Author's Note: I almost have 100 reviews! WOOT! And, by the time this is posted, there'll be. I'm popular! (grins devilishly) That's freakin' awesome!

Disclaimer: I don't own FOP, folks. But I own...this plot?

Chapter Nineteen: The Difference Between Love and Making 'Love"

Biting her lip, Trixie, still clinging to Veronica like a life preserver, decides to enter. Not that it's an entirely new concept to her, conceived mere moments ago- she's been thinking about it all day, but even when she had, it was co-mingled with doubt. Why would Tootie want to see her and her girlfriend, of all people? If she hadn't been playing with Timmy's mind, he might have rescued her before things got this bad.

Idly, she wonders if Tootie's alive, or if those homophobic morons in school were right. She hopes to whomever's listening that they aren't, but she isn't holding her breath. Besides, she isn't terribly attached to her anyway- the only reason she's here is because Tootie defended and protected Timmy from her. She stands here out of no sentimental affection.

And Veronica is here why? Well, perhaps because she has become her shadow, following her wherever she sees fit. Besides, once upon a time, she thought she had the 'hots' for the same boy Tootie did. Thank God that's old history.

"So, are we going to stare at the building and just think about it, or are we going to enter?" Veronica says lightly, smirking. She isn't certain how she'd feel if she discovered Tootie were dead. Would she be sad? Maybe only a little, since she'd never properly thanked Tootie for the warning after her sketchbook had been confiscated. But she doesn't really know her- no one does. Timmy might be the only person in the school who knows anything about her at all, because, after middle school, she stopped associating with pretty much everyone and the world in general.

As a matter of fact, Timmy seems to be, aside from an inexplicable visit from A.J., the only person in the world that cares about her well-being. Her parents have been gone for years, off somewhere, free from Vicky and the tyranny she brought. Veronica can only speculate on this- the rich children had a different, well-mannered babysitter (that mysteriously disappeared one night...)

But Tootie won't be the only person there; they also have to take into account the other visitor present- Timmy. Trixie hasn't spoken to him since the debacle in school, already seemingly light years past. She can't imagine staying in a room with him, considering Tootie might not be conscious to prevent him from going haywire.

Veronica's present, of course, but that doesn't mean much, at least in the face of her conflict with Timmy. She has to swallow her pride and try to mend anything that's still whole enough to mend and see if she can salvage any sort of friendly terms with him. Honestly, she doesn't want him to hate him, although she doesn't blame him. She understands where he's coming from and she knows what she did was wrong. However, she isn't certain she can sufficiently explain herself, at least, enough to turn him away from loathing her.

"Timmy..." She whispers, a shudder whipping through. Veronica kisses her softly on the cheek- she's always so affectionate. Then again, she can feel her hands creep around her back and massage it, so maybe it's not entirely affection. Maybe it's equally lust.

"We don't have to see them, if you don't want to," The blonde haired girl murmurs, spinning her around to kiss her on the lips. No one's coming, so any chance of being observed is minimal. Not that Veronica minds, mind you, but she knows Trixie still wants to salvage something of her relationship with Timmy. If he sees her making out with her, he might dismiss any chance of reconciliation.

Shaking her head, Trixie reluctantly breaks their lock. "Not here, Ver. There's something I need to do, to clear the air. You know how I get when I'm on a mission."

Or the warpath. You've destroyed many a person's reputation and you didn't stop until they were completely obliterated from all public forums. No wonder they hate you so much for being gay, they have ammunition. It's not just that we're gay and together, it's who we used to be too. If we weren't so popular, sure they'd give us a hard time, but they wouldn't be hell-bent on damning us.

I wasn't as bad as you, though. That might be why Tootie wasn't as hard on me. I never deliberately destroyed someone just because I felt like it; I mostly kept to myself, with the exception of trying to help Trixie out when she needed it.

