"Hey Aaron... I was just calling to see where you are. I know you said you got off at five and you'd be here in time for the reservations..." She trailed off slightly. "Well It's almost seven now, and I'm just calling to see where you are." Her voice wasn't angry, but worried.

It was their Anniversary dinner and she'd called to make special reservations for them tonight. They'd been together eight years tonight... Or was it nine? She smiled as she thought of it and tried to count it out. But it didn't matter. They'd been together for so long now and... And he wasn't here.

Aaron never forgot their plans... Never. But recently.... Recently he'd been preoccupied. He'd be gone almost all night, despite the fact he had to work long hours. He would call her before they had something set up and say something had happened and he needed to work late or a friend needed him... For almost two months now... two months it seemed as if he was growing farther and farther away...

She swallowed hard, trying to keep the tears at bay. Every time she started to think about what might have happened, she nearly went into a panic. Was he sick? Was he realizing that he didn't love her anymore? Was there someone else that he wanted more? Tears stung her eyes and she wiped at them before they could smear her mascara.

"Miss..." The waiter asked softly. "Would you like me to bring you something while you wait?" Aiera shook her head. "Um... No... No thank you. He should be here soon." She forced a smile to her face. Sure she'd been sitting here for half an hour, but maybe he was just stuck in traffic. Or maybe he was trying to surprise her or something?

She sat there, sipping at the glass of water that the waiter had left, and she was grateful that he hadn't completely listened to her.

The minutes ticked by, her face kept falling. Seven o'clock came and left... Seven thirty was close and then it to was gone. He hadn't called... Hadn't even sent her a text. She... She didn't know what to do. He'd never done anything like this before. Was he in trouble? Was he hurt?

The tears were back now in a vengeance, she couldn't stay any longer...

Standing she held back a sob, and took her purse, heading out of the doors, trying to keep what was left of her composure. But she didn't make it further than the benches outside of the restaurant before the tears started falling in earnest.

OneTwoThreeFour... OneTwoThreeFour... Typical counting. It was a habit picked up from years of being a drummer. Each numeric word took on a beat of their own as either of Luci's aging airwalks hit the somewhat crumbled pavement. OneTwoThreeFour... All the years of keeping her natural rythm going paid off, but at the price of a continuous counting that spoke testiment to her occupation. Every window she passed on the Advanced Transit bus. How many times she tapped a spoon on the side of a sauce pan after stirring her dinner. All the girls she saw walking a crosswalk out the window of her downtown apartment. Everything was counted in a simple system that only the back of her mind cared about - one through four, repeat. OneTwoThre--

Interupted by the sound of choked sobbing, the blonde looked up, her features rosey with the cool night air and glow of health: six months clean of heroin. Stopping where she stood with her hands in the butt pockets of her black 'skinny' jeans, Luci watched as the brunette exited a restraunt frequented by couples, alone. A small smile fell upon her ruby red lips as her gaze fell over the woman's short and beautiful frame. How could someone leave such a pretty little thing waiting? Normally the passerbys of Demaitre would simply look away from a crying woman, embarrassed for her public display of despair. But not Luci Ashlin. The soft smile was not one of mockery towards the abandoned lady, but rather one of confidence that she could make her day alittle better by being nice - something rarely seen nowadays in this city.

Stepping in close, about a meter from the weeping loner, she spoke up in a tone that reflected a gentle eagerness to help but still with a sunny disposition. "Hey!" Luci's wavy blonde loches swivled slightly as she nodded a greeting, the smirk never leaving her face, "Can't be all that bad, babe." In all Luci had ever been through in her life, she had never liked seeing other people upset and crying - the usual feelings of selfish dislike for the expression of 'undeserved' sorrow absent in the twenty-three year old. No, if anything she felt that when someone cried - it was a reason that was obviously painful to them, regardless of the comparison to her own troubles. Pain was pain and, in Luci's view, no one should endure sorrow alone. The pinkish-red light from the sign over the entrance to the restraunt mixed with that of the street lamp cascaded over both the women, giving shadow to the brunette's face. Stepping forward in her confident manner, Luci smiled alittle wider and closed the gap between them to a close foot and a half.

Bright green eyes full of understanding, the blonde tilted her head to try and coax the other woman to look directly at her, the smile ever present on her face. "How about you tell me what's up? No charge, I swear." Occasionally the pun on psychology got people pissy with Luci, but she hoped, with this particular woman, that it would only serve the purpose of making her smirk.

Putting out a boney, pale hand, she introduced herself. "Name's Luci." Typically she introduced herself with the nick-name 'Spike', but decided better of it for this situation. Poor lady didn't need to think she was being tricked by some street urchan - though for lack of a better word, Luci was somewhat of a street person.

She looked up as she heard a voice, but of course it wasn't Aaron...

"No... it's probably worse and I just don't know it yet..." She muttered, wiping her eyes, grateful she'd worn waterproof mascara. Even as the girl offered to listen, Aiera shook her head. "No... I... It's nothing that you need to worry about." She said as she stood up.

"God, I can't believe I couldn't hold myself together..." She said with a sigh as she finished wiping the tears away.

But the thought of Aaron choosing another woman over her, after everything they'd been through, everything they'd sacrificed to come this far... Tears threatened again and he tried quickly to compose herself. After all, she was an actor of sorts, she knew how to do that without a problem. Well, usually anyway.

"My fiance's just been acting strange is all." She shook her head and turned away. She didn't want to burden some stranger with her problems. It wasn't right, wasn't something that she could feel easy doing, just selfish.

The normal response was thrown back at Luci, 'No, it's nothing you need to worry about'. How many times had people said that to one another? Countless, perhaps. The blonde straightened up as the other stood and turned away, "You sure? 'Cause I'm a wicked listener." A smirk played on the slightly upturned corners of her lips as she redeposited her thumbs into her butt-pockets.

"God, I can't believe I couldn't even hold myself together..."

Pity flooded through Luci and she realized how embarassed the woman must feel, crying in public and being upset enough to verge on tears once again as she began talking of her fiance. "Fiance? Hmm..." In reality there were many reasons why a to-be-wed man might wander or seek refuge away from his bride-to-be. The need to feel like he's still attractive to other women, a totally unwarranted hate for the woman he was marrying simply because they were to be married. The list went on and on. But with each man it was different and to jump to conclusions was a dangerous game if trust was to be maintained.

Sitting on the bench in a comfortable fashion, bum resting on the very edge of the wood with her shoulders meeting the backrest, Luci crossed her thin legs and smiled. Talking to the other woman in her most non-sensual, but inviting and soothing voice, Luci tried to get her to open up.

"I'm sure talking it through would give you a new perspective on what's happenin', kid." The petname 'kid' was something she called everyone, even her elders. "Why don't you tell me about him?" She pat the bench and put on her softest expression, "Couldn't hurt."


{{Sorry the post blows, limited time :( }}

She couldn't help but smile slightly as the girl called her 'kid'. "I've gotta be at least five years older than you." She said with a sigh, shaking her head. She slid onto the bench though, her arms wrapped around her chest, trying to keep herself together.

"I.... I'm not sure I want to even think about it... It's like... It's like this can only end up bad." She said in a whisper as she looked at her knees.

Aiera had to admit that she didn't even know where to begin. For any other guy, it might not seem all that different or strange, but Aaron wasn't just like any guy. He'd always been different. Always. In high school... He'd been the only one to care about something other than her beauty or her money. He had never let her down even when it would have been so easy to.

Well until now anyway.

"You see... today's our anniversary." She began in a mumble. "And we'd made the reservations a while ago and tonight was going to be special for even more reasons." She blushed but didn't go any further with those reasons. "So even when I knew he had to work a little late, I knew he would be there. I was so worried that this would happen, but he promised me he would be here, and he's never broken a promise to me before..." She had to stop talking, trying to keep her voice steady, it was hard holding the mask on.

