Her heels clicked lightly on the concrete as she made her way down into the underbelly of Demaitre. It was only 5 am, and as usual, the subway station nearest Mercy Hospital was far too empty for Kaede’s liking.

The hazy florescent lights flickered over head, making the shadows shift in their dull, false light. The blue haze against the stone walls of the subway always made her feel as if she were trapped in an icy tomb. The cold air drifting down from the freezing rain that pelted the streets above did nothing to help banish the illusion.

Kaede tugged her long jacket closer around her thin frame to block out the chill in the air. Her wristwatch flashed a dull green 5:20... The train wouldn’t be there until 5:45.. that left her 25 minutes of standing, waiting, half frozen, drenched, and thoroughly worn down, for the train to finally appear.

Just another end to another very long day. She had the weekend to look forward to, at least. Three days off in a row. Rare for a nurse, even a graveyard shifter, but certainly a welcome respite.

“Two days, just two more days,” she sighed to herself.

Kaede shifted her weight from foot to foot, restless and agitated. She needed a car, but nurses weren’t exactly paid very well and her apartment kept her accounts nearly bone dry. After her husband’s death, her family had cut her off. No funds, no warm place to sleep, nothing. She’d had to sell the little mustang Ryo had given her on their last anniversary to afford the move, so now the subways were her only choice.

The frigid air wrapped around Kaede, driving through the fabric of her clothes to sink it’s cruel claws through her flesh and deep into her bones. It froze her down to her very core.

The sound of her teeth chattering seemed to echo off the blank, baron walls, adding an emphasis to how alone she truly was.

Forsaken…

The thought made her stomach churn.

Red Flag.

That's what came up in most people's heads when they saw Aldonza Hernandez. She walked with a sultry step, as agile and as flexible as a panther. Today her ensemble consisted of a tight leather pants that cut off circulation below her waist. Her top consisted of a tight red long sleeved T-shirt that hugged her breasts. Her long dark hair fell over her shoulders and her dark brown eyes were lined with black liner and a little shadow to attract attention. The eyes themselves were intense, hungry.
This panther was on the prowl.

Her heels were red to match her shirt and her feet were freezing, but heels were sexy. And sexy was her job. Literally. Luckily, Benny had let her take a coat. It was light, tru- but it was enough to keep her from freezing to death.

Aldonza reapplied some red lipstick to her blue lips as she stepped inside the subway station. She realized the train wasn't there yet and waited, mustering all the confidence she could while hiding her shivering.

The sound of chattering teeth made Aldonza stop. She turned her head, her gold hoop earring swishing with the motion. She examined the other woman, arching an eyebrow as she noted how cold she looked, and sounded.
She found herself pitying the woman. A prostitute pitying someone else! Ha! Benny would love that one.. the filthy bastard.

Al sighed and wished there was something she could do for the woman. She was pretty, green eyes, black hair, olive skin, even the scars on her neck held a beauty to Aldonza. Al belived that scars were sexy. Scars showed that you fought something and beat it. However, Benny didn't- and he turned away girls with scars- but he had no problem bruising and breaking his own girls.

The streetwhore reached into her coat pocket to find a pack of Big Red. She pulled out a piece and walked over to the chattering woman.
"Here" she whispered, grabbing the other's hand and forcing the piece of gum into it. "It'll stop the chattering." Aldonza started to move away after that, who'd want to be associated with her- no one but her own kind. She understood that. Respected that. And honored that opinion that everyone harbored.

Kaede missed the sound of clicking heels on the concrete floor, too far gone into the fog of her own mind to notice anything near by. She heard the whispered voice of the other woman, but it didn’t register at first. It wasn’t until she felt the other woman’s cool fingers against her own frigid hand that it dawned on her she was not alone.

Fear came first, the realization that she had left herself vulnerable while the sun was still down cleared the fog that hazed her senses in an instant. The chill in her bones lessened a little, the memories receded, and Kaede brought herself back to the here and now. For a moment, she stood still and silent, eyeing the piece of gum in her hand, and then she chuckled. The sound was odd to her ears, she had not laughed in so long, but the simple sound eased her fears and relaxed the stiffness in her.

“Thank you,” she murmured as she unwrapped the piece of gum, and then placed it on her tongue. The heat of the cinnamon sent a warming tingle down her spine, seeming to melt away the ice that had collected in her blood, and having something to chew did stop the chattering.

Kaede turned to study her companion in the empty station. It was unusual to see someone else at this hour and she was curious by nature, she couldn’t help herself. Her eyes traveled over the younger woman, from head to toe and back again. In the back of her mind, it dawned on her just why a woman would be dressed like that, at this hour, and in this weather, but she set it aside. Each person did what they had to do to survive, simple as that.

There was a strength in that woman, a hardness that came hand in hand with a hard life. It made her powerful in her own right. Perhaps it was that inner strength that struck Kaede most, that drew her attention and held it. The sensuality that clung to the younger woman like a second skin only seemed enhanced by it.

“It’s a cold night to be going without a real coat… he doesn’t allow it, does he?” Perhaps it was presumptuous, but it came out anyway.

Kaede crossed the space between them without really thinking about it, a protective instinct provoking her. She shrugged her coat off, it only fell just past mid hip on her, but this younger woman was a tad shorter, and it might reach to the knees. She shook it lightly to toss off a bit of the rain, and then held it out to her. “I’ll trade you, I could use a nice little jacket.”

"Thank you" the woman murmured as Aldonza passed her to move towards the wall, out of sight. She watched the other woman bite into the gum and hid a small smile by looking down. She was glad she could help. She didn't do much good these days, so it was nice to have some brownie points for being kind. Though she doubted handing out gum would eclipse her other sins.

She was... startled when the woman approached her, and the look showed on her face. As she asked, without even thinking- "He doesn't allow it does he?" Aldonza shook her head.
"Good guess. No, no Benny doesn't like us to hide what we're selling..." her voice trailed off as the woman offered her the coat. She was speechless for awhile and had to force her lips to move when she finally spoke,
"I-- I can't. I haven't finished my job tonight. I have to work." She shook her head. Never had anyone offered her anything like this. Sure, the penthouse she lived in was nice, but it was for a price. Sure, her designer clothes were fabolous, but they had a price. This was for nothing- and it really- confused her.

Aldonza frowned. "Believe me- I wish I could" Her sentimental side receeded as she contemplated the possibility of lookign wishy-washy, which she wasn't. "I'm freezing my gorgeous ass off so someone on the next subway better buy it." she said, a lighthearted smile warming her face just a tad.
"I'm Aldonza, pervayer of gum and other goodies." she introduced, extending a hand towards the other woman.

Kaede took the younger woman’s hand easily, measuring her handshake with interest. From a young age, she’d held to the belief that you can learn a lot about a person simply by shaking their hand. Aldonza’s grip was firm, but light; the touch of a seductress lingered in her elegant fingers along with the subtle strength of will only a fighter possessed.

“Aldonza…. Interesting Name. I’m Kaede, a walking, middle aged thrift store.” As she spoke, Kaede could barely keep the laughter out of her voice. Between the playful introduction and the sassy comment about her freezing her ass off, Aldonza had struck a chord in Kaede that had been ignored far too long.

“It is nearly 5:30 in the morning, the night is nearly over, the work day nearly done.” Kaede relinquished her grip on Aldonza’s hand and offered the coat again as she spoke. “Humor me? I have a maternal streak a mile wide and simply can not let you leave without a proper coat. Besides..”

Kaede paused, biting her tongue. She’d been about to offer the paycheck in her purse to cover the money Aldonza was supposed to gather in a seedy hotel room or the back of a car. She dearly wanted to help, but the offer sounded callus and cruel when she thought it over. But then, she didn’t want her to get the wrong idea either.

Her eyes traced over Aldonza’s figure again, and Kaede felt herself blush. It was rude no matter what the younger woman's profession was.

Kaede sighed… but then she smiled… There was something, an old and out of date sort of custom.

