Disclaimer One: All these folks belong to me. They are a product of my wild
imagination.
Disclaimer Two: Lets see theres sex between women in love, humor, and a whole
lot of other stuff that Im sure youre used to by now.
Dedications: To Catt for always seeing me in the right light. Thanks to God for
everything.
Summary: None just read. Youll like it. Takes place a few days after STS.
Perceptions
(14th installment of Perspectives)
BY
Minerva
Copyright © December 2000
Chapter XLIV: Morning Surprises
The keys hung limply from Barbs hand as she hoisted up the bag on her shoulder. The
chirping birds saluted her as she forced the appropriate key into the lock. It opened with
a click and she pushed the door open. The brunette inhaled deeply taking in the smell of
the artificial air. She had actually missed it. She walked slowly passed the cubicles
seeing each person that frequented them in her minds eye. I really have missed
this place. Cant wait to get my fingers back in the bowl.
Barb came to the last row of cubicles and stood between them, staring at the contents
covering her blonde friends desk. She smiled at the Scooby Doo paraphernalia. At
least she hasnt changed everything about you, Kid. Youre gonna be in for a
surprise this morning, and so is your friend.
Barb steered toward her own desk, swept the back of her skirt with a hand, and sat down in
the swiveling chair. She deposited her bag on the desk and let out a sigh as she went for
a spin on the faux leather just for the heck of it. Were partners again, Cory.
Time to go out and tackle the world. She looked up at the sound of the glass entrance
door opening. Shelley headed down the path with a little bounce in her step. The older
woman stopped when she got half way, and her eyes widened. "Well, didnt know
you would be back so soon." She paused. "Welcome."
Barb nodded. "I thought it was about time. Dont you think?"
Shelley shrugged. "Dont know. Depends on what youre planning."
Barbs eyes lit with amusement. "Just what is it you think Im up to?"
The older woman smiled wanly. "I hear a lot, you know. Through walls, through mouths.
Either way, I hear a lot."
The brunette crossed her arms over her chest. "Then you know about them being
together?"
"Not for sure, but I suspected as much. I think theyre good for each
other."
"If you heard so much, then you know that she hurt Cory. Bad."
"Yeah, but I know Taylor was hurting too. They made up and have been inseparable
since."
"Shell hurt her again."
"Shes a big girl. I think she can handle it."
"Well, as a friend I think I should make sure that doesnt happen before they
get too close."
"I think you maybe too late for that, Barb. Shes happy. Be happy for her."
Barb mentally disregarded the last part and whispered, "Then, Ill do what I
have to do."
Shelley shook her head in disbelief, turned, and walked slowly to her own office.
Cory spread her legs wide, almost falling within the gaping space in between Taylors
longer ones, but she tightened her thighs and abs and held on. The blonde groaned into the
open mouth that clung to hers as she lifted her hips, teetering over elegant fingertips.
She lowered herself on to them with slow, torturous precision. Her grasp tightened on
broad shoulders in reaction. "Oh yesss . . ." Inner muscles grappled the digits
milking them before her lower body repeated the same languid thrust over and over again.
Cory was beyond flying, beyond floating. She was soaring like a bird with the largest of
wing spans. Fire licked at her belly and scorched her insides, making her cry out with
each undulation. The kisses they shared were open mouthed, sensual, complete with flicking
tongues. They sat on the edge of the queen sized bed, bodies grinding and sweating
reaching for the ultimate pinnacle.
With a large open faced palm on her sweaty back, Taylor guided her lovers movements.
The forearm of her other appendage flexed as she twisted and curled fingers that were
deeply buried in unbelievable wet heat. With her thumb, she teased hardened flesh that was
just as wet. It served to make her own sex throb in passionate empathy. Her hips surged
along with her lovers. The admin gave Cory what she wanted and took what she needed
at the same time.
Their naked breasts and the pebble hardened middles scraped in tantalizing fashion,
providing a jolt of electricity with each movement of their bodies. It was enough for
Taylor---the wet heat, the naked skin, and the convulsing muscles, gave her the same wings
that her lover possessed. They soared right next to each other.
The admin loved being inside, craved it. There was no feeling like being nestled in liquid
fire. It simply felt like coming home, and she wanted to stay as long as humanly possible.
Taylor figured Cory felt the same as she continued the slow thrusts despite the increase
of wetness and quivering thighs. Close so close, but yet so far. The brunette caught every
breathy moan from the blondes mouth and vice versa, of those there were many.
"I love. . .you," the admin whispered brokenly, then groaned at the flood of
wetness that bathed her hand.
Waking before the alarm, their morning had started innocent enough filled with small
kisses, light touches and enough murmured words of love to make them the poster children
for mushiness. But the admin had been right, once they made love everything
intensifiedthe need, the want, the rawness. Insatiable. So they made it to the edge
of the bed before the intensity wrapped around them and refused to let go.
Cory whimpered enjoying the rush of dangling over the cliff she was on, but she ached to
be pushed over. "More. . ." she breathed into the brunettes lips. Taylor
complied, adding a third finger as she pulled out slowly. Cory sank on the digits and
moaned loud, long at the feeling of being full, stretched. She gritted her teeth but
couldnt fight the urge to impale herself on them, causing her to whimper at the
pleasurable explosion that resulted. The flesh of her buttocks hit the skin of the thighs
under her with a resounding smack.
Suddenly, unable to control her movements any longer, Cory scattered all over the place,
riding the admin like a bucking bronco. Every ragged breath was a whimper. "God,
yess!" The words spilled into the brunettes mouth.
Observing her lovers inability to maintain control, made the admin lose hers. She
groaned harshly at the abrupt change, catching the flames that lit the blonde from within.
The thumb that had just been pressing against the caseworkers erect nodule, began to
circle it with fervor.
For Cory, oblivion didnt seem that far away anymore. With each rough thrust,
pleasure exploded between her legs in short bursts until it all ran together pooling in
her belly and shooting all the way to her fingertips. Her body jerked, and she cried out
as spasms worked their way through her body.
