Sex: Yes, by popular demand, there will be sex between two women in this story.  It will be a little graphic, but don't expect a porn story here.

Violence: Yup. It's an integral part of the story, sorry.  I don't plan to make it too graphic, but there are a few scenes of torture and gunplay.

Language: Shit, yeah.  It's part of the characters' personalities.

Thanks: Many thanks to my bud Xenalicious for introducing me to the wonderful world of fan fiction.  Without her prodding I might never have sat down to write this little tale. When you're done with this story, jet over to her page and check out her fiction. Also, thanks to Redxena, my excellent beta reader. Her input is most welcome.

I'd also like to thank the following bards, whose fiction inspires and awes me: T Novan, Tonya Muir, XWPFanatic, Nene Adams, Frost, Sword N' Quill,  BL Miller, and of course Missy Good.

Comments: I love to get email.  Feedback on my story would be most appreciated.  Nasty comments will be sent to that great electronic wastebasket in the sky.   EMAIL ME!

Part 1

Chapter 1

 It seemed like such a perfect night, Quinn remembered thinking.  She had dropped into her bed content and sleepy.  The sound of the door opening gave her only a moment?s notice before all hell broke loose.  There was a second of disorientation as a bag was forced over her head and strong hands seemed to grip her from every direction.  Then came waves of panic, as she realized that Neron?s men had come for her.  She struggled, but there were too many men for even someone of her extraordinary strength to fight off.  Someone delivered a crushing blow to the back of her head and Quinn Windsor found herself plummeting into unconsciousness.

When Quinn awoke, she was strapped face down on a table, the restraints digging painfully into her limbs, her head still throbbing from the blow.  All she could see was the sterile white floor below her.  There was shuffling in the background and she knew there were other people moving about, but she couldn?t move her head enough to see them.  A pair of black boots walked into her view and then she heard his voice.

?Hello, Quinn.?  Neron.  It was a sound that made ice run through her veins.  Rage and insanity quivered in his voice and in that instance Quinn knew she was going to die.  He gripped a handful of hair and jerked her head back as he squatted down, so that she found herself eye to eye with the man she hated most in the world.

?Neron,? she replied, returning his glare with what she hoped would pass for defiance, ?what the hell do you think you?re doing??

The world blurred as he slapped her full force.  ?Shut up!? he shrieked.  ?Did you think you could betray me like this and not have me find out?  Do I look like a fool to you??

Quinn said nothing.  She had long ago accepted that it would be dangerous to infiltrate Neron?s organization.  She had hoped to gather more information for the resistance, but it seemed he had somehow found her out.  Death had always been a possibility and she was prepared to accept that.  She only prayed that another resistance member would recover her files before Neron did.  They revealed key aspects of his latest plan, from blueprints to personnel files.

Another slap brought her attention back to him.  ?You bitch, you thought you could take what was mine.?

?Why don?t you just kill me and get it over with?? she spat.

A grim smile crossed his features.  ?Oh no.  I want you to live a long time, so you can think about this day for the rest of your life.?

Confusion washed over Quinn.  He must know that if he leaves me alive that I?ll turn him in to the Assembly, she thought to herself. Then everything he?s worked for will be for nothing.  He can?t be so petty that he?ll risk it all just to torment me.

 ?You?re crazy,? she hissed.

 ?No, you?re the crazy one, if you think you can fuck my wife and get away with it,? he snapped.

 Quinn tensed.  ?I?I don?t know what you?re talking about.? Oh my God, this whole time I?ve been so worried about him finding out that I?m a resistance agent that I never considered he?d find out about Lila and me.  She was aware that the situation was rapidly spinning out of control.

 ?Don?t lie to me!?  This time his slap almost made her lose consciousness.  Blood trickled down from her mouth, leaving bright red splotches on the floor.  He let her head drop with a disgusted look.  ?Well, no matter.  I?ll deal with that bitch after I?m through with you.?

 ?No!? she screamed, horror creeping into her.  ?You leave her alone, Neron!?  Quinn strained against her bonds, panicked concern for her lover overriding the pain of the restraints cutting into her flesh.

 ?Was she good, Quinn?? he snarled, contempt oozing in his voice.  ?I?ll bet you never felt anything like it.  Lila always was a good fuck.  I?ll bet she even screamed your name when she came.  Well, she?ll be screaming before I?m done with her.?

