Actions Speak Louder

by Alyx

"I'm BORED," Nicky announced into the phone. She plopped down onto the sofa, the picture of discontent.

"Bored?!" Theresa's voice through the receiver was incredulous. "Aren't you the one who once told me that boredom was the sign of a lazy and unimaginative mind?"

A short silence.

"Why is it that you only remember the things that people would prefer you didn't?" Nicky asked, annoyed.

"Sorry," Terry responded, not sounding at all penitent. "I've just never heard you complain of it before. So tell me, why are you bored?"

"Well, there's nothing to DO around here!" She stood up suddenly and started pacing as she spoke.

"Nothing to do? You said there was a Georgia O'Keeffe retrospective at the Fine Arts Museum that you wanted to see."

"I went last week. Gorgeous paintings, and a speaker to die for."

"Well hey, that sounds like fun. And wait a minute, wasn't Melissa Etheridge playing in San Francisco over the weekend?!"

"Oh. Yeah, that's true. I went with Sharon and Maggie....it was fantastic, actually."

"Sharon and Maggie? Why wasn't...oh, that's right, Cassie's on tour, isn't she?"

"Yes." Nicky sighed. She sank back down onto the couch, draped her feet over the armrest and stared at the ceiling.

"And when does she come back?"

"Not till next week," Nicky said mournfully.

"Ah, no wonder you're 'bored.'" Terry's voice was amused.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You're horny as hell."

Nicky gasped. "Ter-ry! Do you have to be so crude?!"

Her sister-in-law laughed outright at that. "Well, that's what it is, isn't it? You may have been together for three years, but you two are still disgustingly in that 'honeymoon' stage, as far as I can tell. Not to mention my sister being a Scorpio and all."

"Oh yes...." Nicky sighed again, this time with a wistful smile. "Cassie Cristain certainly knows how to keep a woman well-loved. It's amazing the bedsprings haven't given out—"

"Yikes! Ewww! Too Much Information!!" Terry complained, holding the receiver away from her ear. "Nic, we're talking about the sister that raised me, here!"

It was Nicky's turn to laugh. "Sorry, but you started it."

"Yeah, well I was talking about YOUR problem....I don't want to hear about hear any details about Cass, okay?"

Nicky snorted. "Seeing as how she's my lover, one would naturally involve the other! At least...I hope so."

Terry noticed the sudden change in tone. "Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Well, she's on tour for three weeks. And I know damn well women are throwing themselves at her feet at every performance."

"Oh, I doubt it's EVERY performance. They've been known to play some dives, you know." Terry chuckled. "But even so, what are you worried about?"

"Well...as you said yourself, she's a healthy young woman. And some of those groupies are really beautiful...."

"Whoa, you just hold it right there, Nicky!" Terry's voice was stern. "I know for a fact that Cassie is head over heels in love with you. And what's more, I know my sister is honorable to a fault. She wouldn't cheat on you!"

"Oh, I know that. At least, I think I do. But you can do a lot of flirting and still not be unfaithful!"

Terry made a sound of exasperation. "You really have to do something about your insecurity, Nic! I never said my sister was saint. And maybe she did date a few girls in her younger days. But once she met you, she's never had eyes for anyone else!"

"You think so?"

"I know so! So stop driving yourself crazy, and make a date with a vibrator if you have to! She'll be home in a few days."

They changed the subject after that and chatted about other topics, but Nicky was still bothered when she hung up. She'd always wondered why Cassie had fallen for her, when she must meet so many women who were much more exciting.

The rest of the week seemed to drag by. Cassie called every night but she was frequently tired, and their phone calls left Nicky feeling more unsatisfied than ever. By the end of the week Nicky's temper had disintegrated along with her coordination – she was snapping at coworkers and avoiding her friends, bumping into walls and dropping heavy objects on her own feet. She was a wreck, and knew she wasn't fit company for anyone. The only bright spot was a shopping trip to Chadwick's of London on day her lover was due back home – Cassie loved her in lingerie.

As she donned the peaches-and-cream satin and lace garter set that evening, she felt a tingle of anticipation. It was going to be so wonderful to see her partner again. This was the longest they'd been separated since they moved in together.

She was waiting, demurely covered in a terrycloth robe, when Cassie walked through the door. She stopped herself from flinging herself into her girlfriend's arms, but it was close. She settled for a hug and long kiss.

"Mmmm, you smell good," Cassie murmured. "And you feel wonderful." She returned the embrace and kiss with interest.

"I've missed you," Nicky said, thinking what an understatement that was.

"God, I've missed you too, sweetheart! You wouldn't believe what a horrible week it's been!"

"Oh, I think I might. C'mon, let's go to bed."

"Oh yes, to sleep in my own bed!" Cassie stretched wearily, groaning as she did. "But I need a bath first, hon. I'm feeling all sticky and grimy."

"Okay, but don't be long." Nicky pulled open the top of her robe to give Cassie a peek. Her lover's eyes widened appreciatively.

"Oh my. Come keep me company while I soak, why don't you?"

