A/N: Thank you for support... changed my mind about title. I am too nice to be too mean...

Act IV: Dreams

For Nina, time seemed to stop around her as the music that was once circling the room came to a numbing halt. Colors were being drained from her eyes, fading out in white wash, her senses attacking her every resistant denial. She frigidly clutched at her head, covering her face as she strained to reject the voice and facade that haunted her weeks ago. She thought she was beyond this and had conquered this.

Nina…

Lily still has what you want!

"No… she doesn't!" Nina gritted her teeth in a stumble. She was trying desperately if not feverishly to get away from the stage that showcased her. To get away from the Lily who haunted her. To get away from the music that swayed her. And away from the crowd that praised her pain.

Nina felt herself lose balance as her foot got caught against a prop box, the ballerina hitting the floor in a painful grunt. "Ugh!"

Like a little girl running away…

Swan eyes were staring right at her in disappointment.

Still haven't learned a thing…

"Please stop… I don't want this anymore…" Nina didn't know if she even said the words or thought it, pushing herself to her feet in a struggle as darkness weighed her down. She knew inside her mind it wasn't possible but even then she did so with silence - looking at 'herself' in the distorted mirror. The dark doppelganger always had a ghastly splendor to her, black all around her coiled body, wings spread like the beautiful disaster she was. Her glare was unrelenting. Her eyes were soulless. Her words burned like a firey tool carving into Nina's conscience.

Lily can't handle it…

Only I can…

The Black Swan leered at her with the most evil intentions, a bloody glass knife pressed into her wing, playfully slitting her own neck with it, the crimson liquid leaking down her neck to that bony chest.

"Lily can do it!" Nina had tears in her eyes as she bolted to the room in horror. "You're nothing but an illusion!"

Her heart was racing like it did before. It all felt like Opening Night. Nina could even smell it now. The bleeding wounds that haunted her were coming back with a vengeance. Even in her desperation she noticed the details. Passing Lily's dressing room too horrified to even peak, she knew somehow and someway there would be that guilty pool of blood leaking out from underneath. This was just her mind playing tricks. This was all fake! She kept repeating the mantra like a religious priest.

Suddenly from behind she heard a bird-like screech, a behemoth of black feathers clutching onto her arms in a crushing grab, a sharp beak coiled out ready to cut into her flesh. Nina let out her own scream as she stared into the abyss that was bird eyes, this monster ready to devour her.

"Go away!" Nina shoved the bird, falling back, scrounging to her toes as she ran into her office, slamming the door shut as she crumpled to the floor in tears.

The real world of course was a bit confused.

"Aw come on Nina! I just needed you to ruffle my feathers to get the dust off!" The costumed male dancer whined as the image of a flustered giant black bird without his mask on made a few ballerinas laugh.

Inside the room Nina's breaths were as frantic as her mind, her chest heaving as she reached for her purse. She desperately grabbed at her pills, seizing her medication and downing it with no hesitance or thought of repercussions. Her legs felt wobbly as she fell back against the door, slamming into it and falling to the ground, crumpled up with knees against her chest.

"… It's all fake… it's not real…" Nina whispered to herself, the only warmth she could feel were her own arms hugging around herself. The coldness around her otherwise was a familiar feeling.

Nothing's really changed…

Nothing at all…

- B – B – B –

The crowd's roar was a symbol of success. Lily's transformation was complete as she gave herself one last critical check, eyeing the dark costume she had changed into for the first time in completion. Like a costume designer herself she made sure all was in place. The red contacts did look menacing as they should. The black make up would tell the tale of this Swan's unforgiving nature. The ornate headdress all made her felt so spruced up, like a royal Queen, someone that commanded respect from everyone and anyone. Most importantly underneath all that Lily was a Black Swan through and through. She was a natural at this.

Her performance in the first act was getting her adrenaline pumping high, Lily feelings he could conquer this crowd and this stage as Thomas imagined it. She thought about how Nina looked when she first got into the Black Swan outfit. She became so sexual. So confident.

For Lily it was not so much a transformation as it was a confirmation. She already embodied everything the Black Swan was.

... What's Nina doing?

