Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:45:08 -0800 (PST)
From: K. S. <k_is33@yahoo.com>
Subject: Hit and Run pt. 1

This is my first attempt at writing although this piece has been in my head
for quite sometime.  I encourage all comments good or bad but I would
prefer it if you were not to be rude.  This story is property of the author
and may not be used in any way other than for personal enjoyment without
the permisson of the author.

Hit and Run
by KIS

Kara had been working all day.  She was tired and her feet knew it.  None
the less she was walking home as she did everyday.  It wasn't so far, the
Jeffer's wasn't, about five blocks at most, but today Kara just couldn't
take it and so she decided on the short cut.  She had went this way before
but on the few occasions she had taken the path she always felt some sort
of danger lurking in the shadows and felt it was best to stay away from the
dark, contaminated ally ways.

As Kara was approaching the long ally which would lead her to string of
other long allys she heard an awful screaching sound.  She looked up and
there it was.  A huge muscular, beefy looking car was coming right her way
and the driver was paying no mind to her or anything else.  As crates and
pallets went flying so did Kara as she jumped to her safety.  Luckily the
driver of the car saw her just in time and slammed on the brakes.  Kara
however was already to the ground holding her head in fear, waiting for
what was about to come.

"Oh shit! Oh shit! Are you okay?! Please tell me you are okay!"  The driver
said as she jumped out of the car.  Kara's only reply was a muffled groan.

"Do I need to call 911? Can I help you? Here, let me look at you."  The
driver rushed over to Kara to help her sit up and to check out her
injuries.

"No, no, I'm fine, I just bumped my head a little jumping out of the way."
Kara managed to get out as she sat up.

Kara was able to sit up but her head was still a little dizzy which made
her head wobble around.  This scared the driver but Kara refused to let her
call 911.  After a few moments Kara regained composure and began to stand
up.

"Here, let me help you."  Kara took the driver's hand and finally made it
to her feet.  "I am so sorry. I should have been paying attention but I
wasn't and, and..."

"Just be more careful next time okay, you could have killed me."  Kara cut
off with a demeaning tone.  The driver was now at a loss for words as
regret and compassion filled her eyes just in time for Kara to get her
first good look at them.

"I really am sorry."  The driver managed to whisper, she then began to pick
up Kara's belongings that were scattered all around the cobblestone street.

"What were you busy doing anyway?  I mean for one you were flying through
here and to top it off you weren't even paying attention."  Kara asked with
more venom than she had meant to.

The driver looked up at Kara and again guilt came over her.  "I... I was
playing with the radio.  I know that is ridiculos but it was my favorite
song and the volume knob was stuck and I was beating it and..."  the driver
made a show of her account by using her hands to beat the air as if it were
the volume knob.  At this Kara couldn't help but to giggle.  After the
driver realized what was happening she couldn't help but to look at Kara
funny.

"I'm sorry. It's not funny, I mean I almost died today but you know... the
hands."

The driver gave an embarassed smile and put her hands down.  "So what is
your name?  I mean I at least want to know who will be filing the police
report on my stupiditiy today."

"First off, my name is Kara and secondly, I don't think either of us really
want to go through the whole reporting process.  Besides I gave you your
warning and I expect you to stick to it."  As Kara finished she stuck out
her hand.  "And you are?"

"I'm Jordan.  Sorry for almost hitting you, it was an overly stupid mistake
but thank you for not filing anything and trust me, it won't happen again."
Jordan stated, finally getting back some of the attitude she normally
carried with her.  Not that it was a bad attitude, actually is was sweet
and charming and especially confident.

Happy that everything was settled Kara began to reach for her things that
Jordan had picked up but she again started to wobble and lose her balance.
Jordan quickly reached out to grab her and then she sit her back against
her car.

"I don't think you are fit to walk to wherever you're going.  Let me give
you a ride, I mean it is the very least I can do."

Again Kara had to smile.  "You want ME to ride with YOU?" She asked as she
raised an eyebrow.

Jordan smiled.  "Good point. Uhm... I'll let you drive."

"Oh no, no, no.  We would be in worse shape than if you were driving.  I
have no permit or anything, I have never even ridden a bicycle much less
drove a car."  Kara said slightly embarassed.

