A/N: Huge thank you to mynameislizzie for letting me know I posted chapter two twice! Not sure what happened here, probably clicked the wrong chapter. Blaming the iPad.
This chapter is probably worthy of a Goo Alert™ (Warning, I have decided, sounds too harsh, so it's now an alert.) towards the end.
It surprises me how short some of these chapters actually are compared to SF. I typed this on an iPod, and I wrote so much in the one document, that I actually slowed down the Notes app on it, and it was lagging when I was writing/editing. Rather amusing, and it made me think of the time my mum crashed the memory of a Commodore 64 by writing two-thousand plus word uni assignments. (Back in '93, don't you know.)
This chapter continues after the last one.
RIGHT. ON WITH IT!
Disclaimer: I do not own skins. My mum still owns that Commodore 64, too. All typos are the property of my iPod.
(Emily POV)
We stayed like that for a few minutes, until a shrill ringing pierced the calm.
"Christ, I know who that'll be. Hang on..." I reluctantly unwrapped my arms from around Naomi and grabbed my mobile from the table and answered it.
"Hi, Katie, what can I do for you at... what the fuck, 2am?" I gave Naomi an "oops" look, which Naomi waved off.
"Well, you answered, so you can't be that busy, can you? Cook told me if you weren't chasing after some French tail you'd be having a boring night in, so I called for more goss on this mystery girl of yours."
"Yeah, not really the best time, yeah? Can I call you in the morning?" I rolled my eyes at Naomi as an apology. The blonde tried not to laugh, clearly amused by my side of he conversation.
"Ooh... I AM interrupting, aren't I?" I could hear the amusement in Katie's voice.
"Yes! Satisfied? Now, I'll call you in the morning. Goodnight, Katie."
"Haha... Night, Ems." I ended the call and then switched her phone off. "Sorry about that. She's unbelievable, really."
Naomi laughed. "It's ok. It was amusing. By the way, is it really past 2am?"
I nodded. "If you want to go and sleep, I understand. But you are more than welcome to stay, if you like..."
"Sleep is somewhat overrated. No plans for tomorrow, and besides, we haven't made a decent dent in the vodka yet..."
I smiled. "I hoped you would say that. Fancy something a bit more comfortable than the table?"
"Sure."
We retired to the couch. "Oh yeah, much more comfortable... Well, other than being in bed, of course..." I remarked, with a slight smile.
Naomi laughed. "Well, there's that. But this is good for now."
"For now, eh?" I winked.
"Figure of speech?" Naomi said, sarcastically, and I laughed.
"This is good for now, let's not spoil it, ok?" I replied. "It would be nice... but, I don't want you to feel any pressure."
"I don't. Emily, you put me at ease. It's ok." Naomi smiled, in reassurance.
I returned the smile. "So... Journalism, huh?"
"Yeah. Was either that, or politics. In the end I couldn't stand being a liar for a living, so journalism it was."
"Not to mention creepy scandals!" I laughed. Naomi nodded. "So... Same question. Why photography?"
"I always wanted to do something visual. I've always been fascinated by what story a picture tells... The world is full of beautiful things, and I'd love to capture it forever. Partly why I came back to Paris. It's a very old, beautiful city. It was too good a chance to pass up."
"Sounds interesting. And that's the only reason you came to Paris?"
"It was also next on my list of places to visit again, really. I came here on holiday a few years back with my family. Last place I went to was Greece. Spent three months there last summer."
"Oh, I bet it was beautiful there!" Naomi said.
"Spent three months in Australia before that. Travelled across the country by train and saw both coasts. Bit hot for my liking, though, and rather desolate if you're not on the coast. What about yourself?" I asked, my fingers gently entwined in Naomi's hair.
"Cyprus a few years back, and Goa last year, before... This is the first time I've been to Paris, though. I'm nowhere near as travelled as you, though." Naomi finished her sentence in a rush, before finishing her drink.
I watched as Naomi's expression became a little serious. "Ask me something else..." she muttered, softly, her eyes meeting mine.
"...Want a hug?" I asked, quietly. Naomi nodded. "Here. Turn around, and lean back."
Naomi turned her back to me, and leaned back into me, and my arms wrapped around her shoulders in a comforting embrace. She lay her head back and rested it on my shoulder. Naomi felt herself exhale slowly.
"Better?" I asked, whispering.
"Yeah." Naomi breathed, closing her eyes. "This is good." I sighed in agreement.
"I'm glad I spoke to you in the transit lounge... This wouldn't be half as enjoyable without you here." I said. Naomi smiled. "I'm glad you spoke to me too. Thank you, Emily."
"For what?"
"For not passing me by."
"I don't think I could have. You were rather captivating sitting there staring into your latté and your Michelin guide. Sort of took my breath away."
"Oh, Em. That's so sweet." Naomi said. I pressed my lips to Naomi's temple and gently kissed her. "It's the truth."
Naomi twisted to look into my eyes. "I think that's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me." She said, quietly, before kissing me slowly. I returned the kiss, before snuggling Naomi into my arms. "I'm glad you stayed."
"Me too. Are we out of vodka yet?"
I checked the contents of the bottle. "Not yet. Another?"
"Sure. In fact, pass it here..." I passed the bottle over and Naomi took a large swig, I watched with a sly grin on my face as Naomi downed the clear liquor. I laughed and snuggled closer. "Adorable."
"Not very ladylike, though."
"Oh, fuck it, who cares?" I laughed, Naomi laughing with me "Besides, no one cares at the end of the night when you're well and truly sloshed."
"But we're not sloshed, Em."
"True, but we're not entirely sober, either."
