A slight breeze blew Janna's hair into her eyes as she stood beside Ryan, enjoying the 70's cover band, and she absentmindedly brushed it aside. Ryan, who had her bike resting between her thighs and one arm casually resting on her partner's shoulder, turned and grinned at her. John Stewart stood nearby, talking with some Street Market patrons.

"These guys are tight" Janna remarked with appreciation, head nodding to the music as the band played the familiar tunes.

"They are. The singer's good, too." Ryan's fingers tapped out the beat against her lover's shoulder as her head bobbed along in time, matching her mate's movements. "I used to love this song."

"Me too. I love the Eagles." She and her mate grinned at each other as they both sang along quietly, in unison with the female singer.

Well, I'm running down the road
Tryin' to loosen my load
I've got seven women on my mind,
Four that wanna own me,
Two that wanna stone me,
One says she's a friend of mine
Take it easy, take it easy
Don't let the sound of your own wheels
Drive you crazy.

They sang happily together, laughing and grinning, and then, as the band reached their favorite part of the song, they looked each other in the eye and sang more loudly:

Well, I'm a standing on a corner
In Winslow, Arizona
And such a fine sight to see
It's a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford
Slowin' down to take a look at me
Come on, baby, don't say maybe
I gotta know if your sweet love is
Gonna save me...

Ryan laughed and pulled Janna against her side. "Oh, God, Janna, I used to love that part." Then she looked at her mate quizzically and added, "You know what? I always pictured that girl in the Ford with blonde hair blowing in the wind." She smiled warmly at her partner.

"Really? I always pictured a girl with dark hair. That's amazing!" Janna returned her mate's adoring gaze and reached out to tuck a strand of hair back under her helmet. "Ryan, you have a beautiful voice."

"Oh, baby, I don't know...I'm completely untrained."

"Then it's all the more impressive. We should sing together more often. That was fun."

"Yeah, we should." Ryan gazed at Janna with love written expressively on her features. "I'm afraid we're making a spectacle of ourselves." She raised her dark eyebrows to punctuate her point, but still grinned.

"Screw 'em." Janna grinned right back at her. "I love you, baby."

"Love you too, my destiny."

"Ah, Jesus..." They turned to see Ryan's other partner standing behind them, grimacing. He frowned as he added, "Janna, what the hell have you done to her?" He was betrayed by a small grin, softening his grumble.

Ryan returned the grin and grumbled back at him, "Tough shit, Stewart. Get used to it." She pulled Janna close again and added, "Because I'm marrying this lady in a few weeks."

"Shit, Ry...how could I forget that?" He grinned again. "Oh, Janna, I forgot...Sara wants to know how we can help out...you know, with the food, or anything else."

"Thanks John. I'll give her a call. Between us and my parents, we pretty much have everything covered, but I'll think about it."

"Sounds good. Well, partner...lets get a move on. We're supposed to be patrolling, you know."

Just then, Ryan felt a peculiar hunger pang and realized that it didn't belong to her. She looked at Janna and grinned then turned to John and said, "Why don't we take our dinner break now, John? I'm kinda hungry."

"Sure thing...good idea. I think I'll go up to the Café...you want something from there?"

She looked at Janna, who shrugged indifferently. "I think maybe we'll hit the taco booth back down the street."

"Okay, bud...see you in a few." He threw a leg over his bike and took off slowly down the street, returning waves to friendly kids who greeted him.

"Good call on eating now, honey...I'm starving!" Janna patted her mate's back.

Ryan grinned, knowing very well just how hungry Janna was. "I know, baby...I can feel it!"

"You're feeling my hunger?" Janna's face lit up as Ryan nodded. "Cool!" She shook her head in wonder, adding with a smile, "You feel it when I'm hungry, and I feel it when you're horny!"

Ryan grinned. "I guess that says something about the nature of our respective appetites, doesn't it?"

"It sure does. And yes, baby, we'll do something about your hunger a little later."