 ?You sadistic son of a bitch!? she roared.  Blood was running down her limbs in rivers now, as the restraints dug deeper, but still she struggled.  ?I am going to fucking kill you!  Do you hear me?  You?re a dead man.?

 ?No, I think not.  I?m going to leave you in the capable hands of the good doctors here while I go deal with my wife.  I?m afraid I won?t be seeing you again, but it has been?interesting knowing you.?  He wheeled and left, his cold laughter echoing down the halls.

 Quinn felt the cold touch of a scalpel on her back and suddenly she knew what Neron had in mind.  ?No!? she cried.  ?Please God, not that!?  She tried in vain to escape, trying to think of a way out of her situation, but then the scalpel bit down and her mind was filled with burning pain and all rational thought ceased.  She howled and pleaded, but still the torture would not stop, the scalpel continuing to make slice after slice, until the pain was all consuming and the only thing she could do was scream and beg for death.

 *  *  *  *  *

 It was a cold rainy day in Capital City, just like every other day in that cursed place.  Riley Cameron finished strapping down her body armor and reached for her well-used raincoat, emblazoned with ?CCPD? in bright yellow letters on the back.  She hated the rain, hated how it somehow made the dreary city even more depressing.  It also made crime scenes a pain and with the public tension building daily, there was sure to be at least one murder scene somewhere in the dark alleys.  She dreaded slogging through the grime of the gutter, searching in vain for clues to a crime that would likely go unsolved, backlogged behind all the other murders and robberies that had already occurred that year.  On one hand, joining the police force allowed her to be spared from that danger, but then again, it also put it right back in her face, since she patrolled one of the more dangerous districts in the city.

At first, many had taken one look at the diminutive woman and laughed when she said she wanted to be a cop.  Her elfin features, framed by her short blond hair, made her look five years younger than she actually was and there was unmistakable kindness in those emerald green eyes.  The police recruiter had shaken his head doubtfully when she signed up for the academy.  Still, she resolutely pursued her dream and the police force had soon discovered to its surprise that Riley could be harder than steel when a tough situation arose.  She had proven herself in the field enough times to win the respect and admiration of most of the other officers.

Even if someone failed to recognize Riley?s intelligence and skill, they usually responded to the sheer strength of her partner.  Gabe Jackson was a mass of muscles - combined with his dark hair and features it gave him an intimidating air that seemed to freeze criminals in their tracks.  He came into the locker room, noticed Riley?s raincoat, and cursed, ?Shit, is it raining again??

Riley smiled to herself.  Gabe was the one cop who probably hated the rain more than she did.  They were a miserable pair patrolling on days like this.  She checked her firearms, sliding one into her shoulder holster and one into her belt holster, then clamped one hand on Gabe?s shoulder.

 ?Quit your whining, Jackson,? she teased.  ?Come on, we?ve got to get going, or we?ll be late making the rounds.?  Gabe grumbled something unintelligible as he followed his partner out the door.

 In a short time they were gliding down Falls Boulevard, the sirens blaring on the police cruiser.  They had received a dispatch saying a store was being robbed.  Riley loved this part of the job, the little rush of adrenaline before she went into a scene.  You never knew what was going to hit you.  She reached into her kit and pulled out a stun tazer, checking the settings.  Gabe glanced over from the driver?s seat.

 ?Cam, why do you insist on bringing that stupid thing?? he groaned.

 ?Not everyone is built like a gorilla on steroids,? she replied, shooting a meaningful glance in his direction.  ?There are those of us who are small enough to want a little extra edge, in case this guy is strung out on something.  But don?t worry, if that doesn?t cut it,? she drew her M1911 pistol with a flourish, ?then this puppy should slow him down.?

 ?Hmmph.  Well, just stay sharp when we go in.  Hopefully you won?t need either of those toys.  Heh, maybe he?ll just surrender peacefully, right, Cam??

 ?Right.  And maybe it?ll be a bright sunny day tomorrow, too.?

 Their casual banter ceased as the store pulled into view.  Riley was out of the cruiser almost before it stopped, Gabe right on her heels.  Carefully they approached the storefront.  It was early in the morning and the only sound on the empty street was the soft pattering of rain.  A quick glance in the front window told them there was only one perpetrator, a scruffy looking kid pointing a knife at the terrified cashier.

