Dar and Kerry Series - Short Stories

by Melissa Good

  "Oh no.. not another jewelry store." Colleen sighed, rolling her eyes. "Jeez, you'd think you were shopping for the crown jewels of England, Kerry." She sighed. "You didn't find anything you liked in the last six ones we've been in, what makes you think this is the one?"

  "Tch.. I'll never know if I don't try." Kerry scolded her. "Is it so bad I want to find Dar a nice present? It has to be just right for her." She got up and trotted out, heading across the mall breezeway to a small, rustic looking store just opposite.

  The door tinkled gently as she entered, and a small, gray haired man behind a wooden counter looked up. "Allo." His voice was accented, but not one she readily recognized.

  "Hi.." Kerry pushed her hair back off her forehead as she advanced, glancing around. There were wooden trees snaking sinuously about, draped with gold and silver jewelry, and she smiled, liking the place for it's informal air. "I'm looking for something.. um… for a gift..I. "

  "Ah." The man got up and spread his arms. "That covers bout everything in here, m'dear.. take yer choice. Anything in particular? Is it a man, or a woman?"

  "A woman." Kerry answered, decisively. "Only I'm not sure… she doesn't wear much jewelry, so I don't really know what she likes."

  "Mm." Faded gray eyes twinkled a bit. "Them's who doesn't wear much, are usually real particular… I've got some real nice necklaces here.. " He drew her attention to a huge abalone, lined in soft, dark blue cloth with pretty golden chains resting on it. "That there's polished mother o pearl as a setting.. see.."

  Kerry leaned on the counter, gazing at the piece. It was a conch shell formed from the abalone's surface, with a double pearl set inside, one black, and one white. "Wow.. that is unusual." The entire thing was mounted on a thin cup of gold, which curled over the edges of the abalone in outline.

  Would Dar like it? Kerry cocked her head to one side, and regarded the necklace. Yeah.. I think she would. "Okay.. I'll take it." She grinned at the man. "That was easy, huh?"

  He chuckled, and removed the necklace gently, taking back behind the counter and preparing it for her. "Good choice.. it's a local artist.. all this stuff is. I sells it on commission for em.. they do one of a kind pieces, not like what ye find in the big stores."

  "Mm." Kerry was scanning the rest of the jewelry, admiring the unique designs. "Yeah.. these are different." She touched a set of earrings made of tiny, dried starfish. "Not sure I'd want to wear those, though."

  "Stinks, they do.. ifn they were bigger." The man commented. "But folks like em.. I've got sundials that bitty too."

  The blond woman moved on, leaning on the counter to gaze down through the glass. Below her were rings, in all shapes and sizes, and one fanciful oyster shell lined in silk that contained….

  Kerry blinked. "Boy.. that's a nice ring." She breathed, startled when the shopkeeper appeared at her elbow. It was a delicate pale gold ring, with interlacing that formed an intricate Celtic knot. Nestled in the center was a square cut diamond that seemed to gather in the surrounding light and bury it deep in the center of the stone, producing a visible glow.

  "Thanks." The man answered quietly. "That un's my work."

  She looked up at him. "It's beautiful." And before she could stop herself. "I'd like to buy it."

  He looked profoundly surprised. "Well.. all right, then lass…it's a little pricey though.. you might want to.."

  "Nope." Kerry made the decision before she could stop and think it out. She pulled out a card and handed it to him. "Go for it."

  A delighted chuckle. "Will do… hang on a bit, and I'll measure you for it."

  "What size is it now?" Kerry inquired.

  "It's a ten.. a bit big, but I wanted to keep the right perspective and I.."

  "That's perfect." The blond woman assured him. "Absolutely perfect….thanks."

  ************************************************

  "Here you go, ma'am… all ready." The watch clerk handed Dar her watch back. "We had a heck of a time with it.. what was in that water?"

  "Puppy saliva." Dar responded, straight faced, as she took the package. "Thanks." She left the store, and headed for her car, feeling the pavement under her shoes oddly far away.

  The doors unlocked at a touch of her remote, and she slid into the leather seat, setting her packages down on the other seat and starting the car. Then she sat there for a long moment, letting the air conditioning blow against her face, and considering what she'd just done.

  Heck. It was just a ring. Just a piece of metal and stone, with a couple of words engraved in it.

  And yet, in a way, it stood for something far more profound, to her. It was, even if in her own mind only, crossing the line into a commitment she'd once promised herself she'd never again allow. She took out the ring and opened the box, staring at the glittering stone that winked back at her.

  Then she removed it, and studied the words, feeling an unexpected sting of tears as she considered their meaning, understanding the truth of them, regardless of whether or not Kerry felt the same of her.

  Forever Yours.

  She hoped so. She hoped she'd have the guts, someday, to hand it to Kerry, and find out. But for now, she merely tucked it back into it's box, and put it away, taking a deep breath and putting her sunglasses on, as she put the car into gear, and negotiated the parking lot.

