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CHAPTER 9

Yawning, Piper opened her eyes. She smiled when her eyes landed on the other woman lying next to her. By listening to her breathing, she could tell that Desiree was still in a deep sleep. Must have worn her out, Piper thought to herself as she grinned. Well after last night, it did not surprise her one bit. Speaking of sleep, Piper raised up to take a look at the clock. The woman was shocked to find that it was nearly eleven o'clock. She never slept that late.

Piper frowned. There was something warm and heavy on her back. Glancing over her shoulder, the woman noticed that the culprit was Tobias. She shook her head. This cat had some nerve deciding to rest on her, when usually he would not give her the time of day.

Still looking back at him and seeing that he was asleep as well, Piper said, "I don't understand you, furball." Cocking open one eye, Tobias peered at her in apparent boredom. "I know you don't like me, but you obviously don't find any problem with using me as your personal pillow." The feline opened the other eye and yawned. "Get off of me." Stubborn as a mule, Tobias didn't move an inch. Piper shook her body a little thinking that that might make him leave, but of course, it did not do the trick. "I want you to get off of my back right now, furball. That's an order." Tobias stretched out his front legs and extended his claws, as if threatening his human pillow. Since Piper's bare back was exposed, those sharp claws could really do some damage if the cat chose to use them in a negative way. Piper raised an eyebrow. "You wouldn't dare." Tobias' right paw was now close to the dark-haired woman's smooth bronzed skin. "In case you forgot, I defended you yesterday, furball. Remember? Against Alec?" Piper shook her head again. She was trying to hold a one-sided conversation with a cat. Not only that. She was trying to reason with him too. What truly frightened her was that she believed he was actually listening and understanding every word that she said.

Both of Tobias' front claws were all but touching Piper's skin now. "If you fancy keeping your tail, Tobias, get off now," Piper stated in a low voice. The cat then tried to stare her down, but after a couple of minutes gave up and jumped off the bed. Piper chuckled to herself as she lay back down on her pillow to gaze at Desiree.

She did not get to do that for long, because Tobias, now sitting on the floor right next to the bed, began to cry. Rolling her eyes, the dark-haired woman turned her head to the left and rested on her elbows. "What is it, furball?" Tobias continued to cry while looking up at her. "I suppose that you want to eat now?" It seemed as if his crying became louder after she asked the question. The blue-eyed woman could not understand how Desiree could continue to sleep through that noise. She glanced back at her lover noticing that the woman was either playing possum, or she was still very much asleep. Quietly getting out of bed, Piper retrieved the pants she had been wearing last night. After putting them on, she located her shirt, which was lying in Desiree's computer chair. Slipping on the shirt, she told Tobias to be quiet. Of course, the cat would not listen as he rubbed against her leg and purred loudly, doing a fairly good impression of a lawn mower.

"Oh, now I'm your best friend, huh?" The dark-haired woman said, walking towards the bedroom door. The feline beat her out of the room and all but raced to the kitchen as if his life depended on this very meal. Piper took her time walking to the kitchen. She was not about to hurry to feed that little ungrateful brat.

On entering the kitchen, Piper went to the cabinet the cat's food was in. She took out a can of liver pate and opened it. Taking Tobias' crystal goblet out of the dish drainer, Piper emptied the cat food into it before placing it on the cat's rug. Instantly stopping his crying, the feline walked up to the goblet and began eating.

The blue-eyed woman ran a hand through her mused hair as her stomach grumbled. Well it was time to feed the human. Piper went to the refrigerator and noticed a box of cornflakes on top. Taking it down she found a couple of bowls in another cabinet and poured cereal into each. She then poured some sugar into each bowl from a sugar bowl that was in the shape of a kitten. Starting to whistle, the dark-haired woman took out a banana that she was delighted to find in the refrigerator and sliced it. She put an equal amount of slices into each bowl. After putting two pieces of bread in the toaster, Piper poured milk onto the cereal, and then added a spoon to each bowl. The toast popped up and the woman put margarine and strawberry jelly on them, before putting both on a saucer. Pouring orange juice into two glasses, Piper set them on the cabinet, before putting the saucer on top of one of the bowls and carrying the bowls of cereal to the bedroom.

Entering the bedroom, the dark-haired woman put what she was carrying on the nightstand, before hurrying back to get the glasses of juice. When she came back, Piper halted at the entrance to the door, watching in amusement as Desiree took a gigantic bite out of one of the toasts. The strawberry-blonde licked away a spot of jelly on her upper lip before eating a spoonful of cereal with two slices of banana on it. Desiree had another spoonful ready when she heard someone clearing their throat. She glanced up in embarrassment. The young woman hurried to swallow the food in her mouth and rested her spoon in the bowl.

"Sorry," Desiree apologized sheepishly. "I woke up and saw the food. Being extremely famished, I couldn't wait for you."

Piper chuckled as she came towards the bed and handed her lover one of the glasses of juice, before putting her own on the nightstand. The dark-haired woman sat on the bed and picked up her bowl. She plucked the remaining piece of toast from the saucer now lying on the bed between them. Piper bit a piece of the toast and then kissed Desiree on the cheek. "No need to apologize, Desi. I know after last night you must be starving." The dark-haired woman grinned as the other woman blushed. First one of the day, Piper thought in amusement.

The two women ate in silence for a few minutes with the only sound being the clink of their spoons against the bowls. Desiree glanced at the time and informed the other woman that they should get ready soon for Taj's party.

Piper finished the rest of her toast. "I don't have anything to wear."

"That's not a problem," Desiree replied. "We can go shopping and you can change in the dressing room. We have to get you a toothbrush anyway. After that, we can head to Taj's house."

"Shopping?" The dark-haired woman was wearing a look of part distaste and fear. "You plan for us to go shopping?"

"Yeah," the other woman replied cheerily. "It'll be fun." Desiree then studied Piper's face. "What's the matter?" The strawberry-blonde looked at her companion's cereal.

"I don't really care for shopping," Piper replied, noticing where the other woman's eyes were. "There are more cornflakes in the kitchen, Desi. Go get you some."

"I don't want your cereal," Desiree lied. She then drank the remaining milk in her bowl, emptying it. "Thank you for breakfast."

"You're welcome."

"Why don't you like to shop?" the younger woman asked after a few seconds of silence. She had always found shopping to be quite pleasurable. Desiree would enjoy spending a whole day strolling through the stores of a mall. "It's so fun to do."

The dark-haired woman snorted. "Maybe for you. Not for me, though. I never liked it."

Piper thought back to the last few weeks of past summers. She had always dreaded them while growing up. It was not because she had to return to school, but that her mother would make a whole day out of shopping for her school clothes. On that dreaded day, Piper would have to try on at least a dozen outfits in a dressing room. What eight-year-old wants to spend a summer day trying on clothes?

Though, her mother always meant well. Not all parents took that time with their children. Marie had always tried to make their shopping day lively, but her daughter had never enjoyed them. Although, at the end of the hectic day, Piper always ended up with a smile plastered on her face. After piling the bags of clothes into the trunk of the car, mother and daughter would take in a movie and then go out to dinner. Though sometimes that would be reversed, depending on when the movie started. Piper considered that getting to spend a wonderful evening with her mother was worth enduring the shopping experience.

"How about this?" Desiree started. "We can just go right in, pick something quickly, buy it and you can change. Shouldn't take more than a few minutes."

The dark-haired woman pondered this for a moment. Why did she get the feeling that Desiree most likely loved shopping as much as she loved food? Marie would have enjoyed having her as a daughter. Piper sighed. Well she did need clothes. She informed Desiree, albeit stubbornly, that they could go shopping. She made the young woman promise that they would not be in the department store any more than fifteen minutes unless the line was long. The strawberry-blonde agreed to the deal, though it was evident she was not overjoyed with it.

Desiree made to take the dishes in the kitchen, but Piper stopped her, telling the younger woman that she could just get ready. The strawberry-blonde kissed her on the lips and began to get out the bed when her lover pulled her back around and kissed her deeply. Wrapping her arms around the other woman's neck, Desiree got to her knees on the bed in between Piper's spread legs. Hugging Desiree to her, Piper broke the heated kiss and began to deliver light kisses to her collarbone.

"Piper," the blue-green eyed woman said in a faint whisper. When Piper kept kissing her without replying, Desiree called her name again, a little louder.

Piper reluctantly stopped her pleasurable assault and looked the other woman in the eye. "Yeah?"

"It's passed eleven o'clock."

"So?"

"So we have to get ready, go shopping for something for you to wear and buy a toothbrush, before heading over to the party. You know it starts at one."

"And?" Piper leaned forward and began to suck on Desiree's earlobe, almost achieving in distracting the younger woman completely.

"And…and we have to be there…can't be late."

"And why can't we?" The dark-haired woman began to suck stronger causing Desiree to moan.

"Because it's Taj's wedding party and your welcome…welcome back party, Piper."

Piper kissed her on the lips. "I'm sure that Taj won't mind if we're a little late."

Desiree hurried out of the bed before Piper could grab her. The strawberry-blonde stood by the bed with her hands on her hips. "Piper, we are going to get ready right now, because I do not want to be late for that party." She was wearing a look of determination, and the dark-haired woman knew she should give up.

Piper sighed. "All right." She waved towards the bathroom. "Then go on and get ready."

