Twenty-Nine

So much for that idea. Jade leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes, letting the argument over the speakerphone travel past her. The moon shone in her window, and she half turned to regard it, as she lifted a hand and rubbed the back of her neck.

Board meetings, when your board was international, were a pain in the ass. But Jade hadn't been able to wriggle out of this one, since Alastair was using the opportunity to introduce her to the rest of the board members as CIO and let them know when had taken further control of the company.

She sighed. Tori had gone home hours ago, dropped off by a cooperative Sinjin, and she wished she could just hang up on the group and go join her lover.

"Don't worry about it. " Tori had said. "We've got all week.. and besides, it's been a really long day."

Yeah, yeah, yeah… Jade grumbled silently, closing her eyes and wishing she had some aspirin. She tried to put the headache out of her mind, and think about something more pleasant instead. Hot tubs, for instance… Tori had definitely mentioned hot tubs for tonight… and a spicy chicken stir fry with noodles that was very, very tasty….

"Jade? What do you think about that?" Alastair's voice interrupted her daydreaming.

Oh shit. "What I think about that is…that it's ten o clock here in San Francisco, and we're going rapidly nowhere. Why not schedule a meeting when everyone has their acts together?" There. Throw a few insults.. see if that gets things moving. "That's what I think," Jade added, for good measure.

She took a contented sip of chocolate milk as the soft hiss from the phone indicated a shocked worldwide silence. Another Jade West legend in the making, I bet. She rolled her eyes, regarding her bare feet resting on her desk, crossed neatly at the ankles. Regretting your decision already, Alastair? Next time, you'll ask first, huh?

A gentle clearing of the throat. "Well," Alastair responded. "That would be a novel idea." He sighed. "Okay… so Monday after a disaster was a bad choice of times… let's reschedule for Friday, same time?"

Fine. She'd call in from her cell phone while floating on the Bay. "Sounds good to me." She agreed, stifling a grin. "I'll have the proposal for the new networking center by then."

"Good.. good… all right then, good night, ladies and gentlemen." He paused. "And Jade."

It hit her unexpectedly, and she burst out laughing, hearing a rustle of sound as the rest of the group belatedly joined in. "Good night." She sighed, hitting the release button, and shaking her head. So much for my first board meeting… But at least it was more productive and less antagonistic than their usual staff gatherings.. so maybe that was a good sign.

It was very quiet in the office, with only the soft hum of the air conditioning, and the gentle, sporadic clatter of her hard drive to break the silence. With a sigh, she slipped her shoes back on and stood up, pulling her jacket over her arms and shouldering her briefcase.

The elevator ride was quiet also, and she was conscious of her own footsteps as she crossed the long, empty lobby and headed for the door. The security guard met her and opened it, touching his head in a military type of manner.

"G'night, Ms. West." He remarked, politely. "Late night, eh?"

"Night, Pete." Jade gave him a smile. "Same old, same old... you know how it is."

"Yes, ma'am, but we haven't seen you here at night for a while... I was wondering if you'd changed offices."

No, just priorities. "I've been here… just not late." She commented. "Take care."

She walked across the parking lot and unlocked the Volvo, dumping her briefcase inside and getting in, exhaling as the cool, soft leather surrounded her. She closed the door and sat for a moment, resting her hands on the wheel, before she started the car up and pulled out of the parking lot.

Tori was curled up contentedly on the couch, her head resting on the arm, and Chino tucked up in a ball against her belly. She let her eyes follow the action on the television screen, though she found herself watching the clock almost as much. Jaden it, Jade… what kind of stupid meeting can you have this late at night?

C'mon, Tori.. it's her job, remember? Don't make her feel bad for doing it… there are going to be times when you're stuck at work too, so there.

Oh well. She snuggled down further into the couch and watched the crocodile man try to trap a crocodile. He was just stringing his net up when the phone rang. She picked it up immediately. "Hello?"

"Hey." Jade's voice sounded quietly over the dull roar of traffic. "I'm on my way home."

"So I hear," Tori responded. "How'd the meeting go?"

"Bullshit." The executive replied. "It was mostly Alastair just blowing hot air across three continents.. I finally called him on it, and he rescheduled for Friday."

"Ew," Tori replied. "That's no fair."

"Nah..we'll be out on the boat…that's why god made cell phones." Jade chuckled. "How'd your night go?"

Tori rolled over, and let her head rest on the sofa arm. "Well... I got home.. and put together a little dinner for us… then I stuck that in the fridge and took Chino for a nice long walk."

"I could live on Frosted Flakes, you didn't have to do that." Jade protested gently.

