A/N: I'm really sorry for being away for so long, i just didn't feel like writing. This was supposed to be a one shot but as usual it's going to be more.

The fanfic website is a little unstable and I tied to post a few chapters of the lost sandwich box but it didn't let me. Hope you like this.

The one and only Effy Stonem has had a big influence on both Naomi and Emily's life, not least because she was instrumental in them meeting in the first place.

Naomi knows she should be grateful but she finds it hard to get past the fact they fell out a number of years ago, which is why she's been dreading it ever since Emily suddenly announced their old friend has been in touch and is coming to stay.

A one shot from Naomi pov, mainly in flashbacks, that tells the tale of friendships and the path that led to her meeting the most important person in her world, her wife.

I frantically searched round the kitchen, shit at this rate I was going to be late for work and I had a presentation this afternoon I had to practice. I'd checked all the usual places, the table in the hall, the shelf in the lounge and out of sheer desperation (or optimism someone had tidied up after me) even the key dish in the kitchen.

"They must be around here somewhere, think Naomi, what did you do last night when you came in?"

Actually the answer to that was simple, I'd grovelled to the stony faced woman sitting on the sofa as I tried to explain that although I'd promised I wouldn't be late, I really couldn't help it. My stomach gave a well timed grumble as I was informed my dinner was in the bin so I'd have to fix myself something else. I was starving but I hated Emily being cross with me so in order to rescue what was left of the evening I continued to apologise until I felt her attitude thawing.

I smiled to myself, by the time I'd really shown her how very, very sorry I was all thoughts of food were long gone believe me.

I sighed, however nice that particular memory was, it still hadn't revealed the location of my keys. I was left with no other option, once again I'd have to call on the mystical powers of the amazing finding lady and put up with the often repeated exasperated lecture about being more tidy.

"Em, have you seen my keys?" I shouted upstairs, I could hear the shower running so I wasn't sure she'd even hear.

I heard the water switch off and a door open. My breath caught as I was greeted by the magnificent sight of my naked wife emerging from the bathroom with water droplets trickling down her body as she wrapped a towel around her.

Her eyebrow raised as she saw me standing transfixed at the bottom of the stairs, "Are you ever on time for anything?"

"Keys?" I managed to croak out.

There it was, the eye roll, "they're on the coffee table, exactly where you threw them last night before you got down on your knees to beg my forgiveness."

Hey, that was part of the grovelling ok? Nothing rude, well not at first...

"Thanks baby, I knew you'd know where they were."

I'm sure I hard the faint mutter of some sort of nag about tidiness as I made my way back into the lounge and sure enough found a set of keys taunting me from the table I'm sure I'd already checked.

"Forget anything else?" She grinned at me.

"Just this" I cupped her face and gently kissed her goodbye, "sorry I'm in a bit of a panic, you know work and stuff."

She wrapped her arms around me, "hmmm, it'll be fine."

I smiled, "yeah I know, it's not like I haven't practiced it."

She stared knowingly, "I meant the stuff, not the presentation."

I shrugged nonchalantly, "that's no big deal, I mean it's only your ex coming to stay."

"Honestly Naomi, let it go, we slept together a couple of times in sixth form. It wasn't a relationship."

"S'not the point, she loves the fact she shagged you before I did." I replied petulantly.

She looked indulgently at me, "and who am I married to, who's the love of my life?"

"Me." I replied with a coy smile.

"Exactly. Besides, regardless of that stupid fight she's your best friend."

"I'd hardly call it stupid, we haven't spoken in years." I corrected.

Emily sighed, "All right, I'm sorry, I know it wasn't minor, but let's face it without Effy you'd never have even admitted you were gay and you'd never have met me, that's something to be thankful for isn't it?"

"I'm grateful for that every day." I said softly.

"Well then, hopefully the next couple of days can heal some old wounds, I know you miss her, we both do." Emily reasoned.

"What time are you picking her up?" I said swiftly moving the conversation on.

Emily let it pass, "her flight lands at 12.30 ish, so we should be back around mid afternoon, she'll probably be knackered."

"Or drunk." I added slightly uncharitably.

"We're not students anymore Naoms, she might have changed, we have."

"I'm not sure Effy Stonem knows the meaning of the word."

"Just wait and see. Now off you go, blow them away with that presentation and promise me you'll be back at a reasonable time?"

I quickly kissed her again, "Yeah, yeah, I promise."

Emily's eyes narrowed, "I mean it Naomi. Don't. Be. Late."

I grabbed my keys, "I promise, alright. God all I get is nag, nag, nag. It's like living with my mother."

I heard a cough and turned just as she let the towel drop, the moisture immediately left my mouth as my eyes raked up and down.