From across the hallway, behind all the franticness that was shuffling ballerinas and ballerinos, Lily opened to the door to see Nina in tears, crushed in Thomas arms trying to be consoled. The Swan Queen tried to push through the crowded hallway, maneuvering around her peers to get through, ultimately watching Nina walk away and out the door to the exit before she could say a word. Thomas seemed a bit concerned as he stared to the ground; probably cursing French words Lily couldn't imagine comprehending. Lily almost didn't want to even ask the next question.

"Hey, Thomas what's up with Nina?"

Thomas shook himself out his own thoughtful daze, staring at his Swan Queen's concerned face. "She had a little episode but she's fine. Don't worry about that. You are on in two minutes." The choreographer was once again emotionless stone.

"A little episode?" Lily knew this was being downplayed the minute he opened that Frenchy mouth. "But she was just fine a min-"

"Lily, no more questions! Your focus is on the show and your performance only!" Thomas grasped her arm before she could even protest, guiding her away to stage left as Lily stared out to the doorway Nina had exited. Like always, Nina Sayers left without a word and without really a trace. Lily really wanted Nina to be here. This was still her role… she needed to see it live and in action.

… What was wrong Nina? Lily thought she was getting better.

"Lily are you listening?" Thomas shook her gently as the Swan Queen turned back from the shock of the contact, nodding to him almost blankly. "You were wonderful in the first act, do not let up! The crowd is at your whim."

"Yes Thomas…" Lily shook herself trying to get back in the moment, something she was usually a pro at.

"Seduce the crowd!" Thomas said his parting words before walking off to gather up the other dancers.

Performing for this vixen was like turning a switch on and off. She could do it on a whim unlike most others. Cocking her body ready for the dance, Lily stood waiting for her cue but at this moment couldn't help letting her thoughts 'dance' around as well. It was a strange feeling for her. A sense of concern and doubts was something she left far back in San Francisco and even then, she left that part of her dead years ago. She was a carefree spirit in the most truthful nature of the world, willing to leave the moment whenever she pleased if it bothered her. That was what made her such a wonderful performer. That was what made Lily... Lily.

It was different right now though. There was no moment of free thought, just like when Veronica tore into her days ago. All she could think about were those days in the Hospital with an unconscious Nina… speaking to her, giving out hope that she would recover.

Are you going to be alright Nina?

Her focus waned and Lily was about to learn this fact the hard way.

The part of the Swan Queen was unforgiving.

- B - B - B -

These walls of time release
My eyes, move like the drift
The cries! They resonate within
The fabric tears, before me
Break ties between the skin

It was only a few minutes ago when Lily landed on the mattress laid out for her safety, finished with what was her first performance as the Swan Queen. When she got up there was no blood to be had this time, that tragic night a historic past now an official memory. Then again, the crowd that was waiting for Nina to tell her her how awesome she did wasn't there either. Lily knew she didn't deserve it. After the lonely walk to her room and shower, she was packing her things knowing the second and third acts of the show weren't as tight as it needed to be.

For the first time in New York she was distracted. She wasn't ready. Lily couldn't believe it but the fact was that Nina was all she had on her mind. Images of Nina dancing. Images of Nina crying… it was inexplicable. Had anyone ever gotten under her skin like this?

Not in awhile…

"Lily, my office."

Lily was about to exit the building to recover from the night, those ear pieces about to cover her ears so she could lose herself in sonic bliss. Those words by a stern and agitated Thomas stopped her on her tracks though, slowly bringing Lily to a 180 degree turn. She trudged along, having a feeling she wasn't going to get the warmest of receptions in the office of the boss.

"Thomas?" Lily peered in to see him seated at his desk, a rude surprise awaiting for her.

"Hey there Lily." Veronica smiled, giving her a wink of illest will.

"W-what's going on here?"

"Just step inside my dear."

Lily crept in carefully as she noticed the Apple LCD Monitor was replaying footage from opening night, these two apparently watching Nina's masterful performance. The present Swan Queen looked over to Thomas who didn't return eye contact.

"She was brilliant that night." Thomas moved his hand along with Nina's motions. "Instinct and no mind to react… Nina became the Swan Queen."

"Yes she was amazing Thomas." Veronica agreed quite over enthusiastically, Lily peaking over at her, seeing the fakeness in her expressions pour out like an oozing slime. What Lily would give to be able to slap this girl upside the head!

"Have you ever watched this performance again Lily?" Thomas still didn't take his eyes off his monitor, eyes as concentrated as it always was.

"No… I haven't had the chance." Lily turned back, now watching the screen.

