Date: Thu, 8 Sep 2011 17:34:01 -0400
From: numlfl C <numlfl@hotmail.com>
Subject: Lara's Story - Part Three

This story is the property of the author. You may keep a copy on
your computer for personal enjoyment, however if you wish to publish or
distribute the story then you must get the permission of the author.

     Lara's Story
     Part Three

By Chris

       "I'm taking her outside for a few moments, if one of you would get
her a Mountain Dew, it would be greatly appreciated." Gena said pulling
Lara with her toward the stairs.

       Gena heard Agent Stone said as an order, "You heard her, someone go
get Lara a Mountain Dew, get her several!"

       Gena had to force Lara toward the stairs, gripping her tightly
around the shoulders as she guided her down the stairs. Lara was still
crying but the sobbing had stopped. They were passed on the stairs by one
of the agents that was with Agent Stone, he was obviously the one assigned
to get Lara her Mountain Dews. By the time that Gena had Lara at the bottom
of the stairs, Lara seemed to have given up on going back to slap her
father and was going with her. She took her out the doors and past the
government cars to a clear area under one of the old tall oak trees. Lara
was still shaking, so Gena pulled her into her body and held her tightly
for a few minutes. When she felt Lara start to wiggle and try to pull away,
she released her but she kept an eye on her seeing Lara's tear streaked
cheeks. She reached up with her fingers wiping the tears from Lara's eyes
causing Lara to give her a slight smile.

       "I guess I made a fool of myself up there didn't I, slapping my
father when he could no longer fight back." Lara said as she began to
softly smile.

       "No I think everyone who has heard your story this week understands
why you did that and don't blame you for doing it." Gena told her wiping
the tears from Lara's eyes. "If it was me, I would have probably got my gun
out and shot him a couple of more times just to make sure the SOB was
really dead."

       Lara laughed, "Well if I had a gun I would have done that too. I
still would."

       "Then I guess we had better keep any guns away from you then don't
we." Gena said with a laugh but she was also serious figuring that Lara
just might do as she said she would.

       "No I won't do that, but it is nice to think about, he really is a
bastard," Lara told her.

       "He was a bastard, but now he is just a dead drug trafficker,
nothing more."  Gena assured her. "He's nothing to you now, he can't hurt
you now, nor can your brothers."

       "I know but..." Lara said.

       "No buts, they can't hurt you and they never got a chance to call
anyone that could hurt you. You're safe now." Gena assured her.

       "You... You sure..." Lara said as the tears began to fall once
again.

       Gena pulled Lara back into her body hugging her tightly, she
whispered into her ear, "Yes I'm sure."

       Gena rubbed her back as she held her tightly and she felt Lara melt
into her arms taking in the feeling of security that Gena was trying to
give her. Lara was gripping her tightly however as the minutes passed, that
grip began to loosen. Gena knew that Lara was beginning to get control over
herself and that was when the agent that had went to get Lara's Mountain
Dews arrived holding a bottle out to her and having two more six packs in
his arms.

       "Honey, your Mountain Dews have arrived, you know what that means
don't you?"  She asked.

       Lara pulled back and asked, "What's that?"

       "That you need to earn that DEA uniform that you are wearing, they
still need you to break into your father's computers." Gena said hoping
that giving Lara something to do would help her.

       Lara looked down at the uniform that she was wearing and slowly a
smile came over her face, "I guess I had better earn my keep then."

       Lara wiped the tears from her face before turning to the agent,
taking the offered drink, and saying "Thank You." She then began to march
back toward the house with her back straight and her head held high. Gena
was so surprised by Lara action that she was stuck in place for a moment
before she said to the agent, "Put those in the fridge and tell Agent Stone
that we're heading to Lara's father's office." Gena then caught back up
with Lara who was walking with a purpose now. As they entered the house,
they were wheeling her father out on a stretcher with his body
covered. Gena heard Lara say to him, "bastard," then she went on inside.

       Lara went into the house making a left hand turn and heading to what
Gena assumed was her father's office. As they entered it, Gena was amazed
as to how big his office was; she could fit her kitchen and living room
into the office and still have some room left over. There were several men
and one woman gathered around Lara's father computer screen and they all
seemed to be frustrated at what they were seeing.

       "Let me at it, I'll get you into the bastard's files." Lara told
them however they all just sat there looking at her like she was
crazy. Gena could just see them thinking that if they couldn't get in then
this young lady would never be able to. They all stood there in this
standoff and Gena was about to say something when she heard the DEA
Director's voice come from the door.

       "You heard her, let Lara at that computer; you might learn something
from her."  He told them.

       You could see the disbelief in their eyes however that didn't stop
them from doing what he said. They knew better than to disobey an order
from the Director no matter how stupid it sounded.

       Lara went over and sat in her father's seat and for a moment she
just sat there.  Gena knew that Lara was getting so much joy just at being
able to sit in a chair and in a room she was never allowed to be in. She
allowed herself just a moment of this pleasure before she slid
forward. "Everything in the computer in encrypted, it is just a matter of
figuring out what encryption and then how to break it."

       "We know that but how are you going to figure that out?" The agent
who was in the seat asked.

       "The man who taught me also taught my father so it has to be
similar. Plus my father wasn't all that great on computers so it has to
have a simple code to break it. It may take me a few minutes but I'll get
in there." Lara told them then her fingers began to fly across the keys.

       Gena went over to one of the chairs in the room and sat down. She
watched as Lara's forehead knitted as she concentrated on what she was
doing. She only paused to take a long sip of her drink then she went back
at it. Lara just kept working trying different things but never once did
she seem to get frustrated by her lack of progress.  She also saw the
smiles get bigger on the agents faces as Lara had trouble getting in,
however Gena was certain that Lara would eventually get in and she did.

       "Bingo!" Lara said with a smile on her face and frowns on the
other's faces.

       "Where do you want me to download this file, we got lots more to get
into people." Lara said now firmly in charge.

       "Here, connect it to this laptop, then we can see what you are doing
and download the files to the office." The female agent said giving Lara a
cord to hook the two computers together.

       Gena knew that Lara would be okay now, so she went out to find the
sheriff and see about everything else that was going down. She found him in
the kitchen with Agent Simpson, Hillary, and Kurt who were all having a cup
of coffee. Gena got herself a cup and stood at the counter listening to
them talk. She found out that the Concord sheriff and his two deputies had
been woken at six that morning and arrested. The whole department was now
being questioned to see if anyone knew what had been going on. The state
police had taken over the sheriff's office and would run it until
everything could be figured out and the city council could appoint a new
sheriff. The DEA also had raided the places that Lara had gone to get the
drugs and more arrests were made there with lots of drugs found. And the
warehouse that the family had been shipping from was also raided at the
same time with more drugs found and men arrested. In one fell swoop, the
whole operation was taken down and they were all sure that once Lara's
father's computer was opened and the files downloaded, there would be more
drugs to be confiscated and people arrested. Gena could not believe that
her one traffic stop had lead to all of this, but the real credit, she
knew, went to Lara for coming clean and taking the risk of death just to do
what was right.

       About noon, Gena went back into where Lara was working and she ate
the sandwiches that were brought in with Lara as she worked on her father's
computer.  Gena saw that the agents were now all on Lara's side kidding and
joking with her as she worked. They finally had accepted the fact that they
could learn a lot from this girl and they were feeding on the
knowledge. When lunch was over, they had downloaded everything from Lara's
father computer; they trooped to her brother's computers to find what they
could there, not that there was much since her father had complete control
over the operation. Once that was done, Lara helped them unhook everything
and put it out in the vans to haul to the main office along with the papers
that were found in the house. Everything would be gone through for any
leads that they could get to bring down anyone else that was involved.

