Their first date.

Bailey arrives at the restaurant almost twenty minutes early. She'd done everything Nick told her to, left after work, raced home, hot bath, suds, shave. To be honest, she'd cheated a little bit, the excitement and nerves getting to her; she's had her fingers on her clit twice already just getting ready for the date. Every time she thinks about actually being across the table from Sarah, on what almost feels like a date, it's just too much to handle. At least with two (rather quick, if she's honest) orgasms under her belt, she's calm enough to think.

As she sits in her beat-up old Nissan, she stares at the doors of Mondial's, the fancy French boulangerie Sarah picked for lunch. The place is definitely upscale, and Bailey wonders how she'll be able to afford to eat here on a nurse's salary. She knows she can ask Nick for the money, but she's promised herself she won't do that; she wants to make absolutely sure Nick and Tommy know she's not with them for hand-outs. She'll just have to move a few things around, maybe pay a bill late, talk to her landlady about maybe paying half the rent late. Lord knows, she's had to do it before.

The windows of the place are covered in beautiful Art Deco gold and green filigree, the name of the place in huge flowing script, a stylized picture of a pretty young French maiden holding a basket of flowers and bread. All the fittings are brass, a lot like the Cambridge; that brings up memories of her, holding onto the Catherine's cross, her bottom out, that flogger smacking her cunt over and over-

Bailey stops at the door, seeing herself reflected in the glass. She's kept her hair loose, put on a sexy green top and short black skirt Bailey hopes will show she's hot without making her look slutty. All of Tommy's jokes about getting in a closet and letting Sarah fuck her silly are also not helping her maintain her cool, and for a brief moment, she's so panicked she almost turns around and goes back to her car. Bailey takes another deep breath, recalling Sir's instructions. Sir wants Pet to do well on her date; Sir told her how to act and what to do. Sir won't let Pet be hurt.

The little mind game does the trick, and Bailey (Pet?) pulls the door open and goes inside, catching Sarah sitting at one of the back corner tables, her jet black hair falling down over her shoulders in a cascade of curls. She's wearing a very stylish top and trousers, a little jewelry, make-up on point. When she sees Bailey come in, Sarah's face lights up, a huge smile on her face. She waves Bailey back, watching her walk back to the table. Several other customers in the restaurant are checking Bailey out, but the only thing she cares about is the way Sarah is looking at her.

As she arrives at the table, Sarah jumps up, smiling broadly. "It's SO good to be able to spend some time with you again, Bailey," she gushes, stepping up and hugging Bailey tight. If she notices the flush on Bailey's cheeks, she's nice enough not to point it out. But she slides Bailey's chair out for her, such a small but intimate gesture. "I was beginning to think you were avoiding me, honey."

Bailey stammers, trying to come up with a smooth answer and failing totally. Sarah laughs, and they make some small talk about the hospital and its staff while they look through the menus and order. Bailey's stomach does another little backflip when she sees there are no prices next to any of the menu items. Well aware of how low her account balance is, she opts for a simple chicken cobb salad. Sarah orders something fancy and French, sophisticated and sexy. NOt for the first time, Bailey gets that nagging feeling that Sarah is way out of her league.

For a while, they chat pleasantly about their lives since graduation, Sarah talking about her surgical residency and asking about the unspoken rules every hospital has. Bailey falls easily back into their old pattern, Sarah the smooth and in-charge social butterfly, taking the lead and doing most of the talking, Bailey the shy quiet perfectionist, the beta to Sarah's alpha. With almost any person, Bailey would be annoyed or ticked off, but with Sarah it's just...right. It feels as if they've never been apart, as if the last time they were in the same room was just yesterday. For a while, Bailey loses herself in the familiar flow of their old relationship, two old friends catching up. She almost believes that things will go smoothly and there won't be any awkward moments.

But when the food is almost done, and Sarah orders a chocolate brownie with ice cream for dessert and asks for two spoons, as they're waiting for it to arrive, Sarah, always willing to speak her mind, brings the conversation around to more serious things. "So, I've always wondered why we stopped talking after college," she says, obviously expecting an answer.

"We just kinda drifted apart, I guess," Bailey answers as neutrally as she can.

Sarah frowns, and shakes her head. "Nope, I don't buy that. The whole summer after I left, I called you and wrote you at least once a week. You were the one who disappeared. I'm not mad," Sarah adds, quickly. "I knew your life was getting complicated, what with your mom being sick and all. But I wanted to be there for you, and I felt like you shut me out."

Bailey stares down at the remainder of her salad, feeling heat in her cheeks, the knot in her stomach. The urge to flee is getting stronger; as if she realizes she's backed Bailey into an uncomfortable corner, Sarah reaches out and places her hand on Bailey's. The contact sends electrical sparks straight to Bailey's brain, and an equally strong set to her moistening pussy. Bailey fights back the impulse to squirm against the seat, or to kiss Sarah's hand. "I'm sorry, honey, I can be too pushy, I know," Sarah apologizes. "Forget I asked, okay? I'm just glad you're back in my life."

It gives Bailey enough room to breath, to remember what Sir told Pet, why she's here. Taking a deep breath, she looks up, meets Sarah's gaze. "It's okay," she murmurs, picking her words carefully. "I was really busy with Mom being sick, but it was more that it just...it really hurt losing you. I mean, you weren't mine to lose but, I mean, no, wait, I-"

Sarah laughs gently and squeezes Bailey's hand. "Relax, angel, you're not going to upset me. I get what you mean." She smiles. "It was a great opportunity, and I kinda had to go for it."

"I know, I understand," Bailey sighs. "I don't mean to sound so stupid."

"Stop," Sarah orders. "Don't down-check yourself, Bailey. You are a brilliant and beautiful woman, and you don't sound stupid to me at all." Bailey's very aware that Sarah is still holding her hand, looking at her, questions on her face.

Scared to go any farther down that path, Bailey tries to come up with another topic. "So, are you seeing anybody?" she asks, then immediately wishes she had asked any other question.

"Oh, not right now," Sarah begins, then pauses. For the first time in her life, Bailey sees Sarah is unable to pick the right words. She seems to be deep in thought for a moment, studying Bailey's face. "I'm sort of between girlfriends," Sarah finally says, voice smooth, very controlled.

That floats out into the air between them, Bailey taking it in, trying to figure out what to say or do. Her delay in answering hits Sarah hard; the dark-haired Amazon takes a deep breath and begins to pull her hand away from Bailey's. "Hey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to overshare," she stammers, but Bailey suddenly squeezes Sarah's hand tight, refusing to let go.

"It's okay," Bailey says, when what she wants to do is shout out gleefully and tackle the other woman there at the table. "It's really, really okay."

"You're not bothered that I'm a lesbian?"

"But those boys we dated," Bailey begins, then stops.

Sarah's face is beet-red, her hand hot. "Welllll..."

"What?"

Sarah looks guilty. "I shouldn't have had that glass of wine. I'm being too much, aren't I?"

Bailey shakes her head furiously. "No, no, you're fine." She takes a deep breath. "You're absolutely fine." Bailey's breathing a little heavier, her panties damp, her heart pounding.

"Am I?" Sarah laughs again, then leans forward so they're only a few inches apart. "It was those double dates that let me know, you know."

Bailey can't help it. "Why those double dates?"

"Because I found out I was fucking Bruce, but I was watching you." Sarah leaves that there, and they both get quiet again. They're still holding hands, still there in that moment of intimacy and vulnerability.

Sarah breaks the silence. "So...are you seeing anybody?"