On A Wing And A Prayer Part 21

"There would be no daily reminders, Ang. Look ... both of us have come from abusive relations.h.i.+ps. The last thing we would do is abuse each other. No ... if we were together, the memories of abuse would make our relations.h.i.+p more loving," she explained.

Angie reached across the table and brushed an errant lock of hair from Ca.s.s' face. "I hope you're right, hon. It's about time you settle down with someone who truly loves you," she said.

"Yes it is time, and I just know that Rox is the one, Ang. I have never felt this way about anyone before. She chases away this constant feeling of dread, longing and regret in the pit of my stomach. I feel light headed, giddy and excited when I think of her. Ang, I thought I was in love with Patti, but what I felt for her is nothing compared to what I feel for Rox," she explained.

Angie reached out and placed her hand over Ca.s.s'. "You know, there are different levels of love, sweetie. I'm sure you loved Patti, but obviously, Rox is your true soulmate," she surmised.

Ca.s.s just smiled and squeezed the hand that was resting on top of hers. "It's late, and I'm tired. I'm going to head home. Thanks for listening, Ang. I really needed someone to talk to tonight." Rising to her feet, she gave the older woman a kiss on the cheek and an affectionate hug before heading out the door.

"Good night, Ca.s.s," Angie said, thinking to herself that Ca.s.s wasn't going to like the cold Maine winters.

When Ca.s.s got home, she immediately went into her office and fired up her computer. She had told Rox that she would send her an e-mail in the morning, but seeing that it was about 10:00 p.m. on the west coast, she wouldn't see it until morning anyway. Sitting down at the computer, she started to write.

"Hi Love,

Rox, I want you to know that I have given you a piece of my heart that I never want you to return. I have never felt for anyone else, the way I feel for you. You are the other half of my soul Roxanne Ward. You complete me.

It breaks my heart to know you are living in an abusive situation. I thank the powers above that you have two friends who love you, and who are willing to stay with you to keep you safe. I wish I could be there myself, but I don't want to rush you, or make you uncomfortable with the pace of this relations.h.i.+p. Know however, that I will come to you immediately if you need me. My phone number is 408-555-1080. I generally fly Monday and Tuesday, and then again on Thursday and Friday, but I am home on Wednesdays and weekends. Please call if you need me, Rox. I really want to be there for you.

You are a brilliant writer, Rox. I can only imagine what it would be like to look inside your mind. I'm sure it is a wondrous and magical place. I desperately want to get to know you better ... to look inside and see the real Roxanne Ward. I know without a doubt that I would not be disappointed. I want to know your mind as well as your heart. I ask that you share them both with me. I will treat them with care.

I will let you go for now. Know that what I feel for you goes beyond friends.h.i.+p. I believe I am falling in love with you Rox. Don't ask me how this happened, especially since we have know each other for such a short period of time ... and especially since we have never met face to face, but I feel it in my heart. I know without a doubt that I love you, and I will cherish you forever. I hope I have not made you uncomfortable with this declaration. I couldn't bear to lose you.

Until later then,

With loving thoughts,

Ca.s.s"

There, Ca.s.s thought as she reread the note. "Pleasant dreams, Sweet Angel," she whispered as she reached over and clicked on 'shut down'.

Rising, she made her way to the bedroom, stripping off her T-s.h.i.+rt and shorts along the way. Slipping a nights.h.i.+rt over her head, she climbed in between the sheets and laid down, letting out a deep sigh as she settled into the soft pillow and closed her eyes.

Roxanne was riding on a horse, behind a dark haired man. Suddenly, they came to a stop and she slipped off the horse's back. Walking around for a moment, she turned and looked at the man. He was very handsome. Talk and dark, and dressed in leather britches, vest and muslin s.h.i.+rt. He wore boots that laced to his knees. She was wearing a leather skirt and halter top, adorned with feathers. She too wore boots that laced to her knees. Is this Ca.s.s? she thought to herself.

"Where is she?" she heard herself say.

"She's in here," the man replied, pointed to himself.

She was confused, and shook her head side to side.

"Close your eyes," the man said. "Close your eyes and think of me."

Roxanne obeyed, closing her eyes tightly and clearing her mind. Suddenly, from the mist, rose a figure. A woman, dressed in a black leather battle dress and breastplate. She was beautiful. Tall and slim with long dark hair and strikingly blue eyes. Rox couldn't help but stare. This woman was breathtaking ... and she looked so familiar. Where have I seen her before? she asked herself.

