DISCLAIMERS: in Part 1

### Hidden Desires, Part 27

©2003 -Vertigo-

Cayden opened the front door to find Brooke, wearing the bicycle shorts and sports bra that she remembered from the park. Brooke leaned against the door frame and licked her lips, inviting the tall woman for a taste. Cayden took the one step needed to close the distance, and swooped the small blonde up off of her feet. Brooke wrapped her arms around Cayden's neck, their lips met hard, tongues burst into each other's mouth frantically. Brooke was hot and sweaty, her skin slick and glistening. It felt sexy under Cayden's hands as she slid her right palm up the blonde's back past the nape of her neck and slipped her fingers into Brooke's hair. The tall woman walked them into the bedroom, both grunting and groaning with the hunger of arousal. She propped her knee on the bed, lowered Brooke to the mattress, and lay on top of her. Brooke wapped her legs around Cayden, pulling her weight down, covering her body completely. The kiss broke, Cayden gasped for breath. Her heart was beating so forcefully it hurt. "I want you." she breathed, in a gravelly deep voice.

Brooke opened her arms and legs, until she was spread-eagled, threw her head back and pleaded. "Please, make love to me Cayden, hurry."

***********************

Cayden groaned in her sleep, clutching the pillow tightly. She turned over, kicking the blankets from her overheated body, disrupting La La from his nap. The annoyed cat smacked her in the head and jumped off of the bed with a loud meow.

Blue eyes popped open and Cayden looked around her room with great disappointment. "Aw, shit," she complained. "Always when I get to the good part." She sat up and threw a pillow at the cat. "Thanks a lot, fat ass, I almost got some."

******************

"Good Morning mom!" Brooke kissed her mother on the cheek and bounced into the kitchen for coffee.

"Well, good morning to you too!" Harriet said cheerfully. "You've been waking up in a good mood an awful lot lately. I like it."

"Me too." Brooke said with a grin. Heh, if she only knew what kind of dreams put me in this mood she'd keel over.

"Do you want anything special for dinner tonight, honey?"

Brooke's eyes widened. "Oh! About dinner... I'm going out with Cayden."

"Really?" Mrs. Hewitt marched right into the kitchen. "So soon?"

Brooke smiled smugly. "But of course. She can't get enough of me."

"Where are you going? What time? How will you get there?"

Brooke rolled her eyes. "Outback, 6:30, and she's coming to pick me up here."

"Here?" Harriet's eyes were like saucers. "When were you going to tell me? My goodness, Brooke, I could be wandering around in a house coat when she gets here! Good grief! I have to vacuum, and that credenza needs dusting, OH, and I need to clean the bathroom..."

"Mom! Calm down, she's not going to be here long enough to see the credenza."

Harriet looked shocked. "What? Aren't you going to invite her in? I'm sure your father wants to meet her."

"Daddy isn't who I'm worried about." Brooke held up her finger and pointed at her mother. "You are going to behave yourself, do you understand?"

"Me? Misbehave? Not I." the older woman said innocently.

"Don't give me that, you know what I mean. Leave the talking to daddy and limit yourself to 5 questions."

"FIVE!?" Harriet blurted. "How will I know anything with five questions?"

Brooke continued to wag her finger. "Five." She went off to her room feeling confident that her mother's big fat pout meant she'd listen. Besides, I'll have Cayden out of here in three questions.

********************

Wade handed Cayden a cup of coffee when she exited her room. "Thanks." she grumbled.

"Ah, but aren't you a refreshing burst of sunshine." he chuckled.

Cayden spun around and sighed heavily. "You know... every single time I have a dream about Brooke, we never get to the good stuff. Do you think it's a sign?"

"Never?" Wade questioned.

Cayden stomped her foot. "No!" She stuck out her lower lip.

Wade watched his adult room mate sit down on the floor and pout. "No honey, I don't think it's a sign." he said convincingy, rubbing her shoulder. "You're frustrated and it's been so long... hey! Just think about what it will be like when you finally do do it. Boy oh boy," he smiled and then laughed. "Can you imagine?"

