Blaring music pumped through Dylan's veins as she stood at the bar watching the sea of people on the dance floor. The myriad of lights made it almost impossible to see anyone's true identity. She had been coming here with her friends for the past several weekends, just observing the crowd and wondering if she would ever find a woman of interest. Eyes straying to her friends, she saw that they were lost in the music as they danced in a small circle with each other.

Figuring she should join the fun, the redhead threw back her drink and set the glass on the bar. As she did so, she caught a glimpse of blue eyes at the other end of the bar staring at her intently. The woman looked young but intense with the way she brazenly gazed at Dylan. Not knowing what to do the redhead just stood motionless trapped in those eyes as her admirer started for her.

"Hi," the shorter woman greeted when she reached Dylan.

"Hello. How are you?"

"Wonderful now that I've laid my eyes on you," she flirted with obvious confidence.

Dylan smiled brightly and gave a small chuckle at the line. However, she was intrigued, so she inquired, "May I buy you a drink? You look like you're almost out."

"Sure. Dirty martini."

Waving to the bartender, Dylan summoned him over. "The lady would like another dirty martini, and I'll take another pint of Guinness."

"Guinness, how can you drink it?" the stranger asked conversationally.

"It's like milk to us Irish. Life just wouldn't be the same without Guinness." She paused a moment to pay the bartender when he set the drinks down on the bar. Turning back to her guest though, she handed her the fresh martini and asked, "So, what's your name?"

Blue eyes twinkled in the light as the brunette replied, "I'm not telling you."

"All right. Well, do you want to know mine?"

"Not yet. Right now I'm still enjoying the anonymity. Is that okay with you?"

"I'm game," Dylan answered. "How about how old you are? Will you give me that much?"

"I'm twenty-seven. How old are you?"

"I'm twenty-three."

Dark brows quirked at the answer. "No offense but you seem much older."

"I know. Life experience shows on my face. We New York firefighters are like that."

"Firefighter, huh?" the brunette questioned, reaching out to touch Dylan on the forearm. "No wonder you're wearing that t-shirt. I was wondering if that was the real thing or just a nod to our city's finest."

Letting the warmth of the stranger's hand suffuse her skin, Dylan decided to play along further. Leaning in she whispered near the brunette's ear, "I'm the total package. Been doing this for five years now."

"Five years. Then must have lost a great deal of friends when the Towers fell."

"I did. Worse though is the guilt having been stuck in the rubble and surviving. That screws with one's psyche."

"I'm sure it does, but look at you now," the shorter woman said, taking a step closer to Dylan. "Strong, sexy, a survivor. I bet you make women's heads turn when you walk the street."

Feeling an arm snake around her waist, Dylan just grinned. She liked how direct this woman was. "Enough about me. Tell me about you. What do you do?"

"As little as possible," she replied, taking a large sip from her glass.

"An uptown girl?" the redhead asked.

The blue-eyed woman nodded. "Daddy's girl and proud of it. Occasionally though I like to come downtown," she sexily uttered as her eyes moved down the firefighter's body.

"Don't we all?" Dylan responded. "So, then how do you spend your day if you don't work?"

"However I want. I do what I want, when I want, and how I want."

Emboldened by the older woman's subliminal signals, Dylan slid an arm around the brunette's waist. Pressing her lips to the stranger's ear, she inquired, "If that's the case, then tell me what you want from me."

Locking eyes again the shorter woman answered, "I want you to ask me to dance."

Dylan nodded. Taking her beer from the bar, she quickly downed it before turning to her company. "Would you like to dance?"

"Yes, I would," she answered, taking the last sip of her martini. She took Dylan's outstretched hand and let herself be led to the floor.

The firefighter had every intention of staying at a respectable distance at first, but it was obvious her guest had other ideas, because they were soon pressed body to body. Dylan groaned lightly at the feeling of this sexy stranger against her. The petite frame she possessed felt so good against her own body mass. It had been such a long time since she had felt a woman this closely.

Deciding to get bolder, Dylan let her hands roam over the brunette's back across her hips before rest against the seat of her slacks as they ground together sensually with the music. Blue eyes met hers at that action, but the shorter woman didn't protest. Instead she responded in kind, her hands slipping into the back pockets of Dylan's jeans.

Leaning toward the stranger's ear, she complimented, "You are incredibly beautiful. Did you know that? You have such sexy eyes."

"Thank you for thinking so. That means a lot coming from someone with such a hot body. Muscles turn me on so much," the older woman said as her hands began to move again.

