Breaking Chains, Part 3

Breaking Chains

Part 3

by Rooks

Disclaimers and warnings: See Part 1.

Chapter 6

Faith drove home and then the two of them walked to an Indian restaurant near Faith’s apartment that was small enough to afford a decent sort of environment for talking, since that was what Gabrielle wanted to do.

Surprisingly, Faith found her nervousness gone, replaced only by an eager giddiness... like the feeling she got right before reuniting an orphan with her family. A good feeling. She really did enjoy talking to Gabrielle.

"I’m surprised that someone hasn’t called about you yet." She said casually as the waiter set down their dishes.

"Why is that?"

Faith hesitated. "Um, I was so sure...I mean...I thought that..."

Gabrielle leaned closer. "You thought that what?"

Faith sighed. "What I mean is, I guess I’m surprised that someone like you doesn’t have someone..." she stopped. "Shit, you know what I mean."

"Well, I’m not married, if that’s what you’re thinking." She wiggled a ringless hand at Faith.

"I noticed," Faith said quickly, then bit her tongue. "But uh... you might have a...boyfriend." Or girlfriend, Faith wanted to add, but was too chicken. She wasn’t confident enough in her flirting ability to say something so direct.

"I suppose I might," Gabrielle smiled playfully.

"That doesn’t bother you?"

"Not really."

"Because you can’t remember him."

"I live for the moment."

"I’ve noticed that too." Faith sipped her wine. "You know, I keep having to remind myself that I actually know nothing about you. That we only met yesterday."

"Same here. I guess I sort of like the thrill of pretending to be someone else."

"You’ve lost your memory, not your personality. I’ll bet you live for the moment regularly too. You’re a risk taker."

"You think so? So you’re figuring me out, huh? And Stephany’s supposed to be the head shrinker."

Faith chuckled. "I guess so."

"So tell me something about myself."

"You like to touch people’s arms. And you talk a lot."

"I don’t like to touch everyone’s arm." Gabrielle said. "Just yours."

Faith felt the beginnings of a blush, but she didn’t want her tongue to get tied again. She was enjoying their banter too much. She couldn’t remember someone so easy to talk to. She felt like there was no one else in the restaurant. That they were alone.

Faith cleared her throat. "And something else...you’ll say anything. I think you enjoy embarrassing me. You’re good at it too."

"When you can’t remember who you are, it’s easier to exercise less restraint in your life. No consequences. Or at least none that you can think of."

"No consequences?"

"That, and you blush beautifully."

Faith opened her mouth, then closed it again.

Gabrielle grinned playfully. "Am I making you uncomfortable?"

"No," Faith said quickly, and took a swallow from her wine. Why was it so hot in here?

Gabrielle studied Faith’s lips as she drank. "Not uncomfortable...thirsty maybe."

Faith felt a tingle sweep through her and settle between her legs. She pointedly put down her glass. "Uh...we...we have to get your memory back soon. Give you some inhibitions. I’m not sure I enjoy being around someone who can out-talk me so well."

"Would you prefer it if I were better at something else?"

"I...I think I preferred it yesterday when you couldn’t talk circles around me at all," Faith retorted clumsily.

"Well then, maybe we should find something to do where talking isn’t involved."

Faith got the feeling Gabrielle wasn’t talking about a movie.

Gabrielle took a sip of wine, but her green eyes didn’t waver. Faith found herself staring back, eyes held by the suppressed excitement that was building between them.

Her mouth was dry. She smiled a little. "Gabrielle, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you were flirting with me."

Gabrielle grinned. "Maybe you don’t know better."

Faith shook her head in amazement. She wagged her fork at Gabrielle. "You’re certainly a playful girl, aren’t you."

"Is that how you think of me?"

"What, playful?"

"No, a girl."

Faith looked her up and down. Gabrielle’s face was pleasantly flushed with the spicy food. Faith thought she was positively glowing. Her red cotton top dipped low, leaving her collar showing, and the curving lines of her breasts lifted when she took a deep breath. When she smiled it made Faith melt. Faith had never seen a woman so truly beautiful.

"No," she whispered. She could hardly breath. "Not a girl."

"Did I tell you I like your hair?" Gabrielle asked, and reached out to touch some of the short ebony strands near Faith’s face. The back of her knuckles brushed Faith’s cheek, and it felt electric.

"Gabrielle..."

"And you really wear that coat."

"I was actually thinking of taking it off," Faith took a breath. "It’s uh...pretty hot in here." She reached up and captured Gabrielle’s hand in her own. She couldn’t help herself, and this was getting to be too much.

Gabrielle’s eyes were dark green. "Maybe we should go for a walk," she said.

Faith nodded. "I need to cool down anyway."

Gabrielle raised an eyebrow. "I never said anything about that."

Faith caught her breath as Gabrielle waved for the waiter.

Out in the fresh night air, Faith felt her head clear a little. Gabrielle didn’t say much for a long time. They walked in comfortable silence under the sporadic light of the street lamps.

"How did you wind up at St. Sebastian’s Faith?" Gabrielle finally asked.

Faith sighed, relieved by the more banal, but comfortable small talk. "I was taken there when I was just a kid. After my parents died."

"Why do you think Father Andrew called you to help me? After not talking to you for so long?"

Faith shrugged. "I owe him a lot of favours. The guy practically raised me. I had a really bad temper when I was younger and he taught me to control it. If it weren’t for him I might be in prison right now."

"I’m sure you would never do something to wind up in prison."

Faith cocked her head. "You never know. Why all the questions?"

"I was just thinking," Gabrielle said. "Did you know that St. Sebastian’s used to be a much smaller church?"

"How did you..." Faith glanced at her. "Was that something you saw in the... hypno... vision... whatever?"

"Yeah."

Faith arched an eyebrow. "I think you’re thinking about that too much," she said.

Gabrielle looked up, and smiled warmly. "Maybe." She linked her arm into Faith’s elbow.

Faith looked down at the arm, then looked stiffly forward again.

"Do you not like this?" Gabrielle asked, squeezing Faith’s arm.

"I...you really do like to come straight to the point, don’t you?"

Gabrielle smiled. "And you’re an expert at shifting conversations away from yourself."

Faith was silent for a moment, then quietly said, "I don’t mind it."

They headed down a quiet path through Echo Park. There was a calm lake that reflected the city lights, and a white picket bridge over it. Willow trees plumed their branches over the rippling water, and formed lush shadows on the ground.

"I think some people would consider this a romantic setting," Gabrielle observed.

"Some people might." Faith agreed, in not much more than a whisper.

Gabrielle stopped, and stared up at the cloudy sky. "I wonder what my inattentive boyfriend would think about the two of us, alone together like this." She turned to face Faith, the soft light of a far away lamp illuminating her cheek, and the wisps of short blonde hair above her ear.

"If he hasn’t called by now, probably not much," Faith said thickly. She swallowed.

"Then again," Gabrielle said again, taking a step closer. "Maybe there is no boyfriend."

"Maybe not..." Faith paused.

"Faith?"

"I... uh... I’ve been wanting to ask you...you said you can remember some things. Insignificant things, right?"

"That’s right."

Faith took a breath. "Do you maybe remember...if you like...women? At all?" Kind of a round-about way of confessing her attraction, but it was the best she could do.

Gabrielle smiled. "That’s not so insignificant."

"Don’t tease me," Faith whispered. "I won’t have the nerve to ask you again."

Gabrielle’s face was close. Faith could see deep into her eyes. "That’s not something I need to remember," Gabrielle said. She reached up to touch Faith’s cheek. She whispered, "You are the sexiest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen."

Faith’s arms were around Gabrielle’s slim waist. The small woman’s hands found their place flat against her shoulders. "I... I don’t want to lose control..." Faith said, their faces only inches apart. Tasting each other’s breath. Her voice was trembling with emotion. "I will."

"I don’t care," Gabrielle whispered. "I want you to." Gabrielle’s fingers softly caressed over the back of her head, unstringing her will. Faith let go an involuntary, liberating sigh. Then she closed her eyes, and lowered her face to Gabrielle’s, pausing only slightly before their lips touched.

