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.

---

Shelby was sitting in her usual spot on Elisabeth's bed helping her sister with the options. "Show me your bathing suit options first, Lis. That's most important."

"All right. That's my biggest problem actually. I want to show a bit but not be too flashy. The first one is this one piece," she said as she took off her clothes to try on the suit.

"Well, it's all right. I mean it looks good on you but is a little conservative. I mean I can't even see your cleavage."

"Okay. Next is this two piece. I think it has potential." Slipping it on, she turned to look in her full-length mirror. "No, wait. My butt looks big in this one. Forget it."

"I agree. Next," Shelby stated.

"Now this might be too revealing for a party. I mean I don't mind the idea of showing off this much for her, but I don't know who else is going to be there."

"Try it on and we'll see."

Elisabeth put on the two piece blue and white striped seersucker suit and turned for approval. "Well?"

"You look incredible, Lis. That's the one you have to wear. It's perfect with that faux tan you sprayed on. You look like a goddess. Perfect cleavage, great line with your legs. It has to be this one."

"Are you sure? I don't want to look like a slut, Shelby."

"You don't. You just look stunningly beautiful. Dara is going to die when she sees you. Now we have to figure out what to wear over it. Do you still have that blue and white wrap skirt you bought a couple of years ago?"

"Yeah."

"Try that on with it and let me see."

Doing what she was told, the older woman looked at her sister. Placing her sunglasses on top of her head, she questioned, "Do I need a top of some sort?"

"And cover up those incredible assets? No way," Shelby teased.

"Seriously, Shelby. I think I should at least until I am comfortable with my company."

"Fine. Let's see what you have," her sister said, getting up and moving to the closet.

Once both blondes were dressed, Elisabeth drove them over to Dara's house. As they entered the brunette's development, the older one asked, "Where are you taking us, Shelby? Are you sure these are the directions?"

"This is what they say. Dara never mentioned anything about living in these mansions. Makes me believe my theory is true."

"What theory is that?"

"The girl has money. I mean the weekend trip to The Greenbrier was a sure tip off."

"That's true, but still she doesn't seem the type with what she does. I guess we'll see."

A few minutes later when the duo pulled up to the house on the directions Shelby laughed. "Well, it's the largest house on the street. You still think she doesn't have money?"

"How could she afford it in her line of work?" curiously Elisabeth questioned aloud. She knew people working in the non-profit sector were not well paid. Hearing voices coming from the backyard, she mentioned, "Dara said just to go around the back." Moving in that direction, both women noticed that the party consisted of all women. However, she saw several familiar faces of women she'd been introduced to previously. Shouldering her bag Elisabeth opened the gate. Immediately she saw Dara look in her direction.

"Well, if it isn't the prettiest girl to join the party. How are you Shelby?" she teased, coming over to them. "Elisabeth, how are you today?" she questioned with a smile. "I'm glad you could make it. You look great."

"Thanks. You certainly look different out of a business suit," she joked as she tried to calm her racing heart at the sight of the taller woman in her swimsuit, which consisted of a pair of tiny form-fitting shorts and a tankini top that left her abdomen exposed.

"Come on. Let me introduce you all to the others." Making the rounds with the blondes, she left her sister for last. "Leah, I want to introduce you to two special ladies. These are the infamous Gunter girls I've been telling you about. This is Shelby and Elisabeth."

Smiling at her guests, Leah extended her hand. "It's great to meet both of you. Dara has told me so much about you that I feel like we're already friends. I'm glad she finally got up the nerve to invite you over. She's been so nervous about you finding out we live at home."

Looking at Dara Elisabeth saw her blush lightly. "Oh, well, she hadn't mentioned that part."

"Yeah, I was going to. I figured you'd realize it when you drove up, but I assure you it's not as bad as it sounds. In fact, why don't I give you a tour to prove it?"

"That would be great. Lead on," Shelby suggested.

Taking the two blondes into a door close to the patio, she said, "This is where Leah and I live. It's a basement apartment completely separate from our parents. I don't even see them."

"Wow. It's actually quite large. Look at all this space you have," Shelby mentioned, walking further into the apartment.

Quickly Dara showed them all the rooms except for her own bedroom before proposing, "Why don't we head outside now so I can start on the grill?"

However, Shelby shook her head. "You've forgotten to show us the most important thing. Where is your love nest?"

"It's a little bit of a mess."

"So? We still want to see it. Right, Lis?"

Even though Elisabeth was curious, she didn't want to push the issue. "Only if you want to show us."

"Come on, Dara. Just let us take a peek," the youngest woman pressed.

"Fine. It's over here by my office." Opening the door she allowed both Shelby and Elisabeth to look into the room.

Taking note of the queen-sized bed on the far side of the spacious room and the dark furniture that suited the owner, the older attorney knew she would be having a fantasy about Dara later with the visual input of what her room actually looked like. About that time they heard Leah calling from the door of the apartment, "Dara, get out here. We're hungry, and Allison is threatening to take over the grill. You know what happened last time. She almost set the place on fire."

"We should get back outside. I promised to wait until you got here but not a second more to start on the food," she explained. "You can leave your bag inside if you want though or take it with us. I have towels and sun screen outside already."

Heading back to the pool, the brunette started her task of grilling the hamburgers that had been previously prepared while Leah attended to the other food. Most of the women lounged in chairs close to the water's edge chatting, so Elisabeth and Shelby decided to join the fray of conversation.

As Dara manned the grill, she kept her eyes on Elisabeth. The blonde appeared to be having fun with the other guests, which pleased her greatly. However, she was intrigued by the older woman's outfit. She could just see that the blonde attorney had a suit on under her clothes, but she desperately wanted to know what it looked like. Shelby had already made herself comfortable, shedding her outer layers for just her bikini, and Dara figured if the older woman looked half as delectable as her younger sister, she was not going to be disappointed. It was a matter of making Elisabeth comfortable enough to lower her guard and relax though.

