Abby didn't tell Haley that Rick most likely had a key to the office and that even if she didn't lose her job thanks to Karen, she wasn't sure if she wanted to ever go back. She didn't want Haley to worry about things like that, there was already way too much for her to worry about.

So Abby kept it together for her. She helped Haley with her homework and they had dinner together and after that Lydia brought out the board games. They had a fun evening but Abby was glad when it was time for Haley to go to bed.

"Long day." Lydia was sitting on the couch with her legs stretched out when Abby returned to the living room. She had kissed Haley goodnight and with any luck, the girl would sleep without nightmares now.

"The longest." With a sigh, Abby dropped next to her and stretched out her legs as well. "And I've no idea what I'm going to do tomorrow. I can't just go back there as if nothing has happened."

But there had nothing happened, a mean little voice in the back of her head piped up. Abby just wanted to hit it with that damn can of coffee. That had happened. Somebody had been through the cupboards and had pushed the can to the back. Maybe had tampered with it in some way. And that somebody had been neither Abby nor Erica. That had been Rick, she just knew.

"You could call in sick," Lydia offered. "That would give you some time to figure things out."

"If Karen gets me fired it will be pointless anyway." Abby leaned back until her head rested on the back of the couch. "Stiles suggested that I open my own office."

That idea was laughable but now, after a long day when she was just tired and exhausted, it was tempting. Like one of those ideas one had late at night but would never follow through with in the morning.

"It's not a bad idea." Lydia got up and before Abby could ask where she was going, she set two glasses on the table. "Melancholic moods call for red wine."

"That sounds like the path to alcoholism," Abby called after her when Lydia went to get a bottle of wine. But she did accept the glass when Lydia handed it to her.

"But seriously, your own office does sound like a good idea. You're good, your clients like you, and you made the impossible possible and found the perfect place for Stiles and Derek. And with the money coming your way …" Lydia raised her glass at her.

She had a point there, Abby had to give her that.

"You'll need an office, though," Lydia continued. "Do you know a good estate manager who can find one for you?" She winked at her.

"I wouldn't even need an office, at least not in the beginning." Abby swirled the red liquid around the glass. "Stiles pointed that out earlier, I could work from home. I don't need much beside a phone and a computer."

It would be nice to have an office where she could see her clients but they weren't doing that now either. And when had this become something she was actually thinking about?

Lydia didn't say anything to that but she was hiding a smile behind the rim of her glass.

"First I want Rick gone," Abby muttered into her glass. "We'll see after that."

"Fair enough."

Sadly, there was nothing she could do to get Rick out of her life. The only thing she could do was to call the police whenever she saw him and to hope that they were quick enough to catch him.

Abby doubted that the police were actively searching for him. For a brief moment, she wondered how Lisa was doing since her husband had left to stalk his sister-in-law. Maybe she was just glad that the bastard was gone.

Grimly Abby finished her glass. Lydia didn't offer a second one and Abby didn't ask for one. Getting drunk was tempting but she wanted to keep a clear head. And hangovers weren't fun, she'd gotten that reminder just the other day.

"Let's watch some TV." Lydia reached for the remote and Abby took the distraction gladly. Not that she could focus on what was going on on the screen. It just meant that they were done with talking for now.

Abby didn't know how it happened but they ended up stretched out under the same blanket with Lydia tucked into her. They had to lie close, the couch wasn't that big, and it felt nice. They were both facing the TV and Abby felt the warmth where their bodies were touching. Which was all over, they were lying flush together with Lydia's back pressed against her chest and her butt fitting into the curve of her hip.

Feeling bold, or she just didn't care any longer, Abby reached down and started to play with Lydia's hair. It was soft and silky, she liked the feeling of the strands running between her fingers.

"Is this okay?"

"You keep doing this and I'm going to start drooling," Lydia said and turned her head to give Abby better access.

"It's your couch."

Abby kept playing with Lydia's hair but she made sure to gently massage her neck and scalp as well. The purring noises she was coaxing out of Lydia that way were totally worth it.

The TV was still running but Abby wasn't even pretending to watch it any longer. She was mesmerized by the feeling of Lydia's hair between her fingers. And Lydia's skin, the TV almost gave it a bluish touch.

This reminded her of Marvin. Abby couldn't remember if they had ever been lying on the couch like this, probably not, Marvin had been way bigger than Lydia and their couch had been smaller, but there had been quiet nights where they had just enjoyed each other's company. Sometimes with little touches like this.

Abby didn't even know why she did it but she brushed Lydia's hair out of the way and before she could think too much about it, she leaned in and placed a kiss on the soft skin behind Lydia's ear. Just a little brush of dry lips on smooth skin, nothing big. The other night she had kissed her on the mouth. But this felt more intimate, more real.

