BIG STINKY WARNING: This fanfic contains spoilers for Vandread the

Second Stage so if you haven't seen it yet and you don't want to know what

will happen, don't read the fic. Thank you!

THIS

IS

AUTHOR'S

NOTE

SPOILER

SPACE

TITLE: Treasured Introductions

SERIES: Vandread

AUTHOR: Dreiser

EMAIL: dreiser3@yahoo.com

YAHOO/AOL IM: dreiser3

MY WEBSITE: http://www.dreiser.net/

CONTENT: F/F romance. The stars are Barnette/Gascogne/Jura. Don't like

it, don't like them, don't like the series, please don't bother to read

the fic.

SUMMARY: Barnette realizes on Gascogne's return just

how important she is to her and with Jura's help, gives Gasco something

to really smile about.

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but my anti-TATU stance.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This fic contains spoilers for Vandread the Second Stage.

If you don't want to know how the series ends, don't read it. I know I'm now

repeating myself but I'm saying it again out of paranoia. The lame space above is

there due to what I'm about to say next. I refer to BC in female terms in the fic

and I'm sorry. She is a he, I know this but ech, it's too weird describing BC using

he/him/his. It's my foible. The backgrounds I've given to Barnette and Jura are

figments of my imagination. The show never goes into it and I'm not a fan of the

manga so there you go.

Treasured Introductions

By: Dreiser

Life changed but stayed the same for Gascogne. This was evident in many events

through her life. In the fact that despite not being on the Nirvana their crew remained

completely in tact, even retaining the three men they had picked up along the way who

proved to be invaluable. Yes, things had stayed the same. Well, if you didn't count the

fact that overnight a crew of pirates had become the negotiators for peace between

two formerly hostile planets, that is. Oh, and the fact they now had even more men

at their base, men who used to be their enemies now acting as their own crew members.

The Sempai who hadn't been with them on the Nirvana took working alongside men

in slow adjustment. Most looked to Rebecca for guidance who in turn looked to Gascogne

who smiled and said Duero and Hibiki weren't men. They were the people who helped

bring Kahlua into the world, who made sure her daughter was born safely. And Bart,

well, Bart was far more competent as a navigator than he would let himself seem. As

trained soldiers, they could see that too well. Just as they could see the regret reflected

in the depths of BC's hazel eyes when she apologized to them all.

She... he...

It was confusing, even now for Gascogne. BC was BC. The Boss trusted her despite

everything and Gascogne did too. She had to because of all the talks they had, of

all the times she had looked into those fathomless eyes and seen a sadness there

she wanted to quell, to remove with her own hands and heart.

Only there was Bart. He had proven himself worthy time and time again, Gascogne

knew now there wasn't one person in the crew who wouldn't defend him with their own

life. Certainly BC would be in that number as it was Bart and Magno alone who never

wavered in their love and trust. They alone saw past the deceit and lies to the person

who was buried underneath it all. The one who was lonely and just wanted to finally belong.

Yes, BC had Bart now and Gascogne was happy for her friend. She was happy for

anyone who found someone to live with, to be with, to take away the pain of their

past mistakes. Magno was her surrogate mother, this she knew just as well as she

knew for most members of the crew she was their big sister but sometimes...

The role was tiresome. Always a big sister, dependable and safe, someone you

could confess your problems to and laugh with. That was Gascogne's role, always

and forever. She had resigned herself to it, but that didn't mean at times she

didn't rage inwardly. It had helped when she had BC to talk to. BC who was stuck

in her own role, who seemed as lonely as she, BC with her secrets... but now BC

had no secrets, now BC had Bart who knew everything she was and loved her still.

While Gascogne was alone. Yes, the crew was her family and yes, they loved her

but it wasn't the same as being with someone romantically. It had been so very

long, almost since her sister's death that she had let anyone in. She had been too

afraid and pushed people away, this was true but at the same time no one had

really tried to get past those barriers.

Although lately, Gascogne wondered if that was changing. Because lately

someone other than Hibiki had taken to visiting every day and when they did, the

visits lasted for hours into the night, sometimes into seeing a new day itself.