Once the hamburgers were finished, all of the guests got their plates and circled the buffet table to serve themselves. Dara and Leah stood off to the side a moment just watching when the older sister whispered, "So, what do you think?"

"She's fabulous, as is her sister. You didn't tell me so much about Shelby."

"Oh, well, I didn't think it was important at the time. Why do you say that anyway?"

"Remember when I said I sometimes wondered what it would be like to jump the fence?" Dara nodded skeptically. "Well, something tells me Shelby is the same way."

"She is, but she's pretty wild, Leah. She might be more than you bargained for. Trust me on that."

"Oh, come on now. How wild can she be? Tell me I have your approval though. I wouldn't want to mess anything up between you and Elisabeth."

"Go ahead. Have fun. Just use protection please. She's quite the player too. I don't want either of you getting hurt."

"Enough said. This is going to be fun. Thanks, sis."

"No problem."

"Now would you get after your girl? She needs some encouragement to get more comfortable," Leah teased before joining the group of girls around the table.

Dara was the last in line for food. As she filled up her plate, she noticed that some of her friends were vying for the blonde's attention as they ate. Chuckling to herself Dara made her way over to Elisabeth's chair to assess the situation further. Several of her friends were firmly planted in seats near the attractive woman, leaving Dara nowhere to sit even remotely close to her. Enjoying the view of the older woman entertaining people, though, she simply sat across the circle and tended to her own food. Every once in awhile she would look across the way and catch blue eyes.

Elisabeth was mildly disappointed that she couldn't sit next to the brunette, so she kept seeking her out with her eyes as often as she could without it seeming like she was staring. She smiled every time she noticed Dara's eyes on her in return. As she sat there, she got to feeling more comfortable with her company. It had quickly become obvious that everyone at the party that day was a lesbian with the exception of Leah and Shelby, but it didn't bother her as she thought it would that many women were showing her attention. She felt flattered by it, but yet at the same time, she wished it was Dara giving her such notice. The lingering gazes she felt from the younger attorney, though, were enough for the moment.

Feeling curious and playful as well as hot from the sun, the blonde decided to see what would happen if she took off her outer layers. Even though she knew it was going to have an effect on all those around her, the only opinion that she cared about was the taller woman's. She wanted to exhibit some of her attributes to the brunette much in the same way Dara had put herself on ravishing display with her suit. Trying to act casual about it, Elisabeth set her plate and cup aside on a nearby table. Leaning back in her chair, she continued to talk to the woman next to her but slowly reached up to the top button of her white cotton blouse. As if it were an unconscious act, she leisurely began to play with it before slipping it from its hole. The next button followed a few moments later and so on until they were all undone, but Elisabeth intentionally left the material closed for the meantime. Her eyes flitted over to Dara to make sure she was paying attention. The brunette did not disappoint. In fact, it was obvious what her display was doing to the younger woman. Even though the brunette's demeanor hadn't changed, Elisabeth could see the pulse of her neck pounding rapidly.

Deciding on a next course of action, the older woman fished an ice cube from her cup and leisurely ran it along her neck. The heat of the day and the temperature of her body quickly started to melt it into water. Moving her hand down a bit, she brushed open her top as she trailed the ice cube teasingly along the slope of her breasts. Her eyes went to Dara's to see her reaction.

The Tall attorney sat perfectly still in her seat mesmerized by the demonstration. She watched carefully as the trickles of water cascaded slowly from the swell of the blonde's chest down into her cleavage. Just the image of it sent her body into a heat wave as wetness settled between her thighs. She hadn't wanted Elisabeth so much as she did in that moment. She desperately wanted to be that water taking that path and exploring the crevices of the blonde's body. She just didn't know if she could control herself if she watched any longer, so she abruptly stood from her chair.

"I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm going for a swim. I think it's sweltering out here," she mentioned, putting down her plate. Not even waiting for any sort of response from anyone, she made her way over to the deep end and promptly dove in. Staying under the water, Dara swam the length of the pool in order to cool off from the blonde's teasing. She wasn't quite sure if Elisabeth knew what she was doing or the effect it was having, but she knew she had to regain some control of her raging desires or else there could be trouble.

Elisabeth watched her do laps for a few moments before her sister's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Did you have to mess with her so badly, Lis? Look at the poor woman," she teased, to which a round of laughter erupted.

The older sister blushed but didn't answer the quip. Instead she stood up from her own seat and took off her top the rest of the way as well as her wrap skirt before moving over to the shallow end of the pool. She wasn't quite ready to celebrate her victory yet. She wanted to play with the younger woman a little more first, so when Dara had made a turn to swim back to the deep end, Elisabeth tentatively stepped into the pool. It took a moment to get used to the cool temperature, but she sat on the stairs in the water and waited for the brunette to swim back her way.

As Dara swam back to the shallow end, she could see a pair of legs crossed at the knee under the water. Swimming up curiously next to them, she raised her head out of the water as she reached the stairs. Surprised by what she saw, she took a swift exhale. There was Elisabeth leaning back against the side of the pool, her arms extended along the pool edge, exposing her perfect femininity. She smiled sexily at Dara and whispered, "Hi."

"Hello," carefully the younger woman answered as her eyes strayed to the blonde's breasts and the water lapping gently against the bottom edge of the blue and white top. Knowing it would be best to swim away, Dara started to turn for just that purpose but a hand on her shoulder stopped her.

"Don't go. Sit and talk to me," Elisabeth requested.

The younger woman nodded slowly and uneasily before taking an uncertain seat on the stairs next to the blonde. "Hot weather we're having," she mentioned, not knowing exactly what to say and yet feeling completely ignorant at the comment that had just escaped her. She knew she could do better than that, but the sight of Elisabeth's body had cut off the functioning in her brain and shifted it to areas south of where it usually was.