"I know we will...thank you baby." Ryan gave Janna a squeeze around the waist before removing her arm and grasping the handlebars of her bike. She started slowly pedaling as Janna walked beside her. They headed happily in search of tacos, both heads with wheels turning, planning their late-night recreational pursuits.

Ryan leaned back against the wall of the booth and took another draught from her mug of ice-cold Corona. She felt completely relaxed as she enjoyed the evening with Janna. At the moment, her mate was up near the stage, speaking with the manager of the young band she had played with the previous month, on that infamous night when both their lives had been changed forever.

The young musicians were tuning up their instruments and the slightly cacophonous sounds were clashing with the Smiths tune that was blasting forth from the jukebox. The Rainbow Lounge was packed: apparently the young band, Attack of the Pansies, had been enjoying good word-of-mouth. Ryan wondered if word had leaked of Janna's intention to play with the group again. She suspected that it had, as she had noticed more than a few interested looks in her mate's direction, and not just from women.

There was an air of excitement and expectancy in the room, and Ryan nearly shivered in anticipation. She had never seen her lover play live and was looking forward to it very much. She had heard Janna practicing quite a lot over the previous few days and knew that the crowd was in for a treat. It had sounded to her as if the group and their guest artist planned to tone down some of the songs a bit: decreasing the punk edginess, perhaps to appeal to a wider range of listeners. Janna had mentioned that the band had asked her advice regarding some of their arrangements and knew that her mate had been busily faxing sheet music back and forth with the band's manager.

As the musicians warmed up, Ryan's mind drifted, slowly going back over the last five weeks. They had been the happiest, most fulfilling five weeks of her life. Mind-bendingly so. Her life had changed so enormously in that time that she almost couldn't comprehend the changes. She couldn't even attempt to rationalize them. She could only re-experience them through her emotions, which in itself was rather shocking for her, as she had a rational, logical mind. More so than an emotional one. She grinned and shook her head as her disbelief at her great fortune made itself felt once again. I've fallen deeply in love and am getting married...in three weeks. Jesus Christ! And I'm not the least bit uncertain or hesitant. I'm looking forward to it so much that I'm practically counting the minutes until we're joined. Incredible!

She glanced over at her mate again. No, she's incredible. Absolutely incredible. At that moment, Janna grinned at the manager, Jeff, and patted his arm before turning and making her way back to the booth where Ryan sat, legs outstretched on the seat. Ryan withdrew her legs so that Janna could sit next her and her mate slid into the booth beside her. Ryan lazily threw an arm around her shoulders and drew her in for a long, slow kiss.

They parted slightly and Janna gazed into Ryan's sparkling blue eyes, saying, "Mmm, Ryan, maybe I won't play with the band tonight after all. Maybe we'll just leave now and I'll play with you at home."

"Later, baby...definitely later. I want to see you play first." Ryan pulled her in for another long kiss. "Mm, though I do see the advantages to your idea."

"I thought you would." Green eyes sparkled, mirroring hers. As they sat gazing into each other's eyes, lost in the depths as only lovers can be, they were both startled when they heard someone speak.

"Oh, my goodness Ray, do you see this?" An effeminate voice spoke, rich with merriment.

"Alright you fairy asses, cut the crap, huh?" Ryan fairly grumbled the request. Janna was amused to note that her stoic mate was blushing slightly.

"Hush, you!" Jose cajoled. "You just let us have our fun. This is a once in a lifetime moment and we are going to enjoy it." He and his mate seated themselves in the booth across from the women and Jose grabbed Janna's hand.

"Janna, we're so happy for you two. We've been in love with this terrific lady for years and are so glad to see her finally happy...and with someone so nice too."

Janna's face lit up with sincerity and she replied, "Thank you Jose. That's very nice of you to say." She looked at Ryan and clasped their hands together on top of the table.