“Aldonza, have you ever been a companion?”

Aldonza smiled as Kaede introduced herself, distinguishing from her handsshake what might be a mother's touch. But Aldonza wouldn't know. She had no mother.

"Kaede... that's pretty. I like it." she added with a nod before smiling again. Walking thrift store, that was funny. Al liked this woman- she was funny, seemed like the sort of person one would like to befriend.

As she offered the coat again Aldonza shook her head sadly. "I really can't. I'm sorry Kaede. Rules are rules." She shrugged. She couldn't warm up until after she got her pay. She couldn't stop freezing until she had sacrificed her body for one more night of her life. It was cruel, but she'd been doing it for a long time... and actually had become quite numb to stranger's hands.

Aldonza watched the woman pause and think. Something rolled across Kaede's eyes and thoughts danced through her concentrated face. What was she trying to do? Convince Al of taking the coat. She couldn't. Or was the woman planning an alternative? Al arched a slender eyebrow as the woman looked her over and blushed sheepishly.

Kaede spoke when the flush had left her face.
"Companion? No. I don't think I really understand..." Aldonza said, dark brown eyes meeting Kaede's green ones. Her eyes were a little bit like gems, very hard and sparkly, but unlike gems- there was something warm behind those green facets.

An impish light touched Kaede’s eyes briefly as the left corner of her lips twisted up into a little grin.

Perhaps it could work. It wasn’t flawless, of course, and she was sure there were about a million holes and pit falls, but it just might prove good for both of them if it worked out.

“Well, a lady’s maid, so to speak.” Kaede stepped lightly around Aldonza, sitting on one of the uncomfortable, metal benches. “You see, I’m new to the city and completely alone here. I need a companion. Someone to visit, keep me company, go out on the town with me if ever I am feeling up to it again. It’s a silly old custom, but it has its uses.”

She paused, watching for the younger woman’s reaction as she folded her coat in her lap. As far as Kaede was concerned, it was Aldonza’s coat now. She was a stubborn woman. Eventually Al would give in, or she would run away from the crazy woman she’d been unlucky enough to run into.

A slight shadow crosses Kaede’s face as she watches Aldonza; the vision of the demon in her dreams snuffing the life out of the younger woman settling like a cold stone in the pit of her stomach. She blinked hard to banish the sight, caging the demon in her mind and leaving him there.

"How much does it pay?" Aldonza asked.
She didn't care anymore what she had to do for money. She had done it all, and now- now this seemed easy compared to the other things she was pressed with in the night.

Something dark crossed Kaede's face, a seemingly shadow passing over her eyes- and then it was gone. Al blinked and looked again into her eyes but the shadow was gone. Strange.

"And do you need my services tonight? Because it's tonight that I need the paycheck- otherwise I'm not gettin' any food tomorrow- and chances are Tony and Ric won't let me in the house." Al explained, leaning against the cold stone wall of the station. She stuck out her leg as she leaned, a habi she would and could never break.

"You okay Kaede?" she asked, the woman seemig a little fuzzy. It seemed liek she wasn't really there for a moment, lost in her own thoughts or something.

Aldonza’s voice pulled Kaede back, letting her mind function properly again. How much would it pay? “Well, first of all there is free room and board whenever you want it. Typically you’d live with me, but usually we’d know one another much better than we do at this point.”

She leaned back, resting her head against the wall as a few figures danced through her thoughts. “It could be hourly, weekly, even monthly if you like, whatever you’d prefer.. I have roughly $600-some extra dollars, each month, after bills and such.”

She paused, her brow frowning as she looked Aldonza over from head to toe once more. “From what I can see, you’re worth $600 a night, if not more, in your current position…” she chuckled lightly, shaking her head as she raked one frozen hand through her damp hair, a nervous twitch she’d picked up in the recent months.

“Well, what do you think? What is fair?”

Kaede came back from her reverie as Aldonza interrogated her about the job. Six hundred sounded pretty good.
"Yeah..." Aldonza said, smiling. "That sounds fair, but I can't stay with you all the time- I got girls to look after. I'm kinda the head slut when Benny's not around." She explained.

Aldonza smirked at the fact that she just called herself the "Head Slut." Well, she was- it was the truth- and Kaede had to know that she couldn't keep Al off the streets forever. Aldonza was born for the streets, in the streets, and she would die in some god-forsaken street one day. That was just who she was and where she was. She had to do what she had to do.
Even sin couldn't change her mind- hell neither. Her girls were the only things that mattered now. Her girls.... They had no idea what this life was like, most of the older ones who had been "Head Slut" when she was young... Well, they had either passed away- got too old- were shot by competition- or were killed in a customer's arms.

It was a sad life, but it was her life- and she would never starve.

"Need me tonight? I got gum." she teased, smirking in a catlike way that wasn't entirely intentional. She just couldn't help it- the sexy smile- the sexy stance... everything was habit- and she wasn't able to break it- even for this woman who- Aldonza was quite sure- was offerring her a way out tonight.

She nervously ran a hand through wet hair and Aldonza's eyes widened.
"Why the hell is your hair wet? You'll get sick!" she protested. "If you got six hundred to spare buy a hat."

The train roared into the station, shaking Aldonza's frame just a tad. She wasn't one for trains- never had been- but she sucked it up.
"Am I going home with you?" she asked, flat out. And then Aldonza told her the truth. "Because if we get on that bus- I gotta look like I'm with you or they won't leave me alone- you know my job description- and... if you have any qualms about being seen with me... then you shouldn't take me home, kay?"

"That sounds fair, but I can't stay with you all the time- I got girls to look after. I'm kinda the head slut when Benny's not around."

Kaede nodded as she spoke, smiling in response to the rye smirk that followed the comment. Her teasing about the gum stole a chuckle from Kaede’s throat, but when the younger woman chided her about her damp hair, she couldn’t keep the heart felt laughter from coming out.

The girl was full of life, her humor positively infectious, and her manor as blunt and forward as the life she lived. Oddly, she reminded Kaede vividly of the lively spirit she herself had once had. They’d both suffered, they’d both had hard times, and it seemed to Kaede that Aldonza proved the stronger. At least she still walked up right, all fight and fire.

As the train pulled in, Kaede pushed herself back up as she caught her breath, smothering the lingering laughter as Al spoke again: "Am I going home with you? Because if we get on that bus- I gotta look like I'm with you or they won't leave me alone- you know my job description- and... if you have any qualms about being seen with me... then you shouldn't take me home, kay?"

A slight grin showed on Kaede’s face as she stepped close to Aldonza, looping one of her arms lightly around the younger woman’s waist. “If I had a problem being seen with you, do you honestly think I would have walked over here to speak to you?”

Stubbornly, she set the coat back into Aldonza’s hand. “Keep it, I have four others exactly like it.”
Not giving her a chance to disagree or fuss, Kaede used her light hold on the younger woman’s waist to usher her onto the train.

Thankfully, it was warmer in the train. As usual, at this hour, only a few scattered people were there; most either heading home or getting to work. It left the pair plenty of room to sit down as well as to keep a comfortable distance between themselves and those others that may filter on and off.

“Consider it a condition of our arrangement. After all, I can’t have you getting sick and then not being able to keep me company.” Kaede smiles impishly, a light of the woman she once was showing briefly in her eyes. “Besides, now I’m your matron, it is my job to provide for you whatever you may need.”

Aldonza let Kaede's arm slip around her waist and took the coat. She wasn't given the chance to reject it. Aldonza held onto the coat tightly as they stepped onto the train.
A few regulars of the girls were on board tonight so if Kaede hadn't have offered, Al would still have been able to get some cash tonight.
She smiled and wrapped her arms around Keade's neck, resting her head on her shoulder- eyes meeting those of Jim.