"Not exactly like it I hope..."

Xxxxx

I zoned out on the tube, hey it's not like I'm unique, let's face it making eye contact in London is usually enough to single you out as a 'foreigner'. But I had a lot on my mind, not least the distracting vision my wife had left me with when I left the house. God I wished I had the day off, but this stupid meeting had put a stop to that. Besides that would have meant going to the airport with Emily and I wanted the first time I saw Effy again to be on my turf not neutral ground where her disinterested smirk could throw me off balance. Em was right though, in a lot of ways I had a lot to thank her for, we both did.

We'd met at university, she was cool and I was a bit of a geek (alright a lot of one, I was pretty lame back then). I'd pretty much kept myself to myself, not indulged in the freshers activities apart from joining the debating society. She on the other had had fully embraced all the joys of student life and everyone already knew who she was. I'd been shocked when she started to speak to me...

Ten years earlier

I was sitting quietly reading when a shadow passed over my book. I was about to protest when it was taken out of my hands but the amused blue eyes stopped me.

"Can I have that back please?" God I sounded like a naughty kid asking for their ball.

She stared levelly at me, "Campbell right?"

I nodded.

"Pretty interesting argument you put up the other night, I'd never really thought about the fact feminism could be at once liberating and confining."

Alright so maybe my debating career hadn't taken off quite as spectacularly as I thought, but I was fair minded and sometimes I couldn't help seeing both sides of the argument.

I stared at her smirk, "fuck off."

Effy began to laugh and I found myself smiling back, she held her hands up, "I'm being serious."

I shook my head, "was it that shit?"

"No, not at all, I meant it, I found it thought provoking."

I narrowed my eyes, "you're a twat."

She stared at me, "Isn't that a word of male oppression?"

My smile widened, "Sorry, then you're a prick."

She grinned back, "I've been called worse, fancy a coffee and you can tell me your wonderful theories on feminism again."

After that our friendship was sealed, we were in the same halls and we soon forged a strong bond. I was passionate, she was caustic, we were both often angry, but it worked. We fought our way through university, taking on anyone who dared to challenge us. She fucked around, I was always there to pick up the pieces. In some ways I envied her freedom but I was more reserved. In the first year I shagged a couple of blokes, it was a quick fuck which meant I could continue to devote my time to studying but I wasn't interested in most of the guys, they bored me physically and mentally.

Effy laughed when I told her that, asked if I preferred women? I shook my head violently and immediately began to protest. I wasn't gay, pfft, straight as a die, no interest in women at all. She smiled knowingly at that point and I knew I'd been too emphatic in my denial but Effy knew not to push me, well not then at any rate.

But as usual, Effy Stonem bided her time and stepped in to help in her own unique way.

"I can't believe you dragged me out to this lame shite." I shouted above the music.

Effy rolled her eyes, "your exams are over, it's about time you had some fun my little uptight friend."

I gave her a withering look, "I think our definitions of fun differ considerably."

She laughed, "When was the last time you got laid?"

"I don't know, couple of months ago." I trailed off as she looked pityingly at me. "I've been studying..."

"And now you don't have to, so you can let your hair down, have a few drinks and maybe get lucky." Effy replied in a tone that told me I was going to do exactly what I was told.

I stood awkwardly at the bar, finally managing to catch the barmaid's eye and order two vodkas. By the time I'd made my way back to Effy she was already holding court, chatting easily to several guys who'd swarmed around her like flies. I don't know how she did it, well actually I do, she was stunningly attractive and had this aloof air about her. She flirted just enough to give them hope but never too much with one person unless she planned on going home with them. But tonight she was out with me and she was a good friend, which meant I was the only one who'd have the dubious honour of putting her to bed when she was too wasted to manage it herself.

"This is my friend Naomi," she announced to the gaggle of would be suitors.

I smiled politely as a few of them acknowledged my presence.

Effy leaned over, "anything grab your attention?"

I sighed, "no, and besides, I don't think they're sitting here for me."

"You're not even trying Naomi, no wonder it takes you six months to get a shag."

I stared at her, "Or maybe some of us aren't as indiscriminate as others."

She laughed and shook her head, "don't worry babe, no one apart from you is getting me into bed tonight."

I felt myself start to blush, especially when she winked knowingly at me. Although she'd never raised the subject of my sexuality again I knew it was too good to be true that she'd forget about it entirely. She turned her attention back to the eager guys and got us several free drinks as I sat mostly in silence while they tried to impress her.