Hot juices splashed onto the admins hand and thighs, and her own hips jerked upward,
harder than before. Emotion exploded inside her. Knowing she had caused this and feeling
it was all that was needed. "Ungghh!" She let out a throaty cry and joined the
blonde in oblivion.
They fell back on the bed, seemingly exhausted and sweaty. The alarm went off as their
bodies continued to shiver and hips to jerk. The loud static filled music played for some
minutes until a long groan filled the room.
Pushing sweaty blonde bangs away from her forehead, Cory climbed up her lover's body until
they were face to face. She was still somewhat breathless but able to speak. "Mmm,
way, way. . . up there on the whoa meter."
Under the blonde, Taylor stretched and chuckled. "I can agree with you there,
sweetie." Cory leaned down and brushed the admin's lips with her own instead of
commenting. The fair head ducked, and she buried her face in a damp neck.
After a minute, the caseworker popped up again with a crooked smirk plastered on her
dreamy features. "You'd think. . ." She hummed as large hands caressed from the
middle of her back to her behind. "You'd think this would take the edge off during
the day, but it doesn't. I can't seem to stop wanting. . .this--" Cory spread her
legs and captured a thigh between her own. Rubbing against it, they both moaned. One at
the feel of residual wetness coating her thigh, and the other at the feel of soft flesh
meshing with her swollen sex. The blonde gasped, "Every time I look at you, even in
the office." God, I can't get enough of her. Am I sick? It's never been this way
before.
"Mmm, I know the feeling." Taylor arched her leg a little and used large,
elegant hands to guide hips slowly moving against her. Is she okay with this? Or did it
just start because of what happened with that boy? "Is. . .this okay with you? I
mean. . .the way we finally made love?"
Cory stiffened. She doesn't think I used her does she? She knows I love her.
"It would have happened anyway, Taylor that night actually. I wanted it to. What
happened with Robert was just mitigating circumstances. It doesn't change the fact that I
love you and wanted to show you."
Blue gazed into green reading the truth in the depths. Taylor pushed a lock of fair hair
behind the blonde's ear. "I love you too." They smiled tenderly at each other.I
don't think I could even explain how much. Suddenly worried, the admin asked,
"Are you doing okay? I mean, after you told me what you saw--I want you to know you
can tell me if you feel a little funny in here. . ." She turned them over to the side
and tapped the blonde on the chest. "It would be totally understandable."
Ah, always worried about me. "I would tell you if I wasn't. I wouldn't be
human if it didn't get to me, but Dr. Zawid made me realize that not everything is my
fault. It's just nice to be able to try to do something this time instead of always
falling apart. I just wish the local government would say something already."
Taylor kissed the caseworker's forehead and chuckled derisively. "Oh, someone will.
I'd give it till tomorrow. They just wanted to see if all this would die down. It hasn't.
They've been talking about the case almost everyday on TV. They're gonna have to do
something."
"Mmm. . ." The sound of the alarm began to filter back in. "You're probably
right. You know more about that aspect than me." Cory untangled herself and sat up.
She raised her hands high above her head and stretched complete with mewing noises.
Taylor watched with a smirk as breasts arched and thrust forward. Nice. She reached
out a hand to touch, but it was smacked away as the petite caseworker leaned to the right
to turn off the alarm. "Nuh-uh, that's our cue. Time to get ready for work."
Looking over her shoulder, Cory gave her lover a teasing smirk and put an extra sway in
naked hips as she sashayed to the bathroom.
The tall brunette didn't waste any time. Almost immediately, she jumped up and went after
her. She leaned against the door of the bathroom and watched as the caseworker turned on
the shower. Taylor grinned inwardly, suddenly feeling more than a little warm and moist.
"Think we should shower together for the sake of time."
The blonde head turned toward her, and Cory appraised the admin with a raised brow.
"Oh, you do. Do you?"
Taylor smiled. "Unh huh, I'll wash your back. You need to be relaxed for the big
presentation today."
Stepping in the shower stall and sporting a knowledgeable smirk, the caseworker asked over
the roar of the water, "You don't think I'm relaxed enough after what happened in
there?"
Taylor sauntered over toward the shower and stood looking through the open door as water
slicked her lover's skin. She licked her lips. A quickie. Just a quickie.
Yeah, right. LS was now awake.
"A little more never hurt anybody." Lifting one impossibly long leg, she stepped
into the shower and closed the stall door with a snap.
A few minutes later, a breathy moaned filled the steam laden bathroom. "God. .
.Taylor!"
Getting one more teasingly sexy smirk and gaze in, Taylor opened the door to agency,
allowing the blonde to step through first. There had been a time when she came in early
because she cherished the quiet, but the cubicles bustled with activity. Now, she
cherished something or someone else. The admin was aware of eyes on them but dismissed
them as insignificant. Screw em. They dont have the foggiest idea of
whats going on.
As they made their way to the back, Cory slowed as she got to Rays desk. She gave
him wink and a smirk before going forward again. Damn, forgot my tea. Wonder if Shelley
has some I could borrow? That stuff is like kryptonite to him. The blonde chuckled
inwardly.
As they neared the back, Cory felt the breath whoosh from her body and heard the beginning
of blood roaring in her ears. Green eyes widened and were riveted at the desk across from
hersthe desk that had been empty. It was now taken by its original owner. Her heart
thudded then stopped altogether. Trouble. It was her first thought. Despite part of her
being happy to see the older woman, the majority of her screamed trouble. No, not now.
Things are going so good. This cant be the other shoe, and it cant be ready to
drop.
