Marie saw Sheridan exit the bathroom first and smirked knowingly. She had heard that her friend was here somewhere and when her search turned up empty, she knew just where Sheridan was. She motioned to Dawn who waved Sheridan over to the bar.

"Whassup, girl?" the blonde asked a little louder than she should. She was still worked up from the wild scene in the bathroom.

"I should ask you that. Who's the tall drink of water?" Dawn asked, taking a good long look at the marks peppering the leggy blonde's neck.

"Sara, this is Dawn," she turned to Marie who had just made it over to the bunch, "and this is Marie. Where's Sharon?" Sheridan asked, scanning the crowd for her tall friend's head.

"Aw, they switched her to night shift yesterday. She must have pissed somebody off," Marie frowned. "Sharon's a cop," she offered the new comer.

"Hi, guys, nice to meet you," Sara smiled as politely as she could with Sheridan's hand squeezing her ass. "If you'll excuse me..." she said to the bunch and pecked Sheridan on the cheek, "I gotta get going. It was fun, sweetie, call me." She winked and was gone.

"That's my kinda date, Sher!" Dawn laughed.

"Well, she's just what I was looking for tonight," Sheridan said with a smirk.

"Hey, what ever happened with that tall woman with the black hair? The one Danni fucked over?" Marie asked with a thoughtful expression on her face.

"Nothing happened and I'm going to keep it that way," Sheridan answered sharply.

"You mean you never fucked her? Come on, Sher!" Dawn laughed out loud at the ridiculous statement.

"What's the big fucking deal? No, I didn't fuck her and I'm not going to, so butt the hell out!"

The two women watched as their friend stormed off to the dance floor in a huff.

"What was that?" Dawn asked in surprise.

"I haven't the slightest idea. Why would she be so determined not to fuck a gorgeous women like that?" Marie puzzled.

"And one who's right on the edge, too. Rebounds are the best kind." Dawn shook her head.

"You don't think that the tall chick turned Sheridan down, do you?" she asked, eyes wide.

"No way. No one turns her down." Marie watched her friend dance out her frustrations. "You know, something just ain't right with her lately. Did you see that chick's neck? She never marks women like that."

"Yeah, I saw that and look at her now, she's pissed as all hell since we brought up that other woman. I wonder what happened," Dawn furrowed her brow.

"Who the fuck knows. Apparently, that woman and her don't get along and Sher's not talking. Hey, let me buy you another drink," Marie pulled out some money.

"Sure." Dawn, thought for a minute and then shook her head with a laugh.

"What happened?" Marie asked her chuckling friend.

"Nothing. I just thought for a split second that maybe Sheridan can't fuck that tall woman, you know, because she cares about her or something."

Marie laughed too. "You're right, that is funny."

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

Sheridan was exhausted by the time she fell into bed. The dogs piled in with her and soon they were comfortable, but their mommy was not. "Must you always dig your foot into my head?" she asked Zeus, pushing the paw away with her shoulder. "I mean, sheesh, I wouldn't complain if you were a woman and all, but really, this is pathetic," she chuckled at her own misfortune and moved away from the offending limb.

Sleep wasn't coming; Sheridan's mind was filled with multiple images of the night. Sara's ass banging into her crotch... Keefer's surprised look when she said things before speaking... Sara's neck after she sucked it relentlessly... Keefer's bare toes curling into the carpeting... Keefer's hand in her pants, making her come... Wait a minute, that was Sara. Sara's face as she sucked on her nipple... Keefer's lips forming her name as she came... Okay, that's just about enough. She turned over and beat her pillow. Keefer is slipping into the worst places... and how would I know what she looks like when she comes, anyway? The image appeared again and Sheridan growled at it, swatting at it in the dark room. "Goddammit," she frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. After pouting for a while, she started to chuckle. "Why waste a good imagination?"

The blonde construction worker finally fell asleep with a grin on her face from the wonderful scenes in her wild imagination.