I made some vacuous small talk with a few of them but it was obvious they were only being polite and my disinterested replies to their pointless questions soon put them off. Eventually Effy stood up, stumbled a bit and said she needed to go home. Naturally there were plenty offers but she refused them all and informed the surprised blokes that I was the lucky lady who ended up with that job. She put her arms around my waist as the bemused looks turned more salacious, no prizes for guessing what sort of thoughts they were having now. I half dragged, half carried her back to our halls and deposited her on her bed.

"Always taking care of me aren't you hun?"

I shrugged, "someone has to."

She grinned, "you like the fact I didn't pull don't you?"

I stared at her strangely, "what?"

"You like having me all to yourself. Why is that?"

I spluttered, "I haven't got a clue what you're on about."

Her head tilted to one side, "Do you fancy me Naomi?"

My indignation grew, "No! Don't be such a dick. Why on earth would I fancy you, not gay remember. We're friends for Christ's sake, why would I ruin that?"

"If you don't like girls how could anything be ruined?"

I gave her my most evil glare, even when she was pissed she could run rings around me, no wonder I hadn't lasted long in the debating society. "Oh shut up and go to sleep."

"I asked you a simple question, why are you being all defensive? " she pushed.

I sighed exasperatedly, "I'm not being defensive, I just don't know why you keep insinuating something that's not true."

She shrugged, "You said yourself men don't really do much for you..."

"I did not say that!"

She smiled, "maybe not as directly, but that's what you implied."

"How many more times, studying is more important that's all, I'll go out and screw a bloke right now if it will convince you." Even I could hear the defensiveness.

"Look Naomi, leaving the studying argument aside, you're not remotely interested in men, has it never occurred to you there might be a reason for that?"

"Why are you being such a prick Eff? Oh I know, because you find it funny."

"I'm not laughing, I'm simply curious based on my observations."

"Oh just stop it, I'm not gay, end of conversation."

"So you have thought about it? Considered the possibility that you might be?"

I sighed, "No! Will you let it drop, you're really starting to piss me off."

But she refused to let it go, she was like a bloody dog with a bone, "how can you be so sure you aren't?"

"I. Just. Know." I spelt it out slowly.

She looked kindly at me, "ok, sorry I mentioned it, but it'd be ok if you were you know?"

I bristled, "of course it's ok, this isn't the dark ages, but I'm not..."

I busied my self getting her a glass of water, unable to make eye contact as I became more agitated. Maybe I'd had more to drink than I thought because my head was throbbing.

I placed the water on her side table, "Here, please don't be sick."

I jumped as her hand rested on my arm, "What happened to make you too scared to admit it?"

I hastily looked away but the combination of compassion in her eyes and the fact I could see she'd noticed my slight flinch, no matter how fleeting, made me sit back down.

I stared back at her, I wanted a reason to not say anything but I couldn't find one, I sighed loudly, "I've never told anyone this, didn't really have anyone to tell apart from my Mum and that just wasn't an option."

She just smiled but didn't make a comment, like she knew if she interrupted, I'd clam up again.

I took a deep breath, "when I was at school I kissed someone, a girl, at a party. It was the first time I'd admitted I liked her, actually the first time I admitted I liked anyone and it scared the living crap out of me that it wasn't a guy. I was already considered a freak so giving them another reason to take the piss out of me just felt like too much to bear. I was a loner so I threw myself into my studies and hoped she wouldn't say anything to me or anyone else. But I was constantly scared people knew and so I became even more argumentative which made me even less popular. In the end I pushed it to the back of my mind, wrote it off as a stupid one off and that's what I've convinced myself ever since.

She stared at me, the blue eyes suddenly much more alert, her hand reached up and gently took mine, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to needle, I didn't realise."

"It's not your fault, I'm the messed up idiot that thinks it's better to be virtually celibate than have sex with a girl, I don't even know if I'd like it but I'll never will if I'm too scared to try." I sighed, "listen to me, I'm acting as if it'd be easy, there nothing to say any girls would be interested in the first place."

Effy sat up and affectionately stroked my cheek, "any woman would be lucky to have you."

I snorted "you're my friend, you have to say that."

We stared at each other, her fingers were still caressing my cheek, "Naomi, I mean it, look at you, you're gorgeous."

I blushed furiously at that point, but I could tell she was being sincere. Before I could stop myself I

leaned in and gently brushed my lips against hers. I went to pull away, the apology already running through my head but to my surprise Effy's hand held me in place. At first it was tentative but as the kiss deepened we became bolder and after a few minutes Effy's tongue entered my mouth. I moaned, oh God, I didn't even try to pretend I didn't like it. Kissing a girl was just as amazing as I'd remembered, it was far softer, more gentle than any kisses I'd shared with men.