For some unknown reason, Rox began to cry. "Why?" she asked. "Why did you leave me?"

Suddenly, the woman approached her, smiling. "I will always be here," she said.

Leaning in, the woman lowered her mouth toward Rox. Their lips touched, blending the essence of their love. Rox felt as though her insides had liquefied. A warmth spread from her chest to her groin. Her heart started to flutter, and her body shook uncontrollably with emotion.

As soon as the woman's lips contacted her own, Rox felt something change. Savoring the kiss for as long as she could, it was moments later before she opened her eyes. What she saw surprised her. She was kissing the tall, handsome man.

Rox looked around frantically. Where did she go? she thought as she continued to scan the area.

Jerri rolled off her wife, and onto her back, pulling the smaller woman along to rest on top of her. Both women were breathing heavily.

Nikki laid her cheek on Jerri's bare breast. "You're going to kill me one of these days, Jer," she said, panting. "G.o.d, that was good," she added.

"Hmmm. I aim to please, love. Had enough?" she asked.

Nikki's entire body was throbbing from post o.r.g.a.s.mic relief, as small tremors continued to vibrate through her body. "Oh yeah," she said breathlessly, unable to move from her position on top of her wife.

Jerri leaned in and kissed her on top of the head. "Good, Now would you mind sliding off so I can use the bathroom?" she asked.

Nikki couldn't move. "Can't," she said.

Jerri just smiled and rolled onto her side, depositing Nikki on her back on the mattress next to her. "Some mattress queen you are!" she exclaimed.

Nikki just grinned as she watched her wife get out of bed. G.o.d, that woman is beautiful, she thought as she watched a naked Jerri head for the door. "Ah, Jer ... did you forget something?" she asked.

Jerri turned sleepy eyes back toward the bed and raised her eyebrows.

"We're not home, love. I don't think Rox will appreciate us walking around in our birthday suits," Nikki commented.

Jerri tilted her head back and looked at the ceiling. Letting a small chuckle escape, she padded back to the bed and reached for her nights.h.i.+rt and panties before heading out once more.

Jerri pa.s.sed Rox's room on her way back to Nikki and heard the red haired woman moaning inside. "Where did she go? Where is she?" came the desperate pleas.

Pus.h.i.+ng the door open, she saw Rox thras.h.i.+ng about on the bed. d.a.m.n, she's going to re-injure her ribs if she keeps that up, Jerri observed.

Moving quietly into the room, Jerri climbed into bed and took Rox into her arms. Rox instantly settled down and burrowed into Jerri's embrace. "Shhhh," she cooed to the smaller woman. "Sleep, Rox ... you're safe, hon. Just relax and sleep." Soon, both women had fallen asleep.

Some time later, Nikki rolled over and threw her arm over her wife ... at least she threw it over the s.p.a.ce her wife was supposed to be occupying. Sitting up and looking around, she realized that Jerri was missing. Slipping her own nights.h.i.+rt and panties on, she went in search of the taller woman, finding her and her best friend wrapped in a loving embrace. Both women were sleeping.

Nikki stood in the doorway of Rox's room and smiled, thinking about how d.a.m.ned cute they looked. Tiptoeing silently to the bed, she too slipped in between the covers so that Rox was laying between them. As she settled in, Jerri opened one eye and smiled at her wife. "Nightmare," she said softly. Nikki smiled back and wrapped herself around both her wife and friend. Soon, the menagerie of dark, blonde and red were sound asleep.

Ca.s.s was sitting astride a horse. She felt odd. Her body was foreign to her. Wrapped around her, was Rox, sitting behind her in the saddle. She brought the horse to a halt, allowing Rox to slide off. She watched for a few moments as Rox walked around disoriented. Slipping off the horse herself, she straightened her clothing. Suddenly, she realized why she felt so odd ... she was a man! What the h.e.l.l? she wondered to herself.

She walked a few feet away and shook her head. Suddenly, she felt Rox's hand on her arm.

"Where is she?" she heard Rox ask.

"She's in here," Ca.s.s replied, pointing to her chest. Why did I say that? she wondered.

She looked at Rox as shook her head in confusion.

Ca.s.s felt an internal struggle going on inside of her. Suddenly, she said to the pet.i.te red head, "Close your eyes, Close your eyes and think of me."

