by Alex Tryst

Disclaimers: See Part 1.

Feedback: Drop me a line if you’d like at alextryst@hotmail.com.

Dedications: To my angels, my nephews. Through the good and bad days, the joys and sorrows, the unconditional love and adoration you both exude makes the meaning of life apparently clear.

Copyright © August, 2004 by Alex Tryst. All Rights Reserved.

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They quietly drove down to the shelter in which Dara had arranged for them to work the entire day, each lost in their sleepy thoughts. However, as the brunette drove she cast a glance at her passenger. She thought Elisabeth looked beautiful drowsy and tousled in her t-shirt and shorts. The thirty-year-old risked a glance at the blonde's legs. She had never seen them before. They were trim but toned, leaving her with a longing to touch them. Looking at Elisabeth's face, she saw blue eyes on her and knew she had been caught. Nevertheless, she smiled softly and then turned her attention back to the road. Ever since that night Shelby had shared her sister's intimate thoughts, Dara had felt differently toward Elisabeth. She didn't feel guilty sneaking glances at the blonde, and she found it much easier to cast her political feelings aside when thinking of blue eyes.

Once they arrived at the food bank, they were all assigned specific duties that left little time to talk to each other. Nevertheless, Dara still was glad to look up on occasion and see the blondes busily speaking with those less fortunate than themselves in the same bubbly compassionate way that had drawn the brunette to them. It was in those kinds of moments she found Elisabeth irresistible, because the politics didn't matter then. They both were just two women trying to make a small difference in the lives of others, which the brunette found incredibly attractive.

The hours flew by while they were working, but when they were finally released from their duties, Dara went to fetch the two blondes. Leaving the small kitchen area after finishing with the dishes, she meandered into the dining area and stopped when she saw the two of them sitting at a table with a woman and two small children. The thirty-year-old just watched for a few minutes while Elisabeth and Shelby played with the kids and spoke with the woman as they ate. It was in that moment something happened to the taller woman. Her heart melted at the sight of the blonde Republican smiling at the children and making them laugh at something she had said. It was in that instant she knew her feelings for Elisabeth went far beyond physical interest. She was in love with the older woman.

Armed with that knowledge, she crossed the room to the table. Smiling at the group, she gestured to the empty space on the bench and inquired, "Is this seat available?"

Elisabeth smiled at the taller woman. "Of course. You're always welcome."

Thanking them Dara took a seat and greeted the others at the table. For the next half an hour, all of them talked. Dara found it strange that the mother and children didn't want to speak of their plight. It was clear that they felt lucky just to have each other, and the dark-haired attorney realized how fortunate she and the Gunter women were to have even more. Finally when the mother and children left, Dara turned to her other table mates. "So, are you two ready to go? It's already after one."

"Yeah. I suppose," Elisabeth answered, checking her watch. "Are you sure they don't need any more help?"

"Well, I finished all the dishes they had in the back, and they said we could go. If you'd rather stay we can. I'm sure they can always use extra hands."

The blonde shook her head. "That last woman was enough for me. It makes me sad to think I have so much, and she has so little. I feel like I can't ever give enough."

"I know the feeling, but we can always strive," Dara replied, patting the blonde on the hand. They smiled at each other.

Once leaving downtown, Shelby asked, "What's the plan for the rest of the afternoon? You two have anything going?"

"Not really," answered the brunette.

"Me neither. Why? Do you, Shelby?"

"Well, I was thinking about going shopping myself after lunch and a nap."

Elisabeth nodded her head. "That sounds good to me. I need some new clothes myself. My spring wardrobe definitely could use some improvements."

"Sounds like you two have it planned out then. A little sister bonding," Dara teased.

"Aren't you going to come?" Shelby asked.

"Are you kidding? I hate shopping. I do most of it online to avoid the stores. You two are better off going by yourselves."

Wanting to spend more time with Dara, Elisabeth inquired, "Are you sure? We can do something else instead. What do you want to do?"

"Well, I'll probably go back to my place, have some lunch and then hit the gym. Really you two should go out and have some fun."

"Well, how about later? You want to meet up for dinner or something?"

"That sounds good."

"I've got plans already, so it would just be the two of you," the youngest woman interjected.

