Well what can I say? It has been so long since I updated. I recently started an OITNB story and it helped me get some motivation back. I have no idea if people are still interested in this story so I'm posting a chapter to test the waters so to speak. I did want to do an authors note to check first but I know how frustrating it can be when you are reading a story and get an email notifying you of a new chapter and it isn't one. I did have a couple of lovely messages come through a few months ago from helloyouknoxthefox and whykay91 so I would like to say special thanks for those. I won't ramble on anymore so thanks everyone who has ever reviewed this story and if there is still interest in this let me know. I have a couple of ideas floating around up there so would be good to get the story continued if it is wanted. hope you enjoy chapter 5

I have to admit, when Emily told me exactly how I would be viewing the Grand Canyon, my gut gave an unpleasant lurch. My hangover had slightly subsided, but I was still feeling a little queasy. The last thing I wanted to happen was to throw up over 100 feet in the air and onto the spectators below.

Taking several deep breaths, I looked above at the metal bar and held on for dear life.

"Blimey, her knuckles are ever so white Thomas," Pandora observed.

I didn't acknowledge her and instead closed my eyes ready for the inevitable take off. Thankfully it came when I was expecting it so I only emitted a tiny squeal. I heard a distant 'Hold on tight' which sounded like Emily. She didn't have to worry there though.

I peeked one eye open and gasped at the sight. I was fully aware that I was only viewing a small portion of the wonderful place, but it was breathtaking all the same. There was a vast amount of open space inhabited by the occasional cluster of trees. I wasn't able to see the Colorado River from the zipline position, but that didn't matter to me. I felt free and liberated. For those few minutes I realised how relevant the saying 'free as a bird' was. I was soaring above the wonderful Canyon and free. Free from all of my worries and troubles, free from hasty weddings and recently estranged ex boyfriends. I could just be. It was with great disappointment that the ride swung to make a u turn back to land.

Pandora released me from my harness while Emily said her goodbyes to Thomas, before hugging the crazy blonde. Pandora animatedly gave me a hug as well, or rather squeezed the life out of me. She waved goodbye like an excitable child.

"So what did you think? It's amazing isn't it?" Emily asked eagerly, as we made our trek back to the car. "There is a more intense one where you can ride for four hours for over 8 thousand feet but you need to attend a course first and this was a spur of the moment kind of thing."

She stopped rambling, and I was grateful that she didn't actually enrol me on the course. I loved it but I wasn't sure four hours up there would be great for my nerves. I couldn't help but agree more with her about how amazing the ride was though. Unfortunately I couldn't voice this across as I was currently fighting the urge not to throw up my breakfast in the nearest bush. Emily took my non-existent response as a negative reaction and started to apologise profusely. I raised my hand to silence her, not yet trusting myself to speak. The nausea passed after a couple of minutes and I finally deemed myself fit enough to speak.

"Sorry I was just trying not to throw up my food all over your shoes," I admitted, garnering an amused giggle from Emily. "It was amazing Emily, thank you.

She beamed back at my smile and the words of gratitude and butterflies unexpectedly stirred within my stomach. Needless to say in true Naomi style I quashed them down, blaming them on my exhilaration of travelling so many feet in the air with only a harness. I resisted the urge to kiss Emily's rosy cheeks, even if it would just be a friendly peck to show my gratitude.

We carried on walking back to the car in a comfortable silence, the only sounds interrupting us being that of the surrounding nature and the occasional 'Hello' Emily offered to fellow passing tourists.

I took the silence as an opportunity to think about what a difference 24 hours makes. In that time I had broken up with my boyfriend, got intoxicated to the point where I got married without having any recollection whatsoever and I had apparently changed my sexual preference. My fingers subconsciously traced the marks on my neck from the wedding night. Fuck this was turning into a memorable holiday.

It was also confusing. I couldn't decide if What happened in Vegas should stay in Vegas. If it did, that would mean going back to Bristol a single and soon to be divorced woman. My resolve to staying away from Freddie would undoubtedly dissolve and we would be back in the same situation. There would be no Emily. I wasn't sure how I felt about that.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Emily bumped her shoulder with mine. "Or should that be a cent for your thoughts, considering where we are?"

I chuckled at her, marvelling at how sweet she could be when she went off on her little ramblings.

"I was just wondering what escapades Cook has planned for us tonight."

The lie slipped off my tongue easily. I may have acted out of character so far by not running from the situation but I sure as hell wasn't going to open up about my feelings on a whim.

"I dread to think," she said. "He's a funny character isn't he?"

"Oh he's definitely a character," I agreed.

"I don't usually like Katie's boy toys but he led me to you so it's hard not to like him.

