Mika steps in

The small apartment felt even emptier after Sister Margaret left. Mika tried to keep them entertained as she practiced walking like a boy deliberately exaggerating the swing of her arms and proud gait of a cocky teenaged street urchin. Winlay couldn’t help gaze at Adam as he helped guide the Oracle (now wearing Madam Wanda's dress) back to one of the comfortable couches to rest. He had not put his shirt back on and the red welts that lay across his broad shoulders and his short cropped hair gave him a dangerous coarseness. The contrast between his thuggish appearance and the tender way he cared for the Oracle made Winlay smile, if all their disguises were that effective she doubted anyone could recognize them.

As soon as the Oracle drifted off into a deep slumber, Adam excused himself abruptly and left Winlay and Mika alone again. Winlay knew that it was her that Adam was avoiding and she felt terrible that the days the four of them had spent together had been ruined by the tension between her and Adam.

“What is wrong with him?” Mika asked and Winlay tried to excuse the Templar Captain's brusque behavior.

“He's under a lot of stress Mika. We all are.” She added softly. Mika studied her carefully for nearly a minute before taking her hand and leading her to the other couch.

“I don't mean to pry Winlay,” she began gently “but I really have to know what's going on between you two.”

“It's over Mika, let it drop.”

“No Winlay, that's just it. It's not over, Adam is sulking like a scolded dog, and you've barely smiled in two days.” Mika hugged her fiercely and then took her by the shoulders and shook her gently. “Did he push you too far? I swear if he **** himself on you I'll kill him myself and save Beldan the trouble.”

“No Mika!” Winlay gasped in horror that Mika could think that Adam was capable of ****. She understood that nothing less than the whole shameful story would satisfy her friend and Mika deserved to know that Adam was not that kind of man.

“We kissed. Well we did a lot more than kissing.” She admitted feeling the blood rush to her face as she remembered just how far things had gotten out of hand in the other room. “But Adam never did anything that I didn't beg for.” Winlay fell forward and pressed her face into Mika's shoulder. “I acted like such a slut Mika, I don't blame Adam for pulling away like he did.” It took several more minutes for the all the details of the encounter to unfold but Mika gently took her through the whole sordid thing and Winlay finally finished she looked at her friend afraid that Mika too would be repulsed by her whorish behavior.

“So he didn't have the nerve to finish what he started.” Mika summed up in one short sentence.

“No, it wasn't his fault Mika! I told you, it was mine.” Winlay was willing to live with her shame but wouldn't let anyone criticize Adam. “I behaved like a cheap whore.”

“Listen sweetheart,” Mika laughed gently as she brushed Winlay's hair back from her tearstained face. “I don't have much more experience with men than you do Winlay, but I've never heard of a man turning down a woman because she was too willing.” Mika kissed her softly on her brow and then gathered her into her arms in a tight embrace. Winlay hugged back fiercely pressing herself into Mika's embrace only partially aware of how her soft breasts were flattened against her friend's. Mika stroked her hair and kissed her again on her cheek letting her soft lips caress Winlay's darkened skin gently. Finally she pulled away and said confidently.

“I think I know how to help.”