She watched as Roxanne obeyed, closing her eyes tightly. Ca.s.s felt very odd. Finally, after a few moments, things began to clear as she felt herself emerge from the inner depths of this man whose body she inhabited. Looking down, she noticed that the leather britches and vest were gone and she was now wearing a black leather battle dress and breastplate. Wow, she thought. I know I signed one of the e-mails "Your Loving Warrior", but I didn't mean it literally!

For some unknown reason, Rox began to cry. "Why?" she asked. "Why did you leave me?"

Ca.s.s felt Rox's pain and confusion and stepped forward to comfort her. "I will always be here," she said.

Leaning in, she lowered her mouth toward Rox. Their lips touched, blending the essence of their love. Ca.s.s felt as though her insides had liquefied. A warmth spread from her chest to her groin. Her heart started to flutter, and her body shook uncontrollably with emotion.

As soon as the woman's lips contacted her own, Ca.s.s felt something change. Savoring the kiss for as long as she could, it was moments later before she opened her eyes. What she realized surprised her. She was once again in the man's body.

Rox looked around, frantically scanning the area.

Ca.s.s suddenly bolted awake and jumped out of bed, feeling around her body with her hands. I feel like a woman, she thought as she headed to the bathroom to check it out in the mirror. Sure enough, she was definitely a woman.

E, did you dream what I dreamt? she asked her alter ego as she walked back into her bedroom, dazed.

I sure did. You know Ca.s.s, you really DO need to get.... Enforcer started.

Yeah, yeah, I know ... I need to get laid. Enough with the broken record, okay? she said sarcastically.

Go back to bed, Ca.s.s. Maybe you'll get to kiss her again ... this time, don't wake up, okay? Enforcer instructed.

Ca.s.s threw herself back down on the bed and stared at the ceiling for long moments before she drifted back to sleep.

CHAPTER XXI.

ROX AWOKE TO find herself spooned in between her two friends. They had her trapped, unable to move a muscle. How the h.e.l.l did this happen? she asked herself as she managed to work one hand free to scratch her nose. "Guys?" she said. "Ah, guys ... ah, h.e.l.lo?" she said again.

"Go to sleep, Nik ... it's too early to get up," Jerri said as she threw her arm across both Rox and Nikki, once more trapping the hand she worked so hard to free.

"Aarrgghh!" Rox exclaimed as she turned her head to Nikki. "Nik! Nikki wake up!" she urged.

"Rox, go back to sleep," came the reply.

Suddenly, Nikki bolted upright in bed. "Rox?" she said looking at her friend. "How did you get in our bed?" she asked.

Rox grinned. "You're in MY bed, Nik. And so is Jerri," she observed.

Nikki frowned, trying to remember the previous evening. "Oh yeah," she said, running her hand through her short blonde hair. "You had a nightmare, Jerri came to your rescue ... I missed her, so I joined the two of you. Now I remember," she explained.

"I had a nightmare?" Rox questioned.

"Yes you did," Jerri said from her position on the other side of Rox.

Rox looked over at her other friend. "Did I say anything?" she asked.

Jerri rolled over onto her back and rubbed her eyes. "Yeah," she said, looking back at Rox. "You kept saying 'Where is she? and 'Where did she go?' Don't you remember any of it?"

"I remember riding a horse, and kissing a woman who turned into a man ... then she was gone!?" Rox said, confused.

"A woman who turned into a man?" Nikki deadpanned. "C'mere," she added, reaching over to feel Rox's forehead. "No fever. Are you all right, Rox?" she asked.

"I'm fine, Nik. The dream was so real. The man was tall and dark and very good looking. I remember wondering if it was Ca.s.s," Rox answered.

"Rox, just how hard did you hit your head yesterday?" Jerri asked.

"Some friends you are ... I invite you into my bed, and this is the way you treat me!" Rox said jokingly.

"Well, this friend could use some coffee ... and a trip to the bathroom," Nikki said as she climbed out of bed, then reached her hand back for Rox. "Coming?" she asked.

Rox painfully shuffled her way over to the edge of the bed and took Nikki's hand. Rising slowing to her feet, she groaned and said, "G.o.d, I feel like someone beat the s.h.i.+t out of me yesterday."

Jerri was right behind them as the trio made their way downstairs to brew their morning ambition and feed their caffeine addictions.