Lydia didn't say a word but she did turn to her back so that they could look at each other. Abby held her breath for what she would do next but at least it didn't look like she was about to get kicked off the couch.

"Kiss me again," Lydia said, holding her gaze with open eyes and a little smile on her lips.

Abby leaned in and brought their lips together.

This was the first time she'd kissed a woman, the sloppy kiss the other day didn't count, and it was different. Lydia's lips were soft and her skin smooth and she smelled fantastic.

After a second Lydia parted her lips to deepen the kiss and she reached up to cup the back of Abby's head, keeping her close.

They kissed some more, Abby could do this the whole night, Lydia's mouth was addictive, and somehow they ended up with Abby lying on top of Lydia.

"Your couch's too small," Abby mumbled into the kiss. Not that she minded the closeness, not at all. They were just in real danger of falling off the couch if things went farther than just kissing which looked like something that could pretty well happen in the very near future. Abby caught her fingertips wandering down Lydia's throat and Lydia was stroking up and down her flank.

"We're wearing too many clothes," Abby observed when Lydia slipped her hand under her shirt.

"Are you always complaining this much?" Lydia asked when her hand found Abby's left breast. There was still the fabric of her bra between them but damn it felt good. Abby felt her nipple hardening under Lydia's palm.

"Only if something is preventing me from having fun."

At that Lydia laughed. She threw her head back, baring her throat and how could Abby not follow that invitation? She traced along the lines of Lydia's neck with little kisses and couldn't help but moan into her skin when Lydia slipped a leg between her thighs.

"You're easy," Lydia teased.

"I'm desperate." She didn't even want to think about how long it had been. She wanted to feel Lydia's hands all over her, she wanted to fall into her arms and forget everything else for a little while.

"Bed?" Abby asked. Getting up from the couch would put a damper on things just when it was about to get interesting but she wanted to feel Lydia skin to skin and she didn't want to have to worry that they would fall off the couch.

"Bed," Lydia confirmed and was already wiggling her way out from under Abby.

Abby wasn't sure who was dragging whom to the bedroom but as soon as the door closed behind them, Lydia had her hands all over her again. Not that Abby was holding back, her hands were roaming Lydia's back and flanks under her shirt. Which had to go. Now.

They helped each other out of their shirts and bras while Lydia was walking them over to the bed. Abby only realized what she was doing when Lydia pushed her back onto the bed.

"Can I?" Lydia reached for the button of her pants but waited for Abby to give her consent.

"I've never …" Abby felt the need to say. It was clear that Lydia had experience with women but this was all new to Abby. Exciting and it was giving her a head rush but she had no idea what to do next.

"I'll show you," Lydia promised while she helped her out of the pants.

Then Abby was lying bare and naked on the bed with Lydia still partly clothed looming over her. She felt her eyes all over her but fought the urge to cover herself up.

"Beautiful."

Abby didn't know how to react to that so she just lay there and waited for Lydia's next move.

Lydia hurried to get out of her pants as well and then she was crawling over Abby to bring their mouths back together. Kissing was good.

"Let me," Lydia mumbled into her skin and Abby surrendered. She lay back and let Lydia explore every inch of her body. She was all over her with her hands and her mouth, leaving a trail of kisses on her throat and sternum. Then Lydia's lips found her nipple again.

"Fuck." Abby arched into her but Lydia was gently holding her down.

"Let me," Lydia repeated and only when she caught her wrist Abby realized that she had been about to slip her hand between her legs.

Lydia took the nipple between her lips again but she took mercy on Abby and slipped a hand between her thighs, dipping into the wetness. Just a little brush over her folds but it sent jolts of pleasure up Abby's spine. She would come embarrassingly fast but she didn't care. At the moment, all she wanted was for Lydia to pleasure her in earnest.

"Please." Abby reached blindly for Lydia's hand to guide it where she needed it the most.

"I got you." Lydia kissed her throat again, her fingertips now circling her clit.

Abby bucked into her with a strangled noise on her lips. She already felt her orgasm building up, her muscles tensing and it only took a few more brushes of Lydia's thumb over the hard nub to push her over the edge. Lydia worked her through the waves of her orgasm but eased off when the touch became too much.

"I like your face when you come." Lydia flopped down on her side, head propped up on her hand while she was studying her other hand. When she spread her fingers Abby could see the stickiness of her own wetness. Making sure that Abby was watching, Lydia licked her fingers clean, almost purring with pleasure. It did things to Abby.

"What about you?" Abby asked, her voice more steady than expected. "I can … I want to …"

Abby licked her lips. She'd never eaten out a woman but she was willing to try. Suddenly she wanted to taste Lydia.

"How can I say no to that?" Lydia smirked at her.