"Whoa! Watch it Bitesize!" a voice grumbled.

Sam turned quickly at the name, a sharp retort ready, but when her eyes fell upon the person she'd bumped into, her tongue felt as though it had swollen to twice its size. The tall woman looked to be in her late twenties; her long black hair fell around her face, framing her cobalt eyes, and tumbled over the shoulders of the blazer she wore. Sam's eyes fell to the words, 'Girl on girl happens, Get over it' blazed in red across the woman's t-shirt beneath. Out the corner of her eyes she saw the woman's scowl curl into a teasing smile.

"See something you like, Bitesize?" the woman asked.

Sam frowned, her cheeks turning red when she realized where she'd been staring. "Stop calling me that! And no, sorry, I'm not gay."

"Right," the woman responded, her tone dubious as she tucked her hands into her blue jeans. "So you weren't just staring at my chest then?"

"I wasn't! I have a boyfriend."

"Okay, okay, I believe you," the woman said in a way that that sounded as though she believed nothing of the sort. Sam fidgeted where she stood. The way the woman looked her up and down made her feel as though she was naked.

Robin could see that she was making the young woman nervous, but she couldn't help it. She had been ready to dive into an argument with her; God knows that she was itching for one lately, but as soon as she laid eyes on the tiny blonde, her mouth went dry. She couldn't take her eyes off those eyes, those bright green eyes that lit up as soon as they turned to her. With her plain black trousers, long sleeve button down, and hair pulled back into a bun, Robin didn't think she was part of the parade. More like she looked like someone who had gotten lost in the crowd on her way back to the office.

Robin held out her hand. "What's your name? Mine's Robin."

"What's it to you?" Sam snapped.

Robin eyebrows almost disappeared into her hairline. "I just want to know your name. It's common courtesy to introduce yourself when meeting someone new." She pulled her hand back when she met nothing but a stare, and started to turn away. "Forget it."

Sam watched as the woman turned her back on her. She didn't know why, but some part of her felt compelled to answer the woman's question. She was the one that had been rude after all. She hadn't meant to snap. "Sam!"

Robin stopped. Looking over her shoulder, she saw the young woman smile tentatively. "Excuse me?"

"My name…is Sam."

Robin grinned at the woman and held out her hand. "It's nice to meet you Sam."

The two shook hands briefly. The younger woman's skin felt smooth against Robin's rougher hands, and she found herself wondering if her face was too. Both were quiet for a moment as the crowd milled around them, music and laughter filling the air.

"So what brings you out here?" Robin asked.

Sam shrugged and pretended to look bored to hide how strangely restless she felt in this woman's presence. "I'm working."

"Out here? What? Are you one of the dancers, or are you supposed to be one of the guys behind the scenes?"

Sam reached into her satchel bag and pulled out an expensive looking camera. She smiled up at the other woman. "I'm a photojournalist. I'm supposed to be snapping pictures and gathering information, but every time I try to get near to the action, I get stonewalled."

"Oh?" Robin stepped closer until there was barely a metre of space between them. She held out her hand. "May I?"

Sam cleared her throat, suddenly uncomfortable. She didn't like that she had been forced with the responsibility of handling the camera. She often found herself dropping the most important things. The thought of having a complete stranger holding it was unthinkable. She could run off with it or drop it and Sam would be stuck with the blame. There was something about Robin that made her feel at ease though. She looked so sure and confident in herself. Sam hesitated for a moment before slowly reaching out. She stepped closer just in case the woman decided to run. Judging from her size, Sam knew she wouldn't be able to take her down, but she would try.

"Aw man! You got the new Nikon! These are expensive," Robin said with glee as she looked down the sight.

Sam watched with both concern and amusement as the tall woman fiddled with the camera. "Are you a photographer too?"

