Just One Of Those Things

Part Thirteen Conclusion

By Mavis Applewater

Disclaimers, I want to thank each and every beta reader that has toiled, slaved and generally suffered throughout this entire series, Heather 'Half Pint' Stewart, Jennis, Raven, Brunnhilda and Diva Babe. No one can fully understand the torture I have put all of you through. "I Try," words by Macy Gray, available from Epic Records. This material contains a loving, sexual relationship between two consenting adult women. If this isn't something you want to read, well then why have you tortured yourself with thirteen installments? Curious to say the least. If for any reason it is illegal for you to view this material, it's a bit late but you must go. You know the rest of the drill, blah blah, blah. Anyhoo, I hope you enjoyed the ride.

As Always For Heather

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Karla slammed to the door to her apartment, Harry looked up at her as he shut off the television. She could see the frightened look in his eyes. "Do you want to talk about it?" he inquired tentatively.

"Bite me, "she snarled as she stormed off into her bedroom, not before she saw her father flinch. She paused for a moment and steadied herself. She noted that she seemed to be doing that a lot lately. What was it about the blonde that could send her off balance so easily? "I'm sorry, Harry," she apologized softly. "Everything is a mess and it shouldn't be," she explained weakly.

"Come sit down and tell me about it." He patted the futon and held out his arms.

"I can't," Karla said softly, still unable to meet his gaze. "Not yet," she added. "Right now I need to be alone."

"I'm here if you need me," he offered gently as she retreated into her bedroom.

"Thank you," she responded as she looked over at him, the concern written all over his wrinkled features. She smiled weakly as she closed the door behind her. She stripped off her clothing, trying to focus on the simple act of undressing as her heart was breaking.

Finally, clad in a T-shirt and boxer shorts, she tossed herself onto the mattress. She couldn't fight it any longer as the tears overwhelmed her. Burrowing her face in her hands, she cried. Wiping the tears away, fearing that Harry could hear her strangled sobs, she turned on the radio on her alarm clock.

As the sultry, smoky voice floated through her darkened bedroom, the words reached in and ripped out her already tortured heart.

Karla found herself staring at the ceiling of her bedroom, knowing that Macy Gray's words explained exactly how she felt about Olivia. Off in the distance she thought she heard the buzzer and Harry moving around. She didn't pay attention as she shut off the radio and resang the lyrics to the song. She allowed her pain to pulsate through her. She had tried walking away from Olivia but couldn't. She was never able to turn her back on the feelings. Her bedroom door squeaked open but she ignored the light filtering in as she continued to sing softly.

"That's how I feel about us," came the soft voice from the doorway.

Karla sat up quickly, blinking her swollen eyes in disbelief. There stood Olivia leaning against the doorway, bathed in the soft light emanating from the living room. Karla couldn't believe that the vision of the golden-haired woman who had captured her heart was real. She licked her lips nervously as she tried to steady her breathing. "Why are you here?" she finally managed to utter, praying that the vision wouldn't suddenly vanish.

"I'm here so you can kiss me good morning." Olivia spoke softly as she stepped into the room closing the door behind her.

"Oh, " was the only thing Karla could manage to say. She reached over and clicked on the lamp that lies at the side of her bed. The room was instantly bathed in light and Olivia still stood there. She stared in bewilderment as the blonde shyly tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

"You've been crying," Olivia said softly as she cast her purse onto the floor.

Karla felt her heart racing and her stomach flutter as Olivia knelt down on the mattress in front of her.

"I'm really upset with you," Olivia said playfully as she crawled closer to Karla.

"For?" Karla blinked as she felt her smile peeking out.

"Telling me how you felt, in the ladies room," Olivia chastised her as she pulled up the hem of her dress slightly so she could straddle Karla's hips. "It wasn't very romantic. Twenty years from now when you're gumming your food, I may have to give you a hard time about that."

"Gumming my food?" Karla laughed as she placed her hands on Olivia's hips. "I don't know, it was somewhat adorable."

"Hmm," Olivia grunted as she wrinkled her brow.

The world stopped spinning as Olivia placed her hands on Karla's shoulders. "And what makes you think that I'll be the one gumming her food?" Karla teased as her hands started caressing Olivia's hips.

"Well you are older than me," Olivia pointed out. Her eyes twinkled as her fingers started to lace themselves in Karla's long raven tresses. "I ran after you," she said solemnly.

"Tonight?" Karla asked.

"Yes, but also that morning at Sydney's," Olivia explained as her fingers continued running through Karla's hair. "I ran after you, but when I reached the street you were gone."

"I love you," Karla admitted as she stared deeply into a sea of green. "I tried not to, I just couldn't help myself."

Olivia's fingers rested on Karla's jaw as her thumb stroked her neck. "You better love me," Olivia taunted her. "Because I'm so deeply in love with you it hurts."

"I don't want to hurt you," Karla confessed revealing all of her emotions in her tone. "I want us to stop hurting. To hell with the job, we'll find some way to survive."

The stayed there staring deeply into one another's eyes as their fingers continued sweet caresses. "I am curious about one thing though," Karla said finally. "If you came here for a good morning kiss, aren't you a little early?"

"I guess I could just spend the night so you can kiss me in the morning," Olivia suggested with a sly smile. "Unless of course you want me to leave and come back in the morning?"