Jordan looked at her astonished.  "No way.  You are so pulling my leg."

Kara shook her head and began to blush a little.

"Wow... we have a lot of work to do."  Jordan said as she opened her
passenger side door and motioned for Kara to get in.

Kara looked at her funny and began to hop off the hood of the car.  "What
do you mean "we"?  And I told you, I'm not riding with you."

"What I mean is I'm going to teach you to drive and," Jordan came around to
Kara and began pushing her towards the open car door.  "I'm also going to
be taking you to wherever you are going."

Kara plowed her heels into the ground and stopped Jordan from pushing her
anymore.  "Look I can't ride with you okay, it's against the rules and
besides you could kill me... I mean like really mean to kill me as in some
super scary serial killer kind of way."

Jordan smiled and released her grip on Kara's shoulders.  "What do you mean
against the rules?"

Kara sighed and turned to face Jordan.  "It's a long story, I just can't
ride with you okay.  I appreciate the offer but I really can't.  Thank you
for helping me after well... you almost hit me but I have to go."  Kara
then started off back towards the main street as she figured she would take
the long way home after all.

"Wait!" Jordan called out but Kara pretended to ignore her and kept walking
until she was far from the rats and grime and speeding cars the backstreets
had to offer.

Jordan watched and waited for Kara to change her mind but she never did.
Once again, feeling sorry that she couldn't help anymore she diverted her
eyes to the ground and let out a long self-pitying sigh.  Beneath her front
bumper she spotted what looked like an I.D. card to enter a building or
something.  She picked it up and began to read.

"Slone's Market, Kara."  Jordan smiled to herself and put the card into her
pocket as she slowly started the beginnings of a plan.

Kara on the other hand was at a loss for words.  She walked towards the
home cussing herself for going against her judgement and not coming this
way to begin with.  However her heart wasn't in her words as she silently
was glad the near accident had happend.  She didn't know why but something
about it made her feel happy and she slowly let herself smile.

As Kara reached her home her knees began to get weak and she knew she had
to get some rest.  She had recovered from the fall but the adrenaline of it
all still didn't drown out the tiredness of school and work.  She opend the
door and walked up to her room ignoring the call of her younger brothers
come see their newly built fort in their bedroom.  Kara threw her things on
the floor and landed against the bed quickly falling asleep.

The next morning Kara was awoke by a gentle nudging of her shoulder.

"Come on, wake up sleepy head. It's time for school."  Jasmine called out
to her as she was getting dressed.

Kara sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.  "How long did I sleep?"

Jasmine smiled.  "Well I never seen you come in, I was in the study, but
Parker and Jenkins said you went to your room right as you got home and you
haven't woke up since.  What was up with that anyways?  Long day or
something?"

"Yeah something like that."  Kara said as she got up to take a shower and
start her day.

Now Jordan didn't know which Slone's Market Kara worked at but she was
putting her money on the one at the corner of Smith and Troll as she
couldn't see Kara walking from any of the other ones and ending up where
she was at yesterday.  And seeing as how it was about seven when the
accident occured and taking into consideration the books Kara was carrying,
Jordan would assume she went to school.  Being as she went to school for a
typical day she would get to work at about three-thirty and probably left
at around six-thirty.  The only thing Jordan could hope for now is that she
would be working today between three-thirty and six-thirty as it just so
happend, Jordan was really getting low on marshmallows and other
"necessities" and wanted to make a quick trip to the store.

Jordan walked into the grocery store looking around but seeing no Kara she
went on about her business getting three bags of jumbo marshmallows.  If
she didn't give Kara something to remember her by yesterday she would
certainly start today and the next day and maybe even the day after that as
she was going to buy the same thing everyday until Kara agreed to go out
with her.

Walking to the line of registers Jordan quickly noticed a little blonde
head with a pink shirt at the far left check-out.  She couldn't be certain
it was her as she could only see her back but she had this feeling and she
was hoping she was right.  Jordan quickly stepped in line and as she got to
the front of the line she realized that it was indeed Kara but Kara hadn't
yet noticed her.

"God, someone sure likes marshmallows." Kara thought to herself as she saw
three bags being thrown onto her belt.  She quickly scanned the items and
read the total before looking up.  She couldn't help but to be suprised to
see a smiling Jordan looking back at her.  "Oh, it's you." Kara stammerd
nervously.

