This story is AU from the "Experience is the Teacher". Basically think of it as an alternative ending if Mr. Zwick and Co. had the allotted 22 instead of 19 eps. Stupid ABC. Everything remains intact from "Experience is the Teacher".
Disclaimer: This fic is designed for non-profit use only. I own nafink. NAAAAFINK. It's all Mr. Zwick and Co. and the good people at ABC who used to and abused the show mercilessly. Good work ABC, you fickle sods
THANK YOU for all the feedback I've received. It honestly means so much to me. And, please, after you read take two minutes to review. I'm needy.
WARNING- This chapter is a little slashy (that means girl/girl physical affection). It's a lot tamer than anything the heterosexual characters have gotten up to on the show (Mmm, naked Rick!) but still, if this kind of thing offends you, skip this chapter. Although why it would offend you is beyond me.
And finally, shout out to my awesome Beta Reader extraordinaire, Karen. Thanks for picking up on the little things I never do.
Chapter Three
"OK, this is great Karen, just one more step and your there!" Henry said enthusiastically.
"I can see that." Karen growled. Agonized, she raised her foot and took a shaky step forward. Henry fluttered near her, although not near enough for Karen's liking. Setting her foot down, Karen wobbled but to her surprise Henry was quickly by her side, gently holding her elbow.
"Nice work," He commented as Karen reached for her cane. "Pretty soon you'll be kissing the old cane goodbye."
"But until then I have to hobble around like and old man." Karen grumbled. She shuffled and took a seat on one of the hospital chairs. Growling, Karen shook her head in frustrating, her long blonde hair covering her face. "I can't take this." She thought despairingly.
Henry seemed to sense her mood. "Karen, you are doing a remarkable job. Truly." He sincerely said, sitting next to her. "Not many people could have recovered as strongly as you have."
"I don't feel strong at all," Karen thought miserably.
"I know what you're thinking," Henry joked. "'Bet he says that to ALL the girls' but I mean it. I've seen a lot of bad injuries, but few can come back from it as…spirited as you have." Henry opened his eyes searchingly, trying to look Karen. She obliged, turning, her pale blue eyes meeting wide brown ones.
They stayed that way for a long moment. Henry cocked his head, enraptured by the flood of emotions he could see fluttering in Karen's eyes. She was contradictory, strong yet fragile. It fascinated him.
Karen eyes' clouded and she turned away, feigning a cough. Henry ducked his head, embarrassed and feeling fifteen.
"So, got someone here for you?" he asked casually.
"Oh, my son is coming to pick me up." Karen smiled serenely. "He's leaving work early so we can make pizzas tonight."
"That sounds great."
"It is. He really has been a great help." Karen shakily stood, suddenly feeling thankful of her life's situation. If nothing else, this accident had brought her son closer to her and for that she was profoundly grateful. Taking a deep breath, she turned and faced Henry. "Thank you."
"Always a pleasure Karen Sammler." Henry said smiling widely as Karen hobbled out. He watched after her for a moment, and then smiling turned and continued his work.
"Hi girls, how was your day?" Lily asked as Grace, Jessie and Zoe trudged in.
"I'm so sick of my school," Zoe moaned, bouncing over and hugging her mom tightly around the stomach. Lily winced. "I can't wait till I'm in high school like Grace and Jessie. It's fun there right?"
"Oh yeah," Grace snorted sarcastically as she opened the fridge. "Mom, there so isn't enough food here. When are you going shopping?"
"Soon sweetie." Lily winced at the sight of the bare fridge. The last few days Lily felt like a zombie, trapped in a perpetual state of uncertainty about the right time to tell Rick. But after seeing the children moan about the lack of food made Lily determined that she would not put it off further and tell Rick tonight. "I'll go up to the shops now and buy you some snacks."
"No, its OK I'll find something," Grace sighed.
"Can you get to the 'English and Arts faire' alright?" Lily asked.
"What? Oh yeah, Eli's giving me a lift."
"Lily?" Jessie piped up sweetly. "Can, uh, Katie sleep over tonight?" she sounded strangely hesitant.
"Sure honey," Lily said as the phone began to ring. She wandered over and said to Jessie. "It's Friday so I'm sure it'll be ok with your Dad." She picked the receiver. "Hello?"
"Lily."
