Kansas grinned big, giving the man a monster hug.  "Tell Nina I'm sorry for what she had to see."

Michael pulled back from the hug.  "Why don't you go tell her yourself?"

"Nah," Kansas said, waving off the idea. "I got too much to do."

"Okay.  But next time, Gadget. . . "  Michael leaned down and placed a quick peck on Kansas' lips, then turned to head back to the gallery.  Kansas watched him go, taking several deep breaths.

"I'm such an ass," she whispered, then headed toward her office.

Nina was minding her own business, perusing the artwork when Michael joined her again. "I'm really sorry," he muttered, walking along side her.  "I really wish she'd get herself straightened out.  She's so talented, and sometimes I really worry she'll just piss it all away."

"What do you think will change that?" the brunette asked, stopping in front of a gorgeous black and white of a snow landscape.  It would go perfectly in Nina's second bedroom.

"I don't know.  For her to grow up, maybe.  And what'll do that, hell if I know.  Been trying for years."  He sighed, giving his attention to the work before them.  "Oh, this one is gorgeous.  I always loved this shot."

"It's perfect for one of my bedrooms."  They both stood in silent wonder.  "How much do you want for it?"

Michael quoted Nina a price, which made her suck in a silent breath.  Mentally she calculated her bills compared to her savings, and it she should spend the money or not.  Finally she came to a decision.  "I'll take it."

"Wonderful!"  Michael clapped his hands. "And, I'll tell you what- I know the photographer personally, so leave it here with us, and I'll have him come in and sign it, then I'll deliver it personally to your front door."

Nina glanced at the good-looking guy.  "Is that going to raise the price?"

"Nah," Michael waved the question away.  "I'll do it for you."

With a smile and a handshake, the deal was made, and Nina was sent home, lighter in the checkbook, and gasping at the fact that she'd bought another expensive piece of art.  Perhaps she was becoming quite the collector.

***

A week went by and Nina heard nothing from Michael about the photograph, and was beginning to get antsy.  She hadn't wanted to bug him, as maybe he hasn't been able to get hold of his friend to sign it.  It was Saturday, and she decided that if she heard nothing by that night, she'd head into the gallery the following afternoon.

Moments after the decision was made, there was a knock on her front door.  Nina had been cleaning house, so hurried to put the vacuum away and scrub her hands on the thighs of her jeans as she pounded down the stairs of her townhouse.  Whipping the front door open, she was shocked to see Kansas standing on the doorstep.

"Hi," the blonde said with a bright smile.  She held up a large, flat square box and a cardboard tube.  "Special delivery."

Nina took a step back, inviting the artist in.  "Wonderful, thank you.  I was beginning to wonder if I was ever going to get my picture or not."

"Yeah, sorry 'bout that.  Mikey had trouble getting George to come out of hermit mode to sign it for you."  Kansas stepped inside, looking around. "So?  Where do you want it?"  Seeing Nina's confusion, the blonde explained. "I'm going to use my professional skills to hang it for you, too.  I even have a special tool-"  Kansas reaches inside her heavy jacket and brought out a standard hammer.  Nina chuckled, leading the blonde up the stairs.

"I was thinking here, above the bed."  Nina stood at the foot, looking at the empty wall space.  She felt Kansas step up beside her.

"You know, I think it would be off balance there with the light sconce close to the corner.  Personally," the blonde turned to take in the room, examining all the wall space carefully.  "I'd put it between those two windows."

Nina studied the area critically, cocking her head to the side.  "You know, I thought about that, but I don't know, I worried that since the one window is a bit smaller than the other, it might seem off somehow."

"Nah.  This picture is a perfect size for that space."  Kansas quickly set about laying the boxed picture on the bed, removing it from is packaging and holding it up for inspection.  Nina walked over to her, looking the frame over, as well as seeing the signature now in the bottom left-hand corner, under the glass.

"It's so beautiful," she breathed, loving the picture even more in her house than she had in the gallery.

"You should feel proud that you have a signed copy, Nina," Kansas said, brow quirked. "George doesn't do that for anyone."

"Well, then tell Michael I'm very touched."

The brunette stood back, watching as Kansas went to work to get the picture hung just perfectly.  The blonde worked quickly, yet very carefully.  Blue eyes couldn't help but roam over Kansas' strong back, wrapped in a tight cap-sleeved t-shirt, as well as the way her ass was hugged by snug jeans.  Her gaze rose back up, though now she realized she was taking in firm breasts rather than a strong back.

