BABY SITTING CHARLIE

(THE BODYGUARD - PART TWO)

By Mavis Applewater

January 2003

Disclaimers: This is a Member’s Choice story. Which means that the members of YoMavis chose it as a story that they wanted to see more of. What the heck does that mean? It means it’s a sequel, and if you want to know what the heck is going on, you had better read Part One. The story and its characters are the sole possession of the author and may not be reproduced, posted, or sold without the permission of the author. So there! This story contains graphic descriptions of consenting adult women in sexual situations. I know - shocking, isn’t it? If for any reason, real or imagined, you do not wish to view such material then do not read this story or anything else I have ever written. In fact, don’t go anywhere near Part One; you won’t like it. If for any reason it is illegal for you to view such material, then please - I’m begging you - don’t read this until it’s no longer a crime for you to so. What exactly is in Spam? Or maybe I don’t want to know.

A special thank you goes out to my beta reader Joanne.

As always, this is for Heather.

Nadine couldn’t believe what she was looking at. The whining starlet had just barged into her hotel room and torn off her shirt. "Do these look fake to you?" the bleach blonde demanded.

"Put your shirt on, Miss Logan," Nadine demanded. ‘Geez! I thought Charlie was difficult to deal with,’ the security specialist grimly thought.

"Just tell me if my boobs look real or not," Lori Logan demanded as she pointed to her breasts.

"Who cares?" Nadine spat out. "I’m not here because of your tits. Now put your shirt on and get the hell out of my room."

"Everyone here keeps talking about how I had a boob job," the starlet whined as she plopped down onto Nadine’s bed.

"Because you did," Nadine fumed as she rolled her eyes in disgust.

"I didn’t think anyone would notice," Lori sniffled.

"You went from an A cup to a D cup overnight; what made you think no one would notice?" Nadine pointed out against her better judgment. The dim-witted woman just shrugged in response. "Just put your shirt on and leave. You have an interview scheduled in less than an hour."

"Okay," Lori grumbled as she put her top back on. "This is all Charlene Jones’ fault."

Nadine stiffened instantly when she heard her lover’s name. "What?" Nadine stammered as she wondered what it was her outspoken lover did to send this poor girl straight to a plastic surgeon.

"Yeah, she was picking on me when I did a guest shot on Ghost Town a couple years ago. She called me a carpenter’s dream," the blonde explained with a pout. "You know, flat as a board and easy to lay. Now yours are nice; maybe I should have bought that size."

"Hey, leave mine out of this," Nadine bristled. "Now just wait in your room until one of my people comes to get you."

"Fine," Lori huffed. "Well, at least the mighty Charlene Jones got what she deserves."

"What do you mean?" Nadine demanded as she led the woman back to her own room.

"Ghost Town got the ax," Lori explained with an uncaring shrug. "The network announced it the other morning. Now Charlene is just another out-of-work blonde actress," the self-absorbed woman added with a smirk. "I wonder what size she bought?"

Nadine’s heart pounded at the news that her lover’s television series had been canceled. She almost slipped and told Lori that Charlie’s breasts were the real deal but then she would have to explain how she knew. Instead she shoved Lori and her breasts into her hotel room. She grabbed her cell phone and tried calling Charlie. When she didn’t get an answer, she quickly dialed Evie’s number. She got no answer there either. Nadine was back in her hotel room packing when she called Doug, her second-in-command on this job. The assignment was easy - just follow Lori around during the promotional tour in Hawaii and make sure no one touched her. "Doug, I need to fly home. Take over for me," she barked into her cell phone.

"I just heard. Give Charlie a hug from me," the older man offered.

"Will do," Nadine agreed as she shouldered her bag. "Oh, and if Lori asks, tell her they look real."

"But they don’t." Doug chuckled.

"Lie to her," Nadine groaned before ending the call and heading down to the lobby to check out. "Actors. They’re just not human."

During the arduous journey from Waikiki to Los Angeles, Nadine tried frantically to reach her lover with no success. She just prayed that Charlie wouldn’t fly off the handle and do irreparable damage. She knew that Charlie secretly wanted to get off the sickeningly sweet show, but she would have preferred it to have been on her own terms. The blonde had planned on bowing out at the end of the season after her contract was up. She had also planned on giving everyone enough notice so that her co-workers could move on to other positions. That was how Charlie operated. She could be a major pain in the butt, yet she truly cared about the people she worked with. If she had left the show on her own terms, her career and the careers of everyone she worked with would have been in a stronger position. Being canceled just didn’t look good. Yet as good as Charlie’s heart was, the little blonde also possessed a major self-destructive streak.

Nadine hoped that Evie, Charlie’s sister, was keeping her in line until the brunette could reach her. Her hopes quickly vanished as she passed the newsstand at the airport. She dropped her carry-on bag as her mouth hung open. Sitting right there for everyone to see was a trashy tabloid newspaper with her lover’s face on the cover. Nadine continued to gape at the headline - ‘Topless Tilly!’

Nadine felt a rush of anger when the man standing next to her snickered. "Hey!" she blurted out before she could stop herself. The tall brunette did not like the way the pig was leering at her lover’s half-naked body. The fact that Charlie’s nipples had been blotted out didn’t relieve her anger as she snatched the paper from the stand and slammed it on to the counter. She had to fight to keep herself from bludgeoning the poor sales clerk to death when he made a comment regarding her lover’s attributes.

Nadine glared at the poor young man as she snatched up the paper and her change. Then she grabbed her bag before it was stolen, stormed out of LAX, and hailed the first taxi she spotted. She was muttering as she climbed into the backseat and tore open the paper. "She’s hot, huh?" the driver made the mistake of asking as he pulled away from the curb.

"Shut up and drive," Nadine hissed.

"Where to, ma’am?" the drive sheepishly asked.

"Warner Brothers," the brunette growled.

By the time Nadine was admitted into the closed set where Ghost Town was shot, her anger had reached the breaking point. She grabbed George who was assigned to keep an eye on her lover. After they’d become involved, Nadine withdrew her services since she considered it unethical to keep working for the woman she was sleeping with. Neither of them were thrilled with the other agency Charlie hired, so Nadine’s firm went back on the payroll. Nadine still refrained from actually working for Charlie. "When, where, and how?" Nadine shouted as she shoved the paper she’d read and reread in his face.

"We’re working on it," George stammered. "It isn’t what you think."