Panic became a wide but tight band around her gut, making her struggle for breath and
making her palms sweat. She wanted to turn, gaze into pale blue and latch onto her
lovers hand for extra strength, but the caseworker knew that it couldnt be
done. The blonde peered into her friends eyes, knowing hers must be frantic. She
hoped to read acceptance but saw only a soft smile upturning lips. It was a smile that
didnt reach the older caseworkers eyes. Anxiety took over completely, and Cory
snatched her eyes away and was suddenly glad that the bags she was holding hid her shaking
hands. Trouble. Big trouble. Shit.
Double shit. Taylor instantly saw the potential for a huge mess forming right
before her eyes. Barb was back, and for some reason the admin couldnt tell if the
cryptic smile on the caseworkers face was for her or Cory. Right now, it didnt
matter. Everything she had tried at first to deny and then later grasps with both hands
dangled in front of her on a floss thin string, waiting to be cut loose. A chill went down
her spine, and she could only imagine what Cory was feeling. Hold on there Bunch.
Dont loose it. Just hold on. I love you, and well get through this intact even
if I have to kill somebody. I wont lose you, not now. Her heart cringed in pain
at the thought.
Instead of allowing the blonde to steer toward her desk, Taylor put a hand at the small of
her lovers back, feeling the bunched, hard muscle. She led them both to her own
office and closed the door silently behind them.
With her back to the admin, Cory whimpered and turned to her lover. Green eyes were full
of fear, anger, and resignation. "What are we going to do? I cant go back out
there." She whispered harshly. Taylor deposited her briefcase on the floor then
walked up to the blonde. She took the two bags out of small hands and let them fall to the
carpet. Hands went back up to caress the blondes bare arms.
"First, we breathe." She took a deep breath and waited for the caseworker to do
the same. "Second, we play it by ear. She may be okay with this, with us. Well
have to see." The admin held up a hand to the blondes mouth. "Ah, ah, I
cant order her not to tell anybody, and I cant order her to be okay with
us." I can fire her for insubordination.
Thats the cowards way out.
I know.
"We both just need to put out feelers first and compare notes." Taylor read the
uncertainty on the blondes face. Believe in us, Cory. She cupped her cheeks
and leaned down for a lingering kiss. "Know that I love you no matter what happens,
and Im not going anywhere. I know my place is with you." She kissed her again.
"I need you to be really strong right now like I know that you can be. I need you to
go out there, Cory. You can do this. Talk to her, and I will do the same later." The
admin took shaking hands in her larger ones. Blue eyes held scanned green, hoping the
blonde would feed from her own conviction. "Believe me?" I will not lose you.
Cory took a deep breath. She seems so sure, and I know this is just a job. Shes
what is important. She let the breath out. I knew she was coming back sooner or
later. Shoulda been prepared for this. Barb, my friend, I cant let you destroy the
best thing that ever happened to me because of misplaced feelings or loyalty. Their
gaze held for a few seconds longer before Cory nodded. "I believe you." She
pulled her hands from the admins grip and wrapped her arms around the taller woman.
"And I love you." Taylor returned the hug, lifting her off the ground.
Taylor felt her heart slow. "Good." She sat the blonde back on the floor and
reached up to tweak her nose. "Lets do this."
******
Barb tapped the sharp end of a pencil against her desk as she waited. I dont
understand. She almost looked scared. That womans got you twisted, Kid. Im
your friend, and Im here to help so things can go back like they used to be. Just
please dont make me do something drastic just to get you to see. Id hate for
anybody to lose their jobs, but we can always get another somewhere else. I just hope you
hear me out. Her eyes squinted. Shes the one that should be scared. Scared
Im gonna show what a conniving bitch she really is. You hurt someone once
youll do it again.
Cory came out of the admins office without looking back. She silently pulled out her
chair and pushed her bag under the desk, while keeping her purse over a shoulder. Without
hesitation, she walked to Barbs desk and touched it lightly with fingertips as she
gathered her thoughts. Looking around and then down, she met the other womans eyes
and refused to look away. "Look, um, we obviously need to talk, and we cant do
it here. Can we go to Subway and get a cup of coffee or something?"
Barb smiled slightly and patted the hand on her desk. "Sure thing. Just let me get my
purse."
They walked down the street in silence. It was the same way they entered the restaurant.
Cory picked a booth in the back. "Why dont you go ahead? Ill get us some
drinks."
The blonde sipped on her coke as she sat the cup of coffee in front of the brunette. She
had a seat and continued to sip until the ice got in the way. Reluctantly, she sat the
fountain cup down. The petite caseworker opened her mouth to speak. Barb beat her to the
punch. "I heard you on the radio. They even talked about you on the news. You did
good, Kid. Surprised me though. I pictured you doing a lot of yelling and calling it a
day."
Cory shook the cup causing the ice to crunch. She sighed, leaned in, and looked up at the
older woman. "I would have not too long ago. Ive changed, Barb. It was time to
start doing something about the things I get so upset about. Dr. Zawid helped me out, and
so did Taylor. She was really there for me."
Barb moved back and laughed cynically. "How long do you think thats going to
last?"
"As long as we make it last." She answered confidently.
The brunettes eyes squinted. "You know, Ive known you for a long time,
but I would have never figured you to be this blind. Of course, she seemed okay at first,
but she hurt you. How can you get past that so easily?" Her voice dripped with
sadness.
"Because I love her," she said with conviction. "And I know she loves
me."
Barb snorted ungracefully, causing unreadable green to snap toward her. "How can you
love someone that hurts you?"
Cory sighed. "You dont even know what happened. . ."
Barb threw up her hands. "I dont need to know what happened. I just needed to
know that she hurt you. You play tough, Cor, but youre really not. Im your
friend here."
Impatience piled on top of the blonde, and her voice rose slightly. "If youre
my friend you would listen to me! You do need to know what happened." Her voice
lowered when they got stares from the few other patrons. "She was scared of what she
was feeling for me so she lied about her sexuality. Yeah, it hurt, but I went home to my
moms to think and saw it for what it was, simple fear. I was scared too when she
looked at me, touched me I came apart, Barb, and it scared the shit out of me. It was
something I couldnt control. . ." She pointed toward her chest. "I need
her, and I dont think Ive said that to another human being. Dont you
understand? I look at her and I see. . .everything." Her voice lowered to a whisper.
