DISCLAIMERS: in Part 1

Caution: Under Construction, Part 45

©2002 -Vertigo-

Butterflies fluttered around violently in Sheridan's stomach as they approached the club. She'd never, in all her years, walked into the club with a woman already on her arm. She was sure everyone knew about Keefer -- the rumors must have been fast and furious when she hadn't shown up in this long of a time. She almost felt nauseous with nerves. Glancing over at her lover, seeing the excited expression on her face, made her think. Look at how happy this is making her... and to think I almost went without her. I can't even imagine having a good time at the club alone any more. I'd be thinking about her all night long... missing her.

The blonde sighed and Keefer turned around to see why. "What's wrong?" she asked, reaching over and covering Sheridan's hand with her own.

"Nothing, baby. Everything's all right now," she assured.

"I'm a little nervous," Keefer admitted. "This is going to be hard on you, isn't it?"

"Yeah, but I can take it," Sheridan said, puffing out her chest.

"My big, tough girl," Keefer teased, knowing Sheridan was in for a lot of squirming.

Sheridan chuckled as she pulled into a parking spot. "You know, there's going to be a lot of evil stares directed at you, Keef. Lotta broken hearts."

"You cocky little thing, you!" Keefer said with both eyebrows raised.

"Well, I'm just warning you."

"I happen to think you're worth those glares, Sher."

Sheridan smiled and leaned over for a short kiss. "You, too. Now git, woman."

"Ooo, I love it when you're forceful," Keefer purred.

"Don't start that, Keef; we'll never leave the car."

The couple walked towards the club, hand in hand. Sheridan braced herself as they opened the door. The doorman smiled knowingly, letting them both in for free. Sheridan went straight to Verna, who would never let her live it down if she walked by without stopping.

"Hi, Sheridan. Hi, Keefer, pleased to meet you!" the coat check woman said sincerely. "May I get my sugar, Keefer?"

The tall woman looked at Sheridan in confusion.

"She wants a kiss hello -- she calls it sugar," the blonde explained, blushing slightly.

"By all means," Keefer waved her hand and giggled at her lover's embarrassment.

After kissing Verna on the cheek, Sheridan was quick to grab Keefer's hand again. "Well, time to face the music, Ma."

"Oh, screw'em! This woman is good for you, honey. I've never seen you look so good!" Verna leaned over and whispered, "You better treat her right, Sheridan."

Keefer blushed.

"I have every intention of spoiling her rotten," Sheridan said confidently, squeezing Keefer's hand for emphasis. "Are you ready?" she asked her lover.

Keefer nodded and took a deep breath as they headed for the large main room of the club.

The first person to see them was Greg. He screamed and jumped off of the stage, running right for them. Keefer looked horrified as he ran through the club shrieking with his hands waving in the air, sure that every pair of eyes would now be trained on them.

"OH MY GOD! Is that really Sheridan?"

"Fuck off, Greg," the blonde said, rolling her eyes.

"No, really! And who is this divine work of art?"

Keefer blushed as Greg took her hand and kissed it. She smiled shyly and introduced herself. "I'm Keefer," she shouted over the din.

"She smells delicious, Sheridan," he commented. "I'm Greg. It's my ultimate pleasure to meet you."

"Oh, knock it off, Gregory. Where're the girls?"

"They're over by the bar. Did they know you were coming?"

"Nope," Sheridan shook her head, "it's a surprise."

Greg clapped his hands excitedly. "COOLNESS!"

Sheridan chuckled at his enthusiasm. "Go work off some of that energy, bro," she said as she smacked him on the ass. "I got a woman to show off."

Keefer smiled at Sheridan and squeezed her hand.

"Come on babe, let's go," the blonde said to her lover, pulling her slightly towards the bar.

Marie noticed the couple and elbowed Dawn who nudged Sharon. All three women stood up a little straighter as Sheridan and Keefer worked their way through the crowd at the bar.

"Hey ladies, what's up?" Sheridan asked, pushing her way to the front of the crowd.

"Hi, Sher. Hey Keefer!" Sharon approached Keefer with open arms.