Ryan cleared her throat. "Um, Ray, Jose...we want to share something with you." She shifted her gaze back to Janna and became lost again in her eyes momentarily. "Um...Janna and I are getting married...in a few weeks." She smiled at her mate and brought their linked hands to her lips. She continued, "We're having the ceremony up at Lake Tahoe, with just family, but a week or so later we'd like to have a party here for the rest of our friends. Would you guys take that on for us? We're probably talking a few hundred people."

"Oh, my God!" gasped Jose. "I knew it!" He clasped his hands together with joy. "Ray, honey, didn't I tell you? Oh, this is wonderful! Yes, yes, yes we'll do your party!"

Ray smiled. "Yes, that is wonderful. Congratulations. I think a toast and a round on the house is in order. Do you mind?" He looked from Ryan to Janna expectantly.

"Thanks Ray, but don't make a fuss, huh?" Ryan looked as uncomfortable as she suddenly felt.

"Oh, honey, I don't mind. I'd love to share a little bit of our happiness with everyone here." Janna squeezed Ryan's hand and implored her with serious, yet twinkling, green eyes.

Ryan gave in under the assault and smiled weakly, nodding her assent.

"Wonderful!" Jose exclaimed.

Ray stood up and went over to the bar, where he asked the bartender for a mug of beer. Receiving it, he tapped on it with a spoon to get the attention of the room's occupants. When a hundred or so pairs of eyes were trained on him he began, "Ladies and...ladies! I want to offer a toast. My good friends, Ryan Zamora and Janna Norden have just informed me that they are to be married very soon." He raised his glass and looked to his two friends. "To Ryan and Janna...here's to a very long and happy life together. May you always be blessed with the love of each other and of good friends!"

A chorus of, "Here, here!" went up as everyone in the room raised their glasses and mugs and drank to Ryan and Janna's happiness.

Ray then added, "The next round is on the house" and an even louder cheer went up.

Under the intense attention, Ryan turned mildly red, but raised her glass to the room in thanks while Janna grinned widely beside her and then lay her head happily on Ryan's shoulder.

With that, the room lights went down, and the already relatively dim room became even darker. The murmur of voices rose somewhat in anticipation and then the band took the small stage.

Ray joined them and announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming one of our most popular young bands, Attack of the Pansies, along with former Tribe member, session artist and producer, Janna Norden!"

The crowd applauded enthusiastically and Janna arose, leaned down, kissed her mate deeply and made her way through the tables to the stage. She picked up a guitar, slung it low from her shoulders and waited for the drummer to sound the opening beats.

"One, two, one, two, three, four!"

As one, Janna and the other two guitarists jumped up and pounded out the opening chord as they hit the ground, launching into a powerful, lightspeed rendition of a Pansy Division song.

Janna quickly fell into the groove, as she had the month before, and let the joy of playing overtake her. She looked luminous: completely at one with her instrument and the music, with a transfixed expression of pure joy on her face. Ryan's breath caught in her chest and she sat enraptured. Janna's playing was flawlessly good, but it was her beauty that took Ryan's breath away.

Uncharacteristically, Janna's attention became separated from the music as she saw her lover's gorgeous countenance, seemingly mesmerized. A huge smile lit her face as she felt Ryan's love and admiration for her through their link. She sent the love right back to her mate, accompanied by a wave of ecstasy borne of her musical high. Ryan felt the hit of energy like a jolt and her eyes closed involuntarily. She rode the ecstatic wave and experienced a natural high the likes of which she had never felt, except during sex with Janna. When she opened eyes still glazed with delight, Janna was still watching her and smiled her love. Ryan pressed her hand to her heart and swallowed hard as tears sprang to her eyes. She silently mouthed, "I love you" and Janna did likewise, never missing a beat of the song.

The exchange was noted by more than a few of the patrons and deeply touched them all. Ray and Jose stood near the bar, arm in arm, swaying to the beat, as Jose witnessed the loving exchange between his two friends, and felt tears begin a path down his cheeks.

"Ryan" Janna gasped. "You take my breath away every time." She sat on the edge of the whirlpool, surrounded by candles, whose light glinted warmly off of her skin. Her mate's head still rested against her lower abdomen and Janna ran her fingers through her thick, silky hair, gently coaxing Ryan up and then slipping down into her lap.

