ForevaXena's FanFic . . .

A Different Light
(Strippin' 8)

by LB Anderson

DISCLAIMER: They’re not mines, X&G. They belong to MCA and no copyright infringements are intended. If you AIN’T (not) old enough, (18) or older and you don’t like to read about girls playing house, STOP NOW! This isn’t your cup of Tea.

Written and © Copyrighted by: L.B. Anderson
October 9, 1999

Cover by Michelle Galea

(Click photo for larger image)

Foxy observed Slick's mien as she strutted grandly back into the club as if the crying spell had never happened. Although, she didn't get up till mid day, when she did her entire attitude had changed. Foxy wondered if she had mentally discarded the little blonde like yesterday's news with no regard to the supposed relationship or the little woman.

"Slick, you missed breakfast would you like for me to have the cook whip you up some lunch?" Foxy asked while tilting her head and paying close attention to her friend's temperament. "Naw, I'm going out. Silk called me and invited me out for a luncheon." She informed her friend while walking past one of the dancers and popping her firmly on the backside.

Foxy caught up with Slick right before she stepped out the door and grabbed her elbow to bring her to a stop.

"What are you doing? I thought you were going to try to work this thing out with Carmen?" The drag queen asked his friend while moving in front of her and grasping both of her shoulders in a gentle clasp. Slick shrugged away from his hold and chuckled mockingly. "Don't worry mother hen, we are big girls. Besides, Carmen is better off without me, and I need to get laid. I haven't had any in two weeks." She joked as she moved around her tall brown friend and gave him a wink.

"Slick...don't do this. I have never seen you so happy with anyone except Carmen. Why do you want to throw that all away? Are you afraid of being loved or being in love?" He finished angrily. Slick could hear the frustration and aversion in her friend's voice.

The night club owner whirled around and just stared at her friend. For a long while she didn't speak, they just stood glaring into each other eyes as if examining the others thoughts.

"I am not afraid of anything and nor do I fear anyone. I am not right for Carmen. She is kind, caring, good natured and loving. I don't possess any of those things unless there is something in it for me. She deserves much more than I can give her right now and I won't hold her back from looking for another. But, there is one thing that you were right about, I shouldn't change for anyone and I'm never going to do that again. ~

Slick then turned and headed back to her car. Just before getting in she looked over at her friend once more, her gaze was like nothing he had ever seen. His friend was hurting and what was even more disheartening was Rimi was starting to think that Carmen was too good for her and shouldn't be involved with anyone such as herself. Slick gave him a nonchalant wave before pulling off

Foxy was shocked and definitely filled with confusion. <The one woman who was able to make her smile for the entire day and now she just walks away from her as if she an old toy. What is up with her>? He thought while pondering on how could he restore his friend's faith in love plus her self-esteem.


Seeing Silk again...

"I have a reservation at the Debaue table." Slick informed the restaurant hostess. The girl searched the list first then retrieved and menu for the club owner and asked her to follow her. Silk had reserved a private setting on the restaurant's indoor patio. Slick followed the attendant and once there thanked her for escorting her.

Silk look as sensual as always as she stood at the table upon laying eyes on Slick. She was wearing a long, form fitting black gown that was split up the front and string laced up and down her sides with a V dipping neck line. Her body screamed, "Come get it."

Slick walked up to her and allowed the woman to yank her closer and claim her lips. The kiss was slow and attentive but it wasn't Carmen.

"Please," Silk said after releasing Slick from the kiss. "Have a seat. I'm glad you agreed to see me. We parted on such iffy terms that I was beginning to think there was no hope for us. But now I feel so much better." She said wiggling in her seat until she was comfortable then she took a sip of her champagne. "So tell me how have you been keeping yourself busy lately?" She asked trying to strike up a conversation. Slick was never much on small talk, at least with her anyway. Yet she thought she'd put forth the effort anyhow.

