Shaw took a sip of her beer, watching Root swirl onions and carrots around a pan. It had been two weeks since they'd reconnected and things had been going surprisingly well. Because Shaw was still recovering from her fight, they hadn't had sex. Instead, they'd spent their time at Reese's house watching television, playing cards, and taking walks.

Neither of them were working, and they couldn't distract themselves with sex, so they'd spent some time talking to each other. It had all been surface-level, but still - talking at all was good.. They weren't hiding their relationship or celebrating it and they were starting to get to know each other.

As hard as it had been, Shaw was a little bit glad they'd had time apart. Of course, that was easy to say now that they were back together. It had been terrible at the time. Glancing at her, Root covered her pan and stepped to the side to stir a pot of pasta sauce. Shaw smiled and sat back against the breakfast nook's cushions.

Their time apart had really made Shaw look hard at her life and decide what the important things were. She'd been ready to run away from her problems, but she'd had some sense knocked into her. Literally. The fact that Root had rushed to her side made Shaw feel even guiltier for leaving her again and again.

The two weeks they'd spent talking about books and music and embarrassing stories about Reese had been a breath of fresh air. Shaw had realized that, even though she knew she liked Root, she hadn't understood just how incredible she was. Root was more than just a woman trying to act wild. Shaw finally felt like she got that.

Root had paid attention to Shaw and tried to share her life and Shaw had just followed her interest, letting her attraction and fascination lead her into the relationship, but these weeks had only proven that Shaw's interest in Root was grounded in something real. It wasn't about the danger of sneaking around. It wasn't about the satisfaction of seducing a "good girl." It was about Root. It had always been about Root.

"What?" Root asked, pulling a spoon from the drawer beside the oven. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Shaw blinked, surprised. "Uh. Like what?"

"Like you…" Blushing, Root looked away. "Nevermind."

Shaw took another sip of beer, ignoring the twinge in her ribs, and schooled her face. They hadn't talked about the fact that Root had said "I love you." Shaw didn't know what to say to that. She just couldn't love Root back in the same way. She'd known for a long time that she didn't feel things the same way as other people, but sometimes she wanted to. How were they supposed to be together if she couldn't return Root's affections?

"If…" Her voice caught in her throat. Coughing into her fist, Shaw pulled her legs up onto the seat, crossing them in front of her. She watched Root taste a spoonful of sauce and hum with satisfaction. She tried again. "What if I never love you as much as you love me?"

Root jumped as if Shaw had screamed. The spoon fell from her hand and landed in the sauce. Wincing, Root glanced at Shaw before focusing on digging the spoon out. "Give me a minute."

Shaw took a drink and crossed her arms. Root tossed the spoon into the sink with a loud clatter and quickly transferred the pasta she'd made from the colander to the sauce pot. She added the vegetables and expertly mixed it all together. Throwing a cabinet open, she pulled down two bowls, filled them with food, picked two forks out of their drawer, and carried it all to the breakfast nook.

Shaw could practically hear the gears spinning in her mind and she placed Shaw's bowl in front of her and sat opposite. With a sigh, Root tied her long hair up with a thin tie. When she was finally set, she looked at Shaw.

"I don't expect you to."

"But you want me to," Shaw said, filling in the blank. "You want me to be a good girlfriend."

Root smiled fondly. "I want you to be a good girlfriend. I also want you to be yourself. I'm not expecting you to write me love poems or call me 'baby' or be sweet all the time. I just want you to do your best." Her eyeslashes fluttered. "I want you to talk to me."

Picking up her fork, Shaw used her pasta as an excuse to look away from the spotlight of Root's gaze. "I can talk to you."

"Good," Root chuckled. She spun her fork through her spaghetti before chuckling again. "Tell me about what you did while we were apart."

Shaw suddenly remembered Kelli and quickly stuffed her mouth with pasta. Her ribs hurt as she hunched forward to shovel food into her face, but she ignored the pain in favor of delaying this particular part of the conversation. She'd spent their time apart burying her feelings between other women's legs. She nervously scarfed down her pasta and tried to think of something else to say. Maybe "drinking" would suffice? She could bring up the softball uniforms?