Gabrielle’s lips were so soft. Their first kiss was soon followed by more, growing moist, and hungry. Gabrielle’s arms folded around Faith’s neck. Faith groaned, and pulled Gabrielle’s waist into her. Gabrielle’s tongue flicked at the edge of Faith’s mouth, then slid inside.

Faith stroked the side of Gabrielle’s head, touching the soft silk of her hair, and gently pushed her back, feeling Gabrielle’s tongue glide away. Gabrielle opened her eyes slowly, and then smiled. Faith took a quavering breath.

"God, I’ve wanted to do that since the moment I first saw you."

Gabrielle pouted, her lips shiny with moisture. "What took you so long?"

Faith grinned and clasped Gabrielle in an embrace. Gabrielle squeezed her in return, and then turned up her face and drew Faith’s mouth down onto hers again. They kissed for a while longer, holding each other in the darkness. Faith felt Gabrielle’s fingers comb into her hair. When she drew back to take a slow breath, Gabrielle slid her hands down over Faith’s throat and collarbone. Gabrielle’s eyes were dark in the lamplight. Faith’s entire body was tingling with heightened arousal.

Gabrielle whispered, "I want to make love to you, Faith. I want to touch you, and feel you. I want to taste you. And then I want you to make love to me."

Faith was speechless. Her throat had closed off. God, the effect this woman had on her. She wondered if her own desire was so apparent. She brushed Gabrielle’s bangs out of her eyes, her jaw working soundlessly.

Gabrielle’s eyes softened, and her thumb caressed Faith’s neck. "Don’t be afraid."

"I don’t want...it to go... too fast," Faith said haltingly. It was the closest she could come to speaking her emotions.

"It won’t," Gabrielle said, somehow realizing Faith wasn’t just talking about tonight. The blonde stepped back, leaving Faith’s body chilly and aching for the contact. She took Faith’s hand. Only Faith’s indomitable will was enough to prevent her from pulling Gabrielle back into the circle of her arms.

Gabrielle squeezed Faith’s hand. "Let’s go home," she said.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Faith climbed the last few stairs to her apartment, and Gabrielle’s words sunk in, she began to realize that this wasn’t all going end in a few hours. Her breathing began to quicken at what they were about to do, and she decided to relax some control. Her control... what did Simon call it? The cork in her "champagne bottle of desire". The champagne is meant to come out, Faith. Whether it just pours out or comes shooting out is up to you.

Gabrielle entered the apartment first, and didn’t turn on the light. Faith closed the door quietly behind her, her hand trembling, eyes swimming as if in a dream, her chains of restraint breaking in the face of her arousal.

Gabrielle made it as far as the kitchen table before Faith caught up with her, snaring her around the waist. God... Faith’s jumbled mind sharpened the word as one hand reached around to untuck Gabrielle’s cotton shirt. The other hand upturned Gabrielle’s face for Faith’s lips to come down with frenetic, unerring accuracy. Gabrielle arched her lissome back into Faith’s body and sucked Faith’s tongue into her mouth.

Faith’s hand slid over the smooth skin of Gabrielle’s surprisingly muscular abdomen. She felt Gabrielle tremble and moan from deep in her throat. Gabrielle turned in her arms, hands sliding around her neck. Faith boosted Gabrielle up onto the kitchen table, and positioned herself between strong thighs. Gabrielle’s legs encircled her waist.

"God Faith," Gabrielle breathed, before Faith captured her mouth again with fierce urgency. She gripped Gabrielle’s hips and pulled them against her, grinding. Their tongues pushed together in a sensuous dance. It was too hard for Faith not to want to eat her up.

Faith gripped Gabrielle’s breast beneath the soft cotton. Her fingers began war with Gabrielle’s buttons. Gabrielle threw her head back, gasping for air. "Easy..." she breathed, hand gently stroking Faith’s arm. "Easy..."

Faith broke away panting, almost shocked at her raw passion. Her eyes re-focused. "I’m sorry," she said. She braced her hands on the table top, holding her torso away from Gabrielle. "I just..."

"Don’t be sorry," Gabrielle said, kissing a tender spot right below Faith’s ear. "I want to do this. God do I ever. Let’s just... make a change of scenery, ok?"

Faith smiled. "Ok. I can do that." She lifted Gabrielle by the rear. Gabrielle yelped and reflexively threw her arms around Faith’s neck.

"Whoop!" Faith cried, and hustled into the bedroom, where she tossed Gabrielle unceremoniously onto the bed, and then fell on top of her.

"I’m just a sack of potatoes to you, aren’t I?" Gabrielle cried playfully, wiggling around to tussle. Faith’s eyes popped out of her head as Gabrielle tickled her ribs, and her body convulsed spastically.

Gabrielle giggled in delight. "Oho! I think I’ve found a weakness!"

Faith growled and captured Gabrielle’s wrists, pinning them above her head. "You like to live dangerously, don’t you?"

Gabrielle squirmed impotently. "Rggh. Jesus you’re strong."

Faith smiled quietly, and Gabrielle lay still, her body a firm weight beneath the taller woman. Faith could feel Gabrielle’s chest rising and falling. Gabrielle gazed up at her sweetly, the green pools of her eyes splashing over her, drowning her.

"You are so beautiful," Faith whispered reverently. Then, with more confidence than before, leaned down to capture Gabrielle’s lips, slowly and inevitably.

She released Gabrielle’s hands to fall about her, her passion morphing into a languorous warmth that filled her entire body. They kissed for several moments, tasting each other. Then, wanting, needing to see and feel more of Gabrielle, she lowered her trembling fingers to the buttons of Gabrielle’s shirt. Slowly this time.

The garment parted to reveal creamy skin, and a white bra. Faith could see the arch of Gabrielle’s rib cage above her trim stomach. She lowered her lips to kiss the base of Gabrielle’s throat. She ever so gently caressed a soft breast that fit perfectly into her hand.

Gabrielle inhaled, and arched up beneath her. Faith reached around and undid the undergarment, baring Gabrielle’s breasts, caresses moulding the arch of her back, her waist.

Faith murmured something in awe as she took in the beauty before her. She brushed her fingertips across a pert nipple. Gabrielle shivered in pleasure, then struggled and freed her arms from the last clingings of her shirt. Her hands slid to Faith’s clothing, deft fingers flying to undo the small buttons.

Gabrielle slipped Faith’s shirt off her shoulders, kissing the new expanses of skin as they were revealed to her. Then tossed the white silk away negligently. She slid Faith’s jeans over the swell of her hips, and Faith kicked them off the rest of the way. Gabrielle’s own soon followed in a crumpled heap on the floor.

"Oh my," Gabrielle breathed, when the lacy material fell away and Faith’s breasts were finally revealed. Faith lowered her frame over Gabrielle to kiss her, and their nipples pressed together. Gabrielle let out a soft gasp. Her breathing had quickened.

Faith nestled her nude body against Gabrielle’s, her bare thigh touching the moistness between the blonde’s legs. She bent her neck and took Gabrielle’s breast in her hands. She kissed and suckled the light aureole.

"God..." Gabrielle rasped, and Faith felt a sudden wetness slick against her thigh. She smiled, looking at Gabrielle’s head thrown back, eyes glassy with pleasure.

"You feel amazing," Faith said and shifted her thigh in a slight friction. Gabrielle moaned, and her delicate hips thrust forward gently in an age-old instinct.

Faith’s mouth was dry, and she moved it to Gabrielle’s. She parted lips with her tongue, letting Gabrielle’s sweet taste flow into her mouth. Her hand slid down Gabrielle’s body, fingers teasing, and caressed Gabrielle’s inner thigh. Gabrielle gasped into Faith’s mouth, and thrust her hips again, pushing for contact.

Faith smiled, and dragged her lips over Gabrielle’s cheek. "Yes...Gabrielle..." She let her fingers flutter up Gabrielle’s thigh, brushing over where they were most desired.

"Ohh..." Gabrielle groaned. Her small hand quivered in place on Faith’s back.

