Hawaii (6) – Ladies Night.

As she came into view of the lobby, a very feminine squeal of delight assaulted her ears. She glanced around and spied Jane standing near Jason. Jane had caught sight of Pandora in her hiking outfit and had to comment.

“Ooo whose Miss Tomb raider?” The woman was just one huge ball of energy and Pandora smiled as the blonde woman hugged her.

“And good morning to you, Jane.” Pandora greeted her.

“You look so…butch.” Jane grinned. Pandora was speechless for a moment and she caught Jason covering his mouth to hide a laugh or a smile, she wasn’t sure which.

“Well I think she looks dressed to thrill myself.” Jason stated.

“What is this? Pick-on-Pandora Day?” Pandora rolled her eyes. “I need coffee. I’m going into the dining room if you want to join me.” she told them, going in and heading for the coffee machine. Fixing it the way she liked, she downed a healthy bit of it and felt the caffeine shoot through her nerve endings. Jason stepped up beside her.

“How are you feeling today, Pan?”

She looked sideways at him, seeing the concern on his face.

“I’m fine. I didn’t sleep too well, but other then that, I’m good.”

There was the honking of a horn from in front of the hotel and an announcement came over the PA system.

“All guests who are partaking in the Diamond Head Hike, please make your way to the buses parked in front of the hotel. They will be leaving in 5 minutes.”

“That’ll be for us!” Jane grinned, excitement sparkling in her eyes. She headed off, leaving Jason and Pandora alone once more.

“Any word from Brock?”

“Uh…I called him…heard his voice…and I didn’t know what to say…so I hung up.” she admitted. “I just…froze. Do you think that means I’m not ready to talk to him?” she frowned. “If I keep freezing up when we should be talking…nothing will get settled.” She finished her coffee and they headed out to the bus, walking side by side. “I don’t know how to fix this.” she sighed as she took a seat near a window.

Taking a seat right beside Pandora, Jason hummed for a moment before giving his take on Pandora’s issue with falling silent when she tried to communicate with Brock. Repairing broken relationships was never easy and the road to recovery was bound to be rocky. Least she had tried to make the first step, even if she did fail. Jason patted her knee and said.

“I think it means that you are not quite ready yet to face him. Even though its he that owes you, it’s just going to take a bit more time.”

Jason tried to be reassuring as the bus started pulling out, but it was as the bus was leaving that Jane shrieked.

“What is Mikala’s ex doing at the hotel?!”

This brought a stunned look from Jason, who didn’t quite understand what was going on. Jane started banging on the windows, right until she saw….the unthinkable. Mikala coming out of the lobby and embracing her ex husband, sealing it with a passionate kiss. Jane seemed to lose all of her voice as she croaked. The bus turned the corner out of the car park and onto the main road, while Jane slowly slunk down into her seat.

“Mikala organised this hike for me. Said….she had things to do…today.” Jane looked heartbroken. Had the whole relationship been a lie? Was this some sort of sick joke?

Tears sprung to Jane’s eyes which she tried to wipe away. The bright and sunny girl just had her light snuffed out. Betrayed. Her head lowered slightly as she rest it hard up against the bus window.

“I thought she loved me…” Jane whispered to herself.

Jason excused himself from Pandora a moment and went down the aisle and asked Jane if she was okay. Jane wiped away another tear and then tried to smile.

“I’m going to need this hike I think…so I can find a good place to scream.”

<3>

Jason sat next to her as she wondered if she was ready to talk to and face Brock when the time came. She didn’t think she was. He patted her knee.

“I think it means that you are not quite ready yet to face him. Even though its he that owes you, it’s just going to take a bit more time.”

She nodded at that. That was possibly true. Her heart was bruised and broken and every time she thought about what she saw, it brought on a fresh wave of pain that she was slowly beginning to manage.

Time. Yeah, she needed more time.

But as time often does…it waits for no one.

