Maryland State Trooper #1153

Maryland State Trooper #1153
The Test Trial Uber
by Red Hope

Chapter 5

Erin was on her side and watched the television. She glanced over at Katia, who was busy working on her accounting homework, again. She sighed then looked at the clock near her head. It was almost noon, and she knew from Katia that Katia was suppose to see Ashley today. Katia had mentioned how she'd promised to help Ashley with the unpacking.

Katia hadn't made any attempt to contact Ashley yet. She'd gotten up, had a shower, went to breakfast with her roommate, and since then had been planted at her desk for the past hour. She diligently worked to get her homework finished like it was due any second.

"Katia," Erin called

The petite blond kept her focus on her accounting textbook.

Erin sighed at her roommate's lack of response. "At least text Ashley."

Katia turned a page and continued to read whatever was important.

Erin reached around on her bed until she found her whale that she slept with often. She chucked it at Katia, who was startled and shot her a dark look. "Text her, Katia. Come on."

Katia picked up the stuffed animal and tossed it back. "Maybe later."

"It is later," Erin argued. "She's probably up by now."

Katia flipped back a page and continued to ignore her roommate.

"Katia, you need to talk to her." Erin studied her roommate's profile. "You promised her you'd help her."

Katia's eyes trailed off the page and wandered up to the folded citation paper. She sighed and turned her head to Erin. "Why you making me feel guilty about this?"

"Because either you or Ashley needs to talk to the other. And I don't have Ashley's number so I can't guilt her to call you."

Katia huffed and turned back to her textbook. "It's too awkward, Erin."

"And it's not going to de-awkward anytime soon so you mind as well get it over with." Erin waited a second then harshly snapped, "Text her."

"Fine!" Katia picked up her cell phone and decided to keep Erin from bugging her. She flipped open her EnV phone and quickly typed up a brief text message. She sent it then closed up the phone.

"It wasn't that hard, was it?" Erin taunted.

Katia shook her head and went back to her reading. She couldn't focus though, and the words didn't sink into her head. Then her eyes were drawn back to her phone that silently lit up with a new message. She opened up her phone and read the new message from Ashley.

Erin did her best not to be nosy about it. She glanced between Katia and the television, but she noticed Katia was frantically typing a message back out. She prayed that was a good sign.

Katia lightly tossed her phone back on the desk. She propped up her left arm on the desk and leaned her head against her palm. She tried to read again, but it was useless. She received another text message from Ashley. She released a deep breath then picked up the phone with both hands.

Erin was surprised when Katia got up from her desk. She held her plethora of questions at bay.

Katia was gathering her things like her wallet, phone, and Gull Card. She lastly collected her car keys and went to the door. "I'm going to go see her."

"Katia?" Erin waited for her roommate to look at her. "Just let it go. I'm sure she feels pretty shit about it as it is."

Katia grabbed the door handle and pushed it down. She cracked the door then commented, "I know she does." She then left and headed down the cluster hallway. After a twenty minute drive, Katia came to Ashley's driveway, and she was surprised to see Ashley seated on the steps at the front of her house.

Katia parked her car, cut off the engine, and got out of it. She studied Ashley as she crossed the walkway. She could truly tell that Ashley was distraught about what'd happened last night.

Ashley peered up at her friend, who for once was taller than her because Ashley was sitting on the brick steps. "Thanks for coming over." She was quiet, and her eyes did not quite meet Katia's.

Katia sighed deeply then her earlier anger about last night completely deflated. She realized just how terrible of a position Ashley had been placed in last night. She probably hadn't helped it by asking Alexa Haden to get Ashley into it.

"I'm sorry about last night, Ash." Katia couldn't believe she'd said it, but that's how she felt now. "I shouldn't have expected you to get me out of it. Or put you in that hard spot."

The trooper shook her head and argued, "It's the shitty part about my job." She pushed back her long bangs, which fell in front of her face again in annoyance.

"I know." Katia wanted to touch her friend and comfort her. "And I won't do that to you again. I know your job comes first, and I won't make you choose between me and your job."

Ashley peered up at her friend again. She was surprised by the words. She didn't want to argue it because there were many circumstance where she would certainly have to do her job before being Katia's friend. But at the same time, she would protect Katia if it meant breaking the law. She wasn't sure if she liked the new realization she'd come to last night after work.

Katia had done plenty of thinking this morning and especially on her ride over here. She knew Erin was right, but she just hated the fact that Ashley's career could cut between them. She knew her choice was either to accept it or not and suffer what negative things that could follow it.

"Thank you, Katia." Ashley stretched out her hands, but she rested them on her knees. "I don't expect you to understand or accept that."

"I think I do now," Katia argued. She shrugged and rocked on her feet. "I wouldn't be a very good friend otherwise."

The trooper sadly peered up at her friend. She now appreciated what Katia was doing for her. She still felt like shit for the citation regardless though.

Katia stepped forward and freed her hands. She'd wanted to touch Ashley since the start, and she didn't care now. She had to do it. She threaded her fingers through Ashley's bangs and pushed them back. "You need these cut." She let them go and watched them fall back into place.

