Disclaimers - See Part 1 for disclaimers.

Chapter Six

Lee glanced nervously as the panel light signaled the seventh floor. Inwardly chastising herself for being a coward, she stepped out of the elevator and turned left. Walking down the hall towards Marika's office, she rehearsed what she'd say to her friend, trying to decide if she should apologize, or act like the previous weekend had never happened. She was pretty sure Marika would welcome her initiative, but understood too that it was up to her to take the first step.

With the benefit of years of experience, Lee knew that it wasn't that the lawyer refused to apologize when she was in the wrong; she'd been on the receiving end of some very sweet apologies after they'd argued. But Marika never took a chance of being rejected by making the first move. She'd wait forever until Lee signaled that she wasn't angry with her for her outburst. Sadly, Lee acknowledged to herself that Marika would allow a friendship to crumble before she'd risk repudiation. They'd once gone two months without speaking after an argument before Lee accepted that Marika simply couldn't bring herself to be vulnerable.

She and Dana had discussed that last night after Marika once again failed to pick up her phone when Lee called. Pointing out to her partner that she'd been miserable about the estrangement, Dana had urged her to go to the lawyer and make amends. After checking in with Terry, who'd had a similar lack of success in reaching Marika by phone, Lee decided to confront her friend in the office the next day.

Turning into the large room that held a bank of lawyers' offices along the windows and multiple cubicles for their assistants and clerical staff, Lee headed directly for Marika's office. She smiled as she saw Rhiannon frowning at her computer screen scrawling some notes, and glanced beyond the young woman to see that the office appeared to be empty. Disappointed but not discouraged, she drew even with Rhiannon's open-sided cubicle.

"Good afternoon, Lady Mouse," Lee said, grinning at the young woman.

Rhi leaned back in her chair and smiled warmly at her large visitor. "Hello, Madam Dragonslayer. Haven't seen you around for awhile."

Lee perched on one corner of the desk, idly noting the complete lack of personal items in the small enclosure. "No, I had to do up the paperwork on our bid this week, so I haven't had time to drop in. If all goes well though, you may see me around more often."

She was pleased to see that prospect appeared to meet with Rhiannon's approval. Lee liked the legal assistant despite her prickly exterior and had decided there was much more to the young woman than met the eye.
Recalling her business here she asked, "Is your boss still in?"

Rhi shook her head, glancing over at the open office door. "No, sorry, she left early today."

Lee raised an eyebrow. That wasn't like Marika, even on a Friday afternoon. "She did?"

"Uh huh," Rhi nodded. "Marian had her baby last night, and Ms. Havers was going up to visit her at the hospital."

"Last night? That was early wasn't it?"

"I'm not exactly sure, but I know that today was supposed to be her last day and they'd planned a going away luncheon in the conference room."

"Hmm, sounds like she jumped the gun a little then. So you're in the hot seat now, are you?"

"I guess so," Rhi agreed amiably. "But it was only a day earlier than I would've taken over anyway."

"Think you'll like working here?" Lee asked, mildly curious how Marika rated as a boss. She was pleased to see a smile on the younger woman's face.

"Yeah, I think I will. The work is very interesting."

"And..." Lee drawled encouragingly and then grinned at the raised eyebrow she got.

"And?" Rhi questioned innocently, but Lee could see the sparkle of understanding in her eyes.

Rolling her eyes a little, Lee leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially, "And how is the formidable Ms. Havers to work for? Has she been cracking the whip, or is she really a pussycat in disguise?"

Artless blue eyes blinked at her and with a perfectly straight face, Rhi said, "I'm sure you'd know more about that than I would, Ms. Glenn."

Astonished, Lee stared at the cherubic looking assistant and then burst into laughter. "Check and mate," she chuckled, enjoying the answering smile that transformed the young woman's face. "Okay, so you're not going to spill the beans. Can you at least tell me if you expect her back later?"

"I don't think so. She took a bunch of files with her that she wanted for the weekend, so I assume she was going home from the hospital."

