Dreams

By ROCshadow

Kawai: This is a big one, now is your turn ;)

Thanks to Balticbard for her precious help.

Part 9

The ballroom was full with influent people from all over the world. There were renowned editors, notorious authors, prominent members of the industry and popular celebrities; all of them in the same place much to the delight of the tabloids and news people in general. The press members were all over the place taking pictures of the attendees and their escorts. Behind the stage was a beautifully dressed and very confident Kristen going over her notes once more before her presence was required on stage.

The petite author was wearing a golden colored gown that accentuated her figure in all the right places; her neck was adorned with an emerald necklace in combination with her earrings.

" Miss O'Rourke you're up in five." Said the coordinator.

Kris looked up from her notes and smiled. " I'm ready whenever you need me." She said and dropped her notes in the wastebasket.

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

" Are you sure you don't need our help?" Marie asked a busy Jean for the hundredth time.

" Marie, I'm sure. Just go and I'll meet up with you there; we're almost finished here."

Jean took a deep breath and rolled his eyes at Jenn who tried hard not to laugh at the antics of the hairdresser.

" Ok we're leaving but don't stay long. You know how Kris is when we're not on time, I'm still wondering where the hell Stephiny is." Concluded Issa whilst she took her lover by the hand and walked out of the room.

" Some times I don't know how I deal with those two." Jean sighed. He was in his element adding the last touches of makeup to Jenn's face. Her hair was up leaving the sight of an inviting neck adorned only with a single diamond necklace: it was simple and yet elegant.

"Have you worked together for long? "

Jenn found herself wanting to know more about the people around Kris. She wasn't sure why, but she felt it was important. The hairdresser let out a high-pitched sigh that sounded more like a shriek, startling the accountant before answering her question.

" We've been Kristen's crew since her first book was published and became a bestseller three years ago. But all of us were friends before any of that happened. Let's see; Marie and Kris went to college together along with Steph who's been Kris's best friend since childhood. Issa and Marie have been together since Kris employed Issa a year before her first book, and me, what can I tell you about me? Rick and I have been together for nearly five years now; he is Kris's cousin that makes me an O'Rourke, don't you think? That's about it, in a nutshell."

Jean took a long breath and Jenn wondered how this charismatic man could talk so fast without biting his tongue.

" Ok you're ready. Let me tell you girl, if I wasn't already in love I'd jump the fence to the straight community and follow you around all night just to have a chance with you."

He laughed at his own joke and the accountant found herself laughing too.

" I don't think I can picture you trying to seduce a woman." Jenn said, as she straightened her long dress.

" I can't imagine myself doing it either. I've been so happy since I fell in love with Rick that I've never needed to seduce anyone. I don't think I'd know how to." Jean finished putting on his tuxedo and sighed dramatically as he looked at his image in the mirror. " I miss him already and we ate breakfast together this morning, can you believe that?"

He looked intently at Jenn, the accountant had a blank look on her face.

" I don't think I know anything about love Jean, it's not for me. "

She shrugged her shoulders and began walking to the door, deep in thought.

She'd always believed what her dad had told her, that gay people were deceitful and selfish as he'd always complained about how easily his mother had left him and his father behind to run away with another woman.

" She left me with dad and not once looked back, she didn't care for me at all, only thinking about herself and that dyke who took her from me. Dad became so bitter after she left and she never cared to call me on my birthday, not a card at Christmas; nothing!!! Damned dykes they should go to hell, all of them!!! "

Jenn remembered how her father had cried one night on her mother's lap. He had came home from work and had a few drinks with his father, until they had got into an argument that brought back all those bad memories.

Jenn was now looking at the other side of the coin, a man in love with another with a steady relationship and only love and devotion towards his partner. She was very confused but as always hid her feelings until she was alone. But she felt the need to know more.

" How long did you say you've been in your relationship?" She asked as they closed the door of Jean's room.

The hairdresser smiled at the mention of his partner, " Five years of bliss, he is my one and only."

