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NCIS: Hawai'i: Truly Madly Deeply

Part 2 of 2. What happened after the party at Tennant's home. Extended / Alternate ending to NCIS Hawai'i S01 EP22 Ohana with Kate Whistler and Lucy Tara. Link to Part 1.

When Kate was in her hotel room with Lucy for the very first time it was totally out of character for her. It wasn’t hard for Kate to find women who appreciated her, but it took a long time for Kate to be comfortable enough to invite them back to her place. Most people perceived her to be a bit reserved and others figured she was still somewhat closeted — the assessment wasn’t wrong on the surface. Kate had never been at ease with talking about her personal life at work or socializing with coworkers. Kate had definitely never had a one night stand, or what became a multi-night escapade.

With Lucy the whole game was turned on its head. She'd never met someone who made her feel in absolute comfort. Lucy had taken an immediate interest in Kate. She wasn’t shy about expressing what she wanted, and her boldness totally threw Kate off her normal mode of operation. Even though it was clear that Lucy liked what she saw, for the first time Kate felt her inner self really seen. Maybe it was the excitement of being in Hawai’i and meeting someone new totally different from anyone she’d ever dated before or maybe it was the way Lucy looked into her eyes. It was as if she could see through all the layers of Kate and still wanted more. She couldn't quite explain the excitement when she was with Lucy .

Kate knew this was different when she’d invited Lucy back to her hotel room. In her enthusiasm of doing something she had practically never done in her life, she realized that she was in such a hurry to catch the last flight of DC to make it on time for her trip that she’d forgotten to shave. So when they arrived she asked Lucy to chill on the sofa while she took a shower. Lucy wasn’t having it, she pulled Kate in close, took a deep breath, looked Kate in the eyes and told her to stop stalling because she smelled amazing. Kate was taken aback, she made the case that she actually needed to freshen up. But Lucy had already taken off Kate’s blazer and was busy undoing Kate’s shirt buttons. Kate had laughed trying to make light of the situation, insisting on a shower when she blurted out she actually needed to shave. No you don’t, I like you just like this. Kate had never heard anything so brash from a woman in her life. Words that Kate would never forget.

Now that she had Lucy in her bed snuggled up beside her she needed to tell Lucy everything. 

‘I’m not tired at all, in fact I’m so refreshed from that bath that I could go all night,’ Lucy said teasingly, snapping Kate out of her thoughts.

‘Go where?” Kate teased back. Lucy tried to kiss Kate. Kate turned around to face Lucy one hand under her pillow the other on Lucy’s face holding off the kiss. Lucy shifted to mirror her so she could see Kate.

‘Lucy I need you to know that I haven’t been with anyone since our very first night together. I know it’s hard for you to see this, but Cara I were over months before I met you. And yes, now that I look back, Cara did want to patch things up, but it had been over for me for a long time. My interview trip to Hawai’i was a final attempt to close that part of my life. I hadn’t been in contact with Cara for over a year and she’d been dating other people. We were in no way, in any definition of the word, a couple. She was never my girlfriend during the whole time I knew you.’ Kate paused to look at Lucy, ‘You…have never…been my sidepiece.’ she said slowly. 

Lucy looked at Kate, her left leg still wrapped in Kate’s. 

Was she getting through? Kate wondered as she continued.

‘Out of the blue Cara texts me that she’ll be in Hawaii that evening and asks if she could stay with me. Cara and I shared a friendship in the past and I just didn’t want to say no over text, nor could we really talk since she was on a flight all day. So I picked her up from the Airport, ordered pizza, and was about to tell her about you over dinner and suggest driving her to a hotel when you knocked. I had no idea she would introduce herself as my girlfriend. It doesn’t even make sense. It wasn’t like I didn’t tell you on purpose. To me there was nothing to tell. I didn’t want to get you involved in a past relationship that was over, and that didn’t mean anything for you and me.’ 

