DISCLAIMERS:

Violent Content Warning: This story contains scenes of a violent nature.

Alternative Content Warning: This story also contains scenes of a loving relationship between two women. This story is not for those under the age of eighteen.

Uber Warning: This story is an uber. The two characters are based off of the leading ladies of XENA WARRIOR PRINCESS.

Author’s Notes: All POSITIVE comments are welcome. Negatives I will simply ignore. Send your thoughts to startrek@ellijay.com.

Give Me Another Chance

By: Teagen2

"Jay." I knew who that was. That voice. Leann Conner.

"Oh gods." I said softly, but I didn’t turn around. I can’t believe she’s back in our sleepy little town. She left almost nine months ago, after breaking up with me, to move two states over for a new job.

"Hey baby." she whispered into my ear. She was now directly behind me. A hand brushed my hip, a hand I knew all too well. "I’m back." I took a deep breath and turned around. She’s just as beautiful as ever. All six feet of her, I remember.

"I kinda figured that out after you said my name." I wasn’t exactly cheerful in my demeanor. "Why did you come back?" The smile drained off of her face.

"I made a mistake, Jay. I’m so sorry for leaving. The great job and better money couldn’t replace you." Lee’s telling me this while I’m in the middle of grocery shopping.

Then she saw it, the ring on my finger. "You’re engaged?" She swallowed hard as I saw that hurt look. The one that I always hated to see.

"Yeah, I am." I said, almost ashamed. I guess maybe I am. Its a match of convenience for my family.

"Who?" she asks. I know that look. She’s going to kick some ass.

"Ricky Johnson."

"Ricky Johnson?" she drawled. "You’ve gotta be kidding me!" Not because Ricky was a guy, but because we hated him in high school. He was the quarterback and wrestling captain, all around snobby, rich boy.

Lee and I met during our Junior year of high school, best friends from the start. Nobody could figure out why. I was sorta a feminine girl, while Lee was the biggest tomboy in the history of Manning Jordan High School. Yet we were inseparable. Neither one of us dated in school. We spent our Friday nights together, going to movies, football games, whatever. Her mother, before she died, always called us in one breath ‘Leejay’. We both grew up without dads, but we had great relationships with our moms. My mom remarried four months ago. Lee’s mom died last year of cancer. I think that is a lot of the reason she moved when she did. The memories smothered her in this small town.

We stayed friends, best buds almost two years after high school. One night we went to the video store and rented a movie to watch. For the life of me, I can’t recall what the name of the movie was, but it had a two woman make out scene. Needless to say, I squirmed in my seat at the thought of kissing my best friend, really squirmed in a good way. It opened up my mind so to speak. I started noticing how beautiful my friend was. Tall, blue eyes, tight butt. Ohhh man. I got up the nerve to kiss her a week later. The rest is history. We stayed together for over a year, until Mrs.Conner died. Ever since then, Lee wrestled with the idea of moving. She got an awesome job offer. With both of us not having very much money all our lives, she became entised. Lee told me she could provide for both of us and begged me to come with her. But I love my hometown too much. Our relationship dwindled over the next month after she moved, until it was nonexistent.

Now here she was standing here in front of me. "Thanks for watching the house."

"No problem." She let me stay in her house when she moved. We had moved in together two weeks into the relationship.

"When did ya move out?"

"A week after you left...couldn’t stand it." I said quietly. "I moved back home."

"So that’s why you told me to call you on your cell phone."

"Yeah, I’ve been going over and cleaning every couple of weeks."

"Thanks...uhh I got the phone turned back on. Same number...if you wanna call. Just came to stock up." she said looking down the aisle we were in.

She glanced down into the basket I was carrying. "Still love Hamburger Helper I see." I chose not to respond right away.

"Nine months doesn’t change a person that much." I began to walk away and she followed.

"Baby why?"

"I’m not your baby anymore, Lee."