"Yes it's me.  And uhm, oh shoot what is your name again?" Jordan asked as
she pretended to look for a name tag on Kara's shirt.

Kara looked down noticing what no one else had pointed out before now.  "Oh
yeah, sorry, I lost my name tag.  It's Kara, my name is Kara."  she said
feeling a bit sad Jordan hadn't remembered her name.

"Oh well... sorry to hear that." Jordan said as she handed Kara her money
and took her things and walked away.

Kara took her money and was about to put it into the register when she
noticed something funny.  The money seemed a lot harder than it was
supposed to.  At first she thought Jordan had accidently given her her
credit card too but when she pulled out the intruder she realized it was
some sort of card with a pin and on the front was an attached note.  Kara
didn't read the note as she didn't think it was any of her business but
instead flipped up the paper to read the card.  There stood "KARA" in big
bold letters along with the store name and hours.  She couldn't help but to
smile at herself as she realized what Jordan had done.  She also realized
that the note was meant for her but her customers were getting anxious and
so she slipped it all into her pocket for another time.

Meanwhile Jordan walked, or more so ran back to her car smiling like the
chesire cat.  There wasn't much she could do now.  She wanted to get to
know Kara, boy did she ever but she also knew when to push it and when to
hang back.  And right now it was time to let Kara make the move and if she
didn't by morning then tomorrow she may decide to run out of marshmallows
then too.

Kara worked diligently through her shift never once holding up customers to
read the note or to even place her name tag back on her shirt as she was
afraid she would be too tempted to read the attached verse.  Kara also
never recieved a break as she only worked three hours and you have to work
at least four to recieve a ten minute smoke, or in her case soda break.
She never skipped a beat though as her shift ended.  Walking towards the
door to leave she was already reaching into her pocket.  Stepping to the
side of the entrance she began reading.  It was short she noticed but she
had no idea it would come to hold so much.

It read, "Coffee?  I promise I'll drive slow."  along with the few words
Kara noticed a number.  A big number, a phone number.  "She wants me to
call her."  Kara thought to herself.  She knew she wanted to, deep down she
really did.  There was just something about her that Kara wanted more of
but she also knew she couldn't call her.  "I don't even know her!"  Kara
aruged with herself as she started the long walk home.  "I know, but I
really would like to go."  "No, no you can't go, you just can't.  Besides
what would Linda and Ron say?"  Kara knew the last argument didn't matter
much as they would probably never notice she was gone but still something
was stopping her.

Again Kara reached her home dog tired.  However she did manage to eat
dinner before heading off to bed and slipping under the sheets to a very
warm, mysterious dream.  She again woke to much of the same as the day
before and every day before that as Jasmine was a total morning person and
was kind enough to wake her.  She noticed this morning though that Jasmine
was a little more happy than usual.

"What got in your pants last night?" Kara kidded with her.

Jasmine giggled. "More like what's getting into your pants missy.  I found
this on the floor.  My guess is you fell asleep with it in your hand."  She
then held up a crumpled piece of paper that indeed looked as if it had been
nursed all night by clammy hands.

Kara looked down.  She was embarassed.  For herself and for Jasmine as she
thought the number belonged to a boy.  "Oh that," Kara said with a shy
smile. "that is nothing you need to worry about.  I'm not even going to use
it. I mean I don't even know he... him."  Kara caught herself.

Jasmine looked at her funny.  "Suite yourself.  But I think your lying."
Jasmine chided as she threw the note and a pillow at Kara's head and ran
off into the bathroom.

Kara sat there a moment remembering what had happend the night before.  She
just couldn't put the note down.  She wanted to but everytime she thought
about it she seemed to not be able to remember Jordan's face however when
she was holding it everything felt solid and real.  She hated that she was
making such a big deal out of it but there was something about Jordan that
gave her comfort, gave her hope and she had no idea why.  Starting to feel
a little sick, Kara placed the note under matress and vowed to forget it
existed.

Jordan had waited all night for that call.  Every single minute of every
single hour from six-thirty until eleven.  She was a little dissapointed
yet she really didn't expect much else.  Kara was shy, at least when you
got down to it.  She may put up this tough girl front for a while but deep
down she was so unsure of herself, of the world, you could see it in her
eyes.  Jordan didn't stay down for too long though as that just wasn't her
thing.  She put her game face back on, wrote another note and went to work,
waiting patiently until five that evening.

