Whiskey Park, 100 Central Park S., NY, NY- Same day

Abbie was right, her cab driver did know where it was. Patrice got out and went into the building, her eyes taking a moment to adjust to the darkened interior. The establishment was modern and eloquent, plush couches and chairs were arranged around the room giving the place a lounge atmosphere, a long bar with gentle backlights hugging the length of the wall. The music permeated the air, a steady pulsing beat overlaid with melodic tones that sank into the corkboard walls and ceiling, fading the multitude of conversations into a steady hum in the background.

Patrice gazed around the room at the clientele, a mix of suits out for an end of the workweek drink, and the early crowd just starting their Friday nights out. It took her a few moments to find Abbie sitting at a corner table in the back, relaxing into the leather banquette and nursing something in a highball glass. She was chewing thoughtfully on a thin cocktail straw, gazing at the park out of the tinted windows.

The blonde sidled up to Abbie, giving her a slightly amused look, "Nice choice Carmichael. However, I have to admit I'm a little surprised…. It's so…. 'New York' I suppose… for lack of a better term."

Abbie feigned slight offense, but her smirk betrayed her amusement, "Oh, and what did you expect? A rib joint with a faux saloon door, and me with my boots kicked up on a chair, drinkin' a Dixie beer?"

Patrice opened her mouth to answer, then thought better of it and gave Abbie a noncommittal shrug instead.

Abbie quietly enjoyed the blond's confusion for a moment before continuing,

"Because if that's what you were looking for, come find me Saturday."

The brunette smirked at Patrice's surprised look and slid over slightly, motioning to the bench next to her,

"Well, you planning on having a seat?"

Patrice put her things on a chair and moved to sit next to Abbie, shaking her head, "You just keep surprising me Carmichael, and that's not an easy thing to do anymore."

A striking blonde waitress approached, Abbie gave her a nod and received an ingratiating smile in return. She then turned to Patrice and curtly took her order. As the waitress walked away Patrice turned back to the brunette, nodding slowly in amusement and excused herself to go freshen up. Abbie watched her leave appreciatively before turning back to her drink. As she took a sip, she heard her phone vibrate. Checking it, she saw she had missed a call earlier.

When Patrice returned, she found Abbie looking distracted, fumbling with her cell.

"Hey, something wrong?"

"No, actually… I'm just a little surprised… I actually got the job," Abbie smiled up at Patrice, continuing, "I just applied so long ago and didn't honestly expect to get it," Her voice trailed off, the news sinking in.

Patrice smiled broadly and slipped back to her place next to Abbie, sliding a hand over her thigh under the table, "That's great, congratulations! What's the job?"

The implications were slowly starting to sink in for the brunette, she gazed at her drink, "It's a great opportunity.. it's just…. it's in D.C."

If Patrice was upset at the news she covered well, "that's great… really, congrats Abbie. Looks like I won't be faced with such fierce opposing counsel after all. So, when do you start?"

Abbie stared at her phone again, a smile of disbelief crossing her lips, "Monday."

"Oh."

"Yeah. I… I have so much to do," Abbie shook her head in bemusement.

Patrice regarded her quietly for a moment, "Are you planning on doing it all tonight?"

"I doubt it," The brunette responded, giving Patrice a quiet smile.

Patrice finished her drink, "Well then, want to get out of here?"

Abbie was still in a state of slight shock, but didn't protest as Patrice stood and slid her coat back on, tossing some bills down on the table as she did so. She filed out of the bar after Patrice, reaching the street and sliding into a cab after her.

They rode to Patrice's building in mutual contemplative silence. Arriving, the blond led Abbie to the elevator. As the doors closed, Abbie moved closer and quietly took Patrice by the hand, drawing her a little closer and leaned over to kiss her on the shoulder before trailing her lips up the blond's neck.

By the time elevator reached the 24th floor, the women inside had abandoned their restraint, and emerged in a tangle of arms, their lips locked together. Patrice haphazardly backed them down the hall, finding her keys and opening the door.

Abbie shoved Patrice inside, flipping a light switch and lunging at her, reclaiming her lips with her own. They picked their way around the moving boxes still littering the floors, Abbie backing the blond into the kitchen and up against the counter. She half sighed, half growled as she tugged at Patrice's clothes, ridding her of her blazer and unbuttoning her blouse with practiced skill. Patrice reached for the hem of Abbie's shirt, only to be brushed away, Abbie pausing her pursuits long enough to capture both of Patrice's wrists and shoving her hands onto the edge of the counter, closing her fingers around the edge. The brunette gave them a squeeze, and bit down on Patrice's neck, making it clear that the blond was to keep them there.