"You can not live on Frosted Flakes, Jade West… so hush." Tori shot back. "So then I went over to the gym and worked out for a couple of hours.. that's a nice gym, Jade." They'd been using the work gym a lot, and Jade hadn't gotten around to showing her the island one before.

"Yeah.. I haven't seen much of it lately." Her lover responded ruefully. "But it's pretty well stocked…they've got a circuit there I really like.. the gym by work doesn't have it."

"Mm.. yeah.. so then I got home and took a shower, and now I'm just watching Steve Irwin, and waiting for you," Tori concluded.

Jade couldn't help the silly little grin that crossed her face at Tori's words. "Waiting for me?"

"Yep," Tori confirmed. "Chino and I are right here, watching the door."

A soft laugh. "Well, I'm pulling into the parking space right now, so.. guess I'll see you in a minute." She hung up and got out of the car, closing and locking it and heading for the House entrance. At the door she paused, reflecting.

How many times had she come home, just like this, to a quiet emptiness? How many years had it been? The idea that someone was in there…god.

Thoughtfully, she keyed in the lock and opened the door, stepping inside as a scrambling puppy and a smiling brunette greeted her. "Hey guys." Jade dropped her briefcase and knelt, playing with Chino for a moment before she stood and faced Tori.

"Hey.. here, let me take your jacket.. you look wiped." Tori reached for it, only to have her hands caught and held, as Jade stepped closer to her. "Wh… "

Jade released her hands, and let her arms rest on Tori's shoulders, gently interlacing her fingers behind the other woman's neck. She gazed into the puzzled brown eyes and wished she had the words to fit the emotion she could feel balling up inside her. She tried, but nothing would come out, so she merely drew Tori's head forward and gently kissed it. "Thank you."

"Jade?" The brunette woman asked, softly, pulling back and little and giving her a worried look. "Are you okay?"

There was really no way she could explain. "Yeah.. " She managed a smile. "Just been a long day, that's all." Awkwardly, she dropped her hands, and then backed off a step. "I'm going to go change… I think I need some coffee." She rubbed the back of her neck wearily. "Haven't had a headache like this in a while."

Tori cocked her head to one side. "Mm… let me help." She gently drew Jade into her bedroom, and peeled off her jacket, draping it neatly over the back of the chair near the dresser.

"I am capable of taking my own clothes off." Jade protested mildly, finding herself intrigued by the absorbed look of concentration on her lover's face.

"Well, sure… I know... but it's a lot more fun for me if I do it." Tori replied, working the buckle loose on the thin, ornate belt then reaching around to unbutton Jade's skirt. "Because if you do it. it's just like... well, you know, changing. But if I do it... " She slid the zipper down, and removed the skirt, leaving Jade in her silk blouse.

"If you do it… " Jade repeated softly, tracing the line of her jaw. "It becomes a lot more interesting."

"Right." Tori agreed, slowly unbuttoning the shirt and letting it fall open, releasing a scent that was mostly Jade, and a touch of perfume. She slid her hands under the fabric and let her fingers slide up the smooth, powerful back, clucking softly at the tension she felt there. "C'mon, lie down." She gently peeled the shirt back, and Jade let it fall down her arms to the floor, feeling the slight chill as the conditioned air brushed her skin.

It felt like a dream, really, but Jade couldn't find it in her to protest. She allowed herself to be led over to the bed and gently pushed down onto it, feeling the surface give under her weight. She rolled over and spread her arms out a little, feeling the cool air suddenly warm on her back as Tori settled over her, straddling her hips.

Fingers slipped under the hooks of her bra and released it, then smoothly rubbed the area. Tori's hands were warm and strong, and Jade felt the stiffness relax almost immediately as her companion started to work, kneading her shoulders and wringing tiny murmurs of appreciation from her. "Ungh."

"God, you really are tense," Tori commented softly, sliding her hands up Jade's back to her neck and shoulders, which eased grudgingly under her touch. "We've got to get you a recliner for your office or something.. " She felt Jade chuckle, the vibration felt through her fingertips as they eased around Jade's ribs.

"Hey." Jade chuckled again.

"Whoops.. sorry.. forgot you were ticklish there." Tori teased, hitting the spot again on purpose, just to hear the laugh. She reached over and got a small bottle of oil from the nightstand and uncapped it, putting a little on her fingertips and rubbing them together before she started back to work. "How does that feel?"

The oil left warm traces across her skin, and Jade let out a long, satisfied breath. "You're the best."

Tori regarded the smooth, pale back with a distinct feeling of pleasure. "I am?" She queried. "The best what?"