Slick told her that she spent the weekend going to parks, movies and water world with Aurora and that she rather enjoyed herself, but what she didn't mentioned was that Carmen was there. Although she didn't speak her name she was definitely in her heart and mind.

"Well what say we make a day of it. We can go back to my place and get re-acquainted all over again." Silk suggested wanting more than anything to get in bed with Slick again. Slick nodded her head approvingly but deep inside she knew she wasn't into being with anyone right now but Carmen.


Carmen's Place...

"Good afternoon Mouse." Chocolate said with a smile. "You hadn't slept most of the night so we decided to let you sleep in. Come get you something to eat." She stated handing over the sandwich plate she'd prepared for Carmen.

"Thanks Amber but I don't feel like much eating." She said setting the tray back down on the table.

"Look Carmen, I know you miss Slick and you're still hurting, but if you have any chance at getting her back you are going to have to utilize the little strength that you do possess. So, sit down and eat some of this." Amber commanded while she and Pocahontas took a seat at the table.

Carmen took a bite of the sandwich and just as her mouth was filled she tried to talk, spewing bits of the meal out of her mouth. Amber and Shelia sat staring at the little slug with obvious distaste.

"Good lord Carmen chew your food first before trying to talk. I think a piece of your waded up food just fell in my plate." Pocahontas stated, fingering through her chips as if looking for the discarded piece.

Carmen finished the roll in her mouth and swallowed. "Now," She started, rolling her eyes at her friend. "I wanted to ask you two to please not mention this to Veronica." "Mention what?" She heard directly behind her. Carmen hadn't been paying attention to her friend's speculative gazes that indicating that her aunt had quietly came into the house.

Veronica bid everyone good morning before kissing Carmen on the jaw and taking the seat next to her. "Tell me what?" She asked again taking a chip from Sadie's plate.

"That...uh.. .that uh." Carmen stuttered before Shelia jumped in and said, "That she slept in most of the morning." Veronica examined Pocahontas's facial features as if searching for a flaw. She then glanced over at Chocolate who eyes suddenly found something interesting in her plate to stare at. Vanilla returned her gaze to her niece as Carmen quickly picked up her sandwich and bit off a huge chunk filling her mouth so that she would be unable to reciprocate temporarily.

"You three couldn't lie yourselves out of paying for an overdue library book." She growled gazing from one to the other. "What the fuck is going on? And it is obviously serious because you are all avoiding my question." No one spoke, each surveying who would speak first if anyone.

"You know I called here about three hours after we left the club and I didn't get an answer. Where were you three?" Vanilla asked figuring they went out or something. The majority of her time was spent at Sassy's.

"We uh..." Pocahontas began but faltered miserably. "Went to the Super Stop...that's were we went." Chocolate finished for her.

Vanilla sat back in her seat and watched the three liars as they fidgeted with the chips on their plate and Carmen continuously stuffed her mouth so that she wouldn't be able to speak.

Veronica sighed and crossed her legs. "Eat up girls because no one is leaving this table until I get the truth. Now...what you all need to decide is how you are going to get away from this table if you don't tell me."

Pocahontas and Chocolate gazed over at Carmen wanting her to say something. They knew damn well that if they tried to leave that table it was going to be on in there. Vanilla didn't come across violent but after her brutal rape she'd took several classes on all types of fighting. Meaning they were going to have to fight like hell, and together, to get up out of there.

Carmen continued to nibble at her sandwich as she looked nervously over at Chocolate. Amber tried several times to get the little one to speak by hoisting her eyebrows up and down while nudging her head in Vanilla's direction. Veronica sighed again and glanced slightly around Carmen's head just in time to see Chocolate's visual suggestions. Once their eyes met Chocolate yelped, "Ouch," and covered her eyes. She then laid down her sandwich and tried to leave the table. Just as she stood up rubbing at her eyes Vanilla jumped up out of her chair and stood directly in front of the brown beauty.