       As things were winding down and the DEA agents, that Lara was
working with were gone, Gena could see that Lara was a bit lost. "Would you
show me your room before we go?" Gena asked.

       Lara seemed to pause and Gena said, "You don't have to if you don't
want, if it bothers you."

       "No I want to." Lara said firmly. "Come on; let's go see it for the
last time."

       "Are you sure?" Gena asked.

       "Yea, I'm sure." Lara said as she took Gena's hand leading her
toward the kitchen.

       Gena realized that she was so close to the room and had forgotten to
look in when she was drinking coffee and finding out what all had gone
down. She also realized that Lara had a firm grip on her hand and it felt
nice, it felt natural to her. This bothered her a bit but not enough to let
go. Lara went through the kitchen and there at the far end was a door, Lara
opened it and went in taking Gena with her.

       Gena had been amazed by the size of the house and the offices and
bedroom and now she was amazed by how small this room was, it was less than
the size of the cells in their jail. There wasn't even a window to look
out. What there was; were a couple of small pads lying on the floor with a
sheet and blanket and a pillow. Along the back wall and to the side were
neatly stacked jeans, tee shirts and some bras and panties and nothing
else.

       "Oh god, this is even smaller than I had imagined. How did you live
in this place and not go crazy?" Gena had to ask as she put her right hand
to her mouth.

       "It wasn't bad when Nana was here but it got hard once she left
me. But then I got big enough to drive and my father found out that I was
great with numbers and computers, then I got my laptop and that helped me
pass the time. Plus with me sneaking out at night and roaming the place and
grounds gave me some relief." Lara told her.

       "Just how did your father discover you were good with numbers and
computers?"  Gena had to ask as she was curious about that.

       "One night when Buster or rather Ray, I believe the director said
his name was."  Lara said and Gena nodded that it was.

       "Anyway one night he was working late and I happened upon him. I
guess he wanted company and I was bored so he began to show me things and
he only had to show it once to me and I knew it. I stayed by his side all
night working with him. Then I guess he told my father who came into my
room and slapped the shit out of me and threatened to kill me like he did
my mother and then he stormed out. I knew I was dead but I guess Ray talked
him into letting him train me and put me to use. So I guess I owe Ray my
life." Lara said.

       "I guess maybe you do. At least he did something good in his life."
Gena told her.

       "So who taught you to drive anyway?" Gena asked her.

       "You're just full of questions today aren't you?" Lara stated
however she did have a slight smile on her face.

       "Sorry, it's just there some things that I couldn't figure out as
you told me some about your life." Gena told her.

       "It's cool; I don't mind talking about it now." Lara said. "Actually
Johnny showed me how to drive. The normal driver showed up one day high as
a kite, I guess he got hooked on the drugs that he was carrying so they
couldn't trust him anymore. They had no one to send and I guess Johnny
thought of me. I was just big enough to reach the pedals so I was given the
job. Johnny took me on the trip making me drive when we were off the main
roads which we were most of the time. So by the time the next trip was
scheduled, I had all those driver licenses made for me and I went on my
way. Of course my father chose to slap me around me a bit to keep me in
line as well as more than a few threats. He then gave me some cash to get
down there and back up. They mapped out the first few trips, after that,
they just told me to take a different route and gave me a week to get there
and back. That way I could stop when I wanted and visit places so I would
look like a tourist or some student on a road trip. I did as they said
until I knew they were no longer watching me, then I began to hurry down
there and back then I would get a motel and just relax and explore the area
that I lived in."  Lara said.

       "I would ask you why you didn't try to run but after seeing how your
family tried to protect their territory today, I know why you didn't." Gena
told her.

       "No they would have found me and killed me, of that I have no
doubt." Lara said.

       "Well I don't know about you but I am ready to get out of here, is
there anything that you want to take with you? I don't think there is
anything here that anyone but you would be interested in." Gena told her.

       Lara looked around and said, "No there is nothing from this place
that I want."  Lara said as she turned to leave.

       "What about your panties and bras?" Gena asked.

       "No I want to get some more and throw away everything I have now, I
want to start fresh." Lara said.

       "Well I can understand that," Gena said as she followed Lara out the
door.

       On the way out, Gena saw the sheriff, so she sent Lara on and she
stopped to talk to him. That led them to Agent Stone and Agent Simpson who
talked to the computer agents. Another twenty minutes later, Gena found
Lara sitting in the passenger seat of her car.

       "Would you believe that we both got the weekend off," Gena said as
she got into the car.

       "They don't need me to do anything else?" Lara asked with a worried
look on her face.

       "Well at least not for the weekend but we are on call in case they
come across something that they need your help with. But for the moment
they have everyone they wanted arrested or they are dead, and you have
opened all the files. They have even frozen all of your family's assets
which will become property of the federal and state governments. Sorry but
you won't be inheriting anything." Gena told her with a smile.

       "I don't want anything from this place," Lara told her.

       "Yea, I didn't think that part would bother you any," Gena said with
a big smile.

       "We just got to stop and get our clothes from the van, there'll be
an agent there to let us get them and then we can head home." Gena told
her.

       "I'm ready; it has been a long day." Lara said.

       Gena asked Lara what she wanted to do during the weekend and she
wasn't surprised that watching movies were high on the list. And going to a
real theater was at the top. They stopped at the van and they both changed
back into the clothes that they had come in leaving the DEA uniforms in the
van, then they were on their way.  Before they left the small city that was
Concord, Gena pulled into a large discount store.

       "What do you need here?" Lara asked.

       "Nothing but you do," Gena told her with a smile.

       Lara turned and gave Gena a strange look, "What do I need?"

       "How about some bras and panties to start; and then maybe a pair of
jeans and a tee shirt or two to get you started on your new life." Gena
told her.

       "But I don't have any money; they have my purse and besides the
money in it was from my father." Lara told her.

       "This is my treat, which is why we are at this discount store," Gena
told her giving her a little wink.

       "You sure?" Lara asked giving her a shy but happy smile.

       "Yes I'm sure," Gena assured her.

       "Well then maybe a few panties and bras, will be okay," Lara said
now smiling fully.

       "What about some jeans and tee shirts?" Gena asked.

       "Oh I got the sweat suits you gave me; they'll do me just fine,"
Lara told her.

       "You got to have more than that to wear," Gena replied.

       "No I don't." Lara said with a big smile as she got out of the car.

       "Okay but we'll figure something out for you to wear other than
sweat suits."  Gena said conceding the point for the moment.

       They went on into the store, going on back to the lingerie
section. Lara looked through the panties and seeing all the different
styles going from thongs to boy shorts, to the plain cotton ones that she
had been wearing. Lara looked around and she went to the inexpensive
panties and bras much like what Gena had seen her in. However Gena could
see that Lara's eyes kept flashing over to the more hip styles so Gena
stepped in to suggest that she chose some of them. Lara resisted at first
but Gena didn't have to do much talking to convince Lara to go with some of
the nylon hip huggers and she even talked her into getting one pack of
thongs. They then went to the bras where again they got a couple of
different styles including some that hooked in the front that Lara seemed
to like. While she was at it, Gena got herself some as she needed some new
bras and panties too.