"It’s our backyard," Nadine yelled. Her face fell when she realized what she’d just said. "George, some one snuck into the gated community I insisted that she move into, climbed a ten foot wall, and took pictures of her swimming in her own pool without a top on. Now I want answers."

When she had first met Charlie, she would have assumed that the blonde had flown off the handle and went topless in public. But the pictures she’d viewed were of her lover relaxing in the privacy of her own yard even though the article claimed she went off the deep end after hearing that her show was canceled and went topless at a party where the guests were visibly shocked. Of course her first encounter with the popular actress consisted of walking in on her while she was drunk as a skunk and sandwiched between two naked women. Not the best first impression but they were able to laugh about it now. "I’m waiting, George," Nadine hissed.

"I don’t know, boss," George confessed.

"Nadine," a calm voice greeted her. She turned to find Evie looking at her worriedly.

"Where is she?" Nadine asked, suddenly feeling like she wanted to cry.

"Locked in her trailer throwing the mother of all fits," Evie wearily informed her.

"I’m on my way," Nadine reassured her lover’s sister as she tore a determined path outside to Charlie’s private trailer.

Nadine shuddered as she heard the constant stream of curses emanating from inside the trailer. When Charlie’s emotions ran this high, there was very little anyone could do to calm her down. "Except . . . ," Nadine whispered with a smile as she pulled the key she kept to the dressing room from her pocket.

"Stupid lying motherfuckingratbastards!" Charlie screamed as she threw a chair across the tiny trailer.

Nadine was stunned for a brief moment. It had been a long time since she’d witnessed her lover behaving in such a manner. Nadine closed the door behind her and dropped her bag on the floor. She locked the door and looked to ensure that the windows were shut and the curtains drawn. The security specialist was very well aware all bets on the crew’s loyalty were off now that the show was ending.

"Rough day?" Nadine quipped.

Charlie spun around and there was no mistaking the fiery look in the blonde’s eyes. She stood there breathing heavily with her fists clenched by her sides. "What do you care?" Charlie hissed. It was the reaction Nadine had expected and she knew the cure that would put her lover back on an even keel. Nadine closed the distance between them. Charlie tried to push her away. Nadine halted the smaller woman’s movements by capturing her in her arms. She bent down and roughly claimed the blonde’s lips. Charlie resisted only briefly before she returned the kiss with fervor.

"I care," Nadine whispered hotly in her lover’s ear as she nibbled on the soft lobe. "You know I care," she continued as her hands grasped the hem of the tiny T-shirt the blonde was wearing. "Let me show you how much I care, baby," Nadine whispered as she yanked the T-shirt up over Charlie’s breasts. The low sensual growl the blonde released sent a shiver down the brunette’s spine. Nadine dipped her tongue in her lover’s ear, while her hands began to fondle her lover’s breasts.

Charlie gripped the brunette’s hips as she began to grind her body urgently against her lover. "You’re so hot, baby," Nadine encouraged her lover as she began to kiss her way down the blonde’s neck. She understood her lover and now was not the time to try and discuss things in a reasonable manner. Charlie needed the release only an intense sexual encounter could bring. "I know what you need." Nadine’s husky tone echoed her thoughts while she unclasped her lover’s bra.

She rolled the blonde’s nipples between her long fingers as Charlie thrust harder against her. Charlie’s moans urged her on as she suckled the pulse point on the blonde’s neck harshly. Nadine could feel her own desire growing as her lover laced her fingers through her long dark hair and roughly guided her down to her heaving chest. "Show me what you’ve got, hot stuff," Charlie demanded as her body arched and she pressed one of her breasts against Nadine’s eagerly awaiting lips.

Nadine captured the rose-colored bud between her lips and began to suckle it greedily while she ran her free hand down the front of her lover’s body and slipped it between her thighs. Charlie hissed as Nadine cupped her mound and began to tease her with the heel of her hand. "Nadine," Charlie panted urgently. "I’ve missed you so much." Nadine’s heart was racing as the blonde gyrated against her touch. Nadine tugged on her lover’s erect nipple with her teeth before her mouth kissed and tasted its way over to its eagerly awaiting twin. The brunette could feel her lover’s body trembling as she lavished her other nipple with the same fiery attention. Charlie was panting and groaning as Nadine feasted upon her breasts.

Nadine was panting in unison with her as she finally released her lover’s breasts from the warmth of her mouth. Her hands quickly flew down to the zipper of her lover’s jeans. The brunette didn’t waste any time as she undid the zipper and yanked Charlie’s jeans down her creamy firm thighs. She backed the blonde up to the sofa as Charlie began to undo the buttons on Nadine’s blouse. The blonde’s fingers clenched the soft material of Nadine’s blouse when the brunette’s fingers dipped into her wetness. "Have you been thinking about me?" Nadine demanded as she ran her fingers along the slick folds.

"Can’t you feel how much I’ve missed you?" Charlie whimpered as her eyes fluttered shut. "How much I want you?"

"This is for me?" Nadine quipped as she brushed her thumb across Charlie’s throbbing clit.

"Yes," Charlie choked out as she thrust against Nadine’s touch. "I’m yours. Take me."

Charlie’s lustful pleas almost sent the brunette over the edge. Nadine silently wished that they had more time to enjoy the impromptu reunion; instead she knew that they had to settle for the intense encounter they were now sharing. She lowered Charlie down onto the sofa and parted the blonde’s thighs with her knee. Charlie was gasping as she squirmed beneath Nadine’s body. She cried out as Nadine entered her warm wet center. "I can’t wait to get you home tonight," Nadine confessed in a needy tone as she began to plunge in and out of her lover’s wetness. Charlie was unable to answer; her hips bucked urgently against Nadine’s hand and her head thrashed back and forth.

Charlie gripped the cushions of the sofa violently as Nadine’s fingers increased their rhythm. Nadine could feel the blonde’s clit pulsating against her thumb as she teased it. "Harder," Charlie pleaded as her hips rose up off the sofa. Nadine granted her lover’s request as she slipped another finger deep inside of her. She felt the walls of the blonde’s center tightening around her. Knowing that her lover was about to explode, Nadine leaned down and captured Charlie in a fiery kiss. Soon their tongues were wrapped around one another as their hips swayed in a sensual rhythm.