Cassie was quite talkative during her bath, a sign that she was still winding down from her time on the road. Nicky picked up a loofah to scrub her back, and Cassie sighed blissfully, closing her eyes.

"That last gig was a nightmare," she said, leaning forward to allow Nicky to reach all the way down her spine. "That's the last time I'll let Erin arrange a booking for us!"

"What happened?" Nicky asked, amused. "She didn't have you playing at a chili cook-off again, did she?"

"Oh, it was worse! It's like her only consideration is the money, so she'll accept gigs anywhere. This time she had us playing for a 'Strong Women in Motion' benefit dinner."

"Well, that doesn't sound so bad." Nicky traced soapy pictures in Cassie's back as she listened.

"You wouldn't think so, would you? But it turns out SWIM is the local women's fund-raising chapter of the Republican party."

"You're kidding!"

"Unfortunately not. When I found out, I asked her why in the world they'd want to book a lesbian band. Seems she didn't bother mentioning it to them, justifying it by pointing out she was technically bisexual and therefore we weren't necessarily a lesbian band."

Nicky giggled. "She's terrible. So how was it?"

"Well, the performance actually went okay. We weren't the only act scheduled so I cut our playlist short and kept away from the controversial stuff."

"Sounds like a wise move," Nicky agreed. "And was the audience appreciative?"

"The majority of them, who wore pearls and carried Dior handbags, seemed a bit puzzled by it all. But the younger ones were enthusiastic enough. No, the trouble didn't come till afterwards."

"Oh-oh. What happened?"

"A couple of women were hassling Raven in the restroom.....they thought she was a guy."

"What?! Didn't they see her onstage with you???"

"They did. What's your point?"

Nicky nodded ruefully, realizing that the drummer's androgynous persona might well come across as masculine to anyone who wasn't looking closely.

"How did Raven react?"

"She lost it. She wasn't happy about doing the gig in the first place, and when these women started threatening to call the police, it was the last straw."

"Yikes! Then what happened?" Nicky braced herself. Raven's temper was legendary.

"She called them 'narrow-minded Stepford robots' and 'ignorant tools of the patriarchy.' Then she flashed them."

"Oh no!"

Cassie nodded mournfully. "Shouted that maybe they'd forgotten what non-plastic breasts looked like and that's why they didn't recognize a real woman when they saw one."

Nicky winced. Cassie was the unofficial "leader" of Amazon Blood and took her responsibility seriously. She hated it when she felt something reflected badly on the group's reputation. But Nicky had to bite back a smile at the thought of Raven battling the Republicans. She squeezed the sponge over Cassie's back and began to rinse her partner off.

"Well," she said placatingly, "I'm sure it'll soon be forgotten."

"I don't think so. Not when one of the women fainted at the sight of Raven's pierced nipples and the tattoo of a tongue coming out of her belly button."

That did it. Nicky succumbed to giggles, and Cassie joined her. Finally, Nicky stood and reached for a towel. She pulled her lover up, wrapped her in it, and patted her dry. Cassie leaned down to kiss her, then pulled away with a jaw-cracking yawn.

"Oh god, I'm sorry. I've been up since 5:00 this morning, and it's all starting to hit me."

"Go on," Nicky said, pushing her in the direction of the bedroom. "I'll drain the tub."

Cassie fell into bed with just the towel, not bothering to put on sleeping clothes. Nicky came over, stood at the foot of the bed, and drew off her robe.

"Oh darling, you look good enough to eat," Cassie said, licking her lips.

"Hold that thought," Nicky replied mischievously, reaching for Cassie's feet. She kneaded and rubbed them, earning a moan from her lover.

"That feels so good."

"It gets better," Nicky promised. She knelt down and began raining kisses on Cassie's instep, then along her ankles. Slowly she made her way up, taking her time, listening to Cassie's breathing deepen as she relaxed. When she reached her thighs, she looked up to savor the expression on her partner's face. But instead of watching her progress as Cassie usually loved to do, her eyes were closed.

"Cassie?" she asked uncertainly. "Is this okay?"

Her partner didn't answer. Incredibly, a soft snore issued from her mouth. Nicky stared at her.