The hairdresser offered his arm to the dark haired woman who took it immediately. They made a beautiful couple, both so tall and with dark hair, Jean was very masculine looking and when he wanted he could behave like a complete gentlemen. But in private and with his friends, he enjoyed being so feminine and bubbly.

" It's good to see that some people can still build a healthy and long-lasting relationship these days." Jenn was thinking out-loud.

"You may think that couples of the same sex with a steady relationship are nearly in extinction, but you should know they exist and the myth of orgies and cheating partners is just talk. We do the same things straight people do, we're not a different species; we all are human beings. Rick and I, for example, met at college became best buddies at first and later we discovered that we were in love with each other, since then we've never been apart. He was my first and there is no other." Jean added as they waited for the elevator to arrive.

Jenn was more than surprised by Jean's story. She had never imagined that someone could be so sure about their mutual feelings; but who was she to know? She had never felt love for anyone since her parents died. " Maybe dad was wrong; not all gay people are that bad." She thought. The tall woman was about to ask something else when the elevator arrived and the doors opened to reveal Stephiny and Jackie.

" Oh God!!! " Jean squeaked as soon as he saw the pair stepping out of the elevator cart. " Someone is going to be very pissed." Jean whispered into Jenn's ear.

" Well, hello to you too, Jean. I see you are so happy to see us." Said Jackie ironically.

The hairdresser ignored her completely and focused his attention on Steph. " Hi Steph, you have a death wish I see." He was very serious.

Stephiny sighed and said. " She'll have to understand."

The accountant was watching the exchange with great interest, although she didn't have a clue as to what was going on.

" Oh!! Were my manners? Let me introduce you to my new client." Jean joked. " Steph this is Jennifer Heart Vice President of Warrior Publications and my client now. Jenn meet Stephiny Solomon, Kris's Manager and best friend, until tonight, I guess."

They shook hands. Stephiny knew Jean was avoiding Jackie and decided to introduce her lover.

" Nice to meet you Jennifer; this is my friend Jackie. " Steph said, very aware of the 'once over' look Jackie was giving the tall accountant.

Jenn felt uncomfortable under the woman's scrutiny, she said a quick hi and got inside the elevator cart.

" Well Steph I hate to leave your lovely company but we are needed somewhere else, take care and good luck." Said Jean as the elevator doors closed.

Jenn saw the worried look on Jean's face.

" What's wrong?" she asked.

" Oh girl!! When Kris finds out that Steph brought Jackie along with her, all hell will break loose. She is the sweetest little thing, but when Kristen O'Rourke is mad all the world sure knows about it….. run for your life." He said in a very dramatic tone.

Jenn couldn't help but laugh. She wasn't afraid of Kristen and for some reason she was sure that none of this would affect her in any way. But she wanted to find out what was the problem was with the manager's companion. " I don't understand." Jenn was confused.

" It's complicated, Jackie and Kris hate each other. She is a mean one and is always trying to fuck up everything related to Kristen."

Jean knew only too well that it wasn't his place to reveal the complete story of Jackie's hatred for Kris, because the author was an immensely private person. But he also knew that the tall accountant could help the author in dealing with her anger towards Jackie.

" Let me try to put it simply. Jackie and Steph are a couple, Steph has been Kristen's best friend since forever and Jackie has always been jealous of their friendship. Although they are like sisters Jackie doesn't understand it and is always trying to mess with Kristen's life, just for sport." He finished, knowing that it wasn't his place to continue with the story.

" Some people are mean just for the sake of it. " Was Jenn's only reply.

The accountant didn't like the way Jackie had looked at her when they were being introduced. She'd decided right away that she didn't like the woman at all, and made a mental note to stay away from her. Now her suspicions were confirmed: the woman was a bitch and Jenn wasn't going to waste her time getting to know her. If Jackie disliked Kristen then that was sure enough reason for Jenn to believe that Jackie was crazy.

