At Jake's

ForevaXena's FanFic . . .

At Jake's

by Nyxie

Disclaimers: As usual...I borrowed their looks and such. They are mine based on ones who aren't.

Smut/Love/Language: Duh. All three present...seriously. This is Alt Fiction, so there's consensual sex between two members of the female gender. Oh, big shocker, they're also in a loving committed relationship. No-one under 17, if it's not legal where you live then move.

Drugs/Violence: Uhh...nope and nope.

Thanks: To Beck, my faithful Beta reader. To Squidgy, for giving me your cold. No, seriously, if I had to, I'd have sat up with you all night. I don't mind being sick if it's for the greater good of your evening. Next time you're in Jersey, lemme know and you can have more than two hours of my night and maybe another bottle of warm milk. (Then again you have to learn to read first.)

Comments: Like it? Hate it? Want more of it? Let me know...LittleStick2@yahoo.com

Prologue:

"What the hell is wrong with you!? That's the seventh fucking dish you broke today!" Peach Strausston roared at her dishwasher, Tara. She was a woman of little patients, even less when it came to her restaurant. There she wanted perfction.

"I'm sorry, Peach. My mind was...ummm...somewhere else." Tara stammered. She had a crush on Peach and everyone knew it.

"Yeah it was somewhere else. Like on Peach's ass!" Otto shot at her.

Steffi laughed, "No, that was yesterday...today it's on Peach's tits."

"And what wonderful tits they are..." Otto remarked.

Peach was amused; Tara was mortified and blushing, "No!" she yelled.

"I'm deducting your pay." Peach stated simply. She turned and headed back to the cook's line. As she did she let her breast brush against Tara's arm.

Steffi smiled and stated, "Lucky bitch!"

Jason agreed with her, "Say that again."

Steffi laughed, "Lucky bitch!"

Peach Strausston was a twenty-four year old business woman. She came from a middle class family. They were good people, but she couldn't stand the lack of freedom. As soon as she turned eighteen she took her bonds, trust funds, and anything she had saved and left home. She bought a small house, went through business school, and finally bought a floundering restaurant. She worked hard until "Jake's" was no longer sinking but thriving. Her mother was incredibly proud.

She and her staff were all close. Otto, Steffi and Jason cooked on the line with her in the kitchen, while Roger, Nick and Diana were waiters. Then there was Tara, her dishwasher, whom Peach enjoyed teasing. The rest of the staff thought it best to avoid Peach like the plague. They usually did.

"What am I expecting? It's 9:00 at night and like what's going to be open?' Harlan Rherer mumbled to herself. She walked through the small town of Chancellor looking for someplace warm. 'Jake's?' I could use something to eat." she decided as she made her way to the fish house.

Harlan left home a week ago for many reasons. She had been sleeping in her car and eating every other day. She hated her parent's rules, views, and she couldn't take life in the city. Her adventure had brought her to this small town. As of now Harlan was twenty-two and very alone.

ONE:

Diana, the hostess, was out so, Peach was filling in. She saw Harlan and thought, "I'll bet she doesn't even know how hot she is." She smiled, "Reservation?"

Harlan blushed and looked down, "I didn't realize I needed one. Sorry, I was just hungry." She was embarrassed.

Peach looked the woman over. Upon closer inspection she seemed cold, dirty, hungry, and tired. She shook her head, "When was the last time you ate?"

Harlan looked up, "Probably Wednesday." She looked Peach over and thought, "She's gorgeous and she knows it..."

"That's like three days ago!" Peach was shocked, and not happy.

"Look I'll just leave, I'm sorry." She turned to walk out of the building when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"No. You'll come with me. I'll get you some food, then take you to my place. You can have a shower and some sleep. We'll figure something out." Peach told her. She thought, "What are you doing? You aren't nice, and you don't open your house to anyone!"

Harlan turned around and smiled, "Thank you...?" She realized she had no clue what this woman's name was.

"Peach. Your name is?" she asked as she led Harlan to the back of the restaurant.