"Havent you ever felt that way?"
Barb shook her head. "I-I dont know, but thats not the point. Cant
you see that? How do you know shes not playing games? How do you know she wont
hurt you just for the hell of it?"
Cory reached across the table and grabbed the other womans hand. "Because of
the way she looks at me; the way she reacts to my touch; the way she says my name. I feel
it, and I know it. I dont think that I can make it any clearer than that."
Barb scanned the blondes face. She seems so sure, but Ive never seen her
like this. I cant believe. . . How do you know she just didnt send you to
talk to me to save her career?"
Cory took her hand away. "Look, I love my job and so does Taylor, but we love each
other more. Dont let your misguided loyalty to me push us further apart than we
already are. You cant make me choose between the job, you and her. Theres no
competition. Shell win every time. Im happy, Barb. Happy, and you trying to
break us apart wont make us friends again. Itll make us enemies." Theres
got to be something more to this why are you doing this, Barb? Help me understand.
Cory pleaded with her eyes.
Barb turned away. How could she do this to me, damn it! I need her! I cant
survive this job without her. We were friends first. I cant lose that I cant.
Therell be nothing." Her head jerked back to the blondes face. The older
womans eyes glittered, and she asked softly, shakily, "What about me? After you
two became chummy, you barely talked to me anymore. If I didnt disapprove, would you
still be my partner in the field since Im back or would you dump me for her there
too?"
She rubbed her hand over her chest and continued to speak. "What about me? I need you
too. I dont have anyone else. He doesnt understand what I do or how I feel
when I do it. Only you have. Ive been at this job for almost twenty years, and
Ive suffered in silence most of the time. Thank God for vacations, but when you came
along. I had somebody who understood, who stood by me. Without you, I cant do this
anymore, and I dont know how to do anything else! So, What about ME!?" She
shouted and her voice broke. "Youre supposed to be my friend too!" Barb
stood up abruptly, almost toppling the table over. Jerking her purse over her shoulder,
she exited the booth and walked briskly toward the door.
Cory pushed her hands through blonde hair and hung her head sadly. You were right. I
should have seen this coming, but you cant put that kind of responsibility on my
shoulders, Barb. I think you know that you should of gotten out of this a long time ago,
and yes, I was a bad friend because I never saw it. It was hidden behind the sense of
humor and teasing smile. Maybe I am blind, at least when it comes to you. How did you get
past a head doctor with the mess going on in your head? Maybe you told em what he
needed or wanted to hear, eh Barb? The big question now is what am I going to do about
this. The blonde rubbed her forehead and scrunched up her nose in deep thought. I
have to see if I can convince you to get some real help. Cory got up and deposited her
cup in the waste basket before making her way out.
Taylor swivelled her chair around to face away from the door. She heard a brief knock
before Shelley let herself in. "Ive got your tea, but there are no
messages."
"Thanks for the tea, and as for the messages, I dont think I could deal with
anyone right now, anyway." Her voice was low, guarded.
Shelley sat the steaming cup at the end of the admins desk. She had never been one
to pull punches, and she wasnt going to start now. "I know about you and Cory,
or rather, I suspected."
Taylor stiffened. Ah, geez, I really dont need this right now.
"And?"
Knowing the admin thought she disapproved, the assistant answered quickly, "And I
think you two are good for each other despite what the policy dictates."
Taylor grunted outwardly, but on the inside, she sighed with relief. "How did you
know?" She ask curiously.
Shelley shrugged even though no one could see it. "Theres an intensity wrapped
around you two. A lot of people probably wouldnt catch it unless theyre really
looking."
"Mmm," I wonder how many people are looking?
Dont know. Just be careful. LS whispered in the presence of her counterpart.
She turned the chair around, now facing the older woman. "Thanks for your approval,
but we didnt need it. Although as a friend, it means a lot."
Their eyes met and held. Shelley nodded and turned to go. She stopped when her hand
wrapped around he knob. "Barb knows."
With troubled eyes, Taylor glanced at the assistant. "I know. Im trying to be
positive about this. I told Cory that she would come around eventually, but I really
dont know. The look on her face. . ." The dark head shook in trepidation.
Shelley nodded again. "I know. Shes not seeing what she needs to see, and I
think somethings. . .torn inside. Shes been here for a long, long time, and
she latched on to Cory very quickly. Maybe the job is getting to her."
The admin blew out a shaky breath and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Well, Cory and
her are out talking right now. When they come back, Im gonna see if I can open her
eyes a little wider."
Without another word, Shelley ventured into her own office. Taylor turned the chair back
toward the window and leaned back, waiting and hoping that this wasnt the shoe.
Barb charged through the glass door. The look on her face was one of determination as she
headed for the admins office. Once there she stopped abruptly at the closed door. What
am I doing? Did Cory really mean what she said? She shook her head to clear it of
questioning thoughts then knocked on the door.
Still not bothering to turn around, Taylor called out, "Come in."
Barb let herself in and stood silently in front of the desk. What do I say to you? How
do I end this hold you have over her?
The silence at her back made the little hairs on the back of the admins neck
prickle. Without hesitation she swung around to face her visitor. Taylor held her breath
and released it slowly. Okay, lets not make things worse. I need to handle this
with kid gloves. "Barb."
The other brunette walked closer. "What did you do to her?" She asked
accusingly.
I knew this was coming. Maybe the truth would help. "I hurt her and myself,
and she loves me anyway."
"What is she to you?" Barb moved closer, hoping to see in the admins eyes
with her own clouded vision.
"I love her. Shes done so much for me. . ." Taylor shook her head.
"Shes changed me."
