Phone Tag and House Cleaning (invitation)

Ana had just come back from the kitchen with the refilled glasses of wine.
"That hole is probably similar to those we feel when we lose a parent. I cared very much for Olyvia... but the hole was minimal. She had been the only friend I'd had for more than a year..."
Ana sat down and scrunched into her corner again. "But coming here, meeting you and Aishe... has made me feel, well, to borrow a romantic term, more complete, than any other friendships I've ever had. You're not babbling, Fallon," she said, reaching out a hand to cup the teacher's cheek. "Speaking from the heart is never babbling. And no, you're definately not the same, but then, neither am I."

It was good to hear Ana talk, as most of what she said confirmed that what Fallon was feeling, was indeed okay. It was sad, being reminded of Ana's friend who had been killed.

"Has anyone found out anything more about your friend...who might have wanted her dead?"

Obviously Ana had changed some because of that experience, but she had also changed partially at Fallon's hands...or fangs as the case truly was. Yet it would still be a while before she could look upon Ana and her more than generous nature, in the true sense of friendship that Ana offered.

Her being around Suki, and knowing her relationship with Cyrus helped a little, though Fallon did not consider Ana a familiar. But seeing the exchange of blood as a strong exhibit of affection, made the idea more palatable.

"We're all three very lucky women, aren't we?"

Ana shook her head. "Honestly, I haven't even heard from the police since the day of my interviews. While I haven't forgotten about her, I also haven't been dwelling on her death. She wouldn't want me to; hell -I- don't want to."

She found herself nodding at Fallon's comment. "Very lucky. To have met each other, to have met people that have such profound influence in our lives. To have come as far as we have, in the face of differing adversity."

Ana still occasionally wondered exactly what drove Fallon from North Carolina to Nachton. She made mentions of it occasionally - as she had not a few minutes ago - but, the librarian realized, she'd tell her friend when she was good and ready.

'Adversity', what a polite word. Fallon would never color her past life with something so tame. But then she hadn't, Ana had, and Ana didn't know about Fallon's past. But Fallon didn't feel the need to tell her now either. She thought it would only serve to generate bad feelings, and for why? They were here now to enjoy each others company, there was no need to discuss such things when nothing would be served by it.

Much like Ana didn't want to talk about her friend. It all made good sense.

"And your...well, Rorri? I've not run into her lately. Did she return to England?"

Though Fallon had met both Rorri and Ana at the same time, she had never developed a fondness for the other girl. She thought though that Ana might have. She also remembered that Rorri herself had mentioned possibly returning to England.

Finishing the remainder of her second glass of wine, Fallon wouldn't have minded a third, but not if they were going to the movies. She stood up, and found her feet and legs to be quite stable. Now was a good time to quit.

"Did you want to check on the movies, and I'll clean up?"

"I haven't heard from Rorri lately either. Last I heard from her, she was in the midst of some naval construction contract in Richmond, since the shipyard contract in Nachton fell apart. The last time we spent together really, was the weekend before your party, right after the ex... ex-Mayor's ball. I had been her only contact in town, so since she ended up with a severe concussion, had me called to pick her up and bring her home. Spent a couple days with her, right before your party. I didn't say anything, because at the time, I was getting over being mad about it. But then, after your party, I realized it wasn't fair for me to be mad at someone who wanted to be my friend." She pondered that comment for a moment, sipping her wine again, and amended, "Even if she did fall in love with me. In any case, I do have a job to do for her, and I've been working steadily at it, but sometimes research only moves so fast, you know?"

Ana finished her second glass of wine after Fallon did, and watched her stand. She barely felt a buzz, and in fact only felt somewhat warm. "You can clean up only if you either let me help you move or let me clean up for you at your next party. Mmmkay?" Standing, she opened her arms for a hug from her elevationally challenged teacher vampire friend.

"Oh my...a concussion? She fell in love with you?"

That was a lot of information to absorb at once, yet all but the last part was dismissed by Fallon.

It wasn't odd to hear Ana talk about Rorri falling in love with her friend. Fallon herself had felt an attraction to Ana, and did love the woman. Had Cyrus not been in her life, she might have even thought to pursue Ana. So she wasn't taken aback by the statement. She was curious though, to know how Ana felt about love in general, even if not for Rorri.

