The Platinum Chef: A Tale Of Delacroix, Part XXXII free porn video

Chapter 94 Roxx was inspecting her girls. Rubi and Rosa made a home quickly, the others making them comfortable. She was having some fun reshuffling the features and personalities of the dancers she had started with. Now there was a veritable 'rainbow coalition'. Roxx had decided that if she was to be the one in charge, she would make sure that everyone that came to her could be satisfied. No matter what their tastes. Roxx looked at Rubi. Mary seems to be enjoying this. The strawberry blonde hair and the freckles gave her an innocence that Mary did not have. Rosa. Carla just looks stoned. Her body had shifted into extreme voluptuousness, new curves bluging out under her brightly colored miniskirt. Stacy, Jenna, and CamiLynn all stood together. Blonde Stacy, formerly brunette Ashley, now sported a country girl look that would demand anyone try to hold on for eight seconds. CamiLynn stood in the leather skirt held up with handcuffs, the leather half jacket hid part of her Motorhead shirt. While her necklaces covered the logo. Her spiky black hair and azure eyes were almost enough to tear anyone's eyes away from that bountiful bosom. Jenna ran a hand over the shaved side of her head and smoothed out her eartail. The green, blue, and purple trifecta of her hair drawing attention to her face, but forcing all onlookers to appreciate the whole package. Dominique stood before her. Her chocolate tinged skin and dark eyes commanding adoration. Her fringed shirt tickled at her arms. Which left Noriko. Her name had been Andrea, but Roxx didn't think that she was exotic enough. When working on her, Roxx had decided to really give it to her. It had been the hardest change. But, a successful one. Her eyes now almond shaped, and her light chestnut hair darkening and thickening into the blue black shade of the thick, wonderous mane she now sported. Roxx smiled as she thought of the money, and the power. No wonder Lust likes this so much. Her translation apps had been working overtime. She was starting to recognize some of the ancient hieroglyphs. Useless skill #88 Getting Carla... no, Rosa to come along had given her an idea. After a little reshuffling, and a trip to see Frank. Finding people that had left home, as Robb had would give her a steady supply of dancers for years to come. Oh, that's gonna be fun. But she was getting ahead of herself. Things were changing; colors were sharper, her eyes adapted to a deeper dark than before. It was connected to the girls somehow. She didn't sleep as much anymore, either. When she did, dreams were so vivid... And that last dream? Lust wasn't as far into her head as she used to be, either. Her lack of sleep lately hadn't left her tired at all. She just wished that that tablet would translate faster. It was like waiting for her dealer. Anticipation and trepidation. What are you worried about? You've already stuck your foot in it, it's just a question of how far now. In for a gram, in for a pound. *** Kim was pleasantly surprised to see that Faye had a substitute teacher that day. It was a day for independent review, obviously since the classroom looked the same as the lunch area did. "No Agee today, huh?" "Nope." Faye just seemed bored. "Good." Kim looked at the sea of colors. She could easily see how much everyone just wanted the year to be over. "There's this necklace at the mall I've had my eye on and..." "Say. No. More. Ugh, I have shoes on, I'm here," Faye whined. "Can't that just be enough?" They caught Rach on the way to the lunch area, Kim was the first to speak. "Hitting the mall. Wanna come?" Rach laughed through her nose. "Sure, two Thralls and an Advocate. Throw in a priest and you've got the makings of a good joke." "Would that be the one with the hooker with dysentery?" Rach laughed loudly, grabbing a locker to maintain stability. Rapid fire snark was something she sorely missed. Cake's done, I deserve a break. "I'll drive," Rach said, looking forward to some time to clear her head. *** Bobbie was waiting for class to end. It had been the same thing in every class. "Finals next week. Study, bring a number 2 pencil... blah blah blah." It was a different feeling from the finals panic that used to plague her, now it was full of reflection. How much baggage had been tossed out? Probably everything; hell, all new luggage does that. She looked inside her locker and fingered the books that lay within. It's over... it really is over. Bobbie never expected to feel bittersweet about leaving school, her whole life it had been a chore and a miserable place. But, what she had come to think of as her senior year had changed all that. There were so many things that would stay in her mind long after she left the blue and white corridors of Delacroix High. She ran hand down the door of her locker. Feeling the chipped paint from the year's vandalism. Even that wasn't taking up a large amount of space. It was something that had happened and blown over. Jeez. Am I going to miss this place? She smiled wistfully. I guess I am. The table seemed a little quieter with Kim and Heather gone. Bobbie's phone vibrated in her pocket. At the mall with the girls, don't wait up. :) K "Well, that makes things a little easier." Bobbie laughed into her roast beef sandwich. "That fuckin cake was so fuckin cool," Bella said, the words lubricated by a layer of Miracle Whip. "I can't wait to see what else you guys can do." "Well," Bobbie said, swallowing. "We're gonna find out. We have orders for days and meetings with brides and mothers. If anything, we're too good." Bobbie took another bite, relishing the crunch of the pepperonici. "Steve says it's gonna be busy all summer. Cakes and pies and..." Beth's cheerful tone hid nothing. "There's going to be way too many things going on," Bobbie smiled. "I look forward to the challenge." Amber let a pshaw noise out of her mouth. "Challenge? Yeah right. Just another day." "I'm good, but that has limits. After this is all over, I kind of want to find out what they are." *** "Ooh, that is cute," Kim said to Faye, the wide bangle sat on her wrist, Hibiscus flowers acid etched into the metal. The attendant came over to unlock the case. "That one," Kim pointed. It was a simple, thin chain with a charm in the shape of brass knuckles. "Y'know, Kim? You do this badass pretty thing well. It suits you." "Thanks to you." "Oh, forget it. Couldn't have you out Fayeing me." "Could I?" Faye reached into her purse and pulled out a stick of gum. Rach was flipping through the shirts, hoping to find one that didn't have a band made up of whiny, depressed teenagers. "Rach," Kim called. "What's your day looking like?" "Eye Dee Kay, just gonna do some sculpting." "That's all you do anymore. Screw that, we should go out tonight." Faye started tapping at her phone." Some boops and beeps later, she spoke again. "Fiesta Finder says that there's 5 parties tonight. Wanna hit all of 'em?" Faye turned on that glowing smile. Rach looked up. "Fuck it, sure. God, I'm glad finals are next week. Just can't wait for this year to be over." "Me too," Faye said. "At least next year, I can have a good picture. I look like I'm gonna drain someone's blood in that one." Kim laughed. "If at first you don't succeed... Keep on sucking." Faye laughed. "Best advice ever." Kim laughed while Rach looked nervously at the two Thralls. "Jeez you two, don't you ever think about anything else." "Yes," Kim blurted. "But I'm not thinking of them right now." Faye laughed a rapid fire titter. "Parties sound good, Kim?" Faye piped up. "Me? No, gotta go play dress up for Heather. At least it's a good excuse to get out of these clothes..." Kim's demonic smile rose. "Which is a great excuse for other things before I put different ones on, right?" "Now you're