Faith darted the tip of her tongue over Gabrielle’s jaw line. Her fingers teased and stroked, making Gabrielle writhe desperately.

"Please..."

Gabrielle’s unguarded request brought Faith’s own desire to a new level. She slowly slid her fingers inside. Finding little resistance. Her breath quickening at the feel of the precious texture. Gabrielle’s back arched and she sighed in ecstasy. "Ohh Yess..."

Gabrielle was so beautiful. Her hands gripped Faith’s shoulders. Faith’s hand stroked her, matching the quickening rhythm of her hips. It wasn’t long before Gabrielle’s breath was stark and rapid. "Faith?...F-Faith..."

"Yes..."

Gabrielle’s body was rocking. Thrusting down onto Faith’s hand. Her eyes were closed tightly. Lips parted and glistening. Her knees rose. Heels sliding up the mattress. "Uuhhnn... Faith..."

"I’m here Gabrielle..."

Gabrielle stiffened and cried out, her high, sweet voice piercing through the darkness. Faith felt the warm muscles grab her fingers. She held Gabrielle as the small woman’s body was wracked with shudders of pleasure, eyes closed, moans and sighs escaping her lips.

Gabrielle finally lay limp against the bed, catching her breath. When she opened her eyes, they were warm and fulfilled. She caressed Faith’s cheek with a touch filled with care. Faith smiled down at her. "How you doing?"

"I’m wonderful."

Faith drew her fingers out from where Gabrielle was still gently pulsing around them. It made Gabrielle shiver. Faith gathered the small blonde to her and held her tightly in an embrace.

They only lay there for a few moments before Faith felt the light touch of Gabrielle’s lips on her neck, just under her ear.

"Mmmm. That feels good." Faith smiled.

A small hand slid over her breast and squeezed gently. Faith let out a quiet gasp.

Gabrielle’s face appeared, smiling. "How does that feel?" she asked softly, thumb coaxing Faith’s nipple erect.

"...very good..."

Gabrielle grinned, and gently rolled Faith onto her back. She kissed Faith’s lips twice, then lowered her mouth to suckle Faith’s breast. Faith thrust her chest forward. "Mmmm".

"Ooh!" Gabrielle grinned and gave another lick to Faith’s nipple. Desire shot through Faith like a bolt of electricity.

"Gabrielle..."

Gabrielle slid down, laying her torso between Faith’s parted knees. She kissed the inside of Faith’s thigh. Faith moaned, her arousal brimming inside her. She was aching. Gabrielle’s tongue licked over her leg. Circled everywhere but where she needed.

"Gabrielle..." Faith moaned again, eyes fluttering to remain open. Breathing harsh. "Don’t tease..."

Faith felt Gabrielle’s fingers touch her, part her. Then a slow stroke of Gabrielle’s tongue made her inhale, her entire body shivering. "Oh! Oh yes. Do...that..."

"God you taste so good," Gabrielle murmured.

Faith grunted and thrust her hips forward, needing more. Gabrielle’s tongue brushed her, and then slipped inside. Her lips sucked. Faith couldn’t hold back her pleasure. She hadn’t realized how close she was. Now it felt like a dam inside, threatening to burst.

Her hand knit in the sheets at her side. The other gripped the edge of the bed above her head. Faith closed her eyes. Her head thrown back into the pillow. Gabrielle’s mouth enveloped her. She gasped in sheer delight. "Oh yess..."

She was there. One more stroke was all she needed. Faith felt welcome release overtake her, breaking over her fiercely like the tide and wiping her mind clean with its purity. "Yessss..." Her body rippled. She vaguely realized her hoarse voice was crying out Gabrielle’s name. Wonderful.

Then she lay boneless and spent. She sank back into the bed. Gabrielle wiped her mouth and slid her naked body up to rest her head on Faith’s shoulder. Faith held her close. They lay sweaty and together in contentment.

"Oh yeah." Faith sighed.

"You’ve got some pheromones. I’ll give you that," Gabrielle said.

"Funny. I was just going to say the same thing about you," Faith replied. She closed her eyes and let out another long sigh of satisfaction.

"You know," Gabrielle said jokingly, "this is exactly what happened with Blythe and Josephina."

"An interesting analogy. Comparing lovemaking to a murder."

Gabrielle smacked Faith’s arm playfully. "That’s not what I meant and you know it."

"Still...I hope you don’t think this is going to wind up where they did," Faith said, then paused. "...do you?"

"No," Gabrielle said, tracing her hand over Faith’s chest. "Not now. I feel so close to you right now."

"Well, you don’t have any reason to think it anyways," Faith said gently. "I’m not Josephina. And you’re not Blythe."

"Definitely," Gabrielle agreed happily. Faith’s skin prickled under Gabrielle’s absent fingers. "You are a magnificent lover, Faith."

Faith wasn’t sure what to say to that, so instead kissed Gabrielle’s fair hair. Gabrielle leaned up and kissed Faith just under her ear. It made Faith tremble.

"You like kissing me there, don’t you?" Faith asked. She didn’t mention the incredibly erotic effect Gabrielle’s kissing just under her ear had.

"Of course I do. It’s my favourite spot to kiss. Well, second. No wait, third..."

Faith chuckled. "I get the message." Gabrielle kissed the spot again, making Faith hum in pleasure.

"Hel-lo," Gabrielle said playfully, her finger brushing over Faith’s nipple, hardening and erect. "What do we have here?"

Faith felt the warmth of desire stirring again. She arched an eyebrow in inquiry.

"Wanna go again?"

Gabrielle smiled, and rolled on top.

Chapter 7

Faith smoothed her hands over her head, letting the water sluice through her hair. She lifted her face to the shower spray, opened her mouth.

Her entire body was still humming. She and Gabrielle had made love all night. It had been exhausting and incredible. She had climaxed again and again, their bodies twisting together, until the passion had finally given way to a tired but tender, intimate embrace, and they had fallen asleep in each other’s arms.

Faith shook her head in delighted amazement. What had she done to deserve such pleasure? The memory of the feelings still hadn’t faded away. Her belly was half-filled with the warmth of afterglow. The other half was filled with wonder...wonder that, when she had opened her eyes this morning, the soft body sleeping in her arms had still been there.

Faith smiled, and felt like laughing, just for the sheer joy of it.

The shower curtain was suddenly slapped open, making her jump. She let out a little yelp. It was Gabrielle of course, in Faith’s long blue robe, staring at her from beneath long lashes.

"Jesus," Faith breathed, not bothering to cover herself. "You scared me. I was afraid you were Norman Bates for a second there."

Gabrielle inhaled steadily. "No. Not Norman Bates," she said throatily. Her ardent eyes roamed over Faith’s exposed skin. "God you are beautiful." The tone sent electric tingles all throughout Faith’s body.

"Oh wow..." Faith murmured. "You have no idea what kind of effect you have on me."

Gabrielle wordlessly slid the robe off her shoulders and let it fall to her feet. She stepped into the shower and pulled Faith’s mouth down onto hers.

Faith moaned into Gabrielle’s lips at the feeling of dry skin on wet. She combed one hand over Gabrielle’s head, through the short hair that was now becoming soaked and slicked back. The other hand she used to pull Gabrielle’s body against her own.

Gabrielle sucked on Faith’s tongue. Her hand slid over one slippery wet breast. She pushed Faith back against the tiled shower wall and nudged the tall woman’s legs apart with her knee. She pushed her thigh between Faith’s legs as far as it would go. God... Faith was hotter than the water.

Faith convulsed at the touch and bent her knees for more contact. She broke apart from the kiss to breath.

"Yes...Gabrielle...that’s it..." she gasped, as Gabrielle slowly rubbed her thigh in place.

Gabrielle bent her head and flicked her tongue over a nipple... so erect that a rivulet of water was shooting off of it. Then she closed her mouth over the nipple and most of the breast and feasted. She heard Faith cry out in delicious agony.

Faith grabbed Gabrielle’s hips, shining with the running water, as an anchor. Then started a quick rhythm, sliding herself against Gabrielle’s leg.

"Unnhh...yess..." she moaned.

