DISCLAIMER: These characters do not belong to me.
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.
Sneak Peak
By Berg
"I don't think I could think of a better way to spend this week out with," Jo sighed plopping down on the sofa and pulling the warm blanket up over her. "While you're up can you grab me a soda?" she asked the blond woman getting up and making her way to the kitchen.
"Diet?" Blair suggested.
Jo just gave her "the look". "I'm only thinking of your best interest. Diet is much better for you."
"It's soda Blair," Jo rolled her eyes and laughed. "No soda…diet or regular is good for you."
"Water it is," Blair left to the kitchen. A few moments later she returned with a tall glass of water.
"This is the first night I've had off in ages," Blair relaxed into the couch. "But the life of a trendsetter is never dull."
Joe only laughed. It was true…not so much the trendsetter part, but the part of the craziness that had been their life as of late. Both women were on summer break from their senior year of college. Jo had taken a summer writing course; Blair was working full time as well as starting her internship paperwork.
"If you tell anyone I said this I'll deny it," Jo looked at the woman sitting closely beside her. "I'm glad we're doing this," she smiled at Blair.
"Me too," Blair replied honestly. Lately the constant banter between them had dulled to a quiet playfulness that neither had attempted to put a finger on yet. "Besides," Blair began again, "between our schedules a quiet night in with just the two of us isn't something we'll see very often." And it was truth. With graduation a year away, it was something both women had thought of. The excuse of "we live together," wouldn't hold them much longer.
"Good point," Jo nodded. "So which one first?"
"Arthur," Blair smiled.
"I won't complain."
"I thought you'd be upset I rented it," Blair laughed. "I know you hate this fantasy stuff. If there isn't a motorcycle scene I'll be lucky to keep you on the couch…"
"Fantasy yes. Kira Knightly…no." Jo winked. Blair rolled her eyes. The comment had come as no shock to her since Jo had admitted her "secret." Jo was in fact gay. It was not a shock to Blair. No one else in the house had known.
Truth was, if Blair had not stumbled in on an awkward kiss between Jo and her 'new friend' Judy back in high school…Blair may not have ever known.
Blair rolled her eyes. "Good lord Jo."
"What?" Jo laughed. "I'm going on a Sahara here Blair." Jo snickered seeing how long it'd take the princess to figure that one out.
"Sahara?"
"Yeah. Desert." Jo watched the expression out of the corner of her eye.
"You lost me?" Blair was doing that cute thing with her nose, concentrating way too hard. What a cute nose it is, Jo thought to herself.
"Dry spell," Jo spelled it out for her.
"Ahh," Blair nodded. For some reason breaching this topic of conversation with Jo was making her nervous.
"So…Kira Knightly huh?" Blair studied the copy of the DVD sitting in front of her. Of course, she began to compare herself to the picture. Sure…she was pretty. But she didn't seem like Jo's type at all. Not strong enough. Not independent enough. Jo needed someone who could stand up to her, give her a taste of her own medicine. 'Someone like me,' Blair thought silently.
"Oh yeah. She's infuego."
"What?"
"Spanish for fire…hot…smoking…" Jo was enjoying the look that crossed Blair's face. God how she loved to tease Blair.
Blair cut her off. "Ok ok ok…I get it." She sipped her own water. "So what about her is hot?"
"Her eyes. Her smile. Her hair…her…well…other parts." Jo thought about it. "This is the unrated version isn't it?"
Blair laughed. "Ok…it has been awhile for you hasn't it?"
Jo nodded and suddenly felt the mood shift. "What did I say?" she asked quietly…though deep down she knew all too well. She had crossed the comfort line with her best friend. 'Damn…' It stayed quiet for a moment as neither woman looked at each other.
"I'm sorry Blair. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." Jo was being honest. While she enjoyed teasing her friend immensely, creating an uneasiness between them was not what she intended at all.
"Don't be," Blair shook her head.
"You shouldn't be," Jo paused. "Look I know we don't talk about it often. Are you sure you're okay…"
Blair took a breath and looked at Jo. "Jo…I am perfectly fine," She reached over and took her friend's hand, pulling it to sit comfortable in her lap. Jo didn't resist. But what did come as both a comforting gesture, and awkward moment was when Blair leaned in to Jo, shifting as she lifted Jo's arm and placed it over her shoulder. There was a silence that fell between them.
"Jo?"
"Yeah?" the movie played on in front of them. But neither paid much attention at that moment.
"Can I stay like this…just for awhile?"
"All night if you want," Jo whispered, her secret wish of the final wall between falling down. Both eyes focused on the TV.
"She is cute," Blair smiled feeling Jo laugh next to her.
"I told you."
"I'd do her."
Jo shot up. "Blair!"
"What?" Blair smiled holding her hands up. "You're the only one who can admire her?"
"No…it's just…" Jo shook her head.
"It's just what?"
"Hearing you talk like that…"
Blair noticed the blush creep up Jo's neck. "You're blushing."
"I am not," Jo replied.
"Are too."
"Am not."
Blair watched Jo for a moment noting how close they were, enjoying the playfulness between them. She was overcome with the sudden urge to just kiss her. She leaned forward and captured Jo's lips softly with her own. Jo leaned into the kiss, deepening it. After a few moments Blair pulled back. "I'm sorry."
"I'm not."
"You're not freaking out?" Blair asked half confused. Half impressed.
"Neither are you."
"Should I freak out?"
"Did it freak you out?" Jo asked looking between Blair's eyes and lips.
"No."
"Me either."
"Jo," Blair breathed the name softly.
"Yeah?"
"Dry spell is over," Blair lunged at Jo throwing herself on top of the other young woman. The lights went out as a fit of giggles filled the room.
The End