talking." Faye grabbed Rach and pressed her up against the clearance rounder. When the kiss broke, Rach was left a little breathless. "Parties... Sure," Rach said, dazed. "Damn," Faye said. "Still doesn't work." Faye missed Timmi, she was always fun. Ooh, Zoe... I bet she'll be fun. *** Sylvia and Roy were packing boxes in anticipation of the move. "Feels weird getting rid of some of this stuff. I mean, it's not much. But..." "Nonsense," Sylvia said. "Besides, it'll be good for Beth." Roy laughed. "Things keep going at that bakery like it has been and she'll be making more than I am." The smile dipped before disappearing. "You should be proud." "I am. Just this all happened kind of fast. Good things happening are kind of rare around here." "Things change, always do." Roy smiled, he looked at the collection of plastic cups from various fast food places. Stacking them, he threw them away. "Be good to start fresh anyway." They had been planning the move. Agreeing that it was a good idea to wait until after the school year ended, packing had begun. Roy looked around at the cracked baseboards and thought about the years of rent increases and the sacrifices he had made for Beth. ...and how they all seemed to pay off just in time for Beth to grow up. Now, here she was with a whole circle of friends and a boyfriend... And... The last year had been one major achievement after another. Sylvia? Just the icing on the proverbial cake. Roy hugged Sylvia from behind. "I'm so glad I met you," Roy said. Sylvia turned. "But I hate packing." "Haven't packed the bed yet." "Miss Pointe, are you trying to seduce me?" "Trying?" Sylvia laughed. *** "Saturday at 2 we have the Coleman wedding, and at 3 we have the Lenkov twins parents coming in to discuss the cakes. Next week..." Tim took a deep breath. "We're totally slammed." He smiled. Tim squeed, Bobbie thought of Timmi. "Never thought I'd be happy to have so little free time. With school out though, we can ramp up production and just make everything easier." "We need a van," Bobbie said distantly. "What?" "We can't count on Rach to deliver everything," Bobbie said. "And..." Bobbie took off the white overshirt she had been wearing. It was a green shirt with the Cheepskates logo emblazoned on it in faded print. A ribbon under it stated 'Delacroix, Est. 2014'. Bobbie turned to the back, showing off large splotchy print. Get Sticky! Tim laughed. "Coffee cups coming soon." "How did...?" Tim asked. "You gave me a check, what am I going to spend it on?" Bobbie smiled. "Heather gives me badass clothes, I live rent free for now." "...and you don't let me pay for shit." "Fine," Tim said, getting haughty. "Next time, you pay." Bobbie stuck out her tongue. Beth laughed. "C'mon, it's merch," Bobbie said. "We're popular, let's advertise and make some money at the same time." She went to her backpack and pulled out two more. "Uniform shirts." Beth and Tim unfurled them, looking at them. "Wow, Bobbie. These are cool." "Yeah, good idea. But, you're always ahead of me anyway." Tim kissed her cheek. "It's why I love you." Bobbie blushed. Beth looked around. "So, are we getting started?" Tim swept his gaze from side to side and shook his fingers as if conducting an imaginary orchestra. Bobbie and Beth looked at him strangely. "Let's go." Tim looked around, surprised that no one got it. "Nick Cage?" "Original was better," Bobbie said. Production flew through its rapid pace, the night ending with Bobbie practicing her braiding for the first time in months. 1...3...2...1...2...1...3..2..1... "Wow, Bobbie," Beth said coming by with pans of cookies. "Haven't seen you make that before." "It's Challah bread. Making a few of these. This one has dried dates and a few other candied fruits." She pointed to the other two, completed ones. "That one has raisins and nuts, and that one's plain." "They look pretty." "Brush 'em with the egg yolk there. We'll see how well they go out." Once the cleanup was done, the Challah bread was out of the oven and cooling. They enjoyed a sampler and some of the drinking chocolate Bobbie threw together. "Y'know that this needs?" Tim asked. "Salmonberry Jam. They have it in Alaska, and it just rules. Say, maybe we should get hold of those fruit guys and see if they have jam." "Mmm. I really like this raisin one." Beth said, sipping at the chocolate. "How am I ever going to stop eating this stuff?" "If it's this good," Tim said, savoring the combination of date, fig, and cinnamon. "Why would you want to?" *** Zoe was cocking a hip in time to the music. It was another of the illegal parties that would be happening more frequently now that summer was officially on the doorstep. She had been thinking about the effects of Faye's kiss more lately. The effect had been... well, relaxing. Keeping up her walls was something Zoe Keebler did on autopilot. Nice to shut it off once in a while. Zoe continued walking around with her untouched cup. A shock of blue hair caught her attention as it fanned up and down like a geyser. Rach? Looking closer, Faye was right there next to her, bouncing and laughing. Zoe moved closer, sliding up her sleeves to expose her sexy elbows. "ZOE!" Faye said, waving from the apogee of her jump. Faye's dance steps didn't miss a beat as she waved her over. "What're you doing here?" Rach yelled over the din of the music. "Just wanted to get out and..." *** Faye could see Zoe's wants, and to her it looked like Zoe wanted to... She giggled as she grabbed Zoe's shoulders and brought her close. "WAIT!" "JEEZ! DOES THE BLUE HAIR MAKE EVERYONE A BUZZKILL??" "JUST COME ON!" Faye, Rach and Zoe left the storm of sound and fury. "HEY! WHAT'S UP?" Faye yelled. Rach had a finger wiggling in her ear. "Don't need to yell anymore." "Just wanted to... "I know what you want." Rach snapped. "And I'm totally okay with it for that reason. Kinda like the thought of you acting like..." She looked over at Faye, who was checking her makeup. "Thought you could try something?" Rach winced, waiting for the Wrath of Zoe. "Fay-fay?" "Fay-fay?" Zoe said, trying not to laugh. "Fuck you," Rach shot back. "Come on over here and see if you can be like a baby rattlesnake." Faye rolled her eyes. "No." She nodded her head. "Never mind her, she's silly." "Baby rattlesnakes use all their venom." "You just want me to grow up." The smile and vacant eyes lit up a little as she giggled. Rach's expression remained unchanged. She crossed her arms. Faye sighed. "Fine." She grabbed Zoe and made out with Zoe like it was her job. When it was over, Zoe's colors changed to a different splotchy puddle. She remained unchanged. "Just gotta hold back some. It's not hard at all." She giggled again. "Ooh, this is so cool." "Good," Zoe said. "Now give it to me." She grabbed Faye and swept her into a kiss." Rach watched Zoe's colors fade into nothingness while her body changed shape according to Faye's kiss. She resigned herself to having to spend the evening with Faye and her fellow ditz. *** Zoe felt the helium light feeling balloon inside of her. Her clothes tightened and her scalp itched. It was a familiar feeling. She remembered that from the last time. "Oh, shit," Rach said, seeing what was happening. So that's what it looks like from the outside. Moments later, Zoe was all blonde hair and bright smiles again. "Thanks, Faye. You're just so cool." Zoe's giggle joined Faye's as the bouncing resumed. Rach put a hand on her forehead. "Oh, don't be that way. We're here to have fun, right?" Zoe said, her higher pitched voice sounding squeaky to Rach. "Zoe..." Rach began. Zoe stopped jumping immediately. "Shhh." "No one knows." Zoe's face parted into a blank smile. "It's Zia." The bouncing started up again as if it had never stopped. *** Roxx had stumbled on something. There was a text that seemed to have all of the