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PARADISE FOUND By Cruise and Stoley

Disclaimers: Xena: Warrior Princess, Gabrielle, Argo and all other characters who have appeared in the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess, together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.

The following story is alternative uber-fan fiction. If you are under age, or if you find the idea of two women loving each other offensive to you....please do not read any further. Thank you.

You can contact the authors at: cruise1313@aol.com, stoley@hotmail.com.

PART II (cont'd)

After another hour, Julie finally pried Bly out of the bar and half carried her home. Julie hadn't seen her this drunk in a long time and wonder if it had anything to do with Jordan. Bly seems totally involved with this one, I just hope she isn't having doubts and getting ready to blow an obvious good thing.

Julie got Bly home and she passed out on the bed fully dressed. After removing her shoes and pulling the covers over her, Julie went downstairs and headed over to see Linda and Jordan.

"Hey, what happened to you two?" Julie asked when Linda answered the door. Linda pulled Julie into the room and kissed her soundly.

"Your forgiven!" Julie smiled.

"I had to get Jordan out of there, she was about to crawl out of her skin," Linda whispered.

"Where is she?"

"In the bathroom taking a shower."

"Good, then we have a few moments," Julie replied wiggling her eyebrows and taking Julie into her arms. The two women kissed passionately until they heard the water turn off and broke apart. "Guess we better behave ourselves. Jordan's been through enough tonight," Julie said. Linda nodded and went to stand by the french doors to the patio as Julie sat down in the overstuffed chair in the corner.

"Where's Bly?" Linda asked softly so that Jordan wouldn't hear.

"She's passed out and I put her to bed. You guys taking off, didn't help much," Julie replied grinning.

"What's the plan for tomorrow?"

"Well, Bly has meetings scheduled for most of tomorrow, but we're all having dinner at Kelly's afterward. It that o.k.?" Julie asked.

"Does Jordan know?"

"I don't think so, I think Bly was going to tell her tonight," Julie responded.

"Guess we'll have to tell her."

"What about tomorrow, do you two have plans," Julie asked.

"No, we really haven't been planning anything since we've met you two," Linda replied smiling.

Julie smiled back and winked, "Good, keep it that way. How about the three of us do something then."

"What did you have in mind?"

"How about we take a boat over to the dry tortugas for a tour?" Julie suggested.

"Sounds like fun!" Linda replied.

"What sounds like fun?" Jordan asked standing in the bathroom doorway. Neither woman had heard her come out.

"Would you be interested in going for a tour of the dry tortugas tomorrow?" Julie asked.

"I guess so, where's Bly?"

"She's passed out back at the room," Julie replied.

"Oh, is she mad?"

"Well, she was disappointed that she couldn't find you after the game," Julie replied noncommittaly.

"I'm sorry," Jordan replied looking down pulling at the hem of her t-shirt.

"No, it was my idea," Linda replied, "I think we both needed to get out of there."

"Will Bly be coming with us tomorrow?" Jordan asked hesitantly.

"No, she has her physical therapy chapter meeting tomorrow, but we are all meeting for dinner afterwards at Kelly's."

Jordan heart sank a little at not being able to see Bly before tomorrow night, but at least she still wanted to see her.

"That will be fun," Jordan replied smiling up at Julie.

"Well, I had better be going. I just wanted to come by and check on you gals to make sure everything was o.k," Julie replied standing up. "I'll be by around 9 am to pick you two up."

"I'll walk you out," Linda replied and turned to Jordan, I'll be right back."

"See you tomorrow," Jordan waved and went out on the patio to sit by the pool for a while.

Linda came back a little while later and found Jordan still sitting by the pool and went out to sit with her.

"Hey, you doing o.k.?"

"Yeah, just got hit hard today, you know?" Jordan replied grinning.

"Cindy was the last person I expected to find here," Linda answered.

"Yeah, it just seems to much of a coincidence. Somehow I get the feeling she knew I was here."

"How, who did you tell you were coming down?"

"Only, my sister-in-law," Jordan replied.

"Does she know Cindy?"

"Yeah, we use to all hang out together, but I don't think they talk anymore," Jordan answered suddenly unsure.

"We'll, let's get some rest and not worry about it tonight. Julie said everything went well and Bly doesn't know about Cindy," Julie replied pulling Jordan to her feet and following her into the room.

Julie promptly arrived at 9 AM to find the two women waiting and they headed to the dock to start their tour.

"How was Bly this morning?" Jordan asked Julie as the boat cut through the water on their way to the dry tortugas.

"Hung over and running late, but looking forward to this evening, Julie replied smiling. Noticing that Jordan didn't seem relieved she put her hand on Jordan’s arm and squeezed it lightly. "Listen to me, she doesn’t know anything about Cindy. The woman’s probably long gone by now. Today is Sunday and most people are only here for the weekend. She’s probably leaving too, by the time we get back she will be gone and we can meet Bly and have a nice evening," Julie told her.

Jordan smiled and nodded hoping Julie was right.

"And, I promise the suite will be completely empty tonight," Julie added wiggling her eyebrows for emphasis.

Jordan bumped Julie’s shoulder as the smile widened. Linda leaned over and whispered in Julie’s ear, "Thank you." Julie winked at Linda as the boat bounced along the water.

Jordan enjoyed the trip, but periodically her mind would drift to Bly and she would wonder what the woman was doing at that moment. Bly’s face would appear before her and she could almost touch the warm tan skin and blue eyes that filled her waking, and sleeping moments. Sometimes her body would ache with need to just touch Bly. The anticipation of their first time together would start a fire deep inside of her and it would take all her strength to keep her mind from dwelling on it.

She hated Cindy for making her fear this feeling for so long. Bly was so warm and giving that Jordan knew she would never ridicule or hurt her. A smile creased her face at the thought of her soon-to-be lover.

"Hey, Jordan!" Linda called out and nudged her out of her revere.

"Huh?"

"We’re back!" Linda replied snickering, "Was it a good fantasy?"

Jordan blushed looking at Linda and Julie, "I’ll bet I know who was the center of it," Julie replied and turned to help the two women out of the boat.