She was brought out of her thoughts by a shriek and she looked up to see Jane a few seats in front of her, banging on the windows as the bus was pulling away from the hotel. She turned her head and caught a glimpse of Jane’s wife, Mikala and an unknown man in a passionate embrace. Jane was heartbroken, naturally.

Pandora could totally sympathize. Jason left her side to go to Jane’s and try to console her. He really was good at that. She watched as Jason put an arm around the distraught blonde and Pandora thought that maybe Jason and Jane would be good for each other. She had the feeling that Jane was more bi then gay. Maybe this was meant to happen for those two. She wished them the best.

She turned to stare out the window as the bus bumped along the road toward Diamond Head, unaware that her own…problem…was about to show up at her door.

”You know he was kind of hot…” Mia said as the two of them slowly made their way around their suite. And just as Kali emerged from the shower with her hair wrapped in a towel she gave her sister a soft smile and shrugged. ”Yea, I guess so. But you always think guys are cute. I mean… their guys. Some are hot some are not.” She smiled and then fell against the bed with a sigh of content. ”Shower was that good, huh? She laughed and grabbed the pamphlet from the bedside table and began scrolling through it, flipping through the pages.

”Yes, it was actually very pleasant, thank you…”Kali had said in response, hinting in her voice she was obviously being sarcastic. Mia waved her off and immediately went back to the pamphlet she was thumbing through. ”What are you looking for in the pam-“ She blinked and fell back and off the bed as Mia shouted in excitement. ”I found it!” Kali winced and placed her hand firmly against the bed before pushing against it and rising to stand. ”Found what? Another… one way ticket to paradise?”

Mia laughed at her response and flipped her hand in that jokingly manner that she always did. ”Honey, you haven’t lived if you haven’t been everywhere.” Kali rolled her eyes but smiled as she walked over to Mia and looked over her shoulder at the pamphlet. ”An all-expenses paid for Spa?” Kali pondered this for most of 2 seconds before grabbing her bag and jumping at it. ”I’m in.” At this Mia yelped, grabbed her things and bolted out the door. A bathing suit, towel, purse, phone and money for lunch was all she needed before Kali too herself left the room.

Fairmont Resort Lobby/Spa

”Uh…” Mia let out a sudden gasp upon bumping into Keahu. ”Oi, watch where you’re—“ Her breathe caught in her throat as she caught eye of who she’d bumped into. “I’m so sorry, I hope you’re not hurt, Mrs. Grey.” He spoke out to her. ”I’m single, not married… and yes, I’m fine.” Mia let him know without missing a beat. Keahu flashed her a neatly cleaned set of teeth and nodded before turning and running into Kali. “Excuse me, you wouldn’t happen to know where the Spa is, would you?”He nodded and pointed out of the lobby and to the left. “Just go out of the lobby, down the small steps and out into the garden, just 3 minutes past that and you should see it. You can’t miss it.” He said as she thanked him and pushed the now googly eyed Mia onward and out of the lobby.

”Honestly Mia, you could do better than someone from Maui.” Kali spoke out while walking down the garden path Keahu had instructed. ”I mean, sure he’s good looking, but what if he’s not all that he looks.” She warned with a look of wonder.”Whatever that means…” She spat back almost instantly. ”Just because you’re upset with Kristian, doesn’t mean you need to take it out on the world. Capiche?” Kali was honestly shocked at this; she didn’t know what to say. “Oh my goodness, did you hear about the fires in Honolulu?” A woman had said just upon Kali and Mia’s arrival to the Spa. ”What the bloody hell is going on around these islands?” Mia spoke out. ”I don’t know Mia, but I’m about to find out…” She spoke. And just like that she was off to catch the girls who were speaking of the fire. ”Excuse me, you just said there was a fire in Honolulu, right?”She asked them. “Uh, yes, at some parking lot, huge fire it was, but not sure what caused it…” At this Kali sighed and moved back to Mia. ”Everything alright?” she asked worried for her sister. ”No, Pan is on the islands somewhere and now I’m worried. I just hope she isn’t hurt.” She spoke in response while pulling out her phone and punching in Pan’s number.