"Not a chance," Karla beamed as she pulled Olivia closer to her and captured her lips.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Olivia could feel her body reeling from the kiss she had just shared with her lover. 'Her lover.' It felt good to finally be able to think of Karla as a part of her. She smiled sheepishly as she stared into Karla's eyes. She was mesmerized by the unhidden emotion that was clearly written in her crystal blue orbs. She could feel Karla's fingertips tenderly tracing a pattern along her hips. Olivia reeled as she felt her lover's lips pressed against her own. Pressing her body against Karla's felt so right. All of her fears, all of her demons simply vanished as she felt the heat from Karla's lips. She felt herself teasing Karla's bottom lip with her tongue, tickling and teasing, asking for permission to enter the warmth of Karla's mouth. She heard Karla moan as her lips parted. Olivia accepted the invitation eagerly. Olivia explored the sweet warmth of the recesses of Karla's mouth. She heard herself whimper as two strong hands gently lifted the hem of her dress higher.

Karla's hands drifted higher, cupping her backside. As her lover kneaded her firm cheeks, she slipped her hands down, feeling her way down her lover's body until she could slip her hands under the cotton T-shirt. Her fingertips tingled as she felt the warmth of Karla's skin. "Do have any idea how incredibly beautiful you are?" Olivia could feel her throat tremble as she spoke. She couldn't stop looking into Karla's eyes. Never before had she been so completely captivated by another human being.

Reaching down she stroked Karla's tear-stained cheek with her thumb. "I've made you cry, again," she commented sadly.

"It doesn't matter," Karla argued as her hands drifted up along Olivia's body.

"Yes it does," Olivia, said softly, her thumb continued to caress the chiseled cheekbone. "I never want to hurt you again," Olivia reassured her as she lowered her head and placed a gentle promising kiss on her waiting lips.

She could feel and hear the sounds of the zipper of her dress being lowered. She raised herself and looked down upon the woman she was still straddling. Firm hands caressing up her body, stopping to run gentle circles across her shoulders. She inhaled sharply and shivered as she felt her dress being lowered down her arms.

"Are you all right?" Karla asked her gently.

"Yes," Olivia nodded as she spoke. "I'm just nervous. It's silly, but I feel like this is the first time. You know? Like I'm a virgin, " she explained as she watched the brilliant smile emerge on Karla's lips. Olivia's focus locked on those full inviting lips as she allowed her dress to be lowered. Instinctively, she pulled her arms through the sleeves.

"It's not silly," Karla reassured her as she pooled Olivia's dress around her waist. "The other times we were together, it was desire or need that drove us into each other's arms. Tonight . . ." Olivia held her breath as Karla paused seeming lost in her thoughts as her fingertips worked a magical trail across her exposed stomach. "Tonight," Karla repeated in a dreamy voice. "I want to make love to you."

"Please," Olivia moaned as Karla's hands continued their gentle exploration. "Love me," she whispered as Karla raised her body. The sensation of their bodies meeting and melting into one another warmed Olivia's rapidly beating heart. She felt Karla's fingers massaging her scalp as she pulled her in closer. Olivia wrapped herself around Karla's body, taking in the scent of her skin, nuzzling her neck as she buried her face in Karla's silky tresses.

Knowing hands made gentle circles across her back, slowly unclasping her bra. There were no hurried movements; Karla simply ran her hands up and down Olivia's naked back. Olivia felt herself being lowered onto the bed. She inhaled deeply as her lover supported herself above her. Her eyes fluttered shut as Karla leaned down and kissed her. It was sweet, slow and full of promise.

Her eyes opened slowly as the innocent kiss ended. She watched as Karla slowly removed her bra. Touching her once again with only her fingertips, the brunette ran her blunt finger nails across Olivia's exposed flesh. Olivia could feel her body reacting to the gentle, loving touch. Karla continued to undress Olivia very slowly. Brushing her sensitive skin lightly, placing gentle kisses along her body.

Feeling the warmth and love as her lover looked over her naked body, as she lay before her, Olivia felt a sense of peace, knowing that this is where she belonged. Smiling as she reached for her lover, drawing her close to her. She did what she had been aching to do, she kissed Karla. This time the shyness dissipated as the kiss deepened. Claiming and exploring as they explored one another's mouths. Hands roaming as their passion steadily grew.

Olivia rolled Karla over onto her back, breaking away from the kiss. She looked at her lover, her eyes betraying the pure love and desire that were burning within her. She undressed Karla, slowly, just as the taller woman had undressed her. Brushing her quivering flesh and stealing kisses as she removed the T-shirt and boxer shorts.

Finally, free from all barriers, their bodies met. Wrapping themselves in a loving embrace, they held onto to each other allowing themselves to enjoy the bliss of listening to the other's heart beating. Slow gentle kisses as hands began to caress and explore. Legs wrapping around one another, their bodies became one. Lingering kisses as their hands drifted slowly, finding the source of her lover's passion. Each moaned at the wetness their hands discovered. Their bodies trembling as fingers teased and taunted swollen lips.

Olivia could hear her lover gasp as they entered each other's center. She loved the feel of being inside of Karla. Their fingers gliding in and out slowly as they continued rocking gently into each other. There was no gasping or moaning. They continued slowly kissing, tongues dancing together, as their mounds pressed together. Olivia could feel the beating of Karla's heart as they swayed together, their bodies becoming one. The quiet climax filled Olivia's heart. This time there was no need to hurry; this time was the start of forever.

They held onto one another, their fingers remaining deep inside, as the walls of their centers pulsated. Olivia moaned as she felt Karla's touch leaving her. She watched with a smoky gaze as her lover licked her fingers slowly. She whimpered as she watched. She found herself gently stroking her fingers in and out of Karla. Her clit began to throb as she watched Karla's head fall back.

Fueled on by the feel of her lover's hips thrusting against her hand, Olivia began to suckle her nipple. Karla gasped and arched against her as Olivia suckled her harder. She could feel Karla's clit throbbing against her thumb as she taunted her. She felt her own nub pulsating in the same aching rhythm. Shifting her body as she released Karla's breast from her mouth, she was now atop her lover plunging deeper inside of her as Karla's thigh pressed against her center.

