* CARE !

‘ isn’t that obvious ?  @tammie–jones​ is my best friend in this world.  she’s the one person i know will never turn her back on me and always love me as i am.  i know i’m not an easy person, not a good one at all  –  hell, we’re stark opposites.  in one particular sheriff woody’s words; she’s just so nice and tolerable and you are, well you.  despite all this, though, never once in my life did she make me feel bad about myself or unwanted and i know there were times that she put me before herself.  i can only hope that i was half as a good sister as she had been for more than the past two decades.  i love her so, so, so much.  if anyone messes with her, i’ll mess ‘em back  —-  and i’m a lady like that. ’

          of course barbie was aware of his wandering eyes, it was nothing she wasn’t used to.  she liked the attention, she did, but that didn’t mean that she was an easy one.  if he was able to dance around her since last week and even now, that was because she was allowing him to.  nevertheless, she was enjoying their exchange so far, even in such context so there was no need to cut whatever thoughts he was having short.  it was a miracle that he could actually listen to her story, which made her raise a brow as the tilt of her lips in amusement was a permanent feature on her face.     ‘ well, she pushed me, i’m pretty sure that’s hittin’ first alright.  next thing i know, tammie’s jumpin’ on her. ’     unable to help the proud grin on her face, she then lifted her shoulders.     ‘ i don’t know, of course they didn’t put us in the same car. ’     pleased with what she heard from the detective, barbie leaned against the bars with her arms crossed, head tilted to the side.     ‘ i know we got the upper hand in this, the bar owner is also a friend so the broken bottles won’t be a problem either. ’     she stated before standing straight before him, a sweet smile on her face.     ‘ look, if you could just help us get out of here before the fireworks, my night will be saved.  and i’ll owe you one. ’

          ‘ darlin’, ain’t that nothing but the truth ...  either way, i don’t think you really need to play around men anyway.  i see there’s one sheriff woody runnin’ around you ... ’     nudging her sister’s side with a grin on her face, she then let out a groan, she would have ran her hands down her face if it wasn’t for her make up.     ‘ god, i can’t believe i let them both almost fool me again.  but then again, ‘s just me, i guess.  never get the real thing. ’     she lifted her shoulders into a shrug before trying to shake it off by shooting a smile at the bartender.     ‘ y’heard the lady, honey.  we’re gettin’ whiskey and tequila shots, thanks. ’

          ‘ wait, did that really happen ?  oh my god ...  i knew i got my jealousy from her but that !  is a true gem, you should’a told me earlier. ’     barbie let out a laugh with a shake of her head, enjoying that at least her dad was lax about the whole situation.     ‘ glad you taught me how to throw a punch, dad.  i was gonna fight with words, y’know, but tams was already rolling her sleeves.  the usual. ’

          in all honesty, this was not the ideal setting she would like to see that  hot newbie detective guy  she was talking to another nurse about the other day but oh well.  right now, her priority was getting out of here as soon as possible.     ‘ workin’ on new year’s eve must suck but ain’t much as bein’ locked here, i bet.  i’ll pass. ’     she grinned in response with a raise of her shoulders, crossing her arms as she stood right before the bars.     ‘ gotcha, law & order, let’s not make your job any harder alright.  i’m gonna be easy on ya. ’     she said before giving a nod of her head at his question and let out a sigh.     ‘ so, my sister and i go into our favorite bar, ready for a nice evenin’, y’know.  a few beers in, there comes this woman askin’ us to move away.  apparently, her husband was checkin’ me or my sister out, that we couldn’t figure out, and she was disturbed as if that’s our fault her husband is tired of her polka dot and stripes combining ass.  and he was like, what, fifty at least !  gross.  i was like, hold on there karen, you won’t know what’s hittin ya when i start talkin’.  but she pushes my shoulder and my sister has already rollin’ her sleeves so i was like oh what the hell, guess we’re doin’ this.  and next thing i know, i’m in this cell talkin’ to ya. ’

          ‘ god, mama   --  you know i wouldn’t want to spend new year’s eve in a darn cell either ... ’     the blonde let out a loud sigh and pressed her fingertips to her forehead, head pounding with a headache.     ‘ that woman was askin’ for it.  i was gonna clap back with words but tammie got her fists ready.  of course i wasn’t gonna just watch it happen !  if my sister’s fightin’, then i’m fightin’.  i’m so, so sorry that i got ya disappointed, y’know i hate it, but i would do it again without a blink. ’

          ‘ if you think i’m intolerable right now, try me after an ER shift.  you would absolutely adore me then. ’     barbie said, stretching the word absolutely just to get her point across that she meant basically the opposite of what she said.     ‘ look, we are both different kinds of trouble and thank god we are.  otherwise, our folks would have gone insane by now. ’     with a grin, she sipped her coffee and leaned back in her sear, giving a raise of her shoulders teasingly.     ‘ sure thing cowboy, whatever helps you sleep at night. ’

          never in a million years would barbara jones have thought that she would end up in a cell on new year’s eve but here she was, head in between hands and waiting to be let out.  she didn’t regret the fight, of course, that bitch deserved what was coming for her but precisely, her night was ruined.  hearing someone come down, she tilted her head up and rose from her seat immediately when she heard her name.     ‘ the one and only. ’     she said as she walked up towards the bars, keeping her spirits up.  maybe her night could still be saved after all.     ‘ finally, thought y’all were gonna leave us here all night. ’     taking a better look at the man, her lips tilted upwards a bit as she recognized him, head tilted to the side.     ‘ hey, i’ve seen you before.  newcomer, ain’t ya ? ’

          ‘ my mama does.  and you know, she’s always right. ’     the blonde raised a brow playfully before chuckling as she wrapped her fingers around the cup, taking a cautious sip as it was still quite hot.  at jack’s next words, she almost snorted and had to put the cup down for a moment as she re-balanced evie on her hip.     ‘ oh now i gotta thank you for that and i thought i was the conceited one here. ’     with a grin, she shook her head peppering evie’s cheeks with kisses as she sat down as well.     ‘ damn, how did we end up on the same side, now ?  but ain’t gonna lie, you got a point, mr superhero hair. ’     shaking her head with a grin, she took another sip of the coffee.     ‘ guess i’ll gotta make sure you don’t get murdered by tams.  where was evie last playing with the glove ? ’

          ‘ that’s why we’re here tonight !  this hot mama gotta be back in the game. ’     barbie praised her sister as they walked into the bar, slipping under her arm to skip towards the drinks in sync with the music.  a chuckle then slipped past her lips and the blonde woman shook her head.     ‘ if that happens, i’m takin’ a video of you and never lettin’ you live it down, alright ! ’     once they settled at the bar, barbara flagged down a barkeep and gave a soldier salute to tammie.     ‘ you got it, sis.  no arm wrestle, just dancin’.  what are you having tonight ?  don’t say beer or i’m outta here. ’

          ‘ oh honey, bless your heart. ’     barbara cooed with a sweet voice and a smile that went along with it, head tilted to the side.  she was the perfect reflection of her mother whenver helene jones would engage in an unpleasant conversation yet keep her looks as nice as possible.  lips pursed, the blonde brought her hand close to her mouth as if to give him a secret.     ‘ well, i think she just caught some familiarity in you.  you know, her father is quite the same bore as you are.  must be why. ’