I didn't really expect such a positive response to chapter one? If you guys have any advice or suggestions about the characters please let me know!

The Blind Date AU pt. 2

Shelby hadn't had a decent nights sleep since she had barely escaped The Butcher with her life. The dreams haunted her every night. It had been inescapable. The night Shelby had fallen asleep in Audrey's arms, had been the first night she had slept without interruption. There had been no images of The Butcher, no images of the torches and pitchforks; just silence and darkness.

The next morning, Audrey woke with a slight start. She had felt arms around her and a warmth against her. When she looked down she suddenly remembered the night before. Her memory was a little faded, but she remembered taking Shelby home and getting into bed together. She sighed softly to herself. Shelby was holding her close and despite her resting state, she was holding quite tight. Audrey attempted to pry Shelby's arms off her without waking her. As she pulled away the once peaceful expression on Shelby's face had become saddened. Audrey felt a pang of guilt, hesitating before moving in close again. She rubbed Shelby's back gently, hoping to wake her. She knew Shelby would like the contact. She had always loved attention.

Shelby woke slowly. She felt gentle strokes against her back. She smiled slightly to herself before opening her eyes lazily. Shelby was surprised to see it had been Audrey laying beside her. Once Audrey noticed Shelby had woken she pulled back slightly. "Are you feeling alright?" Audrey asked, noticing the confusion on Shelby's face.

Shelby took a moment to process what had happened the night before. She vaguely remembered getting into a cab. "I..." Shelby started, looking Audrey properly. She was still in her clothes from their date. Shelby slowly remembered what had happened, putting the pieces together in her mind. She smiled to herself, meeting Audrey's eyes. "Yes, I feel great." she said gently. Shelby sat up slightly, holding her head as she did. "Ow." she whimpered. She figured she had drank a little more than Audrey.

Audrey bit the inside of her cheek. "Come now, come to the kitchen and I'll get you a glass of water." she said, slipping out of the bed and making her way to the kitchen. Shelby whined softly, dragging herself out of the bed and following slowly. She sat on a stool at Audrey's kitchen counter, resting her head in her hands. She had had the most restful nights sleep. Shelby watched Audrey as she brought the glass of water and leaned against the counter, propping her head up with one hand. Shelby drank the water quickly, putting the glass down and looking right back at Audrey. Her eyes drifted from the other woman's gaze.

Audrey watched Shelby closely and unabashed. She needed to decide soon and she needed to decide fast. Would she end up regretting this? Should she pursue the relationship or should she try for something more casual? Was she leading Shelby on simply because she hadn't come to a decision? Audrey wouldn't lie to herself, Shelby was good looking. Holding her over night had definitely changed how she saw the other woman. She trusted her more and she felt more of a connection. A different connection to the one she had felt when she acted as her. Audrey never thought that would have been possible. She had always thought of Shelby as the whiny damsel in distress. Being intimate with Shelby hadn't even crossed her mind, yet there was the possibility.

Shelby met Audrey's eyes again, feeling her cheeks burn slightly. "Is something wrong?" she asked. She didn't know what Audrey was thinking or why she was looking at her. Shelby didn't really know what would happen next. She hadn't thought that far.

Audrey broke the eye contact to bring Shelby another glass of water, which Shelby drank quickly. "What do you want, Shelby. What is it that possessed you to create that account? Sex? Love? Attention?" she asked. Her voice was firm but her gaze was soft.

Shelby shifted in her seat slightly. She didn't really know what she wanted. She just wanted another relationship with a strong connection like she had had with Matt. She looked at Audrey and bit her lip as she shrugged.

Audrey sighed. "I'm guessing it's not sex. If it was you would have stayed with Dominic." she said, standing up straight. "Not to mention you would have tried to bed me last night." Audrey cooed, still watching Shelby. "That just leaves love and attention." she said, leaning back against the counter behind her. "Which is it?"

"I just...I want something like what Matt and I had." Shelby said softly, wringing her hands in her lap.

"So love?" Audrey asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I...I guess." Shelby replied, seeming unsure.

Audrey frowned. She thought for a moment before realising that maybe Shelby wanted both. She watched her a while longer before going to the cupboard. "I have Corn Flakes and Cap'n Crunch. Which would you like?" Audrey asked.

The change in subject had made Shelby feel uneasy but she decided that it was a good thing that Audrey wanted her to stay for breakfast. "Corn Flakes, please." she said, getting up and getting herself another glass of water before taking her seat again.

Audrey fixed their breakfasts and put a spoon in both their bowls. She slid one in front of Shelby and ate from the other. Audrey was seriously considering a relationship with Shelby. She felt as if she had gone mad. Was she truly that lonely? Audrey never really saw herself as desperate or lonely, but she seemed drawn to Shelby now more than ever. She wondered if it was because of the lack of producers and actors around them. Maybe it was because Shelby hadn't spoken enough to annoy her yet.

Shelby took a quick breath. Audrey intimidated her, as much as she hated to admit it. Audrey was beautiful, talented and witty. Shelby felt as if Audrey was out of her reach. She summoned some courage within herself before clearing her throat. "Why did you make the account?" she asked, her voice wavering slightly. The nerves had settled back in and it was far too early to drink.