"But lately... Lately he's been coming home late, saying that his friends wanted to spend time together, or that he had to work really late on projects. Sometimes he wouldn't even give a reason. He just... Doesn't seem interested in me anymore. When he looks at me, it's almost like he doesn't even see me, like he's seeing someone else." Saying those words out loud made her pull her arms tighter. It hurt just even thinking about the possibility of another woman... The thought that he'd gotten tired of her, or that the hard work she'd been doing for years had made him disgusted with her no matter what he said.

"I just don't understand... He hardly even talks to me anymore." She whispered.

Luci smirked, "Nah, I'm sure you're younger." As the woman took a seat she continued with a whisper suggesting it was a secret, "Just a hunch, but I'm sure someone as pretty as you would be younger than little, old me." Her tone was friendly and her features held their passive brightness, the blonde swivelled on her buttock alittle so she could easier face the other woman. The emerald of her eyes washed over the brunette and she couldn't help but take in the simple way a human body reacts to emotional stimulous, Crossing the arms like that... Keeping everything held in like her stomach were the flood gate for her tears... This won't be fun. The realization that the problems she had were difficult ones, Luci still reminded herself that sometimes it was simply talking about things that helped someone feel better. So she'd be the ear for the other woman.

"Everything can seem to turn out bad if you look for them too, Dollface. Just start where things seemed to start were things makes sense and move to the next level where they don't." Those very words came straight from Luci's sponser, a woman she'd loved very much. And it seemed now that she said them to another, they made more sense, and she felt more appreciation for the words themselves and the woman who'd once said them.

A blush, how adorable. Luci's note of the flush of embarassment was cut short as the words were gathered and understood, the woman was seriously disappointed and hurt. The waver in the other's voice was heartbreaking as she spoke, the love the held for her fiance obvious as she continued slowly.

"Well, to be honest." Luci sat up straight and rested her clasped hands in her thin lap, "It doesn't sound to me like he's losing interest so much as he's distracted by something. Now whether or not that be a woman, there's no real way to be sure unless you were to catch him - but don't go looking for another woman." She tucked a lock of her blonde hair behind a heavily pierced ear and continued in a low but gentle voice, "He may just be in need of a break, not necessarily from you, but from whatever it is he deals with when he's away from you. And, for some reason, you're the one catching the misgivings of his discomfort he gets from work, friends or even life in general."

In the back of her mind it sounded as clear as day to Luci that the man was delving into a life of drugs, but she would have noticed something before now if he'd been falling down that path. "Tell me," She tried to catch the other's gaze, "How is your fiance's physical condition been since this detachment began? Does he seem exhausted or ailed in any way? Or is all the change purely in his attentiveness to you?" The way Luci spoke was something she'd picked up having grown up in a rich family of wanna-be aristocrats, and sometimes she hated it, but then again - not everyone liked the idea of being consoled by a gutter-punk, ex-junkie. So she spoke in her most friendly but knowledge revealing tone, showing that even though she seemed young, rebellious and out of touch with the world around her - she wasn't stupid.

"What your name, beautiful?" The question came out of her mouth before the other could answer, she imagined her to be a Claire or Heather, but then again she was never very good with predicting names by appearances.

Smiling as Luci flattered her she gave a little laugh. "You should see me when I'm not crying like a baby." But then again she had to be pretty for her job. Both of them really. Guys don't flirt with an ugly waitress and give her larger tips and phone numbers.

"I feel like a monster though... Just thinking that he'd cheat on me or something. I've never seen him look at another woman with more than a polite friendship. And the way he always looked at me..." She said shaking her head. She hated spilling everything to a stranger, putting a burden on someone she didn't even know, but it felt better. A little anyway. She still didn't have any answers.

Aiera shook her head again though as Luci said that she'd be getting the wrong end of his irritation or frustration. "No... He's always talked to me about everything. He's never held anything back that was bothering him." She said quietly.

She looked up. "Physical? Well he works a lot. Construction during the day, a hardware store at night even though he's not getting many hours there anymore. But he works a lot so usually he is tired when he gets home. He's been staying out later than usual though. Maybe till two in the morning or so. And when he comes home, he smells... Sweet almost. Not a perfume type smell, but something like it. But he'll just come home, give me a casual greeting if I'm awake or he wakes me up and then just crawls into bed and falls asleep. Usually we... well... enjoy some alone time a couple times a week or so, but recently, he's just not interested." She bit her lip, giving a shrug as if to hide the fact it hurt so much.

"Oh... God... I'm sorry. I'm Aiera." She said, introducing herself. "I guess my mind is seriously elsewhere today..."

"Everyone in a serious relationship goes through times like these, Dollface. It's just a matter of how to deal with them." Luci smiled, she usually called everyone babe or sugartits - but this woman seemed more like a Dollface than anything else. "So don't feel monstrous. From what you've told me so far, he just sounds a little out of it, ya know? Perhaps he'll just wake up one morning and snap out of it and take you away to some tropical paradise or something." The blonde jested lightly, the tiny age creases starting near her green eyes showing face, "Just trust that he still loves you."

The consideration of the brunette's fiance sharing everything changed the gears in Luci's head back to the drug train, Keeping secrets, getting run-down and lacking in interest of those around... Shit. Then the shpeal about his work life and newly acquired after-hours escapades worried the blonde too. But she had to put it delicately if she wanted to get an honest answer from the woman she now knew to be named Aiera. Sweet?... That's strange for a guy, especially if he's not cheating... "Aiera, what a pretty name. I'm guessing,... German?" She kept her voice light and friendly, though her thoughts were secretly rushing back to her using days - something she tried hard not to ponder though somehow always ended up returning to.

"Well, Aiera, I have a serious question to ask... One that I don't want to upset you further, but it's just something you should consider and then forget if you think it's impossible." Luci turned her slight frame towards Aiera more and brushed back some of her wavy locks from her white face to reveal a serious expression, though her eyes remained soft. "Has your fiance lost any weight or perhaps gotten a little more sullen in the face, like he hasn't had something to eat for a few days?" She hated beating around the bush and decided it was best to just go for it, "I guess what I'm asking is, have you noticed any signs that he may being experimenting with drugs?"

The second she finished her question, Luci wanted to jump in and say that she was a recovering heroin addict and she'd recognize the signs, but something told her that Aiera wouldn't take to someone who was a junkie at one point. Aiera came off as a fresh person, maybe a little tired and road wary, but still kind hearted and unmangled by the mass of society. "I'm not suggesting that he is, so much as just trying to help you cover all the bases before you get too upset about the idea of another woman." Luci iterated kindly, reaching out and patting Aiera gently on the shoulder, "I hope that he's not, trust me." The words 'trust me' were filled to the brim with an understanding of her life as a junkie and the way it affected her life as a whole - she wouldn't wish that on a worst enemy.

"I... I hope so. But I've never really counted my chickens before they hatched." She said with a sigh.

She smiled as Luci asked about her name. "I don't know actually. Never bothered to ask. Just never seemed important to me for whatever reason." She gave a little shrug.

Aiera looked up as she heard the serious tone in the other woman's voice, frowning slightly. But as her question came to it's end, she shook her head. "No. It's not drugs. It's not like he's out of it or stoned or anything like that. He's never done drugs and never had any desire to do them. He looks the same as he always has though. Just... Tired I guess." She almost hoped it would have been something like that. At least then... At least then she wouldn't be heartbroken, wouldn't have to face the fact that the best parts of her life were now all just a lie.

At least with drugs, she could help him. She could help to get him better. But if he just didn't love her anymore...

"I dunno." She said with a rueful smile. "I... I might actually wish it were drugs rather than another woman. At least then... I could do something about it." She said with a sigh. "But I really don't think it is. He hardly drinks, doesn't smoke... I really couldn't see him doing anything like that. But then again it's hard to picture him cheating on me..."

All the drama was starting to wear her down, making her want to curl up in her bed and pull the covers tight around her and just pass out. Well that might not be just the drama...