Now, Jim was in the league with Benny- and Aldonza hadn't noticed him until he coughed into his hand. His skin was olive, his hair dark- He definitely looked ethnic- and that was how their little operation was run- by ethnic people. One of the reasons Benny even bothered to pick her up was because she was Hispanic- and Hispanic women happen to be firey.
Anyways, she made sure she put on a tiny showing of affection for Jim so he wouldn't go back to Benny and say she hadn't found a job, because she had.
Aldonza winked at Jim and he winked back, like a proud papa seeing his daughter go off to college. It was a bit unnerving- creepy actually.

Al sat down with Kaede and leaned against her for visual effect and for warmth.
"I'm glad it's warmer in here..." she commented, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a stick of Big Red for herself.
"Really glad.... and by the way- trust me, I don't get sick often- I've got a great immune system" she smiled, a little proud of the fact that she knew what an immune system was.

“Well that’s good to know,” Kaede smiles ruefully as she settled one arm lightly over Al’s shoulders. “I think I’d stick out like a sore thumb if I trudged through your part of town with a Tupperware container full of steaming soup, warring my usual, matronly nurse’s scrubs.”

She spoke softly, a conspirator’s intimate whisper meant to keep the conversation to themselves. It was easier than Kaede had expected it would be, to be comfortable with Aldonza’s weight against her side. In a way it was comforting, yet the closeness was odd and unfamiliar to her these days. In the back of her head she could feel the sharp pain that came in-between her lucid moments. Those slicing pieces of glass that seemed to cut away at her mind, taking chunks out of her sanity, were stabbing at her again. Kaede sang her fingers into Aldonza’s hair, firmly reminding herself that, if only for the time being, she had someone else to care for and no time to allow herself to submit to the insanity briefly caged.

She could hear the demon’s whisper hidden inside the hum of the train as it made it’s way down the tracks, and her eyes quickly scanned up and down their section, scanning every person over with a careful eye. For a moment, she forgets to breath. Her heart picked up a fast, panicked pace even as her small hand strokes slowly, calmly over Aldonza’s hair.

Smoothing down the thick, silky strands settled her somewhat, and Kaede smiled down at Al apologetically. Perhaps she should have warned the girl? It was certain to be only a matter of time before Kaede went through one of her episodes. Tonight? Tomorrow? Next week?… There was no way to be sure.

"Mmmm..." Aldonza purred, her voice sultry without effort. "Soup." She laughed against Kaede's body and smiled as Kaede put an arm around her. It was comforting- warm. And Aldonza hadn't been warm for a while. It was nice to meet someone who cared.

Aldonza laid her head down on Kaede's chest and wrapped her arms around the woman's waist. She had to make it look like they were a couple anyways- and she was so tired- too tired to even hold her head up. She hoped Kaede had booze back at her place- that would wake Al up. Or maybe she'd sleep... sleep forever and never wake up.

Her eyes closed as her head fell over Kaede's heart. She listened without really meaning to.
Thump. Thump. Tha- Thump.
And then- it sped up.
Tha- Thump. Tha- Thump. Tha- Thump. Thump. Tha----
She opened her eyes to find Kaede stroking her hair gently, clamly actually. Aldonza whispered.
"Your heart is racing. And I don't think it's because of me." Al wasn't that vain. She didn't make people hearts beat that fast- as fast as.... fear? Was that it? Was Kaede afraid? Of what? Al stayed where she was and hugged Kaede firmly, with a dominance that not many prostitutes had.

"Don't worry Kaede.... Everything's fine. We're gonna have a good time tonight." The last part was a little bit louder, for Jim's benefit.
Aldonza lifted her head from Kaede's breast and leaned in close, so she could whisper directly in her ear.
"Pimp, blonde hair- works with my guy... be careful with what you say- he's gotta believe I'm screwing you. You're such a lucky girl--" Al murmured that last part with sarcasm and pulled away, winking once.
She was certain Jim hadn't noticed, hadn't cared, hadn't bothered, and hadn't seen.

"Don't worry Kaede.... Everything's fine. We're gonna have a good time tonight."

She couldn’t understand what was really bothering her, but Aldonza’s words were comforting all the same.

Kaede remained carefully still as Al moved, and took care to resist the urge to look for the pimp. She knew where he was, she’d spotted him earlier but hadn’t bothered to really notice the man. Men had never been a problem for her, she had never been easily intimidated or bothered by one, in any case. This one was the same. Kaede didn’t fear him, but his existence made her wary for Aldonza’s sake.

It surprised her how easily she could paint a sly smile onto her lips. Her eyes followed Aldonza’s movements hungrily, locked onto her as if Kaede were completely enchanted by her. It was an easy roll to fall into when one considered just how beautiful Aldonza was.

“Oh, I’m sure we’ll have plenty of fun together,” Kaede rejoined in a slightly husky voice. Her fingers curled into Aldonza’s hair again, gently pressing her closer as if to nuzzle the side of her neck. To anyone else she would seem completely enamored with the younger woman pressed so close. But Aldonza, as close as she was, would plainly be able to see the dark, cold shadows and gleaming suspicions hidden in Kaede’s eyes.

“I don’t know your world,” she whispered carefully as her chin rested on Aldonza’s shoulder, “Honestly, I’ve become something of a prude these past few years… so you cue, and I will follow your lead.” She glanced up, winking lightly. “I don’t care sensuality as easily as you.”

Aldonza gave Kaede a dark smile as he fingers curled around Al's hair. Aldonza laughed softly and let Kaede come close. She noticed suspicion in those eys and merely shook her head, lightly laughing.
"Don't worry- I've been playing these games for years. Jim can't do anything to you or I... we're perfectly fine so relax..." she coaxed, hoping Kaede would just chill out. She might look hungry for Al- but the prostitute knew better.

Aldonza had actually gotten damn good at reading bodies. She could see the tightness in Al's jaw, the rigidity of the shoulders. She let slender fingers snake behind Kaede's neck and rubbed at her shoulder blade gently.
Al swallowed her gum. It was losing it's flavor. But long lasting flavor wasn't economical- damn.

Aldonza laughed as Kaede gave her a playful wink.
"You're not a prude." she protested, pulling Kaede's body towards her a little more. She gave her a sexy smile and winked back, laughing again- shaking her head and leaning in to Kaede, close enough to kiss.

Dark hair fell over Aldonza's features and hid both their faces from Jim. Al smirked. "See? It's easy to think on my heels." she joked before touching her lips lightly to Kaede's. Al's lips were unbelievably soft against Kaede's. It actually was a requirement. She needed soft lips. Why? Chapped lips were icky for kissing. And icky kissing meant no money. Chapstick was the best- that was the only reason Al's lips had such a rose petal texture to them- constant chapstick.

"I don't know any other way to thank you. " she whispered against Kaede's lips. "Thank you for taking me home." Al gave her a teeny tiny smile but her big dark eyes were ernestly grateful for what the older woman had done.

Kaede caught her breath at the soft touch of Aldonza’s lips. Surprise and a thread of curiosity kept her still, but Al’s light humor had relaxed the tenseness out of her. It was almost too easy to respond to her, the tiny touches and the devilish looks Aldonza seemed to give so naturally would hook anyone.

“It’s the mother in me, I just couldn’t help myself.” She smiled ruefully as she spoke, her fingers still playing lightly through Aldonza’s dark hair. It occurred to her that she should sit back, scoot away, not form a risky, sentimental attachment that could easily be taken from her again. But, Kaede found she simply couldn’t. Never before had she let down her constant guard or let go of the constant fears that plagued her before the sun had risen, and yet here she found herself so comfortable and relaxed in the arms of this younger woman.

Aldonza’s grateful eyes shown up at her with their lively fire and Kaede wondered how many people had gotten lost in their depths? If she were truthful, this arrangement wasn’t just for helping Aldonza, it was help for herself as well. Maybe she’d been on her own too long…

Her usually tense, stiff shoulders relaxed and she leaned into Al, lightly returning her soft kiss. “Thank you for letting a stubborn, middle aged woman talk you into agreeing.”

