Home Is Where The Girl Is

Chapter 14

Title: Ripples of Water

The blissful afternoon passed without further incident as the new lovers soaked in each other as much as the sun's rays absorbed them. The bird's had been chirping and the breeze had been gentle. It was very easy for time to pass the women by until the Silurian moved her hand further across the human's bare ass. It was then that she noticed a significant change in temperature in the human's skin. Curious, the green skin woman sat up to see why one cheek was warmer than the other.

Uncharacteristically stammering on her words, Vastra offered, "Ah.. Jenny, maybe a dip in the pool would be a good idea."

Grumbling that her lover was moving at all, the human buried her face further into the ancient warrior's side. "No, it'll be freezing."

"Perhaps a cold swim would be perfect."

Sensing the woman's persistence, the groggy woman slowly lifted her head. "Why do yew wan' me ter go in da pool so bad?"

A brief glance from the blue eyes said it all. Peering behind her, the best she could, Jenny's chocolate eyes widened when she saw a white outline on her buttocks where Vastra's hand had been. Horrifying her more was the pink skin surrounding the blatant hand print.

"I'm sorry dear, but I believe your fair skin does not do well under the sun's rays for a substantial period of time."

Knowing she was in for a great deal of pain, Jenny conceited, "Yaaahr right, I fnk a dip in da pool would be a good idea abaaaht now."

Feeling for her recent lover, Vastra joined the human in the crystal clear pool. The water was colder than expected, but it almost instantly soothed the sunburned skin. Nosily splashing her way to the side, the human asked as the ancient warrior slowly entered the water. "Can yew swim? I mean can lizards swim?"

Once the water reached her chest, the reptilian disappeared under the water barely causing a single ripple. Much faster than expected, the woman emerged inches from Jenny's face. "We Silurian's are excellent swimmers my dear." The close proximity felt like a dare for the human to lean forward and kiss the fearless leader, but after the morning they had, Jenny resisted.

Understanding there was unfinished business between them; the prowess woman backed off and took to the ledge next to the wadding girl. Flinching from the turbulent water, Vastra asked, "Where did you learn to do… whatever that is you are doing?"

"Oh dis. This ain't no drowning." Placing her arm on the rim of the pool, for leverage, the eager student started, "Me old man taught me. Back in da day, a couple ov kids drowned in da Thames an' 'e said…" Making her voice deeper and raspy, she mimicked her father, "I won't 'ave no damn kid ov me embarrassin' me by drownin' naught." Slowing her pace considerably, Jenny's free hand began to glide throw the water. "So 'e tossed me in an' said – Swim or drown. It's up ter yew if there be mawer food on da table tonight."

"Oh Jenny that is awful."

Turning back to look at the rest of the pool, the street smart girl replied, "Not really. I learned not ter drown."

Pushing off the wall, the warrior offered, "Well perhaps I will teach you to move through the water with ease…" The woman's body moved effortlessly through the water as she spoke, "…instead of looking like a dying fish."

Feeling spunky, the former match girl implied, "Yew just wanna ter get yaaahr Brass Bands all over me Madame Vastra."

Watching her hands appear and disappear under the water a few times, the matriarch conceited, "I could see certain advantages to teaching you then."

Pretending to be appalled by the woman's desire for her, which she secretly could not get enough of, the maiden replied, "Fine." But it wasn't until a few splashes later that she spoke of what was really on her mind. "I'll accept yaaahr swimmin' lessons, fer whatever fee yew deem worthy…" The house maid had become quite familiar with the reptilian's desires and attempted to further baited the mentor for what was coming next. "…if yew tell me what 'appened last night?"

When no explanation came, Jenny pushed, "I was worried abaaht you."

Spinning in tight circles, Vastra scuffed, "Don't be. I have been hunting for a very long time."

"It's 'ard not to worry abaaaht someone yew care deeply fer."

Pretending not to be listening, the green woman continued to doddle in the water, but during her companion's next statement caused her motions to slow greatly as if in slow motion. "I worry miss cuz I love you."

When her new lover did not reply, the assistant began to repeat her affirmations. However before anything escaped her lips, the well educated woman abruptly interrupting the girl in a calm yet firm tone, "I heard you silly mouse. I have excellent hearing you know."

