The wind blew across the hill, rustling the grass and lifting Sameen's crop top. The cool wind was a nice relief from the hot April air. Sameen had been living in Texas for over a year and she still hated the heat. A bead of sweat ran down her back into her shorts, as she tried to focus on what Root was saying.

They'd been dating for over two months now and Sameen still found Root captivating. Root had been afraid at first, worried that Sameen would lose interest or not want to talk about anything serious, but Sameen was doing her best to earn her trust and show her that she cared as much as she could.

She watched the wind blow through Root's hair as she recited the poem. Sameen crawled forward and kissed Root, their lips awkwardly smooshing together because Root was talking. Root laughed and pushed Sameen away.

"Hey," she said grinning, "I'm trying to learn."

Sameen shrugged. "Sorry."

Root looked sheepish. "It's ok. I forgot the next part anyway."

Sameen rolled her eyes. She was teaching Root 'The Highwayman.' Apparently, Root could memorize formulas and anything computer related, but she was awful at remembering poetry. Sameen was the opposite. Words were easy to learn, diseases, planets, soccer players. She cleared her throat dramatically.

"'The tip of one finger touched it. She strove no more for the rest. Up, she stood up to attention, with the muzzle beneath her breast. She would not risk their hearing; she would not strive again; For the road lay bare in the moonlight; Blank and bare in the moonlight; And the blood of her veins, in the moonlight, throbbed to her love's refrain.'"

She mimed shooting herself in the boob and fell to the ground, groaning loudly as she clutched her chest. Root launched forward, laying herself across Sameen's body.

"No! I'll save you!" she cried, pressing the back of her hand to her forehead. "Forsooth!"

"Forsooth?" Sameen scoffed. "You're off by…400 years."

Root shrugged and scooted away, dropping onto her back next to Sameen and closing her eyes against the sun. "Fine. You can die."

Sameen chuckled and turned onto her side, looking at Root's face. She ran her eyes over Root's cheeks, taking in the way the sunlight shone on her pale skin. Root opened one eye, peeking at Sameen.

"What are you looking at?" Root asked, opening her other eye and rolling over.

"You."

"Me?" Root grinned, self-consciously. She rubbed her nose. "Why?"

Sameen poked her in the stomach. "I like how you look."

Root squinted at her, judging her words. "Sure."

"I do!" Sameen said, offended. "You don't believe me?"

She shrugged, her fingers picking at the grass. "I'm not that nice to look at."

"What?" Sameen demanded sitting up. "Um, I wouldn't be into you if you weren't perfect."

"Perfect?" Root laughed. "You think I'm perfect now?"

Sameen reached out and pushed Root's shoulder, rolling her onto her back and throwing a leg over her waist. She stared down at Root seriously, the tips of her hair tickling Root. Root was the most stunning thing that Sameen had ever seen. She was smooth and delicate, long and lean. Root was always cold to the touch and her touches always set Sameen on fire.

"You…" Sameen started, "…are amazing. You're smart and pretty and really intense sometimes. In a good way."

Root put her hands on Sameen's bare thighs. The wind blew again, making Root shiver. Sameen leaned down, resting her weight on her forearms, her lips hovering above Root's. Root lifted her arms, gathering Sameen's hair, twisting it into a braid.

"You know how to braid upside down and you're really bad at memorizing."

Root let out a short laugh, her fingers tugging on Sameen's hair. "That's a good thing?"

"Yes," Sameen said, watching Root tie off her braid, "because it means I'm better than you at something."

"You're better than me at a lot of things."

"Not enough," Sameen grumbled, making Root laugh.

A breeze blew between them and Sameen closed the distance. She rubbed her lips against Root's lightly, savoring the feeling of Root's scratchy lips beneath her own. She smiled, making a note to buy chapstick and pressed forward, sucking Root's lip into her mouth.

Root sighed, their breaths mixing together. Sameen reached down and lifted Root's shirt, just enough that their bare stomachs touched together. Root put her hands on Sameen's back, then yanked them away.

"Ew," she said, turning her head to break the kiss, "you're all sweaty!"

"Well, it's hot!" Sameen scowled, lifting herself. "We've been out here for hours."

"And whose fault is that?" Root asked, smug.

Sameen's brow dropped down. "Yours? You couldn't memorize the poem."

Root's face dropped. "Oh. Yeah."

Sameen smiled and climbed to her feet. She offered her hand down to Root. They packed their things and got ready to head home. Root had brought Ruth, her Vespa, named after Ruth Jamison from 'Fried Green Tomatoes.' Sameen had tried to tell her that they couldn't both have vehicles named Ruth, but Root wouldn't budge.

