A/N – Ah, the chapter that started this fanfic. Thanks for all the positive reviews! But really, if you come across anything you don't like, feel free to point it out. This is only a second draft. Things can be corrected. Hell, I'll even give ya a cookie if you can point out any particular weaknesses in any of the chapters.

Thanks again! And enjoy!

Chapter 6

She'd always hated Friday night at the movie theatre. At least, until she began to like Alex as a friend. It still sucked though, watching all those couples on their dates. But Alex had always been there to ease the pain – by making fun of them.

Now it almost seemed worse, to be at work together on a Friday night, instead of in the theatre, with all those couples, watching the newest release, holding hands in the dark, sharing a pop and a laugh.

"Hey, wanna make out under the counter?" asked Alex, interrupting her private pity party.

"Funny," said Paige, trying to look unamused.

Alex lifted her eyebrows suggestively. Paige rolled her eyes and tried to concentrate on wiping all the spilt popcorn and salt from the counter. "You can spend the night tonight," she blurted out nervously.

"Well, I suppose that beats making out at work."

"I didn't say anything would happen," she said, a bit harsher than she'd intended. "I mean, I promise I won't retreat to the couch or find some other way to avoid you."

"Man, you really know how to sweet talk a girl."

"I'm being serious."

"I know. Do you realize how cute you are when you're being serious?"

"I'm always cute. So…do you want to come over tonight or not?"

"Yeah, I'll come over. And I even promise I won't bite you or rape you or…" The realization of what she'd just said suddenly filled her face. She'd only heard the rumors – Paige had never mentioned it before – but judging from the look of horror on her face, Alex knew that it was true. "Shit. I'm sorry." She moved towards Paige, but the lobby was beginning to fill with customers again. "I…I'm sorry…" she said again before turning to help the growing line at the counter.

Alex felt wretched. It wasn't often that she was the one saying all the wrong things, and this was certainly one of the worst things she could have said. Paige was stunned, standing there, unsure of what hurt more – the reminder or the fact that it had come from Alex. Whatever it was, it was too much. She fled to the back room.

It was a while before Alex was able to follow after her. "Look, I'm sorry. I'm an ass."

"Yeah," agreed Paige, angrily wiping away a tear.

"I didn't think…I mean, I'd only heard the rumors last year, and I…I didn't know for sure. And well, I just didn't think about it. Are you going to be ok?" she asked nervously; extending sympathy, even to those she cared about, was not her forte.

"Yeah."

"I guess I won't be coming over tonight after all."

"Why? Because you accidentally referred to something you didn't even know for sure had actually happened? I'm not mad, ok? Just a bit uneasy," she said, trying to play down her discomfort.

"I made you cry," said Alex, mentally kicking herself.

"Only a few tears."

"Your eyes are red and your face is all blotchy."

"Thanks for pointing that out."

"You don't have to pretend like you don't hate me."

"Don't be so melodramatic." Paige reached out and touched her lightly on the arm. "But do come home with me tonight."

"Really?"

"Really."

"I promise I won't lay a hand on you," said Alex, still feeling guilty.

"You don't have to promise that. I trust you." She traced circles on Alex's arm, waiting for her to loosen up before pulling her closer.

Alex cautiously drew nearer, still not feeling like she deserved so much as a kiss, but ultimately unable to resist. Their visors clicked against each other and Paige let out a giggle as their lips met, but she quit laughing when their tongues met. This was new…and it was nice. Very nice. She was still pulling Alex towards her, though she no longer realized it. Their bodies pressed together, harder and with more urgency. Hands wandered. Alex's lips began a trek to Paige's neck. Paige gasped and lifted her head towards the ceiling.

And then came a voice from the other side of the door. "Does anyone work here?"

"Damn customers," whispered Alex, out of breath. She leaned against Paige for a second, before jumping back into her roll as movie condiments girl. She straightened her visor and winked at Paige before leaving.

"Sorry, sir," Paige heard her say. "There was a problem with one of the carbonation tanks. What can I get you?"

Paige ventured out again, but only after she no longer felt flushed and the lobby was full of needy customers. Alex seemed normal again, and she gave her a shy smile before plastering on a larger one for the customers. .