Elisabeth and Dara looked at each other. They hadn't had much alone time together, but the oldest woman thought it might be time to test those waters again. "That's fine with me if it is with you, Dara."

Nodding her head, the brunette answered, "Sure. Let's be traditional about it. How about dinner and a movie?"

"Sounds good to me. Why don't you call me later then after you get back from the gym and are ready to go out? I'm sure Shelby and I will both still be shopping, but you can come meet us, and we can go from there."

"All right. I'll do that."

Later that evening, Dara arrived at White Flint mall in Rockville, Maryland were the Gunter women had decided to go shopping. As they had agreed, Dara drove up to the third floor, where Dave and Busters was, to meet them. Walking into the bar of the place, she pocketed her sunglasses as she scanned for the two blondes. However, she was surprised at the sight she saw.

There was Elisabeth sans Shelby sitting at the bar chatting with a guy sitting next to her. It was quite obvious to Dara by the way the man was leaning towards the blonde that there was interest on his part, and it filled her with an unfamiliar feeling. She could feel her body begin to tense in a pang of jealousy as she neared the older woman. Her instincts took over as she approached and placed a possessive hand on the shorter woman's shoulder. The man and Elisabeth both looked at her. With a glare for him and a soft gaze and smile for the blonde, Dara said, "Sorry I kept you waiting."

"It's okay. I've only been here a few minutes," Elisabeth answered, casting a look back at the man sitting next to her.

"Hi, I'm Dara," the brunette introduced coldly, extending her hand to him.

He shook it but then quickly excused himself, making the blonde chuckle. "Do you always have that affect on men?" she teased.

"Only with the ones sitting in my seat," she responded more lightly than she really felt as she slipped onto the barstool. "Where's Shelby?"

"She already left. She was meeting friends for dinner. How about a drink?" Elisabeth suggested. She found Dara's jealous display oddly comforting, for it said what the brunette never had. There were growing feelings between them. In fact, she actually enjoyed the way the younger woman had lay claim to her when she came up to them.

When the bartender came over, Dara ordered herself a beer and then turned to her date. "So, what kind of stuff did you buy today? I only see one package."

"Shelby took them with her. I just got some new blouses and a pair of linen pants. I also got some great new sandals."

Giving a playful grin, Dara commented, "You and Shelby probably cleaned out a few stores. What did she get?"

"A lot more than me. She went crazy. We got you a little something, though. The minute we both saw it, we thought of you. Here."

Taking the package from the blonde, Dara pulled out the shirt box. She opened it carefully before picking up the item. "Well, this certainly is nice. Thank you," she said at the green knit short-sleeved shirt.

Immediately Elisabeth took it from her and held it up. "It brightens your eyes."

"Perhaps I should put it on then, so you can see what it looks like?" she suggested, beginning to untuck the shirt she was wearing. Elisabeth flushed slightly as Dara pulled her shirt over her head, revealing a white tank top. She couldn't help but notice the fabulously cut muscles of the brunette's shoulders. Quickly the younger attorney donned the new shirt and tucked it into her khaki pants. "Well, what do you think?"

Smiling brightly Elisabeth answered, "It looks as good as we imagined it would." She brushed imaginary wrinkles from the taller woman's shoulders.

"Well, thank you very much for this. I like it a lot."

"We knew you would."

They made small talk the rest of the time they drank their beverages before deciding to find a place for dinner. Agreeing upon PF Changs downstairs, they made their way across the mall to the Asian fusion restaurant and placed their names on the waiting list. Since it was still early enough, they were seated fairly easily. Getting to the table, Dara pulled out the blonde's chair for her. Blushing lightly the older woman thanked her as she sat. The taller woman then took her seat across the small table.

Elisabeth smiled at her companion for the evening. As she and Shelby had suspected, Dara looked incredibly sexy in the shirt they had bought her. What made the gift even more special though was the brunette's speedy desire to show if off for her benefactor. The blonde attorney looked at her menu, but within moments her eyes strayed just over the top of it to her table mate. Dara was so consumed with studying her choices that she didn't see the eyes upon her. Elisabeth took the time to truly scrutinize the younger woman, and there wasn't one thing she could find wrong with the woman about whom she cared so much. Dara was compassionate and benevolent in her charms, not to mention incredibly attractive to the sight, and the shorter woman knew she was falling hard for the dark-haired attorney.