"Whatever is in your eyes outside of that lie you are harboring, I'm sure Carmen and Shelia can help get it out right here." V.D. then turned and looked down at the other two opened mouthed girls who were now realizing that she was serious about the not leaving the table bit. "Oh there it is," Chocolate mumbled taking her seat and glaring at her other two conspirators. "It's fine now." She said in defeat. "Good," Vanilla said, "Now. . .where were we?" she said in a whining, sarcastic tone.

"Carmen was about to tell you about her night at Slick's." Pocahontas said speedily while shoving a fist full of chips into her mouth.

"Ouch," She yelled spitting the food that was in her mouth into her plate from the hard kick Carmen delivered to her knee. "Ungrateful twat," She mumbled while trying to rub the pain from her leg.

Vanilla moved slowly back around Carmen as her eyes began to pierce the little blonde's frame. Meditating on how she should pursue the matter of her niece defying her.

Carmen's aunt scooted her chair right up under her and lowered her elbows down upon her knees and threaded her fingers together under her chin before speaking again.

"You've been seeing that woman behind my back Carmen?" Vanilla inquired without looking up at her niece. Sadie didn't say anything. Instead she felt it was safer to continue eating her sandwich. Before another thought had crossed her mind Veronica brought the back of her hand up abruptly against Carmen's face causing the little blonde to spit whatever she had in her mouth out and grab at her now stinging jaw.

Carmen didn't bother to look over at her aunt because if she was angry enough to strike her she damned sure didn't want to look down into her intimidating scowl. Carmen remained still, not wanting her aunt to get any more edgy than what she already was.

"I'm going to ask you again, Carmen." Vanilla said not even bothering to look up. "Have you been seeing that woman behind my back?" Carmen looked over at Chocolate, who nodded her head, secretly telling her friend to tell her aunt what has been going on.

"Chocolate and Shelia would you two mind giving us a few minutes alone please." Vanilla grumbled outwardly displaying her disappointment in her niece. The two women stood up and gave Carmen an encouraging gaze before leaving the room.

"Carmen," Veronica began while sighing and sitting back in her chair. "I can't believe that you would openly oppose me. How could you do that? After all I try to do to protect you? What happened...did that bitch try to rape you?" Vanilla knew that the only way to extract information from her niece was to ask questions and watch her responses. Carmen lowered her elbows onto the table and laid her forehead upon her threaded fingers while turning her head away from her aunt.

Veronica practically leaped from her chair. "She did didn't she?" She drawled in a tone so icy Carmen felt the chilling effects surge up her spine. "I'm going down there and confront that filthy whore." "NO!" Carmen shouted finally speaking. "She didn't do that. She was dreaming and got caught up in it. She needs help and I plan to give her just that. Slick is a wonderful person full of hope and possibility and I won't pull out on her because things have gotten a little rough." Carmen closed, breathing hard.

"Fine...just fine, if that's how you want it Miss Carmen then go to it. But don't expect me to stand idly by as she drags your little stupid ass down in the sewers with her. I'm out of here. And don't you call me. You want to take on the devil in fine leather then go on, but don't include me in it." Veronica announced as she threw the chair she was setting in up against the wall with a crashing rumble.

"Are you saying that you don't want to see or hear from me again?" Carmen asked meekly with furrowed brows. "Exactly..." Vanilla said giving her niece a raised eyebrow expression. "Maybe you're not as stupid as I thought you were." She then grabbed her things and left the house slamming the door directly behind her.

Amber and Shelia hurried back into the room each of them staring at the door. "What in the hell did you say to her?" Amber asked stepping up to a teary eyed Carmen and laying her hand gently upon her shoulder. Carmen looked up to her friend and began to cry once more. <Ah shit...not again>. Amber thought pulling her little distraught friend up into her arms, while looking over at Pocahontas baffled. "What the hell is going on around here?" Amber asked her self silently.


Back at the Fiery Pit...