"Oh," Root muttered, picking up a forkful of pasta. "I see."

Swallowing hard, Shaw looked up at her. "I… picked up some companions. One night stands. Nothing serious. It didn't feel good and it didn't help me get over you." Root ate her pasta quietly and Shaw watched her, waiting for a response. Hating the silence, Shaw tried something else. "You dated Claire, right? That's kind of the same."

Putting her fork down, Root raised an eyebrow. "I did not date Claire. We were just friends."

"Oh." Shaw couldn't help the smile that spread on her face. "Good."

"If only I could say the same for you."

Shaw suddenly regretted her impulse to talk. What if she'd ruined their newfound friendship because she needed assurance that Root wasn't going to ask for more than she had to give? Root glared at her across the booth, eyes frosty. Shaw felt her calm mask slip.

"Root, I-"

The frosty glare cracked and Root started laughing loudly, covering her eyes with her hand. "You looked so worried!" she cackled. "You thought I was mad!"

Shaw rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "I was just trying to avoid disaster. I would die if I had to ask Reese to stay here any longer."

"God forbid!" Root's laughter calmed down and she rested her arms on the table, grinning at Shaw. "It was actually kind of nice to see. You really don't want to lose me again, do you?"

"I do not," Shaw confirmed, looking down at the pasta cooling in her bowl. Seeing Root grin made her stomach warm. It might not be a big feeling, but Shaw knew it was a good sign. She was only going to do things that made her happy, and Root made her incredibly happy. With a smile, she met Root's eyes. "You're not upset?"

Root shrugged. "I'm not thrilled, but I guess I understand. I threw myself into work to try and pretend I wasn't upset. I can't blame you for finding something to distract yourself."

"Thanks." Shaw dropped her arms onto the table. It felt weird to just talk about what was happening, but wasn't that the whole point of trying again? They were taking it slow. She wished her ribs didn't hurt as much, so they could take it just a little bit faster and have sex again. Still, it was better to talk about this now than have it come out later and cause problems.

"Do you still want to leave New York?" Root asked, picking up her fork again. "I bought a house in Colorado. It has a lot of land. We could try our hand at farming? Maybe get that black stallion after all?"

"Colorado? Doesn't it get cold there?"

Root laughed again, shaking her head. "So does New York."

Pursing her lips, Shaw rolled her eyes. "Well, I haven't experienced that, have I? Besides, farming? What about computers?"

"I can work from the house," Root answered. "I'm thinking about working on a new car. I'm a little burnt out on punch cards and telephone wires. You could… help me?"

The thought of living in a big house with Root, working on cars and out in the sun, was a great one. Shaw could pay Root back for the house, and for everything else, by helping with her tech work and growing food. Maybe Shaw would be good at it. Maybe she could sell some and make some money for herself. She would do absolutely anything to avoid being a burden again.

It was a big decision to move across the country, again, with someone she hadn't even known a year. It was rash and probably irresponsible. Shaw looked across the table at Root, who was carefully twirling spaghetti onto her fork, her brow furrowed in concentration. Rash or not, right now Shaw couldn't imagine being away from Root again.

She'd been searching for a purpose for so long and maybe she'd finally found one. Hadn't she kicked herself for not protecting Root? Wasn't she leaving New York because of how hollow it had felt without her? Wasn't she sitting here with a bruised face and broken ribs because she'd attacked two grown men, just because they'd known someone who had hurt Root?

Shaw liked the way Root pushed her to be better and the way that Root managed to make her happy without any effort. She'd been directionless before she'd moved here and met Root. It must mean something that her whole world had shifted to put Root at the center. Root loved her how she was, but Shaw wanted to keep striving to be the best person that she could be, and she was best when she was with Root.

Root actually saw Shaw and saw her potential. She let Shaw show her new things and Shaw actually enjoyed taking Root along with her. Root thought she was hardworking enough to run a farm, to help invent things with her. Root wanted to hear her opinion, work together. Shaw knew that Root respected her and genuinely wanted to live and work side by side. Shaw's heart beat hard in her chest.

