Hey,

As I mentioned before, my updates will be erratic due to my other commitments and I haven't written properly in a while so the quality may not be to my best standard. Although with that being said I hope you enjoy the 3rd installment of F*** this Place.

Connie was leaning against the wall outside the Black Swan holding a cupcake with a single lit candle. Seeing Connie in the moonlight, outside the ED, outside the social world they are known was surreal. Her rich brown hair cascaded down over her shoulders, the candle illuminated the smile on her face.

Rita approached her and blew out the candle. Connie kept eye contact with the blonde as she took the candle out of the cake and threw it on the floor; then slowly took off the wrapper. She smiled, pausing for a second before bringing the cupcake to Rita's lips. The blonde took a bite, her eyes never leaving Connie's face. The brunette took the last bite.

'Can I buy you a birthday drink?' Connie asked breaking the silence. Rita saw the look in her eye; the glimmer of wicked mystery. She clearly had something planned, she was deliberately being coy. 'Of course...but I must warn you I'm a lightweight and I've already had fair bit to drink...I'm sure you could drink me under the table on my best day' Rita replied honestly. 'You're probably right but I have no problem joining you under the table Miss Freeman...' Connie whispered before opening the door.

The interior of the Black Swan was, as the name suggests, decked out in a primarily monochrome colour scheme with only splashes of red. The music was at a comfortable level just above the buzz of multiple conversations, not that the blonde was able to register much of this. Rita walked toward the bar and rested her hand on the cold black marble surface. She could feel Connie's presence behind her, that last comment had her adrenaline levels hitting the roof. Once the lad next to them had taken his drinks and moved out of the way Connie slipped next to Rita, their bodies were touching in more places than one as she leant in 'so what will it be?' the brunette whispered, her cheek brushing past the blondes' as she pulled away.

Rita struggled to think cohesively let alone make a coherent response; her heart was racing and her insides were on fire. The brunette flashed her an adorable smile and wrapped an arm around the blonde's waist pulling her in closer than before 'is something wrong?...' she breathed near her ear before brushing her lips over Rita's neck, feeling the blonde's entire body react at the touch.

After a minute or two Rita managed to comprehend the situation, wrapped her arms around the brunette's waist and finally replied 'I'll have a Malibu and Diet Coke please...'

'Oh I know what you drink I was just having fun' the brunette winked then turned to the bartender '...Malibu and Diet Coke, double gin and tonic, 2 tequila shots and 2 Sambuca shots on Mrs Beauchamp's tab, we'll be in booth 7. Thank you'

Rita stared at Connie in disbelief as they left the bar and made their way to the almost secluded VIP section. Rita took off her leather jacket placing it on the velvet seating area; deliberately sitting across the table from Connie so she could look at her but also so their proximity wasn't so dangerous. Connie unbuttoned and removed her long black coat revealing a rather relaxed outfit; in comparison to the business attire Rita was accustomed to seeing her in. The brunette was wearing a casual white shirt and jeans but looked incredible none the less, 'she literally looks stunning in everything...' Rita thought then smiled, realising she had been staring at Connie for a good minute but hadn't noticed the amused expression on the brunette's face. 'See something you like nurse Freeman...?' she paused for a second before continuing '...I want you to do something for me.'

'Name it' Rita answered without hesitation.

'Put your hand face down on the table' the brunette stated.

Rita slowly put her hand on the table extremely confused, within seconds Connie put hers on top. The contact had the expected affect but the blonde still had a confused expression. Connie rolled her eyes 'I'm trying to help with your nerves...don't deny it...I can tell, you're not that good at acting...put your other had on the table face up.'

Rita obeyed placing the back of her hand on the marble table, the brunette putting her hand on top. 'Rita look at me...you can relax...look...' Connie whispered holding Rita's hands firmly.

After a few minutes the nerves weren't as prominent, Rita was able to relax a little. 'Thank you, it's working...' Rita smiled. 'So what's going through that head of yours after everything that's happened in the last 24 hours? Well I guess longer than that...'

There was a long pause as Rita tried to think of the right words, Connie patiently waited.