Their pace growing wild with need and desire, Olivia found herself taking her lover to the edge. Unable to control her lust, she rode her lover's thigh as she lowered herself onto Karla's heaving body. Their naked bodies melting together as Olivia continued to pleasure Karla. Their bodies thrusting as Karla begged her lover for release. Olivia suckled the pulse point on Karla's neck as their hardened nipples circled and teased, adding to the intense desire they were sharing. Karla screamed out her name as her body arched off of the mattress. Olivia continued plunging in and out of her as her hips ground against Karla's firm thigh.

Karla gasped and pleaded as she exploded against Olivia hand. Olivia felt the walls of Karla's center tighten against her fingers. She wiggled her fingers inside of her lover as she pressed her own throbbing clit against the quivering thigh. Olivia crashed over the edge, crying out as the waves of passion tore through her body.

They held on to each other, their hearts and bodies trembling, still aching for more. Their lips soon sought out each other. The kiss quickly ignited. Now was the time to release their unbridled passion. Soon Olivia found herself feasting upon Karla's wetness, with her face buried deep within her lover as she lowered her own passion to Karla's eagerly awaiting mouth.

Later, long after the sun had risen, the two finally crawled under the covers and held on to one another as they drifted off into a blissful slumber.

CHAPTER FORTY

Karla squirmed slightly trying to will herself awake. She felt the naked body next to her. She opened her eyes tentatively, hoping that last night hadn't been a dream. She looked down to find tufts of blonde hair. Olivia had decided to envelope her body during the morning. She kissed the blonde head lightly as she smiled to herself. "It wasn't a dream," she murmured aloud.

"No it wasn't," came the reply as Olivia lifted her head, her green eyes sparkling up at her.

The vision warmed Karla's heart. "I love you," she admitted freely, just before the panic clenched her chest. She couldn't help fearing that this morning would end up just as every other one she had shared with this woman.

"I love you too," Olivia responded with a brilliant smile.

Karla found herself blowing out a sigh of relief. Olivia's grin grew broader. "So how about that good morning kiss you promised me?" the blonde teased her.

Karla glanced over at the clock and chuckled. "Well, it's far too late for good morning," she noted wryly. "How about good afternoon?"

"Hmm." Olivia smiled brightly as she climbed up Karla's body. "Good Afternoon," she whispered before capturing Karla in a searing kiss. "You are an incredible lover," Olivia informed the blushing woman as she snuggled against her.

"Thank you." Karla smiled as she held her lover close to her. "So are you. I just can't seem to get enough when we are together. You know I was nervous about last night too," Karla found herself confessing.

"Hmm," Olivia murmured in agreement. "I told you I felt like a virgin. It was the first time, we made love," Olivia continued.

"That was so much better than my first time," Karla teased as she caressed Olivia's naked back. "I was seventeen and Mark and I fumbled through. Neither of us was really into it. We just thought it was time, since everyone else was doing it. Not surprisingly, soon after that we both admitted to ourselves that we were gay. Easiest break up in my life."

"Your first time was with a guy?" Olivia asked as she looked up curiously.

"I didn't know I was gay," Karla explained. "I suspected, but I still hadn't dealt with it. What about you?"

"I never slept with a guy," Olivia confessed happily. "My first time was really sweet, Syd . . ." Karla stared at her intently. "She . . ." Olivia corrected herself quickly. Karla shrugged it off as a mistake. "I kind of misled her though."

"How so?" Karla inquired as she continued to run her fingers along Olivia's spine.

"It was the summer before I started college," Olivia began. "I was working at the local theatre. Touring companies would come in for a few weeks. I did tech work, lighting and what not. I met this actress, and was head over heels from the start. I managed to convince her that I was much older than I looked. I also led her to believe that I had been with a woman before."

Karla listened intently, her brow furrowed at the familiarity of the tale. "She completely freaked when she found out that I was a seventeen-year-old virgin. Of course, by then I wasn't a virgin anymore. She ranted about . . ."

"Deflowering a teenager in the South," Karla finished for her.

"That's a little spooky." Olivia looked at her in surprise.

Karla shifted uncomfortably as she extracted herself from Olivia's body. Slipping out of bed she searched, turning her backside to Olivia. "Not that I'm objecting to the view . . ." Olivia commented from behind her. Karla turned realizing that she was completely naked and bent over in front of her lover.

"Sorry." Karla smirked before returning to her search.

"I'm not," Olivia purred. "But what is so important that you would leave your lover alone in bed?" the blonde teased her.

Finding what she was looking for, she picked up the manuscript and climbed back onto the mattress. She flipped through until she found the section she was looking for. "This," she explained as she handed it to Olivia. The blonde looked at her with curiosity before reading what Karla had just handed her. Feeling slightly chilly, Karla rolled over and grabbed her T-shirt off of the floor.

"I don't understand," Olivia muttered absently. "Where did you get this?" Karla watched as the confusion poured over her lover. "Chapel Hill, a new novel by Charlotte Hayden Smith," Olivia read the cover page aloud.

"I got it from you," Karla explained trying piece together what was happening. She was at a loss. None of it made any sense.

"Me?" Olivia questioned as she blinked in confusion.

Karla watched as Olivia flipped through the manuscript, a blush creeping across her cherub features. "That day in my office when we were about to have sex but Rob interrupted us," Karla tried to explain.

"Karla this is exactly how I lost my virginity," Olivia gasped. "A bit more poetic but even the name of the book, my home is where it happened."

"I found it after you stormed out," Karla explained quickly. "It was with the files you were working on. It was in a big envelope."

