On Hallowed Ground, Epilogue - Xena

[calliopes_muse]

AUTHOR'S NOTE: So, I'm a little late doing this.  This was submitted for Ralst's Epic Proportions challenge.  I thought I'd do a little self-pimping.  This is more or less an original fic that I have been meaning to write for a long time, but I used the basic charactistics of Xena and Gabrielle for our main characters.
AUTHOR'S NOTE 2:  I will post this in chapters for those who like it that way, but the link to the full story is below.
THANKS: To my primary beta, Sofia Lindsay, for listening to my insecurities and reading and re-reading this fic. It wouldn’t have been done had she not poked the daylights out of me. That sounded very wrong! Also, thanks to my secondary betas on this fic, Darkbardzero and Sinjenkai. Last but not least, to my partner Michelle for puttng up with my late nights working on this.

SUMMARY: Young and ambitious journalist Riley Jacobsen returns home to Alabama for an undercover story on her town’s former church and opens the door to more than she ever expected.

RATING: Mature, for descriptions of violence, abuse, and f/f sex.

CHALLENGE: Submitted as part of the Epic Proportions challenge.
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.

©April 2009

Feedback is crack, folks.  Let me know what you think.

ON HALLOWED GROUND (link to full story)

By Calliope’s Muse

 

EPILOGUE

 

With the last bit of strength she had, Riley lifted a box from the kitchen table and took it into the bedroom.

 

“It says ‘books’ where do you want it?”  Sam turned and motioned for her to put it in the corner.

 

“Right there’s fine.”  Riley readjusted her hold on the box and carried it over to the spot Sam indicated.  With a sigh, she dropped her burden on the floor. 

 

Sam turned and snickered, “Good thing there was nothing breakable in that.”

 

Riley went to the bed and flopped down to sprawl out on her back, “You’re just lucky to have a love slave like me.  The things a girl will do for hot sex.”

 

The brunette reached for the hem of Sam’s shorts and pulled her to the bed.  They fell into a heap on the bed, laughing.  Sam untangled herself and sat up, slipping a leg around Riley’s waist to straddle her hips.  She leaned over and slowly kissed her, letting her tongue come out a little to tease her lips apart.  Riley summoned what little energy she had and readily gave in to the persistent kiss.  She slipped her hands up Sam’s bare thighs, but was stopped when her hands went under the edge of the shorts.  Moaning, she broke off the kiss.

 

“Why did you stop me?”

 

“We’ve made love every day since I moved here.  Sometimes a slow buildup is worth the wait.”

 

Riley dropped her head back on the bed, “True.”

 

“Besides, we have plenty of time.  I’m not going anywhere.”  Sam looked at her excitedly.  “I was going to wait to tell you over dinner tonight, but I, um…I have an interview with Kendall College tomorrow.”

 

“The culinary school?”  Riley sat up, smiling.

 

“Yep!”

 

Riley threw her arms around Sam, as much for her happiness in Sam getting the interview as for her not leaving Chicago anytime soon, “That’s wonderful!  Congratulations!”

 

Sam laughed at her enthusiasm, “It’s just an interview.  I still have to be accepted.”

 

“You will be.”

 

Sam got off the bed and headed to the living room, “Glad you have enough confidence for both of us.”

 

“It’s not confidence.  It’s purely selfish.  I want you here with me so there’s no other option, you see?  You have to be accepted.”  Riley leaned against the bar and looked around at the spartan surroundings.  This apartment was far smaller than her condo, but Sam had insisted.  It didn’t stop her from trying again.

 

“You know, if you’re going to be this big time chef, you need a big ass kitchen to cook in,” she motioned at the space next to her that was probably about the size of her closet.  “This isn’t it.  Just move in with me.”

 

Sam came up to her and wrapped her arms around the taller woman’s neck, “We talked about this.  It’s not about how I feel about you.  I need this.  I’ve never lived alone and I need my own space for a while.”

 

She reached up and kissed Riley to reassure her, “I know.  I know you need this.”

 

“And remember, I only have a six month lease.  If I make it that far with you without wanting to kill you, then we’ll talk about it then.”

 

Riley accepted it as the end of the conversation.  She could live with it for now.  “Speaking of killing, have you heard anything about John?”

 

Sam wrapped her arms tighter around Riley, resting her head against her chest.  For a while, Riley didn’t even think she was going to answer her.  When they got the news that ten other people from the program had come forward with similar charges, Sam cried for hours, blaming herself for never seeing it.  After what he had done to her, she felt like she should have known he was capable of something like that, but she just didn’t want to believe it.

 

Finally, Sam broke the silence, “His trial’s in two weeks.”  Then a long silence again, “I have to go back.”

 

Riley leaned back and tilted Sam’s chin up to her, “No, you don’t.  The lawyers said you didn’t have to testify against him.  They have enough ammo without it.”

 

“I don’t care.  I have to make this right.  I need to see the faces of these people and let them know I’m sorry for the hell we put them through, and I need to put him away.  I need to help them do that.  It’s the right thing to do.”  Tears were falling down her cheeks, but Sam’s voice didn’t break.  Riley marveled at how strong Sam really was.  Anyone else would have broken under the pressure.

 

“Then you’re not doing it alone.  I’m going with you.”

 

Sam took a deep breath, accepting the resolute look in Riley’s blue eyes, “Alright.  Together then.”

 

“Together.”  Riley sealed her promise with a kiss.
 

Comments

[geekgrrllurking.livejournal.com]

I finally finished this last night reading it in bed. I had to print it off and read a little each night for the last week or so. That's the problem for me with an epic proportions story is finding the time to read it all at once. I am so glad I found the time to finish it!

This was excellent. I loved Riley's speech at the end and I am so pleased that Sam didn't bail out her loser brother. Eventually I didn't even picture X or G in my head and they all just became people in their own right, which is what an original fic should do. So great job Callie!

I should add that your setting in the religious retreat was an interesting counter point to the Guiding Light storyline right now. Sam's comment about it being a place to learn how to lie and deny seemed to hit the nail on the head for me. I feel bad for those who are so conflicted with who they are and their religious beliefs, and the deep south seems like it can be a very scary place to come out in.

So your story was both thought provoking and a great romp. I hope you consider writing more original fic, this was a fun piece. Well done.