Dedication: To Mel C. (who counts my sex scenes and gains tips on loving women), thanks for the longest "fan" mail. Sometimes less is more, as long as it's quality.

Hope you enjoy this installment.

Feel free to drop me a note at alextryst@hotmail.com. Enjoy!

The retro music blared over the sea of people at Venus that Friday night. Erin was in her office when her phone buzzed. She grabbed it. "Yeah?"

"Have you heard from Princess tonight? She was supposed to be here an hour ago. It isn't like her to ever be late or absent," her manager Kevin inquired.

"No, we didn't have any voicemails. That does seem strange. How is the bar coverage with her out?"

"Well, we're down a bartender on a Friday night. It's a big crowd. I've called everyone looking for someone to fill in. I didn't have any takers. I'm about to hop behind the bar to give them an extra set of hands."

"All right. I'll be down in a few minutes. I can lend a hand as well. Let me just call Princess's place and see if she's there." Hanging up Erin called her absent bartender. She only got the answering machine. Leaving a message, she decided she didn't have time to think about it any longer, even though she was concerned. Her help was needed downstairs.

Not knowing how much time passed as she and her bartenders tended to the thick crowd, she was surprised when one of her bouncers pulled her out from behind the bar. "You have a phone call up front."

"Who is it? I'm kind of busy here."

"It's Princess. She sounds pretty shaken."

The Texan nodded her head and headed to the front of the club and into the booth where one of her employees was checking identification and taking the cover charges for the night. "Princess, hey," she greeted calmly, even though she was agitated that she was short an employee on such a busy night. "Where are you? You were supposed to be here a long time ago."

"I know, Erin, and I'm sorry," the younger woman replied in a shaky voice.

Immediately the brunette's tone changed at the sound of her friend. "Are you all right?"

"No. Jas and I got into another fight. I'm actually at the hospital. That's why I'm not at work."

"Did she hurt you?" accused the club owner. She had seen some signs that her favorite bartender was being abused at home, but Princess never wanted to discuss it. The woman on the other end of the line only cried in response. "What hospital are you in?" Princess told her. "You stay right there. I'm coming to get you."

"That's not necessary, Erin. I just wanted you to know why I'm not at work."

"I insist. Stay put. I'm on my way."

"Thank you. I didn't really want to be by myself."

"You won't be. I'll be there in half an hour."

As promised Erin entered the emergency room in just under thirty minutes. When she asked for her friend, she was escorted to her room. One look at her friend and she felt anger well up inside of her. "Sahar, what the hell?" she asked. The petite Arabic woman, who was a main attraction at Venus for her exotic beauty and flirty personality, was lying on top of a bed with abrasions across her face and left forearm in a cast. "Did Jas do this to you?" She still did not receive an answer. The small woman only dropped their gaze and began crying again. Coming to the bed, Erin took a seat next to her friend and wrapped her in her arms. "It's going to be okay. I'm going to take care of you."

"I never thought she could do this."

"Jas did this?" Erin asked again. Sahar nodded. "Damn, New York attorneys. They're all fucking assholes," she grumbled. That earned a small snicker from her charge. "What happened?"

"She came home drunk and late from work again. I smelled another woman's perfume on her clothes. I got upset and accused her of cheating. After all, once a cheater, always a cheater. That's how we hooked up. I've suspected it before, but she's never been so blatant about it. We started yelling."

"And you're a spitfire," Erin added. She could just imagine the short woman getting up in her girlfriend's face even though Jas towered over Sahar and outweighed her considerably.

"I started punching her, because I had just had it. She grabbed me by the arm and twisted it. It just snapped under the pressure."

"And your face?"

"I had turned away when she hurt my arm, and she shoved me to the floor. I cut my face on the stone of the fireplace."

"How many times has this happened before?"

Sahar shrugged. "She didn't used to be this way. When we first met, she was so sexy and charming."

"When was the first time she ever hit you?"

"About a year ago. I thought she was having an affair then, too. We argued and the next thing I knew she hit me so hard I fell to the kitchen floor. She apologized profusely of course. The next day she bought me a new diamond necklace as an apology. She seemed so sorry."

Erin nodded. It was a common cycle for battered women. "Did she continue to hit you?"

"It's only now and again whenever she's drunk and we argue."

"Why do you stay?"

"I love her," she cried.

"She's going to kill you one of these days, Princess. You don't deserve to be beaten or cheated on. You deserve a woman who will treat you right, treat you with respect."

"She does... or at least she did, but it's over now. I told her I never wanted to see her again."

"I know that must be hard, but it's for the best."

"It just hurts. Why does she do this?"

"I don't know."

A little while later the doctors released Sahar. The Arabic woman grabbed her purse and allowed Erin to escort her from the building. As they stood on the corner waiting for a cab, the short woman said, "I'm really dreading going home tonight."

"Is she going to be there?"

"I don't know. Last I saw her she was heading out the door after our fight."

"It's probably best if you don't go home just in case she's there. I want you to stay with me."

"No, I couldn't."

"I want you to. I have plenty of space at the hotel. Besides then I know you're safe. We can make a game plan of what you're going to do tomorrow," she said as a cab pulled up to them.

"If you're sure."

"I am. Come on. A safe, comfortable bed awaits you."