"You’ll always be my baby." That happens to be our song.

"I threw that Mariah CD away." I said angrily. I stopped briefly to get another item. She chose that moment to step in front of me.

"I don’t believe you."

"Believe it." I glared.

"Same question, why."

"Why what?"

"Why Ricky? He’s an asshole. He humiliated you at the prom."

"Oh great. Just drudge that memory up." I threw an arm into the air. Lee busted his nose that following Monday in front of fifty other seniors.

"Well. He did. You said so yourself. He’s a self centered jackass."

"I love him." I don’t know how I managed to say that to her. I guess I told myself that enough times, that I’m starting to believe it.

"I don’t believe that either, Jay."

"Who cares what you believe?" I said as I got in the express lane checkout.

"Well...you did. I know your angry Jay, but I want you in my life. I want to be friends again." The cashier began to ring up my purchase.

"Twenty-two, thirty." she drawled. Without thought, Lee pulled out her wallet and

handed the cashier money.

"Lee..."

"Its okay. I got it." She handed Lee her change and my grocery bag.

I walked outside and she followed me, carrying my bag. "Remember Leejay?" she said with a smile as she put the bag in the cab of my truck. "I want that again."

"We were quite a team." I sighed. Dozens of memories popped into my mind. "But we’re not kids anymore. I won’t let you hurt me again." I closed the passenger door, walking around to the driver’s side.

"I won’t...ever again. I’m staying in Stockton for good. I hated the big city. Now I’m back. What do ya say?"

"I say...do you have plans for dinner?"

"No."

"Still like Beef Taco Hamburger Helper?"

"Hooked for life." she smiled.

"My place...seven. My parents’ old house."

"I’ll be there." She opened the door and closed it once I was inside. With one final wave,

I pulled away.

I was strangely nervous at the thought of Lee coming over. This is the very house we had sleep overs and movie nights in. Lee spent the night here and we did each other’s hair before our prom. All these memories came flooding back to me as I cooked dinner. My only concern is how Ricky will take the news of Lee being back. They despised each other after Lee made him the laughing stock of the school, right before graduation. When she found out that Ricky was the one that tripped me on the dance floor, causing me fall on my ass and hurt my ankle, she sought him out at school and bloodied his nose in front of everyone, not to mention the fact he fell on his ass that day.

I’ve been so angry at her for putting her money ahead of me, that I had totally forgotten the good times we had together, the hard times we helped each other through. I heard Ricky come in the door, slamming his briefcase on the floor, as usual. "Bad day?"

"Mmmm." He reached into the fridge and grabbed a beer.

"No." I grabbed it before he could open it.

"What do ya mean, no?" he said agitated.

"Honey, we’re having company for dinner and I don’t want you smelling like a brewery."

"Who?"

"Its a surprise."

"Big wow." he grunted before flopping down in front of the television. I sighed. Please don’t let him ruin tonight.

The doorbell rang. Before I really registered that it was Lee, Ricky was already up and opened the door. He leaned on the door frame. "Well, well, well. The butch is back."

"Shut up, Ricky." I pushed him aside and motioned Lee in. It still amazes me how great she looks in jeans. Everything she wears looks like it was made just for her.

"It was just a joke. Geez lighten up." Lee glanced around.

"Hasn’t changed much." she smiled.

"Its a dump." Ricky said from the couch. I could see the daggers Lee was shooting at him. Oh boy, they are not going to get along. "So, what have you been doing with yourself, Leann? Killing kids, robbing orphans?" he chuckled.

"Nope. Working." she said through clenched teeth. "Still working for Daddy’s company?"

Dinner was somewhat restrained. Lee and Ricky kept playing off of each other and it was not friendly. "Your mom and new step-dad move?"

"Yeah, they found a great place across town." I loved the fact that Lee continued to keep conservation going and civil. Halfway through the meal, Ricky began grabbing his beer out of the fridge. The more he drinks, the stupider he gets.