Upon calling Pandora, she figured it’d go to voicemail, so she did all she could, and left a message. ”Pan, it’s me… Kali. I got your message. And I arrived to the islands a few hours ago. I’m in Maui. Call me, please. I was on my way to the spa with Mia and I heard some passerby talking about some fire in Honolulu. I know you said you were going to Hawaii. But you never said where, they told me the fire was huge. I’m just worried. Let me know you’re safe. Please…”*click* she hung up the phone and turned to Mia for support, in which was received with a hug and a pat of her hair.

”It’ll be alright, love. She’s going to be fine.”

As always Jason was a comfort to another woman in need, mainly Jane who had just witnessed her supposed wife kissing her ex husband. The bus was half way up the mountain now, and the gravity of what Jane had seen had finally sunk in. Twirling the wedding band that was on her left finger, she slowly pulled it off, and slid open the bus window, hurling it out into the jungle on the side of the road.

“Mmmmaaaah!” Extra oomph was used in her voice as she hurtled the ring as far away as she could. Closing the window again slowly, she let out a huge sigh, and then realized that Jason should be sitting with Pandora. “I’ll be okay, you should go sit with Pan.” It was like Jane to think about others, her sunny approach to life always seemed to shine through the darkest hours. Even as her own relationship now appeared in tatters, she was trying to match make Jason with Pandora.

“Have you kissed her yet?”

“No…why would you ask that?”

“Cause you make a cute couple?”

“No…no you have the wrong idea. She loves another man.”

Jane rolled her eyes. Typical. Everyone seemed to be with the wrong person on this island, just like how Jane had been with Mikala. Letting out another sigh, she lamented. “I guess I am not a lesbian anymore.” It was the oddest thing to hear her say. Jason couldn’t help but quirk a brow and then nudge her. “Perhaps your bisexual.” This made sense, and Jane shrugged. “I am officially off women, if they are going to pull this sort of shit.”

Jason put his arm around her and gave the girl a light squeeze. “We all make mistakes.” It was pretty clear that Jane had been played, but the reason for it was yet to surface.

“When I get back to the hotel, I am going to pack my bags and go home.” The sweet florist showing signs of a grumpy face. Jason patted her shoulder. “I’ll help you pack.”

<3>

Pandora’s phone vibrated in her pocket as the bus took them to the Diamond Head Volcano and she pulled it out to see that someone had left a voicemail. She put the phone to her ear to listen to the message.

”Pan, it’s me… Kali. I got your message. And I arrived to the islands a few hours ago. I’m in Maui. Call me, please. I was on my way to the spa with Mia and I heard some passerby talking about some fire in Honolulu. I know you said you were going to Hawaii. But you never said where, they told me the fire was huge. I’m just worried. Let me know you’re safe. Please…”

She sat back with a sigh. She didn’t mean to worry Kali. And she hadn’t meant to be out of touch for so long. She had wanted to wrap her mind around things before she spoke to her.

She pulled up her text messaging feature and sent Kali a text, explaining in not so many words what was going on. She just hoped the woman didn’t blow up the hotel with those freaky powers of hers.

Message sent, she put her phone away and looked up in time to see Jane toss something out the window. It glinted in the sunlight and Pandora assumed (correctly) that Jane had tossed away her wedding ring. Poor girl.

She was glad to see Jason keeping her company though. If anyone needed someone in their life it was the Doc. She smiled slightly as she watched the two of them. Someone deserved some happiness in this island paradise. Why not those two?

The bus came to a stop where they were meeting their guides for the hike. Everyone climbed off the bus to stretch their legs after the long ride before they gathered together with the guides. They were going to be split up in groups of three with one guide. Pandora suggested that she, Jason and Jane be a group together.

After going over some safety rules and precautions, the groups set out on their hike.

