All Hands On Deck

Thankfully, the younger couple at the retreat had some sort of meltdown in their private session with the good doctor, so the rest of the private sessions for the day were canceled. Everyone had a few hours off to rest, explore and try to find deadly threats, well just the four people who were most likely to shoot someone in the kneecaps if they had to endure another therapy session for the day.

Reese and Fusco were instructed by Finch to recheck the perimeter, which meant to play another round of golf. Reese argued, but Finch said this was the best course of action since the scientists had been in meetings all day. And playing golf was good for their cover.

Finch detailed that someone should tail The Roths, the middle-aged couples retreat couple, as they decided with their free time to go off hiking to see a volcano and a waterfall. Shaw volunteered and adamantly said alone. She would follow behind them to make sure they weren’t up to something. Root decided to stay close to the resort in case Finch needed help with anything. However, after about an hour of hovering around Finch, he told her that it looked like Shaw’s tracker had been disabled and that she should follow after them. Finch arranged a ride for Root to the trailhead of the hiking trail. She didn’t have any idea how far ahead of Shaw or the other hikers were; she was guessing about two hours.

The hiking trail led to two very different paths, one to a volcano and the other to a waterfall overlook. Root figured Shaw would probably choose to see molten lava flowing, and the Roths probably would too, so she started down that direction. Root hiked for close to an hour, getting sweaty and hungry; thankfully, she had brought a backpack of water and snacks. Suddenly, Root heard voices from up ahead; she ducked off to the side behind some trees. She watched as the Roths passed by her, they looked fine, nothing too sinister appeared to be going on. The couple looked quite jovial, who wouldn’t, the trail had to be one of the most stunning hiking trails in the world. Root kept hiking until she could see a more extensive clearing getting closer. Then she saw her favorite primary asset, as she got closer, Shaw was standing to look over the flowing lava. It was quite the majestic sight to behold; not something Root got to see every day. She loved New York; however, seeing Shaw in shorts was better than any city scraper or volcano. The grumpy little pill had a peaceful look on her face while looking out over the lava coursing through the deep canals in the mountain. Root came up slowly to stand next to Shaw and take in the view. They both stood there for a few minutes in awe of one of earth’s greatest shows.

“Why are you here?” asked Shaw as she shook her head slightly and kept staring out over the lava flow.

“Can’t a couple of gals ogle a volcano together?” Even without looking at her, Shaw could tell Root was smiling at her.

Shaw rolled her eyes, only so much earth’s majestic could outweigh Root’s comments. “Did you at least pass by the couple on the way up?”

“Yes, they were just hiking,” Root fished inside her backpack and pulled out two protein bars, she handed one to Shaw; who shook her head but quickly snatched it up.

Shaw had to admit; Root usually had delicious snacks; one good reason to keep her around. And another good reason sometimes it doesn’t suck when the hacker showed up unexpectedly.

Root and Shaw both ate in silence, watching the volcano, then decided to trek over to the waterfall to get a glimpse before heading back to the resort. They both walked up to the edge of the cliff overlooking the waterfall. The thunderous loud sound of the water cascading down to the bottom was an intoxicating melody of nature.

“That’s a serious drop,” said Root, looking at the distance from the top where they were standing and the bottom of the waterfall.

“Eh, it’s pretty minor. I dropped further than that earlier today,” said Shaw studying the drop and thinking it was pretty darn steep.

“You think this is shorter?” Root raised her eyebrows at Shaw.

“Yeah, it’s like a high dive at a community pool. And there’s no sharks, so kind of lame,” Shaw tried to look as nonchalant as possible.

“Probably better to walk back, get in some more cardio.” Shaw turned around and headed back towards the hiking trail; the drop off the cliff seemed pretty dangerous.

Root started following Shaw, then she stopped and turned around looking at the cliff with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Shaw could feel Root had stopped, so she turned to see what the tall brunette was doing.

“On second thought, I think I’ve had my fill of cardio today,” Root sprang from her spot and started running at full force towards the edge of the cliff and launched herself over.