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

Keefer came to consciousness and the first thing she realized was that she had a headache. "Ow," she complained quietly. The second thing she realized was that she had a hand on her breast and the other in her underwear. "Oh, Jesus!" Sitting up quickly, she hissed as the pain flooded into her stiff neck. I fell asleep on the couch? Like that? Focusing a little better, she noticed her shirt was pushed up to her neck. Yanking it down quickly, she leaned forward and covered her face with her hands. "What a night," she breathed into her palms only to inhale the scent of her own arousal all over her fingers. She pulled them away and stared at them, the whole night coming back to her in a great flood of images. "Oh, no..." she blushed dark red. "I can't believe I did that!" Eventually, the more she remembered about the night, the more her embarrassment faded. "She really liked it when I touched her," she recalled out loud, still able to feel the strong muscles under the soft skin. "I wonder if she's that hard and soft everywhere." Her musings made her squirm as embarrassment returned. I pretended she was touching me all over, didn't I? She glanced down at her disheveled clothing. Well, from the looks of things, I guess it went very well. She vaguely remembered beginning her little fantasy last night, but remembered distinctly how it ended. "Oh, no!" she hung her head again in shame. "I yelled. I yelled out her name... good lord!"

Keefer sat, mortified with herself until she heard her alarm go off in the bedroom. Music filled the house and the tall woman stood up and went to the kitchen to make coffee, yawning loudly and waking her dog. Let's not dwell on the uncomfortable, shall we?

Fifi came running into the kitchen as Keefer was setting down fresh water. "Hiya, girl! How come you never wake up to the alarm?" Fifi didn't answer and Keefer giggled. The dog was as immune to the noise as Danni was. Ew, don't go there, she reprimanded herself. "Did you enjoy all that steak Sheridan fed you last night?" The dog wagged her tail quickly. "Yeah, well, don't get used to it, I'm going to watch her like a hawk next time." Keefer's brows knit together in thought. "I wonder when the next time will be."

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

"Nail marks on your neck, Patch?" Bobby snickered. "Must have been one to remember."

Sheridan's hand went to her neck. "Where? I didn't see anything..." she felt around her neck.

"On the back," Phil grinned. "Four of them, straight across."

The blonde grinned slyly. "Well then, I guess I'll have to get another mirror for the bathroom," she chuckled.

"Why? I know you don't want to cover them with make-up or nothing," Tony called from the other room.

"No, so I could stare at them and gloat, asshole," she yelled back. "How the hell did you see them?"

"Kinda hard to miss, Patch, they're practically glowing."

Now that she thought about it, it did sting a little in the shower, and when she sweat while she was doing her push-ups this morning. "Yeah well, thanks, guys, now I'll be aware of them all day," she grumbled.

"Our pleasure," Phil spoke for the crew.

"Anyone we know?" Tony asked in curiosity, wondering if it was the tall OSHA inspector.

"Chick from the donut shop. Nothing special, really," she answered distractedly as she began to work.

The guys exchanged glances and shrugged. Not bragging about her sexual escapades was terribly unusual.

"Nothing special? With those marks? I'd have thought it was an all nighter," Bobby mentioned casually.

"Nope, it was a quickie. I had dinner at Kee... a friend's house and then ran to the club to meet Sara. She cut out on me as soon as it was over," Sheridan replied boredly.

The slip didn't get passed the guys. Sheridan had called the inspector by the same thing when she visited the second time. This certainly was different, Sheridan eating dinner at a woman's house -- one whom she wasn't sleeping with. They already knew that their friend was falling for the tall woman, now it was a matter of the blonde realizing it for herself.

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

A little after Keefer returned home, her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID and her heart sped up. She quickly picked up the phone. "Hi Sheridan," she said a little breathlessly.

"Now I know you're psychic," the blonde laughed.

"I hate to burst your bubble but... caller ID... sorry."

"I hope you don't mind me calling; I had your number in my phone from when you called me."

Mind??? Are you crazy!? "That's perfectly okay with me," she said almost excitedly.

"Hey, I didn't interrupt anything, did I? You sound out of breath," Sheridan wondered.