 Gabe motioned to the door, indicating that Riley would go in first.  She flashed a thumbs up, took a deep breath and burst in the door.

 ?Freeze! CC Police!? she shouted, leveling her firearm at the suspect.  The boy turned around with surprise.

 ?Drop your weapon and raise your hands where we can see them,? Gabe barked.  The boy hesitated, he seemed as though he might run, but then he looked again at the guns pointed at him.  He let his knife drop to the ground with a clatter and put his hands in the air.  Gabe moved forward to handcuff the boy.  Riley kept her gun trained on the suspect, in case he made any sudden moves towards her partner.  She smiled; thinking Maybe this WILL be an easy arrest for once?

 Suddenly she heard a door open in the back of the store and turned to see another man coming out of the storage room.  There was a moment where everyone froze staring at each other.  Shit, he?s got a partner, Riley thought to herself.  Without warning the man whipped around and bolted out the back.

 ?Dammit!? she yelled, taking off after the man.  ?I?ll get him, Gabe.?

 She burst out the back door of the store in time to see the man running down a narrow alleyway.  She darted after him through the pouring rain.  She saw him skid around a corner up ahead.  She turned the corner and found herself facing a dead end alley.  It was dimly lit, with boxes and garbage piled everywhere.  The man was nowhere in sight, though Riley knew he was hiding somewhere in the debris.  The drainage pipe must have been broken, because there was a good six inches of water on the ground there.

 Riley walked slowly down the alley, gun held at the ready.  Her heart was beating rapidly, all of her senses were on full alert.  She had made it about halfway down the alley when she spied a suspicious looking pile of boxes to one side.  She started in that direction, trying to peer into the dark shadows.  Just as she was reaching to move a box, she heard a faint splash behind her, and she instinctively moved.  The movement was enough to cause the heavy board to strike her in the right shoulder, instead of her head as intended.  Still, the blow was hard enough to send her crashing to the ground.  She landed on her knees, her gun sliding away into the murky water.

 Before she could get up she was tackled from behind.   The man from the store landed on top of her with a shout.  There was a brief struggle, and he managed to get a few good hits in.  But her years of police training had taught her a few things, and Riley dislodged him with a solid kick.  She climbed to her feet and knocked him back with a quick roundhouse.  He staggered back for a second, but then charged forward again with a roar.  She neatly sidestepped the attack, drawing her tazer from her belt and ramming it into his ribs as he flew past.  There was a sharp crackle of electricity and the man collapsed in a boneless heap on the ground.

 Riley swiftly handcuffed the man and retrieved her gun.  She sighed as she took in the man?s thin, haggard features and noted the stolen cans of food that had tumbled from his pockets.  Christ, this is the fourth robbery this week.  If the city doesn?t solve the food shortage problems soon this place is going to explode.  She jerked the man to his feet and began the process of dragging him back to the store.

 Half an hour later she and Gabe had finished wrapping up the crime scene, sending the thieves to the station downtown and taking the cashier?s statement into record.

 ?Good job apprehending that guy,? Gabe commented, as they walked back to the cruiser.

 ?Thanks, Gabe,? she replied, ?He sure put up a fight, though.?  She winced as she flexed her tender shoulder, silently grateful that the body armor had prevented more damage.

 ?Yeah, you?re going to have a busted lip and a nice shiner there,? he said, surveying her face.

 ?Great,? she said dryly.  ?I also bled on my favorite white shirt, which was ruined anyway after he tackled me in all that muck.  What a crazy job.?

 ?You could always retire and get a nice safe job,? he teased.

 ?Right, then who would watch your back?  Your wife would never forgive me if something happened to you because I wasn?t there.  And while you don?t scare me, the thought of Cindy mad at me is enough to put the fear of God into me.?

 Gabe laughed.  His partner?s light humor told him that she was not badly injured, much to his relief.  After five years together on the force, he had come to think of the little blonde as a sister.  Her safety was important to him and, much to his chagrin, Riley was constantly charging into dangerous situations.  Having ascertained that she was fine physically, he decided to prod her about his favorite subject - her love life.

 ?So, any big plans for tonight?? he asked slyly.

 Riley groaned.  ?Don?t you start up on me now.?

 ?What?? he said, giving her his best innocent look.  ?I just asked if you were doing anything.  Can?t a friend ask another friend that??

