A/N: *peeks out from behind the sofa*

Hi, guys! :-)
I am so sorry it's taken so long. I can only hope this chapter and it's virtual complimentary nibbles of your choice can make up for its lateness. I literally rewrote this chapter twice, so this is the third version of it and some parts of it I'm still not happy with. I know I'm probably reading too much into it, or overreacting, but still... Katie is draining for me to write, showing both her vulnerability, as well as her bitchy sarcastic side (which is honestly what I love so much about her.)

I have to say that so far there is a lot more angst (I suppose) in this tale, stemming from Katie's confusion, which is hard for me to write, because I've never had that confusion myself, and a lot of what I write is from my own thoughts and experiences (actually mostly thoughts, but I'm not going to make myself sound Ike a complete and utter saddo in public any more than I have done since I first got online), plus I love to create scenarios in my mind, I suppose... And I'm a big fan of intense stories that just grip you... Which apparently I have a great job of doing if the reaction I am getting to Rainbow Unicorn is anything to go by. It's a mystery/crime piece, if anyone is into that sort of thing and is a Naomily story...

Anyway... Enough from me, and on with the show...

Disclaimer: I do not own skins. This chapter is brought to you by the letters K, F and F. ;-). Any and all typos not my fault!

(Katie POV)

I couldn't believe what had happened in the short time since I had woken up. Or maybe I could, but I wasn't sure of anything today. I was too... I don't really know if upset is the right word for it. Angry isn't, either. Confused was a good one. Seems to be a running theme, at the moment. I had at least showered and got dressed, I just was still undecided as to whether I was going to this bloody festival. It was confusing to me, how she said she knew I would be there. The extra sense of perception she seemed to have about her both interested me, and drove me crazy. But I think that was because I knew so little about her. The mystery of her was what had me so far, what kept my interest. She trapped me somehow.

And that was why I would go to the festival. I felt like she had me under a fucking spell.

I got up and went inside, closing the balcony door behind me and locking it. It was only a little after nine, and I knew it was a good half hour walk to Brandon Hill. I got dressed, settling for casual. This thing being a festival, it might not be a good idea to wear heels, so I settled on a pair of gumboots. Whatever. I walked back into the sitting room and picked up my phone from the coffee table. I rang Effy's number and waited for her to pick up.

"Katie?"

"Uhm... Hi. Look, I know you're busy, but..." I said, nervously.

"Are you alright?" She asked.

I paused. "I need to see you."

"Come to the festival, then."

"I will, but..." I hesitated. "I need to see you before. Like...now."

"I just left." Effy said, stating the bleeding obvious as usual.

"I know, but..." I sighed. I didn't know how to finish that thought. I think Effy sensed it, though.

"Katie? I'm on my way back. I won't be long." She said, calmly.

"Ok." I said. "Uhm... Thanks."

"I'll see you soon." She said, before ending the call.

I put my phone in my pocket, and made sure I was presentable. It wasn't long before there was a knock at my door. I opened it to see Effy looking back at me.

"Hi." I said. "T-thanks again for coming back. I know I'm holding you up."

Effy nodded. "If you want to talk... Can we do it on the way?" She asked, calmly.

I looked at her curiously, and then nodded. "Right. I'll just...get my keys, yeah?"

I locked my front door and we set on our way. Or rather, I let her lead the way, because I didn't know where she was going. I wasn't even sure where to start with what I had to say to her.

"So?" Effy said, as we walked.

I thought for a moment. "I... Why did you leave, like that?"

"I told you, I had to go." Effy shrugged. "I didn't realise we'd slept so late."

"Oh." I replied.

"That's not what you're asking, though." Effy said. "You want to know why I left you in bed."

"I... Yes. You didn't really explain."

"I know. I am sorry." Effy said, and at least she sounded sincere.

"Well?" I asked.

"I have to help Naomi's mum set up her stall at the festival. At least, I was supposed to."

"Oh. And you're late because of me." I said.

Effy shook her head. "I'm late because I am. The fact that I was with you... That's just coincidence."

"Of course."

"Do you always wear so much leopard print?" Effy asked. Is she kidding me with this question?

"I like it." I replied.

"Can't half tell." Effy smirked.

"Do you always wear so much sodding black?" I countered.

"I like it." Effy shrugged, mimicking my reply.