"No, it can't be," she whispered in disbelief. "She's fucking fallen asleep!"

~~~~~

Cassie awoke the next morning feeling wonderful. She never slept as well on the road as she did in her own bed, even though she had learned to take her own pillow with her when she traveled. The sun was shining in through a small gap in the curtains, and she squinted at the clock on the nightstand.

Seven a.m. Where was Nicky?

The sound of dishes rattling downstairs answered that question, and she quickly washed up and got dressed, then went looking for her partner. Nicky was standing at the counter dressed in a pair of gray sweatpants and a maroon t-shirt. A bowl of Crispix cereal sat on the table, and she was pouring herself a cup of coffee.

Cassie walked up behind her and wrapped her arms around her, placing a kiss on the top of her head. "You're up early."

"Yes. Couldn't sleep, so went to the gym to work out." She didn't turn around.

"Oh? Why didn't you wake me, I could've gone with you."

Nicky took her mug to the table and sat down, still not looking at her partner. "I needed to work off some....excess energy."

Cassie frowned, sensing something was up. "I still could've gone with you. I haven't worked out in weeks." She sat down at the table. "So why the excess energy?"

Nicky shrugged. "Nothing for you to worry about."

"Hey," Cassie reached across to take Nicky's hand. "Is something wrong?"

Nicky picked up her spoon, unobtrusively avoiding her partner's touch. "No, of course not. Why do you ask?"

"Because you're acting so weird this morning! Did I say something...." she broke off as she remembered the previous evening. "Aw, I'm sorry, honey! I crashed on you, didn't I? Forgive me, I was just so tired I don't even remember what happened."

Gee, thanks, that's really good for the old ego, darling. Outwardly, Nicky gestured in an offhand manner. "Don't worry about it. You were exhausted from the tour."

"I was, but it was still a lousy thing to do to you. Hey, we can go upstairs now and make up for it?" Her eyebrows quirked suggestively.

Hah, don't do me any favors, Lovergirl. "No, I don't think so. I'm really wiped out from working out this morning." She smiled briefly and squeezed Cassie's hand, then picked up the newspaper to read.

"Oh. Of course. Uh....maybe later, then?" She glanced over at Nicky, but her partner appeared to be immersed in reading paper and didn't hear her. Slowly, she got up to see about her own breakfast.

Nicky was aware of Cassie's hurt feelings and felt a pang of remorse. But she squelched it quickly with the thought of what a fool she'd felt like the night before. It was obvious, despite what Terry claimed, that the honeymoon was over. Well, she wasn't going to beg for Cassie's attention like some pathetic groupie. Hell could freeze over before they made love again, as far as she was concerned!

Unfortunately, Nicky's body and hormones weren't quite in sync with her mind. As a result, her irritable state continued for the rest of the day. After the tenth time she snapped at Cassie over a minor incident, her lover's patience gave out.

"All right, that's it. You've been like a bear with a sore head all day. I thought maybe you just woke up on the wrong side of the bed, and was waiting for the mood to pass. But it's just gotten worse! Would you please tell me what the problem is?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Nicky answered coolly.

"That! THAT is what I'm talking about! Are you mad about me falling asleep on you?"

"Darling, I had forgotten all about that!" Nicky laughed in a brittle way that set Cassie's teeth on edge. "Perhaps you overestimate the power of your charms?"

Cassie's palm itched as her partner returned her look, smiling up at her with an insufferably sweet (and insincere) expression. They'd not talked about the trip over her knee that she'd given Nicky several months ago at her parent's house, and truthfully there had been no need. But Nicky's behavior had been particularly provoking all day, and Cassie was tempted to get to the bottom of things in a more direct manner. What stopped her was what she could sense behind the taunting look in Nicky's eyes – whatever was driving her unusual behavior, she was clearly miserable about it.

Cassie reined in her temper and tried again. "Sweetheart," she said gently. "I'm really sorry about last night. I was exhausted and so relaxed from the bath I was out before I knew it. But that's no excuse and I know it must've been disappointing to you. Won't you please let me make it up to you tonight?"

Nicky steeled herself against the feeling of tenderness that rose up in her. As awful as it was to know her partner had grown tired of her, Cassie's pity was even worse.

"Tonight's out, I'm afraid. We have Maggie and Sharon's party to go to, remember?"

Cassie frowned. "I had forgotten about that. Listen, I'm not sure I'm up to it....maybe we could pass on this one?"

Nicky shook her head. "I promised them I'd be there. And actually, I'm looking forward to it. But there's no reason you have to go. I'll explain to them you're just back from tour and I'm sure they'll understand. After all, you're not as young as you used to be." She patted Cassie's hand as if speaking to an invalid. "Why don't you just stay home and have a nice nap? I think there's an episode of 'Murder She Wrote' on TV tonight. Or maybe some golden oldies on the cable channel."

Cassie ground her teeth. "I'm only five years older than you and not ready for retirement yet, thank you very much! Never mind, I'm coming with you. Just tell me what time we leave." Throwing up her hands, she left her partner alone for the rest of the day.

In truth, Nicky wasn't feeling much in a party mood herself. But she was damned if she was going to stay home and be lured into some heart-to-heart discussion with Cassie, who always managed to get things out of her eventually. And Lord knows, she could do with a drink or two!

They arrived at Sharon and Maggie's house well after the party had started. Nicky had timed their departure as late as possible, figuring that the later they arrived, the later they would have to stay. She knew she was headed for a showdown in the bedroom with Cassie eventually, but the longer she could put it off, the better. Cassie, who'd been hoping to arrive early and return back home early, was not in a good mood.

"Hi hon, we thought you'd be here a bit earlier," Maggie greeted Nicky with a hug and kiss on the cheek. "Sharon's in the kitchen, or making the rounds out back. Make yourself at home, you know where everything is. Cassie, it's good to see you. How was the tour?" She leaned forward to greet the older woman with a similar hug and kiss.

Maggie was a tall, willowy woman with lovely auburn hair. She and her partner Sharon, a more compactly built, but equally attractive brunette with hazel eyes, were Nicky's and Cassie's best friends. They owned a graphic design company together and worked out of their house, which was a gorgeous ranch-style dwelling with breathtaking view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