"How did short stack find ya anyway?" Ricky chuckled. Lee knows I hate it when someone makes fun of my height. She gave me a ‘You like this jerk?’ look before saying,

"I went to the store and there she was."

"I wish you’d cook somthing better than this shit." He threw down his fork in disgust.

"Why do you have to be such a shithead, Ricky?" Lee answered before I could.

"Stay outta this, Leann." Now I know he’s getting tipsy. He never stands up to Lee sober. I put my head in my hands and sighed. This wasn’t such a good idea after all. "This is my house. I can say whatever I want."

"This isn’t your house." Lee countered. "Its Jamie’s." She gestured to me.

"In any case, it isn’t yours. So get out."

"Ricky..."

"No, its okay. I’ll leave." Lee put her fork and napkin down on the table and stood. I followed her to the door.

"I’m sorry, Lee. He’s just in a mood." She grabbed her jacket from the coat rack and slipped it on. Lee opened the door and turned around to face me.

"Just answer me this Jay....He isn’t ‘in a mood’ all the time is he?"

"He’s really a nice guy when you give him a chance." She didn’t look at me. "How about we get together tomorrow morning, if your not busy."

"Okay. My place this time?"

"Sure." She started down my front steps. "Lee?"

"Yeah?"

"I’m glad you came back."

"Me too...See ya." I watched as she got into her truck, the last thing her mother gave her before she went into the hospital for the last time.

I was wide awake, not because of Ricky’s snoring. I can barely stand him in my bed. I let him stay in my room every now and then, just to shut him up. I keep flashing back to my last birthday. Lee took me to an amusement park and then to my favorite Italian restaurant. She took me to a harbor and we watched the sailboats silhouetted in the setting sun. She kissed me and told me she loved me since the day we met in homeroom. I’ll remember that day forever. I look over at the high school acquaintance in my bed. Come to think of it, he’s never done anything romantic for me. Somehow I think the whole engagement is just an excuse to get into my pants. If I ever told Lee about all of his failed advances on me, she’d do more than bloody his nose.

What I said is true. Ricky is a nice guy, when he’s alone with me. But if any of his friends come over, or he starts drinking, he becomes a real pain. This is a true test of my will, being friends with Lee after all we’ve been through together. I love her. I always will, but I made my choice, but is it the right one?

I was up and at Lee’s before ten, which is pretty impressive for me. I can sleep all day if you let me. It felt strange being back at the place I lived in with her for a year. "Come on in. Its still kinda musty."

"That’s okay." Despite the must, it still smelled the same. The fresh rain scent of the carpet cleaner she uses is heavy in the air. "What do you want to do today? Its supposed to get up to eighty-five degrees."

"We can go swimming."

"Or use the whirlpool." I gestured. Aside from Lee, I missed the whirlpool tub in the master bath the most.

"Could do that. What do ya say we watch the Droopy marathon?"

"I love Droopy." I said happily as I settled down on the couch.

"I know."

The day went by faster than I liked. We avoided talking about Ricky or anyone else. We just seemed to pick where we left off before I kissed her for the first time. As we are dubbed, Leejay. Best friends. Lee ordered pizza for lunch. We sat in the middle of the floor and ate, while we tried to put a jigsaw puzzle together, one of my favorite things to do. "Lee?"

"Mmmm." she said without looking up.

"Did you plan this?"

"Plan what?" she looked up innocently.

"This whole day. Droopy cartoons, my favorite pizza, a jigsaw puzzle."

"Why?" she asked.

"Well, no reason. Just asking."

"I thought about what you like to do and did it. Are you not having fun?"

"No, I mean yes. Its not that at all. Its just that you seem to have gone the distance for today."

"Like I said, I wanted to do something you enjoy. Is there something wrong that?" She takes a sip of her iced tea.

"Are you trying to win me over? Wait, that didn’t come out right...."