  By the time she hit the ferry, she'd relaxed, and started looking forward to the evening. Kerry had promised a new recipe she was trying out for the first time, and they'd decided to go to the movie theatre afterward. The aggravations of the day had faded completely, and she stretched as the island ramp clanked down, finding a smile on her face as she headed the car towards the condo.

  A smile which grew broader as she spotted the green Mustang nestled into the spot next to hers, and she almost started whistling as she got out, and trotted up the stairs two at a time, keying in her code at the door and slipping through into the hallway with a sense of anticipation.

  "Woo woo!" Chino scrambled across the polished marble towards her, soft ears flopping comically.

  "Hey girl.." Dar laughed, and knelt down, scooping up the puppy and cuddling her to her chest as she stood.

  "Argrrrr" Chino chewed at her chin happily, and Dar managed to avoid being eaten by looking up and spotting Kerry leaning in the kitchen doorway, watching her.

  "Hey." She greeted the blond woman, who was dressed in a bathing suit and apron, and holding a mixing spoon. "How'd your shopping go?"

  "Great." Kerry told her. "You get your watch fixed?"

  "Yep. Sure did." Dar set the puppy down, and brushed the tiny soft hairs off her shirt. "I'm gonna go change." She paused, and regarded her lover. "You know.. that's a really cute outfit you've got on there."

  The green eyes warmed, and sparkled, as Kerry tugged at the bottom hem of the apron. "Thanks…I figured I"d get this put up, and we could go for a swim.. how about it?"

  "Mm." Dar sauntered over, brushing up against her and gazing into those wonderful eyes. "I got a better idea.. how portable is it?"

  Blinking, pale lashes fluttered. "Porta…why?" She inquired, intrigued.

  Dar captured the spoon she was holding and sucked the end, then released it. "Picnic basket, boat, ocean, you, me.. ?"

  "Oo." Kerry smiled broadly. "For that, I'd make it portable even if it were crepes suzette." She leaned forward and kissed Dar, then bumped her with one hip. "Go change."

  **************************************************

  The stars stretched wide overhead, in a night sky so clear even the usual shimmering seemed subdued. The sounds of the city were far behind them, and only the soft clanking of the boat's rigging, and the soft lap of the water against the hull broke it.

  Dar propped a bare foot up against the padded seat, and leaned back, glad of the soft cushions under her on the boat deck. She tipped her head up and gazed at the stars, then looked down as Kerry returned, and snuggled up against her, wrapping an arm around her stomach and letting out a deeply satisfied s
igh.

  "That was great." Dar told her. "I liked that.. the fish stuff in those pita pockets.. that was a great idea." She wiggled her toes and half closed her eyes in contentment.

  "Mm.. thanks." Kerry replied happily. "I was going to put it over pasta, but I think this worked out better." She gazed up at the stars. "They're so pretty tonight."

  Dar rested her head against her lover's. "Yeah." She remembered the small box tucked in the dresser drawer and nibbled the inside of her lip. It seemed like a good time to maybe, gently, see if Kerry was at all receptive t the idea.

  They sat there in silence for a bit, then Kerry stirred. "I can't believe it's almost the new year." She murmured softly. "It sure doesn't feel like the last week of the year out here."

  Dar gazed out over the timeless sea. "No… though if it were summer, the air wouldn't be this clear.. and that breeze would be a little warmer." She exhaled. "Must be a little strange for you though.. not very traditional." She asked, cautiously.

  Kerry considered the statement. "No.. it's not…I'm used to the week between Christmas, and New Years being one big round of celebrations…parties… it's cold, snowing usually…we'd have eggnog, and huge roast hams, and lots of champagne."

  "Hm." Dar mumbled a sound. "That does sound very traditional." She hesitated, then tangled her fingers with the blond woman's. "Do you… I mean, are you really a traditional kind of person, Ker?"

  Kerry glanced up at her curiously. "Well.. I never really thought about it… all that stuff never really meant anything to me, so.. I don't know.. maybe not." She looked forward at the dark horizon. "I never really thought.. that just because everyone did something, that made it good."

  "Oh." Dar chewed her lip. "Well, some traditions are good… I mean, I think so, anyway."

  "Really?" Kerry blinked up at her. "Like what?"

  Dar thought furiously, trying to come up with something innocuous. "Uh.. Thanksgiving." She finally muttered. "That's a good tradition, right? Turkey, and stuffing, and all that?"

  "Well.. yeah, I suppose." Kerry admitted. "Except here, we tend to have roast pig and yucca, but yeah." She paused. "Ours were usually used as an excuse to criticize everyone, though."

  Dar rolled her eyes, feeling the soft breath against her chest. "Right…um..well, ours were never really successful either.. Dad was usually on duty somewhere.. mom never did get the hang of cooking a turkey. Mostly I ended up with Froot Loops and a bowl of mashed potatoes."

  "Augh.. Dar." Kerry winced.

  "Yeah, well." The older woman shrugged. "Okay.. okay.. what about.. uh.. well, hey.. all those high school things.. you know, yearbooks, and tassels.. and um.. well, how about class rings?"

  Kerry was silent for a moment. "I never got one of those." She shrugged. "It didn't really mean anything to me."

