Part XXXIX

She ran her brush gently through her hair, her eyes staring at the vanity mirror. She wasn't looking at herself though. Her eyes were intently watching her wife who was sitting silently on the edge of the bed. The night have been nothing but silent for the two of them. Marissa wanted to worry but couldn't. She had to at least give Alex some space.

The game.

Marissa couldn't even try to imagine the thought of Juvy's hand on Alex's hands again. But it was out of her hands. She can't really stop Alex from playing and she can't stop the coach from fielding in Juvy. Her gaze returned to her reflection. Marissa knew she was prettier. She made faces in front of the mirror, trying to see if she still was no matter how much she tried to make a ridiculous face.

She heard a soft chuckle and then felt warm lips on her cheek.

"At last, a smile." Marissa turned pulling Alex into a kiss but Alex gently moved away from her.

"What's wrong?" Marissa asked, her hand finding her fiancé's, not letting it slip further away.

"Nothing." Alex smiled leaning to kiss Marissa on the forehead.

"You've been like… With me yet… Your mind is…" Marissa tried to explain her doubts replaying last night's events in her mind.

She turned around realizing Alex had just arrived. She stood up and greeted her fiancé who was now by the door. Marissa placed a kiss on Alex's cheek but the blonde didn't respond. She just walked pass her, straight to the kitchen.

In the back of her mind, Marissa started to wonder. Was there something wrong?

"I'm fine…"

"Promise?" Marissa asked again, her hand still holding on to Alex's.

Tiredly Marissa moved off Alex and lay next to her. She wiped the sweat on her forehead and struggled to say the words. Alex never had a problem before. Marissa was always able to get her there.

"Alex…"

"It's ok. It's me. Must be the tension for tomorrow. We'll get to do it next time."

"But…"

Alex simply moved to her side and gave her a reassuring kiss.

"Let's get some sleep…" The blonde smiled leaving Marissa's questions unanswered.

Alex didn't say anything. She didn't respond to Marissa. She just gave her smile then moved away. Marissa stared at her fleeing form, still confused, still worried. She turned to the vanity mirror, maybe Alex needed some time to concentrate on the biggest game of her life.

----

"Jodie, you can't. You know you can't." Summer shook her head in defiance.

Her wife was standing just in front of her in an LA Sparks' jersey, her belly evidently visible.

"But it's Alex's last game with the bitch for the regular season. I want to see her play. Come one baby. Please?"

"Jodie, don't baby me. The doctor said you can't travel much and you can't stay on crowded people. The babies don't like that much noise. They get disturbed. So we're watching the game here."

"Baby… Baby…" Jodie pleaded tugging Summer's arm.

Her wife didn't want to look at her. Her puppy dog eyes could really kill. Summer wasn't going to give in that easily though. Her wife and their daughters' safety are her priority.

"Do that Jodie and I'll sleep on the couch. I'm warning you."

"You sleep on the couch? You must be joking." Jodie chuckled knowing that Summer wouldn't last sleeping on a couch for an hour at maximum.

"Try me." Summer dared huffing towards their kitchen.

----

She stared at her computer long and hard. Her clothes neatly placed on their queen size bed. Her gaze grew more serious.

"Better get ready or we'll be late." Bianca came out of the bathroom, wearing a robe.

"Just give me a minute ok? I'm just trying to check on some things."

"Like what?"

"Like some pictures. I'll be done in a second."

Bianca rolled her eyes and scanned her closet.

"You'll never get dressed if you always think about work. Take a pause. It's not the last game of the season. The team is IN the playoffs. So you have more games to worry about. Can't I have a date with you not holding a laptop or your blackberry?" Bianca muttered turning to look at her girlfriend who wasn't typing anymore.

"What?" Bianca asked feeling a little bit awkward with her girlfriend's stare.

"I'm sorry." Beth sighed, standing up.

She walked over to Bianca and gave her a loving hug. They stood there for a few minutes till Bianca leaned up to give her girlfriend a kiss. The kiss, slowly but surely grew passionate.

"Hon…" Beth whispered, her lips finding Bianca's neck.

"Hmm?"

"I don't think Alex would mind if we miss the game…" Beth's hands were now on the strings of Bianca's robe, dangerously lurking on the opening.

With a soft peck on her girlfriend's lips, Bianca gave out a sly grin saying,

"I don't mind missing it either."

----

Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! We're live at the Staple's Center for the last game of the regular season between the LA Sparks and the New York Liberties.