It was Friday and Kara wasn't too happy about that at all.  Earlier in the
week she had suggested working a longer shift on Friday so that she could
have Sunday off to catch up on some school work.  She was glad to have the
Sunday off but that didn't make today any easier on her.  Friday was their
busiest day and nothing ever seemed to go right, not even in the three
hours she was normally there.

She didn't think much about Jordan that day.  She didn't really want to.
Not that she didn't like the thought of Jordan, she did very much so.  It
was more so that she didn't want to have to face facts that she could never
befriend her.  It's just too hard to make friends in her situation.  Foster
home after foster home, school and work, where is the time?  True, she
would be eighteen in three months but that didn't mean she would be here
for those next three months and she didn't like the thought of starting
things she couldn't finish which is why she never really made friends to
begin with.

Jordan again walked into the store with her head held high and huge smile
on her face.  If anything confidence was her first name it always would be.
Kick her, beat her, whip her, smash her, you couldn't break her, too many
had tried.  This was her life and she was going to live it the way she
wanted to.  And right now she wanted three bags of jumbo marshmallows.  Not
bothering to look at the other registers today she got into the same line
she was in yesterday and waited, completely ignoring the calls of open
registers.  Luckily other customers were more concerned with time and she
moved fast and was soon throwing her items onto the belt.

Kara again never seemed to look up from her register.  That is until she
spotted something way too familiar.  She looked up and again met a smiling
Jordan.

Jordan quickly eyed Kara's name tag and nodded her head.  "I see you found
it.  That's good."  Jordan said knowingly.

Kara smiled.  "Ahh yeah, thanks for that.  I hadn't really realized that I
had lost it until well... someone gave it back to me."  She then began to
blush as she bagged Jordan's marshmallows.

Jordan handed her her money and again took up her things and left.  Kara on
the other hand again felt something odd about the money.  She knew it
wasn't the same as yesterday but it still felt weird.  She flipped the
bills over and again saw another note.  Against her better judgement she
couldn't wait to read the note this time and quickly opened it.

"No coffee then?  Driving lessons Sunday.  I'll tell you where."

Kara sighed and laughed at the same time.  She was trying to not like this
girl, to distance herself from something that seemed so cute and happy but
she couldn't and within the three seconds it took her to read the short
note she realized that she would never be able to.

That night Jordan again waited for a phone call however it never came.  She
expected it tonight, more so than the night before but she still didn't let
it get her down.  She thought that maybe Kara was just a bit more shy then
she first thought and needed a little more time.  She knew that she was
making it obvious that she was into Kara and she also knew that Kara,
whether she realized it or not, was into her too.  This could only mean
though, that Jordan had to step it up a bit and she knew just how to do it.

Kara again went home that night and couldn't bring herself to call Jordan.
She was a little more open to the idea tonight than the previous night but
that little voice in her head was still saying no and she couldn't help but
to listen.  That day at work though, Kara was prepared.  She was actually
waiting on Jordan and her marshmallows.  It was then she realized the agony
of waiting and knew she was putting Jordan through much of the same.  Kara
continued to wait though, she was more alert with her customers than she
had ever been but despite her all seeing eyes, Jordan was no where to be
found.  She was getting scared that Jordan was giving up on her right when
she was ready to give in and that evening she sadly began to walk home
vowing to finally make the first call.

"So you don't do coffee and you don't drive.  What is it that you do then?"
She heard a voice call from the parking lot she was walking through.

She looked up and this time, she wasn't suprised.  She was happy, so happy
that she couldn't help but to smile.  She walked over to where Jordan was
leaning against her car and spoke.  "No, I love coffee.  But I'm scared to
drive and I just didn't know which to pick."  She felt proud of her quick,
confident response until she heard what Jordan had to say.

"Bullshit." Jordan said bluntly as she moved from the car to stand in front
of Kara.  "It's not driving you're scared of.  It's me."