"Faith..." Gabrielle breathed. Faith’s friction was doing a fine job of stimulating her too. She slid her hand down past Faith’s abdomen. Her thumb found Faith’s most sensitive spot and fluttered over it.

Faith’s entire body jerked and she let out a cry. She gripped Gabrielle’s forearm and held it in place. Then grinded down with her hips, coating her lover’s hand with her desire.

Gabrielle stroked her thumb in a slow circle until Faith’s face fell against hers, her breathing coming in gasps. Faith’s hips were bucking too quickly for Gabrielle’s fingers to keep up. Gabrielle thrust her hips forward into Faith’s motion, her desire rising.

Faith wrapped her strong arms fully around Gabrielle’s back and shoulders, clutching the smaller body close. She had lost all control.

Gabrielle could do nothing but stand immobilized and lock her lips on the side of Faith’s neck, tasting her skin and the running water. She slid her wet body up and down, warmth sheeting between them. Then lifted her head up and licked inside Faith’s ear.

"Oh...ggoddd!!!" Faith exclaimed and her body began shuddering with orgasm. Her knees gave out and she leaned fully back against the wall. Her hips quivered ecstatically. She gripped Gabrielle to her fiercely. Gabrielle’s fingers tangled in her matted hair. The sound of Faith climaxing in her arms brought Gabrielle suddenly and unexpectedly to orgasm herself. The two of them rocked together, falling into each other, and an incoherent world of sensation.

They held each other up, leaning against the tiled wall, catching their breaths.

"We’ve got to stop this," Faith gasped. "At least for a while. I’m not sure how much more I can take."

Gabrielle chuckled into Faith’s shoulder. The tall woman reached over and turned off the water.

"I can’t think of a better way to spend a Sunday morning," Gabrielle said, smirking. She stepped out of the shower on wobbly legs and grabbed the towel.

"You heathen," Faith said. "Get me another one from the linen closet over there, kay?"

Gabrielle tousled her short hair dry and then pulled Faith’s blue robe back on. She tossed Faith a towel from the closet. When Faith entered the bedroom, Gabrielle was back in the bed, under the covers again.

"Are you gonna stay under there all day?" Faith asked wryly, walking to the closet.

"That’s the plan. It’s comfortable under here. Come and join me," Gabrielle offered.

Faith smiled and held up a finger. "I told you. I can’t take any more of that. At least not right away."

Gabrielle grinned at her. "That’s not what I mean. I just wanna cuddle. You took off as soon as you woke up this morning."

"The bed still smells like sex."

"I’m sure you’ve got the willpower to ignore it."

Faith looked at her watch. "It’s eleven thirty in the morning."

"So? Quit making excuses and come to bed Faith. I want to hold you."

Faith suddenly felt scared and unsure. Her emotion must have been written all over her face because Gabrielle sat up and looked at her acutely.

"Have you ever been held, Faith?" Gabrielle asked softly.

Faith laughed nervously. "You always ask me these questions way out of the blue. Where do you get these?"

"Well? Have you?"

Faith lowered her eyes and thought for an answer. Finally, she quietly said, "No."

Gabrielle lifted the sheet, and patted the bed. "Come on. It’s ok."

Faith hesitated for a moment then dropped her towel and slid under the covers. Gabrielle hugged her, and snuggled her body close. The bed did still smell of sex, but Gabrielle had her own unique, comforting scent that Faith was rapidly becoming accustomed to. Sun and daisies on the breeze. She pulled Gabrielle close and drank it in.

Faith had the oddest sensation of a burden being lifted...like a vise gripping her lungs being suddenly released, so she could breath again. She smiled, more content than she could ever remember being.

Which was, of course, when the phone rang.

"Don’t worry, I’m not getting up," Faith said, and held one arm around Gabrielle’s bare back while reaching the other to pick up the receiver. "Hello?"

"Faith."

"Hey Simon," Faith said. "What’s up?"

"I think I’ve got a line on that Wilson woman. Not much, but at least it’s a lead."

"Really? She’s still alive? Awesome. What did you find?"

"A P.O. Box number. You want to send her a message?"

Faith looked at Gabrielle. Green eyes stared up at her curiously. "Yeah. Tell her that Josephina wants to know if writing gossip still pays the bills."

"Huh? Is that about who I think it’s about?"

"We’ll see. Just that message and my number, got it? If you can’t get in touch with me here, I’ll be down at this used clothing shop called ‘Surrender Dorothy’. It’s for Gabrielle." She gave him the address.

"Got it. Oh and one more thing I found out. On the day Josephina was executed, Nadia Wilson went to visit her on death row. There was a guard in her cell that day, and afterwards he wrote a book about it called ‘The Soul’s Life’. You might want to pick it up."

"I will for sure. Thanks pal."

"No problemo. So, how are things going with Gabrielle?"

Faith smiled down at her new lover, "They’re still going."

"Really?!?"

Gabrielle grinned and leaned up to plant a kiss on the corner of Faith’s mouth.

"I...what was that?" Simon asked sharply. "Was that a kiss noise? Did I hear a kiss noise?"

"I don’t know what you’re talking about." Faith said innocently.

"C’mon Faith! You know I have no life. I have to live vicariously through you! And up until now that’s been very boring..."

"Goodbye Simon."

"Wait Faith, just some details! Fai--!"

Gabrielle squeezed Faith’s ribs as she hung up. "He sure is nosy, isn’t he?"

"Did you hear him? Yeah, he is." Faith smiled. "Well, like he said, he has no life."

Gabrielle giggled, and tucked her head back under Faith’s chin. She sighed softly. "This is nice, isn’t it?"

Faith’s eyes turned suddenly solemn, and feeling of profound affection filled her.

"Yeah, it is," she said softly. She stroked Gabrielle’s head.

"You sound sad."

"No. I’m not. Really." She meant it.

"Faith...why is it you’ve never done this before?"

"I dunno," Faith mumbled quickly.

"Not even when you were a kid?"

"Nuns aren’t the most touchy-feely people around."

"But...you said yourself you’ve... been with a lot of women. And you’re telling me that you didn’t feel anything for any of them? That none of them ever stayed long enough to..."

"I don’t want to talk about that. I’m not proud of it."

"What’s not to be proud of? Trying to find someone to share yourself with?"

"Not by just fucking them and then making them leave. That’s just using someone."

"Is that what you were doing? Or is that just what you told yourself?"

"Does it matter?"

"Of course it does!"

Faith shook her head. "Eventually it just became so routine, so...empty, that I just couldn’t any more. Because it was becoming all I could do. So I stopped. Now I don’t even recognize the person I was. And I haven’t brought anyone up here in years."

Gabrielle stared at her in surprise. Then her face softened. "You think about it a lot, don’t you?"

"Think about what?"

"The past. Your past."

"Only so that I can try to forget it."

"Does it scare you?"

Faith didn’t want to admit that her history of one-night-stands did scare her. Or that, for some reason, the thought of losing Gabrielle that way scared her to death.

"Maybe a little," she said.

"Do you think the way you used to be was because you were rebelling against the nuns who raised you?"

"That could be. God knows, I didn’t take very well to self-denial and being told what to do."

Gabrielle chuckled. "No. I don’t imagine you would."

"I did get a lot of good out of that whole experience, don’t get me wrong," Faith was quick to say. "I mean, I was never abused or anything. I’ve lived a pretty normal life. But there was a lot of stuff I missed out on too. I mean, I didn’t even read Catch-22 until I was 25, because it was banned for being blasphemous."

"Which I guess it is," Gabrielle agreed reluctantly.

"And that’s not all. I always remember this one time when I was ten. I was playing in the street with some neighbourhood kids, and when it started getting dark they all started running off. I yelled after them, asking them where they were going, and they shouted back that they were going home. I remember very vividly feeling jealous."

"Because you didn’t feel as though you had a home?" Gabrielle asked softly.

"I would have liked to have been one of them." Faith said thoughtfully. "To just be able to yell to your friend or your sister, ‘Let’s go home!’ and actually feel like you’re going someplace special."