As Kaede caught her breath, Aldonza chuckled softly. Maybe she was a prude? Al laughed. It was only- she knew no other way to express herself by any other means but her body. Her body was all she had to give. Wow. That was depressing. But that was her life- that was her. And she dealt with it.

Kaede's eyes met Aldonza and Al found herself evying the green hue. It was so pretty. It was very- catching. She'd love to have those eyes. She arched her eyebrow as Kaede stared back at her intensely.
"You're thinking too hard." Al told her, smirking. "Really Kaede.. you're an open book-" she teased in the quiet solitude that her dark veil of hair created.

Kaede's shoulders relaxed finally and she reached across the short distance and touched her lips to hers. Al smiled.
"You're not middle aged- and stubborn is a good thing." she retorted. Kaede didn't look old to Al. She only looked- wiser somehow, but a little worn for the wear. But she had her own beauty- her own strength. However, Al did notice something- that dark shadow that had passed over Kaede's eyes. Kaede had a fear- a demon haunting her. What was it?

Al’s teasing voice won a heart felt laugh from Kaede, amusement showing plain as day in her features. “Oh, trust me, I am close enough to start using the term. Gotta get use to feeling old before the old gets here. That way, I wont be so depressed.”

An open book… it was probably true. She hadn’t had a need to be dishonest or secretive throughout the vast majority of her life. Hadn’t Ryo always said she’d had a piss-poor poker face? The memory made her chuckle and briefly cleared the tell-tale shadow out of her eyes. Her Ryo… how she missed him! Absently, Kaede twisted a few strands of Aldonza’s hair around her finger, savoring the silky texture against her skin.

“How did you manage to keep your humor? Your sweetness? I’ve never known a woman in your position that had been anything but hard granite.” She smiled softly, trying not to sound too forward in her curiosity. Aldonza was a rare creature and Kaede’s curiosity had always been one of her faults. “Seems to me you’ve kept your spirit and your kindness where other’s couldn’t.”

Aldonza smiled at Kaede's laughter. It lit up the woman's face. It made her unbelievably beautiful. Al laughed softly as Kaede moved on in the conversation, saying something about accepting age.

Al frowned. "I don't think you're old. So.. you better get used to being young." Aldonza whispered harshly as she leaned into Kaede, touching her lips to her neck. Al ignored Kaede's question about how she stayed so lively. She had heard something. She couldn't see through her dark hair, but someone on the train was moving. Aldonza pulled her hair back away from her face as she kissed her way up to Kaede's jaw line. She stopped for a moment to look back. Jim was staring. Did he catch on? She doubted it.

But he was staring...

Aldonza let her left hand rest on Kaede's knee. She squeezed it lightly and nodded towards Jim in a discreet way before touching her lips to Kaede, not opening her mouth to her because she wasn't sure Kaede swung that way.
Al swung everyway. It was her job, so she felt perfectly comfortable with all this.
"How much farther until we get home? Please tell me it's soon," Al whispered against Kaede's lips, closing her eyes, almost painfully. She wanted Jim to stop- to go away- to leave her alone. She didn't like him. She never had- and now- as he began to walk towards them- Al wished she had never gotten on the train. She was fine with Jim far away, but now he was getting too close. If he asked for her- she'd have to go....

He'd take her away- make her do him for free. She'd have no money- Benny would be mad- not at Jim but at her. No- he had to back away. They had to get off this train before he asked her. Al hoped Kaede could see the agitation in her eyes when she opened them and looked at her with a pleading expression as she asked again.
"How far?"

That shadow… Kaede knew that darkness, that cloud that dulled out people’s eyes. She registered Jim moving, but why he so vividly scared Aldonza she wasn’t completely sure. Something had changed. A second ago she had been soft and warm, still teasing her and reprimanding her about herself deprecating ways. But, now she was tense and seemingly ready to run for it at a moment’s notice.

She slipped her hand through Aldonza’s soft hair, gently cradling the back of her neck. Kaede’s fingers moved lightly, softly massaging the tightening muscles, trying to ease the tension out of her. “It’s the very next stop, we should be nearly there by now.” Odd how this trip typically seemed endless… and yet as she’d sat here with Al it had flown by so quickly. She’d forgotten there were others, forgotten that eventually they would be getting off the train…

It was strange, unsettling even, but Kaede simply smiled softly as she wrapped her free arm around Al’s waist and drew her in closer. If Jim was a threat to Al, then Kaede had found herself between a rock and a hard place. She could not… and would not let him take her away if Al did not want to go with him. Compared to her personal demon, this man was nothing more than a dangerous and annoying insect.

Without really thinking about what her plan was, Kaede gently Tilted Al’s head back - purposefully letting the younger woman’s dark hair fall back and out of the way - ran her the tip over her tongue lightly over her petal-soft lips, and then took position of her mouth in an honestly hungry kiss.

A part of her hoped Aldonza would forgive her for going so far, after all, this was not part of the agreement… but she would not go back on her word for the sake of some rutting ass that couldn’t get what he wanted anywhere else. Besides, it had taken a lot of work to get her to accept that damnedable coat and she was not going to be taking it back any time soon.

"The next stop..." Al whispered breathlessly, relaxing a little as Kaede rubbed her neck. It felt so good to have someone touch her so gently- without the rough edges of lust and dominance. Al was always being handled roughly by the ones she serviced. She knew they didn't care- that she was only a shag. And that made Kaede's soft touches- so wonderful. Aldonza felt her eyes drooping but quickly alerted herself again at the sound of another footstep.

How could she have been so stupid to let Kaede lull her into such a vunerable state? Hookers didn't fall asleep on customers laps- they fucked them senseless. What if Jim got suspicious? Damn it. Damn it. Damn it!

He was getting closer. Aldonza felt Kaede's lips on her own as she tried to keep Jim from walking any closer. A wet tongue slid across hers and she felt a hungry kiss overpowering her. She was shocked frankly at how forward Kaede was being now, but she found that the hungry kiss wasn't as hard as some, but it was enough to make Jim stop for a minute, tilting his head to one side as if considering the two. This must be an odd show for the onlookers.
One woman, one prostitute, one pimp, and one coat. Wow. If it was a soap opera it'd be called "All My Lovers." Yeah, great name.

Aldonza only came back from her reverie when Kaede's grip around her body tightened. Aldonza squeezed Kaede's knee before runing her hand up the woman's leg, kissing back- her own kiss so much stronger than Kaede's. She had never learned how to kiss soft. It was always somewhat rough when she did it. Habits.

"Al," She heard her name and traced Kaede's cheek with one hand as she pulled away. The Hispanic beauty turned to face Jim, a small look of annoyance in her dark eyes as she asked.
"Yes?"
"Newbie?" he questioned, looking over to Kaede then back to Aldonza. Kaede still embraced Al and Al did not move away from the woman. She merely moved her head. It was astounding what pride Aldonza had, talking to Jim. She showed no fear to him. Even though- deep down inside- she was screaming for him to leave.
"Yeah..." she let her voice drawl out as she leaned into Kaede to kiss her neck. "Why Jim? Got a problem with me makin' money?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Really? She's new? Where'd ya get her? Usually you take regulars and specials from Benny," he paused for a moment. "No- I ain't got no problem with you makin' money- how late you gonna be out tonight- I was hopin' we could meet up."
"She came to me Jim- I'm just that hot. I didn't have to hunt for her- she just knows a good deal when she sees one. That so wrong?" Al questioned, before mentally puking at the thought of spending the evening with Jim. "Oh- no. She's got all night as far as I know. She'd so damn lucky, right Kaede?" Aldonza asked her, turning away from Jim to kiss Kaede's neck again softly, her fingers stroking the other woman's leg gently.
"Well... if you get done before the night's up- or even tomorrow, Benny promised me that you'd be free."

So that was why none of her regulars wanted her tonight. Damn that bastard Benny. She was going to let him have it when she got back to the house. She didn't care if he beat her- she'd be sure to leave some marks. He'd never kill her- she was too good- too famous- too wonderful a gal for him to let go. She had the looks, the personality, the hard-edged kiss. She was every man's dream- and some women's. Anyways, Jim couldn't make her do anything if she had Kaede all night. If she was with Kaede all night she didn't have to go with him. God, when the hell was the train going to stop.

