Joanne hummed to herself as she put a dab of vegetable oil in the skillet. Making scrambled eggs and frozen blueberry waffles hardly qualified her as a domestic goddess but knowing she was making them for her woman brought a warm feeling to the pit of her stomach. Speaking of her which, it was time to check on Maureen before she got started. The diva had been in the tub for almost forty-five minutes.

"Honeybear?" She knocked on the bathroom door before walking in. "How's it going?"

"Great." Maureen was standing at the mirror in a towel. "Thanks for suggesting a bath. I feel human again."

"Anytime." Joanne kissed her on the shoulder as she came to stand behind her. "How do waffles and eggs sound?"

"Two of my favorites." Maureen turned around, wrapping her arms around the lawyer. "See how much easier this is without the sling?"

"Tell me it doesn't make your arm hurt or pull at your stitches and I'll let you keep it off." Joanne raised her eyebrows as Maureen opened her mouth to answer. "And don't lie."

Maureen closed her mouth again with a sigh. "Fine. But will you help me put it back on once I'm dressed?"

"You know it. Why don't we go ahead and change your bandage now?"

"Do we have to?"

"Do you want your arm to get infected?"

"No."

"Then yes, we have to." She opened the medicine cabinet to get the supplies she needed. "Sit down."

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" The diva eyed her wearily as she sat on the side of the tub.

"Yes, Chicken Little. The nurse at the hospital gave me very specific instructions."

Maureen furrowed her brow. "She did?"

Joanne grinned as she knelt beside her. "Oh yeah, you had your happy drugs by then."

"My what?"

"Never mind." Joanne took Maureen's arm in one hand and started pulling at the tape holding her bandage in place.

"Ow!"

"Still a little sore?"

"More like a lot."

"Sorry." Joanne carefully removed the old bandage, cringing when she saw the wound again. It was still red and angry looking under the stitches.

Maureen frowned at the expression on her face. "Is it really that bad?"

"No."

"Does that mean I want to look at it?"

"No." Joanne shook her head. "Let's just say you had reason to say 'ow' a second ago and leave it at that." She cleaned the wound, put some antibiotic ointment on it and re-bandaged it. "There." She gently kissed the white gauze. "All better."

"Wow, quick and painless." Maureen looked into her eyes. "I'm impressed."

"I aim to please."

"You succeeded."

"Good." Joanne gave her a peck on the cheek. "Now hurry up. Everything will be ready in just a few minutes."

"You call that a kiss?" Maureen pouted. "Am I losing my touch?"

Joanne grinned as she moved in closer, nipping at Maureen's lower lip before capturing her mouth in a sweet embrace. "Better?"

"Mmmm." She kept her eyes shut. "I think that might have been perfect."

"Might have been?"

"I'll have to have another one to compare it to."

"Oh, in that case." Joanne kissed her again, wrapping her arms around her lover as she got into it. "How was that?"

"Even better." Maureen moved in for another one just as her stomach growled.

"That's my cue to leave." Joanne pulled away from her.

"Traitor!" Maureen pointed at her towel clad midsection accusingly.

Joanne laughed. "We can pick up where we left off in a little while. For now get dressed. Everything should be ready by the time you're done."

"All right, but I might not be able to perform as well once I'm dressed." Maureen shrugged. "There's just something about being in a towel."

"Put some clothes on and I promise to make it worth your while." With that Joanne left the bathroom, smiling when she heard Maureen grumbling at her about being a tease.

She was almost to the kitchen when someone knocked on the door. Her smile quickly faded when she opened it and saw who was standing there.

"Dad."

Mr. Jefferson gave her a half smile. "Hello Joanne."

"If Mom's with you you can just…"

"She's not." He cut her off. "Can I please come in?"

"I guess." Joanne moved so he could step into the apartment.

"You better give me extra points for getting dressed so fast." Maureen came around the corner in a pair of skin tight jeans and her bra, a tank top and her sling in her left hand and her right one behind her back holding her bra closed. "Well technically I'm not completely dressed yet. I need you to help me with my…" Her voice trailed off when she saw Mr. Jefferson standing next to Joanne. "Oh shit." She realized she was only half dressed and her eyes got big. "Oh shit!" She ran back toward the bedroom.

Joanne bit her lip, not sure if she should be embarrassed or bust out laughing. "I'll, uh…" She nodded in the direction Maureen had gone. "I'll be right back."

"Take your time."

Joanne found an extremely red faced Maureen pacing around their room. "You could have given me some warning, Jo!"

"I didn't have time. He knocked on the door right before you came out."

"I have never been so embarrassed."

"Sure you have." Joanne chuckled.

"This is not funny."

"Yes it is. Now stop moving around and I'll help you." She started fastening her girlfriend's bra. "I am so turned on right now."

Maureen looked over her shoulder at her. "Are you kidding me?"

"I know." Joanne pulled her into a kiss. "But I can't help it. You're so damned cute when you're mortified."

"Shut up and help me with this too."

The lawyer did as she was told, slipping the shirt over the diva's head before helping her put her left arm through the arm hole. "This isn't helping things." She kissed her again.

"Stop that!" Maureen tried her best to sound sincere as she finished putting the tank top on. "OK, help me with the sling so we can get back out there."

After some wrestling and a lot of wincing on Maureen's part they finally got her arm in the sling.

"I'm sorry that hurt so much." Joanne pouted. "Let me make you feel better." She drew her into another lingering lip lock.