The shorter woman chuckled at how adorable Dara when she was nervous. "It is a little on the warm side. However, let's talk about something other than the weather."

"Such as?"

"I don't. How about Leah? Tell me more about her."

Dara shrugged as she looked to the woman in question. Her sister was talking to Shelby in what seemed like an intense conversation. "Um, what's to tell? She's my kid sister and a med student. She's pretty terrific actually."

"I can see that. I wish I had met her sooner, but you hadn't exactly invited me over."

"I know. I just wasn't sure how you would react to me living at home. It makes me sound like a big loser. Here I am thirty and living in my parents' basement."

"Oh, don't be so hard on yourself. As you said, it's completely separate from them. It's one of the nicest apartments I've ever seen."

"Well, we do pay rent and utilities. It's not like we're just living off of them," Dara further defended.

"Well, it couldn't be much better. You have all the amenities. If I could live with my mother, I'd do it. She's just in Atlanta. If it makes you feel any better though, my mom owns the house Shelby and I live in, and we don't even pay rent, just utilities."

Dara nodded her head. Looking back at their sisters, she said, "Tell me something, Elisabeth. Do you think your sister would ever sleep with a woman?"

"What? Why are you asking me that?" she inquired, suddenly worried about Dara's intentions.

"My sister seems to think so and has decided to give Shelby her best seduction. I'm just curious as to if it will actually work."

"Leah's a lesbian?"

"No, not at all. She's just one of those free-spirited curious types, and she's always wanted to know the allure. Seems to me Shelby is the same way."

Elisabeth nodded in agreement as she looked at her sister in conversation with Leah. "Well, Shelby is the most sexually open person I know. I'm not sure if she would ever go that route, but I don't think I would be surprised if she tried it. I know she has a crush on you," she hesitantly mentioned.

Wondering why the blonde chose to admit that puzzled Dara. However, she quickly decided to nip any notions of her and Shelby before the idea flourished in Elisabeth's mind. "Yeah, well, she's too much woman for me," she joked. "I'm looking for a more serious kind of relationship myself. I'm at that place in my life where I'd like to sort of settle down with someone and start a family."

"I'm in the same place. I promised myself that after the election was over, I'd reconsider my goals. I need to find the right person though. That would make a big difference."

"I know the feeling. I know exactly what I want, but it's a matter of her coming to me," Dara confessed, risking a glance at the blonde. Their eyes met for a moment before she turned her gaze further down the pool.

Elisabeth didn't know how to respond to the comment. She knew when their eyes met that Dara was speaking of her just in the openness of her gaze, but she knew to offer any sort of assurance wouldn't be possible. An awkward moment passed before she decided to switch the direction of the conversation. "So, tell me. You still have an outstanding wager to make me dinner. When do you intend to follow through with that?" she joked as lightly as she could.

"Oh, I don't know. This week is really hectic for me. I'm giving a big speech for the American Jewish Committee on Thursday, and I haven't even finished writing it yet."

"What's it about?"

"Where Jews should stand on the election. The President's recent alignment with Israel really puts Jews in a predicament as far as their feelings about the candidates. We're traditionally Democratic by nature, but with the plight of Israel playing a part in the President's re-election campaign, it's become quite a challenge for Jews to decide on what matters most. My speech is about weighing the importance of the factors and hopefully still coming up with the Democratic approach. We can't lose the Jewish vote and still win."

"And how do you propose securing it so faithfully?"

"By comparing the President to a man all Jews hate."

Quirking her fair brows in worry, Elisabeth knew exactly what Dara was about to say. Nevertheless, she hoped the brunette would not actually do something so manipulative. "It isn't who I think it is, is it?"

"If you think it's Hitler, then you'd be right," the younger woman stated.

"Are you crazy? The President is nothing like Hitler."

"Oh no? Not the way I see it. He's exactly like Hitler in pre-World War II Germany. He's taken control of the country with a firm authority, claiming that he's a uniter of the people while trying to squash any dissension to his rule. This speech is about the equality for all people, Elisabeth, not just Jews. That's the point I'm trying to make. Hitler blamed Germany's problems on various groups, Jews, gays, gypsies, anti-Nazi activist. If they weren't Aryan, they were the source of discrimination. The President has aligned himself with the same policy. He blames gays for the fall of the institution of marriage. Well, more than fifty percent of marriages are ending in divorce not because of the fags in this country. We don't have anything to do with it, but he needs someone to blame. He couldn't find Bin Laden, so he turned his attentions to Iraq, thinking the people would just forget the sole purpose of his justification for war. The floundering economy is still a source of contention, but he can't give the people any indication of a realistic policy for correcting it. We have the largest budget deficit in almost twenty-five years, and he blames it on the Democrats. He deflects his failure onto others just the way Hitler did, and the Germans bought it just as the Americans are buying it. He claims to be a leader of the people while discriminating against everyone that isn't a WASP. He's just using the Jews for our money and influence. He doesn't really care much about Israel as he does winning the election. He can't persist on this course."

"You can't be serious about this, Dara! Hitler was a monster!" she exclaimed with a rising temper.

"As is the President! If I say he's a modern Hitler, they're going to pay attention! That's the point of the speech! To persuade them that regardless of where he stands on Israel, he's doing more harm domestically than good abroad! We're making enemies faster than making friends in the international community. He's taking us down a path of isolation in the same manner the Third Reich did to Germany. Am I saying he's going to start killing people? No! What I am saying is that he's going to extinguish any political opposition in a similar manner. A perfect example is that he's using 9-11 propaganda to secure a second term. His ads of Ground Zero and coffins draped in the flag are sending a signal to our country. At the same time, he's done all he can to keep similar images of Iraq out of our newspapers. He'll show the dead if it suits his purpose, but he won't let Americans see the true toll of the war righted to us by the Freedom of Information Act! Ask yourself why, Elisabeth! It's so he can stay in control and run our country into the ground! I won't stand for it! The man is a Nazi in my speech and so he will remain as long as I win supporters for the Democrats!"

