Author's Note: Once again I want to thank everyone for their kind words and support. Fortunately for the sake of this story, I was sick this weekend and got a LOT of writing done.

Also my apologies because I just realized when posting the 3rd chapter that my line breaks weren't showing up. I imagine it was like watching a film that would suddenly skip scenes! I have tried to be more diligent about double checking the line breaks, and trying not to slip back and forth between past and present tense.

Anyway I hope you enjoy. I have started writing one of the later parts of the story, so I am psyched about where stuff is going. And this is another M for Mature chapter.


Paige's POV

So this is what it feels like to drop from heaven to hell. My lungs are burning with fire, my mouth aching with thirst and I'm surrounded by water I shouldn't actually drink. I'm starving, craving some combination of every junk food from every different ethnicity. The only thing pulling me through besides the electrolytes and pain relievers are my memories of Spencer Hastings and our night together.

"So did I make myself clear about what happens when you are late for practice? Not to mention you are the anchor and in all probability future CAPTAIN of the team?" Coach Redfield said sadistically.

"You are a MONSTER!" Claire yelled, making the Coach break into laughter. Only Claire could get away with that type of humor.

"Yes I am." Coach said before walking off. "You can hit the showers. See you bright and early Monday morning." She yelled over her shoulder.

"You. Are. Welcome." Claire said, emphasizing each word as she pulled herself out of the pool and extended a hand to help me out.

"I would usually tease you for being so self-congratulatory, but you are seriously a true friend for everything you have done the past 12 hours. Also I am actually dead and thus cannot pull myself out of the pool right now." I added, still tempted to just drink the pool water. Claire grabbed my arm and I decided to cooperate before she tore my shoulder out of its socket.

"Actually it has been more like 16 hours since you also ditched me to go on your date at the Old Pro. You KNOW I love that place. You are lucky they hooked you up with beer without me." She added as we limped towards the showers. Even though getting served the beer could be chalked up to athletic privilege, it was really Claire's charisma from previous visits that got us served.

"Yes you are absolutely right." I added, careful to not irritate her. We got under the showers, and I ran mine as hot as I found tolerable to try and jump start my muscle recovery. I was going to be sore come tomorrow. As it was, my body was aching from relearning the intricate movements of sex. My legs still ached from flexing and straining thanks to Spencer's careful, deliberate manipulations.

"And all you have to do is pay me in the form of DETAILS. I am SO PROUD OF YOU." I smiled despite myself.

"It was…she was really good. Amazing. It is still crazy to think about. We are talking about someone I thought was hot since middle school even." I added. If you can think people are hot in middle school…saying that in college just sounded creepy and "To Catch a Predator" –like.

"Did you guys play strip poker or something? Why was I picking up clothes everywhere?" Claire asked. I smirked.

"I guess you could say we played 'Strip Tour of the Apartment.'" I said in my most cocky, pretentious voice. Claire dropped her smile and just looked at me with the most earnest expression she could muster.

"That was so dorky that I am debating even asking anymore questions. Okay who was on top?" She asked after a beat.

"Uh I will answer that if you actually want me to but are you sure you want visuals?" She regarded me thoughtfully.

"Yeah I guess not. I might think less of you depending on your answers anyway. So what is the plan now?" That is exactly what I had been wondering myself. I had no idea what Spencer wanted. She was still in town for another night.

"I don't know. I asked her to text me later. I think maybe it is best to let her set the pace."

When we finally started our trek back to the apartment, I broke down and texted Spencer.

Paige: Hope your day is going well. Up to anything tonight?

I know part of it was how great it felt to have sex again, which felt base and silly to think to myself. But being with Spencer had woken my body up to something I hadn't felt since Emily. I hadn't so much as kissed anyone else, save for a few tipsy make outs with Shana at some dreadful Noel Kahn parties. And most of those had been stupid attempts to make Emily jealous. Which Alison had delighted in calling me out on, toying with Emily right in front of me in one of her many bullshit, Mean Girls tactics to irritate me.

