Knight Shift (53 page)

After Jax forced Penny to sit and rest, the twins packed up the camp. Jax shifted and helped Susi to the cave while Sam managed to follow behind them.

*~*~*~*

Logan was forced to travel deeper into the dark and, after finding a place to hide, he curled up and masked his scent. He planned to get some sleep and dream about how he would indulge in Penny’s gifts.

*~*~*~*

After Jax returned to the camp, he and Chad stood guard until Penny was strong enough to travel. Then, per her promise, she was carried down the mountain side. Although Jax would have liked to hold her the entire time, he and the twins took turns. The trip down was quiet and they made it to Penny’s car as the sun was starting to set. They wanted to spend more time with her, but Jax insisted that she be on her way before the sun went down. He wanted her out of the woods before any Night Walkers rose for the night.

After Penny hugged and kissed everyone several times, Jax walked her to the car door. Once he had her tucked into the driver’s seat, she said, “Thanks for everything. It was a wonderful birthday and I can’t tell you how much it meant to have all of you there with me. I know we must go back to living our ruse for a while longer, but I’ll miss all of you terribly.” To herself, she added, “
You most of all
.”

Jax replied, “Trust me. I’ll find Logan and make this right but, before you leave, you must promise me that you’ll never go into the woods alone again.”

Seeing the genuine fear in his eyes of what could have happened, she replied honestly, “I promise.”

Satisfied that she was telling him the truth, he added, “Remember, even if you don’t see me, know that I’m watching over you.”

She sighed and replied, “My life is in your hands.” She trusted Jax above all others, but she knew that removing Logan wasn’t going to make the overall problem she posed to him and his family go away.

After the sun went down and Susi and Sam left the safety of the cave, Logan also emerged and quickly rejoined his men. When Hawk didn’t see the one he expected, he asked, “Where’s Penny? Didn’t you get her?”

Logan replied with a smile, “Not yet, but she isn’t going anywhere. I have a plan and your skills will be required. Let’s head back to the lodge and I’ll tell you about it.”

Hawk nodded but, since their previous night was not a success, he was shocked to see such an excited expression on Logan’s face.

As they raced through the trees, Logan shared his ideas for how to finally capture his prize.

Now that Penny’s Human family was finally at rest, Jax and Razor went back to attempting to stop a war. Penny couldn’t help wondering if Jax did as she suggested and took Chloe as his partner to reinforce the ruse. Although she had suggested it, the idea that his arms were wrapped around someone else made her heart ache.

Although watchers were still seen in the woods outside of Sam’s home, Penny’s impromptu hike up the mountain seemed to go unnoticed by the Changeling community. She was very grateful that she didn’t cause more problems for their already tense situation. At night as she stared out the window, she could sense those she cared for so deeply watching her from the woods. She hated knowing that her family was within shouting distance and yet she wasn’t allowed to see them. Although she left the cabin for work every day and spent her time surrounded by Humans, she felt a deep loneliness that she couldn’t shake.

One day after leaving work early, she pulled into her driveway and found a stranger’s face staring back at her from her front porch. Seeing the character 7 of 9 from Star Trek Voyager sitting on her doorstep, Penny smiled excitedly and jumped out of the car.

Her visitor called, “It’s about time you got home.”

Penny approached and said, “I see you’ve mastered another character. I’m thrilled to see you, 7, but what are you doing here?”

“I was in the neighborhood so I thought I would stop in for a chat.”

Penny scanned the woods and suggested with urgency in her voice, “Let’s get inside.” She led her friend into her cabin, which was pitch black because all of the curtains were closed tight. She locked the door behind her and then flipped on the lights. Now that they were safely indoors, she gave her guest a bone breaking hug and said, “Charlie, you have no idea how good it is to see you.” Scanning her latest character, she added, “Well almost see you. Can you shift back to yourself so that I can see my friend?”

7 laughed and said, “Only if you do too.” She reached out and played with Penny’s new hair and added, “It’s a nice look, but it seems that I’m not the only one who’s hiding behind another’s face.” Not expecting a response, 7 transformed into Charlie and Penny tossed her a robe.

As Charlie covered herself, Penny said, “I’m thrilled to see you, but you shouldn’t have come. If they see you being friendly to a Human, you’ll end up in the same mess as Jax and everyone at Sam’s.”

“I hate to admit it, but I missed talking to my favorite Human. And I don’t take it well when someone tells me I can’t do something.”

Penny put her hands on her hips and said, “I’m the only Human you talk to and I kept you away from me because I’m toxic to be around. By the way, does Spock know that you’re here?”