"You don't play fair." Maureen breathed against her mouth as they pulled apart.

"I know." Joanne gripped her hand. "Let's go see what my father wants."

Maureen sighed. "Talk about ruining the moment."

Mr. Jefferson was standing in the same spot when they came back down the hall.

"Sorry about that." Joanne spoke once they reached him.

"Yeah." Maureen blushed again. "I didn't realize anyone else was here."

"Don't worry about it." He looked at the two of them. "I heard about what happened at the police station last night. I wanted to make sure you were all right."

"We're fine." Joanne moved into the living room, pulling Maureen with her so they could sit on the couch leaving her father to settle into one of the chairs facing them. "At least I am. Maureen made sure of that."

Mr. Jefferson nodded. "That's what Lieutenant Woodbridge told me."

Joanne frowned. "You talked to the lieutenant?"

"Of course I did. I hear my daughter is involved in a shooting, I want to know all the details." He looked at Maureen. "He made you out to be quite the hero. He said there might even be a commendation from the department."

"It was nothing."

"I'd hardly call that nothing." He gestured at her sling. "Are you going to be all right?"

"She's going to be fine." Joanne put her hand on the diva's thigh.

"Joanne's quite the nurse." Maureen gave her girlfriend an appreciative look.

"I want to thank you for saving my daughter's life, Maureen."

"Mr. Jefferson, you don't…"

"Please, call me Philip."

"OK, Philip." She did as she was told. "You don't have to thank me. I did what I had to do. I mean, I couldn't just sit there while Joanne was in danger."

"Nonetheless, you were hurt protecting my daughter. For that you deserve more than my thanks."

Maureen looked uncomfortable. "You're welcome."

"I also wanted to apologize for my wife's actions of late. She…"

"No."

Philip frowned when Maureen interrupted him. "Pardon me?"

"I said no." Maureen repeated herself. "You haven't done anything to apologize for."

"But…"

The diva looked at Joanne. "Now I know where you get it." She returned her attention to Mr. Jefferson. "You're not responsible for the things your wife has done Mr. Jeff… Philip." She corrected herself. "So no apology necessary."

Joanne shrugged when her father looked to her for help. "She told me the same thing."

Mr. Jefferson looked impressed. "It takes quite a young woman to have that kind of attitude, Maureen. Especially after everything my wife has put you through. I would demand that she come here to apologize herself but…"

"No!" Joanne interrupted him this time. "I'm sorry, Dad, but I don't want her around Maureen ever again." Her tone left no room for discussion.

"I know honey. That's what I was about to say." He pursed his lips. "I just wanted the two of you to know that she doesn't speak for both of us."

"Really?"

"Don't sound so shocked, Joanne. I know I should have come here sooner, but I wasn't sure the two of you would see me." Philip shrugged. "I like you, Maureen. I always have."

It was Maureen's turn to be shocked. "You have?"

"Yes. I know you and Joanne have had your fair share of, shall we say rough patches?"

Maureen felt ashamed, knowing he was referring to the now infamous party.

"But every relationship has its ups and downs. That's what makes them interesting. And my daughter has never been as happy as she is when she's with you." He looked lovingly at Joanne. "She practically sparkles. And I know you're responsible for that."

Maureen looked doubtful. "It could be body glitter. I got her some for Christmas."

Philip laughed. "It's not that kind of sparkle. Very few people find their soul mates in their life time, but I can honestly say my little girl has found hers. And I'm grateful for that. Nothing makes me happier than seeing her so content."

Joanne had tears in her eyes. "Daddy."

"Well, its true, Joanne. And I couldn't stand the thought of you not knowing how I felt." He looked at Maureen. "Both of you." He started to stand. "And now that I've said my piece I should be going."

Joanne stood too, pulling her father into a hug. "Thanks Daddy."

He held her close. "You're welcome princess."

"You could stay you know." Maureen spoke as she pushed herself off the couch. "We were just going to have some breakfast."

"No, I should really be getting back. I wouldn't want Joanne's mother to come looking for me."

"I've gained a little perspective lately. I'm pretty sure I could handle her this time." Maureen offered him her hand. "Thanks for the kind words."

He pulled her into a hug. "No thanks necessary."

Joanne put her arm around Maureen's waist as they followed her father to the door. "Don't be a stranger, Daddy."

"I won't." He smiled as he looked at the two of them. "Take good care of each other."

"I love you, Daddy."

"I love you too princess." With that he shut the door behind him.

Maureen turned Joanne to face her, not at all surprised to see she was crying. "Happy tears?"

"The happiest."

"You're dad's quite a guy."

"Yeah." Joanne wiped tears from her cheeks. "He is, isn't he?"

Maureen nodded. "Now why don't I help you with the eggs and waffles so we can get around to that cuddling?"

"Sounds like a plan." Joanne took her by the hand but stopped after a few steps to pull her into a passionate kiss.

"Mmmm." Maureen purred as they separated. "What was that for?"

"Just because."

"Can I look forward to more of that when we're done eating?"

"Oh yeah."

She dragged the lawyer toward the kitchen. "Then let's get this show on the road. I have a feeling I'm going to need this meal for energy."

"I think you might be right."

"Did your dad actually call you princess? Because you really don't strike me as a princess. A pumpkin maybe, but not a princess." Maureen grinned. "Unless you want to try some role playing. I bet I could find a tiara somewhere."

Joanne laughed. Her father was right. She had never been happier in her life.