Her hand began to massage my tit through the fabric of my shirt, I moaned again as my nipple stiffened when her thumb rubbed across it and again when she repeated her actions on my other breast. My head was spinning so much it almost made me feel dizzy.

Eventually we needed air so we broke apart. Effy smiled, "you definitely enjoyed that..."

I nodded shyly.

"Hmmm, you're gay."

"Oy! There were two of us involved you know?" I feebly protested.

Effy smiled, "yeah but only one of us was disappointed when we stopped."

I probably had looked disgruntled, "some people might have been flattered."

She tutted and looked at the clock, "go on, piss off, I need to sleep. I'll see you tomorrow."

I got up and made my way to the door, "Oh Naomi," I turned back, "try not to have too many wank fantasies about me."

I gave her the finger, "piss off, there's far hotter women than you to think about."

I could still hear her chuckling as I went down the hallway to my own door. I actually felt a lot lighter after finally unburdening myself. I still didn't have conclusive proof either way but maybe finally admitting it might be a possibility was enough for me to take the first step towards finding out.

The next morning I woke up and some of my drink fuelled confidence had gone. I don't know what I expected, it wasn't as if all of a sudden there were going to be women throwing themselves at me now was it? Nor would there would be an orderly queue outside my door, rejoicing in the fact Naomi Campbell might be available. I sat up in bed and checked the time, it was too early for Effy to be up.

I felt myself beginning to blush. I know we'd both had a drink but I'd kissed my best mate for God's sake, I'd even let her feel me up and she was right, I probably wouldn't have stopped her if she wanted to go further. Even though we'd joked about it I felt awkward, what if things were weird today? Christ what if she'd been serious when she asked me if I fancied her or that it was only a matter of time before I tried it on with her again? I didn't want to shag her, at least I don't think I did, or did I? Oh God, everything was so confusing.

There was a knock at the door, I opened it and Effy stood there in a tshirt and shorts, she smiled when my eyes inadvertently travelled down to her bare legs. "Not a tit woman then, now stop perving and give me a cuddle, I feel like crap."

She climbed into my bed and I pulled the duvet around us as she snuggled into my side. I lay still, this was a familiar ritual when we were hungover but it was never the morning after we'd kissed before so I wasn't sure how to behave.

"I'm not shagging you, feeling your tits was one thing but doing anything else is strictly off limits." She murmured in an amused tone.

I pretended to be offended, "oh and there I was just about to jump on you."

"I know you were, you're a hot blooded raging lezza and I'm fucking gorgeous, you wouldn't be able to control yourself."

"I appear to be managing quite successfully and you're not looking too hot this morning babe." I quipped back.

"Shut up, you so would. Now stop being a twat and give me a proper cuddle, my head's busting."

I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed her tightly, "thank you."

She looked up, "I'll always be your friend."

We must have dozed off because it was much brighter when I opened my eyes again. Effy was still nestled against me, her head resting on my shoulder. I'd never really thought about it, it seemed a natural thing to do ever since the first time she crawled in beside me looking for comfort, but maybe on some level I'd liked it because it felt nice to have someone, oh alright a woman, sleeping next to me. It wasn't the same as having a girlfriend but perhaps a bit of me liked to pretend it was close.

"Stop overthinking Naomi," Effy stated as she rubbed her eyes, "You're gay, but that doesn't mean you fancy every woman on the planet, me included."

"I know that..."

She stretched, "let's go out for breakfast yeah?"

I nodded, "ok, a fry up might be just what the doctor ordered."

We walked to the nearest cafe, I ordered two coffees and two full english. The drinks were placed on the table and Effy took a sip.

"So what's the plan?"

I looked strangely at her, "what plan?"

Her eyes rolled, "to get into some hot girl's pants."

"Effy! Not so bloody loud please."

"Oh for God's sake Naomi, there's no one in here apart from that guy over there and he's deaf as a post. I just think it's a good idea to come up with a strategy now you've finally admitted you want to shag women."

"Listen Effy, I appreciate the help, all of it, giving me a gentle shove in the right direction but I haven't changed overnight you know? There won't be lots of girls, there might not even be one interested."

She snorted, "it was more dragging you kicking and screaming than a shove. I thought you'd want to make up for lost time."

I tutted, "I'm not you..."

"Ooh, that hurt's Naoms." She replied sarcastically.

Our breakfasts arrived and we tucked in, I thought about what Effy said. It was far easier with blokes I guess, most of the time if they were straight they'd be up for sex. I never assumed it was anything to do with me specifically, it was just guys for you. I didn't have the first clue about women, apart from Effy I rarely spoke to any at all, let alone tried to chat one up, that's years of being in denial for you. But I didn't want to come across as a sad tosser who needed a 'strategy' to finally get a girl to sleep with me and I meant what I said, I wasn't the sort of person who shagged around, regardless of which gender they were.