In all her naked glory, Desiree began her short trek to the bathroom with a victorious smile on her lips. She could practically feel Piper's eyes on her and could not resist shaking her hips a little, as she walked. The strawberry-blonde chuckled when she heard a faint groan coming from behind her. Just before Desiree closed the door, she heard the other woman ask if she could join her in the shower in a few minutes. Now that was not such a bad idea.

"I'll be waiting." Desiree winked before shutting the door quietly.

Grinning from ear to ear, Piper arose from the bed and gathered the dishes and glasses. She glanced at the bathroom room door longingly, as she left the bedroom. Walking into the kitchen, the dark-haired woman dumped the dishes into the sink and turned on the hot water. She was waiting for it to heat up when she heard the doorbell ring. Piper sighed, hoping that it was not Desiree's parents. The blue-eyed woman hurried to the door and opened it without asking who it was or looking through the peephole. She quickly found out that she should have done one of those or both.

On opening the door, Piper was greeted to five or six reporters with microphones, tape recorders and camera's that they snapped in her face, causing the dark-haired woman to close her eyes briefly from the bright lights. All of the reports were attempting to speak at the same time.

"Miss Redding, how did you survive the fire?" one woman with frizzy bright red hair asked.

"What exactly is going on between you and Desiree Love?" a tall heavily bearded man asked as he thrust a mini tape recorder at Piper. She wanted to break the tape recorder as well as the hand holding it. How did they find out that she was at Desiree's house? More importantly, how did they find out that she was alive? The dark-haired woman's eyes narrowed. Ice Kream. Why that big-mouthed pizza boy…

"What are your plans now, Miss Redding?"

"I know what my plans are," a voice yelled angrily from behind the reporters. They along with Piper turned towards the voice. Larisa Love was standing there with both a shopping bag and a white plastic bag in hand. With her shades pushed to the top of her head, green eyes glared at the reporters. "Who the hell do you think you people are? Put yourselves in her shoes," she said pointing at Piper, who was staring at her with a blank look on her face. "This woman has endured enough crap already and she doesn't need you vultures bothering her. I know that this is what you do for a living, but why don't you look up the word "decency" in the dictionary and then try to have some. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves," she paused. "Now get on the elevator and get out of here now! The show is over."

For some reason, the reporters decided to take this woman's advice without any argument. A couple of them even murmured apologies to Piper as they made their way down the hall. Larisa moved out of the way to let them pass easily. After the reporters quietly shuffled into the elevator and the doors closed, Larisa looked at Piper not having a clue what she would read if anything on the younger woman's face. The blue-eyed woman was still looking at her blankly, but her jaw was clenching and unclenching.

"For the record, I don't need you to defend me, Larisa," Piper said as she walked back into the apartment, leaving the door open. Larisa took that as a good sign. At least the woman had not closed the door in her face. Following the other woman into the apartment, Larisa closed the door, making sure to lock it behind her. She noticed that Piper was briskly walking towards the kitchen, and followed her in there. Larisa saw the younger woman making dishwater. She took a seat at the kitchen table, sitting the bags on the floor.

"I know that, Piper," the older woman stated quietly. "I was only trying to help."

"Don't need or want your help," the other woman muttered as she picked up a sponge and a bowl.

Larisa sighed. This could not go on much longer. "Tell me how long do you think you can keep your thinly veiled animosity toward me hidden from my sister? You two are building a life together I presume."

Piper scrubbed the bowl with more force than it needed. "You got a problem with that?" She kept her eyes towards the sink.

The older woman shook her head, then realized that Piper would not be able to see the action. "No," she whispered. "It's none of my business what you and my sister do," she halted, trying to gather her words. "I'm happy for you both."

The blue-eyed woman rinsed the bowl off and put it in the strainer, before reaching for the other one. Was that pain she heard in Larisa's voice? Did she care? "Are you really?" she glanced over her shoulder at the woman.

"Yes. I really am." Knowing that she should change the subject, Larisa had to inquire one more thing. She could not help herself. "Do you love her?" she asked in such a low tone of voice that Piper could barely make out the words.

In silence, the younger woman quickly finished up the dishes before turning around, leaning against the sink as she regarded Larisa with another blank look. "What's it to you?"

Larisa nodded. That answered her question. "Just curious is all. I hope you treat her right. She deserves to be happy. My sister has been through more than you probably know."

Piper replied, "I've come to the conclusion that we both do." More than I know? "Is there something that I should know about?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

"That is wholly up to Desiree to decide."

The younger woman glared at her. "Then why the hell did you bring it up in the first place?"

Larisa sighed. Piper's temper strikes again. "Would you try to lower your voice and maintain a semblance of control, Piper?" she asked calmly. "I just thought that you should know that you aren't the only person that has had problems."

The blue-eyed woman crossed her arms over her chest. "Are you saying that I'm self-absorbed? I know I'm not the only one who has problems. I'm aware of that fact thank you very much." Piper leaned over to pick up Tobias' empty goblet and tossed it in the still hot dishwater, before picking up the sponge to wash it.

Larisa bounded out of the chair and came over to stand next to Piper. The other woman refused to make eye contact with her and when Larisa put a hand on her arm, Piper shrugged it off. She inwardly sighed. If this kind of behavior kept up, it would not be too long before Desiree found out.

"Piper, we have to talk. We really need to talk." Larisa glanced towards the entrance to the kitchen to make sure that her sister was not coming. The coast was clear.

The taller woman glanced at her. "I don't have anything more to say to you." She tried to get passed Larisa, but the woman stopped her by putting her hands flat on Piper's stomach. She felt the muscles contract under her touch. "Get your hands off of me," the younger woman demanded in a dangerously low voice. Larisa hurriedly did what she was told.

"You act like I have cooties or something, Piper."

"I just don't want you touching me," the other woman retorted. "Never put your hands on me again."

Larisa shook her head. This was not going well at all. "Okay. I'll keep them to myself, but will you please try to talk to me? Please."


Piper let out a slow breath and mutely nodded her head as she leaned a hip against the sink, crossing her arms over her chest again.

"My main concern at this point is my sister," Larisa started. "Do you want her to find out?"

The younger woman silently shook her head. What would be the point? Nothing beneficial could come out of it.

"Well we agree, because neither do I. So this is what you're going to have to do."

Piper narrowed her eyes. "What do I have to do?"

Larisa moistened her upper lip with the tip of her tongue. "Forgive me," she whispered.

The younger woman regarded her with an unbelieving look. "I can't comprehend why you would ask me to do such a thing," she paused momentarily. "That's not an option."

Larisa ran a hand through her hair. She could feel her heart breaking all over again. "Well can you at least pretend like you don't hate me?"

Piper looked as if she was considering this. "Not sure if I can pull that off to tell you the truth."

Feeling her temper starting to rise, Larisa was silent for a minute. She was even angrier to discover that her vision was growing bleary. Don't cry you big baby. Don't allow her the satisfaction of seeing you cry. Larisa bit her lower lip. "Well can you try? Just try for her sake?" The woman wiped at her eyes, noticing that Piper's expression had not changed from one of boredom. "Let's get something straight. Desiree is my sister and I plan on coming around quite often. I will not allow you to keep me away from her, so you'll just have to learn to get along with me somehow, Piper."

"I would never attempt to keep Desiree away from her family."

Larisa nodded. "Well I refuse to stop calling and coming to visit just because of you."

Pushing away from the sink, Piper stood to her full height in front of the other woman. She looked Larisa in her eyes, her blue ones cool. "I already told you that I will not try to keep you away. You can come around whenever you like," she paused. "I get the feeling that you'll be coming around a lot more often now."

The shorter woman stared at her. "What is that supposed to me?"

Piper shrugged. "Just an observation of mine."

Larisa chuckled humorlessly. "Well someone is full of themselves. Piper, I will be coming here because of my sister. It has nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing to do with you, you presumptuous bitch."

Piper raised an eyebrow. "My, my. Such language, Risa. Now, shouldn't I be calling you that? No." She scratched her chin thoughtfully. "I suppose we can leave the presumptuous part off."

Larisa came as close to Piper as she could before their bodies would be touching. "Believe it or not, I have an excuse. You're just too stubborn to hear me out."

The taller woman bent her head down. "There is no excuse for what you did to me."

"Get over it, Piper. Go on with your life." Their faces were so close now, that they could feel each other's breaths.

"I have gone on with my life. I just don't particularly like that you are in it."

"Well get used to it if you plan on being with my sister," Larisa replied, staring into the other woman's hypnotizing blue eyes.

"Oh, I plan on it all right." Piper wanted to take a step back, but it was as if she was frozen to that spot.

"Go on and kiss already."

Both women quickly turned their attention to the entrance of the kitchen. Desiree was standing there in a blue robe and a towel expertly wrapped around her head. She was wearing a playful smirk as she came towards the startled pair.

"You gals look like you just got caught with your hands in the cookie jar." Desiree studied the two women. "Okay. What's going on here?" She thrust her hands into the large pockets of the robe.

"Nothing," Larisa replied, not sounding in the least bit convincing.

Her sister gave her an incredulous look before the young woman turned her attention to Piper. "So this is why you didn't make it for our shower date," she said, lowering her voice to a near whisper.