The couple continued walking towards backstage as a few photographers took pictures of the striking couple.
" I'm going to need your help with this, Jenn; you are the one who's going to be up there with Kris and I can assure you that all hell will break loose as soon as Kris notices Jackie's down there. So please try to keep her calm at least until the auctions and the donations are over."

Jean pleaded with the accountant but Jenn wasn't sure if she could do it.

" We've only just met, how can I help her when I know so little about her?" Jenn said.

" It's ok, you just have to keep her distracted from the audience. Try to get her attention all the time and in the worse case, look at her in the eyes and tell her that she'll get her chance later."

They stopped in front of the door that led backstage.

" Ok, I'll try my best. " The accountant took a deep breath.

" Good luck, and make sure to stop by after the show to have a drink with us. I'll guarantee you'll going to need it."

The tall hairdresser winked at her and left in search of his friends.

Jenn found Kristen on the right side of the stage waiting for the band to stop playing. The sight of the young author in all her beautiful glory made Jenn's heart skip a beat. She felt so nervous all of a sudden, that she remained hidden to delay their meeting until she could get her heart to beat normally again. Kristen was oblivious to the piercing blue orbs that were fixed on her; she was enjoying the music that was being played and the memories of some tall, dark accountant who seemed to have taken permanent residence inside her mind.

" Oh Krissy girl, if you don't stop all this nonsense you are going to get hurt big time."

" You're back already?"

" I never left, just gave you some space."

" How considerate of you!" Kristen's voice was filled with sarcasm.

" Yeah, yeah, you can complain all you want but I know you are going to need me soon enough. And then I'm going to tell you 'I told you so'."

" Yeah right! " Kris ignored her inner voice one more time.

" You can't hide from me because I am YOU." Said the voice.

" Ok, what do you want?" The author was annoyed.

" I only wanted to check on you and see if you needed help figuring out this thing with the accountant."

" I don't have a 'thing' with any accountant; we are just friends for crying out loud! Why is that so difficult to understand?"

" Listen O'Rourke, you need to come to terms with this and stop living in denial. You are crazy about the accountant; face it and then maybe we can do something about it."

The petite writer was deep in thought, " Do something like what." She asked annoyed.

" Like focus on something else before you fall in love and get hurt again."

The last statement took the author by surprise. " In love? I've never been in love. What makes you think that I'm going to fall in love now? It's completely crazy." She said, as if to dismiss the subject.

" Because now you are vulnerable, your heart feels empty, you have matured. But the most important reason is because it's what you need, you feel lonely whether you admit it or not."

She couldn't deny it anymore the voice was right and she needed to admit.

" For the first time I agree with you, I feel dizzy just from looking into those eyes. I'm attracted to her but I need to stop this because I know this isn't going anywhere. We might never see one another again after this week." The author concluded, overwhelmed by the sadness that invaded her heart and unaware of the woman in question looking at her from a dark corner backstage.

…………………………………..

Jenn watched in awe at the changing emotions that passed over the author's face. It was like watching the rainbow as the different colors changed their intensity with the light.

" She is a beautiful woman, the man who finally catches her heart will be forever blessed. "

Jenn's thoughts brought a pang of jealousy deep inside of her. For some reason she couldn't figure out the kind of man that could fit into Kristen's life.

" She is so small and delicate, her hair is so bright…..I'm sure he will be tall and strong, dark and with good reflexes; she is a little clumsy. " Then all of a sudden she was startled to find herself thinking that 'she' was the best suitor for the petite blonde.

" What the hell am I thinking?" She sighed, exasperated

" You need to acknowledge that the attraction to Kristen is a fact and not some fantasy you've created."

" Oh no!!! That's not it, I'm just having a bad case of hero worship, the one I never had when I was a teenager. And after all she is my favorite celebrity." Neither the voice nor Jenn believed the lame excuse she made. But time was on her side as emerald eyes locked with azure ones and once again everything else ceased to exist.