Vastra who had become known as Madame Vastra, the Fearless Investigator of Paternoster Row, knew this discussion was long over due. It was the conversation she had been dreading since she first stole the girl's scent when she was pouring tea so long ago. It was upon that deep inhalation that the ancient warrior knew there was an attraction to the dark haired human. It had been a building desire she had been fighting off for some time now. Then the maiden's next words came crashing down on the Silurian like a tidal wave of water. "Don't yew feel da same abaaaht me?"

Without warning the warrior exited the pool and began drying off. With her back turned, the mentor spoke towering above the maiden. "I worked very hard to achieve the rank and position I had in the Silurian Empire. It did not come easy Jenny." Toweling her legs as if they were on fire, the reptilian continued, "I did not allow emotions to side track me." Wrapping herself in a large towel, she glanced over her shoulder and disclosed, "That included my sexual escapades."

The maiden's heart began to sink even further as the reptilian went on. Blimy is that what I am; a sexual escapade?

Facing the motionless assistant, the affluent woman recited, "I had to make sacrifices that were difficult for most." Hoping to make the human understand Vastra conveyed, "Lovers were just that…lovers." Unsure if she was convincing her companion or herself, the matriarch started absentmindedly folding Jenny's bath sheet several time. "There was no real emotional attachment. I hold a Commander's position in our Military. I did not have the time for a partner or offspring. My station took precedence."

After folding the towel for the third time, the ancient warrior turned around to face the former match girl. "My lovers meant nothing to me. Can you understand that my dear?"

The maiden's head shot downward. "No. I mean yes." Struggling against the tears that threatened to stain her cheeks, the servant pointed towards the Silurian's bedroom window. "What we done, mean' nothin' ter yew?"

Hearing the trembling tone in Jenny's voice caused the reptilian to stop what she was doing and face the girl. This time her head sank as she solemnly answered, "No, not exactly."

Perplexed the brown eyed girl splashed water in her face hoping to conceal the tears slowly streaming down her cheeks. It had only taken a minute or two for the human to exit the water and demand a better explanation from her would-be lover. Marching up to the skilled fighter, the eager student pleaded, "Then what do yew mean? Where we just two toms tippin' da velvet up there all 'aaahrs ov da night?"

Although she was unsure exactly what the slang term meant, the intellectual knew by Jenny's tone what she was implying. Rapidly feeling overwhelmed by her young lover, Vastra soon found herself holding her stomach suddenly feeling queasy herself. Beginning to pace in a military manner, which had always helped in her the past, the ancient warrior stammered, "I can not put a label or name to it. But what we had… What we did…"

Never had Miss Jenny Flint heard the magnificent Silurian stumble over her words before.

Abruptly stopping, the prestigious Victorian cradling the maiden's face in her palm, and explained, "I care a great more than I should my dear. I would be greatly wounded if you were not in my life." Seeing a great deal of confusion in the girl's chocolate colored eyes, Vastra tenderly tucked a loose strand of dark hair behind her ear. "You are welcomed to lay your head anywhere I do."

Hoping to distract the human for a bit, the older woman suggested, "Now let's get you dressed you are in no condition to be out in the sun any longer."

The willing servant suddenly realized she was standing outside completely nude. Covering as much of herself as she could with her hands, she quickly reached for the neatly folded bath sheet.

"You head up stairs and get dressed. I will make some tea. I am parched." Realizing the common girl would not know the meaning of the sophisticated word, the affluent woman began to explain, "That means…"

"Thirsty" snapped the street smart girl. "Yew told me that before."

Smiling, the warrior replied, "Oh yes of course dear."

After the maid was out of site, Vastra strolled over to one of the patio chairs and sat heavily upon the corner of it. Half heartedly she straightened the silk robe she was wearing and thought about her real feelings concerning the human. She imagined that she could never share them with the companion. Desperately wanting a distraction to take her mind off the young maiden, her piercing blue eyes watched a gentle breeze create a ripple on the still water. Following the small waves as if her own hand made them, she pondered, "How could I ever tell her my true feelings?"

The light to Jenny's room flickered on; a candle had been lit. The Silurian slumped further onto the chair watching the shadow maneuver about the room. As the figure moved, Vastra released a deep and heavy sigh. "It would break her heart."

(something should happen to Jenny to scare the truth out of V)