"You and Ricky have nothing in common. You probably haven’t had a day in ages where you’ve done what you’ve wanted to do. I’m giving it to you."

"Thank you..for thinking of me."

"You’re welcome."

It wasn’t until dinnertime that she got up the nerve to really talk to me, and me to her.

"Are you happy, Jay?"

"Why are you asking me that?"

"I care that’s why."

"Are you sure it isn’t because you came all the way back home to find me with a man?"

"I deserved that." she smiled. "Your still angry." she sighed.

"I’m getting over it though. I rather have you as a friend than not at all."

"Does he know?"

"Know what?" She looked at me with a smirk. I knew exactly what she meant. Does he know about us? "No, I never told him that you and I were together."

"Why not?"

"Oh come on, Lee. Everyone in school thought you and me had something going. He probably knows that we were. We did move in together."

"You still didn’t answer my question...Are you happy?" I sighed heavily and thought carefully about my answer.

"Honestly?....He’s not that bad, Lee. He helped me put myself back together after you left. He’s just a jerk some of the time. You know you guys never got along...."

"I don’t care how he treats me, its you I’m worried about."

"No need."

"Do you love him?"

"Yeah." I couldn’t meet her eyes when I said it. "Not as much as I love you, but I do." She stood from the floor.

"You want some more tea?"

"Sure." I handed her my glass.

I watched her as she walked back into the kitchen. I saw her, for moment, sway into the counter. I thought for a minute, she was sick. When she turned to pour more tea from the pitcher, I saw the tear before she wiped it away with the back of her hand. My insides churned. I hurt her. To think she came back because of me, only to find me with a fiancee. I justified it by thinking of my feelings when we broke up. The truth is, I broke up with her. I just couldn’t deal with the strain of her being so far away. I told my mother that she broke up with me and I tried to blame Lee for my pain.

I stood and moved carefully into the kitchen. "Lee?" I say quietly.

"Oh. Here." She shoves the glass into my hand. I set the glass down on the counter.

"Lee, I’m sorry." Two more tears streak down her face. She wipes at them angrily.

"You didn’t know I was coming back. I didn’t expect you to stop living your life. I can swallow being replaced, Baby." Oh that felt good to hear. Ricky never uses terms of endearment, except in front of others to claim me. "But Ricky. You can’t love him."

"I do."

"No you don’t. Look me in the eye and say that."

"What do you care?" I blurted.

"You have the nerve to ask me that?" I saw a hint of anger behind her eyes. It was hardly ever directly at me. "When you had pneumonia, who got up in the middle of the night, drove ten miles to the drug store to get something to help you sleep? It sure as hell wasn’t Ricky. It was me. You know why I did it? Because I love you and I care about you."

"I’m sorry." I bit my lip. One of us was already crying. No sense in both of us losing it.

"No, I’m sorry for raising my voice at you. If you say your happy, I believe you."

It was getting late and I needed to get home. Lee gave me a soft kiss of the cheek that lingered all the way home. Ricky was watching a baseball game when I came in. "Where have you been?" he asked between bites of fried chicken.

"At Lee’s."

"Don’t tell me you two are friends again." he chuckled.

"We were always friends, Ricky. She just moved away for awhile."

"She was always hanging around you like a slug in high school. Just get rid of her. She’s nothing but trouble."

"Whatever Ricky." I shrugged him off and went into my bedroom.

He followed me in. "I wasn’t joking, Jamie. Leann is nothing but a bring down."

"She’s my best friend, Ricky. Get over it. Your still pissed at her about the prom aren’t you?"

"We’re not teenagers anymore, Jamie."

"Then stop acting like one. Lee is fun to be around. You’d find that out, if you’d give her half a chance."

"Yeah right. Like I’d be caught hanging around her." I stopped what I was doing and faced him.

"Just what is that supposed to mean?" He shrugged.

"People say she’s a dyke."

"Don’t call her that, Ricky!"