"Yeah," she finally said quietly, meeting Root's big, hopeful eyes. "We can help each other."

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Root heard laughter coming from her apartment as she exited the elevator. A smile spread across her face even as she recognized that they were probably annoying her neighbors. She couldn't really bring herself to care. It was her last day in the apartment and their feelings meant nothing. She hooked her sunglasses into the neck of her t-shirt. Spinning her key ring, with its single key, around her finger, she listened to the laughter, picking out Sameen's easily.

Behind her, Harold sighed. "She isn't fully healed. She shouldn't be laughing so hard."

Root glanced over her shoulder in time to see John nudge Harold with his elbow. "It's been almost a month," John said, smiling. "I'm surprised you've been able to keep her still for so long."

"That's mostly my doing," Root bragged. "You put her in front of a sports game or a horror movie and she won't even blink for two hours."

She and John smiled at each other fondly. They'd become friendly while Root was staying at his house to care for Sameen. She would probably never fully forgive him for wasting years of her life, but she couldn't erase the care she had for him either. Pen pals was going to be the best arrangement.

They reached the door to Root's apartment and she let herself in. Sameen, Joss, and Lionel were sitting in the living room, drinking beer. Root had limited her to one because she didn't want to start their roadtrip dealing with a drunk and handsy girlfriend. As fun as it would be, Sameen still wasn't healed enough for sex and Root knew they'd both just end up frustrated. Stopping in the entranceway, Root stepped out of her hastily put on sneakers and smiled at the group.

"If I was still living here," Root joked, "I'd tell you to be quiet, but I'm not, so I don't care."

"I'll say it," Harold chimed in, making the others roll their eyes. "Don't strain your ribs."

Sameen shifted on the couch, winking at Root before giving Harold a mock-serious salute. "No strain here, Captain. Haven't you heard that laughter is the best medicine?"

Root chuckled and tossed Lionel her key. He caught it and looked up at her questioningly. Sameen punched him hard in the arm as Root explained.

"This is your place now, Lionel! I'm sure you're tired of living with your mother. Have fun dealing with the neighbors."

Lionel's mouth dropped open. "What?"

"I'm not using it anymore," Root answered, shrugging. "All the furniture is staying. It seems a waste to just sell it. It's so close to the Black Cherry. I'm sure you'll be inundated with drunk homosexuals begging you to let them crash."

"You're moving up in the world, dumbo," Sameen added, shaking his shoulders. "We're paying for it, so don't have a heart attack."

He looked like he was about to cry, but he flung his arms around Sameen, ignoring her cry of pain. "Thanks, shortstacks. I owe you."

"Yeah, yeah," she muttered. Squirming, she tried to break out of his grip, but couldn't. Instead, she turned to Joss. "Can you get this brute off me?"

Joss just grinned, raising an eyebrow. "No."

Root took in the tableau of Sameen struggling against Lionel and Joss laughing at the both of them. She knew that Sameen was going to miss them and the rest of the gang at the bar. Their new house had a couple guestrooms, and Root would insist on inviting them over a couple times a year. Despite her prickly attitude, Sameen seemed to find friends wherever she went and she'd have a new bar crowd soon enough.

John's hand came to rest on Root's shoulder and she looked up at him. "I'm happy for you," he said softly. "I couldn't give you the life you wanted, but she can and she will. Sameen doesn't hold on to a lot of people. She saw something special in you. I'm sorry that I didn't."

"It's ok," Root sighed, giving him a hug. "You gave me Sameen. I can't thank you enough for that."

"Just…" John took a deep breath and pulled away to look down at Root. "Take care of her? Stick with her?"

Root nodded, her eyes watering. "Forever."

Harold cleared his throat and Root turned to give him a hug as well. He was stiff beneath her arms, but he patted her back affectionately. "Keep me updated on your work," he said as they separated. "Let me know if there's anything I can fund."