Together they were taken to The W Hotel where Erin had a room. She escorted her friend upstairs with a protective arm around her shoulders. When they arrived, the tall Texan asked, "Would you like to take a bath or have something to eat? I can order something. Whatever you want."

Sahar shook her head as she moved into Erin's space. "Thank you for everything," she whispered, snuggling into her friend's frame. "I always feel so safe with you."

"You know I'm always here," Erin whispered, kissing the top of the dark brown head resting against her chest.

"I wish that were really true. I wish you lived here in New York. I miss you when you're away," Sahar confessed, looking up into Erin's eyes.

Erin just smiled. "I miss you, too. I miss the fun we used to have."

"Me too. Daddy did always like you. Good thing he didn't know the truth about us then. He probably would have killed you."

The tall woman nodded in agreement. "Yeah. It was tough enough being a white woman in the UAE. People didn't like me much there, because I was so outspoken. I probably would have been shot had he known I was sleeping with his little girl. You, religious nut jobs, are like that," she said with a laugh.

"Who are you calling a religious nut job? We might have radical Muslims in our country, but you have right wing religious conservatives. They bomb innocent people, too. They're just as monstrous as the rest of the radicals in the world. Muslims just get all the negative press. We're not all bad."

"I know. I was just kidding. You know I don't have anything against Muslims. I wouldn't do business with your father if I thought he was evil, but you have to admit if he knew about us, he probably would have gone completely jihad on my ass and killed me in the name of Allah for tarnishing his precious little Princess," she teased.

"Yes, if he knew that a certain American woman had stolen my virginity at the young age of 19, he would have probably done just that, but luckily he thinks we're just good friends, and you got a good deal out of him. He doesn't do business with Americans usually. In fact, these days, he won't at all, except for you. The anti-Arabic sentiment here is tough to deal with sometimes."

"I'm sure it is. However, you're one hot chick. That's bound to help. Not only that Daddy's got more money than Allah."

Sahar chuckled. "You'd be amazed how much it helps. That's the American way. Loyalty to the green above all else." She smiled at her friend. "You know, instead of sitting here in the hotel room feeling sorry for myself, I want to go downstairs to the bar."

"Sure. Anything you want."

"Great. Just give me a minute to freshen up a little. I'll be right back." With a quick lean in up on her tiptoes, she kissed Erin's on the lips before departing for the bathroom.

When she returned, Erin took her by the right hand and led them down to the bar. Seeing that it was busy, they found a cozy couch in the corner and settled into it. Sahar immediately wrapped herself in Erin's arms as a server came to get their drink orders.

Across the bar blue eyes studied their entrance, surprised at the sight of Erin Mahoney in New York. Oh God. What is she doing here? Erin looked completely like herself, which bothered the blue-eyed blonde. She had hoped Erin would have called her in the couple of months apart, but that was not the case. In fact, Erin didn't even try to communicate with her. So this is what you have been doing? I should've known you would just forget the whole thing happened between us. Her focus was broken when a voice asked, "Emily, are you still with me?"

The blonde attorney shook herself out of her fog and turned to her date. "I'm sorry, Gillian. I just saw someone I knew come into the bar. What were you saying?"

Her date looked over her shoulder. "Who came in?" she inquired in interest.

"It's no one, just a client of mine. Back to what you were saying."

"No. I want to know." She winked at the blonde as she said, "Let me guess." After a moment, she asked, "The tall brunette in the corner with the Middle Eastern woman?"

"What makes you guess her?" Am I that easy to read?

"I'm a shrink. I get paid to notice subtleties. An ex of yours?"

"No. She's a client of my firm."

Gillian studied Emily with studious eyes. "A woman you had or still have feelings for," she assessed.

Emily laughed off her unease. "I assure you the answer is no. If I had feelings for another woman, I wouldn't be here on a date with you."

"Valid point. So introduce me."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"Oh, come on. It'll be fun."

"Maybe later," Emily conceded. Putting a hand on top of her date's she suggested, "Let's get back to us."

Emily did her best not to let her eyes stray from her date as they sat at the bar. It had taken her a few weeks when she had returned from Texas to feel normal again. Erin Mahoney had put her in a confused tizzy last time she had seen her, a feeling that had lingered once she had returned home. However, she resolved that she wouldn't allow Erin to have a place in her heart any more. She had started dating local women, and Dr. Gillian White had intrigued her from the moment they had met at a coffee shop about two months ago. They had seen each other casually, often going out with friends but had moved on to dating, this being their third official date.

After half an hour, Gillian smiled at Emily. "You know, if you want to leave, we can."

"Why would I want to leave?" Shit. Is it that obvious I'm staring?

The doctor just gave another smile as she leaned closer to the blonde. Pressing her lips against Emily's ear, she whispered, "You keep looking over there. Either let's go talk to her, so you can get over her, or let's go somewhere that she won't be a distraction."

Emily felt the hot breath against her neck as her date nuzzled into her hair. She gave a shaky exhale. She hadn't been with anyone intimately since she had left Texas, holding out on the doctor for their first two dates. However, Gillian's breath and her hand that was lightly stroking her forearm were starting to awaken primal feelings in her body. Threading a hand through auburn hair, she pulled Gillian's head away from her neck enough to meet her mouth in a voracious kiss.

"Make out session two o'clock," Sahar grumbled through her drink.

