I realize it's been a LONG time since I updated. I've just been so busy with school :(

So to make up for it, this chapter is 10 pages long on my word processor. Fair warning: there are several smut scenes. Please leave a review telling me what you think and I'll definitely try to update as soon as possible!

-Sky


"Chapter 7 – Zombie Dance"

"I love the way that you bleed; it's dripping over me. My tongue is loving the taste of skin between my teeth. It's like a dead masquerade, so come and dance with me. My flesh, it starts to decay; I'm dropping to my knees…" – Escape the Fate

Three weeks later.

When it came to Natalie, Cat had a hard time saying no.

She kept telling herself that after she got her birth control, she would spend more time at home; she promised herself that she would be with Robbie more. But Natalie had a way of convincing her otherwise.

Maybe it was the gleam in her bright blue eyes that reminded her of Jade and the rare occasions where she would smile—her favorite memory being when they when to Six Flags when they were eight and Jade kept genuinely laughing at how scared the then-brunette was—or maybe it was the insanely inviting pucker of her always ruby lips. When Cat was younger, her brother used to call her a little doll, but Natalie's porcelain skin and her otherworldly features made her out to be a living doll, and Cat couldn't help but want to play with her.

She wasn't much for putting her foot down (much due to her non-confrontational behavior), so she spent as much time at home as she did with Natalie. And in the past week, she noticed Jade growing increasingly annoyed with her bi-diurnal absences. It almost made her scared to go home out of fear of the Gothic mother exploding on her.

However, she was determined to go home more than she went with her delinquent friend.

So instead of taking her normal seat in the front of her French class, Cat opted for one of the empty seats in the back. She kept her head low, hoping Natalie wouldn't see her, but it didn't occur to her that her red velvet locks would stand out like a sore thumb.

She was busy scanning her notebook, rewriting the last of her notes to prepare for the oncoming quiz. She'd done virtually no studying, what with running around with Cassie, helping her mom decorate her new condo in Verona Beach, making sure the last of her brother's honeymoon plans wouldn't fall through after he personally asked her to help, as well as the constant partying with Natalie.

She was burnt out, but she brought it on herself.

"I didn't peg you for a back of the class kind of girl," the tall, obsidian-haired vixen quipped as she took the free seat beside the redhead.

"I'm really tired," Cat lied as she kept rewriting her notes. Normally, she hated lying, but now she didn't feel so bad about lying to Natalie. "I don't want the teacher to see if I fall asleep."

"Well it isn't my fault," Natalie announced, a hint of resentment in her voice. "Are you staying with me tonight?"

"I don't know," the redhead hummed sadly.

"Come on," Natalie urged. "You haven't been over in a few days. I'm starting to miss you."

So Natalie had feelings for her, too? Is that what she meant by 'I'm starting to miss you?' If so, Cat definitely knew she couldn't spend any more nights with her sultry friend It was bad enough that the feelings that were meant for boys were being spent on this new girl that reminded her far too much of her best friend, but it was worse when that girl requited those unnatural feelings. She was meant to be with Robbie; it was natural, it was sweet, it was loving, and it was right. Being with Natalie—or Jade…or any other girl, for that matter—was wrong. She wasn't supposed to like girls, even if her mother said it was okay. Her mother didn't date girls, didn't marry a girl, and didn't have kids with a girl. Cat understood that she could never raise Cassie with Natalie, and she could never have more kids with Natalie, should she ever want them.

She had no choice but to be faithful to Robbie, and she couldn't do that in another girl's bed.

"I really can't," the tiny redhead whispered.

"Why not?" the raven-haired temptress questioned. But there was something else in her voice that Cat couldn't quit put her finger on. It sounded...irritated, maybe? Worried? Jealous? Resentful? She just couldn't tell.

But whatever it was, she didn't like it.

"I need to be home," she stated meekly.

"Alright, class," Dr. Beasom announced as he strolled into the room, "Put away all materials except for your pencil and a scantron. We'll begin the quiz shortly."

"Joey scored some strawberry kush," Natalie whispered excitedly as she rustled through her bag for her scantron. "It's some really good weed."

"Quizzes are out," the teacher stated with a hint of annoyance, "No more talking."

"Smoke with us," the delinquent urged in her hushed whispered.

Cat bit her lip in deliberation. This girl was so persistent! And she was offering something that the tiny mother really wanted. She hadn't smoked in a week and she really missed the bubbly feeling and the amazing dreams she had after smoking. Robbie never wanted to smoke, and Jade was heavily against it because her father used to do it all the time and she would come to school with her clothes smelling funny.