Dylan groaned slightly as fingers shot up the back of her navy t-shirt, nails scratching lightly over her skin. For a brief moment her mind pondered if the smaller woman did that during sex. Dylan always enjoyed the feeling of a woman's nails digging in, clutching fiercely to her in the throes of passion. She gave a shuddering exhale. Blue eyes gazed at her knowingly.

Dylan knew it that moment that the older woman knew exactly what she was doing. She was intentionally trying to seduce the redhead, but that fact only served to heighten the taller woman's arousal. Her long hiatus coupled with the enigmatic beauty in her arms left a need beginning to surface. Trying to engage her company even more, she nuzzled the dark hair and commented, "You have the softest looking mouth I have ever seen. It makes me wonder how good you taste." Dylan felt the brunette's chuckle reverberate in her chest as hands found perch in red hair.

Teeth scraping over the firefighter's earlobe, she responded, "Why wonder? Find out. I promise you won't be disappointed."

With that encouragement Dylan decided to go for it. Threading her left hand through the stranger's long brown hair, she cupped the back of her head. Their eyes met, green catching blue in a fierce gaze. Somehow Dylan didn't think this lady was looking for a tame, chaste kiss, so she went with her instincts, diving forcefully onto the brunette's mouth. She heard the deep moan as arms clung to the muscles of her bare back. The kiss was a passionate encounter as they both dueled ferociously, neither wanting to be the first to pull back. However, the shorter woman finally yanked her head back and gasped for breath.

Even though she was panting, her eyes told the story of want. "I think I need some fresh air," she said.

Dylan nodded and took her hand. Together they left the club. Once on the street, the firefighter walked them around to the side of the building to the alley. She pulled the brunette into it far enough that they wouldn't be easily seen but still in the soft glow of the street lamp. Pushing the brunette up against the concrete wall, Dylan wrapped her arms around the stranger's waist. "Better?" she asked quietly.

"Better," she whispered, pulling Dylan's head down toward her again to resume their activities from inside.

Going with the tide of emotions, Dylan allowed herself to be drawn in further to the mysterious woman's game. She knew she wanted the woman now, and furthermore, she thought the feeling was mutual. Trying to dictate their direction, the redhead pushed her right thigh between the brunette's smaller ones. A gasp ensued as petite hips rocked forward, meeting the movement. Breaking their kiss, the younger woman started on the supple neck, kissing and licking a path down from the stranger's ear to her collarbone as her hands found the buttons of the cream-colored blouse the brunette was wearing. Fingers quickly slipped them from their holes until the blouse was hanging open, exposing the treasures beneath it.

"God, you're beautiful," the firefighter groaned as she filled her hands with warm femininity. She felt her t-shirt being frantically raised and allowed the brunette to pull it all the way off her body, leaving her in only a sports bra and jeans. Moments later two hands were all over her torso, taking in the feeling of her skin and the muscles resting just beneath. Dylan didn't even know or care that her favorite shirt had just been discarded in the mire of the dirty damp alley. The only thing of which she was cognizant was those fingers raking over her skin and the humid New York summer night causing perspiration to appear on her frame.

Their bodies ground together frantically, and the younger woman knew there was only one thing left to do. Reaching her right hand between their bodies, she opened the button and zipper of the chocolate-colored pants the stranger was wearing. Slipping her hand inside, she cupped the juncture of the older woman's thighs, moaning loudly at the wetness that awaited her.

However, a gasp and strangled cry greeted the action. "No, wait," the brunette objected.

Confused but always gallant, Dylan froze in her movements and met blue eyes. "What's wrong?" she questioned. The older woman shook her head as of trying to clear her thoughts. She reached down and took the firefighter by the wrist, extracting Dylan's hand from her pants. The redhead stepped back, feeling that somehow she had crossed the line with the woman. Putting her hands in the front pockets of her jeans, she gently asked, "Are you all right?"

The older woman shook her head as she began to button her blouse to hide herself. "I'm sorry. I, uh, I think I better go," she stated.

Perplexed at the unexpected statement, Dylan asked, "What? Why?"

"I just think it's best," she answered, putting the rest of her clothes back in place.

"You're kidding. I don't understand. What just happened here?" the redhead inquired.

Blue eyes roamed over the taller woman's body before meeting green eyes. "I'm sorry," she repeated, starting to move away from Dylan.

Going with her emotions, the firefighter reacted quickly, slamming her hands against the wall on either side of the strange woman to block her escape. "You're not going anywhere," she forcefully said. Once again blue eyes met hers, but where there was once arousal showed fear. Dylan had to take a deep breath to calm down a little. "I'm sorry. I would never hurt you," she tried to assure, but she could tell she hadn't been completely successful. "Look, if you changed your mind, that's okay. I can accept that, but I deserve to know why. Why throw yourself at me like you want me to screw you and then try to run as soon as I try to do just as you want?"