'Every time I look at you...literally...whether it's been 5 minutes or 5 days since I've last seen you I just want to tell you - you are beautiful...' Rita leant in closer gazing in the Connie's eyes '...you are bloody gorgeous! Even if nothing happens between us I needed to tell you that and fuck the consequences!'

The brunette smiled in that adorable way that melted Rita's heart and leant in as well. As they smiled at each other, their gaze never faltering Connie ran her fingers through Rita's soft hair holding her face, after a short moment their lips met. There was no time to over think this. The kiss was soft, sweet but brief knowing they were in public and couldn't go too far.

After they pulled away without any words needing to be said the bartender arrived with a tray and their drinks, he felt the tension between them so skipped the small talk and just left them too it.

'I probably should have said earlier but I'm not a fan of Sambucca...' Rita eyed up the 4 shots in front of her.

'Well, I actually bought them for myself...I have a high alcohol tolerance plus I've only had a glass of wine, I'm sure you've had more than that by now birthday girl.' Connie explained, downing both Sambucca shots like a pro. Now it was tequila time, the salt and the lemon were on the table ready. Rita tried to concentrate her gaze on anything else whilst the brunette licked the salt and they downed their shots together.

The brunette passed over Rita's drink, they gently clinked the two glasses together as a non verbal toast and took a sip.

'So, did you enjoy your birthday meal?' Connie asked, tracing the rim of her glass with her finger. Rita held her glass with both hands '...yes, it was very thoughtful...although...'

'...although?' Connie encouraged her with a smile.

Rita looked at Connie, taking in her body language, her facial expression, her clothes '...although I couldn't help thinking about...you'

Connie rose an eyebrow '...well it was obvious you enjoyed it otherwise you wouldn't have left your meal to meet me...'

Rita had felt guilty about leaving her friends but right now all she could think about was the stunning woman in front of her. The woman that was teasing her with every movement; the way she held her glass, the way she constantly maintained eye contact, the way she ran her fingers through her hair, her tone of voice. Connie was calm, collected and confident. Rita was enchanted and a bit jealous.

'I will admit it was unexpected and thoroughly enjoyable' Rita kept herself composed.

'Oh, only thoroughly enjoyable. I will have to change that won't I' Connie's voice was low and sending serious shivers down Rita's spine. Although the smile on the brunette's face was still bloody adorable, which always made Rita feel better.

The next 20 minutes were somewhat more relaxed for the ladies, they steadily nursed their drinks letting the conversation flow freely covering many topics. They found themselves laughing from time to time, which put them both at ease.

There was a short pause while they each took a sip from their drinks, Connie decided to ask something she had been wondering about '...so what's the deal with this Amsterdam trip you're going on with Dixie? I heard through the grapevine that you were hoping to meet a girl there...I only ask because I've seen the way you look at me...'

Rita laughed slightly embarrassed 'well, when we started planning Amsterdam I had been wanting a girlfriend for a while and my crush on you was in it's early stages, which she didn't know about at the time so was just happy to be my wing-woman...Although I did recently tell her that I liked you and she didn't think I stood a chance and is now even more adamant about finding me a girlfriend in Amsterdam...' the blonde looked down, staring at her drink for a moment before continuing '...I don't really want to find a girl in Amsterdam...you are my first choice! I don't even want to look at anyone in that way...I don't think I could...until I know that you aren't interested at all... and even then it would feel weird...but out of the few people that know how I feel about you most of them think I don't stand a chance...that I should just move on...but I really don't want to...'

Connie just looked at her ensuring she had finished her somewhat disjointed explanation 'fair enough...I guess from what happened earlier today we proved those people wrong...plus I have a suspicion that something similar might happen later...' she winked and ran her fingertips over the top of Rita's hand, she lowered her voice and leant in '...you don't need to get over me...but you can get under me.' Connie maintained her eye contact smiling wickedly, Rita blushed trying her best to stay coherent in such a intense situation, she leant in even further so she could whisper in Connie's ear 'well that's an offer I can't refuse...I'm sure you have drinks at yours' Rita spoke softly, then pulled back to meet her gaze.

Connie simply smiled, slowly stood up and put on her coat 'I do...let's go.'

Rita did the same, they left the bar and walked in the direction of the brunette's house. Neither of them spoke a word but could feel the anticipation of what was to come.