            A heavy sigh left AJ’s lips, dark bangs hanging into blue eyes, which rolled as her friend was once again shoved in the back, nearly making Mark stumble to the polished floor of the high school hallway.

            “Did you hear me, faggot?” Maury Dennison taunted, his gaggle of friends laughing behind him.  “You’re not welcome in this hallway!”

            AJ turned to meet the cruel blue gaze of the star quarterback for the Madison High School Rangers, and undeniably most revered and feared man in the entire building.  “We’re moving on, Maury,” AJ said in her usual quiet tone, this of course garnering Maury’s attention.

            “You better, freak.”

            “Yeah.  The freak and the faggot,” one of Maury’s friends muttered, making the others laugh.

            “Come on, AJ,” Mark pleaded, knowing how fiercely protective his friend was of him, considering the difference in their size.  Mark was lucky if he hit five feet five inches tall while his androgynous friend was nearly six feet tall.  Definitely the odd couple, as Mark’s mom had always referred to the friends of the past four years as.

            AJ sent one final glare Maury’s direction then allowed herself to be tugged down the hall.  AJ did her best to keep her anger in check, when what she wanted to do was go back and pummel the shit out of that arrogant ass.  The only reason she didn’t was, she knew Mark could possibly get hurt as well as she knew the rest of the football team, which followed Maury around like puppy dogs, would jump in and AJ would likely get the beating of her life.  Someday.  Someday she’d get her shot.  That son-of-a-bitch had been after her since their freshman year, which was AJ’s first year in the district.  It also didn’t help that their lockers were right next to each others.

            Dressed in her typical fare of baggy blue jeans, heavy black boots and layers of a t-shirt with an unbuttoned flannel shirt over it, AJ took androgyny to a whole new level.  Her hair was short, save for too long, shaggy bangs.  She was tall and well-built from helping what amounted to being her foster father out on the farm before she’d moved into her own place the year before, her strength easily that of any man.  In truth, she loved the fact that none of her peers really knew her, nor did they truly know if she was a guy or a girl.  She’d heard their whispers and questions, none having the guts to bring their suspicions – either way – to AJ personally.  It also didn’t help that she went by the nickname of AJ her mom had given her as a small child, rather than going by her birth name of Anna Jane.  She was definitely not an Anna Jane, that was for sure.

            AJ’s best friend, Mark was indeed a boy of small stature, but huge heart.  He had been horribly ill as a baby, which had led to his stunt in growth.  Now, petit and shy, Mark was the butt of many, many jokes, AJ’s intimidating protection the only thing that kept him from being beaten more times than not.  They had become instant friends the first day of their freshman year, and inseparable since.

            Now, as they headed towards the doors that would lead out into the courtyard of the large high school, their lunch bags in tow, AJ’s gaze fell to fellow senior, the gorgeous, wealthy and popular, Jillian Salinger.  She was Maury’s girlfriend, of course, as it would only make sense for two members of affluent families to hook up, as well as Jillian was the captain of the cheerleading squad.  In fact, this day Jillian wore her cheerleading uniform, the short skirt and shell top sporting the red, white and yellow of their school colors.

            “You know what happened last time, AJ,” Mark reminded, easily able to see where those sky blue eyes were aimed.

            AJ nodded, though kept her gaze locked on Jillian, who was putting some books into her locker.  The cheerleader bent down to pick up a pen that had dropped out of her backpack, AJ’s gaze sliding to her most gorgeous behind before she realized that she’d been busted, though not by Maury Dennison, instead by the questioning green eyes of Jillian Salinger.  Non-repentant, AJ met and held Jillian’s gaze until finally the blonde turned away, refocusing on her task.

*****

            Two days later, AJ stood in line at the school canteen to buy a bag of Doritos to go with the bottle of Pepsi she was drinking.  Not the healthiest of lunches, but it would get her through until she got home.  She felt someone step up beside her, as there were two cashiers to take and fulfill orders.  Glancing over, she saw Jillian Salinger reading looking at her phone as she dug through her purse for some money.

            “I’m thinking you want to get your ass kicked,” Jillian said casually, green eyes flashing to AJ before returning to her wallet, which she’d just pulled from her purse.

            “Excuse me?” AJ asked, dark brows drawn as they both stepped up in their respective lines.

            “I saw you,” Jillian explained, pulling a five dollar bill from the wallet.  “The other day.”

            “I saw you, too,” AJ smirked.

            “Yes, I know you did.”  Jillian fully faced her now, money in hand.  “If Maury saw that, he’d have issue.”

            AJ snorted.  “Maury has issue with any and everything.  I’m not impressed.”  She moved up, next in line, Jillian moving up as well.

            “You should be careful with him, AJ,” Jillian warned. 

            Surprised Jillian even knew her name, AJ glanced over at her but said nothing.  Instead, she ordered her chips once she was stepped up to the counter than headed outside to join Mark.

            Jillian watched AJ go, shaking her head in slight irritation as she turned to the counter to order her diet coke.  She walked to the table where her friends sat, the strange AJ still on her mind.  It wasn’t hard to notice the tall – guy? – as he was striking, but there was something about him that Jillian couldn’t quite put her finger on.  He was quiet, undeniably beautiful in a strange way, and yet something in his calm, blue eyes called to people, either luring them in or making them uncomfortable.  Jillian wasn’t sure which camp she fell into.

            Sliding into a chair at the table where her friends were talking and laughing, she sat down next to Amanda, which was her closest friend, though at an arms-length level.  Sadly, in Jillian’s world of wealthy and privilege, cattiness and distrust went hand in hand.

            “Hey girl,” Amanda said, smiling at her friend as she tore off the foil lid that covered her yogurt cup.

            “Hey,” Jillian blew out, pulling the tab on her drink and taking a sip.

            “So, what did you decide?” Amanda asked, munching on a few baby carrots.

            Jillian sighed, looking down at her diet coke, which was her lunch.  “I think I’m going to do it.”  She met her friend’s surprised eyes.  “He keeps bugging me, Manda, and I doubt he’ll stop.”

            Amanda shook her head as she popped the last bit of carrot into her mouth.  “Can’t believe you’re going to give it away to that ass.”

            Jillian snorted.  “He’s not my first, Amanda.”

            “Oh.  Okay,” Amanda said, surprised.  She never would have seen her innocent little friend as the slutty type.  She filed that information away for another time.

            Jillian looked down at the folded piece of paper in her hands as she stood in front of the locker that she believed belonged to her boyfriend.  She had to write a hand-written note as her father would kill her if he found any calls or texts to a number he didn’t recognize, as he scoured her phone bill each month.  He would kill her twice if he knew one of those numbers belonged to a boy.  He had no idea she had ever had boyfriends, preferring to think of his daughter as his perfect, innocent little angel – his words.  Jillian’s words?  He preferred to think he was in control of her every move.

            Knowing this was her last chance to get out of this, she took a deep breath then glanced up at locker 217.  With baited breath, she reached up and tucked the note through the vent in the locker, waiting until she heard the soft sound of the folded paper land.

            “No way out now,” she whispered, then turned and hurried away from Maury’s locker, and out the front door of the school for the end of her day.  She hurried to her car, knowing that she had only seventeen minutes to get home before her father asked questions. 

*****

            AJ chewed on the now-flavorless gum as she scanned her email for orders, which she was delighted to see had come in.  After the death of her parents when AJ was only eight years old, she had been forced into foster care, and after several bumpy situations, had ended up with a hardened farmer and his wife, the elderly couple looking more for cheap labor than a child to take care of.  AJ had lived with the couple until she was sixteen, deciding to trek out on her own after a fist fight broke out with the farmer, leaving AJ with two broken fingers and a horribly bruised face and heart.  She’d had enough. 

            Determined to finish school, AJ had gotten herself a small two bedroom apartment, financed by the online business she’d started where she made and sold leather crafts, ironically, a skill taught to her by the farmer.  Finding she had a natural knack for working with her hands, she had managed to do fairly well for herself, certainly well enough to keep afloat and continue with school.  Luckily, graduation would be in six months, and she could get the hell out of high school and start her life.

            She printed out the orders then went into the second bedroom, which she’d turned into her craft shop, and looked through the inventory to see what was made and what she’d have to work on over the weekend.  As she sat cross-legged on the floor, searching through carefully labeled boxes, once again her mind raced back to the note she’d found in her locker when she’d hurried to gather books for homework after running late from her last class, her teacher wishing to speak to her.

            Tucking it into her back pocket, AJ pulled it out, unfolding it for the fourth time to read over the short missive:

Alright, you win.  You’ve got one shot at this, so meet me tomorrow during lunch in the basement.

                                                                                                                        Jillian

Intuitively, AJ knew this note had been meant for Maury Dennison, but she just couldn’t bring herself to slip it into his locker, nor could she bring herself to throw it out, which she knew is what she should do.  She wasn’t entirely sure what the message was, or just what exactly Maury had one shot at, though her perpetually gutter-situated brain could certainly think of a few things, which sent a grin to her face.

AJ had known from a very early age that she was into women, and had had her first sexual experience with the older daughter of one of the foster families when she was only ten.  In fact, that little infraction in the deeply-religious family was what had gotten her kicked out and sent to live with the farmer and his wife.

Now, as she stared down at the note, she tried to decide what to do.  Jillian Salinger was gorgeous and had fueled many fantasies, but at the end of the day, it wasn’t AJ she had asked to meet her in what the students referred to as the basement, an old rundown part of the school that was no longer in use, and was set to be demolished over the summer.

Tucking the note away again, AJ got back to work.

*****

            To say Jillian wasn’t nervous was to say the sun didn’t shine from the skies above.  She was dressed in the skirt that she’d snuck out of the house, knowing full well her father would never had let her leave her bedroom, let alone the mansion she shared with her parents and live-in servants.  The skirt only reached to just above her knees.  Her legs were bare and shaved smooth.  The tank top she wore was tasteful, but easily showed off her curves to her best advantage. 

            She sat on an old wrestling mat that had been left in the space by other kids who had used toe space for who knew what.  She’d made out with a couple guys in the basement over her high school years, but this would be the first time she’d actually had sex there, during school hours, no less.  But, there was no other way: she had a certain time she had to be home and her father had to know where she was at all times on the weekends, so this was their only chance and place.

            To be perfectly honest, she wasn’t entirely sure why she was even giving into Maury’s constant advances toward her sexually.  She’d allowed him to go so far as to stick his fingers down her panties, but she’d made him stop as he was being rough, not allowing her to be ready for him.  She worried about that today; what if he hurt her?

            She let out a heavy sigh as she waited, the lighting in the basement next to nothing, so everything was in shadow, including herself.  It was good, as she didn’t want to be discovered of course, but also, she really didn’t have much of a desire to see Maury’s privates, as in truth, she found the penis and testicles to be the most disgusting thing on the planet.

            “Why am I doing this?” she whispered, leaning back on her hands and staring up at the dark ceiling.  She didn’t have long to contemplate that as she heard heavy footfalls coming closer.  Clearing her throat, Jillian sat up, running her hands down over her tank top and making sure her skirt was situated. 

            The footfalls got closer until Jillian was able to see the tall silhouette in the opened doorway of the room.  The figure stood there for only a moment before stepping inside the room and walking over to Jillian, who couldn’t make out any of Maury’s features.

            “Hey,” she said, reaching out a hand for him.  He didn’t reply, but instead leaned in, Jillian’s hand coming up to rest on the side of his face.  She wondered when he’d shaved off the fashionable stubble that he had, but didn’t ask, instead accepting his kiss.  Something was different in that kiss, a tenderness and gentleness in it that she’d never experienced with Maury before.  Something inside her was ringing some sort of alarm, but as the kiss continued, she found herself getting lost in it, pushing those alarms aside.

            Jillian found herself gently pushed back to lie on the mat, the dark figure moving on top of her, the kiss never breaking.  She was surprised to feel just how quickly she was becoming aroused, which was a whole new feeling for her, as most of her sexual experiences with guys – including this planned one – was far more out of obligation than true desire.  But, as she brought her hands up and buried them in thick hair, she sighed into the kiss, a soft tongue caressing her own.

            Jillian’s hands ran down his back, confused to find what felt like an unbuttoned shirt over a t-shirt, something Maury would never wear.  She hadn’t seen him yet that day, so perhaps he was just dressing a bit different that day.  She chose to believe that as her head fell to the side, the talented tongue that had been in my mouth moment before, now exploring her neck.

            Jillian sighed in pleasure, as once again, the touches were so tender, yet filled with worshipful passion.  She held the body atop hers closer to her, wanting to feel the warmth and weight.  A small whimper escaped as a gentle hand rested upon her tank top-clad right breast, the thumb brushing across her hardening nipple.

            “Yes,” Jillian whispered, spreading her legs as she wanted him closer against her.

            The hand that had been on Jillian’s breast left and ran down her side to her bare thigh, sliding up the muscled flesh until it was under the material, cupping a firm cheek.  Jillian raised her knees and spread her legs a bit more, moaning when she felt the hardness of his excitement pressing against her panties.  She knew she was incredibly wet and ready.

            Grabbing his head, she brought his mouth to hers again, bucking her hips up into him to give him the idea.  She knew they didn’t have a ton of time because it was only their lunch break, and besides, she didn’t know how much longer she could take his gentle attention before she exploded.

            “Do it,” she whispered, spreading her legs wider in invitation. 

She groaned when the hand that had been on her behind moved around between them, quickly unbuttoning and unzipping jeans.  Jillian’s clit jumped when she felt gentle, yet firm fingers dipping up through the leg of Jillian’s panties, easily sliding through the abundance of wetness. 

“Oh god,” she gasped, hips lightly moving with the easy strokes.  “Please,” she whimpered, fingers becoming claw-like on his back.

Without further preamble, Jillian’s panties were pushed aside and she was entered, his hips beginning to move, the thrusts quick and short, both breathing heavy as the pleasure was quick and intense.

Jillian could feel his breath on her face, as well as hear the soft sighs that came from his lips as he raised himself up to his hands, using powerful thrusts into her to finally bring them both to a powerful climax.  Jillian clung to him, crying out softly as he ground his hips into her, coaxing a second release from her body.

She was stunned when he wrapped her in a tender embrace, laying soft kisses on her lips and neck before caressing the side of her face with his fingertips, comforting her and making her feel utterly cherished.

“Thank you,” he whispered, so soft it almost wasn’t audible.  Then, with a final kiss to her lips, he pulled out and was gone, disappearing into the darkness.

Jillian sat up, her sex jumping at the movement, even as it still somewhat pulsed with the remnants of her pleasure.  She felt wet and uncomfortable, grimacing slightly as she got to her feet.  Though it had been an incredible experience, something was niggling at her, but she wasn’t sure what it was.  With a heavy sigh, she headed out of the basement and toward the rest of her day.

            AJ hurried up the stairs, doing her damndest not to trip over her work boots as she made her escape.  Her heart was pounding from both exertion and panic, as she had no idea what Jillian would do if she realized what had just happened.

            “My god,” she whispered, leaning back against a brick wall in an empty hall, shaking hands running through her hair.  “What did I just do?”  She knew she’d just taken a huge chance, and a stupid one at that.  But oh lord, it had been spectacular! 

Eyes closing as her head rested back against the wall, AJ’s hands fell to her sides as she relived the wonderful sounds Jillian had made as her pleasure had built.  Her body still pulsed from her own remembered pleasure, her clit twitching against the base of the strap-on dildo she hid within her baggy jeans.

Letting out a slow breath, she headed off to her locker to get her books for her next class.