Robin shook her head with a smile. "Nah, my mum used to be. She was one of the best, right up until-," she froze, the words on her tongue when she realized she'd almost let slip about the accident. She couldn't help it. This little woman was surprisingly easy to talk to. She sighed and handed the camera back carefully. "I just know cameras," she finished quietly.

Sam noticed the abrupt pause in Robin words but decided not to pry. From the look on her face, Sam guessed it was personal. Instead she nodded. "Oh, well, I'm completely camera dumb. I can't tell one from another."

"You'll get the hang of it soon enough, Bitesize." Robin looked around her and back at the woman, scratching the side of her head. "Hey, you wanna get closer to the action, right?" She hitched a thumb over her shoulder. "I can get you down there."

Sam blinked. "Really?"

"Yeah, I'm a regular, and the guy that helps organizes these parades is a close friend of mine. C'mon. By the end of the day, you're going to have so many pictures and information that you'll have plenty to do once you get back to work," Robin said with a wink. She didn't know why, but there was something about this small woman that made her want to do anything she could to help, especially on the off chance that she might see her face again.

Sam grinned widely and looped the strap of the camera around her neck. "You sure you can get me down there?" she asked pointing to the stage.

"I can take you anywhere, Bitesize," Robin promised, her eyes sparkling.

~X~

Robin didn't need to look to see her. She felt the young woman's presence all the way to the stage. As they stepped around people, the woman stuck close to her side, holding the camera close to her chest as if she was scared that someone might snatch it from her. She smiled at the young woman's expression as she took in the costumed people they passed. Robin had seen more flamboyant costumes in previous parades when the rules had been a little looser, but though they insisted on them being more "family friendly" some still made an impression. She had to stifle a laugh when a woman wearing a cowgirl costume with cheekless chaps and baring her backside walked in front of them. Sam's face was a picture.

She stayed close as Robin led them around to the back of the stage, passing stagehands and photographers on their way. When she saw the hulking back of the man she was looking for, Robin leaned against the stairs.

"Terry! Yo, Ter?" Robin whistled.

The sound went through Sam. She plugged her ears as Robin carried on until the man she was shouting turned. Sam thought he looked like one of the sexiest men she'd ever laid eyes on; his dark hair framed his face and his trimmed goatee beard, combined with his muscular build created a man that could have easily been a model. He rose from his crouch, and when he set eyes on Robin, his smile almost took over his face. Sam stepped back as he raced down to her and pulled the taller woman into a bone crushing bear-hug.

"Where the hell have you been, Rob!" he said excitedly.

Robin pushed against his shoulders when she felt her ribs pressing into her lungs. She'd almost forgotten how strong was. It looked like he didn't stop working out since the last time she saw him. He was bigger than the last time she had seen him. "Terry? I can't breathe!"

Terry let go and tousled her hair instead like a big brother. "Sorry, baby. I just can't believe you're here. It's been what? Two years?"

"Two years?" Sam frowned. She looked at Robin questioningly. "I thought you said you were a regular?"

Robin glared at her old friend before she turned with a sheepish grin. "I am. Well, I mean I was…I just haven't seen him for a while. It's complicated," she finished.

Terry clapped a heavy hand on Robin shoulder, almost knocking her feet out from under her. He smiled at Sam. "Oh, hi. I almost didn't see you behind Bigfoot here," Terry said, ignoring the slap to the arm he received. He held out his hand. "I'm Terry. I'm the Soundman and one of the main operators around here. I make sure everyone is doing what they're supposed to."

Sam shook his hand. She was amazed by the gentleness in the handshake. She was sure that after witnessing him lift Robin and almost pushed her over with his strength that he would squeeze the life out of her hand but he shook her hand as though he was holding an egg. "I'm Sam, a journalist," she replied with a smile.

"A journalist, huh? Is my girl giving you the scoop?" he asked with a rakish grin.

Sam knew from the eye roll from Robin that what he'd said was some kind of secret code between the two.

Robin could have hit him. She stared at him, telling him with her eyes that he was wrong and that he should shut the hell up! "She's not like that, Ter."