I was never altruistic like Timmy; I never reached out for someone who wanted help. If I had, she might have had a friend...Poor Tootie. It's amazing how much you regret things when they're gone. There was something I could have done, years ago, but I didn't do anything- I was just too preoccupied with being popular.

I wonder if she'll ever wake up...I bet if anyone could wake her up, it'd be Timmy. He's done some pretty miraculous stuff in the past, and even though he's thick headed, he'll pull through if she has any hope at all.

"Trix...you know I love you, right?" Veronica whispers, awe filling her. God, she must have had the luck of a saint to be able to get this girl not only to be her girlfriend, but as her lover. She's never been happier in her life...

"I know," Trixie replies, instead of saying it back. The other girl frowns, but doesn't push her. She can say it when she's ready, whenever that is. Although, truth be told, from overhearing what Timmy said, she's kind of worried Trixie doesn't feel anything at all for her and she might be some kind of weird nonsexual or something.

Tersely, Veronica replies, "Say it back, Trix. Please..."

"Say what back?" She says nonchalantly, breezing through the electronic doors and walking up to the information desk. It's almost like a dog on a leash, however, because every few steps the raven-haired girl takes, the blonde drags her back a couple. She won't let her go up there without knowing.

"Say you love me. You said before that you were in love with me, and I admit it takes guts to do that because you said it in front of the school, but you've never said those three words to me." Placing her hands on her hips, she impedes her progress towards the desk. Her stature is of anger, but her eyes plead with her. Just grant me this small request...it really isn't much...and it'll make me feel so much better and no longer alone if you just admit it...

"What's the big deal?" Trixie says, shrugging her shoulders. "You know I do."

"You may know it, but I don't. Please, this isn't too much to ask. In light of your fight with Timmy, I...I'm afraid you might be lying to me too. It's not out of the realm of possibility that you would be..." Biting her lip again, she gazes at her, longing to hear the words she so desperately needs. Tell me you love me...please. It's not like this is new to you, you know...but neither's lying, for that matter. It disturbs me how easily you can do it, considering how long you had Timmy deceived.

"Do I need to say it? You already know how I feel," Trixie replies, anxious. These are uncharted waters for her and she'd best prefer to change the subject. However, this does not appease Veronica- she paces, unable to think of what to do to make her say it.

"Tell me." Her tone becomes insistent, but seductive. Making sure no one watches them, she pins her against a wall and runs her hands down her front. Trixie shivers, pressing her hand against her breast.

"Ver..." She breathes, daring herself to think of doing 'it' in the hospital, in front of everyone. She wants her so badly...but does she love her? Is it only her affection she loves?

"Do you love me?" Now, she presses her body into hers and kisses her neck. Trixie moans, running her hands through her hair. Maybe her thoughts are shared...

"Or is just animal lust?" Furious at that idea, she recoils from her touch, as if burned. "I love you, but I won't let you play around with me."

"If I made love to you-"She begins, but Veronica shakes her head sharply.

"Sex and love are not the same thing...and you can have either, neither, or both."

Suddenly, it occurs to Trixie that, even though it might appear as though she won the girl, she might still stand to lose her. Veronica won't put up with her crap, despite her love. Then again, there was the backseat...and how nice that was...

"Veronica..." She whispers, desperate for a way out of this situation.

"Stop using my name like that. You're going to turn it into something obscene," Veronica snaps, irritation seeping through. Was she just a cheap lay? Did Trixie have feelings for anyone or did she just string them along? Maybe she was just a vast experiment...or she's playing a trick on her. She was never attracted to her in the first place.

"I don't..." Trixie begins and Veronica's heart lurches into her stomach. She doesn't love her? Oh, god...

"I guess I'll just leave you to deal with Timmy...this was just a vast joke, wasn't it? You never loved me, I don't know who the hell you loved, but it wasn't me! You fucked around with me, damn you, Trixie Tang!" Chest heaving with unshed sobs, she turns tail and leaves.

"I love you!" Trixie screams, but it's too late. Veronica's gone...