            Jillian walked around in a bit of a daze the rest of the school day.  She hadn’t seen Maury since, but intended to meet him at his locker after class, just like she normally did.  That walk to her car was pretty much the only time they had together other than before classes.  She’d already gone to her locker and gathered the books that she’d need for a weekend of homework

            Walking up to the bank of lockers where Maury’s locker was, Jillian slowed, eyes wide when she saw AJ Cummings standing in front of an open locker, his back to her.  Her gaze scanned his clothing, which consisted of heavy work boots, baggy jeans and an unbuttoned shirt.  She couldn’t tell from behind, but she’d bet a hundred dollars that there was a t-shirt underneath that button up.

            “Oh my god,” she whispered, especially when she realized that AJ’s locker was locker 217, which was the one she’d shoved the note into the day before.  Her gaze was caught when Maury stepped up to the locker next to AJ’s.

            Jillian stopped cold, hands coming up to her mouth as she knew in her heart of hearts: that had been AJ with her in the basement, not Maury.

            AJ felt eyes on her, so slowly turned around.  Her heart stopped when she saw Jillian.  It only took two seconds of looking into huge green eyes to know that she was busted.  Not sure what to do, AJ quickly turned back to her locker, slamming it shut then hurried away.

            “Hey, baby,” Maury said, AJ’s quick exit catching his attention, then he noticed Jillian, who was pale.  “You okay?  You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”  He walked over to her and gave her a quick peck on the lips.

            “I’m good,” Jillian assured, giving him as big a smile as she could.

            “Well, good, I’m glad.” Maury placed a hand on her behind, pulling her into him.  “So, I was thinking,” he said into her ear.  “I know you gotta get home right quick, so what do you say we go for a quickie before you have to be home?”

            Jillian felt torn.  The bigger part of her didn’t want to be touched by Maury, but the guilt inside her knew she needed to make things right, if even just in her own mind.  “Tomorrow.  I’ll tell him I have to be here early to study for a test,” she promised, looking up into his blue eyes. 

            Maury grinned with a rakish nod.  “Okay.”

*****

            It had been a week.  It had been an entire week since the incident in the basement, and Jillian was trying to figure out how to handle the situation.  She’d managed to get Maury off her back by meeting him at the school early so they could steal off and she could give him what he’d been bugging her for for months.  Knowing what her father was like and what his expectations of her were, luckily Maury had enough sense to leave her alone, now.  Then there was AJ.

            Jillian had flat refused to go to Maury’s locker that entire week for fear of seeing or running into AJ.  She truly had no idea what to say to him or what to do about the situation.  It had passed through her mind to tell Maury what had happened, just so Maury could kick his ass, but then decided that Maury would likely kill AJ, and that just wasn’t worth it.

            But, now as she got ready to head to lunch, she saw him.  AJ was standing just outside the doors that led to the school’s courtyard, talking to his friend, whom Jillian thought was named Mark.  Feeling angry, Jillian marched over to the doors and outside, stopping with her arms crossed over her chest until she got the attention of the two men.

            “Can I please speak to you?” she asked AJ, voice cold.

            “See you later,” AJ said to Mark, then dutifully followed Jillian inside, surprised to find that she was being led down the stairs, headed to the basement. 

            Nothing was said between them until they stood in the dimness of the room where they’d been a week before.  Jillian had her back to AJ, arms still crossed over her chest, trying to decide how to proceed.  Finally, she let out a heavy breath, turning to look at the silhouette that was AJ.  Now, looking at him, knowing it was him, she could easily see the frame and build of her lunch time lover.  How she ever could have believed it was Maury, she didn’t know.

            “Why did you do it?” she asked simply.

            AJ let out a heavy breath, hands going to her hips.  She shook her head.  “I don’t know,” she said, voice quiet.

            “You received that note, didn’t you?”

            AJ nodded.  “Yep.  Somewhere inside I knew it was for Maury, but I guess I came just to see what was what.”

            “And if it hadn’t been so dark down here?  If I’d been able to see you?” Jillian challenged.

            AJ shrugged with an unseen smirk.  “Guess we wouldn’t have had sex then.”

            Jillian couldn’t help but smile slightly at the simple answer.  Being so close to AJ in the darkened room, alone, she felt a slight tremor go through her, knowing what he was capable of, what he could make her feel.  She tried to push it away, but it refused to leave, making her slightly breathless for a moment. 

            AJ could feel the air between them change, though she wasn’t sure why or what had happened.  She felt so drawn to the cheerleader, craved the feeling of her skin, her mouth.  “I’m really sorry, Jillian,” she said softly, taking a step closer to the blonde.  “I just…” she again shrugged, now standing just a foot away.  “It just happened.”

            Jillian’s heart began to pound, able to feel the immense body heat coming off AJ in waves, warming her from the inside out.  She nodded, gaze locking on the area where she figured AJ’s mouth would be.  “Yeah.  It just happened,” she agreed.

            “So,” AJ said, reaching her hands out to place them on a slender waist.  “What if it just happened again?”

            Jillian reached up and grabbed AJ around the neck, pulling him down into a desperate kiss, both breathing hard as the passion was instant.  Jillian felt herself pushed down to the wrestling mat, AJ falling atop of her.  As though two frenzied animals, two sets of hands worked to get Jillian’s jeans unbuttoned and off, followed by her panties.  A moment later, AJ was inside her, both moaning at the sensation. 

            “God, yes,” Jillian groaned, eyes closing in pleasure as AJ thrust into her, his hips slamming against her.

            AJ was inside Jillian for less than five minutes before they both came hard, AJ’s face buried in Jillian’s neck to muffle her cries.

            Breathing heavy, Jillian hugged AJ to her, eyes still closed and body pulsing.  She was amazed at just how much more satisfying it was with AJ – no matter how short – than it had been with Maury.

            AJ raised her head and brought her lips to Jillian’s, initiating a slow, leisurely kiss, which was returned.  She sighed into the kiss as she felt Jillian’s fingers run through her hair, sending a thrill down her spine.  She lifted her hips just enough to pull out of Jillian, but then lowered them, pinning the dildo between their bodies as she began to slowly move her hips, the latex sliding easily through Jillian’s saturated sex.

            Jillian broke the kiss as she gasped, legs falling open instinctually to bring her hardening clit into even more contact AJ as he continued the slow pass against her.  She could barely breathe as she concentrated fully on what he was doing and what he was making her feel.

            “Feels so good,” she whimpered, hands running restless patterns across AJ’s back.

            AJ lowered her mouth to Jillian’s neck, laying a hot trail of wet kisses and gentle sucks to the flesh.  “You’re so beautiful,” AJ whispered into Jillian’s ear, her words breathy as her own excitement grew.  She could tell Jillian was getting close to her second orgasm, so she stopped the movement of her hips and lifted them once more, once again entering Jillian’s body.

            “Yes,” Jillian whimpered, her body begging for release.

            AJ took Jillian’s mouth in a heated kiss as she rested on her forearms, hips pumping.  She relished the mewls of pleasure Jillian was breathing into her mouth until finally, Jillian’s entire body stiffened, her mouth falling away from AJ’s as she came.  It didn’t take long before AJ followed.

            Moments later, AJ stood near the mat, watching as Jillian finished re-dressing.  Neither of them said a word, but the air between them was comfortable, very calm.  They’d been there long enough now for their eyes to adjust to the dimness.  Jillian looked over at her, both sharing a quiet smile before the cheerleader walked over to her and without a word, hugged.

            “This should be the last time we do this, AJ,” Jillian said quietly.  “If Maury found out, he’ll kill you.”

            AJ nodded.  She wanted to say, so dump the fucker! but knew that wasn’t an option.  Jillian would never date her, and it would be a short time before Jillian either figured out the truth or became suspicious.

            “Yeah,” was all she said, placing a soft kiss atop Jillian’s blonde head, eyes closing as she inhaled the smell of her hair and skin.  She was surprised when Jillian lifted her head, suddenly their mouths meeting again.

            Jillian was mentally beating herself as she buried her fingers in AJ’s hair, pulling him further into the kiss.  She knew this was it, that she really needed to distance herself from AJ, as what she’d said about Maury wasn’t an idle threat.  The quarterback was not only a jealous kind of guy, but she knew he also hated AJ Cummings with a passion, though Jillian didn’t fully understand why. All she knew in that moment was, she was once again losing herself in the gorgeous person she was kissing, AJ’s touch and kisses easily inflaming her.

            AJ was just as lost as once again, she pushed Jillian to the wrestling mat.  She knew there wasn’t time to remove Jillian’s jeans again, so she instead insinuated a thigh between the cheerleader’s muscular thighs, Jillian’s own thigh pressing against AJ.  They both groaned at the contact, AJ’s hips immediately beginning to move as they continued to kiss.

            After two intense orgasms, Jillian truly had no idea how she could be so aroused yet again, even as her own hips moved with AJ’s.  Her hands reached down to cup AJ’s denim-clad behind, urging him to move faster and harder, Jillian already near the edge.

            AJ felt a slight bit of panic when she felt Jillian’s hands, hoping against hope that the blonde wouldn’t feel the straps of the harness she was buckled into.  She lowered herself so she was resting on one of her forearms as she continued to thrust against Jillian, her other hand worming its way up under Jillian’s shirt, cupping her bra-clad breast, the nipple rock hard against her palm.          

            “Oh god,” Jillian whimpered, arching her back to press her breast further into AJ’s touch.  “Yes….”

            Wanting to enjoy Jillian as much as possible, AJ slowed her movements, gently rubbing against Jillian in a slow, sensual caress, which drew out a long, low groan from Jillian’s throat.  She removed her hand from the blonde’s breast and brought it down to Jillian’s outside thigh, lifting it higher against her side to open Jillian up more for the insistent pressure of AJ’s thigh.

            Jillian’s knee remained raised as AJ’s hand moved back to the hem of the blonde’s shirt, pushing up the cotton until her breasts were exposed to AJ’s hungry eyes.  Using gentle fingers, she pushed the satiny cups up, fully exposing the beautiful, full flesh.

            “So beautiful,” AJ whispered, looking down at the treasure she uncovered.   She arched her back somewhat so her hips could maintain their slow thrust as she bent her head down, tongue swiping across a hardened nipple.

            Jillian hissed in pleasure, her hands once again burying themselves in AJ’s hair, encouraging him to suckle her, which he did.  It didn’t take much longer before Jillian’s body stiffened as she released once more, holding AJ – who had returned to her mouth – against her, both breathing hard.

            Distantly, they heard the bell ring, signaling that lunch was over.  AJ quickly got to her feet, helping Jillian to hers.  The cheerleader fixed her bra and shirt, looking up at him.

            “This stays between us, right?”

            AJ nodded with an assuring smile.  “I promise.”

*****

            It had been five weeks since the last encounter between AJ and Jillian.  True to their word, they hadn’t been tougher since, nor had they even spoken.  If AJ didn’t know better, she’d say that Jillian was trying to avoid her, which was fine.  It certainly made it much easier to stay away from temptation. 

A couple times she’d caught the beautiful blonde’s gaze from across the cafeteria or in the hall.  It was undeniable that the connection between them was still there, along with the memory of two amazing encounters that just could never be repeated.  AJ had simply stored those stolen moments in her mental treasure chest of beautiful memories in her life that she could take out and smile at from time to time.

            It was a cold, late February afternoon, and AJ was in need of more supplies for her online business.  She and Mark had decided to spend the day together, and had stopped off for lunch at Burger King.  Out of the corner of her eye, AJ noticed two women walk into the restaurant and was stunned to see that one of them was Jillian, the other an older version of the blonde. 

            Jillian glanced towards AJ’s direction then quickly looked away, seeming to be shaken by seeing her.  AJ’s brows drew in concern and confusion, as Jillian hadn’t acted that way in school.  As she watched, the older woman got into line at the counter, and after a few words spoken to her by Jillian, the cheerleader hurried toward the bathrooms, disappearing down the hallway.

            “Be right back,” AJ muttered to Mark, her gaze never leaving the path Jillian had taken.  Once she rounded the corner and headed down the hall, she saw Jillian standing in front of the single-patron women’s room, the door locked as another woman was already inside.  “Hey,” AJ said softly, cautiously making her way over to the blonde, who was hugging herself tightly.   “Are you okay?”

            Jillian didn’t look up at the soft words, as she heard AJ walk towards her and somehow felt his presence.  She was doing her best to not break down, even though all she wanted to do was give in to her stomach’s revolt and throw up then sob.  Finally, she let out a heavy breath and met AJ’s concerned gaze.

            “It’s ironic to see you here,” she said, voice quiet and somewhat shaky.  “I had planned to find you Monday at school.”

            “Okay,” AJ said, crossing her own arms over her chest and leaning against the wall.  “What for?”

            They both glanced over at the women’s restroom door as it opened, an employee of the fast food chain giving them both a polite smile before breezing past them, replacing her uniform hat on her head as she went.

            “Come on,” Jillian said, surprising AJ when she grabbed her by the hand and pulled her into the large, square room then shut the door and locked it behind them.

            “What’s going on?” AJ asked, once her hand was dropped and Jillian stood in the center of the room, back to her.  “What happened?”

            “I’m pregnant, AJ,” Jillian whispered, finally turning to face the brunette, tears welling in her eyes.

            AJ felt like the air had been knocked out of her lungs, so much so that she literally took a couple steps back, her back coming into contact with the wall.  All she could do was stare at the deeply-troubled blonde, hands running through her hair. 

            “Oh,” AJ managed stupidly. 

            Jillian hated herself for allowing her fear and emotions show so plainly, but she couldn’t help it.  She felt utterly alone in this, and though was relieved to finally be able to tell someone, tell AJ, she was still scared to death.  She studied AJ’s eyes, desperately looking for any spark of understanding or acceptance.  After all, she was betting the baby was his.  But, when nothing more was forthcoming, Jillian felt her heart begin to fall.

            “AJ?” she said, voice weak and scared.  “What do we do?”

            AJ met Jillian’s tormented gaze, and it suddenly hit her what Jillian was thinking.  She felt her heart begin to race, mind scrambling to try and figure out how to handle this.  She let out a breath and pushed away from the wall and over to Jillian.

            “The baby’s not mine, Jillian,” she said gently.

            “What are you talking about, AJ?  If I recall, you were there, too!” Jillian fired, her fear turning to anger.

            “Yes, I was there.”  She reached out and placed her hands on Jillian’s shoulders.  “But, the baby isn’t mine.”  She shook her head, expression reflecting the deep concern she felt for the smaller woman.  “It’s not biologically possible.”

            Jillian was about to lash out again, but stopped, argument frozen in her throat at the look in AJ’s eyes.  Realization dawned on her and she gasped, hand coming up to her mouth as her eyes widened.  “The rumors are true,” she whispered. 

            AJ could say nothing, so merely nodded.

            “Oh my god…”

            “I’m sorry, Jillian.  I never meant to lie to you, things just happened.”

            “Oh my god,” Jillian said again, stepping away from AJ and turning to the wall.  Her heart fell, so badly hoping this child was AJ’s and not Maury’s.  “Oh my god,” she whispered again, a sob bursting from her chest as it truly hit her that this child was Maury’s and that her life was about to become hell.

            “How far along are you?” AJ asked, not daring to get closer to Jillian.  She knew instinctively that the blonde hadn’t fully absorbed everything, and that it would all hit her later.

            Jillian  blew out a breath.  “Five weeks.”

            AJ nodded.  “So, it’s Maury’s then?”

            “Do you think I’m some kind of whore, AJ?” Jillian fired, her emotions getting the better of her.

            “No, of course not,” AJ said, hands up in supplication. 