‘Please Lucy, am I making any sense at all?’

Lucy looked at Kate lovingly, ‘You know when I told you that you broke my heart into a million pieces? I was angry and hurt in a way I can’t describe. I was emotionally tormenting myself every minute. I’m lucky that Ernie pestered me into talking to someone. I was even upset with Ernie for badgering me every day about it till I did. It wasn’t until I actually talked it out that I realized how unfair I had been to you. I was still nursing my feelings even then. Now it’s my turn to listen and I’m listening.’ 

Kate couldn't talk. Tears ran down her face involuntarily. She kissed Lucy. Kate’s tears all over Lucy’s face. They both laughed as they wiped each other’s faces. Kate couldn't recognize this side of herself. It was a totally new revelation. NCIS Special Agent Tara had turned her life upside down and she was about to laugh a lot more than she had ever laughed. 

‘Soo…no fooling around tonight, I take it?’ Lucy asked as if the last ten minutes just didn’t happen.

Kate started to laugh harder. Lucy never failed to surprise her, making her smile when she least expected to. 

‘Lucy, when I said I’ll do it right this time, I meant it. I never meant to hurt you. I never thought I was capable of needing someone so much. And, if you let me, I will put back every single piece of your shattered heart even if it takes the rest of my life.’

‘Well if you’re asking me to be your girlfriend, the answer is yes, but only if I get to use handcuffs on you,’ Lucy looked at Kate with a smirk.

‘What?’ Kate smiled naughtily and then said seemingly sternly, ‘not tonight, but tomorrow morning you’re going to need them if you want to keep my hands off of you’. 

Kate kissed Lucy deeply, long and slow. She didn’t let go and Lucy didn’t either. It was an intimate heart warming kiss that took them to an alternate dimension. They parted only to breathe, their faces still touching each other. 

‘Kate, can you ever forgive me?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I let this all be your fault without ever letting you explain. I’m so sorry.’ 

Kate didn’t need to reply. She pulled Lucy in closer and squeezed her as if she was never letting go. 

When they finally broke their embrace just enough to look at each other Lucy looked at Kate sincerely, her eyes involuntarily welling up. ‘I…., I…never stopped loving you. I fell in love with you the very first time I met you and it’s only grown in ways that I don’t even know how to control. I love you truly madly deeply Kate.’

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what kacy said > what kacy meant

1. we can’t do this again > I want to do this again

2. it's okay I’m not thirsty > I’m thirsty

3. horrible mistake > it was perfection

4. I was looking at you > I was looking at you

5. you take all the pleasure > I want to give you all the pleasure

6. I take no pleasure > I love all the pleasure

7. or did you come to take a swing at me? > you came to take a *swing* at me

8. I want to be intimate > I want to be intimate

9. right here? > I'm imagining it right here

10. I need you > I need you

[jfrut]

NCIS: Hawai'i: A Million Years

Part 1 of 2. What happened after the party at Tennant's home. Extended / Alternate ending to NCIS Hawai'i S01 EP22 Ohana with Kate Whistler and Lucy Tara. Inspired by the lyrics of 'Make You Feel My Love'.

Lucy walked underneath the balcony, pulling Kate’s hand in hers behind her. Kate expected them to walk upstairs to where the party was but as soon as they were out of sight of the upstairs audience, Lucy stopped in her tracks.

She looked up at Kate, her face soft with warmth, ‘I had no idea you sang so well.’ She paused as if she was struggling to find words. ‘That was just amazing, and brave – even if Ernie put you up to it. And, I know no one could make you do anything you didn’t want to.’ 

Kate bit her lip and smiled back, ‘I need to tell you…I have more to say and I need you to hear me out. But before that, I want to go say hi to everyone upstairs. Tennant insisted that I drop by the party. But, I really would like to see you after.’  

‘Yeah, okay’, said Lucy, ‘we can do that’ looking intently at Kate. 