"This is just a really shitty time for all this too." She murmured. "I... I found out I was pregnant a week ago... But I haven't had a chance to tell him yet." Aiera grimaced. "Maybe when I get the chance... It... It'll snap him out of whatever's going on... I mean I know it will if he really loves me."

Luci listened as Aiera talked, feeling herself going back and forth on the idea that it might be drugs. "Everyone reacts differently when taking drugs, Dollface. Perhaps his tiredness is just the begining signs of drug-use. If it is drugs then maybe it's a sign that he's in the early stages of addiction and can be pulled back. Like you said, he is out with friends, working later and staying out beyond normal time - maybe he's delving with his friend and co-workers into drugs in a social manner and he's ashamed to admit it to you."

The idea was something to consider but at the same time, the blonde knew Aiera was smart enough to recognize the signs of addiction - most people could do it from a glance without any general base of first-hand knowledge of drugs.

Luci shook her head a little with a smirk, "Yeah, I bet most women wish it was drugs instead of other women - I sure as hell would wish the same if I thought a girlfriend was cheating on me." The comment slipped before she could lasso it in - she outed herself. Luci was a confident lesbian, feeling no shame in what she was, but then again some people didn't take kindly to people of her sexual orientation. "No one likes to feel unloved, Aiera. I'm sure's an explination." She smiled.

"Pregnant!? Well, that's great news!" Luci's face lit up, she had only ever met one other pregnant woman in her life and she was a surrogate for a lesbian couple she'd been friends with. Pregnant women glowed like they were freshly painted to be even more beautiful, "That's bound to pull him out of his funk, Dollface. Babies have a demanding hold on people - especially when they're the parent." Her pale and pierced features were bright and excited, she always liked children, hoping to one day have her own with a nice girl she could get along with without drugs.

"You're a very lucky girl, Aiera. There's no way he'll be fubar after learning he'll be a father."

Aiera sighed. It wasn't drugs... It couldn't be. If she thought about it, another woman would probably be more likely even, simply because of who he was. He was a nice guy, good looking and sweet. He never really thought about flattery as a bad thing and so he'd wallow in it when he could. It wasn't like he'd really intend on cheating, it would just really be one thing leading to another before he realized it. He was almost blind to other women, but well...

"Well I guess it's great. I mean... If it helps him snap out of this funk or whatever, but if he's not coming back..." She couldn't even think of what she was going to do. She couldn't go home... And soon she'd be out of one of her jobs... As soon as she started showing, the club wouldn't want her for a while, and if she couldn't loose the baby fat...

"I hope it will... And it's really my only hope... If this doesn't work, I don't know what I'm going to do. We have money set aside and all, we were hoping to get a house soon. But if I'm out of work, that's going to go quick." She murmured, more to herself than anything.

"But don't worry about being a lesbian." She said with a smirk. "You'd be surprised how many strippers are actually lesbians where I work. They only strip cause it's good money and it reinforces their belief that men are pigs." She gave a little chuckle. "I just have the rule of don't expect me to flirt back or return any affections unless there's some guy waving money for it."

Luci smiled, “If he’s half the man you say he was before this ‘funk’ hit him – he’ll definitely snap out of it. Usually men can’t resist the idea of being a father with a baby-mama who isn’t crazy. And honey, you aren’t crazy.” The blonde laughed gently, sitting back a little farther on the bench with her hands in her lap again, glancing at Aiera with a soft smile, this woman was going to have a family right around the time Luci marked her eighteen months of being clean. Well, hopefully…

Suddenly the woman spaced, her green eyes still aimed at Aiera but not really seeing her. Images of pushing the needle into her arm, thigh or even other places still, popped into her mind before she could force them out. A small, needing gasp escaped her before she slammed back into the present and looked away embarrassed. After a few seconds she turned back, her face reddened about her pale cheeks, “Seeing as he’s got two jobs, and you can keep the job that doesn’t require you to remove clothes, you should be okay, Dollface. It’ll be rough, yeah. But you can pull through it, just be confident.” Luci smiled, the blush passing, though in her mind she felt off-kilter like she’d just fallen over and gotten back up too quickly. The need rushing through her again. The longing to use was something she’d fight for the rest of her life, but this need was like being starved for water, food and sex all at the same time – it was hard to resist.

“Most men are pigs, Dollface.” The thin woman smirked, forcing the need from her mind to help the woman before her, “And I wasn’t so much worried as much as I didn’t want to upset you further by telling you and having you assume I was hitting on you or something. Cause most women who know they’re being assisted by lesbians, tend to think they’re being hit on – kinda makes the female population look even more stupid that those jewelry commercials. Buy her the diamond of love and she’ll love you forever!” Luci exaggerated her phony, mock-commercial voice by making her hands look like someone opening a ring box. Then she laughed letting her hands fall back to her thin lap, “Kinda sad, really.”

A small breeze picked up and Luci zipped up her studded, leather vest, being a recovering junkie she couldn’t maintain a good body temp for very long. “So, did you eat while you were waiting for ‘prince charming who may or may not be in a funk’?” She smiled, feeling that perhaps a small bit of food might make her feel better and think clearer. “We could continue the conversation inside while we grab a bite. On me of course. Pregnant women, especially those under great stress, should never pay for their own meals.”

"Well I dunno about that. I can be a little... Obsessive at times." She said with a small smile. "But I hope we're right about that... I just... Well... It's going to sound stupid, but I just miss having him around. Holding me when I fall asleep... That kind of thing." She said quietly. "It's those little things I really want back." A soft whisper of 'I love you as he pulled her close. A smile when he walked in the door from work. The little chain of kisses he'd leave on the side of her neck and down her shoulder.

She was all but spacing out as the other girl did. Hardly even noticing the silence, Aiera found herself caught up in her own longing. Her own addiction of sorts.

Her head snapped up as the other woman began to speak and she had a similar expression on her own. But Luci didn't ask her about it, so she wasn't going to ask Luci about her issue.

"Well he might not have the second one for long, the store's having tough times, they keep cutting his hours. And for the construction job... That's even been hurting too. The club is the best paying out of the four between us, and the most reliable too. I'll probably go back as soon as I can. Well... If I can get back into shape..." She winced.

"But I will grant that most men are pigs, but not all." She grinned. "I've done some things with women. Either because some guy got off on it and there was a good tip involved, or one of the other girls dared me too. It's not bad... But well... I guess things just feel right with Aaron. And I mean more than the sex." She said with a smirk.

"I don't care if you hit on me or not, and I can be rather affectionate, but I'm more of a cuddler than anything. I've always liked being held." Probably because her parents never really held her when she was little. "So if you ever need a place to crash, don't hesitate to ask."

Funny enough when she asked about eating her stomach grumbled and she grinned sheepishly. "Well... They probably already gave away my table, but I know of a diner about seven or so blocks from here. But I can pay for myself. You don't have to worry about that."

Luci smirked, "There's no way you couldn't get back into shape, Dollface. I mean, to me you look like you naturally carry the perfect balance of weight and muscle for your frame. You can do it." She spoke in a non-challant, 'you know I'm right' sort of voice. "And as for you fiance losing work in both places... Well, perhaps if he loses one job he'll find another opportunity somewhere else. I mean, he sounds like a jack of trades so he might just find something - ya never know." The blonde shrugged before itching the side of her left eye absent-mindedly.

Whereas she was sure Aiera wanted to get a small rise of surprise from Luci about her messing around with girls before, but the ex-junkie knew too well that every person was born bisexual. "It's not surprising, but don't forget that messing around with girls can get dangerous if you straight girls don't put up the right messages." Luci laughed lightly, "Some women are easily confused." She paused for a moment to consider Aiera's words about Aaron just feeling right and not just in bed, then smiled, "It's good that you found someone like that, Aiera. Most people look and look for someone they connect with aside from just in the sack - you've got a keeper there. And I'm sure he feels the same way about you."

Luci grinned, "I won't lie, I am a bit of a flirt, but I'll never make you uncomfortable." She nodded slowly in thanks, "I appreciate that. I've been holding down an apartment sin- for a while," she almost said 'since I got clean' but quickly changed the statement mid-sentence. "But sometimes it's overrun by other bands that I say can crash there." She shook her head with a small laugh and smiled, "They come over for a drink and just sorta stay there until their next gig."