            “It’s so easy for you, isn’t it, AJ?” Jillian demanded, emerald fire shooting from her eyes.  “You get the pleasure but none of the worry.  None of the pain.  You get to lie to people!  Make them feel something and then run off into the darkness!”

            AJ said nothing, as she knew Jillian was scared, as well as spoke the truth.  So, she stood there and took it, startled when there was a knock on the bathroom door.

            “Is everything okay in there?” a muffled voice asked from the other side.

            Jillian got herself together, bringing her hands up and wiping at her eyes.  She felt lightheaded from her sudden surge in upset.  Without another glance at AJ, she headed to the door and pulled it open, startling the woman standing on the other side, leaving AJ to smile politely at the startled woman before making her way out.

*****

            AJ lay in bed, hands tucked behind her head as she stared up at the ceiling.  It was Sunday night and she was set to head back to school in the morning.  She couldn’t get Jillian off her mind, her heart going out to the beautiful woman, not sure what exactly Jillian would face at home.  She knew very little about Jillian’s family, other than they were loaded and “pillars” of the community.  She did, however know about the Dennison family.  They were ruthless in business and owned pretty much half the town and half the people in it.  AJ didn’t even want to think about what they might do if they found out Jillian was having Maury’s child.

            Letting out a huge breath, AJ tried to close her eyes for sleep.  She planned to speak with Jillian the next day.

*****

            Jillian sat across from AJ in a local pizza place, the brunette talking her into letting her take her to lunch during their school lunch hour to talk.  She played with the straw in her diet coke as the two sat in silence, their lunches yet to arrive.

            “So,” AJ began, studying her fingers which were playing with the paper wrapper from the straw.  “What’s the plan?”

            “You mean other than find a handy cliff?” Jillian murmured, sitting back in the booth with a heavy sigh.

            “You have options, Jillian,” AJ said softly.

            “I won’t kill this child,” Jillian said just as softly.  She waited to continue until the waitress had delivered their respective lunches, plucking a piece of pepperoni from her huge slice of pizza and popping it into her mouth.  She found it utterly ironic that the situation both made her appetite fly off the charts and yet made her not want to touch a bite of food.  “I’m not going to make her or him die because I’m an idiot.”  She took a bite and chewed thoughtfully.  “And as for adoption,” she shrugged.  “I just don’t know.”

            “Have you told anyone?” AJ asked, grabbing one half of her halved meatball sandwich, taking a large bite.

            Jillian spared a glance at AJ.  “Just you and my mother.  I begged her not to tell my father, which I don’t think she will.”  She let out a heavy sigh, feeling her stomach roil at the thought of facing him with this.  “Not until I can figure out what I’m going to do, anyway.”

            “When will you tell him?”

            Jillian sighed again, chewing on a bite of pizza.  She shook her head.  “I don’t know, AJ.  I don’t want to tell him at all.  I’m absolutely terrified of what his family will do.”  They were quiet for a long moment, each lost in her own thoughts as they ate.  Finally, Jillian took a drink from her diet coke then met AJ’s somewhat timid gaze.  “Why?”

            AJ didn’t have to ask for clarification as she knew exactly what Jillian wanted to know.  She sipped from her own drink.  “I never meant to lie to you or to anyone else, I promise.  I’ve found it best to let people think whatever they want about me.  This time in my life will be such a small part,” she shrugged, “Nobody mattered enough for me to set the record straight with.”

            Jillian was quiet for such a long time that AJ wondered if she’d say anything else.  But, ultimately Jillian wiped her mouth with her napkin and cleared her throat, but didn’t look at AJ.  “I’m not gay, AJ,” she said quietly.  She spared a glance at the brunette.  “I’m just not.”

            AJ nodded.  “I know.  I’m sorry I put you in that position; it wasn’t right and it wasn’t fair.”

            “What do your parents make of you?” Jillian asked, feeling a bit better to get off the topic of her current situation as well as her confused feelings on what happened between herself and AJ. 

            “My folks are dead,” AJ said simply.  “I’ve been on my own since I was sixteen.”

            Jillian could only stare, stunned.  “I had no idea,” she said at length.  “I’m sorry, AJ.”

            AJ shrugged, taking a sip of her Coke. “It’s okay.  It is what it is, you know?

            “So, on your own.  As in, you have your own place?”

            AJ nodded.  “Yeah.  Just a little two-bedroom apartment, not far from the school, actually.”

            Jillian was left speechless, filled with part total respect and heartbreak for the woman sitting across from her, who it seemed had no one.  “Wow.”

            Again, silence prevailed between the two, both contemplating AJ’s situation now rather than Jillian’s.  After finishing her lunch, AJ wiped her mouth with her napkin and tossed it onto her empty plate.

            “Guess we should get back, huh?”

            Jillian nodded, using the tip of her finger to scoop up the last of the melted cheese and sauce that had fallen to her plate.  “Thanks for lunch.”

            The drive back to the school was quiet, though not an entirely uncomfortable silence, as it had been on the way to the pizza place.  AJ pulled into a parking space and cut the engine in the old Ford truck she drove.  She glanced over at Jillian, giving her a kind smile before unbuckling her seatbelt and reaching for the door handle.  She stopped when she heard a gasp come from her passenger.

            “Oh god,” Jillian whimpered, hurrying from the truck and taking off at a dead sprint to the front of the school where she saw her father’s BMW parked, the man stepping out with one of Jillian’s packed bags in his hands.  “Father!  What are you doing?!”

            AJ scrambled out of the truck, nearly falling on her face in her haste to run after Jillian.

            “You’re a wicked whore!” Jillian’s father bellowed, throwing the bag at her, Jillian barely managing to catch the heavy bundle.  “How dare you embarrass me like this!?”

            “Father, please – “

            “Don’t you dare call me father,” he growled, glaring death at her.  “You disgust me!”  He grabbed her by the shoulders, every vain in his neck and forehead popping out of his reddened skin.  “Who’s the father, Jillian?  Huh?  Who’s the goddamn father?”

            “Stop!” Jillian begged, tears streaming down her cheeks.

            “I am.”

            Jillian froze, as did her father.  He pushed her aside to stand in front of AJ, who stood tall, feet spread wide and hands balled at her sides.

            “You?” Jillian’s father growled, looking AJ over like she was nothing more than a cockroach to be stepped on.  “You want to play big man, huh you little slimy bastard?”

            AJ said nothing, simply stood her ground, chips of ice never flinching in their gaze, even as her heart pounded in her chest so hard that she was beginning to feel lightheaded. 

            “Fine.”  Jillian’s father grabbed his daughter by the arm and shoved her into AJ, nearly making her fall to the ground if not for AJ’s strong hold.  “You take responsibility for this whore, now.”  He turned to Jillian.  “I don’t want to see your face in my house again.”  With that, he turned and climbed back into his car, revving it to life before squealing out of the parking lot.

Amanda tucked herself a bit further back around the corner of the school, watching the whole drama play out.  After the sleek black BMW left, she watched wide-eyed as AJ Cummings gathered a sobbing Jillian into his arms.

“Oh my god,” she whispered.  “This is too good!”  She scurried back towards the school.

*****

            AJ sat down on the couch again, handing Jillian another Kleenex.  This time, however, AJ got smart and brought the entire box with her.  After she once again got settled next to the blonde, she reached out and took one of her hands.

            “It’s going to be okay, Jillian,” she said softly, hoping against hope that she was right.  “We’re gonna find a way to make this all work.  Okay?”

            Jillian’s tears calmed somewhat, AJ’s warm hand wrapped around her own soothing her, as well as the soft voice.  “I can’t believe this, AJ,” she sighed, using the new tissue to wipe at her eyes and nose.  “How the hell did my life get to this?  I had a good life, was getting a good education, and WHAM!”  She clapped her hands together, startling AJ.  “I allow myself to do something so goddamn stupid.”  The tears began anew.

            AJ set the box of tissues aside and pulled Jillian to her, wrapping her in strong arms, letting her cry it out.  She rubbed her back with soothing circles of her hand and rested her cheek against the top of a soft, blonde head.  Finally, Jillian began to calm once more and moved out of Jillian’s arms, blowing her nose and wiping the tears from her face.

            “Listen, why don’t you just rest for today, okay?  I’ll get you set up in my bed, which is nice and comfy, and you can watch TV or a movie or read … Whatever you want to do, okay?”

            Jillian, who felt utterly exhausted, nodded.  She was drained.  “Okay.”  She met AJ’s gaze.  “My car is still at the school.”

            AJ nodded.  “Give me your keys and I’ll grab Mark so we can bring it here.”

            Jillian gave her the keys as well as a description and license plate number.

            Twenty minutes later, AJ had changed her bed sheets and got Jillian settled in.  It was still early, not quite two in the afternoon yet, but Jillian immediately fell asleep, curling up on her side.  AJ stared down at her for a moment, her heart heavy.  Finally, she pocketed Jillian’s keys and grabbed her cell phone, flipping it open to dial Mark’s number.

*****

            “Whoa,” Mark said, eyeing his friend as they walked through the parking lot of their school, looking for Jillian’s car.  Mark had been in the middle of class when he’d received the text from AJ, asking him to meet her out front of the school.  “What are you going to do?”

            AJ shook her head.  “No idea, Mark.  Right now, all I can do is just try and be there for her.”  She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw a tow truck moving into the parking lot.  She had a very bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.  “Oh, no…”

            Confused, Mark followed his friend as she jetted across the parking lot to a beautiful dark green Mercedes that the tow truck maneuvered itself up to.

            “Hey!” AJ yelled, waving her arms as the driver stopped the truck then jumped out, sparing a glance at AJ and Mark before he began his job.  “What are you doing?” AJ raged, noting the license plate number matched that which Jillian had given her, as well as the make and model of the car.

            “Doin’ my job kid, now get outta here,” the tow truck driver growled, continuing in his task.

            “This car belongs to Jillian Salinger.  You can’t just take it,” AJ insisted, holding up Jillian’s keys.

            “This car belongs to Bob Salinger, so I can.”

            Stunned, AJ stepped back to where Mark stood, mouth hanging open and heart racing.  She had a bad feeling about all this.  How in the hell was she going to tell Jillian about this?

*****

            The apartment was quiet when AJ unlocked and opened the door, Mark following suit.  “Get me a Coke, will ya?” AJ asked, walking to her bedroom.  She pushed open the door to see Jillian still curled up, almost as though the poor woman were trying to disappear within herself. 

            Letting out a heavy sigh, AJ set Jillian’s keys down on the dresser top then softly closed the door as she headed to the kitchen, where Mark was waiting for her, a Coke in front of him and another waiting for AJ.

            “This is so fucked up,” she sighed, sitting back in the chair and running a hand through her hair, pushing shaggy bangs out of her eyes.

            “AJ, why the hell are you getting involved in this?  I mean, who the hell is Jillian Salinger to you?  What has she possibly done for you that you want to stick your neck out on the line for her?”  Mark glanced over towards the living room and the general direction of the hallway that led to the bedrooms to make sure Jillian wasn’t there to hear his words.  “AJ, Jillian and all her asshole friends have been nothing but dicks to both of us for years.” 

            “Mark – “

            “And furthermore,” Mark hissed, getting really angry now.  “That bitch’s boyfriend has been the leader of the pack for those fuckers and has terrorized me for years!  If Jillian Salinger wants to be with him and be his whore, then – “

            Before either of them knew what was happening, Mark found himself flat on his ass on the kitchen floor, a hand going up to his cheek where his best friend had just punched him.

            “Goddamn it, Mark,” AJ growled, hand aching.  She reached down and tugged the stunned man to his feet.  Once he was standing, she walked away, trembling hands running through her hair.  “We can’t let this do this to us, Mark.”  She turned pleading blue eyes on him.  “Please, Mark.”

            Mark brought a hand up to his lip, surprised to see there was no blood.  His face was red out of anger and humiliation.  Even so, he’d known AJ long enough to know how much loyalty and integrity she had.  Obviously, he was missing something. 

            “What kind of grip does this girl have over you?” he asked quietly, needing to understand.

            AJ plopped back down into her chair and took a swig from her Coke.  “She doesn’t.”  She hadn’t told Mark about her involvement with Jillian weeks before, nor the fact that Jillian had thought she might be the father.  All Mark new was, Jillian was in a bad situation – though she hadn’t told him she was pregnant – and that she was staying with AJ for a few days.

            “Then, why would you get involved?  I mean, I know you’ve been crushin’ on Jillian since our Sophomore year, but…”

            AJ met his gaze.  “She doesn’t have anyone else to help her right now.”

            “So she goes to you?”

            AJ sighed.  “There’s a lot to this, Mark.”  She shook her head.  “I can’t tell you all of it because it’s not all mine to tell.”

            “Hi.”  Both AJ and Mark turned to see Jillian standing in the archway of the small kitchen, looking shy and somewhat contrite.  “Am I interrupting something?  I can leave –“

            “No,” AJ said, jumping up from her chair as she got her bearings back.  “How are you?  Did you sleep?”

            Jillion nodded with a small smile.  “Yes, thank you.  Comfortable bed.”

            AJ grinned.  “Pillow top.”

            Mark watched the interaction between the two, more baffled than ever.  Last he knew, his best friend was staring at Jillian Salinger’s behind, and now they were speaking like comfortable friends.

            “Jillian, I’m sure you’ve seen Mark around,” AJ continued, completely unaware of his friend’s confusion.  “Jillian, Mark Stigler, Mark, Jillian Salinger.”

            “Hi, Mark,” Jillian said softly.  “I think we had a speech class together last year.”

            Mark nodded.  “Yeah.  Hi.”  He raised his hand in a weak wave then turned to AJ.  “Well, I gotta go.  Are you coming tomorrow or do you want me to get your homework for you?”

            AJ turned to look at Jillian, trying to read her state of mind.  A moment later, she turned back to Mark.  “If I’m not at our regular spot in the morning, yeah, get my homework.  I’m not sure yet.”

            Mark nodded, and without another word, left, leaving Jillian standing somewhat uncomfortably in the kitchen with AJ, able to feel a bit of tension between the friends.

            “Everything okay?” she asked, taking a seat at the small round table.

            AJ nodded, reclaiming her own seat.  “Yeah,” she sighed, knowing that she had the awkward position of telling Jillian about her car.  “He’s just a bit concerned about what’s going on because he doesn’t really know what’s going on.”

            “You didn’t tell him?”

            AJ shook her head.  “Not his business.”

            “Thanks, AJ.  I appreciate it.”  Jillian was quiet for a  moment, staring down at her hands, which fidgeted with each other.  Finally, she let out a breath and met AJ’s calm blue gaze.  “Did it go okay with my car?”

            “It – “ AJ cleared her throat as her voice cracked a bit.  “It,” she tried again, “there was a problem, Jillian.”  She briefly met worried green eyes, which after Jillian’s earlier cry, nearly glowed emerald: so beautiful.  “When Mark and I got there, a tow truck was pulling in.”

            “What?  A tow truck?  What for?” Jillian’s voice was filled with panic.

            “Your dad got to it first,” AJ explained gently.

            “How do you know it was my father?” Jillian whispered, hands in front of her mouth.

            “Is Bob Salinger your father?” AJ asked.  At Jillian’s nod, AJ sighed.  “There was nothing we could do.”

            For the third time that day, Jillian broke down into sobs, her head falling into her hands.  AJ was off her chair in a heartbeat, on her knees in front of her, holding her as she cried.

            “It’s okay, Jillian,” she whispered, caressing soft blonde hair.  “It’s all going to be okay, I promise.”