Erin, who hadn't bothered to even look around the bar when they entered, being too into her friend at the time, looked in that direction. "Man, there's some serious tonsil hockey going on there," she joked, seeing a dark-haired woman kissing an eager blonde. However, when they broke for air, she felt like she had been hit in the stomach. "Emily," she murmured under her breath.

Sahar heard her anyway. "You know one of them?"

"The blonde."

"One of your conquests?"

"A friend."

"Uh huh. Did you sleep with her?" Sahar questioned.

"What do you think?" Erin said, flashing a crooked grin.

"I'd put money on it. She's hot enough to catch your eyes. How was she?"

"Fucking fantastic," she admitted.

"Really?" the younger woman asked in interest. Her eyes turned toward Emily and her companion. There was a brief meeting of the eyes between Emily and Sahar. Smiling at Erin, the young woman kissed her jaw. "Did you let her go down on you? Did you let her fuck you until you came?"

Feeling a hand running up between her jean-clad thighs, Erin squirmed a bit. "Princess, what are you doing?"

"Don't tell me you don't know. You know I'm always good to go. Let's give your little blonde a show, shall we?"

The tall woman didn't protest as her mouth was sealed with her friend's. When they came up for air, Sahar slid into her lap. "Careful. I wouldn't want to hurt your arm."

"Don't you worry about that, sexy. My arm is just fine. I'll prove it to you." With that her friend pulled out the hem of Erin's shirt from the front of her pants with her casted forearm and then disappeared under the material. Erin felt skilled fingers caressing over her stomach. She took a restrained breath. "Still unable to relinquish control, I see," Sahar whispered, kissing Erin on the ear. "Is she watching us?"

"Yeah."

"What's her face say? Is she pissed off?"

"I don't think so. She's all over her date now."

Both women on the couch looked over to where Emily and Gillian were. It was obvious the blonde attorney was leading their intimacy even though she had a willing participant. "Damn. She doesn't stop, does she?"

"No. She's the fuck that keeps going," grumbled Erin.

"Are you jealous, Erin Mahoney?"

"Of course not. After all, I've got all I need right here." Her arms slid more securely around Sahar's hips as they resumed their own kissing.

When they broke for air once again, Emily glanced across the bar. Erin was still kissing the Arabic woman. Damn you, Erin. You are such a bitch. I can't believe I ever thought I could love you. Looking at Gillian, she alluringly caressed the doctor's cheek. "I have an idea," she said, her body leaning even closer.

"I'm all ears," Gillian anxiously replied, breathing slightly erratic.

Sexily she whispered, "Let's get a room."

"You want to get a room here? Now?"

"That's right."

"I can take you home or my place is close."

"No. I want a room. I want to take you upstairs and rip your clothes off. I want to fuck you, Gillian, and I want you to fuck me like you never have fucked any other woman."

Instantly Gillian was on her feet, taking Emily by the hand. "Let's go."

The blonde took one last look at Erin and her company. She was mad, but she wasn't about to let that show. After all, Erin obviously had moved on, and it was time she did, too. Gillian had been wonderful over the last two months, and she desperately wanted to be desired just then. She hoped the doctor would be a good lover, and figured their heavy groping on their previous date as well as their impromptu make out session was a good indication of pleasurable things to come.

At the receptionist's desk, they received a knowingly yet disapproving look when they asked for a room for a night and had no luggage, but the blonde didn't care. All that was on her mind was erasing the feeling brought on by seeing Erin in the arms of another woman. Quietly they rode the elevator up to their floor. The attorney spent the entire time giving herself a mental pep talk. She needed to do this. It was the only way to get Erin out of her system for good.

Back downstairs Sahar and Erin broke away long enough for them to realize they no longer had their audience. The small woman chuckled. "I guess she and her guest went elsewhere. Why don't we do the same thing? Didn't you promise me a comfortable bed earlier tonight?"

"Yes but that was before you decided I was going to be Jasmine's replacement, at least for the night. Are you sure you want to do this, Princess? I don't mind being the one to heal your broken heart, but I don't want you to regret this tomorrow. You said you loved Jas."

"I do love Jas, but she's an abusive drunk. It's over. What I really need right now is the touch of a tender lover. I remember a time when you were just that. You always make me feel safe and loved whenever you're near, Erin. I want to know that tonight more than ever."

"Then I'd be happy to oblige you. Come on."

Going back upstairs Erin fulfilled her friend's request. She gave her the gentle loving she was desperately seeking for the rest of the night. Sahar was an eager recipient and an equal match for her older lover's appetite. The years between them didn't show in the least in bed, and the younger woman understood the defined roles Erin had always instituted between them. In the morning after little sleep, the two showered and dressed for the day.

"Why don't we get some breakfast and then discuss how we are going to handle Jas?" Erin suggested once they were prepared for the new day.

"Sounds good. I'm hungry after the workout you gave me," Sahar teased, snuggling into her friend's body as they moved toward the elevator. Pressing the down button, they waited on an elevator arrive as they continued to cuddle. A moment later a chime altered them as the doors to one opened.

Oh shit. There's no way around this, Em, the blonde thought when the opening doors revealed Erin and her date from the previous night. Outwardly she tried to put on a nonchalant face as she stepped closer to Gillian. "Erin, hi. What a surprise," she greeted.

"Emily, hi," she replied as she and Sahar got on the elevator. Seeing where blue eyes were suddenly, she continued, "Emily this is a friend of mine, Sahar Freyha. Sahar, this is one of my attorneys, Emily Parker."

