Jessie bent down, and kissed Zoe's forehead lightly "night" she whispered.

"Where are Grace and Eli?" Zoe asked, dreamily; "they didn't have dinner," she added, rolling over.

Jessie gave a small smile, "oh……….they were both tired………and went to bed early………." She lied, and quietly walked out of Zoe's room.

"They always go to bed early these days," Zoe mumbled; rolling over wearily, sleep already engulfing her.

Jessie let out a small giggle as she closed the door, and headed back up to her room.

When she got to the top of her staircase, she looked at Katie's body, sprawled out on her bed, reading the book Jessie had tucked beneath the covers.

"Zoe asleep?" Katie asked, without raising her head.

"Yep" Jessie replied, walking over to her chest of drawers, she stared in the mirror above the wooden chest, examining the bags under her eyes.

Katie looked up from the book, and glanced at her watch, it was only 8:45.

She looked up and gave a weary smile as she watched Jessie brush a finger against the barely visible dark bags beneath her eyes.

Katie clambered up from the bed, and walked to Jessie, wrapping two arms around her waist, fitting her petite body perfectly; Katie pressed her mouth against her neck, smiling when she felt Jessie giggle, the vibrations creeping up her throat.

"You look so good" Katie smiled, pulling away, resting her head on Jessie's shoulder and staring at their portrait in Jessie's mirror.

Jessie smiled, and reached up, brushing a hand against Katie's soft cheek; "I love you," she whispered.

Katie's head leaned into Jessie's hand, "I love you more" she replied, softly.

JESSIE its amazing how those words seem to be more true……….more than they ever were………..

Jessie turned around slowly, and pressed her body against Katie's; her arms still holding Jessie's waist.

"I love the way we are" Jessie whispered huskily.

"Me too" Katie replied, her hand creeping up Jessie's back, rubbing it soothingly.

Jessie's head slowly lifted, her lips brushing Katie's gently; their eyes locked in a deep embrace, and without realizing it, Jessie's hand had creeped underneath Katie's baby pink t-shirt, her fingers tracing her stomach.

Jessie tilted her head to the side, and moved closer, kissing Katie's neck; once, twice, and the third time Katie let out a small moan.

Jessie stopped, looking back into her face; but Katie's eyes were closed, and she was biting her lower lip.

"Don't stop," she whispered breathlessly.

Jessie's hands roamed Katie's chest, brushing against her lace bra.

"I want to" Jessie whispered, the words slipping out so easily; she concentrated on Katie's face, her eyes opening abruptly.

"What?" she whispered.

Jessie was silent for a moment, and then found more words somewhere inside herself; "I want to make love to you………" she replied, in a shaky tone.

Katie blinked, but didn't turn away from Jessie's eyes, "are……….are you sure?" she asked.

Jessie said nothing, only moved her lips up against Katie's, kissing them feverishly.

But Katie pulled away, and Jessie felt her cheeks flush red as she stared, clumsily into Katie's eyes; so unsure of what she was thinking………..why she pulled away………….

"Maybe we should………." Jessie felt her heart stop, as Katie's mouth opened; "……….go on the bed?" she finally spoke, and Jessie let out a small sigh of relief.

Her hands slowly slipped out from underneath her top, and she gave the smallest nod.

Katie lowered her head, brushing her lips against Jessie's, she groped around for her hand, and, taking it in her own, led her towards the bed- the whole time their lips roamed one another's in gentle kisses.

"Jessie………." Katie parted for a moment, before lowering her body onto the bed.

"Mmmm?" Jessie murmured

"I'm scared…………."

Jessie opened her eyes, and pulled away so she could look into Katie's face; she reached up, and brushed a hand against her cheek

"Me too" she replied, both girls embraced one another, and, eventually, lowered their entwined bodies onto the bed.

They held each other for the longest time, in the dark, staring into each other's barely visible faces.

JESSIE I just know this is right……….

"Katie?" Jessie broke the still silence, and Katie shifted slightly within her arms.

"I do love you," she said, after a breath, and she felt Katie tense, then there was silence.

"I know you do" she finally replied, after a long time.

"Then why…………….?" Jessie asked, almost pleaded.

Katie sighed, and began to slowly rub Jessie's back again; "I think………..because………..I'm not scared………." She replied, huskily.

Jessie didn't understand, if Katie wasn't scared, then why were they just lying here? Why couldn't Jessie love her? Like she yearned to?

"You said you were……….." Jessie said, shakily.

Katie gave a small nod, "I'm not scared………..because having sex with you feels so right………..just being with you feels right………..and I'm scared because I'm so sure about us……….. and it feels as though being so completely sure is………scary……….you know?"

Jessie did, she understood Katie completely and totally; so, she leaned in, and kissed her on the forehead, and when she pulled away, her lips roamed down to her cheeks, and then connected with her lips.

Katie kissed her back, softly at first, and then harder; and soon both girls were in a feverish embrace………….and it wasn't scary……….it was

JESSIE perfect.