Chapter Text
Arriving in Texas
As the flight came to an end Root was awoken by a light tap to her face. Her aunt stared at her adoringly “Don’t worry sweetie, we’ll get you some coffee and something to eat before we go to the hotel.” She nods sleepily before turning to Zoe and prodding a finger up her nose. Zoe wakes with a loud snort, scaring the crap out of herself before looking at Root with accusing eyes, when the latter does nothing but laugh. For good measure she flicks Root in the forehead “Asshole”.
They grab a quick bite at the airport before making their way to the hotel. Exhausted they all retire to bed and appropriately because its pretty late. Quickly peeking at her phone she smiles at Shaw’s response [You’d better]. She’s happy that Shaw reacted so well at the news that she missed her. Root opens her gallery to send a quick pic to Shaw, then passes out until morning. Halfway through the night though Zoe climbs into her bed, snuggles into her armpit, mumbling something about zombies. Root just passes right back out.
*
Root blinks against the bright sunlight that manages to slip through the curtains. Stretching she almost knocks Zoe’s breakfast out of her hand. “Hey, watch it sleepy head”
Root yawns “Sorry” then notices Zoe’s coffee. She sits up and pries it from the other girl’s hands and sighs as the warm liquid makes it way down her throat.
Jean then comes in with a plate of food of her own and one for Root “Morning”
“Morning Aunt Jean and thanks” she says accepting the breakfast eagerly.
“So Root, what are the plans for today?” Jean asks between bites.
Root sighs, back to the bullshit “Well I was thinking I’d go to the house and then give that doctor a visit and talk to some other people, while you two can go have fun”
Jean looks at Root pointedly “Honey, the whole reason we came with you is to help and support you” although she says it so sweet Root knows its more of a your ass is not going anywhere without me type of deal.
Root rolls her eyes, but agrees nonetheless “Fine” there’s no arguing with this woman.
“Yeah, plus you never know, we might have to kick some ass. Or more specifically I might” Zoe chimed in. There was no arguing in that, Zoe has a black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu.
“Well now that this is all settled we should get ready for the day, I’m going to go shower” Jean gets up leaving the two girls alone.
“So..” Zoe starts.
“So?”
“What happened yesterday with you Root?”
The taller girl sighs “Honestly I don’t know. Ms. Selene said that she will let me know as soon as she does. She took some more blood to run some additional tests.”
Zoe nods “Well at least you’re all better now”,
Root hums nonchalantly.
“Shaw seemed… worried about you” the mischievous girl ventures.
Root blushes instantly “You were all worried” trying to brush off her friend
“Oh I can guarantee you not as much as her. She looked just about ready to fight her own mother to get to you. Also not to mention the fact that you were both naked… in that bed, performing certain activities” Zoe shifts closer poking the taller girl’s arm.
Root’s face is as read as a tomato and voice an octave higher “That’s what wolves do in heat Zoe, and God that was so embarrassing for her mother to see me like that” she breathes covering her face.
“Pfttt, she’s a doctor Root, I’m pretty sure she has seen a lot more in her day.” Zoe hands move to uncover Root’s face “Plus I’m sure she would do anything for her daughter’s girlfriend” the shorter girl teases waggling her eyebrows.
Root squawks “She is not my girlfriend!”
“Sure she isn’t, and I don’t have a crush on both John and Joss” Zoe rolls her eyes not realizing the bit of information she let slip accidentally.
Root eyes go wide “What!?”
“What?” Roots sporting a huge grin. Zoe escapes while she can fending Root off as they run in circles around the hotel room.
*
Back in New York
“Hey honey, are you hungry?”
“Is that even a real question mom?” Shaw glances up from her assignments to give her mother a questioning look.
Selene snorts “No I guess not”. Selene decided to let Shaw stay home from school today. She knew she would be tired from the past couple of days with Root’s heat, and the lack of sleep. Plus Sameen is a straight A student anyway. Selene whips up a few sandwiches for them, four each to be exact. Sameen got her appetite from her maman and Selene is damn well proud of it.
“Hey mom, so I never got to really ask what happened with Root. I was a bit tired and all” Shaw moans at the first bite of her sandwich.
“Yeah, I’ll bet” her mom smirks at her trying to hold in her laugh as her daughter glares at her with full cheeks. Selene shakes her head a sly smile still on her face “Well I’m going to run some more blood tests, but for now I would just assume that she had an abnormal heat”
Shaw snorts “No shit, she had a ten inch needle stuck into her vagina, I’d call that abnormal, and extreme. What was that about anyway?”
