Julie and Tess

Julie leaned back to look her friend in the eye, "What's that?"

Tess looked nervous, "Well, if I kiss you and they see that you and I are into it... Well, they might just leave us alone."

Julie kept looking into her friend's amazing blue eyes, "I've never had a friend as wonderful as you, and I love you. I don't mind kissing you, but I have to admit it makes me nervous. I've never kissed a woman."

Tess smiled down at her, "Well, kissing is pretty much the same, regardless of gender. Although, I'm willing to bet that you will find that you prefer my kisses over Bob's. Are you ready to give it a shot? I mean, you don't have to or anything."

Julie smiled nervously, "Ok, I'm game if you are. How do we start?"

Tess's answer was to lean down and meet Julie's lips with her own. Tess started out the kiss as a friendly peck intended to relieve some of Julie's nervousness. Once Julie felt the soft lips touching hers, the nervousness was quickly replaced by curiosity. She pressed her lips harder against Tess's and opened her mouth. Another slow song came on, but neither woman noticed as the kiss changed. Tess hadn't planned it, and she wasn't sure when it happened, but her tongue and Julie's began to touch. It was far from obvious to the two women, but very obvious to anyone watching that the two women were into each other.

The song ended and the two friends reluctantly separated. They both felt light and happy as they walked back to their table. They sat down and Tess leaned over to whisper into Julie's ear, "By the way, I love you too."

Julie and Tess were having a wonderful time. They danced their asses off to the fast and lively tunes the DJ played. When the slow songs came on Julie never hesitated to enter Tess's arms. It was getting late, and the two women were feeling no pain when another slow song started. They had been dancing for a few moments when Julie tipped her head up to talk into Tess's ear, "Uhm...Would you mind if we kissed again?"

Tess felt a thrill run through her. She answered Julie's question with her lips. They swayed together as the kiss deepened into something much more than friendly. Soon they stopped dancing as their minds were totally focused on the kiss. They were still kissing when the song ended and a fast song came on. They probably would have kept on kissing if they hadn't been bumped several times by the dancers around them. Tess was shocked that she had gotten so deeply into a kiss that she forgot everything around her. Julie was on cloud nine. She had never in her young life been kissed like Tess had just kissed her. Things were changing between the two women and neither knew what to do about it.

They soon agreed, through the fog of alcohol, that they probably should go home before they were too wasted. Neither of them wanted to spend Saturday recovering from a hangover. A short taxi ride later, they arrived home. They staggered their way down the hall and stopped at the door to Julie's room. Julie looked up at her friend with sincere affection. Her heart was beating so very fast, "Tess, please kiss me again before I go to bed."

Tess was scared. The way she felt right now could only lead to more heartache. Hell, Julie was straight. Falling in love with her was a dead end and she knew it. None of that stopped her from pulling Julie into her arms and kissing her deeply.

When the couple finally separated Julie held onto Tess's hand, "Tuck me in?"

Tess had often tucked Julie in. The act of pulling the covers up and over her friend had provided Julie with comfort during these trying times. Tess would always follow pulling the covers up with a kiss on Julie's forehead and a few reassuring words. Julie claimed that she always slept better when Tess did that.

Tess had a moment of clarity through the drunken haze. She knew that if she went into Julie's bedroom, she wouldn't be able to keep her hands to herself. She would do something that was too fast and too intimate, and she would scare Julie off, possibly forever. She didn't want to lose Julie, "I'm sorry sweety, but I have to lie down or I'm going to fall down."

Julie let Tess's hand go with obvious disappointment. She moved close to Tess, and kissed her lightly on the lips, "It's ok. You get some good rest. I love you."

Tess stepped back and began to walk down the hall to her room, "I love you too."

Tess knew that she was saying "I love you" in a new way and it wasn't the 'just friends' way. Even in her inebriated state she had trouble dropping off to sleep. Her head swirled with conflicting thoughts for nearly an hour before sleep captured her. One of her last thoughts was 'Saturday is going to be interesting.'

Morning came and went. It was nearing noon when the two women emerged from their rooms. Their timing was impeccable as both met in the bathroom soon after waking up. The first moment was awkward for Tess. She wasn't sure where she stood with Julie, and she suspected that Julie would have regrets about last night. The relief that flooded through her when she saw the smile on Julie's face surprised her in its intensity.