The older woman blinked in confusion. The other woman smacked of sincerity, but it just
couldnt be. Her eyes held. . . "You expect me to just take your word for
that?" Barb spat out.
Studying the other woman, the admin canted her head to the side. Shes only seeing
what she wants. "No, I expect you to take Corys word for that. Shes
your friend, isnt she?" Taylor took her hands from the desk and let them hang
over the sides of the chair as they opened and closed nervously.
Barb shrugged and sank down into one of the chairs. "Shes supposed to be, but
she forgot about me."
The admin shook her head. "No, youre wrong there. She talked about you all the
time. She said she even called you, but you wouldnt return the call."
The shorthaired brunette let her head hang. She didnt have an answer for that one.
Taylor continued. Am I getting to her? "You know she was going through her own
problems and was just cleared to go back in the field. Wasnt it okay to concentrate
on herself for a little bit? I wanted to stay away, but I couldnt. Shes under
my skin." The other woman still hadnt looked up. "What is she to you,
Barb?"
The older caseworker heard the question reverberate through her head. A friend. A
savoir. A crutch that keeps me going in this mess. Slowly, she moved her head back to
a natural position. Her voice was soft, craggy. "Shes the only one that
understands what we see day in and day out. I cant go to my husband. He has no idea.
She cares so much about these people. I wish I could still do that. I need her."
Taylor rewound what Shelley had said a few minutes earlier. Maybe its the
job. "Maybe Cory didnt understand the field as much as you think. I
think she does now. She did care too much, and she couldnt separate herself from it.
Its vice versa for you isnt it? You care little but are so wound up in it that
theres no way out." She added with insight.
What is she saying? "I dont understand what you mean."
Sitting up straight, Taylor leaned forward. "Im saying that Cory isnt
your way out. She maybe your way in deeper, and you have to find your own way." Maybe
you hit the nail on the head with this one, and she needed to hear it.
Barbs eyes widened. Is this true and I couldnt see it the whole time?
She brought her hands together in her lap and wrung them. "I dont know. I just
dont know."
Hoping she was getting through, Taylor added, "Look this is all up to you. You have
to decide to get the help you need or to destroy a friendship. Either way Im not
leaving her, and you shouldnt either. Think about this."
Barb said nothing as she leaned forward and pillowed her face in her hands. The admin
waited patiently, hoping the outcome would be a good future for them all.
Cory entered the building and made her way down the rows of cubicles. She stopped to speak
with caseworkers that called her and turned down cases for the day. She had Barb to
handle, to help.
The blonde made her way to the back and saw that her friends desk was empty. Her
eyes zeroed in on the admins closed office door. Are you in there, Barb? Are you
turning this into a bigger mess than it already is? You need help, my friend. Maybe I can
help you see that.
Without preamble, Cory knocked on the door then opened it without waiting for an answer.
Almost immediately, pale blue captured her gaze. With that one look they spoke volumes,
telling each other, "Im glad you here. I need your help."
Barb had not turned around, but she figured from the admins silence that it was
Cory. The brunette waited to see what was going to happen. A second later, her body jerked
in surprise, when small hands encased her shoulders then squeezed.
Cory held on a minute more before letting go. She kneeled beside the chair and looked up
at her friend. "Barb?" Eyes turned to her. "I see where you were coming
from, but its not the right way. Do you see that?"
Brown eyes glanced upward to catch pale blue before they steered back down. "Yeah, I
think I do." The caseworker answered quietly.
A little shocked, Cory looked up at her lover in surprise. "Then you understand that
you cant help anybody this way, especially yourself. Taylor didnt take me away
from you. I was always here, only dealing with my own mess. Now, we have to deal with
yours, and I promise to be there too. You have to get some help, Barb from the right
doctor this time."
The brunette nodded. "I know, but I just dont want to do it alone." Her
voice was soft but full of emotion.."
Cory grasped the arm closest to her. "No, and you wont be. Ill be here,
and so will Taylor if you let her. Shes pretty good with this kind of thing."
Two sets of eyes held azure ones. The admin nodded and smiled slightly. Ill do
whatever I need to do.
The blonde stood up, but not before taking her friends hand. "My doctor is
good, but it would be a conflict for you to see her. Maybe she can recommend someone. I
cancelled my appointment for this afternoon, but she should still be in. Ill call
and see if she can help."
A couple of phone calls later. Cory had gotten Barb and preliminary evaluation by Dr. Kane
for the next morning. "We were lucky." She put down the phone. "He had a
cancellation for tomorrow. Ill go with you if you want?"
Barb nodded, feeling shame set in. Her head hung. "I cant believe you two are
doing this for me after what I tried to do. Im so sorry about that. I guess I was
lying to myself the whole time I was seeing Dr. French. I told myself the monsters were
getting smaller." She let out a bark of derisive laughter. "When the whole time
I guess I was just becoming. . . more blind to the whole situation."
She glanced at them both. "Im not going to lie, but Im jealous of what
you two seem to have. I think because I never allowed myself to really open up to you,
Cory. I guess its something else I just need to get over."
Cory walked behind the admins desk and leaned against her lovers chair.
"Whatever it is and whatever you need. Were here."
An awkward silence fell on them, and Taylor was the first to break it. "Barb, you are
free to stay out the day at your desk or you can go home."
The other brunette smiled wanly. "Thanks, but I dont think I need to be here
right now."
Cory added, "I can trail you home if you want?"
"Yeah, thanks." The caseworker got up to leave with Cory close behind. As they
exited the door, the blonde turned, "Ill be back in a little bit. I think we
have some talking to do. Whatever you did, thank you so much." The petite caseworker
gave her lover a bright smile and was out the door.
Taylor watched it close. "I did what I needed to do, sweetie." She whispered.
They sat at the kitchen table, talking of old times, old cases, and old laughs. Before
long, the talk became serious. "Would you really have ended our friendship?"
Barb asked.
Cory nodded sadly. "Things were all wrong with what you were saying, so Id have
to say yes. Taylors very important to me."
