"Yes."

"Is that how you see yourself?"

"No, I'm not like her," Gabriella said sadly. "I wish I was."

"Gabriella?"

"It's been a long day. Goodnight." She walked away from him slowly.

"Goodnight," Arthur said as watched her walk back into the house.



* * *

Blayne walked up to Gabriella's door and was about to knock when suddenly she seemed to change her mind. She took a step back and as she was about to walk away a voice pulled her back.

"Not up for it, huh?"

Blayne turned to see Gabriella approaching her with a slight smile.

"Scared of me?" Gabriella teased.

"Yes," Blayne smiled back. "You are too formidable of an adversary," she played along.

"I see."

"What do you see?"

"I have power." Gabriella was thoroughly enjoying the game.

"Is that what you think?" Blayne laughed.

"That's what I know." Gabriella said as she stood directly in front of her now.

Blayne couldn't have looked away if she wanted to. Her eyes were fused with those of the lady in front of her. She was about to reach out for Gabriella when suddenly something in Blayne's eyes changed. Gabriella felt the withdrawal before Blayne had taken a step back away from her or seen it clearly in her eyes.

"I concede the field. You win." Blayne waved her hand flamboyantly but they both knew that Blayne had in effect backed down out of fear.

Gabriella decided to change the subject. "You were looking for me?"

Blayne was forced once more to look into her eyes. "Yes." She stood without uttering a word searching Gabriella's face.

"I spoke with Arthur out in the garden."

Blayne blinked and snapped out of the trance she was in. "Are you all right?" She looked at Gabriella's eyes with concern.

"Oddly enough, yes." She looked down. "He asked if he could see the children before…." She trailed off then looked up to see the pain of it register in Blayne's eyes.

"You said yes," Blayne said sadly.

"Yes, I did. You must think I'm crazy," Gabriella said as a nervous giggle escaped her.

"No, I think…." She then looked away.

"You think?"

Blayne looked at her again. "I think you are very generous."

Gabriella kept looking at her expecting words that never came. Blayne was not fighting her. Blayne was pulling away. She could feel it.

"Are you all right?" Gabriella was the one that asked this time.

"Of course, why shouldn't I be?" Blayne said as she laughed and took a few more steps away from Gabriella.

"I feel…"

"You feel?" Blayne asked seriously.

"I can't explain it." Gabriella began to fidget.

"Don't worry. I won't leave you alone. I will be with you till I take you home," Blayne said softly not able to look away from the eyes that begged her for answers of questions that had not been asked.

"Did Arthur say something to you?" Gabriella probed.

"Arthur and I talked and we both agreed on things." Blayne suddenly looked away.

"You two made decision about me?" Gabriella's face began to show her anger.

"Gabriella, it's late. We can talk in the morning." Blayne was about to walk away when Gabriella's hand took a hold of her arm.

Blayne looked down at the hand that hung on to her and then back at Gabriella's face. "Tomorrow. We can talk tomorrow."

"No, I want to talk now." Gabriella insisted as she opened her bedroom door.

"No." Blayne barely whispered as Gabriella pulled her into her bedroom.

Gabriella closed the door behind them then turned to face Blayne. Blayne took a step back then turned and put some distance between them.

"What did you want to discuss?" Blayne said unable to hide what she felt in her eyes.

"What's wrong?" Gabriella asked her as she got closer and closer.

"Nothing." Blayne took another step back and then turned to look out the window beside her.

"It's dark. You can't see anything out there now."

"I have good eyes," Blayne said with a nervous laugh.

Gabriella stared not believing what she was seeing. Blayne was incredible nervous and all she seemed to want was to run. Run away from what?

Blayne couldn't stand the silence and in exasperation she turned to finish the conversation and just leave. "You wanted to talk."

Gabriella stood in front of her now. There was no escape. "You're shaking," Gabriella said softly.

"Am I?" Blayne's response was barely audible. Her eyes were locked with the woman in front of her.

Gabriella's hand caressed her bruised cheek softly. Blayne closed her eyes and leaned into the caress. "Does your face still hurt?"

Blayne's eyes opened slightly. "Not now."

"Blayne," was all that Gabriella said before her lips went and kissed the bruise on the cheek.

