by Saless
Chapter 59

Erica and Sarah woke late the next morning and only had time to shower and dress before they had to leave to get Sarah to work. "We never did say what we're going to do about John last night." Sarah said on the drive over.

"Not much we can do, yet. We don't even know for sure it's him, though I think it is. Vash will protect your apartment, and I'll protect you. Beyond that there isn't much we can do." Erica replied.

"Erica, I don't want you getting hurt trying to protect me!" Sarah protested.

In answer Erica pushed her sleeve up to reveal she was wearing the bracers. "I'm safer than you think. And unlike you, I'm armed." she said.

"You took your weapons back with you last night?" Sarah said.

"Some of them. While I was out yesterday I bought some regular bullets, since those explosive ones are useless in tight spaces. Fortunately they're regular 9mm, not some weird size that we don't use in our world, or we'd have to go back even for those. Since I already had the bullets, I took the gun and dagger out, along with the bracers." Erica replied.

"Erica, you could get in a lot of trouble if anyone catches you carrying those around!" Sarah said worriedly.

"I know, but it's only until this business with John is resolved. Then I'll put them back." Erica replied.

Sarah was about to protest, but they'd just arrived and Tiffany was waiting for her. "Just be careful, okay?" Sarah asked.

Erica leaned over and kissed her before replying, "I will, but that's supposed to be my line!"

Sarah laughed, "Okay, I'll be careful too." She got out and waved as Erica drove away.

"Hi Sarah, how are you?" Tiffany said cheerfully.

"I'm okay Tiffany." Sarah replied, then looked closer at Tiffany. "I guess you're not a natural blonde, huh?"

Tiffany put her hand to her hair self consciously and said, "Uh, yeah." There was an awkward silence as they walked into the store. Tiffany finally broke it as they were clocking in. "So are you enjoying having your girlfriend back for a while, as if I have to ask!" she said with a knowing grin.

Sarah blushed and nodded, "Yeah, it's great. Unfortunately, she'll have to go back on Sunday. I wish she could stay, but she still has another semester to go." Sarah kept looking all around as they went to work, half expecting John to show up.

"Uh, Sarah, is something wrong?" Tiffany asked at lunch, as Sarah was still distracted and wasn't saying much.

Sarah sighed and said, "Yeah, someone broke into my apartment while I was at work yesterday. I think it was John."

Tiffany's eyes widened in shock and she nearly shouted as she said, "What?! That slime ball! Are you alright?" this last said in a much softer, concerned tone.

Sarah recoiled a little at Tiffany's reaction. "Uh, yeah, I'm okay. I had to replace most of my furniture, though. He trashed everything in the living room. We spent all night cleaning up and getting new furniture in." Sarah replied, carefully wording her reply so as to sound like she'd simply bought the furniture.

"Wow, that must have been expensive! Are you alright for money, I could help if you want." Tiffany said.

"Uh, no thanks, I got a really good deal." Sarah replied thinking, A very good deal!

"Did you call the police?" Tiffany asked.

"You know what, I never even thought about it? I was so shocked to come home and find that, and worried about John knowing where I live, that I didn't even think about it. Then we got busy cleaning everything up and replacing all the broken stuff, it just never occurred to me. I guess all the evidence is gone, now, so there's little point." Sarah replied, feeling rather foolish.

"Yeah, I guess. But if it happens again, call the police, okay?" Tiffany said worriedly.

"Okay." Sarah agreed. They had to get back to work after that. Throughout the rest of the day Tiffany kept asking questions about the damage, and seemed very concerned about it, almost apologetic. You'd think she felt responsible, the way she's acting. Sarah thought at one point.

Finally the work day was over and Tiffany and Sarah said goodbye in the store as Tiffany was going to stay a little longer. Erica was waiting at the door and didn't notice her at first, as she was looking around the parking lot. "Oh, hi Sarah! How was your day?" Erica asked.

"Fine, but what were you watching?" Sarah asked curiously.

"I was just watching to make sure John wasn't around." Erica replied.

"Don't get too paranoid on me." Sarah said with a laugh.