       "God I'm glad to be home again." Gena said as she entered the house.

       "Me too, it has been a long day, too long of a day." Lara said as
she followed her into the house.

       "Why don't you go take a shower while I make a pot of coffee." Gena
told her.

       "No you take yours first while I make the coffee, that way it will
be ready for you when you get out." Lara said as she slipped in around of
Gena going toward the kitchen.

       "If I wasn't so tired, I'd argue with you." Gena said and that got a
laugh from Lara.

       So Gena went on to her bedroom, locking her gun away and then
heading toward the bathroom with a gown and clean panties in hand. She
quickly undressed and jumped into the shower even before the water was
completely warm as a way to wake herself up a little. It did help and then
she just sort of cleared her mind not wanting to think about their day. It
was just too much to process and she was tired of thinking.

       When she came out of the bathroom, Lara was standing there ready to
enter.  "Your coffee is ready; I even made you a cup just the way that like
you like it." Lara told her with a smile.

       "And just how do you know how I like it?" Gena asked.

       "I've only watched you make about a thousand cups of coffee this
week; I know exactly how you like it." Lara said with a big grin on her
face.

       "I've not drank that many cups in a week." Gena protested.

       "Okay, then nine hundred and ninety-nine cups." Lara replied as she
entered the bathroom and shutting the door behind her.

       "Watch that mouth or I'll..." Gena said when the door came open and
Lara stood there in her bra and sweat pants on, "Or you'll what?" Lara
asked and Gena could see from her expression that Lara just knew what she
was about to say and she didn't like it.

       Gena smiled at her and said, "Or I'll make you drink nine hundred
and ninty-nine cups of coffee my smart mouth friend."

       Lara's mouth slowly softens and she said, "Oh..." She then started
to shut the door then she opened the door again and asked, "Why do you like
coffee so much anyway?"

       "Why do you like Mountain Dews so much?" was Gena's reply.

       "I don't know, I just do," Lara said.

       "Well that is the same for me." Gena said then she paused for a
moment, "... ah no that's not the real reason."

       "What is?" Lara asked.

       "When I got older, I helped Miss Prior put the younger girls to bed
at the orphanage, and then she and I would go to the kitchen and she would
fix me a cup of coffee and I would drink it with her as we sat and
talked. She was a sweet lady that had worked at the orphanage for years and
years. I once asked her how old she was and her reply was "Older than dirt"
which always made me laugh."

       "She sounds like a nice old lady," Lara said.

       She is," Gena told her.

       "What was it like growing up there?" Lara asked.

       "You go take your shower first, you stink, and then I might just
tell you all about it." Gena said.

       "Okay," Lara said then she started to shut the door when she stopped
and almost shouted, "I don't stink either!"

       Gena laughed, "I wondered if you caught that or not."

       "I did, you ass..." Lara said then she opened the door and said
quickly, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that."

       Gena gave her a soft smile, "Honey you can call me an asshole if you
want; especially when I say something mean like that. It's cool. I won't
get mad and I won't ever call you a bitch and I won't slap your
face. However if you are naughty, I might spank that butt of yours." Gena
then laughed to show she was kidding about that last part but was serious
about the other.

       Lara smiled and said, "I know you won't, you're too sweet to ever
treat me like my family did. You've treated me better than anyone ever
did." Lara said.

       "What about Nana?" Gena asked knowing that Nana was so important to
Lara in her early life.

       "She never took me out of there, you did." Lara said seriously and
then tears began to form in her eyes. Gena wanted to say something but she
wasn't sure what, but then Lara shut the door relieving her of having to
come up with something.

       Gena went on to the kitchen and there on the table was her cup of
coffee, she sat down, picking up the cup and took a sip. She thought to
herself that it was one of the best cups of coffee that she had ever
tasted. She wasn't sure if it was because she had been drinking bad and
cold coffee all day or because that Lara had taken so much care making it
for her. She was hoping that it was for the first reason; however she
feared it was because of the second one. The coffee was so good that by the
time that Lara returned from her shower and in her nightgown, she had about
finished it.

       "I'll make you another cup." Lara said just as Gena started to get
up.

       "You don't have to; I can make my own coffee." Gena protested.

       "I know but I like to just as I like to cook, so sit there and tell
me about the orphanage, what it was like growing up there." Lara said as
she stood by the counter with her back to Gena.

       "What would you like to know?" Gena asked as she watched Lara
standing there and she seemed to be wiggling her ass. Gena was beginning to
wonder what Lara was doing. Was she doing it for her which she didn't think
so but then it hit her what Lara's problem was.

       "Everything," Lara said then she couldn't resist it any longer as
she reached to the back of her gown and pulled on the top of her panties.

       "Got a problem there?" Gena asked innocently like and trying not to
laugh.

       "No there's no problem." Lara said turning toward her with Gena's
cup in her hand and her cheeks were red.

       "You sure," Gena said trying not to laugh.

       "No I'm fine." Lara said blushing more, and then she had to reach
back and tug on her panties through her gown. "Yes there is, it's these
damn thong panties you talked me in getting, I feel like I got... I don't
know what between my bottom cheeks." Then she blushed more.

       Gena then had to burst out laughing even as much as she was trying
not to do so.  "I'm going to take these damn things off." Lara said as she
started to stomp out of the kitchen.

       Gena jumped up catching Lara's arm stopping her, "I'm sorry I wasn't
laughing at you but with you and at myself."

       "Laughing at yourself?" Lara asked with a disbelieving expression on
her face.

       "Sit down and let me tell you about the first time I wore a pair of
thongs." Gena said as she moved Lara to the table making her sit down. She
then went to the fridge, getting Lara her Mountain Dew that she had been
drinking on and then she sat down.

       "When I was at the orphanage, we mostly wore what was donated to the
orphanage so I never had anything fancy. So when I got out on my own and
was going to school as I worked, one of the first things I bought was a
pair of thongs, as all the girls were wearing them and for once I wanted to
be like everyone else. Well I got me several pairs and when I got home, I
put a pair on. I wore them a whole five minutes, pulling and tugging on
them the whole time. Then I said "Fuck this shit" and pulled them off. That
is what I was laughing at, as you were doing a perfect imitation of me."
Gena told her.

       "So did you ever wear them again?" Lara asked.

       "Oh yes, I had to try them again and did so several days later and
this time I immediately went to class so I was forced to wear them all
day. After a while, I got to liking them and I wear them quiet often now."
Gena said giving her a wink.

       "You really wear them?" Lara asked.

       Gena didn't say anything, she just stood up and turned around. She
grabbed her gown in her hands, pulling it up quickly, going high enough to
show her ass and the thong that she was wearing. She then dropped her gown
and turned around to see Lara's face slightly flushed. At first she feared
that she had embarrassed Lara by flashing her but then she saw the shy
smile on her face and thought that there might be another reason for the
redness on Lara's cheeks. "Any other questions?" Gena asked with a smile.

       "No," Lara said then she took a sip of her pop.

       "Wear those tonight and see if you don't like them by the morning."
Gena suggested.

       "Okay," Lara replied then she paused for a moment as something
obviously important came to her mind, "That reminds me, where are your
garbage bags?"

       "Over there in the pantry, why?" Gena asked.

       "I want... need to get rid of my old clothes, I don't want this day
to end before I do that. It's very important to me and I need to get it
done now." Lara told her with a real sense of urgency in her voice.