"Benny promised you I'd be free/ Well, obviously I'm not so you'll have to call Benny and ask for Candy. She's not as good as me and she's a real bitch- perfect for you Jim. Oh- and I'd think twice about getting candy though- she'd had quite a few cold sores this week." Al winked.

Something raged inside Jim but he didn't do anything. Al knew he couldn't do anything either. He could later- but not now- and everything she had just said was worth it. His face was hilarious! The blows would come later but it was a reasonable- even cheap price to pay. She smirked. "Now- can I get back to pleasuring this beautiful young woman?" she inquired, her eyes challenging Jim.

"Yeah... yeah whatever Al. I'm gonna have a talk with Benny 'bout you tomorrow."
Al rolled her eyes. Drama drama drama. Damn.
"Where the hell's the damn stop?" Aldonza murmured as she turned to Kaede, letting her hair fall over her face to create a veil as before.
She noted Jim's shuffling footsteps as he meandered back to his place. Filthy jerk. He probablly had tons of STDS. Al definitely didn't want to be doing him tonight.
"After that I'm a little nauseated." she said, a small laugh in her eyes. She was safe, safe.
She sighed, almost inaudibly, with relief.

Her skin tingled under the warmth of Aldonza’s hand as it slid up her thigh. The touch was light, subtle even, yet all her senses seemed centered there where the long, elegantly boned fingers trailed over the denim of her jeans. Her guard dropped in a heart beat and the hand softly cradling the back of Aldonza’s neck tightened just slightly in reaction to Al’s stronger response. She kissed roughly, passionately, and without restraint… a kind of honest response Kaede had never known before.

Jim’s voice brought her attention back to the train and Kaede felt her hackles rise. She’d never reacted this aggressively to a person before and her usual tact couldn’t manage to screen out the obvious loathing and annoyance that settled into her. Al answered the man before she could manage a snapping retort of her own, so she settled for protectively tightening her hold around the younger woman’s slim waist.

"Newbie?" he asked as his eyes moved over her. Only his eyes touched her, and yet Kaede felt her skin crawl, her stomach rolling over in revulsion. She shuttered, but Aldonza straightened, squaring her shoulders and tilting her delicate chin at a proud angle than could make a queen envious.

She watched the conversation unfold, keeping her arms tucked tight around Aldonza. The little beauty handled herself well, and suddenly Kaede found her attempt to protect her laughable. It seemed to her that Al could handle herself just fine. And yet, as the thought crossed her mind, Kaede caught herself shifting to put herself as much between Jim and Al as she could.


"After that I'm a little nauseated." Her eyes smiled and her body sighed. She relaxed a little in Kaede’s arms, so she relaxed her grip around Al’s waist.

“I can’t blame you, I don’t even know the man and my skin was crawling.” She chuckled softly, a few vindictive curses running through her mind. He’d pay eventually, if not by a vengeful woman killing him for raping her, then by the diseases he’d no doubt contracted by now.

The thought brought a slight frown to Kaede’s brow as her eyes met Al’s again. There was the obvious chance of the girl carrying god-knew-what… and yet she couldn’t seem to make herself care. She worried for Aldonza’s sake, the thought of the girl suffering made her heart ache.

Shouldn’t she be more worried about her own well being?

The train jerked, and Kaede smiled again as she tugged lightly at Al’s hand. “Come on, sexy. This is where we get off. We have half a block to walk, and then it is home, sweet home.”

"Yeah- I avoid him when I can-" Aldonza stuck her tongue out but found that the laughter left her eyes as Kaede looked over her suspiciously. What did she think of her? Well, it couldn't be too bad. She was still with her. She hadn't run away yet. She definitely wasn't a prude and she definitely wasn't young. The prude and the old would never find themselves in this strange situation.

Aldonza's eyes widened as the train jerked forward. She didn't catch herself, rather fell on Kaede. Al laughed softly. "Sorry.." she apologized. She flashed Kaede a big smile.
"Finally!" she said, relieved. Al jumped up as Kaede pulled her hand and laughed as she called her sexy. Aldonza wrapped her arm around Kaede's waist and pulled her to her in an aggressive grab. She smirked at Kaede before turning and blowing a kiss to Jim. After that, Al generously gave Jim the finger- a parting shot that she couldn't resist.
His jaw dropped dramatically. It was definitely a sitcom moment. Aldonza repressed her laughter until after she got off the train.

Al giggled and followed Kaede off the train and into the station. She relaxed and let go of Kaede's waist and as the train roared away from them to its next stop- Al burst into laughter. "Did you see his face? God, Benny's gonna be so pissed but man- his face!" Aldonza gripped her sides and when she had managed to control her laughter, stood up and walked closer to Kaede.
"Okay- where to? Just point the way." Aldonza still held Kaede's coat in her arm. She looked down at it and contemplated putting it on with a slightly confused expression on her face. She frowned. She'd never had a heavy coat before- what would it feel like? Maybe she would be too hot- maybe it would--- No. She was making stupid excuses. It was fucking freezing out. Aldonza put the coat on and pulled it close around her body. Covered up- she looked like a regular woman- with morals and ladylike airs and everything! Ha. What a lie.

“Up the stairs, onto the side walk, take about maybe… 37 steps, and then up a few more sets of stairs to my… heh, puny apartment.” She stood back from Al, watching her. She seemed always beautiful, but laughing and smiling like she was now, she seemed somehow more than that.

Kaede caught herself grinning like an idiot when Aldonza finally put the coat on. She couldn’t help a mental: ‘Ah-ha! I win’ - as she watched the younger woman wrap herself up in it. Admittedly, she looked more common place this way, but her natural sensuality lingered. Chuckling to herself, Kaede loops one arm lightly round one of Al’s and uses the light grip to lead her along in the right direction.

“Before I forget, I wanted to apologize for being so forward when I last kissed you.” Kaede smiled easily at her companion, ignoring the chill in the air that grew worse as the drew closer to the streets above. “I expect you didn’t mind, but it still seems right to say sorry, seeing has how that particular sort of entertainment isn’t part of our little deal.”

Kaede felt her cheeks heat up and she cleared her throat. Her free hand ran nervously through her hair and a little smirk showed on her lips. Why should she be embarrassed? There was absolutely no reason for it, and yet suddenly she felt all thumbs and left feet next to Aldonza’s elegance. The faint pink color stubbornly settled in her cheeks and spread down her neck… just as stubbornly, Kaede played as if it were the cold chapping her skin.

Al nodded and let kaede's arm wrap around her, guiding her towards her home. She laughed to herself as a giant grin spread across Kaede's face when she put the coat on.

Al smiled and shook her head as Kaede tried to apoligize for kissing her. Al laughed softly. "You don't have to apoligize Kaede. I didn't mind. Besides- This kisses are on the house," Aldonza teased, smiling the same seductive smile it always was, but it faded just a tad when Kaede ran her fingers nervously through her wet hair. She blushed as well but Aldonza pretended not to notice.

So... Kaede was- embarassed or somewhat shy talking about their heated performance on the train. Well, that wasn't really a shocker to Al but there was no reason to be embarassed. Al had done everything willingly- and honestly Al believed Kaede could use a little more attention like that. She seemed awfully lonely. She wasn't married- lived alone- and Aldonza could smell that she was at the moment- single. Kaede must HATE Valentine's day. Come to think of it- Aldonza hated Valentine's day. Less business on that night- because all the filthy cheating husbands stayed with their wives that night. Yep. It definitely wasn't a good night for sales. That's why you had to get 'em the night before Val's Day.

Al watched Kaede for a moment and turned her head to one side. She was quite sure Kaede had liked the kiss, but she supposed either Kaede never wanted to ask for a kiss again because it came from a filthy prostitute and she didn't believe in paying for affection... OR Kaede just didn't like it. Hmmm. Well, Aldonza wasn't really one for speculating and analyzing people- so she stopped. She probably was wrong about Kaede anyways.

