Persistence(10)

Drew placed it on her before looking into her eyes. "You're absolutely stunning, Lola. You make a fine queen."

In her excitement Lola grabbed Drew, hugging her fiercely. "I love you, Drew." she whispered into Drew's neck.

"I love you too, sweetheart. Your court is awaiting you."

"I could stay in your arms like this forever."

"Lola, don't do this in front of everyone. Let go of me." Lola released her, and their eyes met. Touching her under the chin, Drew said, "Smile, my queen. This is your moment."

After halftime Drew went back to leaning against the concession stand when Kate came up to her. "You knew the whole time." she accused lightly.

Drew nodded. "It was the only way that asshole, Franklin, would let me on the field. He's such a jerk."

"What did he say to you, Drew?"

"Nothing new. You know, you would think after twenty years, people would grow up."

Kate gave a nod looking off toward Lola. "She looks so beautiful."

"She certainly does, just like her mother." Drew mentioned taking a sip of her drink. Kate blushed. "Well, I've got to get back to work. I'll be directing traffic after the game, but you can always wait for me in my squad car."

"Okay, I will."

As Kate began to walk away, Drew called her back. "I just wanted you to know that you also look stunning this evening. As usual I find myself being the envy of many men. I'm honored that I have a place at your side."

Kate gave a shy smile. "See you after the game."

Back at Kate's house, Drew decided to stay for awhile. Taking off her weapons, she hung them in the closet. "You want something to drink?" Kate asked from the kitchen.

"Sure. I'm going to start a fire if that's all right." Drew answered.

Kate entered a few minutes later. Drew had Kate's favorite jazz CD on the stereo with all the lights off. Kate laughed at the ambiance. "Always were the romantic." she commented extending a bottle of wine and an opener to Drew. "I'm going to change into something more comfortable."

A few minutes later Kate came back in. Drew noted the flowing autumn frock that Kate had slipped on. Handing her a glass of wine, Drew raised her glass. "To Lola, the most beautiful queen our school has ever seen."

"To Lola." Kate replied sipping her wine.

Setting her glass down, Drew extended a hand to Kate. "Dance?" she asked.

"I don't think we've ever danced together before." Kate mentioned taking Drew's hand.

Leaning to Kate's ear, Drew whispered, "There's a first time for everything, Katherine."

"What are you wearing?" Kate asked feeling the unusual hardness of Drew's chest.

"Bulletproof vest."

"It's uncomfortable. Take it off." Kate demanded.

Drew looked down into Kate's hazel eyes as she untucked her shirt. Kate's hands joined Drew's in working open the buttons. Neither spoke as they stared deeply into each others eyes before being drawn into a gentle kiss. The shirt was soon forgotten as their mouths communicated latent needs.

Suddenly they heard the front door open. Kate quickly dove onto the couch, turning on the light on the table, but Lola and her friends walked in on Drew trying to button her shirt.

Lola looked at her mother trying to lounge casually before glancing at Drew, who had given up on the buttons and was just standing there, arms folded across her chest.

"I thought you were going to a party." Kate mentioned, bring Lola's attention back to herself.

"We are. I just came home to change. What are your plans for the evening?" she asked looking at Drew.

"Not much. I'm probably going to just go home. I gave your mom a ride back after the game. We were just chatting about my bullet proof vest. She mentioned that she had never seen it on me, so I was just showing her." Drew said, poking herself in the chest.

Lola gauged her friends' reactions. Sensing that they bought the lame story, she ushered them to her room. Drew went into the bathroom to take off her vest and uniform shirt. Hanging them in the closet with her weapons, she came back to the living room and took a seat in the chair furthest from Kate until the girls left half an hour later.

Once they were alone again, Kate said, "Thanks for covering for us. I'm sure it looked bad."

"Why did you panic, Katherine?" Drew asked coming to the couch.

"I don't know. I guess I'm just not sure about what we're doing. I know it could be great, but I'm not sure it's the right thing for us. I don't want either one of us to get hurt, and I don't want to lose your friendship, Drew." Drew nodded pulling Kate into an embrace. "I miss Paul." Kate wept after a few minutes.

"I know you do."