"Slick, where in the hell have you been?" Foxy snapped placing his hands upon his hips and giving the club owner a disappointing glance. Just then Silk got out of the car. <Oh lord no, not this bitch again>.

"Hi Ronald, how's the girly business? I see you're still wearing a dress. Too bad you don't have what it takes to be a man or a woman." She finished tauntingly while walking around to the front of the car and pausing to reach for Slick's hand. Slick fell right into the reformed lover role and snorted at Silk's insults to Foxy while walking past him.

"Slick if you bring her back into your life this is my last go round with you." He stated standing firmly on what he said. Slick whirled around and glared emotionlessly at her friend. "If that's how you want it then fine. I thought at least that you were my friend but I see things are different now since I'm not with the person you think I should be with. I can't believe you would even have the audacity to give me an ultimatum." Slick huffed while staring into her friend's appalled eyes. "So let it be written. So let it be done." He quoted walking past Slick and her giggling new mistress.

Foxy went into the club, gathered her things, and bid the girls that were getting preparing for their performance tonight, good bye. The girls were shocked, especially after he told them what Slick told him and on top of it she allowed her trick to openly scorn him.

"But what will we do without you? You know the reason why we are so organized is because you take the time too..." The little dancer jumped in the middle of the statement as an angry Slick swung the door open with a crashing bang and ordered everyone out except Foxy. The room occupant's spilled swiftly from the room as if they had been given a bomb threat.

"What are you trying to do to me?" She grumbled in a thunderous tone. "I've lost the only woman that I've ever loved and now...now you want to get up and leave me. You better think twice about this, because if you do..." "DO WHAT...Slick," Foxy growled back. "What, you want to ruin me now? You want to tell me that I will never work in this town after you finish spreading horrible lies about me? Aw," He said taking in a brief breath. "Don't even bother Slick. I'll move to another flicking state if that will make you feel any better, that way you'll really have me out of your way." Foxy stated still shoving her things into the case he'd brought in to store her make-up.

Slick walked up to him and placed her hands gently upon his, not wanting to spur him into a fight, and stilled them. "Don't do this Foxy. You know I can't get through this alone. Nor would I be able to run this club effectively without you. I just need you to bear with me...please." She admitted honestly. Foxy looked down into his friend's melancholy eyes and caved. He had never felt such a despondent plea from Slick in his life. She was lost and secretly asking him to stay at her side until she found her way again.

"Alright Slick, BUT if that hussy insults me one more time I am going to floor her ass. And I want you to keep her away from me. She is not the woman for you and you know that. But if you want to continue this charade of looking for love in all the wrong places, then so be it. I'll be here when you need me, after all what are friends for?" He asked while threading his fingers within Slick's and giving them a brief squeeze before shoving her away and ordering her to get the girls back in there. They had a show to get ready for.

Slick laughed and headed for the door. "I know they will thank their lucky stars. They whimper and cry whenever you leave me in charge of 'em." She finished jokingly while opening the door and beckoning the girls back inside. Slick closed the door behind her and listened as the girls cheered and clapped at Foxy's retracting statement of her leaving. She then smirked and informed Murray that she would be back in an hour or so. <Now where is she going>? He wondered as he watched the stunning woman leave.


Down at the Hot Spot...

"Is she here yet?" Carmen asked, anxious to know if Vanilla was working tonight. "Nope," Chocolate popped. "Al said she's not scheduled for tonight, nor is she penciled in on any of the nights you perform for the next month." Carmen dropped down into her chair and tuned up to cry.

"Oh no don't start that shit again." Pocahontas spat. "You knew how adamant "V," was about you seeing this woman and you chose to go against her wishes. So deal with it. You are a grown woman and crying all the time is not going to fix the problem. You need to go to her and talk to her rationally, and if need be beg her to forgive you." Her friend stated glaring at her through the minor as they sat back to back.

