Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. And now for the long awaited "talk".
Chapter 7:
Ivy arrived back at the church a little later than she expected. Ok, like a couple hours later than she had actually wanted. Her mother did want to talk to her, so the brief visit turned into a long inquisition.
"Rachel, I'm home," her voice held some of the stress from seeing her mother. Ivy rounded the corner, the smell of pizza dough in the air. "I'm sorry I'm late, my mother wanted to catch up." Ivy said as she came into the kitchen. Rachel was over by the counter, setting a slice of pizza on a plate. Ivy also couldn't help but notice the opened bottle of red wine next to Rachel.
"That's ok," she said, wiping her fingers off on a dish towel, "pizza is one of those things that is good hot or cold." She smiled as she took a sip of wine from her glass. "Do you want me to nuke it for you?" she asked as she held out the plate.
"No thanks, this is fine," Ivy said as she took the plate and walked toward the table. "It smells great."
"Thanks, it's one of my better ones," Rachel said, as she grabbed the wine bottle and an extra wine glass for Ivy. Bringing everything over to the table, she sat down next to Ivy.
"Aren't you eating?" Ivy asked.
"I hope you don't mind, but I already had a piece. I was starving and I wasn't sure how long you were going to be. Want some?" she asked, gesturing toward the wine bottle.
"Sure," Ivy said, picking off a piece of green pepper and crunching it slowly, watching Rachel fill the glass and slide it towards her plate.
Rachel raised her glass and took a sip. She closed her eyes and seemed to savor the flavor of the red wine. Ivy had tried it before at the restaurant, and knew how good it was.
"You were totally right about the wine, Ivy. It is very good. You'll have to thank Ronnie again for me," Rachel said as she set her glass on the table to top it off. Setting the bottle back down, she eased her chair back in order to cross her legs. "How's the pizza?" she asked.
"It's good," Ivy said around a bite of crust, "thanks." Wiping her mouth, Ivy pushed her plate back. "So, do you want me to get started showing you this computer program?"
Rachel gave Ivy a little wave while she took another sip of her wine. "Don't worry about it," Rachel said. "Jenks flew in while the pizza was in the oven, and he showed me what I have to do."
"Oh," Ivy said flatly. "Are you sure you understand everything? I mean, the attorneys expect pretty specific notes on this." Ivy said, taking a sip from her glass.
"What kind of notes?" Rachel asked, as she took yet another drink.
"We have to write down the date and time of any recording of Katherine Webb and any of her, uh, guests." Ivy said, as she raised an eyebrow. "You better drink that slower, Rachel. How much have you had anyway?"
Ignoring that last part and taking one more drink to spite Ivy, Rachel set her glass back down. "Do we have to include any details of Mrs. Webb's actions?" Rachel asked.
"Well, yeah. They want a summary of the activities. A tasteful summary, ok? Don't get all graphic if you see anything, and don't let Jenks add his two cents either. If I could find my notebook, I could show you an example," Ivy said as she searched around her computer.
"You mean this notebook?" Rachel asked, grabbing it from under a magazine that was sitting next to her. With a wicked grin, she was on her feet, open book in hand and backing away from the table. "Oh Ivy, I don't know. Your summary sounds pretty explicit to me," Rachel said with a teasing tone in her voice. "How many times did you have to rewind this part where he takes her on the dresser?"
Ivy's cheeks blushed as she stood from her chair. "Give it back, Rachel! You're going to spill something on it." Ivy tried to snag the book out of Rachel's hand, but she quickly jerked it away.
"You should really get into writing romance novels. These love scenes are pretty steamy," Rachel said as she twisted to the side, trying to keep Ivy an arm's length away.
"You're an ass," Ivy said, pushing closer to Rachel. "Just give it to me." She stood back, hand out and hip cocked.
"It's right here," Rachel said, holding the notebook behind her back, "come and get it."
"What are you, an eight year old? God!" Ivy protested. Rachel stood firm, inches away from Ivy, and wiggled the book behind her back. Ivy met Rachel's eyes, suddenly aware of how close they were standing next to each other, and softly inhaled.