"But you are the Swan Queen, the current lead." Thomas finally peaked over. "Why aren't you watching what your previous lead did again and again? Did you know Nina studied every tape on Beth countless times in the last season?"

Lily didn't have an answer as she just watched the ballerina, her newest friend, put on a performance of a lifetime from stage view. Nina embodied what it meant to be a technical ballerina. To be a virtuoso dancer. It was like watching a doctor doing surgery, or a craftsman creating a brilliant piece of art out of a blank slate, or a musician creating a concerto. Greatness wasn't something that came by too often and on that night Nina achieved it.

"Lily the problem I have with you is that I don't feel like you're treating this seriously."

"That's bullshit." Lily shook her head at his direction. "I am not half assing this Thomas."

"No." Thomas replied before you she could even add on. "What's bullshit was the performance after the first act. What the hell happened out there tonight?"

Lily just stood there like a statue on an island, thinking about the stupid rookie mistakes she did, not finishing strongly in transitions as well as a stiff rhythm. When the mind was cluttered Lily's strengths on the dancing stage had become weaknesses. She had no snarky reply or wise comeback. Her performance was all the answers she had and Veronica was probably ecstatic about this.

"I know that you probably understand what issues I had with your performance." Thomas leaned back in his chair. "The sad thing is that for the most part there was nothing terribly wrong with what you did. But that was it… it was pretty good, nothing special."

"It… was Nina." Lily blurted out, not meaning to, just trying to find something to stop this barrage on her night.

"Oh, so it was Nina leaving that got you off your performance?" Thomas spat sighing in the most highest levels of disappointment. "You let something like that distract you from your night Lily?"

"I was just… concerned. I'm not trying to make an excuse."

"Things happen, life happens but you cannot use that to explain a performance on stage." Thomas stood up and began to pace slowly. "Do you think the crowd gives a shit if you're having a bad day?"

"No…" The French accented verbal assault was just irking Lily to no end, her body language slagging like a girl just having enough with the situation.

"You worry about Nina, that's understandable. We all do." Thomas crossed his arms as he sat on his table desk. "But if you really are concerned about her you should have gone out there and did what you are capable of doing."

Capable of doing...

"I look at your records Lily… secondary lead… alternates… backup roles…" Thomas was imagining reading her resume again. "Your last lead role was years ago! I just don't understand it! You have the abilities and the beauty and the talent to be one of the best in the business! And the only reason I hired you was because I got to see you in person. But now I am beginning to see why you only get secondary roles… you're not willing to sacrifice yourself for greatness!"

"…"

"Do you want to be great?" Thomas asked with passion, challenging Lily. "Do you want this lead? Do you want this role? Do you want any of this at all?"

Why wouldn't I...?

"It seems to me like you don't." Thomas accused with no pity. "It seems to me like you're in this business just to prance around and have a good time. That's why you show up late right? That's why you laugh it up so much during practice right?" He walked up to her staring her down like a piece of meat. "That is fine when you are just a backup role. But not when you are the main attraction in my production. Understood?"

"I… get it…" Lily gritted teeth, staring up at Thomas like a wounded angry puppy.

"Do you?" Thomas mused mockingly. "Then get this. I notice you have been getting friendly with Nina, so if you truly care for Nina then just know that her last performance playing the Swan Queen her may be her last in the business."

"W-what do you mean?" Lily blinked.

"Tonight she told me she stepped down from her assistant position. That's why she left." Thomas seemed visibly upset at the notion. "Honestly I was hoping she would recover but her mental state is so fragile I don't know if she would ever return."

"You mean… she might not come back at all?"

Thomas shook his head as Lily looked at him with disbelief. "There's no turning back now Lily. Nina's performance is her legacy and was her swan song. This season might very well be the lasting impression she has in this ballet world. If you really care about her, I'd imagine you'd do everything in your power to continue her legacy throughout this production."

Lily felt her heart sink for Nina, wondering what it was like to step down and away from the company on a night like this.

"Because if you don't manage to do so? I'll ask someone else to." Thomas eyes met with Veronica as she nodded at him to appease.

Lily's glare darted over to Veronica as the ballerina was as snug as ever. She couldn't even fathom this bitch taking over Nina's spot and trying to make that performance live on for the rest of the production. It was making her sick. It was making her upset. Veronica didn't care about Nina and at this moment Lily was flat out pissed off there was even a chance this could happen.