"No, no, I just walked in the door," Keefer covered, holding the phone away from her ear to take a deep calming breath.

"Oh, do you want me to call back later?"

"No, that's alright, I'm sitting now," Keefer blushed at her reactions.

"I was just wondering... how does Fifi get along with other dogs?"

Odd question... "She's okay, why?" Keefer asked in confusion.

"Well, I take my dogs to the dog run, the one a couple blocks from your house. I was thinking maybe we could meet up there tomorrow, since it's Saturday."

Keefer covered the mouthpiece on the phone, leaned back on the couch and kicked her feet in excitement. Once she settled, she uncovered the phone. "That sounds great. What time do you want to meet?" she sounded like the picture of composure, but her smile threatened to split her face in two.

"I was thinking about ten-ish, is that okay?"

"That's fine... I'll see you then."

"Later, Keef."

Oh, I just love how she says that. Keefer smiled for the rest of the night.

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

Sheridan hung up the phone and took the pizza out of the microwave and brought it to the couch. Pharaoh jumped up on the coffee table and sniffed at the food. "Oh no you don't, you beggar! Mine!" She pushed him off the table and propped her feet up in his place. "I gave you dinner," she reminded him. Zeus looked up at the drooling Pit Bull from his position on the floor as if to say, "I told you so."

After dinner, the blonde turned to her dogs and shook her finger. "Now you listen to me, guys, you are to be on your best behavior tomorrow morning. Fifi is a small thing and from the looks of her, she doesn't need you apes traumatizing her any more than she has already been."

Zeus snorted and licked his face. Pharaoh wagged his tail rapidly.

"That's right, I don't want you jumping on Keefer either, you got it?"

Pharaoh yawned; Zeus got up, stretched and walked away.

"I thought you'd see it my way." Sheridan rolled her eyes. "Maybe this was a bad idea," she thought out loud as she watched the Pit Bull roll onto his back.

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

Keefer hardly slept at all, waking up every hour to look at the clock, afraid she'd over sleep. The tall woman finally got out of bed at sunrise and she wasn't the least bit tired either. Keefer was excited about the day, hanging out with Sheridan in the park, it was almost like a date and the thought made her toes curl.

"Hey, Feefs! We're going to the park today! You want to meet Sheridan's boys?"

The dog wagged her tail fast when she heard Sheridan's name. She liked the blonde woman, she gave her steak and she made her mommy smile.

"I'll take that as a yes. Come on, let's get some breakfast."

Keefer sat at the kitchen table, absently chewing on a toasted bagel, thinking about Sheridan's phone call. I wonder why she called me so soon after seeing me? I think she likes me more than she lets on. I think she likes me... that way. Keefer smiled at the thought. She broke a small piece of her bagel off and watched as Fifi licked off the cream cheese.

I like her that way, too. Maybe I should make it more apparent to her... you know, show her I'm interested in her... that way. Keefer blushed and stared into her coffee cup. I can't do that. I'll blush my fool head off. She thinks its funny that I am so shy. I think she likes to tease me so I'll blush. Keefer narrowed her eyes in deep thought, Hmm. She's so damned cocky... and she can be, she probably has them lining up in front of her when she goes out. That thought made Keefer frown. She emptied her plate into the garbage and took her coffee into the living room. That's funny. She's apparently the neighborhood slut; she's not afraid to admit it, either. I think she's even proud of it. Hmph. I bet she and the guys at work brag to each other about their little exploits. Keefer's eyes widened in shock, Maybe she said something about me! That's probably why they were looking at me like that... No, no... Sheridan hasn't given me any reasons to doubt her. She's been honest with me from day one.

Fifi came trotting over with her leash in her mouth. "Okay, honey. Mommy has to take a shower, and then we'll go to the park." Fifi's head cocked at the word. "You like the park, do you?" Keefer laughed at the dog's excited response. "Just keep your fur on, honey, we'll go in a little bit."