Barb swallowed. "She means that much to you so soon?"
The blonde chuckled, "Yeah, I think it started from the first day we met and just
took off from there."
The brunettes mouth opened, closed, then opened again. "I want to be happy for
you. I am somewhere inside. Its just hard right now."
Cory took the other womans hand and squeezed it. "I know, but Im gonna be
here regardless."
The older woman gave her friend a soft smile in response before adding. "You see this
face, Kid? This is my Thank you face. Im going to be wearing it for a while so get
used to it." Barb squeezed the blondes hand back. Soft chuckles followed.
A little over an hour later, Cory let herself into the admins office. Eyes met,
without saying a word, the blonde sauntered around the desk and sat in the brunettes
lap. She looked down at the chiseled face and traced from eyebrow to chin.
"Youre unbelievable do you know that?"
Taylor blushed but didnt do a thing to hide it. I love how you see me, Cory.
Makes me feel so tall and humble at the same time. She smiled slightly. "If you
say so."
The blonde leaned forward until she was a whisper away from full lips. "I know
so." She brushed the admins lips with her own. Smiling into the kiss, she
murmured a thank you and brushed lips a few more times.
Taylor chuckled when the kiss broke. "You know, if someone comes in here, well
be caught with our pants down so to speak." She raised a brow at her lover.
Cory tapped the brunettes chin. "After all that just happened, I dont
think I really care anymore."
Taylor wrapped her arms around the caseworker. "I know what you mean. After that
scare and what came out of it, everything else is cake."
"Yeah" Cory paused for a minute. "What did you say to Barb anyway?"
Taylor shrugged, "Probably nothing you wouldnt have said during an
intervention. Shelly helped out a lot."
A fair brow rose in perfect parody to her lovers. "Intervention? And which
Shelley are we talking about?"
"Yeah, intervention sort of without the loved ones. A singular intervention I guess
if there is such a thing. Many skills. . .uh from college that I dont use, and Big
Shelley. . the one, um, in there." She stuttered under the green gaze and pointed
toward the side door. As an afterthought, she added, "She knows about us."
Cory smirked. "Ah, she knows a bit of everything just like Im beginning to
think you do, sweettie. Somebody is a real smarty. Many skills, yeah I believe
it."
Trying to change the subject from herself and nerd status, the admin interjected,
"Um, so you ready for this afternoon?"
"Dont you dare. . ." She poked her lover in the shoulder. "Try to
change the subject, but yeah, I think I am."
Devising another way to switch topics, Taylor grasped the back of her lovers head
and leaned up to capture still moist lips. Cory whimpered at the tongue begging for entry
then opened her mouth with a gasp. By the time the kiss ended they were both winded.
"Wooo, um what were we talking about . . . again?" The blonde asked
breathlessly.
Taylor smiled cryptically. "Dont know." Mission accomplished.
Chapter XLV: A Tangle with Red Tape
They entered the doors of the Merrilville Library and found their way to the meeting
rooms. Still outside the room, Taylor gave her lover a pat near the small of her back for
support, as she pushed to door open. The room was bustling with activity that seemed to
die down as the pair entered. Cory immediately felt a sinking feeling assaulting her
stomach. Somethings wrong here.
The Board members that were up, silently found their seats as Cory pulled out her own.
Burton, the Chairman, cleared his throat and banged his gavel. "Okay, let this
meeting come to order with a reading of the minutes and conclusion of any old
business." He loosened his expensive looking tie and leaned back in his seat.
Everyone was silent as the minutes were read, and they were just as so when there was a
call for old business. Taylor resisted the urge to fidget in her chair. Something is
just not right. Hang in there, Cory. She wanted to wrap her arm around the blonde but
smiled down at her instead. Green eyes looked up at her, hesitantly, and Taylor read what
was in them. She feels it too. Whatever is going on here.
Burton cleared his throat once more. "For new business, some of you have brought to
my attention, Ms. Donovans actions on June 16th, and its impact you think it could
have on the agency.
Cory stiffened. What the hell is going on here? Impact? Curious and wary, Cory
leaned forward to hear better. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the admin do the
same.
"Yes, I do." Myra said through pursed lips and pinched face. "While we
didnt see what Ms. Donovan saw that day, I think we can all agree that she or Ms.
Wilson probably shouldnt have been there that day at all. It was a CPS matter, and
because of her out burst, the whole situation could shine badly on us."
There was a loud murmur as someone else spoke up. Gavin, a younger but just as polished
member added, "I for one dont agree. We dont know the circumstances to
begin with, and what Ms. Donovan did could not possibly reflect badly on us. She stood up
for children and called for reform within CPS, not us. I dont see how it has any
bearing on us at all." There was another murmur, and then shouts of agreement and
disagreement.
Cory watched the back and forth action like a patron in a tennis match with mouth hanging
open and eyes wide. This is the biggest crop of bullshit I have ever heard. The
blonde caseworker turned to her lover, seeing the muscle ticking in her jaw. She was just
as incredulous. Taylor took it all in with flaring nostrils and growing anger. What the
hell is wrong with these people? They want to help but not too much if their asses are
hanging too close to the fire. She moved her legs allowing their thighs to brush,
hoping to provide some stability in the situation.
There was a banging of the gavel by the Chairman. His voice boomed. "I think we
should hear from Ms. Donovan before we proceed any further on this matter."
Cory stood up. She didnt mask her anger, but she did put a leash on it. "Thank
you for allowing me to speak before Im completely buried in this." She pushed
her chair in and began to pace. " We work closely with a myriad of agencies in this
region, and CPS is a major one, and I was called upon by a colleague to do a consult.
Frankly, it sounded suspicious so I conferred with Ms. Wilson." She touched the back
of the admins chair.