Nina doesn't deserve that.

"I wouldn't be so upset if I felt you were giving me a 100 percent Lily." Thomas began packing his things. "I see flashes of brilliance that wow me all the time with you." He sighed. "It's going to waste if you continue like this."

"Look, there's no way in Hell Veronica will replace Nina. I can do this!" Lily scowled, staring intensely into Thomas eyes. For the first time Thomas felt pure fury and determination, making him smile.

"Then show me." Thomas gave her the wish and then the warning. "This upcoming show? Prove to me how far you're willing to take this. If you're finally ready to capture your true potential for the first time in your life."

"Whatever… I'll see you tomorrow." Lily answered simply like a girl on a mission, turning away from Thomas with very little sweetness. As she was walking past Veronica, in a furious power strut as they slightly bumped shoulders, neither of them giving an inch. There was a pause before Lily just stormed out.

"Like I said Lily… good luck." Veronica smirked to herself with an evil intent, knowing that she was one step closer to living her fantasy role.

Reaching for a way out of this dream
I waste my breath ascending!
Fears lead me astray!
The past brings them to be!
What's left to carry me?

But a memory…
The dream endures these lies
Forever at the edge, left surviving alone.

- B – B – B -

The dim lighting and emptiness was strangely inviting. Maybe because for Nina it was all she knew. It was nothing new being alone in her apartment. Her mother wasn't looking over her shoulder and she was independent but what difference did that make? She still couldn't understand herself. She still was sitting her without anyone, alone with her own frightful thoughts.

Sitting down on the floor cross-legged, Nina ran her fingers into the laces of her ballet shoes, feeling the scuff marks and shabbied out edges on the toes where she abused them to no end. She thought about how many years and how much time she put into these shoes, just like the many she had worn down to become worthless in her career.

Her dead career.

No one was stopping her but her own self.

She was taking away her one last love... with no one to point the finger at anymore.

"Why!" Nina suddenly tossed the shoes against the far wall as she let out a burst of anger, holding herself as tears ran down her eyes. "Where are you now? Huh?" The ballerina looked around the dark apartment, staring at the few mirrors in the room almost chiding her 'other' self to appear. Her frustration had reached a breaking point where she didn't give a crap if it showed itself again.

"Is this what you wanted?" Nina clenched her fist, feeling just a ball of anger well up inside her chest. "You want me to be miserable! That's all you fucking want!"

Nina suddenly turned and slammed her fists behind the closet door shutting and rattling it as it was pounded repeatedly like a beaten drum. It was feeling amazing, letting all this aggression that was pent up for months spill out on it in a furious flurry.

My obsessed mother!

WHAM!

Thomas' expectations!

WHAM!

Lily's talents!

WHAM!

My backstabbing peers!

WHAM!

My loathing self!

WHAM!

Her breathing pulsated with her thumping heart beat which offset the furious ruckus that was a door turned punching bag. After countless slams she was exhausted and torn up inside, as well as damaging those scrawny fists of hers. Nina was sure she stopped only because she had to, like always sacrificing her own body to exploit what was inside her soul. Leaning back against the closet door in a weak stance, sliding down pathetically in almost a fetal position, she began her crying heart out.

She tried to contain it but the tears wouldn't stop. She wheezed and had trouble catching her breath as she lay defeated, not wanting to even move. Her challenge to her darker self was met with only silence.

Why… why am I so weak?

What do you want from me?

The door suddenly got a strong knock, that nearly frightened her out of her mind. Nina sat up slowly, reaching for her tissues as she began patting her cheeks down. "W-who is it?" she said with a shivery voice.

"It's me Nina." Lily's distinct voice cut through the muffling door. Nina stood up weakly, inside perking up a little at the idea of Lily visiting her. That of course slowly dissipated as she remembered why she walked away from the ballet production in the first place.

"Lily I…"

"Don't say you need to be alone because I took the metro here and I am not leaving until I get to see you, so forget it."

Nina quickly wiped her eyes with tissues on the counter, sighing as she made her way to the doorway. She tried to look as fresh as possible knowing that she was probably a mess. With a flip of the lock she opened the door with a slight creak.

"Salutations." Lily waved her hands, having two conspicuous brown bags in her clutches.