Keefer accepted the hug and kiss on the cheek with a shy smile. "Hi, Sharon. Sure is crowded tonight," Keefer said while looking around.

The tall cop noticed the death grip Keefer had on Sheridan's hand and smiled. "Yeah, but I like it like that," she waggled her eyebrows and chuckled.

Keefer laughed and shook her head. "I suppose you would." The tall inspector looked over at her lover, who was having a one-handed, animated conversation with Dawn and Marie, so she let go of Sheridan's other hand to allow her to use it.

The blonde's head turned immediately at the loss and she questioned Keefer with a raised eyebrow. "You okay?" she mouthed.

Keefer nodded and smiled, feeling safe with Sharon by her side. As they chatted, Keefer took the time to look around. Many eyes were on her, and a few people were even pointing and talking to each other. The tall woman, feeling very uncomfortable, inched her way forward until her body was pressed up against Sheridan's back. As the construction worker leaned into her and she felt a hundred times better.

"It's weird, huh?"

Keefer looked over at Sharon in confusion. "What's weird?"

"Being the center of attention. Sheridan is so used to being watched, she doesn't even realize it's happening," Sharon clarified.

"Yeah, it's very unsettling," Keefer replied, reaching for Sheridan's hand.

"Don't sweat it. They're all jealous of you; you should feel proud to have what they all want."

"I should, but I don't. I feel uncomfortable, but happy that she wanted to bring me here tonight."

"That's a huge deal Keefer," Sharon said seriously. "Hey, maybe you want a drink?"

"Excuse me, but are you trying to get my woman drunk?" Sheridan interjected, turning around to face Keefer.

Sharon chuckled and shook her head. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Sheridan studied her lover's eyes. "Do you want to go out onto the patio? There's less people out there."

"No, I'm okay, but I think I would like that drink," Keefer said with a small hint of a smile.

"You're uncomfortable. I can tell. Baby, we can go if you want," Sheridan said with a frown.

Keefer reached up and smoothed Sheridan's brow. "Sher, I'm okay, really," she reassured.

The blonde looked skeptically at her lover, but didn't want to draw it out any further. PMS was iffy and she didn't want the tides to change any time soon. "Okay. White wine or beer?"

"I'll be daring and have beer," Keefer replied, wanting so badly to kiss her lover to reassure her, but unsure if she should.

Sheridan ordered two beers and turned to look at Keefer. The urge to kiss the tall woman was strong, but she wasn't sure how Keefer would react under all the scrutiny. Suddenly, a song came on that caused Sheridan to begin dancing in place.

Keefer's heart beat rapidly as she watched her lover's body move to the beat. She narrowed her gaze to Sheridan's backside as it moved; not noticing as half the club did the same thing. The blonde spun around and handed Keefer a beer and the tall woman drank down a healthy swallow.

"This is a great song," Sheridan said, leaning heavily into her lover.

Keefer's breathing changed, feeling Sheridan's body move against her own. She stared at her lover's full lips and was about to bend down and kiss her when she was rudely interrupted.

"Hey, wanna dance, Sher?"

Keefer glared at the stranger, assessing her. Short, hippy and young. She folded her arms over her chest and glared.

"Uh, no," Sheridan replied, turning back around to face Keefer.

The girls watched in amusement as Keefer's stance became possessive.

"But you always dance with me to this song!" the girl whined.

"Hey, sorry, but I'm here with my woman. You'll have to find another dance partner," Sheridan said, wrapping her arm around Keefer's waist.

The girl's eyes widened. "Your woman?" she asked in disbelief.

Marie stepped forward. "Yeah, her woman, now shoo."

The girl wandered off in astonishment.

Keefer was surprised at the strong feeling of jealousy that had bubbled up inside of her. "I'm sorry, Sher... if you wanted to dance..."

"Are you fucking nuts?" Sheridan asked.

Keefer stepped back at the question.

"I'd much rather stand here all night with you than dance with any of these hos."

Keefer chuckled, "Thank you."

"So, Keefer, what's been happening?" Marie asked, trying to make the tall woman more comfortable.