symbols she was trying to find, plus it had pictographs from at least 7 languages. No one had ever understood it because they thought the symbols to be from a single language. But, Roxx knew better. The translator apps would take a while on this one, but she knew it would be worth the wait. The new girls were entertaining the audience in every way they could. Need a few more girls for sure. Roxx was already contemplating what forms the next reshuffling would take. She already had a plan for those people that Mary used to call friends... ...Before Rubi came along. Roxx had planned that little outing for the next day, once Bobbie's pastries got delivered. She wondered absently if Tim had noticed anything odd yet. Doubt it, he's always busy. A cruel grin formed. *** Laughter burst forth from Zia when Faye said something. Rach didn't understand what the hell they were saying. Zia wasn't bad, gone was all of Zoe's edge, of course the clothes only made her look sluttier with the tank top exposing her navel and bits of her bouncing with the baseline. Definitely not as sarcastic, Rach decided that Zia might be worth hanging out with. Tonight. *** Bobbie was up early, she had to get to the bakery early. She wanted to do some online browsing, get some cake ideas. By the time the coffee was brewed, she was already awake. Her mind fired on sixteen cylinders. Thoughts of finals intruded. And I haven't even started Sense and Sensibility yet. Not too big a deal, she'd watch the movie again. Got that one at home, can't miss with Ang Lee. Although she wished that the film had a few more crouching tigers and hidden dragons. There was a new feeling, one of ... optimism was too weak a word. It had started at the picnic, that sense of belonging was never stronger; hundreds of people eating and enjoying the thing that she had made with her friends. Yes, it had a crisp sheen of professionalism that really gave the final product a big boost. But it wasn't just about the pleasures of normality and the importance of friends. It was a statement about the bakery itself. And we need to get Roxx's order out. It rankled somewhat, but business is business. Besides maybe those petit fors can do more good in there. Probably closest I'll ever get to going undercover. Sneaking out, Bobbie caught the first bus and decided that she would surprise Tim with breakfast. She knew when it came to eating in the morning, he had more in common with Faye than herself. He still eats Count Chocula. She was still all smiles; staring out the window while braiding her hair. This would be a good day. When she stepped off of the bus, everything was bathed in the pre morning light. Daily Grind's door had just been cleaned, the ammonia sharp in the morning. Gilda was at the counter, sipping an espresso. The tablet pc she used as her register obviously held something interesting. Her mouth opened in a huge grin. "Oh, my god. Bobbie!" "That's me." Bobbie smiled. She turned the tablet around. A familiar Instagram picture was on the screen. The school cake stood out. "This thing is all over Instagram, you have more likes than The Beatles." "I guess that makes us bigger than Jesus?" Gilda laughed. "How on Earth do you know so much about that?" "TV is a great history teacher." Gilda laughed again. "So, what can I do for you today?" "I thought I'd come by and get us breakfast today. That breakfast club bagel looks good, and a couple of Dirty Blondies." Gilda raised an eyebrow. Bobbie shrugged. "Variety is the spice of life." "It sure is. Let me get those started for you. You guys have anything special or new coming up?" "Could. Why?" "Five years open coming up in July. Thought you could do something... memorable." Without thinking, Bobbie immediately envisioned a big cheesecake in a crust shaped like a giant coffee cup. She cocked her head to one side. The idea seemed to fit in with the unique pattern of her darkness. Wow, it's cool how it all works together like that. She shivered while her eyes twinkled. "Yeah." Bobbie outlined her plan quickly while bagels were toasted and eggs fried. "That sounds wonderful. Get me a quote and I'll start planning." The client meetings later about their cakes only got more interesting when she considered how what she saw in people could influence how their cakes came out. When the order was ready, Bobbie headed for the bakery bristling with positivity. Until she remembered Roxx's order. *** The parties had all wound down for the evening, Rach was feeling a little beat up. Zia and Faye seemed to have boundless energy. Zia was many things Zoe was not. Loquatious for one, she seemed unable to keep quiet. Rach had a hard time understanding their rapid fire chatter while Faye understood on a level that was nearly telepathic. They stood by their vehicles, Faye was still chittering like an excited lemur as they approached. "Agee, right?" followed by a burst of squealish laughter. Rach had no idea what it was they were on about, but they seemed happy to be talking about it. She studied the two, it was almost hilarious. They couldn't be any more different, Zoe and she. But Zia? She was fun, laughing at the same people for almost the same reasons. The hard edge that rankled Rach at the drop of a dime was gone now, or was Zia just tired? Rach found herself wishing Bobbie was there, just to have someone that could translate. When the sun started to rise, Rach realized that she needed to get Faye home. Zia hugged her goodbyes and sped off. "Damn," Rach said. "She's cool" "Oh, I knew that already." Faye rolled her eyes the opposite direction. "It was the elbows, huh?" *** Tim was looking at Cheepskates blown up Facebook page. "I want some." "How much is...?" "Hey, babe," he said looking up from the screen. "Man, we're gonna be so busy." Bobbie set the bag down, and handed Tim one of the cups. "Holy shit. That's really good. What is that?" "Dirty blondie. And Gilda wants something for July," Bobbie said, unwrapping a sandwich and handing it over. "She's gonna have to take a number. Events are fililng up." Bobbie gave an indignant look. "Okay, you have something?" While they ate their breakfast club sandwiches, Bobbie laid out the plan. A huge white chocolate mocha cheesecake with a thick graham cracker crust in the shape of a large coffee cup replete with handle. "How in the hell...?" "We have two months." Bobbie took a drink of thick, caramelly confection. "It's not as big or complicated as the school cake." "Fair enough. Roxx is gonna be by for her stuff later. We should probably get started." "Yeah," Tim agreed. "Not sure I want to see those Russian Bears of hers any more than I have to." "Well, let's get to it then." Bobbie wandered off to watch her hands. The tiny cake bites were baked and covered in their unbroken sheets of fondant, with the edible gold foil cut into the shape of a tiny volcano. Gargamel's Reward was filling the room with the aromas of cinnamon and blueberry. Bobbie remembered Melanie mentioning that she was a big fan of the little blue creatures back when she had been a child. Wasn't much of a knife twist, but Bobbie wanted to get in any dig she could. *** Faye was staring at all of her clothes. What to wear tonight? The thought of all those people staring at her made her lightheaded with excitement. Dancing was always fun with Rach, the way those stupid boys goggled and stared when they danced close. Definitely showing off the navel ring. That eliminated about half of the clothes. Faye was thinking that her wardrobe needed to have a Great Cull. All that stuff with skulls and eyeballs. Ugh, and all this anime shit has to go! Faye took out her phone and dialed Rach, she could help. That's what she did now, right? Since she was an Advocate now, too. She decided that there was a bow of cereal with her name on it. Heading out