Charlie screamed into the warmth of Nadine’s mouth as the brunette continued to pleasure her. Nadine moaned as her lover tore her lips away from her own. Charlie’s body convulsed beneath her as the blonde screamed in ecstasy. "Oh god, oh god, oh god," Charlie chanted repeatedly as Nadine’s agile fingers continued to pleasure her. Needing to send her lover into the abyss, the brunette reached beneath the blonde’s body and collected her passion on her fingers. "Yes," Charlie cried out as Nadine painted the tiny puckered opening. Gently the brunette teased the opening with the tip of her finger as she watched her lover fall further into oblivion.

Charlie’s face was flushed and her entire body trembled as Nadine gently slipped inside her. Nadine felt her lover clawing her clothing as she filled her completely. She felt Charlie collapse, her body still quivering. Nadine lifted up slightly as she stared lovingly down at her sated lover. She waited until Charlie’s body stilled before slipping her fingers from the warmth of her lover’s body. Charlie whimpered in protest as Nadine simply smiled.

She left her lover sprawled across the sofa as she went to the mini-refrigerator and retrieved a bottle of water. She leaned over Charlie and kissed her quickly before placing the bottle in the blonde’s trembling hand. Charlie’s eyes drifted open before she struggled to sit up. After gulping down the entire bottle of water, the blonde brushed back her sweaty bangs and began to adjust her clothing. "I needed that," Charlie choked out.

"I could tell," Nadine said with a smirk as she sat down beside her lover.

"Oh," Charlie responded with a pout.

"I needed it too," Nadine reassured the blonde. "I’ve missed you, Charlie," she added as she wrapped her lover up in a warm embrace.

"Wait," Charlie said suddenly as she pulled out of the embrace. "Why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be in Hawaii with that bleached blonde freak?"

"You have quite a way with words; did anyone ever tell you that?" Nadine teased.

"Constantly." Charlie smiled in agreement. "So why are you here? You were in the middle of an assignment."

"Which I kicked over to Doug," Nadine sheepishly explained. "As soon as I heard about the show, I was on the next plane. Why didn’t you call me?"

"I didn’t want to seem like an needy insecure goober," Charlie mumbled.

"Honey, I love you, but you are a needy insecure goober," Nadine explained carefully. "You’re an actress; the two are synonymous."

"It’s nice to know you hold my profession in such high esteem," Charlie groused. "So I take it you saw the paper."

"Yes, I did," Nadine teased. "Imagine my surprise when I landed at LAX and saw my girlfriend and her boobies splashed across the front of the Informer."

"It’s not what you think," Charlie blurted out. "I didn’t flash anyone. I haven’t been drinking and I’m not devastated about the show being canned. I’m not thrilled either but it happens and we knew it was coming."

"I know that, honey," Nadine reassured the blonde. She was proud of how much Charlie had grown in the year they’d been together. "I certainly know what our backyard looks like."

"You should. You’ve certainly taken advantage of me enough times out there," Charlie teased.

"Taken advantage of you?" Nadine laughed. "Right."

"Don’t worry about it; I’ll just sue the buggers," Charlie asserted.

"It’s going to take more than that," Nadine corrected her. "By the time it goes to court, the damage to your sweet image will have been done."

"Time to circle the wagons, boss?" Charlie asked with a drawl.

"Yes, ma’am," Nadine confirmed. "Which shouldn’t be too hard since I saw a bunch parked out front."

"That’s for the next episode." Charlie laughed.

"Tell me about the show being canceled," Nadine urged.

"Not much to tell," Charlie said with a shrug. "The studio wanted to talk about renewing my contract, and the suits figured out that I wasn’t going to. So to make it look like they actually work for a living, they canceled it. But not really."

"What do you mean ‘not really’?" Nadine asked in confusion.

"The show is still going to finish out the upcoming season," Charlie explained. "I’m staying on until my contract runs out."

"So they fired you before you could quit, but you’re still working for them as long as you would have anyway?" Nadine processed out loud.

"Right," Charlie confirmed.

"I’ll never understand this business," Nadine snorted.

"But it’s good news," Charlie tried to explain. "I know it looks bad that I was canceled, and trust me, that is how it looks. Not that the show was canceled but I was. But I have a really good feeling about that independent I shot during hiatus. I put some of my own money in to step up the release date so it’ll be competing at all the film festivals while I’m still on the air. Plus Evie and I had a feeling that the studio was going to pull the plug, so we got together with the writers and most of the slated directors and everyone agreed to start doing more of what we want."

"Really?" Nadine blinked in surprise.

"Hey, why not? We’re all out of work in a few months and the studio can’t say Jack about it," Charlie boasted. "So we finally get to turn a good product."

"I’m proud of you, Charlie," Nadine responded sincerely as she kissed the back of her lover’s hand.

"Thank you," Charlie shyly responded.

"Now it’s my turn to make you proud of me," Nadine continued.

"You just did," Charlie purred as she wiggled her eyebrows in a suggestive manner.

"Oh, that was nothing," Nadine vowed. "I was talking about proving how good I am at being your security specialist."

Nadine searched her pockets and retrieved her cell phone. She punched in a number quickly. "Tell him it’s Nadine Foster," she announced when the call was answered. She smiled as the call was quickly transferred to the man she needed to speak to.

"Nadine, what’s wrong did my last check bounce?" the man joked.

"Of course not." Nadine laughed. "Just wondering what you had scheduled for tonight."

"Why?" he eagerly inquired.

"How about an interview with Charlene Jones?" Nadine offered sweetly.

"Don’t toy with me. Do you have any idea how hot she is right now?" he almost begged.

"Now you know I never tease," Nadine purred. "And yes, I know how hot she is. So should I swing over there with her tonight?"

"My secretary is already calling the PR guys," he gushed. "Please tell me she’s going to get back at those slimy bastards?"

"Oh yeah," Nadine confidently answered him. "See you in a couple of hours."

"I take it I’m busy tonight," Charlie noted with a sly smile.

"Yes, you are," Nadine returned with a smile of her own. "I just need to make one more call." She dialed the second number quickly. "Gus, it’s Foster. Are you still keeping tabs on that sleaze bucket Jerry Rainer?"

"Yup," Gus snorted.

"Has he made any large deposits lately?" Nadine asked. Her pulse started beating a little faster.

"Day before yesterday," Gus confirmed. "Do I need to tell you who cut the check?"

