One Hot Date

I checked the mirrors for the tail that had been with me since I had left the city and pulled back onto the interstate.   I guess I had lost them at the exit, my mind went back to the conversation from a few minutes ago.  

"You broker their heart."  
"Well, now you know why.  I couldn't drag her into all of that."  
"She's not in a much better place."
"What do you mean?"
"Her new boyfriend is a drug dealer and beats her."
"Fucking seriously,  where's she staying?"  
"With him."
"Address?"


There they were, they had waited at the rest stop on the other side of the on ramp. 
I let them follow until I got off the interstate again, took a few extra turns and ended up at the address.
A few minutes later we were in the car.

"Just a robe?"
"I wouldn't have been able to leave if I went back in."
"Alright, well shit, it's hot a/f that's for sure."
"Great, you just want me for sex too."
"I would be lying to say it hasn't crossed my mind, you remember how hot and heavy we would get."
"Yeah, see, just my tits and sex."
"Not even close.  We're riding into battle love.  Two Law enforcement agencies and at least one gang, possibly two are going to be converging on the place after I show up.  My heart rates up and I'll admit that if we survive this that...here, take my coat." 

"If it gets really bad there's a bow on the back porch."
"You don't have a gun?"
"No. I've never carried one."
"You're doing all this without a fucking gun?   Are you insane?"
"Maybe a little, but when I need one I usually take it away from someone.  I can't be the cute ditzy twink if I'm packin' heat and looking like I'm ready for a fight."
"Twink?"
"Long story...but they usually hand it to me to show off what they have to intimidate or impress.  Then I know what, where, and if it's loaded or not." 
"Okay, so a bow?" 
"Yeah."
"If this goes sideways and we survive then we may not see each other for 10 to 20."
"Fuck."
"Three hots and a cot and time to read.  I'll survive, I'm just glad you've still got that look."
"What look?"
"That look of passion and defiance, same thing as strippers and hookers that haven't been broken..."
"Are you calling me a slut?"  
"No, it's the same look in the eyes of a battle experienced soldier."
"..."
"Look, if we survive this b.s. I want you to get in touch with this person.  Have them train you, work with them, you're a bad ass already, they'll help you become even more bad ass."
"I'm not a bad ass."   
"Honey, you're riding into a probable gun fight wearing nothing but your bathrobe and planning on using a bow and arrow as your primary weapon, one that will be 30 yards away and may not have arrows with it if the shooting starts.  You. Are. A. Badass.  And I love you."
"Liar."
"We kiss the same...only person that I've ever experienced that with and you're here with me when no one else had the hutzpah to.  Honey, I love you.  Talk about Ride or Die."

I gave 'em the skinny on the lay out, where to go when/if shooting started

"Just duck down behind the engine block and wait for them to start reloading.  If it's the gangs they'll spray and pray and you'll have about a minute to move while they congratulate themselves and reload.  If it's the law, well, just show them your hands and do what they say, you'll be okay. Just don't say anything until you can talk to a lawyer."  

I handed them the keys...

"Here's hoping we're the ambush and not the other way around."

I got out of the car.