Julie put her arms around her taller friend's neck and pulled her head down for a sweet peck on the lips. That little gesture thrilled Tess and brought a huge smile to her face. They went about the basic morning functions and within a few minutes, both were staring at the shower. Tess was the first to speak, "Do you want to go first?"

Julie shook her head, "You go ahead."

Tess shoved the shower curtain back and turned on the water. She sensed Julie standing close behind her. Julie's voice was soft, "Maybe I can shower with you if it's ok?"

Tess was so startled by Julie's request that she froze for a moment before responding, "Uhm... Sure."

Tess couldn't help but think 'What are you doing to me?' She was visibly shaking when she entered the shower. The warm water felt wonderful on her body and she was relaxing under it when she felt Julie's body rubbing against her back. 'Oh god, please don't tease me like this!'

Julie was curious. She had never been this close to another naked woman and she wanted to explore a little. Julie tried to remind herself that she was straight, but her attraction to Tess was real and she wasn't going to deny it. She tried hard not to think about what it would all mean and how it could affect their friendship. She wanted to live in this moment. She pulled the body wash from the shelf and began washing Tess's back.

Julie washed Tess from her shoulders to her feet with a soft touch, exploring every inch as she went. When she had Tess turn around, she couldn't help but note that Tess was shaking and her face was very red, "Tess? Are you ok?"

Tess took a moment before speaking, "You have no idea what you are doing to me. I'm so very happy and so very scared that I think I'm going to lose my mind. Please, I beg you, don't destroy me. I couldn't take it if I lost you now."

Julie pulled Tess's head down and kissed her lovingly, "I know that I love you and I want to find out if I can be your lover. I'm excited and scared too. I have never been with a woman, and I'm scared I won't like it. I'm also scared that I will, but I am still willing to try. I know one thing with absolute certainty. I love you and always will, however things work out for us sexually.

"How about I wash the front of you while we try to figure it all out? I do love your body and I kind of want to touch it."

Tess wrapped her arms around Julie and hugged her so tight that Julie was unable to breathe. Julie loved every second of it. Being in Tess's arms seemed right, like it was something that was meant to be. She couldn't deny that it felt wonderful.

Once freed of Tess's hug, Julie returned to cleaning and exploring Tess's body. She decided that she loved playing with Tess's boobs. They just felt neat. She liked lifting them up and squeezing them. She didn't focus on Tess's nipples, but her explorations certainly included them. When Tess's nipples became erect, Julie ran her fingers over them in fascination. By the time Julie's hands began their journey farther south Tess was aroused to the point that she forgot her fears and her shaking stopped. It had been a long time since Tess had felt the intimate touch of another woman, and she couldn't remember a touch that she had enjoyed more than Julie's.

Julie ran her hands down Tess's abdomen before pausing to kneel in front of her. Julie moved to Tess's feet and washed her way upward. She did it that way because she was putting off touching Tess's groin. She wasn't sure what she would do when she got there and was building up her courage so that she wouldn't back out at the last minute.

From Tess's perspective Julie was torturing her with foreplay. Her arousal continued to grow as Julie's hands moved up her legs. She moved her feet shoulder width apart and leaned back against the tile wall as Julie approached her crotch. Whatever Julie was going to do, she wanted to make sure she had access to do it.

Julie rested her hands on Tess's hips as she looked at her friend's crotch. She was surprised to find that she wasn't grossed out at all. In fact, she thought that Tess's pussy was really beautiful and she wanted to touch it. One hand moved from Tess's hip and brushed down across her well-trimmed pubic hair. Julie looked up at Tess, "Is it ok if I touch you?"

Tess was close to hyperventilating and could only nod her head. Permission granted, Julie cupped Tess's mons with her soapy hand. She washed her gently and eventually her fingers separated Tess's labia. She continued to run her hand up and down Tess's labia, her fingers caressed her clit with each movement.

Julie was near to losing control of her body. Her hips began to move in time with Julie's hand and her knees got weak. She put both hands on Julie's shoulders so she wouldn't fall in the shower. She looked down at Julie with hooded eyes, "Baby, you have me so turned on right now I'm about to lose my mind!"