On the way back to the guesthouse, Linda asked Jordan quietly, "Would you mind if Julie and I backed out of dinner tonight?"

"No, why" Jordan replied.

"We just want to grab a quick bite and hang around the guesthouse tonight," Linda answered grinning.

"Oh? No problem," Jordan laughed. "Just give me a second to shower and dress and it’s all yours."

Linda kissed her cheek and replied, "Take your time, we’ll go get something to eat."

"Have fun," Jordan replied winking. Julie and Linda walked Jordan back to the room before proceeding down the street.

Showered and dressed, Jordan looked in the mirror one last time. She wanted to look perfect for Bly. She wore a pair of jade green shorts with a cream colored silk top that slid down off one shoulder to reveal just enough of her to, hopefully, get Bly’s attention. She left as soon as Julie and Linda arrived and got to Kelly’s a little early for her day with Bly. Sitting at the bar, she ordered a drink and waited.

"Well, well, Isn’t this a coincidence," a voice drawled from behind causing Jordan’s stomach to revolt instantly. She felt like she would be sick at any moment. As an arm slithered over her bare shoulder she shivered, and Cindy slid onto the stool next to her.

"What are you doing here?" Jordan stammered.

Cindy would smell the fear and it excited her. She smiled and replied, "Why, I’ve been looking all over for you. I really wanted to see you again. Aren’t you happy to see me too?"

"How did you know I was here?"

"I talked to Dee and she happened to mention it, and well, here I am. I came all this way to talk to you," Cindy replied looking Jordan over like a piece of meat.

"What do you want?" Jordan asked disgusted.

"You!" Cindy replied leaning in close as she looked over Jordan’s shoulder to the tall woman who had just entered the restaurant.

"I told you I never wanted to see you again!" Jordan seethed and removed Cindy’s hand from her thigh.

Cindy placed her hand back and squeezed hard causing Jordan to wince, all the while, watching Bly scan the restaurant until she spotted them.

"If you don’t leave me alone, I’m going to scream right here and now!" Jordan threatened trying to pry Cindy’s fingers from her leg. She knew she would have a nice bruise come morning.

Cindy saw Bly hesitate and the look on the woman’s face was priceless, going in for the kill, she leaned into Jordan’s ear and replied, "I dare you!" Cindy reached her free arm around the back of Jordan’s chair and pinned her other shoulder back.

When Jordan turned her head to look at Cindy and opened her mouth to reply, Cindy clamped her lips on the open mouth and proceeded to kiss Jordan roughly. Jordan’s struggle to break free only looked like a lover getting into a passionate kiss.

Cindy didn’t loose sight of Bly and only released Jordan’s shoulder after she saw the tall woman storm out of the restaurant. Smiling at her victory, she didn’t see the hand coming until Jordan nailed her in the side of the face. The slap echoed throughout the bar causing the bartender and nearby patrons to turn their attention to the couple. Cindy released Jordan’s thigh to grab her burning cheek.

Finally, free Jordan jumped off the stool and shouted, "Don’t you ever touch me again, don’t you even come near me again, or I swear, I will kill you!" Turning, Jordan left the bar to search for Bly. She needed to find her desperately, running to Bly’s suite the tears flowed down her cheeks in earnest. She pounded on the door, but there was no answer. She went down to the desk to be told that Bly had left about 15 minutes ago.

Jordan left the guesthouse but only made it as far as the side street before she ducked behind a bush and was sick. Wiping her mouth she sat on the curb until her stomach settled before continuing her search for Bly.

Bly left the restaurant and headed blindly toward the beach as tears stung her angry eyes. She couldn’t believe what she had just seen. To see Jordan cosy with another woman was more than Bly could take. She sat down on the sand as a tear slipped down her cheek. ‘I trusted her. I thought she actually cared about me. She’s like all the rest, I guess I was wrong about her too,’ Bly thought angrily. Getting up she brushed the sand off her sorts and Jordan out of her life and headed back to pack.

Jordan searched everywhere for Bly and finally went back to her room. Knocking on the door until Linda opened it to a very pale Jordan.

"Jordan, what’s wrong?" Linda asked pulling the distraught woman into the room.

"I can’t find Bly," Jordan replied trembling.

"What do you mean?" Julie asked coming out of the bathroom in a t-shirt and boxers. Jordan proceeded to tell them about Cindy’s appearance and then not being able to find Bly anywhere.

"She probably missed you at the restaurant and got upset and went for a walk, "Julie replied putting on her shorts.

"Where would she go?" Linda asked keeping her arm around Jordan for support.

"Maybe down to the dock at Atlantic Shores," Julie replied. "I’ll go see if I can find her, you guys stay here."

Jordan went into the bathroom and brushed her teeth over and over gain, trying to get rid of the taste of Cindy. She walked back into the room as Julie opened the door to leave, turning she said, "Don’t worry Jordan. I’ll find her and bring her back here."

Jordan nodded and went out the french doors to sit by the pool.

Julie hugged Linda and told her, "Keep her here until I get back."

Linda went out and sat next to her friend and put her arm around Jordan and gently rocked her as they waited in silence.

Two hours later, Julie returned alone and, by the look on her face, Linda knew it wasn’t good news.

"She’s gone," Julie simply said.

"What do you mean she's gone? Gone where?" Jordan asked with disbelief.

"When I checked the room after trapsing all over town looking for her all of her belongings were gone and she left a note with her car keys asking me to take her car home for her. She said she had to leave unexpectedly." Julie answered.

"What could have happened?" Linda asked confused.

"What did you do to her Jordan?" Julie asked accusatorily.

"Julie...I haven't even seen her today so, why would you ask me that?"

"I tried to call her mobile phone and beeper to no avail. I'm sure she's okay and just had to get back for an emergency or something."

"Can you give me her phone number Julie so, I can try to call her?" Jordan asked as she felt sadness that Bly was gone just as they began a budding romance.

"Sure." Julie replied as she checked her purse for Bly's business card. "Aah...here you go," Julie answered as she handed Jordan Bly's business card.