"No," Nadine snorted. "Just fax everything over to my office."

"Done," Gus agreed.

"So you think its Rainer again?" Charlie asked as Nadine finished her call.

"Yes, I do," Nadine responded. "I think he just got lucky with the timing. The show being axed was perfect. Now I figure he took the pictures a few days ago or last week. You never sunbathe or skinny dip when Evie is around."

"She went out of town last weekend," Charlie confirmed. "But it could have been anytime before that since she and George like to spend their weekends together."

"True, but those other times I was around," Nadine explained. "And if I’d been around, I think that those pictures would have been a lot more interesting. Now what I need you to do is to get back to work and tell Evie to remind your loving parents that the checks stop if they give any interviews."

It broke Nadine’s heart the way Charlie flinched when she mentioned her parents. "I’m sorry, Charlie, but if it looks like you’re about to crash and burn, they’ll try and cash in," Nadine softly explained.

"You’re right," Charlie responded in a dejected tone. "Knowing them, they’re probably already booked on Good Morning America."

Nadine laid out the details of her plan and both of them went back to work. Nadine felt a rush of adrenaline all day as the pieces began to fit together. Before they had arrived at their destination for the evening, Evie had already filed a lawsuit against Rainer and the sleazy tabloid. Thanks to Gus they already had everything they needed to nail at least Rainer and have the so-called paper willing to settle. She’d loved working with Gus ever since the two of them had been in the Secret Service together. With the old man’s contacts, Nadine could find out things about anyone. Charlie’s parents had been warned and what they chose to do after that was up to them.

Now Nadine was standing beside her lover in the wings of the television studio. She always felt a rush as her lover was about to be introduced on stage. "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the Tonight Show - Charlene Jones," Jay announced as the crowd erupted. Nadine gave her lover’s hand a gentle squeeze before the blonde sashayed out onto the stage.

The host and Charlie exchanged hellos and kisses before the blonde took her seat. "So what’s new?" Jay inquired casually. The crowd burst into laughter.

"Not much," Charlie responded calmly. Once again the crowd was pleased. Nadine smiled, knowing that the talk show host hadn’t had this much fun or a chance at better ratings since Hugh Grant got caught with his fly down.

"Read anything good in the paper lately?" the host continued to play along.

"Can’t say that I have," Charlie said with a confident smile. "Have you?" she teased in a slightly suggestive tone.

"I did catch a little something," he hedged.

"Little?" Charlie laughed.

"Well, not little," he corrected himself with a blush.

"Tell me you didn’t look at those pictures," Charlie taunted him.

"I may have glanced at them," he stammered playfully. "You know, for research."

"Uh huh," Charlie continued to play along. "So it was purely professional?"

"Exactly," he exclaimed. "Seriously when it hit the news and the papers this morning, it must have been upsetting."

"Well, I have a confession to make," Charlie began seriously. "I actually cussed."

"No?" he gasped mockingly.

"It’s true," Charlie explained in an innocent tone. "I used some words that I’m certain Tilly never heard of."

"I can imagine." He laughed. "It did sound like a fun party from what I read, you know, when I was skimming through the pages."

"It did. I wish I could have been there," Charlie retorted.

"Me too," he played along with a slight leer.

"Weren’t you? I thought I read that you were," Charlie teased.

"Did I enjoy myself?" He laughed once again.

"I hope so," Charlie gasped. "Now I know you know where those pictures were taken."

Nadine was bursting with pride; her lover had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand. "Yes," he confirmed. "And I must say I enjoyed myself."

"Your wife seemed to have a good time too," Charlie said. "But enough about those pictures. I’m sure no one wants to hear what really happened." She brushed aside the notion as the audience groaned. "Should I tell them?" she asked innocently as the audience cheered her own.

"I think you should before we have a stampede," he prompted her.

"My backyard," Charlie informed the audience. They seemed outraged that her privacy had been invaded. "They’re more upset than I was." Charlie laughed.

"You know, I think Jennifer Anniston knows a good lawyer," the host suggested.

"Really?" Charlie smiled. "I honestly couldn’t believe it when I saw the pictures. They must have been taken just a few days ago. I was alone in my yard sunbathing since, as you know, the only other person who lives with me is my sister. The next thing I know, my girls are being flashed all over town."

"So it was recent?" he continued to play along, fueled on by the audience.

"It must have been," she explained. "I don’t normally sunbathe without my top on, but I have this costume in an upcoming episode where my tan line here would be seen," Charlie explained as she motioned to her shoulder blades. "That’s the whole sordid story."

"You know, that ticks me off," he said in sincerity. "That someone would climb a fence and take your picture while you’re just relaxing in your backyard. I‘ve been to your house and that’s a very tall wall"

"It is. I certainly wouldn’t try to scale it. But what can I do?" Charlie shrugged. "Unfortunately these things do happen to people in my business. All I can do is take these folks to court and hope for the best. That and run around to every newsstand in the area with a big Magic Marker."

"I’m glad I already have my copy," he quipped as Charlie laughed. "Speaking of the show."

"Thank you." She sighed in relief.

"We could keep talking about your breasts," he suggested.

"We could since I don’t think they’ve gotten this much attention in years," Charlie groaned.

"Speaking of the show." He chuckled. "Ghost Town."

"Yes, Ghost Town," Charlie sighed once again.

"Canceled?" he said sadly as the audience groaned.

"It’s true," Charlie confirmed with a frown. "It was going to be our last season anyway. We’ll run a full season, and then that’s it." Charlie thanked the audience when they cheered upon hearing that there would be a full season.

"What do you mean it was the last season?" he prompted her.

"My contract was up and I wasn’t going to sign on again." Charlie winced slightly at the confession.

"Oh, so it’s your fault?" he scoffed.

"I’m afraid so," she admitted.

Nadine felt her cell phone vibrating; she stepped aside as her lover continued to plug the upcoming season and her new movie. "Gus?" she whispered into the phone. "You know what to do."

"Oh yeah," Gus confirmed. "He’s already taken the bait. I’ll have them for you tonight before they air the talk show."

"I owe you one," Nadine thanked him.

"No worries, kid," Gus reassured her. "I love sticking it to guys like Rainer. Did you find the weak link yet?"

"Yes," she informed him. "It wasn’t hard; a routine check on the financials gave us our guy."