Julie suddenly realized just what she was doing to her friend. She knew that she should be repelled by what she was doing, but she decided that she was anything but that. She also decided that she wanted to help her friend orgasm and her fingers picked up the pace accordingly. She focused on what she liked when she masturbated and did those things to Tess. She soon found that Tess liked a slightly faster pace than she did, and she changed her movements to match. Her fingers rubbed Tess's clit at the perfect speed and pressure to bring Tess to orgasm. A few minutes later Julie looked on in amazement as she watched Tess orgasm. She was positively thrilled at what she had done for her friend.

Tess was nearly overwhelmed by the power of her orgasm. Her legs gave out and she sank down to the tile floor. She desperately grabbed Julie and kissed her hard. Julie snuggled up against her as the water showering down kept them warm. They rested on the floor for a few minutes until Tess realized there was only so much hot water available and there was something she wanted to do before the water turned cold.

Gradually the strength returned to Tess's legs and she managed to stand up. She pulled Julie to her feet as well and kissed her passionately. Julie lost herself in that kiss. It was so warm and inviting, so loving and erotic. It was her turn to lose herself in the sensations. Tess washed Julie's body in much the same way as Julie had washed hers. By the time she moved to Julie's crotch, Julie was panting with need. It had been a long time for Julie as well, but she couldn't remember ever being this aroused. It was an entire new world and she found that she was loving it.

Tess began cleaning Julie's crotch in much the same way that Julie had with hers. Her fingers caressed Julie's clit, further exciting the woman. Tess then took it a step further by putting her mouth on Julie's mons. Her tongue came out and she began to pleasure her friend with all the skill she had. Within moments Julie was shaking her way through the best orgasm of her life.

Julie sat on the tile of the shower, her eyes hooded, and her plump lips just begging to be kissed. Tess kissed her deeply. Julie's lips responded with enthusiasm even though her body couldn't. Tess felt the water getting colder and she took a moment to shut off the shower. She managed to get Julie moving enough that she could towel her off. By the time she finished Julie was able to stand on her own.

Julie was still in a daze while Tess dried herself off. When she finished, she wrapped her arms around Julie, "Are you ok sweetheart?"

Julie gave her friend a squeeze and looked up at her, "I've never been more ok in my life."

They went to their separate rooms and dressed. Soon they were enjoying the first meal of the day. Both were giddy with happiness, and they couldn't stop constantly touching each other. The touches were partly in affection, but just as much for reassurance. They had just opened the door to an entirely new world for each of them. They felt equal parts excited and fearful.

Sometime in the interval between last night and this morning the two friends had become a couple, although neither fully realized it. They spent the day no more than a few feet apart if either of them could help it. They left the house only long enough to pick up Tess's car from the club.

That evening found the couple on the couch watching a movie. Tess was resting with her back against the couch with Julie nestled up against her. Tess's hands were constantly caressing Julie while Julie had a look of wonderful contentment on her face. Sudden pounding on the front door made both women jump.

"Julie! I know you're in there with that dyke! Come out here right now!"

A change came over Julie in that moment. Her face turned from fearful to angry as she stood and walked toward the door, "Tess get your phone ready to call 911."

Julie stood at the door, "Go away Bob. I don't want to see you or talk to you."

The door shook as Bob slammed his fist against it, "Open this door you little bitch. You're mine and you're coming home right now!"

Julie was fuming, "I'm not your possession and I never have been. I'm not opening the door and I definitely am not going anywhere with you. Go now or I'll call the police."

Bob had lost his mind, "That fucking dyke is trying to destroy our marriage. Open... the... fucking... door!"

Julie looked over at Tess, "Call them."

Tess already had and was talking to the 911 operator. Tess held the phone near the door and the operator could clearly hear the pounding as well as Bob's ranting. Bob started slamming his boot into the door. Over and over, he kicked until the door finally gave. He strutted into the room, his face red with rage. Julie tried to run but he quickly grabbed her wrist and began to drag her toward the door. Tess wound up and punched him as hard as she could right on his ear. He stumbled for a moment but held on to Julie. He was gripping her arm so hard that he was close to breaking her wrist. Tess looked around desperately trying to find a weapon. She grabbed the table lamp and managed not to get it jerked out of her hand when the cord pulled tight. A quick yank and the cord pulled free of the wall. She ran at Bob as he dragged his wife out the door. She began her swing towards his head, but at the last moment let the lamp fall limply in her hand instead.