They embraced tightly and kissed. Janna tasted her body's essence on her partner's lips and moaned deeply. Ryan's arms rose out of the warm, bubbly water, and gently pressed her mate's head more firmly against her mouth. Their tongues danced and teased, tearing a deep moan from Ryan's throat.

"God, baby, what you do to me" she mumbled into Janna's mouth.

"What would you like me to do to you, love? Right now?" Janna bent her head and her words tumbled out against the sensitive skin of Ryan's throat.

Ryan's only answer was an incoherent moan, but Janna was able to translate. She bent her head to her mate's breasts, the tips of which sat enticingly just above the water line. After paying them some devoted attention with her lips and tongue and filling her mate's body with a swirling desire, she gently coaxed Ryan up onto the side of the tub where she had been moments before and paid Ryan the same loving devotion that she had so recently bestowed on Janna.

Ryan gently wrapped her legs around Janna's head, which encouraged her mate to kiss and lick her inner thighs in addition to her more sensitive anatomy. Ryan quickly lost all control under the loving barrage and plummeted into her favorite pleasurable chasm.

A few hours later, they were again entwined in love, this time in their bed, in their favorite Tantric position. As they rode a wave of ecstasy together that had lasted long minutes, Ryan felt that she might pass out from the pleasure, so Janna slowed the pace, bringing her mate a little closer to Earth.

"Are you okay, love?"

"Yes, baby, perfect. Thanks for...ohhh...yesss...thanks...for slowing it down some." Ryan's lips left Janna's and she suckled at the soft skin of her mate's neck, feeling her pulse pounding beneath them.

"Mmm...yes...your welc...welcome." She turned her head and captured Ryan's lips again, renewing the surge of passion between them. They rode out the remaining cascading waves of passion and finally rested, still entwined, bodies coated with a sweet sheen of sweat mixed with aromatic bath oil.

Sometime later, Ryan murmured, "Janna, I had the best time watching you play tonight." She gently played with a strand of yellow hair as her mate lay in her arms.

"And I had a great time too. It meant so much having you there." She softly caressed her mate's firm stomach with gentle fingers. "I haven't felt such a love of playing in years and years. Your presence there made it so special for me." She softly kissed the delicious breast beneath her lips. Ryan swallowed the jolt of desire the action caused, knowing that she no longer had the strength to act on it.

"Um...uh...why don't you consider playing more often?"

"I might, but only occasionally and only as long as it remains a lot of fun. Actually, the band asked me tonight if I would produce their CD and I agreed. It's something I can do in my spare time, here in town, and I really do enjoy working with them."

"That's great, honey. I'm sure you'll do a great job for them. So there's a studio here in town?"

"Yeah, believe it or not! It's right over on the Avenue, next to the music store. We'll probably start sometime next week, maybe even this weekend if they can get the studio time."

"Cool, baby." Ryan nuzzled Janna's hair and yawned. "G'night my destiny."

"'Night, love. Sweet dreams."

"Mm, I hope so. You too."

The bard sat in a small cleared area within a forest, on a log that sat before a cozy fire. The fire warmed her body, but the events of the day had warmed her soul. Her incredible soul mate, who had physically died several days prior, had had her life restored by the food of the gods, ambrosia. Her best friend and soul mate now stood nearby in a larger clearing, bidding their Amazon friends and their friend Autolycus goodbye.

As she stared into the fire, the bard felt the tremendous joy that having her friend back brought to her. She was overjoyed beyond words. Beyond all reason. And there was more. Her friend had kissed her. Her right hand unconsciously rose to her mouth and caressed her lips where they had kissed. Yes, her friend's spirit had been in Auto's body at the time, and technically it had been he who had kissed her, but she knew without a doubt that her soul mate had been behind the loving kiss. She found herself wanting to kiss her friend again. She ached to do so. She loved her more than life itself and was ready to take their friendship to a higher level. And apparently so was her friend.