“He thinks I’m visiting Sam. I texted him when I got to your cabin to let him know I made it to Mt. Hood okay.”

“How did you find my cabin? I live in the middle of nowhere.”

“I was talking to the twins and I may have coerced it out of them.”

“Do they know you’re here?”

“No, they have no idea.”

“I didn’t see a car outside. Is it hidden nearby?”

“Actually I hitched all the way to your driveway by a very smitten group of Human men I met in a casino in Reno. They were heading to Vegas and offered me a ride.”

“Vegas? Mt. hood isn’t exactly on the path between Reno and Vegas.”

“You would be amazed what Human men will do when you look like one of the most beautiful actresses on the planet.” She chuckled and added, “I think I could have convinced them to take me cross-country to New York if I wanted. And in my disguise no one knows who I really am.”

“Your gift is amazing, but I think that you need to find a character that looks a little less flashy if you’re trying to hide.”

Charlie replied honestly, “I get lonely in the Ice Castle so I guess I like the attention.”

“You have Van Gogh and many others there to talk to.”

“Yeah, but I don’t have a girlfriend to share secrets with. Speaking of being lonely, how are you doing locked in this dark cage you’ve created? The woods outside your cabin are beautiful. Why don’t you have the curtains open?”

“Because I kept staring outside, trying to catch a glimpse of my protectors. I was driving myself crazy so I decided it was better to block my vision.”

“Who are your protectors?”

“Sam’s entire family, minus Jax. They take turns keeping an eye on me from the woods. I hate that they’re stopping their lives for me, but I know there’s no point to argue. They won’t listen.”

“Why isn’t Jax watching over you? Is he still off trying to save the world?”

“He’s desperately hunting for Logan but, the last I heard, he wasn’t having any success. Until he does, I’m stuck in my homemade prison.” Seeing the clock on the wall, she said, “Why don’t I fix you something to eat and I’ll get you caught up.”

For the rest of the afternoon and evening, the two women talked about everything that happened since they last spoke. When Penny admitted that she and Jax had been intimate up in the mountain, Charlie said, “I told you he’s still in love with you, and I don’t think anything will ever happen between him and Chloe. When Jax was in Reno, his new, more approachable personality had women following him around like puppy dogs. He never looked twice at any of them. I think that’s because his heart is already taken.”

Charlie’s comment started a long debate over Jax and Penny’s possible future together. To flip the conversation to a less painful subject, Penny said, “Speaking of couples, when I was in the tent with the twins they told me that you and Chad have been video chatting together. So, spill it. What’s going on between you two?”

“Nothing yet, but we seem to get along pretty well on the phone. He’s another reason why I wanted to come out here. I wanted to meet him and see what happens.”

The two women continued to talk about men, Penny’s new look and wardrobe, and Charlie showed off all of the new characters she had learned to shift into. After talking late into the night, the two finally decided to call it a day. When Charlie asked if she could borrow a nightgown, Penny pointed her to the dresser and said, “Grab anything you want. I’m going to take a quick shower and I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

After Penny disappeared into the bathroom, Charlie spent several minutes examining the artwork on the walls that she had only seen via a computer screen. She then went to the dresser and, after opening a drawer, gasped when she found nothing but silk and lace. When she found a second drawer full, she went to the closet to see if she could find something more suitable. She was shocked to find more of the same. She chuckled and grabbed a long shirt.

The moment that Penny emerged from the bathroom, her friend asked, “Is there something you haven’t told me, like you’re a secret lingerie model?”

Penny gasped, realizing that she had sent Charlie into the danger zone of her addiction. “Sorry, but I like lingerie and I may own a few.”

Charlie laughed and said, “A few hundred is more like it.”

Penny shrugged her shoulders and said, “I can’t help it; I’m totally addicted.”

“If you want to make sure Jax never leaves this room, get him over her for a little private fashion show. You could keep him entertained for a year.”

She replied, “I think I’ll keep my collection to myself for now.” Although Penny had shared many of her secrets with Charlie, she hadn’t told her that an invisible Jax had already had a year-long secret lingerie show.

Charlie cringed and replied, “I could never see myself in all of that lace.”

Penny knew how self-conscious Charlie was in her own skin and, seeing a hidden need in her friend’s eyes, Penny pulled out a few of her favorites. After a long debate, she convinced Charlie to try them on. The women laughed until they cried and forgot about all of their troubles for a little longer.

After a night of very little sleep, Penny got up with the sun and dressed for work. Just before she left, she woke Charlie and said, “I’m leaving. Do you do know how to ride a motorcycle?”

Charlie yawned and said, “I’ve been out a few times with the twins. Why?”