The silence they walked in was strangely comfortable to Kaede. With the sun just starting to warm the sky with the usual pre-dawn colors of roughly 6:30am, she found herself relaxed and content. They were safe now that the sun was so close and with her guard down she could appreciate the simply sweetness of have Aldonza close by. She’d been empty so long that she dreaded when time would come for Al to leave for the day. A childish voice listed through her thoughts:

‘What if she doesn’t come back?’
‘Then I’ll be alone again.’ Kaede’s chin lifted just slightly, touching a proud angle of defiance as she mentally answered the taunting little voice.
‘But you don’t want to be alone again, do you?’
‘Of course I don’t…’
‘Well then, don’t let her go.’
‘I have no choice in the matter.’
‘Sure you do… why let her go when you can keep her?’

Kaede mentally shook herself, reminding herself that the voices were neither real nor powerful, it was only her own mind. Aldonza would leave eventually, and she’d come back when or if she chose to, plain and simple.

Still… her grip on Aldonza’s arm tightened just a little.

She breathed a sigh of relief when finally the tiny stairs of her squished apartment building came into view. The little red brick building looked like every other building on the street: three cement steps up to an obviously well weathered door, black, rot-iron fencing along the stairs, and lots of shuttered and locked windows. Still, despite it’s unwelcoming look from outside, the apartments had proven to be warm and comfortable.

“Home again, home again, jig-idée-jig.” She released Al’s arm to unlock the front door, holding it open for. “Upstairs to 7h… Sadly, eight flights of stairs up to the top floor.”

The sun was just beginning to rise and it occured to Aldonza that she was extremely tired- and with no pajamas. Darn.
She turned to see that same shadow as before pssing over Kaede's eyes- though Kaede did not look so fearful as before- she looked.... defiant. Although, Al knew neither why or what she was defying. She arched an eyebrow as Kaede's grip tightened on her arm, but decided to say nothing.

Al wasn't really phased by the unwelcoming appearence of the building. She had slept many places and actually- this was already looking like a good place to sleep.
Al pouted as Kaede released her and unlocked the door. Kaede's arm in hers seemed so natural- it was nice. Aldonza grinnned from ear to ear when Kaede mentioned eight flights.
"Eight? Just peachy-" Yeah. She was tired, but she was feeling good and when she felt good- she was humorous and playful.
"Wanna race up?" she inquired, teasing Kaede- quite sure she wouldn't race her up the damn stairs. It was an absurd idea- but Al had to liven up her everyday slavery somehow. She just had to get upstairs as soon as possible. Her legs were going numb from her ridiculously tight pants. It was kinda starting to hurt. With any other buyer- they'd have been on and off by now and she'd be home sleeping in her big Elmo T-shirt.

“Race you? In these heels? God, you’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?” She smirked at Al as she teased. Her playing lightened Kaede’s mood and silenced the nagging voices for a while. “Then again… I may be the elder, but I bet I could beat you without the heels.” Kaede leaned against the railing as she took off her heels. It was nice to finally get the damn things off. She wouldn’t tell Al the cream colored little stilettos were usually abandoned like this, not when she had a perfect excuse to tease her.

As Kaede straightened up she gave all challenging look, mischievously grinning at her. “Come on, off with those heels. You’ll never come close to beating me with them on.”

She stepped up onto the first stair, the soft off-white carpet feeling like heaven to her sore feet. Inside, the building was elegant and warm. Coffee colored walls and white, creamy looking carpets blended well with the dark brown accents of stained oak baseboards, doorframes, window frames, and railings. When Kaede had first checked out the little apartment building she’d thought it had an almost Victorian air to it’s decorating. A subtle elegance that suited Aldonza’s vibrant beauty marvelously. She’d stand out anywhere… in baggy old jeans and a t-shirt 5 sizes too big, she’d still look like an angle that had slipped off her cloud in her sleep and landed in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Come on,” Kaede taunted Al, her teasing voice softened by emotions she refused to put name to, “I’m already beating you.” In truth.. When in good form, she could probably beat just about anyone in a race. But, at the moment… if Al decided to try running, she’d leave Kaede far behind her.

She slipped slowly up another stair, and then another, all the while tempting Al to chase her. Kaede couldn’t know the come-hither look that darkened her green eyes to deeper shades of Jade or the sensuous sway her hips took on as she moved. She’d never thought of herself as sexy or wanton, nor had Ryo or any other man called her such. She’d always been the nerdy girl with the bun in her hair, her nose in a book, and a pencil stuck behind her ear. Not the woman she’d become after… With her cat-like movements and beckoning eyes she became someone else entirely, if only for a brief moment of time.

Aldonza laughed, throwing her head back and tossing her thick dark hair about like an unbroken mare. She smiled wickedly.
"I don't need to take my heels off to run honey- you forget my occupation. When you're trying to run- you can't stop to take your shoes off- besides I don't know how to run without heels.

Al shook her head as Kaede started, calling her, taunting her. She smirked, starting to ascend the stairs. The walls were cream colored and the crpet absorbed every strike her foot inflicted upon it. She didn't bother with the railing, pumping her arms, easily making her way up the flight, following Kaede's taunts.
She caught up fairly quickly- it only made sense, when you're running from drug-dealers or pimps every other day, you'd be athletic. The large coat caused a little bit of a problem but she caught up to Kaede close enough to see the dark challenge in those eyes.

She faltered for a moment before resuming her fluid movements, eyes intend on Kaede's graceful body. She was much more catlike now than before. Was she simply a different person at home or could she only be herself when Al wasn't looking directly in her eyes? Was she hiding something? Before she was embarassed by the kiss- now she was teasing Aldonza as if it was a fun little game. She was a confusing woman indeed. But Al couldn't judge- she was confusing as well- sometimes, but she'd learn to be more straightforward recently.

Aldonza was behind her soon, pushing her legs to their limit- concentrating on form as she came neck and neck with Kaede.
"You didn't really think you were going to beat me." Al retorted, laughing, a small smile in her eyes. She really did wonder what inspired this newfound ambition to race a prostitute up the stairs in Kaede's mind...
She passed her easily and started climbing to the next floor. She looked over her shoulder and winked- her own movements as catlike as Kaede's- if not more based on her unbreakable habits, but her precise movements made her look like more than just a prostitute running up stairs. You might even say she was an athlete- or something more... something more than a commonplace whore.... something more- than nothing.

Kaede laughed as Aldonza passed her up. Her competitive pride took a little hit as she fought to keep up. She’d been vain about her natural ability in her youth, so being beaten by a woman in heels both stunned and amused her. She wasn’t going to win the race… that was obvious, but she was damn well gunna keep up. She stayed on Al’s heels until they finally reached the 8th floor. The wide hallway gave her room to try and get next to Aldonza, but Kaede’s legs where already starting to give out on her.

Aldonza reached her door first and Kaede stopped just behind her.

“You’re faster than you look,” she chuckled and said as she leaned against the wall, catching her breath. “Had I known, I wouldn’t have dared.”

Kaede pushed herself off the wall and leaned against her door as she fumbled with her keys. Half of them were old enough that she had no idea what they went it, so it took her a few seconds to find her door key and get the door open. Her apartment held the same Victorian air as the rest of the building: same colors, same style. In several corners, pots of Six Hills Giants were in bloom, the misty blue followers giving off a subtle, sweet scent. The apartment was sparsely decorated otherwise, but she managed to keep the worn out furniture and barren walls looking somewhat tasteful.

The first thing most people noticed as they enter was the utter lack of pictures. Not a single frame could be found, nor would anyone ever find the baby book or other photo albums once proudly set on display. The apartment had somehow, as homes usually do, changed itself to reflect and image of the soul and life of the it’s occupant.