to the kitchen, she noticed Nick sitting there. "Nick! Good morning! Today's gonna be so cool. You're coming tonight, right?" Nick obviously hadn't been awake long enough for coherent thought. "Huh?" He asked, running a hand along his chin. "What's tonight?" Faye rolled her eyes. "I'm dancing at the club tonight! You have to come." Her eyes recentered themselves and took on a pleading appearance. "Dancing? At Vesuvius?" Nick's eyes opened. When did that happen? "Oh, it's not Vesuvius anymore." Faye waved a hand as she looked for a spoon. "It's Krakatoa now." Nick sighed. How long is this gonna go on? "Sure, I guess." Faye forgot her breakfast quest and ran to hug Nick. "Bitchen." Nick smiled, suddenly worried about Faye getting all... excited. And then coming back here... He had a foreboding feeling creep into his stomach. Nick thought about having some cereal himself, but decided against it as Faye's cheerful face tore into the bowl of Fruit Rocks. *** When Roxx heard the ding of the tablet, she sprung from the bed. She always did that now, every tone bringing her one step closer to one of the many translations she was searching for. Unfortunately, those translations led to more unknown symbols. Is that a square root sign? Pieces had come in, some long enough to make sense of. That sixteenth century monk? He was just another in a list of medical anomalies that had been lost to history due to the brutish nature of the time. Some of the other pieces? Well, they seemed to lay out more limitations than boons. It seems everyone that tried any kind of conjuring wound up dead. There were some alchemic journals that showed some promise. Everything indicated that there should be some kind of debt, yet she felt fine. Better, actually. The things she had done so far should have done something. But there she was, untouched. Rubi and Rosa stirred in the bed. The other girls listened to her blindly. Surely that was some kind of magic in its own right. Right? Roxx was starting to wonder what it was that was keeping Lust at bay. That dream with Robb still replayed its final moments in her mind. Setting the translation apps up to search for the new symbols took a few minutes. There was no way she was going to concede. Roxx would use this respite from Lust to her full advantage. She grinned as she made her way to the bed again. With everyone's libido so ramped up, it was hard to tell who got horny first. Just the way she liked it. *** Bobbie and Tim took time out for a Saturday Matinee. The Revival was playing Jaws that day, Bobbie and Tim were more excited to get some quality time in those reclining chairs than to see the film they already knew by heart. Hot dogs and popcorn filled them that afternoon while Roy Schieder told Captain Quint to come down and chum some of this shit. Bobbie and Beth both jumped violently into the arms of their respective boyfriends when the shark broke the water; as she always had, even as the other gender. The nervous feeling washed away as Tim squeezed. "What's wrong, babe?" Tim whispered. "Nothing," she said as she relaxed. Leaving the theater, they saw Beth and Steve. Beth looked pale. "Hey guys, came out today too huh?" Beth was clinging on to Steve. "That was scary." Steve hugged her closer. "I guess Spielberg's still got it." "Yeah," Tim agreed. "Nothing like holding onto your boyfriend for comfort, right?" Bobbie laughed. "It's okay, Beth." She pointed a thumb at Tim "He's scared of the Drop Bears." Steve laughed, as did Beth. "But that's so fake looking," Beth said. "It's complicated," Tim said. Bobbie and Tim went back to the bakery. They still had an hour or so before the first of the meetings were set to happen. She was already running through flavors and shapes in her mind, the whirlwind of mental activity was slowed each time she felt Tim's hand in hers. *** Faye wasn't wearing much, and what she was wearing was clinging tighter than painted on plastic wrap. The hot pink bent and flexed with her hips as she danced a few practice steps around the room. Cool, finally. Satisfied with her clothing, she turned her attention to her hair and makeup. It didn't take too long before Faye went from blonde sex goddess... To blonde sex goddess +3 When Nick finally came out of the shower, he was surprised that his clothes were gone. "Faye?" Nick said, wrapping a towel around him quickly. "Where's my clothes?" he started to ask, but was bowled over by Faye. "You don't need those right now, do you?" Faye said with a sinful grin. Oh, god. Nick thought. He would have turned her down, but the rising beneath the towel didn't let him. Faye giggled again. "See? And now when you go tonight, you'll know what I'm like." "Those other sluts won't have a chance." Faye leapt forward and had a tongue in his mouth before he had a chance to say no. Knowing where this would be going, Nick winced against the half excited, half repelled sensations emanating from his groin. "Faye." "Oh, shut up. You're helping me stretch before I dance," Faye tee heed. "Don't wanna pull a muscle." Nick felt a tug on his... "Well, maybe this one." *** The new sign was up, 'Krakatoa' it said in bold, red letters. The second 'A' a volcano. Exterior walls had been painted, posters of the 'new' girls were up. And the pastry order had come in. Roxx was impressed by the variety. The gold foil looked exclusive enough, and the little cakes were elegant and refined looking. But the extra boxes? Thank you for choosing Cheepskates. Our number one interest is in keeping our customers happy. As a bonus for your order, this is a new cheesecake we're testing out. Please let us know if there's anything we can do to make future orders better. We're here for you! The Cheepskates crew. Roxx opened the box and spied dozens of tiny red mushroom tops shiny like candied plastic... No, strawberries. She laughed as she looked at them. Looks like Smurf hats. Gargamel's Reward. Smurfs had been one of Melanie's few happy childhood memories. And now here was a decimated village. Where's your head, Bobbie? Thinking that I'm still that squeamish girl you used to know? "Ooh, that looks pretty," Rubi said. Roxx smiled and put the piece on one of the paper plates that came with it. She handed the plate to Rubi, who smiled and dug in. "Mmmm," Rubi moaned. Roxx bit her lower lip. Well, at least Faye's coming tonight. Thought you'd seen everything, Delacroix? Wait'll they get a load of me. *** Nick was led to a booth and given a drink, Faye kissed his cheek and disappeared. Red faced, Nick stared into his Old Fashioned. Okay, I'm here. Now what? The already low lights dimmed further as the room was bathed in a crimson glow. "Welcome," a voice boomed over the PA system. "To Krakatoa, where our girls are guaranteed to make you erupt. First up is CamiLynn." Nick turned to see the dark hair rise first, followed by a very pretty face. An Iron Maiden shirt sat in vertical tatters that covered her breasts and trailed down to her impossibly flat stomach. Smooth, toned legs completed the picture. CamiLynn stepped seductively down the metal steps in front of the volcano as the music came up. Nick nearly gagged on a sip. Turning to stare at CamiLynn again, he noticed something as she spun. That's the same tattoo Faye has. Well, this night just got more interesting. *** The prep for the next day was done, and Bobbie had finalized a design that would make the new clients happy. The bride couldn't believe that Bobbie was able to come up with the perfect design in moments. Her suggestions for the flavor profile and decorations? Perfect. When the twins mother came in for the birthday cake, Tim had the idea on that one. Mrs. Lenkov's nine year olds were comic fans. But Tristan liked Marvel while Thomas liked DC. But, of course, Bobbie brought it all together. Her idea had buildings