***

In truth, Kansas had the best week of her life with her father.  She felt that her world had righted itself, somehow.  Their relationship was back on track, and she was learning to forgive him.  They'd talked a lot about the circumstances of the divorce and affair, and the blonde was growing to understand.  She still didn't like it, but at least it was beginning to come into focus for her.

She hugged her father tightly before he climbed back into his car and drove off down the road on his way to work, a promise extracted from her that she'd come and see him, and spend weekends and breaks with him.  That was okay by her.

Kansas glanced over at Nina and Dan's place, noting it was quiet.  The yard had been mowed, but it did look dry, and the flowers hadn't been trimmed, either.  Knowing that Nina was still at work, the blonde trotted inside her own house, getting settled back into her room, separating her laundry from the week, then called her mother to let her know she was home.

After the incident with the drawings, things had been tricky between mother and daughter- Kansas feeling betrayed and violated, while Marina made no apologies for looking out for her daughter's welfare.  Ultimately, they had decided to agree to disagree.  Kansas now understood that, yes, her parents did love her, but no, they don't always know what's best.  That was okay- she'd show them!

The day went by miserably slow, Kansas constantly checking her watch for noon-thirty, when Nina would be home for lunch.  She was meticulous with the yard, feeling bad for neglecting it in her basic abduction.  She wondered why the brunette hadn't been out watering and weeding.  Maybe Nina had a bad week at work.  Maybe, just maybe, she missed Kansas, too.

"Hey, kid."

Kansas was startled by the male voice from behind her.  She whirled around, ripping one side of the headphones from her ear.  Dan stood on the back porch, a beer in his hand.

"Hey, Dan.  How are you?"  The blonde hadn't seen the man since her shared kiss with his wife, and guilt gnawed at her gut.  She quickly swallowed it down.

"Doing okay.  Listen, you've done such a great job with the yard, I was wondering if you'd be willing to do some work for me inside?  Gonna sell the place, so there some painting, that kind of stuff, that needs done."

Kansas felt her stomach drop.  Selling the house?  Moving?  "Selling?" she muttered, not understanding.  "Is Nina around?"

Dan smirked, shaking his head.  "No.  She moved out four days ago.  I'm surprised she didn't tell you.  You gals seemed close, and all."

If you only knew, buddy. "Where did she go?"  Kansas was dumbstruck, and felt sick.  The man shook his head again with a shrug.

"Dunno, don't care."  With that, he turned and walked back into the house, slamming the back door behind him.

"Mother?!" Kansas slammed up the stairs, looking frantically for Marina in her mother's bedroom.  Nothing. "Mother!"

"What?" the older blonde asked, taking the stairs two at a time until she stood on the second floor landing.  A breathless Kansas glared at her.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she growled.

"Tell you what?" Marina was stunned by the hatred shining in those intense green eyes.

"You knew!  Did you plan it this way?  Get me out of here, out of the way, so she could leave?"  Kansas was shaking, she was so angry and hurt.

"First off, I don't know what the hell you're talking about, and secondly, don't you ever talk to me that way!"  Marina was livid.  She had dealt with her daughter's pain over the past couple weeks, had been admirably calm.  But this was too much.  She had not taught her daughter to treat her like this.

"She's gone!" Kansas yelled, pointing toward the window that looked out at the side of Nina and Dan's house.  "She's fucking gone!  Moved out four days ago.  Why didn't you tell me?"

Marina's gaze softened as understanding filled her.  She saw Kansas was about to fall apart, and was there to hold her as the teenager cried out her frustrated confusion.  Her first heartbreak – something no mother wanted their child to go through, but knew every single one would.

"I'm sorry, baby," she cooed, stroking soft, blonde hair.  "I know."

Kansas cried, clutching her mother, and finally allowing her heart to break.

*******

8 years later:

Nina sat, watching the new students stroll in, visually figuring out who would learn from her, who would go on to make excellent attorneys, and who would fall prey to the money and politics of the American judicial system.  After four years of teaching, she'd gotten pretty good at figuring motives out.  She waited until the last student was seated before rising from her perch on the edge of her desk.

"Good afternoon, everyone.  Please get settled, as we have a lot to do today.  Let me start by introducing myself.  My name is Nina Glassman, but you can call me Dr. Glassman, or Nina.  I'm not much into formalities."  She paused, throwing a smirk out over her captive audience.  "Lord knows you'll have enough of that on your journey as young lawyers."  She got the normal few chuckles at the joke she used with every new class.  "Welcome to law school.  May you all make it in one piece, and with your sanity intact."