"Hello Lily…" Nina tried her hardest to smile, attempting to bring her emotions at least to the same ballpark as her counterpart. Which of course was pretty much always laid back and happy as far as Nina knew.

"So, you gonna invite me in or shall we party in the hallway?"

"Oh yes… come on in." Nina opened the doorway, the natural Black Swan herself walking in, seeing an elegant if not empty room. There wasn't a sign of personality in this place what so ever and Nina had been here for at least a week.

"Finally get to see Nina's home! Nice place you got here…" Lily pondered the design, comparing it to the claustrophobia that was Nina's old place. "Um, better than before that's for sure."

"Y-yes… I thought so too."

Lily placed the bags down on the counter, eyes still wandering around the newly furnished apartment. As her cute mink like eyes settled she finally got to see Nina in well-lit lighting. "Hey you've been crying haven't you?"

Nina just nodded without saying a word, hiding her eyes as she wiped her cheeks off.

"I knew something was wrong. I heard you left as advisor and I just had to come here to talk to you." Lily glanced over concerned. "You weren't answering my phone calls or texts."

"Sorry… I just wanted to be…"

"Alone? Aw come now, really?" Lily finished for her in total disagreement, pulling out two rather large wine bottles. The sight didn't phase Nina at all. She wasn't in the mood.

"Lily…"

"No, don't worry about it princess. This ain't for you." Lily smirked to reassure, rubbing the bottles like they were buried treasure. "Me and cheap 7-11 alcohol are gonna be bed buddies tonight. You mind if I crash here?"

"Uh… I…"

"Thanks I'll take that as a yes." Lily didn't even let her finish yet again, scrumming through her purse for her cork opener.

The audacity of Lily's self invitation aside, Nina paused as she tried analyze Lily's body language. Wanting to finish two wine bottles herself and actually looking a bit down (in a relative sense) seemed to point to one thing. The performance tonight wasn't exactly ideal. As a dancer herself Nina knew it. She was actually reading the mysterious Lily for once...

"I… am guessing tonight didn't go as planned?"

"M-more or less…" Lily quickly tried to not think about it, looking at the pantry for a subject change. "Got any cups?"

"S-sure…" Nina walked over to the cupboard and pulled out one, Lily taking it with a friendly thanks and began to pop the cork.

"What happened Lily?" Nina expressed deep concern. "I saw you doing so well when I got to watch…"

"Y-yeah.. well… it kinda went south after that." Lily laughed in a half-manner, smiling soon after though like it was completely forced. "At least you got to see the good part huh?"

"… I'm sorry I wasn't there…"

"No don't you worry about that." Lily shook her head, diverting the sympathy. "I'm sorry you're not staying on with the production Nina. I'm the one that feels so bad."

"Don't you worry either…" Nina sat down at the counter finally, relaxing as Lily's aura was working its charm yet again. "I just think I need to stay away and be far away... for a little bit."

There was that silence again that there relationship stared on. Lily and Nina both knew how hard it was for her to say that. Ballet was her great love. Her purpose in life so far had been to perfect and to dance on the stage as she was born to do. To stay away from that? To cut herself from this world? It was gut wrenching…

"What happened? I thought everything was going great." Lily filled up her glass quite full, Nina never seeing a cup of wine that full being at so many of those ballet production parties.

"I thought so too…" Nina couldn't understand it either, thinking those hallucinations were behind her. "I guess feeling the crowd… seeing you dance… I felt I was on stage almost… and-"

"It all came flooding back for you didn't it?"

"Yes… perhaps something like that…" Nina's eyes were so full of emptiness that it was hard for anyone to not feel it. Lily was much more empathetic than she let on. There was some sweetness in the girl down there... somewhere in that party animal's body.

"Well you know what? Maybe this break is good for you." Lily tried to spin it as she took a gulp of the cheap wine, shivering as it burned down her throat. "Some artists need some time to reload on that battery you know?"

"Yes… that might be it."

"And whenever you'll come back… You'll better than ever!"

The perkiness made Nina smile. In fact she was beginning to realize a fact. Ever since she awoke in the Hospital, Lily always made her smile. That image of her evil manipulating Lily terrorizing her was so far gone that it had to make Nina laugh a bit. She just had to figure out why Lily was this way…

"Lily, why are you so kind to me? I never did anything to warrant this."

