Two Of A Kind

Chapter 13 – Freedom

Marina slowly descended the stairs with the other three women closely behind her. Nicky took up the rear regularly glancing behind her making sure no goons came out of the woodwork. Reaching the second floor she paused. Alex slid past Shane and Marina and ducked her head around the corner into the hallway.

One guy, four rooms. She looked at Nicky questioningly.

Your call. Alex looked thoughtful. After a few moments she nodded.

Lets not go looking for trouble. We get out of this house as fast as we can. Lets go.

The four of them continued down the stairs with Nicky in the lead this time and Alex making up the rear. They managed to reach the ground floor without running into anyone. Shane felt relieved they hadnt had to shoot their way out yet. She felt Alex lips brush her ear.

Dont get your hopes up yet we still need to get out of here.

Dude, stop doing that.

Marina raised an eyebrow at the exchange. She still didnt know who these other two women were, but there seemed to be more between Shane and the brunette than just friendship. She had noticed the way Alex kept trying to shield Shane while they were descending the stairs. Marina sensed another late night of coffee and talking coming up during which she could find out what had transpired between the two.

Alex was about to say something, when she heard noises coming from the front of the house. They were voices and they appeared to be stationary. Marina had heard them too.

The main living room is there. We should leave before somebody finds us. She motioned to the doorway leading to the back. Nicky nodded and started moving to the doorway just as a bulky blonde guard rounded the corner. Her reflexes kicked in instantly and she crouched while extending her leg kicking the guards feet from under him. He tried to yell out but her hand quickly covered his mouth as she dove on top of him. She pulled him into a sitting position with her other hand. She lifted her hand from his mouth, but before he could say anything her fist connected with his jaw and he slumped to the floor.

Alex rushed over and together she and Nicky dragged the body out of sight behind the stairs. Carefully she looked through the doorway but there was no one else there. They walked through a vestibule into the dining room. At the end there was a sliding door leading into the kitchen. Alex and Marina moved to one side of the door and Nicky and Shane to the other. Alex gave Nicky a nod and she slowly slid it open a few inches. Alex peeked through. Her face fell almost immediately. She looked back at the other women and held up four fingers.

*****. Nicky motioned to a small door in the corner and she and Marina walked over to see where it led. Within seconds they returned. Nicky whispered softly as not to alert the guards in the kitchen.

Its another door the basement.

I guess that means we only have one option. And we gotta be quick. She turned to Marina and Shane.

Nicky and I are going to take care of the guards, but its going to be noisy so you two get ready to run. She nodded to Nicky and the two of them started moving to the door when Alex felt Marinas hand on her arm.

No, I cannot let you do this. Her eyes held determination in them and a glimmer of anger.

This is my family and this mess is my responsibility. Alex thought about this for a moment.

This isnt about that. This is about three being a crowd. Nicky and I have done this type of thing before. Were in sync. Shane couldnt help but stare at Alex and then at Nicky. She still didnt know what Nicky did for a living, but why the ***** would a doctor be in the habit of fighting armed gunmen?

Marina nodded. She didnt like it, but she wasnt going to do anything to jeopardize their lives.

Just get ready to run.

Alex and Nicky moved to the door. Nicky counted to three and then she slid open the door forcefully. The two of them burst through. Marina and Shane could hear loud yells from their crouching positions two feet from the door.

****

When the men in the kitchen saw Alex and Nicky bust through the door, they immediately went for their guns. Alex ran over to the guy near the sink and twisting the gun away from him she kicked him in the back of the leg. She heard a cracking sound as the guy screamed out and fell to the floor. One of the other men grabbed her from behind, his arm crushing her neck. She reached back her hand slightly brushing his face. Then she forcefully jabbed her finger into his eye. He yelled grabbing at it giving her time to kick the man on the floor in the face with her knee. Wrenching the gun away from she lifted it and hit the other man in the gut with the butt of the gun. Then she clocked him under the chin knocking him back against the counter and he slowly slid to the floor. The man behind her had gotten up and he was reaching for the gun in his shoulder holster. Alex suddenly remembered the scissors. Her hand went to her back pocket. Before the man had a chance to remove the gun, Alex jabbed the scissors into his jugular. He reached for it, but it was too late. Struggling to breathe he fell to the floor.

Alex looked back and saw the third man on the floor right next to the sliding door. The fourth man was on his knees. Nicky was holding him in a headlock. He reached back trying to find something to pull or hurt, but Nicky was a pro. His face was turning red as he was having more and more trouble breathing. Alex quickly ran to the door and motioned Shane and Marina to join them.

By the time they reached Alex the fourth man was lying on the floor unconsciously. Quickly they ran to the back door.

****

What was that?, Angelina brusquely asked Meredith who had also heard faint yells. She shrugged and pulled out her gun motioning to the three men in the room to follow them.

****

Alex, Shane, Marina and Nicky ran through the back door into the back yard. Alex pointed towards the brush they had crawled through earlier. They had just reached the cover of foliage when gunfire erupted behind them. A bullet zinged past Shanes head and hit a tree. They fell to the ground and Alex and Marina started returning fire. Shane saw one of the goons take a hit to the shoulder and slumping against the wall. Alex motioned to Marina and Shane to follow Nicky and then she turned back and squeezed off another two rounds.

Nicky, Marina and Shane were moving through the brush towards the edge of the grounds with Alex on their heels still firing at their assailants. They had almost reached the far wall unscathed, when two more men appeared in front of them their weapons aimed straight at them.