With a quick glance at her watch, Lee agreed, "Yeah, you're probably right. Day's almost over anyway. Okay, no problem, I'll catch her at home." Looking back up at Rhi, she asked, "You gonna wrap it up soon and head off for a hot Friday night on the town?"

Lee was startled to see her companion drop her eyes and shake her head quickly. She got the impression that she'd inadvertently discomforted the young woman. Tapping a finger lightly on the desk, she waited until Rhiannon looked up at her and smiled gently. "Hey, none of my business, right? I just hope you're not letting that boss of yours work you too hard. Gotta have some time for yourself, too."

Rhi smiled shyly. "I don't mind overtime, but actually I'm just about done for the day." Hesitating for a moment, she nudged the gym bag under the desk and added, "I was just going to go over to the Y for a swim after work."

"You like swimming?" Lee asked, unwilling to miss any opportunity to get the assistant to open up a bit. She knew Dana would probably chide her for being nosy, but ever since Lee had seen Rhiannon stand up to the King brothers, she'd been intrigued by the reserved little woman.

"Uh huh. I usually go every day, though sometimes I go running along the river paths instead of swimming. Depends how many people are in the pool and what the weather's like." Rhi ducked her head and Lee guessed that was more than most people ever heard from her.

"Well, they're both great exercise. I have a small gym set up in our basement at home, but I'd love to have a pool in the backyard, too. Somehow I don't think my partner would be too thrilled with the idea, but her son would probably love it."

Lee watched Rhi closely now, wanting to see if she'd picked up on the significant pronoun. She relaxed imperceptibly when Rhiannon asked calmly, "How old is her son?"

"He's thirteen. His name is Danny and hers is Dana."

Rhi smiled. "Thirteen. Just a teenager then."

With a small groan, Lee nodded. "Oh yeah, and I'm not sure I'm going to survive his teen years in one piece. He has this uncanny ability to push every button I have. Dana's so good with him. She hardly ever loses it, but I swear that boy's responsible for most of my gray hair." Ruefully she riffled the abundant silver streaking her dark locks and then with an affectionate grin, she added, "He really is a great kid though, and I keep reminding myself that this too shall pass."

Rhiannon nodded, but Lee saw a brief flash of sadness in her eyes. On impulse Lee asked, "Would you like to come over for dinner this weekend? I'd love for you to meet Dana and Danny, and believe me, Dana is a great cook." She patted her solid middle ruefully then glanced up to see outright astonishment on the younger woman's face.

"Um, me? You want me to come to dinner?" Rhi asked hesitantly.

"Sure," Lee assured her, suddenly certain that Rhiannon didn't get many such invitations.

"I...um...don't you want to check with Dana first?"

The tentative question touched Lee, and she found herself regarding Rhi intently, watching the play of emotions on the young woman's face. Gently she said, "Dana never minds when I bring friends home for dinner, Rhiannon."

Confusion, surprise and uncertainty subsided and were replaced with a slow smile as Rhi absorbed the whole idea. Finally she nodded. "Thank you, I would like to come to dinner."

"Great!" Lee enthused. "Let's see, tomorrow's out because Danny's baseball team is playing, so how about Sunday about six? Here, let me give you the address."

Rhi slid a piece of paper and pen across the desk, and Lee scribbled down the address and phone number. Then, neatly tearing the paper in half, she extended the pen to Rhiannon and said, "Why don't you give me your phone number too, just in case something comes up."

Frowning a little, Rhi jotted down a number and held it out. When Lee took it and tucked it in her pocket, she said uneasily, "That's my aunt's number, but you can leave a message for me if you like."

Somewhat surprised, Lee asked, "You don't have a phone?"

"I, uh, never needed one of my own, but my aunt lives in the same house."

Eyeing Rhiannon who was fiddling with the pen without meeting her gaze, Lee thought her choice of words odd, but shrugged it off. "Okay," she said, rising from the corner of the desk. "Then we'll see you Sunday." She grinned at the younger woman who was looking slightly shell-shocked and with a backwards glance at her friend's still empty office, strode out.