"Trying to grow them out," Ashley argued. She pushed them out of the way of her eyes. "It's a real pain."

Katia chuckled. "I can tell." She then leaned forward then managed an odd hug.

Ashley slipped her arms around Katia and softly requested, "Just promise me you'll do your best to not break the law anymore."

Katia softly laughed and pulled back. "If I do, I'll make sure it's only around you."

The trooper groaned loudly and stood up. The bottom step added extra height to her already tall stature. "Please spare me."

Katia smirked, but she slowly lost it when Ashley stepped off and came closer to her. She still felt the upset emotions trading between them so she hugged Ashley again but better this time.

Ashley slipped her arms around the smaller woman. She lowered her head closer to Katia's and murmured, "I'm sorry, K."

Katia had her eyes closed tightly. "Me too." She let go after a minute then asked, "So how's the house look inside?"

"Oh you'll be surprised by the improvements." The state trooper let Katia go up first.

The college student opened the front door, and she gawked at the mess in the living room. "Um, I think Erin needed some help with something back on campus." She tried to turn around but large hands on her shoulders forced her up through the door.

"Oh no you don't." Ashley got her friend into the messy house, and she closed the door.

Katia dropped her shoulders and scanned the room. "Oh my god, Ash... what have you been doing, really?" She faced her friend. "It looks worse than Thursday night."

Ashley signaled the pile of open boxes that were stacked on themselves. "They're just empty boxes. I haven't had a chance to break them down."

Katia clicked her tongue and put her hands on her hips. "Let me guess, that's what I'm doing?"

The trooper smiled innocently. "I'll let you use my issued knife?"

Katia rolled her eyes and walked over to the stack of boxes. She realized they were taller than her, and she tilted her head back. "I mean are you almost done?"

"For the most part. I'm just organizing... and reorganizing." Ashley grinned at her friend's low laugh. She came over to Katia. She pulled out her issues knife from work and flicked it open with typical habit. "Here."

Katia stiffened at seeing the serrated blade in Ashley's hand. "Wow." She took the knife and studied it. "This is really nice."

"Of course." Ashley grinned and mentioned, "It costs a hundred and fifty dollars."

Katia almost dropped the knife at hearing the price. "Impressive price!" She laughed and looked over the knife then turned it over to the side that didn't have the clip. She noticed that it had Ashley's name and badge number engraved on it. "Oh that's cool."

"They give this to you after you receive your badge." Ashley was proud of the stainless steel knife that was issued to her after her badge. "It's made by a company called Spyderco."

Katia furrowed her eyebrows and peered up. "I've heard of them. I think my father uses these knives too. He says they're very well made."

"Mmhmmm." Ashley then headed to the back of her house. "Don't cut yourself, cornfield."

Katia saluted Ashley in a smartass manner. "No problem." She then turned to the stack of boxes. Then she peered down at the knife in her hand. "I hope you're not dull, buddy." She then started tackling the boxes. Her task took her a solid twenty or so minutes before she finally had them all broken down and set into a pile.

She considered how Ashley was making out with the rest of the unpacking in the bedroom. She was about to wander back there, but she stopped because of the knock at the door. Katia closed up the knife and headed to the door.

"Hey, Ash somebody is here." Katia decided to not be rude, and she opened up the door.

Ashley brushed her hands off on her jeans and came out of the office room. She strolled down the hallway and picked up on Katia's voice.

"Hello," Katia greeted. She recognized the woman, who stood outside the door.

"Hi." The tall, blond woman curiously studied Katia. "Is... Ashley here?"

"Oh yea." Katia shoved aside her curiosity. "She's-"

"Laurel," Ashley cut in, and the surprise was clearly in her voice.

Laurel gazed past Katia and focused on her girlfriend. She smiled warmly.

Ashley came to Katia's side and quickly insisted, "Come inside." She and Katia moved out of the way as Laurel entered the house. "Things are still a bit messy." She hesitated then mentioned, "I didn't know... you were coming down."

Laurel grinned and joked, "Surprise."

"Yeah..." Ashley hooked the back of her neck. "Surprise alright." She removed her hand and held it out to Katia. "This is my friend Katia Danforth." She looked at Katia then to girlfriend. "Katia, this is Laurel Fielding."

Katia was hit by realization and asked, "You're from Lancaster, right?" She held out her hand.

Laurel took the small hand into hers. "Yes, I take it Ashley has mentioned me." She faintly arched an eyebrow at Ashley.

"A couple of times, yes." Katia dropped her hand to her side after the shake. "So you... drove all the way from Lancaster to here?"

Laurel slightly grinned at Katia's question. "Of course." She tilted her head at Katia. "I haven't seen Ashley for a bit." She paused and noticed the tension in Ashley. She decided there was definitely something going on here so she needed to do some testing. "You're a local college student?"

"I'm a college student," Katia agreed. "But I'm not a local." She chuckled and shrugged. "I go to SU."

"What's your major?"

"I'm undecided," Katia admitted.