"She wants me to give up Slick, and I can't do that." Carmen mumbled despairingly. "I have never needed her to understand my motives before but now I do. And on top of that I need her. She's the closest thing to a mother that I've ever had in my life and even she abandons me in my time of need. What, am I destined to be alone and unloved? What have I done to deserve such a wrath?" She asked allowing the rising tears to drip from her eyes.

"Look baby," Chocolate said moving to her side after slapping Shelia on the back of the head for being insensitive. After our performances we'll ALL go over to Sassy's place and talk to her. All you need to do Carmen is let her know what's in your heart, and the truth. Don't beat around the bush with her. If you think of her as your mother then treat her as such. Be honest with her. Nothing can withstand that and if Slick is the woman for you. She'll come to you. Just give her some time." Amber reassured her. Carmen shook her head in compliance and began to set up for her show.


Among the Audience...

Slick sat in the back of the club waiting for Carmen's act. She didn't recall being this nervous at any of her other performances but tonight was different. She had to see her, if only while she performed. She missed her something terrible and it hadn't even been a full twenty four hours. Secretly, she wondered if Carmen had even thought about her. She hadn't received a call from her. Nor had she left word as to whether she ever wanted to see her again. Slick felt her heart pound in her chest. Oh how she wouldn't trade in everything she had right now just to hold her in her arms forever. Slick shuffled in her seat as the longing to be with the little stripper troubled her very being.

The lights dimmed and Al came on to the stage to announce her. As in every show Carmen was captivating, limber, charismatic and ever so riveting. Slick would swear her show tonight had been her best ever. Slick could feel her body tingle like the first night she saw her. Only this time her soul ached alone with it. She never wanted to be with anyone like she did the little stripper and it was apparent as her eyes began to water. She just had to figure out a way to be with her again, even if meant begging her to come back to her.

After Camp Fire's dance, Slick discreetly left the club with only one goal in mind, to get back her woman. No dream or ancient vision was going to keep her from the one woman that lulled her heart with a single word. She had to get her back, whatever the cost may be. If counseling was what she needed, and if Carmen was willing to go with her then that is what they would do. But SHE, most of all was going to get over those dreams, and go on with her life with Carmen at her side.


Later that night...

Slick couldn't explain it, but after trying several times to achieve a climax from the eager efforts of Silk's talented tongue and fingers she still felt empty and unsatisfied. There had never been a time that her chosen lover hadn't been able to satisfy her. Yet, Silk had tried over and over to prompt a consuming release from her statuesque partner, but to no avail. Not only could Slick not achieve a release, Silk was never able to get Slick aroused enough to even ponder a zenith. <Aw, this is bad> She thought almost embarrassed except the mocking chuckle kept her from feeling bad for herself. She knew the reason why all of this was transpiring. It was evident that she was over Silk and no longer desired her. But what she found more fascinating was that with just a single thought of Carmen her entire body gnited like the boosters on a rocket...what she wouldn't give to be lying beside her right now. Silk thought rolling away from Silk and turning her back to her.

Slick closed her eyes, hoping that her mind would routinely eradicate her current thoughts of inadequacy and the insincere words of endearment Silk would utter just as Rimi felt she was coming, yet it was just a repeated false alarm. After three to four tries Slick decided that she had had it and was tired. Silk couldn't figure it out. Slick seemed fine this afternoon, and she didn't have a problem releasing. (I wonder if her age is becoming a factor now)? The tanned beauty thought while sliding up behind Slick and wrapping her arms around her waist. (Little did she know was that the two times that Slick had released she was thinking of one little talented bomb shell).

Rirni began to drift into a restless sleep when out of nowhere the phone began to ring. Slick patiently raised her head, gazed over at the clock and then over to the phone. <Who ever this is> she thought reaching for the phone. <They had better be dying>. Slick rationalized while snatching the phone from its perch and growling into the phone, "Hello."

"Hi Mommy," Aurora's little voice chirped. Slick sat up abruptly breaking all contact with Silk and rubbed her eyes vigorously while glancing at the clock again.