Olivia looked up at her with a murderous gaze. "I'm going to kill her," she growled. Karla was surprised and more than a little frightened by her lover's tone. Karla watched as Olivia slammed the manuscript down and jumped off of the mattress. "Dead! She is so dead!" Olivia continued rant as she picked up her dress off of the floor. "I can't wear this. I might get blood on it," Olivia growled.

"Okay." Karla trembled as she stood and grabbed a shirt and an old pair of jeans for Olivia to wear.

Olivia dressed in the clothing that was far too big for her. Karla thought the small blonde would look absolutely adorable if it wasn’t for the vein throbbing in her temple. Karla threw on some clothing as Olivia grabbed an old pair of sneakers. "You look like a kid playing dress up," Karla found herself commenting as Olivia grabbed her purse and the manuscript.

"Hold on," Karla called after her as she dashed out of the bedroom. Olivia halted in her tracks. Karla noted Harry and Howard watching them with some degree of amusement. "Can you tell me what is going on?"

"Its’ just unfreakin believable," Olivia managed to spit out.

"Can I at least come with you?" Karla inquired carefully.

"Yes," Olivia agreed as they headed for the door.

"Put a coat on," Harry called out.

Karla rushed back and grabbed two jackets from the closet. "What's up?" Harry asked. "Did you piss her off again?"

"Not me this time," Karla quickly explained. "I'm not sure what is going on."

"What about the two of you?" Harry asked carefully.

"Us?" Karla shrugged. "We're fine. We're in love," she concluded with a smile and a wink as she left to catch up with Olivia.

"About freakin time you two figured it out," she heard him muttering as she closed the door.

Karla found Olivia on the corner hailing a taxi, thankfully her lover waited for her to join her. Karla was still trying figure out what was happening as she heard Olivia give the address of the apartment she was living in. The ride seemed to take forever. Olivia fumed silently as she rolled the manuscript up and clenched it furiously. Karla decided that remaining quiet would insure her good health.

Olivia paid the driver as he pulled up to the curb. Karla trembled as her lover stormed out of the taxi into the building and up the staircase; Karla was a little out of breathe as she followed her. Olivia unlocked the door and kicked it open.

Karla watched in amazement. Sydney smiled at both of them. "Hey, there you are," Sydney greeted Olivia. "That must have been some date since you've been gone for almost twenty four hours and arrive back with a different girl," Sydney teased.

Karla gave the bartender a worried look, still uncertain as to what in the hell was going on.

"You bitch!" Olivia shouted as she tossed the manuscript at Sydney. Karla watched as her gray eyes widened in fear.

"Oh shit," Sydney squeaked as she tried to bolt.

Karla quickly shut the door and blocked Sydney's escape. Karla suddenly understood everything. "Sydney?" she asked Olivia in disbelief. "You gave up your innocence to her?"

"Oh crap," Sydney moaned finding herself trapped between the two of them.

"Sydney?" Karla repeated in amazement. "I mean I knew the two of you went together a few years ago."

"Everyone knows that," Olivia said quickly. Karla watched as the blonde took a calming breath. "But no one, until now, knew that we were together when I was a teenager. Did they, Charlotte?"

"That's why I asked you to read it," Sydney protested as she slipped out from between.

Karla could see the bartender shaking as she retreated to the far side of the room. Olivia now stood next to her as they both glared at the woman. "How could you even think of telling millions of readers the intimate details of how I lost my virginity?" Olivia shouted in anger. Karla had to fight back the urge to laugh, seeing her lover fuming dressed in one her large men's shirts and her jeans rolled up far too many times.

"Olivia," Sydney began tentatively. "I won't publish it. I've been meaning to tell you about my books for a long time. I guess I was just too embarrassed by the content. You've read them, I know you think they’re fluff and they are. But I really enjoy writing them."

"I love your books," Olivia sighed. "I just don't want to read about my own sex life," she added with a renewed fury.

"It's really good," Karla, decided to throw in. "Much better than her other stuff," Karla added honestly.

Olivia stared at her in disbelief before casting a hostile stare at Sydney. "I also don't want my lover reading about it," Olivia growled as she motioned to Karla.

"Your lover?" Sydney asked with a bright smile. "All right you two finally got it together. I've been telling you that she's the one."

Karla shook her head, knowing that the bartender was just digging herself in deeper. "Focus, Chase," Olivia commanded. Karla watched as Sydney flinched.

"If it bothers you . . ." Sydney began.

"Bothers me?" Olivia groaned in an incredulous tone.

"I won't release it," Sydney reassured her. "This happened once before. I won't lose another friend over it."

"Catherine Merrick," Olivia said quietly. Karla could feel the anger slipping away.

"How did you know that?" Sydney asked in surprise.

"Because we've been looking for you," Olivia explained. "Or Charlotte rather."

"It's my real name," Sydney explained. "I changed it after my career went into the toilet."

"And you had some kind of break down," Olivia responded. "Catherine Merrick put a stop to your book, because everyone would have thought the two of you were lovers."

"We weren't," Sydney responded firmly. "But I did manage to make a complete ass out myself. Why do you know all of this and why were you looking for me?"

"Your first book," Karla finally stepped in. "I've been trying to get you to release it. Showtime wants the rights."

"I won't," Sydney refused instantly. "I screwed up a really good friendship because of that book. I won't betray her by releasing it."

Olivia chuckled lightly; Karla understood the craziness of the situation was overwhelming. "She wants you to," Olivia laughed.

"What?" Sydney asked.

"She wants you to," Olivia confirmed. "Hell I spoke to her personally late yesterday afternoon on my cell phone. Oh forgot to tell you that," Olivia noted to Karla.