"Nothing really," Keefer answered with a shrug.

Marie looked around at the many eyes glued to the tall beautiful woman and couldn't help but wonder if they weren't all envious of Sheridan and not the other way around. "You look great, hon. Glad you made it out."

Keefer smiled shyly. "Thank you." She looked down at her clothing and found nothing extraordinary about them.

"Then again, you could make a paper sack look good," Marie added.

Keefer blushed. "Oh, stop that," she said in embarrassment, clinging tighter to Sheridan.

"Sheridan looks good, too. You make her look good."

"She always looks good," Keefer said, looking her lover up and down. "I have nothing to do with it."

"Oh, yes you do. Love does wonders for a person," Marie smiled.

Then I must look fabulous. Keefer mused, her heart flooding with love as she watched the construction worker sway to the beat as she talked to Dawn and Sharon.

"Hey, guys," Sheridan turned to Keefer and Marie. "We're going out on the patio. Come on."

"But you won't hear the music out there," Keefer argued, wanting to watch her lover dance all night long.

Sheridan grinned and leaned into Keefer seductively. "I'll dance just for you... later," she said with a wink.

Keefer's heart pounded and she swallowed dryly. Her eyes followed Sheridan's butt as she began to walk away.

To Keefer's dismay, Sheridan was stopped repeatedly as they made their way to the patio. Women draping themselves all over her, asking her to dance, wanting a kiss hello, asking her who Keefer was. The tall woman was barely tolerant of all the touching and she began to feel very uncomfortable again. She felt like she didn't belong in Sheridan's club, like she was making trouble for her lover in the only place she could go to escape. The tall woman backed up a few paces and disassociated herself with the smaller blonde.

Marie and Sharon were in the front of the pack; Dawn was behind Keefer and noticed her discomfort. "Keefer, don't be upset. They don't know, or they don't want to know, that she's with you."

"She's going to resent bringing me here. I just know it."

Dawn stepped in front of the distraught inspector. "No, she won't. Word will get around that you are her lover and it will stop, save for a few assholes. Just give it time, don't feel that way."

"Keef?" Sheridan hollered, fending off yet another admirer.

The tall woman reluctantly made her way to the blonde's side. "I'm ruining your night, Sheridan, I should have stayed home."

Sheridan looked angry and frustrated. It wasn't Keefer's fault that these women were acting like that. It was hers, for being having been such a slut in the first place. Not knowing what to do, and not wanting to admit her own guilt at the behavior of these women, Sheridan blew out a loud breath. "Keefer, I won't have you feeling like that," she said grabbing her lover's hand. "I love you, and if I have to announce it over the microphone I will."

"But I'm causing so much trouble."

"You're doing no such thing." Sheridan shot a glare at the approaching woman but continued to talk to Keefer. "It's my fault, not yours... Back off!" Sheridan yelled at the woman who wedged herself between Keefer and her.

"I just wanted my kiss hello," the woman pouted.

Sheridan threw her hands up in the air in frustration. Dawn and Marie pushed her towards the patio. Sharon took Keefer's hand and led her outside, too.

"Sheridan, this is turning out very badly. Keefer's feeling awful," Dawn said close to the blonde's ear.

"I know!" Sheridan agreed loudly. "But what can I do?"

Sharon took the beers away from the couple's hands and placed Keefer directly in front of Sheridan. "I think you two need to hug before you both lose it."

Sheridan threw herself into Keefer's body and the tall woman caught her, wrapping her arms tightly around her.

The girls watched in happiness as the two women seemed to physically droop in the embrace.

"I'm sorry, Keef, but I don't know what to do to make them stop. This was a bad idea."

"No, it wasn't," Marie offered. "It'll be alright. Soon the news is gonna spread and they'll all back off."

"I don't know about that. It seems they all want to test Sheridan," Keefer said, rubbing her hands up and down her lover's tense, muscular back.

The blonde lifted her head from Keefer's chest. "I have an idea, baby," she said with a cockeyed smile.

Keefer warmed all over at the smile. "What?"

"Dance with me?"

"Here? Now?" Keefer asked, blushing at the thought.