They'd known Nicky first, as the insurance firm she worked for hired them as consultants on a marketing project. But Cassie had come into Nicky's life shortly afterwards, and both of them had been impressed with the charming woman who was equal parts creative talent and level-headedness, a rare combination. They'd been worried about Nicky after her break-up with Dawn, and thought Cassie was good for her.

Nicky headed immediately for the bar, where she mixed herself a stiff gin tonic. She finished that off and mixed up another before leaving the bar to go mingle with the guests. She pretended not to notice Cassie across the room, frowning faintly in her direction, and immediately joined a group of people gathered around the fireplace. Normally Nicky was reserved and disliked small talk. But with the first flush of alcohol still racing through her system, it was much easier.

After her third drink, she found herself flirting slightly with an athletic-looking woman with close-cropped black hair. The woman, whose name was Marta or Marti or Marie, kept leaning closer as she tried to impress Nicky with stories about her motorcycle.

"Yup, one day I laid 'er down on some gravel. Took the skin off my whole left side! I was a bloody mess. They were ready to cart me to the emergency room, but all I kept asking was, 'How's my bike?!'" She laughed heartily and Nicky joined in, all the while thinking that this woman had obviously ridden too long without a helmet.

"Nicky? You about ready to go?" Cassie appeared at that moment, looking a bit disgruntled as she took in Marta/Marti/Marie's proximity to her partner. To her credit, M/M/M straightened up and stepped back immediately.

"Oh, sorry! Did you two come together?"

Not for weeks, was Nicky's sarcastic thought. Aloud she said to Cassie, "I'm going to stay awhile longer, but you go on home if you like. I'm sure I can catch a ride with....someone if I need to." She smiled at M/M/M, who looked from Cassie to Nicky and back again uncertainly before replying.

"Uh....sure."

Growling under her breath, Cassie stomped off. After another ten minutes of bike stories, Nicky excused herself to go to the bathroom. On the way there, Sharon grabbed her by the arm.

"Hold on. Did you and Cassie have a fight?" she asked without preamble.

"No, of course not. Why do you ask?"

"Because normally you two are inseparable. But for most of this evening you've flitted about like Ms. Social Butterfly, while Cassie's stood in a corner glowering at my other guests!"

"Oh, she's just in a bad mood," Nicky waved her hand airily. "Don't pay her any mind."

"Well, then maybe you ought to take her home?" Sharon suggested delicately.

"I suppose so," Nicky said with a sigh. "Right after I go to the bathroom."

After she emerged Nicky went to look for her partner. She expected to find her in the living room, up against the wall as Sharon had described, where she'd been for most of the evening. Cassie was there all right, but now a very young-looking blonde was talking and laughing with her. Though Nicky had been convinced that the fireworks for her and Cassie were pretty much over, a surge of outrage went through her at the sight.

Out with the old, in with the new, is it? she thought grimly. The hell with that!

She stalked over to where the two women were chatting and slipped her arm into Cassie's in a proprietary way. "Darling, are you ready to go home now?"

"What? Oh sure, hon. But in a few a minutes, okay? Lila was just going to get us both another drink."

"Really? Are you of legal drinking age, sweetie?" Nicky turned a steely smile on the younger woman. She held out her hand. "Hi, I'm Cassie's partner, Nicky."

Cassie gave an embarrassed laugh. "Nic, of course she's old enough to drink!"

Lila shook Nicky's hand and giggled. "Oh, it's okay. I know I look young. I figure it's a compliment." She looked at Nicky with an inquiring expression. "Can I get anything for you while I'm at it?"

"No, thank you. I'm getting a bit of a headache."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that! I know, I'll get you some water. That might help dilute the alcohol." She turned quickly and made her way to the bar.

"Is she insinuating I'm drunk?" Nicky asked, annoyed.

"Of course not! She's just trying to be helpful," Cassie said. "Will you just relax?"

"I want to go home."

Cassie managed to refrain from pointing out that she'd wanted to go home four hours ago. "I know, honey. It'll only be a few minutes more. I just started chatting with Lila right before you arrived, and I don't want to be rude."

So now she cares more about the bouncy baby dyke than her own partner! Nicky fumed. Why don't I just hang an "Out to Pasture" sign around my neck! She couldn't believe Cassie would be so obvious. As she watched her rival make her way toward them, carefully carrying three drinks, an evil imp seemed to take over her body.

"I need to get some fresh air," she said, and as she turned to go it was so easy to catch Lila's foot with hers, tripping the younger woman as she walked by. Lila gasped as she lurched forward, and Cassie immediately moved to catch her. She was saved from a fall, but ended up splattering all three drinks across Cassie's chest.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry!" Lila was mortified to the point of tears. She idolized the singer and couldn't believe her luck in actually meeting Cassie Cristain at a party. And now to spill her drink all over her – it was easily most embarrassing moment of her young life. Even Nicky was taken aback at the soaked state of her partner, though she had to immediately suppress a smile – Cassie's white, western-style shirt was nearly transparent. Too bad she was wearing a bra.

"It's entirely my fault," Nicky said quickly. "I'm not usually so clumsy....your feet were bigger than I expected!" She gave a tinkling laugh to show she was just kidding.

"Don't worry about it, I was feeling a bit warm anyway," Cassie joked, accepting several napkins from their host Sharon and trying to mop up a bit.

"Please let me pay to have that cleaned," Lila pleaded.

"No, no, I'm sure it'll wash out. Don't worry about it," Cassie reassured her.

"I guess you don't want that drink anymore?" Lila asked miserably.

Cassie gave a short laugh. "No, I think maybe that was a sign that I've had enough for this evening. But I'll take a raincheck, okay? I'm sure we'll see each other around. Maggie and Sharon throw lots of parties." She smiled kindly at the younger woman.

Nicky resisted the urge to roll her eyes. At least they were finally leaving. But once they'd said their goodbyes and got into the car, Cassie's genial manner disappeared.

"I saw that," she said grimly.

"What?"

"Don't 'what' me in that innocent voice! I saw you trip Lila at the party!"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Nicky?" Cassie's voice was deceptively low and even. "Do you remember how I feel about lying?"

Nicky opened her mouth to reply, then thought the better of it and closed it again. Her mind searched for a response that would not let Cassie have the last word.

"Well, she DID have big feet!" was what she finally came up with. Cassie didn't seem to feel that merited a response, and silence reigned until they arrived home.

