(edited 5 Dec 2004)



*Chapter Nine*



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The door closed hard behind them; it wasnt quite a slam but it definitely had the resounding thud of finality, complete with the quick snibbing of the lock, not to mention narrowly missing catching Dana on the *****. What the *****? she queried dazedly, still trying to catch up with what was going on, Did she just

I believe weve been kicked out, Alice explained with amused wonder. She looked up at Danas expression of confusion, her brow crinkled as if figuring out the great mystery of life, when in actual fact she was merely trying to fight through the cloud of arousal to understand how they managed to get from the couch to out the door so fast.

She vaguely remembered Tina returning to find them making out and a thought dawned on her, if somewhat belatedly. But its your apartment! she argued. I cant believe she kicked us out when we stayed to support her. The athlete even pouted slightly, a little hurt at her friends actions.

The blonde just smirked. Dane, we were practically dry humping on the sofa.

Believe me, there was nothing dry about it from my perspective, Dana complained huffily, reminded of the uncomfortably wet feeling she was left with now that her arousal had been sufficiently doused. No pun intended! she grinned at her internal joke, then purposefully wiped it off her face when she saw Alice looking at her like she was insane. This is all your fault, she accused as she grabbed the blondes hand and turned to go, pulling her girlfriend with her.

Well if you werent so *****, or look so damn hot when youre turned on I wouldnt She cut off her rambling argument when she realised they were moving outside. Where are we going anyway? she asked as Dana continued to pull her along the street. Like I have a choice.

My place.

Oh, ok, great then, just what I was about to suggest, she replied, with enthusiastic agreement. Carry on then, she added in a very bad English accent, grinning widely at the look Dana shot her even as she determinedly power-walked them to her car.



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They were seated in a booth near the back of the long narrow diner, and Shane couldnt help but look around in total amazement. The place looked just like they had stepped into a burger joint from the 50s, complete with a classic jukebox that looked to her like it played only LPs. There were booths all along one wall and a bar-style counter along the other with stools that were covered in the same shiny red vinyl as the booth seats. In fact almost everything was red and white, including the clothes the staff wore, with stainless steel additions like the salt and pepper shakers and menu holder at the end of the table. It was all very stereotypical of what shed expect from a 50s style diner, but somehow it looked too well-worn and comfortable to be an imitation. She brought her focus back to the redhead sitting across from her. What is this place, it looks like something out of a time warp?

I know, its amazing, and theres a story to it as well. Lara smiled, glad her choice to bring Shane here had been a good one. This is Louies Diner, and you see that old guy at the end of the counter playing cards, thats Uncle Louie. Seeing Shane nod she continued, Louie bought this place after World War II, and he and his wife ran it until his son Joey, the guy serving people, took over in the 70s, and now he runs the family business with his daughter.

Shane kept nodding taking it all in. Wow, thats cool. How did they manage to keep it like this and not be swallowed up?

Family love and good business sense, she replied with a grin as the waitress came over for their order. Seeing that wasnt going to be enough for Shane she waited until after they had placed their orders before continuing. You see, while Louie was a good businessman, this was his dream and he was too stubborn to change it. But by the time Joey took over they were in danger of losing the whole building, so instead of changing the diner he convinced Louie to move out of the apartment upstairs and turned it into a disco club. Now his daughter Liv runs the club upstairs, Quirk, youve probably been there, its not bad.

Yeah, the scruffy brunette murmured, again looking around the diner that looked vastly different to the stylish modern club upstairs. Never knew this was under it though. She looked back at Lara, not bothering to hide her inquisitiveness when it came to this increasingly mysterious woman. So how come you know all this, and dont think Ive forgotten about the Steve Jaffe thing either, or why you were at Paulas the other night. You seem to be a woman full of contradictions, theres definitely more to you than I thought.

There burgers arrived as they continued to stare at each other, before Lara smiled enigmatically at her companion. Nah, no mystery here, Im just a rich, boarding school brat that likes to cook, she said with a wink, then picked up her burger and took a big bite.



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Dana pulled the Subaru SUV into the driveway of her condo and switched off the ignition. Alice had been unusually quiet on the drive over, seeming to become more withdrawn as they got closer to the tennis players house, and it in turn served to spark Danas own insecurity. She turned to Alice and grinned a little nervously. So, should we go inside or just hang out in the car?

Alice exhaled forcefully and glanced across at Dana. Ah, go inside, I guess, she answered with a hint of uncertainty, but seeing the brunettes worry she tried to pull herself together. Sorry, Dane, Im just a little nervous.