I still remember the way Spencer had looked at me at those parties. Sad. Almost like she felt bad for me and the situation I was in. Seeing Spencer feel badly for me should have made me feel pitiful, but I actually appreciated it. I wished Emily had felt the same way at the time, or tried to listen to me.

I glanced down at my phone. No text from Spencer. Stupid Paige I scolded myself. This was going to be a long day if I acted that desperate.


Spencer's POV

"There are a lot of different ways we can try and incorporate queer activism in our everyday lives…"

Paige's kisses had smeared my lip gloss on the dance floor…I never wanted someone to have their way with me so badly…

"Letter writing to our representatives, sparking conversations with coworkers and peers…"

When she lifted me up and took me to her bed it only confirmed how strong I thought she was, and she seemed to know just how to pace herself till I was dizzy and desperate for her mouth and tongue all over me.

"Are you paying attention to any of this one?" Tom whisper-scolded me. I glanced down at my dying phone and blank notebook.

"Sorry…" I muttered. "Long night." Tom arched and eyebrow.

"Hastings! Did you go home with that girl you met up with? I'm impressed!" I smiled at him before we both got shushed.

"I want all the details in between sessions." All the details? Doubtful you want me to be as explicit as the looping track in my memory. "But for now focus so we gather some decent information to go home with."

I wanted to think it was just great sex like my drunken rebounds with Santana had been. It certainly wasn't a release of built up attraction and shared intimacy like with Toby. Instead being with Paige was some kind of bizarre in-between. Maybe it was just because she was from Rosewood. Maybe it was the way she looked at me, her brown eyes so utterly sincere and world-weary which was strangely a turn on.

My phone buzzed and I nearly jumped up in anticipation.

Hanna: Hey girl hey! How are things?

I put my phone back down, rolling my eyes. Hanna didn't even know I was at a conference. Why whenever you were waiting for a specific person to text did everyone else come out the woodwork?


A short while later, my phone died sans any texts from Paige. Good. Maybe now I would just focus on the programs I signed up for. The whole damn reason I came out here.


"It WILL be lame Spencer. I guarantee the lameness. But I also guarantee that we will find some hotties to bring back to our very own hotel party." Tom said, swigging from a red solo cup. I took a sip of the jungle juice he created and grimaced despite it being my second cup of the stuff. It was disgustingly strong and sweet, like Noel and Tom mixed drinks from the same terrible handbook.

Once I had finally gotten my phone charged up, I realized Paige had still not texted me. She had said she would text me I could swear it. And I didn't want to look desperate. I hiccupped from the carbonated pop in the drink.

"Sure. Have to get those hotties." I said sarcastically. Maybe bringing a cute boy or girl back to the party wouldn't be so bad. Well it would probably have to be a girl given that most the guys were probably gay.

"Alright troops LET'S GO." Tom said, pouring some tequila in a flask and handing it to me.

"Sorry she didn't text Spencer. Find someone to make her jealous. You are on a streak after all." I nodded with a smile that didn't reach my eyes, frowning once Tom turned around.


The dance is just as lame as Tom promised it would be. Since the conference was open to any grade that meant no drinking or alcohol served. Since we were in college, the lights were barely dimmed to reduce the chances of an orgy-porgy breaking out. It was in a giant gymnasium and they were playing hits from circa 2000 onwards (it was currently "In Da Club" by 50 Cent), it reeked of middle school dance. All I needed was a retainer and someone to stand as far away from as humanly possible while pretending to dance together. At least Rachel or Kurt haven't attempted to rap too often…

Tom and some of the other guys from the program were chatting up some guys decked out in athletic attire. Well I guess Tom and I shared a type when it came to athletes.

I was content awkwardly wallflowering, sipping from the flask Tom had provided for me when I thought supervisors weren't looking. Maybe one of the guys Tom talked up would at least be bisexual. And maybe he would be as good in bed as Paige was. I snickered to myself. A guy like Paige McCullers. Except I want the real thing. I shook my head, and finally focused enough to notice the girl standing in front of me.