"All things considered it's understandable," Karla concurred. "I got the message though, from her assistant. The lawyers faxed over the paperwork."

"Hello!" Sydney shouted out. "Anyone want to fill me in?"

"She wants to change her image," Olivia explained. "Catherine Merrick will play the lead if the deal goes through."

"She'd be great," Sydney responded thoughtfully.

"Actors," Olivia said in exasperation.

"Sydney, I've been working on this project for over a year before I came to Boston," Karla explained. "Olivia and I have been working on it nonstop since then. Together we put the whole package together. Everything is done with one notable exception. Nothing can happen until we get your signature on two contracts."

"Tell me she's not joking," Sydney pleaded with Olivia.

"She's not joking," Olivia laughed. "You just need to sign the release for publication. Then sign the deal for the film rights."

"How did you manage all of this without my consent?" Sydney questioned.

"I didn't know about your lack of interest until the deals were in motion," Karla explained. "And then I covered it up. Hell, I'm in the PR business."

"And apparently you are very good at it," Sydney applauded her. "You don't know how much it means to me to publish Jeanne. It was the best thing I ever wrote."

"Not to mention the money," Olivia added.

"Well that's not important." Sydney shrugged. "I mean it will be nice . . ."

"Sydney," Olivia interrupted her. "After the contracts are signed and the checks released, your initial clearance will be just shy of six figures."

"I love you," Sydney choked out.

"Good," Olivia responded. "Because I may be out of work soon, and in need of a loan."

"Anything," Sydney offered.

Karla chewed on her bottom lip her mind racing. Everything was falling into place. "You know Jeanne may be the best thing you ever wrote but this . . ." She walked over and picked up the manuscript and handed it back to Olivia. "This runs a close second. You really should read it, Olivia," Karla explained. Now knowing who the main characters really were, it made complete sense. Sydney had written a beautiful tale that revealed that she had been very much in love with Olivia at one time and probably still held feelings for her. It made Karla a little uncomfortable, but she really couldn't fault the bartender. Olivia was that special.

"How soon until all of this happens?" Sydney inquired eagerly.

Karla smiled at her as she reached into her coat pocket relieved to find her cell phone there. "The contracts are in my office. We can go right now," Karla offered.

"Great," Sydney said brightly. "Hell, I can quit my job after tonight."

"Me too," Karla beamed as she punched in her speed dial.

"Calling the lawyers?" Olivia asked.

"Yes," Karla winked at her. "I want this finished as quickly as possible. Would you be willing to sign something admitting to our relationship? I don't want you fired once I'm gone. If we sign affidavits that we didn't lie to Carlos but yes we are involved now and neither of us will sue for sexual harassment, you should be fine."

"I'll sign, but truthfully they can keep the job. I just want you," Olivia explained before placing a tender kiss on Karla's lips. "Will you do me one favor before you resign? Fire Rob and let me watch."

"Cool." Karla beamed. "We have a lot of work to do to finish this up."

"Let's go," Olivia responded firmly.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Things didn't progress as quickly as Karla had predicted. Olivia didn't care; she could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. The last details were wrapped up; Olivia had even managed to get Catherine Merrick to hire J&B to handle her PR. Thankfully with the dip in the economy, Carlos had even delayed his trip up to Boston. Finally, ten days after Olivia discovered that Sydney was Charlotte, she was standing in Karla's office holding a very large check with her name on it. It was her bonus. "Wow," she repeated as her lover laughed.

Olivia tossed the check onto Karla's desk and sat leisurely on top of the desk. She leaned over and placed a gentle kiss onto Karla's lips. "Hi," she said for no reason other than she simply couldn't get enough of this beautiful woman, who for some reason loved her.

"Hi yourself." Karla smiled back at her.

Olivia watched as Karla tapped the large file sitting upon her desk. Olivia knew what was in there. She had helped compile much of the evidence herself. Rob was in very deep doo-doo. Fortunately, the little weasel was seemingly unaware that his days with the company were numbered. Karla was just waiting for one more piece of the puzzle. She had finally revealed to Olivia what that was. Karla wanted to know just what Rob was holding over Carlos' head. She didn't want them to get blindsided when she fired the unsavory man.

"How do you think it will go with Carlos?" the blonde inquired hesitantly. The time since they had finally announced their true feeling for one another had been both a blessing and a torture. Olivia found herself spending every night at Karla's apartment. Which was great, since she got to awaken in her taller lover’s arms every morning. She smiled as she recalled how Karla had cared for her when she had cramps. Plus Olivia was not in a great hurry to return to Sydney's apartment.

The tiny apartment plus the tension was a little too much for the emotional blonde to withstand at the moment. She knew that Sydney hadn't meant any harm, but she still felt betrayed that Chase had never revealed such an important part of her life to her. It had also proven to be difficult to be around Karla in the office everyday without allowing her emotions to show. Not a new experience. Yet, since they had become lovers it had been more trying, since she knew she could touch Karla without the fear of rejection.

Then there was the problem of Rob. Weasel boy had a habit a showing up at the most inopportune moments. It was almost as if he had been following them. Which of course Olivia wouldn't put past him. Something inside of Olivia burned each time he would cast a nasty smug look at the two of them. Olivia calmed herself each time with the knowledge that he would be gone soon. Karla had requested that Carlos come to Boston. She made it clear that his presence was very important. Now all they had to do was wait for his arrival. Which should be happening at any moment.

Olivia felt her stomach clench as Karla's telephone rang. She watched nervously as her lover answered the call. Karla looked up at her with the warmest smile. "He's here," she said as she gave Olivia's hand a reassuring squeeze. Olivia nodded in response as she removed herself from her perch on Karla's desk. 'It's time.' Olivia noted to herself as she took her place by Karla's side.