Currently, the standing is 1-0 favoring our Sparks but don't get to excited folks. The previous game was tightly contested and the absence of Alex Cohen was a barometer for the scoring distribution of the Sparks. Though Alex Cohen is playing tonight, only the almighty knows what Catherine Dunn has in store. This would be the first time that the two rivals would be playing against each other since that big trade. And with Inna Van Stein back, will the rotation adjust to accommodate three guards? We have reports that Catherine will be playing the small forward position. Alex Cohen, considering her height and since Inna plays a natural shooting guard, might be forced to play small forward.

Alex could hear the crowd outside of the locker room. It was so loud she could barely hear the coach's last minute pointers. Juvy was sitting beside her, glancing at her, aching to talk to her. But Alex was in no mood to talk to Juvy: not about the kiss, not about the two of them. Marissa was right outside: sitting behind their bench, cheering her on. She needed to tell Marissa the truth. No matter how simple the kiss could be, it could change everything.

Did she like Juvy?

Was she giving up Marissa?

But she loves Marissa.

What now?

Alex was so confused she couldn't even talk. She was afraid to say something she would regret. She was afraid to lose whatever it is she had left.

"Ok. Juvy, you start at point. Inna, I need you at the two-guard. Alex you have to go up against Dunn…" Jill instructed but failed to finish.

Alex broke her silence and surprised them all.

"I'm not starting. I need to… I need to deal with something."

"Why? We need you… I need you." Juvy replied, whispering the last part.

"I have to deal with this alone. It doesn't concern you." Alex answered.

Jill had no choice of course. She can't field in players especially if they feel unfit to play. She also considered the fact that Alex wasn't feeling good. She took her chances.

"I need you before half time Alex."

"Yes coach. Thanks." Alex smiled gripping her phone.

"Luisa, center. Kath, you take Alex's place. Jenny, you play forward. Let's go girls. It's game time." Jill clapped her hands and led the team out.

Juvy stayed behind.

"Is this about the kiss?" She asked, hoping Alex was having second thoughts.

"No. It was just a kiss Juvy. Nothing more. What's eating me is why I allowed you to kiss me."

"It was just a kiss." Juvy explained but Alex turned away.

"It could mean so much more to my fiancé."

Seeing how pale and depressed Alex looked, Juvy took pity. She wanted Alex Cohen but not this way. She wanted Alex to want the kiss, not to regret it.

"Do you love her that much?" Juvy asked wrapping her arms around herself.

"I do. I just…"

"I made you confused."

"No. Am I capable of doing more?"

"What do you mean?"

"Being unfaithful."

"You're won't…" Juvy took Alex's right hand and noticed the blonde didn't wear her usual arm band.

"I already did. By kissing you."

"Like I said…. It was just a kiss."

"Isn't this what you wanted?" Alex turned her eyes angry.

"No."

"Why kiss me? Why make me feel this… torment?"

"I wanted you to want me Alex. But you didn't even come up to my apartment. You went home Alex. You didn't stay with me."

"Should that make me feel better?" Alex breathed out.

"Alex… You never cheated on anyone or anything your whole life. Haven't you?"

"No."

"Then leave it at that Alex Cohen. Leave it with the kiss we shared last night. I want you to love me Alex. I kissed you because I hoped it would lead you to me. That somehow you'll feel the same way and kiss me back: again and again. But one kiss was all it took and you're this broken person. I don't want to break you Alex. I want to be the one to complete you."

"I don't know what I want anymore." Alex sighed taking a seat on the bench.

Clap your hands and shout at the top of you lungs! Here are the starters for your LA Sparks!

"I better go. I'll be here Alex, if you decide to pick me… In case I was even an option." With a sad smile, Juvy left the blonde alone in the locker room.

----

"What are you doing?" Jodie stared at her wife who was fixing the couch.

"I'm sleeping here tonight."

"Why?"

"You're still up for the game since you're wearing the attire." Summer replied pointing out the Jersey and the shoes.

"I want to watch it live. You HAVE tickets."

"You're PREGNANT and extremely sensitive when it comes to tension and stress. I don't want you to deliver those twins earlier than expected."

Jodie didn't respond to Summer. She just eyed her wife who was trying to figure out how she was going to lay on the couch comfortably. Realizing Summer was dead serious about sleeping on the couch, Jodie gave in.

"Fine Sum… Just… Don't sleep on the couch. I don't want to be the receiving end of the numerous complaints you could throw if I let you."

"YAY!" Summer jumped and hugged her wife tight.

They smiled and shared a tender kiss. Jodie wouldn't regret her decision. Summer made sure of that.

----

They exchanged gentle kisses and words of love. Their naked bodies were feeling each other. Bianca sat and straddled Beth who lay on the bed. She would lean in from time to time to kiss her girlfriend's neck.

"Ummm…"

"What?" Bianca asked looking down at Beth.