The petite author gave Jenn a million-dollar smile when she saw the tall accountant near the exit door at the far back of the stage. Jenn felt her knees go weak. " Wow!!! Was that smile all for me? " She thought as she looked around to see if someone else was sharing the author's smile. On finding no-one, she smiled back and began walking towards the writer.

" Hi" Was the only word that Jenn managed to utter.

Kristen looked at Jenn from head to toe, and tried to say something completely neutral, but failed miserably.

" Wow you look stunning."

" Thanks, so do you. Now I know why they're calling you the golden girl out there." The accountant complimented.

Kris blushed at the comment and changed the subject. " We need to be ready, they are going to call us very soon. Do you know what to do?" Kris said

" Sure, they told me that I'm not going to give a speech or anything; just a few words and the check is what really matters here." She smiled confidently.

Jenn never was afraid of speaking in public, she felt completely at ease with that. But what gave her the creeps was the intimacy of a conversation between two people. It wasn't long before they were called to the stage.

" Now ladies and gentlemen, please welcome once again to the stage the young woman who's words comfort every soul and tame every beast, Kristen O'Rourke."

The author winked at Jenn and walked out onto the stage, leaving behind a short breathed Jenn.

" Thank You, George for such beautiful words."

Kris was in her element as the host of the gala.

" Two years ago, when we started this idea, I never imagined that so many others would join me in the same dream. Now after two years of hard work, we are beginning to see the product of our work. It's my pleasure to welcome a new member to our sponsor group, whose donation has become the down payment for the construction of the first reading school and library soon to be built in Central America. Please welcome this wonderful human being and strong business-woman, the Vice President and Co-owner of Warrior Publications, Jennifer Heart."

Kristen was beaming with pride as the beautiful accountant approached the microphone.

" Thank you very much Kristen. It's my pleasure to be here on behalf of Warrior Publications. Reading - is like feeding the soul; it gives you a window to the world, to unknown feelings and uncharted territories. It also gives you knowledge, the most powerful tool in achieving anything you want in life. We at Warrior Publications want every single person in the world to have that tool available to them so that they can enjoy a better future. On behalf of our company, I would like to donate $ 50,000.00 towards the construction of the first reading school and library. Thank you all for being here supporting this cause."

Jenn handed the symbolic check to a very touched Kristen, who was still amazed at the words the accountant had spoken. The flashes of the cameras blinded the pair for a short time. Behind the photographers, many eyes watched the display with interest.

" What do you think now Jean, are you still up for the bet?" Asked a smiling Marie.

" Of course I am. " He said confidently.

" Let's see how it goes when Kris finds Jackie in her room, I swear to God someone could die tonight." Issa was visibly worried.

" Nah! Don't worry, babe. Can't you see Kris doesn't have eyes for anyone else but Jenn. Let's just hope she didn't notice Jackie's presence." Marie tried to calm her lover.

Jean snorted " Yeah!! Like it's possible not to notice Jackie." He laughed so loud that some people turned to look at him.

…………………………………………..

For the remainder of the show, Jenn stayed on stage helping Kristen with the auction and trying to keep her friend from noticing Jackie at one of the tables at the far end of the ballroom. The accountant was grateful that everything went smoothly and noticed how well they worked together. It was like they had always been a team. Nearing the final set of the band, the pair were waiting on the side of the stage to say the closing words for the night when suddenly Kris saw Steph and Jackie leaving the ballroom.

" Oh God, I can't believe this. How could she do this to me? This is going to end here and now; there's no way in the world I'm going to stay calm about this."

Kristen was speaking out loud and the accountant didn't need anymore proof to understand what was going on. It was now or never; she needed a diversion quick.

"Hey Kris, get ready, they've almost finished." Jenn said.

" Listen, I need to do something very important at this very moment, please say a few words and close the activity for me. I'm needed elsewhere. "

The blonde started to walk away but the tall accountant had other ideas. She took the author's hand in her larger ones, and pulled the blonde to her. Their bodies touched completely as she placed a soothing hand on the authors bare back. Jenn whispered calming words in the author's ear.