"I was just repeating what I heard!" he yelled back, before stomping off. Luckily that ended that conversation. I’d hate to go into an argument about Lee’s sexual preference. No one really has a big problem with such issues around here, except the snobs of the town. I’m engaged to one. What was I thinking?

It was sometime during the night, when I felt arms come around me. It had to be Ricky. I rolled over. He was kissing my neck, hard. "What are you doing?"

"Kissing you." His hands ventured under the sweatshirt I was wearing.

"Stop."

"Why?" He continued.

"Ricky stop. I told you I’m not ready for this. Go back to your room." His breath smelled of beer. It was plain to see, even in the darkness, he was only in his boxers.

"Come on, Lover." he drawled into my ear. It certainly didn’t have the impact it did when coming from Lee. Lee was my only lover. I’ve been fending off Ricky for the last three weeks. "We’re getting married. You’re gonna be my wife." His hand ventured into my sweats. "Why not?"

"Stop it." I said sternly, trying to remove his hands. I managed to wiggle free and get out of bed. "Damn it, Ricky." I hissed. I left him on my bed and moved towards the kitchen.

"What the fuck is your problem, Jamie? I gave you a ring. We’re getting married in a month. I thought you loved me. You won’t make love to me. Why?"

"I told you no. If you can’t keep it in your pants, then maybe we shouldn’t get married."

"Oh we’re getting married." he quipped. "Your mother made sure of that."

My mother loves Lee to death and was happy when we moved in together. When we broke up, I was heartbroken. I made the mistake of showing an interest in someone else. Not only someone else, but a man. A husband, her dream come true. She was the one that pushed me into accepting Ricky’s proposal with stories that Lee had probably moved on with her life and I should too. A rich man at that. My fate was sealed. Now that Lee’s back, I’m questioning my actions more and more. Lee would never force herself on me. In fact, it was usually the other way around. I see what I’m missing with Ricky more and more. "And I’m going to enjoy my wedding night." he smiled. He left me in the kitchen with my thoughts.

I reached for the phone and called the number I knew too well.

"Hello." Lee said sleepily.

"Lee, its me."

"Nothing, nothing at all...Just wanted to talk.

"I’m sorry. I’ll let you go back to sleep."

"No wait. Its okay." she yawned. "Is everything okay? Are you alright?"

"Yeah." I tried my best to keep serious emotion out of my voice. "I can’t sleep."

"I love you."

"I said I love you, Lee. I always have. What I have with Ricky will never compare to us." I looked at his bedroom door to make sure he was still in there.

"No." I stifle a sob.

"Do you want to come over here?" I didn’t answer. I was debating the pros and cons of

doing just that. I would be in her arms, but I’d have to tell her why I was there. "Jay?"

"Still here. I can’t."

"I just can’t."

"Okay. I’ll be there in ten minutes."

"Bye."

I just grabbed my keys and a change of clothes for tomorrow. I was terrified. What am I going to say? I can’t tell her what happened or the town will be minus a ex-quarterback. She met me in her driveway. "What’s wrong, Jay?"

"I’m okay. I just had a fight with Ricky." She ushered me into her house.

"What about? Me?"

"Sorta."

"I’m sorry."

"Don’t be. I’m seriously thinking of calling off our engagement." She looked at me for a long moment.

"Will you come back to me?" she asked, rubbing my cheek gently.

"Yes." I whisper. I saw that brilliant smile that I missed so much and haven’t seen again until this very moment. She pulled me into a hug and I relished it. She felt so good against me. I leaned forward, capturing her lips. She immediately opened her mouth and we both dove in for a long, sweet taste of each other. Gods, I missed this.

"I love you." she said between my lips, before tearing away. "Now...tell me why you’re here." she smiled.

"Lee, I told you."

"You had a fight with Ricky. Did he hurt you?"

"No." I think I jinxed myself by not elaborating or defending him.