"You're infuriating."

"I know. But you don't seem to mind."

I didn't know how to answer that, so I just shut my mouth and kept walking. Soon, we came to a stop outside a house that had a large blue double-decker bus parked outside it. I'd never seen a bus that colour before, and what's more, it was covered in all sorts of colourful paintings, the most weird of which was one near the front of a woman and an octopus.

"Uhm... Is that...uh..."

"A woman being fucked by an octopus? Yes. And yes, it's Naomi's bus."

"I gathered that, but I didn't know it had this painted on it. It doesn't look finished, though." I said.

"Because it's not. It's a work in progress."

"Oh." I said. "That's...fucking weird."

"To say the least. Now, do you want to come in, or do you want to gawk at Naomi's house more?" Effy said, opening the front door of the house.

"She lives in that?" I asked. It was...amazing to say the least. Now I know why it caught Emily's attention.

"Yes." Effy replied. She stood still on the doorstep for a moment, and then checked the time on her phone. "Shit. I missed them. Gina said Cook was going to be here at nine. It's ten-thirty."

"Sorry." I said, apologetically.

"Don't." Effy said, holding her hand up. "I was where I wanted to be this morning, ok? You don't have to apologise."

I nodded.

"Now... If you don't mind waiting, I need to take a shower."

"Uh...yeah. I'll just... Have a look at this, I guess." I said, looking back at the bus.

"I shouldn't be too long." Effy said, turning and going into the house and shutting the door behind her. I turned back to the bus, looking at it curiously. I walked all the way around it, and I could see why Emily was so drawn to it. It certaly is interesting, though I'm not too sure about that octopus thing. I mean, who the hell thinks up that sort of shit? It made me wonder whether I could trust Naomi with my sister. Don't get me wrong, I want Emily to be happy, but even for a lezzer... An octopus is kinky, yeah? The rest of the bus was quite interesting, with "FREEDOM" painted down one side, in large letters, as well as a couple of paintings on the back window that I couldn't quite make out, it looked like they were painted from the inside, so I'm assuming they looked better from the inside. What? I don't know that much about art, that's more my sister's thing.

I guess I must have been staring at the octopus for a long time, because the next thing I heard was Effy's voice next to me.

"Curious?" She said, in her usual monotone.

"Shit! You scared me!" I said, almost jumping ten feet in the air.

"Sorry. You seem drawn to that painting." Effy said.

"Uh..." I really didn't know what to say. "Effy?"

"Yes, Katie?"

"Can I trust your best friend with my sister?" I asked, my eyes flicking towards the odd painting. "I mean, she's not..."

"You can." Effy said, cutting me off gently. "Naomi decided to paint that..." She said, pointing to the octopus, "...to gauge people's reactions. To see how many people stop to look at it, and whether they laugh, are surprised, or horrified."

"Oh. So, what... Like an experiment?" I asked.

"Precisely." Effy nodded. "But...you needn't be worried, Katie. Naomi may prefer the sapphic side, but she's not into anything that weird. Besides... Emily is a grown woman."

"I know... I just-"

"You want to protect her. I know."

I smiled, a little weakly. "She's my baby sister, Effy."

"Not by much." Effy said. "You are twins, after all."

"Still. I don't want her to get hurt." I said.

"I know, Katie." Effy said, as she started to walk down the street. I quickly fell into step beside her. "Don't you think I have Naomi's interests at heart as well?"

"I don't know." I replied. "How can I, when I don't know anything about you?"

"That bothers you." Effy said. She rarely asked questions, this one. She would state things that were true, as questions, and leave me to fill in the blanks.

"Oh, I dunno. I usually like to know more about someone other than just their first name before I let them suck on my tits." I said, sarcastically.

"You've never been in bed with someone you barely knew."

"No. Well... Not until the last two nights."

"You're annoyed."

I stopped. Effy went a few steps further, and stopped as well, turning back towards me. I must have been looking at her gobsmacked, because she became back towards me, a look of concern on her face. "Why?" She asked, simply.

I looked at her and bit my bottom lip. Do I tell the truth here, or play it off? Chances are if I did, she'd know I was lying anyway. She just seems like that kind of person. I sighed. "I... I'm not sure if I can handle you." I said. "You make me feel things I'm not used to, and..."