" It's ok Kris, we are going to finish this together and then you can go do whatever you need to. Please, stay with me."

The words were so sweetly whispered to Kristen, that they made the author forget about why she wanted to leave in the first place. She felt a tingle start in her lower parts as the warm sensation continued to wash all over her body. The husky voiced filled her completely as the warm hand on her back made her skin burn. The band stopped playing and Jenn took that as the perfect moment to end the show.

" C'mon, it's time."

The pair closed the activity and left the stage quickly, Kris was in a hurry and left to find Steph and Jackie. Jenn felt left out and preferred to stay behind talking with one of the organizers of the event.

" Thank you for all your help Miss Heart, it was a pleasure to have you here." The white bearded man said, gratefully.

" Thanks to you and all the members of this wonderful group who have this difficult task at hand. It's an honor to be part of it now." She smiled and handed a check to the man.

" Take this and add it to the other donations. I wasn't aware that this organization existed and now I feel a part of it too. It's time for me to give back some of what has been given to me."

The old man was dumbfounded when he saw the amount of the check.

" Ten thousand dollars is too much from one person, I'm not sure I can accept this."

Jenn looked at him like he had two heads " What are you saying? This is my money and it's my decision what I do with it. Take it, please; it'll do some good now that the first library is about to get underway. God knows I don't need it." She was starting to feel annoyed and wanted to get out of the room. "Thank you for everything. I have to go now." She said.

"Thank you, Miss Heart, you are a very generous woman, it's really an honor to have you among us now."

The man smiled at Jenn as she nodded and left the room. In the hall she was confronted by some people from the media all asking questions at the same time.

" Miss Heart is it true that your grandfather bought Warriors publications as a gift for you? Are you going to be the new President of the company? Is it true that you are the new love interest of Kristen O'Rourke? There are rumours that the two of you were very affectionate at the beach earlier today, What do you have to say about that?"

All the questions were asked practically at the same time and Jenn was fuming by now, she wasn't ready to be the focus of attention and she was hating it, the last question seemed to make her temper explode at last.

" Who the hell are you to ask me such question? I've never been a public figure and definitely don't intend to start being one now. So stay out of the fucking way or you're going to be the front page on tomorrow's paper. " Jenn didn't know how someone managed to make her stop choking the poor man who asked the last question. She was so angry she couldn't see beyond her nose.

" Let me clear this up for this time only, I won't answer any of those questions because you don't have the right to ask them in the first place. Now MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!!! "

She yelled so loud that the group of "journalist wannabes" jumped in fear. She stole that moment to leave the place quickly; her heart thumping inside her chest; blood pounding in her ears.

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

Meanwhile, in Miami, someone was channel surfing.

" Sammy, could you please stop switching channels? We can only watch one show at a time. " Said the woman with an arched eyebrow.

" Sorry hon. It's just that nothing holds my attention, maybe we can find something better to do than watch TV." This was said in a very seductive tone.

" Mmm, Let me think about it…OK let's fool around."

The pair started kissing and the remote control was soon forgotten on the armrest of the couch where they were sitting. Sam took the remote to shut the TV off when all of the sudden a very familiar face appeared on the screen.

" Oh my God!!! Honey look she is just like you! "

The surprised tone in her lover's voice made Beverly look at the television immediately.

" Turn the sound on!!! "

They were immersed in the image of Jenn as the reporter talked about the gala and the donations.

" Jennifer Heart the Vice President of Warrior Publications made a considerable donation on behalf of her company tonight at the writers convention that it's taking place at The Whyndham El Conquistador Hotel in Puerto Rico, Miss Heart the only granddaughter of the well known business man; Richard Heart was approached by the press at the end of the gala, her behavior wasn't impressive, let's see. 'I won't answer any questions.'

Was the only declaration Miss Heart made, before leaving the ballroom after having a very physical encounter with one of the members of the Press. Now, back to the studios." Said the reporter.

