dinner."

"My pleasure, I thought about you the entire time I made it."

"You were cooking naked again weren't you," Jaden teased as she unzipped her pants and began taking them off.

"I plead the Fifth."

"Do, do you think this will be more than one day?" She sat on the bed and began wiggling out of her pants.

There was a long pause, so long Jaden finished removing her pants and had crossed to get a pair of sweats and a t-shirt when the voice finally began speaking.

"Actually, I know it will and I need you to pack a bag. When I get off I'll pick you up. I want to spend the weekend at Hannies. Some things have come up here Jaden." The voice trailed off leaving a very confused and suddenly nervous Jaden looking at the phone.

~Oh god she's leaving, they've promoted her or enhanced her again or...~ A rough voice cut across her thoughts.

"No I'm not leaving you, never again." There was silence as Jaden fell heavily on the bed. The release of her fear and tension leaving her body weak for a moment. "We just, the future is changing and I want to make sure you are happy."

Jaden bit her lip not sure if that statement was a good thing or a bad thing.

"It's a good thing, we'll talk more when we get to Hannie's. It's been too long since we were there. And I do still owe you for saving..."

It was Jaden's turn to cut her off, "No you don't. I'll pack and be ready. I'm guessing my work has already been called?"

"Things are all set. I'll see you tomorrow then. I miss you."

The clothes forgotten, Jaden stared at the floor as she nodded at the words biting her lip harder to keep from crying like an idiot.

"It's okay to cry, I kinda have been too."

Jaden felt her mouth fall open at these words, Sherri never cried, she was the strong one, the one who held them together. The one who managed to make things alright even when really they weren't alright. Had not been since that night...

She vaguely wondered if what had happened that night was the reason for this. Blank checks had a way of being cashed in the end. No one ever forgot about a blank check.

"Yes, it is... but we'll talk. And don't be scared, well not too much. We both mean too much to them and to each other."

Jaden felt her brows draw down, "We?"

"Yeah kiddo, we... I'm sorry. We'll talk and... and survive. Enjoy the meal and sleep, get a good rest. And wait for me, I'll be there before you know it." She hung up then as she'd heard her manager coming in with the night's list.

Jaden sighed and this time did cry a little. Putting her clothes on she moved to the kitchen to eat. She'd pack in the morning, for now she'd do as Sherri had suggested and eat and rest. She had a bad feeling that it might be awhile before things would seem normal again.

Not that they were normal now, but as long as Sherri was there. Funny at first she'd hated the woman and now... now she'd go and eat and rest and get reay for tomorrow.