She kept her eyes on the teacher, watching him intently to make sure he wouldn't catch her talking.

She sighed deeply. "Okay."


Girl, you know you got me on pins and needles.


Cat hardly spoke on the ride back to her house, lost in her thoughts. She kept thinking about how there was still time to tell Natalie that she didn't want to stay with her anymore. There was still time to put her foot down and say that she needed to be home where she belonged.

But then again, she really wanted to get high, to feel happy again.

It had been a long while since she'd really been happy, and getting high brought her back to that ray of happiness she had before her Junior year of high school when everything in her world came tumbling down. She never told Jade, but Liam had troubled her; he had opened her eyes to real terror, letting her know that the world wasn't as perfect as she once thought. It was depressing, and she could never let go of it. She couldn't be herself anymore, so that led to difficulties in her schoolwork and the downfall of her relationship with someone she truly loved.

She was stressed with school and relationships. Robbie would never smoke with her, and Jade was vehemently against it because her father used to do it a lot right after her mother died. Tori was too much of a goodie-goodie to ever smoke weed, so that was out of the question. Daniel liked to smoke, but she hadn't spoken to him in a while, and that's the way she wanted it to stay.

She hated being unhappy, and she'd been that way as soon as she found out she was pregnant. She would never wish she didn't have Cassie, but she didn't think it would be this hard to have a child. She hated being scared to have sex with her boyfriend, someone she loved; the birth control was supposed to help with her fear, but she hadn't been home enough to even think about being intimate with him.

Marijuana was her escape.

"I'll be back in a few minutes," the redhead announced quietly as she unbuckled Cassie's carrier from the back seat.

"I'll be waiting," Natalie smirked, drumming her fingers on the steering wheel.

Cat hummed sadly and quietly to herself as she slowly made her way to the front door, Cassie's carrier pressed tightly against her. Her knuckles were starting to whiten with strain, but despite her knees bumping against the carrier as she walked, the toddler slept soundly. Her stomach churned with anxiety and she wasn't sure if her scrambled eggs were going to make a reappearance.

The lack of Jade's car in the driveway put her slightly at ease, but she wasn't entirely sure if Robbie would be home since he occasionally got rides.

It wasn't until she closed the door that she noticed Jade glaring at her from the couch with crossed arms and legs.

"H-hi, Jade," the tiny mother stuttered.

"Why do you look so guilty, Cat?" the Goth asked in a loaded tone. "Are you going back out there after you leave your kid and pretend you're not even her mother?"

"I'm not leaving her!" Cat cried. "She just needs to spend more time with the twins."

"So you can run around with that slut out there?" Jade fired. "You think I don't know what you're doing? You're out nearly every night with her and you're hardly ever home. Are you fucking her? Does Robbie know you're cheating on him? Don't tell me she hasn't tried to do anything with you, Cat; she looks like a fucking dyke!"

"She looks like you!" the petite girl spat back, the intensity of her voice frightening her.

"Oh," the alabaster scream queen uttered in offense. She shot up from the couch, stamping her feet. "Who the hell do you think you are? You have a boyfriend who loves you and would do anything for you, friends who actually give a damn about you when no one else will, and a kid who needs you! But despite all of that, you want to go sneaking around with someone who wants nothing more to fuck you because he sees you as some trophy to be stolen since you have a fiancé and wouldn't even give you the time of day otherwise!"

She slapped her arms in front of her chest, digging her nails into her bare arms and clenching her eyes shut among pursed lips, as if she regretted what she said.

"Jade?" Cat called after a brief silence. She almost didn't speak at all out of fear of being crushed by the unfaltering tension should she even breathe.

"Get out!" her friend exploded. She pointed one of her black claws at the stairwell. "Pack up your shit and leave. If Natalie cares about you more than I do, more than Beck does, and especially more than your own goddamn boyfriend does, then you can just take your ungrateful ass out of this house and go live with her! If she cares about you as much as you naively think she does, then she would have no problem with you living with her!"

"Y-you can't kick me out…" Cat stammered sheepishly.

"Oh, I can't?" Jade scoffed. "What are you gonna do about it, huh? You need to get your life together and you're obviously too stupid to do that here!"