"And so, you tried to make up for not having a home by looking for a lover? Only you kept wanting to push them away?"

"I don’t know," Faith whispered, feeling altogether too vulnerable. "I don’t know. God, you’re as bad as Stephany." She laughed uneasily.

"That’s not going to happen again," Gabrielle said seriously. "I’m not leaving. Not everything repeats in some kind of chain."

"I’ll have to tell Stephany you said that."

Gabrielle chuckled, then said mischievously, "So...no one in years eh? No wonder you were so insatiable last night."

Faith smiled absently, then looked at the ceiling. She stroked Gabrielle’s head against her chest very lightly. She was silent for a long time.

She whispered, "The truth is...you’re the first person who’s ever tried to hold my hand."

In response, Gabrielle snuggled closer, and moved her fingers into Faith’s palm. Faith blinked her eyes clear, and closed their hands together.

"I could just stay like this forever." Gabrielle sighed.

Faith closed her eyes. Then whispered, "So could I."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gabrielle licked her lips as the pizza was set down between the two of them. "God, we shouldn’t have skipped lunch. I’m starving."

Faith smiled and took a slice. They had lazed into the late afternoon, talking quietly, and even after all that time, Faith had been reluctant to get up. It had been Gabrielle, actually, who had suggested pizza, later that evening.

"Have you been thinking about them at all?" Gabrielle asked through a mouth full of food.

"Who?"

"Josephina and Blythe."

"Not really. Have you?"

"Yeah," Gabrielle nodded. "I still can’t believe Josephina killed her." She paused. "I...I’m not sure I want to believe it."

"Why is that? You’ve read the articles the same as me. The case was totally open and shut. Just like Simon said."

Gabrielle looked down, thinking. "Faith...don’t you think it’s strange that we both just...turned up at St. Sebastian's?"

"No. It’s just a coincidence. Besides, I went there years before you. And for all we know, it was right around there that you lost your memory, and you were just trying to get someplace safe, by climbing over the gate." Faith was thoughtful. "Maybe I can look around that area to see if anything about you turns up."

"I don’t know," Gabrielle said doubtfully. "I don’t remember why I was trying to get in. Only that it was a place I really needed to be."

Faith gave her an acute look. "You really do believe in all this past life stuff, don’t you? Even now...after you’ve had some time to think about it."

"You heard what Stephany said. About the same things happening over and over. I have no reason not to believe it."

"Well," Faith said. "We’ll find out more tomorrow morning, won’t we? Maybe you’ll actually get your memory back then."

Gabrielle smiled warmly. "Maybe you’re right."

"Of course I am."

Gabrielle arched an eyebrow, "You know, last night was the first time I can remember that I didn’t have nightmares."

"That was probably because we hardly slept," Faith deadpanned.

"Maybe," Gabrielle said softly. She reached out and covered Faith’s hand with her own.

After dinner, they strolled leisurely along the empty back street towards Faith’s apartment. Faith had been wanting to bring up something all day, ever since Gabrielle had lifted the covers and taken her into her arms. She took a deep breath, steadying the pounding of her heart.

"Gabrielle," Faith said uncertainly, "I know we’ve sort of talked about this before, but...when you get your memory back, what’s going to happen...with, us?"

Gabrielle turned to look at her. "Do you want something to happen Faith?"

"Don’t answer my question with a question," Faith smiled uneasily.

Gabrielle said softly, "Just because I get my memory back, doesn’t mean I’m going to forget you Faith."

"But let’s be realistic. You could have a girlfriend, right?"

Gabrielle slid her hand into Faith’s and turned to face her. "Let’s just burn those bridges when we come to them, ok? Right now, all I want is to be with you."

Faith felt a wonderful warmth fill her heart. She was wrapped up in Gabrielle’s eyes, and was about to lean down and impulsively kiss her, which was why she didn’t notice the three large men emerge from an alley until they were surrounding them.

Faith felt Gabrielle’s hand tighten on her arm. Her stomach clenched. She narrowed her eyes dangerously. "What do you want?"

A gesture from one of them, and two men suddenly grabbed Faith’s arms, hauling her away from Gabrielle. The third grabbed Gabrielle by the waist and tore her away, trying to pull her into the alley. Gabrielle struggled violently, kicking in the air. "What are you doing?!"

"Gabrielle!" Faith shouted. She struggled violently, jerking the two men forward in surprise at her strength. One managed to grab her hair and pulled her head back. Faith cried out in pain. A fist slammed into her stomach, blowing the air out of her lungs. Hands battled her to her knees.

"Quick, hurry up and get her out of here! We can’t hold this one forever!" One man holding Faith shouted.

Gabrielle turned her head and bit her attacker hard on the arm. He shouted in pain and dropped her. She took off, and he grabbed her arm as she ran. She spun and slapped him across the face.

"Gabrielle!" Faith cried. A fist struck her temple. She cried out in pain and blinked lights out of her eyes. The barrel of a gun was pressed against her temple, and she froze.

"Leave her alone!" Gabrielle cried and tried to pull away but he wouldn’t let go. She kicked his shin and he shouted in pain "You bitch!", losing his temper. Then drew back his arm and fully backhanded Gabrielle’s face as hard as he could.

Faith’s eyes widened and for a brief moment she saw Gabrielle’s body frozen against the light of a street lamp, then falling to collapse onto the sidewalk. She inhaled sharply, and felt a burning anger ignite in her chest, rising behind her eyes, like thunder.

The hand with the gun crushed under her fingers. Faith twisted an arm around and heard a snap and a distant, anguished scream. She blocked a fist and punched out, bone and blood spattering under her knuckles. Then brought her elbow back slamming into another face.

The men fell away from her like dolls and she stood rigid for a moment. Then bent and picked up the gun, rising slowly.

The third man had hefted a dazed Gabrielle off the ground and held her in front of him with a knife to her throat. He stared in horror at his partners moaning and groping blindly on the ground.

"Don’t come near me! I’ll kill her," He said in a quavering voice.

Faith pointed the gun at his head. "Let...her...go." Her voice was detached.

He was silent. Faith could see the knife trembling in his hand. She clenched her jaw. Gabrielle stared at her, eyes wide in alarm and disbelief.

Faith’s eyes narrowed. She shifted her hand an inch to the left and pulled the trigger.

The bang echoed around the street. The knife dropped and he howled, clutching his ear. Blood spurted from under his fingers and he fell backwards. Gabrielle dashed forward to Faith and spun around, covering her mouth.

"Oh my God! You shot him!"

The other two men had staggered to their feet and were running unevenly down the street together. Faith advanced on the downed man as he attempted to pull himself up on the wall of the nearby building. "He’s not dead." She leveled the gun at him.

Gabrielle was at her side. "Faith, what are you doing? You can’t kill him!?" Gabrielle folded her hand over the gun and pushed it down.

Faith whipped her head around. "He tried to kill you!" she hissed angrily. Gabrielle recoiled in surprise. The man lifted himself off the ground and tottered into the shadows of the alley.

Faith’s lip curled. "He’s not going anywhere..."

"No Faith!"

Headlights suddenly flared in their eyes and the sound of tires pealing rubber squealed into the night. Faith had time to hurdle Gabrielle out of the way before the blue mustang screeched out of the alley and tore down the street. Faith was on her feet, shot out one window, and then the car was gone.

They stood silently, watching where the car had been. Faith looked at Gabrielle and noticed her nose bleeding. Her heart filled with concern and she shoved the gun in the back of her jeans and cupped Gabrielle’s face, inspecting it for any more serious damage. Soon, she noticed Gabrielle looking at her with a strange emotion. She dropped her hands.

"What is it?"

"I can’t believe what you almost did," Gabrielle said softly.

Faith suddenly felt wretched. "Let’s go and get you cleaned up," she mumbled, and turned away.

In her apartment, Faith went straight to the bathroom and wet a facecloth, without saying anything. The heat of the moment was gone, leaving her feeling spent, and vulnerable.

She came back out and reached to gently clean Gabrielle’s face, but stopped. She stepped back and quietly held out the cloth. "Here."