As Carlos entered, Olivia braced herself for what was going to be a very unpleasant scene. She had promised Karla that she would let her lead, and keep her exuberant emotions in check. "Good Morning, Ladies," he addressed them as he looked from one to the other, clearly not expecting to see both of them. Olivia could see that he was sizing up the situation and had not missed the comfortable atmosphere they shared.

"Good Morning, Carlos," Karla greeted him in a friendly manner. Olivia simply responded with, "Sir."

Carlos seated himself in a chair, carefully unbuttoning his jacket as he sat. He then brushed away the creases from his expensive suit. "I'm not accustomed to being summoned by my subordinates," Carlos added curtly.

Olivia was amazed how Karla remained completely calm as Carlos glared at her. Her lover simply held his gaze as she smiled back at him coldly. Olivia was trembling inside as her palms began to sweat. "Why am I here?" he demanded finally.

"Why so tense, Carlos?" Karla inquired in a firm even tone of voice. "I would think that you would be happy to see me, given the fact that business is dropping and yet my department has just made a truck load of money and scored a lot of new clients."

"I am pleased," he smiled sincerely. "You have saved the company from starting layoffs. Just word of your new clients has brought several more business' and celebrities on board."

"Yes," Karla concurred. "Everyone wants to look like they are doing they’re share for the war effort."

Olivia had seen this side of her lover before and she had to admit it unnerved her. The cold, calculating bitch that could reduce the strongest of men to a quivering mass of jell-o. She noticed that tiny beads of sweat began to form on Carlos' brow, marring his normally calm, controlled appearance. Karla seemed to be enjoying Carlos’ discomfort as she simply stared at the man.

"Why am I here?" Carlos repeated his voice commanding, but Olivia could see the cracks beginning to form.

"I'm leaving," Karla responded flatly.

Carlos seemed visibly stunned as Karla slid the typewritten letter of resignation over to him. "What?" he stammered. "Karla, if this is about money, I'm quite certain that the board is already planning on promoting you."

"It's not about money," Karla explained her voice softening. "I want out."

"But that's insane," he argued.

"It's the sanest thing I've ever done," Karla responded with a gentle smile.

"I see," Carlos grunted as he read the letter. "And I suppose you want your little friend to take your place?" He sneered as he cast a hostile glare at Olivia. The blonde swallowed hard at the implication as she held her ground.

"No," Karla answered in cold tone. "But it won't be Rob."

"He does have the experience," Carlos smirked.

Olivia and Karla had already discussed the issue. Olivia wasn't certain that she wanted to stay after Karla's departure. Plus, as Tim had explained, she wasn't ready to sit in the lead chair. Olivia also understood that once their relationship was revealed chances were slim to none that she would ever move up in the company. "He's a low life," Karla retorted in a dismissive tone. "If you promote him, half of the department will quit. Besides, he's going to be very busy trying to stay out of jail." Karla pushed over the large file they had put together. It showed all of Rob's illegal misappropriation of funds, along with every one of his acts of misconduct.

"Karla?" Carlos squeaked out as his very turned ashen.

"These are copies," Karla continued. "The originals are all set to be sent off to Petersen. I'm going over your head because, frankly, I don't trust you to do the right thing."

"Please, " the man whimpered. Suddenly his face became flushed. "I'll expose your relationship," he threatened. "I know that there’s something going on with the two of you. Miss Davenport will be out on the street."

Olivia felt her blood burning. They had expected the threat; it hurt just the same. She felt Karla touch her arm slightly; giving her the balance she needed not to explode. "Yes we are in a relationship," Olivia confessed as she reached over and handed the bewildered executive the affidavits that they had prepared. "As you can see, it began after your last visit. We didn't lie to you then. We've both signed these affidavits attesting to that fact. We also agreed that neither of us would ever claim sexual harassment. That's what the company is afraid of and now they have nothing to fear. It's in writing and Karla is leaving." She flashed a confident smirk back at the angry man.

"Do you think this is funny?" Carlos growled as he tried to stare her down.

"No," Olivia shot back. "I don't find anything amusing about having to reveal the intimate details of my life to a bunch of lawyers, just to save my job." Olivia cringed as she recalled the degrading questions they asked both of them.

"Let it go, Carlos," Karla threatened. "There are no grounds to fire her. Everyone upstairs knows how much business Olivia has brought in during these difficult times."

Carlos looked like a man who had been beaten. "Carlos," Karla began slowly and carefully. "My resignation is effective at the end of the month, start looking for my replacement. I know it won't be Rob since I'm firing him today."

"Karla, I'm begging you don't fire him," Carlos pleaded. "My family."

"Tell me what he is holding over you," Karla urged him. "It won't leave this room. If you let me handle this, I promise you this will be over and you can protect your family. Whatever it is, I'm certain that I can handle him. It's not like you got drunk at some company party and let him . . . ."

They watched, as the older man seemed to crumble before them. Olivia felt sorry for him as he fought to maintain his composure. "That's it," Karla gasped. "You've put everyone through hell, just because of a blow job you got twenty years ago?" Karla fumed.

"Karla!" Both Olivia and Carlos chastised her.

"Oh what," Karla snorted. "Olivia, take Carlos to the observation room. This ends now."

Olivia gathered up the shaken man and escorted him to the small room. The room looked into a conference room used for focus groups. They could see in but no one in the conference room could see them. Olivia sat Carlos down before turning on the video camera. Then they waited for Karla and Rob to enter. They sat opposite one another, each trying to stare the other down. Karla placed the folder that outlined Rob's crimes in between them and then she placed a micro-cassette recorder onto the table and turned it on. "Let the games begin," Olivia muttered happily.

