Roni woke to a bright beam of sunshine on her face, coming through the window just below the ceiling. She stretched, then froze when her hand brushed an arm. Nearly giving herself whiplash, she snapped her head in the direction of the other person.

It wasn't long before she remembered. She snorted at the fact that Monica was still in her dress, fast asleep. How could that be comfortable? Then again, they had decided not to rip each other's clothes off and have sex right away, so there hadn't been much of an alternative. Roni was also certain neither had intended to fall asleep.

She wasn't entirely sure why she had revealed so much of her past all at once, but she was glad she did. Monica didn't run, unlike so many others. She didn't seem to flinch at her sexuality, either. So many straight men and lesbians had viewed it as being dirty, never mind that half of the lesbians had been with men before realizing their orientations.

What she'd been told of Monica's past, though, that was truly heartbreaking. She didn't approve of people hurting people regardless, but something about her in particular being hurt, that made her blood boil. Roni couldn't resist reaching out to gently brush a loose strand of hair out of Monica's face. She hoped she wouldn't freak out and close herself off whenever she woke up.

Monica didn't wake up at the touch, but she did wake a handful of minutes later. At the unfamiliar surroundings, she jolted. But then her eyes focused on Roni, and she relaxed. "Hi," she greeted groggily.

"Morning," Roni greeted. "Or is it?" She habitually looked at her clock, even though she knew it was broken. Her cell would tell her the correct time, but that was too much effort at the moment. "I hope your stay over hasn't made you late for work. I realize not everyone gets to set their own hours and be their own boss."

"Mm, no work. I, uh, I won a bit of a small lottery before I ran away from the husband. It's what helped me run away, actually. I've got enough to not quite be struggling yet."

"I see." Roni propped herself up on her elbow, looking at her. "Was it very long ago?"

"Not quite a year." Monica struggled to sit up without wrinkling or stretching the dress too much. "Do you... Um..." She changed her mind, not asking her original question. "Need me to go so I don't keep you from your work?"

Roni frowned. "Did the window for questions about the past close after last night? Did I just make this awkward?"

"What? No! I just... I was trying not to... I had a different question, but stopped myself."

"What was the question?"

Monica squirmed. "This dress is just really uncomfortable right now, and I don't have extra clothes with me... I wasn't sure asking if you could spare any or minded if I took it off would be appropriate..." She shook her head at herself. "I'm sorry, I've been conditioned to try assuming reactions, that hasn't fully de-programmed yet."

Roni sat up, cautiously resting a hand on her shoulder, not wanting to startle her. "Monica," she spoke softly. "You don't need to explain. I understand. My answer is yes, by the way. I have some things that might fit you, or you can just take off the dress, whichever is more comfortable to you. I can keep my hands to myself."

Monica's eyes met Roni's beautiful browns. "You don't think it's too fast?"

"You've got the steering wheel. You set the pace. I don't want to make you feel rushed, or like we're not moving forward. I don't ever want to cause you pain. You've been through enough."

Monica smiled, feeling a fuzzy warmth in her stomach. "Then help me out of this dress."

Roni nodded, hand slowly caressing along her back until she found the zipper, careful not to tug too quickly or leisurely.

Once the zipper was low enough, Monica pushed herself out of the dress and into Roni's arms, wanting cuddles. She pressed a lingering kiss to her cheek.

Roni held her close. "I've never been abused by partners. As far as I know, none of them were ever abused either... Until you. You should have control, and tell me when I mess up. If this ends, even if you hurt me deeply, I will live, eventually move on. But I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you walked away from this worse off than you came in."

Monica rested a hand on her cheek. "Ssssh. I appreciate that, and maybe I do need special treatment in comparison to your other partners, but I am still a person. Flawed, and prone to make mistakes. I don't expect either of us to be perfect. Just... Don't make it like my problems are more valid than yours, because it's not true. Your stuff will always be valid, too." She kissed her softly. "Right now," she whispered. "I just want to cuddle with the hottest bartender in Seattle."

"Not sure why you're with me, then," Roni half-joked.

"Are you kidding me? Before that jerk was being a jerk, it was hard for me to not stare at you. I know you just intended that kiss to be something to make him back off, but honestly... As soon as I realized what you were planning, I got excited. I didn't know why you were going that route, but I was just thinking, 'oh my god, this super gorgeous lady is about to kiss me', and I forgot all about the guy. I don't know if I ever would have been brave enough to try to get your attention if you hadn't decided to kiss me. I also came so close to chickening out altogether before I finally called you."

"Really?" Roni asked breathily. She stroked gentle fingers through Monica's hair.

"You're the first person I've ever thought about being with since I left my husband. Even as just a potential fling, let alone an actual relationship." She kissed Roni's jaw gently. "I'm so glad I finally called, and that you want this, too. I feel a little safer, right here with you."

Roni ran light circles along Monica's back with her fingertips. "I'm glad I can do that for you." A soft sigh escaped her, eyes closing. "I don't even want to open the bar today. I just want to stay up here with you. No one's quite accomplished that before. What is it about you that just melts me?"

Monica grinned. "I have no idea... But I have nowhere better to be, if you really want me to stay."

"Oh, it's frightening how much I want you to stay..." Roni held her a little closer.

All of a sudden, a loud thunderclap boomed outside. Rain began to pour, lightning flashed, then the power went out.

Monica yelped in surprise.

Roni kept her in a protective hold. She scoffed, "Gotta love that Seattle weather."