"Does Ruth 2 need gas?" Sameen asked Root as they walked down the hill.

Root rolled her eyes. "Don't call her that. I got her first. She's Ruth 1."

"You named her second, though. So, she's Ruth 2."

"It doesn't work like that," Root pouted as they got to the bottom of the hill. "Don't listen to Sameen, Ruthie. She's just a meanie."

Sameen laughed and picked up her helmet.

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Sameen shoved her elbow in Lionel's face, as she raced around the corner.

"Hey!" Lionel reached out and knocked her controller out of her hands. "No cheating!"

Sameen growled and quickly snatched the controller back up. She slammed the joystick around with her thumb. There was no way these losers were beating her at Mario Kart. She was the champion and, goddamn it, it was going to stay that way.

"Fuck off, Lionel," Sameen said, jamming her shoulder into his, "you're going down."

The screen froze as Princess Peach raced across the finish line. Sameen turned to glare at Root. Root just smiled at her, tossing the controller onto the carpet in front of her.

"Well, this was fun, but I think I'm going to sit out the next round."

John chuckled from Lionel's other side. "You always win."

"And yet," she said, climbing to her feet, "you always underestimate me."

Sameen scoffed and got them back to the home screen as Root walked out of the room. She was constantly impressed with Root.

"Are we playing again?" John asked. His phone buzzed and he picked it up. "Oh, Zoe and Joss are here."

"I guess not," Lionel sighed. He stood up and threw his controller down.

Sameen watched him stomp out of the room. She turned to John.

"What's his problem?" she asked.

John scratched his forehead. "I think he's lonely. He doesn't really have any friends and both of us are busy now."

Sameen frowned. "I mean, I was always with Root before, too."

"Yeah," John agreed, "but it's different. You guys hold hands and stare at each other. It's hard to explain."

Sameen crossed her arms. It didn't feel like a lot had changed with Root, but they did kiss all the time now. She thought about how hanging out with John and the girls felt before she'd gotten together with Root. It was like there was a joke she wasn't in on.

"What should we do?" She leaned forward and turned the tv off. "You know, to cheer him up?"

John shrugged. "I had been planning to go out with Zoe and Joss, but maybe we could all hang out. Swim or something."

Sameen nodded. "Alright, I'll gather Root if you get your girls and Lionel."

They stood up and headed into the hallway. John went to the front door to let Zoe and Joss in and Sameen hurried up the stairs. She walked into her room and laughed.

Root was in her bathing suit, slowly spinning in Sameen's desk chair. When she heard Sameen's laugh, she jumped to her feet and posed.

"I know it's your work out time, but what if we swam instead?" She walked slowly towards Sameen. "I know how…sweaty you were before."

"As much as I like what you're implying," Sameen said, reaching out to put her hands on Root's waist, "I just told John we'd all swim as a group. Lionel is feeling left out."

Root pouted and nodded. "Ok, but you have to make it up to me later."

"Deal."

Sameen quickly changed into her bathing suit with only two inappropriate comments from Root and they hurried down the stairs and out the back door. Lionel, John, and the girls cheered as they walked out.

"Damn, Root," Joss whistled, "you've got abs."

Root covered her stomach self-consciously. "Sameen makes me do 50 sit-ups a day."

Sameen rolled her eyes. "I ask her to do 100, but she's lazy."

"Well," Zoe said, resting her arms over the edge of the pool, "I suddenly feel very lazy."

Sameen saw Lionel sitting on the edge of the pool wearing a shirt and walked over to him. She sat down next to him.

"Hey," she said quietly, as their friends swum around, "you ok?"

Lionel shrugged. "Do you think you could teach me how to work out?"

Sameen nodded and rubbed his back. "Sure, if that's what you want."

"I want the kids at school to stop making fun of me."

Sameen's face hardened. "They make fun of you? I'll beat the shit out of them."

"No," Lionel chuckled. "That's ok. I'd rather get a six pack."

Sameen sighed. She didn't hang out with Lionel a lot, he was a lot closer to John, but she liked him. He had a good heart.

"I'll tell you what," she said. "How about I teach you some martial arts? That'll give you some good skills and it'll get your endurance up. Then, we can work on a fitness plan."

Lionel grinned at her. "That's great!"

"I'm going on that road trip soon, but I'll get you some DVDs and we can come up with a nutrition plan." She looked up as Root called her name. "You can send me videos and stuff while I'm gone."

"It's a deal."

He held out his hand to shake. Sameen took it and then shoved him forward into the pool.

Lionel surfaced sputtering for air. He glared at Sameen.

"Like Mulder always says," she grinned, smug, "trust no one."

