The first chapter has had MAJOR EDITS since chapter two was posted. You might want to read chapter one before reading this, or the end may not make sense.

This chapter contains heavy making out and feeling-up, but no sex.

Thanks to the foul beast called real life, it's taken me months to write this chapter. This fic is finally finished! It's my first complete fic! I wash my hands of it! Yeah right—I'm an obsessive reviser. I'll probably make more major edits in a few weeks or months. It's finished for now, so I'm taking a few-month break from writing fic so I can focus on college application essays and my original fiction.

This chapter is titled "Bicker" because that's the adorable heart of Adriane and Kara's relationship.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Lyra?

Kara, her bonded's voice echoed through Kara's mind. What's wrong?

Kara gripped the handles of the double doors that led from the parlor to the ballroom. She had felt ten pounds lighter after switching the ill-fitting ball gown for a retro cocktail dress, but now mental concrete shoes anchored her to the floor. Lyra was at home, guarding Kara's room from Kyle, who was home from college for fall break.

You keep saying that Adriane's not mad at me. Why? Why do you think she's avoiding me? Kara tried not to sound accusatory. You know more than you're telling.

Not anymore. It sounds like you've figured it out yourself.

I'm not telling you yet. If it's wrong, I'll look like an idiot, Kara lied. She wasn't afraid of looking like an idiot in front of Lyra, but admitting her suspicions to someone else would make them terrifyingly real. The dim parlor loomed around her with its aged chairs and wallpaper.

She loves you.

Kara shot back, Of course she does—we're best friends!

Not just in that sense. Kara, you know what I mean. Don't tell me that you didn't suspect it a long time ago.

Did she suspect it? Maybe. Maybe the thought drifted through her head a few times and she laughed it off. Maybe she toyed with the idea whenever she remembered that one time…which happened a lot lately. Maybe it was exciting to fantasize that even other girls wanted her—a safe fantasy, since nothing would ever happen. She didn't really like girls. Maybe Adriane was an exception, because magic or no magic, that kiss was hardly a bad memory.

Her hands dropped from the door and she backed away. Damn it. Damn it. Damn it. I can't do this.

Do what?

I'm supposed to meet her in ten minutes for a…dance.

Isn't that three weeks from now?

It's not homecoming; it's just the two of us at the manor. I asked her to homecoming as a friend and she wanted to just have our own dance now, but it looks like I'm totally leading her on. Lyra? Silence on the other end. Kara shivered and kindled some fire magic to warm herself. Her sheer dress was too thin for the under-heated manor.

Why did you ask her? Lyra finally said.

I'm sick of her avoiding me and I can't stop thinking about that one time in the library. I thought that if I talked to her, I could set things right with us. Now, I don't know. Ever since she got rid of her boyfriend, I've been obsessing over the only time that I've kissed her. What does that even mean? How can I ignore that when I know that she wants me?

Do you really want to ignore it?

What are you implying?

I'm implying exactly what you think I'm implying. If it's mutual, then what's the problem?

Lyra! It's a human thing. You wouldn't understand.

Oh, I understand humans perfectly well. After being bonded to you for years, I understand that you won't be happy if you keep denying this to yourself. Ask yourself, Kara, 'What do I really want?'

She wanted it again. The kiss was just a kiss, but fusing her magic with another's, bridging the gap that separated each soul, and seeing into someone else's mind—it'd been a rush of euphoria like nothing she'd ever felt before or since.

And she wanted it from Adriane. Adriane was her best friend whom she loved, tall and dark and lean and sexy in a way, full sarcasm and challenges that made life so much more interesting, and had been through hell and saved the magic web alongside her.

She didn't like girls, but she couldn't mentally drop Adriane into some vague and faceless mob labeled "girls," just like she still couldn't do the same for Lorren and "boys." He was Lorren. She was Adriane.

They could be together tonight; they could dance. Kara could ease herself closer and closer with each beat until she caught Adriane's lips with hers. Maybe they could go further; maybe they could mix their auras again and reach that magical high together.

Imagining it, fear and excitement shot down Kara's spine.