"What happened? Baby, I love you, but I can’t help you unless you tell me."

Just then I was saved by a knock on her door. My arm instinctively looped itself around her waist. "Leann, open the door. I know she’s in there." He didn’t say it in anger, but I was still scared.

"Go in the bedroom, Jay."

"No."

"Go. Please." I did as I was asked, but remained hidden in the shadows of the door. She walked towards her door. Taking a second to look at where I was, she opened the door. Sure enough, it was Ricky. He must have followed me here. "Why are banging on my door at one-thirty in the morning, Ricky?"

"Let me in." She wouldn’t step aside to let him through.

"What do you want?"

"To see my wife."

"She’s not your wife." Lee countered. "She is my friend. Jamie’s staying with me tonight. So, whatever happened between you two, go home and cool off." Please don’t tell her.

"You can’t keep me away from her."

"Watch me. Make a move, rich boy." I closed my eyes and prayed they wouldn’t start fighting.

"She didn’t tell you..."

"No, she didn’t."

"It was a stupid fight. Just tell her to come out here and I’ll follow her home."

"If it was stupid, then you can apologize...in the morning."

"Damn it, Leann."

"You’ve got ten seconds to get off my property." He glared at her before finally yielding to her and walking back to his car. I stood in silence as she watched him start his car and leave. She closed the door softly, locking it. "He’s gone." she called.

Lee came into the bedroom, shutting off all of the lights as she did. "Come on. Lie down." There was a beam of bright moonlight hitting the center of the bed from the window. She settled me in and placed herself above the covers, holding me. "Try to get some sleep."

"Lee..."

"We’ll talk in the morning." I did as she said. It wasn’t hard. The familiar heartbeat under my ear lulled me to sleep. I missed her so much.

I don’t know how long I was out before I woke. Lee was cold to the touch and shivering slightly. "Lee," I readjusted the blanket to cover both of us. I then snuggled up to her, rubbing my foot up her bare leg, letting my leg rest across the top of her thighs. She cuddled closer to me, rubbing my back softly. "What time is it?"

"About three. Rest." She kissed the top of my head.

"Do you remember the first thing you ever said to me?" I asked sleepily.

"Yeah, ‘Can I borrow a red pen?" she chuckled.

"Then you accidentally broke it. It was so sweet that you bought me a new one at the school store." I sighed contentedly. "I took all these memories for granted, Lee."

"We’ve been through a lot together."

"We sure have." I sat up. I could just barely make out her face in the darkness. "We’ve been through too much not to be together Lee. I have no idea why I agreed to marry Ricky."

"So you are calling it off?"

"Yeah." We both thought the same thing and began to reach for each other. I met her halfway in a long, passionate kiss.

"Move back in with me."

"What?"

"Move back in with me. It’ll be just like before. Say yes."

"Yes." I smiled. "Are you sure?"

"Sure I’m sure."

I put on a brave front for Lee, but luckily Ricky wasn’t home when I went to get my stuff. I packed most of my clothes. As Lee helped, she asked, "What about the house?"

"Technically its still my mom’s. She pays for everything. I’ll leave Ricky a note to call me or come by your place...Is that okay?"

"Yeah." I grabbed a piece of paper out of the desk and jotted a quick note with Lee’s phone number on it. I stuck it to the fridge with a magnet and headed out. Attached to the note, was the ring he gave me.

I was worried when most the day passed and we didn’t hear from him. I called the house twice, but got the machine. I talked to my mom. She couldn’t believe that I was back with Lee, until I put Lee on the phone. She didn’t even know that Lee came back. Once I handed her the cordless, she smiled as she began conversing with my mother. Soon, she moved the conversation into the bedroom, closing the door behind her. I am pleased to say that Lee and Mom have had their own relationship, based on their mutual concern for me. Lee told my mother that she loved me and would never let anything hurt me, before she told me that is. In turn, Mom told her things about me that I didn’t have the courage to say to her myself. So when I saw her go into the bedroom and close the door, I figured it was a sensitive chat. Of course, I always find out what she says to Lee anyway.