~~~~~

"You get ready for bed. I'm going to take a quick shower, and then we're going to discuss why you found it necessary to trip poor Lila." Cassie's tone brooked no argument, so Nicky did as she was told.

"'Poor Lila,' my ass!" she grumbled to herself as she brushed her teeth. "Poor Lila was ready to jump your bones, and you would've let her!" She spit the toothpaste out in disgust, wondering if Cassie thought she was really too stupid to see what was happening right before her eyes. Well, she had her pride. If her partner wanted a separation, she wouldn't stand in her way. She took a deep breath and prepared herself for the inevitable.

By the time Cassie joined her in the bedroom, Nicky had her emotions nicely under control again. A dignified exit was best, and she would manage it if it killed her.

Cassie indicated they should both sit on the edge of the bed, and Nicky did so, her face a frozen mask. After a quick glance at her lover, Cassie reconsidered her opening line. The goal was to solve the problem, not have an angry confrontation.

She took a deep breath and began calmly enough. "Okay, why don't you tell me what's bothering you?"

"Why should anything be bothering me? Just because I'm about to be replaced by a woman young enough to be your daughter? What's so unusual about that? Pretty much a cliché, I should think!"

Cassie stared at her. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Your little groupie Lila! Don't tell me you didn't notice how she was drooling all over you!" Nicky shrugged. "It's okay....I should be used to it by now."

"Used to what?" Cassie was at a loss.

"Women throwing themselves at you. I mean, you ARE the great Cassie Cristain, after all!"

Cassie ran a hand through her blonde hair. "Darling, where is this coming from? You knew I was a singer when you met me! And as for women throwing themselves at me, it's nothing like you imagine. Maybe there are a few interested looks here and there, but I'm not interested in THEM, and that's what you should care about! Why–" she broke off suddenly as what Nicky said earlier sunk in. "And by the way, I don't appreciate that crack – Lila is nowhere young enough to be my daughter!"

"Well, she's younger than me, anyway," Nicky replied bitterly. "And despite her big feet, she did have a better body."

"Did she? I didn't notice," Cassie said, brushing that aside. "I was just talking to her because she seemed friendly. And while we're on the subject, you've got a lot of nerve being outraged about my behavior considering the way you were flirting with that woman Maria!"

"Marti," Nicky corrected her, having no idea of whether that was really her name.

"Whatever! I notice you don't deny you were flirting with her?"

"I wasn't!" Nicky replied, knowing this was not strictly true. "But who could blame me if I was? At least she was paying some attention to me. You're not the only one who likes a bit of admiration now and then, you know!"

Cassie looked hurt. "What are you saying, that I don't pay enough attention to you? This is about last night, isn't it? Sweetheart, I tried to explain how tired I was. I did apologize and tried to make it up to you...."

Nicky snorted. "You think you can make excuses and I'll come around when you suddenly feel like you're in the mood? Forget it!" Nicky picked up a pillow off the bed and flung it at Cassie.

Cassie caught it, but not before it hit her in the face. "Hey, stop that!" She tossed it back on the bed and shook her head in frustration. "I don't understand you, Nicky. You've been acting very irrationally. On one hand you complain that I'm neglecting you, and on the other you push me away whenever I try to get close!" She stood up and started pacing, addressing the room at large and gesturing as she spoke.

"I try to find out what's bothering you, and I get my head snapped off for my trouble! It's like trying to pet a cat that scratches without warning! My mom's tabby Sonia was like that – I'd be playing with her, rubbing her tummy, and she'd be purring....then all of a sudden I'd feel her teeth sink into my knuckles! She drove me crazy, especially when she was in hea–" Cassie broke off, her eyes narrowing suddenly as they focused on Nicky. She stopped pacing and stood with her hands on her hips.