"Well maybe you should mind your own business!" Cat fired back, finding her voice. She put Cassie's carrier down and crossed her arms. "You're so mean lately! If I were Beck, I wouldn't have come back when you threw me out. Maybe if you were nicer, he would love you like Natalie loves me!"

Jade scoffed ruefully, rolling her eyes and looking away to chuckle. "You think she loves you?" she snarled, meeting her friend's eyes. "You haven't even known her for half a semester and you think she loves you? She only wants to fuck you; that's all anyone's ever wanted to do, but you're too goddamn stupid to realize that. That stupid bitch out in that car is taking advantage of you, trying to tear you away from the only person who wants to build a life with you, the only person who will wait until you're ready to have sex, just like he's been doing for the past two years!"

With that, she stormed over to the steps and clogged up them, making her way to Cat's room. She ripped the door open and looked down at Cat with fire in her eyes. "Hurry up and pack up and get the hell out of my sight!" she screeched. "If Natalie really loves you, then she'll just love it when you move in with her."

Then she thundered off to her room, slamming her door loudly.


Girl, you know you got me on pins and needles.


Her heels clicked loudly on the pavement as she stormed back to Natalie's Escalade, crammed suitcase in one hand and her fussing daughter's carrier in the other. Her mascara left black stains down her face as tears continued to poor.

She knew she was wrong for entertaining Natalie and her own selfish needs, and now it had cost her the best friend she would ever have and the home she thought she'd raise her daughter in. Jade was right; she was stupid for being with Natalie. But she was also wrong; Natalie hadn't done anything to imply that she wanted to have sex, and she would wait to do so if Cat wanted it. Natalie would give her the space she needed if and when Cat ever wanted to be intimate with her.

And now, that she had been forced out of her home, Jade would no doubt tell Robbie what happened. He would undoubtedly break up with her. Natalie was all she had. So, if Natalie wanted to have sex with her, then Cat wouldn't make her wait much longer.

"Are you okay?" Natalie questioned as the redhead situated Cat in the backseat. "What's with the suitcase? I thought you only wanted to stay one night."

"No," Cat whispered, whipping at her eyes once she'd shoved the suitcase into the seat. "I got kicked out and now I have nowhere to stay."

"Oh," Natalie breathed distantly, turning back around in her seat and grasping the steering wheel firmly. There was a brief silence as Cat moved to the front seat. She kept her eyes forward and waited until the redhead got situated before saying, "I guess you can stay with me if you want."


Girl, you know you got me on pins and needles.


9 pm.

"Is Joey coming over?" Cat asked from her spot on Natalie's black leather sofa. She twirled her thumbs nervously while her friend sat on her knees at the coffee table, packing marijuana into cigarillo papers. She'd changed out of her black skinnies and white blouse, into light blue shorts that barely covered half of her bottom and a white tank top that flashed a gratuitous amount of cleavage to her redheaded guest.

"No," she whispered whit a slight shake of the head a small, reassuring smile. Onyx tresses fell from her ponytail. She pushed them behind her ear and looked to the redhead with a smirk beneath warm eyes. If she planned on seducing the young girl, it was most certainly working.

"It's just you and me, Kitty."

The tiny girl looked on in curiosity as Natalie returned her attention to the weed. She felt nervous being alone with the delinquent while they smoked since she'd grown accustomed to having Joey there with her, but she reminded herself that Natalie loved her. She had to keep telling herself that if she was going to survive being kicked out of the only other home she'd ever known.

"This is different than what we normally smoke," Natalie announced as she put the freshly rolled cigarillo to her lips. She seemed like a natural as she lit it and took in a deep breath, and it did little to ease Cat's nervousness. She held in the smoke as she leaned over the coffee table—further accentuating her ample bosom—and held the blunt outstretched to the skeptical girl on her couch.

Here it was.

She had been waiting a like time—what seemed like an eternity—to get high again, to lose all of her worries, to be momentarily happy.

So why was she so scared?

She didn't like Joey that much (mainly because she didn't like being around guys that weren't Robbie, Beck, or her brother) but it felt normal to smoke with him. She knew Natalie would never hurt her, but she was afraid of what they might do. Until now, she'd only had her delusions of this unfathomably beautiful friend returning her strange feelings. Now, she had no doubt that careless beauty wanted her the way she wanted Robbie, and even Jade could confirm it.

Somewhat reluctantly, Cat took the blunt and mimicked her friend. The smoke tingled in her mouth as a strong burst of strawberry danced down her esophagus; it almost reminded her of her mother's Strawberry Pillow Cakes, and the yearning for something familiar burned her throat.