"And she agreed with me that we should proceed cautiously. When we got there, we
could both see that the situation was already out of our hands. We called the police and
handled it. I talked with the casemanager from CPS told her of the events Im sure
she suspected were going on, but not to that degree. She was overrun with case after case,
and this particular one had fallen low on the priority list." Cory walked away from
the admins chair and latched her hands behind her back aware of eyes following her.
"She told me what should have been obvious to this Board and all that work with CPS.
They are grossly underpaid, overworked, and understaffed. I chose to comment on this
matter to the press. Whats that saying? The people have the right to know." The
blonde stopped and took a breath, amazed at her control even though her insides were
boiling. She wanted to yell and shake each one until their eyes swam back in their heads.
She swallowed it all in the face of diplomacy. Taylor had taught her well. "What I
said and what CPS has become does reflect on this agency because we work with them, but
isnt it our responsibility to point out those flaws to whoever will listen so things
can be changed?"
Cory shrugged and spread her hands wide. "I mean, what happened didnt just make
CPS look bad, it reflected on all social agencies. We should have been working together a
long time ago to talk with the mayor, local government as well as the state to make these
changes happen. That little boy is hot in the news right now, and a lot of people are
talking about him. But, what about the little boys and girls the press never talk about? I
dont even understand your concerns. The publicity isnt going to stop referrals
or people from the community from coming in, or are you just worried about how you look
period?"
Myra jumped up. "That was out of line Ms. Donovan. Its not our responsibility.
. ."
Cory interrupted, "How can you say that when it reflects how we help people. If other
agencies arent up to par, who the hell are we helping when we refer clients to them
and vice versa? I dont understand what theres even to discuss."
Gavin stood up and adjusted his tie. "Are you saying that were really not out
to help anyone but are just going along with the prestige it brings us?" He asked
incredulously.
The blonde caseworker crossed her arms over her chest. "I didnt, but you just
did."
The gavel banged as Burton stood up. That is enough, Ms. Donovan."
A little alarmed, Cory scanned the room to see hostile eyes. She found a pair of pale blue
that radiated pride. It pushed her on. "No, its not. You can call me out of
line, but I mean to finish what Im saying. You people say you want to help, but
before Taylor came along you were running archaic groups with out dated material, and
doing a number of other things that seemed a little detrimental to the cause. Its
the same thing here. Something needs to be changed because kids shouldnt be dying.
With all the clout thats sitting here, surely one of you can and want to do
something about it." She glanced at them all accusingly. There was dead silence.
After a moment, Cory sat back down and sighed as a familiar hand gripped her thigh under
the table. She put her hand over the admins and squeezed. Cory watched and waited as
silence permeated the entire room. Heads hung in what she hoped was shame and not anger.
The Chairman finally spoke. "Well, Ms. Donovan had a lot to say some of it very valid
and some of it out of line. I think her point is well taken. I for one am not here for the
status it brings me in the community. You all know the situation with my son. Thats
why Im here. I dont know about the rest of you." He nodded his head
toward the blonde caseworker. "Ms. Donovan, Ill be glad to see what I can
do."
There were mumbles and shifting as two Board members, Myra and Gavin, got up to leave.
They all watched them go without a word. Burton banged the gavel. "Shall I assume
that the remaining members are interested in this situation?" Nods and smiles came
from the five remaining members. "Good, good. We may need to start by putting a fire
under the mayor. As for the presentation planned for today, it can not happen without all
members present. Maybe next time Ms. Donovan."
Once back in the car, Taylor looked over at the petite blonde with a satisfied smirk.
"Youre the one thats unbelievable. I wanted to jump up and pummel them
all for even calling you out like that." She reached over to grasp a hand, bringing
it to her lips for a kiss. "But, I knew you could handle it." Glad
youre on my side now. "You did real good, Cory."
The blonde blushed. "I dont even know how I did it. At first, I wanted to kick
a few heads, but I dont know. I just knew that screaming and yelling wouldnt
get my point across. Some of those people back there respect professionalism. Its
what I had to give them." I learned it from you. Cory squeezed the hand
holding hers. "Youre rubbing off on me, you know?"
Taylor raised a brow. How does she do that? "Why do you do that? One minute
Im telling you how great you are, and the next youre making me feel ten feet
tall."
Cory shrugged and smiled. "Dont know. I guess Im trying to show how you
affect me. You make me feel like I could tackle anything, change anything."
The admin kissed the blondes palm again. "I know what you mean."
The caseworker scrunched her brow as the admin started the car. She rewound what the
Chairman had said. "What happened to his son?"
The brunette pulled out of the parking lot. "I dont know all the details, but
apparently he ran away. Got all the way to another county before they picked him up as a
runaway, but no one knew who he was. There was no APB or anything put out on him till
later. Burtons wife wouldnt face up to it, and he was out of town himself. She
never contacted the police. He did when he got home, but it didnt help."
" The kid had disguised himself and ended up in foster care. Whatever family he was
with, he was there about a month. By that time the foster father had beat him so much he
barely talked anymore. He sort of got lost in the shuffle with the county CPS. By the time
they put two and two together, the kid was pretty mess up. Burton got him back, divorced
his wife, but the kid been in intensive therapy since then."
Cory cringed. "Damn, no wonder he was eager to help."
"Yeah, no wonder."
Chapter XLVI: The Wonder That is Morning
Taylors groan was deep, soulful and breathless, "Cor-y. . .love you." Her
body continued to jerk in reaction as it came down from heights she was fast becoming
accustom to. She detached trembling hands from the headboard and searched for any kind of
contact with her lover.
Cory placed one last kiss on damp, dark curls. She licked the residual sweetness from her
lips and crawled up the admins body until her head found a home pillowed on the dewy
skin of the brunettes abdomen. A small hand snaked down, cupping Taylors sex
and grinding down slightly, enjoying the whimpers that ensued as the admins large
hands found purchase in blonde tresses. The caseworker placed a small kiss in the middle
of her lovers ribcage and whispered. "Love you too."