"Rick, hi!" Lily smiled as her stomach clenched. "We were just talking about you."
"Well then I'm glad I didn't interrupt a riveting conversation" Rick deadpanned as Lily forced a laugh out.
"So, sorry for disturbing everyone, but I have some bad news." Rick sighed heavily. "I won't be home until late tonight. Sam is talking to Colin about some new blueprints about the possible Allen Branch project we might be doing. I have to be there, apparently."
"Oh, OK." Lily said faintly.
"I'm really sorry honey, but I promise to make it up to you." Rick said coyly. He paused. "Lil is everything OK?"
"Yeah, fine. See you tomorrow then." Lily said too casually.
"Can you put Jessie on?"
"Sure," Lily handed the receiver to Jessie. "It's your Dad."
Lily leant against the counter, pensive, as her step-daughter took the phone. She had steeled herself to tell Rick tonight and now she had to keep this a secret for another night. She had consciously avoided Rick the last few days attempting to stave of telling him. Rick had noticed but had not confronted her, merely shooting pleading faces at her every opportunity. Sighing, Lily looked at the kitchen, where Grace and Zoe were arguing over the last yogurt and wondered how on earth was she going to be able to cope with another child in the house. "And how will the kids react," she thought pityingly.
"Mom?" Zoe peered into her mother's face. "Are you OK?"
"Sure honey!" Lily said, attempting to sound enthusiastic. "Who wants some ice cream?"
Jessie frantically picked up clothes from her floor attempting to clean her attic best as possible. As she stuffed a jumper in her cupboard she didn't hear her step sister open the door behind her.
"So," Grace drawled, feeling a pleasant kick when Jessie jumped with fright. "Katie's coming over tonight."
"Yeah," Jessie shot Grace incredulous look. "So what?"
"So what?" Grace scoffed. She closed the door behind her and advanced on Jessie. "Your girlfriend is coming over, to sleep in your bed and this warrants a 'so what' from you?"
"It's not like that," Jessie retorted, unsettled by the term girlfriend. She whirled around and walked away from Grace desperate to be away from those cynical, prying eyes.
"Ok, sure whatever." Grace said scornfully, happily aware she was antagonizing Jessie. She smirked and gave into an impulse to further hurt her step sister. "It's just, Katie's older than you." She said, slowly and meaningfully. "So, maybe she has different views…on you know… certain stuff."
Jessie turned suddenly color draining from her face, completely understanding what Grace was alluding to. Grace however felt extremely satisfied that her pretty, sweet step-sister's world was being rattled.
'I mean, I'm only doing this because it's totally unfair that she gets Katie to sleep over. She's practically manipulating Mom and Rick. Any guy that I ever liked would never be able to sleep over with me.'
Grace was aware she was being petty. But at least Jessie could see Katie whenever she wanted. All Grace wanted was to get a glimpse of Mr. Dimitri. But he was gone. He never did tell her where.
. "Jessie has no idea how lucky she is." Grace thought malevolently.
Jessie began to flush. "Grace" she said her voice dangerously sweet. "I think you have this whole thing…"
"Well anyway," Grace interrupted her brusquely. "This is so totally none of my business. See you at dinner." With a smirk, Grace turned and left the room gleefully, leaving Jessie to stew in her own juices until Katie arrived.
"Your family is so cool," Katie said later that night, reclined against Jessie's bed as they listened to Billie Holiday.
"Yeah, they're OK." Jessie, who was lying on her bed facing the ceiling, closed her eyes and attempted to become immersed in the soft, crooning voice wafting from her CD player.
"Grace kept giving me funny looks throughout dinner though," Katie said, clearly puzzled.
"She did?" Jessie asked in a worried voice, rolling onto her stomach and looking at Katie nervously. After a pregnant pause Jessie said softly. "She knows. About us."
To Jessie surprise Katie merely raised a bemused eyebrow. "She does?" she asked nonchalantly. She shrugged casually. "Huh, ok then."
"Right." Jessie frowned and turned away from Katie. She was unsettled by Katie tonight. She wanted to blame it on Grace, but it was something deeper she could not identify. It troubled her greatly.