They both went upstairs hand in hand. Giving each other looks that could only express one  thing –  both of their desires to just run away together at this moment. It was torture to not be able to just leave. There was so much unsaid and too many feelings to describe.  

‘Heyyy you two are quite the duo’, said Hina as they walked into the den, ‘and girl, woah you can belt out some Adele real good, Kate is it?'

‘Oh thanks Hina, that’s so kind. Yeah I’m Kate,’ Kate turned beet red and could feel it. She knew if she could just get through the next 15 minutes she could make an excuse and get home. Maybe everyone would forget and stop talking about this, at least she could hope.

Kate saw Ernie and couldn't stop but smile. Ernie mouthed – really really sorry – from across the room. Kate wasn’t mad at Ernie at all, in fact she wasn’t sure there was any other way to get Lucy to give her a chance to really explain herself. She also knew they had a long way to go, this was just the crack in the door to Lucy’s heart. She found herself enjoying the idea of earning back Lucy’s trust. She had a plan far better than Ernie’s and she knew it was going to work. The singing? That was just a gesture, Lucy had no idea the romantic that Kate was. Lucy didn’t know everything. She had no idea that whatever was coming next would be much, much bigger.

After going around the room and making small talk, Kate caught Lucy’s eye and silently beckoned with a subtle head tilt to see if Lucy was ready to go. Lucy caught on immediately and they both said bye to the group, making excuses for the very long day. Everyone’s smiling faces acknowledging the departure with amusement, but also with understanding.

Finally as Kate and Lucy stepped outside Tennants home, Lucy looked at Kate as if to ask what now. Kate obliged with, 'meet me at my place and give me a 5 min head start?' 

'You…want me to drive separately? I mean, you know I can leave my car here and we can get to tomorrow Tennant wouldn’t care,' Lucy reasoned. 

She really didn’t want to be apart from Kate and she couldn't quite explain the longing just to be in the same space. It was as if a painfully stinging part of her deep inside had been extinguished only to have let an even more painful longing for Kate take over her mind and soul. 

Kate came in close, as if she knew exactly what was going on in Lucy’s mind, and placed a soft but persistent kiss on Lucy’s lips. 'I need a few minutes,' she said mysteriously as she looked into Lucy’s eyes, her thumb stroking the back of Lucy’s hand as she held it. ‘And I know the cat's out of the bag, and Tennant and you are very close, but I think you’d rather not run into Tennant tomorrow while picking up your car.' 

'Okay', said Lucy, 'see you in a bit'. She had no idea what Kate needed the time for or why she wanted them to take their own cars. Kate’s place was never a mess so it wasn’t like she needed time to set things straight. 

Lucy decided to pick up a bottle of wine on the way. Whistler always had the fridge stocked but Lucy never failed to bring a bottle over to ensure it stayed that way. She knew Whistler’s favorite brand of pinot grigio and the touristy island stocked decent wine at almost every store you could think of. 

Lucy walked up to Kate’s new apartment which she really hadn’t spent much time in, and the flashback of Cara opening the door came flooding back. She felt a lump in her throat. She took a long deep breath, and knocked quietly. 

The door opened almost immediately as Kate stood barefoot in a soft pink satin robe that came halfway down her thighs. Lucy had not seen this one before. She couldn't take her eyes off of Kate and awkwardly stuttered, 'I picked up some wine.' 

She just wanted to look at Kate unencumbered. She wanted to reach out and touch the robe and feel its softness on her face. She wanted to tell Kate how much she missed her and the unbearable pain she had made herself endure because she didn’t want second place. She wished she could stop time and get it all out but her trance was broken by Kate’s touch.

‘Oh thanks', said Kate as she took the bottle in one hand and Lucy’s hand in the other. Kate placed the wine in the fridge and looked at Lucy with apprehension. 

'I know you’ve had a really difficult day and I thought you might enjoy a soothing bath.' Kate said as if she was asking permission to bathe Lucy.