Keefer walked to the bathroom, still lost in thought. Okay, she's a run around; she can have any woman she wants. I know this about her, and yet, she hasn't made any fast moves on me. Maybe she doesn't like me like that? She turned on the water and took her clothes off. Wait a second... you saw how she reacted to you; she definitely is interested in you. So why isn't she acting on it? Did you do something to turn her off?

Keefer sighed in pleasure as the hot water cascaded down her body. She stood motionless under the heavy spray, letting it wash all the nervous tension away that all her thinking created. Think about it, Keef, would you really be ready for Sheridan if she did make a move on you? You don't even know what she's capable of. She could be everything you don't want. This may be a good thing for you, you know. Keefer began to wash her body, her stomach unknotted considerably after her last thought. You see? You're not ready for her yet. She must have her reasons for not approaching you, Keef. Maybe that's what you have to find out -- what her reasons are.

She lathered up her long hair and bent her head down, letting the hot spray beat against the back of her neck, still stiff from sleeping on the couch the previous night. The tall woman blushed when she thought of why she fell asleep there in the first place. That's why she hasn't come onto to you, you idiot! You blush at the drop of a hat, she probably thinks you have no idea what that thing is between your legs, better yet... how to use it. God, she must think I'm so naive!

Keefer washed the shampoo away and groaned pathetically. Face it, you are naive. Sheridan will never want you if you keep that up. You need to find out what she likes, what she hates, what makes her smile... find out how she likes to be touched, and what makes her feel good. Oh yeah, you got some serious work to do. You need to get out more, Keef. To her deep surprise, Keefer didn't blush at these thoughts; instead, she felt a sense of determination.

The tall woman stepped out of her bathtub this morning with a whole new agenda.

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

When Keefer arrived at the park, she noticed Sheridan off in the distance. Immediately, her pulse started racing and she was grateful she had brought along the bottle of water because her mouth went dry as well. The construction worker was wearing a carbon copy of her outfit from the job -- frayed cut-off shorts that exposed her very strong legs and a tight tank top, showing off her powerful arms. She had a baseball cap on, facing backwards and a tuft of blonde hair poked out from the front. Keefer put her hand on her chest to feel her heartbeat, then looked down at her own attire. Okay, shorts and a T-shirt, that'll do. While appraising her clothing, she noticed her hand moving with every beat of her heart and she panicked. Removing the hand, she could visibly see her breast pumping. Oh, no... you gotta calm down, you know that's the first place she looks! She opened the water and took a healthy swallow, followed by some deep breaths. Letting the last breath out slowly, she felt a lot calmer and her chest stopped bouncing. "Okay, baby, time to meet the boys."

As Keefer got closer, she was able to take a better look. Sheridan was standing there, hands on her hips, with her shoulders pushed back, smiling as she watched the dogs run amok. She looked incredibly adorable and the brunette willed herself not to drool. Keefer tried to locate the blonde's dogs but didn't have much to go on, except their breed. Suddenly, Sheridan squatted down and waited with her arms open, a huge Rottweiller barreled into her and toppled her over, a well-chewed Frisbee in his mouth. That's one... Out of the corner of her eye, Keefer spotted another dog, a brown Pit Bull running full speed ahead at the blonde. There's two... Keefer watched in amusement as Sheridan wrestled around on the grass, laughing and screaming with her dogs. They were at least as big as she was, and the inspector had to wonder what possessed the small woman to want such huge dogs. They seemed harmless enough and Fifi was tugging relentlessly on her leash as soon as she spotted Sheridan, so Keefer walked quickly to the fracas.

"Hey, Sheridan, are you under there?"

Zeus came flying out of the fray with Sheridan's hat in his mouth and took off. The blonde stood up, not even bothering to dust herself off and took off after the dog.

"Hiya, Keef, be right back," she yelled over her shoulder, chasing the dog around the run.

Keefer laughed out loud, shielding her eyes from the sun to get a better look at the strong sexy legs in motion. Mmmm, she hummed to herself, watching as the blonde ran around in circles after the dog.

