DISCLAIMER: Jordan Cavanaugh, Lisa Fromer, et al belong to Tim Kring, Tailwind Productions and NBC Studios. Characters from "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" belong to Joss Whedon, Fox Studios, Mutant Enemy, et al. Characters from "Star Trek Voyager" belong to Rick Berman, Jeri Taylor, and Michael Piller, as well as Paramount Studios/Viacom. "Special Agents Dana Scully and Monica Reyes along with baby William" belong to Chris Carter, Ten Thirteen Productions and Fox Studios. No copyright infringement is intended or inferred. The story along with any/all original characters are the sole property of the author and cannot be used without expressed permission first.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story is a part of the "Scared Straight" series and follows "Baby Steps." The other characters listed above are here by mention only, they do not crossover. See end for special note.
SPOILERS: For second season episodes "Scared Straight" and "The Perfect Storm."
THANKS: Myra, my beta reader for taking the time to make sure I hadn't messed up too badly.
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.
COPYRIGHT: May 19th – May 27th, 2006.
Scared Straight: One To Go
By A.M. Glass
"Jordan love, it's not right," Nigel, said as he lost another hand.
"What isn't Nige...?" she asked, taking a sip of her drink and barely restraining her smile.
"You," he said pointing to her. "You brought in a ringer."
"I did not!"
"Well Jordan, it kind of looks that way," Bug added as he watched Jordan's friend slide her winnings to herself.
"I had a good teacher," Lisa said as she glanced in Jordan's direction.
Macy sat in his chair intently watching the interaction between the two women. He was surprised – shocked - when Jordan showed up with Lisa Fromer in tow.
He hadn't had the opportunity to speak with Jordan about this sudden turn of events as Nigel practically fawned over "Dr. Lisa" as soon as he spotted her. Jordan was by her side the entire time – laughing at something Nigel or Lisa had said.
They finally sat down and played a few hands – during which he noticed the looks, they'd given each other – nothing obvious, if you weren't paying attention.
He noticed how they sometimes would finish each other's sentences, a trait he knew happened only when people spent a lot of time with each other. There were touches – simple things, like a hand on an arm that stayed a few seconds too long for just friends.
Seeing all of this made him realize he'd never seen Jordan as relaxed, or as happy, and now he thought he understood the reason for the changes.
Lisa Fromer.
Had he been asked to guess when Lisa and Jordan got together he would have placed it a few months after the Goodman case. He thought about the conversation he'd had with Jordan shortly after the completion of that case, her reaction when he'd said he thought he'd heard her voice on Dr. Fromer's radio program.
Had it been that long?
"Hey Garrett, are you going to play?" Jordan asked, wondering what he'd been thinking of.
"Yeah, I'm in," he replied tossing in his ante.
"Dr. Fromer – I'm sorry – 'Lisa.'"
"Yes Nigel," she replied looking up from her winnings.
"I was wondering – could you spare me a moment later on?"
"Nigel..." Jordan warned. She didn't want him taking advantage of Lisa.
Lisa placed her hand on Jordan's arm. "It's all right, I don't mind," she said as she gazed into Jordan's eyes.
"You sure? I didn't ask you to come for that."
Well, Well, Well... looks like I'll have to scrounge around for picture of Lisa and Jordan together, Nigel thought to himself. He wasn't exactly sure why he'd kept it – for some reason it felt like the thing to do.
He didn't have any problems with Jordan being with another woman – none at all. That could be because of how others perceived him – who they thought he was – whom he loved.
It was no one's business but his own.
Of course, he recognized that his behavior led many to believe certain "things" about him, and Jordan had been quite right to put him in his place all those months ago.
Telling him, "Look whose talking."
Whether Jordan knew it or not, she'd be able to count on his support.
He'd have to continue to tease her about it – within reason, of course. Otherwise, it wouldn't be him.
"When would you like to talk," Lisa asked him.
Nigel thought about surprising Jordan later. Once he found the picture, he'd get it framed with a small plaque on the bottom engraved with the words, "The Beginning."
"Whenever it's convenient for you, Love."
Jordan looked over at Nigel and mouthed, "Love?"
Nigel's smile beamed, "Don't want to take all of your girlfriend's time, do I?" he asked as he began to shuffle.