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"97," Sameen lowered and kissed Root, her wet hair tickling Root's face. She pushed up. "98."

Root grinned up at Sameen from underneath her. This was her new favorite treehouse activity. Sameen got to do her push-ups and Root got kisses. Root crossed her ankles and put her arms behind her head. Maybe if she kept Sameen distracted, Root wouldn't have to work out.

"99," Sameen kissed her. "100."

Sameen lowered herself onto her knees and sat back, her arms sore. Root wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"I think you should do a few more," she suggested. "You know, just in case."

"Just in case?" Sameen panted as stood. "In case what?"

Root shrugged, her back scratching slightly on the wood floor. "In case I hurt myself on the trip and you have to carry me to the nearest hospital. It's miles and miles away and I'm just so hurt. What if you can't save me? What if I die?"

"Oh god," Sameen stomped across the tree house and picked up her water bottle.

Root rolled over onto her stomach to watch Sameen wipe her forehead. Sameen's sports bra was damp in front and her skin glistened with sweat. Root wasn't a huge fan of touching Sameen when she was dripping with sweat, but, damn, she liked to look at her.

Sameen had changed into her sports bra after they'd gone swimming. Root stayed in her bathing suit. She had pajamas in the treehouse already, so she could change before bed. For now, she was enjoying the way Sameen's eyes kept dropping to her chest.

"I can already carry you. We know this," Sameen winked at Root. "Anyway, you're not going to get hurt. I'll protect you."

Root sighed, happily. "My hero."

Sameen rolled her eyes and drank. Root climbed to her feet and hopped down the stairs to the lower level. They'd gone to the train earlier today and brought back the string lights Root had bought for Valentine's day. She'd insisted on making a blanket fort in the treehouse with their blankets and the string lights 'to test them.' They'd left the front open to let in some air.

She crawled into the fort and dropped onto her butt. Quickly tying her hair up, she looked around for her phone. It sailed through the air and landed on her lap. Sameen ducked into the tent, her hair in a braid.

"Thanks," Root said, checking the time. It was only eight. "You know, your hair doesn't dry if it's tied up. It's too thick."

Sameen looked at her, eyes dark. She lowered to her knees, crawling towards Root, looking dangerous. Root shivered, feeling like prey. Sometimes, Sameen got this glint in her eye, like she was hungry and Root was her favorite food. She tossed her phone aside in anticipation and leaned back on her elbows, stretching her legs in front of her.

Sameen closed the distance, trapping Root between her arms and legs. Root licked her lips. She could feel the heat radiating from Sameen, barely any clothing between them to dampen the affect. A drop of water slipped from Sameen's hair and landed on Root's collarbone.

Sameen watched it roll down Root's chest and licked it up, her tongue trailing all the way up Root's neck. Sameen nibbled on Root's ear and Root's eyes rolled back in her head. She swallowed hard, trying to calm herself down. Sameen pulled back and stared at Root hungrily, her eyes almost black.

"I want you," Sameen said, her voice raspy. "So much."

Root nodded, her throat dry. "Me too."

Sameen growled and pushed her lips against Root's, her hands coming up to grab Root's side. Root clutched Sameen's back, forcing their bodies together. Sameen's hands were rough on Roots' hips, their grip almost bruising, but Root felt like she was being held together. Like any second it would all be too much and Sameen was the only thing keeping her together.

Root's heart raced, beating against her chest and pulsing in her ears. She pulled away to suck in air and Sameen moved down to her neck. She sucked on Root's pulse and Root's nails dug into Sameen's skin. Sameen's soft moan made bumps raise on Root's skin. She wanted Sameen to devour her.

Root ran her hands down Sameen's back, slipping her hands under Sameen's bathing suit bottoms. Sameen twitched, her teeth sinking into Root's neck. Root's eyes flashed white with pain and she felt her stomach clench. She gasped loudly and Sameen pulled away.

"Are you ok?" Sameen asked, nervously. "I didn't mean to bite so hard."

Root shook her head, her body warming pleasantly. "No, I…" she ran a hand over her hair. "I think I liked it."

Sameen raised an eyebrow, suppressing a smile. "I wouldn't have expected that."

"Didn't I say not to underestimate me?" Root asked innocently. She wrapped her arms around Sameen and flipped them over with a grunt. Sameen stared up at her with wide eyes. "I always win."

Sameen rolled her eyes, grinning, and hooked her legs around Root's waist forcing her to drop down. Root leaned forward, lightly nipping at Sameen's lips. As fun as it was to let Sameen lead, Root was enjoying this. Sameen raised her head, trying to get a proper kiss, but Root pulled away.