Despite the burning, she held the smoke for as long as she could, letting it out in a loud exhale when the burning became unbearable, quickly followed by an equally loud gasped. She quickly wiped away tears and coughed a little while Natalie lout a small stream of tiny giggles and smoke.

"Hit it again," the girl with atramentous locks urged, nodding her head approvingly.

Instead of saying 'no' like she should have, Cat took another hit. She was already beginning to feel lightheaded and her skin started to bubble, like her blood was boiling beneath her face. She felt warm, and she didn't. And as she held her breath and passed the blunt back, she felt a headache coming on.

"I don't really like this," she whispered letting out a large cloud of smoke as she spoke. "I think I'm just gonna go take a bath and go to bed…"

"You sure?" her friend questioned, her voice strained as she took in more air without release.

The redhead nodded and stood up, quickly losing her balance and falling back onto the couch with a loud plop. Natalie burst out laughing and put the cigarillo out in the ash tray before slowly pushing herself up.

"Easy there, Kitten," she breathed, steadily making her way to the doe-eyed girl on her couch. She outstretched her hand and Cat readily took it, desperate to get somewhere she could feel comfortable.

When they got to the bathroom, Natalie sat her on the edge of the tub and turned on the water. She held her hand under the faucet, turning the temperature knob with the other to get the water just right. When she was done, she stood and helped her swaying guest to her feet. She placed her hands at the base of the petite girl's dress, eliciting a small gasp.

"What are you doing?" Cat asked, her eyes glazing over.

"I'm helping you undress," Natalie answered quietly with a small chuckle. "You can't even stand still."

As she started to slide the yellow fabric over Cat's thighs, the young mother placed her hands on Natalie's wrists to stop her.

"Girls shouldn't see each other naked," she murmured nervously.

"It's okay, Kitten," the provocative girl assured her, pressing a cool hand on her cheek. And beneath her hand, the bubbling stopped, bringing a small sense of clarity and security.

Slowly, Natalie took off Cat's yellow sundress, keeping her deep blue eyes locked on her skeptical friend's. The shorter girl didn't put up a fight as her bra was removed, but she shivered slightly as the temptress ran her fingers along her bare shoulders.

Cat held her breath as Natalie took off her panties, but said nothing. She exhaled quietly as she was helped into the water. Her head felt calmer now, more relaxed; beneath the water, her skin settled. She closed her eyes and smiled softly.

Then her breathing hitched as Natalie pressed soft, supple lips to her own. They moved gently against hers, but she was too shocked to do anything else but move her lips along with the rhythm. It felt sweet and right, like kissing Robbie, and it felt like what she thought it would to kiss Jade.

She heard the displacement of the bath water, but it wasn't until Natalie slid her hand between her legs that her body stiffened.

"Relax," Natalie whispered, feeling the tiny girl's body tense. "I'm gonna take good care of you." She brought her lips back to the redhead who refused to open her eyes and ran her finger along her clit beneath the water.

Dazed and confused by the pleasure, her breathe came out in shallow puffs in the kiss. Her body bucked slightly as Natalie rubbed her clit faster, causing the water to lap around her. She let out a small squeak against ruby red lips as she felt a hand on her right breast lightly pinching her nipple.

No one had ever done these things to her before, but she wished they had. The pleasure she felt in this girl's touch was unlike anything she'd ever felt before, and she never wanted it to stop.

She continued to imagine it was Jade touching her this way, and she had the desperate urge to return the favor.

Uncontrolled moans escaped her lips into the kiss, and she could feel the upward curve of Jade's mouth as she smirked. Involuntarily, her back arched and she let out louder moans, unable to do anything else as her orgasm took over. Instantly, her headache disappeared and she felt calm.

She felt happy.

Then she felt the loss of touch and her eyes forced open. "Where are you going?" she asked in her airy voice as Natalie stood.

"I'll be right back," she promised, leaving without another word.

Cat sighed sadly and silently, sinking into the water until it reached her chin.

Before she realized what she was doing, her hand slid down her bare body slowly. She propped up her legs, her knees barely poking out of the water, and placed her hand where Natalie had. She watched her own hand in inquiry, wondering if she could give herself the pleasure that others could give her.

Like Natalie had done, she rubbed her clit up and down with her index finger lightly, feeling small inklings of pleasure. With her free hand, she cupped her right breast and massaged it, running her palm across her hardening nipple. She grew hungry for pleasure, so she began to rub faster, using her finger to circle to key to her pleasure. She let out shallow breaths as her body writhed slightly in the water.