Kara was a bit taken aback by Jordans comment but she knew it was true, she
knew more than anything it was true.  "I uh," Kara closed her eyes a moment
and decided it was now or never. "yeah, I'm scared of you.  I'm not used to
this whole making friends thing you know, I've never taken time to make any
and so I'm a little rusty about what to do."

"Come with me then." Jordan said confidently.  "And don't tell me it's
against the rules."

Kara smiled and knew she was had.  "Okay."

Jordan hopped into the car and nodded her head towards the passenger door.
She waited to make sure Kara was actually going to get in before closing
the door and putting on her seat belt.  Kara was soon to follow.

They didn't say much at first.  Kara being too nervous to speak and Jordan
waiting for her to loosen up a bit.  However the silence was soon too much
and Kara couldn't take it.

"So where are we going?"

Jordan smiled.  "You'll find out soon enough."  She then innocently looked
at Kara and winked.

Kara kiddingly rolled her eyes and decided to enjoy the ride.  She knew
that she could be putting herself into danger.  Jordan didn't seem like
that kind of person but she was a bit older than her and in a way she was
mysterious.  The big muscular car, her confidence, it seemed as if she had
been on her own a while and also toughend up a bit.  Kara could only hope
that she wouldn't be taking her somewhere where she had to learn the same
lessons Jordan did.

Soon enough the car came to a stop, a non-tire screeching, slow and steady
stop that Kara was most definetly thankful for.  She noticed that they were
at the river and soon all of those fears about being roughed up came
flooding back.  Who knew what kind of gangs and hoodlins were out here just
waiting to attack and even more, who knew if Jordan was one of them?  Kara
couldn't help but to tense up as Jordan left the car, she really didn't
want to move.  Jordan made it to the front of the car before she realized
that Kara wasn't with her.  There she looked through the windsheild towards
Kara and annoyedly cocked her head then motioned with her eyes for Kara to
come on.  Slowly she complied.

Once out of the car Kara realized that there were rows upon rows of houses
lining the hill on the other side.  Jordan began walking towards one of the
bottom ones.  Before reaching the house Jordan turned.  "You, you stay
here."

Kara was very much okay with that and leaned against the car facing the
dirty water.  Jordan wasn't gone long and soon appeared with two beers and
slid up beside Kara.  Jordan began opening the bottles and in turn gave one
to Kara who took it gladly.

"So you drink, that's good, I was worried you didn't do that either."
Jordan said good naturedly.

"Well you know... it is against the rules but we're here so why not?"  Kara
replied with a smile.

"Haha the rules.  That's funny you know... I've never seen a kid with so
many rules.  How old are you anyway?"

"Well see I'm not most kids," Kara said as she hopped farther back onto the
hood of the car. "I am a foster child and as of right now, I'm living in a
home where there are many rules, rules which I have broken today and rules
that I will probably continue to break if you keep stalking me."  They both
smiled.  "I am seventeen though, so three more months worth of rules and
then I'm done for good."

"Wow... I never really expected that."  Jordan said wide eyed.  "I just
figured you were shy old average Jane."  She was making Kara blush and she
loved it.

"Well that's me.  What about you?  So far I only know you drive manly cars
and try to hit poor innocent people, and oh, again, you're a stalker."
Kara kidded.

"Haha, well yeah, two out of three isn't so bad.  I mean I do drive this
big old car but I love it and could never part with it, and I was kind of
stalking you but I..."  Kara looked into Jordan's eyes awaiting her
response.  "I just feel like I wan't to get to know you."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

Kara smiled.  "I guess I feel that way too."

From there each talked a bit about their respective lives along with the
usual dreams and aspirations.  Kara of course talked about ending up
parentless and Jordan more so listened, wanting to give Kara as much
compassion as she could.  And even though Kara pushed Jordan to talk about
her own life in more detail somehow, the conversation just never seemed to
turn that way.  By the time they were done it was way past the time for
Kara to be home but she didn't really mind.  She was getting comfortable
with Jordan and didn't really want to leave.  She was going to take this
slow though, this friendship, incase she had to up and move or something
which was likely if she was going to be spending time with Jordan thus
breaking the rules.  Besides Jordan was just her friend, there really
wasn't much to speed up anyway, right?

"I think it's about time for you to get me home, unless you're going to
make me walk or something."  Kara said as she stepped from the car and
streched her legs.