"So, what are you in the mood for?" Dara asked, breaking the silence.

Focusing on her choices, the older woman mentioned, "I don't know yet. You know what's really good? The vegetarian lettuce wraps. Have you ever tried them?"

"No but we can get some. I'm game for whatever."

"Great. You'll like them. I promise."

"What about for a main course? What speaks to you?"

"Well, I always say I'm going to get something new whenever I'm here, but it never happens. Their Mongolian beef is just too good to pass up. It's my favorite."

Dara laughed lightly. "No way. It's my favorite as well. I also like their crab rangoon. I think we should get that too."

Nodding her head in agreement, the blonde replied, "You can have whatever you want."

"That's a dangerous thing to say," the brunette flirted lightly, testing the waters to see what reaction she might get.

"I think I know you well enough to know exactly what you want," Elisabeth quipped.

"That's always been my problem. I'm too predictable. I have no edge."

"That's not true, and we both know it. You have plenty of edge to you. It's part of your charm."

"You're going to make me blush," the younger attorney stated with a light chuckle.

Once their waitress took their order, the two of them just looked at each other for a moment. Elisabeth smiled at her companion. "So, how was your workout today?"

"Good. I did a lot of lifting, working on my arms, shoulders, and back. Then I did a spin class, which totally threw me. I thought I was in better shape, but that trainer was brutal. I'm sure if she wasn't so gorgeous people wouldn't sign up," the younger woman joked.

Feeling a little stab of insecurity, Elisabeth tried to casually ask, "Is that why you did?"

Dara shook her head. "I just wanted a good substitute for my usual leg lifting. I love bike riding, so I thought it would be a good change. Little did I know she was going to murder us. I had to get a massage after it just to be able to walk again."

"A massage? Such a tough life you do lead," the blonde joked. "What kind of massage? Was the masseuse some Swedish blonde with legs that go on for days?"

Looking at her date, the younger attorney thought she heard cynicism in the shorter woman's voice. Remembering Shelby's comment about her sister's emotional fragility, she shook her head. Fibbing she answered, "No, it was some sweaty bald guy with a gut that went on for days."

"I don't believe you," Elisabeth mentioned. "Aren't you the one that says no good comes from hiding the truth?"

Dara shrugged. "Well, I might have overstated that just a bit. Women don't like to talk about other women. I'm not stupid. I actually want to go out with you again after this," she said with a brilliant smile.

Demurely nodding her head, the older woman said teasingly, "That's only because I bought you clothes."

"Well, that and you're irresistible," she said, deciding to see what her true feelings would do to the blonde.

The blush that ensued assured her that Elisabeth found her charming. "You're sweet, Dara. I bet you talk to all the girls like this."

Shaking her head the brunette replied, "That's simply not true. I don't talk to my sisters or my mother that way."

"Um, I suppose not, but I still think you pay them the respect they deserve."

"Always. A lady is just that, a lady. I'm not keen on making a woman feel less than she is. In fact, I always try to make her realize her fullest potential, because most women feel themselves lacking due to society's standards, and I for one believe that's just a man's way of keeping the most powerful half of the species down."

"A feminist on top of it all? I wouldn't have guessed it," the older woman mentioned with a smile as she took a sip of her beverage.

"And you're not?"

"I'm a Republican, Dara. I think women should be bare-foot and pregnant all the time. Careers for women just shouldn't be allowed," she teased mockingly.

"Of course. I can see that about you." Both of them laughed lightly as the waitress came to the table with their appetizers.

With that they began to focus on food. "You were right. These vegetarian lettuce wraps are good. They taste like chicken."

The blonde looked at the taller woman as her mind unconsciously flitted to what some other things tasted like, mainly the brunette's mouth as she watched Dara eating. Deciding to take the conversation another direction before she got herself into trouble, she mentioned, "You know, you once promised me that when the weather got warmer you'd take me up in your plane. Do you plan on keeping that promise?"

"Oh, of course. I'd love to take you up in the plane. We should see when our schedules mesh, so we can plan a day together. I already know where I want to take you, but the weather has to cooperate first."

"Great. I can't wait."

"Me neither. It's been a long time since I've had a passenger. Do you think Shelby would like to come as well?"