The emerald eyed beauty popped up from her seat on the bench and opened her arm in a sweeping motion as if to direct Aiera. "Lead on, Dollface. I'm cold and I'm starved." She laughed, "I just hope it isn't tacos."

"No, no tacos I think. But they have a lot of stuff so you'll be fine I'm sure." She said with a smile as she lead on towards the diner. She was quiet most of the way, almost lost in her thoughts. So much was going on, and it was so hard to sort it all out. She was in truth excited to be pregnant, she had always wanted a baby. But if Aaron wasn't going to be hanging around, or if he was going to just be this robotic version of himself...

Could she support herself and a child? Could she balance work and a little one?

She bit her lip, unsure of what she could do.

"Well, if the others get out of hand and you need some peace and quiet, feel free to come to my place." She said with a smile. "It's just a little loft type apartment, but we've made it our home. Even with the little one coming, it'll be enough for a while."

Walking along side Aiera as they made their way for the diner, Luci couldn’t help but smirk to herself as she listened to the woman speak. Where many women would have already broken down and lost it over the amount of baggage she was carrying, Aiera handled it well and even had place in her life still to meet new people and be open to suggestions – something many were incapable of. And though she was quiet and thoughtful, the blonde knew her new acquaintance was brooding over her possible decisions instead of crying hysterically over them.

“That’s cool.” The most simple and effected sentence provided by the youths of the eighties; it covered a simple emotion and allowed for the breaking of silence – perfection. At the mention of needing some place quiet to sleep, Luci couldn’t help but think of her ex-girlfriend who’d fallen victim to another recovering junkie. The woman was beautiful, and in some way she still felt the weight of her death as if she’d pulled the trigger on the revolver herself.

“Home is home, no matter how big or small, Dollface. Remember that.” Smiling she shook away her sheet of wavy blonde hair from her features with a small shake of her head before returning her gaze to the woman walking next to her. “Tell me what you’re thinking about, kid. It’s easier if two brains pick the same problem.” Her voice was level but her features were cheery, as they’d stayed since she’d introduced herself to the troubled brunette.

She smiled gratefully as Luci asked what was bothering her.

"Unfortunately the same problems as beore haven't gone away quite just yet." She said teasingly. "A little later down the line maybe, but still on the same train. Just down the track." She gave a little shrug as she pulled the door of the diner open.

"And... Well I know I have to tell him. There's no question there. But I guess I'm just thinking worst case senario... Like if I can't go back to the club afterwards and Aaron's left me for some other woman..." She waved a hand. "No matter what I'm not getting rid of my baby. I want something to remind me of him... Of how he was. If he's going to leave me, at least I'll have something good of him." She gave a faint smile.

"But that doesn't help me figure out how I'm going to raise kid. I mean I know I wouldn't be the only single mother. I'm sure there's help out there that I could find." Since it was free seating in the diner she lead Luci to a booth towards the back.

"Just that kind of thing really. I... I guess I'm worrying too early. And about things that might not even happen." She gave a hesitant smile.

"All train lead somewhere, Dollface." Luci smiled with her eyes closed before she returned her gaze to the pavement at her feet, a habit she had from using - no junkie liked to fall for fear they might drop their dope. It seemed only a moment later they were walking into the diner. The air of the diner smelled delicious, her slight frame calling out for food of almost any kind at that point. When they found a seat Luci continued to listen politely to all the other woman had to say.

"Right." She commented off-handedly about having to tell the man of his unborn child. Even if she didn't tell him, and in his current condition, he'd eventually notice her baby-bump. "I'm still not thoroughly convinced he's seeing another woman, babe. I mean, don't get me wrong, it sounds suspicious how he's been actin' and whatnot - but cheating? Let's leave it to open consideration before you worry too much about whether he'll turn tail for a pair of longer legs." The waitress came over, her stereotypical apron filled with order pads, pencils and loose change, she smiled brightly when she approached, her stunning red hair pulled up in a loose ponytail.

"What can I get you ladies?" She stood there waiting for their orders, Luci motioned for Aiera to go first and when the brunette finished, she ordered.

The blonde thought for a moment, "And I'll have... Hmm.." She peered around the chubby waitress to the different colored chalkboards over the front counter that detailed meals and prices in a multitude of chalk marks. "Turkey melt, lettuce, tomatos, pickles and onion rings. Can I get a small chicken and rice soup too?"

"Soups are considered secondary meal parts, ma'am." The red-head smiled as she repeated the line for what was probably the hundreth time that day, "You order the entre and the soup just sort of comes with it. Like at Olive Garden."

Luci grinned and sat straighter in her seat, her hand moving from the back of her neck to a bunched up fist beneath her chin, "Then I'll have my melt with chicken and rice soup, beautiful." She winked at the waitress, who flushed pink across her freckled features, "Thank you." Her tone was sing-song until she turned back to Aiera and continued as if she hadn't just flirted mildly with their waitress.

"Right, now - listen for a moment to what I'm thinking here. I know it sounds stupid, but I think it'll be good for the both of us, being newly acquanted and whatnot." Luci sat up and became very animated in her speaking, her pretty and pierced features moving in smooth succesion from forming one word to the next in a smirk. "I'd like to see you again after this. You're a nice lady and I think we could be good friends." Luci grinned cockily, "And what I'm proposing is, that should you find yourself in troubled times with your kid when it arrives or ever in need of assistance with dealing with that fiance of yours - you call me. I don't have tons of money, only being a drummer and all that, but I can still help out if you need me to. I certainly don't need the money I'm making." She pulled off her studded leather vest to reveal a form-fitting band tee that had seen better days many years before, "All I need is to feed myself and pay my rent, beyond that I'm just holding out for an opportunity like this."

Luci raised a hand as if to cut Aiera off before she got started, "And before you protest to the idea, think of it like this - I'm just a friend who wants to help. It's not charity and it's not pity. I don't expect you to pay me back and I don't mind helping out - I just feel that this can make me a better person for what I've done in my past." She looked upwards as if thinking, her naturally full and slightly upturned lips curling even more into a smile, "Think of this as my chance to give back, make amends and all that jazz. Be my therapist so to say." She was laughing lightly by the end of her long-winded suggestion and their food arrived just as she waited for the pregnant woman to reply.

A simple BLT. She had a feeling that she was going to go through a lot of bacon, as every time recently she smelt it, she had to have some. Oh well. Her doctor had told her to expect it after all. And she wasn't stupid either, but she'd always liked bacon anyway, at least it wasn't a strange craving like... beets or pickled cabbage.

Aiera smiled almost adoringly at the other woman, but blushed deeply as the offer of money was made. "No... I... I can't accept that. The economy's bad enough, I have my jobs still, and we've put a lot away, down payment for a house and all. It's really not a problem. You don't have to worry about it. I mean I would rather use the money we've saved then have to leave someone else with nothing." She said shaking her head.

"It's a generous offer, and it means a lot to me that someone I just met is so willing to help me..." She murmured. So many people believed the world was just filled with horrible people, but that wasn't the truth. There were still so many good ones too. People just weren't grateful enough to spread the word of little deeds. Doors held open, dropped things picked up... The little things counted too.

"But I would like to get to know you better, become real friends." Aiera said with a bright, genuine smile. "I would really like that a lot Luci. It would be a nice change from my... usual... friends." Her hesitation at the use of the word was obvious. "And like I said before, you're welcomed to my place any time you want. It's not much, but I promise I'll never say no to having you around." She grinned.