Alex turned in time to see Robin and Ice standing behind the two men. They hit them in the back of the head and both men fell down. She smiled. So far, so good. Robin waved them over and she and Ice quickly helped Marina and Shane over the wall as Nicky and Alex kept their eyes behind them waiting for the rest of the goon squad. Nicky and Alex helped Robin and Ice over. Alex gave Nicky a leg up and was just being hoisted over when Angelina and Meredith ran into the small open space. Meredith squeezed off a few rounds as Alex disappeared over the edge.

Angelina cursed loudly and stomped back towards the house Meredith closely on her heels.

****

Alex felt the pain as the bullet brushed past her leg. She fell over the wall grabbing her leg. Nicky saw the blood and quickly helped Alex to the car that had been waiting on the other side. They slid into the back seat and Robin took off driving them to safety. Shane immediately saw the blood.

Oh my god, dude, youre shot. Youve been shot. Panic clearly showed on her face as she grabbed Alex arm. Alex broke into laughter. It had been a long time since shed seen someone so concerned about her. Most of her friends by now were used to her getting beaten up, stabbed, shot or worse. She couldnt help but be amused by Shanes concern.

Really? Are you sure?, she asked jokingly.

How can you find this funny?.

Dont worry its only a flesh wound. The concern on Shanes face remained the same her eyes focused on the blood pouring from the wound. Alex cupped her face in her hands.

Seriously, Ill be fine. Trust me, Ive been shot before this is nothing.

Youve been shot before? But youre a doctor, her voice trailing off. Alex tried to think of the right words.

Lets just say I moonlight on occasion sometimes for Ice sometimes for Robin. Before Shane could reply, Alex lips were on hers. Seductively she moved her tongue over Shanes lips. Shane could feel her concern fading to the background being replaced by that desire Alex was so good at evoking in her. Shanes hand moved to Alex back. Her lips placed kisses on Alex cheek moving to her ear. Her lips brushed her earlobe and she heard Alex suck in a breath. Abruptly Shane pulled back when Alex yelled in her ear.

Bloody *****!!!. Angrily she glared at Nicky who had wrapped a piece of cloth around her wound and yanked so tightly Alex thought she was being shot again. Nicky had a devilish grin on her face.

Well, I didnt want you to embarrass yourself in front of your audience. Alex chuckled. She never could get mad at the blonde bombshell. Laughing she pulled Shane towards her who just leaned in and felt relief when she felt Alex heat radiating through their clothes. Marina looked over her shoulder at the newly formed couple and smiled. It was time Shane found someone worthy of her and not some Cherie Jaffe. Shane felt Marinas stare and looked up. She smiled back and settled into Alex arms closing her eyes for just a minute.

****

Well, the bad news is, they know youre here. Marina sighed as she heard Alex confirm what she already suspected. After they had gotten back to the hotel room Alex had made a few calls to gather some information.

So what is the good news?. Shane looked at Alex questioningly. Alex shrugged.

The good news is they havent shown up yet.

Ice got up from the bed and started packing up their gear. She looked at the others expectantly.

Well, come on. Lets move. The sooner we get on that plane, the better. Nicky and Robin nodded in agreement and got up to help pack up. Occasionally theyd get a blasting from Eric who was berating them for not being careful enough with his toys. Alex turned to Marina.

You know this is a temporary solution, right? You are going to have to settle things with your family, or youll never be safe. Marina nodded.

Im surprised they let me be for so long. She paused trying to find the words to explain her family and the way they saw things.

My father his not being well has changed things. Made them wonder that maybe they shouldnt have let me go so easily. I will handle it. She sounded very confident, but she felt nothing of that confidence in her heart. She had seen the lengths her family would go to, to get what they wanted. In her heart she had known this day would come. But after so many years she had gotten careless. And hopeful that perhaps her family had finally given up on her. She now knew how foolish that had been. The worst thing was that she had no idea how to fix this. If even her father was willing to resort to violence She was going to need a lot of help, but whom could she turn to?

Alex saw the play of emotions on Marinas face. This woman was in serious trouble and she felt sorry for her.

And well help you, Alex stated as a matter of fact. Marina looked at her incredulously.

How did you know what I was thinking?. Shane chuckled.

Its annoying, isnt it?. She sat down next to Marina and wrapped her arm around her.

Youve already done so much for me. I cant ask you to, but before she could finish, Shane interrupted her.

Dont argue with your friends. Marina smiled at Shane and wrapped her hand around Shanes.

Thank you.

****

Previews

Ever thought of joining the mile high club?. Alex smiled kneeling between Shanes legs.

Sweetie, Im a long time member. Pushing up Shanes shirt she placed soft butterfly kisses on her stomach. She felt Shanes body react to her touch. Her fingers played with the hem of her shirt. She slowly unbuttoned her shirt kissing her way up to Shanes neck.

—–

*****. They all stared at her waiting for more, but all Jenny did, was stare at the banner licking her lips and repeatedly saying *****. Bette was about to suggest that maybe it wasnt such a good idea for her to be here, when they heard a girl yell.

Shes here!!!. Alice let out a big whoop and she grabbed Tina, Bette and Dana yanking all of them through the crowd to the front door.

—–

Im going to have to go back, Marina sighed. Alex nodded. She had already seen this coming. For Marina to completely be rid of her past she was going to have to face it head on.

And Im coming with you. Shane handed Marina her drink. She had a determined look on her face.