Raising an eyebrow, Root pointed a finger at his face. "I'll take you up on that, Harold. Don't think I won't."

They smiled at each other for a moment. Root was surprised to find that she might miss New York. Now that she wasn't leaving with as much bitterness as she would have before, it was easier to remember the good times that had happened here. She and Harold had talked some over the last month and, while Root was still furious with him, she would always remember how much he'd supported her work.

Turning, she saw Lionel and Joss help Sameen stand. They'd gathered at Root's apartment to say goodbye, but Root knew that Sameen wasn't going to stick around for any sort of speech or celebration. She was ready to hit the road, just like Root.

"Alright," Sameen said loudly, knocking her friends hands away. "I'm not elderly. I can stand on my own!"

She glared at everyone as she stood, huffing. Her eyes softened as they met Root's and she shrugged awkwardly. Root knew that Sameen appreciated her friends' worrying, but didn't like being dependent on anyone else. They'd spent so much time talking about the future, making sure they were on the same page. They weren't going to fall apart again because they weren't listening to each other.

Sameen crossed to room and stopped at Root's side. "Is the car all packed?"

Raising an eyebrow, Root smirked knowingly. "Your bike is securely fastened to the bed. She's not going anywhere."

"Good," Sameen said, crossing her arms. "If she gets one scratch, I'll kill you and dump your body somewhere in Utah."

"That's cute." Root pressed a quick kiss to Sameen's forehead. "You're so scary."

The group laughed and Root headed for the door. She was anxious to be on the road and she knew that Sameen was, too. Her boxes had been at her house for weeks now and she missed her books and music. She hoped Sameen would be completely healed by the time they got to Colorado, so she could do all the heavy lifting.

Root led the group to the elevators, listening to Lionel lock the apartment door behind them. It was good that she could give him something. It was really a gift for everyone at the Black Cherry, just like the softball uniforms she'd bought them. They'd changed her life, and Sameen's.

Behind her, she heard Sameen snort. "Hey, I have a question, Harry."

The nickname almost made Root laugh out loud and she had to glance over her shoulder to see his response. His face was red, darkening when he saw John's amused grin. Root turned away before Harold saw her smiling and had a heart attack.

"Yes?" he asked weakly.

"Is Reese any good in bed?"

At that, a loud barking laugh ripped out of Root and she jogged forward to press the elevator button. Harold was sputtering, panicked, and the grin had been wiped from his face, a stricken look replacing it. Sameen, Joss, and Lionel were grinning wickedly, obviously having planned the attack.

"What?" Reese gasped as the elevator doors opened. "Why would you ask that?"

"Take a deep breath, John," Root suggested, leading the small crowd into the elevator. Sameen dashed forward to stand beside her. Root draped her arm around her shoulders, tugging her close. "She's just avoiding a sentimental goodbye."

As the elevator doors closed and they started their descent, Sameen's hand slid into Root's back pocket, squeezing lightly. Root jumped, turning the attention to her. She coughed and waved her hand dismissively.

"I just… remembered something funny."

Sameen gave her another squeeze. "You never answered my question, Harry. I gotta make sure he's keeping up with Mayhem Boy standards."

"He's…" Harold coughed into his hands. "Yes. He is."

The elevator doors opened and Harold moved as quickly as he could. Root knew he would have sprinted away if he could have. John glared at Sameen, his eyes betraying his amusement, before following. Root pulled her arm away from Sameen and led them out of the elevator.

"You're a menace," Joss joked to Sameen. "Stop giving him grief."

"If not now, when?"

Root's smile flagged a little bit. That was a good question. They were leaving forever. Root would miss New York City, but she had no interest in ever returning. John and Harold, even Grace, could visit them in Colorado. The house was certainly big enough.

They walked out of the building into the hot July air and Root squinted into the sun. Pulling her sunglasses off her shirt, she opened them and slid them onto her face. A gentle breeze swirled around her, tugging at her hair. She was happy that they were leaving on such a nice day. It was a good omen.