Luci was glad that Aiera was modest enough to turn down the offer but at the same time she was gracious enough to say she truly wanted to be friends. To the blonde this meant that she could stick around with the beautiful brunette and still help out if she was needed; something she genuinely hoped for. “I’d really like that too, Dollface. You’re quite the character, kid.” The green eyed woman smirked, taking a bite of her melt and realizing it was just… perfection. Before she gazed back up at the other woman, she ended up taking two huge bites and chewing the as gracefully as possible before drowning them with her drink. “Ah, that’s good. Haven’t had one this good since I was-“ Luci stopped mid-sentence and played it off quickly, “Since I was like twelve.” She forced a smile and gestured to Aiera.

“So… What is there, aside from your estranged fiancé and coming baby, to know about you, Dollface?” Luci took a sip from her drink and had to suppress a shudder as a craving struck her hard in the gut, closing her eyes seemingly against the goodness of her drink. “You seem the type to have a great story to tell.” She flattered the other girl openly because it was who she was, but at the same time she didn’t want to overdo it and scare her off. Some people who said they wanted to be friends were occasionally plucked the wrong way when Luci tended to flirt lightly; taking it as a wrong sign. But she had a feeling Aiera wasn’t like that at all.


{{Sorry it sux}}

Aiera smiled at Luci warmly but not at all put off by the silence that soon followed the food's arrival. It wasn't uncomfortable really, so it wasn't bad.

She took a few light bites, the manners she'd been forced into when she was younger never truly leaving her. She swallowed and took a sip of her water before responding. "What's to tell? Nothing really. I left home when I was seventeen, I couldn't stand my parents... Been here ever since." She said slightly with a shrug. No doubt Luci would just think her history some stupid romance novel if she knew what had really gone on. A modern day Romeo and Juliet? Maybe. If Romeo had been from a different social class rather than a feuding family.

But she figured she could explain the parents thing rather well. "They were just.... Too much. Upper class snobs who looked down on anyone who didn't have a problem with doing an honest day's work. The last straw was when they wanted to send me to an All Girls academy half way across the country." Another shrug, as if she knew Luci would understand. And she probably would too. She didn't seem to be the kind who liked to do what others said just because they said so.

"It was really the first time I ever... Stood up to them. They've probably disowned me, said I died or something. Probably won't ever see them again, but it's really not like I care." She started eating again, chewing slowly, thoughtfully.

{{sorry for the novel, babe XD}}


The story was one she felt for - having had snobby parents who disowned her as well. It was sad how very often that seemed to happen to young women who stood up to their parents when they knew wrongs were being commited. For Luci though, it was less being sent away and more unable to stand how they treated her or people who were different. "Sadly, enough, Dollface. We're in a boat of the same color." She took another long sip of her drink, the craving from moments ago having passed by thankfully. "My parents too were crazy snobs; they once made me change schools because I kissed a girl in the schoolyard when I was eleven. From there things never got better and I don't speak to my over-indulgent, wanna-be parents either." The way she spoke was very nonchalant but the shift in her small frame made it obvious she didn't like her parents in the least and felt deeply sorry that Aiera suffered the same fate.

Luci was thirteen. It was her brother David's last fight of the school year and the kids who'd been attempting to beat him up had finally cornered him, without his sister around. Luci was like his guardian angel, despite how angry it made him that his little sister was stronger than him even though he were bigger. Gavin Charles the III was the bully and he was a stocky, snobby kid who's been waiting for the opportune moment to attack David with his three favorite lackeys by his plump side. They were under the massive play place, the tall surrounding structure hiding them from the professor on the far side of the school yard while two held David's arms and Gavin punched him. It was then that Luci showed up and slammed her nap-sack hard into Gavin's head from behind, the other croney, who's stayed out of sight, grabbing her before she could launch onto Gavin's back.

Luci screamed out as the older kid put her in a strong headlock and twisted her right arm up behind her, the blonde girl's screams being hidden by his arm around her throat. David kicked against the two holding him, "Leave her be or I'll kill you, Gavin, I swear it!" David threatened, his words silenced by a sharp left hook to the face by Gavin before the fat kid turned his vicious grin on Luci. The kid had been forced onto the ground to hold her when she bit deep into his forearm but he'd managed to get her to her knees and continue twisting her arm from behind, laughing in her ear when Gavin approached.

"Ye think yer so fuckin' great, do ye? Beatin' me up, what? Twice this year? Fer a girl, that ain't bad, Luci Ashlin. But braggin' rights come with a price, bitch!" Gavin swung his chunky leg into the air and his massive foot connected with the side of her face. Luci didn't cry out but a spray of blood did taint the air as her head jerked to the side, the lackey holding her making sure to keep a good vigil despite the force with which she was kicked. "And once ye've learned yer lesson, Luci - I'm gunna cut off yer brother's finger!" The threat was empty, of course, but the malicious cackle the fat boy let out at the thought made Luci sure he would do serious damage to David. Despite the pain throbbing through her horribly split lip and head, she flung it back to connect with her captor's nose, a satisfying crack preceding her clammer to her feet where she lept at Gavin. Though he was fat the kid moved aside and all Luci caught was his shirt, her nails scratching across his chest as the already stressed cloth gave way.

"What the fuck Daniel!? Can't even hold onta a thirteen year old girl!?" Gavin's voice rang under the metal play structure while he rubbed where Luci scratched him, grabbing her by the hair with his free hand to throw her violently into a support pole. Upon contact she felt something in her chest pop and she cried out this time, one of the lackeys holding the restrained David leaving post to pick the girl up. Daniel, who'd caught it in the face, was nursing a horribly bloody nose and grimacing against the pain while he stammered over to punch Luci in the face twice. Each punch sounded off with a coinciding wet crunch as the already split lip of the girl being held agains by a twisted arm felt a tooth come loose and threaten to fall out.

Stubbornness kicking in, Luci spat a mouthful of blood into Daniel's face and laughed at his reaction, "What's the matter, Daniel McCrally!? Balls not dropped yet!?" Gavin pushed Daniel out of the way and grabbed the girl around the throat, using his other hand to slam his fat fist three times into her stomach. On the third punch she fell to the floor gasping for air and moaning, but she didn't give them the satisfaction of crying. "That... All ye... got?" Her words were laborous and she squinted against the pain as she turn on the ground to face her attacker again, "Pussy." She spat at Gavin again, getting a blood-coated loogy shot straight into his right eye triumphantly. But the small victory died away when Gavin kicked her in the face, knocking her unconsious. When she awoke David was tied to another support beam, bloodied, with a stained note pinned to his torn shirt. 'Tell anyone our names, and you'll be dead by summer's start.' When the two were finally brought home by the school nurse, it was Luci who'd gotten in trouble for fighting and getting David beaten up. Their view that if she'd minded her own business - the fight that nearly killed David wouldn't have happened. Luci suffered a cracked rip, a fat lip and a slight concussion; all were taken care of. But after that point her parents never let her have permission to go outside during study hall periods unsupervised and they blamed her for David's long recovery time.

The memory popped into her mind and then was gone as quickly as it had come. It was just one instance of many that had left her parents more alienated with her over the years. David still adored Luci, but they hadn't spoken for some time. He'd gotten married and had a baby girl, who he'd named Luci against his parents' wishes, but he did call for birthdays and christmas. Luci wondered how many times Aiera's parents forced her into a corner and made her feel inadequit or out of place by not doing exactly what she should have.

"It's good though, ye know. That ye stood up to 'em and everything." Luci dawned a bright smile to break the depressing reveal of how horrible parents could be. Her painful and enraging memory already fleeting, though the anger for Gavin Charles the III was as fresh as the moment she'd regained consciousness. "Got any siblings?"

"Well I wouldn't call it standing up..." She murmured, pondering her sandwich now rather than eating it. "I wasn't ever strong enough for that. They knew how to hurt me, put me right under their thumb."

They knew she hated disappointing them, upsetting them. She hated hurting others and they used that to hurt her, to make her do what they wanted. The fact that she was particularly fond of her mother didn't help things either. Her father was particularly vicious about using her weakness to whatever end it took to get what he wanted.

"But I try not to think about them anymore. They've probably made it out like I've died, I don't care." She took a few more bites, realizing her sandwich was still in her hands.