Laurel placed her hands on her hips and curiously studied the young woman. "What year are you?"

"I'm a sophomore."

"It sounds like you'll be deciding soon then."

Katia nodded a few times. "I will be." She then asked, "What do you do?"

"I'm a regional manager for Macy's." Laurel still had her grin. "I graduated from Drexel University with a degree in business management."

"Do you have an MBA?" Katia was truly interested now since she was possibly a business major.

"No," Laurel answered, "and now it's getting a little late for me." She lifted her eyes to Ashley. "I also have other focuses in my life."

Ashley mentally groaned, but she felt Katia's eyes on her now.

Katia sensed something going on, yet she didn't know what. She lifted her left hand and held out Ashley's knife to her. "I should get going, Ash."

Ashley took the knife, and she wasn't sure how to respond.

"You should stay," Laurel insisted. She smiled at Katia, yet a gleam showed in her eyes. She'd noticeably picked out the fact that Katia called Ashley by a nickname that Ashley claimed to hate.

Katia released the knife and looked over at Laurel. "I know you didn't drive all the way down here to get to know me." She peered back up at Ashley. "I'll see you later, alright?"

The trooper sighed and slipped the knife into her pocket. "I'll text you." She opened the door for Katia.

"It was nice meeting you, Katia," Laurel properly said.

"You too." Katia flashed a faint smile then headed out the door.

Ashley followed out onto the first step and watched Katia go down them onto the walkway. "Be careful driving back."

"I will." Katia smiled, yet it wasn't quite true. "See ya, Ash." She strolled down to the walkway to her car.

"See ya," the trooper muttered, and she entered her house. She closed the door and faced Laurel.

Laurel bit her lower lip then a grin revealed itself. "You haven't told her huh?"

Ashley sighed and slipped her hands into her pockets. "There just hasn't been a right time for it."

"When is there a right time?" Laurel teased, and she came closer to her girlfriend. "I've never read about one in the Lesbian Handbook."

Ashley laughed and placed her hands on Laurel's hips. She became more serious. "I'll tell her when it's time." She then switched to a safer topic. "You came all this way?"

"Just to surprise you," Laurel murmured. She leaned in closer but paused. "I do have a romantic bone in me."

"Maybe it's growing," Ashley bantered.

Laurel softly laughed and claimed Ashley's lips. She savored the long kiss then smiled afterwards. "How about a tour?"

The trooper nodded. "I think I can accommodate." She took Laurel's hand and proceeded to give her girlfriend a tour.

After the tour, the couple decided to get a late lunch since Laurel hadn't eaten since leaving home in the early morning. They took Ashley's car and drove to Salisbury, which was twenty minutes away. They finally decided to go to Ruby Tuesday in the mall, and surprisingly there was no wait. The conversation started out light because they caught up on each other's weekend. Laurel was curious about how Ashley was doing at the barrack. The waiter arrived and delivered the drinks and took orders for the meals.

Once the server left, Laurel focused back on her girlfriend. "You never mentioned Katia to me."

Ashley was freeing her rolled up napkin and utensils. "What's there to mention?"

"I don't know." Laurel shrugged and challenged, "Maybe the fact that you moved to Salisbury, and she happens to go to the university here."

The trooper set her fork down on the table and peered over at her lover. "It was a coincidence. I told you a month ago I was making this transfer to here." She picked up her drink.

"How long have you known her?"

Ashley sighed after she drink some of her tea. She set the glass down. "Not very long." She kept her answer vague for a good reason.

"How did you meet?" Laurel kept her tone even.

The trooper didn't even blink and replied, "We met at Oldfields accidentally. I went there for a visit, and we bumped into each other." She picked up a roll. "Apparently she knew of me because she played soccer too and the rumors."

Laurel knew a little of Ashley's history at the all-girls boarding school. "She went there too?"

"Yes, she started the year after I graduated." Ashley stirred her straw around in the glass. She wasn't about to tell Laurel how she really met Katia. She considered that to be Katia's personal life, and Ashley felt Laurel had no business in it.

Laurel accepted it, yet she went back to their prior topic. "You need to tell her, Ashley."

"Jesus, Laurel... just let it be." The trooper shook her head, but she locked eyes with her girlfriend. "Why do you care so much whether or not Katia knows I'm gay? Or that we're together?"

Laurel leaned against the table so that she seemed closer to her girlfriend. "Ashley, I've never seen you hide anything from anybody."

"I'm not hiding a damn thing," the trooper snapped.

Laurel pointed at the darker woman and fought, "Yes you are." She dropped her hand and asked, "Are you scared to tell her?"

Ashley rolled her eyes and informed, "I'm not." She stared at Laurel then decided to back up her response. "Katia has no problem with gays. She already has two friends that are gay."

"Then what's the problem?"

Ashley finally came to her breaking point. "Maybe I'm not ready to tell her, Laurel." She was annoyed and tried hard not to raise her voice. "It's my damn choice on when, if ever, I want to tell her." She was slightly rosy around the cheeks from her risen temper. She took a deep breath then calmly added, "I'd like to get more comfortable with her before I tell her my dark side story and chase her off."