Angrily getting up, Elisabeth stormed out of the pool. "What you're doing is sickening! Talk about a gross exploitation of people's opinion! You're manipulating people into thinking the President is a Nazi, and he isn't! He never will be!" she screamed.

With indignation coursing through her, Dara leapt from the pool after her. "Elisabeth, a person of you heritage should be able to recognize real evil when they see it! I know how you feel about Hitler! Why can't you see that the President is following a path of isolation and destruction in a similar manner?"

Turning cold eyes on the brunette, Elisabeth gave her a seething stare. "What did you just say?" she yelled. "Did you just make a Nazi reference about my family?"

"Elisabeth, neither one of us can change history! It is what it is! You can't change the fact that you were born into a family that supported Hitler! All you can do is see that you don't support someone with the same propensity!" Dara yelled with conviction.

The blonde started to tremble in rage and despondency at what the woman she loved had just said. Going with the infuriation she felt though, she shoved the taller woman. "Fuck you, Dara! You're a zealot more concerned with gaining votes than anything else! You don't care about anything other than defeating this man, and you certainly have no concern for those people you might hurt in the process! What you're doing is wrong, and I want nothing to do with it or you any more!" she shouted as tears came to her eyes. Unable to take another moment, the older woman turned and fled into the apartment, leaving a stunned brunette behind.

"What the hell did you just do to my sister?" Shelby angrily inquired. "I told you she was fragile emotionally."

Dara shook her head as she looked around at her guests. "Sorry about all that. Elisabeth and I have a tendency to get overly fervent in our debates," she apologized. Looking at Shelby though, she said, "Help me out here, Shelby. What just went wrong?"

The blonde shook her head and sighed loudly. "Why should I? You just insulted my family."

"That was not my intention, Shelby. I was merely making a political point."

"You have no idea the hurt you just caused Elisabeth, Dara."

"Then explain it to me, so I can go apologize to her," she requested.

Nodding her head, Shelby got out of her chair. "Fine. I'll tell you." They moved off away from everyone before the blonde looked at the attorney. "It's true that our grandfather was a Nazi. Even more our father was part of Hitler Youth, and he's kept his anti-Semitic feelings his entire life. When we were growing up, before our parents divorced and our dad moved back to Berlin, we were subjected to his doctrine. Fortunately it had completely the opposite effect he had intended. Both of us are adamantly supportive of the Jewish cause, Elisabeth more so than anyone else in our family. She hates the fact that she was born into a society she loathes, but you're right. We can't change history. We can't change the fact that our grandfather assisted in horrendous crimes. All we can do is make sure it never happens again. Elisabeth has spent her life in politics for the sole purpose of making sure discrimination of any sort never occurs, and you just said she was helping a Nazi stay in office. You just said she supported someone who discriminated in a similar manner to Hitler. I'm pissed, and it wasn't even directed at me."

"I'm so sorry, Shelby. I didn't realize how personally she really took stuff. I knew how she felt about Nazism, but I didn't truly appreciate the depth. I didn't mean to insult your family or either of you. It's hard for me to accept your family's past, but I'm willing to try to move beyond that to win her. I know the two of you have nothing to do with your grandfather's or your father's actions."

"Well, I'm not nearly as sensitive as she is about it. I've come to terms with my past, and I know I can't reconcile my grandfather's and father's sins, but she hasn't, and I hurt for her because of that. The truly grievous part of this is that you've now lost her over this. She will not forgive you for what you've just said. The woman she loved has just destroyed her. It's over, and you're both worse off for it."

"It can't be over, Shelby. I can't lose her, not when we've come this far. I love her."

"Then you better get in there and try to apologize. Your efforts will probably be in vain, but then you can at least say you tried, and then the downfall of your relationship will be on her head."

Knowing that she had to try, Dara went up to her apartment. She knew she had to try to make things right with the older woman in any way she could. Opening the door she stepped inside and called the blonde's name. Hearing talking coming from her study, she moved in that direction. Standing in the open doorway, she saw Elisabeth standing in the middle of the room, looking out the window, oblivious to her presence. The blonde was on her cell phone, talking and crying to the person on the other end of the line.

Elisabeth tried to keep her emotions under control, but she hurt so badly at the confrontation she and Dara had just had. "Are you sure you're all right?" the voice on the other end of the phone inquired.

"I'll be fine, sir. You just caught me at a bad time."

"Anythin' I cain do to help?"

"No, Mr. President, but thank you anyway. That's sweet of you to ask. You just have an uncanny ability to call when I'm not doing so well, but I assure you that I'll get over it soon."

"Well, I was actually callin' for a reason. I need to see ya tomorrow at the Oval Office, ten in the morning alone. Cain you make it?"

"Yes, I'm available for you."

"Good. There's somethin' we need to discuss."

"Yes, sir."

"Don't you worry now. Everythin' will be fine. You'll see."

"Thank you, Mr. President."

"You know, are ya ever gonna start to call me by my real name? I asked you several times already."

Sighing into the phone, Elisabeth said, "Very well, George. Now I'm sure you have some obligation to get to today."

"I do, but this call was more important. I look forward to seein' ya tomorrow, Elisabeth."

"I look forward to our time too, George. See you then," she answered, knowing that regardless of how she felt at the moment, she still had a job to do. She was intrigued at the development of him requesting her presence alone. They had never done that before, she wondered what he wanted to discuss.

When the conversation was over, Elisabeth closed her phone and then turned away from the window. Seeing Dara standing in the doorway, she jumped in surprise. "How long have you been standing there?" she asked in irritation.

"Long enough. I understand now. I can't believe I didn't put it together on my own. You and the President have a relationship."

"What we have is none of your concern, Dara," she quipped indignantly.