"Thanks...I'll try to call her and make sure everything's okay," Jordan answered with sadness and worry in her voice.

"I'm sure she would appreciate that Jordan," Julie answered with a reassuring smile.

"Julie aren't you worried about her?" Linda asked.

"Nah...she probably had to get back for some problem with her father's company or something. I don't think there's anything to worry about."

"So, she has to leave like this unexpectedly very often?" Jordan asked with a need for reassurance.

"Yep...she has to up and leave without saying a word sometimes but if it was anything to worry about she would have told me."

"I...aah..am gonna go for a ride...I'll leave you two to be alone," Jordan replied as she stared at the card while she approached the door.

"Hey...are you okay?" Linda asked with concern as she put her arm around her for comfort.

"Yeah...I'm just worried about her...I'll catch you two later."

"Listen...we'll stay at Jules and I'll call you later okay?" Linda asked with a smile.

"Sounds great...thanks," Jordan answered with a slight smile as she exited the room.

"Now...you...my little vixen...let's go to your place and make made passionate love all night!" Linda replied with a seductive tone as she moved into Julie's arms for a passionate kiss.

Jordan left the guesthouse and took the moped for a ride down towards Atlantic Shores for a walk along the "Stairway to the ocean." She realized that riding the moped was not as enjoyable without Bly in front of her. Jordan made her way out to the end of the dock and looked over the moonlit ocean as the tropical breeze blew against her skin. Jordan looked at Bly's business card and read the name Blythe VanDewark as it dawned on her that she never knew what her last name was as Bly didn't know hers.

Jordan thought about how she nearly shared a sexual intimate moment with this woman, she has so many feelings for but she didn't know her last name. 'I want to know everything about you Bly,' Jordan replied to the business card as if Bly could hear what she said. Jordan closed her eyes as the tropical breeze cooled her skin and thought about the last time she was here. She was so close to Bly and wanted to be by Bly in her arms again. Jordan wondered if she had done something to push Bly away from her and felt the tears sting her face as they fell. Jordan kissed the card before tucking it into her pocket making her feel closer to Bly.

Jordan headed back to the guesthouse and changed into her night clothes before slipping into the lonely bed as she cried herself to sleep.

Jordan was woke by the incessent ringing of the phone and picked up the receiver quickly. "Bly?" Jordan asked with excitement.

"No, Jordan...sorry...it's Linda...just checking to see if you're okay."

"I could be better if I had a certain tall, dark and very gorgeous raven haired woman in my bed with me."

"Well...maybe soon...when you get back home...I'll be by in the morning and we can make some plans for the day okay?"

"Sure...goodnight," Jordan answered as she put the receiver on the phone and laid back hoping that she would have Bly in her bed holding her one day. Jordan thought of her time she spent with Bly here and that they were the happiest moments she has ever had. Jordan fell off to sleep lost in her thoughts of Bly.

Jordan woke in the morning to the sound of rain and got up to dress for breakfast. She stepped out of her room to a very dreary day. 'Great just what I need for the duldrums that I already feel,' Jordan thought to herself as she stepped into the kitchen of the guesthouse for some coffee and quiche for breakfast. She sat by the pool and ate breakfast as she watched as the rain fell off the coconut palms and decided she couldn't stand the torture anymore. So, she entered the room and called the home number on Bly's business card.

Jordan became excited when she heard Bly's voice on the other end of the receiver only to realize it was her answering machine. "Hi, Bly...it's Jordan...I just wanted to call and make sure you're okay and nothing happened. You can call me at the guesthouse when you get a chance. I miss you, bye," Jordan replied as she hung the phone up.

Julie and Linda burst in the room with their rainsuits on laughing and startled Jordan. "Jeez...you two nearly scared me to death!"

"Sorry! Come on let's go!" Linda replied with excitement.

"Where?" Jordan asked.

"We are hitting the bars...all of them..it's the only thing to do when it rains here!" Julie answered with a laugh.

"Oh, I don't know," Jordan answered hesitantly as she sat in the oversized chair.

"Come on let's go," Linda replied as she pulled her up out of the chair.

"Linda it's only 11 am! Besides, I'm waiting for Bly to call and I don't want to miss her call because I left her a message."

"Come on Jordan. I have my mobile which she will call on so, there is not excuse!" Julie answered as she pulled out a rainsuit they brought for Jordan.

"Okay!" Jordan replied hesitantly as she dressed before heading out the door with her friends.

After two hours of following Julie and Linda into every bar they came to along Duval she decided she had enough torture and couldn't stand the unhappiness she felt.

"Linda I'm going back to the room." Jordan replied with agitation.

"Okay...are you sure you don't want to stay with us?"

"No. I'll be fine. I'll see you later," Jordan answered as she walked back to the guesthouse with sadness and loneliness in her heart as she hoped there would be a message from Bly when she arrived.

Jordan asked for messages at the front desk which there were none for her and she headed to the room for a good cry. 'I've done something to push her away. I just know it.' She thought to herself as she began to pack her bags to go home. Jordan packed and loaded her belongings in her car as Julie and Linda staggered down the street towards the guesthouse.

"Hey...Jor..Jordan!" Linda slurred. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going home Linda. I'm not going to stick around her and be miserable. It would ruin the time you two are having so, I'm going home. Julie you can give her a ride right?" Jordan asked as she turned to Julie.

"I give her rides every night!" Julie slurred with a laugh as she hugged Linda.

"Great! Linda I'll see you when you get home," Jordan answered as she hopped in her car and fled the area in a hurry.

The ride home was torturous and very boring for Jordan as she cried the whole way trying to figure out what had gone so wrong that Bly would leave her without a word. She was glad to be home but yet she was still sad at the turn of events. The next day Jordan called Bly's office.

"Hello...Physical Therapy Patty speaking," the woman greeted cheerfully.

"Hi...could I speak with Bly please?"

"I'm sorry honey she's out of town on business...can I take a message for her?"

Jordan gave the woman her name and number for Bly to call her. The woman promised she would have Bly call her the moment she called in for her messages.