"Harlan. I really appreciate this." she said. She couldn't believe someone could be this nice to her.

"Hey Jay! Two burgers, fries, and slices of cheese cake." Peach told him.

"I know you haven't eaten today, Peach, but all that food!?" Jason questioned.

"Funny, shit-head. The other order is for my friend here, Harley." She explained.

Steffi checked out Harlan; she didn't bother to hide it. Grinning ear to ear she asked, "How you doin'?"

Harlan laughed, "If it's anywhere near as good as you, I'm thinkin' pretty damn fine!" She wouldn't be bested at this game. This one was a game she had mastered long ago.

Steffi was in shock: This woman actually answered her question with a come on! Granted her question was also a come on. "Thanks..."She retreated back to the apples she was peeling.

Peach laughed, "No-one has ever answered her like that before. I believe you scared her."

Harlan smiled at Peach. This woman was amazing. Six feet tall, with jet-black hair and the bluest eye's she'd ever seen. She shook her head, "You're fuckin' beautiful! You know that don't ya?"

Every pair of eyes in the room turned to Peach. If there was one thing they all knew was Peach hated to be hit on. Peach smiled, "And you have an ass to die for." None of them could believe Peach responded with something other than a fist to the face.

"Oh and the hormones rage!" Roger laughed as he carried his tray out of the kitchen

Nick followed carrying his tray, "I love working here. Over-sexed women all over and I can't get a single one." he said shaking his head. Everyone in the kitchen burst out laughing at his comment; they all knew he wasn't interested in any woman, in any form!

TWO:

Peach and Harlan were sitting in the kitchen of Peach's home drinking coffee. They already had their showers, and Harlan had her things settled in the guest room. "That dinner was excellent!" Harlan commented.

"I only hire the best.' Peach responded. 'What happened? Why are you alone?"

Harlan's good mood was lost, "Had a fight with my parents. I'm twenty-two and they treat me like I'm two.' She grinned again, 'And I told them I was gay. I'll be you didn't know that a fifty year old woman can't be restrained by a rather large man."

Peach laughed, "That bad?"

"Mother didn't like it. Daddy and Gina are okay with it." Harlan told her.

"Ya know you can stay here as long as you like." Peach told her, sheepishly. She really liked Harlan, and truth be known, she wanted more than a friendship.

"I'd like that very much. I like you very much." she answered shyly.

Peach cocked her head to the side, "I like you too.' She stood up and put her mug in the sink, Harlan did so too. 'Can I ask you something?"

"Sure." Harlan replied.

"Can I give you a kiss goodnight?" she asked. She was afraid Harlan would say no.

Harlan nodded, "I'd like that very much." She smiled her charming smile.

Peach noticed the way Harlan's jade eyes sparkled. She loved the way her bleached blonde hair rested in a disheveled mess on her head. She cupped Harlan's face in her hand and placed a lingering kiss on her lips. "Rest up. You start work tomorrow."

Harlan smiled. She now had a place to live, a job as a manager, and possibly the love of her life beginning in one night. She stood on her toes and placed a kiss of her own on Peach's lower lip, "Thank you."

She smiled, capturing Harlan's lower lip between her own. Another kiss followed, "Your welcome."

"Let's get some sleep.' Harlan said, as they walked toward the bedroom. She smiled, 'Nothing has to happen, but would you mind if I slept with you?" Peach grinned and swept Harlan off her feet, "Why not?' she asked as she carried her prize to her room. She carefully placed Harlan on the bed, she pulled the covers over her. Peach yawned and lay down beside Harlan, 'Good night."

Harlan curled up against Peach and kissed her one more time, "Goodnight."

THREE:

"You know, Steffi, you wouldn't be so tired if you didn't spend all Saturday night drinking." Peach pointed out.

"I spent last night in jail." growled Steffi.

"What!?" Peach yelled.

Otto looked over at Peach; he had a nice bruise over his eye, "She hit me!" he yelled.