"You are curious." Effy stepped closer to me, her blue eyes almost boring into my own. "But, I'm too much for you." She said, softly, her eyes searching mine. Her tone was uncertain, almost hurt.

"I can't answer that, Eff. I like you, but I don't know what I want. It's..."

"It is a lot to take in." Effy said. "I understand."

"Do you?" I snapped. "Because I have to wonder. You say you don't want to push me, that this is at my pace... And then you're leaving me in my bed, and I'm half naked, and... Jesus."

Effy placed her hand on my shoulder. "Stop." She said, softly. "Take a deep breath. Calm down." How does she always manage to sound so fucking calm? Regardless, I take a deep breath anyway, feeling slightly defeated. But as I exhale and look into her eyes, I do feel a little better. But only a tiny bit.

I sigh again. "I'm sorry. I probably should have just...stayed at home, and not bothered you." I mutter.

Effy looked at me. "You don't mean that." She said.

I stared at her. I was starting to lose my cool. I hesitated before I spoke. "I don't know what I mean." I finally said.

Effy took my hand in hers, and squeezed it gently. She didn't say anything, and it took me a moment to realise that she was trying to calm me down before I lost it completely. I took another deep breath, but this time it was very shaky. "Eff..." I tried to say. The next minute she had her arms around me, holding me close.

"I'm sorry, Katie. I don't mean to be so-"

"But you ARE!" I said, through tears that were beginning to fall. "You're too much, and you're making me fucking crazy! Don't you understand that?"

She held me tightly, and it calmed me, even though I was so confused and so unsure of what was going on. She didn't say anything, but just held me close. Thank Christ we were standing in a relatively empty street, because this was embarrassing. My heart was racing, I felt like a complete mess, and I was so confused that I didn't know what to think. What's more, having her hold me actually felt good. Too good. This storm of emotions was really beginning to piss me off. I sniffled, and tried to wriggle free from her embrace. I needed her to release me. She gently let me go, and watched me curiously.

"Look... I meant what I said, Katie. I don't want to push you if you're not ready. I am sorry if I've come on strong, but I can't help it. It's just you." Effy said, softly. "If you want... You can go, I'll understand."

I wish she hadn't said that. I really wish she hadn't. Because that just throws it back to me, and I haven't got a clue what I want. I'm so confused... Did I mention that? Jesus fucking Christ. I noticed that we were near to a bench at the edge of the park, so I walked towards it, leaving Effy standing there, and sat down, resting my elbows on my knees, and my head in my hands. I had to breathe before I started to have a fucking panic attack. I shut my eyes, and tried to shut everything out and just breathe. But I felt like I was adrift, floating somewhere stranded, and I didn't know what to do. I heard her footsteps as she walked towards me, and I felt her sit in the space next to me. I swallowed, and turned to her before I spoke.

"Is there any chance, that you could just, like, be a friend today? And not confuse the shit out of me? Because I need you to back off, ok? I know what you want... But I just don't know, ok? I just..." I stopped mid-sentence, and then took another deep breath. "Fuck."

"Ok." Effy said, quietly. "I can at least try. So long as you loosen up a bit."

"Yeah, well... I can't promise anything." I shrugged.

A faint ringing came from Effy's pocket. Her long fingers dug into it and brought out a mobile, which she looked at, and then let ring out. I looked at her strangely. "It's Naomi. She'll leave a voicemail." She explained, watching me carefully. The phone beeped, and Effy nodded. "D'you mind?" She asked, and I shook my head. She dialled a number and listened, presumably to the voicemail she had just received. Her expression changed to her usual smirk, as she dialled another number. "Hi, Naoms. Calm down. I spent the night at Katie's and woke up later than expected. We just got here, so we'll head over to Gina now. You'd better. Oh, and Naoms? Tell Emily not to worry, yeah?" She said, looking directly at me. "See you soon."

I raised an eyebrow. "Tell Emily not to worry?"

Effy shrugged. "I don't want your baby sister to think I'm taking advantage." She smirked.

"Cheeky bitch."

"Are you alright, now?" Effy asked, gently biting her bottom lip. "I'm sorry about before."

"I know, and yeah, I should be ok." I said, looking at my hands. I shut my eyes briefly, opening them again and focusing. "You're very... Intense, Eff."

Effy nodded. "I get told that." She replied. "I'm sorry if it's upset you."