 She sighed.  ?Fine. If you must know, I?m seeing David again.?

 ?Ah.  You sound so excited.?

  ?Yeah, I know, I know.  He?s a big loser, but it?s better than sitting at home alone, waiting in vain for my soul mate to call.?

 ?Come on, Cam, you don?t believe that soul mate crap, do you??

 She shrugged, ?I can?t help thinking there?s someone out there who will complete me in some way.  You know, someone who will look at me the way you look at Cindy when you think she isn?t looking.?  She smiled as her partner blushed guiltily.  ?I just can?t imagine what it would feel like to love someone that much.  I?d sure like to find out, though.?

 ?Well, how do you expect to find this mysterious soul mate if you waste your time dating losers like David?? he chided.  ?The sex can?t be that great.?

 ?Definitely not,? she admitted.  ?Still, he?s taking me out to dinner tonight.  They even serve real chicken and beef at this restaurant, not that processed crap.?

 Gabe gave a low whistle.  ?Wow, that must cost a fortune in food rations.  Hell, maybe I should date this guy.?

 ?Now you see why it?s hard to say no.  I can?t remember the last time I had food that didn?t come out of a can.  If he?s being particularly annoying, I?ll even make him treat me to a real salad.?  She smiled, and added, ?With lots of croutons and dressing.?

 ?Stop it, you?re making my mouth water here,? he protested.  He paused thoughtfully.  ?Hey, what ever happened to you and Hudson, anyway?  I thought you guys were together or something.?

 ?We were never together,? Riley said, a little defensively. ?We just??

 ?Humped like bunnies?? he ventured.

 ?For lack of a better term, yes,? she replied, shooting him one of her patented looks of doom.  ?But I haven?t been with her for a couple weeks now.?

?Well, I can?t say that I?m sad about that,? he said.  ?She treats you like crap, you do realize that, right??

Riley shrugged, ?Maybe you?re right, but a girl?s got needs, you know.?

?Is she that good in bed??

She considered the question for a minute before answering, ?Well?sex with Lisa is sort of like a roller coaster ? you just hang on tight, enjoy the rush, and try not to scream too loud.?

Gabe laughed all the way back to the station.

*  *  *  *  *

It was about halfway through dinner that Riley realized that ten salads would not have been enough to make this date worthwhile.  Her shoulder throbbed with pain, which was almost good, since it took her mind off David?s incessant droning.  She studied the man across the table from her.  He was not unattractive, though he over-styled his dirty blond hair and his mouth was fixed in a permanent smirk.  She could feel him periodically graze her leg with his foot underneath the table.  She adjusted her chair so that she was out of his reach and directed her attention back to the conversation.

?So, how do you like being the executive liaison to the Tabon Prefect?? she interrupted, trying to steer him towards a more interesting subject.

?Oh, it?s fabulous,? he said with a smug grin. ?The job pays really well, and you get to rub elbows with the most powerful men in the city.?

?Aren?t things a little tense at the office, though, with all the recent food shortages?? she questioned.

He shrugged. ?Well, things got a little ugly the other day when this group of crazies picketed outside of the building, demanding to talk to the Prefect about the food problem.  They had to beat them back with the fire hoses.?

?You can?t really blame them.  People are hungry, David, and they want answers.?

?Well, they sure weren?t thirsty after that,? he laughed, ?Can you believe they actually believe there?s some kind of Tabon conspiracy to keep them from getting food??

Riley sighed at him.  Few humans had ever been allowed in the Nexus, the floating city complex far above the clouds that shrouded the earth in permanent darkness.  If the Tabon were lying about food production, it?d be impossible to check on.  She said as much to David.

?That?s ridiculous,? he scoffed.  ?They might control the food, but we control the industry.  If they were really withholding food, we?d just stop trading them power cells.  Without power cells, the whole Nexus would come crashing down.?

?Yeah, right on top of us,? she observed dryly.  ?That wouldn?t do us much good, now would it??

?Babe, you?re so cute when you talk politics,? he said, oblivious to her bristling in her seat.  ?If there?s any conspiracy, I?d say it?s the resistance you want to blame.?

?What are you talking about?? she asked.  ?Why would the resistance want to stop food production?  That doesn?t make any sense.?