The door opened with the almost nonexistent whirr and hum that was a credit to

Parfet's engineering skills and Gascogne didn't look up as she shuffled the cards.

Hibiki was too busy to see her now, she knew that from the feast she'd seen Dita

prepare him earlier in the day so it could only be one other. It helped that she

could always identify them by the barest scent of pastries and gun powder they

carried thanks to their odd hobbies.

"Barnette," said Gascogne in quiet acknowledgement. She didn't bother to look

up from the cards and instead began dealing, flipping them into a neat pile in

front of the slender hands which rested on the table. "Here to play a game?"

A soft chuckle filled the air and Gascogne lifted her gaze to stare into blue

eyes that were so dark at times they seemed indigo. They were tender and caring

just as they had been ever since her return and once again, Gascogne found herself

wondering what that meant in regards to their relationship. For as long as she could

remember, as anyone in the crew could remember, Barnette had been with Jura.

The two of them were like peas in a pod when Magno first brought them to the base.

Unwilling to be separated and always resentful when a situation that required them

to be apart should arise. Rebecca had thought it dangerous to have a pair so close

join their ranks and brought the situation up with Magno only to have the older woman

laugh then say one day soon she would understand that such bonds would only make

their crew stronger. At the time, Magno's comment only served to confuse Rebecca but

that was before she understood what the shy looks Ezra gave her meant.

Although Jura flirted with anyone that moved, her green eyes wide and sparkling,

lips pouty and teasing, once you saw her with Barnette it was more than clear it

was no more than a game to her. Something to occupy her time and interest. Because

when she was with Barnette and unaware anyone was watching, you were introduced

to the real Jura. A woman as vulnerable and caring as the next, who trusted a

single person with her heart.

Despite this, Gascogne had to wonder if it hurt Barnette to see Jura hang onto

the men as she did, proclaiming she wanted to have a baby the old fashioned way.

At times she wondered if Jura was even serious about the entire thing. It was

hard to tell with her and none save Barnette were close enough to Jura that they

could tell her jokes from something she truly had her heart set on doing.

"Why don't we do something besides play cards tonight?" Barnette suggested, a

smile tugging on her lips as she tilted her head to one side.

At this movement, Gascogne was struck by the simple beauty of the other woman.

She had an innocence to her that many thought lost but it was there... a wonderful

joy hidden by a sharp tongue and even sharper wit. Only when Barnette smiled all of

it melted away to reveal her true self and although she knew she shouldn't be,

Gascogne was charmed.

"All right," replied Gascogne as she arched an eyebrow. Pushing back her chair,

she stood up slowly and asked, "What do you have in mind?"

"It's a secret," said Barnette rather coyly. Tilting her head and beaming a huge

smile up at Gascogne whose eyebrow rose higher yet at this comment, Barnette laughed

then took her hand to pull her out of the Register for the base. Gascogne was still baffled

over having her hand held when Barnette turned around to walk backwards as she

smiled, an uninhibited happiness reflected in her normally hard features. "You're not used

to this, are you?"

"Used to what?" Gascogne pursued, suddenly feeling unwilling to bend to Barnette's

every whim. She might not know what was going on here but she was for damn sure not

going to let Barnette make a fool out of her. "Not knowing exactly where I'm going?

Well," she drawled slowly, "it is unusual for me, I'll admit."

Mulling over this reply, Barnette directed her eyes to the wall as she turned

again, to now walk side by side with Gascogne. Squeezing her hand softly, Barnette

murmured, "I never liked surprises. Not until I met Jura." Peering up at the ceiling,

she sighed quietly before continuing, "Jura herself was a surprise. She dropped into

my life from out of the blue and before I knew it, I couldn't be without her."

"How did you meet Jura?" asked Gascogne. She wasn't one to ask questions or pry

unless she felt that someone needed her to but right now, she just couldn't help

herself, something in her had to know. "I don't think anyone has ever thought to

ask you two because it seems as if you've always been together."