"You hit on AnnMarie!" Steffi snarled.

"Tara said she was single!" Otto defended himself.

Eight sets of eyes turned to Tara, "It was a joke! Honest!"

Roger narrowed his eyes and snapped, "A joke that got Steffi a night in jail! Not to mention cost me about two-thousand in bail!" He pushed some of his curly blonde hair out of his eyes.

Jay was sitting on the counter, looking around. He decided to change the subject, "I got some last night."

Tara rolled her eyes, "Me too."

Nick laughed at her and said, "At least Jay's was real."

Harlan asked as innocently as she could, "So you mean Tara's requires four C-cells?"

The crew began laughing; Tara was pissed off. "Who the hell do you think you are? You just open your mouth whenever you want, like you work here or something! Shut up!"

Peach glared, "She does work here. She's the new manager, Tara."

Tara mumbled, "Sorry... I...uhhh...hmmm..."

Harlan smiled, "Don't worry about it, I won't fire you."

Peach smiled, as she placed a kiss on Harlan's cheek. She said, "Okay guy's lets open!"

Needless to say everyone loved Harley. In less than a day she had wormed into all of their hearts and wrapped Peach around her finger. The rest of the staff loved Harlan equally. Peach was in a very good mood today, and she was without a doubt the reason.

The day had been running smoothly, when Steffi noticed they were out of cheese and milk. She called out, "Peach! We need cheese and milk!"

"What kind!? I'll run to the market!"

Otto stuck his head out of the walk-in, "We need American, cheddar, Swiss, and Jack cheese. We also need whole and skim milk!"

"Alright!" Peach called back.

Tara smiled. Usually Peach would ask her to go to the market with her. The question never came. Instead she heard Peach ask, "Harley, you wanna walk to the market with me? It's only ten minutes."

"What are my options?" Harlan asked.

Peach smiled, "Come with me, or kiss me?"

Harlan laughed, "How 'bout both?" she asked as she kissed Peach's cheek.

"I think I can deal with that." she replied as she lightly kissed Harlan's lips.

Diana smiled as Harlan and Peach left, "You have no chance, Tara!"

Peach and Harlan walked hand in hand down the street. This felt so right to both of them; they'd never been so happy. Harlan shook her head, "I'm telling you, Peachy! That girl has a crush on you!"

"Doesn't matter, I don't have a crush on her." Peach said.

"Then who do you have a crush on?" she asked.

"A blonde named Harlan.' Peach told her. 'Who's your crush?"

Harlan laughed, "Steffi."

Peach stopped in her tracks, Harlan spun around. Peach looked like she was going to cry right in the middle of the road. She asked, "Steffi?"

Harlan felt horrible. She thought, "Note to self: don't play with her heart!" She walked back to Peach, "I was only playing with you. Peach, you had to know that. Tell me you didn't feel it when you saw me?"

"I felt it...I didn't think you did." Peach said

Harlan smiled and grabbed Peach's hand, "Come on, Peach-fuzz. Let's get the groceries."

Peach and Harlan did their shopping, not to mention picked up food for their own kitchen. Peach just left it empty being she at work all the time. It seemed to them everything was just fine. And for now it was.

FOUR:

Diana and Peach had taken a coffee break around 6:00. "So you gonna keep Blondie around for a while?" Diana asked.

Peach sipped her coffee and smiled. She replied, "Yah, I'd really like to."

"Alright, like stop me if it's not my business, but she spent the night with you last night didn't she?" Diana asked. If Peach said yes, she'd know Harlan would be gone in a week, tops. If Peach said no, well Peach wouldn't say no.

Peach grinned, "It's none of your business, but I'll tell you anyway, Di. We shared my bed, yes. We kissed, and that's about all we did. Come to think of it, that's all I wanted from her."

Diana looked at her curiously, "No way! Peach, you have anyone you want, when you want, and how you want! It's been like that forever! You had like a major chance with her, and you blew it!?" Diana was on a rant.