"I'm in charge," Root said. She pushed Sameen's shoulders down. "You can wait your turn."

Sameen's eyes widened, but she nodded. Sameen talked a tough game, but Root had a sneaking suspicion she liked being bossed around. Root dropped her head to Sameen's neck. She bit down, softly at first. She bit harder until Sameen moaned. Root pulled back, looking at the mark she left on Sameen's neck.

"I'm not the only one who likes that," she said, smirking. "Let's see what else you like."

She slid down Sameen's body until she was eye level with her sports bra. Root slide her fingers under the band and moved it up, exposing Sameen's amazing boobs. Root just looked at them for a second. She hadn't seen them since Valentine's day last year and she'd missed them.

"Are you just going to stare at them?" Sameen asked. Her hands came up to cover them. "Are they weird?"

Root pulled Sameen's hands away, shaking her head. "They're perfect. I'm jealous."

Sameen rolled her eyes. "You have great boobs. I'd love to see them sometimes."

"You'll get your turn!" Root giggled.

She dropped her forehead to Sameen's stomach. She'd been thinking of this for a year now. Every time she touched herself, it was to thoughts of Sameen. Sameen's legs, Sameen's arms, Sameen's dark eyes. Root lifted her head licked Sameen's firm stomach.

The taste of Sameen's sweat was intoxicating. Root pushed herself up onto her elbows, Sameen's legs still weighing her down. She ran a hand over Sameen's breast, watching her face. She squeezed lightly, then harder until she saw Sameen's eyes flutter. Apparently, Sameen liked it hard everywhere.

"Take this off," Root said, pulling on Sameen's sports bra. She let Sameen sit up and pulled the bra over her head. She shoved Sameen back down, smiling when Sameen's back thudded against the floor and she gasped. "Ok, I'm getting it."

Sameen opened her mouth to speak, but Root leaned forward, pulling a brown nipple into her mouth. The soft groan from above her told her she'd made the right move. Root shifted, pushing a thigh into Sameen's center and bring up her hand to hold Sameen's other breast.

Sameen's whole body was on fire, Root noticed as she slowly drew her tongue over Sameen's nipple, like she was about to burst into flames. Root looked up, smiling at the red blush creeping up Sameen's neck. She pushed her thigh into Sameen, biting down at the same time. Sameen's mouth dropped open and her eyes squeeze shut, a moan ripping from her throat.

It made Root feel powerful to know that Sameen was hers. That no one else had been here, had touched her. No one knew her like Root did. She drew her nails down Sameen's side, moving to look down at her face. Sameen was twitching beneath her, but Root needed more.

She caught Sameen's mouth between her own, her hands wandering down to slide over Sameen's legs. Sameen's arms wrapped around Root's shoulders, holding them together.

Sameen sank her teeth into Root's lips and Root groaned, her hips jerking forward, sliding against Sameen's thigh and teasing her with the friction. Root pulled back just enough to gasp into Sameen's mouth.

"You're so hot," Root breathed. Sameen ran her lips across Root's jaw and Root closed her eyes, losing herself. She swallowed, her body sweating. "I want to taste you."

Sameen's legs clenched and they were pulled closer. Root didn't think that was possible, but their slick stomachs slid together and Sameen's teeth ran across her neck.

"Hello?" John's voice called from outside the fort. "Are you in – Shit!"

Root jumped away from Sameen, landing on a pile of blankets. She pushed her hair from her face and turned to see Sameen hurriedly pulling on her sports bra, her jaw clenched. She took a deep breath and crawled out of the tent to see John standing in the doorway, his face beet red.

"I am so sorry," he started, holding his hands up. "I didn't- you didn't-"

Root sighed and waved her hands, cutting him off. "It's fine. It's…you didn't know. We shouldn't have been doing anything out here."

Sameen appeared from inside the tent. "We need to install a fucking lock."

John swallowed, still looking petrified. "Uh, there's pizza inside."

"Thanks," Root said, slightly out of breath. "We'll be right there."

John's eyes dropped to her neck. He turned even redder. "I'd, um, wear a shirt. With a collar."

Root blushed, clamping a hand over the bite mark Sameen had left. She turned and ran up to the second level of the treehouse where she kept her clothes. She had a button down somewhere.

She heard heavy footsteps behind her and turned to see Sameen, smiling ruefully. She pushed loose hair behind her ear.

"Maybe…" Root sighed regretfully, "we shouldn't have sex when there are five other people around."

Sameen nodded and crossed her arms, leaning on the doorframe. "Probably." She looked hopeful. "Road trip?"

Root grinned. "Road trip."