"Are you sleeping with him?" the brunette asked, more in jealousy than curiosity.

"That's none of your business."

"It's the people's business if the President is having an affair. People have a right to know."

"No, they don't."

"The Republicans made sure of that when they impeached Clinton. If you are involved with him, I'd like to know before I take this to the DNC. It will get ugly."

"Do whatever you think you have to in order to win those votes, Dara. As far as I'm concerned, we have nothing left to say to each other."

"Well, if that's the case, then you better be going."

"I'm just collecting my things," the blonde informed, picking up her bag.

Knowing she had one chance at making things right again and that she was blowing it, Dara said, "Just one thing before you go, Elisabeth."

"What's that?"

The tall woman sighed. "I just wanted you to know how sorry I was for what I said outside. I didn't mean to infer things about your family or you. Shelby explained why you take this stuff so personally, and I understand it. I take it personally too, because I had family die at the hands of the Reich. It's the reason that I'm in politics. I don't ever want that to happen again to anyone, and I get so afraid when I see leaders move in a direction of discrimination. That's why I'm so overly ambitious with this election. However, my feelings for those politicians have nothing to do with my feelings for you. Neither of us can change the families into which we were born. It's a part of us, but it doesn't have to define us. You can't atone for your grandfather's or your father's transgressions, only they can, and furthermore, I wouldn't want you to try. You are your own woman, Elisabeth, and I know in my heart you believe in the betterment of our country. You wouldn't be in politics if you didn't think you could make a difference. We don't support the same man, and we never will. You're going to do whatever you have to in order to get your candidate elected as am I. That alone makes a friendship between us difficult, but I still would like to have one. Shelby told me that you would probably never find it in your heart to forgive me much less desire my company after what I said, but I hope you can at least accept my apology and know that I am always here if you ever would like to try again," she stated in soft sincerity.

Looking at the woman she loved, Elisabeth was torn as to her feelings. She had never been hurt so badly by someone she cared about so much. Not even Suzanne had come close to the pain Dara had bestowed. A broken heart was nothing compared to what had just transpired. Not knowing what to say, the blonde's tears began again as she mumbled, "I have to go."

The younger woman watched the woman she loved walk out of her house. When she was alone she too started to cry as the realization that she just demolished the relationship she had been nurturing for three months came upon her. She had single-handedly destroyed what she had fought so hard to build, regardless of how much both women had resisted at first.

The next day Elisabeth went to the White House as she had promised the President. She hadn't sleep much the night before and knew she looked terrible for their meeting. Nevertheless, she knew she had to focus on the task at hand. She figured the President had requested her presence in order to share some sensitive information with her, so she needed to be at peak performance in her sincerity of his best interest, even though at the moment all she truly wanted was to give up her pursuit and go back to her life before she had started leaking information to the DNC. The web had gotten too complicated when Dara had entered the picture, and now Elisabeth didn't even know how she felt about anything any longer. Being escorted into the Oval Office, the blonde put on the best professional face she could. The President was sitting behind his desk but stood as she entered and then requested they be left alone. He moved across the room to her with a cautious countenance.

Regarding her for a moment, he mentioned, "You don't look well rested, Elisabeth."

"No, sir," she answered but was completely taken by surprise when his hand moved from his side and cupped her face. He had never touched her before, and it left her with a sense of confusion and vulnerability. She always knew she ran the risk of enticing the man she was secretly trying to topple to a point of a physical relationship, and at the moment of that discovery she had been prepared to make any sacrifice, even that of her own career, if meant taking him out of his seat of power. However, now as he initiated the contact, it only left her with sadness, because it only made her think of her desires for Dara's hand to rest in the same place. Instantly her blue eyes began to tear.

"Oh, don't cry, my dear," he softly said, bringing his other arm around her body. As soon as he did that, Elisabeth only started to cry harder as she instinctively leaned into his body. He held her a moment as his hand trailed comfortingly through her blonde hair. "It'll be all right, Elisabeth. I'll take care of you," he whispered, kissing her on the top of the head. The blonde looked up into his face. For a moment they just gazed at each other, their faces mere inches apart. This was the moment for which she had been preparing herself, because it would ensure his downfall if he fell to the temptation. Thinking of Dara Elisabeth thought of the cause for which both of them strived, the ruin of the most powerful man in the world, and mentally prepared herself for the intimacy she was sure to follow.

However, after a moment he shook his head slowly. "You know, I'd hardly be a man if I told ya this wasn't temptin', but I know somethin' about ya that stops me from this," he said, releasing her from his embrace. However, he didn't move out of her personal space.

"What's that, Mr. President?"

"You're a lesbian."

Horrified that he knew such a thing about her when so few people did, she quickly refuted it defensively. "I am not, sir. What ever gave you such an idea?"

"Elisabeth, it's okay. I like that you're a lesbian."

"But I'm not."

"Not according to my sources."

"Your sources? What do you mean?" she questioned.

"My sources tell me that you're in a relationship with a Dara Rosenthal. She works for the HRC apparently. You were with her at The Greenbrier a few weekends ago."

"You investigated me? Why did you do such a thing?"

He shrugged. "Because I was jealous," he admitted. "I thought we could have somethin' more than a professional relationship, but once I found out about Dara, I realized what an opportunity this was. I need you, Elisabeth, now more than ever."

"Mr. President, I am not in a relationship with Dara. We're old friends. We've know each other for years. My best friend went to undergrad with her, and then we both went to Yale Law together. We are not having a relationship."

"And what of The Greenbrier?"

"We were there together. That's true, but it was just us hanging out as friends."

He looked discouraged at the news. "This is the absolute truth?"

"Yes, sir. Dara and I are not involved."

"Shoot. That spoils everythin'," he mumbled.

"Why? I thought you'd be relieved."