Nadine wrapped up her call, returned to the obscurity of the wings, and watched as the next guest was introduced. Throughout the show the guests and the host had a good time playing up Charlie’s misfortune. The audience loved it. Nadine was quite certain that after the show aired many people would be willing to hunt down whoever took the pictures. "She’s really on tonight," a voice whispered beside her.

"I know," Nadine said with a proud smile. "What are you doing here, Amanda?"

"I was bumped for Charlie." The actress shrugged. "Thought I’d stick around and watch the fireworks. You should know that I got a call from The Morning Show."

"What about?" Nadine asked as she turned to the woman who had once been Charlie’s live-in lover.

"The Jones’ were scheduled to be on tomorrow," Amanda explained. "It seems my name came up in the preliminary interview."

"Bastards," Nadine growled. "They think Charlie’s career is over and they’re trying to cash in by selling her out."

"I’m not surprised," Amanda snorted. "I’ll never understand how those two brought two people as sweet as Charlie and Evie into this world. Anyhow, the interview has been squashed."

"What did you do?" Nadine chuckled as she watched her lover tease the next guest.

"Nothing much," Amanda whispered. "I just told them that there wasn’t any truth to what the Jones’ said and then I may have revealed a few things about them that might prove embarrassing. And it wouldn’t make them look sympathetic in the eyes of their viewers."

"Nothing like letting them know that their guest is a drunken wife beater who sponges off his kid’s success to put a damper on things," Nadine said with a smirk. "You probably pointed out that your show is in the top ten right now as well."

"I may have pointed that out," Amanda hedged. "Plus I have to do a couple of appearances next month. No big deal."

"You’re a good friend," Nadine thanked her.

"What can I say? Charlie’s a special girl," Amanda said with a hint of regret. "So, stud muffin, are you going to draw and quarter the scum bag who took the pictures?"

"I’m working on it," Nadine reassured her. "I’m getting copies of the originals tonight. I should be able to figure out how far away the photographer was when they were taken."

"Can you do that?" Amanda asked. "I mean with some of these lenses these creeps can be the legal distance away. Remember what happened to me in Greece."

"You were on a public beach with a married woman," Nadine grumbled. "What happened to Charlie is the same thing that happened to Mrs. Pitt."

"She won that, right?" Amanda asked.

"Settled before the trial started." Nadine smirked, knowing that Charlie had a good chance for the same results, if not better. "Looks like they’re wrapping up," Nadine noted as the lights started to come up.

Charlie and Amanda mingled with the other celebrities while Nadine checked in with Gus. She had George take Charlie home while she went to meet with him. Nadine was practically walking on air as she pulled up to the security booth set up outside of the community where she and Charlie lived. She had almost everything she needed and now was the time to pull it all together.

"Do I want to know what’s going on?" Evie questioned her when she opened the front door for the tall brunette. "Why are Bruno and Roger here?"

"Just in case I need backup," Nadine explained as she began to lay out some files on the coffee table in the living room. "Trust me, Evie, the lawyer in you is going to love this," she added with a wink. "Just keep Charlie from going ballistic and everything will be just fine."

Evie blew out an exasperated breath as the front door bell chimed. "Show time." Nadine beamed as she motioned for Bruno to escort their guest inside.

"I love it when you have that evil look your eyes, darling," Charlie exclaimed as she entered the room. "You can make me look positively saintly. What’s up? Did you finally shoot the Miller’s dog?"

"No," Nadine scoffed. "Just have a seat and be good."

"I’m always good," Charlie purred as Nadine guided her over to the sofa to take a seat next to her sister. "I love it when she gets like this; it makes me positively frisky," she whispered in a conspiratorial tone. "Hey Bobby," Charlie greeted the young bulky security guard as he entered the room.

"Hello, Miss Jones," the shy young man greeted her.

"How’s Sherry?" the blonde inquired about his wife.

"She’s fine and she thanks you for the cookies," he responded sweetly.

"Well, have a seat and tell us what brings you by here so late," Charlie continued. "Nothing has happened out front, has it?"

"Uh no, Miss Jones," the tall man explained. "I just got off duty and was told to drop by here."

"Don’t bother sitting, Bobby," Nadine broke into the conversation just as the man was just about to sit down.

"Nadine?" Charlie said in surprise.

Nadine simply cast a warning glance at her lover. "Trust me; this won’t take long," she explained as Bruno and Roger positioned themselves behind the security guard. "Bobby, do you like working here? You know, down at the front gate signing folks in and out of this neighborhood?"

"Yes, ma’am," Bobby said with a smile. "I mean, it gets a little dull down at the booth sometimes, and it isn’t as exciting as what you folks do. But yeah, I like it just fine."

Nadine smiled, knowing that the young man probably assumed that she was about to offer him a job with her firm. "Too bad your boss is going to fire you when you walk out of here tonight," Nadine dryly informed him.

"Huh?" he gasped in horror. "I don’t understand."

"Sure you do," Nadine taunted him.

"But why?" the large man stammered as his face turned pale.

"Because you took money and allowed someone to sneak into the neighborhood so they could climb up onto the roof of this house and take pictures of Miss Jones while she was relaxing in her pool," she explained with a cocky smirk.

"But I didn’t," he protested as Nadine leaned down and pulled a photocopy from the files on the table.

"That’s a lot a money that suddenly showed up in your bank account," Nadine explained as she handed him the photocopy.

"Shame on you, Bobby," Charlie scolded the man.

"I didn’t," he argued as he cast a sheepish look over at the blonde. "I won it at the track."

"Then the IRS will have a record of it," Nadine cut him off. "But before you claim you lost all that information, you should look at this."

Triumphantly she handed him a second photocopy. This one was of the canceled check with his signature. "How did you . . . ?" he mumbled as he stared at the piece of paper.

"Because unlike you, I’m very good at my job," Nadine bluntly explained. "Mr. Rainer is a very generous man."

"You fucking dyke," the man screamed as his face changed from stunned innocence to rage. He reached out to grab Nadine only to be captured in Bruno and Roger’s beefy hands.

"Such language," Charlie gasped in horror.

Nadine chuckled as she recalled the colorful language the blonde had used just a few short hours ago as she tossed furniture around her trailer. Bobby tried squirming to free himself; despite his massive size he was no match for the large men holding him back. "You’re both a couple of fucking dykes," he spat out.

"Again with the language?" Charlie shuddered. "And for your information, neither Nadine or I are dykes."