The dark-haired woman graced her with a lopsided grin. "Sorry 'bout that." You have no idea how much. She glanced at Larisa, who stood there awkwardly. "Would have much rather been with you." Piper then put her hands on Desiree's waist and drew the younger woman towards her. She kissed her full on the lips as Larisa looked on. The kiss finally ended, with Desiree being a tad weak in the knees.


"That's not gonna make me forget my question," the strawberry-blonde breathlessly uttered, though it had almost succeeded. "What's going on here?"

"I answered your question, Desi," Larisa stated. "Nothing is going on."

"Looked like something was going on to me. You were up in each other's faces. Now what is it? I noticed something in the trailer between you two. There is some tension and I know I'm not imagining it." Desiree carefully looked at each of them. "What I want to know is why? What were you talking about just before I came in?"

"Nothing, Desi," Larisa repeated. "Just silly stuff."

"Like what?"

Her sister sighed. Desiree could be persistent when she wanted to be. "Politics."

The strawberry-blonde raised an eyebrow. "Politics?" Blue-green eyes settled on Piper. "So you're into politics?"

Her lover merely smiled at her. Desiree did not know what to make of that. She looked back to her sister growing more confused and anxious by the minute. "I think you're lying to me and I really don't appreciate that. Please tell me what this is about. I have a right to know." It was true. Her heart rate was starting to rapidly increase. What in the world was going on?

Larisa looked over to Piper. The woman did not seem as if she would offer any sort of help. Fine. If Desiree wanted an answer, then she would give her one. "All right, Desi," Larisa started. "I'll tell you the truth." Out of the corner of her eye, Larisa could see one of Piper's eyebrows going up, yet she continued to keep her mouth shut.

"What is it?" Desiree asked in a hushed tone, almost afraid to know but needing to.

"Piper used to be a stripper before her last bout with the law."

"She used to WHAT?!?" Desiree all but shouted. The strawberry-blonde glanced at her companion. Piper's mouth was slightly open now, but she was still silent.

Larisa nodded solemnly. "It's true. We didn't think that you would ever have to know, but since you're unrelenting there it is out on the table."

For a moment, Desiree had a difficult time finding her voice. "What was does that have to do with the tension between you?" she asked her sister.

"Easy. I went to San Francisco a few months back and my car stopped. Found out that the battery was dead later. Anyway, I noticed that I had stopped next to this gay strip joint. So-"

"Wait a minute." Desiree put her hand up momentarily. "A gay strip joint? There's such a thing?"

Larisa rolled her eyes. "Well of course, Desi. Where have you been? Anyway, so since I didn't have my phone with me, I decided to go in and use the phone so that I could call AAA. So when I went in, I asked to use the phone and they let me. Were very nice people by the way. So I made the call and while I was waiting for someone to pick up, I detected movement out of the corner of my eye. I turned slightly and saw Piper walking out to the stage," she paused, glancing at the mute brunette. "Piper, care to take it from here?"

The other woman shook her head. "You seem to be doing just fine on your own."

Larisa gave her a sweet smile. "Okay then. Anyway, her stage name was Leggy Lola and she was dressed in a candy striper's uniform. You know, the ones at hospitals?"
Desiree nodded hurriedly, wanting her to continue.

"Yes, well that's what she had on that night at least. So the phone was finally picked up and I talked to a guy for a few minutes. They would be there soon I was told. I hung up the phone and went to take a seat since I had a little time on my hands. Now don't get me wrong, sis. That's not my type of place. Especially a gay strip joint."

"Well you're not gay. That would make perfect sense," her sister casually stated.

Larisa nodded while the other dark-haired woman rolled her eyes, though only the storyteller caught it. "Right. But since it was so cold outside, I decided to have a seat. So I sat down and my eyes became riveted on Leggy Lola. I wasn't attracted to her at all," Piper briefly glared at this point, causing Larisa to almost burst out laughing, "but she had the most gorgeous eyes." The woman shook her head. "They draw you in, you know?"

Desiree nodded, smiling slightly. She could happily gaze into those blue eyes for the rest of her life. "Yes, they do." She glanced at Piper, who to her surprise blushed. "So then what happened?"

"Well that's about it. She danced and then left. Someone else came on and then I was not interested anymore. I spent the rest of the time doodling on a cocktail napkin until the AAA service came."

"That's it?" Larisa nodded. The strawberry-blonde frowned slightly. "So why the tension?"

Larisa shrugged. "Piper was just worried that I would use the information of her being a stripper against her. She didn't want you to find out about what she used to do. What Piper didn't realize was that I would never try to bribe or threaten her," she explained.

Desiree was silent for a few seconds as her gaze moved from her sister to her lover. "So that's why you haven't been getting along? Larisa is right, Piper. She would never do such a thing." The dark-haired woman offered her a tight smile. "So now you don't have anything to worry about. I know what you did and I'm not upset. Sure I was shocked at first, but sometimes we have to do things that we would rather not do. It saddens me, but I understand, Piper. It's okay." The woman then gave her a genuine smile and an arm squeeze. "So, everything is okay now, right?"

Larisa nodded and started to move towards her bags when Piper told her to wait. The older woman looked at her expectantly. "Yes, Piper?"

"You told some of the story, but you conveniently 'forgot' to mention the rest," Piper coolly replied.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Larisa slowly stated.

The blue-eyed woman smiled coldly at her. "You didn't mention the part where you called me a tramp. Sure I left the stage, but you know that I came back out for an encore. It was then that you called me that. I heard you loud and clear."

Larisa stared at her silently before shaking her head. "I didn't call you that."

"Sure you did. I know what I heard, Larisa. In fact, you were loud enough for everyone in that joint to hear you."

"I did not call you a tramp," the older woman enunciated each word. "I called you a self-depreciating low-down dirty tramp."

Piper seemed to be taken aback for a moment. Desiree's blue-green eyes were wide with shock as she stared at her sister. The strawberry-blonde asked Larisa how she could pass judgment on someone she didn't even know.

"She was all over this customer," Larisa went on, trying to explain her case. "Dancing and shaking her half naked body on this chick's lap."

"It was a lap dance," Piper argued, glancing at Desiree, who appeared to be slightly peeved by hearing the information. Oh, that's just great. "I was only doing my job," she added in an almost whining voice.

"You had your knockers so far in her face that I'm surprised the woman didn't suffocate!"

Piper angrily replied, "I was only trying to give her, her money's worth."

The older woman shook her head. "What did you do that for, Piper? A few measly dollars? Enough to buy yourself a cheeseburger after work? And just maybe you'd have enough left over to get some fries?"

The blue-eyed woman balled her hands into fists at her sides, trying to control her temper. It would not look good for her to deck Desiree's sister right there in the kitchen. No, it would not look good at all. "She paid me fifty dollars for that thank you very much," she ground out between clenched teeth.

Larisa gave a short chuckle. "Oh, wow! That's a lot," she said sarcastically.

"To me it was. It meant food in my stomach and a roof over my head. It isn't like I was sleeping with the woman. I only gave her a harmless dance. Not everyone can be a successful caterer, Larisa."

"Okay, gals," Desiree interjected. Enough was enough. "Why don't we just forget whatever happened in the past, huh? Look to the future, because that is what matters." She looked at Piper. "Piper, Larisa is very sorry for what she called you." Her gaze traveled to her sister. "Aren't you, Larisa?" She gave Larisa a warning look to behave.

The woman nodded. "Of course I am." She looked at Piper. "You have got to believe me, Piper. I really am sorry for what happened between us in the past. I never meant to hurt you," she finished quietly.

Piper studied her bare feet as if she suddenly found something very interesting about them. When she felt a nudge in her side given by Desiree, she glanced over at Larisa and shrugged.

"Does that mean that you forgive me?" Larisa asked hopefully. Her heartbeat started to increase.

The taller woman pursed her lips and was silent for a few moments before replying, "I suppose I do." She received another nudge from her companion. "I mean I do," she paused. "I forgive you, Larisa."

Tears welled up in Larisa's eyes as she put a hand to her mouth. The woman smiled at Piper as she resisted the urge to embrace her. The blue-eyed woman most likely would not appreciate that. As tears rolled down Larisa's cheeks, her sister studied her curiously. For her part, Piper kept glancing at the entrance to the kitchen as if she wanted to escape.

Desiree reached out to put a hand on her sister's shoulder and squeezed. "Hey, it's okay," the strawberry blonde said softly. "This really had you upset, didn't it?" Desiree could not for the life of her figure out why her sister would be so disturbed by a few undesirable words.

Larisa nodded as she retrieved a paper towel from the kitchen cabinet. She blew her nose before replying, "You have no idea."

Noticing that Piper appeared to be extremely uncomfortable, Larisa turned around and went to get the bags that she had brought with her. She picked up the bags and brought them to Piper. The blue-eyed woman took them, asking what they were. When Larisa told her that she had bought some clothes for her Piper tried to give them back, but the other woman put her hands in her pockets.

"I don't want them, Larisa." It was difficult to say the next part, however she did it anyway, so as not to make Desiree anymore suspicious then she probably already was. "Thank you, but I can't accept these. Desiree and I were going shopping before we went to Taj's party."

"Well now you don't have to. Please take them." Larisa gave Piper a pleading look. "In the white bag you'll find a toothbrush, comb, hairbrush and a razor."