"No, inside, on the stage. Dance with me so everyone can see that I'm with you."

"Sher, I don't know..." Keefer said nervously.

"Yeah! That's perfect!" Sharon agreed.

"All they'll have to see is the way you two look at each other and they'll know!" Dawn piped in.

"I don't think I can do that, in front of all these people... I don't even know how to dance..." Keefer stammered.

"Okay, okay... we don't have to dance, baby," Sheridan soothed, once again placing her head on Keefer's chest, listening to her frantic heart beat. "We can stay like this all night if you want."

"I'd want nothing more, but this is your place and I want you to have a good time. I shouldn't take away from that."

Sheridan lifted her head again and looked into Keefer's eyes. "Don't be upset. I'm perfectly content to sit on that chair over there and hold your hand all night long." Green eyes focused on Keefer's lips as the tall woman licked them distractedly. She fought the urge to kiss, knowing her lover was tense and probably not receptive to it.

Keefer watched Sheridan stare at her lips and she relaxed. If anything, it made her realize that Sheridan wanted her. Even amidst the sea of women throwing themselves at her, the construction worker still wanted her. She smiled and sighed, "Honey, if you want to dance, don't let me stop you."

"Keef, I could never..." Sheridan stopped when her lover's hand covered her mouth.

"You didn't let me finish. You can dance, but only with Marie, Dawn, Greg, or Sharon."

Sheridan chuckled and kissed Keefer's palm. "Gotcha. There are rules," she smiled.

"Oh, yeah. You're mine," Keefer replied confidently.

Sheridan winked at Keefer and rubbed her body against the tall woman's. "You sure you don't want to dance with me?"

Keefer groaned and closed her eyes. "I can't... as much as I want to..."

Sheridan smiled cockily. She loved to turn Keefer on in public and get her all shy. She still liked that bashful part of her lover and hoped it would always be there. "So, I can go dance with the girls?"

Blue eyes opened slowly. "Yeah," she said quietly, watching Sheridan's lips shine after she'd licked them.

"Thank you, baby. You're the best." Sheridan turned to look at the girls who were all feigning innocence as they eavesdropped on the conversation. "Hey, who wants to dance?"

Everyone feigned boredom and shrugged indifference.

"Please... I know you were all listening, so don't play that shit," Sheridan laughed. "All right, I'd rather you all stay with Keefer, anyway. I'll go dance with Greg."

Keefer sighed in relief. She'd much rather have all the girls with her. She released her grasp on Sheridan and they followed the blonde back into the club.

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

Four sets of eyes watched as Sheridan worked her way through the sea of women on her way to the stage. One set of eyes -- blue ones, in fact -- watched with excited anticipation. Keefer couldn't wait to see her lover lose herself in the music. She licked her lips as Sheridan climbed up onto the stage and stood in front of Greg, her back facing him. Soon the duo began moving as one, shaking, swaying, thrusting and gyrating... perfectly in synch.

As usual, when Sheridan and Greg got to dancing together, a small crowd formed at the base of the stage. They, too, swayed to the beat, but no one outshone the couple on the stage.

Keefer was riveted. Sheridan looked so happy and carefree. When her face wasn't reflecting her concentration, it was lit up with a genuinely bright smile. Keefer smiled too, caught up in her lover's joy. She lowered her gaze from Sheridan's radiant smile and let it creep slowly down the blonde's body.

The construction worker's hands were on her hips as she moved that particular body part with abandon, causing Keefer to swallow hard. Blue eyes narrowed as they watched the muscles in Sheridan's thighs flex and dance along with the rest of her body. The tall inspector felt a tingle of arousal as she observed her lover. Suddenly remembering where she was, Keefer looked around at the crowd of women ogling Sheridan, watching her in rapt attention. Some trying to catch the dancing woman's eye, others vying for a spot in front of the stage for a better view. Keefer felt her ears get red and she forced herself to calm down. Her lover had a reputation in this club and Keefer couldn't wipe that slate clean just by showing up one Thursday night. She'd have to learn to deal with it. These women will always look at her lover like that; there would always be tests.