The brunette broke their gaze and kept silent for a moment. Finally though she looked back into Dylan's eyes. "I never intended this."

"Bullshit. You had this in mind since seeing me in the bar. You were not shy about what you wanted. You've been playing games with me all night." She paused before asking, "Is this a part of that game? Are you some sort of tease?"

The brunette looked around uncomfortably. "Let me go," she demanded, not answering the question.

Figuring she was not going to get her answer, Dylan stepped back. Quietly the older woman stepped away and out of the alley. The firefighter watched her, wondering what has just happened to her. Reaching down she grabbed her now dirty wet t-shirt. Instead of putting it on, she merely held it in her hand as she followed the smaller woman to the curb who was obviously looking for a cab. "Hey, wait a minute."

The stranger looked over her shoulder. "What?"

"Why don't I take you home? You're not going to find a cab at this hour easily."

"I'll be fine."

"No, seriously, let me give you a ride. No strings. I promise." She could tell the smaller woman was contemplating the offer for a moment.

"Okay. Where's your car?"

"Bike actually. It's just down at the end of the block. Come on," she said, extending her hand. Getting to the motorcycle, Dylan casually climbed onto it, holding it upright and then assisted her passenger. Since her shirt was still wet, she simply held onto it with one hand as she started the bike and then raced off into the night. Feeling the brunette grasping her bare waist, the firefighter wondered if she would get another chance at her once they were back at the stranger's place. She wanted one, but she had promised that she would be on good behavior. Nevertheless, the woman's body lightly pressed into her back was refueling that fire that had started to dwindle.

Twenty minutes later they reached the older woman's building. Dylan drove the bike onto the sidewalk up near the door. The night doorman greeted them both politely. Shutting off the engine, she assisted the brunette off before getting off herself. "Well, here you are, safe and sound."

"Thank you for the ride."

"You're welcome. Should I escort you the rest of the way, or will you be all right?"

The shorter woman looked toward the bellman who was obviously trying to ignore their conversation. "Perhaps you should see me up," she replied.

"All right." Turning to the doorman, Dylan asked, "Would you mind keeping an eye on my bike?"

"Not at all."

"Wonderful. Thank you."

"Come on," the brunette said, leading the way through the glass doors. They walked silently through the lobby. Dylan could feel the eyes of the lobby attendants on her naked torso, but she tried to ignore the stares. Not a word was said as they rode the elevator up to the older woman's floor. Getting to the door, she turned toward Dylan again. "Would you care to come in?"

"All right. Sure."

Moving into the apartment, Dylan's eyes became wide. Her entire place could have fit in the foyer of the home. "You live here?"

"This is my father's place."

"Oh. And where is he?"

"He and his third wife are in Europe somewhere. I like to stay here when they're gone. My real place is just a few blocks down."

"Wow. I've never seen anything like this," the redhead mentioned, following her company into the kitchen.

"Would you like something to drink?" the blue-eyed woman asked.

"Sure. Beer if you have it."

The other woman laughed. "You won't find beer in this house. Wine or liquor are your only choices."

"All right. Well, how about some water then?"

"Water it is." Dylan watched as the older woman moved about the kitchen, getting a glass from the cabinet and filling it with ice and then bottled water. Coming to where she was standing, the short woman shyly handed the water to her guest.

Meeting blue eyes, the firefighter saw that there was still an attraction between them and hoped all was not lost on their evening. "Thank you," she said taking the glass. Her hand brushed against the other woman's and caressed it gently before bringing the glass to her mouth. Her audience watched as she finished it off in several large gulps. Seeing blue eyes watching her every move, Dylan knew she should take another chance. She put the empty glass down on the counter next to her and then stepped to her hostess, closing the distance from a few feet to none. Her hand came to rest hesitantly on the woman's side.

"I thought you said no strings," the stranger shyly reminded.

"I meant it. I just see something in your eyes that keeps drawing me to you. What is it? What do you need? I can give you whatever it is. You just have to tell me."

The dark head lowered for a moment before a soft answer came. "I need you to stay here tonight."

"All right. Anything else?"

"I need you to know the truth."

"Then tell me."

"You were right. The moment I laid eyes on you at the bar, I had intentions of seducing you."

"Then once you had succeeded why did you push me away?"

"Because I couldn't do it. I couldn't use you like that. I was just angry at my ex who happened to be at the bar, and I took it out on you. I'm so sorry."