"It feels that way too," said Barnette with dry humor. Stopping in front of one

of the many elevators around the base, she pushed a button and stared at the doors,

waiting for it to arrive as she traveled back through the years. "I was fourteen when I

first saw her. My parents had an awful divorce and I've never met my ohma, she was gone

by the time I was born. It was just me and Fuma my whole life, and it was fine. I liked it that way,

us together, taking care of each other. Anyway," Barnette shook her head, annoyed at her

lack of focus that led to this unusual babbling, "Fuma worked for Jura's Ohma who is a fairly

well known business woman in our home town. I met her the first time I visited Fuma at work

to bring her lunch. Well," Barnette laughed now, "not really met. I saw her for the first time. I

didn't have the courage to talk to her, you see."

The elevator door opened and they walked inside, ignoring the stares from the

cafeteria workers that were exiting, who then ran down the hall giggling. At this, Gascogne

sighed inwardly, knowing they would soon be the talk of the base. The

last thing she wanted to deal with was people speculating about the escapades in

her imaginary romantic life.

"Because it was just Fuma and me, I was very shy when I was younger," Barnette

said as she leaned back against the elevator wall, appearing to be unaware of the

earlier stares and giggles. If she did notice it probably didn't bother her, she was so

used to all the gossip about the status of her love life with the manchasing Jura.

"Some girls thought it was cute but most just made fun of me."

"And what did you do?" asked Gascogne, smiling slightly when Barnette peered

up at her with dark blue eyes that were questioning. "Beat them up?"

"No," chuckled Barnette as she shook her head at the thought, "I made fun of

them right back. My childhood is the main influential cause of my smart mouth. I'm

afraid I didn't get to support my words with my fists and then my guns until I

was a little older."

"Oh?" Gascogne quirked an eyebrow. "How much older?"

"You used to work for the Mejale Enforcers," declared Barnette in a teasing tone as

she pointed a gloved finger at Gascogne's smirking features. "I'm not about to tell

you when I got my first gun at a highly illegal age. You might try to arrest me."

Giving into the urge, Gascogne reached down to capture that hand in her own,

holding it gently as she murmured, "I'm a pirate now. Just the same as you."

Barnette was about to reply when the elevator door opened to reveal several of

the engineers whose glasses steamed on seeing Barnette and Gascogne holding

hands and smiling widely. Pulling a stumbling Gascogne behind her, Barnette

released a giddy laugh as they ran down the hallway. When they reached the end,

she flattened herself against the wall, gazing at Gascogne who was huffing slightly.

"You're out of shape," accused Barnette softly. A slow smile spread across her face even as

Gascogne formed her ever familiar offended expression while she loomed over the shorter woman,

the palms of her hands resting on either side of her head. With smooth precision she tapped

a gloved finger on Gascogne's chin. "Aren't you?"

"Being Register Chief doesn't require a lot of running," said Gascogne in a drawl

then she narrowed brown eyes decisively. As fun as this was, she was becoming sick

of it. She might play a mean game of cards but Gascogne was never the type of person

to gamble with someone's heart. Especially if it was her own. Leaning down, her breath

nothing more than a whisper in Barnette's ear, raising the tiny hairs on her neck and

causing her to tremble, she said, "Tell me what this is about, Barnette."

"This?" asked Barnette in her continued play of innocence. She then tilted her

head in the manner Gascogne had found charming just minutes before but now felt

herself rage at. "What do you mean?"

"Barnette," Gascogne repeated her name in stern warning. An uncomfortable silence

enveloped them and Barnette didn't respond, instead choosing to look off to one side

as her jaw gave a steady series of ticks. With a frown, Gascogne reached out to gently

but firmly cup Barnette's chin forcing their eyes to meet. "Tell me."

"First Jura then you," whispered Barnette. Her blue eyes shifted into indigo and

held Gascogne's gaze with a strength that shook the older woman to her very core. She

had always known Barnette was proud and stubborn but before now, she had never felt

the full force of her emotions focused on her. "I wanted to die that day because of how

useless I felt. I couldn't help either of you... I couldn't protect you."