"Oh yeah right.  Well I think if you start walking now you could make it
back to the grocery store around one tomorrow morning and then after that
I'm lost because I don't know where you live.  So uhm, be safe and maybe we
can do this again sometime?"  Jordan asked as she reached for a hug.

Kara looked at her funny and hugged her back.  She knew Jordan was joking
but she did sound awful serious.  Jordan then took up their beer bottles
and began walking back towards the house.  It was then Kara started to get
worried.

"Wait, wait!  Where the hell are you going?!"

Jordan paid her no mind and walked right on towards the house to the trash
can and threw in the bottles.  She then turned around and flashed that sexy
grin that Kara loved to see and ran back to the car.  Kara laughed and
rolled her eyes.  "That's what I thought."

"No, it's not, you thought I was leaving you and you know it!" Jordan
kidded as she started the car and turned back towards city limits.

Even though both girls had drank that night neither were drunk as they both
knew better.  Jordan for one would be driving and of course, Kara couldn't
let her family know.  And so Jordan again drove safely all the way going
where Kara directed her and stopping right before they turned onto Kara's
street.

"Stop here."

"Oh so you live there?" Jordan asked, pointing to the nearest house and
putting the car into park.

"No, I live down that street there." Kara pointed left.

"Well why can't I just take you home then?" Jordan asked as she put the car
back into drive.

Kara stopped her.  "Because," she started "it's against the rules." They
both finshed.

"All right, all right, I get it, you can't be out with anyone, I understand
that. Sorry you have to walk home though."  Jordan said regretably.

"No, it's fine, I've enjoyed tonight so it's worth the walk." Kara shyly
smiled and Jordan gladly returned it.

"So we'll do it again then?"

"Yes we'll do it again."  Kara then stepped from the car but not before
looking deep into Jordan's eyes.  Kara again smiled and shut the door, soon
she was gone.  Jordan sat there a moment waiting for Kara to reach her
house and then she slowly pulled up and looked down the street where she
saw a smiling Kara enter a front door.  She may not have been able to take
her home but at least she knew where she lived.

"So where have you been?"  Jasmine asked as Kara entered the bedroom.

"Out." Kara said cooly.

"Out where?"

"Out "studying at the library"." Kara said as she looked directly at
Jasmine.

"Okay, I can vouch for that.  But now tell me where you really went."

Kara couldn't help but to smile.  "I was with a friend."

"Is this the friend that wanted coffee?"  Jasmine asked knowingly.

"Maybe."  Kara said as she giggled.

"We'll have to talk soon you know that right?"  Jasmine stated more than
asked.

"There isn't really anything to talk about, we're just friends."

"Riiiight." Jasmine said as she rolled over and turned out her bedside
light.  Kara laughed and did the same.

The next morning Kara woke up feeling better than she had ever felt.  She
was happy and relaxed and everything was going right.  She had neglected
her family for the past few days so she decided that this morning she would
change that.  She took her shower and was down to help with breakfast in a
flash.  Her family was not normal, no, nor did she live a very free life,
but the Jeffers cared about all of their children's well being and Kara
knew that deep down, that is what mattered most and so in many ways she was
thankful for them and what she did have even if she did break the rules
every now and then.

"Well there she is, I was beginning to think you ran away."  Linda stated
as Kara entered the kitchen.

"No, I'm sorry I've just been really busy and tired lately.  Sorry I've
been scarce."

"Well as long as you understand the importance of school we will all be
okay.  We are letting you work you know, so that you will have money when
you chose to leave us but if it starts to affect school too much we'll make
you quit your job, is that understood?"

"Yes, I understand that.  It's nothing really, just a little hormonal I
think."  Kara smiled.

"Well, I can understand that." Linda laughed and began to set the table for
the eight of them.

After playing with Jenkins and Parker after breakfast and talking to Lacy
about her crush Kara made it a point to call Jordan.  She wanted Jordan to
know that she was going to do her part and she felt that now was the best
time to do that.  Kara couldn't decide if she was more nervous that Jordan
would answer or she wouldn't answer.  Both scared Kara equally.  However
when she heard "Hello?" she almost wished it was the later.