"Actually, no!" Cayden growled.

"Aw, come on Cayd, you almost got some, just remember that before you go to sleep tonight. You had diddies all to yourself. Naked Brooke diddies."

Cayden couldn't help but grin, Wade just incited a hormonal riot. She shivered recalling the taste and feel of Brooke's flesh in her mouth. "I need it Wade, or I'm going to spontaneously combust."

"You'll get it." he assured her.

"That's just it! I can go and get laid anytime I want. Hell, I know at least 6 people who would sleep with me right this second, but that's not what I want. I want Brooke."

Wade smiled knowingly. "Sweetie, you will have Brooke, just have patience."

"I'm running out of patience. I dream about her every freaking night, I daydream about her all day, I can smell her scent at random..." Groaning, she banged the back of her head against the wall. "Mark my words, I will get me some more diddy." she declared.

"Yes, you will!" he urged her on.

"In fact, I want more than just that, I want to make love with Brooke. I want to feel all of her in my mouth."

"Sing it sister!" Wade threw his hands in the air and hailed Cayden.

"She wants me, I want her, so what am I so worried about?"

"Hallelujah, amen!" Wade danced circles around the tall woman.

Cayden stood up, revved with confidence. "Who knows, maybe tonight's the night."

Wade stopped dancing and raised both eyebrows, his face the very picture of delight.

"Oh no you don't. I don't want to see your big old face peering back at me when I walk in the door. You better just disappear tonight." Cayden warned.

Wade gasped dramatically and grabbed his chest. "I'm shocked, shocked I tell you."

"Puullease," Cayden waved him away and poured her coffee into a travel mug. "Like you wouldn't be standing there cheering me on. Lord only knows what you'll be wearing then."

"Hey I happen to have the perfect legs for a cheerleader skirt, and pardon me if I'm happy for you." He said with a pout. "I want you to get laid as much as you want to."

"Oh, Wade, you can't even begin to fathom how badly I want to get laid." she stopped, thought about what she just said, then smacked herself in the forehead. "Listen to what I'm blabbing on and on about. I have to wait until Brooke is ready, it has to be right for her." Wade grabbed her hand and smiled happily while she continued. "I mean, I want everything perfect, I don't want another scene like the bathroom. I want her to be absolutely certain."

Wade wiped the corners of his eyes with the bottom of his shirt. "I'm so proud of you."

Cayden looked perplexed.

"You're thinking of Brooke first, not your..." he held his hand over his mouth and whispered, "Vagina." then shuddered.

"Trust me, I haven't stopped thinking about my vagina." She stopped, concentrated then smiled. "See, just thought about it again." Wade grimaced. "No, really though, it'll be her first time and everything. It should be special I guess." Cayden shrugged.

Wade wept. "My little lesbian is all grown up."

***************************

"I have another date with Cayden!" Brooke gushed as she ran into her cubicle.

Bev clapped as she ran to join Brooke. "Fabulous! When?"

The blonde dropped her roller blades and giggled like a school girl. "Tonight! I'm so excited I can't wait! We're going to Outback, I'll get the salmon. Oooo, I think I'll wear my yellow dress, no my sun dress and my sandals. I saw the way she was eyeing them the other day."

Bev laughed at Brooke's enthusiasm. "Well look at you!" She watched Brooke jump around her office like a wind up toy.

"I know! I brought my blades to skate home and expend some of this energy. I hope it works."

"never mind that, have you seen what skating has done for your legs? Your butt?"

Brooke stretched out a leg and stared at it. 'You think?" She tried to look at her but and wound up spinning around in circles a few times. "I didn't even think of that."

"Of course Honey, its a terrific work out. Even I saw it and its only been a few weeks."

Brooke turned off her computer and looked at the reflection of her butt in the darkened screen. "Hey, what do you know... it is looking fine."

"I told you. Now, tell me more, what time is the date?" Bev asked, smiling brightly.

"6:30, I gave myself time to skate home, shower and nothing else. She's picking me up at my house, can you believe that? How sweet is she? I didn't even prompt her!"

"That's a good sign. She must have already spoken to her friends.