"That's so sweet of you, Larisa," Desiree said, as she excitedly grabbed the Robinson's May bag from her lover. Looking inside of the bag, she smiled in delight.
Piper inwardly sighed. She did not want anything from this woman. She looked over to Desiree, who had on a smile that would put a hundred-watt bulb to shame. Dang! "Thank you, Larisa. I appreciate it, and as soon as I get a job and make my first paycheck, I'll pay you back."

The older woman waved a hand in the air. "Not necessary. I owe you."

Piper had to bite her lower lip to keep from saying anything snippy. Well it was time to get out of there. "I'm gonna go take a shower," Piper stated as she took her bag back from Desiree and kissed her on the cheek. "Why don't you and your sister talk?" She smiled tightly at Larisa as she walked out of the kitchen. She could feel both pair of eyes on her. Just as Piper reached the bedroom, she murmured to herself, "Man, I'm a good liar." Then again, so is she.
***

"Come on, Piper. Open up for me, sweetheart."

"No way," came the stubborn reply.

"Yes way. I'm sure it'll look good. I bet you're looking pretty sexy."

She heard the woman give a brief snort. "I highly doubt that. I cannot believe I let you talk me into this."

"Piper, open up right now!" Desiree pounded on the door.

"No, I can't do that," there was a slight pause. "I'm changing. She has some pants in here." The voice began to drift away from the door.

"No! Please, Piper. For me?" There was only silence from the other side. "Just one day. If you don't like it, then you will never have to dress like that again."

"You promise?" Piper asked, sounding much like a ten-year-old.

"Now would I lie to you?"

The dark-haired woman winced at the mention of the "L" word. She tried to block it out. She had her reasons for being dishonest. After unlocking it, Piper slowly opened the door to see Desiree standing on the other side of it fully dressed and ready to go in a pair of blue jean overall long pants and a turquoise T-shirt that was a close match to her eyes. The strawberry-blonde had her hair done in a french braid and looked quite adorable.

"I don't understand why you get to dress similar to a farmer like you're about to go tend to the chickens and I have to wear a skirt," the dark-haired woman managed to state in a serious voice. She was rewarded with a slap on her arm as Desiree gave her a mock glare.

"Very funny, Piper."

The taller woman chuckled. "I'm only kidding. You look precious." Precious? Never in her life had Piper told anyone that they looked precious. The woman shook her head. Desiree was having quite an effect on her. She inwardly smiled, not minding one bit.

Desiree blushed. "Thank you. You look absolutely gorgeous."

Piper was wearing a sky blue skirt that went about mid-calf. It had medium-sized white flowers printed on it. She also had on a short-sleeved sky blue blouse. Her hair was held back with a white headband. On her feet were…

"Sneakers?! Piper, Larisa also had a pair of dress shoes in that bag. I saw them."

"I don't like wearing dress shoes." Instead of wearing the dressy shoes, she had on a pair of white Nikes along with white socks.

"But they are flats," Desiree argued.

"It's not the hills. I just don't like dress shoes. Sandals and sneakers are all I like. Now I'm wearing the skirt so try to meet me halfway, Desi."

Both women stared at each other, neither wanting to give in. The strawberry-blonde then came up with something and had to fight to keep the smile off of her face. She informed Piper that she would be wearing the dress shoes whether she liked it or not. The dark-haired woman looked at Desiree as if she had lost her mind. The woman leaned against the doorjamb.

"What do you mean I'm going to wear them?" Piper asked.

Smirking, Desiree leaned forward and whispered in the taller woman's ear. "I own you."

The blue-eyed woman raised both eyebrows at her, even as shudders of desire swept through her due to the young woman's breath on her ear and Piper had to admit that the words spoken stirred her arousal as well. She inwardly kind of liked the idea of this woman saying that she owned her. "And what makes you think something so ridiculous as that?"

Desiree rocked on her heels. "You're my do-whatever," she cheerily answered.

The other woman stared at her blankly for a long moment before Piper realized what she was referring to. She thought back to that day at the cabin when she had made the deal while they were fishing.

Piper sighed. "Let's not get into that just yet. How about this? We'll be in this as equals. You stay here with me a few more days, until I get this mess all straightened out. Just think of it as a little vacation. If everything works out according to plan then I'll be your do-whatever for six months."

Piper sighed to herself. Me and my big mouth. Maybe there was a way that she could get out of it. "That didn't happen."

Desiree frowned slightly. "What didn't happen?"

"I said I would be your do-whatever if everything worked out according to plan," she paused for effect. "It didn't. Everything went haywire."

The strawberry-blonde put her hands on her hips. There was no way that she was going to let this go. It was too perfect a deal. "Now, Piper that's not fair. My life was still in danger. Whatever happened doesn't change the fact that I was your hostage and I feel that you should go through with it. It's not right that you're trying to renege now."

The dark-haired woman sighed louder. "Okay. I'll be your do-whatever," she mumbled. "But I don't want to wear the shoes. Please don't make me do that." I already look silly enough in this stupid skirt with the big flowers on it. It's so…girly! She attempted to look sad, hoping that her lover would take pity on her.

Desiree didn't intend to give in to that look. "That means your butt belongs to me for the next six months. Until October 19th," Desiree stated happily. This was going to be barrels of fun! "And you're wearing the shoes, Piper. So go change. Larisa and I are waiting."

Without another comment, Piper turned around to go change her shoes. October 19th. It seemed so long away. For the next six months, Desiree could tell her to do anything. What if she wanted to go shopping a lot? Piper shuddered at the mere thought of it. Unlacing her shoes, Piper shook her head. Me and my big mouth.

Minutes later the three women were getting ready to go out the door when the phone rang. Piper advised Desiree to let the answering machine get it since it might be reporters. While Piper had been taking her shower, Larisa filled her sister in on what had happened when she came over earlier. Desiree found out about the reporters in front of her door.

The young woman had taken the news well, knowing that that was bound to happen at some point, when people found out that Piper was still alive. The only part that she was worried about was if the media discovered that she and Piper were lovers. If they knew then it would not be long before her parents found out and then all hell would break lose.

The phone rang four times before Desiree's cheery voice on the answering machine began. "Hello. I can't come to the phone right now, but if you leave your name, a short message and the time you called after the beep, I will be sure to get right back to you as soon as possible. Have a wonderful day!" Beep!

"Hello Desi, this is Alec. It's a little passed twelve." The man's voice sounded tired. "Not that you care, but I'm home now. I just got here not too long ago and thought I'd let you know. I had to hitchhike. If you want me to leave you alone then I will. If you rather be with someone with the wrong equipment then that's your problem. Just don't come crying to me when you realize that this woman liking business of yours is just a phase," he paused, dramatically sighing. "Who am I kidding? I still love you and I want you back. You have my cell phone number if you ever need me. Bye." The recorder beeped again signaling the end of the message.

All three women had different reactions to the message. Larisa rolled her eyes as she opened the door, wearing an expression of disgust. Desiree felt guilty that her ex-boyfriend had to hitchhike after he was pushed out of the RV. He might have been a jerk but that was taking it too far. Plus, he ended the message sweetly, which only added to her guilt. Piper had to bite her lip to keep from chuckling that the preppy boy had to hitchhike. Served him right for the way he had treated Desiree.

"Should we go, ladies?" Larisa asked as she walked into the hall.

"Let's," Desiree said as she followed her sister out with Piper right behind her. The three women walked towards the elevators with Desiree in the middle. She could still feel the tension between the other two and wondered if there was more to the story then what they had divulged to her.

Larisa pushed the down button and then waited for the elevator to arrive. Putting put an arm around Desiree's shoulders, Piper pulled the young woman closer to her.
"There is something wrong with your message," she stated in the quiet hallway.

The strawberry-blonde glanced up at her. "There is?"

The dark-haired woman nodded. "Yep. You told the caller to have a wonderful day."

Desiree's brow furrowed. "Is there something wrong with that? I want my callers to have a nice day."

Piper smiled down at her as the elevator doors opened and the three women walked in. "The point I was trying to make was what if someone calls you at night? You just told them to have a wonderful day."

Desiree put an arm around Piper's waist. "So what should I say? Have a wonderful day or night?"

"No." The blue-eyed woman thought about it. "Instead of saying have a wonderful day, say Piper is a wonderful lay." She chuckled as Desiree took her arm from around her waist and gave the woman a little push.

Desiree grinned despite her best efforts not to. "You're truly perverted, you know that?"

The dark-haired woman gave her a crooked grin. "Yeah, I know. You like me anyway though."

The strawberry-blonde stood in front of her, putting her arms around Piper's neck. "You know it." She then leaned up on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on her lover's lips as Larisa averted her eyes from them, trying to hold her tears in check.

***

"I remember the last time I was in this car with you," Piper said as she stretched her legs out as much as she could in the small Honda.

"So do I. You scared the crap out of me," Desiree replied as she made a right turn with Larisa following behind in her own car.

Piper chuckled earning a glare from the other woman. "You knew I wasn't going to shoot you." She sobered up. "But I'm still sorry baby." She took a hold of the hand that Desiree had resting on the brake and brought it up to her lips to kiss the back. "I'm sorry that I put you through all of that."

The strawberry-blonde brushed her hand lightly against Piper's cheek before she placed it back on the wheel. "Forget about all of that Piper." She glanced over at the woman who was looking intently at her. "I'm glad you did that. Otherwise, we probably wouldn't be together. That only proves that good things can be born from bad ones." She gave the dark-haired woman a smile and Piper smiled back as she turned to look out of the window.