Yeah, me too. Part of me still cant believe this is really gonna happen, she said dreamily, staring out the window with a goofy grin on her face. The grin slid off her face as she snapped her head around to face Alice seriously. It is gonna happen, right? I mean it doesnt have to if you dont want

Dane, the blonde interrupted, grabbing her shoulders in an attempt to stave off a Dana babble. Baby, I want it to happen too. Im just experiencing a little performance anxiety.

What? You are? Why would you be? I mean, come on, Im the one with less experience here, the brunette tried to reassure her, not really understanding where Alices insecurity was coming from.

Not able to look at Dana as she explained, the blonde turned to the windscreen. Well, you know, given the heights of pleasure youve previously been taken to. She shrugged meekly, feeling herself blush and frustrated at not being able to stop it.

Dana frowned in confusion, before the metaphoric light bulb switched on and her eyes became impossibly wide, her mouth forming a silent oh.

Al, you cant be serious, Dana began imploringly. It was a one time, freak occurrence. After a considerable drought, no less. God, you saw what I was like before I got together with Lara, I was a little

Overgrown horny teenager? Alice inserted without thought only to smile at Danas melodramatic jaw drop.

Ah, ok, well, I was going to say a little sexually frustrated, but Im not a writer so I dont have your unique gift with words. She smiled back at Alice glad for the tension release. But yeah I was kinda champing at the bit before; can you imagine the mess I was in when I realised It was actually gonna happen?

Trying to grasp the meaning in Danas words Alice said thoughtfully, trying to cover the teasing smirk, So, youre saying you were ready to spurt and she just happened to be there?

Danas eyes bulged. *****, Al, do you have to put it like that? She felt a slight flush flood her features at the thought. And no, thats not what I meant; I was just trying to explain that circumstances worked in Laras favour.

It really only happened that once? Alice asked finally, eyes pleading with Dana, needing further reassurance against insecurities she rarely revealed.

Dana reached out and gently brushed her knuckles against Alices cheek. Yes, it only happened the first time. She cupped the cheek as she leaned in and kissed the blonde softly, careful to keep the kiss chaste, lest the get stuck in the car. Can we go inside now?

Yep. Alice jumped out the passenger side door. Race ya, she threw back, slamming the door and running toward the house.

But I have the keys, Dana murmured dazedly as she pulled said item from the ignition. She looked up to see Alice racing up the stairs to the front door dangling her spare key for Dana to see. Hey, not fair. The brunette quickly exited the car, remembering to lock it before running after her girlfriend who had already rushed in the front door and was making her way up the interior stairs, undoing the buttons of her shirt as she went.



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Finished eating Shane sat leaning back, slumped casually in the corner of the booth sipping her coffee and waiting for Lara to divulge the secrets she had dangled luringly like carrots. The redhead had gone to the bathroom and was now saying a quick hello to Uncle Louie, whom she appeared to know fairly well, given the hug she received and the peck on the cheek she returned. God, who is this woman? Shane thought curiously, determined to get answers as Lara made her way back.

Well? Shane prompted, when the redhead didnt respond to her raised eyebrow of inquiry.

Lara just grinned. This is killing you, isnt it? At Shanes glare she relented. Ok, I knew Liv, Louies granddaughter in college and I used to help out here on weekends. See no huge mystery.

But Shane wasnt satisfied. What would a self-proclaimed rich boarding school brat be doing flipping burgers? she asked, watching Lara carefully to make sure she was telling the truth.

Honestly, I think my father was just happy I didnt pull a Paris Hilton on him and turn into a public airhead, flipping burgers was nothing; as long as I kept my personal life discreet and didnt get my dirty deeds flashed about in the media he was ok with it.

Your father? Shane asked uncertainly.

Jonathon Perkins

The brunette almost spat out her mouthful of coffee. The senator? she blurted out, struggling not to wince at the hot coffee she was forced to swallow in a big gulp. I guess that explains how you know Steve Jaffe.

He and my father have business dealings, she stated matter-of-factly.

Ok, Shane replied calmly, trying to regain her composure, and not really interested in knowing any more about such dealings. Unsure whether she should ask her next question, trepidation crept into the husky voice, What did Jaffe mean by like mother, like daughter?

Lara shook her head with amusement. You must be a gun at twenty questions, McCutcheon; right to the point, no is it bigger than a babys arm for you.