Rachel let her gaze linger over Ivy's face, drinking in her features; the warm brown eyes; her straight, delicate nose and the red fullness of her lips. She leaned forward slowly, and ran her finger softly across Ivy's lips. "Ivy," Rachel whispered, her mouth taking the place of her fingers, as she placed a tentative kiss. Rachel pulled back for only a second to position herself closer to Ivy. She rose up on her toes and kissed Ivy's upper lip, softly and gently. Rachel used her tongue to open Ivy's mouth wider, and used her lips and tongue to explore Ivy's mouth. She lowered herself slowly back down, Ivy bent down with her, so as not to break the kiss. Rachel carefully ran her tongue across the tips of Ivy's canines, causing her old scar to come to life. Feeling bold, Rachel bit Ivy's lower lip, gently but firmly. Ivy made a small noise in her throat and pulled back.
"Rachel, don't. " Ivy's voice came out as a hoarse whisper. Her eyes looked dazed as she looked at her friend.
"What?" Rachel asked, also a little breathy from the kiss. "Why not? It's what you wanted, isn't it?"
Ivy looked down for a moment and when she met Rachel's eyes, there was anger in them. "You have got to stop playing with my head. I swear Rachel, sometimes I think you are worse than fucking Piscary was with these games." Ivy gave Rachel a shove on her shoulder and pushed past her to the center of the kitchen. She kept her back to Rachel, and seemed to be gripping the counter. Ivy's shoulders raised and lowered with each deep breath she took, as she tried to calm herself back down.
"Damn you to the Turn and back," Rachel swore, redness creeping in her cheeks from her anger at Ivy's reaction. "I don't frighten that easily anymore, Ivy. I don't know if you realize it, but you're not the scariest person in the room any longer." Rachel closed her eyes and drew on the ley line energy running through the kitchen. As the energy filled her, she walked over to where Ivy stood. "Look at me," she said, pulling on Ivy's shoulder.
"Don't Rachel." Ivy's voice came out as a low growl. "I don't want to hurt you."
Rachel laughed, and that was enough to make Ivy turn around and look at her, her mouth partly open in surprise.
Rachel whispered in Latin, Persedeo institio, as she made a small pushing gesture, and Ivy was pinned with her back against the counter. "Just hear me out, Ivy. I'm sorry, but if I don't do this, you'll just run away again." Rachel came closer to Ivy and gave her a small smile. "I know how much I hurt you the other night," she said, pushing a piece of hair out of Ivy's eyes. "I want to ask for a do over." Rachel said, voice soft. She made another small gesture, releasing Ivy from the spell.
"A what?" Ivy asked, eyes still wide as she remained where she was standing.
"Wait a minute, let me do this right." Rachel closed her eyes and was about to speak.
"No more spells, ok?" Ivy said quickly, holding up her hands.
"It's ok, you'll like this one," Rachel said, and closed her eyes. "Celero inanio," she said softly and made the slightest of gestures. The lights had turned out in the kitchen, and all around the countertops little tea lights illuminated. "There, that's better," Rachel said, smiling up at Ivy.
"What's this all about, Rachel?" Ivy asked, her voice barely a whisper as she looked around the room.
"Come with me," Rachel said as she led Ivy into the living room. The small candles were also lit in here, creating a warm, soft glow. "I hurt you, I don't know how many times, and I don't want to keep doing that to you." Rachel said, as she sat on the couch, pulling Ivy down on the cushion next to her. "I want another chance to say what you wanted to hear the other night." Rachel folded up her feet under her on the couch and sat on her knees facing Ivy.
"So say it." Ivy said, her eyes dilated from the low light.
Rachel reached out and touched Ivy's face. "I want you, Ivy." She looked Ivy in the eyes for a heartbeat and then leaned forward to place a soft kiss on her lips.
Ivy pulled back, smiling this time. She slowly shook her head. "You don't mean it. This is very sweet Rachel, but you don't mean what you are saying."
"How can you say that? Of course I do!" Rachel said, sitting back but keeping her hands on Ivy's face.
Ivy gave her a sad little smile, "You don't."
"Bullshit," Rachel said, and kissed her more firmly on the lips this time.