"It's not paranoia if they're really out to get you!" Erica replied, and they both laughed. Erica told Sarah about her day on the way back to Sarah's apartment. Jen wasn't available still, but she'd spent most of the day with Lisa and Karen. "We've arranged to get all three of us together tomorrow, but that's probably the only chance I'll have to see Jen while I'm here." Erica said as they pulled up at the apartment.

Sarah started to get out of the car, but Erica put a hand on her arm to stop her. "Let me check it out first." she said. Sarah rolled her eyes but stayed put. Erica approached the door with her hand in her purse. The door was fine, they'd managed to fix it when they were cleaning up, and she tried the lock. It was locked, so Erica unlocked it and went inside. Once she was satisfied that no one had been in there, she returned to Sarah.

"Can I go in now?" Sarah asked. Erica nodded and they went inside.

Don't trust me? Vash asked as he became visible, lounging on the new couch.

"Sorry Vash, but I'm not taking any chances with Sarah." Erica replied apologetically.

That's alright, I understand. It's nice being able to talk to you a little more directly now. Vash said.

"Yeah, I was getting really tired of being left out of the loop." Erica agreed.

"I felt the same way sometimes when Jill first started talking to Mike like that." Sarah said.

"Why don't you let Jill and Mike know we're back so we can finish what we started?" Erica said to Vash.

"I'll get dinner started." Sarah volunteered. By the time Jill and Mike arrived Sarah already had dinner in hand and was able to help by opening portals to get rid of the old furniture and move around the new.

"You could make a good living as a mover Sarah!" Mike said when they finished Sarah's apartment.

Sarah laughed and said, "So could you! In your invisible giant form you could pick up whole houses and move them around!"

"Yeah, I guess I could. Though they'd probably fall apart if they weren't reinforced for it." Mike agreed.

"Looks like dinner's ready, lets eat and then we can go over to your apartment and finish there." Sarah said. They sat and ate and they all helped clean up afterwards. Then they went to Mike and Jill's apartment and finished getting the old furniture out and the new furniture sorted where they wanted it.

When they were done they all collapsed on the new couch and love seat, totally exhausted. "That's two days we've lost because of that creep!" Erica grumbled.

"At least we got some new furniture out of it." Jill said.

"And clothes, I'll have to box up all my male clothes to make room for them all!" Sarah said.

"I don't know about you guys, but I'm ready for bed." Erica said, groaning as she stood up and stretched.

Sarah yawned and Erica helped her up. "Yeah, I'm pretty tired too. I guess we'll go now." Sarah said.

Mike started snoring, and they all laughed. "I guess I'd better get this lug to bed, too. Good night!" Jill said. Sarah and Erica said goodnight and Sarah opened a portal back to her bedroom. They shed their clothes and crawled under the covers and were soon cuddled up, fast asleep.
 
 
Despite the prior night's exertions Sarah woke early. She lay there gazing lovingly at Erica. I could just eat her up, but I don't want to wake her! How did I ever get so lucky… she thought, but was interrupted mid-thought.

Don't even start putting yourself down again! I'm the lucky one here, if anybody! You're the most lovely, wonderful person I've ever met! Erica thought emphatically.

I'm nothing special! Sarah protested. In fact, I'm a freak! She was about to go on, but Erica interrupted her again.

Don't you EVER call yourself a freak! You are not a freak! You're a wonderful, loving person. Don't ever call yourself a freak again! Erica replied angrily. She didn't realize until she'd finished that Sarah was cowering away from her and had nearly fallen off of the bed.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Please don't hurt me! she kept thinking over and over again, her eyes shut tight as if she expected a blow at any moment. Erica tried to hold her, but she pulled away even more and this time did fall off the bed, taking most of the covers with her. Please don't hurt me, I didn't mean it! she practically screamed in Erica's mind. With that thought came an image that took Erica's breath away and made her blood boil.

Sarah! Sarah! It's me, Erica! Calm down, please! Erica thought to her frantically. She didn't dare get any closer to her lest she hurt herself trying to get away. Your mother's not here, Sarah, please calm down!

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