?Well,? he said, leaning forward dramatically, ?this is what I?ve gathered from the office.  It seems that one of the larger greenhouses has been experiencing a lot of technical difficulties lately, and they lost a whole crop because of it.  The Tabon seem to think that the resistance is behind it.?

?But that still doesn?t tell me why.?

?I was getting to that,? he said. ?We know that the resistance doesn?t want the Tabon to have exclusive control over the food supply anymore.  Maybe this is an attempt to make it seem like the Tabon aren?t capable of producing enough food.  That would give them public support to push for a production station controlled by Capital City.  Clever, eh?? he said, clearly pleased with his line of logic.

Riley looked doubtful.  She knew that building a production station above the clouds would be a violation of Tabon space, which they guarded jealously.  Such action would likely provoke an armed conflict. Then again, she thought, the resistance is an extremist group.  I wouldn?t put it past them to try something like that, even if it did start a  war.  Maybe that?s what they want to happen.  The thought made her shiver, and she quickly pushed it aside.

David interrupted her thought, saying, ?So, are you going to tell me what happened to your face, or do I have to guess??

One hand drifted absently to her black eye.  ?Oh this? It?s nothing, I just had a little trouble apprehending a robber today.  But I caught the guy, so that was good.?

He shook his head with disgust.  ?I bet he?ll plead a bad childhood and get off with a wrist slap.  Man, the justice system just makes me sick nowadays.?

She groaned ? this was one of David?s favorite topics to bitch about.  ?David, what do you expect?  We can?t send them all to jail, there just isn?t room anymore.  Besides, he was just stealing food because he was hungry.?

?If he?s so hungry he should get a job like everyone else,? he said, giving his standard reply in situations like this.  He then launched into his long-winded speech about the laziness of the average joe, leaving Riley helplessly counting the minutes until the date would be over.

*  *  *  *  *

?four?five?six? Quinn hefted the heavy bar above her yet again, her muscles screaming at the effort.  Sweat dripped down her face, drenching her long black hair. Can?t be weak, gotta keep lifting.  The thought beat a steady tempo in her skull, and she lowered the bar for another repetition, ignoring the exhaustion in her arms and chest.

Stephanie entered the weight room, freezing with shock as she saw the tall woman struggling underneath a massive amount of weight.  ?Quinn, what the hell?!? she yelled, running behind the bench to grab the bar.  Together, the two women managed to ease the bar back to the top of the bench.

Breathing heavily, Quinn let her arms dangling limply on either side of the bench.  She closed her eyes, feeling completely wiped out.  It was a good feeling, totally drained of all emotion, one that she had desperately needed.

?Are you out of your fucking mind!?  Stephanie?s shout brought her back to reality.  Quinn cracked one eye open, looking at her fuming friend.  ?Are you trying to kill yourself, Quinn?  You know you should never bench that much without a spotter.  What were you thinking??

Quinn sighed, reaching down to snag a towel next to the bench.  She mopped the sweat from her face, the effort almost too much for her exhausted arms.  ?I?m sorry, Steph.  I just got carried away.  I was thinking about Lila again and?? her voice trailed off and she lifted her hands in a gesture of helplessness.

Stephanie?s expression softened.  ?Yeah, well?don?t let it happen again.  We need you to stay sharp.?  She tossed Quinn a t-shirt.  ?Here, put this on, we?ve got work to do.?  She turned away while Quinn changed, respecting her privacy.

Quinn sat up and quickly pulled the shirt on over her sports bra.  She was grateful for Stephanie?s gesture.  Her friend had seen the marks on her back exactly once, a little over a year ago when Stephanie had pulled Quinn out of the alley where Neron had left her in a bloody heap.  Since that time the two had become best friends, but the scars on Quinn?s back were a painful reminder of her failure and she couldn?t bring herself to show them to anyone, not even Stephanie.

They marched quickly through the warehouse that served as the headquarters for the resistance movement in that sector of the city.  Quinn was quiet, even more than usual, and Stephanie knew her friend was still thinking about the past.  Stephanie ran a hand through her long curly brown hair with a sigh.

?Stop worrying about me,? Quinn said.

?How do you know it?s you I?m worried about?? she shot back.

?Because you keep doing that thing with your hair,? Quinn observed.  ?You only do that when you?re worried about me.?