Just like the kiss, they'd keep it a secret between themselves and their bondeds. They could do it again if they wanted. No one would know. There wouldn't be any consequences. They'd tell Emily, but she wouldn't care…would she?

Lyra, if there's one thing I'm good at, it's impulsive indulging.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Adriane stopped just before the grand staircase. Steadying herself against the wall, she felt her body grow numb with every pound of her heartbeat. Everything that swirled through her head left her nothing but vague panic. She could just turn around and leave: go home, pop a pill, and fall deeply asleep. Forget. Tomorrow, she would act like everything was normal and never risk answering the question that loomed over her like a dark and crumbling façade.

She recognized the boiling feeling in her chest, a volatile brew of magic and emotion that threatened to burst out just as Kara's had an hour ago. Damn level three. It's so unstable. That's the problem with mage magic: emotions drag it around by a freaking leash.

Taking a deep breath, she mentally grasped for her faint streak of healing magic, which lay buried deep in the churning silver and gold aura that pulsed distressfully through her jewel. She tapped the little stream and blue energy instantly washed through her body like chilled water. Her heartbeat steadied.

No, I'm not going home. I know what I want and I go for it, damn it.

But what if she doesn't want me?

What if she'll just spell out that there's nothing between me and her? That that kiss didn't mean anything? You can't have someone who doesn't want you.

The hallway's deep burgundy walls ran on forever into the darkness before and behind her. Bright light spilled up from the ballroom stairs just a few paces ahead.

She wouldn't do this if she didn't want me. She's not that cruel—not after she begged me to dance with her. She wants it too much….

Adriane took a step forward—then a second, a third, and a fourth, until she felt the light and open air beside her. She was exposed. At the top of the stairs, she gazed one last time into the dark hall before turning to the grand ballroom.

Its marble floor, pale blue paneled walls, and golden ceiling seemed brighter somehow. Kara must have touched them up with her magic, but Kara herself was missing. As always, the room was empty of everything but a few chairs and sofas along the walls, waiting for some grand gala that never came to pass. Nothing moved.

Maybe she's still working on the music. No, a song was already playing from little speakers in the corner—the Beatles' Hello Goodbye, Adriane's favorite. She started down the stairs. Even alone, the ballroom seemed alive and subtly electrified compared to the deserted manor's other drab and dusty rooms—or maybe her shaking nerves just amplified everything.

With each echo of her lone footsteps, Adriane's lungs tightened as the worst explanation crept through her mind: Did she back down like I almost did? She quickened but restrained herself from calling out, afraid that her voice would break with this feeling—

"Adriane?"

Adriane froze mid-step.

Kara stood at the near left doorway with a smile that lacked its usual shining confidence. One hand toyed with the halter neck of a completely different dress than she'd been wearing an hour ago; the ball gown had been ditched for this deep red cinched-waist artifact from what looked like the 50's. Kara's legs shifted nervously under its knee-length chiffon skirt.

"Kara…."

"Sorry, I needed to check the mirror really quick." Kara glanced to the side, avoiding her eyes. "So—" She swept up her hands. "It's a dance."

"It's…nice. You changed your dress." Adriane started down again, slower and painfully self-conscious of everything: her posture, her hair, how the dress looked, how awkwardly she walked in heels….

"Yeah, this one just fit better, and that petticoat was scratchy."

"It really suits you. I—I like it." Too much. Adriane met Kara's eyes to keep herself from staring anywhere else.

Just as Adriane reached the bottom, the last of the Beatles' Hela hey helloas faded out, replaced by the first strums of a ukulele, of all things.

"This song's kind of slow, so…slow dance?" Kara's words set off Adriane's heart again. She hoped that the summer sun had darkened her enough to hide her blush, which must have mirrored the red creeping into Kara's face as she stepped toward her. "You lead. I mean, you're taller."

"Right."

She's serious. She really wants this.

Maybe Kara realized the same thing, because the unstoppable gleam in her eyes returned as she broke her hesitant pose and boldly grasped Adriane's hand in hers. She's so warm. I must feel freezing to her. Kara didn't seem to mind; she laid her other palm on Adriane's bare shoulder. Her soft hand gripped Adriane's paint-stained and calloused one so firmly, as if to restrain both of them from backing down as she drew herself closer, until their bodies almost touched with every tight breath.