*****

            As light began to shine around the edges of the closed blinds that covered AJ’s bedroom window, Jillian stared up at the ceiling.  She’d been awake for about an hour, her mind reeling with the events of the past few days, starting with finding out about the pregnancy to the realization that she had been effectively kicked out of her own family.  She knew her father would be angry, but she had no idea he’d be so vindictive.  She knew him well enough to know that this wasn’t just him going through an angry phase: he meant what he said.  In Bob Salinger’s society-conscious eyes, his one and only daughter had marred his name and made him look a fool.  That alone was grounds for her disownment. 

            All that said, now she needed to figure out where her mother’s role was in all of this.  She truly didn’t feel that her mother would betray her, but she just wasn’t sure, now.  Then her thoughts turned to AJ and what she’d done for her in the past eighteen or so hours.  She also thought about what AJ had blurted out to Jillian’s father: I am.  She had taken responsibility, just so Jillian could keep the true identity safe from her father.

            Turning to her side, Jillian was faced with the wall where the closed door to the bedroom was.  Her gaze fixed on the door, knowing that AJ was somewhere on the other side.  Perhaps sleeping on the couch?  Maybe in the second bedroom?  The night before had been a fight, as Jillian wasn’t comfortable with kicking AJ out of her own bed, but ultimately AJ had won, insisting that if Jillian didn’t sleep in her bed, nobody would.

            Jillian smiled slightly at that, at AJ’s stubborn expression, letting the blonde know she meant business.  Jillian had to wonder how she’d missed this incredibly kind-hearted person all those years.  Yes, she’d known who AJ was – very few didn’t, just from the strange demeanor and incredibly stunning looks – but she’d never really given AJ much thought.  In fact, that day, more than a month ago, when she’d warned AJ while they both stood in line at the canteen, had been the first words spoken between them.

            Her attention was snagged when she heard movement beyond the closed door.  Pushing the covers off of her, Jillian tossed her legs over the side of the bed and pushed up on bare feet.  She could tell her mother had packed the large back her father had literally thrown at her, as all her favorites were in there, including her silk pajamas, which was a set of emerald green button shirt and pants, which flowed around her legs as she walked.

            In the living room, she saw AJ standing at the couch dressed in purple boxers with bumble bees on them and a tank top, folding the sheets she’d used the night before, her comforter already folded.  It was the least amount of clothes she’d ever seen AJ in, and in truth, to see the brunette’s breasts cupped lovingly in the somewhat tight tank top was a bit startling.  In her quick scan of AJ’s somewhat scantily-clad body, she could see that it was indeed a beautiful one.  Definitely very female.

            “Hey,” AJ greeted, noticing the blonde standing at the entrance of the small living room, unwittingly snapping Jillian out of her perusal. 

            “Good morning,” Jillian said with a small smile, a hand running through her hair to attempt to get the long strands in some semblance of order. 

            “G’morning.”  AJ flopped the folded sheet on the growing pile of linens and faced her guest, a welcoming smile on her face.  “Sleep okay?”

            “Yeah,” Jillian said, walking further into the room.  “Actually, I slept amazingly well, thank you.”

            “I’m telling ya,’ AJ joked, “the pillow top will do it every time.”

            “I’ll definitely have to look into getting one once I land.” 

            Jillian’s innocent comment brought the gravity of the situation back to the light of day.  “Yeah,” AJ said, a hand coming up to cup the back of her neck.  “Are you coming with me today?  To school?”

            Jillian sighed, again running her hands through her hair.  “Yeah.  I have a test today.”  She met calm, friendly blue eyes.  “Luckily I studied over the weekend, huh?”

            AJ smiled, nodding in understanding.  “I was thinking last night, after you went off to bed.  Why don’t you just stay here for a few days, kind of let the situation absorb a bit?”

            “Oh, AJ,” Jillian said, voice soft and filled with respect.  “Thank you, but I can’t do that to you.  I really can’t barge in on your life like this.”  She looked down as she wiggled her toes in the carpet.  “Besides,” she began softly, looking up to meet AJ’s gaze.  “It’s true.  You have absolutely no reason to be so kind to me, AJ.  No reason at all.  My friends and Maury have tormented you and your friend, and I never did anything to stop it.  For that, I’m sorry.”

            AJ felt her blood go cold.  She turned away, unable to look at Jillian.  “You heard that, huh?”

            “Yeah.  I’m sorry, I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop or anything, but the apartment is small, and – “

            “No, it’s okay.”

            “Your friend was right to be angry, AJ.  He had every right, and so do you.”  To her chagrin, she felt emotions rising once again.  She just prayed the next eight months weren’t going to be so damn emotional.  “I’m just really sorry.”

            “You’re killin’ me, Smalls!” AJ gushed, referring to one of her favorite movie quotes as she walked the few feet over to Jillian and took her into a hug.  “I absolutely cannot stand to see a woman cry,” she said into the embrace.  “We all make mistakes, Jillian.  Please stop beating yourself up.  I’m going to have to take stock in the Kleenex company.”  AJ smiled when she heard Jillian’s soft chuckle at that.      

            Jillian gave AJ a quick squeeze then pulled out of the hug.  “Thank you for everything, AJ.  Really.”  Jillian squeezed AJ’s arms then stepped fully away.  “Is it okay if I shower?”

            “Yes, please.”  AJ led the way to the bathroom, showing Jillian where any and everything was that she might need.

            Left alone, AJ went into her bedroom, glancing over at the bed.  She still couldn’t believe that Jillian Salinger had slept within her sheets the night before, and was standing in her shower stall at that very moment.  She grabbed herself some clothes for the day and then put her bedding away that she’d used to sleep on the couch with as she waited for Jillian to finish so she, too could get ready for the day.

            Sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee from the small, four-cup maker she had, AJ thought about the situation at hand.  Part of her was relieved that Jillian had decided to move on and stay with a friend, after all, AJ truly had no idea just how much she could do for Jillian.  But, in truth, a truth that surprised her, she was disappointed.  She wasn’t joking when she told Jillian that she couldn’t stand to see a woman cry.  It was a horrible weakness for AJ, and when she saw it, she felt uber protective of the woman.  Right now, that woman was Jillian.

*****

            To say that AJ’s attention was not on the class was a complete understatement.  She was bored and restless and just wanted to get through her day.  She hadn’t seen Jillian since they parted ways upon arriving at the school.  AJ had no idea what the day would bring, and couldn’t help but feel eyes on her at every turn, which she knew was ridiculous.

            As she sat in class, she heard a few snickers from the back of the room, a few seats behind her own.  She turned in her seat only to see two girls, heads together, looking right at her, giggling.  She glared at them, which quickly made them part and focus on their notes.  AJ had no sooner turned back around in her seat when she felt her cell phone vibrate.  She slipped it out of the pocket of her baggy pants to see a text from Mark.

MARK: WTF???  WTH is everyone saying ur the father of J’s baby??!!!??

            AJ nearly choked when she read the text, having to read it about a hundred times before it fully sunk in.  She quickly replied.

AJ: WHAT??

MARK: Ppl r saying u got Jillian pregnant.  ???

            AJ looked around the classroom again, and swore that even the teacher was looking at her strangely.  Oh my god!

AJ: Long story.  Meet me after school.

            AJ barely got that text off when one came in from Jillian.

JILLIAN:  OMG!!!!

AJ: I know.  I heard.

JILLIAN: Meet me in the basement at lunch.

            Jillian felt like she was going to vomit as she paced the floor in the basement.  She’d left her last class a few moments early so she really could vomit.  That was certainly an aspect of this pregnancy thing that she hated.  She felt utterly sick, her skin clammy to the touch and pale to the sight.

            “My god,” she whispered, hands coming up to clasp in front of her mouth as she continued her pacing on the very wrestling mat that she’d spent those wonderful moments on with AJ.  “My god, my god, my god…”  She pulled her cell phone out to check on the time.  AJ was late, which was making her feel even more nauseous.  “What if she doesn’t show up?”

            AJ nearly ran down the flight of stairs, desperate to get to Jillian in the basement.  They needed to have a serious talk!  Who the hell had spread it around school that, not only was Jillian pregnant, but that she was the father?!?

            Suddenly, AJ was grabbed by the back of the shirt and slammed back into a bank of lockers, which nearly knocked the breath out of her as she fell to the floor.  Standing over her was Maury Dennison and three of his football friends.  Oh boy.

            “I’ve been looking for you, freak!” Maury growled, grabbing AJ by the front of her shirt and pulling her to her feet again, only to once more slam her into the lockers.  He got into her face, eyes filled with hatred.  “What the fuck, you little bastard?” he yelled.  “What the fuck is this shit I hear, huh?”  SLAM.  “Huh?” SLAM, SLAM.  He pulled AJ away from the lockers only to throw a fierce punch with his right fist, sending AJ sprawling to the floor. 

            “Damn it, AJ!” Jillian hissed, once again checking the time.  Soon they’d run out of time to talk.  She went to her text screen and sent out another text, asking where the hell AJ was.

            “I’ll fucking kill you, Cummings!” Maury yelled, issuing a devastating kick to AJ’s side as she tried to scramble to her feet, knocking her back down with a loud grunt.  “Get up!  Get up, freak!” 

            AJ rolled away from another kick, managing to get to her knees.  She knew her lip was bleeding badly, but ignored it as she stood on shaky legs.  She glared at him, trying her best not to show the fear and pain that she was feeling.

            “You’re dead!” Maury yelled, coming at AJ again, delivering a haymaker that sent AJ slamming back into the lockers, her wrist banging against one of the locks.  She barred her teeth at the shocking pain that shot through her hand and arm.

            She sent a vicious kick to Maury’s stomach as he came at her again, making him stumble back into the drinking fountain, nearly knocking one of his watching buddies over in the process.

            “How’d you get her to let a freak like you touch her, huh?” Maury growled, getting his footing back. 

            “Probably fuckin’ raped her,” one of the football players muttered.

            “Is that it?  Huh?” Maury asked, his friend’s words revving him up all over again.  “I’ll fucking kill you for that, you fucking piece of shit!” 

            As Jillian neared the top of the stairs, she could distantly hear what sounded like cheering and laughing, then a loud bang against what sounded like lockers.  She slowed her pace, a bad feeling niggling at her gut.

            “Come on, freak!  Gimme your best shot!” was yelled.

            Immediately, Jillian knew it was Maury’s voice.  “Oh no,” she breathed, running up the remainder of the stairs and down the hall.

            AJ was sent sprawling again.  Just when she was about to lay a nasty uppercut, she was shoved from behind by one of the others who were standing around watching.  She groaned as she smacked her chin on the floor, which in turn made her bite her tongue.  Once again, blood was oozing down over her lip, the warm, coppery taste making her want to throw up.

            She was about to pick herself up when she grunted, a kick delivered to her thigh, an immediate Charlie horse. 

            “No!  Stop!” was screeched.

            AJ looked in time to see Jillian push through the gathered crowd and fall to her knees over AJ.  “Stop it, Maury!”

            “Get the fuck out of the way, you fucking whore!” Maury roared, whipping his leg back for a kick to Jillian’s side.

            AJ had just enough presence of mind left to grab Jillian and roll her out of the way, taking the kick to the kidney. 

            “Enough!” someone yelled.  “You do that again and I’ll have you in cuffs, Dennison!”

            AJ glanced over to see that it was the school’s security officer who had finally shown up.  Knowing she and Jillian were safe, she let her head drop and eyes close.

*****

            AJ groaned when she felt the immense pounding in her head and pretty much the rest of her body.  Her eyes slowly blinked open only to find that a halo of faces were looking down at her.  She recognized the school principal, Mrs. Gregor as well as the security officer and school nurse.  Jillian’s face finished off the four.

            “He’s coming around,” Jillian murmured.  It was then that AJ realized Jillian was holding one of her hands, so gave it a gentle squeeze.  The small smile Jillian gave her let her know she felt it.

            “Okay,” Jillian murmured, trying to maneuver AJ through the newly-unlocked apartment door, one of AJ’s arms around her shoulder the other around Mark’s.  “We’ve almost got her…”

            Finally, the trio made their way to the couch where AJ was gently lowered until she sat.  She felt utterly exhausted and depleted of energy.  The nurse had given her the okay to go home, as AJ had no broken bones, needed no stitches, though was warned that she would be one big bruise and would be in a great deal of pain over the next few days.

            “Are you okay?” Jillian asked, kneeling in front of the couch and unlacing one of AJ’s boots at a time, tossing the heavy footwear aside.

            AJ nodded.  “I think so.”

            “Jesus,” Mark said, looking down at his friend from where he stood.  The beating had happened less than two hours before, but it was already apparent what damage had been done.

            “Mark,” Jillian said softly, “would you please get the ice packs the nurse gave us into the freezer?”        

            With a nod, Mark left them, doing Jillian’s bidding.

            Jillian pushed up from the floor and sat gingerly on the couch next to AJ, never taking her eyes off her.  “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.  “I’ve made things such a mess for you, AJ.”

            AJ looked into Jillian’s tormented eyes and gave her a weak smile, flinching as it hurt like hell to do it.  “Don’t be,” she assured, reaching out and weakly squeezing Jillian’s hand, even as she wanted to cry from the beating she’d taken.

            “Maybe a hot bath?” Mark suggested, re-entering the living room.  “The nurse said that might help a bit.”

            Jillian nodded up at him, returning her gaze to AJ.  “Want a hot bath, AJ?” she asked gently.  “Relax a bit, maybe.”

            AJ accessed all her moving parts, trying to determine if she had the energy to even move.  “Okay,” she said at length, nodding stupidly. 

            Jillian stood from the couch and walked over to Mark.  “Thanks so much for all your help, Mark,” she said softly.  “I can get her into the bath.”

            Mark nodded numbly, not sure what to do or say.  He glanced over at AJ.  “See you later, ‘kay?”  At AJ’s nod, Mark turned and left.

            “Come on,” Jillian said softly, taking AJ’s hand in hers and tugging, gently and slowly getting AJ to her feet.  “One foot in front of the other.”

            AJ began to take a few steps but then stopped.  “No,” she muttered, eyes droopy from the pain meds the school nurse had given her.  “I think I might drown.”

            Jillian was surprised at the words, but one look at AJ’s dopey expression and somewhat slurred words, she knew it wasn’t a good idea.  “Okay.  Let’s get you into bed instead.”

            AJ long ago asleep, Jillian sitting on one of the kitchen chairs that she’d carried in from the other room in the corner, watching her.  The sun was starting to go down and Jillian felt her eyes grow heavy.  Though it was still relatively early, the weight of everything was weighing down on her, leaving her to feel slow and sluggish.  She uncurled her legs from under her and made her way the couple feet to the bed and climbed in, pulling the covers up to her chin and promptly fell asleep.

            AJ groaned as she came to the world of the living with a great deal of pain in her … well, everywhere.  She blinked her eyes open just enough to look around and figure out where she was at.  Quickly she determined she was in her own bedroom in her own bed, though wasn’t alone.  A glance to her left revealed Jillian asleep next to her.  The blonde was lying on her right side, hands curled up under her chin, and looking like an adorable little girl at rest.  The one thing, AJ noticed, that broke the illusion of that rest was the wrinkle between slightly drawn dark blonde brows.  Even in sleep, Jillian was worried.

            AJ couldn’t help but reach out a hand – painfully so – and use her thumb to try and smooth out that wrinkle.  The gentle touch woke Jillian, green eyes blinking into awareness.  AJ gave her a weak smile.

            “Hey,” Jillian whispered, looking over AJ’s deeply bruised face in the light of the morning.  “How are you feeling?” she asked, wincing slightly as her gaze traveled across all the injuries AJ had taken for her.

            “Like I’ve been beaten up,” AJ murmured, though the slightest grin curling her lips.