She looked up again though as Luci asked about siblings. "Unfortunately.... She's daddy's little girl, the golden child... And slept with half of the boys at the school." She gave a small laugh. "I always had better grades, listened to everything they said. But Lyra was older and she was prettier. Better advancement prospects I guess." She sighed, pushing some hair behind her shoulder.

"What about you? Hopefully better than mine." She gave a small smile.

Luci listened and finished some more of her melt, her eyes lingering on the other woman's while she spoke. There was a knowledgable sadness behind those eyes that spoke to what she'd been through, Luci felt for her and knew what it was like to be manipulated, but when it came to parents; her own had simply tried to get her to be more mainstream. They'd never attempted to manipulate her into normalcy by abusing her affections for certain people, aside from David. "Parent suck." The blonde spoke simlpy, knowing well that Aiera would agree.

"Aha, I get that - unfortunately." She smirked knowledgably, filling the silence between sentences with a sip from her drink, "You see, I had one other sister and three brothers. I never got along with my sister and behaved 'inappropriately' to the point where my parents decided she would have to bear not only the grandchildren but she would be the better daughter." The last two words were presented in a fake 'preppy, perfect girl' kind of voice, her hand fanning herself while she acted like she were posing for hidden cameras.

Laughing lightly at herself, her emerald green eyes flashing clearly that she was glad just to have someone outside the recovering or band rings to talk to. To relate to. "But I'm not complaining, really. I mean, yeah, my parents treated me shit and I turned to -" she stopped herself, "Bad choices. And my siblings weren't great aside from David, but I can tell you right now, I hate to compare another's pain in relation to my own for a standard of 'good' or 'bad'. Everyone suffers. So when you say better than yours, yeah, it was in some ways but not in others." Luci's mind inherently moved to the image of Fredders injecting her arm full of heroin, a shudder gripping her before she could push the image away.

"Anyway, I was wondering... What are you doing this Friday?"

"Bad choices?" She asked quietly, almost concerned for the woman. And it was then that she looked at the woman more intently. She was thin, almost sickly so. Her face was filling, but as if she'd lost a lot of weight and gained some back.

She had her suspicions, but she wasn't going to accuse, wasn't going to point blame or judge her.

"I mean... What kind of bad choices, because we all make bad choices. Running off with Aaron, that could be called a bad choice too. I have no idea what I did to my family. I mean everyone's heard the saying you don't know what you've got until it's gone? Who knows. Maybe they realized it was wrong to pressure me, make me do something I didn't want to do... But the only way I know is if I go back."

She smiled then.

"But if it did open their eyes, it was good. Because that's what I wanted it to do. So even bad choices can be good to. Even if it was something like drugs, alcohol, things like that. I mean you meet people, you learn about how life can be. And well..... You learn how to help people who make those bad choices and have trouble trying to make the right ones again." She said, smiling kindly.

Luci shrugged off the question about bad choices with a smirk, "Nothing major." She lied. Of course it was major, drugs like heroin are considered big majors in almost every country in the world. The blonde even felt bad for outright lying to the woman she'd just made quick friends with; but she wasn't exactly prepared to tarnesh what could blossom into an awesome friendship with the looks of pity and even disgust she got from the people who knew. And though she shrugged off the question, she noted Aiera's subtle once-over of Luci's appearance, her reaction the sickening feeling of being under a microscope.

"You could say that, yeah. Taking off with the guy you love is sometimes an eye opener for parents, but then again, if shit goes sour with that guy - then it makes you look foolish before you parents and nothing changes." The statement was made more as a observation than one spoken from experience. The only thing her parents had ever said about a girlfriend was that Miri would be the death of their youngest. It hadn't been altogether true.

"...Even if it was something like drugs, alcohol, things like that..."

That simple sentence stuck out in the whole of what Aiera had said. It made her spine tingle with that griddy acknowledgment that somehow, the brunette had already come to the realization of what Luci was. When the blonde came to the abrupt realization that she was filling with something she didn't understand, but what she knew was akin to displeasure and sadness at being found out; she almost cried. Her green eyes brimmed with tears that she hid by looking down at her food. Aiera spoke of learning about life basically through people who made bad choices and how one should help those who make bad choices if they can. It was one of the nicest and yet one of the most over-played remarks ever.

People often spewed about how they would help a recovering junkie or alcoholic. But when it came time to step up to the plate - they'd back down. Out of fear, regret for their comments or just the general distrust of a recovering addict, it didn't matter. There was only a small percentage of people who actually genuinely meant to help another human being through 'bad choices' and hard times. And something in the way Aiera spoke told Luci that the brunette across the table was one of those people. One of the Rare.

The platinum blonde bit on her lip and ignored the brimming tears in her eyes, taking another bite of her melt that was by now almost gone. The fries that had come with the melt had gone so far untouched so, to keep her head down a little and keep the brimming tears from Aiera's view, Luci began taking a sudden interest in them. As if she were inspecting for a hair or something. "I understand what you mean." Despite the churning sickness of guilt, fear, sadness, surprise and glee at Aiera's comments; the blonde's tone was even and friendly as it had always been. She felt weak for almost breaking out in tears before someone she not only just met but someone she knew already had many problems of her own. But Luci had only really been clean six or seven months, so emotional fits like this were expected; she just hated them.

So… It had been drugs… She could tell that from the look on the woman’s face and she could also tell that drugs had seriously fucked up a good portion of her life. Luckily though she didn’t just spew things and had always been amore genuine person that most one would meet out and about. If she said something, it would be true, if she made a promise only severe circumstances would make her break it.

Aiera also knew that people who were recovering from drugs needed reassurance and good people surrounding them. Well she needed a friend two so it seemed to be working out rather well for the two of them.

They finished their meal in silence, and afterwards Aiera invited Luci back to her place. She was happy when the woman accepted, figuring she didn’t really need to break down into tears tonight when she realized it was going to be another night alone. The walk there was much more pleasant, even if may words weren’t spoken. It just felt better knowing that someone was there for her if she did need to speak. She’d gone longer than she’d ever known without that. Without Aaron.

Aiera bit her lip though as she saw Aaron’s truck outside of their complex and bit her lip after inhaling sharply. Maybe… Maybe now it was even better that Luci was here… But she was still unsure what to do. “I… I didn’t think that he’d be home… He’s usually not home by now.” Her voice broke at the end, her eyes wide with fear, a slight glistening as if tears would soon start to form. “What should I do?”

Luci felt a wave of graditude that Aiera had not pushed for her to explain her past history with drugs, her constant struggle with the jones' and the emotional toll it was still taking on her. She had a bright disposition for a great part of the time, but at the same time she still bore many emotional scars of her past with her addiction; some of which she'd rather forget than move on from.

The invitation to Aiera's house was accepted with a smile and they walked, almost in complete silence, until they reached the parking lot of the complex and the brunette stopped. The panicked expression on her face spoke volumes to Luci and she knew exactly what to do the moment Aiera posed her question.

"Act like he does, babe. Walk in there like you didn't notice his car, we'll laugh on the way in and you can show him just how little it bothers you that he hasn't been around. Perhaps if he thinks you're unphased and that you have your own friends - he'll start hanging around more." It was a simple form of reverse psychology that was easy enough to execute with men - because men were generally stupid.

"He'll get the whole 'I'll show her, I come home early and be up her butt all the time! Then she'll have to acknowledge me.' Men are easy." Luci played it off like she knew exactly what she was talking about, because she'd used this sort of tactic on her brothers before, but in reality she was unaware of how this Aaron fellow would react. She only hoped that it would be as expected and Aiera didn't suffer because of her misjudgment.

"What? You really think that will work?" Aiera asked with a confused and surprised look. But then again... She'd never had to do anything like this. Aaron had always been the only one who mattered, the only one who she cared about. Getting men's attention was something completely new to her....

"But I thought you said I... I had to tell him. About the baby and all?" She bit her lip nervously as she looked up at their window. Indeed the light was on.