Katie did not pick up her girlfriend's mood. "I just thought she was stressed about the "English and Arts Faire"" Katie said. "She's doing some sort of seminar talk thing for the English department. I don't know what her problem is," Katie made a face. "It can't be any worse than being forced to display your art in front of a whole bunch of strangers."
"Your art work is great." Jessie said softly, forcing herself to turn her full attention back on Katie. "Your work is practically the centre piece of the art exhibit. I'm sure everyone will be crowding around to get a piece of you."
"Aw, Billie!" Katie laughed, scrunching her nose in embarrassment. Suddenly feeling flushed she jumped up and removed her sweater.
Lying on her bed, Jessie watched Katie. Standing in front of her, Jessie allowed her eyes to slowly travel down Katie lithe frame, appreciatively examining Katie's curves. Underneath Katie's sweater she had another one of those tight tank tops that Katie seemed to adore. For the first time, Jessie was aware of the way her hips slowly traveled from side to side as she moved; how long legs were. Katie looked every inch a beautiful high school girl. 'A beautiful, older high school girl.'
Katie suddenly became aware of Jessie looking directly at her. There was rawness in her gaze that Katie had never seen. Her breathe caught in her throat as she met Jessie's eyes. Almost before she could help herself, she had moved to sit next to her on the bed. Jessie eyes continued to roam Katie's frame.
Katie had always appreciated Jessie but few times had Katie allowed herself to unabashedly look at Jessie's body. Now Katie eyes wandered down Jessie's frame, from her small hips to the curve of her breasts. Feeling her heart pounding maniacally she stayed perfectly still, entranced and incapable of movement.
To Jessie, everything was feeling foreign. Her breathe was coming in short, sharp waves, and her skin tingled, begging to be touched. Her mind seemed spilt, between fear, desire and obligation. Seeing that Katie was not going to do anything, she whispered. "C'mere."
Katie gave Jessie a hopeful look before leaning in and gently kissing her. This they were both used to, as Jessie's tongue gently pressed against Katie's lips, insistent. As Katie opened her mouth Jessie began to kiss passionately, enjoying the familiar taste of Katie. Both girls deepened kiss, as Jessie lightly pushed Katie down and pinned her beneath her. Jessie was equally aware of the warmth of Katie's mouth and her bare legs touching hers. Jessie rubbed against the other's girl leg and Katie moaned into Jessie's mouth. She shifted and caressed Jessie's side with long, sweeping strokes. Breaking the kiss, Jessie gasped softly blearily aware of both Katie's hands at her sides and her mouth which was now placing kisses down her neck. Jessie rolled off Katie until they were side by side on the bed. Katie opened her mouth to say something but Jessie silenced her with a frantic kiss, her hand running over her collar bone then lower and lower until she reached Katie's breast, massaging it softly. Katie groaned in reply and brought Jessie close to her, grinding her hips against hers. Jessie felt a bolt of desire shoot through her, and she became aware for the first time of a slow, insistent throbbing at her centre. She pressed herself tighter against Katie, moving against her rhythmically. She slipped both her hands under Katie's top and slowly dragged them across Katie's soft skin until they reached her bra. At this point, Katie half moaned, half squeaked and rolled away from Jessie.
For a moment, both girls fought for breathe and tried to ignore their arousal. Forcing herself to speak Katie said "Jessie."
"What? What?" Jessie asked frantically.
"I think, I think, maybe we should slow down." Katie struggled to get the words out, fighting against the hormones coursing through her body.
Jessie's voice was small and broken. "I thought you wanted this?"
"Jess" Katie resisted the urge to stroke Jessie's face. "I do. I mean, can't you tell, I really want this. But I mean, who listens only to their hormones, you know, 'cause that way lead to badness." Katie realized she was rambling of Jessie's confused and slightly hurt look. "I mean." She said slowly. "I'm hoping we're going have lots of time left to…explore each other and I don't feel one hundred percent comfortable with rushing things."
Feeling humiliated, Jessie nodded and turned away from Katie. "Oh, ok I get it."
"Jess!" Katie said pleaded. She carefully wrapped her arm around Jessie. "What brought this on?"
"I don't know." Jessie said tearfully. "But you're older than me, and we've been…together a while and I just felt like I…" Jessie couldn't get the words out, so she ducked her and sniffled.
Katie felt appalled with herself. "You didn't want to do this?"
"I thought you would want to." Jessie mumbled. "But now I want to as well."