Staring at Barnette, her expression revealing just how shocked she felt, Gascogne's

hand fell from Barnette's jaw in a slow movement. Backing up slightly, her arms slack

at her sides, Gascogne found herself talking without really knowing why. "Jura I can

understand, but why would it matter that I was gone?"

"Why?" Barnette repeated, looking quite stunned. Releasing a sudden barking laugh,

she rubbed the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand before turning to face

the other woman with a rather grim expression. "Because I love you as much as I do

Jura." A moment passed and when Gascogne didn't respond at all, instead continuing

to look like a fish out of water, gaping for breath, Barnette laughed again. This

time it was a more relaxed and almost relieved sound. Shaking her head, Barnette

took Gascogne's hand in her own again, leading her down the hall. "I never did think

you had a clue. Part of me hoped you might but I guess spending all that time at

the Register has dulled your wits, Gasco."

"Gascogne," said Gascogne in automatic response. Turning to Barnette, she

studied her as if she was some sort of foreign creature she had never encountered

before. "Why?"

Sighing deeply, Barnette stopped in front the quarters she shared with Jura. She

punched in the access codes and walked inside as the doors whirred open and

turned to face Gascogne as they shut with a quiet hum. Gascogne wore the same

expression of combined shock and disbelief and Barnette smirked at it.

"Just because everyone else considers you only a friend doesn't mean I ever did,"

replied Barnette dryly. With a hard efficient tug, Barnette removed both pairs of her

long purple gloves and let them fall easily to the floor. Striding forward, she stopped

in front of Gascogne who was restraining the absurd urge to step backwards out of

some strange feeling of apprehension she was currently having. In a slow movement,

she reached her bare hands up to delicately rest her fingertips on Gascogne's face,

tracing them down as she studied her with a type of awe and reverence that stunned

the older woman. "I don't know how long I've wanted to do this," Barnette confessed

shakily. A hesitant smile formed on Barnette's features as she met Gascogne's stare

with wide eyes. Then she dropped her gaze out of shame or perhaps fear as her

fingertips trailed down to spread slowly apart on Gascogne's collarbone. "I always

wondered how your skin would feel. I would just stare at you sometimes and

wonder..." Looking back up at Gascogne, having her courage back, Barnette

asked softly, "Did you even notice?"

Despite the embarrassment she felt on realizing just how clueless she apparently

was when it came to things like this, Gascogne gave a stiff shake of her head. "No,"

came her quiet and apologetic reply. Only a slight pause before she added rather

lamely, "I'm sorry."

"Gasco," murmured Barnette, a happy smile gracing her features. One that took

Gascogne's breath away just as surely as did the fingertips now gently caressing the

skin of her collarbone that her shirt left exposed. For once in her life, she didn't

correct the shortening of her name and stared silently at Barnette who smiled

wider yet at whatever she saw in Gascogne's expression. "Don't ever apologize for

being who you are. If you noticed then... well," Barnette drawled now, "it would

be like Jura honestly desiring men, that's how strange it would be to me."

"What about Jura?" asked Gascogne firmly. She might be stunned by these

sudden turn of events but there wasn't a chance she could let things remain at

that. No matter how much she found herself attracted to Barnette, how much this

confession of hers did effect her really and truly, Jura was still her crewmate.

Nothing in her personality or conviction would allow Gascogne to betray or

mistreat someone who she considered a comrade in arms and she definitely

felt that way about Jura. "You love her."

There was a moment of silence then Barnette pulled away from Gascogne, turning

to look out the long windows in the quarters she shared with Jura that presented

a beautiful view of space. A sigh escaped her lips and she walked to the windows,

standing in front of them and in what seemed to be a lost gesture, she lightly

rested her forehead against the surface as her head dropped downwards.

"Barnette?" Gascogne pressed on.

As much as she might not like this, she had to know the truth. She wasn't about

to be the cause of infidelity in one of the longest lasting relationships amongst

the Nirvana crew. Not only wouldn't it be right but Gascogne wasn't sure she, or

everyone else, could ever forgive her for doing so. Separating Barnette and Jura

in romance belonged to that same horrible reality which had BC no longer serving

as Magno's second in command.