       "You know, I think you are right, you do need to do that tonight
however I don't think you should throw them away." Gena told her.

       "What should I do with them, give them away? I can't do that; these
clothes must never imprison anyone else." Lara told her. After everything
that had happened that day and seeing Lara's small room, Gena could
understand Lara's need.

       "Just go get them and meet me on the back porch," Gena said getting
up from the table.

       "Why?" Lara asked with a puzzled look on her face.

       "Just do it, you'll see," Gena said ushering her out of the kitchen.

       Gena got the things that she needed and then she hurried out onto
the porch wanting to get there before Lara did. A couple of minutes later,
Lara came out on the porch carrying her suitcase.

       "Now what?" Lara asked.

       "Take off those tennis shoes and put these flip flops on. Then bring
your things and come with me." Gena told her then she waited as Lara took
off her shoes and socks and put the flip flops on her feet. She then led
her off the porch going toward the far back corner of the yard.  Luckily
there was still light from the setting summer sun so they could see.

       Gena stopped in front of an old metal barrel that she sometimes
burned her leaves and limbs in during the fall. "I think you should burn
your old clothes, send them to the heavens thus burning out your old life
and starting your new one."

       Lara's face broke into a smile, "I like this idea." she said. She
put the suitcase down and opening it. Lara put several of her panties and
bras into the barrel with an old faded pair of jeans.

       "Pour some of this charcoal lighter fluid on it." Gena instructed
her and once Lara had done that, Gena gave her a box of wooden matches.

       Lara struck the match against the side of the box causing the tip to
ignite; she stared at the flame for a second before throwing it onto the
clothes causing them to burst into flames. "Watch them burn, that is my old
life going up in flames." Lara said with a big smile on her face.

       "Yep, today you're ending your old life and you're now starting a
new one with a new name and everything." Gena said putting her arm around
Lara's shoulders giving them a squeeze.

       "This is a great idea, when did you think of it." Lara asked as she
watched the flames flicker.

       "When you said that you wanted nothing from your house and wanted to
start out with new stuff, it just hit it me that this might be good therapy
for you. Just throwing them away, I don't think would have been enough for
you." Gena told her giving her a last squeeze before letting her go so that
Lara could put some more of her old clothes into the can.

       "No watching them burn like my father and brothers are doing now is
much better." Lara said with venom in her voice.

       "At least you know they will never hurt you again," Gena told her.

       "No they won't, you said you'd protect me and you did." Lara said as
she reached down getting a couple of blouses from her suitcase and throwing
them onto the fire.

       "You know, you have to give the DEA most of the credit, they are the
ones that got a hold of this and got things done." Gena told her.

       "Yea they did, but you're still my knight in shining armor." Lara
told her with a big smile.

       "I don't know too many knights that wear a nightgown, thong panties
and flip flops at dust in their back yard." Gena told her with a smile.

       "Mine does!" Lara said giving her a big smile.

       "You're funny." Gena said as she tussled Lara's hair making her
smile bigger.

       Lara slowly added more of her clothes and Gena remained silent just
watching Lara as she watched the flames. She could just see some of the
anger that Lara had been hiding within herself slowly come out and being
released. Gena knew that Lara had a long way to go before becoming halfway
normal but she saw that this just might be a good start to the healing
process. The suitcase slowly became empty and then the tennis shoes went on
causing black smoke to bellow out and making them both have to back
away. Gena quickly realized that burning them wasn't such a good idea but
it was too late now. Gena let them burn a bit before getting the garden
hose out and letting Lara put out the flames thus completing the
process. She had started the fire and thus releasing her past and now she
was sealing it with the water. Lara had wanted to burn the suitcase but
after the tennis shoes, it was easy to convince Lara to give the suitcase
away. Once the fire was out, they went back inside, stopping to change out
of their smoke scented nightgowns and into new ones. Then Gena got herself
a fresh cup of coffee and Lara a new pop and they retired to the couch in
the living room.

       "So what now?" Gena asked as she folded her legs up under herself.

       "Now you tell me all about growing up in an orphanage." Lara told
her as she turned toward in on the couch and folding her legs up under
herself like Gena had done.

       "That would take all night or maybe just a couple of minutes." Gena
said teasing her a bit.

       "We don't have to be anywhere in the morning so make it last all
night." Lara told her.

       "I'm not sure I can last all night but I'll give you as much as I
can and we can talk more tomorrow if you want to know more." Gena told her.

       "Okay but tell me a lot, I want to know what it was like to grow up
with so many kids." Lara said.

       Gena had always hated having to live in an orphanage but after
seeing what Lara went through without anyone, maybe living in an orphanage
wasn't so bad. "Well I know that I was born to a young teenage girl, I
don't know how old she was but she was much too young to be a mother, so I
was given up in hopes of having a better life. I started out in foster
homes and normally babies get adopted pretty quickly but for some reason, I
wasn't, maybe I was an ugly baby or cried a lot, I don't know." Gena told
her.

       "I doubt that," Lara told her as she gave Gena a smile.

       "Well I don't know but anyway when I was three or four, the foster
family I was with had to move out of state and there wasn't anyone other
family to take me in so I ended up at the orphanage. It was one of the few
in the state but well known and well run. At first it was tough and I got
picked on a lot but that only served to toughen me up a bit. So I learned
how to hold my own with the older girls there. Again I was passed over when
couples came in to adopt someone but I didn't mind anymore..." Gena said as
she paused a moment, "Well I minded a little but it wasn't so bad. I had
found my place and I liked taking care of the babies when they came in and
looking after the younger girls. I guess that was when I actually became a
cop, since I was the one that kept the peace when the girls started to
fight."

       "I think it was," Lara said as she took a sip of her pop.

       "That is also when Miss Prior began to let me drink coffee with her
after the girls went to sleep. I think she was a bit lonely never having
any kids of her own. All of the girls at the orphanage were her daughters
and she treated us like that. But I guess I was mature for my age and I
helped her keep everyone in line so I got the privilege of staying up at
night with her and listening to her talk as we drank our coffee. She always
drank hers black but that was too bitter for me so I added lots of milk and
sugar to mine and have done so since." Gena said as she paused to take a
sip of her coffee.

       "Did you ever get into any meanness when you were there?" Lara asked
grinning at her.

       "Who me?" Gena responded as if she couldn't believe Lara would ask
such a question of her.

       "Yes you!" Lara said giggling.

       Gena laughed, "Oh I might have been known to short sheet some of my
tormentors or put honey in their hair as they slept."

       "That's all?" Lara asked slightly disappointed that was all she had
done.

       "Do you think I would do worse than that?" Gena asked of her.

       Lara hesitated for a moment as she thought about what to say, "Yea I
think you did."

       "Well there was one time that these three girls who did something to
me that I didn't like, I really don't remember what it was now but I had to
get even. So when they went to take their showers, I got all the other
girls to leave before they did, then I took all of their clothes and all
the towels from the shower area. They yelled for about fifteen minutes for
someone to bring their clothes back but no one would, not that they could
as I hid them all myself. Finally they had to walk back down the hall wet
and naked to where we all slept. About this time Miss Prior came in and saw
them wet, naked and very angry as they screamed. She asked where their
clothes were and why they were still wet. They all pointed at me and yelled
that I had done it. Miss Prior wasn't stupid; she already knew I had done
it and why I had done it. Sometimes she would step in and sometimes she
would let us work things out. This was one of those times she obviously
decided that the girls needed to be taught a lesson so she made them go to
bed naked, wet and cold. Once I got away with that one, I had to keep
going. The power went to my head a bit. Those girls began to live in fear
of what I would do to them next and I did go a bit over board stealing all
their panties making them go to class without any which at their age was
very embarrassing. Finally Miss Prior did step in telling me that enough
was enough and it was time to make peace with them."