Katie held Jessie for long time, thinking. Resting her chin on Jessie's head she said softly. "Ok, well let's introduce an over the clothes only rule."
"Huh?"
"Well, we can do whatever we want, as long as it's only above the clothes." She paused and let Jessie digest this. "Is that OK? Would you want something else?"
"No, no." Jessie felt relieved but also slightly disappointed. "That's probably for the best."
"Jess."
"Yeah?"
"You never have to feel like you owe me something." She then tickled Jessie's side. Jessie squealed and batted Katie away.
"You tickled me! That is so unfair, I wasn't watching!"
"That's the best time to attack."
"Girls" Lily voice wafted from the stairs. "Time to go to bed OK."
Both girls froze. After a pause Katie said "Maybe I should sleep on the floor."
"No." Jessie said emphatically. She looked into Katie's light green eyes. "I trust you. I trust us. We'll be OK."
"Yeah," Katie beamed at Jessie. After a moment she said. "Oh my god you have to hear what happened in Modern History today!"
The Manning Manor was deathly quiet. Lily sat on her bed, quietly chewing her finger and looking at the clock. It was past midnight but Lily felt wired, impossibly aware of everything around her.
From downstairs, she heard keys in the door and then the front door shut. A few moments later she heard heavy footsteps on the stairs then a tired looking Rick entered the room.
"Lily," he said, surprised but pleased. "You're up late."
"How was the meeting?" Lily asked quickly.
"OH, I don't know," Rick said heavily as he undressed on the other side of the room. "It seemed to go well but you never know with some clients. This is a potential big deal for us, but they didn't seem too trusting. Of me in particular." Rick grumbled bitterly, clearly dwelling over almost being indicted last year. He flung himself on the bed next to Lily and covered his face with his hands. Lily tenderly stroked Rick's hair.
"Rick, honey…" Lily said hesitantly. During dinner she had made up her mind that she had to tell Rick tonight but after seeing his distress after the meeting she began to doubt herself. Rick uncovered his face and looked up into Lily's eyes. "What?"
"It's nothing."
"No, what." Rick sat up and looked at Lily. When she shook her head, Rick sighed.
"Honey, you have to tell me what's wrong." He said softly. He had noticed her pulling away from him subtly over the last few days, although he had no idea why. Initially he thought it was due to the incident with Grace's teacher but over the past month Grace had slowly returned to normal but Lily had still been distant. Coupled with the fact Rick had suspected that Lily had been sick for a time he was nervous. Now that the client meeting was momentarily over with he decided that now was as good as any time to confront Lily over what was wrong.
"Oh Rick," Lily leant against him and looked fondly into his eyes. Rick softly smiled and stroked her hair while he held Lily's gaze, silently imploring her to tell him what's wrong.
"Rick," Lily took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant."
Rick froze. Lily regarded him closely, seeing his eyes widen and shoulders tense. Her stomach sank.
"Wow, are you sure?" Rick finally managed.
"I haven't seen the doctor yet. But the little blue slip keeps telling me it's true." Lily joked weakly.
"Well, I" Rick seemed to be a loss of words. He couldn't think as his mind was seized with shock. Rick searched in vain to find the correct words to say. "Funny" a wry voice from the back of his head commented. "I thought third time's the charm"
"Lily this is great." He said slowly.
"Really?" Lily wasn't convinced. Rick still looked shocked, which she could understand but Lily thought she saw a seed of doubt in his carefully neutral eyes.
"It's going to be interesting to see where we're going to put it." Rick joked softly.
"Yeah." Lily suddenly didn't feel like talking about the baby. Without warning, she straddled Rick.
"Whoa!" Rick was shocked.
"I've got something that'll take our minds off this." Lily said in a coy tone, ignoring the lump in her throat and her pounding heart.
"Not that I don't want to, honey, but it's late and I'm kinda tired…"
But Lily wouldn't budge. "That's OK." She said, slowly leaning down and capturing his lips. "I'll just do the work."
A while later, Lily lay in Rick's arms. Rick smiled down at her and nibbled her ear while whispering goodnight. Lily smiled back at him, and soon she felt his breathing become slow and rhythmic. For a long moment Lily's smile froze on her face then gradually faded as she stared out her window, deeply troubled.