"... Well, you seemed genuinely nice and kind." Lily answered plainly with another sip. "I didn't get that vibe from anyone else around here." She paused as she wanted to be careful with the words. "And you know… maybe I saw some of myself… in you."

"You… saw yourself… in me?"

Lily began to giggle with a congratulatory wink, Nina realizing how wrong that sounded quite quickly. The girl just huffed and rolled her eyes as Lily yet again twisted her into a jester figure more so than any Swan Queen.

"Yes… Nina I did." Lily placed her wine glass down. "I wasn't always like this you know… the way I am now."

'The way you act you seems so… not me. I can't imagine you any other way."

"Well then? Get to know me first and maybe you'll find out how similar we are and you can be the judge. Fair?" Lily slid the wine glass to Nina as of course this was the customary thing to do for the little vixen. Drinking by herself apparently wasn't something she ever planned.

"Take a sip. Doctors say it's good for you to have a glass a night."

Nina didn't really want to but felt incited to join in, reaching out and took the wine glass, taking a sip or more so a lick. "Only a little…"

"Just to take the edge off, gotcha." Lily grinned on approvingly, glancing around. "So… I got the couch tonight or are do you got a bunk bed?"

- B – B – B -

What's left as I wander?
I've found a world where I am free
Inside that which is truth…

And what if this illusion?
I've come to know?
Is not the same…

Hours later, and about three quarters of the second wine bottle out dry, one could imagine the scene playing out in Nina's room. Laughter, giggling, and some of the most out there behavior Nina Sayers had ever done. And of course all of it was being recorded as director extraordinaire Lily was having a great time. When she wasn't at a club? Lily brought the club to her.

"Come on Nina do it again!" Lily was lying on the couch spread out, laughing her cute little self-off as she was having her own giggle fest, her iPhone documenting classic-ness.

"A-are you sure it was funny?" Nina slurred a little bit shakily standing like the drunk she was at the moment.

"Yes it's hilarious, just do it!" Lily urged in a cute fit.

"Alright…" Nina blinked a few times in perparation, standing straight up in a proper posture like a certain elegant man they knew. "Ello Nina my little princess! You must become ze' Swan Queen! You must live it and not lie to yourself! Your White Swan is very good. Yes! But your Black Swan? Bah… no! It is no good! Pee'ew! Shame on you!"

Nina's horrible French accent and man voice was forcing Lily's sides to literally hurt, cracking the giggling babe up like a Tickle Me Elmo doll. If someone sober were there it probably would have sounded like that stinky skunk from the Looney Tunes rather than an accurate portrayal of the world renown choreographer.

"But Thomas!" Lily fluttered her wings trying to be cute and now playing the innocent role. "I am the White Swan and Black Swan!"

"You must be kidding me madam! You are dancing more like a Flamingo would!" Nina began dangling her legs. "Or like an Ostrich perhaps!"

"H-how dare you! I'm no White Flamingo!" Lily laughed out loud as she snakingly stood, wobbly feet and all, trying to do a plié but staggering like an old plastered woman would. Nina began giggling out of character only to cross her arms and point with a stomp of her foot as Lily was on her rear, sitting back.

"Come on Lily! Attack it! Seduce it! Attack it! Seduce it! Massage it!"

Lily busted out in drunken cackling yet again again as she was on the floor crumpled up, holding her stomach, teeth clenched trying to hold back her laughing. "No more… please… my cheeks are hurting!"

Nina a little exhausted herself in the bad imitation, crumpling up next to Lily, both of them down on the tile floor. The girls now were laying flat and staring at the ceiling. Their heads were hazed yet close together. To say these two ballet babes were smashed was the understatement of the year. The 7-11 wine had some kick to it for sure.

"I… wanna watch a movie…" Lily garbled randomly.

"Don't be silly… it's so late." Nina replied woozily. "It's like... 13:00 o clock a.m."

"B-but that movie No Strings Attached is out." Lily whined.

"Ungh wha?" Nina held her pulsing head, closing her eyes. "... What's that about?"

"It's about two friends hooking up but the girl doesn't want a relationship." Lily was hoping she got the synopsis down but shrugged. "I think Ashton Kutcher is in it or something…"

"Oh I think saw the poster walking home once." Nina put a finger to her lip. "Who is Ashton Kutcher again?"

"You don't know Ashton? The Punk'd guy?"

Nina just stared blankly shrugging, giggling at Lily's puzzled face.