"Everyone knows she’s fucking you," Bobby hissed in disgust.

"Bobby, as I was saying before you so rudely interrupted, we are not dykes. We’re lesbians. A lesbian is a woman who loves other women. A dyke on the other hand is a woman in desperate need of a fashion coordinator," Charlie surmised before turning to her sister. "I can’t believe I baked his wife cookies."

"Now as educational as that was, I think we need to start focusing on the bigger picture here, don’t you, Bobby?" Nadine interjected.

"Yeah, and the bigger picture is that I just heard her admit she’s a dyke. Oh, excuse me, a lesbian." He cackled.

"See? He’s learning," Charlie said with a smile. "Pity he can’t read."

"Huh?" Bobby stuttered.

"Bobby, you signed a very lengthy document when your employer hired you," Evie informed him with a confident smile. "The binding nondisclosure agreement all employees sign was one of the reasons we chose to live here. You say one word about any of the residents’ private lives and you have to fork over every penny the company paid you. You do recall signing that agreement, don’t you?"

"Yes," he responded weakly as he stopped struggling. "You’d do that, wouldn’t you?"

"Yes, Bobby, we would," Nadine harshly confirmed. "Isn’t that what you tried to do to Miss Jones?"

"It was just a couple of pictures," he protested.

"That almost ended her career," Nadine bluntly informed him. "Just like you, because of what you did she stood to lose everything." She could tell by the guilty expression that crossed his face that the greedy man had never stopped to think about his actions. "Now once again I’m asking you to focus on the bigger picture. It sucks that you’re now unemployed, but right now you should be more worried about staying out of jail."

"Jail?" he squeaked as his eyes bulged out.

Nadine sighed heavily as she dug once again through the files. She handed him a photograph. "This could get you sent to jail," she explained. She reached out and slapped him as his eyes went directly to Charlie’s half-naked body. "Not her, you pig," she hissed. She’d been dying to slap someone since she first encountered the photos. "Look at the water in the pool and tell me what you see." Bobby moaned as he saw the image that had been cut out of the picture when Rainer sold it. "There he is, standing on the roof of this house because you let him in to trespass. Bobby, I don’t think you’re a bad guy; you just got greedy. But this man might not have been some photographer looking to score some big bucks. He could have been some knife-wielding maniac. Did you even bother to find out who he really was?" She could see the guilt written on his face. "Let him go. I think Bobby is ready to do the right thing and keep himself from being arrested."

The boys released their hold on the man as Nadine explained that all she wanted was a written statement to everything that had transpired between him and Rainer. He told his story as Evie wrote it down and then he signed it, agreeing to give a formal deposition if they needed him to do so. The large man muttered something slightly resembling an apology before Bruno and Roger escorted him to see his boss.

"Well done," Charlie congratulated Nadine. "It’s no small wonder I love you."

"I love you too," Nadine said with a smile. "Turn on the television; you should be on soon. I’ll make some snacks."

"The interview went well, didn’t it?" Charlie beamed. "For the first time I got to act a little grownup and human in public. It felt good."

"You done good, baby," Nadine applauded her. "I think after the public sees it, the studio will be begging you to do another season."

The public response to Charlie’s appearance was just what Nadine had predicted it would be. The new scripts upset the studio but the cast and crew were thrilled with the finished product. Months later Charlie’s star was shining brighter than ever as she, with Nadine and Evie by her side, sat in the conference room located in the law offices of Bridgman, Sterner & Stone. The legal council for the tabloid was poring over the evidence; it included Rainer on tape with Gus who pretended to be an avid fan as the photographer sold him copies of the original photographs. On the tape, Rainer was his usual egotistical self as he boasted about how he’d climbed up onto the roof of Charlie’s house. Rainer was also present for the meeting. Unlike the lawyers who seemed very disturbed by what they were seeing and hearing, Rainer looked like he didn’t have a care in the world.

Nadine didn’t know whether to applaud the man’s bravado or berate him for his stupidity. The lead attorney released a heavy sigh as he pushed the documents back to Evie. "A million five," he offered gravely. "And we get to say that our client knew nothing about the deception."

"What?" Rainer balked as his greasy hair fell in his face.

"I’m assuming that you would like the check made out to your favorite charity?" the lawyer asked Charlie, ignoring the infuriated photographer’s outburst.

"The National Child Abuse Hotline," Charlie informed him confidently.

"Done," the lawyer agreed as he, his co-workers, and the stenographer stood. "I’ll send you the paperwork, Evie."

"What’s going on?" Rainer demanded as he pounded his fist on the table. "You’re just going to fold and pay her?"

"Yes," the attorney supplied matter-of-factly. "I have no idea what you’re planning to do. But we just settled."

"Hold on! We had a deal," Rainer fumed.

"Yes, you had an agreement with our client for legal assistance in this matter," the lawyer explained with a hint of amusement. "An agreement you broke when you sold the photos in question to a third party. You’re on your own. Ladies, feel free to use the conference room so you can continue your discussion with Mr. Rainer."

"Thank you," Charlie accepted as the men made their way out the door.

"Oh, and Miss Jones, is there any chance the show will continue next season?" the lead attorney suddenly gushed. "My wife and I just love it." Nadine bit back a laugh as she stood and drew the curtains in the room, blocking the activities from being seen.

"Aren’t you just the sweetest thing?" Charlie flirted with the older man. "I’m not sure what will be happening, but I’ll drop you a note when I find out."

"And maybe an autograph?" the lawyer added like a star-struck schoolboy.

"I’ll send one out first thing," Charlie promised as she batted her eyes.

"I’ll fight you on this," Rainer vowed once the four of them were alone in the room. "I have the first amendment on my side."

"Shove it, you greasy little rat," Charlie spat at him.

Rainer jumped back, genuinely surprised by the demur woman’s outburst. "Nadine, are you sure I can’t beat him up?" Charlie continued as Rainer started to squirm in his chair.

"Not today, Miss Jones," Nadine quipped with an evil smile. "Jerry, we don’t care about the lawsuit since we know that Miss Jones will win. The recording of you boasting about how you got the pictures, plus having the originals and Bobby’s signed statement, will ensure that you won’t be left with a proverbial pot to pee in."

"But I don’t have anything," the man whined pathetically.