Jordan went throughout the week in a funk from what happened in the key and from Bly not calling her back.'maybe she is just too busy out of town to call she reasoned with herself, ‘don't worry she'll call when she gets the chance,' Jordan thought to herself.

By the end of the next week with no call back from Bly and numerous attempts to reach her at home, by beeper or by mobile failed she decided to try work again.

"Hello...Physical Therapy...Patty speaking," the familiar cheerful voice answered.

"Could I speak with Bly please?" Jordan asked nervously.

"Hold on let me see if she's available. Can I ask who's calling?"

"It's Jordan," she replied.

"Okay dear, hold on."

Jordan was excited that at least she was at the office and could possibly speak to her as she listened to the music on the phone as she was placed on hold to wait.

"Bly, You have a call on line 5 from Jordan," The speaker buzzed in the gym to get Bly's attention who sat carrying on a candid conversation with her co-workers.

"Patty... can you tell her I'm in an evaluation with a patient and I can't come to the phone right now please?" Bly called out to the speaker.

"Will do," Patty answered back as Bly lowered her head in regret for not taking the call. "Hello...sorry...Bly's in with a patient and won't be able to come to the phone... can I give her a message?"

"Bly, is that the one you were telling me about?" her co-worker Kim asked as Bly nervously fidgeted in her chair.

"That's the one," Bly answered with sadness.

"Why don't you talk to her?"

"I can't Kim...she's just like the rest and I'm not going through all of that again... I should have known better than to get involved with someone with my heart because it always turns out broken!"

"You shouldn't give up on her just yet," Kim answered with a smile as she patted Bly on the shoulder a she walked away to treat her patient.

Bly entered her office and opened her drawer to look at the pictures she had developed of the Key West trip and found one of her and Jordan in an embrace during the sunset cruise. "How could you Jordan?" Bly replied as she shook her head and threw the picture back in her desk.

Bly returned home to find numerous messages from Jordan and couldn't help but feel some excitement to hear her voice but the sight of her in the arms of another woman set that excitement aside and replaced it with anger. "Take the hint Jordan...I don't want to see you," Bly shouted into the machine as she erased the messages.

Bly's patient load on friday was extremely heavy as she had to keep running from room to room to treat her patients.

"Bly darling, how long do you think it is going to take before I will be better?" her little grey-haired patient asked her as they walked towards the front of the spacious gym.

"Well, Syliva honey...I have told you many times before that every person is different with their healing process," Bly explained as the woman put her hand on Bly's arm as they made their way to the front. "So, what might take one person a certain time doesn't mean it will take you the same time. But we are going to continue to work hard to get you back to normal just as soon as we can okay?" Bly asked as she tried to comfort the shorter woman.

"Yes...darling...I appreciate it...I will see you on Monday," Sylvia replied with a smile.

"Now...you try to behave yourself this weekend Sylvia," Bly teased as the woman erupted in laughter.

"You are such a sweetheart and you've go the prettiest dimples i have ever seen!" she answered as she pinched Bly's cheek.

"I thank you as do my parents for the comment on my dimples," Bly answered blushing from embarrassment.

Jordan thought about how adorable Bly's dimples were and how she wanted to kiss them right there and then. She felt a warmth flood her as she watched how caring Bly was with her patient and it took all she could do to fight back her tears of joy to see Bly.

"You have a good weekend honey," Syliva answered as she let go of Bly's arm.

Bly looked up to watch her leave and caught a glimpse of some very familiar green eyes. She was speechless at first and wasn't sure what to say.

"Jordan...what are you doing here?" Bly asked nervously as a flood of emotions overtook her. She wanted to take Jordan in her arms and feel her warmth against her but couldn't get past the betrayal she felt.

"I need to talk to you Bly," Jordan asked with concern.

"Bly...your next two patients are here waiting for you," Patty replied as she held their charts up for Bly's acknowledgement as she placed them on Bly's desk.

"Okay...I'll be right there...listen Jordan...I am really busy.," Bly answered as she found it hard to look at Jordan and walked towards her office as Jordan followed her.

"Bly...please...why have you been avoiding me?" Jordan pleaded for an answer.

"Jordan, I really can't get into it with you here I am very busy," Bly answered as she thumbed through the charts on her desk.

"How about lunch...I'll buy?" Jordan asked.

"I will be working through lunch today Jordan...I'll have to call you later," Bly answered as she picked up her charts and headed out of her office with Jordan in tow.

"Do you have my number?" Jordan asked as Bly pretended to be interested in what was in the chart.

"Aah...yeah...I have it...I'll give you a call," Bly answered as she glanced up at Jordan then to the waiting room. "Mrs. Brown?"

The woman approached Bly. "I'll talk to you later then," Jordan answered as she walked past Bly to the door.

"Hello...my name's Bly and I'm a Physical therapist. I'll be treating you today," Bly replied cheerfully as she glanced up to see Jordan leave the office. She wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around her and shower her with kisses as her thoughts turned back to Jordan's indescretion with the chick in the restaurant. "Aah...we will take this room," Bly stammered as she pointed the woman into the room.

She took a deep breath to calm her emotions and began her evaluation of the patient. Bly exited the room as Kim approached.

"You okay Bly?" she asked with concern. "Was that Jordan?"

"I could be better...and yes it was Jordan," Bly answered as she gathered a hot pack for her patient.

"She's hot Bly. You really need to get over your pride and talk to her before you lose something great forever," Kim answered with a smile as she walked away.

Bly straightened out the hot pack and let out a sigh as she thought of how wonderful it was to be with Jordan. How it was so right being with her and that she had never felt that way about anyone ever before. Everytime she would have good thoughts of Jordan the bad image of her in the arms of another woman consumed her and filled her with anger squashing any hopes of a reconciliation.

Bly picked up the hot pack and headed back to treat her patient slipping Jordan to the back of her mind.

The weekend came and went without a phone call from Bly and Jordan sat wondering why she even bothered to call Bly anymore. ‘Damn it Jordan! You're not giving up on this one no matter what. She's a keeper and you need to fight for her,' Jordan thought to herself as she fell asleep to greet a new week.