Jordan was happy that Kara had called her.  She knew that she would, she
just didn't think it would be this morning and in many ways she wished she
hadn't as Jordan was working and couldn't talk long.  However they did
decide to go out on Tuesday since neither had to work and that in it's self
was enough to make the next day and a half fly by for the both of them.

Tuesday came quickly for Kara and the more she thought about it the more
excited she got.  After coming in from school she made her excuse saying
that she was headed to the library to study and made her way down the
street to where Jordan had dropped her off a few nights before.

Kara looked around and quickly got into the car before anyone saw.  She
couldn't help but to laugh at the secretiveness of it all.  Jordan not
getting it just rolled her eyes and smiled.

"So where are we going today? Or is that a suprise too?"

"What do you think?"  Jordan teased.

"Of course it's a suprise," Kara said, faking annoyance. "just make sure
I'm home by eight okay?  I'm supposed to be studying."

"Oh I'll give you something to study."  Jordan said lustfully and then
winked at Kara.

Kara couldn't help but to blush.  She knew Jordan was hitting on her, she
had known it all along.  And though she had never really thought about her
sexuality she honestly couldn't say that she minded it at all.  And she
also knew that no matter how much she still wanted to deny it, she felt a
little of the same.

Jordan seen the small but strong light go off in Kara's head and that is
exactly what she wanted.  Last night was just about getting to know one
another but today Jordan was gonna turn on some romance, not a lot, but
enough to start what she hoped wouldn't have to end.  And still, she knew
Kara hadn't quite thought that far ahead but she was getting there and by
tonight, Jordan knew she would be too far gone to even think about anything
else.

For Kara, it felt like the drive took hours when really it was only about
twenty-minutes.  Jordan though, had made this drive so many times within
the last three years that she could do it blind-folded.  This was Jordan's
place, her refuge, and until now she had never shared it with a soul.  And
so they drove and drove finally reaching the backside of a huge cliff.  The
road here was rough but driveable although not comfortable.  Kara was
beginning to get worried again until she saw the wonderment in Jordan's
face and she knew that whatever this was, it must be good.

Finally reaching the top Jordan put the car into park and shut it off.  The
road continued on to where they were going however Jordan didn't want Kara
to spot it for the first time while riding in the bumpy car.  Jordan jumped
out and went to the trunk getting out a blanket and a cooler.

"Beer and brownies."  Jordan smiled.

"You know... we can't be drinking all of the time, I'll eventually get
caught."  Kara remarked.

"Oh don't be such a baby, we'll be fine, and here, take this."  Jordan then
threw the blanket to Kara who put it under her arm.

Jordan closed the trunk and walked around to Kara and took her hand.  Kara
was a bit suprised by this and could only look at Jordan for a moment who
of course smiled and told her to come on.  Kara soon relaxed and let
herself be pulled along the old road.  They had only walked for a few
minutes when Jordan made a sharp left and took them between two bushy
trees.  It took a bit of manuvering but both of them managed to squeeze
through side-by-side.  Once through the slender row of pines they were
literally on the very edge of the cliff.  Kara was at first scared but then
she looked down and all her fear went away.  Jordan looked over at the
suprise in Kara's face and couldn't help but to squeeze her hand.

"Wow... this is beautiful.  What is this place?"

"This is a Christmas tree farm.  Crazy, I know but it really is beautiful
isn't it?"  Jordan asked hoping that Kara would like what she saw.

"I would say beautiful.  It's like the tree's never end.  It's so, so..."

"Peaceful."  Jordan finished.

Both stood there for a moment taking it all in before Jordan stepped away
to set the cooler down and help Kara spread out the blanket.  Jordan made a
show of getting out a couple of beers so that Kara would sit down first.
Jordan wanted to be close to Kara and she knew that if she left if up to
Kara, she wouldn't sit as near as she liked.  Jordan sat down smoothly
right beside of Kara with not an inch of distance between the two.  Kara
noticed this but she never mentioned anything as she took her beer and
relaxed into the beauty of the surrounding trees.

"So how did you find this place anyway?"  Kara asked after a few minutes of
silence.