***************************************************

After making a quick stop at home to change into casual clothes and secure Dana's blessing on her mission, Lee began the trip to Marika's condo, hoping that she wouldn't be making the return trip too quickly. With a small grin at the brown paper bag laid on the seat beside her, she reminded herself to have faith and trust her gut instincts.

Pulling into a guest slot, she remembered the silver Toyota she'd parked beside last weekend and wondered briefly if she should've invited Terry tonight too. Deciding she needed to settle things with Marika first, she made a mental note to call Terry tomorrow to let her know how things had gone. She had a keen sense that Terry would prove a valuable ally in getting through to the lawyer, but now accepted that it would be a slow process weaning Marika from Cass' hooks, and outright confrontation just wasn't going to work.

Letting herself into the building, Lee took the elevator to her friend's floor. Marching down the hallway, her determination not to let Marika evade her this time mounted with each step. She wasn't about to let a low-life like Cass ruin a friendship she valued dearly.

Reaching the end of the hall, she knocked firmly on Marika's door. She almost lost her balance when the door opened immediately and the lawyer stood there looking at her nervously.

"Hi."

"Hi."

Lee waited a moment and then with a raised eyebrow asked, "Can I come in?"

Marika stepped aside wordlessly and allowed Lee to enter. The big woman brushed by and, shrugging out of her jacket, tossed it on the hall chair. She grinned as she heard a long-suffering sigh behind her but continued into the living room, greeting Spooky who padded up to sniff at her. Having determined that the brown bag did not contain anything of interest, the cat wandered off.

Lee turned to meet gray eyes studying her soberly. The two women stared at each other until finally Lee broke the impasse.

"I've missed you," she said softly, gratified to see the warming in those somber eyes.

"Me too," Marika admitted with a tiny smile. Nodding at the bag in Lee's arms, she asked, "What do you have there?"

With a grin, Lee drew a large bottle of tequila out of the bag. "Right from Mexico. You did ask me to bring it over." When the lawyer chuckled, Lee dug further in the bag and pulled out a bag of limes. Handing that over, she pulled the last of her treasures out. When she flourished a large saltshaker, she was rewarded with a genuine laugh from her friend.

"I do have salt here, you know," Marika protested with amusement.

"Yup, I know that, but if you threw me out, I figured I'd need all the ingredients with me to go drown my sorrows."

Marika's head dropped and for an instant Lee regretted her off-hand comment, but she decided they needed to face this. She set the bottle and saltshaker on the coffee table and stepped forward. Cupping the lawyer's face in her large hands, she said gently, "I'm sorry. I was out of line last weekend, and my only excuse is that I care very much about what goes on with you. Forgive me?"

The bag of limes dropped to the floor, and Marika leaned into Lee's welcoming embrace. They held each other silently for long moments, letting the comfort of the embrace mend the fissure in their friendship.

Finally Lee heard the muffled words, "Why do you put up with me?"

Grinning a little, she answered, "Oh, I dunno. Could be because I like the challenge." The big woman felt the burst of laughter against her shoulder and tightening her hold whispered, "Or maybe I just think you're worth it."

The woman in her arms stilled, and Lee could sense her holding her breath until she released it in a barely audible sigh. Pulling back, Marika stared at her friend, an odd mixture of disbelief and hope in her expression. Lee held those searching eyes steadily until she won a tiny smile, and the blonde pulled back, wiping at her cheeks with the back of her hand.

"I'll slice up the limes. You know where the glasses are."

Lee smiled, watching Marika retrieve the bag and start towards the kitchen. Knowing they still had ground to cover, she was content for now to recover their easy camaraderie. Walking over to the china hutch, she shook her head as she pulled out two small glasses, amused as always that even the woman's shot glasses were heavy crystal.
Returning to the couch, she twisted the cap off the large bottle just as Marika returned with a tray of neatly sliced limes. Filling both shot glasses, she handed one to the lawyer as she took a seat beside her. Nudging the shaker across the coffee table, she watched as the blonde sprinkled salt adeptly in the webbing of her hand, licked it off, downed the shot and sucked on a lime wedge.