Fifi was already sniffing the Pit Bull's butt and Keefer figured it was okay to introduce them. "Hiya, what's your name, big fella?" she knelt down and scratched his neck. "Damn, but you're all muscle! Wow." She let her hand run along the sides of the dog's body and shook her head. "Just like your mommy, huh? Here, let me see your tag," she twirled his collar around and read the name. "Pharaoh, huh?" The happy dog wagged his tail and attempted to lick Keefer. "Oh, no you don't, not to offend you or anything, big guy, but you really need to wipe your face." Keefer dug around in her pockets and came up with some paper towels reserved for Fifi's poops. "Here, you owe me," she said as she held his face with one hand and wiped his drool off with the towels. Pharaoh shook his big head after Keefer let him go and jumped up onto the tall woman, his tail wagging wildly. "Oh, you like me, do you?" She pulled Fifi out from behind her legs and made her sit in front of her. "Pharaoh, meet Fifi."

"Pharaoh! Down!" Sheridan yelled breathlessly as she trotted over to her friend. She was clutching her hat in her hand and was red faced from running.

"It's alright, he's a good boy. Fifi is terrified, though," Keefer laughed as her dog ran right back behind her, her nose poking out from between her shins.

"Pharaoh, sit."

The dog sat and Keefer squatted down to his level, bringing her frightened dog around to meet him. After a few moments of socializing, Fifi wagged her tail and sat next to the big Pit Bull.

Sheridan took the opportunity to catch her breath, as well as give Keefer the once over. She looked great with her hair pulled back and that T-shirt left nothing to the imagination. She wanted Keefer to stand up, so she could peruse those long-ass legs in shorts. When Keefer finally did stand up, Sheridan's mouth watered. "How ya doin' this morning?" she asked, taking a good look at the long bare legs. Maybe I do have a thing for legs... those are hot shit!

Keefer studied the blonde; she was sweating and dirty and had just about caught her breath. "Pretty good. I brought some water, you look like you can use it."

"Thanks, I do." After a long swig on the bottle, green eyes glanced up into blue. "You look great in shorts, Keef."

The tall woman blushed. "You've seen me in shorts before," she reminded the smiling blonde.

"Yeah, but I don't think I told you how good you look in them. Just an observation," Sheridan shrugged.

Uh huh. Likes my legs... remember that. "Where's your other dog?" Keefer asked, looking out at the many dog's playing.

Sheridan stood and let loose a shrill whistle, startling Keefer, Pharaoh jumped to his feet and waited excitedly.

"Whoa!" The inspector took a step back as Zeus came flying at breakneck speed.

Sheridan braced herself for the impact as the Rotty tackled her to the ground, holding her forearm in his mouth, slobbering all over it. Pharaoh jumped onto Sheridan also, slobbering all over her hair. Keefer snickered as Fifi tried to jump in as well. She let her off the leash and watched, laughing loudly as her small dog ran straight for the blonde's face and began licking her mercilessly.

"Fifi! You traitor! You were supposed to be... ptth... my friend!" Sheridan yelled from somewhere under the pile of playfully snarling dogs. "Keef! Help!" she laughed.

Keefer squatted down next to the wrestling match and rooted around in the pile for Sheridan's hand.

"Hey!"

"Sorry." Oh! I think that was her breast! Keefer blushed and resumed her search, coming up with a thick bicep as a reward. Mmm... that's nice... She felt along the slippery arm, slick with sweat and doggie drool until she found the hand. Grasping it, she tugged a few times before Sheridan tumbled out of the pile with the strangest look on her face.

What the hell was that all about! I think she was feeling me up! Sheridan looked quizzically at her tall snickering friend.

Keefer had to cover her mouth so she wouldn't guffaw. The blond construction worker was sitting, legs spread on the grass, filthy and covered in drool. Her hair was wet and sticking up all over the place and she was wiping her arms and hands on the small area of denim her cut-off's provided.

"Yuck it up, Keefer," Sheridan attempted a glare but failed.