Shaw stared off, shocked with her mouth open. She then sprang into action and sprinted over to the side of the cliff, looking frantically everywhere for Root down below. This had to be a joke. The hacker could be impulsive at times, but she wouldn’t just leap off a dangerous cliff, would she? Shaw hated that her heart was beating erratically; she rationalized her frantic pulse was due to anger; she was pissed. If Root died from such a stupid stunt, then she would probably have to drag her body back, or if she broke her leg, then she would have to drag the long-legged hacker back miles; especially, since there wasn’t much signal out here deep in the heart of nature. Shaw half expected the tall brunette to pop up behind her and laugh. She kept scanning the surface of the water down below for the idiot, but she couldn’t see Root anywhere.

“Sameen! Take the plunge!”

Shaw looked at the edge of the water, and there was the idiotic Root sunbathing on a rock. How in the hell did Root pop up without being seen Shaw wondered? She was so pissed at the hacker she could literally see red. Shaw was going to make Root pay for that stupid stunt and her heart palpitations. She shook her head in fury and rolled her eyes. Shaw wanted just to walk off and leave the annoying hacker behind.

This was a bad idea, jumping off a cliff to impress a girl. Or, more precisely, to best a cocky asshole. Shaw walked a bit away from the edge; she gauged how much of a leap to make to make sure she cleared everything. Shaw couldn’t believe she was being baited into something so stupid by her stupid co-worker. However, she wasn’t about to let Root outdo her on a stunt. Shaw took a deep breath and started charging as fast as she could towards the edge; she jumped as far as she could to distance herself from the side of the mountain.

Root’s heart leaped a little seeing the petite firecracker skydive off the cliff into the water. Yes, it had been her stupid idea to sort of getting back at Shaw for dropping into a circle of sharks, but now seeing the petite primary asset jump off the cliff made her throat clench. Root had checked with The Machine before jumping; she would have never done the stunt if it wasn’t mostly safe. The Machine had assured Root it was a moderately safe jump despite looking pretty dangerous, it was a good angle, and it would knock about two miles off their trek back to the resort.

The hacker scanned the water, but Shaw wasn’t popping up. Root started to get nervous. She then saw something slowly rise to the surface. Shaw was floating face down. All rational thought left Root’s brain as she called out Shaw’s name and dove back into the water to help Shaw. Root swam as hard as she could against the current to reach Shaw and pulled her to the side of the bank. Root grabbed Shaw by the shoulders to shake her and kept calling Shaw’s name. Root leaned close to Shaw’s face, and at that moment, the petite firecracker fired a stream of water into her face from her mouth. Root winced but didn’t let go of Shaw just giggled, which spurred on the petite firecracker to molten lava anger levels. As soon as Shaw felt she wasn’t being let go, she pushed off Root and rolled off back into the shallow water. Shaw started splashing aggressively towards the hacker, so much it looked like a typhoon near the waterfall. Root lunged for Shaw and latched herself onto the shorter woman’s back. She might not be near as strong as Shaw, however long limbs were very useful for trapping smaller prey.

Root wrapped her arms and legs tightly around Shaw while the petite primary asset splashed furiously to free herself, along with kicking and scratching to knock the hacker off. Root couldn’t hang onto Shaw much longer, Shaw’s thrashing around was both super strong and very slippery. Both women were completely entangled with each other’s other limbs, even more than the morning’s hot yoga session. Root’s height gave her the advantage, and she also guessed her water-treading ability. Shaw kept trying to head-butt Root unsuccessfully with the back of her head since Root had her encased in a jaws of life spoon lock situation.

Shaw was about to break free; Root pushed her lips to the back of Shaw’s neck to latch on; she was going for an erotically charged kiss like a sexy vampire. However, it slightly turned into either more leech-like suction or horny teen hickey machine; it was hard with Shaw thrashing around. One thing was for sure Root decided, having her lips on Shaw in any capacity on any part of her body was worth any payback she was going to get. Root couldn’t help but let out a loud moan; she felt like her blood was searing lava coursing through her veins. And once Root’s lips latched onto Shaw’s neck, the thrashing from the petite firecracker did slow down a bit.

Shaw was furious at Root for trapping her like a bee in a spider’s web with her impossibly long limbs and almost equally mad at herself for enjoying it. And then Root had to start sucking on her neck like she was a horny vampire that hadn’t eaten in decades. She almost ended herself when she let out a gasp combined with a moan; thankfully, Root couldn’t see her face to see how fiercely she was blushing.