"See? I told you it would work. She even scored a bunch of times on the phone last night. Oh, Bev... I like her so much, I never felt like this about anyone before. I think she may be the one."

"Really? Oh my god! That's huge!" Bev hugged Brooke heartily.

"I really think so." Brooke pulled away from the hug looking a little frightened. "I just scared myself."

"Oh, sweetie, that's perfectly normal. being scared is healthy, just don't let it get the best of you."

"That's just it, I'm scared, but I still want her. You can't imagine how much I want her. I'm totally ready."

Bev laughed. "Oh, Brooke, you were ready the instant you saw her." She joked.

Brooke giggled, slapping Bev playfully. "You know what I mean."

"I do, and I'm really tickled for you. Do you think it may happen tonight?"

"I don't know what Cayden has planned, but if she's willing to try, I ain't fighting. Even if it happens on the bathroom floor."

Bev beamed. "If it does, you'll have to tell me all about it! Just leave out the details, I'm an old woman."

"Don't you worry, I'll tell you everything." Brooke joked, wiggling her eyebrows.

***********************

The time was dragging on and on and Cayden was growing frustrated. She couldn't get interested in the television and her attention span was zero She was begging for a distraction and she didn't even care if it came in the form of Ida Friedman. All she could think about was Brooke, and their upcoming date. What was she going to wear? What was Brooke going to wear? What should she say? What should she do? Should she pull out the chair? Should she offer her a taste of her food? Jodie and her always do, but is it right for Brooke? She put her head down and sighed. The little things. Cayden stood up, paced around and frowned. "Never mind the little things right now, you have to meet her parents tonight... on their own turf!" Just as she was going to panic, Jodie walked in the door. Cayden was never so happy to hear that bell tinkle.

"Hey Cayd, how's it hangin?"

"On a hook in the back of my closet. I thought it a little too much for Outback."

Jodie pretended that she couldn't breathe from laughing so hard. "You are a riot." She said flatly. "No, really, what's up?"

"I'm freaked out a little about tonight." She admitted quickly.

"Aw honey, it will be alright."

"What about dinner? What if she orders wine? Should I pour it for her? Do I have to taste it first?"

"That's why you should have paid attention during our dinner lessons. " Jodie stuck out her tongue.

"Gee, thanks for the help." Cayden narrowed her eyes at her friend..

"Okay, here's what you do. You get to her house, and act natural. You get to the restaurant, and act natural."

"That's it?? That's the advice?" Cayden was almost furious.

"That's it. You'll be fine. I have the utmost faith in you."

"Thanks, but I don't feel too confident." The brunette said with a frown.

"Trust me. last night, she told you that you scored a few times and you said you didn't do anything. That was because you really know how to act and what to say. You did it without even thinking about it, that's important. I told you, you'll be fine." Jodie said with a sincere smile.

"You really think so?"

"Yes." The waitress put her hands on Cayden's shoulders and pursed her lips. "Ooo, you're tense! You poor thing. Want a head scratchies? Loosen you up a bit?"

Cayden thought about it, Jodie had the best nails for a head massage. "No, I'm too horny and it will confuse my personals."

"Cayden, if an eyelash fell on you it'd set you off."

"No kidding."

"Honey, you need to get that thing under control, cuz when you do finally nail Brooke, it will be over too quick."

"I'm not going to nail Brooke. Geez Jo!"

"You're not?" Jodie said hiding her smile. "What are you going to do then?"

"Make love, you asshole."

Jodie broke into a brilliant smile. "WOOHOO! I was hoping you'd say that. Cayd, you're in this all the way aren't you! This is so cool! So when do you think it will happen? Any plans?"

"I don't know. I'm not going to push her, I suppose I'll let her make the first move?" she asked more than said.

"You could do that, or you can just ask her if she's ready. She's new at this."

"Oh, you don't know Brooke, She's not the least bit shy about making the first move. Hmm, though I could ask her, that's a thought. Then again, what if she says no, that'll suck. And, if I make the first move, and she's not ready, she'll think I'm over eager or something."