"I'm recording this conversation," Karla explained as she smiled coldly at the man. Olivia could see that his eyes were bloodshot from where she was standing.

"Why?" Rob questioned Karla in a snide manner.

Olivia's green eyes narrowed as she watched them. There was always something about this man that made her skin crawl. "I think that it would be a wise idea," Karla commented casually. "You do that a lot," Karla commented dryly. "Question things that I say to you. Sometimes I wonder if you are aware of the fact that I'm your boss."

"Karla, I've never been disrespectful towards you," Rob lied in a perfectly calm tone.

"Haven't you?" Karla responded in an equally calm voice. "I wasn't aware that I ever gave you permission to address me by my first name. In fact I know that I haven't. It's the little things, Rob. As I said, I am recording this meeting so there won't be any misunderstandings later. Do you agree to having our meeting recorded?"

"Yes," Rob shrugged uncaringly.

Olivia noticed that Rob was still slouched in his chair with an uncaring expression on his face. "The reason I called you in here is because of the big things," Karla explained in a professional manner. "Your services are no longer needed. Your termination takes effect immediately. I've sent the paper work down to personnel. Security will escort you from the premises."

"You can't fire me," Rob stated slowly seemingly unfettered by the news.

"I just did," Karla, noted, a bright smile emerging on her face. "I'm not only firing you, I'm turning this over to the authorities." She patted the file gently. "You've been a very naughty boy."

He simply snorted in response and pushed the folder back at her. "I don't know what you are talking about," Rob slurred slightly. "And I won't be leaving the company. Perhaps you should reconsider this course of action," he said very carefully this time punctuating each word.

"It's your choice," Karla beamed. "Walk out or be dragged out. It's entirely up to you."

Olivia watched in disbelief as Rob rolled his eyes. She tensed as he reached over. She blew out a sigh of relief when he simply shut off the tape recorder. He reached into his coat pocket and retrieved a packet and slid it over to Karla then he removed his cell phone. "Don't bother," Karla instructed him still smiling. "Carlos won't help you this time."

Rob snorted snidely as Carlos stiffened. "I know about what happened, Rob. Blackmail is an ugly thing. Carlos won't help you, because he knows that I will simply go over his head," Karla explained.

"This is why you are video taping this," Carlos said knowingly. "You knew he'd shut off the tape recorder."

"That's right," Olivia explained. "He already gave his permission to have the meeting recorded. She just never pointed out that it was only to be tape recorded."

"Karla is a very bright young lady," Carlos noted appreciatively.

"Yes, she is." Olivia agreed.

"Perhaps you should look at those," Rob suggested as he leaned back smiling.

Karla shrugged and opened the package Rob had slid over to her. "You have been a very busy boy," Karla said absently as she flipped through the pictures. "You know I like this one," she stated as she held up one of the snap shots. Olivia squinted but still couldn't see anything. "Olivia looks really good in that one. Can I keep it?" Karla inquired with a smile.

"Keep them all," Rob laughed, "I have the negatives."

"Thanks." Karla continued to smile.

"So we understand one another?" Rob said as he stood.

"Perfectly," Karla purred. "You seem to think that these series of pictures of Olivia and I hanging around together in social settings will let you keep your job. It won't. You are still fired."

"No," Rob laughed. "But you will be."

"Why?" Karla inquired.

"You're banging your assistant," Rob pointed out in a tired tone. "Hell, that's probably how she got the job."

"No," Karla shook her head dismissively as Olivia fought the urge to go in there and strangle the man.

"That is not how Olivia got her promotion," Karla explained to him carefully. "As for our romantic relationship . . ."

"Go on deny it," Rob challenged her.

"Why on earth would I deny it?" Karla smiled even brighter. "I'm very much in love with her. A concept I'm quite certain you couldn't understand."

Olivia laughed as Rob's jaw dropped. "Gottcha," Olivia boasted.

"Rob, I'm a reasonable woman," Karla continued. "Now if you go quietly and don't cause Carlos any trouble ever again, I won't press charges. But don't come looking for a letter of recommendation."

"Are you serious?" Rob shouted. "You and the blonde slut are the ones getting busted."

"Don't you ever talk about my lover that way again," Karla cautioned him. "Rob, you are fired. Nothing is going to happen to either Olivia or I, because I've already tendered my resignation and we've made our relationship public."

"Bitch!" he yelled as he reached out to swing at her.

Olivia bolted towards the door, only to be stopped by Carlos. Karla had ducked as was now laughing at the man pulling himself up off of the table. He grabbed his cell phone and dialed quickly, not surprisingly Carlos' cell phone rang. "Hello, Rob," Carlos responded gleefully. "Is there a problem?" he smiled, relaxing for the first time all day. "You look very upset."

"What?" Rob stammered as his unsteady focus moved to the two-way mirror.

"Miss James did tell you that this meeting was being recorded," Carlos pointed out. "Now, are you going to walk away like a man or go to jail?"

Olivia smiled as she watched the older man's backbone returning. Rob on the other hand seemed to fall apart. He just stood there staring at his cell phone. Suddenly he slammed it on the table violently. He steadied himself on the table. "You will pay for this," he warned Karla before storming out of the room.

Olivia and Carlos met Karla in the conference room. Olivia handed him the videotape. "Take it and the copy of his file, that should keep him away from you," she said in a delighted tone.

"It feels good to be finally free of that leech," Carlos said brightly. "Let me buy you ladies lunch."

"Sorry," Olivia apologized. "I have an appointment with a realtor."

"I'm going with her," Karla explained.

Olivia signed the last of the paperwork, wrote her last check and was handed the keys to her new condo. Karla had been with her when she had gone to see the place for the first time. They both fell in love with it instantly. That was important to Olivia, since she knew in her heart that they both would end up living there.