"I take it you don't return Rorri's affections?" Not that it was any of Fallon's business, and the minute the words left her mouth she regretted them. "No, never mind. I'm sorry, that's not really my business."

A little flustered, Fallon quickly pulled herself back together. She carried the dishes into the kitchen and put them in the sink. She busied herself with closing up the containers and putting them into the refrigerator, all but the Happy Family, which she set aside.

"Of course you can help me move, though I would imagine Cyrus will have people take care of most of it."

Leaning her hip against the counter, she held her hands under the tap, rinsing off the spoons and forks.

"I will miss my little house though. I really did like it a lot. Yet I'm sure whatever Suki finds will be perfect."

"That's what she told me, many times, actually. It was what precipitated the kisses she gave me before I left, after yours and my first meeting. She had lost her entire family, and I certainly felt compassion and sympathy. Especially having lost my own. But it was too soon for me, anyway, not a week after losing my best friend at the time, and well, I've had a hard time with romantic love as it is. She is a very nice girl - and yes, for all her primp, pomp, and properness, she still is at heart very much a girl, having been coddled and carried throughout her whole life. Even in pain, she had people cowtowing to her, filling her every whim, which will not repair a broken heart. I've known that since my mom died. It just doesn't work. She would never get over her own grief that way... and it made me sad for her. In time, if she were to grow up, the chance might be remote that some, if not all, of her affections could have been returned. But, at nearly 18, she still had the 'I want it now' mentality of a ten year old. I'm twenty three, Fallon, and I need someone a bit more... complete."

She picked up the empty glasses and followed Fallon into the kitchen. "My romantic history is entirely too complicated to go into at the moment. Perhaps sometime soon, if you want, and perhaps if you don't mind helping me figure me out," she said with a giggle, and nudged up against Fallon gently, "that can be shared. But at the moment, I'm happy with who I am. I have two wonderful friends, a good job, a roof, a car... Don't need much more that I can think of at the moment, anyway."

She suddenly snapped her fingers and strode from the kitchen. "Except for 'needing to find movie times!'" Her laugh echoed in the apartment.

Plopping onto her bed and waking her laptop, she walked over to the kitchen and leaned against the doorway, typing one handed while Fallon washed and rinsed. A thought came into Ana's head as Fallon spoke about her house, and she walked over to her own personal dishwasher. Holding the laptop at forearm's length, she asked, "I'm going to whisper something into your ear. If you think I could afford your house, let me know please?" And she leaned into Fallon and whispered a number, daring to hope for a positive answer.

Accepting Ana's open arms, Fallon hugged her friend hard. They really weren't so far apart in years - nothing like she felt with Rorri - but Fallon still felt ancient at times, and very protective of Ana.

She would have liked to continue the matter of Ana's love life, but respected her wishes, and didn't press.

Finishing up the kitchen, and listening to Ana, Fallon glanced around the tiny apartment. Ana had done a lot with it, but there was no getting around the facts. It was a very small, college type apartment. And now Fallon was going to be leaving her darling little house...the one she had been working so hard to fix up...the one that she had signed a years lease on, and had paid the next six months on.

"Ana..." Fallon turned around to ask her a question, just as she approached with her laptop, and a question of her own.

"Ana!!! That is amazing, I was just thinking to myself, I would so love it if you could move in...and yes you could afford it, but even better the next six months are already paid for, so you could bank what you would normally pay, and when the rent comes due again have a nice cushion set aside. I mean, I won't need to worry with rent, and would be afraid to even mention it to Cyrus. He's so funny about money...he spends it like it was nothing. I certainly don't plan to take advantage of him, but really, my needs are so simple, and he's always buying me clothes, and things. I...well..."

Fallon grabbed Ana in another hug, before pulling back.

"It's silly, I'll admit it, but if you moved in I wouldn't feel half as bad moving out. I would know someone loving was living in it, and enjoying it."

Ana always enjoyed Fallon's hugs. She felt warm, comforted, protected, happy...