of different flavors, with the heroes enacting a scene from a famous crossover that they probably hadn't read yet. Guys over at Four Color Fantasies are gonna love us for this. Bobbie figured that if you got a kid hooked on comics early... They wouldn't be able to afford drugs. Knowing that Wolverine had adamantium claws beat the ability to roll a joint blindfolded any day. Bobbie could attest to that, only Melanie had the latter skill. Mrs. Lenkov also took Bobbie's idea about visiting Four Color Fantasies seriously when she explained the series. Even Tim was surprised. "What?" She asked after their latest client left. "I probably know those comics better than you." "Always did like Quicksilver. But, I never was into the stable characters much." She smiled. "Sounds like someone needs to meet Garth Ennis." "There's going to be an end to the surprises one of these days, right?" "Wouldn't that just be another surprise?" Tim seemed to be in two places at once as he moved almost too quickly to see. Picard Maneuver. The hug was just as sudden. "God, I love you." He laughed, as did Bobbie. "Mom's out with Sylvia and Betty tonight. My bed's more comfortable than that fondant station." *** 'Zia' never did go home, the motorcycle's fuel gauge was hovering on empty. She was getting tired , and she remembered what that meant. It was different this time. She still felt cheerful to the nth degree. Hanging out with Faye and Rach was so cool, A small part of her wanted that blue hair so badly. Zoe would never do that. But she couldn't do that now. Rach wound up with a similar SUV, after all. No, that was yet another act of rebellion that would soon fall by the wayside. Jeez Zoe, you can be a grump. Being Zia was so freeing, she could see getting way too comfortable with it. Special occasions only. Running on fumes, the Kawasaki pulled into the driveway and Zia quietly climbed the trellis and entered the open window. *** Tim was showering the last of the day from his skin when he started to feel odd stirrings. They weren't odd considering what was happening in the moments leading up to the decision to shower. The erection he was experiencing seemed to draw in his whole body. A small giggle escaped his lips. His knee buckled and collided with the floor of the bathtub. The erection erupted, twitching and hurling its cargo. "Gah," Tim said, squeezing his eyes shut against this... this... This feels so yummy. The high pitched voice in his head said. Tim started giggling uncontrollably as body parts popped and stretched. His mind went quiet, blank for a moment as his face contorted in pain. The pressure on every tiny piece of him was immense. Everything hurt so badly; he wanted to scream, but the sound died the death of a dying dialup signal. HI! *** Bobbie was grinning again. It didn't matter where they were, or what they were doing. It was always special. Just when he puts his arms around me, or when we sit together... The crashing from the bathroom brought her from her daydream, Bobbie was up before instantly, the noise had her envisioning a fall. She burst in the door and stopped dead. "Bobbie. I'm so silly sometimes, I slipped. Could you help me up?" Timmi put out her hand. "Wow, Bobbie. Drama much? I just fell, I'm not hurt." "No reason to cry." "Not crying." Bobbie realized, she wasn't. Not too sure I can be surprised anymore. "You can be so clumsy sometimes." Timmi laughed as she allowed Bobbie to help her up. *** Kim and Heather were going through lyrics again. She wanted to do this one song, just this one. It seemed fitting all the way around... Soldier On. The ringing phone shattered her concentration. Kim thumbed on the device and held it up to her ear. "Hello?" Kim's face turned white. "Bobbie? Huh? Calm down... okay. Breathe." Kim's mouth opened wider. "Okay... okay. Calm down, I'll be right there." "What's wrong?" Heather asked. "Oh, nothing," Kim lied. "I've gotta run. Bobbie's freaked out about her homework. She can't find it." "I'll give you a ride. C'mon, chica; let's blow this pop stand." Heather had her keys in her hand and was headed for the door. The ride was mercifully short, and Kim had a few minutes before Bobbie showed up. Timmi's back? How? It's my fault, isn't it? When the two blondes arrived at the house, Timmi was launching into a hug when she saw Kim. "Kimmie!!" Timmi said. "It feels like I haven't seen you in forever. I miss you guys." "Hey, Timmi. How have you been?" Timmi shrugged. "Ideekay, bored? Ooh, let's go out. Last time was fun, I got to dance and...and..." Bobbie had a hand over her face, nodding her head. "What in the actual fuck?" "It's okay, Bobbie," Kim said, looking at Timmi. She sighed. "Lemme take a look." Kim squinted, looking closely. "There's no thread this time. It's gone," Kim said, panicked. Bobbie dropped her hand. "What do you mean 'it's gone'?" Kim shook her head. "That's just it... I dunno. There just isn't one." Bobbie's eyes narrowed and her jaw clenched. "Get ready." "I am ready," Kim said. "I'm not, these clothes look silly," Timmi said, gesturing to the oversized shirt and pants with the belt skipping not one but two loops. "I think I have something." Kim said. "Not too sure about a bra though. Where are we going? "One guess." Kim widened her eyes. "Roxx?" Bobbie sighed. "Yeah. This ends tonight." *** Roxx sat at the booth reading her tablet. New translations had come in, making some of the other, older translations finally make a kind of sense. Lust's victims were always felled by a 'wasting sickness'. That was obviously the side effect of humans dealing with magic. The last update from the tablet explained more. Magic could do anything, but there were limitations. Namely how much energy went into the desired effect. From her study, it was obvious that the cost was too much for a single human to pay. It made Roxx think, how could I be doing this without cost... Then it hit her. The drugs. Her talent could strengthen any drug. But once the drugs left her hands? That was hundreds, maybe thousands of people, with her taking a little tiny bit from each of them. Fuck, Lust. You could have just made this so much easier on yourself. But that was all theory. Roxx needed to test it out. ...On someone. The redhead looked at Rubi on the stage as a wicked grin began to form. And I think I know whom to test it on. *** "He's gonna kill you for cutting that shirt. He loves that movie." Bobbie gestured to the Evil Dead II shirt that ballooned the skull outward. Kim looked back. "I'll find him another one. Do you really wanna do this now?" She pulled her denim half jacked tighter across her shoulders. Bobbie checked her face in the mirror. Black lipstick? Kim had given Bobbie a slightly gothy look to go with the black attire. At least it matches my mood. "Preevyet, Kostya," Kim said, approaching the wall of flesh. "Preevyet," Mikahil said. "Faye." He stepped aside and allowed the three girls entrance. "I don't like that," Bobbie said. "What?" "They just let us in?" Bobbie pressed her black lips together. "Is she expecting us?" Kim thought about it and had no answer, but her nervousness rose the more she thought. Roxx was all smiles when they arrived at the booth. "Timmi." Roxx smiled. "Nice to see you again." Bobbie stepped forward and slammed her hand down on the table. "You better have something amazing to say, right now." "Robb, Faye's dancing? That's all you thought I wanted?" Bobbie's other hand was balling into a fist. "How's it feel?" Roxx asked. "To watch the only man you've ever loved turn into a girl and walk away... "Again and again and again." There was forebodeing in the way she said it. Bobbie cocked her fist, but was stopped when she saw Nikki free the Makarov. She stopped as her face turned red in frustration. Kim backed up a step. No one save Nikki noticed