Laurel grabbed her glass and muttered, "It'll probably make her come onto you."

Ashley had easily heard the smart remark. She decided it was safer not to respond to it. She changed topics again and hoped it would settle things for now.

The rest of the early dinner went okay. The couple was edgy at best, but they still conversed anyway. After the meal, they walked through the mall and worked off some of the food. Eventually they ended back out in the car and headed to Ashley's home. Laurel planned to stay the night then drive home in the early morning. Back at the house, the couple lounged in the living room and watched television.

Laurel sat next to Ashley on the sofa. Earlier Ashley had put her arm across the back of the sofa and over Laurel's shoulders. Laurel made further attempts to get closer to her girlfriend but in typical fashion Ashley didn't respond much. Quickly Laurel had learned that Ashley wasn't much for close contact other than when it came to sex. That was okay by Laurel because she considered the sex to be amazing, and she could easily draw Ashley out for it.

Ashley remained still despite her close proximity to Laurel. She often played this same game every time with Laurel. Her girlfriend would try to coax Ashley out of her harden shell by touching Ashley in exact ways. Ashley would act as if she didn't notice, and Laurel's touches would travel up Ashley's thigh or below Ashley's collarbone. Finally, Ashley would break and dominate Laurel for several hours of heated sex.

Laurel had been patient for the past three hours. She'd hardly drawn out Ashley. She reached over for the remote, clicked off the television, and turned Ashley's head to her. She leaned in for a long kiss that did get Ashley's attention.

The trooper was breathing heavy after the kiss. She had darker eyes from passion.

"Ashley, come on." Laurel traced the trooper's defined jawline. "It's been awhile."

Ashley slightly arched an eyebrow at the fact. "I'm not in the mood, Laurel."

The blond sighed and whispered, "How can't you be in the mood? You're always are, and you're so amazing at it."

Ashley was not at all swayed by the obvious coaxing compliment. She quickly challenged, "Do we need to have sex every time?"

Laurel grinned and leaned in again. "I think considering how good you are at it, I don't see why not." She noticed she wasn't wooing the trooper so she reminded, "It's been almost a month, Ashley."

"And it's going to be awhile longer," Ashley declared.

Laurel sat back and oddly stared at the trooper. "This isn't your style, Ashley."

The trooper tilted her head and studied her girlfriend. "I didn't get into this relationship for the sex. If that's what it was about then I'd never agreed to date." She slightly narrowed her eyes. "I thought we were past that point... past being fuck friends."

Laurel sighed and swept back a piece of long hair behind her right ear. "We are, Ashley but-"

"But what, Laurel?" Ashley slightly shifted on the sofa so she could better face the blond. "We've known each other for basically six months. The first three we were just screwing each other, "Ashley explained, "then we admitted that there was more going on between us. So here I thought we were past that whole 'let me call her for a hot fuck then go home'." Again the annoyance had returned in Ashley's expression, tone, and eyes.

Laurel felt the eggshells falling between her and Ashley. She carefully played her cards now. "It did start out about the sex, and we added other dynamics." She watched Ashley's face. "I didn't agree to lose the sex part, Ashley. I agreed to add more to our relationship."

"I don't want to drop it," Ashley fought. "I just don't want the relationship to be only about the sex." She became calmer and honestly confessed, "You and I both know my reputation. I want to move past that and actually commit to somebody who isn't so focused on sex."

"And it isn't." Laurel sighed and glanced away for a moment. "I just think it's important to keep it between us. It's what connected us at the start, Ashley."

The trooper slightly prickled at the truth behind Laurel's words. Now it clearly made sense to Ashley that indeed it was their sole connection.

"You're not acting like yourself," Laurel continued. "First, you won't come out to this kid about us. Then you don't want to have sex."

"She's not a kid," Ashley cut off.

Laurel gave a challenging look. "Is she even eighteen?" She folded her arms and dared, "Or is that the attraction to you?"

"You're being ridiculous," Ashley fought back.

"No, I think I'm getting the idea here." Laurel tilted her head. "You meet this girl and at the same time you happen to get uninterested in sex. Oh and this whole move to Salisbury thing to be near your mother... please. What's wrong with Harberson and Delaware's higher trooper pay?"

Ashley slightly widened at the direction of Laurel's thinking.

Laurel got to her feet and loomed over the trooper. "Let me put it this way, Ashley." Her amber eyes seemed to be on fire. "If you don't tell that girl who you are... who we are then you won't have to worry about any sex from me." She had an angry face. "You show me this has nothing to do with that girl."

Ashley Carver clenched her jaw then tried to relax. "An ultimatum, Laurel?"

Laurel walked away and was shaking her head. She stopped by the front door and watched Ashley get to her feet. "They really should make you a detective considering how perceptive you are." She opened the door. "Her or me, Ashley." Then she was gone, and the door slammed in her wake.