"Cayden, you're a horny mess for crying out loud."

"She doesn't have to know that."

"Why the hell not? She'd be thrilled to know how hot she makes you, she's not going to do something she isn't ready for. Shit, I'd be so freaking smug if I knew I was making my woman wet her jeans."

"Jo! But what if she feels obligated or something... ya know, because I'm wetting my jeans."

"Brooke is a big girl, she'll do what she wants, I think you know that by now. She won't do anything just to please you, especially something this important. She wants it to be special."

"Thats the whole thing, how can I make it special?"

Jodie smiled sincerely. "You'll know when it is."

"Sure, leave it all up to me. I'll know when it's special, I'll know how to act, I'll know what the little things are. Shit this is hard."

"Tell me about it." Jodie grinned.

*******************

Cayden had to close the shop early in order to make it to Brooke's on time, and make a special stop along the way. She had been looking forward to this date all day, and now as she closed the store gates, her stomach filled with butterflies. "Get a grip," she scolded herself, "Jodie said you'd be fine... just remember the little things."

The shopkeeper went just two stores down to the florist and stopped dead in front of the big refrigerator. Crap! Look at all of them! She made her way slowly through the shop, amazed at just how many colors flowers came in.

"May I help you?"

Cayden turned to the saleswoman and grinned shyly. "Yeah, well, I wanted a flower, but.... there's way too many."

"Is it a special occasion?" The woman asked.

"I guess so. It's a date."

The woman walked Cayden over to the roses and waved her hand. "Is it a first date, or just because?"

"Technically, it's not really a first date, but..." The tall woman squirmed uncomfortably. "What's the difference what date it is, I just want a flower."

The sales woman opened the glass door and picked out a red rose. "How cute. I hardly ever get women buying roses for men. Here, a red rose means you love him."

Cayden rolled her eyes. "It's not for a man, its for a woman, and I don't think I want red. Can I see that really cool purple one?"

The saleswoman blushed in embarrassment. "Oh.. yes... well I...." she sputtered. "Purple is nice." She handed Cayden the nicest purple one there was to make up for her indiscretion. "Would you like me to wrap it up with some greenery?"

Cayden smelled the rose and smiled. "Sure, yeah."

After leaving the florist, the shop keeper stopped at an ATM. Once she was sure she had everything she hurried home.

**********************

Brooke was out of breath when she got home, and hoped she could bypass her parents. Of course it was impossible, her mother was waiting by the door when she opened it.

"Sweetheart! I don't like this skating in such heat at all! You're all flushed, go right inside and drink something this instant!"

"Ma," Brooke whined, "I don't have time for this right now. I'm going to take a shower."

"Bert, make her drink something!"

Mr. Hewitt glanced at his wife boredly. "Harriet, if she's thirsty, she'll drink."

Mrs, Hewitt ignored her husband with a verbalized huff, got a glass of iced tea and chased Brooke into her bedroom. "Here." she put it on the dresser and sat on the bed watching Brooke dig frantically through her closet. "Wear the light blue dress honey." she suggested, as the garment in question flew past her to the floor.

"No, I don't like that one," Brooke replied, voice muffled. "I know what I'm looking for."

"What then?"

The sun dress with the little flowers. I want that one." Brooke tossed more items of clothing across the room. "Aha!" she emerged from the closet triumphant, holding the dress in the air.

"I'll take that before you throw it on the floor. It could use a good ironing."

"Oh ma, thank you!" Brooke ran over, kissed her mother on the cheek and ran to he bathroom."

Mrs. Hewitt eyed the dress skeptically. She still thought the blue one would look better and fished it out of the pile on the floor.

When Brooke came out of the shower there were three crisply ironed dressed laid out on the bed. She shook her head and covered her eyes. She thought she wanted the flowery one, but now with all these choices she stared doubting her selection. She held all of them up to herself in the mirror and sighed. They all had their merits. The blue one looked great with her eyes and hair, the yellow one showed off her newly acquired dark tan, and the flowery one was the smallest, showing off the most skin. "Tan, vs, hair, vs cleavage." She muttered, eyeing all the dresses. She grinned suddenly and picked the original one. "Cleavage always wins out."