"Thank you," Piper whispered still looking out the window a few minutes later.

Desiree turned her head towards the woman thinking that she had imagined that. "Did you say something?" she asked.

The other woman glanced her way. "I said thank you."

Braking at a red light, Desiree inquired, "What for?"

"For being here. For caring even though I act like a jerk at times. And I'll confess that I'll probably act like a jerk in the future." She shrugged. "But I'm working on changing. I want to make you proud of me. I achieve that and I know I've done something worthwhile in my life."

Desiree leaned over and kissed her lover softly on the lips. "You've already made me proud."

"Now how did I do that?"

"You've been through so much and yet look at you. You still have your sense of humor and you have kindness and warmth. Most people would be cold and standoffish. But that's not you." She continued on the street after the light changed.

Piper raised an eyebrow. "You must be thinking of someone else. The words kindness and warmth shouldn't be associated with me. I think the only people on this earth that I really like and care for are you and Taj." She was silent for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "I cared for, loved my mother but she left me. She left me of her own accord." Her voice caught as unbidden tears came to her eyes. Piper turned back towards the window in an attempt to hide them.

Desiree's knuckles turned white as she gripped the steering wheel tightly. No, that's not true Piper. Your mother didn't kill herself. I just haven't gathered up the nerve to tell you yet.

"It was said that she committed suicide by hanging herself, but that's not true." He faced the young woman. "Guess who did it?"

"Oh, God," Desiree groaned.

Victor laughed. "No, not Him. Yes, as you probably have already guessed I was the culprit. I made her write the suicide note and then I made her hang herself. I told her that I would sneak into the prison and kill her daughter if she didn't do it, so she did."

Desiree could feel the anger seeping into her as she thought back to how cruel and nonchalant Victor had been about killing Marie. She shook her head in an attempt to get the unwanted thoughts out of her head. She glanced over to Piper, who was wiping a tear away, that fell down her cheek and Desiree's heart went out to the woman. She had been through so much. Convicted of a crime that in Desiree's opinion she should not have been. And then sent to prison for eight years because the judge was paid off. Her own father had put the woman she loved with all her heart behind bars for Victor's dirty money. Piper did not even know that. I don't know if I can ever tell her how my father was involved.

Trying to lighten the mood, Desiree said, "I left something out that I'm also proud of you about."

Without turning her way, Piper asked, "And what's that?"

"You have some guts lady! I'm proud of you for taking me on." The dark-haired woman looked at her. "That takes a lot of courage."

Piper raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really now? Seems safe enough to me."

Desiree gave a mysterious grin. "Well all I'll say is since you've gotten in the car, buckle up for the ride."

Stretching out an arm, Piper began to fiddle with the radio controls. "I'm sure it'll be a fun one."

***

Desiree parked her Honda in front of Taj's house and shut off the ignition. She was about to get out when she noticed that Piper was not moving. The strawberry-blonde glanced over to her, wondering what the problem was. She asked Piper if she was feeling all right. The dark-haired woman gave her a reassuring smile and unbuckled her seat belt before opening the door.

"Yes, I'm fine, baby. I'm just nervous about this."

"Because of my parents being here?" The young woman glanced around for her father's car. So far, it did not look as if her parents had arrived yet. She hoped that they never would in order to avoid conflict. Desiree then watched as Larisa parked her car and exited, heading straight for the house without even so much as a glance in their direction.

Piper nodded. "Yeah, that and I'm embarrassed. That's the main reason."

"What reason do you have to be embarrassed?" Desiree inquired.

"Because a week ago people thought I was a cold-blooded murderer. Now a party is being held because they found out that I was innocent." She peered at the younger woman. "I'm an ex-con. I remember that when I was younger, I used to go over Taj's house for dinner. His house was more of a home to me than my own and I loved going over there. I feel embarrassed because his parents are in there and before yesterday they had not laid eyes on me since I was a teen," she paused thoughtfully. "I haven't done anything with my life. I just got out of prison a few months ago because I killed my father. That's the biggest thing I've ever done and they know that. Vivian and Nathaniel were like my surrogate parents. There were times when I would lay awake at night, hearing my parents fighting and I would pray that I could be Taj's parents daughter." She bowed her head looking at her lap as a tear fell onto her thigh. Desiree put an arm around Piper's shoulders. Both were quiet for long moments.

"First, this party isn't being held because you are innocent. It's because you're alive. Thank God for that." She kissed Piper on her left temple. "Second, I don't know them, but I doubt Vivian and Nathaniel will be disappointed of you if that's what you're thinking. If anything, they should be proud. Proud that you were able to overcome all of that and keep living. You are a beautiful person, Piper. Inside and out. You have nothing, absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about."

The dark-haired woman stared at her for a silent moment. "I don't deserve you," she said in a near whisper.

"Kiss me."

Piper glanced out the window before capturing the other woman's lips with her own. Desiree wrapped her arms around her lover's neck as she increased the pressure of her lips. A moment later she stuck out the tip of her tongue and ran it lightly across Piper's lips. The older woman opened her mouth and Desiree entered as both women let out a small moan. Piper wrapped her arms around the smaller woman's waist and lifted her until Desiree was straddling her lap. The strawberry-blonde kissed Piper passionately as her small warm hands began to massage the woman's neck. Finally, Desiree ended the kiss. Both women's breaths were labored.

"Ever…ever say that again," the blue-green eyed woman started, "and you'll be missing those kisses because I'll refuse to give them to you. Got it?"

"You'll never hear the words I don't deserve you come from these lips again." Piper leaned forward to kiss her again, but Desiree took that moment to quickly exit the car on the dark-haired woman's side. Piper growled in frustration as her companion looked at her from the sidewalk.

"What? Did you honestly think I was about to make out with you in broad daylight when my parents or anyone else could pop up at any second?"

"Desi, you can't give me that kind of a kiss and then jump out of the car. It's cruel. Lucky I'm a girl, otherwise I'd have a difficult time concealing my sudden arousal."

The strawberry-blonde chuckled. "Are you gonna stay in that car all day?"

"I'm seriously considering it." Piper crossed her arms deciding to pout.

"I don't think so."

The blue-eyed woman glanced up at her. "Huh?"

"I said I don't think so. You're not going to sit in this car for the remainder of the day. You're going to get out and put on a happy face." Desiree grinned. "Now do as I say, Piper. You don't have a choice in the matter."

Muttering something as she reluctantly exited the vehicle, Piper closed the door with more force then she needed to.

"And don't try to break my car door just because you're ticked." Desiree smirked even as the other woman glared at her. "My Honda didn't make you mad. I did."

Piper wagged a finger at her. "You know what? I think you're taking this do-whatever business a little too far. In fact I think you're power hungry."

"Power hungry? I've told you to change your shoes and get out of my car. And now you're labeling me as power hungry?"

The dark-haired woman nodded. "If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck then it must be a duck."

Desiree narrowed her eyes. "You know what I feel like doing?"

Piper grinned lecherously at her. "I know what I feel like doing," she said in a lowered voice as she took a couple of steps towards the smaller woman.

The strawberry-blonde shook her head, chuckling. "Is that all you ever think about?"

The dark-haired woman put her arms around her companion. "That and you. That with you." She grinned as she nuzzled Desiree on the neck.

The smaller woman had to admit that she liked what her lover was doing, but this was neither the time nor place for it. She felt like getting in the car and going home to finish this now, but that would not be right. Plus she had been looking forward to this. Seeing Andrea again and meeting Piper's nieces. She also wanted to talk with Leroy about his doing some research for her. She felt as if they could make a good team.


Hesitantly pulling away from the delightful contact, she informed Piper that they should be going in. Piper reluctantly agreed and they began the walk up to Taj's front door. Desiree rang the doorbell, already hearing the music from inside. The door was opened a moment later by Dion. He smiled at them warmly and ushered the pair inside.
On entering, both Desiree and Piper spied the large "Welcome Back Piper" banner extending from one wall to another. Everyone was in the backyard except for a small child that was sleeping on her stomach peacefully on the couch. Dion gestured for Piper and Desiree to follow him to the couch. He caressed the baby's small chubby cheek with the back of his hand as he smiled adoringly down at her.

"This is my littlest one, Nina," Dion supplied proudly in his thick Jamaican accent.

Kneeling on the floor next to the couch, Desiree gazed at the child. "She's so precious. How old is she?" The strawberry-blonde caressed the baby's smooth coffee-colored arm. Desiree had always been fond of children and she just wanted to wrap this tiny bundle of joy up in her arms.

"Thirteen months," Dion replied.

Piper patted him on the back. "Congratulations," she said. "No one could ever tell me that you would be married with children, playboy that you were." She grinned at him and he grinned back.

"What can I say? I saw her and I was hooked. I even burned my little black book."

The dark-haired woman dramatically winced. "Was that difficult?"

"Honestly? Yes." Dion laughed merrily. "I had collected a lot of numbers. It was like a hobby." Growing serious, he pulled Piper to him, wrapping her in his arms. "I'm so happy that you're all right and that this mess has been resolved."

Piper hugged him back. "Me too." She stepped back and smiled up at him. "Now that I've arrived, let's get this party started!"