She gasped when she felt another hand on top of hers, guiding her lower. Her eyes shot open to find Natalie sitting beside her once more, this time sans clothing.

"It's no fun if you play without me," she quipped with a devious smirk.

Unsure of what to say, Cat didn't speak. She did, however gasp when Natalie forced her to slide two fingers inside of herself. She gripped her breast a little tighter as Natalie gripped her wrist and moved it back and forth, pulling her fingers in and out. She let out small whimpers at the new sensation.

"I have something for you," the raven-haired girl told her quietly as she released the redhead's hand. She stood up and Cat's eyes bulged at the well-endowed strap-on around her waist.

"W-what's that?" she stammered. "Aren't boys supposed to have those?"

Natalie nodded. "Sometimes girls have them too," she explained. "And they help other girls feel better. I only want to make you feel good, Cat."

"I don't know," the tiny girl said, bringing her knees to her chest to preserve her modesty.

"It's okay," her friend assured her. "It's just to help you feel better. You deserve it after the day you've had."

For a moment, Cat looked away nervously, unsure if she should say no. The fuzziness from the weed was returning, and it seemed like Natalie's touch was the only thing that could get rid of it. And why would Natalie lie to her?

"O-okay," she finally stuttered out sheepishly.

With a pleased smile, Natalie climbed into the tub and sat on her knees in front of Cat. The red extension floated on the water and caused the tiny girl to blush. With a small laugh, Natalie placed her hands softly on Cat's knees and spread them with ease. Gently, she pulled Cat closer by the hips and grabbed the extension.

"Just relax and I'll take care of you," she exhaled.

With that, she guided the strap on inside of her and Cat inhaled sharply. Natalie pulled her closer, pushing it in deeper and Cat clenched her eyes shut tightly. The taller girl leaned over and took Cat's left nipple in her mouth as she began to thrust.

As Cat let out frightened moans, she remembered being with Danny. This was what he did to her, and it had gotten her pregnant. But she couldn't get pregnant by another girl, could she? That…thing wasn't real, so she couldn't possibly get pregnant by it.

It almost made her wonder if Jade had one.

Natalie continued to thrust inside of the tiny girl, picking up the pace and making her moan louder. Water splashed out of the tub from the speed, and Cat began to scream from the intensity.

Danny never did that…

Natalie was being rough with her, but it didn't scare her; she knew that this girl would never do anything to hurt her, so she trusted her. It hurt a little bit because she wasn't used to it, but it did feel good.

She sucked in air sharply through her teeth as Natalie started to bite her nipple, and her hands shot to the girl's shoulders, digging her nails into her skin.

In swift movements, Natalie wrapped Cat's legs around her back and repositioned herself so that she was sitting and Cat was on top of her. She kept her hands firmly on Cat's hips and forced her up and down on the strap on.

Cat continued to cry out in pleasure, and Natalie had to catch her as she nearly fell backwards when her body went rigid with another orgasm. She reached for the other girl's head and pressed her fingers into the back of it, bringing the girl to her stomach. Her hair fanned out behind her as her loud moans echoed in the bathroom.

And when it was over, she collapsed onto the girl beneath her, panting heavily.


Girl, you know you got me on pins and needles.


Friday night.

"You've been really quiet lately," Natalie announced as the two girls ate dinner.

"I'm sorry," Cat apologized, keeping her eyes on the jambalaya.

"You didn't like what we did Monday?"

Her head shot up and she looked to Natalie in confusion. "I-in the bathroom?" she stammered, her mouth suddenly dry. She thought that was just another one of her dreams…

"What else?" the girl with obsidian tresses chuckled. "You don't like what we did?"

"N-no!" Cat quickly cried. "I…I liked it a lot." She lowered her head as she felt another blush coming on.

"So why were you avoiding me?"

The redhead sighed. "I thought it was just a dream," she told her quietly. "I didn't want to say anything because I shouldn't be having those kinds of dreams."

Natalie reached over the table and placed her hand atop her friend's. "It's okay to have those kinds of thoughts," she assured her, "Especially when I have the same for you."

Cat looked up with a small smile. "I'm sorry for avoiding you."

Her friend's blue eyes sparked with an idea as she smirked. "I know how you can make it up to me," she offered. Then, she stood and walked over to Cat. She knelt in front of her and unbutton her jeans, and the tiny girl gasped.