Terry was quiet for a moment as his eyes travelled over Sam. She was pretty enough, even with the tight ass office bitch look she was rocking, but he could tell why Robin liked her, and she did like her. She never brought anyone to the stage in all the time he knew her, least of all a journalist, if she wasn't attracted to them.

"And you still brought her back here?" He shrugged at the glare he was getting from the taller woman. "Okay, it's got nothing to do with me. Anyway, what can I do for ya?"

Robin dropped a hand onto Sam's shoulder and smiled. "Bitesize is working and needs to get some pictures. Is she alright to come up and snap a few for her…um," she looked down at the woman. "Is it an article you're doing?"

Sam nodded. She tried not to show her annoyance at the nickname the woman seemed intent on giving her. She needed the pictures, and this woman could help her out. It would do her no good to make her angry by getting worked up over a name. "Yeah, for Pride."

Robin smiled back at her old friend. "Can she get some pictures?"

"On one condition," Terry replied. He pointed to Robin then himself. "You and I catch up on Saturday. It's been too long, baby. I wanna know what you've been up to."

"Fine, fine," Robin agreed. She felt a small vibration in her pocket and pulled out her phone, groaning at the text message. She rolled her eyes as she replaced her phone and gave Sam a little push in Terry's direction.

"What-?" Sam started.

Robin handed over her number on the back of a business card. "Here," she said giving them both one. "For when you wanna arrange a play date," she said smiling at Terry before looking to the confused blonde, "and for when you wanna thank me for fetching you up here."

Sam stared at the card, blushing. "I told you…I'm not gay."

"I know. You already said." Robin grinned. She nudged the smaller woman playfully with her elbow. "We could be friends though, right?"

She watched the beginnings of a smile play at the corners of the young woman's mouth. "I guess."

"Well alright then," Robin started as she backed up into the crowd. "I'd like to stay, but I'm already late for work!"

~X~

"Dammit Robin! This being late thing is starting to become too frequent!"

Robin rolled her eyes as she ran behind the stage. She peeled off her blazer and shirt and threw them onto her table. She had no inhibitions when it came to her body. She couldn't afford to develop a sense of modesty and shyness in her line of work. "I'm sorry, I got caught up."

"Oh really? What's her name?"

Robin felt her mouth pull into a toothy smile as her friend's words prompted the image of the small blonde. "What makes you think it's because of a woman?" she asked as she applied her mascara.

"Because you've got that stupid smile on your face. I ain't thick, Robin. You only look like that when you've scored or you're planning to."

"Melanie…" Robin drawled. "I don't screw every woman I meet, y'know."

"HA!" Melanie scoffed at the absurdity of the statement.

In all the time she had known Robin, not once had she known her to let any woman she set her eyes on get away. They were like her prey. Still, she found herself surprised at the hint of a glare in her friend's eyes.

Robin shook her head as she threw on the costume that had been laid out ready for her. It looked like the next number was sailor themed tonight. She shrugged as she stepped into a pair of impossibly small leather shorts and striped top.

"I helped out some girl in the parade. A journalist. She needed a few pictures so I took her backstage."

"Yeah, because you do that for everyone," Melanie chuckled.

"I was trying to help another human being out."

Melanie shot her along suffering look in the mirror. "She was obviously pretty then. You don't do stuff like that unless you wanted to ogle the poor girl."

"Not that it matters, but yeah."

"I bet you a hundred quid, you will have screwed her by the end of the year."

Robin frowned, looking away from the mirror for a second as she thought. "It's almost Christmas."

"Better get crackin' then," Melanie replied with a wink.

"I'd almost take you up on that if she was on my team." Robin flicked the bill of the sailor cap she wore and shot her friend a smile. "How do I look?" she asked with her hands on her hips.

Melanie stopped curling her red hair long enough to give her a once over. "Like a sexy bitch. Now go, you're on," she said, shoving her toward the curtain.