The pair watched the TV in awe until Beverly blinked several times and looked at her lover

"That's my granddaughter."

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

" What the hell was all that about?"

Thought Jenn as she approached the closed salon for the party after the gala. It was a 'press free' cocktail party for the guests to enjoy themselves without the hassle of the media around them.

" Just one drink and I'm free to go to bed, I can't believe the nerve of that guy, he was lucky I was dressed like this because if it were someplace else I would've kicked his ass. It's incredible how good the night began and how awful it ended, I wonder how Kris is doing." Thought the accountant as she reached the bar and ordered bourbon, the moment her drink arrived so did Jean.

" Hey gorgeous I thought you left me stood up." Jean said.

The accountant seemed to relax a little. " Hi, I wanted a drink to get relaxed before turning in for the night. " She said nonchalantly.

" You were great up there tonight, it was like you and Kristen have this chemistry and worked like a well oiled machine."

Jean noticed the frown Jenn was wearing and knew that something was bothering the accountant and he tried to distract her.

" I want you to meet my partner Rick. He appeared here about an hour ago to give me a surprise on our anniversary, isn't he cute?"

The hairdresser was smiling broadly and that seemed to rub off on Jenn, she found herself smiling too.

" It was very nice of him, I'd really love to meet Mr. Wonderful. "Jenn said. Jean didn't wait for her to finish her sentence, he was already dragging the accountant across the room towards the group of friends.

" I tell you Issa it's a great place, the island is beautiful and the beaches mmm, I checked it out on the Internet last night; it's like paradise, please came with us?"

Rick was pleading to the couple in front of him as Jean and Jenn arrived. Issa looked pensive for a couple of seconds and when she looked at Marie's pouting face she couldn't say no.

" Oh ok we'll go with you guys but I want a room for us alone." She added.

Rick was beaming as he said, " Of course I already took that into consideration and made reservations for two separate rooms, this is an anniversary trip honey, what do you expect summer camp?"

They all laughed at Rick's antics. Jean took that moment to introduce Jenn to his lover.

" Baby, please meet my new friend and client, Jennifer Heart, Jenn meet the other half of my soul Rick O'Rourke. "

The pair exchanged pleasantries and the conversation about the anniversary trip continued,

" What about Kristen?" Asked Marie.

" Yeah what about her, we can't leave her here with Steph and the devil. They'll be dead when we return from St. Martin. " Issa was worried about her friend.

" Maybe we can convince her to come with us, she really needs time to relax. What do you think baby?" Asked Jean innocently.

Ricky sighed, he knew very well his friends were up to something. It was common knowledge that Kristen had a villa reserved for her on a little island that was part of Puerto Rico to spend her vacation time. She had made it clear that she was going to spend her vacation alone enjoying the peace. Rick decided to play along and later he'd ask what this was about.

" You know, sweetie, that Kris would never go with us. She is always saying that she feels like a third wheel anytime she goes out with us. I think she feels lonely." Rick said and winked at Jean who was trying to keep his face straight.

Jenn felt so sad for the author and was about to say something to offer her company to the blonde woman. But suddenly she thought about what that tabloid journalist had asked her earlier and the fact that they would be surrounded by gay couples made the accountant keep her mouth shut. Rick was very good at watching people and he practically saw the wheels working inside Jenn's head. He decided to change the subject before the woman left screaming.

"And speaking of Kristen, where is she?" He asked.

All of them looked at Jenn questioningly,

" Don't look at me! She left the ballroom several minutes before me, and was in a hurry she said. I thought she was already here."

Jenn knew that Kris was mad at Steph but didn't think it was that important, "What could happen, they are best friends. " She thought, but seeing the worried look on Jean's face was giving her the idea that something was wrong.

" Oh shit she must have seen Steph and Jackie, we need to find her."

Jean was worried.

" Ok, Jean and I will check the pool area, Marie and Issa check the ballroom and the terrace, Jenn would you help us?" Asked Rick.