Gabrielle took it, but made no effort to use it. "Are you all right Faith?"

"I’m fine." Faith said thickly, and turned her back.

Gabrielle placed her hand flat against Faith’s back. "I was a little shocked by it all. I guess I didn’t realize you could...fight like that." Gabrielle said softly, "But I wanted to thank you for saving my life."

Faith bowed her head, mouth quivering. She didn’t say anything.

"Faith?" Gabrielle turned her and was dismayed to see Faith’s eyes full of tears. "Oh Faith! It’s all right now..."

Faith closed her eyes tightly and two tears rolled silently down her face. Gabrielle swallowed and embraced her, letting Faith rest her cheek on top of her head.

Faith lost control of her voice. "...I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to..."

"It’s all right. Shhh. It’s ok now."

Faith took a trembling breath. "God," she whispered, getting a hold of herself. "I never do this." She wiped her cheeks with her palm.

Gabrielle wiped her own eyes and smiled. "At least I know you care about me."

Faith’s brow knit together and it looked like she might cry. Gabrielle hugged her quickly, rubbing her back. "It’s ok," she whispered.

They held each other silently for a time. Then Faith said, "Come on and sit down. You’re a mess." She looked seriously at Gabrielle and shook her head, ashamed. "Jesus. I had no idea it would get this bad."

They sat on the couch, and Faith dabbed at Gabrielle’s face with the cloth. Gabrielle winced slightly where a bruise was forming. "You had no idea that what would get this bad?"

"Those guys. They were trying to kidnap you."

"No they weren’t. They were attacking us both."

Faith shook her head grimly. "They were just trying to keep me down. He was actively trying to drag you back to his car."

"Why me?" Gabrielle asked with genuine confusion.

"The article," Faith answered. "they must have seen it and figured it would be pretty easy to get away with a kidnapping if a woman doesn’t even remember who she is. God, this is all my fault."

"It’s not your fault at all Faith. But what are we going to do? What’s to stop other people from attacking us?"

"We’ll just have to be more careful. No more walks at night. I don’t know what I was thinking, walking at night in LA. I guess I was just caught up in...everything."

"Hopefully tomorrow will go far in getting my memory back. Maybe I’ll remember where my actual home is."

Faith nodded and then dropped her eyes to her lap. She took a breath, and it came out shaky. Gabrielle reached up and touched Faith’s face, gently lifted her chin. It was such an intimate gesture that Faith’s soul felt like crying. Gabrielle frowned thoughtfully, as though she had just had an insight.

"You’re really...something’s pulling you right in two, isn’t it?" Gabrielle asked.

Faith whispered, "Please don’t think badly of me. It means everything in the world to me that you don’t."

"Never," Gabrielle proclaimed with quiet strength.

Faith sighed, still sad, and pulled Gabrielle against her as tightly as she could. She thought about the terrible fury she had felt when she had seen Gabrielle hurt. And wondered if letting go of her long chained-in control had been a very wise thing to do. God, she hadn’t been that angry since she was a kid.

Chapter 8

"Now, in light of last night’s events," Ms. Joyce said seriously, "I think it would be prudent if we tried to move along a little faster." She glanced at Faith.

Faith nodded and watched Gabrielle with concern. The blonde’s eyes were closed in hypnosis, her head gently tilted. Hands resting on the table in the back room of ‘Surrender Dorothy’.

Ms. Joyce had been shocked at the news that they had been attacked, but even more shocked when they told her that Josephina had murdered Blythe, wondering what this could portend for Gabrielle. It seemed the hypnotist cared more about the past than the present, Faith thought scornfully.

"So, given this, let’s move on to when things began to go bad between Blythe and Josephina. Tell us. When did this start..."

Gabrielle breathed: "It all began...the...the morning Nadia Wilson published her article in the paper..."

"When was this?"

"October...nineteen fifty."

Faith swallowed. That had only been a few weeks before Blythe had been killed.

"...Blythe and Josephina were together...when the news broke out..."

When Josephina opened the front door to her apartment on the morning of October twenty-seventh, nineteen-fifty to retrieve her newspaper, she was astonished to find the hallway teaming with news reporters and photographers. The mass of people suddenly erupted into life at her appearance, flashing cameras in her face and momentarily disorienting her. She grabbed the paper lying in the hallway and slammed the door behind her.

Blythe emerged sleepily from Josephina’s room, rubbing her half-closed eyes, and wearing a robe. "What’s up?"

Josephina was standing with her back to the door. "I can truthfully say that I have absolutely no idea."

She glanced at the paper in her hand. And gawked. The front page read, in bold black letters: Blythe Dawson dallies with female lover. By Nadia Wilson.

"Uh...Blythe," Josephina said weakly. "I think we’re in trouble." She showed Blythe the headline.

Blythe’s eyes widened in surprise, and she whistled thoughtfully. "Gee Whiz. I wonder how she figured it out."

Josephina stared at her. "Don’t you care that she’s gossiping about you? I can’t believe she did this. There are about ten thousand reporters outside my apartment door!"

Blythe covered Josephina’s hands calmly. "Don’t worry. I’ll set her straight next time I see her. As for this, we will just have to deal with it. Come on, let’s get dressed."

Blythe braved the reporters with stoic grace, despite the fact that her sudden emergence from Josephina’s apartment that morning basically verified the rumour. After that, there wasn’t any point denying it. Not that Blythe would have tried to. She stood before the crowd and stated firmly that she and Josephina were in love, that their feelings for each other weren’t going to change, and to please get out of her way because she was late for rehearsal, see?

Josephina stayed in.

Things weren’t easy for Josephina over the next week. Everywhere she turned, another photographer was waiting to take her picture. She couldn’t leave her home without being mobbed.

Blythe could deal with the publicity. She had been dealing with it for years. But Josephina wasn’t used to being the center of attention. She wasn’t used to everyone staring at her as if she were some sort of freak on show. By the end of the week, Josephina was decidedly miserable.

Friday night, Blythe returned from rehearsal late to find Josephina sitting in the apartment with the lights off. A beam of light from the street shone in through a window across Josephina’s lap, illuminating a glass of scotch in the writer’s left hand. Josephina’s face was in shadow.

Blythe frowned. "Jo? What’s going on? Why are all the lights off? Did you get any work done on the play?"

"I had a headache," Josephina replied quietly.

"Yeah?" Blythe took off her fur coat and looked over at Josephina a little nervously. "Are you sure you’re ok?"

Blythe heard Josephina sigh heavily. "Today while I was walking down the street... a man passed by me, then turned his head and said ‘go to hell you filthy, unnatural whore’"

"Aw Jo. I’m so sorry."

Josephina leaned forward, and Blythe saw dark cycles of tension under her eyes. She looked very tired. "Why did you have to tell them the truth? Couldn’t you have made up a story or something?"

Blythe blinked. "You’re blaming this on me? Jo, it was Nadia Wilson who wrote the story."

Josephina’s eyes darkened. "That’s right. I think I just might just go and have a word with her tomorrow."

Blythe frowned and petulantly flipped on the light, making Josephina squint. "Jo. I told you I would talk to her the next time I saw her."

"Oh. Great. I guess I’ll just stay in the apartment until whenever the hell that is."

"Jo, listen to me. I know how to deal with these people. We can’t let them know they’re bothering us. If we just wait they’ll eventually lose interest."

"You just don’t want me to confront Wilson because she’s a friend of yours."

"I wouldn’t call her my friend. I only met her that one time. Just let me deal with her, ok?"

The lines of Josephina’s face hardened, and she looked away. "Perfect."

The next day, it seemed as though Blythe had been right. Josephina ventured out in the early afternoon and no reporters flogged her with questions. No photographers popped up from behind fences. She and Blythe ate dinner at a small café, and other than receiving looks from the other diners, and a rather restrained waiter, they were left in relative peace.

On their way back to the apartment, however, two photographers were standing in wait, and the flashes began popping. Perhaps it was the toll that the previous week had taken, or perhaps it had just been a long day, but Josephina finally snapped.