The friends now gone, her warrior approached and tentatively sat beside her on the log, holding her hands out to the fire, trying to warm them. She glanced shyly at her bard friend from the corner of her eye. "I can't seem to shake the cold tonight."

"I'm not surprised, Xena, since your body was lifeless for three days. Come here." The bard held her arms open to her friend. The warrior hesitated, but only briefly, and then moved closer to her friend, who then wrapped her arms around her. The bard rubbed her hands along her friend's chilled skin, trying to increase the circulation. The warrior stiffened at the touch and started to pull away.

"No, Xena. Let me...please." She implored her friend with love-filled green eyes. "You're always taking care of me. Let me take care of you for a change."

The warrior's eyes, violet in the glow of the campfire, softened as she smiled. "Okay, Gabrielle. Thanks." She sank back into her best friend's embrace and shivered, more from the closeness than from the cold. "That feels nice."

"Mm, hmm. It does." The bard turned her head slightly and kissed the black hair under her lips. "Xena...you kissed me."

The warrior cleared her throat. "Yes...yes I did." She turned her head slightly to look at her friend. In a quiet voice she muttered, "I'm sorry, Gabrielle...I just...I..."

The bard quietly interrupted her. "I'm not sorry, Xena. I've wanted you to do that for a long time now." She locked a serious gaze on her friend, adding, "And I've wanted to tell you..."

This time the warrior interrupted. "I know, Gabrielle." The warrior gazed at her almost shyly. "When I was...gone...I could hear your thoughts."

"You heard my thoughts? Then you know how I feel?" Her bard returned the shy gaze.

The warrior reached up to caress her cheek. "Yes...and I love you too, Gabrielle. I've been wanting to do that for a long time, too." She continued the tender caress and slowly leaned forward and captured the bard's lips. As soft lips met and the kiss deepened, an energetic bond between two heart centers took root and a warm fire began that filled the two souls, beginning a lifelong and beyond, deep, all-encompassing love.

Ryan and Janna both smiled in their sleep and tightened their grips on each other at the culmination of their happy, shared dream.

"Girls, here's to our new second baseman!" Sharon's deep-pitched voice rose above the din of the Rainbow as her players raised their glasses, saluting the new player whose skilled play had helped them to another victory. The new second baseman's mate grinned even more widely than she did, clinking her mug against her partner's and happily downing the rest of her brew. She refilled her glass, stood suddenly and held up her mug, preparing to offer another toast. Janna looked up at her quizzically, wondering what she was up to. She's drunk!

Janna was right. Her mate was slightly drunk. However, she held herself very well in spite of the fact.

"Ladies, one more toast." Ryan gazed down at Janna beside her, not trying to hide the adoration in her eyes. "To the special lady who has agreed to become my wife in..." She glanced at her watch, "Twenty-two days." She grinned widely as her mate blushed and hid her face.

The pronouncement was met with a chorus of hoots and cheers, accompanied by hugs and backslapping.

"Way to go, Ry! Where's the honeymoon?" Carrie asked with a glint in her eye.

"Wouldn't you like to know, Carrie?" Ryan smiled as she shook her friend's hand.

"Okay, Ry...when and where's the bachelor party?" Jackie looked at her expectantly from behind her beer mug.

This time it was Ryan who blushed and hid her face. She recovered and waved her hands as she proclaimed, "Oh, no! There will be no bachelor party...just like I told my partner John."

"Oh, come on Ry...you can never have too many double-ended dildos or pairs of edible panties!" The group laughed and Janna blushed even redder as someone else chimed in, "Not to mention strippers!"

"If you guys even so much as think about doing something like that to us, I'll kill you all." Ryan's voice was so menacing, despite the slight grin, that her friends immediately dropped any ideas that had begun to form in their warped minds.