Dion, Piper, and Desiree ventured to the backyard to see Larisa sitting in a lawn chair talking with Dion's wife who was sitting in an identical chair next to hers. Both were sipping tall glasses of lemonade. Vivian and Nathaniel were sitting on a blanket in the grass playing a board game with a little girl. Over by a grill, Taj was demonstrating to Leroy, who still had his short braids, how to form the perfect hamburger patty. The younger man made one and then put it on the grill. Taj happened to glance up and saw the trio standing by the sliding glass door. He grinned as he all but ran towards them.

"Pippy!" he exclaimed, lifting the woman up off of her feet and twirling her around. Piper chuckled as he put her down. The Jamaican man studied her. "You're wearing a skirt. Never thought I'd ever see you in a skirt, Pippy. You look very pretty."

"Thank you, Taj," she replied.

Taj turned his attention to Desiree and gave her a charming smile. "Hello there, little one." He put his hands on either side of her face and kissed the young woman on the forehead. "How are you doing?"

The strawberry-blonde glanced at Piper. "Very well, Taj. And you? Did you and Valerie set a date yet?"

The Jamaican man barely kept himself from sighing as his longtime friend gave him a knowing look. "I'm fine, little one. And no, Val and I have yet to set a date." Taj then asked the two women if they would care for something to drink. Piper declined going over to help Leroy with the hamburgers. She claimed that she had a special recipe that would make them out of this world. Taj informed her that the grill was hers. When Desiree asked the Jamaican man if he had any beer, he hid his look of concern, remembering when she had drank so much that day at the beach. Instead the man ventured over to a cooler, took out a slim ice-cold bottle, and handed it to a grateful Desiree.

The young woman twisted off the cap and took a long swig before she walked over to where her sister and Dion's wife, Rochelle were sitting. The big man escorted her over. The other two smiled as they came near and made room for Dion and Desiree to sit on the long chairs. Dion did the introductions for his wife and the strawberry-blonde. The two women shook hands and exchanged smiles.

"You have beautiful children," Desiree exclaimed as she glanced over to who she presumed to be their other child playing on the blanket with Nathaniel and Vivian.

"Thank you," Rochelle stated, lightly nudging her husband. "I'm trying to get him to work on number three. I would love to have a son."

Desiree smiled warmly as Dion interjected, "And what if we get another girl?"

"Then we'll keep trying," Rochelle replied happily patting her husband on the thigh as he grumbled. The other two women laughed.

***

Nearly half an hour later, everyone who was invited to the party had arrived. Richard and Sandra had been the last to arrive with their son. They out right ignored Piper, but both gave Desiree hugs and asked her how she was doing. The dark-haired woman did not let it get to her as she continued cooking with Leroy's help. Ten minutes into cooking with him, she had decided that the youngest Potter child did not have the 'gift' of knowing how to prepare food. Left alone, she knew he would cook the patties until they were extremely well done.

Grabbing a second beer from the cooler, Desiree went over to Taj who was putting paper plates and cups on a picnic table. The man smiled as he saw her. He declined her offer when she asked if there was anything she could do to help him.

"Taj?" Desiree started.

The Jamaican man looked at her as he straddled the bench. The strawberry-blonde did the same, sitting her bottle in front of her. "May I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure. Go ahead."

"What do you do for a living? I notice that you have a nice car and a nice house." She shrugged. "Just curious and maybe wondering if you could get me a job where you work." Desiree laughed good-naturedly.

Taj scratched his neck while wondering how he should reply. "I'm a problem solver," he finally stated.

The woman waited for him to say more. When he declined to offer anything, she asked him to elaborate. However, the man would not give anymore information.

"Oh, come on, Taj." Desiree was near begging. He was going to make his choice of employment a mystery? It would nag at her to no end if she did not find out. "I won't tell anyone. Girl Scouts Honor."

"You were a Girl Scout?"

"Well no," Desiree offered begrudgingly. "But Larisa was and I've learned a lot from her."

Taj raised an eyebrow. "Your sister was a Girl Scout?"

The strawberry-blonde nodded. "I think it was a phase. Please don't tell her I told you."

The Jamaican man shrugged. "Your secret is safe with me, little one."

"Great. Yours can be safe with me too, you know?"

Taj chuckled as he arose from the bench. "Nice try." He squeezed her shoulder as he walked away, leaving the young woman wondering.

Whistling, Piper flipped a patty as Taj walked over to her. She offered him a smile after asking Leroy to get the cheese slices from the kitchen. Piper shook her head, chuckling as she returned her attention to her longtime friend.

"So, Taj tying the ol' knot, eh?"

The man nodded.

Lowering her voice so that she wouldn't be overheard, Piper asked, "You weren't really gonna propose yesterday, were you?"

Taj shook his head. "Having a party for you was supposed to be the only announcement. But then I saw Val's face and I couldn't correct her."

Piper nodded. "But you do love her, right? Don't do this if you don't want to get married. Just tell Valerie the truth."

The Jamaican man was silent for a few moments. In that time, Leroy came back with the package of sliced cheese and put it on a small table for Piper to use. She thanked him, saying that he was free to go. Leroy was more than happy to let her finish the cooking as he left.

"I do love her, Pippy. And after careful consideration, after thinking it over last night, I want to marry her. I'm nervous about it, but I do."

Giving him a bright smile, she put her spatula down before drawing Taj into a hug. "Well congratulations then. I wish you both much happiness."

Within ten more minutes it was time to chow down. They were having hamburgers, hot dogs with and without chili, along with an assortment of chips, cookies and fruit salad. Everything was delicious, and Piper received much praise for her cooking abilities. That is from everyone except Richard. His wife however, managed to be borderline polite.

Afterwards, everyone separated and talked with others. Seeing some of the fruit salad left, Piper popped a watermelon ball into her mouth as she scanned the yard, studying everyone. Her inquisitive eyes came to rest on her oldest niece, Stacey. The little girl was sitting in the grass, plucking rich green blades up from the ground. The dark-haired woman made her way over to the nine-year-old and asked if she could take a seat next to her. Stacey looked up at her and nodded mutely.

Sitting down in the grass with her legs stretched out in front of her, Piper looked at the young girl. Stacey did remind of her of herself when she was a child. The same blue eyes and dark hair. They were tended to be quiet as well. Piper had earlier observed that Samantha was definitely the more outgoing of the two, and was now sitting at a small table playing a game with Alexis. The two seemed to hit it off perfectly only being a year apart in age.

Having woke up now, Nina was pestering her older sister and Alexis' new friend by trying to steal the pieces they were using for the game. After a few more useless tries, the baby gave up and toddled away to get into other mischief. She went towards him as fast her little plump legs would carry her, when Nina noticed her Uncle Leroy holding out a chocolate chip cookie to her. Reaching him, the baby put one small hand on his knee as she took the cookie with the other.

Both Leroy and Desiree, who was sitting conversing with the man watched as Nina munched contentedly on the cookie. The strawberry-blonde stretched out her arms and the baby threw up her own arms as she walked to her on the other side of the table. Smiling, Desiree picked up the small child and put her in her lap. Double happy now with the attention and the cookie, Nina felt generous enough to offer her human seat some of the now soggy treat. Chuckling now, Desiree shook her head and said something to her that Piper could not make out from the distance. Whatever it was, caused the baby to laugh.

Wearing a tender smile, the dark-haired woman reflected on how good a mother Desiree could be. She herself had never really given much thought to having a family of her own. Turning her attention back to Stacey, Piper instinctively knew that something was bothering her. She asked her niece if she was okay. The nine-year-old nodded her head unconvincingly.

"Hey you," Piper called softly. After a moment, Stacey looked up at her, meeting her eyes. "I know something is wrong. What is it? You can talk to me." Having virtually no experience whatsoever with children, the dark-haired woman vied to do her best to help her niece.

Stacey plucked another blade of grass from the lawn and studied it in rapt interest. When Piper began to believe that she was not going to answer, Stacey spoke up, saying, "There's something that I shouldn't feel sad about, but I do," she said in hushed tones.

"What is it, sweetie?"

Stacey looked down at the grass. "I know my daddy hurt you and Desiree, but I can't help but to feel sad over his death." A tear rolled down her cheek. "I feel bad for missing him."

Piper's heart broke for this child. She had never given any thought to the despair that Victor's children could be feeling over his death. Samantha seemed to be taking it rather well. Though, she was only six. It seemed like the younger you were, the more resilient.

"Stacey it's okay to be sad over what happened. What all did your mother tell you?"

"She said that my daddy hurt a lot of people, including you and Desiree. She said that it ended up costing him his life. Mommy also told Sam and I that daddy loved us but he was sick in his mind with hate for certain people."

The child began to cry more so Piper picked her up and held Stacey to her. The little girl wrapped her arms around the woman's neck and buried her face in her neck as well. The dark-haired woman told her it was all right to cry and made soft comforting noises as she rubbed the child's back. Moments later, Piper looked up after feeling a hand on her shoulder. Andrea was standing there, concern for her child evident in her eyes. The dark-haired woman mouthed that it was okay and after being reassured a few more times, Andrea gave them privacy.

Piper wondered if Andrea's children knew about their aunt as she began rocking back and forth, feeling the hot wet tears staining her neck. She had the feeling that this was the first time this child had allowed herself to really cry for her father's passing. After a little while, Stacey's crying subsided as she continued to cling tightly to her aunt. Piper knew that she had fallen in love with her eldest niece.