Kaede dropped her heels by the door, her purse and keys landing on a table that rested against the left wall of the littler entrance hallway. “The bed is big enough for both of us, but if you’d rather I don’t mind sleeping on the couch. The shower is all yours, too. Just make yourself at home.”

Al smiled as she leaned against the door, looking up to meet Kaede's tired face. She smiled and laughed softly, only a little breathless.
"Well... not many expect much of me" she teased with a smirk. "I can do more than please." she shook her head and laughed a little more at her shitty occupation.

She moved away from the door, watching Kaede as she unlocked the door and let her inside. The apartment was quite bare loooking. The most colorful thing were the flowers. There were no pictures but that didn't surprise Al too much. Kaede was a loner. She could smell it, see it. Maybe once upon a time she hadn't ben so solitary, but now she was- and her house reflected it.

Aldonza slipped her heels off her slightly sore feet and rejoiced in the freedom of wiggling her toes.
"Ah--" she sighed, letting her shoulders droop ever so slightly as her perfect posture faltered a little bit. "It feels so good to get those off." Usually her clothes and shoes came off a lot sooner than they were tonight.
"Oh- Kaede, I can't possibly make you sleep on the couch" she protested simply. She shook her head.
"It's fine- we'll share. I really don't mind. The greatest thing about being what I am is- being uncomfortable just doesn't happen anymore." she flashed her a small smile that was slightly something besides happiness or humor.

Aldonza hung her new coat on the rack and took off her tiny thin jacket, revealing her tight red long sleeved shirt. Her pants were seriously cutting off her circulation now that she had ran in them.
"Shower sounds great. As long as you don't mind.... if I go first?" Al waited for an answer and didn't get a negative so she wandered throughout the apartment on her own, finding a small bathroom just outside the entrance hallway. She supposed the room next to it was the bedroom, but she didn't go in. She had to clean up before falling asleep.
She was so- cold... and- dirty. That subway had to be crawling with germs.

Al shut the bathroom door behind her and slinked out of her jeans, letting her clothes fall to the floor as she removed them all. Her red bra and panties landed on the top of the toliet seat as she turned on the hot water and stepped intot he glorious rain of the shower.
She sighed as the hot water immersed her body, washing down her lucky curves and soft skin, small waist- fairly curved breasts....

When Al stepped out she felt so much better, so much warmer. And yet- this warmth wasn't completely physical. How could this woman take her in? Hiow could this woman protect her so even though she needed no protecting?
She was doing everything for her. And what could Al give her in return? Nothing. Nothing. She had nothing, could offer.... nothing.
Why? Because everything she had was worthless. Everything she was... was worthless.

Al wrapped a towel around her waist and wrung out her long dark hair, letting it fall delicately over her breasts. She opened the door a crack and called out.
"Kaede.. Sorry but I had to use your shampoo and soap. I don't usually stay overnight... but I was wondering if you had- like a big T-shirt or sweatpants or something that I could wear? My other clothes are too restricting for sleeping." She inquired, her voice a little tired but an undertone of content flowed beneathe her words. She was safe here. Safe from everything horrible about the streets- everything horrible about the penthouse....

Al closed the door and leaned against it- waiting for Kaede. She closed her eyes and still couldn't figure out why she was here- why this woman gave a damn. Why did Kaede care?

"Oh- Kaede, I can't possibly make you sleep on the couch. It's fine- we'll share. I really don't mind. The greatest thing about being what I am is- being uncomfortable just doesn't happen anymore."

Kaede had expected the answer, but the sexy little smile following it brought up a small blush. Though, as she thought about it, she figured it was less the smile itself and more the vivid memory of kissing the petal soft lips that made her blush. She missed whatever it was that Al asked her next, but nodded idly as she watched her walk down the hall toward the bathroom. As it dawned on her what Al must have asked, she called after her: “If you need anything, just holler at me.”

Kaede wandered through the kitchen into the tiny laundry room to get out of her clothes. They were as worn and dust covered as she felt after such a long day. She piled everything into the washer, but left it open for Al’s clothes if she felt like washing them. From the dryer she pulled out one of Ryo’s old shirts button up shirts to use as her night gown. As usual, she had to roll up the sleeves a good four or five times to make them manageable. The subtle sent of him still seemed to cling to the fabric. Comfortable and familiar, it lulled her frayed nerves.

She could her the shower going when she walked back into the kitchen to start a small pot of weak coffee. She didn’t want to stay up, she just wanted to feel warm again. When finally she swallowed down a few hot gulps, the warm liquid seared her throat and burned her belly, sending immediate relief to every frozen corner. Kaede sighed to herself, finished the cup, and rinsed it; following in a pattern that she’d set years ago and never seemed to be capable of breaking.

"Kaede.. Sorry but I had to use your shampoo and soap. I don't usually stay overnight... but I was wondering if you had- like a big T-shirt or sweatpants or something that I could wear? My other clothes are too restricting for sleeping."

“Yeah, just a second.” Kaede set the cup on the counter by the sink and stepped back into the laundry room. She rifled for a moment in the dryer before pulling out another of Ryo’s shirts, this one being his old army pt shirt. Like most of the guys, he’d chopped off the arms, but it still served its purpose well enough as a night gown.

Kaede smiled as she trotted down the short hall to knock on the bathroom door. As al opened the door, Kaede realized she couldn’t remember any other woman she’d ever met that had managed to look so radiant no matter what state she was in. Aldonza was makeup-less, still damp from the hot shower, and wrapped in a towel, and yet she seemed more stunning now than she had before.

“Here, I know it’s worn and a tad tattered, but it does its job.” Kaede smiled sheepishly as she held the old shirt out to Al. She wished she could offer something a little better than just Ryo’s old shirts, but she’d never bothered to buy anything nice.

As Al waited she hummed a little bit, whispering a long forgotten song
"Little bird Little bird in the cinnamon tree Little bird, Little bird, do you sing for me? Do you bring me word from one I know? Little bird, Little bird, I love..." Al let the song stop as she heard Kaede's footsteps. That song always reminded her of- a home that she never had.. for some reason- she felt an attatchment to that song- her father's song. Why did she even bother to sing it? He was dead and gone- she was doomed. He was dead. He was dead. And she didn't care.
Then why did that song of his register in her mind when she was safe- when she was with Kaede?

Aldonza Hernandez smiled brightly as Kaede handed her the shirt throught he doorframe. Kaede's eyes looking her over made her smile widen.
"Like?" she asked, teasing a little bit. She was in a good mood.
She looked down at the shirt and nodded with approval.
"It's perfect." Al said, laughing softly. "I love the sleeves--" she commented, poking slender fingers through the arm hole.

Al gently closed the door a moment.
"Hold on...." she murmured as she dropped her towel and slipped on her undies before pulling the rather large T-shirt over her head. It fell almost to her knees. Perfect. She looked at herself in the mirror and sighed as she pulled a hair tie out of her jean pocket. Al pulled her hair over to one side and began a simple braid.

By the time she had opened the door, her hair was breaided, her face washed, and her T-shirt modest and comfortable- something that she wasn't.
She smiled at Kaede, her own clothes tucked under her arm. She laughed as she held out her wired bra.
"Kaede- I'd like you to meet my sworn enemy- the underwire... uh- so painful--" she laughed, her nose wrinkling with distaste, and her brown eyes turned thoughtful. "Uh- where should I put my clothes?" she asked, unable to keep the content look off of her face.

Kaede chuckled as she reached out to take the bra from Al’s hands, and then the bundle of clothes from under her arm. “Well, there is the laundry, if you like, or wherever you want to drop them?” She winked playfully, not really waiting for an answer as she started to stroll back down the hall toward the kitchen.

“Would you like some coffee, or hot coca? I know you already got all warmed up in the shower, but it never hurts to warm up the inside as well.” She spoke a little louder as she stuck all the clothes in the washer and got it going. Small load, short wash, it would take maybe fifteen minutes, and then she’d pop everything into the dryer and crawl into bed.