I trust her, I really do... it's these sluts that I don't trust... she thought sourly.

The tall woman walked away from Marie, Dawn and Sharon to lean on the railing of the top level. She rested her elbows on the rail and leaned forward, unaware that she, too, had gathered an audience of whispering women.

The three friends joined Keefer at the railing, lining up on her right side, with Sharon next to Keefer. They figured it was safer if the tall woman wasn't left alone for some jealous woman to harass. They observed the inspector's reaction to seeing Sheridan doing what she did best and all three shared a knowing smile. Keefer was just a rapt as the rest of the audience. However, blue eyes darted into the crowd every so often, silently staring holes into the backs of some over-enthusiastic heads.

Keefer wasn't close enough to Sheridan for her liking, so she scouted out a spot on the lower level. "I think I want to go down there," she said to Sharon.

The tall cop looked to where Keefer indicated, and found there wasn't enough room on the lower railing for all four of them, but agreed anyway. They made their way down with a small amount of effort. It was very crowded in the club that night, and she wondered how long it would be before Keefer finally had enough of the pushing, staring and whispering.

Keefer settled herself in the same position against the lower railing and watched her lover intently, trying to block out the swarm of women doing the same. It was hard, since the crowd had gotten bigger. Sheridan wasn't helping matters much, as her dancing became more sexual. Keefer could feel the effect of her lover's thrusting hips from where she stood and couldn't help but wonder what the women in front of Sheridan were feeling. Her heart pounded loudly in her ringing ears as two women came out of nowhere and flanked Sheridan, rubbing their bodies on the blonde's, touching her freely.

Sheridan was startled by the women, and tried to politely move away from them, but they were persistent. A surge of guilt washed over her and she began to feel closed in by the women. She stepped away, shrugging them off of her body and glared at them, her eyes darting to find Keefer as soon as she freed herself.

Keefer noticed the way her lover was behaving and she began to get angry with the two women who wouldn't take the hint. Sure, Sheridanİhad welcomed this kind of behavior just a few weeks ago, but it was apparent she didn't welcome it now. Keefer's sucked her bottom lip into her mouth and turned around to face the girls. Marie wrapped her arm around Keefer and squeezed. "It's gonna take a while, Keefer, just wait it out."

"It's pissing me off," the tall woman admitted.

"It should!" Dawn agreed. "That's your woman they're pawing at!"

Keefer narrowed her eyes. "Wait it out, huh?" she said mostly to herself. She turned back around and watched as her lover was now fending off a whole bunch of women. She sneered at them, and stared at Sheridan. Why is she still dancing? She should just come back here if that's what is going to happen, she thought angrily. Suddenly, green eyes met blue and Keefer's anger faded. Sheridan's eyes told a story with just one look and Keefer felt guilty for wanting her lover to stop doing what she enjoyed, just because she was jealous. There was nothing to be jealous of, these women meant nothing to her lover, and with the one look Sheridan gave her, she knew that she was all that mattered.

Without telling the girls, Keefer left her spot on the railing and boldly went down towards the dance floor. She didn't get close to the crowd, but she was close enough to see the shine of the lights as they bounced off of Sheridan's lips. Her lips looked so inviting, half open and wet. The music began to fade away and the crowd became silent as Keefer stared at her lover. In her eyes, Sheridan was a work of art, and she had to catch her breath when she thought of how much the construction worker had given up to be with her. She loves me, only me... A big happy smile spread across Keefer's lips as she remembered looking into Sheridan's eyes and hearing her say 'I love you'.

The tall woman edged closer to the stage, never taking her eyes off of her lover. She leaned her shoulder against a giant speaker cabinet and folded her arms over her chest. The crowd of women became nothing more than a blur as she watched Sheridan dance with Greg. The blonde construction worker shimmied and danced, each movement filling Keefer with pride and lust. She's mine, she thought possessively.

"She's something, ain't she."

Keefer blinked a few times before she realized she was being spoken to. She looked down at the short woman standing next to her and nodded.

"Oh, yeah, very easy on the eyes," the woman again commented, adding a leer.