She proudly smiled to herself. This children helping stuff was not so difficult. The dark-haired woman asked Stacey if she were to ask Andrea if she could keep her, did Stacey think that she would say yes. The little girl laughed before she gave her aunt a peck on the cheek. Piper's smile brightened even more. Being an aunt was turning out to be very cool.

Reaching up, she wiped away the remaining tears left on her niece's cheeks. A song began to play over the speakers. The blue-eyed woman recognized it immediately, thinking that she had not heard that song in years. It was Into the Mystic by Van Morrison and happened to be one of her favorites. Getting up from the grass and wiping at the back of her skirt, the dark-haired woman asked Stacey if she would like to dance. The child shook her head negatively while admitting that she didn't know how to dance.

"That's not a problem," Piper said extending her hand down to the little girl. "With me you can't look bad."

Stacey grasped the much larger hand. "Does that mean you dance real good?"

Piper shook her head. "Never said I was good at it. No matter how bad you are, I can guarantee that I'll make you look great, 'cause I'm horrible."

Stacey laughed and Piper joined in. "Girls can dance together?"

"Girls can do a lot-" Shut up, Piper. The woman cleared her throat. "Yes, they can, sweetie. Shall we?"

Her niece nodded in excitement. "We shall."

The dark-haired woman led Stacey by the hand further towards everyone else. She then picked the little girl up and began to dance with her. Stacey wrapped her legs around her aunt's waist as she grinned, revealing a missing tooth in the front. While they danced, Stacey mentioned that Piper was strong.

"Thank you, sweetie. I used to work out a lot. Have to start doing it again. I'm a little rusty."

"I take vitamins," Stacey offered proudly.

"You do? Why dontcha flex your arm for me?" Piper asked.

Stacey did just that, and the blue-eyed woman gently felt the arm. She then gave the girl a smile of approval. "I can tell you take vitamins. You're very buff." This caused the nine-year-old to grin. "I'd like to have muscles likes yours. How 'bout you hook me up with some of those vitamins?" Piper managed to inquire in a serious voice as she dipped Stacey, earning a laugh from the child.

"You can't take my vitamins, Auntie Piper. They are only for kids." She sounded much like those animated children in the Trix's commercials. The only thing was Stacey did not call her aunt a silly rabbit.

Piper deadpanned, "I'm big for my age."

Stacey let out a big belly laugh. "You're funny."

Three songs later the pair was still dancing. Andrea looked over to see that Stacey had fallen asleep with her head on her dance partner's shoulder. The poor thing had not slept well in the past few days after hearing the news of her father's death. Perhaps today she would begin to heal. Her mother sincerely hoped so. Like any loving mother, she hated seeing either of her children in pain. That was precisely why she dreaded telling them the news of their Aunt Emily. First their father and then their aunt. Andrea had wanted to be certain that it was Emily's body in the cabin and not Piper's before she told Stacey and Samantha. Now she knew for sure and they would have to be told soon. The blonde woman figured it could wait until they got back to San Bernardino.

Andrea smiled warmly towards Piper and Stacey. She was partly surprised and wholly overjoyed that the two had bonded so quickly. It would probably be tough trying to get Stacey ready for the trip back home. Once she attached herself to someone, the child was apt to not want to let go.

Andrea walked over to Piper and Stacey. The dark-haired woman smiled at her as she stated in a quiet voice that Andrea was raising a terrific daughter. Delighted by the
compliment, the blonde woman thanked her, asking if she could take the child to lay her down, since she had fallen asleep.

"Yes, I know," Piper replied. "I'm good at putting girls to sleep." She winked as Andrea shook her head, grinning. "I'll put her down."

Andrea shook her head. "No, it's no problem."

"I know that. Let me do it."

The blonde woman shrugged, smiling again. "Okay. She's all yours."

Piper smiled triumphantly as she began to walk towards the house with Stacey in her arms. She turned around when Andrea called her name. The blonde woman informed her that she liked her skirt.

Not very good with receiving compliments, Piper replied, "Thanks." She began walking again, thinking that she still did not want to wear a skirt ever again.

*****

"So I'll bring over what I have of the story so far tomorrow for you, okay?" Desiree said as she bounced Nina on her knee. The baby was making happy gurgling noises as she raised her little arms in the air ever so often.

Leroy nodded. "I cannot wait to read what you've written. There's just one little thing…"

"What's that?"

The young man asked, "What's it about?" That caused Desiree to sigh. "What's wrong? You don't want to answer the question?"

"Does any writer?"

Nina picked that precise moment to start crying. The strawberry-blonde considered that the child had wonderful timing and could not have been happier with the interruption. Nina's hands balled into tiny fists as she wailed. "Fwed," the baby cried. "Fwed."

Desiree's face scrunched up in though. "Fwed?" she said looking across at Leroy. "Do you know what a fwed is?"

The young man nodded. "She wants her teddy bear. His name is Fred." Leroy got up from his seat. "I'll go get him."

"No, I'll do it," Desiree replied as she got up as well. "I need to make a trip to the little girl's room anyway. Where can Fred be found?"

Leroy replied, "He's in her baby bag. I think her mother put it by the couch."
The strawberry-blonde handed the crying baby to her uncle and then began to walk towards the entrance to the house.

After she put the sleeping Stacey down on the couch and rubbed her cheek for a few moments, Piper got to her feet. Just as she was about to turn to go back outside Larisa walked into the living room from the hall. The other woman stopped walking when she laid eyes on Piper. Larisa offered her a smile that was not returned. Hurt but determined not to show it, the older woman started to go outside when her movements were blocked by Piper.

"We need to talk," Piper announced. "In private right now."

Desiree walked into the living room, empty except for Stacey sleeping on the couch. The blue-green eyed woman knew she had seen Piper come into the house not too long ago with Stacey in her arms. She wondered where her companion had ventured off to, because she had yet to return to the backyard.

Desiree found Nina's bag and unzipped it. Lying right on top was a teddy bear wearing a red sweater with a red, white, and blue plaid bow tie. She took the small brown bear out and looked at him. "So you must be Fred," she said to the stuffed toy, knowing that she was a little tipsy. She shook the bear's paw. "It's very nice to meet you, my furry inanimate friend. Your owner requires your attention, sir. But first I need to make a pit stop." Standing back up, Desiree walked towards the hall, which she knew was the way to the bathroom. Nearing the hall, the young woman stopped as she heard voices speaking quietly. One of them she was positive was Piper. Deciding to hide next to the entrance to the hallway, Desiree did so, listening intently.

"What did you expect me to do, huh?" the other voice asked. Desiree identified this person as her sister. The young woman felt butterflies fluttering in her stomach nervously. She knew there must have been more to it than what they were telling her. "Tell her the truth?"

"It would have been better than that horrendous lie," Piper replied angrily.

"Well I didn't see you stepping in to tell her the truth."

The dark-haired woman did not give a quick reply to that. "We never should have done that."

"Well we did." Larisa shrugged. "I feel bad about it, but it's done now. There is no reason that she has to find out."

Piper shook her head. "I can't continue to look her in the eye knowing that we stood in her kitchen this morning and told her something that was completely untrue."

"What are you saying, Piper?" Larisa's heartbeat began to speed up. She did not want her sister to find out. It would most likely only cause her pain. What was the point?

The dark-haired woman took a deep breath as she leaned against the wall. "I think that we should tell her the truth."

The older woman shook her head. "Big mistake. We already lied about it. So then if we tell her than she'll know we lied to her. Piper, please let's just keep this to ourselves. It was a long time ago."

What was a long time ago? Desiree thought to herself. And what had they lied about? It hurt that Piper and her own sister could not be truthful with her in the first place.

"Regardless, she has a right to know," Piper said. "I can't continue to keep this from her. And if I'm to be honest there is no way on this earth that I can be civil to you when I can barely stand the sight of you."

There it was. The pain struck her like a large truck traveling down a highway at over one hundred miles per hour. Tears stung Larisa's eyes at the other woman's words. The truth really did hurt. "So that part was a lie too?"

"What part?"

"When you said that you forgave me. You were lying about that?" Larisa inquired, already in her heart knowing what the answer would be.

The younger woman nodded. "Of course. It was all for show. I didn't want Desiree to be suspicious. Oh and please stop with the tears. Don't do that again."

"What are you talking about? You're hurting me and you expect me to keep a stiff upper lip?"

Piper narrowed her eyes. "I'm hurting you?" She snorted. "What about what you did to me, huh? I guess you've somehow forgotten about what happened in Jamaica. I'm the one that deserves to cry, not you. But I'm over it now. I grieved over it for a long time. The way you treated me was cruel and brutal. How dare you stand here and tell me I'm hurting you."

"I never got the chance to explain," Larisa said quietly. "I'm sorry I did that to you."

Piper shook her head. "Too little too late, Larisa. You made me feel special and then you just dumped me for no good reason."

Dumped her? Desiree clutched at the teddy bear in her nervousness. She wished that the two would just get to the point.

"Will you let me explain, please?"

"I don't care to hear whatever you have to say. I just wanted to let you know that I'm telling Desiree the truth."

"So you're planning on telling her that we were lovers? Do you think that bit of information will help your relationship any?"