Jordan heard that a friend had been in a car accident that morning and was taken to the hospital. "That's terrible how is Gail doing?" Jordan asked Linda on the phone with remorse for their friend.

"She is doing better now...but she is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday afternoon. Can you go to the hospital and see her Jordan?"

"Sure..I'll take half a day off and go sit with her there."

"Great she'll appreciate it Jordan. Hey, how have you been doing? I haven't talked to you for a few days."

"Not so good Linda...I went to see Bly and she said she would call me but as usual she is ignoring me. Has Julie heard anything from her as to why she's avoiding me?"

"Julie spoke to her the other day and said that Bly was pretty adamant about not discussing you. So, Julie said she dropped the conversation. I'm sorry Jordan maybe you should just move on," Linda answered with sadness for her friend.

"No way...I care for her too much to just move on...besides I deserve an explanation," Jordan answered with agitation.

"Okay...sorry...I didn't mean to upset you."

"No..it's okay. I'm sorry I snapped...listen I will call you with more news on Gail after I see her."

"Sounds good and you hang in there," Linda answered with concern.

"Thanks... bye," Jordan answered as she hung up the phone.

Jordan left work at noon and headed over to the hospital to visit Gail before her surgery. As she walked off the elevator to find Gail's room she looked down the hall and saw Bly leave a room heading towards the nurse's station.

Jordan moved to catch a glimpse of the raven haired beauty she had lost her heart to without Bly knowing she was watching. Bly was feverishly documenting charts and looked up as a nurse spoke to her. Bly tucked her long black hair behind her ear and laughed at what the woman said to her. Jordan wanted to walk up and kiss her neck where she had removed her hair but continued to watch her.

Jordan noticed how sexy and professional looking Bly looked with her form fitting teal scrubs and her hospital jacket on. Bly took her stethoscope off from around her neck and put the ear pieces in her ears and listened to the nurse's heart she was carrying on a very candid conversation with as they both shared a laugh.

Bly threw her stethoscope over her neck again and closed the medical chart as she finished her documentation. Jordan made her way towards Bly who had not seen her yet and Bly turned to walk away when she nearly ran into Jordan.

The smile left her face. "What are you doing here?" Bly asked with agitation. "Are you following me now?"

"Bly," Jordan answered with hurt in her voice as she couldn't believe what bly was insinuating. "My friend is here and I came to sit with her before her surgery."

"Sure you did...listen Jordan...we had a great time in Key West but it's over so, don't call me and don't try to see me okay?" Bly demanded as she walked into her patient's room leaving Jordan in total disbelief as the tears streamed down her face.

Jordan headed back down the hall as she watched Bly come out of the room and converse with a tall man who looked like a doctor. Jordan watched as he comforted her and they both glanced down the hall at her causing her to lower her head with sadness as Bly moved over to the passing gurney.

"Okay...Sarah...you're going to do fine in surgery today," She replied trying to comfort her nervous patient.

"You will be there right?" Sarah asked nervously.

Bly smiled. "I will be right with you in the operating room. Dr. Brown was kind enough to let me observe the surgery."

"Oh, thank you... I feel so much better knowing you will be there with me Bly," Sarah answered with less nervousness.

"Okay...you head on down... I'll meet you there." Bly answered with a smile as they wheeled her patient off down the hall. Bly said goodbye to the nurses and headed off towards the operating room.

Jordan found Gail's room. "Hey, how are you feeling?" Jordan asked with a smile.

"Could be better but I'm feeling better than the other day," Gail answered as she was glad to see her friend.

"When do you go in for surgery?" Jordan asked.

"In about 5 minutes," a man's voice answered as he entered the room and took her chart out to examine it. "Any questions for me?" he asked with a soothing smile.

"No, doctor I think I got every question answered earlier. I'm ready to get this over with.

Jordan noticed he wasn't the usual cocky and uncaring doctor she was used to. She couldn't help but notice he was the man that comforted Bly earlier in the hall. She also noticed her was very tall, tan and handsome for an older man.

"Well...let's get your anterior cruiciate ligament fixed then," he answered with a smile as the patient transporters entered the room to take Gail to surgery.

"I'll be waiting for you when you get out Gail," Jordan replied with a smile as they wheeled her past.

"Thanks Jordan," Gail answered as the tall doctor looked at Jordan quizically.

Jordan looked at his name tag which read Dr. Chance VanDewark. Jordan took a deep breath obviously feeling uncomfortable in the prescence of Bly's father as she slowly looked up at him and realized where Bly got her beautiful blue eye's from as she looked into his with a nervous smile.

"So, you're the green eyed beauty who broke my little girl's heart," he asked as a protective father would normally do.

"Uhmmm...excuse me?" Jordan asked confused as to his questioning considering his daughter just told her to beat it and if anyone should be hurt it should be her.

"Jordan told me all about what happened. I have never seen her so upset over another woman before. You were obviously special to her and I can't understand how you could do what you did to her?"

"What I did to her?" Jordan asked as she became agitated at the line of questioning. "She walked out on me," Jordan snapped back.

"Can you blame her after she saw you in the arms of another woman?" he asked with agitation as he exited the room.

Jordan realized what the misunderstanding was all about and ran after him. "Wait...doctor," Jordan replied as she ran up to him as he stopped and looked at him. "Please let me explain."

"Make it quick I have surgery," he replied sternly.

"The woman you are referring to is my ex girlfriend who searched me out down there. I was to have dinner with Bly and she sat down at the table to try and get me to go back with her but I told her I never wanted to see her again. Well...she did her usual thing by trying to bully me and she forcibly kissed me."

"That's not the way Bly explained it," he answered as he searched her green eyes for the truth.

"Please...you have to believe me," Jordan pleaded as she put her hand on his arm as he stared into her eyes. "I slapped her after she forced herself on me and I threatened to kill her if she ever did that again. I care for your daughter like I have never cared for anyone else in my whole life. I don't want to be away from her for another minute," Jordan answered as the tears slid down her cheeks.