"I'm so sorry..." Keefer bit back a snort of laughter. "If you could only see yourself..." Keefer pointed at first to Sheridan's hair, but then noticed the dirt clinging to her neck and moved to point there, then gave up entirely when the blonde fell back on the grass and groaned.

"Zeus, gimme," Sheridan held out her hand and moved her fingers. The dog soon plopped her hat into her hand. The construction worker held it up over her face and grimaced. "Ick."

Pharaoh grabbed the Frisbee and dropped it at Keefer's feet. She bent down, picked it up and then threw it. She watched him chase it, still snickering at her groaning, mumbling friend. "You alright there, Sher?"

"Peachy," she wiped her hand over her head and put the mangled hat on.

"Just checking," Keefer winked.

Sheridan studied her tall friend from her spot on the grass. What's different about her today? she wondered as Pharaoh retrieved the Frisbee and dropped it obediently at the brunette's feet.

"Fifi's turn, Pharaoh, okay?"

Sheridan watched in shock as her dog sat down and stared at Keefer, his body twitching to go after the Frisbee, but letting Fifi run after it instead.

"Good girl, baby!" Keefer praised her dog. "And you're a very good boy." She knelt down and kissed the Pit Bull on the snout, earning her a gape from Sheridan and a snort from Zeus as he pushed his big head into her leg. "Okay, you too, big boy, you're a good doggie too." Keefer followed that by grabbing the dog's cheeks and planting a kiss to the Rotty's huge head.

She is a whole other person! Maybe it's the dogs?

Keefer glanced over at the blonde and raised both eyebrows. "You look like you swallowed a bug," she told her as she sat her long body down next to Sheridan and hugged her knees.

Green eyes fell immediately to the back of Keefer's right thigh, where it disappeared into her shorts. Jeez, that looks so soft. She sighed.

"Did you?"

"Huh?" the blonde asked in confusion, tearing her eyes away from their admiration.

"Swallow a bug?" Keefer repeated.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Sheridan chuckled, looking at Keefer like she grew another eye.

Hmmm, totally distracted, I see. Keefer stretched out her long legs in experimentation and leaned back on her hands, watching Sheridan's reaction out of the corner of her eye. "Nothing, you just had the most curious expression on your face. What were you thinking?"

"Nothing!" she answered quickly, trying desperately to not stare at the goddess laid out next to her, but failing miserably.

Keefer averted her eyes and turned her head to avoid showing Sheridan her blush. Directly at my breasts. I knew it, she mentally nodded, glad that she wasn't facing the blonde.

Sheridan suddenly stood. "I'm about ready to go, how about you?" Keefer nodded, so she whistled for her dogs. If she didn't know any better, she would be certain the tall woman was teasing her. This confused her terribly. Maybe it was innocent after all... it's hot and the sun is nice, maybe she's just taking it in or something? She glanced over her shoulder at the reclining brunette and received an innocent smile that she returned. Keefer doesn't know how to flirt... I don't think. Does she? she wondered, wiping off her dirty butt.

Keefer had a perfect view -- Sheridan's backside was directly in front of her. She began to blush as she followed the sinews of the construction worker's legs until they disappeared under frayed denim. God, she needs a shower, she mused as she saw Sheridan swipe at her butt a few times. Letting her eyes travel upwards, she traced along the sculpted triceps and across strong shoulders until she came to her neck. Ohh, looks like one of the dogs got her, she frowned for her friend, until Sheridan grabbed the back of her own neck and her fingers covered the scratches perfectly. How coincidental do you think that could be? Keefer narrowed her eyes. Must have been one of her lady friends... if you can call them ladies... Blue eyes were fixated to the back of Sheridan's neck. I wonder how they got there? What was she doing for the woman for her to leave those kind of marks? How were they entwined?

Sheridan turned around and cocked her head in curiosity at the look on Keefer's face. What the hell is she thinking about? Oh, she's blushing... that could be just about anything. She smiled deviously, "You coming, Keefer?"

This caused the poor woman to blush darkly. "Uh... yeah." If she only knew how true that was just then.

To be continued...in Part 13