When Fallon mentioned she was thinking the same thing, Ana began whistling the Twilight Zone theme. "That's funny! And scary. Very Twilight-Zone-ish. Of course I'll pay you back your prepaid rent," she said, pondering.

Suddenly she was grabbed up in another hug. Smiling at her friend, she finished her search for movies. "It's not silly. Not really. I couldn't find anyone that I felt was 'worthy' so to speak to move into my house when I left it in New York, so I just had it shut and closed, and have a caretaker going over once a month. It's good though," she said, skipping back a thought, "that Cyrus can provide for you. Especially considering your new situation," she giggled, making a fangy-motion with her teeth.

She scrolled through the webpage on the laptop. "Inside Man, Ice Age 2, American Dreamz -" and she rolled her eyes, then continued, "The Sentinel, She's the Man... Those're really the only ones I want to see. Want to peek?" she asked, turning the laptop towards Fallon for her perusal.

It struck Fallon as more funny than scary, and she laughed even harder when Ana began whistling the familiar tune. She waved away the offer to pay her back, but wouldn't address that matter further one way or the other. When Cyrus had first mentioned buying a house for the two of them, Fallon's old suspicions had resurfaced, but she had thought long and hard over the course of time since then, and no longer had any doubts at all. Cyrus had never been false with her, and she just knew he wouldn't be.

Glad Ana didn't think her reasons for wanting to not let her home just go were dumb, Fallon started giggling all over again when Ana referred to her fangs. Fallon lifted the corner of her upper lip, exposing the fang, and lightly ran her tongue across the point.

"Ah! That could be a good trade? Six months for...well, you know..."

When she spoke the words they sounded better in her head than out loud, but having said them she couldn't take them back.

"I mean, you're the one who keeps telling me you want to feed me, as a friend, right? Well, wouldn't my wanting you to live in the bungalow be something similar?"

The movies forgotten for a few minutes, Fallon wanted to resolve this situation first. Especially since she thought she had come up with such a good argument in her favor.

Ana laughed with Fallon. She knew her whistling skills were pretty subpar, but it was good that it was at least recognized for what it should be.

Funny.

Ana continued to giggle at Fallon when she extended her fangs, but then stopped when her friend mentioned the trade. It clicked. Suddenly, sense was made, and Ana realized that Fallon had to have been agonizing over what had transpired between them the last time they'd been in her apartment together. It made her sad to know that her friend seemed to have worried for so long about it, and yet it gave her a warm fuzzy feeling that Fallon wanted to be a friend back.

But the "exchange" of Ana's blood for Fallon's house just didn't jive. It was a nice offer, to be sure, but, Ana realized, it seemed to be offered in the wrong spirit of their relationship. Their friendship.

Closing the laptop with one hand, she used her other hand to take Fallon's. She led the teacher back into the living room, and sat her down on the couch. Sitting opposite her, she lay the laptop on the cleaned coffee table. Fallon looked like she was about to speak, but Ana held up her hand - just barely above her waist - to forestall anything that might derail her train of thought.

"Fallon, I offered you what I did for a multitude of reasons. You have given me hospitality. Comfort, safety, and warmth, all because you are a giving woman. The way I was brought up, those things - summed up in the rather plain and yet overly broad phrase of 'giving of oneself' denote friendship. You and I are friends. Are now, always will be. I cannot at this moment imagine not knowing you for the rest of my life. Whether I grow old and grey and become a frumpy librarian like Mrs. Penderghast, or shuffle off tomorrow. The last four months I have known you have been some of the most enriching of my life. Sure, you can say that we've barely talked, but what we have shared of each other's lives has been, at least on my part, the very essence of what it is that I am." She took a breath and formulated her next tirade. "The offer I gave to you was borne of several different thoughts, several different feelings. I was concerned that you, having not taken care of yourself in your selfless effort to be a hospitable hostess to your guests, had neglected yourself. I felt worried that you, having let yourself go too long without feeding, would become problematic and either hurt yourself or severely hurt someone else. I was surprised at the fortuitousness of that damned sharp knife flying off the counter at me to have caused the little bit of control you had left to ease just enough to help me see one of the most vulnerable parts of you. I was honored that you were repentant about not having asked my permission. And I felt very protective of my friend who seemed so scared of what she'd done that she'd run from my presence crying."