"I didn't blow anything! It's not my style!' Peach laughed, 'If I have my way, she'll be around for a long time."

Harlan sat down next to Peach, "In that case, you have your way." she commented.

Diana smiled, "It's good to see you happy, Peachy." She stood up and headed back to work.

Harlan looked at Peach and asked, "Are you happy?"

"Very." Peach said as she leaned over. She kissed Harlan's cheek, "Very."

FIVE: Two months later...

"Why can't we?" Peach asked. They had just finished showering and Peach stood sulking.

Harlan grabbed a towel and began to dry Peach off. She responded, "I want it to be special, and I don't know what I'm doing." She began drying herself off.

"How are you ever gonna learn if you don't let me show you?' Peach whined, 'Please?" She inched closer to Harlan and slipped her hand between her legs. She felt Harlan squirm, and she laughed. She wrapped her other arm around Harlan's back and began kissing her neck and teasing her clit.

Harlan let a small sigh escape, then grabbed Peach's hand and bit it. "Hands to yourself. I bought a book, and you're gonna read it with me. When we're done, then we can." She said

"And if I don't agree?" Peach growled

"If you don't agree, you wait two more months." She explained drying herself off.

"The book is where?' Peach asked as she and Harlan made their way to the living room. 'I think we'll read today." She grinned as she ran to the kitchen for beer.

They settled on the couch, Harlan sitting between Peach's legs; she was really loving this naked thing. "We should be naked all the time." She mumbled as they began to read.

Two hours had passed and Peach couldn't take it anymore. In the first chapter they had covered things she hadn't tried until she was completely experienced. "Baby, you can't want me to read anymore of this!' she said as she squirmed. 'I'm really horny!"

Harlan laughed, "I can too!"

Peach kissed her neck, "Let me?" Harlan's resolve disappeared and she gave in. Peach happily started teasing her girlfriend.

Meanwhile at Jake's...

"Foods up!' Steffi called, 'T! Bring this across the street to Peach and Harley."

Tara nodded, "Alright." She grabbed the food and was half out the door when she heard Otto.

"Be nice, Tara!" he yelled.

Tara was glad to see Peach, just not Harlan. Over the past two months Harlan had taken Peach's attention elsewhere. She made her way to the "Strausston/ Rherer" house, or so their mail box said, and opened the back door. "Peach?" she called. She dropped the food on the table and saw Peach and Harlan on the couch, obviously occupied.

In The Love Shack...

Harlan turned her head to the side after a few minutes, "Tara!? What the fuck!?" she raged

Peach followed Harlan's glances, "What are you doing!?"

"Food..." was all Tara could say.

"Then go!' Peach roared back. Tara shot out of the house rather quickly, Peach got up and said, 'I'm going to kill her!"

Harlan laughed, "Go on tiger." Peach headed for the back door; just as she reached it she heard Harlan call, "Baby! Put your cloths on!"

Peach blushed and went into the bedroom, minutes later she emerged dressed. "Are you happy now?" she asked.

"Yes." Harlan giggled. Peach had managed to get her own pants on. The shirt, however, was one of Harlan's smaller ones. It bore the likeness of "Tinky-winky", the purple Teletubbie.

"What?' Peach asked. Harlan pointed to the shirt, and Peach looked down and laughed, 'Oh well. "she said as she stomped across the street.

When at Jake's...

"You watched!?' Nick asked, 'I can't believe you!" he yelled. Nick was a good guy. Tall with light brown hair and blue eyes. He was considered attractive by a great many women, but, it was the men he was after.

Roger shook his head, "I'd have watched too! The only thing better than dancing girls, are girls having sex!"

Nick shot back at his long time friend, "Yah, well that's your opinion!"

Tara shook her head, "I didn't mean to. I just couldn't walk away!"

Otto, Steffi and Jay laughed at her. No one watched Peach in action, unless of course it was them. That was slightly different. "Last to see Peach go was...us!" Steffi laughed.

"Wha'daya mean?" Diana asked

Peach burst into the kitchen, "She means we had a wild time in chef school, and have the tapes to prove it!"