"Everything," Jade mumbled. "The best assistant.. the best cook.. you give the best massages… "

The brunette woman chuckled delightedly. "That's really cool.. I've never been the best at something before.. except debating." She amended. "But that doesn't really count.. all it means is I can win arguments."

Jade folded her arms, and rested her chin on them, glancing back quietly. "You're my best friend." She added, with a touch of wistfulness. "I never thought about having one of those until I met you."

Tori gazed down at her, then she leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on the center of Jade's back. "I'm glad you feel that way." She moved up and put another kiss a little higher. "Because you're my best friend… and the best thing that's ever happened to me in my life." She uttered softly, right into Jade's ear.

A gentle smile in return. She rubbed Jade's shoulders lightly. "Turn over.. so I can get the front."

That got her a saucily raised eyebrow, as Jade twisted under her, and she was suddenly face to face with those amazing blue eyes, and a bare, powerful body trapped neatly under her own.

Whoa. Tori put her hands down lightly on the flat belly, spreading her fingers out and starting a gentle, rhythmic massage. God, Jade was so strong. She could feel it, as she moved up across her collarbone to her shoulders, feeling the thick, powerful muscles just under the skin that flowed into her upper arms. Tori leaned forward to get enough pressure and found herself looking almost straight down at those twinkling, amused blue eyes. "You know... " She paused, holding Jade down, and feeling the faint motion under her fingertips. It was almost scary. Almost intimidating.

"What?" Jade asked, watching her face.

"I think I know how Steve Irwin felt when he's on top of a crocodile," Tori told her.

Both dark brows shot up. "Gee, thanks." Jade drawled.

"No no no.. I don't mean you look like a crocodile, Jade… " Tori laughed. "It's just that they're always so much stronger than he is, and you get the feeling that at any moment, the croc might.. whoa. .. yeow!"

Tori felt the room whirl, and then a heavy, warm weight settled over her. She cracked one eye open to see a blue orb inches from her. "Uh oh."

"Might turn the tables?" Jade asked, with a seductive grin, as she leaned forward and pinned her lover down, taking a gentle nibble at her neck. "Like that?"

Tori felt her breathing go ragged. "I'm pretty sure a croc nibbling his neck didn't make old Steve feel like this." She responded, swallowing a few times. "But yeah."

Jade rolled back over and allowed the brunette woman to resume her place. "I kinda liked it this way. " She reached a hand down and stroked Tori's calf. "Where were we?"

Tori slid up and found her lips. "Right here." She felt Jade's hands start to roam, lifting up the light t-shirt she was wearing and letting the cool air brush against her skin. "I was just about to say..." She tasted Jade's lips again, then slowly lowered herself down, feeling the instant heat as their skin touched. "That I love you."

Jade soaked the feeling up in quiet wonder. "I love you too." She responded, with an irregular breath. "And I always will."

Jade woke abruptly, disoriented for a minute as she caught her bearings, and shook the sleep out of her eyes. "Wh… " The bed next to her was empty, though she could still, faintly, catch Tori's scent on the sheets, and she put her head back down, wondering what had woken her up so violently.

The fragments of a dream faded out of her consciousness, something dark and vaguely frightening, and she thought she remembered walking down a long, dusty road at night, all alone, in tears.

Ugh.. what was that? Jade shook her head to clear it, then put the thought aside. Can't blame it on dinner, since we skipped it…just one of those weird ones, I guess. She exhaled.

Then she cocked her head, and listened, expecting to hear Tori moving around in the bathroom, or maybe coming back from the kitchen. She heard neither, and her brows contracted. She's a big girl, Jade.. she can probably handle getting milk by herself. She sternly told the niggling anxiety.

It didn't help. An uneasy tension in her guts sent the covers flying back, and Jade rolled out of the waterbed and padded off in search. The bathroom was empty, and so was the quiet, dark living room. She stuck her head in the kitchen, then she exhaled and made her way back up the stairs to the opposite end of the hall. Tori's door was partially ajar, and she poked her head in, spotting her lover curled up in the large bed, her arms wrapped around her pillow.

For a long moment, Jade froze, unsure of what to do. Surely Tori had the right to sleep wherever she wanted to, without being questioned on it right? Jade nibbled a fingernail, running her mind over the evening's course, and trying to figure out if she'd done something wrong.

No. Not unless her understanding of 'right' and 'wrong' when it came to Tori was way the hell off base. Tori had been in a very good mood when they'd dropped off to sleep.. so…

Just then, the figure on the bed shifted, and Jade heard a sharp intake of breath, and a tiny sound of pain. Without further thought, she bolted across the floor and knelt at the bedside, putting a hand on Tori's tense arm. "Hey… "

hazel eyes gone silver in the moonlight blinked at her. "Wh.. oh, Jade.. god.. you startled me."