?So?? Stephanie said, forcing her hand to be still.  ?I?m allowed to worry - best friend?s prerogative.?

Quinn did not reply as they arrived in the central control room, referred to as ?the war room? by Stephanie and several others.  A huge computer screen, surrounded by dozens of smaller screens, covered the far wall.  There were several raised rows of terminals in front of the screen.  In the center of the room was a large table, equipped with terminals at every seat, as well as a projection matrix built into the surface of the table.  The room buzzed with activity.  She walked over to an empty terminal and began pulling up some technical diagrams she needed.

Stephanie pulled up a chair and joined her, saying, ?Make sure your people study those diagrams too.  This raid is going to require a lot of precision.?

?Don?t worry,? Quinn said, her eyes never leaving the screen, ?they?ll be ready.  We?ve been training for this for weeks.?

In truth, Stephanie was not too concerned about the mission.  Quinn was a talented leader and would have little difficulty getting the job done.  Still, Quinn looked anxious and impatient, drumming her fingers rapidly on the tabletop.

?Quinn, you need to relax,? she said soothingly.  ?You?ll get your chance, don?t worry.?

?When?? Quinn replied, exasperated.  ?Christ, this fucking waiting is torture.?

?You have to be patient.  You?ve waited this long, a few more months won?t kill you.?

?Don?t you get it, Steph?? Quinn?s voice was tense.  ?It?s all I ever think about.  I dream about the different ways I want to kill him.  It eats at me day after day, until I think I?m going crazy.?

Stephanie placed a comforting hand on Quinn?s shoulder.  ?I know it?s hard.  But you have to wait.  Even if you could get close enough to kill Neron, you?d never make it out alive and you know that.?

?At least he?d be dead.?

?And so would you,? Stephanie retorted.  ?What good is getting your revenge if you know that another person just like Neron would gladly step in and start up where Neron left off?  It?d be like he never died, because his perverse plan would still carry on.?  Quinn?s head dropped a little, and Stephanie pressed her advantage, knowing that her logic was getting through.  ?The only way to really kill him is to expose him for the criminal that he is.?  She paused, then pulled out her trump card, ?The one thing he fears more than death is losing his power.  You take that away, it?ll be like killing him every day for the rest of his miserable life.?

Quinn smiled wickedly, liking what she heard.  ?Okay, you?ve convinced me.?  New resolve burned in her eyes. ?We?ll do it your way.?

Stephanie breathed a sigh of relief, seeing her friend focused again.  ?Good.  Now, after you finish up here today, take the weekend off and kick back.  You?ve been working too hard and I want you nice and loose for the mission next week.?

Quinn thought about it for a second.  She wanted to do some more planning for the mission, but then again, a few days off would do her some good.  She had a date for later that night and some of the guys from work had invited her out with them this weekend.  She couldn?t remember the last time she had actually allowed herself to think about something other than the resistance for a day.  She resolved to spend the weekend without having one serious thought.

?Alright,? Quinn grinned.  ?I will take the weekend off.?  She turned back to her work with a fresh burst of energy.  For the first time in awhile, she felt almost happy, and she intended to prolong the feeling as long as possible.

*  *  *  *  *

Riley flopped down on her couch with a groan.  To say the evening had gone badly would be an understatement.  After barely keeping herself from strangling her date at dinner, she had fended off his attempts to invite himself up to her apartment for a drink.  I can?t believe I actually told him I had a headache.  She made a mental note to decline the next time David asked her for a date.

She turned the television on, flipping through the channels rapidly. 600 fucking channels and nothing on, she thought grumpily.  She tossed the remote down with disgust and stood up, pacing around the apartment.  She was restless, having wasted half of her evening in such a frustrating fashion.  I need a good distraction right about now.  She glanced at her vid-phone, knowing that a solution to her problem was sitting right there.  She reluctantly walked over and picked up the plastic phone card with Lisa?s number on it, considering what to do.

Lisa Hudson had been the one cop who had never warmed up to Riley when she joined the force.  Lisa usually avoided Riley, and when she did run into her, she always had something snide to say.  Riley had assumed that the tall, beautiful woman didn?t like her because she was so open about her sexuality.  It was nothing Riley felt ashamed about, but she had no desire to start trouble in the precinct, so she just did her best to stay out of Lisa?s way.