As Nina continued her speech, she met the eye of many of her students, seeing the typical reactions: fear, interest, lust, and intelligence.  At 34, she knew she looked good, and felt good about herself.  Dressed in a tailored pantsuit, Nina made no secret of the body she worked hard to maintain.  Her long, dark hair was down today- best to start things on a slightly more casual basis.  She loved what she did, and knew that going back to school seven years ago, had been one of the best things she'd ever done- among a couple.

Class ended, and the large room was filled with chairs scraping, bags being stuffed, and idle chatter as students gathered their belongings and left.  Dr. Nina Glassman was left alone, looking out over the sea of empty desks.  She blew out a breath, and prepared for her next class.

***

Yelping and happy barking met the insertion of Nina's key into the front door of the small townhouse she had bought two years ago in the gorgeous Colorado town of Boulder.  It was a small, academic town, housing one of the best universities in the country- Colorado University, or better known as CU.  With mountains on all sides- blue and glorious- Boulder had quickly become a cherished place for Nina.  It was often referred to as the Berkley of Colorado, for its open nature and artistic community.  Definitely a nice change from Ohio.

The 3 year-old Yorkies, brother and sister, Kona and Kiora, went nuts once Nina got the door open.  She bent down, letting the Ewok-like dogs climb all over her, jumping up in attempts to give her doggy kisses.

"Hello, my babies," the brunette cooed, picking them both up and covering their faces in kisses.  The dogs squirmed and whined until the professor was about to drop them.  She set them down, then headed further into the house.  She picked up the shreds from a Kleenex, picturing the two dogs, one at either end, pulling and growling, the victor shaking his or her head wildly to finish off the 'prey'.  Together, both dogs would share in the bounty of ultimate destruction, leaving their handiwork on the dining room rug.

Nina hurried to the stairs, flipping on the light that would illuminate her prized art piece on the mantel, on the way to the bathroom in her bedroom, stripping out of her clothing as she went.  She had a date.

***

Abby Walters was excited.  She rose to her tippie toes, trying to spot her date in the throng of Friday night adventurers.  Her smile spread across a pretty face when she saw the tall brunette make her way around a group of rowdy teenagers.

"Hi," she said, leaning in to place a greeting kiss on Nina's cheek.  "How are you?"

"I'm good.  I hope I'm not late.  I had a faculty meeting that got me running out of the office," the brunette explained, allowing her hand to be taken in Abby's.  This was their third date, and thus far it had gone alright.  Nina wasn't positive this woman was what she wanted for her future, but for now, it was fun.

They had made plans to get dinner, than go to the opening of a new gallery in town.  Abby was a collector of art, and Nina had learned over the years how to appreciate it.  Not to mention, Abby's sister, Jamie, was the showcased artist at the opening.

Small crowds of people stood in groups in murmured conversation, many with flutes of champagne in hand.  Those gathered were dressed in any manner of dress: tux with tails, evening gown, jeans and long, flowing skirts.  Nina, dressed in a skirt suit, was somewhat resentful- after all, she had to dress up all day for work, she wanted to relax  and be comfortable during her time off.  But, Abby was excited, and so Nina could handle it.

Nina began to wander, leaving Abby to celebrate with her sister, and for the artist to introduce her to friends and fellow artists.  Arms crossed over her chest, the brunette perused the art- paintings, sculptures and a few photographs.  She was slowly making her way down a line of framed sketches, the work exquisite, faceless female forms.  Many of the forms were in shadow, or strategically covered by a sheet or a blanket wrapped around bare shoulders.  They were gorgeous.  Nina looked to see who the artist was, but there was no nameplate attached.

"Beautiful, aren't they?"

Nina turned to see a fellow event-goer admiring the sketch next to the one the brunette was admiring.  She nodded, smiling politely.

"The artist is over there somewhere, I think," the woman said, hitching a thumb back toward the large cement sculpture at the back.  Nina glanced over that way, only seeing a group of women who seemed to be enthralled by something someone was saying.  The group parted for a moment, revealing a woman with short, blonde hair.  The woman's back was to Nina, the blonde gesticulating enthusiastically, the women around her laughing.  The blonde was about to turn around when the crowd moved in again, blocking her from view all together.