"You can invite her if you want. I don't mind sharing you with my sister."

"Fine then. For now though, let's talk about these movie choices. I have the list here in my pocket." Pulling out a slip of paper, she said, "I'm up for whatever. The selection leaves a little to be desired though."

Taking the paper from Dara, Elisabeth perused it for a moment. "You're right. I don't have to see any of these. If you just want to can the movie and do something else, we can. I'm up for ideas."

"Well, we can go back upstairs to Dave and Busters. You a good pool player?"

"Not at all. I'm much better at darts."

"Do they have any of those up there?"

"I don't think so, but they do have a whole game gallery. I'd be willing to cream you in any video game up there," challenged Elisabeth.

"Well, that offer seems too good to pass up. You're on, Miss Mighty Republican. You elephants might be strong, but we donkeys are stealth."

Laughing Elisabeth mentioned, "You know that's not what we call you. We have other more color phrases for you donkeys."

"I'm sure you do. Well, we'll just see who's left laughing after dinner. I guarantee I can whip up on you on anything we play."

"We'll see. Maybe we should put a wager on it," Elisabeth challenged.

"Fine. What do you want to bet?"

"Let's see. If I win you have to cook dinner for me."

"All right. And if I win? What do I get?"

"What do you want?"

Raising her brows up and down quickly, Dara answered, "As if you have to ask."

Elisabeth flushed at the thought of what Dara was proposing. "Something I might actually do," she corrected. "How about the same? I make dinner for you?"

"Oh, fine. If it has to be that way. Leave it to you to spoil it," the younger woman teased. Once dinner was complete, the couple went back up the Dave and Busters. Heading to the adult game area, Dara took some bills out of her wallet and exchanged them for quarters. "All right, Ms. Gunter. You choose the first game."

"All right. How about air hockey?"

"Fabulous. I can beat anyone at that. Lead the way."

Heading over to the machine, Dara placed the appropriate coins into it before taking a position at one end of the table. Elisabeth grinned wickedly at her challenger before beginning the game. Soon a fierce competition unfolded as the two of them battled for points. However, it was the blonde that was victorious. Screaming in excitement, she said, "Take that, Rosenthal."

"Oh, you are asking for it now, Gunter. My turn to pick a game. Basketball. I know you can't beat me in that." The brunette's words proved to be true, and she easily defeated the blonde in her favorite game. Smiling cockily, she asked, "Next?"

"I've got one. Let's find one with guns. I have some aggression to take out on you."

"Fine. I know I can beat you at that too." The blonde led them over to one of the military games that they could play at the same time, and the younger woman fed the machine the money to start. It quickly became obvious that the shorter woman had a way with a sidearm as she quickly started to dominate the game. "You're pretty good with that thing. Please tell me you aren't a member of the NRA. I mean I can look past the Republicanism, but to be one of those groupies would just be more than I could bear."

"Well, rest assured, I'm not a NRA member. Those people are whack jobs."

"I'm sure you're boss feels differently."

"A lot of people feel differently. Enough about that though. Let me finishing kicking your ass quickly, so you can choose another game," the blonde said with a laugh.

"Fine. I'll make sure to pick something you have no chance of winning."

"Bring it on, Rosenthal. I can keep up with anything you dish out."

Once Dara had conceded defeat in their present game, the brunette said, "All right. Now for a game women can't win. Auto racing."

"What kind of remark is that? You think I can't drive? I'll leave you in the dust. Just watch me," Elisabeth answered, heading off to the game of Dara's choice. Settling in their respective seats, they prepared to race.

It was a close one, much closer than the taller woman thought it would be, but at the last second, she pulled out a close victory. "So, we're tied now?"

"Yeah. What else do you want to try?"

Dara shrugged. "How about we try something neither of us has played before? That way we won't know how good or bad we'll be."

"Good idea. Let's look around." It took them several minutes before they found themselves in front of the golf simulator. "Well, I've never played this one," the blonde mentioned.

"Me neither. I'll admit though that I'm pretty good in real life."

"So am I."

"Shall we try it then?"

Elisabeth nodded. "Winner takes all?"

"Loser makes dinner." Putting the money into the machine, Dara gestured to the older woman. "Ladies first." For the first several holes, both women were keeping up stroke for stroke with each other. "You really are quite good," the taller woman mentioned.