"Hey Xena, you have to put your other hand on my back," Kara almost whispered.

Adriane followed like a puppet in a trance. This is real. It has to be real. Her hand brushed the fine-woven dress and pressed against a real body—a warm and solid body that couldn't be some magical illusion.

"One, two, three," she found herself mechanically counting off the music's beat. "Four."

On four, Adriane's body led Kara in the first step, then the next, and then again…. She didn't think for dancing any more than she thought for her shaking breathing or drumming heart. Adriane swayed on autopilot as her head buzzed with pale high clouds that obscured everything else but Kara—including how to move in heels.

She pulled herself against Kara as she felt her ankle start to twist, but the sharp pain never came. Adriane froze in mid-step with her shoe half-on her foot. Her breasts were pressed so tightly to Kara's that she felt the other girl's gasp before she realized that she'd heard it. Neither one dared to move.

"T-tripped," was as eloquent as Adriane managed. Well, the proverbial elephant in the living room just trampled us. Can't ignore it now.

Kara just gripped Adriane's shoulder harder. She parted her lips but stopped short of speaking. Their faces inches apart, her hot breath brushed Adriane's cheek.

"What?" Adriane asked, but she knew exactly what. Her heartbeat clamored like a madman in his cell. This is it. She's not pushing me away.

"Did we really think that it was innocent, way back when?" Kara whispered.

"Maybe for the first second that I thought kissing you was a good idea. Went downhill after that." Adriane's laugh sounded bitterer than she intended. Some people turn into stammering wrecks when they're nervous. I turn into a freaking smartass.

Kara stayed still as stone. "When did it start? At the benefit concert?"

"Seventh grade homeroom—the first time I saw you, I wanted you to like me just because you were pretty. Then Tiffany said something about my shoes. You laughed. I felt like shallow shit and decided to hate you to make up for it."

Kara's quiet laughter shook though her chest. "You suck at hating me, Xena." She fell still again.

"I never really hated you."

Kara pulled away just far enough to look Adriane square in the eyes. "But tell me seriously," Kara hesitated for just a beat. "What do you want—right now?"

What kind of question is that? I don't even know what to say. I want to tell you everything. I want my lips on you, your hands on me. I want to make you smile so much that I'll even go to that stupid dance with you.

"You."

"Damn," Kara whispered as she drew Adriane even tighter against her. "Me too."

Adriane didn't know what to think. She didn't think; she just leaned down with parted lips and waited to finally feel Kara's mouth on hers.

Kara pulled back before Adriane realized what was happening. Confused, she frowned at Kara who now gripped her shoulders at arm's length, a mischievous smile blooming on her face. Gone was any hint of the nervous girl who had met Adriane at the stairs just a few minutes ago.

"What exactly does 'I like you too' mean to you, Barbie?"

"Oh, it definitely means 'I want you,' but it's too easy this way."

"Easy?" Adriane raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, it just dawned on me. Four years of wanting someone, and then it's just 'I like you,' 'I like you too,' 'Okay, let's make out'? Bo-ring! Let's draw this out a little."

"Delayed gratification, huh?" The more I wait, the better it'll end up being… Adriane's smile mirrored Kara's. "You're always playing these games with people."

"Games?" Kara's jewel lit up like a light bulb over her head. "Like tag?" Her hands brushed across Adriane's arms as she let go and backed towards the door with a bounce in her step.

"I'd call you a cocktease, but that doesn't exactly fit here."

"Fun, that's what I am. You know you love it," Kara winked and took off for the entrance hall. "Catch me in the rose garden!"

"Oh, however shall I run in heels?" Adriane dryly called after her. Magic, duh. She surged golden warrior magic through her body, balancing her feet in the pinching shoes that she barely felt anymore. Out of sight, the main entrance squeaked open.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Adriane chased her into the brisk night air, a forest of trees all around and a forest of stars above. Little lamps along the path to the rose garden guided her after the wavering glow of Kara's jewel. After the other girl disappeared behind the rose bushes, Adriane's web of earth magic still sensed where she moved over the grass and stepped upon roots. They were the only souls around; Dreamer and the animals were in the glade, already turned in for the night.