"Of course, I'll look for her in the lobby and the main entrance. Maybe after that we can all meet at her room, she might be there." Jenn was taking her part in this seriously now.

" Good idea, let's meet at her room."

Jean and Rick left quickly and all the girls left too. They searched for Kris but no one found her. They got together at the elevators and went up to Kristen's room.

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

Steph and Kris were engrossed in a heated argument whilst Jackie enjoyed the show.

"I can't believe you did this to me Steph, you know all I wanted was a little peace and the you bring this…this…woman into my room, on my vacation time and ruined the little peace of mind I still had."

Kristen was so angry she felt like crying but she wasn't going to let Jackie see her cry, no sir!

" C'mon Kris you have to understand, I thought we'd find a room for us but the hotel was full. What was I supposed to do? Take a plane back home the same night? Jackie is my lover and we spend so little time together, she's leaving in two days on another business trip."

Steph tried to convince the author but to no avail. The blonde had packed a duffel bag because she wasn't going to spend the night in the same room as Jackie.

" Do whatever you want Steph, I'm leaving. There's not enough force on this earth to make me share a roof with that 'thing' you have for girlfriend. "

Kris pointed at Jackie unaware of the group arriving at the scene behind her, Jackie did notice and took the perfect opportunity to cut into the discussion.

" I'll have you know that I'm a human being, a woman not a thing as you just called me. But I understand it, coming from you! To think that is the way you look at women and the same way you treat them, like things!"

Jackie smiled evilly as she continued her monologue loud enough for every body to hear,

" You treat women like tissues, once you've used them you throw them away for others to pick up after you. That's the real Kristen O'Rourke; a womanizer, a cold heartless little dyke who enjoys a good fuck and then leaves without looking back at the poor fucked up woman."

Jackie knew about hurting Kris; she had played the therapist for Steph with her concerns about Kristen's depression and now she was taking advantage of it. The author was still unaware of the group standing behind her as she tried to regain her composure after the cruel words Jackie had thrown at her. The bitch had hit too close to home and Kristen felt lost.

" You know nothing about me Jack, you can't judge me or the life I've lived. " Was the poor answer Kris responded with.

Jackie knew her words were weakening the author's resolve.

" Oh but I do. I've lived a much better life than you; at least I've never used someone for pleasure and then left them without so much as a care in the world. Steph said you are trying to change but I got news for you; it won't happen, you can't stop being the selfish little dyke you are Kristen. You always hurt people, half of the lesbian population of Texas is still crying for you when you left. You hurt Steph and now you're hurting Tara, she's just a child for Christ sake!!! How much lower can you fall? "

All the anger Jackie felt for Kristen was surfacing now. Kristen was so hurt by the words she heard that she was blinded by fury, and never noticed how her hand had turned into a fist that smacked Jackie's face so hard the bitch fell backwards. No one saw it coming, only Jenn and she wasn't going to stop Kris; the bitch deserved it. She had been surprised when the thought of hitting Jackie herself had crossed her mind; she could see how much her words had hurt Kristen.

The blond fury took her duffel bag from the floor and looked at Jackie once more.

" I told you to shut the fuck up bitch."

With that she turned around only to crash against Jenn's chest. The author looked into those blue eyes and instantly knew by the confusion in them that the accountant had heard the discussion. She had been "outed" in front of Jenn in the worst way, she felt so sad at the thought of losing her new friend. She wanted so much to be alone, to think.

" I'm so sorry, Excuse me." She choked out in a strangled voice.

The author fled from the hall.

" Kristen wait!!! "

Jenn wanted to follow the author but Jean stopped her.

" Leave her. She needs time alone to clear her thoughts." Said a very saddened Jean.

" But she looked so sad, it's late. Where could she possibly go at midnight?" Jenn was visibly worried.

" Give her time, she's hurting but when she's ready she'll be back. "

Jean looked at Jenn and saw genuine concern in her eyes. " Maybe there's hope after all." He thought.

TBC

Feedback: ROCshadow@xenafan.com

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