Abbie released Patrice's neck, noting that she would be wearing high necklines for at least a week. Abbie's hands roamed freely, pushing Patrice's shirt open, and unclasping her bra. She quickly slid the garment up, replacing her hands with her mouth, kissing, and nipping at Patrice's increasingly flushed skin. Feeling her body respond to Abbie's touch, Patrice moaned heatedly through clenched teeth.

As the brunette moved her kisses lower, she felt Patrice run a hand through her hair. Abbie paused, giving the blond a dangerous look,

"Hands back on the counter Patrice, or do I need to give you some incentive?"

Patrice wasn't prepared for the reaction she had to those words. She felt her knees weaken as she slowly moved her hands back to the counter. Abbie grinned at her and continued, pausing to drag her tongue across the squirming blond's firm stomach, lingering on her navel before sliding to her knees and unzipping Patrice's skirt, pulling it off and allowing the blond to step out. Her knuckles were white as she gripped the counter, but she didn't move her hands, even when Abbie slowly began to slide her panties down with her teeth.

Abbie finished undressing her captive and smiled up at her, enjoying the expressions playing on the bond's features. She slid a hand along the woman's slender leg, feeling a shiver run through her and goosebumps cover the smooth skin. Abbie pushed Patrice's legs apart, allowing her better access and slipped her hand up to run through the blond curls, slowly pushing, one finger and then two inside, enjoying the sounds she was eliciting. Abbie leaned in closer as Patrice began to rock slowly against her hand, kissing the soft skin of her thigh. She took her time teasing her before relenting and moving to lick her center, first softly, then faster and longer as Patrice began to lose control, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

Abbie continued her pursuits, sliding her free hand up to cover Patrice's, which was still gripping the counter furiously. She added a third finger, and soon heard the blond's breath catch as she came, her head pushed back, breathing Abbie's name.

Seconds later, her shaking legs unwilling to hold her up any longer, she sunk slowly onto the floor, kneeling even with Abbie and leaned into her, placing slow kisses on the brunette's delicate neck. As she recovered she stood, pulling Abbie up with her, seeing passion flickering in those deep eyes. Patrice leaned down and pulled on her skirt and blouse, not bothering with her undergarments. Abbie gave her a quizzical look. The blond just smiled and took her hand, pulling her in for a quick but forceful kiss before grabbing a blanket from the back of the couch and leading her out of the apartment, taking the elevator to the roof.

The roof deck was well adorned with tasteful outdoor furniture and at this late hour was deserted, Patrice's fellow residents long having gone to bed or out to bars and clubs. Abbie stood near the railing and quietly crossed her arms, tilting her head to the side thoughtfully as she surveyed the skyline surrounding them.

Patrice slid up behind her, moving her long dark hair aside and kissing the back of Abbie's neck quietly,

"Enjoying the view Tex?"

In spite of the pleasant temperature, Abbie shivered slightly. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she turned around, giving Patrice an appreciative once-over,

"Definitely."

Patrice grinned at her and moved in, pushing the brunette down onto one of the oversized lounge chairs, following after and claiming her lips with her own, intent on making the most of the rest of the night.

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The summer night was still warm, the sounds of the city below were mingling together, and a few dim stars just visible in the dark sky above. Patrice lay quietly on one of the cushioned benches of her building's roof deck, just on the edge of drifting off, feeling more content than she had in years.

A hint of sadness crept over her, and she pulled the blanket closer around them against the encroaching night's chill. She let out a breath she seemed to have been holding for ages, turning to press her lips to the forehead of the beautiful woman who lay beside her. Her arm beneath the brunette had lost feeling long ago, but she couldn't bring herself to move it and risk disturbing Abbie from her sleep.

Patrice wasn't ready to face the fact that the hours would inevitably march on into morning and the all too certain advancement of real life. She still didn't quite understand how she had ended up here, on a New York rooftop with a woman she hardly knew, but felt so uncontrollably drawn to be near.

And she would be gone by Monday.

Though she was sad to see her go, Patrice had no illusion that she had reason to ask Abbie to stay. Were the roles to have been reversed, Patrice knew she would have been booking her ticket already. She took a deep breath, her eyes tracing the night sky, trying to gain a bit of perspective.

Abbie stirred quietly in her sleep, moving closer and nuzzling her face into Patrice's neck. The brunette was so soft and warm as she dozed, but Patrice finally gave into logic and leaned down to kiss her, quietly waking her.

She murmured, "hey… babe…. we should go inside."

Abbie kissed her back, looking up at Patrice, their eyes meeting for a moment. She smiled sleepily and nodded, allowing Patrice to pull her up from the cushions. They dressed quickly and as Patrice turned to leave, Abbie griped her shoulder, turning her around and pulling her into a lingering kiss before taking her hand, and leading her back downstairs.