Keefer stood up a little straighter and cocked her head to the side.

"I hear she has a girlfriend now."

The tone of the woman's voice was that of disgust and it raised Keefer's hackles. "So I hear."

"I tell you, whoever it is, is one hell of a lucky shit. That woman up there," she pointed at Sheridan, "is one freaking catch," she said sadly.

"I'd like to think so," Keefer said confidently.

The small woman looked up at Keefer with astonishment, "You're her lover???"

Keefer blushed. "Yes."

"Well hell... look at you!"

Keefer blushed harder.

"Why the hell ain't you up on that stage staking your claim? That's Sheridan, for chrissakes!"

Keefer shrugged, not wanting to admit her fear to a stranger.

"There isn't a woman in this club who doesn't want to be in your shoes and you just let her dance up there all by herself?" she asked, both hands gesturing wildly.

Keefer thought about it as she watched her lover dance. She's right. I could go... oh, god, no. If she moved like that against me, I'd die!

"I mean... LOOK at her!"

Keefer watched as the women flung her hands in the air in frustration and stomped away. Maybe I should show everyone that she's with me. Oh, please... how are they going to know that I'm not just another hanger-on? she thought with a frown. Sharon and Dawn suddenly appeared and Keefer smiled lamely at them.

"You okay?" Dawn asked.

"Yeah. She was a little nutty, but okay."

"What'd she say? You look upset," Sharon asked.

"She just voiced the opinions of women in general," Keefer said with a chuckle. "She wanted to know why Sheridan's up there, and I'm down here."

"Well?" Dawn asked.

"I'm too embarrassed... I couldn't..."

"Yeah well, she can," Sharon said of the woman who was attempting to wrap herself around the construction worker.

Keefer's nostrils flared.

Sheridan effectively lost the woman and sought out Keefer's eyes. She offered a lopsided grin and Keefer felt immediately at ease.

The music changed, the beat was slow and seductive and couples began filling the dance floor and the stage. Greg and Sheridan stood there, arms folded over their chests, staring at Keefer. Greg had his eyebrows raised, and Sheridan smiled sexily at her lover. Keefer's belly flipped. They were waiting for her and she could never get up there and dance. Sheridan moved to the very edge of the stage and began tapping her foot. It seemed like everyone in the club was staring at her, and Keefer's knees began to shake.

"Someone's waiting for you, Keefer," Marie said with a grin.

"Go get her, babe," Dawn urged, with a small shove.

"Show'em who's boss, Keefer!" Sharon said, pushing Keefer forward.

The tall woman swallowed back her fear and started walking towards the stage. She excused herself as she squeezed through the crowd, and forced herself to go forward. Sheridan had her hand out, waiting for her to reach the stage and Keefer focused on that hand, trying to block out the throngs of women staring at her with various expressions. Once she made it to the stage, it was still a huge effort to take Sheridan's hand. She knew that when she did, there was no turning back. She was going to be on the stage, on display, in front of the entire club.

Sheridan's heart pounded hard in her chest. Keefer was coming to her; she was going to know what it felt like to hold her in her arms and dance with her. She couldn't wait to wrap her arms around the tall woman and she had to stop herself from jumping up and down on the stage in excitement. Once Keefer's hand touched hers, she couldn't hold back and she smiled like a fool.

Keefer felt herself being yanked up on stage and she allowed herself to be pulled. She climbed on the stage with shaky legs and stood with her back to the club. Looking into Sheridan's eyes overwhelmed her and she had to close her own. Strong arms wound their way around her body and she relaxed into them, pretending it was only the two of them, in the living room. Sheridan pressed her cheek into her chest and Keefer's hand automatically claimed the back of the blonde's head.

The couple swayed slowly to the music, arms wrapped around each other, lost in the feeling. They both had been hesitant to get close to each other, not knowing if the other would be comfortable with the closeness. Now, as they melted into each other they both wondered what they'd been waiting for.

Keefer rested her cheek on top of Sheridan's head; oblivious to the slack-jawed looks they were receiving. Anyone who looked at the couple could see plainly that Keefer was not just one of Sheridan's toys. This was real, and it forced some onlookers to smile, despite their disappointment at seeing Sheridan off the market. The two women looked perfect, they fit together in a way that the others only wished they could fit with someone.