"I know what you need..." she began slowly, and something in her voice caused warning bells to go off in Nicky's head.

"You need a damn good shagging."

Nicky gasped, trying to keep her face from reflecting the sudden fluttering in her tummy. No one had ever spoken to her the way Cassie did, and her traitorous body responded to that statement, to the thought of being made love to by the woman she loved. I'm MAD at her, dammit! How is it that she can still make my knees go weak?

"Don't flatter yourself," she said with as much disdain as possible. "I'm really not in the mood!"

"And you shall have one," Cassie continued, ignoring Nicky's comment. "Right after I administer a damn good spanking." She advanced toward her partner and Nicky stood up in panic, trying to keep the bed between them.

"Cassie! Don't you dare!"

Cassie didn't reply but came around the bed, stalking her like prey. Nicky felt genuine alarm mixed in with her arousal. She leapt onto the bed, barely avoiding Cassie's outstretched hand.

"Cass, stop it! This isn't funny!"

Cassie climbed slowly onto the bed after her, and Nicky eyed the door in desperation, trying to gauge her chances of escape. With a shriek she dodged Cassie's attempt to grab her and bounded off the bed, heading for the door.

She was halfway there when a strong arm wrapped around her waist and lifted her off her feet. Not for the first time was Nicky made aware of just how strong her partner was, as Cassie tucked her under her arm and carried her easily back to the bed. But for the first time Nicky cursed those long hours at the gym, as her kicking and struggling seemed to have no effect on Cassie's progress.

"Cassie, put me down! I mean it!"

Cassie did put her down at that moment. Unfortunately, it was across her left knee and over the bed. Nicky's upper half rested on the mattress and her legs dangled off the edge. Before she could even catch her breath at being summarily dropped into such a vulnerable position, Cassie's hand was in her waistband and the loose-fitting boxer shorts she wore were yanked down...and off.

"Cassie, noooooo!" Nicky kicked hard, but it was impossible to get loose.

As Cassie held the struggling woman down, she paused to admire the sight before her. The weeks of celibacy had taken their toll on her as well, and Nicky's well-toned body never failed to stir her libido. Slender, tanned legs were topped by the most gorgeously shaped rear end Cassie had ever seen. Those smooth pale globes were a shrine that Cassie would gladly have worshipped at on a daily basis, and she felt a sense of regret that she'd be raining slaps on them instead of kisses as she longed to do.

But she knew the state of mind that Nicky had worked herself into would reject any approach she tried to make. She suspected her lover's behavior of the past week were a plea for reassurance of a very specific kind. Their partnership was just that – wonderfully balanced and basically equal. Which is why the occasional cave-woman tactic was welcome rather than threatening.

She hoped.

Cassie smiled wryly to herself. If she got it wrong, she certainly wasn't going to force herself on Nicky. Fortunately, her lover's responsive body could be counted on to let her know if she was right. In any case, Nicky deserved the punishment portion, and she was going to receive it.

SMACK! SMACK! The first two swats fell on Nicky's upper thighs, and she gave a yelp and immediately froze in surprise. That really stung!

"Settle down, you're going to be here for awhile," Cassie said sternly.

"C'mon, this isn't fair!"

"No? Then why exactly do you think you're getting this spanking?"

"Cause you're a bleepin' big bully!"

"Nope, try again." Cassie's hand descended four more times, landing with moderate force high on Nicky's buttocks.

"Ow! Ow! Cut that out!" Nicky reached back to protect her assets, only to have her hand pinned behind her back.

"Ready to answer the question?"

The younger woman's lower lip jutted mutinously. It was so unfair! She felt like telling Cassie exactly what she could do with her question, but fortunately her sense of self-preservation hadn't been completely flattened by the alcohol. Even in her befuddled state she knew being bare-bottomed over her partner's knee was one of those times when discretion was the better part of valor.

"Cassie," she said with a pathetic whine, "I really don't know what I've done wrong!"

"No? Try your insufferable attitude since I've come back home!" Cassie landed several more swats, which had Nicky protesting and drumming her feet on the floor.

"Ouch! Okay, okay, I'm sorry about that!"

She didn't sound very sorry, but Cassie decided to let that one go for now. "Why else do you deserve a spanking?"

"Um.....cruelty to animals?"

"What?" Cassie paused, frowning. "What are you talking about?"

"Aren't Big-Footed Groupies on the endangered species list?" In spite of her predicament, Nicky started giggling. She would later blame the alcohol for this unwise remark, and the results that followed were enough to make her avoid drinking for two months.

"I believe it was the Scarlet-Tailed Wiseass that you're thinking of," Cassie replied grimly. "And let me demonstrate exactly why they're endangered." With that, she shifted her lover further forward and wrapped her right leg over the back of Nicky's thighs. Nicky found herself bent nearly double, her butt lifting off the bed and her legs pinned tight. There was the feel of a wisp of air puffing by, which she realized a second later was caused by the motion of Cassie's hand rising high into the air. Then her palm descended and Nicky's thoughts left her, along with the shriek that escaped through her mouth.