"Don't apologise for being you, ok? I just need to get over myself." I said. "You are unlike anyone I've ever met."

"I know."

"Alright, then. Prove to me that this festival isn't a load of bollocks." I said, waving my hand in the air dramatically as I stood up. The first thing I saw when we entered was a huge sign that read "WELCOME TO THE BRISTOL FOLK FESTIVAL" that was painted in multiple colours. Impressive. I couldn't help thinking that this is the sort of place where famous people come to get their one piece of über trendy folk-art jewellery. Loads of craft type stalls and clothes for hippies (although some of it might be comfortable for slobbing about the house in, and I'm sure Emily would adore some of it as regular daywear), as well as the odd food stall tucked in between. It was at one of these food stalls that we stopped. A sign above read "GINA'S SLICE OF HEAVEN" in fancy coloured hand painted text.

"Effy! There you are, I wondered where you had got to. Oh, and you've brought- Hang on, you're not Emily?"

I smiled. Would t be the first time someone has mistaken us. "No, I'm Emily's sister... Katie."

"Gina, this is Katie. Katie, this is Naomi's mum, also known as Gina." Effy said, gesturing between the two.

"Lovely to meet you, dear." Gina smiled.

"Nice to meet you too. Sorry I've kept Effy from helping you out... I'm afraid it's my fault she's late." Katie said, apologetically.

"Oh, it's alright, dear." Gina replied. "Cook was only too happy to help me set up, I gave him some banana loaf as payment."

"Lucky Cook." Effy said.

"That boy does love my banana loaf." Gina smiled.

"Everyone loves your banana loaf, Gina." Effy smirked.

I looked across the field to see Emily and the tall blonde from the other night, and began to walk towards them.

"Emsy!" I called, as I made my way over. Emily said something to her companion and then smiled. "There you two are!" I said, giving Emily a hug. I looked the tall blonde up and down, her dress sense left a lot to be desired. I raised an eyebrow. "You must be Naomi?"

"Yes, that's right, you must be Emily's sister Katie?" Naomi said, holding her hand out to me.

I took it, and shook it politely. "Nice to meet you, I guess. Be good to my sister, yeah? She deserves to be happy." Naomi looked at Emily, sharing a strange look between them.

"I'll do my best." Came her hopeful sounding reply.

I turned to Emily. "Ems, can I have a word?" I asked. "Fitch debrief?"

My sister looked over at the blonde. "We're at Gina's Slice Of Heaven, over there." Naomi said, pointing to the brightly coloured tent. "Can't miss us, really."

She smiled back sympathetically as I led her away.

"So, Kay, I hear you spent the night with Effy..." She teased.

"Will you keep it down?!" I snapped, leading Emily well away from the crowd and to a park bench, where the two of us sat down. I took a deep breath. "Yes, I spent the night with Effy."

"Did you call her, or..."

"Yeah." I conceded. "I guess you were right... I had to see, you know?"

"And?" Emily said.

I was silent for a few moments. "I get that I have to keep an open mind, yeah? I said, my tone relenting. "But..."

"But?"

"Nothing really happened, Ems. We ate dinner, and talked over a bottle of wine. It got late, so she stayed again. No actual shagging to be had."

"Any snogging?" Emily asked, grinning. I blushed in response, but didn't say anything. "Oh, c'mon, Kay. Now you're going to be shy about it? How many times have I had to listen to you shag some tosser in your bed while looking out for mum and dad?" She teased.

"ALRIGHT, so she might have been naked and we might have snogged all bloody night, not to mention when I let her explore my naked tits, and I haven't got a fucking clue what I'm doing, and it's terrifying!" I blurted out. The blush on my cheeks deepened about ten shades, if that were possible. I'm sure of it.

My twin looked at me, and then looked around us, and began to giggle.

"Bitch! You're laughing at me." I said, a pout on my face.

Emily hugged me close. " I'm not, Kay, I promise. I'm just seeing it from the other side, that's all. Plus, you have me sort of remembering my own experiences, so..."

"So, you're not laughing at me, then?" I asked in a hopeful voice.

Emily shook her head. "I'd never do that, Kay. Not when I know what you're going through."

I nodded. "It's strange... Letting go of what you know and jumping into a deeper end."