            “I’m sorry,” Jillian whispered, taking AJ’s hand which had fallen from Jillian’s face to the bed, and holding it between her own.  “Is there anything I can do?  Anything you want or need?”

            “A kiss to make it feel better?” AJ teased, never in a million years thinking Jillian would actually do it.  To her surprise, a soft smile spread across Jillian’s lips as she leaned up on her forearm, leaving slightly over AJ’s prone form.

            “Well,” Jillian acknowledged, “You did get all these boo boos because of me.”

            AJ closed her eyes as Jillian neared, releasing a soft sigh as softer lips made their way to each bruised or cut area, taking their time to gently make each wound feel better.  AJ felt her heart beginning to race at the feel of Jillian’s soft touch, as well as her smell completely surrounding AJ.

            Unaware of how the brunette was being affected by her presence, Jillian brought up a hand to gently roll AJ’s head to the side a bit so her face would be more facing Jillian.  Her heart hurt a little bit more as she had to kiss more and more wounds on that beautiful face.  The final wound was AJ’s cut lip.  Jillian looked down at those full lips for a moment, remembering all too well what they were capable of, though pushed that out of her head.  With slight hesitation, she leaned down one final time, placing the softest of all kisses on the soft fullness of AJ’s lips.  She did her best to deny the butterfly that began to beat within her stomach when she felt AJ return the kiss.

            “All better?” she asked, pulling away and back to her side of the bed.

            It took AJ a moment to get her bearings back, but once she did, she could sense a tension in the air, and it wasn’t necessarily all good tension.  She grinned, even though it hurt to.  “You know, I do have injuries – “ she began to push the blanket up and off her torso, laughing when Jillian swatted playfully at her.  Tension broke.

            “I’m going to stay home with you today,” Jillian said, resting her head in an upturned palm.  “I really don’t like the idea of you being left alone.  It’s Wednesday, so my guess is, you won’t even be remotely human again until the weekend.”  She met AJ’s troubled gaze.  “So, if it’s okay with you, I’ll stay here with you until I feel confident that you’re healed okay.  Okay?”

            AJ nodded, giving her a small smile.  “Yeah, totally okay.  I really appreciate it, Jillian.”  With a groan, AJ sat up, wincing as everything hurt in that move.  “I need to call Mark,” she sighed.  “Ask him to get my work from today and yesterday.”  She glanced at Jillian.  “Want him to get yours, too?”  At Jillian’s nod, AJ reached for her phone, which rested on the bedside table.  Before she dialed, she glanced at Jillian again and gave her a sheepish grin.  “Would you please start a pot of coffee?”

            Jillian’s brows raised.  “You drink coffee?”

            “Doesn’t everyone?”

            With a chuckle, Jillian shook her head and climbed out of the bed.  “What do I do?”

            After giving instructions, Jillian left AJ alone to make her call.  She wasn’t sure if Mark was going to answer as the phone rang twice, three times, and finally on the fourth ring, she got a breathy answer.

            Grinning into the phone, she asked, “Get lucky, little Marky?”

            “Yeah, fuck you,” he muttered.  “James Franco hasn’t returned my calls, yet.”

            Again, AJ chuckled.  “Well, keep holding your breath.”

            “If I do, then I’ll have a blue face to match something else blue,” he quipped.  “How are you doing today?  You took one helluva beating yesterday, AJ.”

            “I’m moving.  Slowly.  But, I’m moving.  Listen, I need you to get school work for me and Jillian, okay?”

            “Yeah, I figured.”

            Jillian popped her head inside the opened bedroom door.  “Coffee is brewing,” she announced.  “Mind if I take a shower?”

            AJ lowered her phone away from her mouth.  “Oh, thank you; you’re a goddess.  And please, help yourself to anything you want.”  Left alone again, she put the phone back to her mouth.  “Not sure when I’ll be back.  Maybe Monday,” she told Mark.

            “Yeah.”  He was quiet for a moment, then, “So, are you going to tell me what all this is about?”

            AJ rested back against her pillow, letting out a heavy sigh.  She glanced towards the direction of the bathroom just outside in the hall, speaking once she heard the shower start.  “Jillian and I hooked up – long story how, so don’t ask – and at the same time, she and Maury had sex once.  She got pregnant.  She thought it was mine, which obviously it isn’t, and once her father got wind of what happened, he went ballistic, so I claimed the baby was mine to get him off her back and so Maury wouldn’t find out.”

            Mark was stunned by his friend’s breathless ramble on recent events.  “What?  Since when is Jillian Salinger a dyke?”

            “She’s not,” AJ corrected, eyeing the hall to make sure she wouldn’t be surprised by the blonde overhearing her conversation with Mark.

            “Then how – “ Mark cut himself off.  “Ohhhhhh.  Oh, shit!  She knows now, right?”      

            “Yeah.  I had to tell her when she thought I was the father.”

            “Oh man,” Mark laughed.  “What a fucked up situation!  So, now that you’ve told her dad that you’re the father, now what?”

            “Noooooo idea.  She wants to stay here with me through the weekend.”

            “Why?”

            “Says she’s worried about me, after yesterday,” AJ explained.

            “Awwwww, how sweet,” Mark cooed.

            “Shut up, Mark.”  AJ’s ears perked when the water shut off.  “I gotta go; she’s out of the shower.  I’ll talk to you later.”

            “Okay.  I’ll be by tonight after school with your and Jillian’s work.”

            Phone shut and set on the bedside table, AJ groaned as she slowly moved her legs off the bed, feet hitting the carpet.  She sat still on the edge of the bed for a long moment, trying to get up the gumption to actually stand.  She had to pee like crazy as well as she was craving a cup of coffee, which she could now smell.

            “Are you okay?” Jillian asked from the hall, just outside AJ’s opened doorway.  She was dressed in a pair of mesh shorts and oversized t-shirt, her hair caught up in a bath towel.

            AJ nodded, slowly making her way towards Jillian and the door.  “Slow but sure.”

            Jillian tossed the t-shirt and panties she’d changed from to the floor and grabbed AJ’s arm, insistent on helping her to the kitchen to sit down.

            “Jillian, really, I’m fine – “

            “Nope,” Jillian interrupted, beginning to search through the cabinets until she found the three coffee cups that AJ owned.  “Which is your favorite?” she asked, indicated the trio.  She snagged the large, black one that AJ pointed at then poured a steaming cup of coffee.  “How do you take it?”

            “In the cabinet above the microwave there should be a box of little packaged sugars.  Two sugars and, if you open the fridge door, you’ll see a bottle of mocha flavored coffee creamer on the door.”        

            Following AJ’s instructions, Jillian go the cup of coffee ready to perfection then placed it in front of AJ at the table.  “Are you hungry?  I know the nurse gave you an extra pain pill, so if you want to take it, you really should eat something.”

            AJ couldn’t help but smile at Jillian’s mothering.  “I think you’re going to make a great mom,” she complimented, her smile growing at the slight blush that colored Jillian’s cheeks.  “I think I’m going to hold off on the pain pill for today and save it for tomorrow.  They say it’s always worse on the third day.  I think today I’ll just suffice with ibuprofen.”

            ‘Where is it?  I’ll get it for you?”

            “Nah, it’s okay.  I need to pee something awful, and that’s where it’s at, so…”

            “Okay,” Jillian smiled, disappointed she couldn’t do something for AJ.  Her guilt was really beginning to eat her alive.

            AJ could easily see and sense the turmoil broiling within the blonde.  She pushed up from the chair, coffee mug in hand, and walked over to where Jillian stood by the counter.  She took her in a quick one-armed hug before heading off to the bathroom.

*****

            To say that AJ was surprised was an understatement.  Jillian had been staying with her for a total of five days now, and for the absolute loner that AJ was, she had thoroughly enjoyed the company of the pretty blonde.  Jillian had been more than solicitous of AJ’s every need, and they’d had a few really great talks and laughs along the way. 

            Now, Friday afternoon, AJ was surfing through email orders for her business as Jillian had borrowed her truck to hit the store to pick up a few things they thought they might need over the weekend.  AJ was surprised to hear a knock at the door.  She shut down her email and pushed up from the desk chair and walked through the small apartment to the front door.  Expecting to see Jillian with an armful of groceries, she was surprised to see the older version of Jillian that she’d seen at Burger King the previous weekend.

            “Hello,” the woman said.  “Are you AJ Cummings?”

            “Yes,” AJ looked passed the woman to see if anyone else was with her.

            “I’m here by myself.  I came to talk to Jillian.  I …” she looked down before once again meeting AJ’s gaze, her own eyes filled with concern and uncertainty.  “I was told she might be here.  With you.”

            “She’s not here right now,” AJ said.  “She should be back in an hour or so.”

            “I’m Lucile Salinger, Jillian’s mother.”

            AJ nodded.  “Yeah.”

            “Can we perhaps talk, AJ?”

            AJ considered for a moment, then stood back, allowing the older woman to enter before she closed the apartment door behind her.  “The kitchen is that way.”

            Once settled, Lucile looked across the table at AJ, her brows drawing as she took in the fading bruises on AJ’s face.  “Please tell me Bob didn’t do that,” she whispered.

            AJ sat back in her chair and shook her head, arms crossing over her chest.  “No.  What can I do for you, Mrs. Salinger?”

            The older blonde let out a heavy sigh.  She looked as though the weight of the world were on her shoulders.  “I won’t lie to you, Mr. Cummings.  I’m not happy about this situation, and if I could turn back the clock and stop it from happening, I would.  However, it has happened, and I can’t just send my only daughter out to the wolves, as my misguided husband intends to do.”  She studied the clear blue eyes of the person sitting across from her.  “I assume the two of you have discussed the situation?”

            AJ nodded.  She swallowed, as she knew they were beginning to get into some very dangerous territory.  She was about to have to answer questions that were solely Jillian’s decision.  Knowing she had few to no options, so played along.

            “Yes.  We have.”

            “And, what has been decided?”           

            AJ started to speak but then had to clear her throat as her voice cracked a bit.  “We’ve uh, we’ve decided to keep the baby.”

            Lucile looked down at her hands, which fidgeted in her lap.  She nodded, shoulders falling.  “I figured as much.  I taught my daughter to revere life.”  She met AJ’s gaze with a small smile.  “Ironic, isn’t it?”  When AJ said nothing, Lucile grabbed her purse from where she’d set it on the table.  Digging inside, she brought out an envelope, laying it on the table.  “I don’t wish to see Jillian throw away her life or her future over this, and I won’t allow my husband to do the same.”  She picked up the envelope.  “This child is my granddaughter or grandson – though I must say, I certainly didn’t think I’d be saying that for quite some time.”  She let out a heavy sigh and placed the envelope in front of AJ.  “Give this to her, AJ.  I want to be sure she’s cared for, as well as this pregnancy.”

            With those words, Lucile pushed back from the table, hitching her purse up onto her shoulder.  She gave AJ a small smile.  “Thank you, Mr. Cummings.  I appreciate you giving her a place to stay.”

            “Please call me AJ,” AJ requested, getting to her own feet.  She was just grateful as hell that she was dressed in jeans and her usual baggy attire, or this situation could have been much worse.  The woman was trying to reconcile the fact that her daughter is pregnant and has been disowned by her father.  The last thing she needed was to think that her daughter was a lesbian, too.  “No thanks needed, Mrs. Salinger.  This is a tough situation for a lot of people, but I’m willing to stick it out to the end with her.”  Though the words seemed foreign to her own tongue, somehow she knew she meant them.

            Lucile looked AJ over, then finally met her eyes again and nodded.  “Thank you.  Please tell her to stay in touch; she knows how.”

            AJ nodded.  “I will.”

            Jillian pulled the truck into a parking space in the apartment complex’s lot.  She winced as she ground the gears of the stick shift, again.  Her Mercedes had been an automatic.  She was surprised that she’d been able to get all the way to the store without leaving AJ’s transmission on the street halfway there.

            Turning the truck off and pocketing the keys, Jillian climbed out of the old orange and white Ford and slammed the heavy door shut after pushing the pin lock.  She wasn’t used to manual locks.  In truth, she wasn’t used to manual anything.  She moved to the somewhat rusty bed of the truck and gathered up the plastic bags that she’d loaded in the back. 

A little known fact about her was, at home during the summers, she would often spend her days in the kitchen with the family cook of thirty years, learning how to make some of the most amazing dishes.  Cooking had been a wonderful escape for her.  While at the store, Jillian had conceptualized a menu to make for her and AJ, and had bought all the ingredients they’d need.  It would be more than a week’s worth of food and meals.  Yes, she was due to leave within the next day or two, but she figured why not: if nothing else, AJ could freeze the dishes and heat them up as she needed them.

She grunted as she loaded herself down, wishing she’d had the forethought to call or text AJ and ask for her help.  But then, AJ was healing, and she didn’t want to make things worse.  Yes, she knew she was being entirely over protective of AJ, but she couldn’t help it: AJ had been there for her more in the past week than most had in her entire eighteen years.  Taking care of the brunette right now was the absolute least she could do.

She made her way up the two flights of stairs then, using the toe of her shoe, tapped loudly on the door, hoping AJ would hear it, as her hands were too full to open the door herself.  She waited for a moment then “knocked” again.  She was about to drop her load and open the door herself when the door was opened, AJ standing on the other side.

“Can I help you?” she asked, brows raised in friendly greeting.

“Ha ha,” Jillian growled.  “Now, move aside before I drop everything!”

Amused and certainly surprised to see the amount of bags Jillian was carrying, she quickly snagged as many as she could from her before Jillian hurried inside and to the kitchen.  AJ booted the door closed then followed, laying her bags down on the tabletop, then peeking inside. 

“What is all this?  You’re not eating for two quite yet, are you?”

“Yeah,” Jillian muttered, “You and me.”  She raised a brow at AJ then began to unpack her bags.

“You called that a risotto, right?” AJ clarified from her place lounging on the living room floor, looking at her plate that sat on the coffee table, wiped completely clean from the most amazing meal she’d ever had in her life.

“Yes,” Jillian said, sipping from her bottle of water, her own plate finished twice over.  She felt like purring: she’d had a wonderful dinner and got to share her hidden talents with someone who was becoming a friend.

AJ let out a loud burp, eyes opening wide and hand covering her mouth.  “Oops.  Excuse me.”

“Guess you enjoyed it, huh?” Jillian chuckled.  She full out laughed at the dopey grin that received, as well as AJ patting her tummy.   

The air was light, both enjoying their dinner and evening, so AJ thought it was time to tell Jillian about earlier in the afternoon.  “Someone came by today,” she began conversationally.

“Oh yeah?” Jillian asked, sipping from her drink as she leaned back into the soft cushions of the couch.  “Who?”

AJ chewed on her bottom lip for a moment before finally, she pushed to her feet, grabbing her plate as well as Jillian’s and carrying them into the kitchen, indicating with a nod of her head that Jillian should follow.

Once dishes were rinsed and placed in the dishwasher, AJ grabbed the sealed envelope that had been left for Jillian from the top of the microwave, where she’d left it after Lucile Salinger had left.  Letting out a heavy sigh, she turned and looked at Jillian, who looked back at her with trusting, innocent eyes. 

“Here,” she said softly, handing the envelope over.

Jillian took the envelope in her hands, but didn’t look at it.  “Who came, AJ?” she whispered, heart beginning to pound.

“Your mom.  She sat here and talked to me for about ten minutes while you were shopping.  Nice lady.”

Jillian was stunned, eyes wide as she looked from AJ to the envelope and back.  “How did she know where I was?”

AJ shrugged.  “I don’t know.  She said she assumed you were here, but how she knew who I was,” another shrug.

Jillian sighed as she turned her focus to the envelope she held in her hands, fingers beginning to tear it open as AJ spoke.