Dylan nodded. "Well, that certainly makes sense. Wicked ex-girlfriends are the worst. It's all right. I understand."

The brunette nodded. "So, why don't I get you a clean shirt to wear, and we can wash this one?" she suggested, taking the soiled garment from the redhead's hand. "I'll be right back." Several minutes later she returned with another t-shirt. "This should fit you. I'll just put yours in the wash."

Taking the gray shirt, Dylan slipped it on. It was a little small in the shoulders, but it would do for the moment. While her hostess was gone, she took it upon herself to look around the spacious apartment. Her curiosity led her to the balcony in the living room where there was an expansive view of Central Park. Several minutes later her thoughts were interrupted by a noise behind her. She turned to find the brunette just watching her closely. "So, did you want to do something in particular?" She shrugged. "Well, it is getting a bit late, and I have to work in the morning. Perhaps we should just call it a night?" she proposed.

"Of course. I forget about that working thing sometimes. Come on."

Gamely Dylan followed her leader up the staircase to the second level. Neither said anything as they moved into one of the bedrooms. "Is this your room?"

The older woman nodded. "Yeah. This is my old room. Wait here and I'll get you something to sleep in."

"That's okay. This shirt is fine."

"What about on the bottom?"

"I have a pair of shorts under my jeans."

"Oh, well, okay. Make yourself comfortable. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Being left alone the firefighter slipped off her shoes and jeans. Removing her sports bra, she laid all her clothes over the loveseat that was in the sitting area of the room. She couldn't believe she was doing this. Not only was she not getting laid, she was consoling a woman with a broken heart who had lead her on cruelly just to get back at her ex. She wondered if she was crazy, but there was something about the brunette. Those eyes said so much more than her hostess, and she was drawn to finding out their depths. Ten minutes later the brunette returned, looking bashful as she stood there rocking back and forth on her feet. Dylan gave a supportive smile. "Let me just go to the bathroom, and then I'll join you," she said, moving by her into the bathroom from which the older woman had just come.

By the time she came back, the brunette was sitting in her queen-sized bed, the nightstand light on a low setting. Neither woman said anything as Dylan came to the bedside which was unoccupied and casually slipped into it. On the inside she questioned what she was doing, but she acted as normally as she could. Once she was settled, the older woman turned out the light.

Silence ensued as both of them tried to get comfortable. However, Dylan instinctively felt that her hostess needed comfort that could only be provide with a physical presence. Slowly reaching over, she placed an arm across the brunette's body. Instantly she turned and faced Dylan. "Is this okay?" the firefighter asked. The brunette nodded. For several minutes they simply gazed into each others eyes as they grew accustomed to the dark. Those blue eyes even then were so intense. Unable to control herself, Dylan reached up and caressed the face close to her own. "You really are incredibly beautiful. Whatever happened with your ex, she was a fool to leave you." A small smile was the only response. Leaning into the brunette's forehead, Dylan kissed it softly.

Meeting eyes again, she saw the openness there and the need to be loved. Carefully the taller woman inched her mouth toward the brunette's, hovering near those lips she knew were so soft and waiting for a response. It only took a moment before the brunette responded, meeting Dylan's mouth gently. Leisurely they kissed. They were in no rush this time nor was there an agenda. There was simply the methodical touch of a stranger, lavishing gentle attention to a soul torn by emotional anguish. In fact Dylan was hardly even aware of how far they progressed. The pace was so unhurried that she was lying between the blue-eyed angel's trim bare thighs before she even realized they were in fact about to consummate their short relationship.

Knowing that she should play her part of a chivalrous supporter, Dylan sweetly kissed over the stranger's dark right brow. "We'll only do this if you want," she whispered.

The dark head nodded. "Please," the only word of asking.

With that Dylan completed the connection that had started hours before in the smoky bar. She wanted to love the woman in her arms in a way that would be remembered. She wanted to show her the kindness that she had so obviously not gotten from her former girlfriend. Bearing that in her mind, she gently gave herself to the brunette's pleasure until the older woman expressed her exhaustion.

A few hours later Dylan woke with the sun. Turning over she read the clock and realized she had little time before needing to be at work. She looked over at the woman with whom she shared a bed. The brunette was lost in sleep, those blue eyes closed, but still looking as beautiful as Dylan had imaged the night before in her alcohol induced state.

Regretfully she slipped from the bed. Dressing in her clothes from the previous night, she even put on the t-shirt the brunette had given her. She didn't want to leave just then for fear she would never see this beauty again, but she knew her duty called. Deciding to take a chance, she scribbled her name and work phone number on a slip of paper and placed it on the nightstand next to the sleeping woman. Unable to resist, she kissed the dark head and then left.

