Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me, and no profit is being made from their use.
A/N: Welcome to my 3-piece version of "Twister," an episode which I really did like, even if I did have a handful of issues with Cody's behavior. (Did anyone else see him push Bailey's mother out of the way to get into the tornado shelter? Really made me a lot more sympathetic toward Moose...)
Oh, and before anyone points it out, no, my title is not misspelled. To get one's "Just Deserts" (pronounced 'just desserts' with two 's'es) is an expression meaning to get exactly what one deserves (and has nothing to do with pie or ice cream... unless that's what you deserve.)
Enjoy!
This was an unqualified disaster.
Having grown up in Kansas farm country, Bailey Pickett had weathered her share of tornadoes... and yet, she couldn't remember ever being this scared.
Hunkering down on a small stool in the storm cellar, she shut her eyes tightly and wished for the hundredth time that her parents hadn't gone into Kettlepot to pick up a few last minute supplies for Grammy Pickett's party. As if that wasn't enough to make her worried sick, London had gone with them, eager to desert the Pickett farm for somewhere that even slightly resembled a city- or as she called it, "civilization." And now this twister had hit without warning, and she had no way of knowing whether they were safe, any of them.
At least she had Grammy with her, Bailey thought, looking into the corner at her slumbering grandmother, who was seemingly unaffected by the sound of the howling winds just outside.
"It'll be alright, Bailey-girl."
Bailey looked up at the sound of her name, where her ex-boyfriend Moose was checking to make sure the cellar doors were properly secured. In a way, being trapped here with no one but her ex-boyfriend and her unconscious grandmother was awkward and uncomfortable.
In another way, she was really glad he was here.
Moose sat down next to her. It was dark in the cellar, with only one lantern to keep them company, and Bailey's eyes hadn't yet adjusted to the dimness when she felt him push something soft into her hands. Recognizing it immediately, she accepted the offering, holding it to her chest. "Thank you, Moose."
"I thought you might want your cuddle bunny." Moose said, without a trace of mockery in his voice. Bailey smiled at him; it would never occur to Moose to make fun of her for taking comfort in her favorite old stuffed animal, he was just too decent and straightforward for such things. "I wish I could do more to make you feel better."
"My parents..." Bailey murmured softly, leaning her head against his shoulder.
He wrapped an arm around her. "I'm sure they're fine." he reassured her. "They had plenty of time to get to Kettlepot before it hit, and someone will let them into a storm shelter. Your ma and pa can take care of themselves. They've done it before, and they'll do it again."
"You're right." she nodded, actually beginning to feel better. "You're right, of course. They'll be fine, and they'll take care of London."
"'Course they will." Moose concurred. "They're strong people. So don't go worryin' your pretty little head off." he chucked her chin softly with one finger, tilting her head up ever-so-slightly, so that their gazes met in the yellow lantern light.
Her breath hitched at the sudden change in his expression, and she began to feel the tingle of nerves in the pit of her stomach. It was just her and Moose. Sure, Grammy Pickett was here... but since a tornado apparently couldn't wake her, for all intents and purposes, they were alone. "Moose..."
His lips found hers and her eyes flickered shut as she accepted the familiar embrace, letting the sound of the wind and the warmth of his arms surround her. He moved one large hand up to cup her face. "Bailey." he breathed when they finally separated, "I've missed you. I want you back."
Surprised, Bailey looked up at him. His eyes, as he looked at her, were kind and complacent, and... green. She was suddenly reminded of another pair of eyes- blue ones. Intelligent, observant eyes that softened when they looked at her.
How could she be thinking about Cody at a time like this?
It wasn't like she and Cody were even on good terms anymore. She was mad at him- furious!- over that insulting play he'd written about her for their last school project. She'd been hurt, and humiliated, and even gone so far as to tell him she never wanted to speak to him again.
And yet...
"I've missed you. I want you back." What would she give to hear Cody say those words?
"Bailey?"
Bailey started, realizing that Moose was still staring at her, waiting for a response to his declaration. And really, what could she tell him? "I- ah... Moose... the thing is..."
He seemed rather displeased by her inability to respond. "The thing is, what?" he prompted, frowning at her. Then the idea dawned on him. "Is this about that ex-boyfriend of yours on the boat?" he asked. The expression on her face must have given him the answer, because he continued, "Your parents told me what happened. You deserve better'n him, Bailey-girl. I hope you know that I would never hurt you like that."
"I know, Moose." Bailey said quietly. And she did know. Moose was a nice guy, if a little small-minded. He could never break her heart in the way Cody had- because she had never loved Moose enough to give it to him.
"So? What do you think, Bailey? Be my girl again?" Moose proposed. "I can take care of you. You'll always be safe with me."
Bailey almost pointed out that she could take care of herself... but she had to admit that his strong, capable presence was comforting, especially with the wind howling at the door... "Moose!" she gasped suddenly. "Do you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
They both stilled. It was obvious that the outside winds had died down, and as they listened, they heard the cheerful sound of a bird chirping. "The storm!" Bailey cried happily. "It's over!" She leaped up and unfastened the bolt on the cellar doors, eager to get out and see what damage had been done, and hopefully then, find her family. She flung open the doors and gray sunlight spilled in, still colored by dust from the storm.