“She said she wanted to make sure you and her grandchild were taken care of.”

Jillian wanted to smirk at that, but gasped instead when she saw a cashier’s check made out in the amount of five hundred thousand dollars.  Jillian clamped her jaws shut, breathing increasing as she tossed the check and envelope onto the table and stormed out of the room.

No idea what Jillian had seen, AJ was stunned at her reaction.  She glanced at the check, registering the amount before hurrying after Jillian, who had slammed the bathroom door shut.  AJ stopped just outside, placing her palms against the cool wood, not entirely sure what to do.  She could hear Jillian crying on the other side.

“Jillian?” she called out softly, just loud enough to be heard through the thin wood, a hand raising to knock gently.  “Can I come in?” 

After an emotional yes, AJ opened the door and stepped into the small room.  Jillian sat on the closed toilet lid, back arched as she buried her face in her hands, which absorbed her tears.  AJ walked over to her, gently pulling Jillian to a sitting position so she could hug her to her chest, resting her chin atop Jillion’s blonde head.

“It’s okay,” she whispered, not entirely sure what was wrong.  All she knew was, she needed to hold Jillian close and give her all the comfort she could.  “It’s okay…”

“She wants to buy me,” Jillian cried, giving voice to what AJ didn’t understand, so she said nothing.  “My whole fucking life!” Jillian cried.  “My whole fucking life they’ve bought my acquiescence!”

AJ had nothing to say.  All she could do was hold her.  When the words ended and tears amped up, AJ fell to her knees and pulled Jillian to her, one hand running through blond hair, the other caressing Jillian’s back, just to let her know that she wasn’t alone.  As she held her, she rested her cheek against the top of Jillian’s head, and couldn’t help but think that, she had always thought the privileged kids were just that: privileged.  Never had it occurred to her that perhaps there was a steep price for that privilege.  In that moment, AJ knew that, Jillian, raised by both her biological parents, had been more alone in life than AJ ever was as an orphan, on her own.  At least AJ had the freedom to be herself, think for herself and make her own decisions.

“I’m sorry,” Jillian sniffled, pulling out of the cocoon that was AJ’s protective arms.  “You don’t need all this on your shoulders, AJ.”  She ripped a piece of toilet paper from the roll next to where she sat and wiped her eyes, face and nose.

“Don’t you dare apologize,” AJ smiled, sitting back on her haunches, hands resting on Jillian’s knees.  “Why don’t we go sit on the couch and talk, huh?”

Jillian met AJ’s kind gaze for a long moment, then wiped her eyes one more time and said, “I’m not gay, but … can we go to your bed and just …”

“Have sex?” AJ suggested, totally teasing as she knew full well what Jillian needed, but was trying to lighten the situation a bit. It worked, as Jillian’s deep blush turned into a goofy grin.

“No!  I just …  I need …”

“Come on, Jillian,” AJ said softly, getting to her feet and pulling the blonde up by the hand.  “Let’s go lie down so I can hold you.”

Both dressed in t-shirts and shorts, Jillian shyly moved over to where AJ lay on her back, a welcoming arm open to her.  Jillian lay her head on AJ’s shoulder, but kept her body somewhat distant.  AJ said nothing, nor did she scoot over closer to the blonde, knowing that Jillian needed to figure out for herself that AJ was harmless and that cuddling didn’t mean AJ’s lesbianism was contagious.

“How did you end up on your own so young?” Jillian asked at length, readjusting her head to a more comfortable spot.  She pushed away the fact that she could feel AJ’s warmth, could smell her scent, which filled her with comfort, much like her mother’s perfume used to many years before.

“My folks were killed when I was eight years old,” AJ said simply.  “Car accident.  So, I was bounced around in foster care for eight years, and just got tired of it.  I ran away and started my own life.”  AJ couldn’t help but smile as she felt Jillian move a bit closer to her, one of her growing breasts pressed lightly against AJ’s side.  “Tell me your story, Jillian,” she said running gentle fingers over soft, blonde hair.

Jillian let out a heavy breath, her gaze locked onto the up close and personal view of the cotton that made up AJ’s shirt.  “Well,” she began, a hand coming up to pick lightly at that cotton shirt.  “My father is the president of American Bank, so is pretty much a big shot in town, you know?  He’s incredibly controlling, of both me and my mother.  My mother,” Jillian snorted, scooting in even closer.  Now, her entire body was resting up against AJ’s side.

AJ sensed Jillian’s need for closeness so wrapped her arms tighter around the blonde, pulling her a bit closer until they were almost one.  “What about her?” she whispered, stroking Jillian’s back, even as her eyes fell closed, able to feel the blonde’s breath against her neck.

“She’s weak,” Jillian whispered.  “She allows herself to be ruled by my father.”

“Do you want that for you?” AJ asked, voice somewhat breathy as she felt Jillian’s body press harder against hers.

“No,” Jillian whispered into AJ’s neck, not even sure how her mouth had gotten there.

“What do you want?” AJ asked, subconsciously tilting her head slightly to the side, offering more of her neck, sighing silently when she felt a soft kiss.

“My freedom,” Jillian murmured against the warmth of AJ’s neck.  “To be my own person,” she added, not even noticing as AJ gently maneuvered her body to lie atop the brunette’s. 

She lifted her head from AJ’s neck and looked down at her, her heart racing.  Before she knew what she was doing, Jillian lowered her mouth to AJ’s, lips brushing against their soft counterpart.  She knew she wanted more, so Jillian brought her lips to AJ’s again, enjoying the feeling as AJ moved with her, the kisses soft and extremely sensual.  In truth, Jillian really had no idea why she was doing this; why she was kissing a woman!  AJ was an incredible human being – one of the finest Jillian had ever known – but she was still a woman.

Lifting her head, Jillian found that she was slightly breathless, and from the look in AJ’s eyes, she figured she must have been just as affected.  “I’m sorry,” she whispered.  “I guess I just feel really close to you right now.”

AJ met Jillian’s gaze, which kept flickering back to her lips, a hand rising to brush her fingertips across the softness of Jillian’s cheek.  “It’s okay,” she whispered back.  “Don’t be sorry.  I know you’re not gay,” she smiled, Jillian shyly returning it.  “But, sometimes people need to connect.  It’s not bad, it’s beautiful.”

Jillian lowered herself a bit, her sensitive breasts pressing against AJ’s, which was somewhat startling, as it was difficult for her to think of AJ as a woman, as her draw to her made no sense to her.  But, in that moment, there was no denying what she was, and yet, Jillian couldn’t pull away.  Instead, her lips found AJ’s again, this time the kiss lingering before their lips began to dance together, softly caressing.

Though stunned by the turn of events, AJ went with it.  She brought her hands up and began to run them over Jillian’s back, sighing softly when she felt the barest touch of Jillian’s tongue against the underside of her top lip.  Responding, she opened her lips a bit, accepting the shy touch against her own, deepening the kiss.

Jillian brought up a hand, burying it in AJ’s hair as she gave herself completely over to the kiss.  She could feel AJ’s hands on her back, which felt wonderful, especially as she ran blunt fingernails down her spine.  Suddenly, those hands moved down until they reached the hem of her shirt, slipping beneath the thin cotton and moving up over the smooth skin of Jillian’s back.  She sighed into the kiss, desperately craving the touch, even though she hadn’t realized it until she actually had it.

Suddenly, everything changed.  Their kisses became hotter and more intense, the need of them both palpable.  AJ brought her hands out from under the back of Jillian’s shirt only to grab the hem and tug it upwards.  Jillian lifted herself just long enough for the shirt to be pulled over her head.  Immediately, she fell back to lay against AJ, their mouths coming together in desperation. 

Using all her strength, AJ pushed Jillian to her back, rolling on top of her.  With little memory of how it happened, suddenly, she was naked and the rest of Jillian’s clothing had been removed, as well.  She lay her body down upon Jillian’s, accepted with welcoming arms and a voracious kiss.  In that moment, all thought was gone, both running on pure instinct and primitive need.

AJ buried her face in Jillian’s neck, kissing and suckling on the flesh she found there as she brought a hand up to cup one of her very full breasts.  She’d never seen Jillian naked before, accept for a peek she managed to sneak during gym class in their Sophomore year.  Right now, she was in heaven, and Jillian’s body was purely God.  She kissed her way to those incredible breasts, though was careful, as she worried they’d be too sensitive to be truly ravished.

Jillian’s eyes fell closed as a soft whimper left her lips, her hands burying themselves in AJ’s thick hair, encouraging the licking action of her tongue against her left nipple.  Somewhere in the back of her mind was an alarm, screaming at her to stop what she ultimately wasn’t ready for, but she just couldn’t.

AJ, utterly unaware of the turmoil within Jillian’s mind and heart, kissed and licked her way down Jillian’s flawless body, not quite beginning to start the baby bump at six weeks pregnant.  She fitted her shoulders between spread thighs and brought her mouth down to the hot wetness, her tongue trailing through it.

Jillian gasped, her hips bucking at the first touch, fingers grabbing clumps of thick dark hair.  Her mind refused to work, sensation and instinct completely taking over.  She spread her thighs a bit wider, allowing for more access to that incredible tongue that was giving her such immeasurable pleasure.

“Oh my god, AJ,” she whimpered, her body on the verge of ultimate release.  Within a moment of those words, her body convulsed, a loud gasp escaping her throat as her eye squeezed shut and mouth fell open, AJ’s tongue never ceasing in its actions.  A loud, keening cry rent the room, Jillian’s hands becoming talon-like in AJ’s hair, holding her in place as her body rode out wave after wave of pleasure.

AJ stilled, allowing Jillian’s body to dictate what was needed.  When she sensed that anymore action from her would be unwelcome, she placed a final kiss between the blonde’s legs and then moved her way up her body, taking her in a tight embrace.  As much as her body cried out for release, she knew that tonight was about Jillian, and it needed to end there.

Jillian allowed herself to be held, even as her mind somersaulted over what had just happened.  Her eyes closed and a soft smile spread across her lips as tender kisses were rained down upon her face, as well as soft words.  

“You’re so beautiful,” AJ whispered.  “The most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen.”

Jillian hugged AJ to her, finding comfort in her slight weight and warmth, as the larger woman held most of her weight on her forearms.

“We should sleep,” AJ whispered, moving off Jillian.  “We have school early.”

An hour later, Jillian still lay awake, even as she lay within AJ’s arms, the brunette spooned up behind her.  Jillian couldn’t get her mind to calm or shut down, even as her body purred like a fat cat lying in front of the fire.  She disentangled herself from AJ and made her way to the bathroom, sitting on the closed toilet seat in her naked skin.  She didn’t know how to process what had happened earlier between her and AJ.  It had been a defining moment in her life, she knew, but wasn’t entirely sure just what it defined.

Growing up, her father had preached the deficits of “faggots” and “dykes”.  Though Jillian didn’t feel that way towards homosexuals, she didn’t exactly relate to them, either.  She saw no reason to harm them but certainly no reason to join them.  So now what?  Her first two encounters with AJ – as amazing as they had been – she had been utterly ignorant to AJ’s true identity.  Tonight, however, not only did she know that she was a woman, but she’d initiated contact. 

Jillian buried her face in her hands, not sure what to do or what to think.  All she knew was, she was utterly confused and felt utterly drawn to AJ.  She had no idea where to go from here in her personal life, though had an idea for the remainder of her high school scholastic life.

*****

            AJ glanced over at Jillian, who sat quietly in the passenger seat of her truck, both still buckled in as they sat in the parking lot of their high school.  It was Monday morning and, though they hadn’t discussed it, both knew a new phase in not only the remainder of their high school career, but their lives, as well, had begun.  They’d woken up naked, but hadn’t spoken about why that happened.  Nothing had been said about what had happened the previous night, and as much as AJ wanted to talk about it, she instinctively knew to let it be.  For now.

            “Ready?” she asked.

            Jillian said nothing for a moment then turned to AJ, meeting her gaze.  “I’ve been thinking about something.”      

            “Okay.  What’s up?”

            “Well,” Jillian said, looking out the windshield at the parking lot and their fellow Rangers as they made their way from various cars towards the building.  “Everyone now thinks that you’re the father, as we found out last week.”  She met AJ’s gaze.  “So, why not mess with some heads?”

            AJ quirked a dark brow. “How do you mean?”

            “I don’t want you to take this the wrong way,” Jillian muttered, feeling like a complete asshole for the disclaimer, but she wasn’t quite ready to go without it, yet.  “Why not let them think what they think they know?”

            “Um … huh?” AJ asked, hand resting on the steering wheel, utterly baffled.

            Jillian reached across the cab of the truck and took AJ’s hand.  “You’re the father of my child, AJ,” she explained softly.  “So, let’s be a couple.  Here at school.”

            “Thus the ‘messing with some heads’ part,” AJ supplied.

            Jillian grinned with a nod.  “Exactly.”

            AJ looked down at their entwined fingers, unable to not think about their entwined bodies the night before.  She knew in her heart that it was dangerous, but couldn’t say no.  She squeezed Jillian’s hand and smiled.  “Okay.  Let’s do it.”  They both smile shyly when neither of them moved.  Finally, Jillian spoke.

            “Why are you doing all this, AJ?”

            AJ met uncertain green eyes, her thumb rubbing comforting patterns on the back of Jillian’s hand.  “You know, at first, I just wanted to know what it was like to be with you.”

            Jillian’s brows drew in confusion.  “Why?”

            “Because you’re Jillian Salinger: gorgeous, popular, rich and utterly out of my reach,” AJ admitted, leaning her head back against the headrest, her gaze on the blonde.

            “What?  Why?” Jillian asked, stunned, feeling AJ’s fingers tighten around her own as she began to pull hers away, feeling guilty and ashamed.

            “Because,” AJ said, lifting her head.  “You’re gorgeous, in need of nothing.  You and all your friend rule the school, driving in everyday in your Mercedes and Porsches.”  She could see the defensiveness beginning in the tumultuous sea green eyes.  AJ released Jillian’s hand only to hold two fingers gently against full lips.  “But now, I see it’s not that simple,” she said softly.  “They say money can’t buy you love.  It can’t buy you respect or acceptance, either.”  She smiled slightly, hand moving to cup Jillian’s face.  “It’s not greener on the other side, is it?”

            Jillian reached up and pulled AJ’s hand away from her lips, though kept it wrapped within her own.  Shaking her head, she finally looked up to meet AJ’s gaze.  “No,” she whispered.  She brought AJ’s hand to her mouth and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles.  “Let’s do this, AJ.  Let’s prove ‘em all wrong.”

            Stepping out of the truck, Jillian reached for AJ’s hand, entwining their fingers once again and led the way towards the school.  They got stares along the way, as well as some snickers.  Jillian didn’t care, as she AJ had taught her so much over the past week, and she was determined to stay strong only for her and her unborn child, but also for AJ.

            As they stepped into the building, several people stared in shock, others giggling as they passed.  Jillian did her best to stay strong as she and AJ stood at her locker, Jillian’s arms wrapping up around AJ’s neck, AJ’s arms immediately going around her waist.  Bodies pressed together, they grinned at each other.

            “Think we’re starting a firestorm?” Jillian whispered.

            AJ nodded, her grin growing.  “Ohhhhh, yeah.”

*****

            AJ sat in the waiting room, her booted fat tapping non-stop as she flipped through magazine after magazine.  She was waiting as Jillian went through her doctor’s appointment.  The blonde was now almost three months along, and though Jillian wasn’t hugely different on the exterior, she was one giant pendulum of mood swings that AJ had done her best to not only learn, but also to tolerate.  It was certainly an exercise in patience. 