       "Did you?" Lara asked.

       "Yea I did, I knew that I had gone as far as Miss Prior was going to
let me go and by then I had developed a friendship with her that I liked
and didn't want to ruin.  I was getting to stay up later than anyone and
drink coffee, and that was worth making peace with my enemies to keep."
Gena told her.

       "I can see that, though I wish I could have been there to see those
girls coming into the room naked, wet and all so angry at you. Wasn't you
afraid that they would beat you up of something?" Lara asked.

       "Of course I was, but I wasn't going to let them see that. And then
Miss Prior came in just at the right time to save me," Gena told her.

       "Was that luck or do you think Miss Prior knew what was going on and
came in when she knew she should." Lara asked her.

       "I don't know, I was just thankful that she did and that she took my
side." Gena said with a laugh.

       "So what else did you do?" Lara asked of her.

       "Mmmm... let me think as I make myself a cup of coffee." Gena said
looking at her empty cup. She then got up before Lara could offer to get it
for her as she could see that she was about to do. "Do you want something?"

       "You got anything to snack on?" Lara asked as she got up.

       "How about a bag of popcorn?" Gena suggested.

       "Oh yea, I love popcorn," Lara said as she followed Gena into the
kitchen.

       As the popcorn popped in the microwave, Gena began to tell her more
stories of the orphanage and the girls there. Some of the stories were
about her and some were of the other girls. They ate the popcorn as they
sat and talked until the early morning hours when they both were having
trouble keeping their eyes open. So Gena said that story time was over for
the night. They both retired to their bedrooms for some much needed sleep.

       Gena awoke the next morning to the sun light coming through her
bedroom window and the rich aroma of coffee brewing in the kitchen. Gena
sat up with a smile and she felt a little sad that soon Lara would be
leaving going to some distant place where she wouldn't know her name or
whereabouts. It bothered Gena that she was feeling sad that Lara would be
leaving her but she knew that was what was going to happen and she knew
that was for the best. And any feelings that she felt was beginning to grow
within her for this girl would quickly fade away.

       She got up, going to the bathroom before heading to the kitchen for
her first cup of coffee. She stopped in the doorway where found a happy
Lara fussing around the kitchen, cutting up some of the fruit that they had
bought and making some toast.  Gena saw a jar of jam on the table.

       "Morning," Gena said coming on into the kitchen.

       "Morning," she replied, "I thought that we would have something
nutritious this morning for breakfast."

       "God knows that I could use it. I haven't worked out for a week now
and you have been feeding me much too well." Gena told her with a smile.

       "I'm sorry..." Lara said as a frown came to her face.

       Seeing that Lara had taken what she had say the wrong way, Gena put
the coffee cup she was about to fill onto the counter, going to Lara, and
putting her hands to her cheeks making her look up at her. "Honey that was
meant as a compliment, your cooking is great and I have loved every bite
and if that requires me to have to work out a bit more then it's worth it."

       "You like my cooking?" Lara asked.

       "Yes I do, I have told you that over and over and I meant it each
time," Gena told her.

       "Thank you," Lara said putting her arms around Gena and giving her a
hug.

       Gena slipped her arms around Lara in return hugging her close to her
body and feeling the warmth of Lara's body against her. She kept her hands
on Lara's upper back however slowly the urge to move them downward a little
overcame her and she yielded to that urge. She heard Lara coo as Gena began
to caress her back. Gena then realized what she was doing and the feelings
that she was feeling so she quickly pulled back. She saw a moment's
disappointment in Lara's eyes for the briefest of moments but then it was
replaced with a smile.

       "Go get your coffee; I'll have everything ready in just a second."
Lara told her.

       "Yes, Ma'am," Gena said with a laugh that made Gena giggle.

       "So what do you want to do today?" Gena asked as she sat down at the
kitchen table.

       "I don't know, I'm not used to having the freedom to just do
anything. It's like I want to do everything at once but yet it scares me a
little..." Lara told her.

       "Mmmm... then I guess I'll have to think of something, won't I."
Gena told her as she thought for a moment then she realized that maybe she
had something fun that is if...

       "Are you afraid of heights?" Gena asked her.

       "No why?" Lara asked.

       "There's a hot air balloon show going on this weekend over in
Buncombe County. I have always wanted to try one and had thought about
going one day, I think today would be as good as any, what do you think?"
Gena asked.

       "I'd love it. I saw those things on the internet on my laptop. I
think it would be fun." Lara said excitedly.

       "Then that's what we'll do. However it is suppose to hot today so
I'm going to have to find you some shorts and put lots of sunscreen on
you. You'll fry with skin as pale as yours is."Gena told her.

       "Okay, do you have any shorts?" Lara asked.

       "None that will fit you but we can stop along the way and get you
some." Gena told her taking a bite of her toast with a little jam on it.

       "Oh we can find you something for you real cheap. Don't worry." Gena
said as she saw Lara's face turn into a frown.

       "I don't mean to cost you any more than I have already." Lara told
her.

       "I have barely spent anything on you and besides, I'm not buying
designer clothes. I'm getting you the cheap stuff." Gena said with a laugh.

       "Okay but nothing else," Lara told her.

       "Deal," Gena said not sure that she would really hold herself to
that promise.

       "Thanks for getting these for me, but where am I going to put them
on?" Lara asked.

       "There's a place down the road where we can pull off. It's a hiding
place I sometimes use near the county line that I know about." Gena told
her.

       "You mean a place you hide to catch speeders." Lara asked.

       Gena laughed, "Yea, it might be just such a place."

       "What if there is a cop there already?" Lara asked a bit worried.

       "There won't be on a Saturday, there's not that many speeders on
this road on the weekends and no truckers, which is mainly the ones we want
to slow down." Gena told her.

       "Do you always give tickets when you catch someone?" Lara asked her.

       "No, sometimes I don't, it just depends on how fast they go and what
attitude they give me. If they try to protest or are just being a pain in
the ass then they don't stand a change of getting out of the ticket." Gena
told her giving her a smile.

       "Well I guess I still owe you for my ticket for speeding." Lara told
her.

       "No actually I never charged you for speeding, after we found the
drugs that you were carrying, then a speeding ticket didn't make any
sense." Gena told her with a smile on her face.

       "That's good since I don't have any money to pay it. I'd hate to get
out of all the drug charges but then go to jail since I couldn't pay my
speeding ticket." Lara told her.

       Gena laughed, "Yea that would be bad wouldn't it."

       "Yes it would, now let's get dressed and get going." Gena said
getting up from the table. Once they were both ready, Gena head toward
Buncombe County but first making a stop at the discount store for Lara's
shorts and she got her a nice sleeveless top to wear that went with the
shorts.

       "Here we go." Gena said as she began to ease off the road pulling up
ahead of the small area then backing into the area between the trees.

       "You can go in behind the trees and change, no one will see you."
Gena told her as she unlocked the doors.

       "Okay be right back," Lara said as she grabbing her short set and
getting out of the car. Gena watched through the rearview mirrors as Lara
went behind the car and then into the woods. It only took her a couple of
minutes before she came back out of the woods in her sleeveless top and the
shorts that they had bought. Gena had to admit that she did look cute in
them.

