A/N: I really hate typing in slang, but sometimes, you just have to when you're talking southern.

Xxxxxxxx

Julia focused her brown eyes on the road as she drove towards the textile place. Carlene was going on about a man she'd seen at the market.

"I couldn't even believe it Julia! The man had tattoos ev'rywhere! Now I know people are like that, but I have never seen them in my neighborhood!" The blonde shifted to face her co-worker.

Reaching out, she touched Julia's bare arm. "He had a snake here and a dragon thang here, and some sorta chinese lookin' one here." With each description, her fingers drew and invisible picture on Julia's arm, causing the older woman to break out in chill bumps.

"Julia, you cold darlin? You don't have to keep the AC up for me!"

"Oh no, Carlene, I'm fine. Someone just walkin' over my grave. Continue."

"Well, anyway..."

Julia turned and briefly looked at Carlene. She had always admired the woman for her kindness, humility, patience, and plain old goodness. Her smile made Julia feel like everything was right with the world, if only for a second.

Each time she touched her upper arm, shivers ran up and down Julia's spine. She tried to block out the sensations, but having Carlene so close was doing wonders on her…

But she knew deep down that her notions were insane, impossible, and downright improper.

"… Julia you listenin'?"

"Yes, I am, and I do think it is rather strange for any person to ruin their perfectly fine skin with ink."

"That's what I think too. So does this man Greg bother you, you know, with what Anthony said?"

Carlene was thinking back to the time when Julia ran over the newspaper stand down the block because she took offense to the pornography posters.

"Bother me? Yes, but I also know that this is Atlanta. My sister and I were raised on such bigoted and racists beliefs. Some people will never grow out of what they were born into."

"Could you at least say somethin' to him?"

Julia looked at Carlene's big blue eyes and melted. "Fine, but don't expect it to go anywhere."

Smiling, Charlene kissed Julia's cheek. "You always fight for what's good, you know that?"

"I just do what I think is right, nothing more." But her cheek was burning from those perfect lips.

Xxxxxxx

"Anthony! You are drivin' like a grandma here, now step on it!" Suzanne barked from the backseat.

"Now Ms. Suzanne, the speed limit is 35. I am going exactly 35. I will not go over, because I will not be getting a ticket. You know how my parole officer feels about that!"

"Well what about how I feel?" Suzanne whined. "If I wanted to feel like an old lady I would but I don't, so speed up!"

"Suzanne," Mary Jo tried to reason, "We'll be there in five minutes what's the rush anyway?"

She gave an exasperated sigh as if the answer ought to be obvious. "This fabric is not meant to be sat on for long periods of time. I do not want to be seen in a wrinkled outfit, Mary Jo."

Rolling her eyes, the red head turned and focused on some point out the window.

"Here, Suzanne, I'm going forty."

"Forty five."

"Forty."

Suzanne pouted. "You're just like Julia, always trying to follow the rules. Rules are for common people, they aren't for Suzanne Sugarbaker!"

Mary Jo turned to her co-worker, "You are not above the law just because you look good…"

"Not because of that! I went on a hot date with the chief of police and he still sends me flowers!" She smiled her big smile. Of course, Suzanne wasn't a floozy, she rarely slept with any man, but she did enjoy being in their company, so long as they were admiring her.

"I knew I shouldn't have asked."

The car slowed down as Anthony approached the winding driveway of the Smith house.

"I'd forgotten how big this thing was."

Mary Jo nodded. "Yeah, it just screams, 'Look at my money!'"

"That swing on the porch was five thousand dollars."

Mary Jo looked like she could pass out. "That swing was five thouuuuusand dollars? Somebody please get me a screwdriver, I'm taking it for myself!" Though not poor, Mary Jo's budget had always been strained. "I knew the décor was nice but I geez, ya'd figure they'd have some common sense about a swing…"

The car pulled to a halt and Suzanne dashed out, turning about this way and that to capture her reflection in the car. "Well, the Mercedes says I look fine!"

Mary Jo rolled her eyes and gave Suzanne a not-so-gentle shove and the three headed up the driveway.

Xxxxxxx

"Mr. Greg?" Julia knocked three times on the door.

Carlene elbowed her friend when they approached, the KKK sign prominently displayed in the top center of the door. Whispering, she asked, "Julia, are you gonna say somethin' to him?"

But the door swung open. "Ms. Sugarbaker! So wonderful to see you."

"Yes, we do meet again. How are you?"

"Fine, and nice to see you too Ms…?"

"Carlene is just fine."

"Ms. Carlene. Your drapes are just here," he turned into his office and picked up the phone, dialing a number murmuring something. "They'll be brought up in a moment. Please a seat."

"If you don't mind, I'd rather stand." Julia said. "However, there is another thing that concerns me about your business."

"Oh?"

Julia cleared her throat and started in, her cheeks sinking in- the classic look of Julia disapproval. "Yes, the Ku Klutz Klan sign on your door. I find it offensive and quite backwards. It is 1989, Mr. Greg. And I know your beliefs are your own, but I think those beliefs are best kept private."

The man got up and shook his head. "Do you think so, Ms. Sugarbaker?"

A couple of workers appeared at the door to give Julia her order, but Mr. Greg halted them at the door.

Julia's eyes widened in disdain. "I do, because although I was raised in the same prejudiced south as you, I have the decency to realize that those are idiotic, bigoted statements that have no place in our society today. And another thing- Sugarbaker's accounts for over a third of your profits with the numerical value in the thousands. Now, if you wish to retain such business, I suggest you let that sign take a nose dive into the trash can."

Carlene's eyes went wide in awe at her friend. Julia was so smooth and sassy when she spoke; her voice was like coffee and whiskey on an autumn day, bitter and sharp and oh so intoxicating.

Julia pursed her lips together. "Now, if that's all, we will be taking our drapes and heading out. Good day, Mr. Greg."

Spinning on her heel, Julia marched out, nose high in the air and hips swinging.

Carlene started to say goodbye but realized she'd be best off following Julia's wake.

Xxxxxxxx

A/N: Ok, reviews, if anyone out there is reading this fic….