"What's wrong?" The taller woman asked, softly. "Are you okay?"

"Oh." Tori sighed. "Yeah.. it's… I've got cramps, really, really bad." She gave Jade a wry look. "I was expecting it this week, but it just got me a lot worse than usual." She curled her fingers around Jade's hand. "I didn't want to wake you up."

"Mm." Jade gazed at her. "Sorry about that.. did you take something?"

"Yeah.. a handful of Advil." The brunette woman muttered. "They'll work, eventually." She reached over and pushed a lock of dark hair out of Jade's eyes. "Go back to sleep… I'll be fine."

Jade hesitated, finding herself unwilling to leave Tori, but not having any good reason to stay. "Um.. all right.. I guess." She paused. "Can I get you something? Hot tea, maybe?"

"No... I'm fine… really, Jade.. go on... you need to get some sleep." Tori told her.

Reluctantly, Jade stood up. "All right." She agreed, unhappily. "Call me if you need anything, okay? I've got some muscle relaxants left… if those Advils don't help after a while." She stroked Tori's upper arm in attempted comfort. "Or maybe a hot water bottle…that usually helps me."

The brunette woman smiled at her. "All right, Dr. West." She teased her companion gently, feeling a little better just to have her nearby. She wished she could just ask Jade to stay with her, but that would be totally irresponsible, since the poor woman had to work tomorrow, and there was no sense in both of them being zombies. Right? "I'll call you if I…" She stopped, seeing the worried look in Jade's eyes. "Boy, that's so stupid."

"What is?" Her lover knelt again and rested a forearm on the bed.

"Like I ever stop needing you," Tori admitted, with a smile.

Jade's face, though thrown into shadows, appeared quite pleased with that. "Actually... " She cleared her throat a little, embarrassed. "Waking up in our room was um… " She paused, searching for the proper word. "Strange."

"Alone, you mean." Tori clarified.

"Mm." The dark head nodded.

Tori considered that. "Big bed." She indicated the surface she was resting on. "It's kinda empty and cold up here." She added. "I'd go back, but I sort of have to move around a little, because of the pain, and… and I didn't want to bother you." She sighed. "Which is kind of pointless, I realize, because here you are, right?"

"Right." Jade agreed. "Mind some company?"

"No." Tori curled up a little tighter as a spasm hit her. "Ugh."

A solid weight settled behind her. "Here... " Jade spoke quietly. "Let me try something.. "

Tori felt fingers touch her back, and start a slow kneading rhythm down her spine. Maybe it was the warmth, or just Jade's presence distracting her, but the cramps paused and seemed to lessen a little, and she stretched her body out to allow her partner better access. "Ooooo…you have magic fingers."

Jade chuckled softly. "No I don't…I've just been here, and done this… I had to find a way to get rid of the pain before competition because taking a lot of aspirin when you're doing contact sports is not a good idea."

"Really?" Tori murmured. "I thought… "

"It's a blood thinner." The dark-haired woman explained. "I used to get a lot of bruises."

"Oh." Tori nodded. "Right…that makes sense… they made us use contact analgesic when I was doing gymnastics.. but the serious girls played around with the pill so they wouldn't get it during meets."

"Mm… yeah, I tried that." Jade worked her hands lower, getting to the tense knot she could feel right along the end of Tori's spine. "But the stuff made me sick… I had to quit using it."

"Ummm…. "Tori let her head drop to the pillow. "You are so good."

A dark brow lifted saucily, unseen in the murky darkness. "Oh really?"

"Oh yeah… your hands are poetry in motion," Tori murmured. "Spreading little bolts of wonderful all over me."

Jade's eyes widened at the phrase. "Little bolts of what?" She leaned over and nibbled Tori's ear. "You're the poetic one, kiddo." She rubbed her thumbs in little circles above Tori's kidneys, then slid an arm around her waist, and began a slow massage of her belly.

"Ohhh… " Tori felt the tension slowly relaxing, and she leaned back against Jade's warm body in utter relief. She wasn't sure if it was the aspirin finally kicking in, or her lover's attentions, but she frankly really didn't care, since she'd been tied up in knots for over an hour and a half, and it was just nice to not be in agony for a while. She felt guilty about bothering Jade, but not guilty enough to make her leave, especially since the taller woman didn't seem to be minding too much. "Sorry, I wo… wait, I didn't wake you up, Jade.. what are you doing awake anyway?"