She reemerged, putting the phone on the charger. "What was she grilling you about?"

"She wanted to make sure that I wouldn’t break your heart again. I assured that I wouldn’t." she sighed.

"So, what’s the problem?"

"Ricky."

"What about him?"

"You haven’t told me everything have you?" When I looked at her strangely, she continued. "Your mom has a different version then what you told me."

"What are talking about?"

"He hit you last Easter. Didn’t he?" I watched as her jaw muscles quivered.

"Lee," I started to defend him, because it was truly an accident. "It wasn’t a big deal. It was really an accident." She stared at me. "It was. We were fighting. He leaped off the couch. He started towards me and he tripped on the edge of the table. The glass in his hand hit me in the temple." She did believe me. I could tell, but she still didn’t like it.

"What was in the glass?"

"Beer."

"That’s what I thought."

"There’s something else." I said as I looked at her eyes.

"Is there?"

"She told you something else."

"He tried to rape you last night. You didn’t just have a fight. Why didn’t you tell me, Baby?"

"He didn’t rape me, Lee. He just wanted something I wasn’t going to give."

"And its not the first time is it?"

"No it wasn’t. I didn’t want you to know about that."

"Why?!"

"Why are you yelling at me?" I cried.

"Whoa....Hey." She moved closer. "I’m not yelling at you. I’m sorry. I just can’t understand."

"I didn’t want you to get upset. I just want to move on."

A banging started on her door. We both answered it. It was Ricky. He held up the ring.

"What’s this about? Last night?"

"No, Ricky. I don’t want to marry you anymore."

"Because I got in your pants." he smiled. Lee lunged forward. I put my arm between her and my now ex-fiancee. "Settle down, Leann. Your just mad because I got it first." he pointed to himself.

"Asshole." She moved again. This time I put my whole body between them.

"Stop lying, Ricky." I said. "You didn’t get anything." I reached over and slammed the door in his face before Lee could push past me. "Calm down." I soothed. She nodded taking a deep breath.

"Steer clear of him for awhile, until he gets over it."

"Okay."

It was hard to keep my hands off of her tonight. It has been so long since loving hands touched my body. I felt like a great weight was lifted off of my shoulders. Ricky was gone and Lee was here. We came very close to making love, but she stopped herself. I can’t blame her. Too much, too fast is not good. But it feels so right. We talked into the night about what our lives have been like these last nine months. Both of us agreed we have been miserable. I once again fell asleep on her chest.

When I awoke again. She was gone. I had a strange feeling something wasn’t right. I moved carefully into the living room and found Lee, sitting in the dark, on the couch. She was holding a cloth to her face.

"What happened?"

"He came to the door and asked if we could talk. I let him in and he just hit me, called me a home wrecker." she said softly. She touched her cheek tentatively.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I’m fine." I reached up and brushed the drop of blood from her temple, then realized it wasn’t hers. "I guess you’re stuck with me now." she smiled.

"Oh darn." I mock whined. "I love you, Lee." I winced as I ran my hand over a forming briuse on her cheek.

"I love you, too."

She stood, walked over to the desk, and pulled out a box. She opened it up. I gasped when I saw what was in it. "I was waiting for the right time to ask you. I guess this is it. I was wondering if you could use a ring to replace his."

"Lee." I was speechless beyond her name.

"Give me another chance to make things right. I love you. No one on this Earth will ever love you more. Wear my ring. Please." I nearly knocked her down as I hugged her. "Is that a yes?"

"Yes." I watched as she slipped it onto my finger. All questions as to where and when she purchased it can wait until tomorrow.

"I promise I’ll never make that mistake ever again. Leaving you or breaking your heart." I had nothing to say. I just wanted to bask in the happiness of the moment, knowing it won’t be the last time I feel this way.