"We'll that is a.... story."  Jordan and Kara both laughed.  "About three
years ago when I first got my lisence I got out of my house as soon as I
could.  Things with my dad were bad and well... my mom died when I was
seven and so that left only me and him.  He drank a lot, which I guess
that's why I started, however he was a mean drunk, real mean.  He would
beat me a lot and when I turned sixteen I vowed to leave and never look
back.  My uncle, my mom's older brother, he knew what was going on with me
and my dad and he always made a point to come check on me from time to time
and so I told him what I wanted to do.  He agreed to let me stay with him
as soon as I got my lisence because though he wanted to take care of me, he
couldn't afford it and he knew that I would need a job thus need a car to
get there.  So he found the big manly thing as you call it, that I'm
driving today and kept it until the day he took me to get my lisence which
happend to be the day that I packed all of my things and told my dad to
kiss my ass.  I moved in with my uncle and got a job as a mechanic assitant
and that's where I'm at today.  I was so lost then that I would often drive
around meaninglessly to clear my head and then one day I found this place
and I've been coming here ever since.  I know that is more than you wanted
to hear but I guess I just got carried away."  Jordan finished in an
embarassed tone.

"Oh, no I'm glad you told me about it all.  I mean I whined to you all
Saturday night so it was your turn anyway."  Kara put her hand on Jordan's
knee to reassure her point.  She thought for a moment and then said, "So I
guess that car has done a lot for you then?  I mean it does sound kind of
odd, to base your freedom on being able to drive but maybe that's all some
of us need."

"Now you know why I drive so fast." Jordan kidded which made Kara laugh.
"But yeah, it's done a lot for me..."  Jordan left that in the air as she
leaned into her knees and looked deep into Kara's eyes.  Kara at first
didn't catch the double meaning but soon it clicked and she was left unsure
of what to say.  Kara nervously looked away.  Soon she felt fingers on her
chin slowly pulling her back in the opposite direction.  She again met
Jordans stare and all was lost.  Jordan leaned in slowly giving Kara time
to back away, though she was sure she wouldn't.  Finally their lips
thouched in a soft delicate kiss that lasted but a second.  Jordan pulled
away and searched for any sign that Kara didn't want her but she found only
the opposite.  This time Kara leaned into Jordan and kissed her again.
This kiss was filled with much more passion and lasted a lot longer.  Soon
their tounges put into rythm and it was getting hard to breathe.

Jordan pulled away first and again looked deep into Kara's soul.  She saw
sadness there but she saw hope too and that was all she needed to know.
She bent in for one last kiss and then moved around to hold Kara from
behind.  Kara rested her head on Jordan's shoulder and waited for what was
to come.

"I've wanted to do that since I almost killed you, you know?"

Kara smiled.  "I can't say that I knew what I wanted then.  I can't say I
know what I want right now even.  But this feels right and so I'm doing
it." Kara then entwined both sets of fingers with Jordans.

"That's all that matters."  Jordan then kissed her cheek softly and left
Kara to her thoughts for a while.

After a while the sun began to set and as beautiful as it was it was
getting cold upon the cliff and Jordan knew that it was getting time to go.
She hated to move, she hated to even blink but Kara had to get home.
Jordan wrapped her arms around Kara's waist and pulled her in tight then
whispered in her ear, " I don't want to move and you don't want to move but
we have to get you home."

Kara sighed and slowly began to stand.  "Okay."

Both girls packed up their garbage and the blanket and headed back toward
the car.  Neither spoke as they we're leaving but as soon as they were in
the car each looked at one another nervously.

"I had fun today." Kara said at last.

"I'm glad, I was hoping you would like it here. I had never shown this
place to anyone before."

"Well I'm glad I was your first and I think I'm also glad that you were my
first, kiss I mean."  Kara said shyly.

Jordan didn't know but she had suspected that it was Kara's first kiss
though she couldn't tell it.  She may have not had any practice but she was
damn good at it.  Jordan could only smile and nod.  Kara bit her lip and
then slowly moved her head toward Jordan.  Jordan wanting much of the same
complied and moved her head so that they met in the middle.  Jordan was the
first to open her lips and she couldn't get enough of Kara in them.  They
had fufilled the emotional aspects of what had begun but now it was just
pure need.  Jordan grabbed Kara and pulled her over onto her lap stopping
the kiss only long enough for Kara to find a seat.  This went on for much
longer than intended and soon the car fogged up and the air became too hot
to breathe.

Kara pulled back and panted "I have to get home."

To be continued --