Before she could climb up, however, Moose grabbed her hand. "You never answered my question." he pointed out.
"Moose..." Bailey sighed. "I... I don't know. I need time. I have to think."
Releasing her hand, he nodded in a way that suggested he would wait for her answer... but he wasn't happy about it. Without so much as another word on the subject, he climbed up behind her, his jaw slack as he took in the extent of the damage to the Pickett farm. "Holy Moly."
"How's it look up there?" Grammy called from the cellar.
Bailey took a deep breath, forcing the tears out of her voice before she answered. "Not so good, Grammy." she said honestly. In truth, the farmhouse and barn were both utterly destroyed, collapsed in upon themselves. The tractor lay upside down in the yard, broken glass littered around it, and the chicken coop was gone altogether. "But... but we can fix it." she added, not sounding convincing even to her own ears.
Moose reached for her hand and squeezed it. "It'll take time, that's all."
She squeezed back before letting go. "Time." she agreed. "And hard work."
Words could not express Bailey's profound relief upon seeing her parents' battered pickup truck rumble back onto the farm several hours later, London sandwiched between them on the bench seat, looking halfway between shell-shocked and catatonic. The truck creaked and groaned as it traversed the final few yards before sputtering and coughing to an uneasy stop, causing her father to use some rather frustrated (and colorful) language, while her mother scolded him for it.
Bailey ran to hug them, leaping first into her father's arms, and then kissing her mother. "You're okay!" she cried. "Thank god!" When her parents were satisfied that she, too, was in one piece, Bailey turned her attention to London, who'd staggered out of the truck and was looking around at the destruction blankly. "London, I'm so glad you're not hurt!"
To Bailey's surprise, the other girl yanked her into a tight embrace. "I saw a flying cow." she mumbled into Bailey's ear. "I hate this stupid corn country!"
"Aww..." Bailey hugged her roommate back sympathetically. "Kettlecorn does have its drawbacks, doesn't it?"
She had to admit to feeling a little relieved. Sure, the damage to the farm was devastating... but her family and friends were safe, and that was what was really important.
Just then Moose, who'd been busy gathering up salvageable pieces of the front porch, pointed to three figures coming down the dusty and debris-littered road. "Looks like the government sent help for us." he said.
Bailey squinted at the approaching fatigue-clad figures. "The government sent... three soldiers?" she murmured skeptically. "Hey. Wait a minute..."
"That's not the government! It's Moseby!" London took off at a run, and Bailey was hot on her heels. As soon as London reached the Tipton manager, she flung herself into his arms. "You came for me!" she cried.
Moseby hugged her close. "Of course I did, London. I'm so glad you're safe!" When Bailey reached them he let go with one arm and pulled Bailey into a brief hug as well. "Both of you."
As London began complaining to Moseby about her less-than-stellar 'Corn Country' experience, Bailey turned to the two boys who'd accompanied him. "Woody! Zack!" she exclaimed with a smile, wrapping a friendly arm around each of their shoulders as the group headed toward the farm together. "What are you doing here? How did you-"
"Duh, Bailey. You guys are our best friends." Woody answered. "When we heard about the tornado, we had to come and make sure that everyone was okay, and see if there was anything we could do to help. But the area was closed off except to the Army rescue squads, so we had to pose as soldiers to get through."
"Aw, guys... You did all that just in case London and I were in danger?" Bailey was obviously pleased, but a slight crease in her brow betrayed a frown. "But... where's Cody? Wasn't he worr- I mean... didn't he want to-"
But Zack had stopped short, cutting her off. "You mean he's not here?" he said sharply.
Bailey wheeled around. "What? Here? In Kettlecorn? No, why would-" The stricken look on Zack's face dried the rest of the sentence up on her lips. "Zack?" she breathed anxiously.
But it was Woody who answered. "Cody left the ship yesterday to come here."
"What?" Bailey asked. He'd spoken in perfectly clear English, and yet, for some reason, she was having trouble comprehending what he was saying. "What? Why? I mean... no. He... He can't have." she stuttered.
"He should have gotten here early this morning." Woody said slowly. "He... he said he thought you were in trouble."
Bailey clapped a hand over her mouth. She'd answered an ill-timed call from Cody yesterday just as she and London had been startled by a (rather menacing) flyaway scarecrow... and she hadn't thought to call him back to let him know that she was in no real danger. Of course, she'd never dreamed that he'd actually fly to Kansas to rescue her. "Oh my god." she moaned. "It's my fault. Oh my god."
Moseby, who'd been walking ahead with London, turned around with a concerned look on his face. "Bailey? What's wrong?"
Too horrified to speak, Bailey risked a glance at Zack, who was completely still and white as a sheet. Finally Woody answered. "Cody's not here."
"What? Of course he is. He left yester-" Moseby stopped as the realization hit him. "Cody never made it here?"
It was all Bailey could do to shake her head no.
A/N: Reviews, please! In exchange, I'll post part 2 asap!