"You know, that guy on that 70's show? Tall? Looks kinda funny?"

"Oh! I remember seeing a little bit of that once when I was little!" Nina clapped. "Oh yes! I remember! H-he he was the one that dated that adorable dark haired girl."

"Yes that girl who plays Jackie. B-but cute? Hah! Oh my god her voice is so damn annoying…" Lily scowled. "I just wanted to tear her throat out!"

"Um, w-who is the female in that movie… Strings No Attached?" Nina groaned as she laid her head down to relax again.

"Bah I forget her damn name, I think she was in those Star Wars movies as the queen… and she did the Professional when she was really young." Lily sighed as she couldn't pull the name. "She is really pretty though. So hot."

"Hmmm, I don't recall any of those movies…" Nina blinked dumbly.

"Hehe, you are such a nerd Nina." Lily blurted out, clinging onto her, nuzzling her like a best friend would. Nina just felt the warmth against her face, smiling to herself as this strange alien feeling of being intoxicated and having some hold her was making her feel at bliss. She was afraid to think twice about it, worried it would fade away.

"Do you like me?" Lily asked innocently if not suddenly.

"O-of course…" Nina said under her breath, still closing her eyes to keep the room from spinning in circles. "We're friends... right?"

"I mean do you like me… like me…" Lily was talking like a 12 year old would, yet having the suggestiveness of a spring break party girl.

"Y-you're being silly… Lily…" The two inebriated girls chortled at the rhyme, Nina stopping those giggles though as suddenly as she felt kissing sensations against her neck. The pecks were heavenly to the point it made her lay completely still. It felt like warm tickling pulses that shot throughout her body, making her feel the warmness and butterflies in her stomach.

"Do you want to find out if the real deal… matches the dream?" Lily whispered into her ear like the naughty succubus she was.

For a second Nina almost completely snapped out of her drunken daze, opening her eyes, seeing Lily right on top of her, hands exploring Nina's body like a curious little creature. The lighter haired ballerina only saw a pretty face close in on her before she could react, lips soon touching.

It was unbelievable.

They were kissing…

Holding you, a distant memory with me always,
Tragically I've found I am not alone,
In a world of infinity sewn

Perceive beyond the seam
Beyond the seam…
A soul evolves as one

- B – B – B -

"Oh Lily…"

Wake up Nina…

A gasp later and Nina suddenly awoke in a cold sweat staring at her alarm clock, finding herself in the bed alone in the darkness. The images in her mind were fresh but the lines between what was fake and real was as blurry as ever. Her sheets were tossed around and coiled up, but there was no feeling behind her or beside her. Nina twisted on her side quickly, hoping to see someone there but found nothing but a pillow. Her mind couldn't comprehend it. Lily was gone. Was this fucking happening to her again?

She suddenly heard the sink go off, making her blink as the water stopped running soon after. Like a really neighborly ghost, the woman in question opened the door, as naked as the day she was born walking out and rubbing her eyes.

"S-sorry did I wake you up?" Lily yawned.

"N-no…" Nina, now sober was staring at Lily, not knowing what to say. She was staring at something she'd never imagined she'd see awake.

"Okay then, um, well…" Lily walked beside the bed, sliding back into it gracefully, giving Nina a peck on her cheek. "Then let's go back to sleep… please."

Nina blushed as she soon was even redder than lipstick, noticing she was completely naked as well, covering up in her sheets as she stared at Lily. "W-why are you still here?"

Wasn't she supposed to disappear?

"Um…" Lily curled her neck curiously. "We did the naughty totally smashed… and I was too tired to move to the couch… so you said I could sleep here remember?"

"Y-yes… yes I remember now."

"Good… now sleep." Lily snuggled up close, closing her eyes again. "I got to get to ballet practice early tomorrow…"

Lily… at practice early?

… Lily sleeping with me?

Nina just shook her head in a confused groan, plopping back down on her bed, closing her eyes. This was a bit too much to take in at once. The repercussions from the booze wasn't helping either.

A/N: There is a LEMON (sex) section in this chapter... I am sure you know where it is that I can't post on fanfiction dot net . But if you e-mail me or just hit me up in review or PM, I'll gladly send it when I can.

Writing Nina post ballet... is going to be fun. Writing Lily going through her own struggle is going to be fun too! Writing sex scenes between the two? Priceless!