She nibbled on her bottom lip and continued. "So I offered myself to you. The same as I would have offered to stay at your side in the hospital for a vigil over a family member or friend. The same as I had offered to wash the dishes for you. The same as I would offer to take a day off to help you move your stuff, help you pack, help you find a special outfit to go out with Cyrus. Well, to stay -in- with Cyrus." Her voice got momentarily introspective as she commented, "Not that I would really know what he likes, but you are an attractive woman, Fallon, and he's made one step in the right direction as far as that's concerned." Shaking off her derailment, she went on. "I appreciated the fact that you refused. I understand what you mean when you indicated that you didn't want to feed from a friend. But who better? Going out almost exactly at dawn, near-crazed with hunger... I couldn't let you do that. Same as I wouldn't be able to let a diabetic friend drive herself to the grocery store because she was out of sugary drinks. I would give my kidney or my lung to a friend who needed it, if we were compatible. I was there for you. I was ready. I was willing. I am ready. I am willing."

Ana ignored the tears she felt streaming down her cheeks. She scooted forward and slowly raised her hands to tenderly cup Fallon's face. "You keep looking at that night as if there's something you need to do to repay me, and I wish I could convince you how very far from the truth that is. I give of myself because it is all I have to give. It is the least I can do for my friend Fallon Tierney, for whom I care so very much, and want nothing more for her than to be safe, comforted, and happy."

Before Ana stopped talking, Fallon could feel the tears streaming down from her own eyes, but she reached up to wipe away those on Ana's face first.
It was more than touchingly sweet, that Ana would feel so strongly about Fallon, but Fallon had truly come to understand and accept that. What she hadn't been able to do was express herself in the same wonderfully eloquent way. And she being an English teacher no less.

Pulling Ana in to a hug, Fallon stroked the other woman's hair, as she began to speak.

"Hush sweeting, I do know what you're saying, and I do love you dearly for it. I am just inept at telling you that I feel the same way."

Feeling the need to be achingly honest, Fallon pulled back a bit from Ana, to see her face.

"Do you know, I feel so strongly for you, that had I met you before I had met Cyrus, I may have made a pass at you as Rorri did? I truly love you Ana, in a way unlike any other, and I may have made a complete ass of myself in trying to convince you of my feelings. But that is a side note, at this point. I still love you, and can't imagine my life without you in it either. I worry about you, not only because of the fact that you're so giving, but because if anything were to happen to you, I don't know how I could go on.

It is because of that love that I only want you to be happy. I would understand if you had wanted to stay in this apartment. You found it, you chose it, you made it your home. It would not be for me to say that I believe you deserve better. But I do. And while I know my little home isn't grand, I think it is more befitting you, than this tiny place. Not to mention, I would just feel so wonderful, if I knew it was you living there. I would feel you were safer, and Bob, he's really a great neighbor...much better I think than your noisy one with all the boyfriends. Bob is very quiet, but very helpful."

Grabbing Ana's shoulders, Fallon cried into her neck.

"Ana, sweet Ana...dear, wonderful Ana...I will gladly accept you, and your friendship in any manner you wish to share with me...please...do me the same honor?"

Ana's brain struggled in vain to follow along with Fallon's own emotive ramblings. It was her heart, though, that truly made up the gap between "in one ear" and "taking her words to heart."

It did surprise her that Fallon had the capacity in her to love Ana the way Rorri purported to... And something in Ana gave her the impression she could have loved Fallon in the same way.

But that was not the focus of her moment with her friend. Knowing that she - Montana Kensington - was as irreplacable in Fallon Tierney's life as Fallon was in her own was a bit of a shocking revelation. It made her tears fall that much more freely. She was able to process the rest of what Fallon was saying, about Bob and the house and her neighbor's boyfriends, when suddenly Fallon was sobbing into her neck.