Swallowing hard she forced herself into the complex and up the stairs. What if this didn't work though. What if he... He was completely oblivious to her? She couldn't just ignore him, he was her whole life now! He was the reason why she'd given up a life of wealth and comfort, she could have been married, with a family in a huge house with everything she could possibly want and...

"Luc..." She murmured, facing the door. She looked back at the woman with pleading eyes, and gave the hand she still held a squeeze.

She tried to do was Luci had suggested, but Aaron was in the shower, she could hear the water running. A late night at work perhaps? Aiera swallowed again, the nerves making her tense.

They went to the living area and turned on the TV sitting together on the couch. A few minutes later, Aaron came out. She was proud of herself that she didn't look at him, but she couldn't help but notice when he started rummaging through the kitchen for food that he didn't even look their way.

"Hey Aaron sweetie." She said quietly. But he didn't bother looking up, just continued to make himself the sandwich he'd started. Biting her lip she shot Luci an apologetic glance, she couldn't just ignore him. Getting up she moved over to him. "How was your day? Are you going out again tonight?" She asked lightly, keeping the strain from her voice.

"Yeah." Came his distracted answer, as if he wasn't even giving her half of his attention.

"Where you going." She asked. She reached out a hand to touch his shoulder, but he shrugged it off.

"Going out. Where else?" He looked up at her, the disdain in his eyes made her flinch.

"Do you think you could stay home tonight? I... I have something important to tell you. I've been trying to te-"

"I can't stay. I'm going out with the guys."

"Aaron. Please. This is really really important! You know I wouldn't say that if it weren't true! I need you to stay, just tonight, just for a couple hours." She pleaded. "Can't you do even that for me?!" She was trying to get him to look at her, with little success.

He turned away, brushing her off. "Yeah, like anything you can tell me about your day is ever important." Aiera, who'd been moving after him, stopped dead in her tracks.

"But... But Aaron..." She stammered as he reached the door. Her body unlocked and she stumbled after him. "Aaron please!" The tears that had been threatening before were now falling.

"If it's so important you can tell me later." He said, shutting the door behind him. Aiera reached it, but only after it closed. Leaning her back against it she sank to the floor. Before she might have held her tears back, trying to be strong, but now she couldn't summon an ounce of her previous strength. She just sat there, sobbing, not knowing where her life was going anymore.

Luci squeezed Aiera's hand as they entered the house and let it go only after they sat down on the couch, listening intently as Aaron came out of the bathroom and walked past them into the kitchen. Aiera's resolve didn't hold and the blonde only gave her a 'please don't do it' expression, but to no avail. "Dollface-" Luci tried to stop her but the brunette was already playing the 'curious fiance' card and Aaron was giving her the exact treatment that Aiera was supposed to be giving him.

Throughout the conversation Luci realized more and more reasons why she didn't date men. They were pigs, jerks, assholes and completely inconsiderate save for when they wanted something! Standing up the rocker thought about yelling at the man that he should shut the fuck up and listen to what the brunette had to say, but Aiera's voice was loud enough and pleading enough so that Luci hoped it would break through to him. It didn't. By the time the door slammed behind Aaron, the blodne was shaking she was so angry, "Bastard!"

Moving foward quickly, Luci got down onto the floor with Aiera and put her arms about her shoulders in a reassuring hug. "You tried, Aiera. Please don't cry, babe. It would be letting him get to you, and that's what he wants." Pulling out from the hug, the green eyed woman put her fingers beneath Aiera's chin and lifted her eyes to meet her gaze, "Really, Dollface, if you don't get angry or cold with this man - I doubt he'll come out of it. Seems to me he's gone into himself and a man only comes out of that if he thinks his woman is somehow different."

Looking into those crying blue-grey eyes, Luci wanted to kiss the tears away and make Aiera see that it wasn't all bad; but it was hard to convince someone that things would be okay if their decided love of their lives was being a douche bag.

"No... No Luci... You don't understand!" She sobbed. "He's not like that! He's never been like that before. One day he... He just was like this! He never told me anything about any problems! And he always talks to me, about everything!"

She pressed her face into Luci's shoulder, sobbing and unable to stop it. He told her when cute bartenders hit on him. When random girls flirted with him. Why would he do this to her now.

How could she be angry with him? There had to be a reason to this. It wasn't him. And cold? How could she be cold to him, be mean and vicious like he was being? "I can't just do that to him Luci.... I can't. I love him so much... It just hurts, like every time I feel like my heart is just going to... I don't know... Just die Luci! Have you ever felt like that? Like it would be easier to die than live with the pain?!"

Aiera lay head back on Luci's shoulder, the sobs quieter now.

The recovering junkie let the other sob into her shoulder and put her hand softly at the back of her head, massaging it lightly as a friend might. She did understand. Things were changing between Aiera and Aaron and it was obvious that it wasn't going to be a pretty change either. "I do understand, Dollface, I do. He's changing - and it hurts."

Aiera's questions about Luci knowing pain enough to feel that her heart would rather be dead that feel it seemed rediculous. Being a junkie she felt a symphony of emotional pains almost all the time, but she'd grown accustomed to them. It was the memories of losing her first real girlfriend that she'd loved dearly to overdose and then having her best friend try and kill her with the same drug she was now trying to dodge at all costs. Luci Ashlin knew pain well.

"Yeah, I know the feeling..." Her tone was soft and full of a gentle sadness Luci tried her best not to let Aiera catch on to. The rocker leaned her head against the brunette's and sighed deeply, furrowing her brow as she tried to focus on Aiera's problems and not her own past. "But,... You've got to be strong, babe."

Pulling away from Aiera so she could look her in the eyes again, the blonde drummer sighed lightly and gave her a pitying glance. "Aiera, Aaron is going through something, it's obvious. And perhaps... Though I know it would kill you to think it, he may need to tend to it himself and he's pushing you away to keep you out of danger's path. I can tell you it's not drugs though." Luci gave her new friend a knowing glance and smirked, "Junkies don't eat sammichs."

She looked up as Luci pushed her away slightly, looking into the girls eyes for a moment, but then she looked away, ashamed to be so weak.

"I know... I know I have to be strong. But I won't be able to hide the baby from him forever." And to get an abortion was out of the question, not even a thinkable option. But to give her baby up? Give up the child she'd always wanted? She couldn't do that either, no matter what the cost. Her hand went down to her stomach protectively. "I have to tell him about the baby, but how can I if he won't even listen to me? Maybe... Maybe if I tell him about the baby he'll... He'll snap out of it. He'll realize he's not right and..." But would that really help? Or would it only push him further away?

Tears were still slipping slowly, silently from her eyes.

"He would know I don't care... I don't care what I have to face, as long as we're together. I know it sounds stupid and cliche but it's true. What else would have brought us this far?" That's why she was a wreck now. Because she didn't have Aaron. With him, she would still have the life that she thought of as perfect.

Aiera pushed a weak smile to her face, a pained expression really. "I told you it wasn't drugs though... He's never been in to that kind of thing..."

Luci pulled the woman back into a gentle hug and sighed, "I'm sorry, Aiera. Telling him is either going to be a good thing or a bad thing. If you tell him he may snap out of this horrible funk, or he may receed further into it. It's a judgment call that you have to make." Fingering away some of the brunette's hair from her shoulder, Luci noted inwardly how soft it was, "But I'll try to help if I can."

Aiera's forced smile was still better than a crying face, though in truth the woman was beautiful either way. "My family never thought I was into that sort of thing either, love." Smirking, Luci continued, "But for your and your baby's sake; I hope you're right."

It was strange to acknowledge that she was attracted to Aiera when they were sitting on the floor talking about the other woman's fiance and child. It was like some strange situation that only happened in the movies, where the recovering junkie lesbian found her way into a damaged straight couple's lives only to find that she was attracted to the straight girl. However, it was easy to keep herself in check because Aiera had made it clear she didn't mind flirting, but that she had no interest in any but her Aaron. Who it seemed she was slowly and sadly losing.

"How's about we get ye off the floor, yeah?"