He looked at her momentarily and wiped the tears from her cheek softly as Jordan realized he had a gentle touch like Bly's. "I believe you and I am going to help you because, I believe Bly feels the same about you even though she refuses to push her pride aside and admit it. She's very much like her mother in that way. Walk with me to the operating room okay?" he replied in a soothing tone as they headed down the hall.

"Thank you for believing me doctor," Jordan answered relieved.

"Call me Chance. Now, here's what we are going to do. We are having a 50th wedding anniversary party for my parents on Friday night and I want you to attend. I will make sure Bly talks everything out with you and this matter gets taken care of but, you have to explain everything to her okay?"

"I will do anything to have Bly back in my life again," Jordan answered with a smile.

"I will have Julie get an invitation for you so, you can come to the party and we will go from there," he answered with a smile as they stopped at the door leading to the operating rooms. "This is my stop so, I look forward to seeing you on Friday."

"Thank you so much," Jordan answered as she watched him walk through the doors.

He looked back. "Bly was right...you are beautiful," he answered with a smile and a wink as the doors shut.

Jordan smiled with happiness and joy that she would soon be back with Bly. She no longer felt the pain she did when Bly told her she no longer wanted to see her. Jordan went to the surgical area to wait for word from her freind. She paced for over an hour with nervous energy and wished it was Friday already. Jordan was startled as the doors flew open banging against the wall as Bly flew out of them in a rage.

"Bly...what happened?" Jordan asked concerned.

Bly looked at Jordan with anger in her eyes. "I'm not doing this with you now....besides I thought I told you I didn't want you in my life anymore," Bly snapped as she ripped her bandana off her head which held her hair up during the operation and stormed off to the elevators.

"Bly!" one of the nurses yelled to her as she entered the elevator and threw her bandana against the back of the elevator as she squatted down and put her face in her hands which rested on her knees as the doors shut.

"What happened?" Jordan asked.

"Bly's patient died in the O.R. who she got close with when the woman was in therapy with her for cardiac rehab. Unfortunately, the woman's heart just wasn't strong enough to keep her alive," the nurse answered with sadness.

"That's terrible," Jordan answered with remorse as she thought about how she wanted to take Bly's pain away, and hold her close as she cried on her shoulder to comfort her. Jordan headed back to wait for Gail to come out of surgery.

Jordan rushed home after work on Friday to get ready for the party that evening. She was overexcited about seeing Bly and working out their differences. She wanted to look equisite for her. Jordan showered and dressed in a white slim fitting dress. The dress had a high cut neck and a V-back, which fell to knee length and was accentuated by a black onyx necklace in the shape of a teardrop. Jordan put on light make up and applied a coral colored lipstick to naturally highlight her lips. Jordan sprayed a light mist of Obsession perfume as she pushed her straight blond hair off her shoulders and flipped her long hair to one side shadowing her face.

Jordan rushed down to the street as Julie and Linda beeped insecently for her to join them. "You are looking so hot Jordan!" Linda replied as she checked Jordan out while she climbed into the black convertible.

"You two look great also!" Jordan answered with excitement as they headed off to the Boca Resort on the ocean.

Julie pulled her BMW up to the valet parkers. The trio exited the car and headed into the grand ballroom for the party before the guest of honor and their family arrived. Jordan looked around in awe at the exquisite and ritzy surroundings.

"Have you ever been to anything like this before Linda?" Jordan asked nervously knowing she was out of her element.

"No but it's beautiful isn't it?" Linda asked with a smile.

"Care for a drink ladies?" Julie asked with a smile.

"I would love an absolute and tonic please," Jordan answered with a smile as she looked around at the elegantly dressed party guests.

"The usual babe?" Julie asked Linda.

"No. I think I'll have a martini this evening."

"Ooh, my girl is being a little daring tonight isn't she?" Julie asked seductively.

"You'll find out just how daring later tonight my little vixen," Linda teased back as Julie smiled and blew her a kiss.

Julie filled the drink requests and headed back over to the ladies. "I am the luckiest person in this room to be escorted by two such beautiful women," Julie replied with a smile as she handed them their drinks. "Let's get to our table because it looks like they are ready to introduce the family memebers.

They sat at their table near the back as the announcer welcomed everyone to the gala affair to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary as everyone clapped. "Now, it is my pleasure to introduce the third generation," the announcer replied as Bly entered the door with her arm wrapped through the arm of a very handsome young man. Bly wore a black, sleek, ankle length dress with a drapey neck and a low crisscross back complete with a high side slit to show off her tan, well- toned leg. Bly wore a diamond pendant with matching earrings and her long raven hair was parted just off center falling to the front of her shoulders as her bangs lazily laid over one eye.

Jordan was devastated Bly would have a male escort to the party and leaned to Linda. "This can't be happening!" Jordan replied as she rushed to the bathroom in tears and turned the water on to wet a napkin to put on the back of her neck. She felt physically and emotionally ill.

"Welcome... Blythe and Dawson VanDewark," the announcer replied as everyone clapped and they made their way down the red carpet with nervous smiles on their faces as they made their way to the table to wait for the family.

"That's Bly's brother?" Linda asked in awe and with excitement as she leaned towards Julie.

"Yeah...who did you think it was?"

"Never mind...I'll be back I have to get Jordan," Linda answered as she left the table for the restroom to inform Jordan.

"The second generation...welcome...Chance and Alexandra VanDewark," the announcer replied as Bly's parents made their way down the red carpet to join their children at the table.

"Jordan...are you okay?" Linda asked with concern.

"How could she come with a guy Linda?" Jordan asked through her tears.

"It's her brother Jordan," Linda informed her as she put her arm around her for comfort.

"Are you sure?" Jordan answered as she regained hope.

"Positive..now let's stop those tears and get back out there so you can look at your incredibly gorgeous woman!" Linda relied with a laugh.

"She does look very stunning doesn't she?" Jordan answered with a smile as she patted the tears dry from her face and headed out the door with Linda.

They both sat back down at the table and Julie looked at the pair. "Everything okay ladies?"

"Just fine...thanks," Jordan answered as she watched Bly intently and looked at how beautiful she was as a warmth spread across her. "The family has very good looks wouldn't you say?" Jordan asked Linda.