She'd parked her car in front of the building, parking miraculously available. Another good omen. It was a brand new Ford F-100. It would be good for Sameen to have a practical car for farming, but that didn't mean it couldn't be fast and beautiful, too. John had helped her with Sameen's bike and the last of the boxes.

A hand reached into her pants' pocket and she turned to the side to see Sameen pulling out the car key. She gave Root a devilish grin. Raising an eyebrow, Root snatched it away and pointed at the passenger side door.

"You can't drive in your condition. Get in and buckle your seatbelt."

Rolling her eyes, Sameen headed toward the back of the truck. Joss and Lionel trailed after her and they all inspected her bike. It was tied down between the Root's boxes and Sameen's duffelbag. She hears them murmur approvingly at the car.

Root sighed and turned around to smile and John and Harold one last time. "I guess this is goodbye, boys. Thanks for the good times."

"Yeah," John said almost inaudibly. Suddenly, he tugged Root in for a crushing hug. She winced, but hugged him back. "Call every night so I know you're safe."

"I will," she gasped, pushing on his chest and breaking the hug. She held a hand out to Harold. "Take care of him."

Nodding, he took her hand and shook it. "I will," he said, echoing her. He raised his eyebrows and took a deep breath. "Wow, I can't believe how much has changed."

"Time slows for no one," Root replied. "All-in-all, we've built ourselves a good life, haven't we?"

A sad smile crossed his face. "We have."

Sameen appeared at her side again and eyed John warily. "Don't hug me."

He nodded solemnly before reaching out and tossing her hair. She ducked backwards out of his reach and waved a threatening fist in his direction. With a sharp glare at Harold, she yanked the key from Root's hand and unlocked the passenger door. Groaning, she reached across the bench seat and pushed up the lock on the other side.

"Come on," she said, rolling down the window as quickly as she could. "We're burning daylight here."

Chuckling, Root turned to Joss and Lionel. Stepping forward, Lionel wrapped her in a bear hug, lifting her off the ground. Root patted him on the back as he lowered her again.

"Keep a sharp eye on the bar for me and Sameen," Root ordered, patting his arm. "Don't let those drunken idiots get too crazy."

He just nodded as Joss moved forward, arms open. "My turn." They hugged and Joss whispered into Root's ear. "Take care of her. She needs you more than she can say." Pressing a quick kiss to Root's cheek, Joss released Root and turned to the car. "Roll up that window," she ordered. "You're going to let the bugs in and the air out. Your girl didn't spend all that extra money for you to waste it."

Sameen squinted. She held up her middle finger and rolled the window up with her free hand. The group laughed. Shaking her head, Root gave them a wave and walked around the front of the car to the driver's side. Climbing in, she took the key from Sameen, sticking it into the ignition, pressing on the brake, and starting the car.

It roared to life satisfyingly. Root buckled her seatbelt as Sameen ran her hands lovingly over the dashboard. By the time they arrived in Colorado, Sameen was going to have a laundry list of ideas on things they could improve. Root was looking forward to it.

They waved at their friends one last time and Root pulled away from the curb into the street. There was a map in the glove compartment, but neither of them could bring themselves to care about directions right away. As long as they kept heading west, they'd get there eventually.

Root slowed to a stop at a red light and looked at Sameen. "Excited?"

"I am," Sameen confirmed. She glanced at Root, the tips of her ears turning pink. Pulling a foot up onto the seat, she started untying her laces. "Turn the cool air on."

Root felt her heart pound in her chest as she watched Sameen take her shoes off. She was getting comfortable in their car, in their new life. Together. They had started so stiffly, so sure they weren't going to be friends or get along at all. Through months of self-discovery, Root had become someone that she could live with, and so had Sameen.

She knew that there were going to be more fights, more screaming and crying, but that was ok. Sameen would always come back to her and she would always go back to Sameen. This time, as they headed out of the city, toward the great unknown, they were moving forward as equals. They could figure the rest of it out together.

"Hey," Sameen said, sitting back and stretching her feet up onto the dashboard, "I'm starving. Can we get cheeseburgers?"