"Well, in a way I am," he confessed. "But I was hopin' to use you for a better purpose. I need gay votes, and I had hoped that if you were a lesbian you'd be able to brin' them back to the right. I can't afford to lose any ground here. The race is tight as it is."

"This is about votes? You wanted to out me for votes?" she inquired incredulously.

"Well, yes, but now I don't have that option. Tell me somethin' else, Elisabeth. This friend of yours, Dara Rosenthal, has been making quite a stir from the way I hear it. She's quite the left-wing activist."

"Yes, sir. That's true."

"You two don't discuss business, do you?" he asked seriously.

"Not at all. We don't discuss politics. Both of us so strongly believe in the opposite of the other that the topic is off limits."

He nodded. "Elisabeth, I need help here. I need these votes. How do I get them?"

"The only way to get them is to support a gay marriage initiative, and since you can't do that, you're going to have to do without them. You'll have to find votes elsewhere."

"That's not the answer that I wanted."

"Well, it's the truth, sir."

He looked around his office for a moment before meeting her eyes again. "Elisabeth, you know this is a very sensitive time in the election for me. I need your absolute loyalty. Promise me that you will not share anythin' with anyone of what we discussed today."

"I would never do that, Mr. President. You have my total faithfulness," she stated as neutrally as she could.

"Good. You will be rewarded when I win. I pledge that to you," he said as his arms came around her body again.

Looking into his eyes, the blonde knew this truly was the moment she had been prepared for since she started her mission. Knowing she had to go through with it, especially having denied her feelings for Dara, Elisabeth closed her eyes as he leaned toward her. He pulled her closer, so their bodies meshed firmly as their mouths came together in a sensuous lock. Keeping her body from physically convulsing at the repulsive act in which she was participating, she simply waited until the kiss had come to its natural conclusion before stepping out of his arms.

"Well, I'm sure you have quite an agenda today, so I should leave you to it," she said with a smile she didn't feel.

"All right. Thank you for comin'. This talk certainly cleared some things up for me."

"You're welcome, Mr. President. Have a good rest of the day."

"You too, Elisabeth," he replied as she moved toward the door to escort herself from the office.

She kept her emotions to herself until she was back on the busy street alone. It was only then that she contemplated the weight of what had just taken place. She had trapped him and now there was only the delivery to the DNC. His indiscretion would be for the world to know once Chad had decided on an appropriate course of action. Immediately calling him on her cell phone she relayed her news.

He was interested but less than pleased that the fall woman had been Elisabeth. "Sweetie, you know I care about you. If this comes out, I'm worried your own career could be over before it's come to fruition," he said.

"Chad, I did this for the sake of the party. You knew I was willing to sacrifice everything to get this man."

"But what about Dara? How is she going to take it?"

"What do you mean? Why does she even come into play?"

"Well, you're in a relationship. She's going to suffer some public humiliation as are you."

"Why does everyone keep saying that? Dara and I are not in a relationship."

"Well, you fooled me then. Elisabeth, I don't want to bring down the President on your back. As much as I would love to get him on something like this, the fact that it's you puts me in a quandary."

"Chad, this is what you need to defeat this man, and I'm offering it to you freely. Now if you won't take it, I know of someone who will put it to use, and I'm on my way there now. You think about it, and I'll call you back in an hour."

"Elisabeth, you think about it. Your life will be over," he pressed.

"I've lost Dara, Chad. My life is already over. At least with my sacrifice I can make a difference. Take what I'm offering, or I'll give it to someone else who will."

"Fine. Let me think about it."

"Good. I'll call you in an hour," the blonde said before hanging up her phone and hailing a cab.

Over at the brunette's office, Dara had just answered a call from Chad Peterson. "Chad, hi. To what do I owe such a call?" she asked.

"Hello, Dara. I'm sorry to disturb you, but I had something urgent to discuss. Have you spoken to Elisabeth Gunter today?"

"No. I haven't. I haven't seen her since yesterday," she answered in confusion. "Why?"

"I have reason to believe she's on her way to your office as we speak. She called me saying she had some information about the President and that if I didn't want to capitalize on it, she would take it to someone who would. Given your relationship I thought of you."

"Our relationship? We have no relationship. We were friends at one time, but that is not the case any longer. Why would Elisabeth Gunter call you? And even more, why would you take her call?" she questioned.

"Only Elisabeth can answer that, Dara. It's not my place. All I can say is that she's not all that she seems. Please listen to whatever she has to say. Weigh it carefully and then report back to me. I'm asking you this as a favor. She said she'd give me an hour to contemplate her offer, but I need another opinion. Am I able to count on you?"

"Certainly, Chad. I'm your woman, but are you sure she's coming to me?"

"No doubt in my mind."

"All right. I'll get back to you as soon as possible."

Hanging up the phone, Dara felt more confused than ever. The fact that Elisabeth and the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee had been involved in a phone conversation left her bewildered. Hoping that Chad was right about the blonde's intentions, she began to pace her office nervously. Suddenly she was being dragged into a political drama that she hadn't imagined, which excited her, but the fact that it included the woman she loved left her anxious.

Fifteen minutes later the receptionist buzzed her and announced Elisabeth's presence. Heading to the lobby, Dara tried to take a deep breath to calm herself. When she saw the blonde, she could tell something was wrong, but she didn't ask. Instead she merely greeted the older attorney politely and then suggested they go to her office to talk.

"You don't seem surprised to see me," the shorter woman mentioned.

"Well, I am. After yesterday I wasn't sure I'd ever see you again. Elisabeth, I can't tell you how sorry I am for what I said about your family," she apologized again.

The blonde nodded. Knowing that Dara was sincere, she answered, "I know, Dara. I spent most of the night thinking about it. We come from different backgrounds, but we both feel so strongly about the preservation of equality and the extinction of discrimination."

The younger woman nodded her head in understanding. "So, are we still friends?" hesitantly she inquired.