Effy sighed, "I told you not to think too much. I'm not suggesting we precision plan everything and you follow Effy's ten steps to get a woman in bed, but you're not that great with men and they mostly think with their dicks."

"Oh cheers very much, that's really made me feel better."

An exasperated sigh, "look babe, I'm just trying to help, you're not exactly the most confident person I know and you have little or no experience with women..."

"Again, thanks for that." I replied sarcastically as I finished my last mouthful. "Anyway since when were you the expert, how many women have you slept with eh?"

She paused, "one or two."

My jaw dropped, "what, I mean, WHAT?"

"Oh come on Naomi don't look so shocked, we all experimented a bit in school but I was older and so it went further."

I frowned, "oh great so I'm not even the most experienced lesbian sitting at this table."

She patted my hand patronisingly, "don't worry babe, I can think of plenty of girls who'll be more than happy to change that."

She knew my curiosity was piqued, "Really? Like who?"

"There's this Finnish girl in one of my classes, Mia, I'm pretty sure she's one of yours." She replied with a grin.

I snorted, "Well that's alright then, just let her know I'm on the market and we'll be shagging quicker than you can ask, 'what do lesbians do in bed?"

Effy winked at me, "meet me for a coffee tomorrow and let's make sure you find out."

I bumped into someone as the tube juddered to a halt, "sorry" I mumbled as they sneered at me. London, so friendly.

I walked to towards the office and took a side road to get my early morning caffeine hit. I did it every morning and I still collected the stamps so I could get my 'buy 8, get the next one free'. Alright I know it wasn't actually free, it cost me nearly £20 but if I was going there anyway I might as well take advantage.

"Morning Naomi, the usual?" I was greeted as I walked through the door, see I told you I was a regular.

As normal there was a queue so I often drifted off while I waited. Where was I? Oh yeah, Effy Stonem, the pimp period.

Just as she'd promised Effy introduced me to Mia over a cup of coffee the next day, she stayed long enough to make sure we were comfortable and then unsubtly left us alone to chat. I wasn't entirely sure what Effy had said to get her to meet me so had no idea if she had a clue this was all new to me. Turns out my best friend had adopted the incredibly candid tactic of telling her I'd only just come out and needed a willing volunteer to show me the ropes. At first I was a bit embarrassed Effy had been so blunt but Mia found it amusing and assured me it really would be her pleasure.

I asked if it would be ok if we got to know each other a bit first, not that I didn't find her attractive, she was incredibly beautiful, but I meant what I said, shagging around wasn't really my style and didn't want to rush things the first time I slept with a woman. In the end we went on a couple of fairly innocent dates before my desire to finally find out what I'd been missing took over.

And boy, or rather girl, did I find out. This was her second degree so she was older and (obviously) far more experienced than I was. She fitted the bill as a willing volunteer perfectly and for the next couple of months I felt like some sort of athlete being finely honed and trained for the marathon. Eventually it fizzled out and we split up, if you can call it that when all you do is have sex, amicably and without any angst at all.

Foolishly, or maybe naively, I thought my first experience was typical of how uncomplicated lesbian relationships were and in spite of the fact I was a late starter and what I told Effy, I couldn't wait to make up for lost time. So, I admit, I put myself out there and it taught me that regardless of whether you are with guys or girls not everyone you fancy turns out to be interested, the sex might not always be great if you do manage to get them into bed, there are always people who seem interested but never call and there will always be people who'll break your heart.

After a particularly acrimonious break up I decided I'd give women a miss for a while and devote my full attention to my degree, you knew where you were with studying and I hadn't even come close to falling in love properly all the time I was at uni, even if I'd briefly toyed with the idea on occasion (see heart break above). After we'd graduated Effy and I moved into a flat together and I concentrated on my career instead.

I entered the office and quickly sat at my desk while my laptop ground stutteringly to life. Luckily the place I worked had a lot of meetings so often there weren't many people around to see me arrive fashionably late. My boss was pretty laid back so as long as the work got done he didn't care what time I got in but there were some quite senior civil servants around who thought being at the beck and call of ministers any time they wanted was all part of the job.

I opened my presentation and began to read my notes. The focus on my degree had been helpful in me getting onto a fast track graduate scheme. The fact I'd work all sort of stupid hours was seen a sign I was a go getter so any kind of relationship outside of work, whether I wanted it or not, was near on impossible.

Or so I thought until, thanks to Effy, Emily Fitch burst into my life like a blaze of technicolor.