All was still when she reached the trellis at the garden's entrance, but faint threads of magic—sparked up by a blazing star, no doubt—lead her left into the darkness of tall bushes and near-leafless dogwoods. Her feet tread softly as she followed the narrow path between the last fading roses of fall.

Adriane emerged in a little clearing furnished with a long stone bench and a narrow fountain almost as tall as her. She'd come to this quiet and secluded place more than a few times over the years, just to think or sketch.

Her jewel tingled faintly against her wrist. Kara's coming. Smiling to herself, Adriane crouched down between a bush and the fountain and waited.

Kara had apparently given up on running. She sauntered into the clearing with breath a little heavy, gazing at the clouds drifting over the moon rather than watching for her pursuer. The jewel at her neck illuminated her golden hair and beautiful face with a pearly glow. Seeming oblivious, Kara passed barely an arm's length away from her.

Adriane sprang up and caught her by the waist; Kara's shriek dissolved into a laugh as Adriane pulled their bodies together.

"Caught me."

"Yeah, speaking of things that are too easy…."

"Shut up, Xena." Kara stuck out her tongue. I guess this is flirting. I don't even know how to flirt. This is just…talking to Kara like I always do.

"You have any other games that I can win?" Adriane lightly traced her fingers up and down Kara's lower back. Kara shivered at the touch, but slipped her hands onto Adriane's hips.

"Give me a minute to think of something. I don't usually mess with people the way I can mess with you."

"Why?"

"I don't know; I just feel like I can. Maybe because we're still friends even though we've seen the worst of each other—I know you won't judge me. You won't hate me for some dumb reason like everyone else might. Like how Tiffany and I had that three-month fight junior year because we had the same homecoming dress."

"For what it's worth, it looked way better on you."

"Ha, thanks."

They fell quiet in their embrace for what could've been seconds or hours. Despite the chilly air, warmth radiated through Adriane's body from wherever they touched. Fire magic. Useful.

There's something to this delayed gratification. Masochistic. I want to keep talking; I want to see how long we can last—but before this goes further, I need to know something.

"Hey, how about a game of truth or dare?" Adriane finally broke the silence.

Kara beamed. "That's perfect!"

"Okay, you go first, and you'd better pick truth. I need to ask you something."

"Truth, then." As a necklace pendant, Kara's jewel's strategic position drew Adriane's gaze too far south. She quickly looked up and met Kara's eyes again. But I'm pretty sure she didn't do that on accident.

"Why?" Adriane asked. "Why me? Why now?"

Kara laughed and brought her lips to Adriane's ear, breath tingling like frost. "Ever since you broke up with Joey, I've been thinking of when I kissed you. I'm sick of ignoring it. I asked you to dance because I couldn't keep going on like this, not knowing where I stand with you," Kara whispered in a fast and excited voice. "And I want it again. That's been in the back of my mind all this time, but I wouldn't let myself think about it until I was waiting for you in the ballroom tonight."

"I've been thinking about it for four years," Adriane tried not to sound bitter. "Hoping that somehow, you'd want to do it again. Every once in a while, I have dreams about it happening over and over. Sometimes we go even further…"

"I'm so sorry. Just tonight, I realized: what if she wants me too? It wasn't just a light bulb switching on—it was like a supernova—the thought of us together; wanting that just blocked out everything else. Before, I was worried that you were angry with me, maybe ashamed, and that's why you were avoiding me. Now, I was terrified, but when I saw the way you looked at me…I didn't need to be afraid; I didn't need to be careful. We both wanted the same thing."

The wind stirred up a chorus of rustling trees and swirled fallen leaves through the air.

Adriane couldn't hold back anymore. She pressed her lips to Kara's neck and felt a laughing gasp rise through her throat.

"Hey! You broke the rules."

Adriane pulled back just enough to say: "Well you didn't answer my question: why me? Why did kissing me stick with you for so long?" She lightly ran her tongue just below Kara's jaw.