Cory ignored her own renewed arousal because giving pleasure was its own type of
satisfaction. She hummed and her head turned to the side to peer at the clock. Thirty
minutes until the alarm went off. They had time for a little more sleep. The blonde heard
her partners breathing slow and felt her heart beat returning to normal, knowing
sleep would soon follow. Cory closed her eyes basking in the afterglow and the closeness
they shared. It gave her strength to face the world in the morning to know that she was
loved like this, cherished like this. You make me feel almost invincible. Her own
breathing slowed as the sandman did his job.
They both jumped with a start when the blondes phone rung minutes later. Cory let
out a little squeak and tried to burrow into the admins chest. Taylor tried to slow
down her now racing heart as she got accustomed to the waking world. She felt the
caseworker clawing into her but successfully calmed her with a shhh and a touch. The phone
rung again and as if it were customary, Taylor reached for it.
Cory looked up at her lover bleary eyed. "Its got to be my mother. No one else
would call this early unless something happened with Barb."
The admin brought it to her ear and mouthed, "Well see."
The brunette cleared her throat. "Hello?"
"Well good morning. I trust my daughter is there with you, and youre treating
her well?" Brenda Donovan asked cheerily.
Taylors eyes widened, and she opened her mouth to speak while looking down at the
very naked caseworker. "Well, um, shes. . ."
Hearing her mothers voice, Cory snatched the phone and gave the admin a look that
would curdle milk. She put her hand over the mouth piece and whispered, "No comments
about my nakedness this morning thank you or about what we just did!"
The admin bit her lip and blushed sheepishly, knowing that she had no idea what was about
to come out of her mouth. She pursed her lips and listened, hearing things
like"Oh, shes fine. Shes a little tongue tied but says hi, and
were doing great." There was also some laughter, and by the time the phone call
ended, the alarm went off blaring the static filled music. Taylor sighed in exasperation
and reached over to change the radio to a clearer station.
The admin wrapped her arms around the blondes torso as the lounged leisurely. With
her chin propped up on her hands, Cory peered past perky breasts to blue eyes. "So my
mom says hi, and hopes that youre not too tongue tied next time to talk to
her." She stated with laughter in her voice.
Taylor chuckled. "Uh, sorry about that. I think its something about our
situation when she calls that throws me off. Maybe next time you hear from her, well
have some clothes on."
The blonde kissed her way up the brunettes torso. "Mmm, maybe, but I like as
many no clothes activities as I can get with you. So, she may be out of luck."
With gentle, fingertips, the admin moved soft, blonde bangs from her lovers
forehead. "Mmm , okay. That I dont mind at all, but right now we need to get
up."
"Yeah, I know. I have to go with Barb to the head docs, and I have a couple of
cases I need to check on. You with me?"
The admin shook her head regretfully, "Cant this morning, but Im free
this afternoon. Can go with you then."
Cory reared up and straddled the admins body. "Sure thing." She pushed her
hands toward the ceiling and stretched sensuously complete with cat-like noises. The
blonde pushed the hair out of her eyes and smiled down at the admin. "Hey, lets
do something this weekend. Go out or something. You game?"
Taylor traced from outside of the blonde caseworkers breasts to her waist and smiled
at the resulting shiver. "Mmm-hmm, whatcha got in mind?"
"Ohh, that felt good. Um, I dont know. Let me think about it. We can. . ."
The admin shushed her and reached over to turn up the radio at the sound of Robert
Akins name. They listened quietly as the radio announcer went over the information
about his death. Both blonde and ebony brows shot up when they heard that Mayor King had
prepared a statement on the matter. They stared at each other in surprise at the sound of
his voice.
"This issue is not an old one but a delicate one. Ive consulted with my staff
as well as leading concerned members of this community, but they did not tell me anything
that I wasnt already aware of. Children are our future, and none of them should die
at the hand of sick people masquerading as caring foster parents. I would like to see
stricter guidelines for them as well as extensive background checks to better ensure the
safety of the children.
As for the matter of overworked casemanagers, I would like to reiterate to all department
heads that there are mandatory vacations that city workers have to take. It is against the
law to deny them of this.
We are just one city in a county, and we must work together to make sure this doesnt
happen again. Ideas like this should be taken to the state level as well as be passed on
to other states who are experiencing the same problems. This can not keep happening, and I
will do what I can to make sure it doesnt."
The speech was interrupted by the announcer, reminding listeners of Corys interview
days before. After a few seconds more, it went to the weather. Cory crawled off her
lovers body and sat on the edge of her bed. "Well, that was interesting, and I
guess its a start. He cant really promise anything, but I guess it is
something. Burton works fast, huh?"
Taylor scooted until she was beside the blonde. She draped an arm over her shoulder.
"Yeah, he did, and it is a start, Cory. Maybe not much of one, but its gotten a
little more attention." She paused for a minute to think. "Maybe we could check
to see if there are any bills on the floor of state legislature about this. We could talk
to lobbyists for the cause if there are. Maybe get some insight on where things
stand?"
The blonde patted a naked thigh. "Sounds like a plan. We could get on the net this
weekend and check things out."
"Good idea, but Ill go one up on you. Let me throw my position around and call
some people this morning. See what I come up with."
Cory smiled and leaned in for a kiss. "Youre good to have around. I think
Ill keep ya."
Cory stood outside her own car as Barb got into hers parked in her own driveway. "You
sure about this. Ill be more than happy to drive you and wait for you."
Barb shook her head as she opened her car door. "No, I appreciate you going with me
because Im a little nervous about this new doctor, but I think I need to leave under
my own steam."
Cory nodded and continued to study her friend. "If youre sure? Then lets
get going. Remember Im just a page or phone call away."
The brunette smiled slightly. "I know, Kid, but I have to start somewhere."
The blonde caseworker watched the older woman get into her car as she opened her own door.
I hope we end somewhere good.
Hope you enjoyed this installment. Let me know at Minerva