Ashley stood rooted by the complete change of events. She folded her arms and bobbed her head. "Right." She just merely sat down, grabbed the remote, and continued to watch as if nothing had happened. She had no desire to think this out right now.

Twenty minutes passed, and Ashley slightly jumped when her cell phone vibrated on the table loudly. She collected it and flipped it open. She saw the message from Katia so she opened the message. She sadly smiled at Katia's consideration, but she honestly texted back to Katia that Laurel had left already.

Within a few minutes, Ashely received a text that sounded like Katia may be concerned. Ashley promised things were fine, yet Katia sent another message that swore she was coming over shortly. The trooper just shook her head and grinned. She realized she could count on Katia to be there for her despite Katia had no idea of the situation.

True to her word, Katia arrived in half an hour and was let into the house. Katia shrugged off her lightweight jacket and tossed it on the counter. "Why did she leave so early?"

Ashley went behind the kitchen counter. "She just wanted to get home."

"Really?" Katia was confused, but she watched Ashley get two glasses from the cupboard. "Why would you drive all this way and not stay at least one night?"

The trooper wasn't about to mention that Laurel had originally planned it. She pulled out a container of ice tea and poured her and Katia a glass.

Katia felt like she wasn't going to get a response so she tried something else. "Everything okay, Ash?"

Ashley came over and handed a cup. "Yea, of course." She nodded at the television. "Come on, let's relax."

Katia followed her friend to the sofa. She grinned and joked, "Well it's her loss." She sat down beside the woman that was so opposite of her. "And my luck."

Ashley chuckled, but she warmed at the words too. "Oh yea... definitely your luck." She smiled at how Katia easily sat beside her without any demand for anything.

"So, anymore scary movies we can watch?"

The trooper groaned into her glass then set it down after her drink. "I think I'm restricting you to kids movies."

"Hey." Katia swatted her friend in the stomach. She then shook her hand. "Damn. Do you wear a bullet proof vest under there?"

Ashley glared and mocked, "That's my six pack vest."

Katia snickered, yet she went serious. "You really have a six pack?" She then proceeded to poke Ashley in the stomach for investigation purposes.

"Ow. Stop that." Ashely pushed Katia's hand away. She rubbed her stomach. "You'll strain my muscles."

"Please," Katia muttered. She sipped on her tea and cupped the glass in her lap. "I'm sorry about Laurel."

Ashley shrugged and smiled at her friend. "I have better company now anyway." She reached over and patted her friend's leg.

Katia concluded that whatever happened between Laurel and Ashley must have been fairly serious. She felt bad too, and she hoped Laurel wouldn't ruin anything else for Ashley. She really didn't like Laurel for some reason, but she tried to be polite.

After meeting Laurel, Katia was rather sure she would have lost her bet with Sara if they were still doing it. By the way Laurel acted, it was obvious that Laurel had more than friendly interests in Ashley because nobody beyond a significant other would drive from Lancaster to Salisbury. The drive was about three hours one way, and it wasn't an easy drive either.

"What you thinking about?" Ashley inquired. She could tell Katia was some place else.

Katia felt her thoughts shatter. She looked up at Ashley and truthfully replied, "I was just thinking about you and Laurel."

The trooper was curious because she imagined Katia may try to pry. That bet that she overheard Sara place with Katia was in the back of her mind. "That sounds rather boring."

The college student softly laughed and shook her head. "There's nothing boring about you, Ash."

"Please." Ashley stretched out her leg. "What could be interesting? I'm a state trooper that was in the army and graduated from OS."

Katia grinned at the mention of their high school. "You interest me."

Ashley peered down at her grinning friend. "I do huh?" She tilted her head and challenged, "What about me?" She raised a challenging eyebrow. "Anything particular?"

"No, just... everything." Katia's grin shifted into a smile. "Plus the whole trooper for a friend is a bonus."

Ashley laughed at the smart joke. "And here I thought it was bad."

Katia knew Ashley meant the citation from last night. She shrugged and decided, "I'll get over it." She sunk down in the sofa some. "It just means you gotta make up for it."

"Me?" The trooper saw the devilish look on Katia's face. "I didn't break the law as I recall."

Katia smirked up at her friend. "You broke my law."

Ashley chuckled and patted Katia's knee again. "I see." She stretched out her legs and focused back on the television. She was convinced that their earlier banter would have gone more serious and that Katia would try to pry about her sexual orientation. But it didn't happen.

"You going to keep unpacking tomorrow?" Katia pointed over her head and in the direction of the boxes. "I finished those."

"I know. Thank you for doing that." Ashley was grateful too. She turned back to her friend. "I was thinking about going to see my mother tomorrow."

Katia smiled at the idea. "You should."

"I need to otherwise she'll come here." The trooper then revealed a grin. "And if she comes here, she'll see this mess, and I'll never hear the end of it."

Katia laughed then took a sip of her tea. She set the almost empty glass down on the table. "I would love to meet her."

Ashley actually felt her grin turn into a smile at those words. She'd never heard that from anybody, and it'd taken all of her fight to get Laurel to meet her mother two months ago. "I'm sure you will soon enough. Then you'll regret those words."