As Luci moved the hair out of her face she leaned her cheek against the woman’s palms. “I just… I just don’t know what the right thing to do is Luci.” She whispered softly, looking down again. “I know I have to tell him, but I’m so afraid that he’ll just leave me. If he has another girl, he doesn’t need me. Doesn’t need this.” That thought made her tremble, shake, and she nearly fell into Luci’s arms. It had been so long since she’d had someone hold her that it felt good, just staying here.

A weak smile came to her face as she suggested getting off the floor. “I don’t mind being down here… And it doesn’t hurt as much… With you here…” She got to her feet with the help of the other girl anyway, and they made their way back to the couch.

“I… I know this is gonna sound stupid…” She murmured as she curled up next to Luci. “But can you hold me again?” She bit her lip sheepishly, trying to hide a smile. “It… It just makes me feel better. Like I’m not going to fall apart.” She didn’t really wait for a yes, figuring that Luci wouldn’t really mind. Her hands crossed at her chest she curled into her new friend, closing her eyes as she lay her head on Luci’s shoulder. She knew stress wasn’t good for the baby, so she was trying to relax, trying to calm herself and be good. But it was so hard.

“Thank you for being here with me though… I don’t know what I would have done if you weren’t here…” She whispered, letting her arms slip around Luci’s waist.

Luci grimaced at the thought that Aaron might be sneaking around with another woman after what he'd apparently convinced Aiera was necessary for them to be together. All the brunette had given up to be with him and now he was apparently throwing it to the side for something that couldn't be as great as the emotional tie that the woman Luci'd befriended gave to him. It was a hard pill to swallow because in the short time she'd known Aiera, the woman had already shown compassion and acceptance where others would throw mocking and hurtful words. This woman was wonderful and her fiance was missing out.

"A baby could change things, like I said, for better or worse. All you can do is hope it's for the better." As they climbed back up from the floor and returned to the couch, the blonde felt a twinge of excitment she hadn't meant to. Aiera wanted to be held, but not in the fashion that Luci's mind was screaming for. She was attracted to the other woman, obviously, but if Aiera just wanted to be held for the sake of feeling emotionally better; the drummer would oblige.

Snaking an arm round Aiera's shoulder, the rocker thumb-brushed the side of her arm, something comforting that she'd been doing a long time. Even mothers, grandmothers and lovers everywhere knew the comforting thumb-brush when they held hands or brushing hair away from a pretty but distressed face. It was all part of the human condition. "Not a problem, Dollface."

Luci felt herself blush, which was strange because she rarely ever did, but it was still a nice sensation. "I'm just glad I walked up to the pretty crying lady at the restraunt."

As she lay there in Luci’s arms, her eyes closed, she could feel her heart slowing, feel her body relaxing. She’d missed the contact, the touch of a human being. She’d missed him so much, missed this. She nuzzled against the young woman, tightening her arms around Luci slightly. She wanted more though, and it made her feel even worse that this was all she’d gotten, all she would be getting until Aaron snapped out of his funk.

“You… You can stay the night right?” She asked in a soft whisper, her lips trembling slightly. “You don’t have to leave do you?” She asked, knowing the woman had a life of her own and would probably want to get back to it. And if that were indeed the case she would have to suck it up and deal. She couldn’t be pathetic and moping all night could she?

Looking up to Luci she saw how the other woman was looking at her and blushed, smiling sheepishly. She’d forgotten about the fact Luci preferred women, and the look that she saw in the woman’s face was one that made her blush in return. “Luci…” She mumbled softly. “I… I’m not that kind of girl…” It wasn’t that she didn’t think the girl was pretty in her own way or anything. She’d just always been very… Proper. Her sister was the sexual deviant, not her. But how could she deny that she longed for that physical attention? She couldn’t…

The question about her staying the night didn't really catch her off guard, but the burning in Luci's stomach did a full tilt run to burning butterflies and she tried to hide her excitment thought she had a feeling she wouldn't be getting any. "Aye, I'll have ta make a call ta the guys stayin' in my room ta make sure they don't make a proper mess of the place, but yeah... I can stay."

The blush that spread across Luci's slightly freckled and pallor face hadn't gone away before Aiera caught it. The look she got from the brunette made her smirk and her comment made her genuinely smile and laugh gently, her arms still around the other woman. "Fer one who's not tha' kind of girl, yer sure gettin' close." It was a soft jest, one that she hoped wouldn't scare her away, but she continued with a disclaimer just to be sure. "Don't worry, I know yer not inta girls."

Pressing her shoulders against the couch and using her feet to raise her hips, Luci delved into the pocket of her tight 'emo' jeans and took out her cell phone. But because it was a tight squeeze into her jeans pocket, the cell phone popped out of the recovering addict's hand, through the air and finally flopped down into Aiera's lap. Without a second thought, Luci reached down and picked up her cell phone with no shame or embarassment. "Sorry, Dollface. Slippery little bastard." The blonde laughed lightly and flipped the phone open. "Home." The cell rang through a second later and Luci kept her emerald green eyes on Aiera through the conversation, a soft smile on her features.

"Oi, Mic! I'll be stayin' at a friend's house tanight so ye blokes are left in charge. Oh, ha ha, ye silly fuck. No, she's not that kind o' friend, just make sure my apartment isn't a fucken disaster area when I get back." A moment passed in which her eyes widened, "Oh, ye cheeky shit, my place is always spotless! I'm gunna kick yer scrawny lit'l bass arse when I get-" Looking down at the glowing face of her cell, Luci grinned, "Little shit hung up on me."

She could tel the change in Luci's voice, her words and even her accent as she talked to her friends. It was strange, not one she was use to hearing and kind of odd. But she closed her eyes, resting her head just above the other woman's chest as she shifted slightly after Lucy retrieved her phone.

"You sound funny..." Aiera mumbled with a little smile, her eyes still closed as she heard Luci hang up the phone. "Maybe that's why he hung up on you... Cause you sound funny." She grinned and yawned a little. She was tired, but not too tired yet.

"But I just like this..." She murmured, answering the earlier statement about her getting close.

"It's been so long since Aaron's touched me... Held me or even kissed me. I miss it so much Luci. I mean guys touch me all the time at work. But it's not the same. You know?" She bit her lip slightly, her eyes open now, looking at her pants. She realized she was still in her nice dress clothes for the restaurant. "I just miss him so much, miss the way he made me feel, the way he knew every part of me..." She shook her head, wiping at her eyes. It just hurt her so much to think that another woman could replace her so easily after all they'd been through together.

A slight sob shook her chest and she buried her face in Luci's shoulder. "God... I'm sorry I'm being so weak. I hate it, but... But I can't help it..."

Luci tossed the cell to the coffee table with a clanky slap and giggled at Aiera's comments, the giggle not too girly but still qualifying as a giggle. "Mic is an english guy and I've spent probably too much time with him. So ye mix my natural accent with that of a pit of gutter punk rockers and an english bloke that takes up half of my apartment and tada! Ye've got a strange-soundin' Canadian."

Thinking on it as a silent moment passed, her foot finding its way absentmindedly to rest on the edge of the coffee table, Luci considered her accent. When she was with her friends she really did speak differently... But then there was the fact that she also spoke more true to her education when she was with new friends simply because she didn't want to seem the dullard unless she wanted to.

"I can understand what it's like to go so long without the touch of another, Dollface." The blonde was tempted to step up to the plate and actually kiss the young woman, give her a gentle smooch just to let her know that Luci truly undersood and was here for her if she needed anything. But the woman was straight and might take it badly if she kissed her. And she'd all but convinced herself that the woman didn't need more agrivation. But nothing lasts forever, right?

Pulling Aiera's chin upwards to look into her eyes again, Luci furrowed her brows and shook her head lightly back and forth. "Yer not weak, love. Yer just out of yer element, thas'all." Deciding it would be a small token of appreciation to the woman, Luci kissed her ever so tenderly on the lips before pulling back and looking away though she didn't get up. "Sorry."