"Please do me the same honor?" Fallon seemed to be pleading. Ana's hands came up to Fallon's back and shoulders, and stroked her friend as they sobbed against each other for a few moments. When both quieted down somewhat, Ana leaned back enough to get a look at Fallon's face. Her eyes were swollen and bloodshot from crying. Her eyeshadow was smudged slightly, and her mascara was clumping her eyelashes together. To Ana though, Fallon was just as lovely as when she'd opened the door a little while earlier. Ana's hands slid around from Fallon's shoulders to her neck, then rose gingerly to her cheeks. Brushing the saline streaks from Fallon's rosy cheeks, Ana tried to smile comfortingly but succeeded in a silent, rattling sob. Once it calmed, she was able to curl her lips into a warm, almost-smile. Her thumbs and fingers gently moved stray locks of her vampire friend's hair out of the way as Ana leaned forward, closed her eyes, and gently pressed her lips to Fallon's.

Again she guessed she hadn't explained her feelings succinctly, for Ana still seemed to want to resist.

And then something changed, and though Ana seemed to be crying even harder, Fallon could tell there was a sense of understanding now.

When Ana leaned back to seek out Fallon's eyes, she gazed back, unblinking, until her eyes seemed to burn. And then, without thinking, Fallon's eyes were closing. Ana's head and mouth leaned to Fallon, and Fallon knew where they would meet...so her eyes closed.

The kiss was full of love, from Ana, and back from Fallon. It wasn't the least bit sexual...but still full of love, and Fallon would have never considered rejecting it.

Ana's lips were soft, and felt good, but before any more thought could go into the action, Fallon pulled away. She smiled at Ana, and then hugged her around the neck again, the small difference in their heights impeding neither. Once both had regained their emotional control, Fallon pulled back, and brushed her finger tips across Ana's cheeks again.

"Boy...maintaining a friendship can certainly be exhausting...but it's one of those good kinds of exhaustions, you know?" And the slight lethargy that covered Fallon was just that...a peaceful, calming feeling, that seemed to be encased in love. Ana's love.

"Now...what were those movies again?"

Touching her lips to Fallon's, for just the moment that she did, meant so much more to Ana than the prolonged forced kisses she'd experienced...

She smiled somewhat shyly at Fallon when they disengaged. Breathing as regularly as she could, she leaned gently into her friend's fingertips against her cheek. She felt like she'd been put through a wringer - wiped out and tired, and yet, Fallon's voice and simple caress and very presence felt like a pitcher refilling the parched well of her emotions.

She hadn't had a good cry like that since Olyvia died.

She nodded at Fallon's description of good exhaustion. She probably could have stayed all night staring into her friend's dark chocolate eyes, but Fallon's sense of "moving out of the pit" was excellent. "Uhm..."

Ana leaned over to open the laptop and let it wake up. "Inside Man is this week's thriller with a twist, Ice Age 2 is the animated favorite, The Sentinel is another presidential thing, She's the Man is the one where the sister dresses up as a boy to play soccer, and American Dreamz, the one that parodies American Idol. While it does look kind of stupid, is supposed to be funny. So... The choice is yours."

Fallon didn't really care what movie they saw. She just wanted to spend time with Ana, and share in some normalcy. Going to the movies seemed to be about the most normal thing she could do, so the decision was made. Now, to which one would they go?

"Let's see...I don't think I'm an 'Ice Age' kind of person, and I know I'm not a political person, though I do my duty and I do vote."

Fallon had always been proud of the fact that she had voted in every election she was eligible to do so, since she was old enough. And she also read the propositions, and felt she was making enlightened decisions; however she never debated or discussed her choices. Politics was pretty dull, as far as she was concerned.

"If you don't mind, let's go see the thriller, and see who figures out the twist first."

Now that sounded like fun, but first she had to call the school, and she had to fix her face.

"Give me five minutes to pull myself together, and notify the school, and I'll be ready, if you are."

And truly excited about the prospect of going out, Fallon made a mad dash to the bathroom, and made her call.

Ana nodded at Fallon's decision. "Sounds great! Let me know when you're out of the bathroom."

Once Fallon was out of the bathroom and all spots, streaks, and sobs had been cleared away, Ana tugged on her windbreaker and held the door, waiting for her friend. She escorted Fallon down to her Jetta - "Your movie choice, my treat, my car," she had insisted - and they made their way to the theatre.