"We can't do that here," she protested, though she made no other moves to stop it.

"I live alone," Natalie reminded her impatiently, pulling down her zipper. She hooked her fingers onto the brim of her jeans and panties, sliding them off easily when Cat raised out of her seat slightly to accommodate her. She slid them off, popping off her flats in the process and discarded them under the table.

Looking up at the redhead seductively, she rubbed Cat's clit with her thumb. "Do you want to make it up to me?"

Cat bit her lip in pleasure and nodded, holding her arms up to her chest, unsure of what to do with them.

Natalie smiled and removed her thumb, pressing her lips to Cat's vagina. She took one of the outer lips in her own and sucked on it roughly, making the tiny girl squirm with anticipation. Then, she flicked her tongue roughly against her clit.

Unsure of what else to do, Cat slid her hands under her shirt and bra, fondling her own chest while Natalie caressed her clitoris with her tongue.

The raven-haired girl would alternate between fast paced licking and rough sucking, sending daggers of pleasure throughout the redhead's body. The tiny girl cried out in pain when she slipped two fingers inside and roughly moved them in and out.

"Oh my God," Cat gasped, clenching her eyes shut and tilting her head back as the scene played out.

Distracted by what was happening, she left her hands to rest on her chest as she started to writhe in her chair.

Natalie fingered and licked faster, doing all she could to bring out an orgasm. Occasionally, she would look up at Cat and smirk at the bliss scrawled across her face.

It didn't take long for Cat to come and Natalie grinned boastfully as she sat back on her knees, taking in the sight of the breathless girl opened before her. She took pride in Cat's helpless look when she finally opened her eyes and stood, instructing the petite girl to do the same.

"My turn," she breathed as she led Cat to the bedroom.

Without warning, she threw Cat onto the bed and took of her skirt in a hurry, revealing her lack of underwear. Cat gasped as Natalie walked around the bed and climbed onto it. She walked on her knees over to Cat and threw one of her legs over Cat's face, so her knees were beside the confused girl's head.

"Just open your mouth and run your tongue back and forth," she guided as she pressed her vagina to Cat's mouth. Closing her eyes, the girl beneath her complied and parted her lips, proceeding to eat her out.

She had never tasted a girl before, but Natalie tasted good. She taste was strong, unlike anything she had ever had before. She couldn't describe it, but she greatly enjoyed it. Without realizing it, she had put her hands on Natalie's hips and continuously tilted her chin back and forth to accompany the slight bouncing of the girl on top of her.

When Natalie let out a loud moan to signal her orgasm, Cat didn't stop. If Natalie hadn't climbed off, she never would have.

"Whoa there, Kitten," she panted. She leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. "How do I taste?"

"Amazing," Cat exhaled with a wide smile. "I want more."

Natalie laughed and turned around, throwing her other knee around Cat's head. She leaned forward to place her head between Cat's legs. And when she started licking all over, the excited girl took that as a sign to resume tasting.

They continued in that position through several orgasms from both girls, and Cat even experimented with fingering. They went until neither one of them could take it anymore, and they both collapsed on the bed half dressed, oversexed, and undoubtedly carefree.


Girl, you know you got me on pins and needles.


Saturday morning.

Cat woke up to the sound of knocking. Groggily, she rolled onto her side to find the bed empty. Fear setting in, she shot up and searched the room with frantic eyes.

Natalie was nowhere in sight.

Ashamed and afraid, she climbed out of bed and went to the dining room to retrieve her pants. She slipped them on as quickly as possible and hurried to the door, hoping it was Natalie—even though it didn't cross her mind as to why she would be knocking on the door to her own apartment.

"Robbie!" she exclaimed with bright eyes and a wide smile. The happiness quickly faded when she remembered where they were. "What are you doing here?"

"It's our anniversary," he told her meekly. "I know we've been going through some tough times lately, but I really wanted you to have this." He handed her a tiny box which she eagerly took. "Jade told me what happened and where you were, but I want you to know that I'll always love you, no matter what. I loved you from the moment we met, and I would do anything to make you happy. She told me about how you were scared to have sex with me, but I would have been just fine if we never did." He lowered his head awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck. "Although it'd be really swell if we did."

Cat stared down at the ring surrounded by its satin display. It had been garnished with diamonds and she didn't have to take it out of the box to read the inscription that said 'I will always be with you.' Overwhelmed and starting to cry, she wiped her eyes. A rueful laugh escaped her lips and she looked at him, feeling horrible.