Janna reached up and grabbed her mate's hand, pulling her back down into her chair. Leaning over, she kissed her soundly and gave her a thankful smile. Ryan leaned her forehead against Janna's temple and closed her eyes, reveling both in the jovial atmosphere and in her mate's closeness. She whispered so that only Janna could hear, "I love you, Janna."

Janna breathed deeply of her mate's essence and sighed as she felt Ryan's devotion carried through their bond. She could also feel something else and let the alcohol she had imbibed speak for her as she leaned into her mate and whispered hotly into her ear, "I wanna fuck you silly later, Ryan."

Janna's uncharacteristic use of the harsh word set her blood aflame and Ryan swallowed hard as her breath caught in her throat. She let the desire she was feeling for her mate escalate nearly out of control and she leered at her as she drawled, "Why wait until later, baby?" Her eyes sparkled with more than love as she gazed at her partner.

Janna reflected the leer with one of her own and drawled as well, "What do you have in mind?"

"Follow me and I'll show you." Ryan stood up and held out her hand. Janna grasped it, stood and was pulled by Ryan away from the table and toward the restroom. They entered the surprisingly tidy room and Ryan led her into a stall, closing the door behind them.

She immediately turned Janna and pushed her gently against the door, capturing her lips hungrily as she did so. Janna returned the hungry kiss, growing more ravenous for her mate by the second. As they kissed, a large hand found its way up Janna's shirt and caressed a breast. Janna wrapped a leg around her partner, pulling her closer.

"Jesus, baby, I want you." Ryan's voice was rough with desire and only served to excite her partner more. Janna pushed Ryan's shirt up above her bra and attacked her breasts with her mouth through the sports bra. Ryan threw her head back and moaned, at which Janna found her exposed throat and began nibbling while her hands roamed under the waist band of her shorts.

"No, baby, me first...please?" Ryan's lips muttered the request against Janna's hair. Janna complied by bringing her hands up to Ryan's face and pulling it down, kissing her deeply. Ryan responded in turn by pushing Janna's shorts down off of her hips and beginning sensual caresses, one hand in back, one in front.

"Oh, Jesus, Ryan..." Janna's breath became ragged as her partner started a rhythmic stroking and her lips traveled down her chest. Their surroundings lent an illicit air to the encounter, which seemed to escalate the excitement for both women, their passion skyrocketing. "Oh, God..." Janna surrendered completely to the intense pleasure and rapidly moaned her release into Ryan's mouth. Ryan supported her partner in strong arms as her body was racked by the climax, their mouths never losing contact.

Before Ryan could react, Janna had turned her and switched their positions. She lifted the tight sports bra up, pushed it above her lover's breasts and consumed them hungrily. Ryan threw her head back hard against the stall door and grasped Janna's head in her hands. "Oh, baby...yesss..."

When Janna had her fill momentarily she turned Ryan so that she faced the stall door. She pulled her tall partner against her body, kissing and gently biting her back while reaching her arms around in front of Ryan. One hand found its way to an excited breast while the other dipped down below her shorts into soft, wet curls. Ryan moaned loudly and arched back into her mate. The two strong, talented hands began a synchronous double massage that very quickly had the strong cop writhing uncontrollably and calling her mate's name over and over. Janna reached up and gently covered Ryan's mouth with her hand to muffle her screams of pleasure. She held her mate as the spasms subsided and then turned her around, embracing her tightly.

They held each other without speaking and then kissed again, this time slowly and gently, communicating their devotion. As they helped each other to straighten their clothes, Ryan said with a warm smile, "We're gonna talk about this later, okay?"

Janna returned the warm smile and nodded. As they exited the restroom, Janna leading Ryan by the hand, more than a few knowing looks and smiles met them as they made their way back to the table. Neither woman could fight the sappy, contented grin that lit her face, so neither even tried.

Janna lay back in the cooled spa water, hands behind her head, eyes closed, completely relaxed. She enjoyed the twittering of birds in the many trees surrounding her property. The slight breeze also carried on it a lovely fragrance from the multitude of flowers that inhabited the yard. She and Ryan had gone nuts on a recent weekend and added even more in pots, surrounding the gazebo on three sides with them.