"Hey. I think we were in a presentation together earlier. Robyn Ochs and the Kinsey scale? My name's Lauren." Lauren had curly, light brown hair and thick-rimmed glasses. I smile at her.

"I'm Spencer. Pleasure to meet you." I extended my hand and Lauren shook it, letting hers linger a beat longer than necessary. She started making small talk about the presentation, asking about where I had ranked myself. She was cute, definitely a little nerdy which I appreciated.

That's when I noticed Paige towards the center of the crowd. She was with the friends I had briefly met yesterday before we left the bar. She looked like she was having fun, laughing and pretending to flex her bicep for them before laughing again. She was wearing a black button up, the sleeves rolled on her forearms and the top buttons undone to give a hint of the tanned, smooth flesh that lay underneath. Skin that just yesterday I had run my hands and tongue all over while she gripped the sheets. That's when I noticed a dead ringer for Emma Stone standing by Paige, touching her arm flirtatiously.

"Sorry Lauren. Excuse me while I rudely text for a second." I said, my words coming out sterner than was polite or even acceptable in the middle of our banter.

"…sure. Duty calls right?" She said, playing it off.

Spencer: I see you are enjoying yourself.

A few beats later I could see Paige duck her head down, clearly looking at her phone because a moment later she looked up, searching like an animal that suddenly sensed a predator. Emma Stone was trying to dance far enough from Paige to not make the first move, but close enough to imply she was okay if something did happen.

That is when Paige locked eyes with me.

I had no reason to be jealous. And I wasn't. This was about…lust.

This was about Paige being my territory. At least for the weekend. We had passed out in each's others arms yesterday, satisfied. But now I realized just how much I wanted more from her.

"Sorry again for rudely walking away from you. You seem like a great woman." I said to Lauren before walking up to Paige. I realized I was storming since people who were just dancing and chatting started clearing a path for me. I probably looked like I was about to hit her with a shovel so I slowed down, suddenly feeling awkward. Paige clearly did too, frowning slightly as I approached, but not before I saw her look me up and down.

"Spencer…" she said, trailing off. She was wearing eyeliner tonight which just made me focus more on her puppy dog eyes. How could Emily stay so mad with her? I already felt stupid for basically storming up to her in a jealousy-like rage. I then realized I was thinking to myself so much I looked like an idiot for not replying.

"Paige…you never texted me. After you said you would. Not that you had to. If it was just a one night stand between old friends I get it. I just wish that would have been clearer this morning." I may want her, but I wasn't above embarrassing her or expressing my annoyance. Emma Stone's eyes widened into saucers as her jaw dropped.

"Oh shit GIRLFIGHT!" A tomboy said to her group of friends a few feet away from us. Once that girl saw me shoot daggers at her the smile fell off her face.

"Seriously!?" I fired back. "That's what I thought." The group of girls turned around, the show over. Paige rolled her eyes at me or the girls or the whole situation. But there was something else in her eyes too, and I couldn't quite pin it down or define it. She grabbed my other hand to lead me to an isolated corner away from the masses.

"Sorry guys I'll catch up with you later." She said to her friends. We stopped near a corner of the gym, semi-secluded by a load-bearing pillar.

"Okay Spencer. One. I asked you to text me and you never did. Two. I broke down and texted you promptly after one of the worst practices of my life and you never responded." She said, her voice betraying hurt.

"I never got a text from you Paige." I said decisively.

"Did your phone die or something?" I immediately closed my eyes, trying to shield my brain from the sudden knowledge Paige was right and I had misjudged the situation. My phone had died and never received the text, even after I recharged it.

"…maybe?" I answered, defeated. I was embarrassed for my behavior and level of intoxication. Paige has clearly not been drinking nearly as much as I have.

"So this is a stupid misunderstanding…and we actually both wanted to see each other again?" Paige says carefully, talking to the floor while she moves slightly closer. I dry swallow, suddenly aware of how close we are standing. I let my hand drop near Paige's and soon our fingers are purposely grazing each other. At first the touches are brief and flitting enough to pretend it is an accident. But then she entwines a couple fingers with mine. She glances up at my lips and then my eyes. Then back down to my lips.