  "Oh." Dar murmured. "Sorry."

  "High school wasn't a really great experience for me." Kerry went on, quietly. "They had this little competition going.. all that mattered was how much money your parents had, and what kind of sneakers you bought.. I just didn't buy into it.. especially those rings. It was all, 'mines better than yours, a bigger stone, a better cut' ..So I didn't get one at all, and I decided if I ever did get a ring.. it would just be because I liked it, not because it 'meant' anything."

  "Mm."

  "And then, my parents of course.. I mean, that's all I'd hear from my mother, about whoever it was I was going out with..'just what kind of ring do you think he's going to afford you?'." The blond woman shrugged. "I have a problem with that" She looked up at Dar's profile. "I don’t need a piece of metal to prove anything to me."

  "Oh." Dar exhaled. "Well.. sure.. I.. I got a high school ring, but I lost it."

  "Mm… it fell off?" Kerry inquired.

  "No.. I lost it in a poker game." Dar related, with a faint blush. "I just told everyone I lost it underwater diving."

  "Ah." Kerry gave her a tolerant look. "You could have gotten another one."

  "I could have, yes." Dar admitted. "But I'd moved past that…seemed silly to me to wear that while I was in college.. and no one there wore anything like that, so.." She sighed. "I guess I'm not very traditional after all."

  "I guess I'm not either." Kerry confessed. "I never really believed in symbols."

  "Oh." Dar exhaled softly, as she studied a particularity bright star near the horizon. Scratch that idea. "I guess I sort of feel that way too."

  "You do?"

  "Well, sure.. I.." Dar cleared her throat. "I grew up military… all I used to hear was tradition, tradition, tradition… good grief, there was a traditional way to go to the latrine, if you could believe it." She shrugged. "So me being… well, who I am… I just kinda threw all that out. Don’t believe in it."

  "Oh." Kerry seemed pensive. "Well, you know, Dar…we could make our own traditions."

  The long arms settled around her comfortably. "Like what?"

  "Well, like spending the night before New Year's Eve out on the water." The blond woman smiled. "Or greeting Christmas Day by watching the sun rise on the beach." She looked up. "In fact, you know, I think I'd like to create new traditions with you."

  Dar smiled back. "Would you?"

  Kerry nodded. "And who knows.. maybe we'll develop a taste for some older ones."

  An unseen grin split the dim light. "Oh yeah?"

  "Yeah."

  Far off in the distance, a horn sounded, and the horizon's line was broken by a cruise ship, it's lit decks flickering off the waves, and scattering a faint, broken dash of noise across the water.

  ************************************************************

  About Melissa Good...

  Melissa Good is the author of over thirteen Xena: Warrior Princess fan fiction novels. She is one of the most popular fan fiction authors in the Xenaverse. She resides in Florida with her dogs and her computers. Her fans urge everyone to check out her website at

  http://www.merwolf.com.

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  Copyright © 1999 Justice House Publishing. All rights reserved.

  http://www.justicehouse.com

  by Melissa Good

  "I'm not wearing that." Kerry folded her arms and assumed her most stubborn expression. "I don't care what you say, Dar, I'm not going to the company Halloween party dressed as Dogbert." The blond haired, green eyed woman surveyed the costume. "So forget it."

  "Aw." Dar Roberts, her tall, dark haired companion walked over and picked up a floppy ear. "You'd look so cute, Kerry, c'mon."

  "No." Kerry scowled. "And I would not look cute as a round, goofy white pooch."

  "Okay." Dar wandered down the row of possibilities. "How about this?" She held up an Indian Princess outfit in white leather, with tiny beads.

  "Boy. You're into extremes today, aren't you?" Kerry picked out a more sedate outfit. "There. How's Robin Hood strike you?"

  "Don't you mean Maid Marian?"

  "Heck no. What fun did she ever have?" The blond woman picked up a few accessories and headed for the counter. "And I can't wait to see you in that armor."

  "Mm." Dar followed her up, reserving judgment on the heavy chain mail outfit Kerry had talked her into. "Between the two of us, we'll have enough weapons to take the Centrust tower if we have to."

  Kerry paid for her costume and they left the store, walking through the setting sun and driving the short distance to the ferry terminal that would take them home.

  After dinner, they sat quietly out on the porch overlooking
the Atlantic, and watched the stars appear, along with a nice, full moon that painted a creamy stripe across the lightly ruffled waters. "I like Halloween." Kerry commented. "It's fun, and everyone gets to act a little crazy. We used to go out to the lake near my parents' house and tell ghost stories around a little fire."

  "Ghost stories? " Dar chuckled.

  "Hey, don't laugh. Some of them were really scary. We had this one about a phantom train, where you could hear the horn over and over again, but if you stayed near the tracks, you'd never see it." Kerry told her. "Unless you were about to die; then you did, and the engineer waved at you."

  "If all the people who saw that were about to die, how'd you find out about it?" Her companion asked, reasonably. "Interdimensional E-mail?"

  "Hah hah." Kerry propped her bare feet up against the railing. "I bet you don't know any good ghost stories, do you?"