"Why? Because you're Adriane. You're my best friend and I love you and we never agree on anything, but you make life a hell of a lot more fun."

"Does me being a girl not bother you?"

"If I tell myself that you're an exception to the rule, I feel a lot less…confused. What about you?"

"Girls, guys, I'm picky in a lot of ways, but not that one."

Kara tensed as Adriane's teeth pinched her neck, but pulled Adriane's hips tighter against hers. "Somehow, I always figured that. Okay, your turn: truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"When did you decide it was okay to like a shallow blonde cheerleader?"

"Oh, it's never okay to like shallow blonde cheerleaders. I just stopped caring," Adriane said in between kisses and nips. "But I don't know exactly when. Probably after I stopped being jealous."

"No way. You weren't jealous of me. Really?"

"Are you being sarcastic? You're rich, gorgeous, and popular. The magic loves you. Who wouldn't be jealous? I felt like a traitor to outcast-dom just thinking about liking you."

"Why would you be jealous of that? You don't need money. You don't need people to like you. You don't need to be hot—I mean, not that you're not, but—ow! Damn, Xena, don't bite so hard."

"Sorry, sorry. I get it," Adriane smiled against Kara's neck.

"What I mean is that you've never needed any of that to be happy—and the magic might like me better, but it listens to you. I could never control it they way you can. And honestly, I've always been a little jealous of that. I just have stuff; you can do stuff that I could never do."

Of all the things that I've never expected to hear in my entire life, Kara Davies being jealous of me just tops it.

The thirsty fountain's gurgling filled a moment of silence.

"Barbie, I'm so shocked that I'm going to faint." Adriane stepped back, drawing Kara with her, until she felt the stone bench on her calves. "Actually, my feet just hurt."

Arms around her waist, Adriane pulled Kara to her lap as she lowered herself onto the bench. She kicked off the pinching shoes and they landed softly in the grass.

"But they're such cute heels," Kara said with mock dismay.

"Yeah, adorably blistering. Don't be jealous, Barbie. You're okay the way you are." Jewel glowing silver with a vein of blue, Adriane touched a finger to the dark red spot on Kara's neck.

"Oh, just okay? Wait, what are you doing?"

"Healing what's going to be a nasty hickey. I'm not a fan of leaving bruises on people."

"Bulwoggles and manticores would disagree."

"People who aren't bloodthirsty monsters." Blue light pulsed at Kara's neck, shrinking the dark spot until it disappeared. "All clear."

"Aw, what if I wanted to keep it?"

"Your friends and your brother would never shut up."

"I could cover it with makeup."

"If you're going to whine, I'll make you another one." Adriane went to her neck again, but Kara's hand covered her lips.

"Nah, I'd rather have variety." Kara pulled herself closer and slowly stroked the back of Adriane's neck, as one of Adriane's hands slid below Kara's hip while the other entwined itself in her hair. With a crafty smile, Kara leaned in. Finally. Adriane closed her eyes and opened her lips just as Kara's mouth covered hers.

There was nothing tentative like the first time. The moment they touched, Kara kissed her hard and deeply, and Adriane drew back for only short gasping breaths before joining with her again. Adriane's tongue slipped into her mouth and twisted with Kara's as they groped feverishly at each other's bodies. A cold breeze invaded Adriane's light strapless dress; she pulled Kara closer for warmth, until she felt Kara's breasts rise and fall against hers and imagined that she could feel a faint heartbeat.

Before she realized what happened, Adriane lay on her back, sprawled across the stone bench with something heavy on her hips. Her eyes flew open to find Kara straddling her and wearing that same clever smile as her red dress rode dangerously up her thighs.

"You let your guard down."

"Because I should be paranoid when I'm making out with someone." Adriane rolled her eyes.

"I'm pretty devious. You never know what I'll try to pull." Kara grasped Adriane by the shoulders, as if she needed to hold her down. "It's my turn now. You're too rough."

"Do your worst."

Kara leaned down at the most cleavage-baring angle possible, giving Adriane a clear view of everything lit up by her pink-pulsing jewel before she kissed her softly on the lips, then did the same to her chin and worked quickly down her neck. Adriane tried to restrain herself from laughing or quivering at the ticklish touch of Kara's lips and hair strewn across her bare skin.