Arrivals – Gate 13

With Brock’s plane touching down at the International airport, there would be no one to greet him, as this was a rushed trip to get to Hawaii and find Pandora. Coming out of the corridor and making his way down to luggage pickup, all he could think about was seeing his beloved Pandora again. Thoughts turned to how she would react, and if she was going hurl abuse or worse – a fire ball. He stood with the hundred or so other passengers as their bags went around the baggage carousel waiting for his backpack to emerge, before spotting it. He stepped forward as a loving couple passed him, obviously homeward bound after a good vacation, the dark haired woman was laughing.

“She ate it up, honey. I’m telling you, it was the easiest sting I have ever done. Now, we are fifty thousand dollars richer and that daft blonde twit won’t know it till we are long gone out of the country.”

Brock overheard the woman and frowned as he picked up his backpack and slung it over his shoulder. People. What was the world coming too?” Brock then headed out to the taxi rank, to hire a cab to take him to Pandora’s hotel. One cab driver was smoking inside his small taxi, as Brock leaned in the window.

“Can you take me to the Kahala Hotel and Resort in Oahu?”

“Sure buddy, hop in.”

Throwing his bag in the back, he jumped in and put his seat belt on. The cab driver hit the in use sign, and then pulled out from the curb. “You here for the waves?” Clearly the driver thought that Brock was a surfer. Brock shook his head and smiled.“No, I am here to find the love of my life.”

“You found the right place for that! Hahaha.”

Diamond Head Bus

Getting out of the bus with Jason, Jane tried to be upbeat. She watched Pandora, who was now getting around without her cane. Amazed at her recovery, Jane asked. “So what wonder drugs are you on, that made you heal so fast?” Jason soon followed Jane and adjusted his backpack, as he heard Jane ask the bizarre question. “I don’t think its drugs, more like the fresh air and surrounds. She is high on life.”

Jane slapped Jason’s arm playfully and uttered. “Well, I need more of what she is having.” Both then looked to Pandora expectantly. “Ready to go?” Jason asked.

<3>

Pandora ignored Jane’s comments about her fast healing abilities, preferring that the less people who know what she can do the better. “Let’s do this.” Pandora smiled, hitching her backpack up onto her shoulders. They followed their guide, a hunky guy named (of all things) Bruno, up the trail as he pointed out various things along the way. It was simply beautiful here. Pandora had her cell out, snapping photographs of various birds and trees and flowers.

The 2-hour hike, although not difficult, was ardorous. The rocky path was uneven and slightly steep and was probably not recommended for people with heart conditions. Pandora was thanking her lucky stars that she was in such good shape.

They stopped for a water and snack break just before they reached the tunnel leading to the military observation platform.

Pandora munched on her trailmix as she took in the view behind her sunglasses. The sun was high in the sky, and she pulled a baseball cap from her bag to pull it on her head.

“Hope you guys brought a hat. That sun is fierce.” she suggested to her companions. She would have suggested sunscreen as well, but she didn’t need it, her genetic makeup being what it was. She wouldn’t burn or peel. Women were often jealous of her natural ability to tan without the side effects.

“God this place is fantastic.” she breathed as she looked around. “I don’t know why I waited so long to come.” Pandora had never felt more relaxed in her life. This vacation is exactly what she needed.

The taxi cab pulled up into the car park of the Kahala Hotel and Resort, where the scorched remains of a few cars were still in the process of being taken away by police investigator units. The driver leaned over the seat with his arm and said. “29.50.” Brock took out his wallet and handed over thirty dollars, before grabbing his backpack and alighting from the taxi. The driver waved and sung out. “Aloha.”

Brock headed inside the lobby of the resort and up to the guest reception area, where he rang a bell and waited to be served. A pretty young guest manager came out and said.“Aloha and welcome to Kahala Hotel and Resort, how can I help you?”

The young pilot took out his reservation papers that he got off line, and handed them over. “I’ve booked the presidential suite under Brock Carrendar.” The girl’s eyes lit up when she realized they had such a wealthy guest staying at the hotel. “Of course, let me get you checked in, and have someone take your bag.” Brock dismissed that right off the bat. “No, no thanks I can carry it. But there is something you can do for me.” The girl looked at him with a slightly tilted head, before leaning over and whispering in her ear. The guest manager broke out into a large grin and even giggled at some of the details.