"Girl... Girlfriend?!" Bug said as he almost spewed his drink. He looked over quickly. She's blushing, he thought. "Oh wow!"
"Nigel!" Jordan quickly pushed her chair back and left the room. Lisa followed her out.
"Nigel, Jordan probably wanted to tell us herself," Macy said, wondering about the repercussions of Nigel's abrupt statement.
"I was only joking," Nigel said.
"I don't think Jordan thinks this is a joke," Bug stated. "So she and Dr. Fromer?"
"Looks like," Macy replied.
"You're taking this rather well, Dr. Macy," Bug said as he sat up a little straighter.
"There's nothing to take, Bug. Jordan's a grown woman...."
"You already knew!" Nigel interrupted.
"I... ah, I had a feeling – nothing concrete until now," Macy answered.
"Wow – Jordan and Dr. Fromer," Bug muttered to himself.
His reading habits had shown him the many ways two women could love each other – but it was abstract – it wasn't "real." He'd never known anyone involved in a same sex relationship. His knowledge on the subject was limited to television and fan fiction.
Captain Janeway and Seven of Nine never got together on Star Trek Voyager. They were never stranded on a planet without food for weeks and Seven never had to "sustain" Janeway.
There was a scene in "Voyager Conspiracy" - toward the end - when Janeway was trying to convince Seven not to leave. The intensity, the intimacy of it, was amazing considering the two characters were not involved.
It had been a little different in regards to Special Agents Scully and Reyes from The X-Files. He saw subtext, as it was called, in the episode where Reyes helped deliver William.
He could see the attraction with these fictional characters, to the point where he'd found himself muttering at the screen when things didn't go right. But, he was amazed to find he'd never noticed with Jordan.
Of course, this was the first time he'd seen them together – but he should have seen something.
Shouldn't he?
There should've been some clue?
Something to let him know "Gay now!" as Willow put it. But he didn't see it.
Jordan hadn't changed, neither had Willow, except at the end of season six when they killed Tara off... Bastards!
He shook his head.
Looking back, he was surprised when Nigel had called Lisa "Jordan's girlfriend" during the Goodman case, but he put it behind him. Nigel was simply teasing.
He thought nothing more of it. Why would he?
The one thing he had noticed was he hadn't seen Woody – Detective Hoyt - around as much. He'd always thought there was some U.S.T., or unresolved sexual tension, between them.
He shook his head again he needed to get out more.
"Do you think Detective Hoyt knows?" Bug muttered out loud.
"That's right!" said Nigel. "I don't believe Jordan's told Woodrow about this..."
"Nigel," Macy warned.
"What?"
"You're practically salivating on the cards," Bug added as he saw the gleam in Nigel's eyes, something that didn't bode well for Jordan.
"What are you trying to say?" Nigel asked looking in Bug's direction.
"By your reaction, we can see that you can't wait to tell him yourself, or at least be there to see his reaction when Jordan explains the situation to him," Bug stated.
"She doesn't need your help with this Nigel," Macy said.
"Oh come now, you don't believe I would actually do something like that do you?"
Two set of eyes stared at him.
He threw his hands up in defeat. "Oh all right, I won't say a word..."
"About what?" Jordan asked, visibly calmer as she re-entered the room and sat down.
"About Dr. Fromer being a card shark," Bug supplied.
"Thank you, Bug," Lisa said as she took her seat next to Jordan.
Jordan looked around the table to her friends' faces. Would they hate her? What were they thinking?
"Jordan, I do believe it's your deal," Nigel said.
"Right," she said, gathering the cards and shuffling them. "So," she began to deal, "You guys okay with this?" she asked as everyone anted up.
"With what?" Nigel couldn't help but ask. "HEY!" he cried out as he received a kick to his ankle from Bug.
Jordan sighed. "Are you okay with Lisa being here... with me?" she took a deep breath and could feel Lisa squeezing her thigh in support. "As my girlfriend – you know, m-my partner."
She'd said it.
She had actually said it.
She felt lighter in a sense.
She was no longer carrying the weight of her secret around. She didn't have to hide anymore.
She smiled - it felt good.
"None here," Macy said as he looked at his cards wondering which ones to keep.
"No, not at all," Bug replied wondering if he could share his reading habits with Jordan, if she'd appreciate the gesture.