Timmi walk away. "You didn't think I wouldn't get back at you somehow, did you?" Roxx smiled again. Bobbie brought her fist down on the table. "This..." "...has nothing to yada yada," Roxx cut Bobbie off. "Ever think that maybe if you stuck around all this could have been avoided?" "Fuck you," Bobbie said through her teeth. "What did you do?" Roxx shrugged as a fresh cigarette began to glow. "Does it matter?" "Fix it, now." Bobbie wanted to lunge so badly, the gun didn't even bother her. This wasn't like that liquor store, this wasn't about anything but the two of them. But was it Bobbie and Roxx? Or Lust and Justice? Roxx exhaled. "I can't." The lunge began, Bobbie hopped from one foot to the other. She listened for the click of the gun. It never came. "Only you can." Bobbie stopped against the table, hand halfway back. "Fuck him. Hell, I even made it simple." Roxx cocked her head. "Just for old times sake." "Better be quick though," Roxx warned. "She's just as revved up as Faye is." Roxx inhaled hard. "But, you knew that." "Didn't you." Bobbie just wanted to scream, she wanted to grab that pistol and drill about a hundred thousand holes in Roxx. She wanted to... Bobbie thought of Kim, catching the short girl in her peripheral vision. She was the picture of terror, frozen like the poster for an old teen horror film featuring a giant spider. Roxx laughed. "What's so goddamn funny?" Roxx saw Bobbie's eye twitch. Roxx pointed her cigarette downwards. Bobbie and Kim spun and ran to the rail. Timmi was dancing down among the tables and patrons. "WoooooHooooo," they heard Timmi squeal over the dropping beat. "Son of a bitch." "C'mon, sis. Let's just go get him... her... fuckit... " "Let's get Timmi out of here," Bobbie huffed. "Bobbie?" Roxx said. "Now you use my name?" "Love the lipstick. You should do the black more. Getting sick of that fucking blue." "Suck my cock," Bobbie said and stormed off with Kim in tow. The girl with the victory rolls and the yellow dress had one hand up, middle finger extended properly. Like a lady. *** Touch me and I'll break your face.... Timmi spun, the tattered fringe flapped around the bottom. She really wanted those super baggy pants gone. They were so hot and stuff. All the other girls didn't have pants on. "Hey baby, take it off!" What a good idea. Boys can be so smart sometimes. Timmi's hands went for the belt buckle, it was free so fast the Kessel Run was a slow ride to Grandma's house. The pants hit the floor and Timmi had one sneakered foot out as the garment spun around the other ankle. The feeling started immediately, hands grabbing and squeezing. Timmi giggled. Mmmmmm, Bobbie should try this... Oh, wait. "Timmi!" Kim was screaming and trying to get through the crush of onlookers to get to Timmi. Her diminutive size allowing her some passage; some perv grabbed at one of her breasts. Kim grabbed the offending arm and wrenched it to her right, its possessor went down quickly to avoid his arm being broken. *** Jenna and Dominique had given up dancing. They looked on as Faye; that girl from earlier, the one that ruined the night for everyone? She was just giving it away for free, leaving them with a night with much less to do. It would be okay, though. Roxx always made it okay. *** Bobbie was pushing her way through when she felt the other guy fell into her. He fell because Kim had socked him full on in the jaw. "Got her! Come on!!" Kim was pulling a laughing and bowing Timmi through the crowd, pants flopping back and forth. They came off, revealing Kim's stretched panties. Bobbie extricated herself and ran for the door. She could see Mikhail and Kostya turning away from the door. Kim and Timmi made the door and ducked through them and outside. Bobbie wasn't so lucky, she felt a beefy hand snake out and grab her arm. She jumped and swung from The doorguard's grasp, bringing a heel into his knee. Taking the moment of surprise, Bobbie took advantage of the released grip and ran off to catch up with her sister and her... her... Boyfriend? "Well," Kim said, shaking out her hand. "That escalated quickly." *** They took a few sidestreets on the way back to the bakery. Timmi's lack of pants seemed to bother everyone except Timmi. Luckily, Kim had a denim jacket on to cover her shoulders. Tying it around Timmi's waist worked well enough to brave one of the main streets. "How is this gonna work?" Kim asked. "You have to..." She laughed. "What?" Bobbie looked at Timm. She had to look harder, but she could see him in there. Robb's interest in girls had fallen by the wayside during the time he'd become Bobbie. She looked at Timmi. Robb would have lost his mind. But Bobbie? "Bobbie?" "Hmmm?" Bobbie asked, keeping her eyes on Timmi. "You okay? I mean..." "Yeah," Bobbie said, catching up to Timmi. She slid her hand into Timmi's. "Timmi?" Timmi turned and smiled. "Yeah, Bobbie?" This is gonna be so weird. "I like the outfit. I..." Here goes. "I think you're really cute." Kim tried to hold the laugh in, it only succeeded in suppressing the noise. The smile couldn't be held back. "You're super pretty, too. Nose ring's cute, too." "I was just thinking." Bobbie tried to fake a devilish look. "We could hang out in your room?" Timmi stopped and laughed. "It's the elbows, huh?" That was it. Kim's laugh could no longer hide. *** Kim separated from the other two girls at Cheepskates, laughing as she left. "I'll call you later." She said as she walked away, the sound of the lighter echoing against the awkward silence occupied by Timmi and Bobbie at the door to the bakery. Timmi giggled. "I thought you didn't like girls." "Only if they're special," Bobbie said, taking Timmi's other hand. "Or as pretty as you." Bobbie nearly gagged on the words. Diabetes, here I come. Timmi rolled her eyes. We've been BFFs forever. Why didn't you tell me?" Bobbie looked down, trying to avoid eye contact. "Had enough hiding it. You're just so cute with the big blonde hair and the tits." Timmi giggled again. "So are we gonna go in?" "Timmi, you have the keys." *** Knew that wouldn't take long. Roxx was availing herself of one of the red velvet cake bites. The angle of the gold leaf was perfect. "How's it feel?" Roxx muttered. The pain and utter loss she felt when she realized that Bobbie had left would now be transferred to a feeling of sweet karma. "Nikki." "Da?" "Get Rubi and the car. We're going out. Leave Kostya in charge." Nikki got up to do as he was bid, leaving Roxx alone. But feeling safe. *** "They might be a good couple." Timmi said of Elinor and Edward. Bobbie smiled and grabbed for Timmi's midsection, like Tim would do. Like Robb used to. "Yeah. Team Edward all the way. If only they sparkled." Bobbie laughed and leaned in for a kiss. It felt so weird, almost like Timmi was giving off too much heat. Bobbie moved a hand downward to cup one of Timmi's mammoth breasts and squeezed. "Mmmmmm... so good." Timmi leaned her head back as Bobbie got her tongue around the other nipple. Timmi's own hands were exploring on their own and discovered Bobbie's breasts. *** If Bobbie could keep her eyes closed, it would be easy to pretend that it was Tim. The painted nails rasped into her flesh, but she didn't care. Timmi's hand trailed down Bobbie's stomach. *** "Why didn't you ever tell me before, Bobbie?" Timmi asked into her ear. "I was afraid to go out with someone prettier than me." Timmi turned quickly. "Don't be silly." Timmi leaned forward and gave Bobbie a deep kiss with more tongue than a butcher's window. "You're always so pretty. I always thought so." She giggled again. "Mortal Choklate... I get it." Bobbie started to relax. It was like Tim still knew what to say in there, behind Timmi's vacant visage. Turing on the rest of the way wasn't difficult with Timmi expertly using her fingers to undo Bobbie's pants