Emily smiled. "Kay, it's alright. I know it's a lot to take in. Just take it at your own pace, yeah?" She slid her arm around my shoulder and pulled me in for a hug. "I'm proud of you. Both for keeping an open mind, and being unafraid."

"Thanks, Emsy. And thanks for listening." I replied. "So, blondie give you any further clues about her gig?"

"No, just that it's on that stage, back there." Emily said, looking back over her shoulder towards the stage, the area in front of which was slowly filling up with people.

I followed Emily's line of vision and whistled. "Blimey." I said. "Bet that's going to be interesting."

Emily nodded. "I think so. Naomi asked me to take photos."

"She's not bad looking. For a girl." I said.

Emily raised her eyebrow. "Just you keep your eyes on Effy, yeah? You let me worry about Naomi."

"I know, I was just saying." I replied. "Effy seemed to think I should see Naomi's thing as well. I told her she had the wrong twin."

"Jesus, am I going to have to fight you for girls, now? That was one thing at least, I have never had to compete with you before..." Emily laughed.

"Oh, Emily, don't be ridiculous." I replied.

"Anyway..." Emily continued. "I also asked her if I could take pictures of the bus, and she agreed."

"Nice. I meant what I said, you know. She'd better treat you right, or she'll have me to deal with." I mused. "And I'd hate to have to go all Katie Fucking Fitch on her arse, that shit was fun when we were sixteen, but it's getting old, yeah?"

We laughed, before Emily spoke again. "Come on... Lets go see what Gina has in store for the masses."

We both stood, and wandered back through the park to the very colourful tent. Effy was standing at the counter, still talking to Gina. I watched her as I walked closer, her eyes seemed to light up as I got nearer. I wonder a little what my own were doing, because I definitely felt different being around her. I was sort of glad I had to work the following day, I could do with a distraction from this. Effy came over to me as Emily went to look at the stall.

"Lunch?" Effy asked.

I nodded, and she waved goodbye to Gina, walking out of the tent. I followed her, noting how cool she was, and the way she moved, in a way that was quietly confident, but about what, I couldn't tell.

The food wasn't completely awful. In fact it was pretty damn good, even if probably loaded with calories. But it didn't matter. Effy had managed to control herself, how I have no idea, but I'm grateful that she did. Her eyes were still on me, but they weren't freezing me with that super-cool, ultra-clear blue gaze. We watched Naomi's show, which was quite unlike anything I'd ever seen, and is potters milt a few times watching in awe in between taking pictures of her. She's proper smitten, that one, and it's about bloody time she found someone, after that bitch Charly left her.

I remember the day she found out, she came around to my flat in tears. I had company, but I kicked the guy out as soon as I saw the distress in my twin's face, in spite of his protestations.

"But babe-"

I pointed at Emily. "My twin is fucking shattered, yeah? You can pretty much fuck off, now." I said, slamming the door in his face.

I held Emily while the story of what happened poured out of her. As everything went to shit around her in the following weeks and she broke down, I let her move in with me, so I could keep an eye on her.

So seeing her with a smile on her face as she watched Naomi paint, I felt myself smile, because I knew that for the first time in probably years, she was actually happy. She was in love with Naomi. Maybe she just didn't know it yet.

The rest of the day involved a shirt conversation with Gina, who makes really fucking fantastic banana loaf, I might add. Effy told me she cokes vegetate rain, which is not something I've strictly been into. I do try and eat healthy, but I've always been a carnivore, I supposed, and not just a man-eater...ha. The thought of that made me look up at Effy, who was talking to Naomi about something in the late afternoon while Emily and I were looking at a stall opposite Gina's. In the midst of her conversion, she just turned to me and gave me a smile that was completely pure. Like she was genuinely happy to see me.

I bit my bottom lip and returned it, and then felt Emily nudge me.

"Hey..." She said, softly.

"What?" I asked.

"I asked you what you thought of this necklace." She said.

"Oh... Uh..l yeah, no... Not you, babes." I mumbled.

She followed my line of sight as I looked back at Effy, who was fucking smirking at me again. Typical. "Ohhh..." She said, in that annoying all-knowing way she's had most of the time we've been talking today. "What are you going to do, Kay?" She asked me.

I sighed. "I really don't know, Em." I said, looking wt her, "I'm scared."

"Of what?"

I looked at her. "You know."