“Well I just like to be prepared is all, and the fact that her heat was early made me even more wary of something happening so I brought backup” her mom shrugs.
Shaw stops ravaging her second sandwich to nod and swallow “So.., she’s going to be okay right?”
Selene can instantly tell her daughter’s mood is changing and decides to make her not focus on the uncertain instead she pesters her playfully “Yes Sameen, your girlfriend will be just fine”
Halfway through her third sandwich Shaw chokes on what’s in her mouth causing her mother to howl with laughter, while she gasps for air. “She’s not my girlfriend!” and now its her turn to blush.
Selene rolls her eyes “Sure.” she looks at her two sandwiches left and almost two of Sam’s. Their eyes meet, both women smirk and shove the rest of their sandwiches in their mouths at once. Its a long standing tradition, last one to swallow has to do the dishes. It ends up being a tie, so they do them together.
Shaw is about to go for her nap before Joss comes home there is a knock at the door. She opens it to reveal a sharp looking Tomas, she smirks. “What can I do for you Koroa?”
He hands her a rose he held behind his back and kisses her cheek “What can’t I just stop by to see an old friend when she doesn’t show up to school for over a week?”
She blows a puff of air and closes the front door leaving them standing on the steps, giving him a knowing look. He rolls his eyes “Okay so maybe I heard about your new female friend and wanted to see if it was true like everybody else.” he shrugs.
Shaw nods, now this sounds more like it “She’s not here and yes it is true” she smiles at the mere shock that graces his face for a second before he plays it off and schools his features back to normal.
“Wow, so all it took was for me to be a female in heat, all the way from Texas. Oh and to be the coach’s niece, can’t forget that part, for you to go out with me” he laughs.
“I already gave you my answer Tomas” she sighs, but you had to admire his determination. His hand falls to her forearm tracing slightly “Well why don’t you rethink that answer. We were good together once before, there’s no reason we can’t be good again.” he leans in and kisses her cheek for the second time before he gets up and leave without looking back.
Shaw clenches her jaw as she looks at the rose, and her answer is still no. She’s only interested in one person right now and that person is Root. No matter the amount of hormones or the millions of ways he tries to woo her it won’t work. Root might not be her girlfriend but she’s pretty sure they have something in between them, and she’s pretty sure she needs to figure that out first before anything else.
*
Bishop, Texas
After chasing Zoe and tackling her for the better part of twenty minutes Root has agreed to let the topic go just for a while so they can get ready for their day. Root steps out onto the balcony of the room as she pulls the door behind her and dials the number of the voice she has wanted her here since she woke up.
Shaw picks up on the first ring “Hey” she breathes quietly.
“Hi sweetie” Root will admit there’s a certain warm feeling in her chest whenever she talks to Shaw, or is around her or even thinks of her for that matter.
“How are you feeling Root?”
“Better now that I’m talking to you” the taller girl responds honestly.
Shaw smiles but doesn’t really know how to respond to that so she asks a different question “How did you sleep last night?”
“Hmm, seeing as though it wasn’t with you and I don’t’ mean this in a sexual way, not perfect. I mean Zoe crawled into my bed after she had a nightmare but its different. You’re different” she whispers.
“I think you’re different too Root and I can admit I have had better nights as well” Root smiles at this but she doesn’t want to make Shaw uncomfortable “Well I have to get going but I’ll call you tonight?” she asks hesitantly
“I’ll be waiting. Stay safe Root”
“I will, and I miss you Sameen” Root confesses and can almost see the head nod from miles away.
Shaw smirks “You better” then she cuts the line.
Despite the shitty day ahead Root has the biggest smile on her face. She moves to go get ready and her, Aunt Jean and Zoe get a rent a car to travel in. They make it to Root’s old home where she grew up and she can already feel the tightness in her chest as she unlocks the door and crosses the threshold. She steps in, looking around the dusty place. They start to rip the house apart for files or anything that could help Root or give her an idea as to what to look for. About an hour later there is a noise at the door and she quickly releases her claws as she approaches the intruder, Jean and Zoe right behind her. Before she registers the scent she leaps at the shadow. The is a bit of a struggle until her eyes find familiar light brown eyes “Hanna” she breathes. “Sam” the curly haired girl look a mixed of surprised and in awe. Root leans back on her heels still straddling Hanna. Wow all her exes really do live in Texas, this is going to be one hell of a trip.