The short Arabic woman smiled charmingly as she extended her hand. "Hi. Nice to meet you."

"You too. This is Gillian White. Gillian, Erin Mahoney and Sahar Freyha."

"Pleasure," the doctor said shaking both their hands. "How do you and Emily know each other?"

"I'm a client where Emily works. They do tax work for my company," Erin explained. "Emily's one of the brightest tax attorneys I've ever met."

"Didn't you just say last night that all attorneys were assholes?" Sahar joked.

The Texan laughed lightly, her gaze connecting with blue eyes. "I did, however, Emily might just be the exception."

"How do you two know each other?" Emily questioned of Erin and Sahar.

"Oh, we've been friends for six years. We met when Erin came to my country to do business with my father. Now that I live here part of the year, she looks out for me. Just last night she saved from my good for nothing ex."

"Super Dyke to the rescue. How fitting," the blonde commented.

"Super Dyke? You're Super Dyke?" Gillian inquired. "Oh my gosh. Emily's friends have told me stories about you."

"They call you Super Dyke?" Sahar asked with a giggle. "Oh, I can't wait to tell everyone at the club."

Erin shrugged. "Yes, someone gave me the nickname, but you don't have to tell the bar about it. I'm sure Emily and her friends have told you stories, some of which are probably overinflated," she said, addressing both of them.

"According to these girls, your skills are legendary," Gillian said with a grin. The elevator doors opened on the ground floor. All four women stepped out into the lobby. "Listen, we were about to go out for some breakfast. Do you two want to join us?"

"Sure. That would be great," Sahar answered.

Emily and Erin just exchanged a silent look, their respective lovers doing the talking between them. Finally though, the blonde said, "Perhaps Erin has other plans."

"No, we don't. We were just going to breakfast ourselves," Sahar said once again.

"Great. Then it's settled. We just need to check out."

"We'll wait for you outside," the Arabic woman replied, taking Erin by the hand and leading them out the front doors.

"Princess, what are you doing?" Erin asked when they were alone.

"Come on. This will be fun. I want to watch those blue eyes seethe looking across the table at us."

Inside Emily gave her lover a glower as they went to the front desk to check out. "You should have asked me before inviting them to breakfast."

"Oh, this will be interesting. You didn't tell me she was the one your friends all rave about. I want to see for myself what all the gossip is about. Surely she can't live up to the expectations."

Emily said nothing. If you make a big deal out of this, she's going to know you have feelings for Erin. Just be calm. You can do this. It's only one breakfast. You've been in awkward situations with Erin before and survived. But you never were with another woman at the time. And you never had obviously had sex with someone else the night before. They all know what you've done, just like you know what Erin has done.

When Gillian and Emily came outside the four of them quickly decided on a place just down the block for the sake of convenience. They were led to a booth. Taking seats they were left situated with Erin across from Gillian and Emily across from Sahar. The table was quiet for a few minutes as they all read their menus, but once they had all ordered, Gillian opened the conversation.

For the next hour the four women ate and talked. Erin noticed that Emily was not being as talkative as normal, but she passed it off as the awkwardness of the situation. She did her best not to act affected by the fact the blonde had slept with the woman sitting across from her. Although her stomach was nauseated at the thought of anyone touching Emily.

Thankfully the meal finally ended, and Gillian and Erin paid their respective parts of the check. Then with a farewell out on the street, the couples went their separate ways. Gillian took Emily's hand as they walked uptown toward the blonde's place. "Well, that was an enlightening breakfast."

"Was the infamous Erin Mahoney all you thought she would be?"

"And then some," Gillian answered.

"How so?"

The doctor didn't answer at first. Instead she gestured to a coffee shop up ahead. "Let's stop for a minute. I want to talk to you about something."

Even though it sounded like a suggestion, Emily sensed it truly wasn't. Together they went into the shop and ordered beverages. Taking a table near the window, she looked at her date. "So? What's so important?"

Gillian smiled at Emily as she took her hand across the table. "I just want you to know that I had a wonderful time last night. I enjoy being with you a great deal, Emily. You're incredibly sexy and intelligent. Every time I'm with you I find myself developing feelings I didn't think I could for someone I've know for such a short amount of time. Two months isn't that long to know someone, and we haven't had a lot of time alone together, but when we are, you make me feel like no else matters. At least you did until I saw Erin." She paused.

"It isn't what you think," Emily said.

The psychiatrist gave another reassuring smile. "Give me more credit than that. After all, I make a living at reading people. I'm not upset, Emily. I just think it's best if we talk about this honestly. You have slept with her, haven't you?"

Dropping their gaze, the blonde nodded her head. "Yes, a few times."

"How long ago was this?"

"The last time was toward the beginning of last summer."

"I will assume you thought she was as good as the rest of your friends."

"Not how you think. We actually fought about that."

"You fought about the sex? She wasn't what you wanted?"

"No. She was withholding, and that became a problem. We did fight about that, and that was the last I had seen or heard of her until last night."

"So, you didn't know she was in New York?"

"No."

Gillian paused. "I have to ask you something, Emily, even though I think I already know the answer. I just need to hear you say it. Are you in love with her?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. I'll admit I have feelings, but nothing will ever be between Erin and me. She made that clear. I'm moving on."

"But are you ready to move on?"