****************

Cayden was nervous, so nervous she was standing in the middle of her room in her underwear, talking to herself. "Maybe I should pretend I'm late. Maybe I should just call her and tell her to meet me at the restaurant."

"Not a good idea, missy." Wade replied.

Cayden jumped. "I was talking to myself... and when did you get here?"

"Did you think I'd let you go this alone? I left work early." He said walking directly to her closet. "You'll wear this and this. " he ordered, holding up clothes.

Cayden looked at the outfit with pursed lips. "I'll have to iron the chinos Wade and I do not iron,."

"Silly, that's what I'm here for. Put on that shirt and you'll look edible... and roll up the sleeves to your elbows, your forearms are to die for."

Cayden narrowed her eyes. "Isn't a white button down shirt too boring?"

"Sweetie, you just can't go wrong with an Oxford. It's classy, tasteful and understated. Oh, and wear a Tshirt underneath in case Brooke gets cold in the restaurant and you need to give her your top."

"She's not going to get cold."

"How do you know she won't?" Wade asked.

"How do you know she will?" Cayden argued.

"Listen woman, I know you're nervous but fighting me will get you nowhere. You'll do as I say. Now, get dressed."

"Can I wear my red Tshirt?"

"Cayden! No! White, and not a yellow one you think is white, or a white one with yellow pits. On second thought..." He dug around in her dresser drawers. "This one, this one is perfect."

Cayden frowned, stuck out her tongue and grabbed the shirt. "Yes, dear."

"That's more like it, now give me those wrinkled things and start getting dressed." He left the room with the pants and hummed all the way.

Cayden dressed and looked around her room. "Oh no I have to clan this up! What if she comes back here tonight?" She panicked and began cleaning up frantically.

"Here," Wade came back with the pants to find Cayden's butt sticking out from under the bed. "Woman, get off the floor, you're wearing white for goodness sakes! And you can't be serious about those underwear."

"There's dust bunnies under there and ... what the hell's wrong with my underwear?" She asked defensively, looking down at her skivvies.

"Orange? Cayden please. Wear the Calvin Klein boxer briefs I got you for Christmas."

"There's nothing at all wrong with my underwear..." She paused and sighed heavily as Wade handed her the boxer briefs. "Did you see my bra? Is it up to your standards?" she asked sarcastically.

"Cayden, what if Brooke were to see those underwear, she'd drop dead laughing. The bra was fine, now change those drawers, put these pants on and lets go!"

La La trotted into the room and Cayden stood up and pointed. "Oh no you don't! It's your tumbleweeds under my bed! Out you hair factory!"

The cat turned around, raised his tail and farted.

"Wade!"

"Oh alright." Wade picked up the cat with much effort and they both left the room. "Like you never fart."

Cayden slammed the door behind them. put on the requested clothes and rolled up her shirt sleeves. She looked in the mirror and raised both eyebrows. "Hey, not bad at all." She turned sideways and put her hands in her pockets, posing. She nodded, liking what she saw and then glanced down at her feet. "Shoes!" she thought nervously. "What shoes.... WADE!"

The door opened and Wade's voice drifted in. "The black lace-ups or the brown loafers."

"Thanks, hey, where's that vanilla candle from the other night?"

"Still in the kitchen, why?"

"I want it."

"Now?"

"For later! In case Brooke comes home with me..."

"OOOOOO!" Wade screamed in delight.

"Don't bust a nut there Wade. If her parents don't like me I'm screwed." Her heart suddenly beat frantically. "Oh no maybe I should cancel. I don't want to meet her parents after all."

Wade snickered. "Don't you worry, you'll be fine. Pretend that they're customers and be pleasant. I've seen you be pleasant to the worst dreck."

"That''s just it. I don''t want them to think I'm a phoney. What if I don't like them? Or worse! What if they hate me?"

"Impossible. They can't hate you."

"You're biased. If they don't like me, or I manage to make an ass of myself, which is entirely too possible, Brooke has to live there and hear about it every day."