"Oh, I would say they were very blessed," Linda chuckled.

"Now...for the guests of honor," the announcer replied as everyone stood. "The first generation...the happy couple...Melvin and Bernice VanDewark," he replied with a smile as the couple appeared in the doorway to a loud standing ovation, with smiles appearing on their faces as they made their way to the steps where Bly and Dawson waited at the bottom for their grandparents.

As they made their way down the stairs, Bly held out her arm for her grandfather and Dawson did the same for their grandmother and they escorted them to the table.

"That is so awesome...they have such a loving family," Jordan exclaimed with happiness as everyone sat back down to watch the festivities.

As the evening progressed, Jordan’s eyes kept coming back to Bly. During dinner each family member got up and told their favorite story about the happy couple. Bly’s turn came and Jordan’s attention was riveted to the tall woman. Bly looked devistating tonight, her raven hair shown under the ballroom lighting and the diamond pendant that lay nestled close to her breast caught and reflected a million pinpoints of light mesmerizing Jordan’s eyes. She vaguely heard what Bly was saying as her senses were busy reacting to the soothingly low-timbre of her voice.

"Jordan....Jordan? Earth to Jordan!" Linda leaned over chuckling, "Blink so we know you’re alive!" Julie snickered at Jordan’s reaction as the woman rapidly blinked her attention finally focusing on Linda.

"Huh?"

"Hey, you o.k.?" Linda asked noticing the flush on her friend’s face. Julie leaned over and whispered, "Bly doesn’t stand a chance!" Linda nodded back to her lover. "I’ve never seen her like this." Both women smiled as Jordan flushed deeper read at being caught daydreaming.

After dinner, the lighting was dimmed as the orchestra began to play and the couple of honor stepped out onto the dance floor followed by Bly’s parents and then Bly and her brother. Jordan grinned at how differently Bly danced with her brother than she had in the Keys. Jordan was slightly jealous that it was Dawson arms around her instead of her own, but it didn’t detract from her observance of Bly’s graceful movement. Her hips moved sensuously in the close fitting black dress and Jordan felt herself flush again, this time for a different reason. As the dancers began to fill up the floor, Jordan last sight of Bly and her brother, and turned her attention to Julie and Linda.

"Anyone ready for another drink?" Julie asked softly, putting her arms around the back of Jordan’s chair. Jordan grinned, slightly shrugging replied, "It would be better if I were the one in Dawson’s shoes tonight!"

Linda gave her shoulder a quick squeeze and answered, "Yeah, but he won’t be the one ending up in her bed tonight!"

"Neither will I," Jordan replied sadly.

"Hey, didn’t Dr. VanDewark say he was going to take care of things?"

"Yes, but I don’t know when," Jordan answered.

"Then just hang in there sweetie, Dr.V is a man of his word." Julie replied catching the end of their conversation. Jordan accepted her drink and took a sip and half-listening to the table conversation. Looking over at Bly’s table, she noticed her sitting alone with that same faraway look she had at the beach that first morning. Jordan was glad they were tucked in the back where she could observe Bly without being seen. Right now she wanted nothing more than to go to her and hold her until that lost look went away for good. ‘Oh boy, How could you think I would have anything to do with Cindy, let alone choose her over you?’ Jordan thought sadly and looked away as the tears burned her eyes. Jordan didn’t look up until she had control again and when she did, she saw that Bly was gone. Scanning the crowd for the next half-hour, she couldn’t find Bly anywhere. Sighing she got up and went to the bar for another drink. While she waited, she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to face familiar, but older, blue eyes. Dr. VanDewark stood smiling down at her.

"Are you having a nice time tonight?" he asked.

"Yes, thank you," Jordan replied.

"But, I bet your wondering why I invited you?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye. Jordan’s breath caught at the familiar characteristic. ‘Another family trait!’ she mused before answering, "Yes, kind of."

"Well then, come with me my dear and I’ll show you," he replied lightly grasping her arm to steer her through the crowd toward the exit.

"Where are we going?" Jordan asked curiously.

"You’ll see," he replied cryptically as they exited the ballroom and headed down the hall. Pausing at a door, he turned to her and said, "I love my daughter very much and from what I’ve heard and seen, I think the two of you have something special. I don’t want to see that put aside. My daughter can be hard-headed sometime, so don’t let her scare you. You two need to talk this through to the end."

Turning the knob he started to open the door, but stopped and remarked, "By the way, You look exceptionally lovely this evening. Bly is a lucky woman, I just hope she can see that." With this acknowledgement he opened the door and gently pushed a blushing Jordan through before closing the door. He contemplated looking the door, but he knew his daughter and she, on principle alone, would break it down to get out. Smiling, he returned to the party.

Jordan stood with her back to the closed door momentarily fearful as she scanned the room until her eyes lit upon Bly. Bly looked up from her seat on the office sofa and then stood.

"Bly?"

"Jordan."

"I....." Jordan stammered pointing back at the door lamely.

"I know, my father told me you were here," Bly answered coldly. "Well, I promised him I would hear you out, but I don’t think it will do any good. I know what I saw."

Jordan looked at the quiet anger that showed in every movement of Bly’s body. ‘She hates me!’ she thought as her own temper began to heat up. ‘She’s already made up her mind without even hearing me out!’

"Why bother, you obviously have your mind made up and you don’t want to listen to the truth!" Jordan rebuked.

"Don’t lie to me. I saw you with her!"

"I don’t know what you thought you saw, but it couldn’t have been farther from the truth. Cindy use to be a friend, but I haven’t wanted to even be in the same room with her for almost a year," Jordan exclaimed.

"It didn’t look that way to me. You seemed pretty chummy," Bly replied angrily.

"I don’t know what your idea of chummy is, but mine isn’t kissing up to someone who hurts a friend."

Bly looked skeptically at Jordan and she could tell that Bly didn’t believe her. She would have to tell the whole story, something she had hoped was put away a long time ago.