Elisabeth sighed. "I'm not sure that's possible, Dara."

Feeling her heart sinking, the taller woman questioned, "Why not?"

"Because you don't know the real me and I'm not sure you would like the real me."

"Try me. I'm willing to accept just about anything."

"Yesterday you accused me of having an affair with the President. As of today that statement could be accurate."

"What? What are you saying?"

"I've had sexual interaction with the President," she confessed.

Dara could feel her heart ripping, but she kept a strong face. "And you're telling me about this? Why?" she asked, taking a seat on the edge of her desk.

Elisabeth stepped toward the brunette and leaned down so they were on eye level. Staring into dark eyes, she replied, "Because I want you to bring him down."

"Bring him down? I don't understand, Elisabeth. You work for the guy on his re-election campaign. Why would you want him to lose?"

"Dara, the man is a monster, and I've spent the last six years of my life trying to ruin the Republican Party from the inside out. When he took office, I knew I had to put a stop to it anyway I could. I had a contact in the Democratic party to help me figure out the best way to help bring him down."

"Chad Peterson," the brunette supplied as the pieces started to fall into place in her brain.

"Chad is a friend of my mother's, has been for decades."

"Did he put you up to this? Did he convince you to spy on the Republicans?"

"No. It was completely my idea. I used to be a staunch Republican. I believed in the party, but that all changed when I saw what was happening to Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky investigation and impeachment. I knew then they were no longer in touch with the people. They were bitter old men who just wanted to draw blood for the sake of ruining a President that was doing so much for our country. Then when the current President started messing with pro-choice rights, I knew it was time to make a change."

"So, let me get this straight. Now you've entrapped the current President into a sexual relationship, and you want me to take the information to the people."

"It's what you do best."

"What about you, Elisabeth? You do understand that if I do this, you're going to go down with the ship. Your life will be over. Your career will be finished. Are you willing to walk away from everything for this?"

The blonde nodded. "I'd sacrifice everything for this election, Dara. It will alter the course of our country's history. I have the information you need, and I want you to use it."

Gazing at the blonde, Dara contemplated the offer. She knew what the blonde was proposing had potential ramifications for the betterment of the Democratic cause, which greatly intrigued her. However, the fact remained that Elisabeth was at the center of the possible media storm. She didn't want the shorter woman to suffer for what she had done.

Standing up Dara started to pace her office. "Elisabeth, you've completely baffled me. I don't know what to make of this. All this time I thought you were one of them, and now you're telling me we've been on the same side all this time."

"That's right."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I couldn't. I knew it had to be completely secretive. Chad is the only other person that knows."

The younger woman shook her head. "Elisabeth, I hope you understand that I'm not sure I can believe what you're telling me. You've been deceitful with me since we've met. How do I know this isn't a ploy? I take gossip like this to the media and have it be wrong. That would hurt me politically. It would hurt the party."

"I know that, Dara, but it's the truth."

Turning to look at the older woman, the taller woman questioned, "How much have you told Chad?"

"Just that I have information to bring down the President. I didn't get into the specifics."

"What are the specifics? Exactly what kind of interaction did you and the President have?" she inquired stoically.

Elisabeth looked at the woman she still had feelings for, even after all they had been through and hesitated in answer. She knew she would have to confess to Dara what she had done, but at the same time, she felt guilty like she was confessing a sin to a lover. "We kissed," she answered.

Nodding her head, the brunette took in the information. It hurt to hear the words coming from the blonde, but she didn't let that show. Instead she pretended to think on the admission. "How far are you willing to go to bring him down, Elisabeth?"

"I'd do anything."

"Anything? Would you sleep with the man?"

"If I could guarantee the success of the Democratic Party with that action, I would, Dara."

"And it wouldn't bother you to have relations with someone you hated?"

"Don't get me wrong. It would bother me. It would weigh on my conscience, Dara, but some things are worth the sacrifice."

"Even if it goes against your very nature?" Dara asked quietly, wondering to what lengths the older woman would really go to in order to secure the election.

"What kind of question is that? What are you really asking me?" Elisabeth inquired in confusion.

Deciding to come clean about some of the things she knew about the blonde, Dara answered, "Elisabeth, I know about Suzanne. I know that you loved her and were completely devoted to her. You are interested in women, not men. How can you so easily turn your back on that to lure a man to his political death?"

At the mention of her ex-lover's name, Elisabeth gasped. "Who told you?"

"I remembered. Suzanne and I went to a small school, and I started asking questions of my old buddies. I remember you, Elisabeth, a fresh faced twenty-one year old with love in your bright eyes. I recall you and Suzanne together around campus. You were in love, weren't you?"

The blonde nodded her head slowly. "I was, Dara. I was young and in love for the first time in my life. I thought Suzanne and I would be together forever," she admitted as tears came to her eyes. "But she left me."

"And you lost faith in women?"

Shaking her head, the shorter woman said, "I lost faith in love."

"I know what that's like. I lost it too somewhere along the line. I started jumping from bed to bed looking for a substitute, but I never denied who I was. Tell me the truth now. Do you still have hope of finding a woman to be your soul mate?"

"I had lost that feeling a long time ago, but in meeting you, I've realized that maybe it's still possible. I look at you, Dara, and I want to have the life you have, the freedom to be who you are and to love who you want."

Moving back to the edge of her desk, Dara sat and inquired, "Was that a yes?"

"It was a yes I suppose. What about you? Do you still have hope?"

Smiling demurely Dara answered, "I had lost it until I met you, Elisabeth. However, somewhere in the midst of fighting with you and us having a tentative friendship, I've realized I found it again." Hesitating for a moment, the brunette decided to be forthright about her feelings. Tentatively reaching for the blonde and wrapping an experimental arm around her waist, she confessed, "Elisabeth, I found it in you. I fell in love with the obnoxious Republican, deeply in love in a way that I never have. As much as I hated your politics, I couldn't help myself. You captivated me as much with your forceful party line rhetoric as with your emotional vulnerability. That's why it pains me so much to think that same woman would throw her self-being out just to bring down my sworn enemy. Elisabeth, I have to be honest with you. I'd rather have the President win another four years than destroy the woman I love."