"Well, it is entirely possible you make an ass out of yourself, but man is it a cute ass. An ass like that can be forgiven very easily for its misgivings." Cayden just glared at him. "Oh Cayd, I don't think it matters at all to Brooke if they like you or not."

"Yeah but it wouldn't hurt if they did." She put on her shoes and stood back.

"True. I'm sure you'll be fine. They have to love you, look at you for cripes sake! You look fabulous, you're impressing the hell out of me."

Cayden smiled. "Thanks, you really do try."

"What are friends for. Now go! I'll get the candle and everything will be fine." He pushed her towards the door. "Oh, and a small gift wouldn't hurt."

Cayden came out of the kitchen with the rose. "Will this do?"

"OH MY GOD! A rose? That's perfect! Don't tell me you thought of that all by yourself?"

The tall woman smiled smugly. "As a matter of fact I did." She said, all puffed up.

"Sweetie, you have nothing in the world to worry about. You have it all under control."

"That's what you think. I hope I make it there without shitting my chinos." She said seriously.

Wade chuckled. "Go get her tiger. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"That doesn't leave much." Cayden laughed.

"Exactly."

*************************

Harriet peered through the peephole on the front door, saw nothing and walked away. Just as she did, Fred's ears pricked up and she ran back over and looked out again.

"Harriet, don't ambush the poor girl."

"Hush up Bert. I have to get her before Brooke does."

"Remember, you only have 5 questions." Bert chuckled.

Mrs. Hewitt glared at her husband. Fred stood up at attention and walked to the door. Harriet flung it open quickly to reveal a startled Cayden. "Welcome! Come in dear!" Harriet exclaimed. "Brooke's not ready yet, but do sit down and have some iced tea while you wait."

Fred danced around Cayden's feet, while the tall woman squirmed uncomfortably. Brooke's mother was giving her the once and twice over and she was not sure what to do with the rose behind her back. "No thanks, I'm not thirsty." she lied. Cayden had absolutely no spit in her mouth whatsoever.

"Well, then, why don't you come in and make yourself comfortable.. is that a flower?"

"Yes." Cayden revealed the rose. "It's for Brooke." she explained shyly.

"How sweet! Bert do you see the flower? Isn't that charming?"

"Yes, Harriet."

"Come, sit down." The older woman shuffled Cayden to the couch. "Oh! How inconsiderate of me! I'm Harriet and that's my husband Bert."

Cayden was halfway to sitting when she was introduced and struggled awkwardly to stand up again. She extended her hand to Mr. Hewitt.

Bert raised both his eyebrows and shook her hand, hiding a smirk at how clammy Cayden's hand was. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you Cayden."

"Yeah, same here." The shopkeeper replied, finally sitting and giving her shaky legs a rest. Harriet was grinning wildly at her and she knew she was in for it so she created a diversion. "You know, on second thought, I would realy like that drink."

Mrs. Hewitt ran to the kitchen and Bert cleared his throat. Cayden looked over at him nervously.

"So, you really like Brooke do you?"

"Yes, sir." Cayden said, her dry throat making her voice crack a bit.

"You're not going to screw her around like that idiot Grant, are you?"

Cayden struggled to swallowed. "No, sir."

"Good. Brooke made a bad choice last time around, and I fear sometimes she doesn't think too clearly. The way she talks about you, the sun rises and sets out of your behind. It would be terribly unfortunate if I had to tell her otherwise."

Cayden smiled weakly. She never knew Brooke thought that of her. She never knew she had such power. "Sir, I will do everything I can to make Brooke happy. You have my word."

"Is it any good?" Bert asked, looking Cayden dead in the eye.

"It's all I have." She replied honestly.

Mr. Hewitt narrowed his eyes a bit, considering the intent behind Cayden's conviction. "Alright. I have your word."

Cayden breathed a silent sigh of relief and wondered just where the hell Harriet was with her drink. She was about to choke.

"Here you go!" Mrs. Hewitt appeared and Cayden polished off half the glass of tea at once. "I knew you must have been parched, it's so hot out there today."