Desiree did not hear any more of the conversation because she ran out of the house as quietly as was possible. Closing the front door behind her, the young woman took a deep breath as the tears began to come, blurring her vision. Fred still in her hand, the strawberry-blonde walked towards her car and got in the drivers seat. She took her keys out of her pocket and started the ignition. The young woman laid her head against the steering wheel and closed her eyes as a few tears fell down her cheeks.

Her own sister and Piper had been lovers. They had lied to her and she had stood there like a naïve idiot believing every single word that they were telling her. Desiree put the teddy bear in the passenger's seat before pulling away from the curb. She drove down the street not knowing where she was going, but knowing that she had to get away.

The young woman was remembering when Larisa had went to Jamaica during the summer almost a decade ago. When she had come back, she had been abnormally quiet and reserved. When the teenage Desiree had asked what was bothering her, her older sister had told her that everything was fine. Evidently, based on the way Piper was treating her, Larisa must have been the one to end the relationship.

And in all these years, her sister had never confided in her. Had she not trusted Desiree? That was causing her pain as well, that Larisa did not tell her that she was gay. Desiree considered that she had known for at least nine years that she was gay, yet she herself was not made aware of that fact. And of all the women in the world, Larisa had ended up being involved with Piper. Now what were the odds of that happening?

While making a right turn, she shook her head in bewilderment. This all had to be a nightmare. She wished that she would just wake up and everything would be fine. Ten minutes ago, she was in good spirits only to have her mood suddenly take a nose-dive. Ignorance could be bliss.

***

With Nina saddled on his hip, Leroy went inside of the house, passing Larisa who was on her way out to the backyard. The woman did not seem to notice him as she walked pass. Piper was about to pass him as well, when the young man stopped her, asking if she had seen Desiree in the past few minutes. The dark-haired woman shook her head negatively.

Leroy frowned. "But I saw her come in here. She was supposed to be getting Nina's teddy bear out of her bag and going to the bathroom. I saw that you just came from the hall. You didn't see her?"

Piper became alarmed. "She just came in here?" she asked the man.

He nodded. "Just a few minutes ago." He went over to Nina's bag and looked inside. "And the bear is missing."

The blue-eyed woman checked the kitchen. She was disappointed to find that it was empty. The dining room was empty as well, which meant the only way that Desiree could have gone without being noticed would be the front door. Using long strides, Piper walked towards the door and opened it. Going outside she saw that the Honda was gone. Oh, crap.

Leroy came outside still holding Nina, who was quiet now, but every so often, she would softly utter Fred's name. He noticed that Piper's face was etched with worry and asked what was wrong.

"She's gone," the dark-haired woman said barely above a whisper. She looked up and down the street as though the lilac car would appear at any moment.

"Maybe she had to go run an errand," Leroy offered helpfully.

"Maybe," Piper said. Or maybe she heard my conversation with her sister and took off.

Leroy shifted the baby to the other side. "Well wherever she went, I think she took Fred with her. Whatever called her away must have been important."

***

Desiree pulled into the parking lot of a bar not too many miles from Taj's house. She sat there for a few minutes after turning off the ignition. Piper and Larisa used to be lovers. It was so unreal. And the worst part about it was that they had lied to her. The young woman's shoulders began to move up and down as she sobbed out her anger and pain. Desiree's hands tightened on the steering wheel as she lay her forehead on it.

Finally able to pull herself together some, the young woman got out of the car and headed into the bar. She needed a drink desperately. On opening the door to the building, Desiree's eyes had to adjust to the darkness within. Walking inside, her nostrils were assaulted by the stale and smoky odor of the place. Desiree sat at the practically empty bar and pulled a basket of peanuts in front of her. She did not have much of an appetite though.

The barkeep ventured over and asked Desiree for her license as he wiped an area of the counter with a towel.

"What for?" the young woman asked.

He eyed her curiously. "I'm not sure that you're old enough to be in here."

Both were surprised when Desiree suddenly reached out her left hand and grabbed the barkeep's collar, pulling him towards her across the bar. Anger in her green-blue eyes, she balled up her right fist and drew it back as if to strike the man. The barkeep stared in fear, wishing that he had just called in sick today.

"And I'm not sure," Desiree began softly, "that I could knock your front teeth out if I were to hit you in the mouth." She brought her face closer to his. "Care to find out?"

The man shook his head and the strawberry-blonde let him go, wondering what had come over her. She looked at the man and quickly apologized. The barkeep appeared to be shocked but nodded, accepting the apology. Instead of asking for her license, he asked what she would like to drink.

"Anything with alcohol," she replied. "I'll take a shot of whiskey."

***
Walking out to the backyard, Piper scanned it until she found Taj. He was sitting on the bench, holding hands with Valerie. His parents were sitting on the other side as all four conversed. The dark-haired woman went up to Taj and asked if she could talk with him for a moment. Knowing that something must be wrong, the Jamaican man excused himself, leading Piper inside the house. They went to the dining room to sit at the table.

"What's wrong, Pippy?" Taj asked in a worried voice.

She did not answer right away, as she looked down at her hands on the table. "Desiree's gone and I don't know if she is coming back."

"Where did she go?"

Piper blew out a ragged breath. "Good question. I just don't have an answer for you."

"What happened? Did you have a fight?"

The dark-haired woman shook her head no. She glanced around to make sure no one was there and then asked the man if he remembered when she had that affair in Jamaica.

Taj shook his head. "With Larisa. Yes, I remember that like it was yesterday." He also remembered Piper crying on his shoulder on and off all night after she informed him that the woman had broken it off with her that afternoon.

Nodding, Piper continued on to tell him that she and Larisa had discussed how they had lied to Desiree this morning about why they did not get along. "And I think she might have overheard us."

Taj sat back in his chair. "Why did you lie, Piper?"

"I didn't want her to know that I had an affair with her sister."

"It isn't like you had it concurrently while seeing Desi."

The blue-eyed woman nodded. "I know. I just couldn't tell her. So I took the easy way out and lied about it."

"Lied about what?" Larisa asked as she came into the house.

Piper narrowed her eyes. "Why don't you mind your own business?"

Larisa bit her lower lip to keep from saying anything surly. Just keep walking. Larisa continued towards the front door silently. She stopped when Taj asked where she was going.

Turning around, Larisa replied, "Sorry, Taj. That was rude to try slipping out without saying goodbye." She walked over and shook hands with him. "That was a very nice party and I wish you joy in your marriage. Congratulations." She leaned down and gave Taj a peck on his cheek. "I have to be going now." She did not have to go. Larisa just wanted to. Nothing had changed with Piper and she no longer wanted to be here. The woman glanced at Piper. "I'll be seeing you, Piper. And can you tell Desiree when you see her that I said bye?"

"Desiree's gone, Larisa," Piper stated.

Larisa frowned. "Gone? Where did she go?"

"That seems to be the million dollar question," Taj offered as he looked up at Larisa. "We have no idea."

"Is her car gone?"

Piper nodded. "I think she overheard our conversation and hightailed it out of here."

Sitting down at the table, Larisa muttered an expletive. "How did you come to that conclusion?"

"I found out from Leroy that she was in here at the time we were. She was supposed to be getting Nina's teddy bear and never came back outside with it. She and the bear are gone."

Taj chuckled, not being able to help himself he added, "You think maybe this is payback? Desi took Fred hostage." The Jamaican man doubled over in his chair from laughing so hard. The laughter was infectious. Larisa found herself chuckling as well. Piper merely glared at the other two.

"Very cute, Taj," Piper said dryly. "I love it that you're cracking jokes at my expense."

Getting himself under control, Taj replied, "I'm sorry, Pippy." He reached over to squeeze her shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll straighten this whole mess out and everything will be fine. You'll see."

***
"Another pease."

The barkeep came over and refreshed Desiree's drink for the he did not know what time. The young woman picked up the shot glass and drank all of the burning liquid in one gulp.

A woman sitting at a booth watched Desiree asking for another drink. She shook her head as she finished her Pepsi. The woman sat there thinking for a few moments. Coming to a decision she got up and walked over to the bar. She asked Desiree if she could take a seat on the stool next to her. The young woman turned to see the one of the most beautiful women she had ever had laid eyes on.

This gorgeous Latina stood at about five feet seven and had a slim athletic build. She had deep brown eyes and straight dark brown hair that went a couple inches past her shoulders. She sported a pair of soft lips that practically said, "Kiss me". The woman had on a tight dark brown tank top that showed off the delicate muscles in her bronzed arms and the gentle curve of her ample breasts. She had on a pair of tight blue jeans that had the ability to make one notice her round well-defined derriere. Just ask Desiree. She did.

Unable to speak at the moment, the strawberry-blonde nodded for the Latin woman to sit down. With a small smile, the woman took a seat on a stool on Desiree's right. It was then that the barkeep came back with his now completely inebriated customer's next shot of whiskey. The dark-haired woman shook her head though, telling the man in a rich low voice that the woman sitting next to her was done. Desiree glared at her and mumbled that she should mind her own business.

The woman chuckled. "You are my business."

The strawberry-blonde stared at her without speaking for a minute. "You think so? Wuz make you think that?"

The woman looked her in the eye, wearing an expression of complete seriousness. "Because you just saved my life."

Continued in Part 10.