            As she raised her foot to balance her ankle over her knee, she jiggled that foot, flipping a few pages before studying the gorgeous form of a model peddling perfume.  All AJ saw, however was the gorgeous blonde with big, blue eyes, which would be easy to switch to green.  Since the night before they’re returned to school, they hadn’t touched.  Well, hadn’t had sex, anyway.  AJ had found herself holding Jillian, telling her it was all going to be okay more often than not.  With all the reading up on pregnant women AJ had done on the internet, she’d learned that some women all but veto sex during their pregnancy while others crave it like a living hormone.

            In truth, part of her had hoped that Jillian would be the latter, though wasn’t entirely sure that was the case.  Jillian seemed fine as her first trimester came to an end.  She wasn’t showing growth nor was she showing an extreme change, other than her moods.  So, AJ was just along for the ride.

            “Hey.”

            AJ was thoroughly tugged from her thoughts by the soft voice, only to look up and meet bemused green eyes.  “Hey,” she responded, slapping the magazine closed and tossing it to the empty chair next to her.  “All’s well?”

            “All’s well.”

            The ride home was quiet.  Though it had been planned that Jillian would move out more than a month ago, neither had said a word about it.  It was just silently assumed that they would now become roommates, even if they did share a bed.  Together, they conquered housework and grocery shopping, helping each other with homework as the end of their high school career neared.  It was pushing late April, and AJ was just ready to end the whole school thing and move on with her life.

            “Will you go to prom with me?”

            AJ was pulled from her thoughts with the dramatics of the jaws of life as she turned to Jillian, grateful she’d dropped this one on her as they pulled up to a red light.   “What?”

            “I’m serious,” Jillian said, meeting AJ’s stunned gaze.  “I’ve been nominated for Prom Queen. I want you to go with me.”

            “As in dress and tux, all that?” AJ asked, getting her truck moving again.

            “As in all that,” Jillian agreed.  AJ felt a warm hand rest on her denim-clad thigh.  “Please?  I really want you to go with me.”

            AJ said nothing for a moment, mulling over what had been asked of her while keeping her eye on the road.  Finally, another red traffic light came into view and she pulled the truck to a stop.  She glanced over at Jillian, meeting her gaze for a long moment.

            “What are your colors?”

            Mark’s brow was knitted in concentration as she tried his best to knot his best friend’s bowtie, green in color to match Jillian’s halter top-style dress.  Finishing with the tie, he stood back, looking over AJ’s entire ensemble.  She’d gone with black tux with green bowtie and vest, tails finishing off the look.

            “Wow,” he whispered, turning AJ around to take in every angle.  “You look fabulous.”

            AJ grinned.  She just hoped Jillian felt the same way once she saw the blonde step out of their bedroom, as AJ stood in the living room so Mark could deliver the few remaining touches.

            “Is this okay?” AJ asked, indicating herself from head to toe.

            Mark couldn’t take his eyes off of his friend.  “If you were really a dude, I’d bend over right now and offer myself up for the gods.”

            AJ cracked up laughing, but she nearly choked on her mirth when the bedroom door opened and Jillian stepped through, looking uncertain at both.

            “Holy fuck,” Mark whispered, jaw dropping.

            Jillian was in the emerald green dress, her gorgeous shoulders and cleavage exposed in the style, the material of the dress caressing her shapely hips, flat tummy and backside, even as its length ran to the floor.  Her four inch heels brought her closer up to AJ’s height, but AJ’s eyes couldn’t rip themselves away.

            “My god,” she whispered, walking over to the gorgeous blonde, whose hair had been piled up on top of her head, makeup dark and dangerous with a smoky eye.  AJ was still trying to adjust herself as she walked, her pants filled with more than just her.  She had to move carefully so as not to look as though she had a constant hard on, as the pants of the tux were far more fitted than the loose, baggy jeans she usually wore.

            Jillian met her gaze, feeling somewhat self-conscious, as AJ looked as though she were visually eating her alive.  “Do I look okay?”

            AJ could only nod as she turned to the coffee table and grabbed the corsage she’d bought that day, chilled in the fridge until that moment.  She walked over to Jillian, hands shaking slightly as she pinned the fragrant flower display to her dress, just above her left breast.

            “You look more beautiful than I’ve ever seen you look,” she whispered, meeting Jillian’s gaze.  “More beautiful than any woman I’ve ever seen.”

            Jillian smiled, utterly left speechless at such sincere words.  Finally, she whispered, “Thank you.”  She turned to look at Mark.  “Can you grab the boutonniere, Mark?” she asked softly.  At his nod of acquiescence, she turned back to AJ.  “I’m really not sure whether to call you handsome or beautiful,” she smiled.  “Both adjectives fit perfectly.

            AJ smiled, the two flower pieces in place.  “Ready to go?”

            Jillian smiled, more than ready to go out for a night of fun.  “Yes.”

            They arrived at the hotel where prom was to take place, a bit late.  Most everyone in the Junior and Senior class had already arrived, people dancing on the dance floor, others seated talking and a few around the hors d’oeuvres table, loading up small plates.

            Hand in hand, they walked into the festively decorated ballroom, a live band playing up on state and concert lighting bouncing around the room.  AJ had never felt so proud as she looked down at the gorgeous woman who smiled up at her.  She felt like she was on top of the world that Jillian would want to be seen out with her, let alone had allowed AJ to touch her body and get to know her heart.

            “Do you want to get a table?” she asked near Jillian’s ear to be heard over the music.  At the blonde’s nod, AJ led her to one that had only a couple of women sitting at it.  “Mind if we share the table?” AJ asked, as there were no empty tables left.

            “Go ahead,” one of the women offered before returning to the conversation she was having with her friend.

            “How about something to drink?” AJ asked Jillian, who was looking around, head bopping slightly to the beat.

            “Yeah, thanks.  And,” Jillian added with a sly smile, “maybe a few munchies?”

            AJ chuckled, nodding as she got to her feet.  Jillian’s increase in appetite had definitely become apparent in the past weeks.  She leaned down and placed a kiss on Jillian’s cheek.  “Be right back.”

            “Hey,” Jillian said, grabbing AJ by the hand and tugging her back down  “We’re at school, remember?” she grinned, stealing a kiss from a surprised AJ.

            AJ made her way to the table where the food was spread out and began to make up a plate of a little bit of everything for Jillian, and a couple things for herself.

            “Hey, AJ,” Jarrod Fowler, a sometime friend of the brunettes, said as he stepped up to build his own plate of food.

            “Hey Jarrod.  How’s it going?”  She looked him over, amused to see that he was wearing one of those t-shirts that looked like a tuxedo, covered by a jacket with tails.  She grinned, shaking her head.  “Rebel.”

            Jarrod chuckled.  “Yeah, well, Lisa’s just lucky she got me to take her to this stupid dance, so…”

            AJ nodded.  “I totally understand that one, dude.”

            “Hey, speaking of,” Jarrod said, glancing around them to make sure Jillian wasn’t within hearing range.  “How the fuck did you manage to bang Jillian Salinger?  You’re a fucking rock star, man!”

            AJ wanted to cringe at her friend’s choice of words regarding Jillian, but bit her lip.  She shrugged, popping a shrimp ball into her mouth.  “When you got it you got it,” she replied in lieu of a real response.

            “No shit man.  Damn.”  Jarrod poured himself a glass of punch and pulled out a small bottle of Jack Daniels from the inside pocket of his jacket.  He wiggled his brows in question at AJ’s own glass.

            “Yeah, hit me, but not Jillian’s.”

            “Right,” Jarrod grinned.  “Preggars.”  He shook his head in wonder.  “I still can’t believe you’ve fucked Jillian Salinger.  Damn.  Is she a good fuck?” AJ nearly spit out the spiked drink of punch she’d just taken at Jarrod’s blunt question.  Jarrod burst into laughter, pounding his friend on the back.  “Breathe, man!”

            AJ cleared her throat and tugged at the winged collar of her shirt, her throat burning.  “Nice, dude.”  She grinned at him.  “Fucked up question.”

            “Sorry, man.  Meant no offense.”

            “No biggie.”  AJ managed to grab the loaded down plate and two cups and turned to head back to her table when she stopped, leaning close to Jarrod, eyes twinkling.  “Best fuck I’ve ever had,” she murmured, then walked away, grinning as she knew Jarrod was looking at her, and could almost imagine his mouth hanging open.

            “Ohhhhhh, that looks so good!” Jillian nearly moaned, her stomach letting her know in no uncertain terms that it was angry at her for not feeding it within the past hour.  “Thank you so much,” she managed around the huge bite of chicken she’d just taken.

            AJ chuckled.  “You’re most welcome.”  She set down a glass of punch in front of the blonde, but then stopped, not sure which was which. She took a sniff then set the other glass in front of her instead.

            Jillian watched, baffled.  “Ummm, AJ?”

            AJ gave her a shit-eating grin.  “My buddy Jarrod added a little some’um some’um to mine.”

            Jillian raised a brow.  “I leave you alone for five minutes and you manage to find trouble.”

            “Baby,” AJ teased, “trouble is my middle name.”

            “Noooo,” Jillian purred just as playful, “Jane is,” she murmured, just loud enough for AJ to hear.

            AJ growled good-naturedly then snagged the shrimp ball from Jillian’s fingers, popping it into her own mouth.  “So, I got asked if you’re good in bed,” she said conversationally.

            “What?  By who?!” Jillian gasped, eyes huge.

            “By the same guy who put a little some’um some’um in my drink.”  She grinned at her and leaned in, whispering in her ear.  “I told him you give fantastic blow jobs.”

            “AJ!” Jillian screeched, shoving her away, AJ nearly falling out of her chair she was laughing so hard.

            “I’m joking!” she exclaimed, wiping the tears from her cheeks.  “Oh shit, that was too good.”  She sipped from her drink and tossed a cube of cheddar cheese into her mouth.  “I did, however, tell him you’re the best I’ve ever had.”  She wiggled her brows.  Jarrod had poured a lot of Jack into her punch and she was definitely feeling it already.  She knew she needed to be careful, or she might go a wee too far with Jillian.

            Jillian hated the blush that she knew was rising from her toes clear to her scalp.  She looked down at the plate of food, fingers toying with a baby carrot, feeling both shy but also aroused, which surprised her.  But then again, her hormones were all over the map, and she found that in truth, she could have sex at just about any point of the day or night.  Sometimes it was difficult not to attack AJ, as not only was she there, but also unbelievably good in bed.  She surprised herself as her eyes lifted, sex in their green depths.

            “I can say the same about you.”

            AJ felt a shiver rush down her spine, her clit jumping in sympathy.  “Dance with me?” she asked, the band cranking out a slower song.

            Jillian grinned with a nod.  She popped a few pieces of popcorn chicken into her mouth, making AJ laugh, before she grabbed the brunette’s hand and led her to the dance floor, managing to swallow her food before the found a spot in the fairly densely-packed dance floor.  She turned to AJ and brought her arms up around her neck, feeling AJ’s hands rest at her lower back.

            They weren’t quite touching full body, but both could easily feel the body heat of the other.  Jillian grinned up at AJ, who mirrored the smile.

            “I’ve never danced with a woman before,” she said, the music loud enough so there was no worry of someone overhearing her.

            “Neither have I,” AJ grinned.  She brought one of her hands up a bit higher, enjoying the feel of Jillian’s warm, smooth skin as the dress was backless.  There was nothing that she enjoyed more than the feel of Jillian’s skin.  She’d always enjoyed sex and certainly loved women, but there was just something about Jillian that set her apart.  She’d gotten over the fact that it was Jillian, for awhile almost feeling like it would if she were a fan of some famous actress and suddenly ended up meeting her, let alone sleeping with her and having her live in her home.

            She put a little bit of pressure on Jillian’s back, drawing her a bit closer.  She loved the feel of Jillian’s breasts pressed lightly against her, though wished she could be truthful rather than having her own bound to not give away the ruse.  She’d only had the privilege of feeling them pressed honestly together once.

            Jillian felt so close to AJ in that moment, realizing that she felt ‘close’ to her more and more, though wasn’t sure how to process that need.  So, for the moment, she allowed herself to be drawn in closer, AJ’s essence so comforting to her.  She reached up and gently ran her fingers through AJ’s hair as they moved together.  She lost track of what song was playing or even the rhythm, instead feeling the rhythm of her heart, beating with AJ’s.

            AJ’s hand moved over the smooth plane of Jillian’s back as they moved, bodies pressed together.  Once again, she could feel Jillian’s lips against her neck, as well as her hot breath.  It took everything in her not to move her hands down until she cupped the gorgeous ass that was so longingly hugged in the green dress Jillian wore.  With the energy passing between them, she felt as though they were almost making love on that dance floor, something passing between them.  Her hands moved up to caress the smooth skin of Jillian’s bare neck, fingers as gentle as though she were handling the finest of china, the most delicate crystal.  Anyone watching could see that they were witnessing something special.

            Jillian was about to raise her head, wanting to feel AJ’s soft lips against her own when suddenly she was thrust from her daze by the ending of the music followed by the loud boom of a voice over a microphone. 

            “Welcome everyone!”  Followed by cheers and clapping.  “It’s time to announce this year’s Prom Queen and King!”  More cheers.

            AJ and Jillian stayed where they were on the dance floor, looking up to the stage to see one of the guidance counselors at the mic.  She had an envelope in hand and made a show of it before she finally opened it and pulled a card out, as though she were an announcer for the Oscars.

            “And, our winner is: Maury Dennison and Jillian Salinger!”

            The pronouncement was followed up with applause and cheers, Maury making a show of kissing his date, Amanda, before hopping up to the stage.  Jillian decided she was tired of being seen as a prize by Maury.  She grabbed AJ’s face and laid one on her for the record books.

            Left breathless, Jillian met AJ’s gaze before heading up to the stage to collect her crown next to Maury. AJ watched as the crowns were bestowed, though she doubted many were surprised at the winners.  However, she felt herself burn as Maury made a show of grabbing Jillian’s hand and kissing her knuckles before leading her to the microphone, her hand still clutched in his.

            “I must say, quite a surprise,” he quipped with a smirk, the gathered and adoring crowd laughing and clapping.

            AJ rolled her eyes, arms crossed over her chest as she felt jealousy burning.  Though she knew Jillian wasn’t hers, there was still an irrational fear in the back of her mind that Jillian would decide she wanted to go back to Maury or that she’d decide to tell Maury about the baby and want him in the baby’s life.  All of this of course, was Jillian’s right to do, as well as Maury’s right.  But still…

            A new round of applause and cheers tugged AJ out of her thoughts, returning her focus to the king and queen just in time to see Maury tug Jillian off the stage and to the dance floor.  The band began to play Unchained Melody, Maury holding Jillian close as he led in her a slow dance.  Jillian looked uncomfortable, and it appeared that she was speaking to him, but with her low tones and the loud music, it was impossible to know what she was saying.  All AJ knew, however, was she wanted to march over there and pull Maury away from her and beat him.

            “AJ?”

            AJ turned, an instant smile coming to her face.  “Mia!”  The two women hugged, AJ holding her by the waist.  “What are you doing here?”

            “I’m here with my date, Ashton Lionel,” AJ’s ex explained, as she went to a different high school.  “So, holy shit!  You ended up with the prom queen!” Mia teased.

            “Yeah, well…” AJ grinned.

            During the dance, Jillian glanced over, easily able to find AJ.  She was stunned to see her talking to another woman, their body language screaming that they were incredibly comfortable with each other.  She was stunned as jealousy ripped through, swathing a path of anger through her gut, even as Maury continued to lead her across the dance floor.  She watched as the two women laughed together, then nearly pushed Maury away from her and marched over to them as AJ leaned down and placed a kiss on the other woman’s cheek, the woman reaching a hand up and caressing AJ’s shoulder.