The police had arrived and they weren't very happy with Bob. They became much less happy and much more physical when Bob decided to fight them. Bob lost and was dragged away with his hands cuffed behind his back. Julie and Tess spent the next two hours giving their statements and dealing with police bureaucracy. When they were finally alone, they rushed into each other's arms and stayed that way for a long time.

~~~~~{}~~~~~

Tess had the old door replaced with a steel security door. Bob wasn't kicking the new door down. That still left the windows and the patio doors. Tess had an alarm system installed and she had a contractor modify her bedroom into a panic room. The two women practiced escaping to the room diligently. Julie knew her soon to be ex-husband was just stupid enough to try again. She was frightened that he wouldn't stop until he did something terrible to her and Tess.

Julie moved into Tess's bedroom. It only made sense. At first, they were tentative with each other. Their thoughts were close to the same, 'Was what happened in the bathroom just a fluke? Do I dare touch her in that way again?'

Their feelings for each other and the pleasure that they had experienced with each other gradually overcame their fear. After that, it didn't take long for their kisses goodnight to turn into much more. They learned how best to pleasure each other with their hands and took great joy in it. Tess at first tried to pleasure Julie with her mouth, but Julie wouldn't allow it, "Until I'm ready to do the same for you, I don't want you doing it for me. I love you and I want you, but that is a big step for me. Please be patient with me."

Julie was always first to arrive home from work. Her shift at the factory started earlier and ended earlier than Tess's office hours. She unlocked the door, went inside, and had just dropped her lunch bag on the counter when she felt a breeze. She looked toward the patio and saw that the patio door was slid open. Then, she remembered nothing.

Tess arrived home at her usual time. The first thing she noticed was that the entry door wasn't locked. She called 911 and waited frantically for the police to arrive. The two officers entered her house and saw the puddle of blood on the kitchen floor. Further search of the house revealed the open patio door. The police officers quietly moved down the hall checking rooms as they went. They found nothing until they got to Tess's bedroom door. The panic room door was closed and locked. They immediately called for backup.

One of the officers pulled Tess back down the hallway, "Here's what I want you to do. As soon as our backup arrives, we are entering that room. I need the code for the door, and you are to stay in the living room. Under no circumstances are you to approach that room until we give the all-clear. Do you understand?"

Tess was fighting panic and her vision was blurry from the tears that were running down her face. She pulled herself together for Julie, "I understand. Please hurry."

Backup arrived within a few minutes. Minutes that seemed like hours to Tess. The police stacked up at the door and the lead man punched in the code. He then knelt and pushed the door open. "Bang!" A baseball bat hit the doorframe at head height, "Drop the weapon or we will fire... Get on the floor, arms and legs spread. Do it now!"

Tess ran to the room oblivious to the shouts for her to stop. She almost fainted when she looked into the room. Julie was tied to the bed naked. She was unconscious and had been beaten severely. The paramedics pushed Tess aside and rushed to the bed.

She went numb as her brain refused to accept what had happened. The next thing she knew, she was riding in the back of the police cruiser, following the ambulance as it rushed toward the hospital. After that came the waiting. Tess sat for hours, scared to death that she would lose her friend. No, not her friend. She finally accepted in her head what her heart knew. Julie was so much more than her friend. She knew she was in love with her and now she feared that she might lose her.

Finally, a doctor approached her in the waiting room, "Are you Julie's family?"

Tess outright lied and told the truth at the same time, "Yes, I'm all she has."

He nodded, "Julie is going to recover, but it will take a while. She has a concussion and that is our immediate concern. She has three fractured ribs, a fractured tibia, and blunt force trauma over much of her torso. That alone will take time to heal. She was also raped. The physical damage from that will heal in time as well. I'm more concerned about her mental health. She is going to need a lot of support and counseling. Are you capable of providing the support she needs?"