Hi Everyone!

Sorry for the long delay in getting this posted, but it's here now! This is a continuation of my story between Kim Harrison's Rachel & Ivy. I do not own any characters mentioned. I am just letting my imagination take these two lovely ladies where I would like to see them go. Please keep in mind, my opinions are not Kim's. This is strictly a work of my imagination.

Oh yes, this is about a romatic love between to women. If that doesn't please you, I suggest you turn back now! This is the last chapter that is rated T for teen. Then next will be Mature.

I hope you enjoy my work, and please, please please Review!

PJ.

Chapter 4

Slowly letting her fingers relax and drop from Rachel's hand, Ivy sat back in her corner of the bed. "Yes, you're here Rachel, but are you sure this is what you want?" Slowly dragging her pillow to her chest Ivy sat thinking about it. "Just give me a sec Rachel, I'm not ignoring you, I just need to – to think."

Trying not to fidget, Rachel sat and watched Ivy as she thought. Geez, am I making a fool of myself here? Does she think I don't know what I want? Mirroring Ivy's position, Rachel pulled the throw that was on the bottom of the bed into her lap. "Ivy, I-"

"Rachel, shut up for a minute," Ivy interrupted her.

Feeling offended, Rachel threw the spread back off of herself and started to get off the bed. "You know what, Ivy? Just forget it!"

Reaching out, Ivy snagged the back of Rachel's top. "Just chill for a second. Cripes, your temper is almost as short as Jenks!" Giving it is good tug, Ivy jerked Rachel back onto the bed. "Just sit there a minute." Running her fingers through her hair, Ivy continued, "Do you have any idea how long I've been hoping for this? I'd finally given up, Rachel. So to have you come in here at the crack of dawn, and finally say this, I'm just making sure what I want to say comes out right." Huffing, Ivy muttered, "Just, just sit there for one freaking minute will you?"

This time Ivy got off the bed and paced beside it. Rachel scooted back on the bed until she was again in the corner of the bed with the throw pulled up over her lap. She sat with eyes wide and watched Ivy pace back and forth while she nervously pulled at a loose thread of the throw.

Stopping in mid stride, Ivy spun around on her toes until she faced the bed. "Okay, Rach, you said you had a bunch of questions for me. I want to hear them before I say anything. You just heard me say that I've wanted this for a long time, but I'm not sure exactly what you want. God, you have no idea how long." Closing her eyes, Ivy whispered, "Please Rachel, just take a deep breath and say it all."

After running her gaze over Ivy's face, Rachel adjusted her position until she could rest her chin on her knees. Knowing that Ivy would still be able to hear her, Rachel took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and in a fast whisper said, "I can't stop dreaming about you. Of us. I don't think of any other woman like I do you. I love you as more than a friend. I think you're the most beautiful woman I know. I'm tired of trying to fight it." She paused to take another breath and gather some more courage. ""I want to know if you still love me? If you still want me? Am I making a fool of myself?"

After what seemed like eternity for Rachel, she opened her eyes to see Ivy crouched in front of her on the floor, with her head cocked to one side. "I – that's it. Please say something."

Rachel watched as Ivy's eyes slowly changed from vamp black, back to show her beautiful brown irises. As she straightened her head up, Ivy's smile blossomed across her face. In a smoke filled voice, she said, "I dream about you – us, all the time too. For so long I would wake up depressed because I thought my dreams would never come true." Ivy waited until she was sure that she had Rachel's full attention, "I know you are the most beautiful woman I know, both inside and out.

"And no Rachel, you are not making a fool of yourself. I still love you and want you." As her eyes filled with tears, Ivy closed them. "I've been in love with you for over two years now Rachel, and just plain loved you for even longer." Ivy whispered. As the first tears fell to her cheeks, Ivy continued, "And no matter what happens or doesn't happen today, I will always be your friend, Rachel."

Slowly with eyes on Ivy face, Rachel leaned forward until she could brush the tears from Ivy's skin. Ivy's eyes fluttered open to watch as Rachel moved until she was sitting on her knees. With a quick chuckle Rachel asked "So, what do we do now?"

"Did you hear me Rachel? I want you to be very clear on this. No matter what, we are still friends, right? I won't go any further if we can't promise that to each other. No moving out either."

"Yes, Ivy, I understand. And no running away either. If I can't do this, I want us to be able to talk about it," Rachel insisted. "I want you to promise me that too." Taking a shuddering breath, she continued, "If Al's right, you and I are going to know each other for a very, very long time. I don't want to ruin that. You're my best friend."

Ivy slowly rose up to her knees, so that she was closer in hight to Rachel. When she held out her hands, Rachel slipped her own into them. With their eyes on each others, they both said, "I promise."