Katia grinned up at Ashley, but she looked back at the television. She pushed off her shoes then pulled her legs up onto the sofa. She snuggled into a warm spot and became comfortable. "There's never anything good on when it's Saturday."

"Mmmm." Ashley briefly studied her friend's soft profile. She immediately realized she had an attraction to Katia, but it was an attraction that she hadn't felt for almost ten years. The attraction that she thought she'd never feel again, for anybody.

Ashley returned her attention to the television, yet she hardly focused on it. She thought back to her first girlfriend, Crista, who still resided in Spain. The aged memories dulled her mood some, and she put them aside because this was today. She was no longer a teenager blindly in love with Crista, and she was now a different person since then.

Katia shifted on the couch, which pulled Ashley from her thoughts. Katia dropped her head against the broad shoulder next to her, and she bit back a yawn. "I'm tired, and I don't know why."

"Out parting too late," the trooper taunted.

"Ha." Katia grasped the muscular arm that she rested her head against. "My fun ended last night when I was cited."

Ashley lost her enjoyment of the teasing. She lifted her arm and put it over her friend's shoulder. She let Katia get comfortable against her side, then she mentioned, "I'm sorry, K."

The college student shook her head. "We're fine now." She felt those words too because she wasn't mad or upset anymore.

Ashley lowered her head some and softly inquired, "You will take it to court, right?"

"Yes." Katia then crinkled up her nose. "Won't that mean you'll be there?"

"I have to defend my action, yes."

"Just don't show up," Katia joked.

The trooper lifted her head, yet she promised, "Don't worry."

Katia considered something else so she offhandedly asked, "Is Alexa Haden always like that?"

"Like how?"

"Just... standoffish and cold?"

Ashley shrugged and seriously thought about it. "I don't know her well enough yet."

"Hmmm." Katia bit her lower lip and debated on an idea she'd been considering since earlier today. "Hey, Ash... have you ever seen the campus?"

"Not really. Why?"

"I was thinking you should come on campus. I could give you a tour." Katia lifted her head from Ashley's shoulder. "I wanna show you my dorm room."

"That would mean I'll see your friends," Ashley reminded. "Who are most likely still mad at me."

"Ah." Katia lowered her head again. "Erin, my roommate, she was on your side."

"Really?"

"Really, really," Katia replied. She listened to Ashley's low chuckle. "Sara will get over it." She didn't want to mention that Sara would be fine just simply because Sara thought Ashley was hot. "And Mike... well you just ignore him." She peered up and caught Ashley's amused look. "It's a beautiful campus."

"That's what I heard."

"I'll just need to clean my room before you show up," Katia rambled.

Ashley smirked down at her friend. "Katia..."

"I'm kidding. Erin and I are the neatest girls in the dorm." The college student sighed and muttered, "Some of those students are disgusting."

"I really don't want to hear, thanks." Ashley picked up the remote from her left side. She started channel flipping. "And yes, I'd like to see the campus."

"Great." Katia then came up with a game plan quickly. "When would you leave for your mom's?"

"Mmmm... probably not until late morning or so. The drive isn't too long from here."

The college student lifted her head off Ashley's shoulder. "How about you come over for breakfast then I'll give you a tour. Then you can leave from there."

Ashley considered the idea, but she smiled. "Alright." She stopped flipping once she came to the USA Channel that had Law and Order episodes. "What time?"

"Seven?"

"Oh my god, Katia."

The college student laughed. "Okay nine o'clock."

Ashley sighed in relief because she wanted to sleep in a little. She didn't often get a chance to sleep in because of work. Just getting a decent amount of sleep was a problem. She and Katia now went quiet and focused on the rerun episode. Ashley started to notice Katia's tiredness, and she wondered just how often Katia slept or if it was good quality. Indeed it was only nine right now.

Katia was sharply jolted out of her tired state because of Ashley's cell phone vibrating on the table. She leaned forward and collected the phone. She handed it to Ashley without a word.

Ashley opened up the fire phone and saw a text from her girlfriend. She resisted from groaning especially because Laurel was reminding her to make up her mind at reasonable time. Ashley didn't text back, closed the phone, and placed it to her left by the remote.

Katia now moved off Ashley and lazily pushed her hair back. "I should go back soon before I fall asleep." After her weak words, she flopped over to her right and sunk into the sofa. "Can you drive me back, Ash?"

The state trooper chuckled and peered down at her worn friend. "Should I carry you to your room and tuck you in too?"

"You already have done that so why not?" Katia flashed a grin.

Ashley studied how Katia was on her back and legs still crossed. There was blond hair spread out over the small pillow that matched the sofa. Ashley had to admit that Katia was cute, and she felt drawn. She should have resisted the draw, however, she moved and leaned down until she was over top of Katia.

Katia was surrounded by a seeming veil of dark hair. She peered up into curious blue eyes. "Did you ever hear of the concept called personal space?"

"No, what is it?" Ashley teased. She had her hands near Katia's sides. "Does it not allow for tickling?"