She nodded. "You could always not tell her. I know it's deceitful, but..."

"She's our mother, Emsy. I can't not tell her. She'd know, anyway. She would piss me off about a new boyfriend until I cracked and told her." I whined.

"You could always make excuses with her until you figure out what to do." She joked.

"Ha."

"Or if you want... I can be there when you tell her." She offered.

"Emsy. She won't let you into the house, you know that." I said.

"I'll stand on the doorstep and yell so the whole neighbourhood hears until she does, Kay. Call it me paying you back for sticking up for me." She said.

"Aww." I said, genuinely touched. I knew just how she felt about our mother. She still loved her, she was our mother after all, but she was disappointed in her bigotry.

"Anyway, whatever the outcome... You're Katie fucking Fitch. You'll survive." She laughed. "You will still have dad, and the worm."

"Yeah." I replied.

"Hey, Emily..." Naomi's voice came from behind us.

"Hi." My sister said, shyly. Oh dear lord, the goo is in the air...

"Hi." The blonde replied. "Cook is going to help mum pack up, and we are all going back in the back... Would you like to come with us?"

Emily looked at me, with hopeful puppy dog eyes. I rolled my eyes and shrugged. "Whatever, it'll get us closer to home..." I said. "Sure, Naomi... We would love to." I said, politely. "Just wait until I'm out if sight before you stick your tongue down her throat." I said, partially joking as I looked towards Emily. I started back across the field to where Effy was helping Gina pack up the unsold treats.

"Hey, do you have any of that banana loaf left?" I asked Gina.

"Yes, love..l I have one piece left, would you like it?" She replied.

"Oh, yes please... It was delicious. His much do I owe you?"

"Oh nonsense, dear. I've made more than enough today to cover the costs and then some. On the house. Just heat it up and pour a bit of honey over it if you have some." She said, cheerily.

"Wow... Thanks!" I said, surprised. She bagged it up for me. Effy picked up one side of the tray of goods and motioned to me to take the others and I helped her carry it to Cook's van.

"How have I been?" She asked, her voice calm as ever.

"Hmm?" I asked. "Oh...uh... Fine...good. Uh... Thanks."

She nodded.

It was true, she had been better at keeping herself contained. That sounds bad, I knows but she was a force, that one, and I knew it.

When we had got back to Gina's, Effy said she was going to walk me home, and picked up my little package of banana goodness and started off in the direction to my flat. I fell in beside her. We didn't say anything while we walked, it seemed that we were both deep in thought, and I have no idea what she as thinking, but what I was thinking, was that I needed time. I needed a break for one night, and what's more, I had to work tomorrow. I had to centre myself from this very confusing weekend and concentrate in my job.

"Effy..." I said, as we came to my door.

She handed me the bag with my banana loaf in it. "You don't want me to stay." She said, fixing her eyes on me.

I bit my bottom lip. "I'm sorry. I have to work tomorrow."

She nodded. "Alright." She said, as she searched my expression. "Will I see you again?"

I thought for a moment,and then nodded.

"Ok. Goodbye, Katie." She said, turning around to leave.

She had gone a few paces when I went after her and grabbed her shoulder, halting her movement and turning her back towards me. I stepped close to her and pulled her against me, kissing her hard. Her lips responded against mine, and I really didn't want to let her go, but I had to. I turned away and went into my flat, shutting the door behind me and leaning against it. I sunk down until my arse hit the ground and leaned my head against the door.

I should have known then that it was inevitable. I was going to sleep with her, it was just a matter if time. And not because she was just an experiment, because I actually felt something for her.

A/N#2: I am not sure when the next chapter of this will be up, much like the next chapter of SF, which hasn't been started yet, really. I've been running away with Rainbow Unicorn, and focusing on that, giving my brain a break from the other two. Plus, it's fun to write mystery for a change, and give my morbid brain a bit of a stretch. As I said in the last post of SF, I am not ceasing either that story, nor this one, and especially with SF, I need to find out which direction it is going in up in my head.

With this one, I'm not sure, but I might skip ahead a bit... If anyone has a suggestion, I'll take it... Are you comfortable with the pace it's going at, or would you be happy to jump ahead a couple of days when Katie has finally pulled her finger out and made her mind up?

Responses/PMs/suggestions/bacon/pie/peanut butter welcome.

Until next time...

~GN~ xo