She ripped the camera away from one of them and smashed it on the ground. Then grabbed him by his shirt and hurled him staggering down the sidewalk. "Leave us the hell alone!"

"Hey! You can’t do that! We got a right to be here!" the other shouted, and continued snapping.

"Isn’t there an antelope carcass you should be hovering over?!" Josephina snarled at them, voice full of anger.

"Jo! Don’t do this!" Blythe shouted, and grabbed Josephina’s arm.

"I’m sick of them ruining my life Blythe. We have a right to privacy!" Josephina made a grab for the second photographer, heedless of Blythe’s objections, but he darted out of the way, joined his companion and continued to shoot.

Josephina threw up her hands in exasperation and stormed away, up to the building. Blythe hurried after her, and was right behind her on the staircase when Josephina suddenly spun on her, temper still fully flaring.

"This is all your fault!"

"My fault! Jo, haven’t you been listening to anything I’ve told you this past week? You can’t do what you just did out there!"

Josephina blew up. "Why are you defending them?! Don’t you care about my feelings at all?"

"I’m not defending anything. Will you just listen to me..."

"You haven’t even spoken to Wilson yet, but she’s written another article since last week! What, do you like her or something?"

Blythe flushed with indignity. "Josephina, what on earth are you talking about? I already told you..."

But Josephina had stopped, suddenly pale. "That’s it isn’t it? You like her. That’s why you didn’t want me to confront her." She shook her head, a sickly look on her face.

Blythe was furious now. "Jo, what has gotten into you?"

"I don’t want to talk about it anymore." Josephina said coldly, and spun away, continuing up the stairs. "And, if you don’t mind, I’d like you to spend the night at your old apartment. I don’t want to be around you right now."

"Fine," Blythe yelled, and stomped down the stairs, brushing angry tears out of her eyes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

By the next morning, Josephina felt dreadful for her outburst the previous night. She didn’t care about the reporters anymore, although she still had festering feelings for Nadia Wilson. All she wanted to do was to find Blythe and apologize.

Blythe hadn’t slept the night before; she had been too upset. Even at rehearsal, when she was usually the most animated person in the theater, she only sat in misery. In fact, she happened to be sitting, staring glumly at the floor, when she noticed a pair of female legs step into her field of vision. She noticed right away that they weren’t Josephina’s legs.

"Hello Miss Dawson," Nadia Wilson said gently. "Do you hate me terribly?"

Blythe looked up and sighed. "Nah. I don’t hate you." She let her head sink into her hands. "I wish you had never written that story, but I don’t hate you."

"From the way it’s making you so unhappy, I’m starting to wish I had never written that story too."

Blythe glanced up at her, but Nadia’s concern seemed to be genuine. "I’m fine. I just...didn’t sleep well last night."

"Come on Blythe. Let’s go for a walk."

Blythe was too depressed to protest.

"If I were you, I’d blow town for a while," Blythe said, as the two of them walked slowly through the lobby. "Josephina is pretty angry at you."

"Really? She seemed like a pretty cool kid when I spoke to her before. I can’t imagine her losing her temper."

"She lost it all right," Blythe said unhappily.

"Did you explain to her that I was only doing my job?"

"She doesn’t care. It is a violation of privacy."

Nadia shook her head, "Well, I actually didn’t think she’d care that much. I didn’t think she’d be so ashamed about her feelings for you."

Blythe looked hurt at this. "I...I don’t know why she’s acting like this...I thought she’d be happy..." Blythe bit her tongue, not wanting to say too much.

"Is that why you slept so badly last night Blythe?" Nadia probed gently.

"Is this going in your gossip column?" Blythe asked distrustfully.

"I see someone I consider a friend feeling badly...it’s only natural to inquire about why."

Blythe sighed. "Well. The truth is that she’s pretty angry at me too."

"What for?"

"Josephina isn’t used to dealing with press, Nadia. She’s been a writer all her life. You know...out of the limelight. She just doesn’t know how to cope with the attention."

"I don’t see what that has to do with you. Are you sure she isn’t being just a little bit selfish? I mean, you have feelings too."

Blythe looked down, wringing her hands. "I don’t know. She blamed me for the whole thing."

"Maybe the two of you should take a break from each other for a while," Nadia rested her hand on Blythe’s shoulder. "I think that would be best."

"No. I don’t want to do that." Blythe turned to face the reporter. "Nadia, listen to me. Please don’t write anything more about me, all right?

A flash of silver caught Nadia’s attention and her eyes were drawn to Blythe’s necklace. "Oh my. Is this real?" She stepped close and took the small hoop of Blythe’s necklace in her fingers.

"Yes," Blythe said sadly. "It was a birthday present from Jo last January."

"It’s beautiful," Nadia whispered. She looked up, and Blythe was suddenly aware that the reporter was standing quite close. Nadia slipped her hand up behind Blythe’s head. "Blythe. I’m being serious. I think that you should take a look at how things are between you and Josephina. She’s got you wrapped around her finger. I want you to be happy...and you obviously aren’t happy right now."

Blythe was about to respond when she heard a small intake of breath from across the room. She looked and saw Josephina standing there, staring at the two of them. Josephina stood in motionless shock for a moment, then turned and strode away as fast as she could walk.

Blythe stepped away from Nadia. "I’m sorry. Nadia. I have to go." She ran after Josephina without waiting for a response. Nadia watched her go, a look of pity on her face.

Josephina strode through the wooden beams and crates of props backstage with a look of anger and hurt on her face. She rounded a corner to find Linda with Lizzie sitting up on a table. Costumes were everywhere, and Linda was trimming Lizzie’s bangs with a pair of old scissors. She stood upright when she saw Josephina and smiled brightly.

"Josephina! What are you doing here?" Her face drew serious when she saw Josephina’s expression. "What’s wrong?"

"It’s nothing," she muttered "I’m all right. Linda, is there a back way out of here?"

"Yes," Linda pointed back the way Josephina had came. She walked forward and touched Josephina’s arm. "But Jo, are you sure? Is there anything you want to talk about? Where’s Miss Dawson?"

"Mom can give you a haircut too, if you like," Lizzie piped, seeing Josephina upset.

Josephina smiled mirthlessly. "No. I just...I have to get out of here."

Blythe rounded the corner then, and spotted them. "Jo! There you are. Please let me explain. Hi Linda."

"Hello Ms. Dawson."

"There’s nothing to explain," Josephina said stiffly, shouldering past her and walking away.

"Don’t walk away from me! You’re being unfair Jo."

"Am I? Tell me...did I, or did I not see her close enough to kiss you out there! God...you do like her, don’t you? I didn’t actually believe it until now."

Blythe stamped her foot in frustration. "I don’t like her. Damnit Jo, she’s just a friend. Can’t you understand that?!"

Josephina’s face fell, and she looked suddenly very sad. She didn’t say anything. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears.

"Come on," Blythe said gently, touching Josephina’s arm. "Let’s go home, ok? I swear this is over. I told her to stop writing about us."

"I don’t want you to see her anymore. At all."

Blythe bristled. "Jo, you can’t pick my friends for me. You just have to believe me when I tell you that’s all it is. All right?"

Josephina looked at Blythe with haunted eyes. Then quietly let Blythe lead her away.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blythe’s play opened November tenth. That day was a rare one in Los Angeles because it was cloudy and there was pressure in the air. People could smell a thunderstorm coming, and it never rains in the city of angels.

The excitement was buzzing at the theatre. The new play wasn’t Shakespeare. It was a contemporary "what if" story about an american woman going off to war and befriending a young german girl there. Very campy and tongue-in-cheek, and the sort of role Blythe lived for. Everyone wanted to see if she would be able to carry it off.

She did not disappoint. Blythe awed everyone with her portrayal, making the audience laugh and cheer. And cry in a very heartfelt scene where she pounded on the young girl’s chest, crying "Don’t leave me. Don’t you leave me!"

After the performance, Blythe emerged from backstage and into the throng of people again. Cameras flashed all around her, everyone calling her name.

"Jo? Where’s Josephina?" Blythe searched through the crowd. She needed to see her more than anything.