"Nige... you're being awfully quiet."
"I'm simply trying to think of something that won't get me kicked again," he said staring at Bug.
"Say whatever you want."
"Are you happy?"
Jordan wasn't expecting that. "Yes," she smiled. "I am."
"Have you told Woodrow yet? OUCH!!"
"Guys, if you can't behave..."
Nigel had asked "the" question Lisa had thought about for months. She hadn't raised it – which went against her nature -- yet she didn't want to push the issue.
She didn't want to push Jordan.
"Will you stop kicking me!?"
"You have no sense of decorum," Bug told him.
"Decorum? I have more..."
Macy gestured to Jordan, and they both stood up to leave. She whispered to Lisa she'd be right back and followed Macy into the kitchen.
"I'm so sorry about that," Macy said as he glanced towards the living room. He could still hear Nigel and Bug going at it.
"It's okay – I, ah, I kinda wondered what their reactions would be."
Macy nodded. "If anyone gives you any grief about it, if someone says anything – if Nigel keeps acting up - I want you to tell me," Macy said.
"Sure," Jordan replied. "Nige... he's only kidding around..."
"Doesn't matter," he told her. "I'll have a long talk with him at work."
"Garrett..."
"No Jordan, it stops," he said. He rubbed the back of his neck. "I can't stop them from talking about it, but I'll be damned if they'll harass you about it. Teasing is one thing, but..."
Jordan knew from listening to Macy, she'd have to let him have his way. "Okay, you're the boss."
"That's right, I am. Now, why don't you guys head home," he suggested as Lisa walked in.
"Afraid I'll take you to the cleaners?" Lisa quipped as she walked over to Jordan and put her arm around her waist.
"Something like that," he held his hand out. "It was nice meeting you outside of work, Dr. Fromer."
She shook his hand, "Same here, maybe." She glanced in Jordan's direction. "We can host the next poker night?"
"Sounds like a plan. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to make sure they don't kill each other. Good employees are hard to come by."
"We know the way out – good night," Jordan said.
"Good night." Macy walked back into the living room.
"I guess we should get going?" Lisa asked.
"Yeah. Did you have a good time?" Jordan asked as they walked out of the house and to the car.
"I had a wonderful time – Nigel, he's one in a million..."
"You don't know the half of it..."
They got into the car and drove off.
"I thought you didn't play poker?" Jordan asked. "You didn't need me to show you."
"No, I said, 'not' very well and I was a little rusty."
"If that's rusty..."
"Are you mad?" Lisa asked.
"No, are you kidding? You'll need to show me how to be a better player," Jordan answered as she slowed the car down for a red light.
"You're a good player already."
"Lise..."
She turned to look at Jordan there was a change in her voice. "Is something wrong?"
"I'm going to tell Woody next," she said quietly as she pressed on the accelerator. Nigel's comments had struck a nerve, and although Lisa had tried to talk about it at Macy's, she pushed it aside. "I should have told him before. He knows I'm with someone, that's I'm involved..."
"He doesn't know it's me."
"No," Jordan shook her head. "He doesn't."
"Do you want me to go with you?"
"No. I... I have a feeling it'll be better if I do it alone," Jordan said quietly.
"All right."
They settled into a somewhat uncomfortable silence.
After ten minutes Lisa asked, "Jordan, where are we going?"
"You'll see."
Lisa glanced out the window and noticed that the scenery looked familiar. "What are we doing here?" Lisa asked as they parked.
"Come with me please?" she asked as she started getting out the car.
"Okay."
Jordan had parked in front of her father's bar.
"Sorry we're closing for the night," Max Cavanaugh said as he heard the front door opening.
"We're not thirsty Pop."
He looked up. "Jordan, Lisa, how are you?" he asked as he walked to them.
"Good. Dad can I talk to you?"
"Sure, can I get you anything, Lisa?"
"I'm fine Max, thank you. I'll be over here," she said as she took a seat at a nearby table.
"All right," he said as he draped the rag he wiped the counter with over his shoulder. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. Why would you say that?"
He shrugged. "Force of habit. So, what's going on in that mind of yours?"
"Dad, do you remember the blizzard?"
"Of course."
"Do you remember what I said when I got to Lisa's place?"
Why was she asking this? He wondered. "Yes I do."