Twinkling gray eyes challenged her, and Lee quickly followed suit. Two more shots followed in rapid succession before the friends leaned back and grinned at each other.

"Whoa, pretty potent stuff there," Marika gasped, fanning herself with one slender hand.

"Yup," Lee agreed proudly. "I went right to the factory for that one. Told you the worm was still doing cartwheels." She chuckled as Marika scrunched up her nose. "You don't believe me?" Grabbing the bottle, she swirled the contents until the translucent coil in the bottom of the tequila did appear to dance.

"God! How did I ever let you talk me into drinking this stuff?" Marika griped amiably. "Why do they put that thing in there anyway?"

Lee stopped played with the tequila and poured two more shots. "Dunno, never thought about it before. Maybe to test the potency of the stuff?"

"So what, if the worm lives, it's too weak?" Marika laughed, accepting her glass.

"Sounds as good a theory as any," Lee agreed. "Bottoms up!"

The two finished the round and Marika began to giggle. "You keep pouring like that, and you will have me bottoms up."

Lee did her best Groucho Marx impression and leered at her laughing friend. "Ah, but what a lovely bottom it is, my dear."

The blonde snorted and threw a pillow, which was casually batted aside as Lee set up another round. "Whoa, slow down a bit. I'd like to at least last until sundown," Marika cautioned, even as she took up the saltshaker again.

"Why? Do you turn into a vampire then?" Lee inquired innocently, holding the tray out as Marika swallowed her drink.

The lawyer shuddered, sucked on the lime and then bared her teeth as Lee followed suit and downed her shot. "You'll just have to wait and see. I've been known to bite, you know."

Lee started to laugh. "Do I ever! Do you remember the first time we had tequila shooters together? I think I still have the marks." She pulled up her rugby shirt and peered at her belly button.

"Aw, poor baby," Marika commiserated, as she leaned across and patted the solid belly. "Can I help it if your belly button held more than mine did? You couldn't make a proper shooter on my tummy."

"Yeah, but did you have to miss the lime and bite my flesh?" Lee grumbled, still looking for the long ago scar, a souvenir from a raucous night early in their relationship when they'd been new lovers and Lee had taught Marika her special brand of shooters. Intent on her search, she jumped when wet lips laid a big kiss on her exposed abdomen and then blew a loud raspberry. Pushing a wildly giggling Marika away, she wiped furiously at her now wet stomach.

"Evil wench!" Lee grumbled mildly. "How am I going to explain hickeys on my belly to Dana?"

Marika had grabbed the tequila and was intent on pouring another drink. Lee sighed and took the bottle from her, filling the glasses with a slightly steadier hand. "Featherweight," she teased, but was delighted to see the relaxed look on her friend's face. She could already feel the effects and knew they'd both pay for their indulgence in the morning, but it would be worth it. Besides, she knew from experience that she'd outlast Marika. Deciding it was a good idea to slow things down though, she suggested, "Feel like ordering a pizza?"

Marika cocked her head in serious consideration before asking with an overly bright smile, "Can we have vegetarian?"

Lee shook her head in affectionate exasperation. "What's the point of having pizza if all you're going to put on it is vegetables?" Then sighing at the adorable pout she was getting, she acquiesced. "All right. Vegetarian on your half only."

Picking up the phone, she called in the compromise order as Marika stood, swaying slightly. Watching the woman weave her way to the washroom, Lee ordered a half vegetarian, half meat-lover's pizza, and with a slightly guilty glance down the hall, double cheese. Grinning, she hung up before hitting the speed dial for her home.

When Danny picked up she said, "Hey, buddy, can I talk to your Mom?"

There was a brief pause and Dana came on the line. "Hi, sweetheart. Just checking in to see how things are going."

Dana's amusement was clear in her voice. "Things are going fine here, Lee. I take it they're going fine there too?"

"Oh yeah," Lee assured her earnestly. "We've been talking and everything's cool again."

"Uh huh," Dana chuckled. "Talking, eh?"