"One day, Mel, I'm gonna leave this crap-hole," Robin promised with a sigh.

"Yeah, and I'm gonna get married to a rich man have loads of kids," Melanie replied dryly before returning to her mirror.

Robin stomped her foot to make sure her foot was in her knee high boots properly, and continued on her way. She continuously fiddled with the small, revealing costume she wore as she followed the other girls toward the stage of the seedy club. It wasn't the most glamorous job she'd ever had, but it paid the bills. She could handle the drunken jeering and the lecherous looks she got from the patrons, but what she couldn't handle was the way her heart would sink when she imagined the disappointed look her father would have given if he were still alive.

It's not forever, dad, she thought grimly. When the music started, and the light focused on her, she forced a smile and started dancing.

Not forever…

~X~

Sam smiled to herself as she flicked through the pictures. She could already imagine the look on her boss's face. She had taken so many. Much more than she would have gotten to take if she had remained stuck on the outside of the crowd as she had been. Overall it hadn't been a bad day. Terry had been polite and gentlemanly as he'd shown her around the back stage. He had also given her a pass that had allowed her to move freely around the front of the stage in between the platform and the crowd. She had also been able to meet a couple of celebrities she hadn't known would be there.

After she had recovered from her star struck faze, she'd managed to keep a straight face and even breathing long enough to get short interviews out of them. She was amazed at their attitude and their support of gay rights, and it added another dimension to the faces of those she had only ever seen on the television.

Feeling her phone vibrating in her purse, Sam put the camera away. Recognizing the caller ID, Sam flipped open the phone with a smile. "Hi Percy. I'm just on my way home now,"

"Alright, well, I'm on way out. I'm taking over Glenn's night shift," she heard Percy's tired reply.

Sam's smile fell. "What? I thought we were going out for dinner tonight?"

"His wife went into labour earlier. I said I'd take over for him so he can be with her."

"Oh, that's nice of you. Still, I'm a little disappointed. I was looking forward to seeing you," Sam said. She was surprised by the lack of enthusiasm in her voice and hoped her boyfriend didn't pick up on it. She and Percy had been having problems communicating lately, and she felt things were becoming stale between them. "I've got so much to tell you about today. I was asked to cover the Pride Parade, and guess who I-?"

"That's nice, Samantha. I gotta go. I'll be home around seven in the morning, okay?" she heard the sound his keys jingling and a door closing. His voice echoed like he was in a corridor.

"Um…okay then. Bye." She waited for him to say goodbye back, or maybe utter the words 'I love you' for the first time, but as usual, she received a lazy 'kay' in response and he hung up.

Sam wandered around the empty apartment when she got home, rifling through the letters Percy had left unopened. They were all bills. It seemed that was all they received. Bad news in the form of unpaid bills, reminding them of the limited time they had left if they weren't paid any attention. Her relationship with her long-time boyfriend, Percy, felt that way. She always felt as though they were on a time limit, forcing any kind of intimacy between them, inadvertently making things worse. There had been a time when it had been easy, when they couldn't keep their hands off each other. Somewhere along the way they had lost their spark, and any kind of flame between them had been snuffed out, or so it seemed to Sam.

She stared at her mobile phone for a long time before going to bed. She didn't know why she expected him to call like her other friend's boyfriends did when they were on breaks at work. Percy wasn't romantic, but it wouldn't have hurt him to send a text, right? Sam pushed down her disappointment and sprawled out on their shared bed, instead remembering the excitement she'd experienced during the day.

She smiled, remembering one instance where one of the celebrities participating in Pride had called her by the wrong name and gotten flustered over it. She never would have thought it possible that someone she had only ever seen on television would be apologizing for getting her name wrong, and then buying her something as simple as a burger to say sorry. Despite all she had done today, the one thing she remembered the most before finally closing her eyes to fall asleep were a pair of the most piercing cobalt eyes she'd ever seen.