These were not the measured spanks that Nicky had experienced previously. Cassie's arm fell like a windmill, painting the entire surface of Nicky's bottom bright red, and soon she was hoarse from yelling. But struggle as she might, she was held firmly, and her attempts to avoid punishment were reduced to a frantic wriggling of her buttocks. It was humiliating, and she would gladly have remained stoically silent if possible. But the blistering cracks that Cassie was laying across her nether regions had her hips twitching and bucking involuntarily.

When Nicky's vehement protests had subsided to yelps and squeaks, Cassie wound down the spanking by concentrating on the sensitive sit-spots at the base of each cheek, going back and forth from right to left in a rhythm that implied it could go on forever.

Which is exactly how Nicky felt. She realized there was absolutely nothing she could do about her painful predicament except hope that her bottom wouldn't spontaneously combust, and if Cassie wanted to continue all night she was in no position to stop her. It occurred to her that her lover must be very angry with her to be administering such a punishment, and suddenly she felt terrible.

"I'm sorry! I'm really, really sorry!" she cried out, and burst into tears.

Cassie stopped immediately. She lifted her leg off of Nicky's thighs and released her hand, rubbing her back soothingly. "Okay....it's okay, sweetheart." She knew her partner's tears were only partially caused by the chastisement, and she made comforting noises of reassurance as the guilt, anxiety, and frustration of the past weeks were released in a bout of crying.

Gradually the sobbing subsided, interrupted occasionally by a hiccup that caught in Nicky's chest as she tried to regain her breath. In spite of her burning bottom, she felt much lighter. And there was something infinitely soothing about Cassie's hand stroking her back and running through her hair.

"I didn't mean to hurt her," she said at last, in a small voice.

"I know, darling," Cassie assured her. "It was just poor impulse control on your part. But she could've really gotten injured, you know."

"Yes," Nicky sighed. "You're right. I'll never do anything like that again."

"You'd better not," Cassie said softly, but firmly. "Or I'll take a paddle to your backside, instead of just my hand."

Nicky winced. She couldn't imagine what that must feel like. "I just got so jealous, you know. It seemed as if you must prefer her to me, and I can't compete with a twenty-something-year-old. I probably couldn't even do it when I was twenty-something!"

"Sweetheart, you don't have to compete! Don't you know there is no one more desirable to me, no one more attractive, no one I love more than you?"

Nicky sniffled. "Well, of course you'd say that."

Cassie resisted the urge to shake her. "I mean it, you little idiot! I've met a lot of women over the years, and fell in love with YOU! Doesn't that tell you something?"

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do you love me?"

Cassie shook her head. "Darling, from the first night I met you, I could tell you were a woman of substance...someone special. I love your intelligence, I love your big heart, I love your sometimes wry, sometimes loony sense of humor. I love the way you root for the underdog, the way you take two hours to choose a brand of toothpaste, even the outrageous socks you wear. I love the way such a shy, demure woman can turn into a wildcat in bed. For all of these reasons, and so many more, I knew you were the one for me."

Nicky felt a lump in her throat. Cassie's words touched her so it was almost as if the glow in her rear end was spreading up to warm her heart.

"You don't like my socks?" she said finally.

Cassie laughed. "I love your socks, goose! I just need a pair of sunglasses sometimes to look at them!"

Nicky giggled. "Can I get up now?"

"Not yet, sweetie. There's one more thing I want to discuss."

Nicky twisted around to look at her. "Why can't I get up for that?"

"Because you seem to listen best in this position."

Nicky groaned and flopped back down onto the bed, chin resting on her hands. "What is it, then?" she asked resignedly.

"I want to apologize."

Nicky looked back again in surprise. "You do?"

"Yes," Cassie said. "I neglected you, and I'm sorry. I should've been more attentive during our time apart."

"We-ell, you didn't have much choice," Nicky allowed. "You were performing."

"Nevertheless, our relationship is just as important as my career, if not more so. And therefore it is a priority for me. But that's where you have to do your part, my love. If there's a problem, if something is bothering you, you have to TELL me."

"Well, you just seemed so busy, and I didn't want to bother you...."

"Honey, don't you think it bothers me to come back home to a partner who's so unhappy?" Cassie pointed out logically. "This problem might've blown over a lot faster if we'd just communicated better."

Nicky snorted. "Uh-huh, and if I'd told you right before you were scheduled to go onstage how I was feeling, what good would that have done?"

"Well, I probably couldn't have addressed it at that moment, but right after the performance was over, I would've called you right back."

"Yeah? And then what?"

There was a hint of a challenge in Nicky's voice, and Cassie knew that this was the moment to make up for a little of the hurt she'd caused to her lover's self-esteem.

"And then, my darling," she replied, her voice rich with promise, "I would've immediately taken you in hand."

"Hundreds of miles away?" Nicky asked skeptically, but a tiny shiver went through her.

Cassie felt the shiver and smiled to herself. She reached up and eased Nicky's t-shirt off, tossing it in the same direction her boxers had gone earlier.