They rented a van and moved her belongings out of Sydney's. The next stop was going to be more interesting. Sydney and a few of her friends were meeting them in Jamaica Plain to move the last of her stuff out of Ruth's place. "Are you certain that you are up for this?" Olivia asked her once again. She was more than a little anxious having Karla met her ex-lover.

"No," Karla responded honestly. "But I'm going to do this with you. Tell me what happened between the two of you?"

"Our relationship was bad for years," Olivia began to explain. "Everything went downhill after we moved in together. We stopped being intimate."

"Ugh," Karla groaned.

"By the time I met you in New York, I knew that I had made a mistake," Olivia continued, amused by the look of disbelief on Karla's face. "I was never in lover with her. We were in couple’s therapy, which did nothing for me. It made Ruth very happy, since she was sleeping with our therapist."

"Excuse me?" Karla choked out.

"I caught them in bed together the night I got back from New York," Olivia clarified.

"How can you not be angry?" Karla asked in astonishment.

"I was," Olivia, confessed as she pulled up to the curb and waved to her friends. "Now, I think it was the best thing to ever happen to me. I got a chance to be with someone that I'm really in love with. Someone I think that's in love with me." She squeezed Karla's hand.

"I do love you," Karla confirmed before placing a tender kiss on her lips.

They climbed out of the van to meet up with Chase and the two other women. "Karla, this is Tammy and Lisa," she introduced the couple.

"Nice to meet you," Karla greeted them.

Olivia could tell that Tammy and Lisa liked Karla instantly. "Chase." Olivia looked over at her smirking friend. "You look a little too happy."

"Why wouldn't I be happy?" Sydney smiled. "Thanks to the two of you I quit my job. Just think; last month, I threatened to set a customer on fire for not tipping and now I can just sit back and write my dirty little stories. Plus, I get to be here when Ruth meets Wonder Woman."

"This is going to be great," Tammy noted as her lover nodded in agreement.

"Ugh," Olivia groaned. "None of my friends liked Ruth," Olivia explained to Karla.

Olivia found herself waiting patiently for Ruth to open the door. When she did, Olivia just blinked at the way she was dressed. She looked like she was going out. "Hi," Olivia offered in a friendly manner.

"I see you brought the whole crew," Ruth noted sadly.

"It's a bit much for me to handle by myself," Olivia explained as Ruth placed her hand on her arm. "Where's my stuff? I thought you were going to have it ready?"

"I thought we could talk," Ruth said quietly as she pulled Olivia inside.

From behind her she could hear Karla growl and Sydney grunt. "That's okay, I know where to start," Sydney announced as she led the others in.

"Chase," Ruth snarled.

"Hey, Ruth, have you met Karla?" Sydney beamed brightly as Olivia rolled her eyes.

As Sydney organized the others and began to gather up her stuff, Olivia tried to free herself from Ruth's grasp. "I really need to get things started," Olivia explained quickly.

"Look, " Ruth began softly as she leaned into Olivia's body. "I thought that we could start over."

Olivia couldn't believe what she was hearing; she also knew that Karla had heard it as well. "Are you serious?" Olivia asked her in astonishment. "What about Doctor Feel Good?" she asked bitterly.

"It's over," Ruth confessed. "I made a mistake, I want you back."

"Ruth," Olivia said firmly as she pried herself away from her ex-lover, suddenly wondering what she had ever seen in the woman. "I meant what I said that night, I came home to end things. It's over."

"I know you still love me," Ruth protested.

Olivia could see the sad look in Karla's eyes as she turned to help the others. "No," Olivia said firmly. "I don't. I'm not sure that I ever did. I do know that I'm in love with Karla." Ruth looked at her in astonishment and over to Karla. Olivia couldn't hide her amusement as Ruth looked at Karla for the first time. Ruth's eyes widened to the size of saucers when she looked at the statuesque beauty for the first time. Olivia noted the look of love Karla flashed at her; she also noticed the look of satisfaction firmly planted on Chase's face.

"I'll just go out and get some coffee and let you finish here," Ruth choked out before rushing out of the front door.

"So," Karla began carefully. "That was Ruth." Olivia walked over and wrapped her arms around Karla and captured her in a passionate kiss.

"Come on Wonder Woman," Sydney nudged them.

A few hours later they had moved all of Olivia's things, including the items she had in storage. She treated the tired crew to pizza and beer before sending them on their way. Now, she found herself sitting in front of her new fireplace. Lounging next to her on a blanket was Karla. "I like the name for the flower shop," Olivia snuggled closer to Karla. "Skyler's, it suits you."

"We need to get you a bed," Karla said absently as her fingers traced Olivia's firm thigh.

Olivia stretched out next to her naked lover; they had barely made it into the condo after saying their goodbyes to the others. "Yes, we do," Olivia, agreed. "You know, I think I'm going to like it here."

"Hmm." Karla sighed happily. "You know now that Harry is on his way back to California, my mother is coming out for a visit."

"Should I be worried?" Olivia teased her.

"A little," Karla confessed.

"Karla, when I picked out this place I wanted somewhere for the both of us," Olivia explained. "I just don't want to rush things."

"I understand," Karla reassured her. "Are you staying on at J&B?"

"I don't know," Olivia responded as she played with Karla's hair. "I'll see how things are after you're gone. I don't think my career is going to advance now that the big boys know I slept with the boss. But honestly I don't really care anymore."

"We have each other," Karla reassured her.

Olivia kissed her deeply. "That's all I need," she murmured as she drew a blanket around them and curled back up in Karla's arms. "That's all I need," she repeated as she listened to the sound of their hearts beating in unison.

THE END

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