Keefer inhaled the scent of Sheridan's hair and smiled contentedly. Nothing mattered but except Sheridan as she allowed herself to be led to the music. She relished the feeling of her lover's body pressed against hers, swaying to the slow, erotic beat. The tingle of arousal she had felt before came back stronger and she chuckled to herself at the circumstances. Here, on the stage, in front of hundreds of jealous women, Sheridan could make her horny without even trying.

The blonde felt her lover laugh and pulled her head back to see what was so funny. Once their eyes met, Sheridan forgot everything except how wonderful it felt to be captured in Keefer's gaze. Drawn together by some unseen force, the two women's lips met in a kiss that affirmed their love, connecting them in a way that only a kiss could. Somewhere in the backs of their minds, cheers and hoots could be heard, along with applause and whistles... but the couple didn't care. They wrapped their arms tighter around each other and the kiss became passionate. Tongues met and caressed, arms closed tightly -- their union complete.

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

Epilogue:

Keefer lounged back in the recliner, on her new porch and extended deck. She raised the glass of iced tea to her lips as she watched the goings on around her.

Steven and Sheridan were busy showing off their handiwork to their father, who beamed with pride, intermittently reaching out and touching a piece of wood fondly. Phil was busy flipping burgers on the outrageously expensive grill that Sheridan just had to have as Sharon and Dawn were play fighting with him to get a hold of the spatula. Bobby, Marie and Tony were having the time of their lives with the hose and the dogs, the four-legged "humans" occasionally getting the better of the two-legged sort. The guy's wives were all huddled together, fussing over potato salad.

Keefer sighed happily and stretched in contentment. In a million years, she never would have thought she'd be where she was now. Her life had never seemed worth getting up in the morning for and now she looked forward to each day with more joy than she thought possible. She was confident, secure with herself and so helplessly in love.

Sheridan had changed everything, made her feel alive. Keefer now wanted to smell the flowers and touch the sky. No longer simply existing, but living. Waking up every morning next to her lover was a gift, one she wanted to cherish forever. Blue eyes sought out Sheridan and Keefer smiled proudly when the construction worker winked. It never failed, all Sheridan had to do was look at her and the tall inspector felt warm inside.

Keefer glanced at the front door of their house and grinned. It took a few months, but Sheridan had transformed the house into their home. With the help of her brother and, on occasion, the guys, the small blonde had created the perfect nest, a place Keefer wanted to come home to, kick her feet up and sigh. Everywhere she looked inside were little bits of Sheridan, and that made her more content, more excited about coming home than ever before. It wasn't her grandmother's house any more -- it was theirs.

"What ya thinking?"

Keefer looked into Sheridan's twinkling eyes and pursed her lips. "You. I love you."

Sheridan beamed. "Right back at ya," she said, reaching for Keefer's iced tea.

"Hey, you go get your own," Keefer mock-pouted.

"I want this one; it tastes better."

The tall brunette chuckled. She knew what Sheridan meant. Everything her lover's lips touched tasted far better than if they hadn't. "Well, just leave me a sip, or you'll have to get me another one."

Sheridan left a drop in the glass, plopped it down next to Keefer's lounge chair and, with a charming grin, was gone.

Keefer sighed and shook her head. She should have known better. With a smile, she looked around at the people gathered -- at her new friends and family -- and leaned back in her lounge. The iced tea can wait.

Sheridan ambled over to a tree and leaned against it, taking in everything around her -- her family, her friends and, most importantly, her Keefer. A smile formed on her lips as she looked at her relaxing lover. Keefer looked so serene, genuinely happy, and at seeing the woman who held her heart so content, she felt content.

The blonde construction worker's life had changed, forever. She'd finally found what she was looking for, what she was lacking all those years. Keefer. The tall, beautiful inspector that happened upon her job site one day. Nothing would ever be the same, and she didn't want it to be. Sheridan Landers had everything she ever wanted.

THE END

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