"She knows," whispered Barnette. She gave a hollow laugh and tilted her head

back before she rotated her neck, causing it to make a painful popping sound that

although it caused Gascogne to wince, appeared to give Barnette a great deal of

satisfaction. "Since the first time I got the courage to talk to her, she's always

known me better than myself. Later I found out that she'd known I'd been watching

her for months and she was just waiting for me to introduce myself. I asked her

why she didn't do it herself since she's hardly shy. Jura," Barnette said the name

almost like it was a prayer, "she told me that wasn't what she wanted. That she

wanted for me to introduce myself first because she wanted to meet a stronger

Barnette. And do you know why she wanted that?"

Walking forward before she knew it, Gascogne found herself standing at Barnette's

side, meeting her eyes as the pilot smiled sadly up at her. "Tell me," she replied.

"Because it would be the real me and then she could fall in love," Barnette said

quietly. A small chuckle escaped her lips and she shook her head remembering it. "I

know how it's thought I contributed to her personality... her arrogance and maybe

I have but I never considered it to be even that. Jura is simply fearless in all

things emotional. She doesn't have a shred of restraint in her romantic life, nothing

holds her back. When she's with you she trusts you completely and without bounds."

Looking back to Gascogne who held her gaze with solemn brown eyes, she

murmured, "That's why I could never betray her. No matter how much I knew I

was feeling for you then and now. I just couldn't..."

"Then I died and you got confused," Gascogne deduced. After a second of pause,

she let her natural reactions take over and moved closer, resting a hand lightly on

Barnette's waist. She turned the pilot towards her while her other hand cupped the

stubborn chin she admired more with each passing moment and drew Barnette's head

upwards. "I'm not someone who lies so I'll tell you now that I have been thinking

about you very often as of late, Barnette. Every time I did, I knew I shouldn't because

of Jura and hearing all of this doesn't make what I'm going to say any easier but

I think it has to be said."

Instead of responding, Barnette simply dropped her eyes in a sign of agreement

and Gascogne took a deep breath. Although they knew it was hardly any time at all

between her last word and her next, it somehow seemed like a lifetime and more

until she spoke again. But when she did a weight lifted off both their hearts as

Gascogne said what had been lurking between them since this conversation began.

"I think I could love you but I won't betray her," said Gascogne in simple and

strong terms. "I could never do that to another crew member and especially not to

a friend and that's what I consider Jura. Unless you were to leave her there is

no way we could..." Trailing off as she felt her throat dry up and tighten from

emotion, Gascogne coughed and dropped her hands from Barnette's waist where

they ended up during the previous silence. "And I don't want that. You still love her

so it wouldn't be right."

"I know," agreed Barnette softly. Ducking her head, she bit her lip and wore

a face of contemplation before she looked up at Gascogne and murmured, "Remember

how I said that Jura knew how I felt? That I had told her?"

"Yes," Gascogne replied in vaguely perplexed tones, not sure where this was leading.

Barnette tilted her head expectantly to one side and Gascogne turned around as

the door to the bedroom whirred open with a quiet hum to reveal Jura lounging in

the door frame, a miniscule teddy resting comfortably on the curves of her body

and a pleased smile spread on her ruby red lips.

"Jura," Gascogne breathed out her name very similar to how Barnette had said it

earlier, unnervingly similar to a prayer on the lips of the devoted. Whipping her

head around in a gesture of sheer nerves and confusion, Gascogne looked at

Barnette who didn't appear as confident as Jura but seemed to be happier now.

"What is this really all about?"

Instead of a verbal reply, Gascogne was rewarded with warm fingers on the planes

of her face and slowly her head turned and she looked into the glittering green of

Jura's eyes that shone with a brilliance so like Barnette's that it pained Gascogne

to see. Long and elegant fingers, painted with perfection to make her look ever the

lady, spread over Gascogne's tanned skin just as Barnette had done herself.