and find the delicate, swollen bud of womanhood. "Oh." Bobbie bit her lip. Regaining her presence of mind, she made for the simple knot that held Kim's jacket on Timmi's waist. It fell uselessly to the floor as Bobbie moved her hand in further. "Upstairs?" Bobbie asked. "Ooh, yeah. A bed, Don't think I've ever done that before." *** KNOCK KNOCK. The door opened to dim lights and thick smoke hanging in the air. Of the seven people in the room four were asleep while three of them were discussing how time travel is possible, so long as you build the receiving station now. "Who the fuck are you?" "The party." One of the three had one of the shards in a glass cylinder, while the other two lit the torch. Roxx scanned them. Roxx recognized the one with the striker. "I'm a little new in town and thought I'd give out some samples." There you are. Couldn't run away from me fast enough, could you. The glass pipe was lit and passed around. Roxx smiled. "Not nice to steal." The familiar face popped up, white and stricken. Roxx extended a hand. And no one moved, as the ambient temeperature dropped. Roxx concentrated, and moved closer to the old attacker. She wondered how everyone reacted to the spreading in his pants that night. Grabbing his hand, golden light shimmered up and around him. Roxx saw his pants bulge and another spreading damp. *** Timmi collapsed on the bed, smiling. Bobbie came forward, trying not to look too closely into his face. Knowing that Tim, the man she loved was in there. Fucking Roxx. 'You have to watch the only man you ever loved turn into a girl and walk away from you again and again and again' But, Bobbie ruminated in those last few seconds, it was true. She wondered when poetic justice became the workings of a thrall. Justice. That's my department. Bobbie smiled and tried really hard to see the Tim inside the cute blonde girl that was Timmi. *** He could feel pressure on every part of his body, especially in his boxers. Why can't I stop cummng? Then the pain started. His whole body was on fire with discomfort. She's so pretty. All thought dissolved as the cumming started and became a new, alien sensation that was way better than drugs. *** Roxx watched the familiar pattern of changes, but it was different this time. His waist sucked in impossibly, chest expanding. His chin and jaw curved, making his face thinner as the cheekbones started to become more pronounced. His arms and legs lost both muscle and flab as they tapered to a new elegance, fingers and nails elongating. New face twisting in surprise, he shot a new hand down into the now too big pants. What should have been an anguished yell came out a tight squeak, the other hand clapped over his mouth The last vestiges of his penis crawled away from his own hand and becoming... NO! The anguish faded to something funny, the squeak became a giggle. His hair changed to a mousy brown with an oddly placed thick streak of white hair. The giggle became a full throated laugh as the hand over his mouth moved up and ran through her hair. "Hi, Melanie." The laugh continued. "I told you, call me Mel, why do I feel funny?" "Because you're excited to come with me." Roxx smiled in a manner that would make Fagin blush. "We're gonna check out that party at the club." "Oh, yeah," Mel said, pulling at that streak of white. "Can we get some dye first? I could have sworn I did that already. But, I'm so scattered, I forgot." The voice had a brassiness to it, like she spent some time back east. Roxx smiled. "Sure. I know how much you hate that white streak." Looking around, she could see that the others had all gone unconscious. Omlettes... eggs... *** She didn't think it was possible, but she was about to climax. It was a difficult thing to do. It wasn't the first time Bobbie had had a vagina that close to her face. Nor was it the first time hers had been close to another face. This time; however, there were a plethora of firsts. Timmi had led her into some odd positions, some of which were catalogued for later thought. It's Tim, this isn't just for him. Is it? "Oh... unhhhhhhhh." Bobbie could feel her outer labia vibrate from Timmi's cries of ecstasy. Squeezing her eyes more closed than they had ever been, she felt the end building. Tim. The wash of orgasm passed over both of them, Bobbie forcing herself to breathe evenly while Timmi giggled maniacally. She felt funny as the giggle died in her throat, she felt so tired. The room spun languidly, Timmi rapidly blinked her eyes to keep the haze from spreading. *** Bobbie felt warmth atop her body, and weight. She felt herself pushed down further into the mattress. Rolling to the right, she extricated herself from Tim's naked form. A sharp intake of air, followed by a crashing as Tim desperately tried to orient himself in midair as he fell from the bed. He shot up, naked. "What the fuck? This is really pissing me off." He stormed into the bathroom. Using his hand as a cup, he gulped several mouthfuls of water straight from the faucet. When he came back out, his face was red. "Tim." "What?" he yelled. "Son of a bitch. I'm gonna rip her head off." Bobbie blinked and shook her head. "Roxx. I heard her, before I went off to dance. God, I want a shower." Bobbie expected Tim to start crying. I guess that's all over, just something to deal with now. "You have anything to say? Please, something." Tim's raised voice still sounded unusual, strained. "I think you should get dressed," Bobbie said, going for her panties and shirt. "I could use some ice cream." Tim was still fuming as he walked next to Bobbie. "What did she mean? What did she do?" "What the hell is she?" Tim's darknesses were darting madly. Bobbie stopped, Tim kept walking. When he stopped to turn, Bobbie bit down the fear and crossed towards him. She hugged him close. "Just hold me for a second." "Bobbie?" Tim said, rage turning down to a smolder. "You're shaking?" She looke up at him and let go. "I have a long story to tell." *** It was cheap soft serve, the kind that gas stations sold as a sundae bar. Tim stared at his while Bobbie took measured spoonfuls. "Well?" Bobbie set down her spoon and looked into Tim's eyes evenly. "Long time ago, there was a guy named Robb." "Kim's brother? Your old boyfriend?" Bobbie chuckled. I can't believe I told them that. "No." "I'm Robb." The corners of her eyes moved imperceptibly, the darting stopped abruptly. Tim's face looked puzzled, then he burst into laughter. "There's no way... I mean.. if you." The laughing continued. "I'm serious. I was... not the best person. I got shot during a... a..." "A robbery." The laughing continued. "Stop." Tim was doubling over. "There's no way..." he repeated. "What do I have to do to prove it? Roll a joint blindfolded?" Tim's laughing stopped, he saw it. The truth. You can't handle the truth! Can you? "You're serious." Bobbie's face drooped slightly. "I am." He knew she wasn't lying, he thought he knew almost everything about this girl that called herself Bobbie. Now, she was telling him that she wasn't a girl at all. A torrent of emotions rushed through the space behind his eyes. Tim smiled and started laughing... ...is he crying? "I can't imagine you as a guy. I just can't. Girly Bobbie? Baking genius?" "Never wondered about the books? The movies?" "Nerdy girls exist... I used to have them on my facebook page." "Used to?" "I dunno. After the Faye thing, I dropped it." Tim shrugged, finally unwrapping his plastic spoon. Bobbie smiled. "What does this have to do with Roxx?" "She was my girlfriend, Melanie." Tim's eyebrows began their journey to meet each other. "The other girl in the video," Tim said, snapping his fingers. "But she doesn't look like..." "None of us do. When I was shot..." Bobbie looked off, eyes becoming distant. "I left my family for her, I was on drugs. A lot of drugs. Justice... she saved me. She's... I'm not sure what she is..." "Justice?" "Yeah, she changed me. I woke up as Bobbie. Then I made that video, Mel made me feel like shit. So I left, went home." Tim sat and listened for a second. "Wait, that means that... Kim... Sylvia." Bobbie nodded. "It was so hard to see her face when I told her I died. Damn, that sounds weird." "That guy you used to be? The mopey one?" Bobbie pointed to herself. "That was me." "And Mel...Melanie?" "Yeah. Well, Justice isn't alone. There's another one... Lust. Feels like Justice cleans up her messes." Bobbie studied another spoonful. "Roxx?" "One of her messes." "I get it." Tim's expression brightened. "So Lust switched you with Faye because..." "No. That was Justice. She had to make me see." "See what?" "C'mon. 