"Good point."
The clock on the table chimed 3am. We lay entwined on the couch, observing each other silently, our fingers intertwined. "What are you thinking?" I asked.
"I don't know your last name..."
"Oh. It's Fitch. Yours?"
"Hmmm..."
"Oh come on. I shared mine, least you can do is share yours." I said.
"Promise you won't laugh?"
"Why would I laugh?"
"Campbell." Naomi said, after a pause.
I snickered and tried very hard not to laugh. Poor baby, having to grow up with that name. God knows what she's had to put up with in her time.
"You promised not to laugh!" Naomi laughed with me, nudging me in the side.
I smirked. "Sorry. I bet you've caught a fair bit of flack for it, yeah?"
Naomi smiled. "You have no idea."
"Aww. People can be such pricks." I laughed, sympathetically. "People usually think Katie and I are alike, when the reality is far from it."
"Oh, so you're not a matching pair?"
"God, no." I scoffed. "She's about as abrasive as sandpaper when she wants to be. I'm much more agreeable."
Naomi reached up and ran her fingers gently through my fringe. "Well, that's good then." the blonde smiled. A short silence fell between us as we looked into each others eyes.
I leaned in and kissed Naomi, our lips moving in sync. I fought to control the butterflies I had inside me, and as she moaned softly into my kiss, I knew I didn't want to fight it any longer. She twisted around so she lay on top of me, facing me, and she got a long look into my deep brown eyes. Such amazement and wonder were behind them, I suppose. Because I was amazed, and I am convinced the both of us felt pretty wonderful. and Naomi didn't think twice. She leaned forward and kissed the me slowly, gently slipping her tongue between my lips. My hands trailed across her back as we kissed slowly, passionately.
"Come lie down with me?" I whispered to her. I looked at her with curious eyes. Naomi nodded, and I stood up, pulling her up with me, leading her to the bed. She took off her jeans and climbed into one side of the bed, pulling back the other side of the duvet, watching as I took off my own jeans. I got in beside Naomi and faced her, her cool blue eyes of admiring my features.
"You know..." I began, "...last night... when we had drinks in the bar..."
Naomi nodded, as I gently pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear, almost making her shiver.
"I never wanted you to leave..." I said, quietly. "I almost invited you up here, but wasn't sure how you would take it..." Her fingers threaded through mine. "…I couldn't get you off my mind all night. I could still feel you on me after I hugged you when you left..."
I paused, and looked at Naomi with an intense stare. Naomi was gently biting her bottom lip. "I left reluctantly, last night. I was having such a good time, but I know how cranky I can get without decent sleep. But you were so charming and welcoming. So friendly. And you made me laugh, not many people have done..."
I kissed her softly, before pulling back, allowing her to continue, "…it was when we were in the Louvre that it really struck me… You've been there before, haven't you?"
My brow furrowed. "How on earth did-"
Naomi laughed softly, cutting me off. "You spent more time looking at me than the art. I know someone as interested in the arts as you wouldn't go through the Louvre without looking closely at such masterpieces..." Naomi said. "…anyway, the few times I caught your eyes, you didn't even try to look away, and I felt myself being pulled toward you, so I had to look away..."
"Why?" I asked her.
"Promise me you won't take it the wrong way?" Blue eyes stared into mine. I shook my head with a smile. "It felt so dangerous…I knew that if I stared too long I would be lost, and I wasn't sure I was ready to lose myself."
"You were scared?"
"Y-…Terrified. I didn't think I could feel this again, after feeling empty for so long. When you looked at me it was like all the bad feeling and fear I had just ceased to matter. And..."
"Yeah?" My husky voice encouraged her further.
Naomi grinned slightly. "Well… It's nice to be fancied, isn't it?" I smiled and kissed her softly. "It was after that I realised I couldn't get you out of my mind, either. And instead of fighting it..."
"You let yourself fall…"
The blonde nodded slowly. "Couldn't help it." Her lips met mine and we kissed slowly.
I started to giggle as their lips came apart.
"What is it?" Naomi asked, a shy smile crossing her lips.
"Ha. I warn you, it'll sound bad." I laughed.
"Oh, go on..."
I paused, a sly smile crossing my lips. "I was just thinking… this is the most time I think I've spent in bed with a woman and not…" I bit her bottom lip, and then she grinned, sheepishly. Naomi's eyes widened as the realisation of what I was on about dawned on her.
"A first for both of us, then." Naomi smiled. "I've never been in bed with a woman before." She paused. "Not that it needed pointing out, really."
I laughed. "Well, no, but for a first timer, you're doing well."
"I hope so." she grinned. A short pause fell between us once more. "You're serious."
"Yes." I whispered, brushing Naomi's fringe out of her eyes. "This is more than enough for now… I don't want to rush anything. Besides, I'm just enjoying being with you. And that's something I don't think I've ever felt with someone."
"Emily..."
My eyes meet Naomi's cool blue ones. "Yes?"
"Will you catch me?"
I watched Naomi's expression, seeing the vulnerability in her piercing blue eyes that were pleading with me.
"I'll catch you, babe. I wouldn't dream of not doing so."
Naomi shifted so that I lay behind her and I instinctively wrapped my arms around the blonde. I placed a kiss at the base of Naomi's neck, feeling her snuggle deeper into me.
"So long as you catch me, too… 'Cause I think I'm falling just as hard…" I whisper gently into the blonde's ear. Naomi links her fingers with mine, and pulls me closer, and we both drift off to sleep together.
A/N#2: There are absorbable towels over there. *points to the table on the corner*
Stay tuned for more.
Reviews welcome...don't be shy! :)