No words were spoken and time stood still for Gascogne as her heart beat out of

control while she looked into those eyes, captured by what she saw there. What she

somehow knew was happening. Fearing what Jura would find as she stared deep into

her soul and saw who she truly was and wondering once she did, would she tell Barnette

and if so, would the pilot still love her. Or would she think her weak and pathetic then toss

her aside? After all, she did have Jura who was lovely and fearless. Jura who never

paused at what others thought. Jura who was carefree as a bird.

Jura who was drawing her fingers slowly backwards to untangle the hairpiece and

headband her sister had given her so long ago as to let her hair fall freely around

her shoulders like a waterfall. Jura who in an easy gesture, pulled Barnette to her

side, naturally wrapping an arm around her hips to lean against her. Jura who then

reached out to lightly lift up Barnette's hand as it was covered with her own, to

grasp the most valuable object Gascogne had in her meager possession.

Somehow understanding what they needed, all of them now, Gascogne rested her

hand on top of theirs and together they removed the wire from her mouth. Watching

in solemn silence as it formed into the key that opened what had been the one

precious treasure that Gascogne had in her life. As Barnette and Jura held the

key alone now, their eyes lifting to meet hers, shining with a brilliance that

took her breath away, Gascogne knew that was no longer the case and it

never would be again.

The real treasure was standing right in front of her and they alone held the key to

her heart. All it had really taken for her to see it was allowing the real Gascogne to i

ntroduce herself and once she did, just like Barnette before her, Jura could feel

herself falling in love all over again.

"Gasco," said Jura quietly, her face sincere and glowing with happiness. "Be

with us from now on." Taking a slow step forward, Jura tugged Barnette along

with her, as she now was almost shy as she peered at Gascogne. "When I first

found out how Barnette felt about you, I won't lie, I was jealous. After all,"

Jura's green eyes sparkled and she smirked, "why was she even looking at other

women when she had me? But..." Trailing off, Jura looked back at Barnette who

smiled warmly at her then together they faced Gascogne who was waiting with

an expression of patient curiosity. "I can understand it." Stepping closer

yet, Jura stood on her toes and gentle fingers graced Gascogne's features in

a light touch that teased the senses. "Barnette also made me a promise."

"Oh?" Gascogne quirked an eyebrow with interest.

Smiling wider, Jura leaned in, their mouths a bare breath apart as she

murmured in low and sultry tones, "She promised me I could kiss you first."

For as long as Gascogne had known Jura she had associated her with Barnette

simply because unlike Barnette, she never got to spend much time with Jura. A

part of her knew that for the longest time she was prejudiced against her to

some degree simply due to her outward appearance. More than anything, she

despised the greedy and foolish ways of many women on Mejale. Gascogne saw

nothing impressive in status and wealth, what did they really get you in the

end when you were lying on your death bed? Did they make you more satisfied

with your life and how you spent it? She thought not.

And so she avoided Jura in the early years, warily observing her at first

then slowly, before she even knew it, watching her with warmer more amused

eyes as her relationship with Barnette played out. It was true they had been

a couple when they first joined the crew but they were a couple who were new

in their feelings of love and it was all too apparent. Especially in the way

Barnette would scowl and narrow eyes at anyone whose gaze lingered too long

on Jura's tempting curves.

Then she had been about to enter the cafeteria one day, pausing thanks

to Jura's still figure standing in the doorway. Looking around the blonde,

Gascogne had seen the very familiar figure of Varoa wearing her best lady

killer smile as she leaned in close and lightly stroked her fingers down

the length of Barnette's arm. Jura didn't move, didn't say a word, she

didn't even seem to breathe. She just stood and watched as it happened and

when Barnette turned bright red, stammering some lame excuse to Varoa

before stumbling backwards in haste, she smiled as if knowing that was

the only possible reaction Barnette could have. Smoothly, Jura walked to

her wayward girlfriend, rescuing her from her social fumblings then

sweeping her out of the cafeteria in a grand gesture.

It was then that Gascogne's long standing respect for Jura began and

through all the years, all their adventures, she had never lost it. But all

the respect she had for Jura hadn't kept her from slowly but surely being

drawn into the web of emotions Barnette created in her. The brunette pilot

was obnoxious and willful, never thinking twice about putting herself in

danger, she was brash and... and Gascogne knew now she loved her.