"I'm so sorry for how I've been acting," she apologized through a shaking voice. "I should have talked to you about it sooner instead of letting it get this far. My mommy got me pills that would keep me from getting pregnant again and I've been on them for a while now; I shouldn't have been so scared. I love you so much, Robbie Shapiro, and I've been really stupid lately." She wiped away more tears. "Please take me home…"

He smiled at her, reaching out to take the ring from the box and slide it onto her right ring finger. "I forgive you, Cat," he told her softly. "We all make mistakes."

As he leaned in to kiss her, she gasped and pulled her head back before placing her hand over his mouth. "I didn't brush my teeth yet!" she exclaimed. "I'll kiss you when we're back home."

"O-okay," he sputtered, off-guard.

She took his hand in her free one and took him to the bedroom. Some of her clothes were scattered across the floor, her suitcase crammed against the wall. She picked it up and put it on the bed. Together, she and Robbie scrambled for her clothes, stuffing them into the hot pink bag.

"What the hell is this?" came a voice in the doorway.

Cat snapped back around in fear to find Natalie holding a bag from a fast food restaurant. "I-I'm going home," she stated skeptically. "I don't belong here and I can't do this, and I don't even know what 'this' is. I'm really sorry, but I love Robbie and I need to be with him and my daughter in our home."

Natalie threw the bag to the ground and stormed off into the kitchen. "Just hurry up and get the hell out!" she screamed. Cat jumped when she heard a loud crash and could have sworn she heard Natalie mumble something about "stupid straight girls."


Girl, you know you got me on pins and needles.


She had left Cassie with Jade Wednesday night, because not even someone as malicious as the Gothic scream queen would take out her anger on a defenseless toddler.

Robbie had borrowed Beck's truck, and Cat fidgeted nervously in her seat, ready to see her daughter again.

She didn't wait until he came to a full stop once they'd pulled up to the house before jumping out. He called out to her in worry, but she just ran. When she reached the door, she nearly broke it down trying to open it. She darted up the stairs to the nursery where her daughter slept soundly in her crib.

Slowly, she entered the nursery and reached in to pick Cassie up. The baby fussed for a moment, but quickly went back to sleep, pressing her head against her mother's chest.

"Cat?" Jade called from the doorway.

Taking in a deep breath, she turned around to face her friend. "Jade," she sighed. She lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry for fighting with you Monday, and I take back everything mean I said. You were right, and I was really stupid." She looked up with hopeful chocolate eyes. "Can you forgive me?"

Crossing her arms, Jade nodded. "I can," she answered. She looked away scowling. "And I guess I'm…sorry for snapping at you."

Excitedly, Cat kissed Cassie atop her head and put her back in the crib before running over to Jade and hugging her tightly. And begrudgingly, Jade returned the sentiment.


Girl, you know you got me on pins and needles.


Thirty minutes later.

Cat wanted to wait until after she'd had a shower and brushed her teeth before she had a much needed talk with Robbie. But once she entered the bedroom, his lips crashed against hers and they didn't do much talking.

And this time, she was the one who pushed him onto the bed, climbing onto his lap.

His hands fumbled at her waist, so she guided them for him. Eventually, he managed to take her night gown off and she pulled his clothes off. She made sure to watch him as he put on a condom, her nose turning pink from embarrassment as she propped herself up on her elbows.

It didn't hurt as much when he was inside her, and she felt the most comfortable she'd ever been in a very long time. Their bodies intertwining joyously eased her, filling her with security. The small noises he made caused her to giggle slightly, and she buried her head into his neck, kissing the skin tenderly.

He moved slowly, as if he were scared, and she never felt as close to him as she did in that moment.

It took longer for her to come this time, but it finally felt right when she did. Her toes curled and she felt better than she ever did with Natalie or Danny. She didn't want to be with anyone else but Robbie, and she had no doubt in her mind that he would protect her to the best of his ability.

When he came, he let out a low grunt, as if the air had been knocked from his lungs, and she held him close as his body briefly shivered. Then he pulled out and laid beside her on his side, his arm draped across her stomach. He smiled at her as he twirled a lock of her hair. "I love you, Caterina Valentine," he whispered.

She gently touched his cheek and kissed him softly on the lips, keeping her mouth close to his once it broke.

"I love you, Robbie Shapiro."