"Tapes?" Tara asked.

Harlan wormed into the kitchen behind her seething partner, "Yah, tapes?"

Peach blushed and Otto continued, "Yah. We got drunk one night and made a porno. None of us remembered till a week later. We went to watch the "Scooby-Doo" marathon we taped, and we'll just say Scooby and Shaggy were NOT solving any mysteries!"

Steffi nodded, "The mystery was how Otto got us into bed!"

Peach glared at Tara, "Doesn't matter. Peeping Tom, my office! Now!" she yelled

As Tara followed Peach out, Steffi, Otto, Nick, Jay and Roger began singing, "Pray for the dead and the dead will pray for you... Simply because they have nothing else to do!"

"How many times in the past two months have I told you to knock!?" Peach asked rather loudly

"A lot', Tara said, 'You never minded before!" she tried to justify herself.

"I don't, Harlan does! I have said it once, I've said it again, and I'll say it now! What Harlan wants, Harlan gets." She said. She was getting calmer.

"I'm sorry." Tara said. She realized that nothing she could do would make Peach love her. Harlan was everything to her, and she wasn't going anywhere.

"Good. Now one more incident like that, you're fired." Peach snapped as she lit up a cigarette.

Tara turned and left the room. As she exited, Harlan entered looking unhappy. "Peach, you quit!"

Peach put her cigarette in her mouth, "Quit what?"

Harlan took it from Peach and took a drag, "I didn't either...' she admitted. 'I want to tell you something."

"Yes?" Peach asked, placing a kiss on Harlan's lips. She couldn't help it, they were perfect!

"I love you." Harlan said

Peach looked at her and didn't know what to say. Two small tears rolled down her cheeks, "Gods Harlan, I've wanted to hear that for so long. It was partly because I wanted to say those words for the first time in my life; mostly because I wanted to say them to you. Harlan, I love you."

Harlan was now crying as well. She said it again, "I love you."

Peach just held her close for the moment, "Love you so much..." she trailed off.

SEX... I MEAN SIX:

"That was amazing..." Harlan trailed off as she rested her head on Peach's stomach.

Peach was running her fingers through the hair of her partner, "Would you believe you haven't seen nothing yet?"

She kissed Peach's stomach, "So Peach-fuzz, you get to show me more?" Harlan smirked as she ran her finger up Peach's "happy trail".

"Temptress! You're wicked!' Peach snorted in mock anger, 'but yes I'll show you whatever you want to see...tomorrow. We've been at it forever."

"I kinda enjoy what you're showin' me now. You big whiner." Harlan laughed as she crawled up the bed. She snuggled herself into Peach's shoulder.

"I meant every word I said today,' Peach said as she placed a kiss on Harlan's forehead, 'I love you so much. It's like the thought of life without you would probably kill me."

Harlan smiled at her, "You'll never have to live without me. A minute without you is like an eternity in hell. I'm not willing to live out my life like that.' She kissed Peach's collar-bone, 'On the other hand a minute with you by my side is paradise."

Peach sighed, "I agree..."

Harlan looked curiously at the woman holding her, "This is a stupid time to ask, but it's been two months, and you are my girlfriend...and I wanna know something."

"Anything."

Harlan shrugged, "What's your name?"

"Didn't you ever look at the bills?" Peach asked with a smug grin.

"Yes! They are all addressed to CR Strausston!" Harlan complained.

"CR it is then..."

Harlan bit Peach's shoulder. She said, "Tell me? Please, baby?"

Peach laughed, "Can't say no to you. The C is for Connor, and the R is for Riley."

"Connor Riley Strausston? Sounds like all last names."

Peach grimly stated, "They are. My mothers maiden name and her mothers maiden name."

"Oohh... but speaking of mothers...will you come with me to see mine?" she almost pleaded with Peach.

"You want me to meet your family?" Peach asked.

"Yah, as my roommate for now, then as my girlfriend around Christmas time." Harley said as she wrapped her arms around Peach's stomach.