"Ray-Ray, just what are you doing up? Is everything alright?" Slick asked hoping like hell that she didn't have to leave her house and go over to Murray's and kick some ass about her daughter.

"Naw. . .I'm fine. I keep waking up. Kathy and daddy are really making a lot of noise. What could make them keep up such racket?" She paused just long enough to allow her mother the time needed to answer the question. Slick clearing her throat realizing her little persistent bundle wasn't about to back away from receiving what she wanted.

"Well...baby.. .uh-huh, Sometimes grown ups like to play games to help tire themselves out when they're not quite sleepy. So that's what they are probably doing." Slick finished, rather proud of herself for trying to appeal to her daughter's immaturity to the subject of sex. "Unh...That's funny. I could have sworn that they were having sex like Aunt Foxy explained to me.

There have been a lot of times when I've heard the same screams coming from your room mommy and that is when T-T (auntie) explained the whole birds and bees thing to me in human terms." Aurora said pausing briefly before issuing her last sentence on the subject.

"So mommy, daddy and Kathy weren't having sex?" <Aaaaarrrggghhh> Slick thought. <I am going to kill Foxy for corrupting my daughter>. Slick thought, while smiling. Instead she was rather proud of both her friend and Aurora's knowledge. It was just one more thing that she had failed to enlighten her daughter on, but thank the creator upstairs that she had Foxy in her corner. He was definitely like the sensitive brother she'd never had. Yeah...she was partially raised with two brothers before the younger one's death. But never had they ever been as concerned, caring and supportive as Foxy was. Slick loved him and what was even more astounding to her was that he felt the same.

"Oh he did, did he?" Slick asked trying to sound as perturbed as she could without falling back laughing. After all, Aurora was being brought up in a very unusual environment and it was important that when she encountered things that they were explained to her honestly and truthfully.

"Yeah...he even went down to the drug store and bought some little beanie birds and bees to show me what he was talking about." Aurora reported obviously please with her aunt Foxy's sketch of the human sexuality. "That's good baby..." Slick whirred becoming more and more proud of Aurora with each passing day. "But would you mind telling me just why MY little angel is up at the wee hours of the morning...huh?

Aurora chuckled before continuing her convo with her mother. "So mommy...are you still mad at Carmen?" The little one asked, really trying to find out if they had in fact had a fight.

"No.. .I'm not still mad at her." Slick said laying her head back upon the thick cherry wood headboard of her king-sized bed. "As a matter of fact, I miss her something terrible and I'm frightened that she could still be mad at me. You know it's now been a full twenty four hours and she hasn't called. She probably hates me or even worse she doesn't want to be in the same room with me." Slick finished with a discouraging sigh.

"Aw mommy, Carmen could never stay mad at you. You know she loves you, and Auntie Foxy said when you really, really love a person you always forgive them. Was she not telling the truth mommy?" Aurora inquired doubting very seriously that Foxy was wrong, but she wanted to hear it from her mother that Foxy was in fact correct.

"In some cases baby that is true, but then there are others who do not follow that philosophy. Some choose to just walk away and leave it at that. But you know..." Slick mumbled encouraging. "There are a lot of people that believe what T/T said and I am one of them. I hope Carmen is one of those people as well. That way I won't have to keep worrying about her coming back to us." Slick closed, knowing that the last sentence would bring a smile to her little one's face. She simply worshiped Carmen. It wouldn't surprise Slick if her little busy body had plans in store for the both her and Carmen. (Now isn't that a very perceiving mother, because that is exactly what this little one has in mind).

"Me too mommy...Hey I have to go. Daddy just walked by." Aurora said whispering speedily into the phone. "Bye mommy. . .Love you!" The little bunny finished with a click. (But what she really failed to tell her mother was that her father had been dead to the world for about a half an hour now, and she was planning on calling Carmen). After all, the little stripper did offer to be the first person to put her number in Aurora's new address and phone number pocket catalog.

Part 9

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