As she enjoyed the quiet late afternoon, she felt the spa water stir and smiled as she felt her partner quietly creep up between her legs. I must have fallen asleep, because I didn't feel her coming home. She smiled and kept her eyes closed as the thought wound itself lazily through her relaxed brain and she felt her partner's tongue gently stroke her lips. She opened her mouth with a grin and let her partner's tongue wrap itself around hers. Their tongues danced lovingly before Ryan dipped her head and stroked a happy nipple with the same playful tongue.

"You forget your suit baby?" she mumbled against Janna's breast.

"Nope, just too lazy to...uh...ahh...put it on." She opened her eyes, finally, to see two sparkling blue eyes looking up at her through black lashes. "Where's yours?" she asked playfully.

"You know I'd much rather be in this suit." She bent her head and tended to her loving strokes with renewed vigor.

"Oh, my God, Ryan..."

Some time later, they reclined together lazily. "Lets get Chinese take out tonight baby."

At her mate's silent nod, Ryan reached a long arm out of the water and grabbed the cordless phone, quickly placing their usual order with their favorite Chinese restaurant. "That was easy!" She grinned and wrapped her arms around her mate's waist again. "It'll be here in about a half hour."

"Mmm." Janna rolled her head against Ryan's chest, enjoying the feeling of her mate's supportive body under her tired back.

"You seem tired tonight, Janna. You okay?" She kissed her mate's head as concern colored her voice.

"A bit, yeah. My back got really tired leaning over the control console at the studio all day. I forgot how tiring that could be." She smiled as hot hands placed themselves against her back, the energy already flowing strongly. "Oh, yes...thank you Ryan. That feels so good."

"Anytime, love. You should have asked."

"Too lazy. And you feel too good...I didn't want you to move."

As she shared Reiki with her partner, Ryan's mind drifted back a few days. On Saturday Janna and her young musical charges had begun work on the group's first CD at the small recording studio in town.

Ryan smiled as the recalled walking in on the proceedings with bags of burgers for everyone. She had called around lunchtime to see if her mate had had lunch, and hearing that they planned to work through lunch, had offered to make an In and Out Burger run. Her offer was accepted gratefully by her always-hungry mate and she had been more than pleased to help out.

Ryan entered the cool, dark lobby, which provided a welcome respite from the glaring, burning sun, and knocked her glasses from her eyes, letting them hang from the cord around her neck. She approached the young, heavily pierced and tattooed girl who sat at the front desk.

"Hi, I'm looking for Janna Norden...she's producing Attack..."

The young thing interrupted her with a wide smile. "Oh, Janna, yeah...they're in studio one. It's the first door on the right." She pointed vaguely in the direction of a hallway beyond the desk.

"Thanks."

As Ryan made her way towards the appointed doorway, she could hear the thump, thump, thump of bass and drums reverberating against the walls. She pushed open a heavy wooden door with her foot and entered the small control room. The music was blasting, so the room's occupants were unaware of her entrance. She quietly set the many white bags of food on a couch that sat against the wall next to the door, and stood and watched the proceedings.

The wall in front of the control board was mostly glass, with a door set to one side that led to a room beyond. The small room beyond was packed with equipment and musicians. Good thing they aren't a large group. Ryan thought as she surveyed the scene. Her attention didn't stay on the recording room long, as her mate's frenetic activity at the soundboard drew her attention away.

As Janna sat working controls on the enormous board, her whole body was in motion, bopping along to the music, head nodding boisterously in time to the pounding beat. My little headbanger...God, I love that woman! Ryan smiled as she watched her mate and her own foot began tapping in time to the beat. She watched as Janna's hands flew skillfully over the masses of controls and was struck by pride at her mate's obvious skill.

Suddenly, Janna's head stilled and she straightened, then turned around and spotted her mate. She returned Ryan's wide, warm smile and mouthed, "Hi babe."