“I close the store today so I won’t be home until the early hours of tomorrow morning. Why don’t you shift into something comfortable, take my bike, and go visit the twins? I would feel better if you’re away from anything that can tie you back to me.” When she saw her scowl, she quickly added, “Besides, if you’re there, you can officially meet your phone pen pal.”

The thought made Charlie’s frown flip upside down into a smile.

Seeing the sudden interest, Penny said, “The bike is in the small shed out back. I’ll leave keys in the bowl next to the front door. Just stay there overnight and I’ll text you when I’m up tomorrow.”

Charlie grunted a tired, “Okay.” She rolled over and went back to sleep.

After working a very long day and sleeping in until noon, Penny got up and pulled out the ‘pay as you go’ phone she purchased during a break the previous day. She got the idea from a spy movie as a way to hide who was calling. She didn’t know if it actually worked, but she was desperate for a way to contact her family. She texted Charlie a cryptic check in message that they had selected the night she stayed over. Instead of a returned text, the phone rang. When Penny heard Charlie’s voice on the other end, she said, “Hey Charlie. I made arrangements to take the day off. Do you want to try to sneak somewhere and meet?”

“I can’t. We had an incident here last night with people watching Sam’s house. I swear they were taunting us to come out and, although the twins tried to hunt them down, they scattered. It was like they disappeared into thin air and the whole thing has everyone spooked.”

“Is everyone okay?”

“Yes, but they asked me to stay and help patrol the woods. Although the watchers seem to be restricted to surrounding Sam’s, we want you to be extra careful. We’ll keep a regular watch over your cabin, but please stay inside and out of sight as much as possible. Send me a text whenever you need to leave or head back to the cabin after sunset.”

Penny said with disappointment, “Okay.” She yelled at herself for thinking that a surprise day with her friend could ever happen and wondered if she would ever have a normal life again.

A few days later Penny was walking the store’s main floor in mid-afternoon when she spotted a middle-aged woman with a sweet looking black Labrador standing obediently at her side. Penny’s inner voice instantly told her what her eyes couldn’t recognize. She approached the woman and whispered, “Charlie, what are you doing here?”

Shocked to have Penny so quickly identify her, she replied, “And I thought this was one of my better disguises.” After standing tall she brushed back her hair and said, “My name is Cassandra and this is my dog Muffin.” When the dog knocked his head against her and growled, she rolled her eyes and said, “I mean Rambo.” She glanced down and asked, “Is that acceptable?”

Penny swore she saw the dog smile. For the sake of the Humans that were watching close by, she said loud enough for all to hear, “Although I think your furry friend is absolutely adorable and he seems exceptionally trained, I’m afraid that dogs aren’t allowed in the store. He looks thirsty. Why don’t you take him outside. There’s a nice patio area next to the store and I’ll bring you both some water.”

The woman smiled and replied, “Thanks.” She turned and headed out the door.

After asking Quinn to watch the floor, Penny grabbed a couple bottles of cold water from the employee lounge, a bowl they often used to share a bowl of chips, and went out the side door. After she handed Charlie a bottle of water, she filled the bowl for Chad and sat down next to her friend.

Penny said, “An ordinary Human…this is a new look for you. You almost blend in.”

“I wanted to come as Angelina while packing some serious weaponry, but Chad insisted on something more subtle.” She pointed to herself and said, “I saw this woman in a laundry detergent commercial and decided to give her a try. Do you like it?”

“I think it’s great.”

“By the way, how did you know it was me so quickly?”

“I don’t know exactly. I just felt it. I think I’ve been around your kind so long that I’m starting to pick up some of your talents. I now have this voice inside me that seems to give me a sixth sense.”

While Charlie scratched Chad affectionately, she shook her head in mock frustration and said, “Sorry about Chad. I told him that if he wanted to come into the store with me, he needed to be a tiny pooch that I could carry in a purse, but he didn’t think it was manly enough. Instead he insisted that he be something that looked a little more intimidating. Be grateful I talked him out of the monkey looking animal he’s been working on. It took some sweet talking to get him to agree to his current form.”

Penny chuckled as she caught the sudden flush in Charlie’s cheeks. She wanted to learn more, but instead she asked, “What was so important that you went against the stay put rule and came to see me?” Thinking that something may have gone terribly wrong, Penny’s eyes opened wide in horror and asked frantically, “Is someone hurt?”

Charlie realized the panic that her presence caused and replied quickly, “No, everyone is fine. I needed a little girl talk.” She looked down at Chad and asked, “Sweetie, can you give us a minute alone?” She played with his ear and Chad leaned into her touch. He then licked her hand, walked off, and took his guard position at the edge of the patio.