The club was a good scene for everyone that night. Jane and Jesse, Monique and Trent and Daria and Tom were all at a table enjoying drinks and each other's company. It had been Daria and Jane's idea to get everyone together, since Mystic Spiral was in town doing a show in a club further outside of town and Jesse and Trent would be coming to see them anyway. Trent and Monique were in a good place with 5 months and no major arguments, under their belt. Each was really respecting the others input on their relationship and they were getting along quite well, according to Jesse. Jesse had made his feelings for Jane clear and they had decided to move their friendship forward. It had been with only the slightest apprehension, at first, neither wanting to mess with their friendship and its rightness, but after a few hearts to hearts and a very heated make out session, they'd both decided that it was more than worth a try. Around that same time, Tom had decided to make his feelings for Daria known to her as well. Daria, though not initially too receptive to the idea of her and Tom becoming more largely because he was a roommate, did eventually concede to trying with the condition of taking things slow and maintaining their own spaces, but seeing each other exclusively. Tom had agreed and they'd embarked on what had become an intellectually stimulating and good natured relationship that both found to their liking.

"So Monique," Jane addressed the other raven haired woman, "you and my brother have hit the 5 month mark without killing each other. How are you doing it?...you know, for the rest of us that don't want to go through the whole break up to make up thing that you guys did for years."

Monique smiled at Jane glad that Trent's sister had been on board with them giving things a try this last time. She knew how much Jane's opinion meant to Trent and that was something that she respected.

"You want to answer that?" She directed to Trent sitting beside her with a playful smile.

Trent shook his head and sipped his beer before speaking.

"The question was for you."

She looked at him lovingly before turning her attention back to the younger audiences that were watching them.

"Simple really- I listen to what he says and he listens to what I say. When we don't agree, we find a way to meet in the middle. We put us first."

Jane gave a raised glass to that before taking a sip.

"You hear that Daria?" Tom nudged her playfully before drinking the rest of drink. "It can't always be on your terms."

Daria smiled a bit woodenly, embarrassed at being called attention to. She sipped at her drink demurely.

"Jane and I like doing everything together," Jesse swigged some of his beer.

"Oh, Jesse…no we don't, but I love spending time with you."

Jesse looked down cast.

"Oh, come on Jesse, you don't like it when I drag you to all my supply stores trying to find the right things for my projects all the time do you?"
He frowned involuntarily.

"And that's okay. We don't have to like everything the same; we just have to agree on the important things."

"You're right," he conceded.

"Like pizza toppings," Trent threw in.

"I will drink to that," Monique threw in and they all toasted.

The evening was spent in good cheer with everyone relating on slightly embarrassing personal stories. The three couples held their own with the unexpected delightful company that they were glad to have found in each other on this evening.

It had been really sweet of Tom to offer his room to Trent and Monique, Daria thought looking at the blurred image of him sleeping in her bed. The evening had gone well and the couples had all enjoyed themselves. Still, it would be nice to have the privacy of her room back in a few days, Daria had thought while putting lotion on her legs, feet, and heels. Just because they sometimes shared his bed, didn't mean that she didn't still need her own private space and time. He had understood that; sharing her bed would be a first for them, she'd thought as she climbed in hoping not to disturb him since he'd had a little more to drink than usual and that made him cranky sometimes. She clipped off the bedside lamp and settled in. He turned around and threw an arm around her waist.

Damn, he smells good!

She felt his hand slide over her hip then back up and around to squeeze her bottom and pull her to him. She turned to him in the darkness, kissed him and was ill prepared for the heat that instantly flared up between them. They'd had sex before but this was different- and neither could seem to get enough of the other. Their tongues seared each other's in hot, lustful darts, while his hands discarded of the sleepshirt and panties that she'd opted for. He had not been wearing anything at all she realized when he had shifted his weight to her body. She ground against his manhood and hooked an ankle around his leg. Her body longed to be a part of his and his mouth, no longer a part of hers had worked its way down to linger on her neck, then to claim first one breast, then the other. She was practically writhing with a need that had built to astronomical proportions. She arched her back in an attempt to follow his mouth when they stopped their delicious torture. She could feel him position himself before he merged with her, becoming one. They both cried out slightly, but even that was muffled by their once again hungry mouths and heated kisses. The rhythm that they set was not hurried, but instead a fevered urgency that neither wanted to end but both knew had to come into its own delicious fruition. Their panting breaths spurned each other forward as they each cam to climax. Instead of rolling off of her, like he normally did, he simply shifted his weight off of her so that it was to her side on the mattress and he could remain giving her slow and languid kisses, until the evenings activities caught up with them and each allowed sleep to creep in. She rolled to her side and he molded himself around her. She put her arm atop the one that he had around her waist and let her fingers loosely lace his. His breathing deepened and slowed signaling his sleep. She smiled in the dark thinking that she'd never heard a sweeter sound. She sighed feeling completely at peace as she drifted off.

The morning after…

"Okay Daria, what gives? You've been wearing that goofy look on your face ever since you got up and practically floated into the room."

"Ummm…it's silly really."

"Try me." Jane poured herself a cup of coffee and sat across from where her friend had been sitting and grinning.

"Last night, Tom and I- well you know."

"Daria, it's me, your best friend and roommate. I know that you guys have had sex before. Everyone is gone and it's just us, so spill."

"Yeah, we have."

"This time was different though?"

Daria nodded.

"How?"

"Well, it was just- we had a deeper connection or something."

She looked away embarrassed by the cheesiness of her statement.

"Don't be embarrassed. Jesse and I had quite the eventful evening too."

Daria looked at Jane.

"So everything was…good for you two as well?"