“Of course Sir. Leave everything to us. You won’t be dissapointed.”

Brock winked as she gave him the key to his room, along with a guide to the resorts facilities. Letting out something of a nervous sigh, he then headed off towards his room, which was on the top floor of the resort hotel.

Diamond Head Hiking Trail

For the meantime, Jane was enjoying herself in the company of Pandora and Jason as they started their way on the hiking trail. The scenery was simply breath taking, and Jane was once again bubbly with all the sights and the sounds. Asked if she brought a hat by Jane, she pulled one out of her backpack and popped it on her head. It had a wide brim and shaded her face well. Jason had a baseball cap, so he quickly donned that and kept on after Jane and Pandora, who kept a pretty brisk pace.

Jason shared a snack pack with Jane, who had forgotten to pack something of sustenance to eat aside from a Mars bar that melted in the heat. One thing for sure, she was going to have a hard time cleaning out her bag.

On finally reaching the military platform, Jane went to the edge and looked down over the vast mountainside, pointing out different things she could see, and then taking out her cell to take some pictures. Jason didn’t stray too far, speaking to the tour guide about the history of the area, as it was one of his interests. The day wasn’t turning out so bad, but what was waiting for Jane back at the hotel was going to leave her devastated.

Pandora’s room – Kahala Hotel and Resort in Oahu

One of the guest manager’s unlocked the door to Pandora’s room, and tip toed over to the bed in the adjacent bedroom. There, she set down an envelope that was tied to a single red rose with a red bow. On the inside of the envelope was a note, that said simply;

“If you want to know where your heart is
look were your mind goes when it wanders.”

“Meet me on the beach deck at 8pm tonight.”

“An Admirer.”

The guest manager smirked, then left the room as quickly as she had came.

<3>

It was nearly 5 when they got back to the bus, everyone in good spirits after such a pleasant afternoon. But the real world awaited them once again. For Pandora, it was to the knowledge that her life was irrevocably changed. For Jane, it was to the knowledge that the woman who was supposed to love her for the rest of their lives, was a two-timing bitch. For Jason, it was to the crushing lonliness that had been a part of his life for 6 months. 3 different lives…3 different journeys.

An hour later they were back at the hotel. Pandora was exhausted after such a hike and she wished Jason and Jane a good night, leaving the two of them alone together. They didn’t see the smirk on her face as she walked to her room.

Suite 104

She entered her room, closing the door behind her. The sun was just beginning to set and she didn’t feel the need to turn on any lights, choosing to use the natural light of the evening to move around her room. She dropped the backpack on the bed before she stripped herself bare and headed into the shower, not noticing right away the note and rose someone had left for her.

As she showered, she wondered if she should order room service or go down to the dining room. She decided she had enough of being cooped up in her room like a self-induced prisoner. After drying off, she slipped into a light and gauzy dress and a pair of sandals.

Seeing the backpack on the bed, she remembered she needed to return it to the front desk and moved to take out her personal belongings. She went to pick it up to open it and that’s when she spied the rose and note on her bed.

“What the-?” she frowned, picking up both.

“If you want to know where your heart is
look were your mind goes when it wanders.”

“Meet me on the beach deck at 8pm tonight.”

“An Admirer.”

“Who? What?” she frowned again. At first she thought it might have been Jason, but he gave off the vibe of not being interested in her in such a way. The only other males she’d spoken to since arriving were Gino and Bruno. it was easy for them both to get her room number.

She was wary enough not to go, but intrigued enough to find out what was going on. And she never could resist a good mystery.

Gathering her things, she headed out, dropping off the backpack to the front desk before she made her way down to the beach. It was a quiet evening, the warm ocean breeze hardly rustling the palm trees overhead. Humming Bryan Adams’s “Summer of 69″ under her breath, she walked across the sand until she came to the area indicated in the note. There was a table set for two, surrounded by lit torches and candles of all shapes and sizes.

There was no one in sight.

“Hello?” she called out, waiting for someone to appear.