Ryan returned the silent greeting and pointed to the food bags on the worn sofa. Janna nodded and raised a finger, indicating she would be finished shortly. Jeff, the band's manager then turned and waved at Ryan before getting up and checking out the food bags. He leaned toward Ryan and said, "I'll hit the soda machine...what would you and Janna like?"

"Cokes, if they have 'em. Thanks!"

A minute or so later, the last power chord faded into feedback and then into silence and Janna said enthusiastically, "Great take guys...lets stop and eat!"

The idea was met with enthusiasm and the young men poured into the control room, each of them greeting Ryan with friendly waves.

"Hi guys...you sound great." Ryan returned the friendly greetings and then Jeff returned, arms laden with cans of soda.

"Thirty minutes, guys. We only have the studio until 2:00" Janna directed and motioned Ryan to the sofa as the band mates spread out around the room, using up the available chairs and the rest of the short sofa. Ryan sat and pulled a grinning Janna onto her lap. Janna handed her a wrapped cheeseburger and grabbed the solitary grilled cheese for herself.

After lunch Ryan asked if she could hang out and watch for a while and was told it would be fine. She stretched out on the sofa, one arm lying along the back and one leg stretched along the cushioned seat. She watched with interest as Janna guided the musicians and their young manager (who doubled as the drummer's older brother) through the recording process. She was able to offer the expertise that her own experience provided, as both musician and producer. More than once, she entered the recording room and picked up an instrument to better get an idea across. The young men eagerly accepted her input, very obviously respecting her ability.

As she watched, Ryan wondered if perhaps the young men's respect of Janna had less to do with her musicianship and more to do with their shared queerness. She wondered how well most young male musicians would accept a female producer, regardless of how talented she was. Janna shared a unique bond with the young band in that they all played in all-gay bands. Bands whose repertoire consisted almost entirely of queer-based songs.

Janna demonstrated the chord change one more time and then grinned and launched into several loud measures of the song. "Sorry, couldn't resist!"

Jeff's laughing voice floated in over the speaker from the control room, "Hey Janna, why don't you just join the band?"

Janna threw her head back and laughed as the band members voiced their agreement. "Sorry guys, I have so been there and done that!" She set the guitar back on its stand and returned to the control room, smiling at her mate who was grinning like the Cheshire Cat. "Don't you start now, Ryan!"

Still grinning, Ryan replied, "I wouldn't dream of it babe!"

The next few hours had flown by as the band accomplished quite a lot. Ryan stayed the whole time, enjoying immensely watching her mate work, as well as the friendly camaraderie between everyone involved.

Ryan returned to the present when she felt her mate settle more fully against her and realized that the energy flow had slowed, signaling its completion.

"You still here baby?" Janna asked lazily.

"Yeah. I was thinking about Saturday. I had a great time at the recording session."

"Good. I'm glad you didn't find it boring." She added with a grin, "Or the music too loud."

"Nah, I'm getting into it, actually. And the recording process itself is fascinating. Your knowledge really impressed me too, love." She kissed her mate's head and leaned a cheek against the yellow hair.

"Thanks Ryan. You're welcome to hang out down there as much as you'd like. The guys all really like you and of course, I enjoy your company."

"I'll do that baby. How many more sessions will you need, do you think?"

"Not many, I think. It's going very smoothly. I'm not doing a lot of complicated producing...they have such a great live sound...they're so accomplished...that I'm really doing minimal production. It's one of their strongest points, along with the strong songwriting."

"They played a couple of your songs didn't they?"

"Yeah, they did. They asked if they could and I don't mind. I'm flattered, really."

"You should be baby. They're great songs."

"And you're not the least bit biased are you?" Janna asked, grinning as she turned slightly in her mate's arms to see her face.

"No, I'm not. I'm being honest with you, Janna" came the honest reply.

"Thank you Ryan." She lifted a long-fingered hand to her lips and kissed it.

"No problem Janna." She stretched under her mate. "You've got me prunin' again, baby. Lets get out, huh? The food should be here any minute anyway."

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Part 15

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