"Yeah, we know." Nadine chuckled. "Not to worry; we’ll figure something out. In the meantime I’d like to offer you a chance to keep your fat ass out of prison." Rainer simply sneered in disbelief. "Stalking laws here in the state of California are very harsh."

"Stalking?" Rainer laughed.

"If you read Bobby’s statement, you’ll see that it’s very through," Nadine explained as she moved into a position so she could look down at the little weasel. "That day on the roof wasn’t the first time you were on Miss Jones’ property. About a year ago you were lurking around her windows late one night." Nadine smiled as the man turned pale and beads of sweat began to form on his brow. "Then there’s the statement from a Miss Suzette Summers." He blinked in confusion. "You know her as Suzie, one of the prostitutes you hired to seduce Miss Jones over a year ago. You know, the jury is going to love that story, not to mention that she and her co-worker missed their target because Miss Jones was at the Children’s Hospital talking with sick kids when it happened."

"I still can’t believe they screwed that up," Rainer bitterly muttered.

"Well, Crystal can be very convincing," Nadine lied as Charlie began choke.

"What do you want from me?" the man squealed, begging for mercy. "I told you I don’t have anything. Just a stack of bills and my car."

"We want it all," Nadine growled. "Not the bills or that worn-down piece of shit you drive. We want every photo, negative, file, and scrap of paper you have regarding my client. And an agreement that you will stay at least six hundred yards away from her and never bother her or her family again. Plus we want to know who."

"Who what?" he stammered in confusion.

"Who it was that sent you after Miss Jones in the first place," Nadine demanded.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about." He trembled.

"Sure you do, Jerry," Nadine pressed. "The whole gay thing. It didn’t just pop out of thin air. Someone convinced you that it was true."

"I never believed it," he tried to explain. "But I thought, what the hell? I mean she’s Tilly; it could mean big bucks for me, you know."

"So you hired Suzie and her friend," Nadine encouraged him to continue. "Why two girls?"

"She said that she was really into it," Jerry lamely confessed.

Nadine looked at her lover; she seemed to be lost in confusion until her emerald eyes widened in horror. ‘I know I don’t want to know about this,’ Nadine mentally groaned. "Who was it, Jerry?" Nadine pressed as she continued to tower over him. The photographer almost fell out his chair when her eyes turned icy.

"Randi Ralston," he blurted out. "I had pictures of her and she offered me a trade for someone bigger."

"Good boy," Nadine congratulated him. "We’ll send the papers over to you to sign; don’t even think about trying back out of it. Ladies, let’s go."

Nadine was far too furious to enjoy the victory as the three of them marched out of the office building. Once they were safely in the limo Nadine had hired for the day, Evie turned to Charlie in shock. "Randi Ralston?" she asked in bewilderment as Charlie buried her face in her hands.

"Who is Randi Ralston?" Nadine demanded as she felt her lover trembling beside her.

Charlie’s head jerked up and she turned to Nadine with a shocked expression. "Did you never watch television before we met?" the blonde exclaimed in amazement. "Parker House? The Mainers? She has two Emmys."

"Well, goodie for her," Nadine scoffed. "What does she have to do with all of this?"

"About six years ago she was a big name in this town," Charlie began to explain. "So big that she was the one originally cast as Tilly in Ghost Town."

"And you were cast as her sister," Nadine processed aloud.

"Right," Charlie confirmed.

"But she pulled out and you got her part," Nadine continued, still not understanding how any of what Charlie was saying could eventually lead two prostitutes in her hotel room.

"Now you understand what happened?" Charlie sighed in relief.

"No," Nadine sputtered.

"Before production began, she suggested that we get together at her place one night to talk about the show," Charlie shyly began. "I swear I had no idea she had a girlfriend when we started messing around in that hot tub. When that woman walked in on us, I about bolted out of there, ready to run screaming naked through Hollywood Hills thinking her girlfriend was about chop me up in little bits."

"Do you ever stop to breathe?" Nadine groaned. "Let me guess. The girlfriend wasn’t angry."

"Hell no! She liked it," Charlie continued wearily. "Nadine, it was a long time ago before you and I ever met. I was single and lonely."

"And you were just being a handful." Nadine laughed as Evie snorted. "It’s all right, Charlie. I’m not angry. I’m not thrilled but I’m not angry. So why does Randi have it in for you now?"

"She’s Tilly," Evie flatly explained.

"And didn’t this woman drop out of the pilot because she had other offers?" Nadine asked, constantly confused by the way the entertainment industry operated.

"Three failed pilots and a movie that ended up going direct to video," Evie supplied. "Last I heard she was doing Porky’s Forty-Seven."

"Now I understand," Nadine confirmed. "Rainer caught her doing something she shouldn’t be doing and she sacrificed you since you have everything she thinks she deserves. I swear I will never understand why you enjoy working in this business."

"It’s fun," Charlie merrily quipped as Nadine rolled her eyes.

Once they arrived home Evie went straight to bed. Nadine was exhausted and eager to retire to her own room. "I’m heading down to my room," she said, hoping her lover would accept the unspoken invitation.

"When are you going to move out of the guest room?" Charlie timidly asked.

"What?" Nadine responded in confusion. She thought they both understood why they needed to maintain separate bedrooms. Charlie just looked up at her with a sad expression. "Charlie, I swear I don’t understand what goes on in that pretty head of yours. After the bullet you just dodged, why even ask me that?"

"Because I’ve dodged a lot of bullets because of my lifestyle and the freaks that claim that they’re my parents. And you can only dodge so many bullets before you get hit," Charlie explained. "The show is wrapping up and I’m moving on to more adult and liberal projects. I’m tired of missing you. I’m tired of not being able to just go away on vacation with the woman I love. And I’m very tired of living under the same roof with you and having separate bedrooms. No one but our friends come in here, and yes, I know that your room has no windows and mine does and another Rainer could pop out of the woodwork. You’re good at taking care of me. But some day the doodie is going to hit the fan and I’d rather be lying next to you when it does than hiding in a closet."

"Did you just say doodie?" Nadine laughed as she closed the gap between them.

"I believe I did," Charlie asserted. "Nadine, are you happy with all of the lies we tell every day to protect my career and the constant strain it puts on our relationship?"

"No," Nadine confessed as she wrapped her arms around her lover’s petite body. "I hate it and every day I resent it just a little more."