       "Does that feel better?" Gena asked as Lara got into the car.

       "Yea, I've never worn shorts before, they do feel cooler." Lara said
with a smile.

       "Some days, I wish I could wear them to work, especially when it is
hot out like it is today." Gena told her, and then she started the car and
got them back out on their way.

       They talked about the balloons and if they would actually get to go
up in one since they were coming in a bit late, however they decided it
would be was just getting to go and see them. When they got there, there
were still lots of balloons on the ground and they went around looking at
them. They then found one that would give them a short ride. It was a two
day fair and today was the day that they were giving rides. So they got
into the basket and they listened carefully to the nice man that was taking
them up. He was giving them instructions on where to stand and what to do
and more importantly what not to do. Gena was glad to hear that he hadn't
lost a passenger yet as she was sure she didn't want to be the first.

       He then began to turn on the motor and Gena could feel the basket
wanting to leave the ground. Once he was sure that they had enough lift, he
gave the signal to the ground crew to let them loose. Lara let out a scream
as the balloon jerked upwards.  Gena had to laugh at her which earned her a
mean look from Lara but then a big smile as they floated upwards. Gena had
thought far enough ahead to bring her little digital camera. She took a few
pictures as they got high up in the air. She also got a few of Lara as she
had a huge grin on her face as she looked in wonder as the ground passed
slowly underneath them. They went up pretty high but yet not nearly as high
as the balloon could go, but it was more than high enough for both Lara and
Gena.

       The man giving them the ride pointed out things as they passed over
them and he also explained some of the working of how the balloon
worked. It was all very interesting to see and hear and worth the money
that she had to pay to get the ride.  However before either of them wanted,
the man began to let the air out of the balloon and they began to
descend. They landed in a large field where there were a couple of other
balloons were getting packed up for the trip back to where the fair was
located.  Once on the ground, Lara and Gena got out and then helped the
ground crew get the balloon packed up for the ten mile trip back. On the
way back, they sat up front with the driver with Gena by the passenger door
and Lara sitting in the middle. Lara talked the poor guy's ear off making
Gena smile. She knew everything that Lara was telling him, he had heard a
thousand times before but he acted if Lara was the first person to discover
the fun of ballooning. The driver was a good salesman ensuring that Lara
would be back for another ride which put money in his pocket and helped to
keep the fair coming back each year.

       Once they got back to the fair, they got a hotdog and a cold
drink. They ate them as they walked around for a couple of hours looking at
the other balloons and to the people there. Even though one ride was enough
to fulfill Gena's curiosity, she allowed Lara to talk her into another
one. Gena wanted to try another balloon but Lara was determined to go back
to the one that they had ridden on. It was being set up so they had to wait
a while for the driver and workers to get the balloon inflated again and
then they had to make sure that everything was safe and no damage had been
done to the balloon. Then they had their ride which was just as fun the
second time around.  Gena noticed that Lara looked out over the horizon
more than the ground this time and she just felt like Lara was looking out
at her new found freedom. She wasn't completely sure if that was what she
was thinking but that did seem like what she was doing. She wanted to talk
to her but Lara seemed so at peace that she didn't want to disturb her.  So
she just leaned back against the basket and watched. The driver also was
less talkative as he let Lara enjoy the ride. Again they helped take the
balloon down and then rode in the truck as they went back to the fair. The
rest of the afternoon, Lara seemed to be quieter but Gena could see that
Lara was having fun and enjoying her day.

       "Do they have this fair each year?" Lara asked after they got back
on the road heading home.

       "Yea, as far as I know, I know they have had it the last several
years," Gena told her.

       "Do you think we can come back next year?" Lara asked.

       "Sure, I don't see why not." Gena said but then the thought came to
her head that Lara would not be anywhere near here when the fair came back,
however Gena kept that thought to herself. She did look over at Lara and
she saw that the same realization was coming to her.

       There was a long pause before Lara said, "I wonder where they'll
send me?"

       "I don't know honey, with your family dead, who knows what they will
do," Gena told her.

       "Maybe they will let me stay here..." Lara said happily.

       "Maybe... but there is still a lot of bad people that they have
arrested who don't know that you exist but will soon find out once the
trials start," Gena warned her.

       "Oh yea, I forgot about that, but maybe they won't need me to
testify..." Lara said.

       "Maybe... but let's not worry about that now, we got the rest of the
weekend to enjoy so let's just do that," Gena told her.

       Lara was silent for a moment, "Okay, so what are we going to do when
we get home?" she asked.

       "I don't know about you but I'm soaked in sweat and I want a
shower... and a cup..." Gena was saying.

       "Of coffee..." Lara said with a laugh.

       "Yes I want a cup of coffee, smartass," Gena replied with a laugh.

       Lara let out a childish giggle that Gena thought was cute as well as
the big smile on Lara's face. She then began to talk about the balloon
rides and how much fun they were and what all that she could see from so
high in the sky. Gena let her talk only commenting when she needed
to. After talking nonstop for a while, Lara slowly grew quiet. Gena noticed
that she was looking out the passenger window so she let Lara get lost in
her own thoughts. However after a bit, Gena thought that Lara had become
too quiet and she started to say something but then she saw that Lara had
her head against the window and was sound asleep. Gena envied her a bit as
she was growing tired herself plus she so needed a shower. Gena loved
getting sweaty whether that being from a workout or being out in the sun
however once she was inside or had finished her workout, she was ready to
get the sweat off.

       When they got home, Lara insisted that Gena take her shower
first. She wasn't too surprised to find that a fresh pot of coffee had been
made and there was a cup already made for her to start drinking. She
started to think about what to make for supper as those hotdogs that they
had eaten had long since worn off. She always hated trying to figure out
what to fix which is why she ate a lot of salads and sandwiches.  She was
about to push herself off the counter and start to look in the pantry
hoping that something would jump out at her, when she saw that the oven
light was on and she began to get this aroma of something that made her
stomach growl with its approval.

       "That shit!" Gena said aloud knowing that Lara wouldn't be able to
hear her from the bathroom. She went over to the stove, opening the oven
door to see what appeared to be a quick version of Chicken pot pie. She
closed the door then looked into the top of the trash can to see a opened
can of mixed vegetables, a couple of cans of chicken, and a can of
biscuits. Gena had to smile even though she had wanted to make at least one
meal while Lara was here. She knew now that if she ever wanted to do that,
she was going to have to tie Lara into a chair. She smiled as she thought
that was just what she would do or at least threaten to do. So she went out
to get some rope that she knew she had somewhere, it was just a matter of
finding where it was.

       When Lara came back into the kitchen with her long black hair still
slightly damp, she went straight to the oven, opening the door to check on
the chicken pot pie.  Gena was sitting at the table drinking her second cup
of coffee. Lara used a toothpick to check the biscuits that were on top of
the liquid that was bubbling as it cooked. Lara then shut the door then
turned up the heat just a tad. She then went to the fridge to get the
Mountain Dew that she had opened before she went to take her shower. She
then came over and sat on the other side of the table from Gena.

       "What's the rope for?" Lara asked as she picked up a piece of it.

       "I've decided that if I'm ever going to cook another meal while you
are here then I'm going to have to tie you to a chair first," Gena said
seriously.

       Lara started to laugh but then she saw that Gena wasn't laughing,
"You're serious aren't you? You'd really tie me up," Lara said.