            In their bedroom, AJ once again glanced over at Jillian who was silently stripping out of her heels and shaking her head to release the updo of her hair.  Things between them had been tense all the way home, though neither had said a word in explanation.  Instead, she shrugged out of the heavy jacket, placing it on the bed and unclipped the bowtie from around her neck, relieved to have it gone.

            Finally, AJ was over it.  She flung her bowtie to the bed atop her jacket.  “Okay, what the hell?” she asked to Jillian’s back.  “What’s the deal?”

            “Deal with what?” Jillian asked coolly.

            “The deal with the fucking silent treatment and the feeling that you could pounce at any moment.”  She looked at her.  “What the fuck did I do?”        

            “Nothing,” Jillian said, nearly enraging AJ.

            “Yeah, that’s what you said.  But, obviously that isn’t true.  Can you please stop the passive/aggressive bullshit and just be straight with me?”

“Unzip my fucking dress,” Jillian barked, surprising AJ, who complied.  Jillian stepped away and stepped out of the dress, leaving her in panties and bra.  AJ did her best to not look – let alone stare – but wasn’t entirely successful.  Unaware of AJ’s reaction, Jillian gathered the dress and stomped over to the bed, where she’d left the hanger and garment bag for it when she’d gotten dressed earlier in the evening.  “Why don’t you ask your girlfriend?” she said, responding to AJ’s earlier comment.        

“What?” AJ asked, confused, fingers frozen on the buttons of her shirt.  She looked at Jillian.  “Isn’t that supposed to be you?  Oh wait,” she scoffed, “what am I thinking; we’re not at school.  Nobody here to convince of the ruse, right?”

“You can be mean sometimes, AJ,” Jillian said, hands on her naked hips.  She’d yet to pull a t-shirt or shorts on for bed.  “Besides, you made me look like a complete idiot tonight.”

“What?!” AJ almost yelled, stunned.

“I saw you with her!” Jillian exclaimed.

It took AJ a moment, but then she saw Mia’s face flicker before her mind’s eye.  “Oh, you mean while you were dancing with fucking Maury Dennison?” she fired back. 

“I had no choice,” Jillian exclaimed.  “What was I supposed to do?  Tell him no?”

“Yeah, as shocking as that might be for you.”

“Fuck you, AJ.”

“Sorry.  That’s only when I have a cock, because as we alllll know, Jillian Salinger is not gay.”

Jillian was stunned by the ferocity of AJ’s words, and for a moment, worried she might actually do something physically stupid, like punch a wall or something.  She could easily hear the anger in her voice and hurt behind her words.  Somewhere inside, Jillian knew she was being incredibly unfair to AJ, in some ways perhaps even using her, and though that wasn’t her intent, she could certainly see where AJ would feel that way or see it that way.

She turned to the closet and, without a word, reached in and grabbed the large bag her father had packed her clothing in and brought it out, setting it on the bed.  Returning to the closet, she began to grab her clothing from the hangers, not even folding them as she placed them in the bag.  Her movements weren’t angry, but instead, sad.

“What are you doing?” AJ asked, brows knitted in confusion. 

“I’m really sorry, AJ,” Jillian said, tugging on a shirt and pair of jeans.  “I think I’ve overstayed my welcome, and I don’t blame you.”

AJ didn’t say a word, partly out of shock but, in truth, she was hurt with Jillian and just didn’t have the heart to stop her.  Instead, she walked out of the bedroom and into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

*****

For the next three days, AJ was miserable.  She spent the day after prom moping around in her apartment, ignoring calls from Mark, as she didn’t want to have to talk about what had happened with Jillian.  The first two days of the school week, Jillian was nowhere to be seen, and AJ was admittedly beginning to get scared, wondering where the blonde had gone and deeply regretting that she hadn’t stopped her from leaving.  She had almost lowered herself to go to some of Jillian’s friends and ask if they knew where she was.

Later that night, AJ sat at her small kitchen table, studying for finals, which were the following week, which would soon be followed by graduation.  For her, it couldn’t come soon enough.  She sighed, resting her cheek on her fist as she half-heartedly read over her notes from class when she was startled by a knock on her door.

Pushing up from her chair, she padded over to the door, unlocking it and pulling it open.  An extremely defeated-looking Jillian stood on the other side, head bowed and stringy hair falling to curtain her face.

At first, AJ was so stunned, she didn’t say anything, but quickly got her balance back.  “Hey.”  Jillian looked up at her briefly, then looked down again, but it was too late: AJ had seen it.  “Oh my god!” she gasped, reaching out and taking Jillian’s hand and tugging her into the apartment, closing out the warm May night beyond.  She was led to the couch and pulled to sit down.  “What happened?” AJ almost whispered, bringing up a hand to brush Jillian’s unwashed hair aside to get another look at the black eye that made the green of Jillian’s eye stand out and seem to glow.

Jillian tried to pull away from AJ’s gentle touch, feeling as though didn’t deserve it, but AJ wouldn’t have it.  She gently cupped Jillian’s cheek, eyes studying the deep bruising for a moment before meeting Jillian’s exhausted gaze.

“What happened?” AJ asked again, her hand dropping from Jillian’s cheek only to take a smaller, pale hand within her own.

“I tried to go home,” she whispered, gaze falling in shame.  “My mother let me stay and was going to talk to my father, but he was furious.”

“He hit you?” AJ gasped.  At Jillian’s nod, AJ felt the rage inside her hit a boiling point.  “That son of a bitch!” she raged.  “I’ll fucking kill him – “

“No, AJ,” Jillian said, shaking her head and looking fearful.  “Please.  Just let it go.  Please.  I don’t trust what he’d do if he saw you.”

AJ knew Jillian was right, but she felt a fierce protectiveness overtake her.  “I want you back here,” she said, the words blurting from her mouth before her head could consider them first.

“No,” Jillian said, shaking her head again.  “I can’t keep hurting you, AJ.  You’ve been so good to me.  I only came to beg you if I can stay on your couch tonight.  Tomorrow, I’m going to take the money my mom gave me and leave town.  Maybe even get an abortion, I just don’t know.”

“Wait,” AJ said, holding her hands up to stop Jillian.  “Now you’re just talking crazy here, Jillian.  We graduate in three weeks and you’re already four months pregnant, sweetie, and I know for a fact that you’d never forgive yourself for doing something like that.”  She placed her hand on Jillian’s belly, which had the slightest bit of fullness to it.  “This is a reason for you to be strong right now.”

Jillian felt her eyes burning as emotions began to rise, relief, fear and shame all mixing together.

“Come here,” AJ whispered, sensing that Jillian was about to fall apart.  She pulled her to her, mindful of her injury, cupping the back of the blonde head and tucking it against her shoulder.  “It’s okay,” she cooed, placing a kiss on the crown of Jillian’s head.

After a long moment of crying, Jillian started to get herself back together.  She wiped her eyes with the sleeve of the thin jacket she wore, wincing as she caught her bruise wrong.  “I’m sorry,” she sniffled.  “You’ve been so good to me, AJ,” she said again.  “You don’t deserve this drama.

“Hey,” AJ said, a soft smile gracing her lips as she brought up two fingers to lift Jillian’s chin so she could look into her eyes.  “I’m in this till the end.  Okay?  I promised you I’d be here for you, and I am.”

Jillian grabbed AJ’s hand, placing a soft kiss of gratitude on the back before she held it in both of her hands.  “Thank you.  Once all this is over and the baby’s born, I hope you’ll stay in our lives, AJ.”

AJ grinned.  “Hey, I love kids.”

Jillian smiled, the first time she’d done so in three days.  After her father had hit her, she’d had nowhere to go – not wanting to spend any of her money, as she knew she had to get herself a brand new life – so had stayed where she could until finally, out of desperation, she’d knocked on AJ’s door.

“Why don’t you go soak in the tub and relax for a bit, okay?” AJ suggested.  At Jillian’s nod, AJ smiled.  “Take your time.  And hey, if you need any help…”  She wiggled her brows, teasing to try and make Jillian smile again.

Jillian looked into AJ’s eyes for a long moment before she said, “Would you be willing to maybe sit on the toilet and talk to me?  Keep me company?”

AJ was surprised, but she hid it well.  “Sure.”

“Thanks.  Mind if I take a quick shower first?  Then soak?”

“No, please do.  This is your house too, Jillian.  It always will be, if you want it that is,” AJ said shyly.

Jillian was truly touched, as she could see the uncertainty in those gorgeous blue eyes.  It killed her that she’d put it there, even if she, herself were teetering with what she wanted.  In her heart – especially over the last three days – she thought she knew, but just wasn’t sure now.

“Thank you,” Jillian said softly.  “I’ll call you in when I’m ready for the bath, okay?”

AJ nodded.  “You got it.  You know where everything is kept, so …”

Left alone, AJ’s mind was reeling at the extremely unexpected turn of events.  She went to the kitchen and closed up her books, stuffing them back into her backpack.  She brewed a cup of the decaf tea that she knew Jillian loved, intending on bringing it to her to help in her relaxing soak.  Timing perfect, she heard Jillian call her into the bathroom just as she was putting the finishing touches on the tea with the perfect amount of honey added.

As AJ made her way to the bathroom, the sound of the water running to fill the tub audible, she stopped, noting the goofy grin on her face.  She suddenly realized just how happy she was that Jillian was back, and how complete she suddenly felt, after the emptiness of the past three days.

“I’m in so much trouble,” she whispered, smile still firmly in place.

The bathroom was hot and steamy and smelled of shampoo and soap.  When AJ entered, she found Jillian in the tub, the water just below her breasts as the tub continued to fill.  She had added the bubble bath that AJ had bought for her a couple months before for relaxation purposes, so she was pleased to see her using it.

“I brought you some peppermint tea,” she said, taking a seat on the closed toilet seat and doing her best to not stare at Jillian’s naked body in the tub.

“Oh my god, thank you!” Jillian exclaimed, taking the steaming cup from the brunette.  Her eyes fell closed as she brought the fragrant tea to her nose and inhaled the incredible honey-laced peppermint scent.  After a careful sip, she let out a soft moan.  “Perfect.”  Jillian leaned forward and turned off the faucet before laying back.

AJ was beyond pleased as she rested her forearms along her thighs and watched.  The woman sitting in her tub right now was very different than the one she’d been holding a half an hour before on her couch.  Back was the warm, smiling woman she’d come to know over the past four months.  The black eye still made her absolutely livid, but she knew that would heal in time, though the internal bruise would likely never heal.  In that moment, she made it her personal intent to do everything in her power to give as much healing balm as she could.

“I’m surprised you’d let me back in here,” Jillian said at length, pulling AJ from her thoughts.  “After the way I treated you prom night.”

AJ was quiet for a moment, staring down at her entwined hands resting in the air between her spread knees.  “Why did you?” she said at length.  “What was that all about?”

Jillian took another sip then rested the mug on the side of the tub, making sure it wouldn’t fall into the water or onto the floor.  She couldn’t look at AJ as she responded.  “I was jealous,” she said simply and softly.

“Why?” AJ asked, like Jillian, not quite able to meet Jillian’s gaze.

Jillian sighed, knowing full well that question was coming.  “I don’t know,” she said at length.  “It surprised me, to be honest.”  Finally, she looked over at AJ, who was still studying her hands.  “AJ, look at me,” she said gently.  Once she had AJ’s attention, she continued.  “Everything I thought I knew has been completely turned on its head in the past four months.  What I thought was black, I’m finding out is actually white.  What was day is really night.”

AJ sucked in her bottom lip, as she felt unbidden emotions rise.  Finally, she let out a sigh and looked at Jillian.  “If I were a man, would you consider me for an actual relationship?” she asked, voice nearly a whisper.

Jillian met her gaze then slowly shook her head.   “No.  Because if you were a man, you wouldn’t be you, and the person I’ve fallen in love with, is you.”  Jillian was stunned when the words came out, but she had no desire to retract them.  Instead, she grabbed the mug of hot tea and moved it to the floor in the corner then reached for AJ’s hand, gently tugging until AJ was kneeling next to the tub.  She cupped AJ’s cheek, looking into her eyes.

“I’m so confused,” AJ admitted, eyes filled with fear and uncertainty as she looked back at Jillian.

“You never really had a family,” Jillian said, caressing AJ’s cheek.  “Now, I’m realizing I haven’t either.  Together, we can start a real family.”  She searched AJ’s eyes and face, desperately wanting to make sure she wasn’t wrong in what she saw in AJ’s eyes.  “Can’t we?”

In lieu of a verbal response, AJ reached up and cupped the back of Jillian’s wet head and brought them together, taking her in a possessive, yet loving kiss.  Jillian responded, her own hand rising to pull AJ’s mouth closer to her own.

The kiss was certainly passionate, but it was more slow and tender, re-acquaintance with lips and tongue.  Jillian raised to her knees in the tub, her skin slick and smooth from the bubble bath, which AJ took advantage of as Jillian grabbed her tighter, pressing their bodies together.

AJ broke the kiss, resting their foreheads together as they tried to catch their breath.  A quick kiss to soft lips and she moved away, looking into Jillian’s eyes.  “Are you sure about this?  I can’t take any heartache.”

Jillian smiled.  “I’m sure.  I love you,” she whispered, her kiss soft and returned by AJ.

“I love you, too.”

“Now get in here while the water is still hot.”

**********

Jillian felt like her heart was about to pound out of her chest as Pomp and Circumstance Marches began as the graduates paraded in, right in front them as she, AJ and Jillian’s mother were sitting front and center.

“There he is,” AJ whispered, squeezing Jillian’s hand, which she held in her own. “We love you, Michael!” she exclaimed as their son passed, a proud grin on his incredibly handsome face and all the adornments on his robe of his achievement of valedictorian of his college graduating class.

“He look so handsome,” Lucile Salinger whispered to her daughter, the younger blonde nodding, unable to take her eyes off of him.

It had been a long haul, and not always an easy one.  After Jillian and AJ graduated from high school, they’d left the state, deciding to start over in a place where nobody knew them and where AJ could be herself.  After Michael was born – on Thanksgiving day – the two had worked hard to make a good life for all of them, Jillian finishing up her college degree as AJ worked tirelessly to build and expand her business.  Eventually, they were able to open a storefront for AJ’s creations and the business had continued to grow.

Eight years after Michael’s birth, Jillian’s father died of a massive heart attack, finally releasing Lucile from his iron grip, and she was free to rejoin her daughter’s life.  She moved to the same town where her daughter and her family had made home, and after some adjustment with AJ’s true identity, had become an incredible mother to Jillian, mother figure to AJ, and grandmother to the joy of her life.

Now, as she watched her son take his seat at the head of the other graduates, she couldn’t remember feeling so much pride and happiness.  She squeezed AJ’s hand in loving affection, the two meeting eyes, the silent communication of love passing easily between them.  After twenty-two years together, they knew every single line, ever single breath and every single quirk of the other.  She could read the same love and pride in AJ’s comforting blue eyes, ironically, very similar in shade and depth to Michael’s.  They laughed often about the fact that Michael could easily be AJ’s biological child, as they were so similar in so many ways, including their features.  When he had been younger, Jillian would sometimes feel left out, as second mother and son would be lost in their own little world together.

“What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?” AJ whispered into Jillian’s ear as the music stopped and there was silence as everyone got settled.

Jillian smiled and shook her head.  “Just thinking about how lucky I am.”

AJ’s smile was blinding.  “I love you.”

“I love you back.” 

The End

o                                           