"Spencer…how much have you had to drink?" She finally asks, glancing down at the flask. I gaze at Paige's lips before I answer.

"I'm not drunk. I know what I want." I say, almost pleading at this point. I'm not sure if I kiss her or she kisses me first, but the flask clatters on the floor and then I have Paige against the pillar our hands excitedly running over each other's clothed body for a few minutes. Remembering we are still very much in public, I resist my desire to start unbuttoning Paige's jeans and shirt.

Paige breaks away and holds a hand against the top of my chest to stop me from immediately moving against her again.

"Spencer please stop for a second. You know it is important for me to know you can consent to this." Paige's breath is already heavy with lust and anticipation.

"My blood alcohol is at roughly point zero-nine percent. In one half hour if I stopped drinking I would be fine to drive a car." I reply.

"How the hell do you know you blood alcohol content off the top of your head?" Paige asks, sounding confused.

"Even though I wasn't an alcoholic I was an addict in high school. I may party but I can still do a basic estimate of my blood alcohol." I gently trace a hand against the side of Paige's neck. "I do it to make sure I never get out of control again. I made enough mistakes in high school to last a lifetime." I mention, not wanting to dwell on that night Alison disappeared or drunkenly throwing myself at Wren or my crazy noir fantasy.

Paige still looks thoughtful so I continue, "I know what happened with Emily's flask. I know it is important to you to know that I can and do consent. And I do. I didn't get enough of you last night Paige." At that her eyes shoot up from the ground to mine. She nods and grabs my hand to lead me somewhere, anywhere we can be alone.

I just leave the flask behind while Paige pulls me first into the crowded main hallway I used to enter the dance. We walk past the clusters of people still milling about outside the dance and she uses a keycard to scan us into a door across the hall.

The scents of chlorine and sunblock instantly hit my nose. At the end of the hall I can see the water of a giant pool reflecting off the walls. It's a little eerie and very beautiful; the loud noise of the crowds outside now a distant murmur. We are alone again and I am wet with anticipation. Paige scans her keycard again to another door along the side of the hall we're walking down, right before the pool area.

The room's dark, but there are floor to ceiling windows on the side facing the pool, so the waves seem to dance along the walls and ceiling, reflecting and lightening the room up enough for me to make things out. There's a billiards table, leather couches all spread around a hardwood floor. The walls are lined with books and trophies, along with group pictures of teammates and a dart board.

"What is this?" I ask. It was swank. Paige turns and slams her body flush against mine, trapping me against the door. She practically rips my blouse off over my head.

"Varsity lounge. I technically shouldn't have access till next year but Claire is good with people and got us in early. Spencer…I have been thinking about you all day." She was already cupping my bra, rubbing the lacy fabric against my sensitive nipples. They harden under the sensation.

"Fuck Paige take me." She pulls me over to one of the couches and pushes me down on it. This time it's more frantic than yesterday. I am even more turned feeling confident she is going to be able to get me off. I start unbuttoning my jeans as Paige bites and nips at my neck. I know I will have marks the next day but all I can do is shudder under her touch.

"You want me again?" She asks, her tone indicating she already knows the answer. She wants me to say it, wants me to beg. I want to beg her, sliding my hands under her shirt to feel her toned body flexing on top of mine.

"Yes."

"Yes what?" Her voice sounds deeper, hoarse with emotion. Her hand is playing at the elastic at the top of my panties, she tugs them up a bit, causing them to sift and move against my throbbing clit.

"I want you again. Please." Her fingers reward my answer by moving lower, playing with me through the thin fabric of my panties. I whimper helplessly, trying to wiggle and grind against her and find the release I long for. Paige regards me, seemingly overcome with lust herself at how turned on I am.

"You are so hot Spencer. I haven't felt like this in so long." She says softly before pulling one bra cup aside to flick her tongue against one of my nipples.