Root’s grabbing became more centered on her breasts, and Shaw cursed her body for leaning into the neck sucking, the damn hacker was hitting her pulse points, which felt like kryptonite being hung around Superman’s neck. She tried to grab onto Root’s clothing, finally hooking her hands onto Root’s pants, she pulled hard to swing them around to get the advantage on the hacker. As soon as they were face to face with the ground under their feet now, Shaw clawed at Root’s shirt and grabbed each arm fiercely and with one explosive pull tore the red v-neck t-shirt all the way down the middle. Root let out a massive gasp; they stared at each other panting while Shaw pulled them closer together while tearing and pushing Root’s redshirt further off her shoulders. They both leaned in with their mouths open, breathing the same space, the lips almost touching, just hovering over each other, ready to devour each other.

“Hey! This is a family trail! Take the porn show on the road!” A man yelled at Root and Shaw from up above on the top of the cliff. The moment killer man with three kids looked down angrily at Root and Shaw.

Both women’s heady sexual haze spell broke. Root and Shaw both looked up to the onlookers. Two of the kids waved down at them. Root waved back while Shaw pushed off her, rolled her eyes, and swam near the bank where she could stand up fully.

There was a very awkward silence between them as Root trudged up behind her. Root’s shirt hung completely open, her chest and bra on display while water flooding off of her as she continued walking out of the river. Shaw didn’t want to look; however, her eyes betrayed her, and it didn’t help Root was smiling way too smugly.

Shaw was the one who broke the silence; she figured it better to talk about something else than what almost happened.

“Really, Root? You fell for that TWICE in one day?” Shaw said as she gave her a condescending grin while trying helplessly at the same time to squash her raging arousal as Root walked closer to her, she backed up a little; it did not help at all that the hacker was basically topless.

“Okay, fine, so you got me. It’s true like the old saying, ‘Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me’,” Root stared intensely at Shaw, “Fool me, thrice, you’re probably really hot.”

Shaw rolled her eyes; she didn’t remember the last part of the old cliché saying.

“In my defense, this morning you were pleasuring yourself in front of me instead of possibly jumping to your death, so slightly different circumstances,” Root smirked at Shaw.

“That’s not what I was doing this morning,” huffed Shaw.

“Sure, looked like it. I might have to file a sexual harassment complaint with Harry,” Root was doing nothing about her torn open shirt, wearing it almost like a badge of hotness. She did walk over and grab her backpack where she had left it before jumping into the water to ‘save’ Shaw.

“Are you kidding me? You sexually harass every minute of every day. You just sexually harassed me so hard by jumping and grinding on my back. And sucking on me like a leech,” Shaw angrily pointed to her neck, which caused Root to blush and grinned as she could see a hickey around forming on the petite primary asset.

“And you tore my shirt wide open with an audience no less. Maybe we need our own therapy session. Or we could just…” Root moved closer to Shaw, dropping the backpack on the ground and standing right in front of her, leaving very space between them and one very open shirt.

Shaw stared up into Root’s eyes, then bent down and picked up the backpack.

“We got to get headed back before dark,” Shaw rummaged until she found two water bottles, passing one to Root. “Did you bring a jacket or anything else?” Shaw awkwardly motioned to Root’s torn red V-neck t-shirt hanging open, and once again, she couldn’t stop herself from staring at Root’s bare chest and her breasts, of course. She had to flee this situation; she averted her eyes and took a step back from Root.

They both knew without saying what Root’s ellipse meant; they could just give in to each other and see what happens. Root was all in from day one, Shaw hated to admit, but she strongly felt something holding her back, which was unusual when it came to sex. However, this wouldn’t just be sex, no matter how much the genius hacker might proclaim it. She had come to like the team; in fact, it might be her favorite team yet. She didn’t want to ruin it with sex, and she strongly felt that getting involved with Root would change the team dynamic, well definitely their dynamic she feared.

“No, I didn’t plan on you tearing my shirt off during a sexy waterfall encounter,” Root said while smiling wickedly and Shaw pinching the bridge of her nose. “Why don’t you give me your sports bra?” Root motioned to Shaw; she could tell the petite primary asset was wearing one under her black t-shirt.