"It was better than good. Jesse and I were so right together; it was practically sinful. In fact-"

"Okay no details, please."

"I don't mind giving a few and we can trade for some of you and Tom's tawdry bits."

"Let's just say that I now know what it means to have mind blowing sex. Tom was everything- we fit perfectly."

"So, the other times…..?"

"They were fine, great even, but more like a battle of wills at times. This time we were both just so aware of each other and so willing to make sure that the other was satisfied…" she looked off again with that same silly smile on her face.

"I know exactly what you mean," Jane said not too cryptically. "Then, the way held me afterwards…it was just as intimate as the earth shattering experience that we'd just shared."

"Mmmm…" Daria concurred sipping the now cold cup of coffee. "Yeah, his arms around me… look at us sounding like a couple of girls." Daria caught herself.

"Well that's because we are- girls that it, but I know what you mean. I've never been the girly share all type before. I'm glad that we can have this kind of sister-ish chat."

"Me too," Daria agreed.

"Now continue. His arms around you…"

"Well I felt completely loved by someone." She could feel the blush on her cheeks even as she'd said the words. Jane reached out and patted her hand warmly.

"That's a good- no a wonderful thing. It's also very rare. Never be embarrassed by that. We're lucky to have men in our lives that love us in spite of ourselves."

"You're right; I guess I'm still not used to showing this kind of thing even with those that I care for."

"It's okay. We love you anyway." Jane smirked. "Wait a minute, don't you have a class right about now?"

Daria's blush deepened.

"I kind of blew it off for today."

Jane couldn't believe that. Daria had never skipped anything in college, even when she'd had that awful flu and she and Tom had offered to get her assignments and speak to her professors. She'd worked through it dogmatically, declaring that she'd be fine in a day or two. A week later and a full weekend of Nyquil taken every four hours, per she and Tom, and she was finally fit for class- somewhat.

"It's not like I won't be doing my work. I'm caught up and everything. I just found it hard to concentrate on school this morning and plus I needed a break."

"Hey," Jane held up both her hands, "I am not one to judge. Good for you Morgendorffer. What's say we get a luxurious breakfast at the all you can eat to satiate our well-earned appetites?"

"I would but- you know there's this pesky thing called rent that comes around every month and the library only pays so much."

"Trent slipped me a couple of bucks, so we're set."

"Jane he meant that money for you. I don't think-"

"I hardly think that Trent would mind me and you having a meal with some cash that he gave me. 'Sides, he gave it to me to and I quote, have a good time with, so come on."

"You don't have to twist my arm or anything…"

The pair left for their breakfast and excited about the wonderful turns that their respective relationships had taken.

The duo returned to their apartment that afternoon to find a very frazzled and upset Monique sitting on their steps with her suitcase.

"Monique, what is it?" Jane as asked as she and Daria approached the older young woman that had obviously been crying.

She looked up at them with slightly smudged liner.

"Trent broke up with me- for good this time."

Daria and Jane looked at each other, and then back at Monique.

"Did you guys argue about something?"

Monique shook her head.

"That's just it; it came from out of nowhere. I thought we were- and we've been in such a good place."

The taxi pulled up then and she had to go. Jane and Daria watched as the taxi pulled off with Monique inside.

"What do you suppose happened?" Daria thought aloud.

"I don't know, but I am going to find out." Jane marched into their apartment with the full intention of finding Trent and finding out exactly what was going on."

They found him in the front room with his duffle by his feet and Jesse sitting across from him. They both clammed up when the ladies entered.

"So Trent, wanna tell me what's going on?" Jane started, but Jesse cut her off.

"I need to talk to you- in the room." He pulled her back to her bedroom and shut the door firmly.

Daria stood looking at Trent who sat with his face averted.

"Monique seemed really upset."

He said nothing.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

He still looked off. She reached a hand out to touch his shoulder, but withdrew it at the last moment. He knew that she was there for him…he knew.

"Can I get you something? Do someth-"

He looked at her then and the expression in his eyes was something more than she'd ever seen. A huge part of her wanted- almost needed to reach out to physically comfort him, but that would only serve to cause confusion for her. She knew her limitations and dealt with them accordingly.

"I'll make coffee."

"Don't bother. I'm leaving; I already told Jesse." Trent stood and threw his duffle over one shoulder. "I just wanted to make sure that Monique got off safely."

"You care enough to make sure that she's okay, so you're not made at her….then why…..?"

He just looked at her. He went to the front door and hesitated once he'd opened it and stood in the entryway.

"Tell Janey, I'll call her…in a few days and Daria, take care of yourself."

Daria felt the panic rise in her. His voice and what he said were off. He didn't say see you later or see you around; it was like he was saying goodbye.

"Trent?"

He looked at her.

"You sound funny," was all she could think to say.

"Rough day," he tried to smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"You're coming back- to visit, right? You know that you're welcome here anytime."

"You guys are in college and it's really not my scene."

She swallowed hard. She thought that they were finally back on track. Needing time from a breakup with Monique was one thing, but pushing her and Jane away was quite another.

"I thought that we were friends."

"…We are."

"Then why does this feel like goodbye?"

They looked at each other.

"I've got to go."

Daria felt as though if he walked out of the door in that moment, she would never see him again and he would make sure of it. So in a completely out of character move, she went to him and hugged him around the waist as tightly as she could. She didn't care if she looked stupid; their friendship- he was worth it. Trent was frozen for a moment, but she soon felt him return her hug. Daria didn't know what to do next or what to make of everything that was going on. She took a deep breath to calm herself down a bit.

Trent, what the heck was going on with you? Why are you- That- smell…

Still in his arms, she looked up into his face before speaking.

"It was you."