"And someday you‘ll end up resenting me for it," Charlie added as she leaned her head into Nadine’s chest. "You heard Rainer today; he still doesn’t think I’m gay. But he was willing to say I was for a couple of bucks. Honey, those scandal sheets accuse everyone of being gay. The rumors are inevitable. So let’s just forget about it. What’s the worst that can happen? I’ll become a lesbian icon and stopped being cast as a teenager."

"That would be so cool," Nadine said brightly as her hands began to caress her lover’s shoulders.

"What? My being cast as an adult?" Charlie asked.

"No, you being a lesbian icon. I’ll be the envy of every gay woman out there," Nadine teased.

"Keep it up, hot stuff," Charlie played along as she poked Nadine in the chest with her finger.

"Oh no! You called me hot stuff; that can only mean one thing," Nadine said with a grin.

"Oh yeah," Charlie concurred in a breathy tone as she captured Nadine’s hand in her own. "That means I plan on taking advantage of you."

Nadine turned to lead them down to her bedroom. Her movements were halted when Charlie tugged her in the other direction. "Upstairs," the blonde commanded as she pulled the tall brunette towards her bedroom. "No more sleeping in the guest room for either of us," Charlie explained.

"What if we have a fight?" Nadine teased as she wrapped her arms around her lover from behind.

"Then we have to make up before going to bed," Charlie reasoned as she leaned into Nadine’s embrace.

Nadine tilted her head and began to kiss the nape of her lover’s neck. Charlie released a soft moan as she placed her small hands over Nadine’s. "Slowly," Charlie whispered. "I need to go slowly tonight. I need to show you how much I love you."

"We can take all night to show each other how much we love one another," Nadine promised. "I love you, Charlie," she added before she tilted her lover’s head back and claimed her lips in soft sensual kiss. Charlie turned in her arms as the kiss ended. Slowly they began to remove one another’s clothing. As each garment was dropped to the floor, they shared another tender promising kiss. They stood in the darkness fully revealed to each other.

Their fingers shyly caressed and explored each curve of the other’s body. "I started to fall in love with you the first day I met you," Nadine said as the tips of her fingers brushed along her lover’s cheekbone and down her soft neck. "When we were on the way to hospital and you asked about your sister. That told me that you had every intention of making the visit with those sick kids real. It was the first time I caught a glimpse at what a truly remarkable woman you are."

Charlie blushed as Nadine’s fingers drifted along the blonde’s shoulders. "I first started to fall for you when you wouldn’t take any guff from me and kept shoving me back into that ice cold shower so I’d sober up." Charlie softly laughed as her hands caressed Nadine’s hips. "I love the way your skin tingles when I touch you."

Charlie’s fingers continued to glide along her exposed flesh and Nadine allowed her hands to explore the blonde’s delicate face and smooth shoulders. "And I love the way you can’t breathe when I touch you," Nadine whispered.

"I can’t, you know," Charlie agreed as she wet her lips. "I just look at you and you steal my breath away."

They continued exploring one another with soft gentle touches, stealing promising kisses along the way. Nadine could feel her lover’s heart beating in a steady rhythm against her chest. They never broke the embrace as Charlie guided them towards the bed and lowered Nadine down. The brunette moaned softly as she felt her lover’s body melting into her own. She ran her fingers through Charlie’s long blonde hair. The brunette’s fingers tingled from the soft silky feel of her lover’s golden tresses.

Charlie kissed the nape of Nadine’s sensitive neck while the brunette kissed her lover’s shoulders. Each were lost in the feel and taste of the other as the desire grew between them. Nadine began to run her hands down Charlie’s back as the blonde began trailing her tongue and lips along the brunette’s broad shoulders. Nadine moaned as she felt her lover’s mouth descend down her body. Charlie was so tender as she began to tease Nadine’s nipple.

Nadine felt herself becoming a part of her lover while Charlie slowly feasted upon her breasts, moving from one to the other and then back again. She pulled Charlie up and reclaimed her lips. They kissed each other deeply, slowly exploring the other’s mouth as their hips began to sway in a sensual rhythm. Nadine could feel her lover’s desire painting her skin as she caressed the blonde’s hips, urging her to move in unison with her own. They were both breathing heavily as Charlie raised her body. The blonde supported herself with her arms as her wetness greeted Nadine’s.

Their eyes locked in a smoky gaze as their clits brushed urgently against each other. Nadine could see and feel the love she felt for Charlie reflected in the blonde’s eyes as they began to tremble. They rocked against one another until each of them released a strangled cry. Nadine soon found herself lost in another passionate kiss as they shyly reached between their bodies and dipped into the other’s wetness. Nadine shivered as Charlie’s nipples brushed against her own while they teased pulsating clits with the tips of their fingers. Charlie’s wetness filled Nadine’s hand as they drove one another insane. They were clinging to one another, lost in ecstasy. They cried out louder this time as they exploded.

The feel of Charlie’s fingers massaging her scalp sent another wave of desire through Nadine. She reached out and clasped the back of her lover’s neck. Charlie didn’t need any encouragement as she melted into Nadine’s body and lips. The brunette rolled her lover onto her side so they were now facing one another. Each nudged the other’s legs apart and soon they entered one another. They stared deeply into each other’s eyes as they plunged in and out. Nadine wrapped her long legs around Charlie’s body as her lover teased her clit in the same rhythm as her fingers gliding in and out of her. Lost in the feel of touching the other, they began to thrust more urgently against each other. The bed creaked beneath them as they tried to become one. They thrust wildly as the bed rocked harder against the wall until each of them screamed the other’s name.

They lay there until they stopped quivering. Then they climbed under the covers and the caressing began again. Nadine smiled as she began to kiss her way down her lover’s body. It was always like this with Charlie. It could be tender or it could be wild; it didn’t matter. Making love to Charlie was always the same all-encompassing fiery explosion. Charlie clung to the headboard while Nadine feasted upon her wetness. The blonde’s body arched up off the mattress as she exploded against her lover. Nadine didn’t cease pleasuring her lover until the blonde begged her to stop. She climbed up Charlie’s body and cradled her in her arms. Nadine relaxed with the feel of her lover’s breath on her shoulder. She knew once Charlie had caught her breath she was in for some serious payback, but then Charlie is a handful after all.

The End

send comments to yomavis@email.com

for updates, previews & the wednesday afternoon series join my egroup,

yomavis-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Return to the Academy