“Fine,” Shaw said begrudgingly, “Turn around,” she scowled towards Root, who obeyed while also taking off her bra. Shaw could feel Root come up behind her and sling her bra over her shoulder as she reached out, grabbed the sports bra. Shaw could feel the heat radiating off Root’s naked upper half, without turning around the yanked at the bra and felt Root gently take the sports bra. She felt goosebumps pop up, and the hacker wasn’t even touching her.

“Sharing undergarments, sharing the bathroom. This has been a day of many firsts,” grinned Root while putting on the Shaw’s sports bra.

“And lasts,” said Shaw as she fastened Root’s bra and put her t-shirt back on. Then she realized she could have just given Root her shirt, okay her brain wasn’t getting nearly enough blood flow for proper functions.

They walked back in silence, enjoying the view of the hike. Most of their missions and numbers didn’t take them to someplace so serene; there was almost a peace that came over on their walk back; a nice peaceful, comfortable silence. A nice break from their intense encounter, although every time they looked at each other, the air felt thicker. Root kept quiet on the hike back; she seemed to enjoy watching Shaw in front of her as much as the panoramic view of this side of a Maui hiking trail.

When they arrived back at the resort, there was just enough time to get ready and changed for the luau on the beach.

Shaw shook her head, they hadn’t helped one number today, but it had been an exhausting day. A day without dodging bullets aimed at vital organs and still exhausting, although more peacefully if she had to admit it.

Root walked off to her room, getting a few glances around the resort from staff while she proudly wore Shaw’s sports bra under her torn open shirt. Thankfully, Joan wasn’t in the lobby, or she might have to fight off the overly enthusiastic handsy assistant. And there was only person she wanted to be overly enthusiastic and handsy, and that particular petite firecracker had done just that a mere hour ago. Root felt her whole body vibrate, and a strong shudder come over her thinking of Shaw ripping her shirt with sheer lust force. She didn’t know what made Sameen stop; her heart felt a ping with that thought. Instead, she went back to the shirt ripping; it was a moment she was going to play over and over in her mind, probably for the rest of her life.

*****

As Fusco and Shaw were walking up to the luau set up on the beach, the detective looked over to his fake wife and saw a pretty noticeable blemish on her neck. He had to chuckle to himself because it looked like a hickey. He and Reese had a nice afternoon of golf while also checking the perimeter, but mostly it was golf, and it was mostly relaxing. Fusco knew Shaw had gone on a hike to follow the suspicious couple, and supposedly Cocoa Puffs had helped Finch. His detective mind, however, felt strongly that was definitely a hickey on Shaw’s neck, and it didn’t seem like his fake wife would be making out with someone from the resort, another guest, or even that Joan woman. That only left Cocoa Puffs who would be more than happy to give the petite grumpy pill a thousand hickeys, he guessed.

“Did something bite you there, Shorty on your hike?” Fusco asked without hiding a snicker across his face while pointing to Shaw’s neck.

“Yes, some big ass freakish spider,” Shaw grunted, she had noticed the hickey after taking a shower. She was fuming at Root for doing it, although every time she caught a glimpse of it, her whole body felt electrocuted, wanting to feel Root’s lips on her neck and skin again. She shook her head; she kept trying to hold down her hormones. She had put some make-up on the hickey, but it didn’t look like it was hiding it that well.

Shaw was happy that she and Lionel were able to take a break from their tracksuits. Lionel wore a traditional Hawaiian shirt with khaki pants, and Shaw wore a strapless beach type of dress with her hair down. She rarely wore her hair down, so she figured why not, and she was trying to stay in character, plus it could help hide Root’s ridiculous, juvenile hickey. She did not want to think anymore about that stupid hickey or how she wanted to put one on the inside of Root’s left thigh, on second thought on both thighs and maybe even other areas. She also felt pretty wiped from the day; you don’t get to punch sharks every day. And do hot yoga. And jump off a cliff. And way too much Root interaction for one day, she had been pressed up against the hacker’s body enough for one day and a lifetime. All that body pressing was driving her hormones mad; she needed to crush her hormones. Her hormones and body were such idiots; they had no idea what they were pushing to get themselves involved with. Shaw’s brain kept trying to reason with them, explain all the facts on why hooking up with Root was a colossal mistake; no matter how incredibly good it felt just being near the hacker. Let alone having said body wrapped around the hacker’s frame slick with sweat, tightly wound together like a pretzel. That yoga position was tougher than some sex positions, and the two of them seemed to get entwined with a fair amount of ease, which was quite scary. The main reason she had to rush to go take a shower after yoga is because her clothes were completely drenched, and it wasn’t because of the thermostat, it was a pure Root gush. Her body was telling a different story than her brain. Although she would like to point out in her body’s defense, she had been busy saving lives to get some proper sheet action lately, and rubbing up against someone begrudgingly extremely attractive was just a logical chemical reaction. And quite possibly, all this fresh air was making her a little tired and unbalanced. The only logical explanation for ripping Root’s shirt off, she shook her head to herself, thinking about it. If that family hadn’t interrupted them, she had no doubt her damn hormones would have gotten their victory right there, many times and practically under a waterfall. Root would have loved that, geesh it sounds so cheesy romantic; she would never let that one go. Then she spotted the bar and perked up.