'A bath huh? Are you…planning on joining me?' said Lucy with eyebrows raised and totally amused. She startled herself at how easily that came out. 

'I'm planning on giving you a relaxing time,' said Kate pausing after every word, ‘and if you don’t like it just tell me, and I’ll stop.' With that she led Lucy into the master bedroom which was lit with candles placed around the room and smelled delicious. Was it lavender? Lucy couldn't quite put her finger on it. As she walked in and looked towards the bathroom, Lucy could see rose petals on the floor around the massive white tub in Whistler's enormous master bath, more candles, two wine glasses, and a bottle peeking out of an ice bucket. She knew why Kate needed those few extra minutes. And at that moment it hit Lucy – Kate knew it could’ve gone either way, and that she took a big gamble. Kate didn’t take her for granted and nor was she in second place. 

Lucy pursed her lips, 'okay let's do this, sure, I could use a relaxing bath'. She looked up at Kate innocently.

Kate was both relieved and excited, and as much as she tried to hide her exhilaration her sparkling eyes gave it away. She took Lucy’s hands, lifted them up and placed them around her neck and slowly removed Lucy’s shirt, and then her red t-shirt underneath it. She looked into Lucy’s eyes as her hand went down to undo Lucy’s pant button then fly, and helped her out of the pants. Lucy’s skin glowed golden in the candle light, she stood in front of Kate with a matching black bra and panty set with just a hint of lace around the edges, both practical yet magnetically alluring. Kate swallowed. The familiar smell of Lucy’s skin mixed with the hint of her body spray with undertones of mint, rosemary, ginger, and sandalwood had Kate breathing slowly and deeply, she was lost for a minute in familiar aromatherapy. Maybe it was longer, she really didn’t care.

'So…shall I get in?' Lucy asked as if a little girl at a kiddie pool. 

Kate took Lucy’s hand and turned her around to face the tub and stand behind Lucy. She slowly undid the bra clasp, and as Lucy removed the bra from her front, Kate kissed her on the nape just below where Lucy’s neck met her back, her arms around Lucy’s lower waist from behind. Lucy felt her entire body tingle all the way to her fingers. She spread out her toes to steady herself as she felt the satin softness of Kate’s robe on her back and every curve through it. 

Lucy bent down to remove her underwear. And even though there was no logical reason to, she felt exposed. She quickly slipped in the bath to escape her shyness in front of Kate and was relieved to see Kate had turned away to play with the jacuzzi knobs. 

‘So the best part about my new apartment is this tub, you’re going to love the whirlpool jet massage,’ Kate gleamed goofily as she turned on the massage heads. 

Water gushed all around Lucy and the aroma of the oils in the water filled her senses. She felt the force of the jet heads on her back and let out a deep breath. Kate poured wine into the two glasses and handed one to Lucy. She sipped her wine and watched Lucy close her eyes and sink into the tub; the glass still in her hand. Kate put her glass down, took off her robe and quietly slipped in. 

Lucy smiled and relaxed. Seeing Kate in the water put her at ease, yet it felt as if they had never been so intimate before. She felt Kate’s hand on her feet slowly massaging the bottom of her left foot. Kate’s legs around hers just barely grazing them. Lucy watched Kate gaze downwards focusing on her toes.

‘I’m good, you don’t have to do that, Kate.’

‘Do you like it? Does it feel good?’

‘Ummm… it feels so good.’ 

‘I want to, so just relax and enjoy it.’

Lucy relaxed, the awkwardness started to fade and she just enjoyed the water swirling around her. The moments passed quickly, like the first bite of maple syrup and dripping butter on the fluffiest pancakes in your mouth. 

Lucy opened her eyes as Kate leaned forward and reached for Lucy’s hand. She took the wine glass which was still full and put it to one side. 

‘Come here.’ Kate beckoned.

She pulled Lucy towards her gently and said, ‘turn around’.