Kansas' smirk was amused as Nina quickly looked away, angry at herself for being busted looking.  She cleared her throat, deciding to move on and say something she'd been meaning to say since she had first found out Kansas was sculpting.  "I'm really proud of you, Kansas," she said, stuffing her hands in her back pockets to keep them from fidgeting.  She couldn't believe how nervous the blonde made her.  Definitely a new development. "You really followed your heart in your passion to create."  She chewed on her lower lip for a moment, then indicated Kansas should follow with the tip of her head.

"Thanks, Nina," Kansas said, following the brunette down the stairs.  She couldn't help but take in the tight ass in blue jeans before her.  "So, do you work for the DA's office here, or. . . ?"

"No."  Nina smiled over her shoulder at the younger woman.  "I'm doctor Glassman now.  Went back to school, now I teach law up at CU."

"No shit?"  They arrived in front of the fireplace.  "Guess you followed your passions, too."  The blonde's grin fell off her face when she spotted what Nina had wanted to show her.  Looking up at her sculpture, she was stunned into silence.

"I saw it a few years ago, and fell in love with it before I even know it was yours.  When I found out it was, I had to have it."  She smiled shyly, but couldn't help her gushing over the stunning piece of art.

Kansas felt an aw garsh moment coming on.  She actually scuffed her toe against the stone of the fireplace!  "I'm glad you have it."  She glanced shyly up at the brunette before quickly looking away.  For just a moment, the awkward 17 year-old was back.  Then, just as quickly, the cocky, confident 26 year-old was back.  "So tell me, Nina, you finally figure out the benefits of being with a woman?"

Nina blinked once, twice, then took a slight step back.  "I don't think that's any of your business, Kansas."

The blonde took a step toward the woman who had made her truly understand her sexuality. "Come on, Nina," she said, standing dangerously close, her eyes never leaving the brunette's.  "Let's continue where we left off on your back porch."  Kansas reached her hands out, lying them gently on the brunette's hips.  Standing no more than a couple inches away, she leaned in, inhaling Nina's scent.  "God, you smell so good," she whispered.  "I always remembered that about you."

Nina's eyes slipped closed, her body pulsing.  Then Kansas' words struck a chord: "I can smell you, baby. . . Smell good."  Kansas' whispered words from the bathroom stall a week before.  Nina grabbed the blonde's biceps in a firm grip, pushing her away.  Kansas looked at her, stunned.  Nina shook her head. "No.  I refuse to be just another one of your girls.  I won't be a notch for you, Kansas. I really want you to leave."

Kansas stood there, mouth falling open before snapping shut.  She tried to hide her hurt but wasn't sure how successful she was.  Running  a hand through her hair, she kept it cool, backing away toward the front door.  "Well, I hope you enjoy your purchase."  With a small salute, Kansas was gone.

Nina stood in front of the fireplace long after the slam of the front door had cracked.  Raising her gaze to the statue on her mantel, she sighed.  "Shit."  She headed upstairs to clean up the mess in the spare bedroom.  As she gathered the cardboard that had kept the picture safe, Nina noticed the cardboard tube that had been set on the bed next to it.  Curious, she sat on the edge, popping of the plastic end.  Slipping her fingers inside, she felt the smooth face of thick paper.  Slowly, carefully, she finagled the mystery sheet out, unrolling it.  "Oh, Kansas," she whispered, seeing her favorite of the family of sketches from the back wall of the gallery.  She checked the tube, hoping for a note.  Nothing.  With a heavy sigh, she glanced over at the photograph Kansas had just hung for her.

***

Nina headed into the gallery with purpose, eyes scanning the area.  A few murmuring customers stopped their chatter to see what the rush was, but returned back to their conversations when she passed.  She spotted Michael speaking with someone about one of Kansas' paintings, so walked over, but not too close.  She paced impatiently.

"Sweetheart, what's the matter?  You look like you're about to walk a hole in the floor," the man said, walking over to the brunette.

"Where's Kansas, Michael?" she asked.

"She hasn't come in, yet.  I think she was finishing up a piece first.  Why?  Is everything okay?" Michael looked at her with concerned eyes.

"Yeah.  I just need to talk to her.  Listen, I'm going to head over to that bookstore across the street, get some coffee in the café.  If she comes in within the next hour or so, please send her over."