“Whiskey, please,” Shaw said to the bartender while eagerly awaiting some much-needed alcohol.

“Sorry, we are only serving more traditional drinks during the luau. Would you like a Lava Flow or a Blue Hawaii or the Volcano Lust?” asked the male bartender, Shaw let out a disappointed sigh.

“I’ll take three of each,” Shaw glared at the bartender.

“I would slow down there, Shorty, I heard some of these fruity drinks were quite strong,” said a slightly concerned Fusco, “add a club soda for me.”

“Lionel, please. They’re fruity drinks. It would take about thirty fruit drinks to get a buzz,” Shaw instructed the bartender just to keep the drinks coming over to the table she was going to be sitting.

“Sure thing there, Shorty, famous last words,” Fusco smirked at Shaw, “You don’t want to get bit again.”

Shaw glared at him, wondering if he knew her spider bite was a Root hickey. She looked over and saw Reese and Root already playing the happy couple at a long table with the other retreat couples, and she rolled her eyes.

“Should we take our seats, Sammy cakes,” asked Fusco, while extending his arm for Shaw to take while escorted her to the long table where the other couples were seated.

When Root saw Shaw walking towards them, her eyes were transfixed. Reese had to shake his head and smile. He wondered if Shaw noticed at all. Then thought she must because she had a smirk on her face but didn’t glance their way and not in Root’s direction, which felt on purpose. Shaw went straight towards the bar with Fusco trailing behind her, when she finally reached her destination and stood at the bar, Fusco put his hand on her back. Root couldn’t help but practically drool over the petite primary asset in her summer dress, flowing hair, and glowing skin. Fusco was smiling and Shaw despite herself, the petite woman seemed to be enjoying his company. Root admitted it was a nice sight; this whole day was great to spend time with people who had grown to become a kind of family she never knew she needed or wanted. She looked across the table at John; he truly did have one of the biggest hearts of someone she had ever met despite probably having the Guinness Book of Records title for shooting the most kneecaps.

“It’s a nice night,” said John looking over at Root, “and this is kind of nice.” Root smiled at him.

Just then, Dr. Tinswell stood in front of the table with Joan by her side and addressed the table of couples.

“I would like everyone to get up and join us on the dance floor. We are going to practice our rhythm together before we start our feast, then we will practice again after,” Dr. Tinswell, as she motioned for everyone to get up. “Being in rhythm with each other is very important. Listening to not only your body, but also to your partner’s body.”

“I spoke too soon,” said John as he grimaced, Root gave him a sympathetic nod.

“Good gawd, I’m gonna kneecap this woman,” said Shaw while aiming eye daggers at Dr. Tinswell.

“Finch, seriously. Don’t you need a break? I could watch over the security feeds,” said Reese, having tapped his communication link several times.

“Ditto. And I offered an hour ago, Harold,” remarked Shaw while glaring at Reese.

“Lionel, I think our dance partners are avoiding us,” smirked Root to Fusco.

“It’s just because they know we are going to kick their asses at dancing,” Fusco seemed pretty confident in this arena. He then stood up and walked behind Shaw’s chair, very gentlemen and proper like offered his hand to her. “What do you say, stud muffin, take a twirl?”

Fusco had a twinkle in his eye. Shaw rolled her eyes, threw her napkin on the table with disdain, and accepted her partner’s hand reluctantly.

Once they made it to the dance floor, Shaw gritted her teeth, “Just so you know, one time I broke a guy’s entire hand when he wouldn’t let me lead. All 27 bones.”