"I have to. I don't want to waste my time on someone who doesn't love or appreciate me." Emily gave a smile at Gillian as she stroked her forearm on the table. "I like being with you, Gillian. You go out of your way to make me feel special. I like every moment we're together, and last night was great."

"I'm glad you think so, too. I know that feelings are a part of life, and you might need some time to put Erin completely behind you. We'll just take it slowly and be casual for now. I want this to work, and I'm willing to wait for it if necessary. I apologize for making the situation worse this morning. I hadn't realized the extent of your relationship. I just wanted to make sure that we both knew what we wanted here."

"We both want the same thing, Gillian," Emily reassured. "Erin will not get in the way."

"All right. I believe you. If you think she is, I want you to talk to me about it. I think we have great potential here, but the lines of communication have to stay open."

"They will."

Picking Emily's hand up, Gillian brought it to her mouth and kissed the back of it lightly. Changing the subject, she inquired, "So, right about now, I'm wondering something."

"What's that?"

"What my chances might be of a repeat performance of last night once we get back to your place," she whispered, leaning in and kissing the blonde on the cheek softly.

Emily chuckled and grinned. "There's only one way to know for sure."

"How's that?"

"Take me home now."

Across town Erin and Sahar got back to the bartender's place. "You've been quiet since we left the restaurant. That's highly unlike you. Are you all right?" Sahar inquired.

"I'm fine. I was just thinking."

"About?"

Erin looked at her friend. "When we have sex, does it bother you that I won't let you touch me?"

The Arabic woman looked completely shocked at the question. "That's quite the question, Erin. What on earth brought that on?"

The former beauty queen shrugged. "When Emily and I slept together the last time, she said she had a problem with it. I was just wondering if you did. I was wondering if a lot of women thought that but just never said so or if it was just her."

"Well, I don't know about other women, but I can honestly say that when we first started a sexual relationship, it did bother me a bit. I wanted so much to touch you, but after awhile, I got used to it. I know you, and I know what you like in bed. You get more pleasure out of giving than receiving. It's not entirely uncommon for lesbians necessarily. It's who you are, and I've accepted that."

"So, the other women you've been with have let you touch them more than what I do?"

She nodded. "Since you asked the question, may I ask why you don't let women touch you? Do you truly not like it?"

"It's not that."

"Is it the control? You don't like being out of control?"

"I don't really know. I guess it's a lack of trust. It makes me uncomfortable to be in a more passive position. My whole life I've struggled to be my own person, and now that I am, it makes me nervous to feel as if someone else owns a part of me. Does that make sense?"

"In a way. I guess being a beauty queen for the first two decades of your life has a way of warping your reality. You were seen as a girly girl who was used as a lure for men's attention. You were forced to be something you weren't. However, now that you've found yourself, I do think you've taken it too far the other way. Allowing another woman to touch you doesn't make you weak by any means. You can still be Super Dyke and get off," she teased lightly, wrapping her arms around Erin's waist. "I think you should be brave enough to try."

"I'm just afraid that if I let a woman touch me I won't be able to stop my emotions from getting in the way. When I was in my early twenties, I made that mistake on a few occasions. I mistook sex for love, and I got hurt. I was used for my money and my looks, and it was hard to get over. I don't want to make that mistake again, and part of me thinks I will end up giving more than just my body to a woman."

"I understand the fear of being used, but I think it's worth the risk if you really want to be with someone. There's nothing wrong with being emotionally involved with your lover, Erin. Why try to maintain distance? Don't you want to find a special woman to spend the rest of your life with? Don't you want to settle down?"

"Sometimes but other times I don't."

Sahar looked at her friend seriously. "You know, today I saw a side of you I never thought I would. I saw you looking at Emily across the table. You have feelings for her, don't you?"

"I haven't had feelings for a woman in a long time."

"But you do her?"

"Maybe," Erin conceded. "However, it doesn't matter now. She's obviously quite taken with Gillian White."

The short woman nodded her head in agreement. "Well, give it time. You just never know what the future might hold."

"In the meantime I was wondering if you would do something for me."

"What's that?"

The Texan took a deep breath. She was clearly nervous. "I trust you, Princess, more than I trust almost everyone else. I know you understand me, so if I asked you to stop, you would. Do you think we could try this?"

"You want me to touch you?"

"I want to touch you and try to let you reciprocate," she explained.

Sahar smiled up at her friend. "It would be a great honor to service the one and only Super Dyke," she teased. "This is like a dream come true. I'll do anything you say, and if you don't want to keep going, you just tell me." Erin nodded her head and extended her hand in invitation. Sahar took it and led the way to her bedroom. The couple came to a stop at the end of the bed. The normally controlled woman seemed anxious, but Sahar gave her a reassuring smile. "It's all right, Erin. We'll go slowly."

The tall brunette just stood there a moment trying to fortify her own courage. She knew she had to do this. If she could allow herself to feel vulnerable, she might be a better woman for it, a woman Emily wanted, but she knew she couldn't let the blonde close to her until she had gotten used to the idea. Sahar was the best substitute she could find for her little experiment, because her friend knew her better than anyone else. Trying to block out her concerns, she took the lead between them as usual.

