~Chapter 14: Sunshine in my window~

"Suzanne," a soft voice called her out of her dreaming, "wake up sweetie."

Suzanne' eyes flickered open as she cast away the delightful dream she was having and was happy that the first face she saw was a friendly one.

"Morning sleepyhead," Tess pulled away and reached over for something to her side, "I think you'll need this."

Suzanne sat up and happily accepted the small, squarish tablet and glass of water.

"Thanks, I needed that," she sipped the water slowly, "I had a bit of a headache after all that crying yesterday."

"Actually, it was the morning after pill." Tess' expression did not change and she sounded very sincere and calm as she said those words.

Suzanne unfortunately took it a different way. She choked and snorted on some water and began coughing fiercely, Tess' reaching over and patting her on the back. Through tears she looked at Tess aghast and very red in the face.

"Maybe you should have waited until after I was finished drinking." She cleared her throat and instantly felt a little twinge in hew lower region as she shifted her hips.

Tess' crinkled her nose sympathetically and looked as if she was trying not too laugh whilst looking apologetic.

"Yeah, kinda' knew it would happen," she received a small glare in return and let out a snort, "sorry, but my room mate done the same thing to me after my first time."

Suzanne smiled at the justice that the woman knew how she felt. However, the understanding set in that Tess KNEW what her and Ahkmenrah had been doing the night before, just the way she said. She wasn't sure what to say and couldn't quite look Tess in the eye, but was forced to when the woman placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't ever be ashamed," she said in a calm tone, "it's perfectly naturally and I don't judge you for it. You and Ahk care for each other very much and I knew that this would happen to you eventually. I'm just happy that you were safe."

Suzanne gave Tess a small smile before reaching over to hug her.

"Thank you."

Tess squeezed her back reassuringly and Suzanne was happy to have a female figure in her life that she could call a friend and even a sister.

"So," Tess pulled back and let Suzanne sit back, "we have a few minutes to spare before you have to get ready and we head off. How was it?"

Suzanne tried not to flinch and tried to think quickly.

"Where are we going?"

Tess' just raised her brow in a no nonsense look.

"Nu-uh, not that easy. Come on, spill. I want to know if you're ok."

Suzanne realised that Tess was teasing her a little and chuckled.

"It was...ok. I knew what to expect," she brushed the hair out of her eyes and remembered the way they'd just held one another afterwards, just talking, "and I'm ok. He didn't mean to hurt me and...when he did, he was very...nice about it? I don't know the word."

"He was a gentle lover." Tess patted her hand and visibly shook with the restraint at not laughing. Suzanne merely scrunched her nose and rubbed her reddening cheeks.

"You know how much this conversation is embarrassing me. Oh god, it's like how I imagined it would be if I talked to my mum about it."

Tess finally let out a loud snort and buried her face in the sheets by Suzanne' feet, who just looked at the redhead finally succumb to her humour.

Finally, Tess came up for air and proceeded to adjust her hair and glasses and her crumpled shirt.

"Ok, we've established you're ok," She wound in a laugh and took a breath to calm herself, "now, I got some breakfast on for us and coffee. I'll see you in ten minutes."

As Tess made her way to the door, Suzanne looked confused at the back of her head.

"It takes me five minutes to shower and dress."

Tess made her way to the door and opened it before giving her a reply.

"Yes, but I wouldn't want you to move to fast, I'm sure you're feeling a little sore."

She turned away and shut the door quickly, laughing loudly for Suzanne to hear when a thump sounded against the door, that Tess knew was one of the soft pillows on the bed.

A little while later...

After showering and dressing (slower than she expected which made her squirm in irritation) Suzanne walked out with her head held high and ready to take on the world.

That was, until Tess told her they were taking a trip to see Dr. McPhee.

She tried to feign sickness and soreness (something which knocked her dignity a lot more and made Tess laugh) and even attempted a little argument, but it was no use.

Tess was a lawyer for a reason. There was no blackmailing, arguing, emotional (or physical) distress that could make her change her mind.

Suzanne thought of the night before as Tess drove through the early morning traffic. She thought of how, after falling asleep for less than an hour, Ahk and her had attempted to make love again and how, for the second time, the pain had not gone away. She remembered how, Ahk had instead used his hands and mouth against her womanhood to bring her to the edge of pleasure. She tried to hide her blush and made to look out of the car window as her thoughts recalled him taking her to the shower and cleaning her thoroughly. Even when her alarm went off, he spent the time praising her and showering her with kisses all over. He'd left her with a kiss at the door and promised to speak the next night.

She smiled at the way his face lit up and how he'd left looking like an excitable child or puppy.

When they finally pulled up, Suzanne felt like her breakfast was going to come up as Tess led them towards the main entrance.

"If you feel sick, just aim for the garbage can in Dr. McPhee' office."

Suzanne tried to laugh along with Tess but it came out as more of a nervous chuckle and eventually, grasped the offered hand for moral support, finding themselves outside McPhee' office.