“Good story, I’m leading though,” Fusco smiled at Shaw, “Unless, of course, you want to explain a broken limb to miss doctor lady over there or Glasses.” He said in a cocky tone, which made Shaw ground her teeth more.

Root followed Fusco’s lead, stood up, and walked behind Reese’s chair, who in return didn’t wait for an offered hand and stood up slowly. He put his hand on Root’s back as they walked to the dance floor. Once they got there, Reese put his hand on Root’s waist, and she put her arms resting on his shoulders. They looked at each other and smiled; fondness washed over them. Their fighting and turbulent past seemed not as important anymore.

Dr. Tinswell started circling the dance floor, interacting between all the couples, talking, and guiding them.

“Yes, maintain deep eye contact with your partner,” instructed Dr. Tinswell while continuing to circle the dance floor and check on everyone.

Root tore her eyes from Reese’s and looked over at Shaw, and with only staring at her target for a mere second, Shaw turned her head and stared back at Root. Root then lowered her gaze to stare at her handiwork on Shaw’s neck, she did her wink, and the shorter brunette felt her blood rising in temperature, she hoped it was pure anger and not another wave of dreaded arousal. Anger was much easier to work with than arousal, especially involving Root. Shaw had to shake her head; okay, maybe those volcano fruity drinks were stronger than she thought. She had managed to gulp three down before hitting the dance floor. She was having a wild current of thoughts running through her head. Usually, when her v-commander took over for her whole body, there was an easy target at hand. An easy mark for one night, maybe three if the person was non-clingy and excelled at certain horizontal talents, male or female, it didn’t matter. There were going to be no easy marks here at the resort, plus she had to maintain her cover. And egging on Root or acting on one of Root’s advances would prove disastrous in huge ways. Her sober brain needed to present a debate like a hard-core lawyer so the v-commander could be shut down completely. Shaw didn’t even realize how long she had been staring at Root or vice versa. Because she was never alone in this game, Root was always pulling or pushing her.

“Jealous there, Shorty?” asked Fusco as he watched his two female co-workers stare at each other with amusement in his face. He thought he might need to break it up since the good doctor lady was heading in their direction again.

“They look like they’re at a high school dance,” Shaw remarked, “They look like the prom king and queen, lame. Not jealous, I feel bad for Reese,” the petite firecracker tried to play off her staring.

Fusco had to stifle a chuckle watching Shaw watch Root with Reese. He almost felt bad for his fake wife; she seemed oblivious how much she was staring at the tall, dark deranged pair.

“You’re a nice dancer John,” said Root when she finally took her eyes off Shaw. “Think Finch is okay? He’s been quiet.”

Reese had slight concern wash over his face, “I had the same thought, I’ll go over and check on him after dinner.”

Thankfully, the dancing part ended, and the couples were served the luau feast, which was mostly to everyone’s liking, especially Shaw’s. The petite primary asset continued to consume about a dozen more fruity drinks in hopes of getting a fruity drink buzz instead of a Root buzz. When she got up to use the bathroom, Root excused herself and followed behind her.

“Wanna check out how our rhythm together?” asked Root as she waited for Shaw near the sinks.

“I’ll pass,” said Shaw bypassing the hacker and washing her hands.

“You’re right. We know we already have amazing rhythm and flexibility, demonstrated by hot yoga today.” Root reapplied her lipstick and glanced over at Shaw, who, in return, tried to maintain her distance and squash prolonged eye contact or lip watching.

As Shaw walked out of the bathroom, followed by Root, the hacker noticed something with her petite teammate; she seemed kind of stiff or something. Or quite possibly drunk.

“Shaw, are you feeling okay?” asked a genuinely concerned Root.

“My back feels a little tweaked. I’m sure because you yanked that stupid shower cord or that dumb yoga stuff or that you made me jump off a cliff. You probably broke my back with your freakishly long leg weight,” Shaw put her hand on the back and stretched while walking through the lobby.

“I could think of another way I would rather break your back,” Root knew she was going to get a molten glare from this remark, and she was not disappointed by Shaw’s flaming hard stare.