Elisabeth felt her knees weaken at Dara's words. She closed her eyes for a moment as she allowed the admission to settle in her heart. "You love me?" she whispered, eyes still closed afraid the brunette would be gone if she opened them again.

"I do love you," Dara replied, wrapping her other arm around the blonde. She pulled the older woman closer, so she was standing between her legs. Their bodies brushed softly. "I love you, Elisabeth, so I can't do what you're asking of me. I can't take this information to anyone. Even more I can't bear the thought of that man having his way with the woman I adore, the woman I want." The blonde blushed at the taller woman's words. "Elisabeth, please tell me if you feel anything for me."

Finally opening her blue eyes, Elisabeth smiled down at the younger attorney. "I love you, Dara. I've loved you since you kissed me at the HRC banquet," she acknowledged.

Returning the smile the older woman was giving, the brunette cupped Elisabeth's face in her hand. Elisabeth felt her body temperature rise at the touch. Earlier she had imagined the gesture, and now it was really happening. "I've waited so long to hear that. I wanted it to be true," the younger woman stated.

"It's the absolute truth, Dara."

Before anything else could be said, the intercom on Dara's phone buzzed, and the receptionist announced that Chad Peterson was on the phone. "I need to take this," she said, standing up and moving to her chair.

"Should I go?"

"No. We're definitely not finished," she responded with a smile. Picking up the phone she said, "Chad, hi. I was going to call you back in a few minutes. You were right. Elisabeth came straight here and is standing in my office right now."

"Well then? What's going on?"

"I don't think we've decided yet. I'm going to put you on speaker, so we can all talk about it if you don't mind." Doing just that Dara stood on one side of the desk while Elisabeth on the other.

"Elisabeth," Chad began.

"I'm here, Chad. Dara and I have been talking about the information I had."

"And?"

"I don't want to use it, Chad," Dara stated.

"Good, neither do I. Elisabeth, I can't let you be the fall person for this," the chairman explained.

"It's okay, Chad. Dara just told me something that changed how I felt about it as well."

"As long as you're not going through with this, that's all that matters to me."

"Actually, I was just thinking that maybe Elisabeth could continue on course. I mean not with the physical relationship part but stay with gathering information. That's if she wants to anyway," Dara proposed.

"It's completely up to you, Elisabeth."

"I'm going to have to I think about it. If I left now the President would be suspicious. The key is to back out of this relationship part in a way that doesn't cut me off from him."

"Well, I'm sure you'll think of something. All I needed was reassurance that you were not going to proceed with this course of action."

"Not at this time, Chad."

"Good. Dara, thank you for whatever you said. I care about Elisabeth like she was my own daughter."

"I care about her too, Chad. We have a conversation of our own to continue now."

"Very well. In the event you do come up with something else, I look forward to hearing it, Elisabeth. Talk to you two later."

Once he had hung up, Dara looked at the older woman. Moving back to the blonde's side of the desk, she took a seat again and proceeded to wrap the shorter woman in her arms once more. "Well, what were we discussing before we were interrupted?"

Blushing shyly Elisabeth replied, "I was hoping that you were about to kiss me."

"And I was going to," the brunette answered softly. Cupping the blonde's face in her hand, she leaned in and gently pressed her lips to Elisabeth's. The tiniest of whimpers escaped the older woman at the feeling as she brought her arms around Dara's neck. It was a sweet kiss, full of innocence and tenderness. Breaking away slightly Dara whispered, "Are you okay with this?"

"I've wanted you for so long," the blonde replied as she went in a second time, allowing her true emotions to finally pour forth.

The taller woman groaned as their tongues met. Suddenly things began to move in a more intimate direction as both of them started to delve deeper, probing each other's mouths as if it was the last kiss they would ever share. Neither wanted to break it. Dara's hands roamed over the blonde's back, feeling the material of the older woman's navy dress. Elisabeth ran her hands through the dark hair she had dreamed about for months as they finally had to pull away for air.

"I thought this would never happen, Elisabeth. Since the moment we met, it's all I've thought about."

"It seems like such a long time ago," Elisabeth mumbled, caressing Dara's face lovingly.

Smiling at her the younger attorney mentioned, "As much as I would like to keep doing this, we do have something serious we were discussing."

"I know. What to do about the President. Any ideas?"

"As Chad said, it's completely up to you. I don't want to see you get hurt, Elisabeth. This isn't child's play. People get assassinated over this kind of sedition. The last thing I want is for you to end up in the Potomac River."

"Well, I'm going to have to figure out a way to fend off advances while keeping the President's confidence."

"Are you sure he has confidence in you, or do you think it was your looks that intrigued him all along?"

"I hadn't thought about that. I guess we'll see. I should probably get going. I haven't even gone to the office today. I should at least stop by and do some work."

Nodding her head Dara stood. Smiling down at the blonde, she couldn't help herself and embraced her again. "This really is like a dream," she confessed.

"Except this is actually real."

Leaning down the brunette kissed the older woman gently. "I wish you didn't have to go."

"I'll call you tonight," Elisabeth promised, regretfully pulling away from the woman she loved.

"Do you have to work this weekend? I believe I still owe you dinner at my place."

"Oh, so now you want to make me dinner?" the shorter woman teased. "Fine. I'm pretty sure I'm available on Saturday, but I'll let you know for certain later."

"Sounds good. I can't wait."

"Neither can I," the older woman admitted. "Have a good rest of the day."

"You too, beautiful. Talk to you later."

Continued in Part 7

Feed the Scribbler: alextryst@hotmail.com.