       "Yep," Gena said with a serious look on her face but after a long
pause, she smiled. "No, I won't do that but you will miss out on a great
homemade pizza that's I'm famous for," Gena told her.

       "Oh! Let's have that tomorrow then. I'll help you!" Lara said
excitedly.

       "You'll what?" Gena asked.

       Lara gave her a confused look but then she giggled, "I'll sit and
watch you make it."

       "That's better," Gena said with a smile but then she added, "No you
can help."

       "Great, I can't wait," Lara said excitedly.

       "Then will have it after we go to a Sunday matinee at the theater
tomorrow," Gena told her.

       "We're going to the movies tomorrow?" Lara asked hopefully.

       "If you want," Gena said giving her a smile.

       "I do! What we going to see?" Lara asked as she got up to check the
oven.

       "Anything you want, we'll look on the computer to see what is
playing. I wish we had a theater here but will have to go to Monroe to find
a theater."Gena told her as she got up to get some plates down as Lara got
their dinner out of the oven.

       They talked a little about the current movies that were now playing
as they ate, then after dinner, Gena fired up her desktop computer so that
they could look for something to see. Monroe was a decently sized city so
they had a bunch of movies to choose from. Lara finally narrowed her
choices down to a few that were playing in a theater that was on the east
side of Monroe which was on their side of the city. From there they went to
the couch where Lara had Gena tell her more about living in an orphanage
and some of the mischievous things that she had done. Gena really had
trouble coming up with some as most she had forgotten about and then once
she had grown older and had become more of the leader of the girls, she
really didn't get into trouble, she spent most of her time keeping the
other girls out of trouble. So Lara had her tell her about some of the
things that the other girls had done.

       They went to bed late again that night and Gena awoke to the smell
of coffee and to bacon frying in the kitchen. After breakfast, they talked
for a bit as Gena drank her second and third cups of coffee. Then she was
awake enough to start her day.

       "So what are we going to do this morning?" Lara asked her as she got
up from the table to stretch.

       "Well I need to get a workout in, you're more than welcome to join
me but you don't have to if you don't want..." Gena told her.

       "No, I'll go... but I've never worked out before." Lara told her
with some hesitation in her voice.

       Gena gave her a big smile, "Don't worry; I'll go easy on you."

       "Well I do need to lose a few pounds; I used to be real skinny when
I was young..." Lara told her.

       "You look just fine to me," Gena said then as she saw the shy smile
that come over Lara's face and Gena realized that she was being more honest
that maybe she should have been. But Lara did look just fine to her.

       "You look great too... you don't look like you need to work out,"
Lara told her.

       "I don't know about that but if I don't work out, I'd weigh a
thousand pounds and never be able to catch the bad guys." Gena said with a
laugh.

       "Like me..." Lara asked.

       "Honey, you're not a bad person, you were just put into a bad
position that you had no way to get out of. Never think of yourself as
being some bad person because you're not." Gena assured her.

       "Thanks, but I'm not so sure about that," Lara said sadly.

       Gena started to argue with her but she knew it would take her a long
time for her to convince Lara that she wasn't as bad a person as she
thought of herself as being. "Come on; let's see if we can work up a
sweat." Gena said cheerfully.

       "So where do you work out?" Lara asked as they got into Gena's car.

       "There's an old store in town that one of the girls from the
orphanage fixed into a work out center. It isn't fancy or anything but it
has everything that one would need to work out. It even has a boxing ring
in the back." Gena told her as she started the car.

       "Have you ever boxed there?" Lara asked.

       "I might have gone a round or two a few times..." Gena hinted.

       "Really? You actually fought someone in there?" Lara asked
surprised.

       "No I sparred a few rounds with several of the people that work out
there, there is a big difference between sparring and fighting," Gena
cautioned her.

       "Men or women?" Lara asked.

       "Both but neither of us were trying to hurt the other one. We just
went a few rounds to learn from the other. It's a great cardio workout."
Gena told her.

       "I think I'll leave the boxing to you," Lara told her.

       "I don't know... I think I might like to get you into the ring..."
Gena said giving her a grin.

       "Oh no, you'd kill me." Lara said fearfully.

       "I don't think so, from what I've seen you got one hell of a right
cross..." Gena told her reaching over and patting Lara's right knee.

       Lara gave her a confused look and she began to blush as a smile came
to her face, "I forgot about that. I really shouldn't have done that, it
wasn't like he could fight back..." Lara said.

       "Well as far as I am concerned, he got what he deserved." Gena told
her.

       "Yes he did..." Lara replied then she turned her head to look out
the window.

       Gena wished she hadn't brought up Lara's father but it was too late
now to take it back. So she let Lara be until they pulled up to the store
front where there was just a simple sign over the door, Rosie's Place.

       "Is Rosie your friend from the orphanage?" Lara asked.

       "No her name is actually Mary, after the store closed down a lady
named Rosie turned this place into a honky tonk. But when the old sheriff
retired and the current one came in, he closed the place down. It wasn't
the nicest place in town if you know what I mean," Gena told her as she
shut the car down and started to get out.

       "So why didn't Mary change the name?" Lara asked.

       "Well she put all her money into the equipment so she didn't have
any money left to put a new sign up, so she just left it," Gena told her.

       "Oh okay... it looks closed, when does it open?" Lara asked as they
went up to the door.

       "As soon as I unlock the door," Gena said putting her key into the
door and unlocking it.

       "How did you get a key?" Lara asked a bit surprised.

       "Well I always come in early on Sunday mornings to work out so Mary
lets me have a key to open up so she can sleep late. Plus I helped her get
the place started. It seems that the people that owned the house I bought
were into working out and they had a bunch of equipment in the garage. I
used to work out in my house but when Mary said she wanted to open this
place, I gave her all my equipment plus I gave her a little money that I
had saved up to help her out." Gena said as she went inside.

       "So you're a part owner?" Lara asked.

       "Well I guess but I never see any money from the place. Mary makes
enough to live on and to keep the place going but that is about it." Gena
said with a laugh.

       "Do you get anything out of it?" Lara asked.

       "Yea, I get to open the place early on Sunday's," Gena said with a
laugh.

       Lara laughed with her as she came on into the workout center. She
followed Gena around as she turned on the lights and got the fans going
that kept the place halfway cool. Gena then went to the machine that she
always started with, putting on a few weights to give her just enough
resistance to start warming her up. There was another one just like it
sitting in front of it. Gena put some weights on this machine going for
about half of what she was using. She sat Lara on that machine as she went
to the one she was going to use. She demonstrated how to use the machine as
Lara watched. Then she stopped as Lara tried it out. Gena saw that she
needed to make a few adjustments to the machine so she got up making those
adjustments and she had Lara start again. Once she was sure that Lara had
it down pat, she went back to her machine and began. She cautioned Lara to
go at her own pace and not try to keep up with her. She worked on this
machine for about twenty minutes with Lara going about fifteen before
stopping.

       Gena then went from one machine to another letting Lara work a few
minutes before adding weight and doing her own work. She had soon worked up
a sweat and she saw that so had Lara. She tried to make the workout fun
kidding with Lara as they went along and also taking lots of breaks to get
some cold water that she kept in Mary's office. That was another benefit
that she got for her help in starting the business with Mary.

       Once she had her muscles good and loose and she had gotten in a
decent workout, she decided that a cardio workout was the way to finish off
their workout and she knew just the way to do it.