Shaw’s head did feel fuzzy, maybe Fusco was right, and the fruity volcano drinks were stronger than she thought. And also because all she wanted to do was to drag Root off by her long, irritating luxurious hair and suck on her tongue so long and hard maybe the hacker wouldn’t talk for a few days. She needed to get away from Root right now, Fusco would provide the safe haven; she would never sleep with him.

“I offer my services as a masseur for you,” Root gave Shaw a head tilt with actual concern overcoming her face more than innuendo.

Just then, before Shaw had a chance to throw out a snarky remark, Joan was upon them.

“Did I hear you mention you needed a masseuse, Sam? I’m certified, I would be more than happy to give you a massage,” Joan was beaming a little too much at Root. Root wondered if she looked this way to Shaw, way too eager and desperate. No, she thought, whether Shaw ever wanted to admit she had encouraged Root from time to time; and, in some regards, been her biggest cheerleader in getting her on the team. The Machine had told her that last part in confidence.

Shaw couldn’t believe this woman was hitting on Root, a married woman, right in front of her. She felt more annoyed by this woman than even Root, and she wanted Root away from this woman.

“Actually, it’s Sammy here who is need of a hard rub down,” said Root while Shaw ground her teeth, sometimes the Root’s choice of words were beyond idiotic and silly for no good reason.

“Oh, sure. I could help her too,” said Joan in a very non-veiled disappointed tone.

“No, thanks,” snapped Shaw as she turned and headed back towards the luau.

“Sameen, you just turned down a free massage,” Root replied as she caught up to the slightly wobbly Shaw.

“No, I didn’t. You better be certified,” damn those dozen fruity drinks. Shaw cursed as she changed direction and headed towards Root and Reese’s room instead of back to the luau.

“I am, I had to give 47 massages one time during a mission.”

“Yeah, yeah, that better not have included any happy endings,” Shaw cursed her brain once again, why did she that? “Not that I care.”

“We could include that perk in your massage,” Root gave her the trademark smirk while her favorite primary asset rolled her eyes. “I’m going to let the boys know that you’re not feeling well, and we’re not coming back.”

When they got back to Reese and Root’s room, they headed to Root’s room, where she began getting ready. “Okay, Sameen strip down and get on the bed.” Root said in a very forceful tone.

“No way,” said Shaw, which a pointed look from Root. “Fine, shirt only.” It’s then her fruity drink state of mind realized that she was wearing a dress.

“Well, it is your back we’re concentrating on so suit yourself,” Root went into the bathroom to change into a tank top and boy shorts.
Shaw looked through Root’s stuff to find a pair of shorts; she threw the dress aside and crawled up on the bed. Root exited the bathroom and found the petite brunette was lying face down with her head resting on a pillow.

“Just hurry up and get this over with, I just need my back loosened up a bit,” ordered Shaw to Root.

“Sameen Shaw, such a romantic,” Root said while also getting that look on her face while receiving other information, “The boys say they hope you feel better. Lionel says he hopes you don’t get bitten again by another spider.”

“Root…”

“Just the messenger Shaw,” Root walked over to the dresser than back to the bed, “Luckily, the concierge had some massage oil.”

“For you, not surprisingly,” snorted Shaw.

Root leaned over the bed and started rubbing large circles on Shaw’s back.

“Root, you’re not going to get any leverage that way,” Shaw sighed, “You need to get on the bed.”

Root couldn’t contain her smile. “Thought you would never ask.”

“Root, keep it in your pants.”

Root crawled up on the bed. She grabbed Shaw’s legs and started massaging them, and then she quickly worked her way up. She lifted up her knees one at a time so she could straddle Shaw’s waist, Root slowly lowered herself down as she ran her hands up Shaw’s back. She used every fiber in her being not to moan out loud as that would have made Shaw leap off the bed, like leaping off the cliff earlier.

Shaw hated to admit, but there was something about having someone’s physical weight on top of you that was comforting. She felt warm and strangely safe with Root massaging her back, she blamed all those fruity drinks. She knew she had to get up soon to head to the couch or her snoring hell of a room. Suddenly, everything fell away, and she drifted off to sleep.

Root could feel Shaw’s breathing change; she slowed down her ministrations on her back and leaned over to look at the petite woman’s face. She couldn’t help a broad grin that spread across her face; she was somewhat disappointed. Shaw fell asleep on her. But then Root thought, Shaw, falling asleep with her might be an even bigger score than actually scoring with her favorite primary asset.