"We need to do it again." Beth sat up, holding Bianca in place.

"Aren't you going off to… Type or watch the… Game?" Bianca asked feeling Beth's lips on her neck.

The kisses were warm and gentle. Bianca could hardly say things properly.

"No. I have better things to do…"

Lips touched the base of Bianca's neck, making her moan.

They missed the game. Beth missed five business calls for the first time since becoming Alex's manager.

----

Marissa's eyes wondered off to the length of the bench. Her gaze went to the court and didn't find her fiancé. Alex would never be set aside on the starting line up. Not while she's the best in the team.

"Where is she?" Marissa asked worriedly.

The empty seats beside her couldn't give her answers much to her dismay.

----

Alex stayed in the locker room. She could hear disappointed sighs from the crowd. New York must be leading. Dunn could practically do all the damage for them. Alex sighed and took a ball in her hands. She couldn't even feel that fire in her. She wasn't up for playing to night.

"What's wrong?" Marissa asked.

Alex turned to her fiancé who looked distraught. She sighed knowing Marissa isn't insensitive. The woman could practically feel the change in her without saying the word.

"I'm just not feeling well."

"Why are you lying to me?" Marissa asked trying to hold back her tears.

She has had enough of the strange air between her and the blonde. There was something not right and her guts were 100 sure.

"I don't want to lose you." Alex stood up letting go of the basketball.

"Then tell me."

"I kissed Juvy."

It was out in the open now. Alex could see Marissa's eyes widen but then soften once more. Alex prepared for the worst.

"You kissed her first?" Marissa asked trying to make sure what she was being informed with.

She could feel her heart race. She was afraid, not angry. She was supposed to be angry, but she was afraid. What was she afraid of?

"She kissed me first."

It was a simple reply but the air didn't clear. Alex could feel the tension mounting.

"Do you want to be with her?" Marissa asked earnestly.

"Do you want me to break up with you?" Alex replied with a question.

She didn't want to prolong her agony. With Marissa's family history, Alex could understand if Marissa felt betrayed. It maybe a kiss, but it was still within their relationship. A kiss she shared with another woman other than Marissa.

"Don't ask me to do something I spent half my life trying not to do. I lost you Alex. I can't lose you again."

"Is that you saying everything is fine?"

"No. Alex."

"Then?"

"This is me, asking you, do you want to be with her?"

"No. I want to be with you."

"Then stop saying thousands of words and just tell me you're sorry. I've had enough of losing you Alex. I could barely stand being without you. Don't make me hurt us again Alex. Don't let me push you away." Marissa pleaded, tears falling from her eyes.

With open arms she received Alex's body. They shared an embrace, a long comfortable one.

"I'm sorry. I'll try not to let her do that again."

"You over analyze things, Alex."

"Sorry."

"As long as you don't do it intentionally, as long as you don't initiate it, sharing a kiss is alright with me."

"If she kisses me again…" Alex started to say, looking straight into Marissa's eyes.

"I'll kill her." Marissa finished for her, leaning to kiss Alex's lips.

The kiss they shared was long and passionate: Tongues grazing the other, arms desperately pulling the other closer.

"Definitely the best kisser…" Alex muttered breathlessly earning a smile and another long kiss.

Marissa gently pulled away. She smiled, amused to see her fiancé leaning to get another kiss from her.

"Easy tiger. More later. You have a game to play."

"Promise?" Alex asked, her sight seemed to be blurred by intense feelings.

"Uhum… Think you'd win?"

"What if we don't?"

"I get to be the one on top." Marissa smirked leaning to give Alex a quick kiss.

"Hey Alex… Oh… Sorry. The coach wanted to see if you're good to go. Hi Marissa." Mike, the assistant coach, came bursting in.

"I'm good. See you later. Love you."

"Don't win ok?" Marissa joked winking at her fiancé.

"Don't count on it." Alex replied, obviously feeling better.

Marissa watched her fiancé come out of the locker room. She let out a sad smile realizing what she was afraid of. She could get mad and throw benches towards her almost-ex-fiance. But she didn't. She remembered the day she threw a golden ring at the same blonde. If she overreacted today, she could have lost her again. Just because of one silly kiss.

Marissa couldn't blame her heart. No matter how much she could think, compared to one kiss, losing Alex was harder.

Juvy still needs to know Alex was hers though. Just to make sure the incident never happens again.

With a smile, Marissa went out of the locker room.

Well folks we're still tied. Catherine Dunn is making minced meat out of her defenders though. Wait. Do you see what I see ladies and gentlemen? Alex Cohen just came out of the locker rooms. Game time folks. Let the real game begin!