The two women kissed slowly, unrushed in their moment. Erin concentrated on the way Sahar felt in her arms and the feeling of small hands caressing her back. They felt good as they wandered under her shirt to her bare skin. Both of them worked at a methodical pace undressing each other, but once they were naked, it was Sahar that pushed Erin down onto the bed and covered her with her smaller body. Even though Erin usually liked being on top most of the time, she allowed it. Sahar's hands drifted along her torso, taking in the feel of it but never really stopping on any particular place as Erin's hands and mouth started their own explorations. Erin did what felt natural to her, starting to arouse her partner with kisses and caresses to all Sahar's most sensitive spots, and it wasn't long until she felt her lover ready for a more intimate connection. Leaving the little woman on top of her, Erin found her lover's entrance and filled her with one deep stroke.

"That feels so good, baby," Sahar moaned into Erin's ear.

"Glad you like it."

A hand traveled down the tall woman's stomach until it rested between her thighs. Erin tensed, but her lover whispered, "You're not even wet yet, baby." The older woman didn't respond to the observation. "It's all right. I'm going to make you feel so good, Erin. I promise. You just have to relax and let go."

"Sahar," she whispered anxiously.

"Don't make me stop just yet, baby."

"I can't do this."

"Yes, you can."

"No, I can't."

"I'll tell you what, Erin. Why don't we do it this way? You touch me first, and then I'll touch you. Touching each other at the same time might be too much for you right now. Okay? Can we try that?"

"Okay. I'll try," Erin answered, feeling more comfortable. It was what she was used to doing. Forgetting all about her part to come, she focused on Sahar's pleasure until her lover was sated.

Then the two women rested for a few minutes. The Arabic woman casually caressed her lover as they two of them caught their breath. Her hands kept a light, quick pace over the hard body under hers. "Tell me something, Erin. What do you like best about sex with me?"

"Being inside of you," she answered with an anxious exhale as two hands perched on her breasts.

"What about it excites you?" Sahar questioned as her lips found her lover's neck.

"The way you feel. You're hot and wet and tight."

"Uh huh. What else? Tell me how it feels to be inside of me. Tell me how you like to fuck me." Her mouth joined her hands on her lover's breasts.

"You feel so good. I love the way you clench your muscles and hold me inside of you. It's so hot," Erin heaved as her back arched toward the head at her chest. Her body was starting to simmer from the inside out, and she felt her head starting to spin. She was unused to it, and furthermore it made her uncomfortable, but before she could ask to stop, Sahar spoke again.

"What else do you like to do to me? Do you like going down on me?" The small woman kissed down Erin's body to her stomach.

Clutching to the dark head, Erin whined. She wanted to stop, but at the same time her body was starting to ache as Sahar's mouth moved lower. "Princess," she groaned, half in angst and half in delight.

"Focus, baby. Answer the question. I know you like going down on me. What do you like about it?"

"You taste so good. You feel good against my tongue. You're all slick and hot, and you quiver when I touch you like that." She cried out as Sahar's mouth reached her heat.

"You like using your tongue like this?" she asked before demonstrating.

Erin moaned as her hips rose toward the sensation. "Yeah, like that."

"You know, I like it when you put your tongue inside like this."

The tall woman grunted as her lover exhibited her claim. "Oh God," she groaned. "Sahar." She was feeling fragile just then, because she hadn't allowed any woman this close to her in years.

"It's okay, baby. You're safe. I'm with you, Erin," she assured. "You know what else I like? I like it when your tongue circles my clit while you pump your fingers slowly in and out." With that she slipped inside of Erin.

"Sahar," she gasped. "Wait, wait, stop," she cried.

Immediately her lover withdrew and crawled up to gaze into Erin's eyes. "It's okay, Erin."

The Texan shook her head in disagreement. "I'm sorry. I just can't."

"We don't have to go any further. You did well. I'm actually surprised you let me go as far as you did. It might take time."

"I'm sorry. I really thought I could do this."

"Baby, it's fine. We'll just rest for awhile," Sahar comforted her. "We can try again some other time. Just put your arms around me and close your eyes."

Erin did as she was told. Taking deep breaths, she started to calm herself. She kissed her lover's forehead. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For trying, for stopping, for understanding, for everything, I guess."

"I love you, Erin. You're one of my best friends in the entire world. I just want you to be happy. This could take some time, and I will be here for you if it's what you really want to do. You did well. I didn't expect you to get there on the first try. You should be proud that you got this far. I am."

Erin didn't respond. She was feeling too vulnerable just then to say more on the subject. Instead she suggested, "Let's just take a little nap. Maybe we can try later." Sahar agreed with a kiss to her lover's lips. Then all was quiet. Neither woman said anything further as they drifted to sleep.

When the women awoke later that afternoon, the Texan had found her usual confidence once again. "We didn't really get a chance to talk about Jas this morning like we planned."

"I know, but I think I know what I want to do."

"What's that?"

"I can just get the locks changed. This is my house after all. Daddy owns it. We can change the locks, and I'll box up all her stuff and send it to her at work."

"That sounds reasonable. I can change the locks for you. We just need to go pick up some new ones."

"A locksmith can do it."

"No, I think the sooner it gets done the better. Come on. There's a place not to far from here. It won't take that long, and then I'll feel better."

"All right." She smiled at her friend. "You really are a Super Dyke, aren't you? What don't you do?"

Erin smiled. "I think you're about the only woman that truly knows all my faults, Princess."

"And I still love you anyway. That has to say something."

"Sure does. Let's go."