Jade put aside the memory of the nightmare. "I dunno...I just woke up.. maybe the ac clanked or something." She temporized. "You weren't there.. but I figured you went to get a drink or whatever… but I couldn't hear you, so I decided to go see what was going on." She glanced at the bedside clock. "It's almost four.. how long have you been up?"

Tori sighed. "Since two…I was having trouble sleeping anyway." She exhaled, blinking a little as the gentle massage continued. "So I thought it would be better if I just came up here…I usually don't get it this bad."

"I know." Jade pulled her a little closer and felt Tori's body relax against hers. "You're one of the luckier ones… doesn't last long for you, either."

"Mm… we're both lucky that way," Tori remarked, biting her lip to stifle a yawn. "Though.. I was contemplating the other day how choosing an alternative lifestyle ought to bring a magic pill to eliminate this stuff at the same time."

"Heh…. If we advertised that, the one in ten would be two out of three." Jade snickered. "Besides, lots of gay women want, and have kids, Tori."

The brunette woman sighed. "Yeah, I know…but they can be selectively fertile if you know what I mean.. they don't have to worry about accidents." She couldn't stifle the yawn this time and gave in to it. "Mm… think those pills are getting to me now."

Jade rocked her gently and watched the pale brown eyes flutter closed. "Good….get some sleep." She told her lover, as she settled her arms around Tori's body, feeling her breathing deepen as she did so. "Atta girl."

"Mm," Tori mumbled sleepily. "You're the best."

Jade sighed happily, and put her head down, gazing out over her now-sleeping companion through the window. The stars winked solemnly at her, and the trees outside swayed in a silent wind, as she reflected on a simple change in her viewpoint.

She'd never wanted to be responsible for anyone. That's why she'd never considered kids, never gotten a pet…she'd been very, very damn sure she didn't want the hassle, or the headaches of all that.

So how come taking care of Tori felt so damn good?

She rested her cheek against the soft, pale hair and peered out at the lapping waves. Tell me it's a long-suppressed, deeply skewed maternal instinct surfacing. Right? She glanced down as Tori stirred a bit, then snuggled closer to her, with a contented little sigh. God, what in the hell is happening to me? Jade felt a surge of protectiveness wash over her. I don't even recognize myself anymore.

Another sigh. But is that good, or bad? Jade considered thoughtfully. Well. She finally decided. Something that feels this good can't be bad, and not be illegal. So I guess it's good. She yawned, and closed her eyes, letting a peaceful sleep take her.

Tori pulled her pale blue terry cloth bathrobe around her and sipped at her tea, trying to muster up the energy to go and take a shower. The drugs had worn off after she'd woken, and even taking more wasn't really helping at the moment. The ache was making her cranky, and tired, and she wished she could just crawl back into bed. "Well, no time for that, Chino… I'd better get moving."

Bare footsteps made her look up, to see Jade ambling into the kitchen, a towel tucked neatly around her damp body. "Hey." The taller woman glanced at her, then put the cup down she'd been reaching for and stepped closer. "You still feeling lousy?" She inquired.

Tori shrugged. "I'm okay… just a little sore.. give me a minute and I'll get going." She eased off the stool in the kitchen, then paused, biting back a grimace. "Jesus."

Jade took her cup out of her hand and grasped her by the shoulders. "I think you better stay home." She decided, speaking in a firm voice.

The brunette woman straightened and shook her head. "C'mon, Jade… don't be goofy… I'm not calling in sick for a dumb stomach ache.. that's crazy." A cramp hit her, and she leaned on the counter. "I'll be fine."

Jade put her hands on her terrycloth-covered hips and gave her a look. "You listen here, Victoria Vega… you are not going to develop all of MY damn bad habits, just because we live together, got me?"

Tori peeked up at her, speechless.

"You are staying right here, in that cute little bathrobe, and watching Nick all day," Jade stated. "That's an order."

"B.. "

"Ah ah!" Jade put a hand over her mouth. "You can log on from here if you have to.. that's why I have a workstation in the house."

Tori kissed the palm of her hand and smiled as it was withdrawn. "Okay." She felt a huge wave of relief, knowing she didn't have to wrestle into her business clothes and put up with how that would feel all day. "Thanks, boss." She added, gratefully.

That got a frank, open grin from Jade. "That's better." She leaned over and kissed Tori's forehead. "Play with Chino, munch on ice cream, and relax…all right?"

"Nice prescription." She stuck her hands in the pockets of her robe. "And I do have some things I need to take care of.. so maybe it's a good idea anyway." She butted Jade's arm with her head. "G'wan… you're going to be late."

With a satisfied chuckle, Jade turned, and walked out, humming lightly under her breath.