Marina looked at her watch: 5:15 a.m. The sky was just beginning to show a hint of rose. As Marina went about the business of opening The Planet for the day, her mind slipped back to the kiss she had shared with Sadie the afternoon before. Marina was used to being in control, but that kiss had left her mind racing, and her body tingling for hours afterward. In fact, shed not really thought of much else since it had happened.

As she moved past the window, she noticed some movement near Sadies jeep. Stopping, she watched Sadie lift a road bike onto the rack at the back of the Jeep. A border collie paced impatiently in small circles, eyes never leaving Sadies body. I can understand wanting to watch that Marina whispered to herself.

Sadie was wearing a light blue skort–a pair of cycling shorts that were covered by a nylon skirt-like apparel–that softened the harshness of the usual cycling outfit. Her top was brightly colored, and had pockets in the small of the back. All in all, the outfit was very form fitting, and Marina enjoyed the form. She contemplated stepping out to say good morning, but thought better of it, and decided to wait until Sadie came over for the after hours event that evening. Mmm, Marina roused herself from her reverie, shook her head and continued with the chores of the morning.

As Sadie leaned over to take the tennis ball from Mias mouth, she peripherally saw a figure move across a window at The Planet. She looked up quickly, hoping to see Marina. The window was empty. She looked at her watch: 5:19 a.m. Damn, she muttered. The Planet wont open til 6. Ive got to get on the road before then, if I want to get in a morning ride before my afternoon shift at the shop. Just enough time to get in a short run with Mia before I hit the road. As she leashed her pet, she thought about her unexpected encounter with Marina. Her mind had been consumed with little else since the previous afternoon when theyd kissed. Shed finally decided a long road ride would be just the ticket to work off some nervous energy, and pass the time before she could see Marina again this evening. She briefly considered hanging around for an early morning cup of tea, but decided that would seem too needy. Marina definitely seemed to be an independent woman, and Sadie wanted to play it safe.

Cmon MiaIll race you to the park! And they were off, a blur of blue and yellow, black and white. As they streaked past The Planet, Marina returned to the window and watched the pair recede. Nice view. She smiled.

*-*-*
Sadie drove the ten miles to the parking area at Griffith Park. Mike had told her about a 40 mile loop ride route that would take her on some scenic roads near Mulholland, and she was excited at the prospect of stretching her legs a little. As she prepped the bike with water bottles, she realized how long it had been since shed actually gotten out for a long ride.

The day was just breaking as she clipped into her pedals and started off. The first ten miles rolled by with relative ease, and Sadies breathing evened into a regular rhythm, while her legs pumped like pistons. Her thoughts slid over the shop, and all the changes made during the last week, the women shed met at The Planet, and Marina. It had been a long time since shed felt the feelings that Marina had evoked over the last four days. Their kiss had really knocked her for a loop. It had been eighteen months since Paige had died, and Sadie had thought she would never feel aroused again.

LA has been better for me than I could ever have hoped for. Sadie said, and climbed out of the saddle. As she started a long climb her speed dropped to 16 mph, so she shifted into a lighter gear and increased her cadence. Satisfied, she watched the speed climb back to 18 mph. She heard a car ahead and looked up to see an SUV passing a small convertible as the two cars came around a bend. The SUV was barreling towards her, with no noticeable recognition of the cyclist.

Sadie inched inside the white line, and began to check her options for bailing, while keeping auditory track of the SUV. The shoulder was forbiddingly narrow; with a dusty, rocky descent into scrub brush about 10 feet below. She looked up, and everything seemed to morph into slow motion. She saw the driver of the SUV looking towards the convertible. She heard the horn of the convertible, as the woman in the drivers seat pointed frantically towards Sadie. The SUV swerved as the driver saw that he was headed right for the rider, and Sadie made the decision to bail. As her bike left the paved road she instinctively bent her elbows to absorb the shock. The front tire popped on impact with the gravelly shoulder eight inches below the asphalt, but Sadie managed to stay in the saddle by shifting her weight to the rear of the bike. The loose rocks and dirt were too much though, and the rear of the bike began to swerve. Unable to maneuver effectively, the front tire slammed into a small boulder and Sadie was catapulted into the air. She came down hard and rolled to a stop among the brush. Her bike crashed to a halt just below her.

The silence was almost deafening, as Sadie struggled to get her breath. The pain in her ribs was almost unbearable, so she breathed shallowly. She lay on her side, and she slowly raised her hand to her chinstrap to release her helmet, which was pulling her head at an uncomfortable angle.

Ohmygod, are you OK? Can you hear me? She heard a womans voice from the road above. She heard the crunch of feet landing onto gravel, and suddenly an onslaught of dirt and pebbles cascaded down the hill towards her. Sadie coughed as dust enveloped her, and groaned as her ribs protested. She managed weakly, I think Im okay, but my ribs are really hurting.

Just stay right there, Im on my way.sorry for all the rocks”Ive moved more to the side. Dont move. Craig—call for an ambulance! This last she yelled up the hill, to an unseen person. As the woman crunched down the descent, she continued in a non-stop rant, ***** SUVs, I cant believe that *****. Could have killed usmight have killed youohmygod, your bike looks horrible. Can you hear me? The crunching stopped as the woman reached Sadies side. As Sadie slowly rolled onto her back, Sadie saw the woman was clad in hiking shorts with a t-shirt. A baseball cap corralled the womans hair, and sunglasses hid her eyes.

I think Im mostly alright, my legs and arms seem to be working okay. Is an ambulance really necessary? Sadie grunted.

Well, I dont think youre actually going to ride that thing out of here. The woman gestured to Sadies bike. Sadie turned her head and groaned again at the sight. Her front tire was bent like a taco, and the frame was actually twisted. *****, she murmured, and let her head fall back to the ground again. Just as quickly she reached up and pulled her helmet off. Her hair was covered with a blue bandana, but the ball-capped woman took a step back, as Sadie continued by pulling her sunglasses off. Sadie?

Sadie stopped and looked at the woman again. Do I know you?

Its me—Lara—Lara Perkins. The woman pulled her hat and glasses off and grinned broadly, as her red hair cascaded down her shoulders.