Lucy slid in between Kate legs, her back to Kate, her outer thighs touching Kate’s knees. Kate placed her hands on Lucy’s shoulders and gently massaged them. She kissed Lucy at the tip where her neck met her back. Kate's hands caressed Lucy’s arms slowly all the way wrapping them around Lucy’s arms while her lips placed small kisses on Lucy’s shoulder. Kate’s caresses were like a tall drink of cold milk after those pancakes, Lucy thought to herself. It brought back some of her most favorite childhood memories.  

Kate held Lucy’s head as she dipped into the water and moved her hair back gently as Lucy came back out of the water. Lucy let her head hang back to rest on Kate's shoulder. Her body defied her as she fully surrendered to this assault on her defenses, there was no way out, physically at least. She could feel Kate’s body around her and for the first time ever she thought to herself she could sit here in Kate's arms forever. 

They didn’t know if time had passed or stood still, when Lucy turned her head and said, ‘you said you have things you wanted to say to me?’’

‘I do, yes, but let’s dry you off first,’ Kate smiled.

They hadn’t sipped their wine at all. They didn’t even want to. Kate stepped out of the bath and wrapped herself in a towel. Lucy couldn't help but take in her alluring beauty, turning away quickly as Kate looked her way and walked over with another bath towel for her. Lucy stepped out of the tub as Kate wrapped her in the towel and held her in her arms placing a quick peck on the side of her forehead and giving her a squeeze. 

As Kate threw on a tank top and some soft sleep shorts in the walk-in closet off of the master bathroom, she handed Lucy one of her white soft sleep shirts. It was long on Lucy and smelled of fresh laundry scent. Lucy dried her hair, walked into the bedroom and looked at Kate with a “hey, excuse me” look.

‘What?’ said Kate, ‘ do you need anything?’ 

‘Umm…so just a t-shirt, I mean do I get pants?’ 

‘You don’t need them,’ Kate teased, already in bed, ‘I can’t see anything’. She had turned out all the candles and turned on the bed-side lights on their dimmest setting. Her blonde hair back in a ponytail glistened in the darkened room. 

Lucy walked over matter of factly as if she was up to the challenge and climbed in, as Kate watched. Kate moved towards her and then pulled her into an embrace as they both snuggled. Lucy sunk into Kate's arms, her head resting on Kate's upper chest. Kate's right hand slowly went up Lucy’s left thigh all the way up to her hips, pulling her closer only to realize that Lucy was wearing underwear after all. She laughed as her hand went up Lucy’s back beneath her shirt.

‘What?’ Lucy mumbled feigning innocence.  

‘You know exactly what,’ Kate whispered in Lucy’s ear, nibbling on it ever so gently.                                                                                                                  

Lucy started to kiss Kate hungrily. Kate caressed Lucy’s face slowly and kissed back ever so softly to calm the pace, and when their lips parted, Kate smiled and said, ‘I love you so much’.

1 of 2. To Be Continued…

[jfrut]

NCIS: Hawai'i: Cold Compress

What happened after Lucy left Whistler in the bullpen. Extended / Alternate Ending to S01 EP20 NCIS Hawai'i Nightwatch with Kate Whistler and Lucy Tara.

Lucy

Lucy left the bull pen, got off the elevator, walked across the parking lot and got in her car. Tears came down uncontrollably as soon as the door closed. She just lied to Whistler. She loved Whistler so much that it physically hurt. There was nothing she wanted more than to hold Whistler right now. She knew she hurt Whistler with her words but she was still angry and couldn’t even understand why. How could she love someone so much and be upset with them at the same time? She knew she was wrong to leave Whistler standing there, but she didn’t know what else she could do. She was so furious with Kate, with herself, and with the whole situation. Whistler could have died today.

She drove home and realized she and Skylar were supposed to meet up later. Would Skylar help ease this horrible pain she wondered, but in that moment all she could see was Whistler’s puppy dog face after being rejected and condemned to be without her. 