She moved without thinking, mechanically running through the motions so well ingrained that she would go through them even against her will. It was her mother’s doing, training her daughter to be a proper wife, a proper hostess, a proper mother… all the proper things. Invite your guest, make them comfortable, open your home to them as if they were family.

Was she just following those well engrained edicts when she’d invited Aldonza to her home?

No, she’d had such purely selfish motives! It was not out of the goodness of her heart - at least not entirely - or any kindness that had driven her. No, as she thought about her choices this night she found that - at least in those very first moments - it was not pity or a need to help that had driven her. It was her loneliness that had sparked it, her selfish need for the company of another human being. Oh, there was good reason to shut people out, but how long could anyone stand being completely alone?

So selfishness had started it, she wondered, did Aldonza know?

Did the small, lively young woman know that Kaede had invited her for her own selfish gain? Certainly a need to help had taken things as far as they had gotten… But could she honestly say it was all honest good intentions for the younger woman’s well being?

Guilt settled somewhere in region of her heart, but Kaede ignored it. Her first action may have been for herself. But, it was not so now. The more time she spent with Al, the more she liked her. And she certainly did want to help. It wasn’t as if she didn’t care.

Stop being silly, she scolded herself as she stepped back into the kitchen with a fresh, but tired smile painted onto her lips.

Kaede's playful wink as she took Al's clothes made her laugh as she moved towards the kitchen. Al watched Kaede plop her clothes into the laundry without even thinking about it. She smiled. Kaede fell into "robot mode."

"Keade?" It was a little unnerving, the automated movements and gestures- perfectly moving about the kitchen- a cookie cutter, mother, housewife, and hostess. Al arched an eyebrow.
"Got lemon tea?" she asked hopefully. "I really love it." She watched Kaede move through the house, something moving in her eyes. She was thinking hard about something, her brow furrowed only slightly.

Al moved toawrds the stove, filling a pot with water before turning the burner on to heat the water. She sighed as her bare feet cringed as she walked across the floor to rummage through the cupboards to find some tea bags. She grabbed one (lemon flavored of course) and set it on the counter. Aldonza moved towards the other cupboards next- searching for a mug or something. She found a round baby blue mug that had a thick rounded handle, cutely decorated with flowers.
"Precious..." Al laughed, admiring the mug before she realized her water was steaming.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, jumping a little and running over to the tea pot, lifting it and pouring the hot water into her mug. Al dropped her tea bag into the cup and called to Kaede.

"You want anything Kaede? The water's still hot," she turned the heat down a little on the stove, the dial feeling strange in her fingers. She wasn't necessarily the domestic type.
As Kaede entered, Aldonza offered her a soft smile before walking over to her, abandoning her tea on the counter.
Kaede's smile was so tired, almost fake- hapyy in a way. If fake- happy was a word. Something was making her think far too hard.

"Kaede...." she said softly, taking Kaede's hand in hers and stepping close to the other woman, almost close enough for their bodies to touch.
"Go to sleep girl, You're tired. I'll crawl in when I've finished my tea?" she suggested, squeezing Kaede's hand before letting go and picking up her tea, lifting it to her lips- sipping carefully- trying not to burn her tongue. God, burnt tongue felt horrible, almost as if you took sandpaper to your tastebuds. Yuck.
Al smiled, looking up over the large teacup.

It was odd how being told you were tired could make the true weariness in your bones so much more potent and clear. Kaede’s shoulder’s fell as she gave in and slouched forward slightly. Keeping one’s poster was too tiring to bother with. Al was right, she was dead tired and aching all over… going straight to bed would be heavenly.

“But the clothes… it’s just a short wash and I can’t leave them in there while I sleep, they will smell stale and then have to be rewashed, besides….” The look that touched Al’s eyes made her pause. The girl was no half-wit, she no doubt knew Kaede was just making excuses.

“Oh… well… alright,” she fidgeted for a moment, glancing around the kitchen as she fished for something to say. “You’re sure you’re all right, you don’t need anything else?”

She smiled sheepishly, raking one hand through her hair. Old habits, even when unpracticed for a few years, did indeed die hard. She just couldn’t bring herself to leave Aldonza without company. At least not until she was sure Al was comfortable and well taken care of.

"I'm sure I'm alright Kaede." Aldonza reassured her, sipping her tea. She was almost finished with it now. She smiled as Kaede watched her, drinking her tea patiently as Kaede wrestled with herself. Al didn't get it. Why the hell wouldn't you go to sleep when you were tired? Why would you wait for someone else?
Especially, a prostitute.

As Kaede ran her fingers through her hair, Aldonza finished her cup of tea. Al moved over to the sink, rinsed out the tea cup and tea pot before placing them int he dishwaser, setting it, and pressing the start button.
She turned and walked over to Kaede.

"Earth to Kaede- please come back to earth... It's time for bed." Keade realy did think too much. Al wondered about what. Was she thinking about the man that the shirt she wore smelled like-- or was she thinking about her?
Al wrapped one arm around Kaede.
"I'm so tired... and you are too- Let's go to bed, please?" Al asked, feeling her eyes droop as she finally gave in to her exhaustion. Even the caffeine in the tea couldn't waker her. That was just how exhausted she was.

"Lead the way Kaede..." she murmured, taking her arm away from the woman, yawning slightly- ready to surrender to the slumber she had been fighting all night.

Al seemed to hunch under the weight of exhaustion, and Kaede was sure she looked about the same. It wasn’t often that a person would feel that bone-deep weariness, but when it hit you, it felt like a ton of bricks.

“Come on, sugar,” she muttered with a teasing tone. “It’s just down the hall. I just hope we can make it that far without fainting along the way.” That race up the stairs had expended too much valuable energy… what a stupid thing to have gone and done when they were already so tired. Fun, though….

Kaede led the way down the hall and into her quaint little bedroom. It looked just like the rest of the apartment. Clean, well kept, pale cream colors set against dark frames and furniture. She sat on the side of the bed closest to the door, letting Al take the far side. It was just an old, silly superstition, but the host always slept nearest the door so that, if by chance someone broke in, their guest had time to escape or hide.

“Lemme know if you need another pillow or anything, okay?” She smiled sleepily as she clicked off the lamp on her bedside table. Only a little bit of pale light came through the window, the soft yellow of early dawn turned slightly orange as it tired to shine through her dark, heavy brown curtains. It gave the room a soft sort of ambient light just bright enough to give form to shadows.

"I don't need.... anything..." Al murmured as she fell into the bed. As soon as her head hit the pillow- she fell into a deep sleep... her unwanted nightmares finally uncaged and free to roam her thoughts.

The bed was so soft- so soft... and her unknown lover was so warm... but then their hands twisted hers and held both hands above her head as they removed her organs- ripped apart her legs and arms... fangs ripping through her soft flesh. She screamed in her dream but no one heard her-

A bright light blinded her as she blinked and she found herself in a green meadow- free and finally away from everything horrible in life. She wore the purest whitests dress ever created in heaven and earth... but the flowers that blossomed in the fields had no scent. Suddenly the sea of flowers turned into a sea of demons...

Black eyes and black smoldering skin- ripping and tearing at her dress-- attacking from all angles as they closed in around her. She was trapped. She was trapped. And there was no way out!

Al woke up, sweaty and panting with the fright of the black eyed demons. She shivered and tried to calm herself. Mindlessly, she got out of bed and walked into the nearby bathroom, kneeling down on the cold floor- her head pressed against the tiles as she balled up, regaining her breathing. Why was that dream so horrifying? True, she had been prone to nightmares for a long time, but.... the dreams had gotten worse since mystery man... The one with the cold skin. Was he her fear? Was he the reason she woke in cold sweats in the night? No man could possibly have that strong a hold on her?

She wished someone had a hold on her. She wished Kaede wasn't sleeping. She wished she was back with Benny- safe from the frightening visions of sleep and secure. She wished she was with her girls- wrapped in a puppy pile of women. She wished she felt safer. She wished....

that wishes came true.