The line was relatively small for a mid-week movie, and Fallon and Ana were two of only nine people in the theatre built for two hundred. While the pre-preview splash screens and trivia played, Ana went out to wait in line for popcorn (small, extra butter) and grabbed a bottle of water.

She returned just in time to catch the beginning of the trailer for "RV," starring Robin Williams.

Following alongside Ana, Fallon had no qualms about riding in her car, and quickly got in. She did almost balk at the 'my treat' remark, but instead graciously thanked Ana and accepted.

It had occurred to Fallon, a few days back, that she had a fear of using people. Growing up around people who only did that, some how she had managed thus far to not let herself get into that rut. She never wanted to take anyone for granted, and it scared her to think it might be easier to do than she might have originally thought. This was why it was so important to her, to give to her friends, as they gave to her. She thought to mention that to Ana now, but since they seemed to have finally reached an understanding in that part of their relationship, she held off.

The ride to the theater was companionable, with the sounds of the radio playing softly as they chatted about inconsequential things. She liked that the theater wasn't crowded, as that meant she could sit anywhere, pretty much. She saved Ana's seat while she went for snacks, declining any for herself.

As she sat waiting, she noticed theaters were a lot better now, then the last time she had attended. The seats were now in graduated tiers, and rocked a little. Also, the arms to the chairs now went up and down, and had places to hold your cups in the ends of them. Very accommodating, she thought. Pushing the arm up between two of four empty seats, she curled her legs up to her side, her feet resting on the seat to her left, and smiled to Ana once she returned.

"It's like our own private loveseat!" She commented in a semi-loud whisper, not wanting to disturb anyone, even though no one sat near.

The coming attractions started, and Fallon turned her attentions to the screen, but cuddled a little bit into Ana's side. She had no idea how 'thrilling' the movie would be, but didn't think it would hurt to get prepared in case something got to her.

Ana giggled at Fallon's reconfiguration of the seats they occupied. She picked up the arm rest between them, and the one next to her. Curling her legs up on the seat to her right, she stuck the container of popcorn behind her knees. The water went in the cup rest of the next seat over.

She wasn't really surprised when her "date" leaned against her. Rather, Ana welcomed Fallon's contact. She reached for the popcorn and settled it between their thighs.

--~~--~~--~~--

Ana stretched as the end of the credits rolled past. She offered Fallon the remainder of her water, but her friend declined. Ana upended the clear bottle and dropped it into the empty popcorn bucket.

She stuck her arm around Fallon's waist and picked up the popcorn container with her free hand. They exited the theatre in silence. Dropping the trash into its proper receptacle, she guided Fallon out to the car. They said nothing until the doors were closed.

"Wow. I didn't see that coming."

SPOILER ALERT!!!!


The movie started out a little confusing for Fallon, but she caught on pretty quickly. It turned out to be one of those movies that kind of kept you on the edge of your seat, but that didn't really require a comforting presence. That meant Fallon didn't need to keep a death grip on Ana's arm for very long, and she actually enjoyed the movie a lot.

"I kept thinking...what are they going to use that hole for? I didn't get that at all."

She laughed, as the revelation surprised her too.

"Do you think he kept the diamond? I think he did. Do you think that was bad? I mean, it wasn't like he stole it, and...well, the guy they got it from certainly didn't deserve to have it."

Morally, Fallon had a good heart and tried to treat everyone well. She believed in God, and that was somewhat of an accomplishment for her, given her life to date. It also stood testament to her and everything she had gone through. But she wasn't above looking the other way for certain things...and this would have been one of those times.

"I'm really glad we went. Maybe we can go again soon, and maybe Aishe will be able to join us next time?"

Fallon had known Aishe first, and become friends with her rather quickly. She met Ana later, and though it had taken her a little longer, Fallon now loved both woman equally. She was glad they liked each other too. She laughed to think of them as the Three Musketeers.

She leaned back against the seat in the car and got an idea.

"Do you by any chance know of an ice cream parlor nearby? The kind that serves REAL ice cream with REAL whip cream?" Where that craving came from Fallon had no idea, but she rarely had them so she saw no reason to deprive herself when she did.