With two sharp raps on the glass, Tess did not wait to be invited in, instead, pushed open the door and led them inside.

She wasn't completely surprised by his presence, but hid her excitement when Larry shot her a very triumphant look.

She knew Ahkmenrah was asleep, but still felt his presence around her, knowing she was safe.

"Suzanne."

The familiar voice made her turn her attention back to the man sitting behind the desk, who looked very stiff as he talked to her.

"It's been brought to my attention that the events of yesterday have not been dealt with in the appropriate manner."

"Yes sir?" Suzanne asked hesitantly.

McPhee stilled and shuffled around things on his desk, making sure they were absolutely straight.

"I have been talking about it all morning with Mr. Daley and after much investigation and looking through the security videos, it has become evident to me that...you were-that the guard was indeed lying."

Suzanne held her breath for what was to come, encase it seemed to good to be true.

"Yes, so," Larry decided to interject so she could get some air into her lungs, "we checked the footage together from last night and a couple nights previously and he was caught stealing from lost and found. We also have an eye witness, one of the cave guys who was rehearsing some...acting late at night saw him sneaking into the staffroom after hours and exciting with a large duffel bag that did not belong to him."

"Yes, thank you Lawrence," McPhee quickly took back the reins, not wanting to get into too much trouble, "he has been fired and authorities were called, but whilst waiting, Mr. Daley failed to hold him until they came-"

"Sir, you're not suggesting that letting that man get away is somehow Lawrence' fault, are you?" Tess took a step forward and although she was the same height as Suzanne, her straight posture and position made her seem a lot bigger, especially to the seated man.

McPhee placed his palms either side of him, flat on the desk top.

"No, I was not insinuating that," he cleared his throat and tried not to stammer, "merely pointing out that his apprehension was unsuccessful...anyway, we're getting off topic. It's not about him any more."

Suzanne noticed his attention turn back to her quickly.

"Suzanne, I would like to reinstate your position as it was before," McPhee looked between the three quickly as if checking he was doing ok, "I would also like to organise a voucher at the gift shop for $100 as a way to help with your recovery of this traumatic experience."

A clearing of Tess' throat gave McPhee a strong hint that his little speech was not finished. The man stood up from the desk and walked to stand in front of her, offering her his hand.

"Suzanne...I acted hastily. I am sorry."

Suzanne knew how difficult that was for him to say. She remembered Larry telling her how McPhee had never even apologised to him. So it was natural for her when, instead of taking his hand, wrapped her arms around his shoulders in an awkward hug.

"Thank you," she pulled away after one quick pat on his shoulder and looked down at her feet, "Sorry if that seemed unprofessional sir, but you needed it more than me."

She didn't look at Tess and Larry and knew that they were both shocked and amused, probably because McPhee looked like he was about to cry or maybe even, hug her back.

"Right...yes, then...shoo." He waved them all away before dismissing them with a turn of his back. He then quickly went over to his cabinet and opened it, looking for something Suzanne was sure was 'very important.'

As soon as the office door was shut and they were a few feet away, Tess and Larry high-fived one another and drew Suzanne into a sandwiched hug.

"See, I told you we could do it," Larry smiled and ruffled Suzanne' hair, "we have the smartest lawyer in all of New York!"

Suzanne pulled away as Tess reached over and kissed Larry on the lips, as if he'd just scored a field goal.

"And well done you for the cave man idea," she kept her arms around his shoulders, "nice touch."

Suzanne let them discuss and praise one another, her head filled with ideas of her own celebrating as she thought of the one person she wanted to share it with.

Later that evening...

Ahkmenrah opened his eyes and knew that time had come. He gently lifted the lid and sat up in his sarcophagus which had granted him an unpleasant day' sleep. He'd spent most of the time awaiting for the sun to come up and for some reason, even though he was meant to be 'asleep' his dreams still troubled him.

As he stood up and lifted his leg over the side of the glass case, he noticed his guest for the first time.

Suzanne stood there, smiling at him and just watching him.

"You're here." Ahkmenrah was far too happy to concentrate on his 'graceful' escape from his bed and proceeded to almost trip over the side and his robe.

Suzanne stifled a chuckle and watched him approach her, straightening out his attire. He was a little embarrassed, but she felt flattered that he was more happy to see her.

She pulled out a small party horn and gave it a gentle blow when he came to strand in front of her.

"We done it."

Ahkmenrah' smile could not have gotten any bigger if she had tickled it out of him, but somehow, there it was. She was grabbed around the waist and laughed along with him as he effortlessly lifted her off of the ground and spun her round.

"I told you! I knew everything would be alright!" He lowered her feet down to the floor but kept his hold on her, "Suzanne that's wonderful news!"

He stuttered to say anything else, overcome with happiness, and instead planted his lips firmly against hers. Suzanne kissed him back with just as much force and relinquished the thought that not only would they have a whole five minutes of interrupted kissing between them before the groups of visitors arrived.

But that they had all the time ahead of them.