"Definitely not," Katia seriously replied.

"Are you ticklish?" Ashley innocently questioned.

Katia wasn't fooled by the act. "Just when I feel like it."

The trooper smirked, but she moved her hands closer to Katia's side. "Do you feel like it now?"

"Ash, you don't want to tempt fate now, do you?"

"I don't know." Ashley poked Katia's right side and was surprised by the instant squirm. "I'm feeling lucky."

Katia grabbed her friend's wrists. "Don't you dare." Those words instantly charged Ashley, and Katia grew wide eye at seeing it. She now started to scream when large hands grabbed at her sides. "Ashley!" She untangled her legs and proceeded to kick at her tormentor.

Ashley had control for the most part, but she then took a nice kick into her stomach, and she lost her balance over top. She started to fall to her right towards the glass coffee table.

Katia reacted faster, grabbed the large body above her, and rolled Ashley back onto the sofa. "See?" She scowled the older woman. "Somebody always gets hurt, and it's usually the mean one."

Ashley chuckled and lowered down onto the sofa so that her back was to the soda and her front faced Katia.

Katia made room and still had a glare. "Your stomach alright?"

"Fine." The trooper rubbed her belly, which had a few ripples from her hidden muscles. "I did grow up with two brothers."

"And do you still roughhouse with them?"

Ashley smirked and joked, "Sometimes I still do with Lucus."

Katia rolled her eyes and laughed. She settled and rested her hands on her stomach. She stared up at the ceiling but curiously asked, "Ash, did you ever have a best friend when you were at OS?"

"I mean like the couples on campus?" Ashley pulled up her high school memories. There were girls on campus who formed very close friendships to the point that people almost thought they were together. Such friends were called couples despite they never really were.

"Yeah." Katia patted her stomach. "I never really had one."

"My junior year," Ashley recalled. "Jennifer Bunker was her name... she was a junior too."

Katia sadly smiled at the idea of Ashely being that close to somebody. "You still talk to her?"

"Oh god, no." The trooper tried to think when the last time was anyway. "We kept in touch after graduation for a number of years then we just stopped talking. She went in one direction, and I in the other."

"I was never really that close to anybody." Katia tapped her stomach once then twice. "I more or less was friends with everybody, but I just kept a certain distance." She then started to think about the past students at Oldfields. She then tried to come up with names that Ashely may have known too. "Do you remember Allie Hicks?"

"Wow... there's a name I never thought I'd hear again." Ashley smirked and mentioned, "She hated me. She was a forward on the soccer team. She was convinced all I wanted to do was show her up."

Katia laughed and covered her mouth after a second. "Oh my god." She moved her hand away and told, "She still said that even after you graduated. She would talk such trash about you."

The trooper evilly smirked. "Really? I must have seriously bothered her."

"Oh yea." Katia laced her hands over her stomach. "She would talk shit about you then the team would get mad. I even got annoyed one time, and I was just a full-back at the time." She turned her head to Ashley. "We were skirmishing this one day. And earlier she'd been talking about you. So during the skirmish, she came down the field and in my area. It'd been raining too. And I didn't take the ball from her, but I stuck my foot out and tripped her."

Ashley started to hoot with laughter at the mental image drawn for her. She could just see a young Katia Danforth being clever and tripping Allie Hicks.

Katia stopped her laughter just long enough to tell, "Allie was airborne for like ten feet." She took a deep breath and wiped away her tears. "She then went face first into the mud and slid for another five feet."

Ashley leaned forward and buried her face into Katia's shoulder. Her laughter could be heard still, and her body shook. She rolled back and revealed her red face.

Katia breathed deeply and mentioned, "She was so pissed, Ash. I was scared she was going to go after me." She chuckled but revealed, "Luckily the team protected me from her because they were so happy somebody finally shut her up."

Ashley settled down from her laughter, but she still had rosy features. "Thanks, K." She patted her friend's shoulder. "Thanks for protecting my honor."

"It was well worth it. I hated hearing about you all the time," Katia teased. "But I don't like people talking trash either."

Ashley had a grin, and she finally let out all her laughs. She took a deep breath just to calm herself.

Katia had a content smile. She peered up into rich blue eyes. "Do you remember Emily Weiss?"

The trooper grew wide eye at the name. "Yes." She put her freehand against her forehead. "I haven't thought about her since I left. She was a sophomore during my junior year."

"She was the most out lesbian on campus." Katia groaned and rolled her eyes. "She was so damn pushy about it too."

"Trust me," Ashley debated, "not all lesbians are like that."

Katia laughed and fought, "I don't know... between Sara and Emily Weiss. They're the only two lesbians I've met." She then stopped and added, "That I know of anyway." She chuckled but became more serious. "She hit on me once."

"Really?" Ashley drew her eyebrows together and teased, "What'd you do? Ask her for a date?"

"Please." Katia waved off Ashley's joke. "If I was a lesbian, I wouldn't let Emily Weiss ten feet near me." She laughed and so did Ashley. "I was sitting down on those wood beams just outside the Commons... waiting for the bus to the movies."