Audrey looked at Shelby for a moment before looking back down at her breakfast. "I wanted a serious relationship." she said, not looking at Shelby. She didn't know if Shelby was even prepared for a relationship again. She had cheated on her husband with another man not so long ago. Audrey didn't want to be a rebound. She was looking for permanency and stability. She needed to know if Shelby could give that to her. Audrey finished her breakfast quickly, taking her dish to the sink.

Shelby ate a little faster after seeing that Audrey had already finished. She stood and took her dish to the sink as well, wiping them after Audrey washed. "How serious?" she asked after a few moments of silence.

"More serious than I think you're capable of." Audrey retorted.

Shelby swallowed hard. "I had a stable, loving marriage before Matt and I moved into that house." she said, trying to sound firm yet failing. "Even while we were there I was committed. Even after I caught him with...with that woman." she said, working herself up.

Audrey sighed to herself, putting the dried dishes away. She had studied Shelby and Matt's relationship. She had wanted to get her character just right. Shelby and Matt had been a model couple up until they moved into the house. Audrey watched Shelby's eyes before glancing down at her lips for a split second. Shelby's cheeks were still slightly pink from arguing her point. "Fine." Audrey said, meeting Shelby's eyes again. "Lunch, tomorrow at 1. The cafe at the corner of my block. You can't miss it." she said, her tone almost dismissive. That would be Shelby's chance to prove herself.

...

Audrey was the first to arrive at the cafe. She was a little nervous this time. She didn't want another one night stand or another failed relationship. She wanted something comfortable and easy. She wanted company and love, but as a woman of a certain age, she couldn't expect to get everything she wanted. She had to be reasonable. As confident as she was with her acting, Audrey always felt self conscious when sleeping with or dating someone younger than her. The age difference between her and Shelby wasn't as much as it had been between her and Rory, but it was still quite the gap.

Shelby had found the cafe. When she stepped in she scanned the room for Audrey, her eyes finding her quickly. She sat in the seat in front of her, smiling at the other woman. "You look pretty today." Shelby had said with a smile. She hesitated for a moment. "I don't mean you're not usually pretty." she said quickly. "I mean, you're always pretty, every day and especially today." she babbled.

A small smile grew on Audrey's lips. "Shelby. Calm down." she hummed. It was nice to see that someone was even more nervous than she was. "What would you like to order?" Audrey asked, standing.

"I'll... just a green tea, thanks." Shelby replied.

Audrey ordered their drinks and a blueberry muffin. She sat back down in front of Shelby. She propped herself up with her forearms, leaning in slightly. "I would ask you to tell me about yourself but I already know you better than I know myself." Audrey said, trying to relax. This definitely wasn't as easy without the alcohol.

Shelby fiddled with the ends of her sweater. She knew this could be her last date with Audrey. She didn't want it to be. "So...England. It must be cold there." Shelby said somewhat awkwardly.

Audrey looked at her as if she had said the most obvious thing. "Really? You're going to talk to me about the weather in England?" she asked with a laugh.

Shelby felt her cheeks become pink. "At least I'm trying." she said, trying to sound firm but failing.

Audrey sighed and leaned back in her chair. Shelby was right. "Fine, tell me why you're interested in a relationship with me." Audrey said, folding her arms. She was never really one for small talk.

Shelby looked slightly flustered. "I...well... You're very pretty. You're talented and I've seen you be kind. You enjoy your work. I like that you're passionate about something." Shelby replied, shrugging slightly. Shelby's stomach felt as if it was being turned inside out. She was beyond nervous at this point. "I've liked you for a while, Audrey. I just never thought this would be possible." she said, still fiddling with the end of her sweater.

Audrey looked surprised, but she hid it. She took her coffee as it came to the table, pushing Shelby's green tea closer to her. Audrey never would have thought that Shelby legitimately felt something for her. Her reasons for liking her hadn't been complete bullshit. Audrey didn't even realise that Shelby had liked her prior to their first date. "I bought a muffin for us to share." she said. She watched Shelby intently. Maybe she really was serious about this after all.

Shelby drank her tea and picked at her half of the muffin. Audrey took a sip from her coffee. "Would you like to go out after this?" Audrey asked, looking up from her coffee. Shelby looked up and met her eyes. "Just for a walk." Audrey added. "There are some stores down the road." she said.

Shelby felt herself light up. What ever she was doing, she was doing something right. "Yes, of course. I'd love to." she replied, smiling brightly. Audrey smiled to herself when she noticed the smile grow on Shelby's lips. She felt her heart thud in her chest. She'd admit it, Shelby was adorable.

When they had both finished their drinks and their muffin, Audrey left a tip and stood, pushing her chair in. She headed for the door, Shelby following closely behind her. As they walked along the sidewalk she felt something touch her hand. Shelby gently slid her hand into Audrey's, holding it delicately. Audrey met her eyes and smiled. Maybe she really could have a serious relationship with Shelby.

...

I hope this is okay? Please review and follow for more!