Tears crept into Jordan’s eyes as she started to speak. "Do you have any idea what it feels like to confide in a close friend, for the first time, that you think you are gay, and then wake up the next morning to find yourself bruised and hung-over in bed with that friend. The only things you remember, you hope were from a nightmare, except that you hurt more than just physically. And then, to face that ‘so called friend’ looking for a reason why, and all you get is laughter about the whole incident and told that ‘you were just an uncooperative fuck!’ Let me tell you, that hurt more than all her hitting ever could. So, if you want to keep believing that I could have anything more to do with someone like that, you go right ahead!" Jordan turned dissolving into tears and ran from the room.

Jordan fled down the hallway to the outer doors and ran out into the warm night air. Looking around, she headed toward the beach area as the tears streamed down her face. The pain in her chest was making it difficult to breathe. Slipping out of her shoes, she walked down the beach trying to make sense of everything, trying to make sense out of her life.

Bly listened disbelieving as Jordan’s story unfolded. As Jordan spoke, Bly began to doubt what she had actually seen. The blonde’s obvious disgust and fury were genuine. She couldn’t have manufactured what had happened to her, no matter how hard she tried. Bly silently watched Jordan run out of the office as she tried to comprehend the enormity of what the woman had just confided. Bly couldn’t believe that she had actually misread the scene and had left Jordan in that woman’s hands. The way Cindy had possessively held Jordan’s shoulder could now be understood as an attempt to hold her back and Bly kicked herself for letting her vision be clouded by jealousy. "Oh God!’ Bly thought, ‘What have I done to Jordan? When she needed me most, I wasn’t there for her!’ Looking around the room frantically, she realized she needed to find Jordan. Lifting her dress slightly, she hurried down the hall and ran into the ballroom. She quickly spotted Julie and Linda and hurried toward them.

"Hi!" Julie smiled as Bly approached.

"Have you seen Jordan?" Bly asked abruptly cutting off Linda’s attempted greeting.

"No, not for awhile, why?"

"I’ll talk to you guys later, I’ve got to find her," Bly replied and turned to leave.

"Do you want help," Julie asked rising.

"No, stay here! If she returns, hang on to her until I come back," Bly threw over her shoulder.

Linda looked at Julie worried and Julie smiled and put her hand on her lover’s thigh. Caressing it lightly she replied, "Don’t worry Love, Bly will find her. Looks like the tables have turned," she grinned.

Bly went out the main door and looked left and then right before deciding to head over to the beach. Coming out onto the sand she spotted a pair of white heels lying discarded and kicked off her own heels, hiking her long dress high, she set off down the beach in the direction of the footprints.

Jordan walked for a long time as she thought things through. She didn’t want to think of life without Bly, but this was the reality of things. Feeling a part of her soul died she hung her head and walked along in the shallow water. She could scream ‘why’ into the night until she was hoarse, but what would that serve. It wouldn’t return the one thing to her life that she desperately needed. She looked out over the vastness of the ocean and felt as insignificant as one drop in it. Closing her eyes, she felt the light breeze that ruffled her hair and smelled the slightly salty air that tickled her face. She listened to the waves as they rolled on to the beach and then to the beat of the heart that matched her own rhythmn. Her eyes flew open when her mind registered another heartbeat, but she remained still, waiting.

Bly saw the distant figure standing in the water and hurried toward her. As she neared she stopped, her breathing caught at the sight. The moonlight made the golden highlights in Jordan’s hair glow in an almost magical way. Jordan stood with her eyes closed facing toward the water in a look of silent prayer. Bly wanted to touch her, but knew she hadn’t earned that right. She got as close as she dared and breathed in deeply. Jordan’s perfume mixed with the night air, a scent that was uniquely her’s, one that never failed to start a fire in center of Bly’s being.

"Jordan?"

"Bly."

"I....." Bly hesitated.

"What do you want from me?" Jordan interrupted.

"Forgiveness," Bly simply stated.

Jordan’s eyes closed in reflex to this request. "Why?" she whispered.

"Because, I’m a fool, because I was so wrong, because I didn’t let you explain, because I wasn’t there when you needed me, and because I love you. Pick anyone, just forgive me, please?" Bly asked sincerely placing a hand lightly on Jordan’s shoulder.

Jordan felt an instant reaction to that one touch and her body quivered in anticipation. Jordan moved to rest her cheek on this hand. She still remained facing away and Bly turned Jordan toward her. When blue eyes finally met green, Bly blinked back tears and said, "I am so sorry!"

Jordan reached up to wipe a stray tear from Bly’s tanned cheek and nodded, not trusting her voice to speak. Bly slowly pulled Jordan closer until she put her head on Bly’s shoulder causing the taller woman to wrap her arms tightly around her fragile package.

"I don’t want to lose you," Bly replied kissing the top of Jordan’s head.

Jordan rested, once again, in the only haven she had ever known and wrapped her arms around Bly in an attempt to find out if this was real or, if she was dreaming.

"I don’t want to lose you either! I've loved you from the first moment I saw you. I never believed in love at first sight, until now. You’re a part of me inside and I'll never love anyone as much as I do you," Jordan whispered firmly and pulled back to look up at Bly. "You have to believe me that I didn’t ask for Cindy’s attentions."

Bly placed a finger on Jordan’s lips and answered, "I know you didn’t and if I ever see her, I’ll make sure she never comes near you again." Jordan’s lips felt soft as they pressed against Bly’s finger and she leaned down to replace the finger with her lips. Kissing Jordan lightly she nibbled on Jordan’s lower lip until she was granted access and gently deepened the kiss. Bly wanted to cherish the lips before her, not punish as Cindy had done. They stood in each other’s arms kissing until passions flared and their blood was rang in their ears. Bly kissed every inch of Jordan’s face and neck, and when she reached an ear she whispered, "Come home with me?"

Jordan moaned as Bly’s mouth finally met her’s fully and they were consumed with exploration. She tilted her head back slightly as Bly worked her magic, making Jordan’s heart race until she couldn’t think straight. She felt her legs tremble and grow weak. When Bly whispered in her ear, Jordan stepped back and looked up breathing deeply, without another word, she took Bly’s hand and led her back down the beach.

Paradise Found continues...

Ó Cruise and Stoley, March, 1999

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