Lucy stepped into the shower and tried to relax. She needed to clear her head before meeting up with Skylar. Her mind drifted to Kate. She knew Kate would not ice her bruises and she knew Kate needed to eat but would do none of that. She wanted to go over and take care of Kate. Kate needed her and that was the most ridiculous thought that had crossed her mind all day. She got out of the shower and dressed and did her hair.

Kate

Kate was stunned. Her cheeks were hot, her heart beat a mile a minute, her head hurt and her entire body ached. She couldn't move, she just stood there with tears flowing down her cheeks. She’d never been so emotionally vulnerable in her entire life. She’d never felt anything like this ever before. Lucy had loved her and she had felt every bit of that love in every cell of her body. Kate was terrified. Could she even live without Lucy? Lucy can’t even look at me, she thought to herself. I’m doomed. 

Tennant’s voice startled Kate. ‘Have a sip of this decaffeinated green tea, it’s soothing’, Tennant said as she sipped her own cup. Kate was embarrassed by her tears and pretended it was just the pain. ‘Gosh my head hurts so much it’s making me tear up’, she said, ‘I need to go home and take some Ibuprofen’. 

Tennant smiled back at her as if she knew exactly to ignore what had just happened. ‘Have a few more sips and then I’ll drive you home.’ she said. You’re on my way anyways. Kate drank her tea, she could feel every drop down her throat. She gulped in pain. 

‘You know what you did today was brave, and even if you got lucky, sometimes for us luck goes a long way. You lived, everything worked out and that’s all that matters. Lucy is tough on the outside but a real softie. All of us here think of you as part of the team and we’re here for you.’ Tennant walked to her office to pick up her purse and keys. 

Kate walked out with Tennant trying to figure out what to say back. Tennent smiled warmly and they drove in silence back to Kate’s condo. 

‘Thanks for the ride Tennant.’

‘Get some rest and take care of those bruises’. Tenant smiled and drove off. 

Kate walked into her apartment, lay down on the couch and closed her eyes. 

Lucy

Lucy was frustrated. She really didn’t want to see Skylar tonight. It had been a long day and she wasn’t in a good mood. She looked at her watch, she still had an hour and a half before she was supposed to meet Skylar. She needed to eat but all she could think of was Kate not eating and not taking care of herself. Was it even fair to see Skylar, when she knew she loved Kate. Did she love Kate? She didn’t care, she just couldn't see Skylar in her state of mind. She called Skylar. 

‘Hey it’s Lucy!’ she said, trying to be as upbeat as she could. 

‘Hey what’s up Lucy! Are we still on for tonight?’ Skylar sounded excited.

‘Umm..yeah that’s why I called, you know how I had to take off yesterday in the middle of mini-golf? Well, we ended up having to pull an all-nighter. It was quite the day and I’m so wiped that I would be terrible company right now. I really hate to do this, but can we do this later in the week?”

‘Yeah sure, no worries, I’m actually out with some friends for dinner, I’ll miss meeting up with you later but I hope you get some rest and we’ll figure it out over text. Have a great night!’

‘Hey thanks. Again, I am really sorry to do this at the last minute. I hope you have a fun time at dinner!’ Lucy hung up. It felt as if a huge weight had rolled off her back. She’ll make it up to Skylar after she cleared her head she thought to herself.

She had to see Kate, she didn’t care that she was angry with her. Kate needed to eat. Lucy picked up the phone and ordered Kate's favorite comfort food. She was just going to make sure Kate ate, and she’d be fine. This was just her checking in on Kate, nothing more, she reasoned.

Lucy picked up the food and headed over to Kate’s. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Nothing. She knocked louder. Maybe Whistler was asleep? Or was she at a bar drinking?. She better not be at a bar Lucy thought angry with Whistler for a second forgetting everything else. She was rocked back into reality when the door opened and a half awake Whistler was on the other side looking like she couldn't believe her eyes.