Why dance around the issue, Ive always been more of a dive in kinda person. Amusement twinkled in her green eyes in a deliberate attempt to lessen the tension for Lara, who she knew was about to bare her secrets, and in turn share a little of her soul. Shane allowed her lip to curl into a cheeky smirk before adding, I usually like to undress first, though.

The redhead couldnt help but smile when she saw the other womans eyes light up with humour; she took a deep breath and tried to keep her voice steady as she prepared to reveal her personal history and with it the pain. My parents separated when I was twelve after my father found out my mother was having an affair with another woman. She stared into her coffee as she continued. At the time I knew nothing of what went on, only that my mother left suddenly and then I was shipped off to boarding school without explanation. Later I found out that my mother stayed in LA with the same woman, not knowing where I was and the scare tactics my fathers lawyers pushed on her stopped her from looking.

Huh. *****. It was the most articulate response Shane could come up with. Ah, sorry, she retracted, realising it probably wasnt a good idea to call her father names right now.

The redhead held up her hand to wave off the apology. No, its ok. I mean I love my father, I love both my parents, but I realise they both did some fairly questionable things. I can also understand that most of what my father did came out of a sense of hurt and betrayal. He was in love with her and thought she felt the same only to find out that she had lied to him, maybe even tried to lie to herself. She looked up at Shane, her eyes shining with the beginnings of tears and she tried to smile through them. Doesnt make up for what he did, but I cant hate him for it, you know?

Shane just nodded in understanding and placed a hand gently on top of Laras that was laying flat on the tabletop, reaching for a serviette with the other. She gently pressed the napkin into the redheads free hand before asking, So what about your mom and you? You said she stayed in LA, and given that youre in LA Im guessing you saw her again?

Yeah, I was able to meet up with her again when I was seventeen, after I got myself kicked out of boarding school and shipped back to LA. She grinned at the surprised smile on Shanes face.

You got kicked out of boarding school? What for, stealing the other kids lunch money? Shane smirked, watching the slight red tint appear on the other womans cheeks.

Moral turpitude, Lara answered with attempted seriousness, that was offset by her stifled grin and hints of laughter behind her bright blue eyes.

Excuse me?

I was, ah, caught in a compromising position with a fellow student, she explained further.

Shane raised an eyebrow, her trademark smirk remaining in place. Compromising position?

Lara couldnt help the slight grin. Yeah, she wasgoing down on me, and I thought the door was locked, but it wasnt, and the dorm supervisor walked in and got an eyeful. She looked up at Shane sheepishly, the brunette looking decidedly amused, and she couldn’t help but laugh as she added, I thought she was going to pass out.

Shane cracked up as well, both of them leaning back in their seats trying to cover their laughter with their hands. Realising they were drawing attention from the other customers they sat up and tried to compose themselves. Man, talk about getting caught with your pants down, literally. My, my, Miss Lara; you little rebel, you. Bet your Dad was pissed.

God, you have no idea how pissed he was, she revealed with a sigh, shaking her head with a small smirk, trying to keep the light mood as she thought about the tense first weeks back in her fathers house.

How did he handle the ***** thing? Shane asked and took a sip of her coffee only to realise it was now cold so she signalled the waitress for a top up.

Surprisingly well, actually she replied with a smile, which soon turned into a small chuckle. Especially considering the circumstances of my coming out. At Shanes furrowed brow she elaborated further. My father never really had a problem with that. With my mother it was more about the betrayal and the lies. The fact that she knew she was ***** even before they got married and she still did it. He never regretted the marriage, because he got me, but the lies hurt. She stopped while the waitress filled up their coffees before going on. Hes been fairly supportive of me and my life, including my sexual orientation, he only insists that I be discreet and not draw public attention to myself, and in turn him.

Maybe you shouldnt be seen with me then, Shane murmured quietly, and Lara wasnt sure if the comment was really as light-hearted as the brunette tried to make it. Seeing the odd look from the redhead Shane felt suddenly exposed, so she decided to refocus the conversation. So, your mother?

It was obvious to Lara what her friend was trying to do, but she decided not to push Shane, sensing that she would have other opportunities to find out more about who Shane McCutcheon really was. She took a sip of coffee, and kindly waited for the brunette to take one as well before saying, Didnt you wonder what I was doing at Paulas bar the other night?

Shanes eyes grew wide and her eyebrows shot up in stunned surprise before knitting together; and she was glad she had already swallowed her sip of coffee, knowing she would have sprayed it all over Lara who only looked amused at her reaction.



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