"Yeah. Well, we shared a couple of drinks, too, and we're going to order pizza now."

"Lee, darling," Dana said sweetly. "I want you to go put your keys in the freezer right now and promise me you won't drive tonight."

Lee frowned. "But how will I get home?"

"I'm not sure I'm going to want you home tonight," Dana teased her. "Maybe you should spend the night at Marika's."

Blinking eyes that had gone slightly out of focus in the last few minutes, Lee objected, "You want me to stay with another woman?" Glancing up as Marika returned to the room, she complained, "Dana doesn't want me to come home tonight."

Marika grabbed the phone and slurred into the receiver, "Hi, Dana."

Laughing, Dana said, "Hi, sweetie. Don't you let that big goof drive, all right? If you're going to get her drunk, you have to keep her."

"Okay," Marika agreed good-naturedly. "But I can't keep her for good, because she belongs to you."

"Yes, she does," Dana agreed. "But I have this very strong suspicion that you two are going to deserve each other tonight."

Marika held the phone out to Lee. "I think she thinks we're inebbb...innneeeb...drunk."

Lee gave a very unbutchlike giggle and took the phone. "Aw, honey, we've only had a few."

"Suuuuurrre you have," Dana said. "Look, my love, I have to go. I promised Danny I'd take him and Tony to McDonalds and then the movies, and he's waving my car keys at me." Turning serious, she went on, "Lee, promise me you'll either stay with Marika or call me to come and get you."

"I will," Lee promised. "Love you."

"Love you too, you big goof. See you later."

Lee planted a kiss on the phone and hung up. She looked up to see Marika grinning widely at her.

"You should really marry her," Marika declared. "She's great!"

Picking up the now half-empty bottle, Lee considered it before pouring two more shots. "I love her, ya know," she told the lawyer seriously, pushing one glass towards her.

"I know, and she loves you too," Marika said with equal gravity. Then with a half-grin she added, "I think it works best that way, don't you?"

Lee looked at her sadly, rolling the glass between her palms. "Doesn't always work though, does it? Didn't work for us."

Regarding her blearily for a long moment, the blonde downed the shot without bothering with the salt and lime. With a long exhalation, she cleared her throat and, leaning forward, laid an unsteady hand on Lee's thigh.

"No, it didn't. But that was my fault. You're the best, Lee, and you deserve the best. You should marry Dana. She makes you happy, and I need you to be happy."

"Why?"

Marika blinked in confusion until Lee clarified. "Why do you need me to be happy?"

"Cuz you're my best friend, you idiot." The blonde's lopsided but affectionate grin took any sting out of the insult.

Speaking slowly and trying for an elusive coherence, Lee said, "But if you want me to be happy, why can't you understand that I want you to be happy too?"

She watched as Marika's fine brow wrinkled in puzzlement. She was about to explain further when the phone rang from the lobby and the pizza had arrived.

***************************************************

Dana went to ring the buzzer to Marika's apartment when the elderly gentleman entering behind her unlocked the door and held it for her. With a little shrug she exchanged smiles with him and headed for the elevator. It had been several hours since Lee's call, and after taking the boys out to dinner and dropping them at the movies, she'd decided to swing by and check up on her rowdy mate and their friend. She planned to either bring her partner home with her or take her keys and return the next morning.

Arriving at Marika's door, she tapped lightly and then tried the doorknob. Much to her surprise it opened for her. Their friend was usually very conscientious about locking her door, even when she was at home. Quietly entering the home, she heard laughter coming from the living room. Rounding the corner, she grinned as she took in the sight.

Her partner was sprawled at one end of the couch, watching through squinted eyes as Marika tilted an almost empty bottle to her lips. Spooky nosed about a solitary piece of pizza that lay abandoned in a box, which had been tossed on the floor. Chewed up lime wedges littered the floor, while an overturned saltshaker had spilled crystals all over the glass and wrought iron coffee table.

Still unseen, Dana leaned against the wall enjoying the spectacle as Marika wiped her mouth and handed over the bottle.

"Your turn," the blonde hiccupped. "Worm's still there."