Ashley tilted her head and curiously listened.

"I was going with a few friends. So Emily pops up from nowhere, and she sits right behind me." Katia turned her head to Ashley. "And I mean, she sat right behind me so that I was between her legs. She put her arms around my waist and asked me what movie I was seeing."

Ashley smirked at the new mental image.

"I freaked out and hopped off." Katia shivered just at the memory. "I mean if Erin or Sara... Mike or you did that to me. I wouldn't care." She waved her hands around and explained, "I'm such a touchy feely person anyway. But she just freaked me out."

Ashley knew it wasn't because Emily Weiss was gay. She decided to probe more. "What was it then?"

"I don't know." Katia sighed and seriously looked at Ashley. "I'd heard a lot of rumors that she just... slept with anybody. And looking at her... her features and all. I just... blah." She laughed but more at herself. "Have you ever been around somebody that just made your skin crawl?"

"Oh yeah." Ashley certainly knew a few of those kinds.

"Well that's how I was with her." Katia placed her hands back on her stomach. "And I wasn't the only one who felt that way about her."

"I didn't much like her either," Ashley agreed.

Katia was quiet for a moment. She then mentioned, "Ash?"

"Hmmm?"

Katia turned her head to the older woman. "This is going to sound really high school." She grinned because Ashley did the same. "But I'm glad we're friends." She looked away and softly mentioned, "I'm pretty close to my other friends... the gang." She hesitated though but focused back on Ashley. "I feel the most comfortable with you though." She shrugged and asked, "Kinda silly huh?"

Ashley had a warm smile. She moved her hand off her side and placed it over top of Katia's hands. "No... not at all." She considered it then explained, "I have my friends too... back in Baltimore, but I'm not really close to them." She wasn't about to mention that most her friendships usually turned into sex relationships. There were too many lesbians in the Baltimore crowd that knew her quite intimately. "I haven't felt this comfortable in a long time, K."

Katia detected notes of sadness in her friend's words. She searched Ashley's eyes, but she couldn't figure it out. She now held Ashley's hand and promised, "I always want it that way."

"Me too," Ashley softly agreed. She smiled and squeezed the small hand in hers.

Katia closed her eyes, and her smile stayed in place.

"You should head back," Ashley suggested.

Katia grumbled and rolled onto her side so her back was to Ashley. "Drive me."

Ashley now had her arm around Katia's waist just because Katia had rolled over. She squeezed the small stomach and threatened, "If you don't go soon then I'm not coming tomorrow."

"You wouldn't do that?" Katia opened her eyes and mindlessly stared at the TV.

"I would." Ashley poked the soft, small stomach near her hand. "You know I would."

Katia groaned and stretched her legs some. She then slumped into the sofa and Ashley's body.

Ashley chuckled at Katia's laziness. She sadly smiled though because she realized she wouldn't mind Katia staying anyway. She now understood that she really enjoyed being physically close to Katia. There was nothing demanding about it, and it was just a simple gesture of comfort between them. She also could tell Katia liked the close contact too because she never questioned it.

Katia rolled onto her back then onto her other side. She hide away into Ashley's body and ducked her head under Ashley's chin. "I can't stay? Then we can both go tomorrow morning."

Ashley laughed and couldn't believe Katia's attempts. "Your parents didn't pay for that dorm room so you could stay here."

"Yea well it's not my problem they didn't have the foresight to see you moving here."

The older woman chuckled a few more times, yet she proceeded to sit up and bring Katia with her. She found blurry green eyes on her. "Come on."

Katia sighed dramatically and finally gave up. She climbed to her feet with slumped shoulders, and she shoved her shoes on quickly. "That's fine... I have plenty of other friends that want to spend time with me."

Ashley turned off the television, picked up the glass, and went over to the kitchen. "Please. You're spending more time with me than them." She set the glasses by the sink and turned to see Katia putting on her jacket.

"Now you're starting to sound like Sara," Katia complained. She went to the front door, and Ashley followed her. "She was mad at me last night because she thinks I'm spending too much time with you."

"Is she your mother?" Ashley joked.

"No, Mike is my mother," Katia jested. She turned to Ashley before going out the door. She hugged her friend warmly. "I'll see you at nine, right?"

Ashley ended the long hug but promised, "Or nine o'one." She grinned at Katia rolling her eyes. "Go on."

Katia opened the door and almost hopped down the steps like a kid. "Call me when you get on campus."

"I will." Ashley grinned because Katia was dragging her feet. "Be careful driving back, K."

"See ya, Ash." The college student went to her car and climbed into it.

The state trooper repeatedly shook her head, but she closed the front door. She turned off the lights in the living room then went down to her bedroom. She slightly darkened at her thoughts about Laurel and the ultimatum that she was given. She knew Laurel would expect an answer soon, and Ashley needed to decide before the mess worsened. If anything, at least Ashley knew that in these past months since dating Laurel, Ashley had managed to do some changing compared to her earlier days. Ashley just wasn't sure if the same could be said about her girlfriend.

To be continued.