Ivy lunged forward, pushing Rachel on her back onto the couch. Rachel's knees bent to either side of Ivy's hips, straddling Ivy as she was pinned down by the vamp. Ivy deepened the kiss, tasting the wine on Rachel's lips and tongue. Ivy moved to nuzzle Rachel's neck, carefully avoiding her old scar so as to play fair. While Rachel lie beneath her panting, Ivy pushed herself back slightly, continuing to kiss her way down Rachel's neck. She sat back, pulling Rachel up with her. "Take this off," Ivy said in a hoarse voice as she tugged at the bottom of Rachel's shirt. Rachel just nodded and raised her arms as Ivy stripped the shirt over her head. With a slight growl, she pushed Rachel back down into the cushions. Sitting above her, Ivy gave Rachel a knowing grin, and leaned back down. Her lips and tongue trailed along the lacey edges of Rachel's bra, while Ivy's fingers trailed lower across Rachel's belly, stopping at the button on her jeans.
Ivy scooted back, running her lips and teeth gently over the smooth skin of Rachel's stomach, as she used her thumb and forefinger to open Rachel's jeans. Ivy slowly lowered the zipper of Rachel's jeans, leaning forward to place her lips next to her ear. "How do you like it so far?" Ivy asked, as she teasingly ran her fingers inside Rachel's pants.
"I had no idea what I was missing," Rachel moaned as she arched her hips up to push on Ivy's hand.
"This is just the beginning," Ivy said with a smile. "But for now, for us, this is where it is going to end." Ivy stopped and sat up, looking down at the panting witch. Rachel's entire body was trembling; a flush began to creep up her chest and into her cheeks. Rachel looked up at Ivy wide-eyed, her lips swollen from Ivy's earlier passionate kisses. She slowly licked her lips, and blinked. "Wh-why did you stop?"
"Why are you shaking?" Ivy asked.
"I'm not," Rachel said, running her hands up Ivy's arms. "I'm not shaking."
Ivy leaned over and whispered into Rachel's ear. "Are you scared?"
"No," Rachel said, as she squeezed her legs tighter against Ivy's ribs.
"I am," Ivy whispered. Placing a chaste kiss on Rachel's cheek, she pushed herself off.
"Ivy," Rachel reached out, "what's wrong?" Grabbing her shirt, she covered her chest and sat up.
"I can't Rachel. I want to, but not like this."
"Like what?" Rachel asked, exasperated. "What did I do that was so wrong?"
Ivy took a step closer to the couch. "You're drunk, Rachel. I'm trying to do, pardon the phrase, the gentlemanly thing and not take advantage of you."
"I am not drunk. I only had a couple of glasses." Rachel said.
"Not to mention, you're horny from reading those stupid notes from yesterday. Didn't you think I could smell that the minute I walked into the kitchen? You had to use all this...stuff to convince yourself you wanted to be with me."
"That's not true. I was just bored waiting around for you, and I found the notebook. I can't help that I got a little excited." Rachel looked down at the floor, wishing it would swallow her up.
"I guess I am a little cautious with you Rachel. Like you said, I've been hurt so much before. I don't want to go away wondering if you are beating yourself up for sleeping with me because of too much wine and erotica."
"Ivy, please. I am a big girl. I know what I am doing and why I am doing it." Rachel stood, and moved closer to Ivy. She tugged at Ivy's waist, "Come on Ivy. Don't be like this."
Ivy smiled down at Rachel. "Not like this. I've waited this long, I can wait a little longer to be sure it's all you that wants me. You think it over. I'm still home one more night. If you feel this strongly tomorrow, come to me again, and I'll finish what we started." Ivy slowly turned, swaying her hips as she walked back into the kitchen.
"So why did you take it this far? If you knew all this, were you just testing me? Now who's playing head games?" Rachel called out angrily after her, standing from the couch.
Using her vampire quickness, Ivy turned and was back out in the living room, standing close enough that Rachel felt her hot breath on her cheek. Ivy's hands were on Rachel's waist, and she held her close as she spoke. "Consider yourself lucky, Rachel, your virtue is still intact." Ivy purred into her ear. "My desires were already sated from the other day, otherwise, I would have taken you six ways to Sunday and not cared if you meant what you said to me." Flicking her tongue out to lick Rachel's earlobe, Ivy gently bit down on it, eliciting a gasp from her friend. "And you know I could have." Pulling away from her ear, Ivy stood back and looked at Rachel's face. "Now who's the scary one, hmm? Please don't ever use your magic on me that way again." Ivy smiled and gave Rachel a gentle kiss on her check and patted her on the ass. Chuckling softly, she walked back out into the kitchen, not bothering to give Rachel another look.
Grabbing a pillow from the couch, Rachel put it over her face and screamed into it.