I am rubbing her shoulders and slowly dragging my nails down the side of the body. We make eye contact and she slips my panties to the side and buries three fingers inside me. I can't believe how full I feel at her touch.

She starts a pace, moving in and out and against me. Before long she leans down to kiss me, our tongues tasting one another as she brings me closer and closer to release.

Paige McCullers.

Her fingers start curving and the side of my panties starts moving back and forth against my clit. I groan.

"Don't stop Paige." She just laughs softly and keeps going, feeling me start to shake under her. She is intoxicating, this combination of her being so humble in everyday conversation and so confident, nearly cocky in bed. She is more confident than yesterday, skillfully moving in and through me.

A few more thrusts and I come, gently placing my hand on her wrist to signal her to stop pummeling my center, it is weak and sensitive as it throbs repeatedly. She takes the cue and pulls out gently. As I recover I realize she is zipping and buttoning my pants back up. She moves to grab my blouse but I grab her by the collar, holding her against me.

Suddenly I just want her body against mine for the comfort. She shifts against me, moving so I can rest on top of her. I thankfully rest my head in the crook of her neck, nuzzling against her before nodding off.


I wake up and Paige is gone. It is darker than I remember it being. Where would she go?

I get up off the couch and pick up my blouse, pulling it back on over my head. I check my phone and I have one new message. It is from a blocked number, and my stomach instantly twists itself in a hot, electric knot, nearly incapacitating me.

Blocked number: Didn't you learn who not to fuck yet Spencer? I have a surprise for you. – A

I walk out the door from the lounge back into the hall. I hear a strange noise from the pool. At first it sounds like cracking. I realize it is ice cracking. The whole room is bathed in a red glow. Because the water is red instead of blue. It is a frozen red color.

"Oh no no no no…" I plead, walking to the edge of the pool as if I am being pulled by a supernatural force. Hanna is in there, hitting the surface of the pool which I realize is covered in thick ice. She is drowning in front of me.

I can see two individuals in hoodies in the far corner, across the pool from me but I can't make out who they are. Except I know with some kind of certainty it's Paige and Alison. Watching the scene unfold.

In the back of my mind, it starts to register I am dreaming. I start trying to shut my eyes then open them to wake myself up…

"Spencer!" I can hear Paige but in my dream I can see her in that black hoodie. Suddenly her and Alison are looking at me and coming over, marching and grinning. Their grins are too wide; unnatural.

"Spencer!" This time Paige is shaking me and I am awake, gasping for air. The real Paige has me folded snugly in her arms and she is looking down at me with nothing but concern.

"Hey…I think you were having a bad dream. I get them too. I've got you, I'm here." She adds. I finally stop squirming and look up at her, cupping either side of her face with my hands to cement that I am awake and she is here. And that terrible aberration of Paige in my dream was just something my shitty dream mind conjured up.

"How long was I out?" I ask.

"At least 30 minutes or so…the dance is probably winding down by now." She adds, stroking my hair. She leans down and kisses me deeply. It is different from our previous kisses. Full of concern and gentle. When she pulls away I am breathing heavier from the emotions she sparked in me.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She asks. I shake my head.

"No…but I think I should go back to the hotel." I stand up, and suddenly this moment feels like too much. Like I have vertigo and cannot get a hold as the ground shifts rapidly below me. Paige jumps up and semi-catches me, helping me regain my balance.

"Let me come with you. I don't want you out alone." She says. I shake my head again.

"I can manage just fine." I respond, breaking away to grab my blouse and pull it over my head. She touches my arm.

"I would never doubt Spencer Hastings ability to manage. But...let me come with you. At the very least I can make sure you get to bed safe and sound, and make an appearance at Tom's party. I was formally invited Friday after all." Damn. I forgot about Tom's party.

"You are persistent Paige. Fine." I say. But suddenly, despite that Stephen King-like nightmare, I am feeling a little lighter. I didn't want to go back to the hotel without her. I just didn't know how to ask her to stay with me.