Cayden nodded, relieved that she was able to swallow the wad of cotton that formed on her tongue.

Mrs. Hewitt leaned over in her chair and smiled brightly at the tall woman. "So, tell me, where abouts do you live?"

"Chelsea. I was lucky to find such a great place in that location."

"Chelsea? My, my, that's a very nice neighborhood. The shop must be doing well for itself then."

"Yes, it does, but I do have a room mate. It's next to impossible to live alone in the city."

"Oh, yes, yes," Harriet nodded. "So, what does your room mate do?"

"He works in apparel... does Brooke know I'm here?" Cayden asked, glancing around the room.

"I'm sure she does." Harriet replied. Bert started to get up, but she shot him a look. He sucked his lips, shook his head and sat back down. "What about your parents? Do they live in the city?" Harriet continued.

"No, they retired early and moved to Vegas." Cayden saw Harriet's eyes light up and quickly covered herself. "We have other family in Vegas. Mom volunteers with the elderly and dad plays golf. They don't gamble."

"Vegas, what an interesting place. Do you go there often to visit? Do you like to gamble?" Mrs. Hewitt asked in a semi-hushed tone.

"No, I don't really care for the noise and the chaos. I will occassionally play a few hands of Blackjack, but that's the extent. I visit them every Christmas, we have a family thing then."

"Oh, I enjoy the casinos! I love the slot machines, but I never win much. I love the excitement!" Harriet said with much enthusiasm.

Cayden shifted around uncomfortably, wondering if she should scream or something to alert Brooke she was there.

"So, about this lesbian thing..."

"Harriet!"

"Cayden's not embarrassed are you dear?"

Cayden was too mortified to do anything but blink.

"See? So, how does this lesbian thing work?"

Cayden drank down the rest of the tea. "Pardon?"

"Well, my sister is a lesbian, oh yes, it's not completely foreign to me, but you just don't ask questions. These days, you young lesbians are much different tham in the old days. You parade around, proud and all. So, what's the difference? I mean, if there's no man and woman, who pays for dinner?"

Cayden blinked rapidly a few times, then glanced over at Bert, who had pretty much the same expression as Cayden. "Uhh, well.... no, there's no man and woman.. no, that's not right, sometimes there IS a man and a woman, a butch and a femme girl.. and well... but that's not me really.... and I'm ... uhm..."

"Harriet, leave the poor thing alone!"

Cayden sighed and smiled gratefully at Bert who merely nodded. The tall woman quickly occupied herself with the tiny dog who was prancing around her legs. She picked him up and began cooing at him.

"You must love animals Cayden, what with the job you have, and just look at how well Fred takes to her, Bert! You must have a gift." Harriet said sweetly. "Do you have a dog?"

"No, a cat."

Harriet grimaced. "I don't like cats. They climb up higher than me and can jump on my head at any given moment."

Cayden couldn't help but chuckle. "Not my cat. He's a bit larger than average. He's a Maine Coon and they can grow to be 20 lbs, but with the way my room mate spoiled this one, he's probably breaking some sort of record."

Brooke walked into the living room and came to a skidding halt, her mouth hung open and she stomped her foot. "MOTHER!"

"What?" Harriet asked innocently.

"How long has she been here?"

Cayden jumped up and stared at Brooke. She looked hot.

"She just got here honey."

Brooke glared at her mother for a few moments before walking over to Cayden and hugging her. "Oh, you look great and you smell delicious."

"Wow, I can say the same for you." She handed Brooke the rose. "Here, I got this for you and I had no idea it was going to match your dress."

"Oh Cayden, it's so gorgeous! Where did you get a lavender rose?"

Cayden blushed shyly. "I have my sources."

"Sit Brooke! I was just going to ask Cayden a question."

Brooke glanced at her father who held up 9 fingers. "Oh no.. you've asked just about enough questions for tonight. We have to go!" She hooked her arm with Cayden and walked them both to the door.

"It was a pleasure meeting you both." Cayden said over her shoulder.

"Likewise." Bert agreed with a wink.

Cayden swallowed hard and eked out a smile.

Part 28

Return to the Academy