Nicky gave an exclamation, feeling very vulnerable to be lying there nude while her partner was still fully dressed.

Cassie ignored the protest, leaning closer to her lover and slipping an arm around her waist as before, but this time sliding a hand beneath her and cupping her mons in a warm palm.

"Oh!" Nicky's breathing rate increased.

"Haven't you ever heard of phone sex?" Cassie asked, her voice becoming husky. With her right hand she began to lightly trace the contours of her lover's backside. The heat coming from those rosy cheeks was very arousing to Cassie, as was the hint of plum-colored labia peeking through lower down. Surely one of the most erotic views known to woman, Cassie thought, sending a silent thank you to the goddess.

"I've heard of it....never thought much of it," Nicky said, distracted by the sensations fore and aft.

"Mmm, maybe you just never talked to the right woman," Cassie said.

"And what would the right woman say to me?"

"Oh, first she'd probably mention how much she's missing you. And tell you how she's always loved your body...the smoothness of your skin," Cassie ran her palm up Nicky's back, "and the silkiness of your hair." Cassie's fingers brushed through Nicky's brown locks to stroke the sensitive nape of her neck, and Nicky shivered again.

"She'd even tell you how much she loves those tiny, velvety-soft hairs on other parts of your body," Cassie ran a long finger down the length of Nicky's spine, lingering at the base of it, and the two dimples nearby. She smiled as Nicky's body lifted slightly in response....A cat in heat, indeed.

"Then she'd probably ask you if you were behaving yourself."

"I always behave myself!" Nicky replied immediately, but her indignant tone was somewhat spoiled by her increasing breathlessness.

"Do you really?" asked Cassie idly. She wrapped her right leg around Nicky's thigh once more, but this time hooking just the left one and spreading her open. "Then how is it that these," she cupped first one buttock then the other, lifting them as if she were weighing fruit, "are blushing so warmly right now?"

Nicky groaned, feeling the cheeks on her face flushing as well.

"Tell me, is this the bottom of a well-behaved little grrl?"

"Cas-sie!" Nicky protested in embarrassment.

"Is it? I'm waiting for your answer, sweetheart."

"No," Nicky's voice was barely audible.

"No," Cassie agreed. "And you know how I feel about lying."

Startled, Nicky instinctively tried to rise, but Cassie held her just as snugly as she had earlier. Before she could panic, though, Cassie gave her a taste of what THIS spanking would be like – bringing her hand down in a very soft slap that was more of a caress than punishment.

It was still enough of a surprise that Nicky's hips jerked forward, where she was immediately reminded of the placement of Cassie's other hand. The unexpectedness of being held...there, in that most sensitive spot...caused her to gasp and lift her hips again in response, just in time to meet another gentle smack from Cassie's descending palm.

Nicky found herself in a quandary – her bottom still very sensitive from the earlier spanking, so that the teasing slaps now being administered were a confusing mixture of sting and tingle – while the pressure against her clit and nether lips was resulting in a heat of its own. She squirmed as the torment of those contradictory feelings continued to build.

Cassie's own breathing was deepening at the sound of her lover's gasps, and she grew wet as she felt Nicky's moisture against her fingers – a slick tangle of curls and heated flesh that was now pressing rhythmically against Cassie's hand. In between smacks, she caressed Nicky's scarlet cheeks and between her thighs.

Nicky whimpered. "Please...."

"Mm? Please what, darling?" She paused in her ministrations, resting her palm on Nicky's hot bottom so that her lover was sandwiched between both hands.

Nicky moaned and wriggled in frustration. "Cassie....you know what I want!"

Cassie grinned to herself. They had waited a long time for this, and she was going to make sure Nicky's moments of insecurity became a dim memory by making her express in no uncertain terms what it was they both needed.

"Yes," she agreed throatily. "I know exactly what you want. But you're going to tell me anyway."

"Damn you...." Nicky pushed harder against the hand beneath her, but it was not quite enough friction. Cassie upped the ante by using the fingers of her right hand to gently part her swollen lips.

"Oh my, someone's certainly slippery! Your body is asking for it, even if you can't seem to find the words," Cassie teased her.

Nicky could hold back no longer. "Oh god....stroke me, please! Fuck me!"

"Your wish is my command, darling." Cassie entered her with two fingers, gliding in easily. Nicky's hips rose to meet her....she was already so close.

"That's right, my love," Cassie crooned....thrust...."I can feel you"....thrust...."and you're going to come for me"....thrust...."my naughty grrl"....thrust..."my HOT"....thrust...."naughty"....thrust...."grrl."

Her words sent Nicky over the edge, as she reached her climax with a wail and shuddering that seemed to go on forever. Afterwards, Cassie held her partner and kissed her gently till the trembling subsided.

"It'll be your turn," Nicky promised her breathlessly. "As soon as I regain the ability to move."

Cassie smiled smugly. "There's no rush, sweetheart. After all, you're not as young as you used to be. In fact....maybe you should have a nap first?" She dissolved into laughter, but still managed to duck the pillow that was flung her way.

It was so good to be home again.

The End

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