Erin and Sahar went out to get new locks for the house and for something to eat. However, when they returned to Sahar's home, they found the door open. Since they had been sure to lock it when they had left, they were concerned. "It's probably Jas. She is the only other person with a key," Sahar explained.

"All right. Call the police. I'm going to go in and find out if she's here. Don't come in," instructed her.

Going inside Erin wandered through the main areas before hearing noise in the bedroom. Quietly walking back there, she saw Sahar's ex-girlfriend rummaging through drawers and muttering to herself. Erin knocked on the open bedroom door. "Jas, what's up?" she asked casually.

Jasmine turned to look at the sound of the voice. "You! I knew it had to be you! You damn womanizer!" she screamed standing to her full height, almost the same height as Erin.

Erin could tell Jasmine was drunk by the way she staggered on her feet. However, seeing the gun in her ex-friend's hand, she got nervous. "Jas, what are you talking about?"

"You fucked my girlfriend! I can smell the sex in the air in here! How dare you do that to me?"

"Sahar broke up with you last night. She told you she never wanted to see you again. Why have you broken into her house?"

"She didn't mean it! That whore is mine! And you fucked her! No one touches my property and gets away with it! I'm going to kill you, and then I'm going to kill that cheating bitch!" she yelled closing the distance between them as she waved the gun in Erin's general direction.

The Texan slowly moved out the bedroom door. "Jas, I know you might be upset, but don't anything rash. Shooting us isn't going to help."

"Where is she? Where is Sahar?" Erin didn't answer. Suddenly the sound of a firing gun filled the air as Erin felt a hole rip through her midsection. The heat seared through her as she gasped for air. Looking down she saw blood already oozing through her shirt. She clutched at herself. She was shocked at the fact her ex-friend had just shot her. Wincing in pain she keeled over, dropping to her knees. Blood was starting to run down her jeans. "The next one hits you in the head! Where the fuck is she?"

She didn't have to answer as she heard Sahar's voice from the other room. "Erin? Are you all right? I heard what sounded like a gun." When the little woman turned the corner, she screamed at the sight before her. Her ex-lover stood over Erin with a gun suddenly pointed in her direction. "Jasmine, what have you done?"

"Shut up, bitch! You're next!" she exclaimed but before she could fire her weapon, Erin used the strength she had left to throw her whole body into Jasmine's, knocking her to the floor. The gun fired as it went skittering across the hard wood. Both taller women struggled with each other to get the gun.

"Princess, help me!" yelled Erin, knowing she wouldn't be able to hold Jasmine long in her condition.

Sahar sprung into action, rushing to the gun and picking it up. She pointed it at her ex-girlfriend with a shaky hand. The attorney just kicked Erin off her and struggled to her feet. "Go on then! I dare you! You don't have the guts! You won't shoot me! You love me!"

"I do love you, Jas, but you just shot my best friend! Why shouldn't I do it?"

"Shoot her!" Erin screamed as the room started to go fuzzy. "She's trying to kill you, Princess!"

"You heard your fuck! Shoot me!" Jasmine taunted.

The last thing Erin heard was the sound of the gun as it fired and thinking that she would never see Emily again before her world went black.

Across town Emily Parker's eyes shot open from her afternoon nap. Swiftly sitting up in her bed, she scanned the room trying to see what had awakened her. Panic was instilled in her heart, but she didn't know why. Figuring it had to be a nightmare of some sort, she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. A hand crept onto her side. "Sweetie, are you all right?" the woman next to her questioned.

"I'm not sure. I guess so. It must have just been a bad dream."

"Come here. Let me hold you," Gillian requesting, sitting up enough to wrap both arms around the blonde. "It's okay. I'm here." Together they lay back down under the covers. The doctor cuddled Emily protectively. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"It's just a horrible feeling that something is terribly wrong. I don't know if I can explain it any more than that."

"You ever get the feeling before?"

"No."

"Was it a part of a dream?"

"I guess. I don't know. It feels so real. I just don't get it."

"Would it help if I took your mind off of it?" she whispered, kissing the blonde lightly on the ear.

"That helps," she giggled as the mouth drifted down to her neck.

"Do you want more?" Gillian inquired as her hands wandered lower.

"Oh yeah," the blonde answered in need.

The next time the lovers stopped it was for dinner. Gillian had graciously offered to make something for both of them to eat in Emily's kitchen, so as the doctor worked on that, the blonde set the table and then did the little bit of work she had brought home with her. Just as they sat down to their meal, Emily's cell phone rang. Seeing Chuck's familiar number though, she decided to ignore it. It was the weekend after all, and she deserved some time to herself. Soon enough the phone stopped ringing and the signal for a voicemail alerted her, which she ignored. However, then her home phone started to ring. Again it was Chuck's number that showed.

Turning to her date, she said, "I'm sorry. That's my boss. This must be important for him to call me at home. Excuse me for just a moment."

"Of course. Take all the time you need."

Answering the phone, Emily pretended not to be perturbed at the interruption. "Hello," she greeted neutrally.

"Emily, I'm so glad I found you. I'm sorry to be calling you at home. This is urgent."

"It's all right, Chuck. What's up?"

"I just got a call from Liam Mahoney. He just told me the local hospital here contacted him, saying Erin has been shot. He's terribly upset."

"What? What do you mean Erin's been shot?" she yelled in panic.