Riley was more than a little surprised when one night, out of the blue, the other woman sat down on a barstool next to her.  She wasn?t sure if it was the alcohol or the fact that the precinct had had a really tough week, but Lisa?s usual bad attitude was nowhere to be found that night.  They managed to have a shockingly pleasant conversation and Lisa even offered her a ride home.

Riley wasn?t sure how it happened exactly, but somehow she found herself kissing Lisa in the parking lot outside the bar.  Riley briefly considered stopping before things got out of hand, but then Lisa?s hands started wandering and that thought flew right out the window.  They ended up making love in the car like a couple of teenagers, and then again at Riley?s apartment.  It was hot and frantic, the two women taking what they needed from each other almost desperately.  Afterwards, Lisa had dressed and left without a word.

The next day at work Lisa was back to her old self, as though nothing had ever happened between them.  Still, one way or another, she and Riley kept seeing each other.  It was completely devoid of feeling, but Riley was content to be satisfied physically at least.  After awhile though, the lack of emotional connection had gotten to Riley and she had sworn that she was through with the semi-relationship.

I am so weak?Riley sighed and shoved the card into the vid-phone before she could change her mind.  After two rings, Lisa picked up.

?What?? she said sharply, pushing her bleached blond locks out of her face.

?What are you doing?? Riley asked.

?Nothing.?

?Neither am I.?  Riley said, cutting the connection abruptly.

She sat back to wait.  The glint in the other woman?s dark eyes told Riley that her message had been received.  Sure enough, fifteen minutes later Lisa came sweeping in the door, not bothering to knock as usual.  She was dressed in tight leather pants and a slinky little top that had a complex pattern of snaps and buckles up the back.  The outfit was incredibly sexy and looked extremely difficult to get off.  Riley knew Lisa had probably picked it just to frustrate her.

Lisa walked over to her, tracing Riley?s black eye lightly with one finger.  ?Love the new look, sweetie,? she drawled, giving a feral smile.  Her finger continued its path down Riley?s cheek, tracing her jaw line before sliding down her neck and then under the strap of the black evening gown Riley had gone to dinner in.  Riley did her best not to shiver at the other woman?s light touch.

?What, I?m not your first date tonight?? Lisa pretended to pout.  ?If I?m going to be your fallback, maybe I should leave.?

 ?That?s a pity,? Riley shrugged, feigning disinterest.  She rose and headed for her bedroom, calling over her shoulder, ?I thought at least one of my dates might be able to entertain me tonight.?  She didn?t bother to look back; she knew the way this game would play out.

Riley had just made in into the room when she was caught from behind and spun around.  At first she was almost knocked back by the force of Lisa?s kiss, but soon she was kissing back with equal enthusiasm.  Riley pressed up against Lisa?s body, craving as much contact as possible.  Lisa?s hands were roaming all over now.  A gasp of pain escaped Riley?s lips as Lisa grazed her injured shoulder.

Lisa chuckled at this new discovery.  It was a low sound, both dangerous and sexy.  She intentionally gave the shoulder a good squeeze before breaking the kiss and moving her sensual attack to Riley?s neck.  Riley could not help but moan, the conflicting sensations overwhelming her senses.  It was always that way with Lisa, alternating between pain and pleasure, Lisa pushing the envelope on both fronts until they became the same thing.

Lisa deftly removed Riley?s dress with one hand, letting it drop to pool on the ground around her feet.  Riley fumbled with Lisa?s complex top, needing to keep up and maintain some semblance of control.  Finally, with a growl of frustration, Riley gripped the top with both hands and ripped it with one clean motion.  She tossed the ruined cloth away with a flick of her wrist.

?That?s destruction of private property,? Lisa murmured, nipping Riley?s earlobe.

?What are you going to do about it, Officer Hudson?? Riley teased.  ?Arrest me??

?Mmm?perhaps later.  But first I have other plans for you,? Lisa said, pulling Riley in the direction of the bed.

Just as Lisa was about to push her on the bed, Riley spun both of them around, so that she landed on top of the taller woman.  Lisa gasped with surprise, as Riley firmly pinned her down and took control of the situation.

?Touché, lover,? Lisa managed to say, before groaning with approval as Riley began a new assault on her body.

Now, to see about those damn leather pants? Riley thought, mentally steeling herself for what looked to be a very long night. Continued in Part 2...