'Know thine enemies as thineself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles'" "Once I got back." Bobbie paused. "To you. I understood, then two days later I get a phone call from Faye using your voice." "Timmi." "Exactly." Bobbie took another spoonful. "I'm not mad at all. I know what Lust does to people." "Why would she do that to..." "That was an accident, and we needed Roxx to get you two back. And now?" "Something about watching the only man you..." Tim dropped his spoon. "It's gonna happen again isn't it?" "I don't know." Bobbie got serious. "Just means more sex for you, I guess." Tim laughed. "Bobbie. Sorry, can't believe that you were ever a guy. Just can't, doesn't matter. So? You had a dick? I randomly grow a vagina and turn into Barbie's airhead friend." "Hey," Bobbie said, feeling as though she had to defend Tim's prominent feminine side. "Timmi is pretty cool to hang out with. Girl can put together a killer outfit." Tim shot air through his nose. "So, I'm stuck with the navel ring? And this thing on my ankle?" Tim had a look of resignation on his face. "Thing?" Bobbie nabbed a full spoon of hot fudge. "Yeah, it's like this Asian letter, probably says 'I love Sailor Moon' or something. Looks kinda like Faye's" "That's Lust's mark. You still have it?" Tim pulled up his pant leg and levered down his sock. Sure enough it was there. Purple and mystical. "Well. You got away from Lust with a lease option on your dick." "Better than anyone else I've seen." "Bobbie, I love you. You could tell me you were a drop bear, you're still you." Bobbie locked eyes with Tim. "You're always a woman to me," he sang. "There's a little bit more." Fuck it, Bobbie. Just tell him everything. Tim took a deep breath. "I'm technically twenty two." "Ooh, an older woman?" Bobbie laughed. They finished the ice cream and walked back to the bakery. "So, lemme see if I've got this. You were shot and resurrected by the... Goddess of Justice... like that. And your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to help people, right wrongs, and protect us from evil?" He stopped. He laughed. He grabbed her close. He kissed her. "You really are an angel." *** You really are an angel. That went smoothly. For Bobbie, it was the biggest surprise of her life. Since the ominous harbinger of the shattered pastry case, everything had been a bipolar manic high or a near suicidal low. But Tim? The one thing in her life that was tantamount to everything else... The apple of my pie? Walking home, Bobbie let the breeze wash over her. Getting Faye back to normal was her biggest concern. Graduation? Not a problem. Even Kim had a handle on everything. Her new lease on life seemed to be something that was leading to something. She went home and got ready for bed. It was a great moment, she ran her hands over the sheet. Bobbie looked around, it was her life now. There's going to be a time that you've been Bobbie longer than you were Robb. This whole last year had seemed like a whole lifetime. She slept soundly, ready for another day at the bakery. Another day as Bobbie. *** "Wait. You told him?" Kim asked, stirring coffee into her sugar and cream. "Yeah. Said it didn't matter." "And you were worried? Hell, I could have told you that..." The whisk was dragging through the batter, lemon zest and ricotta cheese mixing evenly. "I'm sure." She set the bowl down as the oven dinged. The roasted vegetables went into the baking dish with the egg and spice mixture. "Was still nice to hear." "I bet. Seriously, you were worried?" Bobbie closed the oven with a heel and a hip and leveled her gaze at Kim. "More than anything." The smells of breakfast got Sylvia downstairs, and the meal was joined. Bobbie ate pancakes and frittata with her first family before heading off to the bakery to spend time with her second. "What are you up to today?" Sylvia asked Kim. "Oh, We're meeting up with Plugman, we're gonna go through some music. Party's gonna be tits." Bobbie laughed as she put her plate in the sink. *** "Then you guys come in on the background vocals here." Kim put her finger on the lyric sheet. "I really like this one," Amber said. "Not like Choosing Melanie, or those other ones we stopped doing. It's positive, optimistic." "Fuck yeah," Bella said, swigging from her can of Coke. "Now you fucking start writing badass songs?" "Fuck you, Bella," Kim said, smiling. The group laughed raucously. "Hey, guys." Bobbie rattled the gate. "Coming," Heather said. She got up and ran to the gate. Bobbie and Tim came around to the table. "We were just going over these." Kim held up some sheets. "Plugman gave me that list, it's the stuff he's bringing to the party. We're gonna back and forth, sort of a jam session slash dubstep mix." "Sounds awesome," Bobbie said. "I'm sure it will be. Just glad to be out of the bakery this afternoon, so nice outside." "Yeah, too bad most of us are gonna spend it studying for finals." Kim looked away. "Fuckin' speak for yourself. I've fuckin' got this." "Yeah, yeah. Miss salutatorian..." "Jeez," Bobbie said. "Glad you're not making a fucking speech." Bella laughed, so did everyone else. Her penchant for profanity would have made for an amazing Valedictory speech, but it was not to be. "Wow," Heather said. "Next week, when we meet up?" Tim interrupted. "It'll be under some other sky." "It's our time down here," Bobbie joined in. Kim laughed, so did Bella and Beth. Amber was left clueless. "What? Look, I may be the master of old slang," Heather said. "But some of the crap you two say..." "Goonies," Kim said quietly into Heather's ear. "Fuckin' movie geeks." Heather shook her head. "It's just graduation," Bobbie said, shrugging. "Bella's going off to Brown, she'll be back... maybe. Skype, phones, it's not like the old days when it really meant goodbye." Kim rubbed Heather's forearm assuringly. "It's just... I dunno," she continued, brushing the hair from her face and tucking the long part behind an ear. "I thought I was going to college, but now..." She looked up. "Yeah," Kim said. "People are looking into buying Heather's clothes." "Because someone..." Heather jerked a thumb towards Kim, who looked at her over her sunglasses. "Started advertising." "Like you're gonna complain." Kim looked at everyone else. "She's busy all Summer. Dresses, accessories." "Yeah, totally stuck my foot in it." "Oh, Heather," Beth said. "What could you possibly be worried about? Your clothes are amazing." "Fuck, Heather. It's like Bobbie with fuckin' cake...." Bella crushed her Coke can one handed. "You fuckin sew it, she'll fuckin' frost it." Tim nearly spit soda. "Heather." Tim coughed. "Lingierie and cupcake combos..." Bobbie and the rest of the gang looked at the lone boy and listened to what would for sure be something... Lame. Tim laughed. "I can't believe I'm about to say this. Okay, they order lingerie from you. They come overnight. We knock something matching together... Ooh, ooh. Corset cupcakes. Y'know, like with the laces on the one side..." They were stun