"So are you. Maybe we should play together for real sometime?"

"That would be great, but first I have to beat you in this." As Dara sunk another putt, she pondered the advantages and disadvantages to having Elisabeth make dinner for her. Thinking on it though, she came to the conclusion she might actually enjoy having Elisabeth over to her place for once. Figuring the best way to do that was to lose the game, she decided to throw the match.

With the last hole left, both women teed off perfectly. They stayed even all the way onto the green, and then the moment of truth was upon them. Since Elisabeth had the longer shot to take, she went first. Taking her time, she lined the ball up with the hole before taking her stroke. It lipped the cup softly before falling into it. "Yeah! Try to follow that!" she yelled happily.

Smirking at her competition, Dara took the club from the blonde for her shot. She knew she could sink the putt she had, but having decided on a course of action, she lined up just far enough that when she made her stroke, she missed the hole by a few inches. Taking her second putt, she sunk it before smiling at the blonde. "Well, I guess I lost," she mentioned with a smile.

"You choked is what you did," the older woman teased. "Now you have to make me dinner."

"Yep. Seems that way."

"So, what are your plans for the rest of the night? Anything in mind?" Elisabeth inquired.

"Well, it's not exactly my idea of a good time to spend the whole evening at the mall. Maybe I should take you home or better yet we could swing by the theater close to your house and see if any better movies are playing."

"Yeah, let's do that."

Going to the theater in Bethesda near the blonde's place, the found a movie they could both agree upon, so they decided to see it. For the first time that night, the older woman got money out of her wallet to buy them both tickets, but Dara quickly stopped. "And just what do you think you're doing?" she questioned with a smile.

"Let me buy the tickets, Dara. You always seem to buy everything when we're together."

The taller woman shook her head. "I can't let you do that. It's against my moral ethics."

"What? Don't be ridiculous. It's not like we're on a date."

"No, Elisabeth. I want to buy. It makes me feel good. We've discussed this before."

"But that was a date, Dara. This isn't."

"Fine. It's now a date, and I'm paying," the younger attorney bantered as they moved up in line to the cashier. Dara quickly asked for two tickets and handed over the money before Elisabeth could do so.

Huffing at the woman, the blonde said, "You can't just arbitrarily decide this is a date, because you want to pay for everything. You didn't even ask me. Man, your ego needs adjusting, or is this just pay back for whipping up on you?"

"Yeah. That's exactly what it is," Dara replied with a smile as she got her change. "Come on now. Let's stop arguing. You already know I'm not going to try to kiss you at the end of the night unless you want me to, so stop being so anxious. Shelby's not nearly this hard to deal with. She's open for everything."

"Yeah, well, that's because Shelby's a slut. Don't compare me to her," Elisabeth asserted.

Hearing the edge to the shorter woman's voice, Dara knew it was time to back off on the game. "All right. You win. You can buy the drinks and popcorn," she said, raising her hands in surrender.

Heading inside they stood in line for snacks. Neither said anything while they waited until it was their turn at the counter. The older woman ordered first before turning to Dara. "What do you want?"

"Nothing. I'm fine."

Elisabeth rolled her blue eyes. "You are being a shit, Dara. You're worse than some guys I've dated. Drop the egotism and give your drink order."

"Fine. A large coke."

"Anything else?"

"That's all, but just for this, I am going to try to kiss you at the end of the night," she threatened.

"Oh, I'm really scared now," the older woman joked with a laugh. On the inside though, she could feel the temperature of her body rising at the thought of Dara doing such a thing.

After getting their drinks, they proceeded to the theater. The brunette stayed on her best behavior for the rest of the evening. However, when she dropped the older woman off at home that night, she thought about her threat at the theater. She really did want to kiss the blonde, but she could see in blue eyes that the moment wasn't quite yet right for such an overture, so she simply walked her to the door and gave her a hug. "So, I'll look at my schedule and see what weekends are good for our plane flight. You'll let me know what works for you?"

"Of course. I can't wait. I'll call you on Monday."

"Sounds good. Sleep well."

"You too, Dara," the shorter woman replied. She could tell Dara had no intention of trying to kiss her, so she shook off her disappointment and smiled. "Good night."

Continued in Part 5

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