       "Come on, we got one last thing to do and we'll be done." Gena told
Lara as she took her hand leading her to the back of the place. Gena went
through a shut door, entering the large room where the boxing ring
was. Lara went with her but stopped once she saw the ring.

       "Are you going to do some boxing?" Lara asked.

       "Yep," Gena told her.

       "Who you going to fight with, there's no one here but you and I..."
Lara said as she looked at Gena who had a big smile on her face. "On no!
I'm not going to get into that ring with you! You'll kill me!"

       Lara took a step backwards however Gena grabbed her arm before she
could get too far. "Wait a second; I'm not going to kill you."

       "Yea you will, you know what you're doing, I don't have a clue."
Lara said with fear in her eyes, fear that Gena had seen so much of since
she had met her and she wanted Lara to stop being afraid of everything.

       Gena took a hold of Lara's other arm making her look at her. "Have I
ever done anything to hurt you since you have known me?" Gena asked her.

       "Ahhh... no... you're the only one who has ever helped me," Lara
admitted.

       "Then do you think I am going to get you into the ring just to beat
the shit out of you now?" Gena asked as she raised her eyebrows.

       "No, but..." Lara said.

       "But what?' Gena asked.

       "I'm still scared, I don't like fighting." Lara told her.

       "We're not going to fight; we're going to spar a little. I'm just
going to show you how to box a little. I promise that I won't hurt you and
if I do by accident, I'll give you a free shot. You can hit me as hard as
you want anywhere you want," Gena told her.

       "Now come on, let's put on some gloves." Gena said pulling Lara over
to where there were several gloves hanging on the wall. Before Lara could
protest, Gena began to put the gloves on her lacing them up good and
tight. Gena then put her own gloves on; tucking the laces inside since she
couldn't tighten them down very well with the gloves on her hands. Gena
helped Lara up the steps to the ring then held the ropes open so that Lara
could get inside.

       "Okay first I'm going to show you how to throw a punch." Gena told
her.

       "Okay," Lara said nervously.

       "Don't be scared, all we are going to be doing is punching air then
I'm going to let you punch at my gloves," Gena told her.

       "I don't want to hurt your hands." Lara said seriously.

       Gena laughed which drew a frown from Lara, "You won't, I assure
you. These are the lightest gloves there is," Gena told her and saw that
Lara didn't believe her.

       "Here, press the glove against your arm." Gena told her, "See how
soft they are?"

       "Yea," Lara said finally letting out a smile.

       "These are made to practice with, not to have a real boxing match
with." Gena assured her.

       "Okay, I see now." Lara told her.

       "You ready to start?" Gena asked.

       "I guess..." Lara said with some hesitation.

       "I guess or you are?" Gena asked.

       Lara smiled, "I'm ready."

       "Good, let's begin then." Gena told her then she began to show her
how to throw a jab, just sticking her arm out. Gena would show her then
make Lara do it. Once Lara began to really throw a jab, Gena moved in front
of her holding up her left glove.

       "Now hit my glove." Gena told her and Lara did so but she barely
touched it.

       "Oh I know you can hit it harder than that." Gena told her.

       Lara giggled a bit then she did hit Gena's glove just a bit
harder... but still not hard enough to satisfy Gena. She knew that this
could be her last weekend with Lara and she wanted her to show more of the
backbone that Lara had showed at times during the week with the DEA
agents. Lara would soon be back on her own, truly alone and Gena wanted to
make sure that she would be strong enough to stand up for herself.  This
wasn't what she had in mind when she asked her to go for a workout with
her. But the opportunity presented itself so she was going to take it.

       "Better... but hit my hand harder still. I know that you can do
better than that."  Gena told her.

       Lara's face showed her concentration as she stuck out her tongue as
she began to try harder. Gena smiled as she finally was able to feel Lara's
glove hit her glove.  Once Lara got a little better, Gena began to move
around the ring making Lara follow her. Lara's footwork wasn't all that
great but this was her first lesson so she let that pass. When she saw Lara
get a bit arm weary, she let her rest a moment, and then when they started
again, she had Lara aim for her body. Lara hesitated for a moment so Gena
snuck in a little jab hitting Lara lightly on her right shoulder. Lara,
seeing that it didn't hurt, began to aim at Gena's body. Gena didn't just
stand still but she kept moving around the ring, making Lara chase
her. Gena faked her jabs at first but slowly she began to land a few,
mostly going for Lara's arms and shoulders and staying away from Lara's
unprotected face.

       As Gena began to hit Lara more, Lara's own jabs were becoming harder
which was what Gena wanted from her. Lara's face was turning red and the
sweat was starting to drip off her face as she tried harder to hit her as
Gena danced around the ring. Gena increased her jabs as she began to hit
Lara more than Lara was able to hit her as she had begun to block most of
Lara's jabs. Gena saw that she was getting to Lara and Lara was becoming
frustrated. However before Lara could give up, Gena began to increase the
pressure by saying, "Come on girl, hit me!"

       Lara moved forward and what little form that Lara had, began to go
away as she began to just swing her arms. "Is that all you got, I thought
you were tougher than that!" Gena taunted her when Lara dropped her arms to
her side.

       "You're just a pussy aren't you!" Gena said as she gave Lara several
jabs to Lara's stomach and then a couple to her boobs that she knew Lara
felt.

       Gena saw that she had pushed the right button as Lara's face turned
red and she screamed, "I'm not no pussy, I thought that you were nice, but
you're just a bitch!"  Lara screamed then she went flying at Gena who had
just enough time to cover her head with her gloves as Lara's gloves came
flying at her at every angle. There was no form at all but just flying
hands.

       "Hit me Lara, let it out!" Gena screamed as she saw the tears
running from Lara's eyes as she just flung her arms at her.

       Gena kept encouraging her as she moved around the ring. She could
hear Lara breathing hard as she just kept going. Gena was on her second
swing around the ring when she got her feet tangled up with Lara's and she
began to fall backwards. She had to move her gloves from her face to catch
herself and Lara actually caught her on the chin ringing her bell just a
little. Gena hit the floor hard but then she felt Lara come down on top of
her and she found that she was looking up into Lara's angry face.

       Gena caught Lara's arms in hers as she smiled up at that angry face
which seemed to take Lara by surprise and thus confusing her. "That felt
good didn't it?' Gena said softly.

       "What?  Lara asked as the sweat and tears fell down onto Gena's
face.

       "It felt good to get angry and to strike back for once, didn't it?"
Gena asked her.

       Lara lay there looking at her and panting as she tried to figure out
what Gena was asking or rather telling her. After a moment, Lara began to
smile, "Yea it did."

       "Good, you need to let it out sometimes." Gena said as she pulled
off her gloves, and then she used her fingers to push the wet hair from
Lara's face.

       Gena looked up into Lara's deep green eyes, knowing that she
shouldn't as she saw the need in those eyes and she felt her own need
coming out in her own body. She found that she was losing herself in those
eyes whose tears had stopped and were now staring back at her. She could
sense Lara lowering her head and she wanted to stop her from doing so. She
had her hands resting on Lara's cheeks and all she had to do was to hold
that slowly lowering head but she didn't have the will to do so; the
conflict within her was slowly resolved in Lara's favor. She found that she
wanted to kiss Lara, kiss her again and again.

       End of Part Three
       To be continued...

Please let me know what you think of my story. I welcome all comments good
or bad. You can email me at numlfl@hotmail.com