Kara hesitated at the top of her chest.

"Hey, I was enjoying that," Adriane said with faux-anger.

"Sorry I stopped, it's just…how are we going to explain this. I mean, to Emily and everyone else. How will they react?"

Adriane felt Kara's lips smile against her skin. "Between the empathy and mind-reading powers, Emily won't be surprised. She's been dropping hints about it for a while, but you know her: too discrete. Ozzie—"

"—Will be shocked, but he'll get over it. And Lorren and Zach have no right to complain, after their thing."

"They won't be complaining; they'll be amused," Adriane said.

"It'll be awkward with Marlin."

"Everything's awkward with Marlin. Tasha will want to study the effects of relationships on how well mages mix auras or something."

A loud crow's caw startled them both. Adriane looked up to see the huge bird flying over, silhouetted against the moon.

"Hey, do you remember mixing our auras?" Kara whispered. "It was amazing, the most surreal thing I've ever felt."

Adriane did remember. It had spun her like a roller coaster ride: she fell thrillingly close to losing herself, but trusted Kara to move with her and take her thoughts and magic without judging or resisting, just as Adriane did for her. The rush and reassurance of something frightening but safe: she loved it.

"You want to do it again?"

"Please." As soon as Kara spoke, silver and gold light engulfed her jewel.

"I've always wanted to try it directly—no merging a little bit of magic first, just all at once through our jewels."

Kara cautiously took Adriane's right wrist and wrapped her jewel in pink and white. "Are you sure? Isn't this more unstable."

"Yeah, but we've never been more…in tune with each other before. You get your experiment; I get mine. We'll report the data to Tasha."

"Fine, fine—and no to that last one."

Slowly, as if running through water, Adriane pushed her magic into Kara's as she felt Kara's do the same to hers.

Kara moved down her chest with slow and lingering kisses. Wispy clouds floated over the moon; Adriane stared at the sky bordered with rose bushes, trying to calm her heart that beat faster and faster as Kara's lips drifted further down.

Concentrate, concentrate. They filled each other with foreign magic. Kara's aura spun with her own and surged fire magic through Adriane's veins. In burning streams, it flooded and receded like the tide inside her chest, weathering her resolve to grains of sand. That's not helping.

Kara paused just before Adriane's dress began, with her breath dancing over her in hot waves. Adriane laid a free hand on her own chest and lightly brushed her fingers to Kara's cheek. The top of the strapless satin dress moved smoothly against Adriane's fingertips while she toyed with it, slipping it up and down—and then even lower. Her heart and magic churned like a tempest in anticipation of where Kara's hands and mouth would travel next.

Suddenly, Kara pressed her lips to the newly-naked skin; Adriane's gasp deepened the kiss.

Her magic boiled over with a flash of golden light that forced her body and aura to recoil; her eyes squeezed shut. Kara clenched against her as her magic too snapped back. Someone screamed, maybe both.

It sizzled flat as quickly as it had ruptured.

"Are you okay? Damn level three." Still lying on the bench, Adriane turned her head so Kara couldn't see her embarrassment. "So unstable."

Kara's body shook with laughter on top of hers. "It's just a bad night for that. My fault, really. That was a little too…far." Kara pulled Adriane and herself upright; Adriane leaned in and quickly ran her tongue across Kara's lips.

"No," Adriane said quickly. "Just too sudden. If you did it again, when we weren't trying some advanced feat of magic…."

"An advanced feat of magic that we'll try again some other time." Kara pushed her tongue into Adriane's mouth.

Adriane pulled back just enough to speak. "Too bad, Barbie. I'm really curious about what's in your head tonight."

"Me too." Kara grinned deviously. "Tell me, Xena: if I saw your mind, what would it be thinking about?"

"You'd like it better if I showed you." Adriane returned the grin. She took Kara's face in her hands and kissed her deeply. My turn again.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

That's the end! Thank you to all of my readers and reviewers! If you want, please review with constructive criticism, suggestions, one-line comments, one-word comments, whatever!