"We'll take off next week, but I don't wanna not sleep with ya." Peach whined.

"You can, but we have to be good. I share a room at home with my sister, Gia." Harlan said.

"Okay." Peach agreed placing a kiss on Peach's cheek.

SEVEN:

"No. Ten more minutes?" Harlan pleaded. It was a two-hour ride to her mother and fathers house and they had to be there at 10:00. Currently it was 6:45 AM.

"No, now.' Peach pulled the sheets off of Harlan, "We need to go." She was awake, but not completely.

Harlan rolled over and rested her head on Peach's shoulder, "778-906-0666. Call and tell them we're coming later. Like we'll be there around 3:00. If you do I'll make it worth it."

Peach smiled and grabbed the phone. She punched in the number and waited for someone to pick up. A voice answered, "Mrs. Rherer...This is Connor Strausston, Harlan's friend...yes the one who'll be driving up with her...No that hasn't really changed...Yes, she's having trouble getting out of bed. I can't seem to get her up...' Harlan elbowed Peach, 'I've been pounding on the door quite some time. Yes, alright. Around three. Yes. Bye."

As Peach hung up the phone Harlan kissed her, "Thanks."

"You owe me." Peach said.

Harlan mumbled, "Later. In the shower..." She fell asleep again. Shortly after Peach joined her.

EIGHT:

"So tell me, will your parents like me?" Peach asked as they headed over the turnpike.

"If they think you're my roommate, then yes. If they think otherwise then mom won't like you at all. Dad and Gina shouldn't have a problem though." Harlan said as she leaned her head against the window of Peach's truck, "Big Red." She called it.

"Oh...is this the exit?" Peach asked as she pointed to exit three.

"Yeah, ummm, Peach?" Harlan asked.

"Yes?" Peach replied as she maneuvered the large automobile across the lanes and onto the exit ramp. Nothing like a drive on the New Jersey Turnpike first thing on a Saturday morning.

"Tell them to call you Connor? I don't know how they'll react to you being called 'Peach.' I don't wanna ya know, piss them off..." Harlan admitted.

"Connor it is...we'll call you Peach." Peach chided as they made their way through a small town with nothing but a gas station. Finally they turned onto the right road.

"Smart-ass. Did you remember to bring the beer?" Harlan asked. Her mother was a bit stuck up and kept only Chardonnay in the house.

"Like I'd forget the beer? That's the most important part of the weekend." Peach laughed as she got a look from Harlan. "Alright, alright, Harley. Almost the most important part of the weekend."

Harlan smiled happily as they pulled into the Rherer driveway. "Thank you." She quickly kissed Peach before they jumped out the truck with their bags and their beer. Harlan rang the bell and finally her sister Gina answered.

"Harlan!" she squeaked as she pulled her older sister into a hug. She finally let her go and smiled at Peach, "Who's your friend?"

Harlan smiled, "Gina, this is Connor. Connor, my sister, Gina."

Peach extended her hand, "Nice to meet you..."

"You too! Come on in!" she said eagerly as she grabbed Peach's hand and pulled her in.

Peach glanced at Harlan and Harlan started laughing. Gina pulled Peach into the kitchen as Harlan trailed behind. Two middle-aged adults sat at the kitchen table. Harlan smiled, "Mom and Dad, this is Connor. Connor these are my parents, Harley and Em."

Harley stood up and smiled at his daughter and namesake. "Harlan!" He picked his little girl up in a hug and finally put her down. "Connor, nice to meet you." he said as he extended his hand.

Connor took it in her own and shook, "Hey. It's a pleasure."

Harley smiled, "You've got the hands of a worker: strong and callused. I like that...what do you do?"

Em finally pulled herself up and quickly kissed Harlan's cheek. She quickly exited the room in quite the disgruntled form. Peach looked at Em and shrugged, "I own a restaurant down in Chancellor. I cook and occasionally do the hostess and waitress thing."