Jordan quickly looked at Lisa who was working on her PDA before turning her attention back to her father. "Dad, I need you to know something."
"Go ahead," he encouraged.
He had a feeling he knew what Jordan was going to say. He hadn't brought it up. He knew this was difficult not only for Jordan, but himself as well.
His reaction when he first thought Jordan and Lisa were together left a bad taste in his mouth. But, like most fathers, he believed one day he'd walk his little girl down the aisle – after putting the fear of God into the guy she'd marry. He'd probably be no good for her anyway – but Lisa, she was different.
He admitted to himself that at first he didn't want anything to do with her – she had, in his eyes at the time, corrupted his daughter. Had led her into this lifestyle.
His view changed, however, with one simple phone call.
One night made him see Lisa in a whole new light.
This wasn't a woman who perverted his daughter – who led her astray. She was the woman who loved his daughter, completely. And although Jordan hadn't said a word, she had spoken in coded phrases:
"Lisa, you know my friend."
"We're really, good friends."
"She's important to me, I want you to like her."
He could see the changes in her.
She smiled more – something he didn't think he'd seen with such frequency. Jordan would come and have dinner, not all the time, but since her relationship with Lisa started, he felt he and Jordan getting closer.
He may never have a son-in-law, but he may have gained another daughter, and he couldn't think of anyone better suited for his little girl.
He couldn't fool himself, however. He knew they'd have a tough life, considering how he felt and thought at first and Jordan's his daughter – he could only imagine how others would feel and think.
But no one...no one would get away with hurting either one of them – not as long as he had breath in his body.
"Dad – I'm in love... with Lisa."
"Yeah? Well I like her too – she's a very nice woman," he told her smiling in Lisa direction.
"No Dad, that's not what I meant."
"Jordan, tell me."
"Lisa and I are together, she's my girlfriend, my partner."
"And?"
"And – and I wanted you to know and… how come you're so calm?"
"What?" He asked as he placed both of his hands on the bar and leaned forward. "You expected me to rant and rave?"
"Well..."
He moved back and crossed his arms. "I taught you better."
She smirked. "Yeah, you did."
"So, you're in love, 'in' love?" He asked.
"Absolutely."
"No doubts?"
"We all have doubts, Dad, but none we can't handle."
"Right then," he took the rag off his shoulder and dropped it to the bar. He reached underneath and took out three glasses. "Lisa..."
"Yes Max."
"Would you come here please?" he asked as he waved her over. He filled the glasses with Sam Adams Boston Ale. "I'd like to propose a toast," Max said as he raised his glass. "First to Jordan..."
"Dad?"
"Let me finish. Now, to Jordan, for taking a chance and finding love."
"Here, here," Lisa said as she drank.
"And to Lisa Fromer," he tipped his glass in her direction. "For loving my daughter – I'm trusting you with my heart, 'cause that's what Jordan is to me, my heart."
Jordan didn't try to stop the tears from falling down her cheeks. She ran around the bar and hugged her father.
"Thanks, Dad."
"None needed, Sweetheart – welcome to the family Lisa. I hope you know what you're doing," he said.
"I do Max, I do."
"How do you feel?" Lisa asked as she began to undress.
"Huh? Oh, good actually – really good," she replied as she sat on the bed watching Lisa.
"Max surprised me with what he said."
"Me too," Jordan answered.
Lisa walked over to Jordan who opened her legs giving her more room. She ran her fingers through Jordan's hair and smiled as Jordan closed her eyes and smiled.
"Umm..."
"Good?"
"Umhmm."
"Do you want to start looking this weekend?"
Jordan opened her eyes, a slight frown on her face.
"For a place," Lisa explained.
Jordan's eyebrows shot up. "Lise..."
"We don't have to rush – but maybe we could look at the real estate section in the newspaper, see what we like?"
Jordan shook her head and looked down momentarily before looking up again. She smiled and brought Lisa closer, hugging her waist.
A stray thought went through her mind.
One person left to tell: Woody.
Lisa brought her head down to Jordan and kissed her, unknowingly driving Woody from Jordan's mind, as they fell back against the bed.
The End
Second Author's Note: If you're at all interested in reading the story I mentioned earlier, where Seven had to sustain Captain Janeway, drop me a line and I'll send you the url.