Upon arriving at work that morning, her friends from the bar the night before all gave her a knowing grin. "So, you left early last night," one of her fellow partners playfully chided.

"Yeah, I know."

"I saw you all over that hot girl. You get laid finally?" another firefighter inquired.

"Shut up, man. That's none of your business," she remarked but the blush on her face gave her away.

"Oh, you did. Good for you. Tell us about her."

"Not much to tell."

"What's her name?"

Dylan shook her head. "I don't know."

"You don't know? You fucked a woman without even knowing her name? You're a bigger stud than we thought."

"Shut up. I didn't fuck anyone. She got burned by an ex girlfriend and just needed someone there for her."

"This is getting even better. A sympathy fuck. She's too hot for that," they joked.

"For the last time, I didn't bang anyone, Now just leave me alone about it," Dylan protested, sulking out into the garage. She hated the way her co-workers were jibing her about her activities the night before. If they only knew what had really happened. It was something special to Dylan. For once in her life she felt as if she had lived in the moment and loved another woman completely. She hoped that the brunette would feel the same and reach out to her. The ball was no longer in her court, and all she could do was wish for another moment with the mystery woman.

By that afternoon, the firefighter had pushed thoughts of the petite woman from her mind as she exerted energy on washing the fire engine with several other colleagues. They were all involved in their work and the music blaring from the stereo when Dylan heard a couple of the guys on top of the engine cat calling. Curious as to who could cause such a commotion, she turned toward the sidewalk.

Dylan's heart started pounding wildly as she saw her standing there. The brunette was wearing a pair of dark jeans, accentuating her trim legs and plain white blouse. On her head was a burberry bucket hat and sunglasses hid her eyes. Nevertheless, Dylan knew without a doubt it was her. Standing up she took a deep breath and tossed her sponge into the soap bucket. Cautiously she made her way over to the brunette. A tentative smile greeted her.

"Dylan," the brunette stated in simple greeting.

"Blue eyes, hi. How are you?" she asked carefully, stepping into the older woman's personal space. She wanted to touch her, but she wasn't sure how it would be taken.

The shorter woman removed her sunglasses, revealing those eyes that drew her closer. "I woke up, and you were gone."

"I'm sorry. I had to work."

"I understand. I figured you wouldn't have left your name and number if you didn't want to see me."

"I hoped I would."

Breaking their gaze, she said, "I just wanted to thank you for last night."

"You're very welcome, blue eyes."

With another timid glance, the petite woman leaned up on her tiptoes and planted a sweet kiss against Dylan's cheek. "Well, I should let you get back to work."

"Wait. You can't leave yet. There's something I need to know."

"What's that?"

"Your name," the redhead stated as if it should be apparent.

"Oh yes. How could I forget? After all that's happened, I feel like I've known you such a long time."

"So what is it, blue eyes?"

"Anna. It's Anna," she softly said.

"Anna," Dylan repeated, trying the name out. "It suits you."

"Well, I should go," she said, again trying to leave.

"Anna, just a minute. After last night I was hoping that we might be able to get to know one another," she hopefully posed.

She saw her answer before Anna said anything. "Really? Even after the way I treated you?"

"You told me the truth. That takes courage. You could have picked anyone last night, but you picked me, and as soon as you walked over I felt a connection to you. I just want a chance to get to know you. Just give me some time, Anna. I promise to be good to you."

The older woman smiled brightly. "I felt it too, Dylan, from the moment you kissed me. I'd really like to spend time with you."

Confident in her feelings, the redhead slipped her arms around the brunette's waist and leaned down toward her lips. Anna responded eagerly, pulling the firefighter closer and exchanging in a loving kiss. Hollering broke out from on top of the fire engine as one of Dylan's co-workers blew the horn. Both women laughed. "Come on. Let me show you around the firehouse," she suggested.

Anna shook her head. "I can't right now. I was on my way somewhere. What time do you get off?"

"Around eight."

"I'll come back then if you want."

"I definitely want. I'll take you to dinner."

Anna smiled, making her blue eyes sparkle even more. "How about this? I'll make you dinner at your place?"

"I look forward to it, Anna, more than you could know."

"Oh, I know, Dylan, I know." With that she kissed the redhead sweetly once again before walking off down the street. Dylan smiled as Anna disappeared into the crowd. She knew this was the beginning of something, and she couldn't wait for it to start.



The End or maybe The Beginning ?