"That was my reaction. Do you know anything about this? I know you hang out together when she's here in New York."

"No, I haven't seen her since this morning. What happened, Chuck? Is she okay?"

"The doctors didn't tell Liam anything. They just told him what had happened. He's flying up here as we speak. Emily, I know you always deny this when I ask, but I know you care about Erin. That's why I'm telling you. She needs you right now. I'm on my way to the hospital now to see if I can do anything until Liam gets here."

"I'll meet you at the hospital, or do you think I should get Mr. Mahoney at the airport?"

"No, he said he will have a driver bring him to the hospital. I just don't want her there alone."

"I agree. I'm on my way. Thanks for calling." Hanging up the phone, she looked at Gillian.

"I heard. It's okay. You need to be at the hospital. Do you want me to come with you?"

"This is business. I appreciate the offer, Gillian, but my boss and some of my clients will be there. I'm going for work."

The doctor nodded her head. "It's okay to go for just Erin, you know. It doesn't mean you care about me any less, because you care about her as well."

The blonde nodded. "Thanks for understanding that."

"Of course. Go on now. I'll clean up this dinner for you and then see myself out."

"Thank you. You really are the best." She came and kissed her quickly on the lips. "I'll make this up to you."

"Just go see to your friend and call me if you need to talk."

At the hospital Emily came in to see Sahar and Chuck sitting together. "How is she?" she inquired, not even bothering with a greeting.

"We don't know anything yet," Chuck replied.

"Sahar, what happened?"

"It was horrible. We were coming back to my place, and my ex Jas had broken into my house. Erin went in to investigate while I called the police. Jas shot her during an argument and threatened to shoot me, but Erin somehow managed to knock the gun away from her. I picked it up and shot Jasmine. It all just happened so fast," she sobbed.

Emily's heart went out to the upset woman. She couldn't imagine hurting a woman she cared about, but from the little she had heard that morning and the evidence that Sahar had been beaten up by that same woman, she knew the Arabic woman probably had no choice. Sinking into a chair next to Sahar, she quietly asked, "Where's Jasmine now?"

"She's dead. I killed the woman I loved," she wept, curling up into a tighter ball as her hands covered her face.

Emily couldn't help herself. Her arms went around Sahar, who seemed grateful for the comfort. "I'm sorry."

"I didn't have a choice. She was going to kill us."

"That doesn't make it any easier, though. What did the police say?"

"It was justifiable homicide. They aren't pressing charges."

"That's good. How was Erin when you last saw her?"

"Not good. The last time I saw her she was being loaded into an ambulance. She kept mumbling your name," she confessed, looking into blue eyes.

"When did this happen?"

"Late this afternoon."

"Can I get you anything? Coffee or something to eat?"

"I'm too upset for that. Thank you, though," Sahar answered.

Emily, Chuck, and Sahar all stayed at the hospital for hours. When Liam arrived, he spoke with the doctors about his daughter before coming over to them. "She's in stable condition. They removed the bullet and expect her to make it."

"Are we allowed to see her?" Emily questioned.

"I've given all of you permission to see her for just a little bit. She's unconscious right now and is expected to remain that way for several more hours. However, I know you will all sleep a little better seeing her for yourselves."

Sahar and Emily looked at each other. "You go first," Sahar offered.

"No, you go ahead. You've been waiting here longer."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course."

When it was Liam, Chuck, and Emily, Liam inquired, "How are you doing, Emily?"

"I'm better now that I know Erin's going to be all right."

"And just how do Sahar and Erin know each other?"

"They're friends, have been for years from what they say."

"And you're okay with that?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

Liam shrugged. "I just thought you and Erin had something more than friendship between you."

"No, Mr. Mahoney, we don't."

"Do Erin and Sahar?"

"They say they're just friends, but I know Erin. She and Sahar are more than friends."

He nodded his head. "Well, that would explain it."

"Explain what?"

"The looks between the two of you just now. You didn't want to let her go first."

"I felt it best under the circumstances, though. After all, she was there when Erin was shot."

"Then she knows what happened to my daughter?"

Emily nodded. "She's shaken up at the moment, though. I don't think she would really want to talk about it just now."

Half an hour later Sahar returned to the waiting room. She told Erin's father that Erin had a room at The W Hotel and asked if he minded if she stayed there since her home had turned into a crime scene temporarily. Of course he obliged her, saying she could stay there as long as she liked. With that she bid everyone a good night with a promise to come by in the morning.

"Go on now. Chuck and I will wait here," Liam said, giving Emily a nudge toward Erin's room. That was all the encouragement she needed. Walking down the corridor, she found the room she was looking for and took a deep breath, trying to prepare herself for the unknown.

Pushing open the door, she slipped inside. Erin looked pale lying in the bed, but she breathed the cadence of sleep. Coming to the side of the bed, the blonde took a tentative seat next to her friend. Immediately she started to cry. She had been so close to losing the woman in front of her.

Erin, I couldn't take it if I lost you. You mean everything to me. Why did this have to happen? Why couldn't we just talk about things instead of running to other people? It almost got you killed. You are such a caring woman, trying to stand up for your friends, such a Super Dyke to take a bullet for a woman you love. What does she have that I don't? What does she do for you that I can't? Do you let her touch you? Do you let her hold you? That's all I ever wanted. I just wanted to love you, Erin. I love you, Erin.

Continued...