Lee held the bottle over her head and peered at it closely. Suddenly she noticed her partner, and her face split in a wide grin.

"Dana!" She stumbled to her feet and lurched over to where the stocky woman was standing. Wrapping her arms around the laughing woman she tried to whirl her in hug, but only succeeded in almost falling down. Dana grabbed her and steadied her, wrapping an arm around her mate's thick waist.

"Didya mish me?" Lee slurred, nuzzling Dana's hair.

"Oh yeah," Dana answered dryly.

Lee gave her a doe-eyed look and declared, "I love you sooooo much!"

"Love you too, sweetie. Now why don't we sit down before you fall down," Dana said as she steered her wavering partner back to the couch. Once she got Lee seated, she turned to Marika who held the bottle out to her.

"We're playin' tequila roulette," the blonde said as she tried to focus. "Ya hafta take a swallow and whoever eats the worm loses." She giggled and tried to give Dana the bottle.

"Euuuuww, no thanks," Dana said as she pushed the bottle away. "I'll leave it for you two." Kneeling in front of Lee, she patted her partner's knee. "Where are your keys, love? I'll take them with me and come back tomorrow to pick you up, okay?"

Lee nodded and then with a look of intense concentration stared at the ceiling. "Keys, keys...Where'd I put 'em?"

Shaking her head at the futility, Dana rose to her feet and glanced around. Spying Lee's jacket on the floor, the wallet half-out of the pocket, she smiled.
When a search of the garment turned up the keys, she stuffed them in her pocket. Returning to the drunken duo, she surveyed them and shook her head in mock-pity. "Oh you two are so going to pay for this in the morning."

Lee and Marika blinked at each other and then started laughing. Rolling her eyes, Dana dropped a kiss on her mate's forehead and dodged Lee's flailing hands when the big woman made a grab for her. Chuckling she shook at finger at her grinning partner. "Oh no you don't. You're sleeping here tonight."

Pointing at Marika, she was amused to see a confused pout on the blonde's face.

"But I only have one bed," the lawyer protested fuzzily.

Dana chuckled. "You have the pull-out in the den. For that matter, she'd be perfectly safe in your bed. She's not going to be up to anything but keeping the white porcelain god company anyway."

Lee tugged on her hand and drew Dana's attention to her stomach as she pulled up her shirt. "She blew bubbles on my belly," she complained to her laughing mate.

Dana pulled the shirt down and patted Lee's stomach. "I'm sure she's very sorry and will never do that again...right, Marika?"

The blonde did her best to look contrite, but collapsed in helpless giggles instead. Shaking her head, Dana stepped back and looked affectionately at the pair, both of whom were laughing now.

"You two definitely deserve each other," she said cheerfully. She was about to leave when Lee started waving wildly at her. "Yes?" she drawled at her partner.

"I forgot to tell you. Lady Mouse is coming to dinner and so is Marika." Lee turned to the blonde who nodded in agreement.

"A mouse is coming to dinner?" Dana cocked her head in puzzlement, wondering what her mate was up to now.

Lee sighed in exasperation. "Not a mouse...Lady Mouse." She stared at Dana expectantly, clearly assuming that explained everything.

Deciding it would be useless to expect clarification in the present circumstances, Dana just nodded her agreement and made a mental note to question Lee tomorrow as she turned to go.

Locking the door behind her, she could hear renewed snickers from the living room. Grinning, Dana headed down the hall to the elevators, promising herself she'd show up early the next morning to see how the miscreants had fared.

The miscreants, having exhausted their giggles had returned to their game of tequila roulette when Lee suddenly slammed the bottle down.

"I forgot!" she exclaimed with alarm.

"What?" her barely coherent companion asked.

"I forgot to ask her to marry me," Lee said sorrowfully, staring after her departed partner.

Marika pursed her lips. "Phone her," she suggested helpfully.

"Okay," Lee agreed and then tilted the bottle back. Soon lost in the excitement of the game, they forgot everything else, and the phone sat unused.

Continued in Chapter 7