Lucy and Kate

I’m dreaming, Kate thought. It was a dream she wanted to indulge in.

‘Hey I just wanted to make sure you ate’ Lucy said seemingly nonchalantly.  

‘Were you sleeping? Did you eat? Did you take something for the pain? I picked up some of that stuff you like and just wanted to drop it off. Did I wake you? So have you eaten?’ Lucy spurted out. 

‘No. What are you doing here?’ 

‘You need to eat. Can I come in?’ Lucy asked, not really asking.

Kate moved aside to make space, she couldn't think straight.

Lucy walked in, Kate followed her into the living room.

‘Go sit down on the couch and I’ll make you a plate.’ Lucy ordered.

Kate complied. Her heart beat like a little girl on Christmas morning about to open presents. I love her, she thought. 

Lucy prepped two plates, she’d join Kate, that way she could make sure Kate actually ate. She was hungry, she justified to herself. She hadn’t eaten all day and for whatever reason she had ordered enough for 3 people.

She brought the plates over and placed them on the table and then poured some water for the both of them.

‘Do you want some wine, there’s a bottle in the fridge.’ 

‘No. And you shouldn't be drinking anyways’ Lucy barked.

‘I meant for you. Not me.’

Kate started to eat. She was so hungry no wonder her head hurt, she hadn’t eaten anything. She relaxed for the first time and realized that even angry Lucy made her feel at peace. She tried to use her knife to slice and realized her hand still hurt too much.

‘Umm...let me get that’, Lucy’s voice was soft and kind. She worked on cutting up the food but making sure to avoid looking at Kate. She could smell a light scent of Kate’s deodorant and breathed in deeply. 

Kate couldn't stop staring at Lucy. It was a good thing she wasn’t looking back, because she couldn't stop even if she wanted to.

They ate in silence. Kate knew it was too early to say anything, and more importantly she just wanted to soak in Lucy’s presence. 

After they ate, Kate relaxed on the sofa and watched Lucy put everything away and brew chamomile tea. Like it was just any other evening. But she knew very well that it wasn’t any other evening, because any other evening they wouldn't be able to keep this much space between them. 

Lucy walked over with the tea and Kate’s meds from the kitchen counter. She read the labels. ‘You’re supposed to take one of these relaxants and two prescription strength Ibuprofen.’ 

Kate compiled, like a little girl. She didn’t want the night to end. They sat in silence which was unheard of with Lucy. Kate had never felt so much at ease. 

As they finished up their tea, Lucy looked at her and said, ‘Okay you need to be horizontal, let’s get you to bed.’ 

‘No I’m fine’ Whistler protested, ‘I’ll go to bed after you leave’. 

‘I am really tired and I just don’t have the patience to argue right now’, Lucy said. ‘But I do want to keep tabs on you tonight, since you have a concussion. Can I stay on your couch tonight?’ Lucy pleaded. 

Lucy had no idea where that came from but it was out there now. She looked up at Whistler trying to seem like this was a totally normal request. 

‘Yeah, of course’, said the flabbergasted Whistler. 

She’s kidding right? She thought. Lucy and her had never slept apart in her condo.

‘Thanks. Now please go to bed and try to sleep’. Lucy motioned towards Whistler's bedroom. 

Are you going to tuck me in? Whistler thought mischievously in her head as she smiled to herself but knew better to keep her mouth shut. As Whistler got into bed a little later she was the happiest person she had even been in her entire life. She really didn’t care what reality would be the next morning. 

Lucy lay on the couch trying to figure out what she was doing, and which feeling she was surfing right now and if it was even right. She would do this for a friend who got hurt, right? After half an hour she got up to check on Whistler and could hear Kate fast asleep as she got closer to the bed. She watched Whistler sleep and realized she was in deep trouble. There was no way she was going to get to  choose which feelings she was going to surf.