We came to a halt as the car came into view, and I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks over her words. She didn't bat an eyelid and I was amazed at how she could freely say what she felt without fear of any backlash or embarrassment. She maintained eye contact and moistened her lips with her tongue. I was frozen to the spot, my heart and head in a furious battle. My head was screaming for me to run and my heart was telling me to just lean in and kiss her first. My headache became more intense and my heart beat erratically as though the battle was physical. The decision was out of my hands as I felt her warm, luscious lips up my own while her hands reached their way into my hair. Her fingers unintentionally massaged my head which actually helped with the ache. I kissed her back, just so she didn't feel awkward. Or so I told myself. It wasn't because our lips melded together beautifully and felt as though they were always meant to meet. She broke the kiss and cupped my face with her hands. Resting her forehead on mine, she gave me her second intense stare of the day which I started to reciprocate but failed miserably when my eyes fluttered downwards, her coffee coloured orbs too much to take.

"I'm sorry, I just had to do that."

I shook my head to tell her not to apologise and that she had to be the one to make the first move, for I was just a coward.

"Emily, I-"

My voice was interrupted by Emily's phone which vibrated on my leg, causing me to jump at the unexpected feeling. She reached into her jeans pocket and a glance at the screen told us it was Katie. Her thumb hovered over the reject button but I interjected.

"Answer it. It might be important."

"What, like she's broke a nail?" she replied, her voice laced with bitterness.

I raised my eyebrows, fighting back the urge to laugh. Emily and Katie may have shared a womb, but they couldn't be more opposite from each other if they tried.

"Argh, fine," she growled after a minute of the phone ringing. She answered and turned her back to me walking a few feet away. I didn't mind the distance. It gave me a few minutes to compose myself from the honest and open conversation we could have potentially had. Plus the intimacy was on the verge of becoming far too much for me to handle.

"No Katie, I'm not doing it," Emily shouted as she slowly walked back towards me. "What? Ok whatever. Fine I'll be there soon."

"Seems all is not well in paradise," I commented in attempt to lighten the atmosphere.

"You really don't want to know," she scraped her hand through her vivid red hair and looked off into the distance before down at my makeshift seat on a log. She offered her hand to me which I accepted so I could get back onto my feet easier.

"I'm really sorry Naoms, but I have to go."

I nodded in understanding, even though I didn't know what Katie found so urgent to take Emily from our date. We made the drive back to the hotel in silence, both of us stewing over our own thoughts. Emily frowned and constantly checked her rearview and side mirrors, a look of slight panic on her face.

"We're being followed," she stated simply, as though it were a regular occurrence.

"What do you mean we're being followed?" I asked, turning around in my seat to get a view of the car behind.

"Don't," Emily swerved the car slightly as she rushed to put her hand on my arm.

She pressed a button and the roof returned to the car, causing an unbearable heat to descend into the vehicle. "Open the glove box."

I obeyed her instruction and picked up the two items in there. I threw her a quizzical look.

"Put them on."

"But I don't like-"

"Just do it Naomi, please."

I grumbled and placed the cap and sunglasses on. I checked my reflection and decided I was justified in my dislike for wearing caps.

"Brace yourself," Emily said. She slammed on the brakes and skidded left into an alleyway.

I gasped in shock as she checked her mirrors. Her triumphant look told me that she had been successful and the following car hadn't foreseen her plan to dodge them. She quickly reversed onto the main road that we came from and carried on driving to the hotel.

"They'll be waiting on the other side of the alleyway," she explained.

"And who the fuck are they?"

"They, are the one of the perks of being Katie Fitch's sister," she answered, sarcasm and resentfulness laced in her tone.

"You aren't like Katie are you?"

"Try telling that to the rest of the world," she answered my remark.

I didn't pry further. If there was something Emily wanted to tell me, she would. The rest of the drive was uneventful and we arrived back at the hotel in one piece. Emily pulled up to the entrance and used the handbrake to secure the car although the engine was still running.

"About fucking time Ems," Katie spat, her lisp being more apparent when she was angry. "C'mon Blondie. Places to go, people," she emphasized the word people for Emily's benefit, "to see."

Emily just scowled at her and fixed her eyes onto the road ahead.

"I guess I'll see you later then?" I ignored Katie's hostility and turned my head towards Emily, my fingers poised on the handle of the car door.

Her expression softened and she placed her sunglasses atop her head.

"See you later, Naoms."

I smiled at the nickname she seemed to adopt for me.

"And thank you for-"

"Ahem, hello?" Katie tapped her heel impatiently.

"Shut up Katie. If you moved aside then maybe she could actually get out of the car."

Katie huffed and moved as Emily suggested. I mouthed a thank you towards her and promptly exited the car. They drove off almost straight away and I stood there for a moment watching the car get smaller the further away it went.

"Sexy ain't she?"

I jumped as Cook breathed down my ear, breaking me from my trance.

"Are you talking about your girlfriend or my wife?" I quipped.

"Both Blondie," he laughed manically. "I got to admit I'm loving this new look on you."

He focussed his eyes on my neck and above for once. "She's changed you already."

He tapped the peek of the cap I was wearing for emphasis and I whipped it off and placed it backwards onto his head. He draped an affectionate arm over me, and watched as the car turned a corner and disappeared from view.

"We're fucked, Naomikins."

I couldn't agree more.