"Very good, and what have you been doing, doll-baby?" Harley asked Harlan.

"I manage Peach's restaurant..." Harlan replied. She winced as she realized what she'd called Peach.

"Peach, huh? So...you've been together how long?" He asked. Peach and Harlan shot each other confused, if not nervous glances. Harley rolled his eyes, "Christ, it's not like I'm gonna tell your mother!"

Harlan started laughing and finally relaxed. She answered, "Two months... Daddy, look!" Harlan said as she opened one of her three duffelbags.

Harley looked into it and smiled at the two of them, "You two, garage, now!" He was like a big giddy child. He threw his arm around Peach's shoulder and led her and her daughter to the garage. They made it to the garage and Harley took the beer. They each opened one and sat down on a few lawn chairs. Harley nodded and said, "I'm sorry about your mother, Harlan. She just doesn't understand anything, but maybe she'll come around eventually?"

Harlan settled herself on Peach's lap. She replied, "Or maybe not, Daddy."

"Doesn't seem like the type who would, Mr. Rherer." Peach commented as she let her arms encircle Harlan.

"Doesn't matter much. Harlan why don't ya go see if you can soften up your mother?" Harley suggested. Harlan smirked, knowing that her father would probably give Peach the third degree. She kissed Peach's cheek and left the garage. Harley looked at Peach and grinned, "Ok, so the deal is this...For now you're the closest I've got to a son-in-law, so how do you feel about hockey and football and motorcycles?"

Peach smiled, "I love them. Especially the motorcycle part. But how come you're so cool with this when Harlan's mom can't hardly stand us?" she asked. She took a pull of her beer and pulled out a back of cigarettes. She put one in her mouth and lit up.

Harley pouted, "Give an old man a smoke?"

Peach threw him the pack and said, "Help yourself, I have more in the truck."

Harley nodded as he lit his smoke. He began, "Your question. I'm a biker, I'll just put it that way. I've seen a lot, learned a lot, and I know a lot. I also understand that it's not the end of the world that Harlan is...ya know." He looked around and leaned in and whispered, "I don't wanna say it. God forbid her mother's listening I'm dead. We'll use the code word hungry." Peach nodded as Harley finished, "Hungry. I've known since she was fourteen. My Playboys were missin' and I found them under her mattress. I just left them there, and I've had a lot of time to deal with this. Em, hasn't. How do you your parent's feel about your being 'hungry?'"

"Well my father hasn't been around since my brother was born, and my mother and brother don't care. My mother was a hippy, and my brother is the son of a hippy. I'm the rebel daughter of a hippy...they expected it from me since I was old enough to check women out..." Peach laughed. She took a drag of her cigarette and smiled at Harley.

Harley was beside himself. He said, "I like you...come on, lets go save Harlan."

NINE:

Dinner passed in a semi-quiet fashion. Em hadn't said a word, while Gina, Harley and Harlan chatted away. Peach poked at her food a bit; Em had tried cooking that night, and the food wasn't the best. When Em excused herself to get ready for her country clubbish meeting, the entire table shot up and shoved their dinner down the garbage disposal. Harlan quickly dialed the pizza number and ordered three large pies to go. Peach wondered who could eat that much. Turns out, Harley, and Harlan could each eat a large pie alone. Gina could eat two slices, as could Peach and Harlan and Harley fought for the last slice.

Gina was asleep on the bottom bunk, while Peach and Harlan were curled together on the top. Peach kissed the side of Harlan's face and said, "Even if your mother never accepts us, I'll love you forever."

"I know, Peach. I'll love you too..." Harlan replied. They both drifted to sleep. One of many more to come.

EPILOGUE:

Harlan sat on her couch writing in her journal:

"There's something about love that can't be defined. Love at first sight, love that grows, love from hate and countless other kinds. Any way you look at it, love exists. For me the definition of love is simple. Love: Peach... I know I lost my heart to her, and I know she'll always hold it. I can only smile and think that it all began at 'Jake's.'"

THE END

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