Blayne's hands had a life of their own. They went to take a hold of Gabriella then pulled back.

"Is that better?" Gabriella said huskily.

Blayne could hardly breathe as her senses were filled with all that was Gabriella. She closed her eyes tightly and opened them again with a look of desperation.

Gabriella leaned in closer again and kissed Blayne's cheek closer to her mouth this time. "Is that better?"

Blayne was speechless. She was giddy and confused. Her senses were on overdrive and yet she felt powerless to push Gabriella away from her. All of her body was alive and throbbing with a need to connect that she had never experienced before. She could feel her body pulling her, tugging at her to just give in and finally end the misery of the overwhelming hunger that suddenly consumed her. "Gabriella," she groaned and her breath came in short gasps.

Gabriella then went to take a step back when Blayne's hands pulled her hard against her. Her mouth was on Gabriella's neck before she realized what she was doing. Blayne's hands traveled over the body she longed to possess.

"Blayne, no, wait," Gabriella tried pushing her away.

Blayne could no more stop then rid herself of the pounding in her ears. She had become raw nerves and yearning flesh as her body was filled with the pangs of an unquenchable desire to touch and feel and taste the woman in her arms. She ripped Gabriella's blouse and her mouth found a nipple to suck.

"Ahhh…." Gabriella grabbed Blayne's hair and tried pulling her off. "Stop!"

Blayne left the breast and grabbed her by the hair and kissed her hard. She could taste blood in her mouth and she liked it.

"No!" Gabriella pushed her hard.

Blayne stood in front of her dazed and confused. She stared at Gabriella's mouth now stained in blood and her eyes widened in horror. Her eyes reached Gabriella's eyes and saw the fear in them and she took a step back.

An overpowering sense of panic overtook her and she began to have a hard time breathing. One hand reached for her chest as the other reached for the wall. The room was beginning to spin and all she could do was try to breathe but no air seemed to reach her lungs.

"Blayne?" Gabriella was suddenly above her. Her eyes were filled with fear as Gabriella took her in her arms and held her tightly as they both slid to the floor. "It's all right, breathe. Breathe, relax and breathe."

Blayne slowly began to breathe easier, never for one moment loosing eye contact with Gabriella.

Gabriella could still see the hint of panic in those eyes. She held Blayne closer to her and began to caress her, saying soothing words of reassurance that all was well. What was it about this woman that touched her so Gabriella asked herself? One minute Blayne was as fragile as a child and the next she was mauling her. And now her eyes mirrored such fragility that they tugged at something deep inside her.

"It's all right," Gabriella said softly as she caressed her hair and then kissed her forehead. She heard a whimper from Blayne and as her eyes met the woman's in her arms she saw the fear reappear. "You frightened me," Gabriella said honestly.

"I…" she began to breathe deeply again. "Help me up and let me get out of here." Blayne tried getting up but found that her legs did not listen. Tears filled her eyes. "My body betrays me," she cried in exasperation.

"Blayne…"

"Help me up! I have to go." Blayne tried again and Gabriella helped her to get on her feet.

"Blayne…"

Blayne did not look at her in the eye again.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Blayne let go of Gabriella as she tried to walk away.

"Are you all right?"

She then turned to look at Gabriella again.

"No, I'm not. I have to go. I'm sorry. I can't do this. I want you. Is that what you want to hear? I want you!" Blayne's tears fell over her cheeks again. "I'm not strong enough. I can't do this. Something is wrong with me." Blayne wept as she tried wiping the tears away with the back of her hand.

She stared at Gabriella who still stood merely inches away from her.

"Release me from my promise," Blayne said softly.

"You frightened me," was Gabriella's reply.

"Release me, Gabriella." Blayne begged almost in a whisper. It was more of a prayer. Blayne was asking for so much more.

Gabriella looked at her and realized that the words in the car that day had been real. The knowledge of that touched her more than she cared to admit. Blayne was overwhelmed with such emotions that were now quite visible in her eyes.

"I can't," Gabriella said barely able to believe what she had just said. "I'm afraid, too."

Blayne was barely able to contain the sob that escaped her. Gabriella walked up to her and put her arms around her and leaned her head against her neck. "I'm afraid."