She loved Barnette, yes, but god help her, when Jura's soft lips swept

over her own, hesitating momentarily before a tongue gently sought entrance

and the kiss wasn't nearly so sweet anymore, she found herself loving Jura

as well. It was hot and it was hard, mouths open and tasting deep from one

another, each kiss hungrier than the last. Long and elegant fingers tangled

in her hair, pulling her close even as Jura rose into her, tilting her head

so she could have better access as their kisses continued.

When they finally parted, faces red and sucking in breaths of air, a soft

chuckle greeted them and they turned to a smirking Barnette. "Well," she said

in a slow drawl, tilting her head, "how was it?"

A moment of silence enveloped them before Gascogne burst into raucous and

appreciative laughter as Barnette joined with her own satisfied chuckles and

Jura, well... Jura rolled her eyes and sighed at their antics. Unwrapping her

arms from around Gascogne's neck, she lowered herself to her feet and formed

an expression of slight annoyance which immediately quieted Barnette down.

"Barnette," Jura drew her name out as she always did, her voice reminiscent

of a child's but her pouting lips entirely adult, "you promised you wouldn't

tease." Sniffing, she folded her arms over her chest and looked sly as she

said, "You're just feeling jealous that I got to kiss Gasco first."

The only response Barnette had to this was a scowl and upon seeing it,

Gascogne's features softened and she stepped forward, hands gentle on the

skin of Barnette's arms as she pulled her forward. While Jura was soft and

pliant to the touch, endless curves and valleys, Barnette was compact and

trim, muscles perfectly developed under a pale skin that enchanted her.

Blue eyes were wide and full of want as they met Gascogne's and seeing

this, she smiled then smoothly dipped her head, capturing Barnette's lips with

her own. This kiss was far different than the one with Jura simply because it

was now Barnette in her arms. Barnette whom she had loved for longer than she

would care to admit. The woman who haunted her dreams so much so that if asked

Gascogne couldn't be sure when she hadn't loved Barnette because it seemed

as if she honestly always had.

They explored each other with a slow draw of passion and love, wanting it

to last as long as it could. As they kissed, Barnette pressed eagerly into

Gascogne, slipping her hands into her thick brown hair even as the older

woman firmly grasped her buttocks, lifting Barnette up and into her. At

this movement, Barnette gasped into Gascogne's mouth, causing her to smile

and deepen the kiss that made the pilot groan with need.

As they moved apart, Barnette slowly slid down Gascogne's body with the

strong support of her hands and lightly stood on top of the taller woman's

feet. Barnette clung to her still, feeling light headed and burying her face

in the crook of Gascogne's neck because of this.

"I love you, Gasco," Barnette whispered, her voice strained. Gascogne felt

the soft locks of her bangs brush against her skin as Barnette tried to move

even closer, as if she wanted to lose herself in Gascogne's warmth. "Please

be with us. We can make you happy, I'm sure of it."

Looking up from the top of Barnette's head, Gascogne met Jura's steady gaze

which was accepting and calm. Whatever she chose it was fine with Jura but

she could tell... she could see Jura wanted this too. Perhaps at first because

Barnette did but it had since become something else. They had both realized

that with their first kiss and Gascogne couldn't deny it.

This is where she belonged, where all three of them did. Together and completely

secure in their feelings. No secrets being held and no lies being told.

Holding out a hand to Jura, smiling as Barnette peered up at her speculatively,

Gascogne pulled Jura to them and wrapped one arm around her as the other stayed

firmly in place around Barnette. Leaning down, she kissed first Jura and then

Barnette lightly on the cheek, hugging them as she asked, "When do I move in?"

What followed this question was the first and maybe only bout of totally

uncontrolled and utterly rowdy laughter Jura ever experienced in her life. One

that left Barnette and Gascogne in shock for a moment, wondering about the

woman they had both agreed to spend their lives with.

Just for a moment though.

-End-