Then Nadia Wilson was in front of her. "Oh Blythe! You were wonderful."

Blythe’s eyes widened. "Nadia! What are you...?" before she could finish the sentence, Nadia had swept her up in an embrace.

"Nadia..." Blythe sputtered and tried to push her away. Suddenly the crowd hushed.

Josephina had come up, her delighted smile suddenly dying on her face.

Everyone watched the three women to see what would happen. The air was brimming with sudden tension.

Josephina shook her head, face dark. "Damn you Blythe," she whispered.

Nadia stepped forward as Josephina turned away. "Josephina come on. Don’t be so hard on her."

Josephina turned and just stared at her. Her eyes were so cold that Nadia had to take a step back, cowed. Everyone in the room felt their blood turn to ice.

Then Josephina spun away.

Linda came out behind Blythe and saw Josephina leave. "What did you do?" She asked the actress softly, with a faint trace of reproach.

"Nothing...I..." Blythe’s head was spinning with the rapid shift of events. "Jo!" She started to go after her, but Nadia caught her arm.

"Let her go, Blythe. Don’t make her lose her temper again."

Blythe jerked her arm away, heedless of the cameras flashing around her. "Let me go! This is all your fault Nadia. You know that?"

She ran a few paces, then stopped, realizing she didn’t know where Josephina had gone.

"What are you going to do, Ms Dawson?" Linda asked.

"I have to get out of here," Blythe said, almost to herself. "I have to find her."

"But you don’t know where she is."

Blythe looked at Linda, then glanced at Nadia. "Then I’ll just have to wait for her at home. She has to come back sometime."

Nadia shook her head. "Blythe, I..."

Blythe held up her hand. "You’ve done enough Nadia. That’s enough!"

Then she turned, and pushed her way through the crowd.

When Blythe got back to their apartment, she flew around the rooms, but the writer hadn’t returned. Blythe hoped against hope that Josephina would come back that night.

She paced around the bedroom, gazing at herself in the mirror. Dark cycles hung under her eyes. She was exhausted from emotional tension. Thunder rumbled in the distance.

Blythe shook her head. This had gone on too long. She had to set things right. She should have told Nadia no from the start. She should have been more firm.

"Oh Jo..."

On the brink of tears, Blythe flopped back onto the bed. She draped her arm across her face, and closed her eyes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Something was wrong.

"Jo?..."

There was someone in the bedroom. Blythe sat up in bed, eyes wide. The sheets slid away from her silk nightgown. Her golden hair tumbled down her shoulders. She stared in fright towards the corner.

The shadows fell over the doorway, leaving it bathed in darkness. But someone was there. Blythe could see the silhouette. Lightning flashed outside, illuminating the dark outline of the figure. But not long enough to reveal the person’s face. Thunder cracked.

The figure stepped out of the shadows. The cold moonlight lit on the scissors in her hand. The point gleamed wickedly.

Blythe stared at the face as the light revealed it. Black hair. But it wasn’t long black hair. It was short, down to her shoulders.

The scissors lifted up, ready to stab.

"This is for you!"

Blythe gasped.

It was Faith.

Gabrielle’s eyes flew open. A sharp intake of breath. She froze, eyes wide and stared at Faith.

"Gabrielle?!" Faith was at the table, "...what is it?"

"Y..you were in the room," Gabrielle whispered in terror.

"What room?"

"Josephina’s bedroom."

Ms. Joyce’s mouth opened in astonishment. "You saw Ms. Dickinson in the past?"

Gabrielle trembled. "Sh...she had a pair of scissors. She was going to kill me."

Faith shook her head in protest. "This is crazy."

Ms. Joyce looked uncertain. "Maybe this means you’re finally...starting to remember your present life?"

"It means she’s been thinking about me, that’s all!" Faith cried.

"No," Gabrielle whispered shakily. "You were there. I saw you."

Faith could see frightened tears in Gabrielle’s eyes. An instinct of protectiveness began jumping madly in her chest.

"Gabrielle...I..."

Gabrielle shook her head. "No...no..."

"I think we should to take a break. Can we continue this tomorrow dear?" Ms. Joyce asked gently.

Faith cursed the hypnotist for her lack of tact. "What’s wrong with you? Can’t you see how upset she is?"

"Ms Dickinson, I really think it would be in her best interests if we got to the bottom of this."

"No." Faith said firmly, then held out her hand to Gabrielle. "Come on Gabrielle. Let’s get out of here."

Gabrielle hesitated, and looked up at Faith uncertainly. That look made Faith’s resolve crumble into hurt and bewilderment. "Please?"

Gabrielle slowly took the hand, but before they left, she said to Ms. Joyce, "I’ll call you."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

When they got back to the apartment, Gabrielle still hadn’t spoken aside from brief, one-word responses to Faith’s concerned questions. The uncharacteristic quietness of her lover reminded Faith of when they had first met, when Gabrielle hadn’t been able to speak. The silence made Faith feel uncomfortable and nervous.

Gabrielle sat at the kitchen table, while Faith wordlessly fetched her a glass of orange juice. She stood next to Gabrielle while the blonde sipped.

"I’m going to skim through this book," Faith said, holding up a copy of ‘The Soul’s Life’ she had picked up on the way home. "It’s about Nadia Wilson’s visit to Josephina on death row. Maybe it will shed a little light on things."

Gabrielle didn’t say anything. Finally, Faith couldn’t take it any more, and slid into the seat next to her.

"Gabrielle, please tell me what’s wrong! I want to help you."

Gabrielle looked away. "I’m scared Faith."

"Scared of what? You have nothing to be scared of."

Gabrielle looked at her hands.

Faith paused. "Oh...you mean you’re scared of me," she said softly.

"Faith...I..." Gabrielle fought for words, "...I don’t want to be scared of you."

"Gabrielle. These are just dreams. They’re not real! I’m starting to doubt this whole hypnosis thing is working at all. Do you remember anything more today?"

Gabrielle shook her head no.

Faith was suddenly exasperated. "I mean...why on earth would I possibly want to kill you?"

"That’s what everyone said about Josephina and Blythe."

Faith held up a finger. "Now wait one second here. I am not Josephina and you are not Blythe. That isn’t going to happen with us!"

"But you heard what Stephany said. How people keep meeting over and over..."

"I don’t believe that."

"Look, I’m not saying that Josephina meant to kill Blythe. Maybe she just...lost control." Gabrielle glanced at Faith nervously.

Faith sat back in sudden understanding. Here was the truth. Gabrielle wasn’t scared of her because of any vision. She was scared because of the way Faith had lost control last night with the muggers.

Faith felt as though a string had come undone inside her, and she struggled to choke words out through her constricting throat. "I...I see..." She rose and turned her back. "If you want to leave," she swallowed, "I’ll understand."

"No I don’t want to leave you. I’m just scared and...I’m confused...I ...I don’t know what to do...Faith I..." Faith turned just in time to see Gabrielle start to cry.

"Hey..." Faith gathered Gabrielle close and rocked her gently. "Shhh. It’s all right. Don’t cry."

Gabrielle’s quiet sobs made Faith feel like her heart was breaking. All she wanted to do was make Gabrielle feel protected and safe. She only wished she knew how.

But there was more to it than just that, a complication which Faith was only just now beginning to realize. She had been fooling herself these past few days, but now the truth seemed to be painfully clear: she was falling in love with Gabrielle.

It had happened so fast. She couldn’t explain it. And she didn’t have any idea how to say it. So she just rocked Gabrielle slowly, kissing her hair and whispering sweet nothings to her. Hoping that was enough to comfort her. She raked her mind for something to say.

The words bubbled up from deep within her mind, like a memory of something she had been told, long ago...whispered in her ear...by a spectral voice...

"I would never hurt you Blythe..."

Gabrielle gasped and thrust her away. Green eyes stared at her, wide with fright. Gabrielle tumbled back over the chair, picked herself up and backed away to the wall.

Faith cast about in confusion, suddenly realizing what she had just said. And why she had just said it. A cold draft of fear blew over her, like opening the window.

"Oh my God."

•••

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