Yankee Swap, Chapter 20 - Surprises free porn video

Yankee Swap, Chapter 20: Surprises "I'm so glad you are OK." Connie had stood and practically run to Kim and embraced her as soon as she walked into the small private dining room Connie had arranged with the help of Bruce. "So I met Leah and she said you would explain everything. What happened last night?" "Connie, I want to start by apologizing. I have not been very open with you about some things, and I can't go into all of them right now - it would just be too overwhelming. But I do want to explain why I reacted as I did last night." Kim saw she was going to say something and raised her hand and headed her off. "I promise when this whole thing is over, we will spend as long as it takes to go over everything else. Is that OK?" "Well I am hurt that you have been keeping me at arm's length. I know something has been up and you wouldn't let me help. We are better friends than that!" "I know, and I am sorry. Please hear me out and maybe you will understand and forgive me, but I also hope you can give me a few more days' space to get through this event before going into more than I want to right now." Kim tried to gauge her state before continuing. "I have set up a meeting Monday morning with my supervisor and Cathy in HR to file a formal complaint against two people at work that sexually harassed me last week and physically assaulted me." Kim stopped to let that sink in. "From almost the first thing Monday morning as I showed up as Kim, I was verbally and physically assaulted by a man who has most of the female staff living, well at least working in fear, and Wednesday evening I was knocked unconscious and left on the bathroom floor by a woman who is either his ally or under his control in some way. For all they knew I could have been dead." Connie was shocked, and didn't really have any skills to cope with this. "Are you sure... No, of course you are. How did this happen? What were you... You have always said that the people there were so good, that they ran like a well oiled machine. What happened?" She looked like she wasn't completely sure of what she had been told. "I have some photos of my face the next day, and Narya has taught me how to hide the bruises with makeup." "Narya knows about this?" Connie was hurt further. "You've only known her a week or so." "When we spend that time going over everything, you will understand more. There is more to her then you know, and she has been helping me in one of these other issues I really can't go in to, so when I needed someone to help me document the assault and other actions of last week, I asked her." Kim continued after a moment. "So you can hopefully understand why I reacted the way I did to that red carpet question on physical assault. My state is so fragile that I just fell apart. As I said, it is more than just that I am dealing with." "Well that by itself would be enough. I'm so sorry all that happened. I hope you don't hate me for putting you in the position of being dressed as Kim at the office." Her eyes suddenly got wide. "Does Fred know about this? I have to talk to him." "No!" Kim put her hand on Connie's arm. "I am sure he has been told about the meeting, but I did not even tell the HR person or my supervisor what it is about. Please promise you won't get involved." "But it is partly my fault..." "No, it is not! I wear big girl panties now and I will do what I need to do. If you want to help, if Fred does call you, just tell him you believe me. I hope you do, and can tell him that." "Of course I will! So how will you go back to work with all of this going on? Even when you wear men's clothing, these two will... Oh, you want them fired." "I do! What they did is horrific, and if they are still around, every woman there is at risk. And this will complicate things I am sure, but I have an obligation on Tuesday to appear as Kim, so it will be Kim who files the complaint on Monday. I don't know when I will be back in men's clothing, but that is another subject. Now do you have more questions or can we eat?" Connie looked stunned by this and said "You can't just leave it there and..." "Yes I can," Kim interrupted. "Now let's hit the buffet - I'm starved!" With that Kim got up and went into the main room to fill her plate. The truth was, she was not very hungry, and was just trying to end the conversation. When she got back to the table, Bruce was sitting with Connie. "I want to offer my deepest apology. That question was out of bounds and should never be asked regardless of the situation. I hope you can forgive me and stay for the rest of the competition." Bruce looked so sincere and sorrowful Kim couldn't help but smile. "I would like to stay, but I'm not sure I can be involved after causing such a scene. I don't want to be here and be the topic of conversation for everyone" Bruce waved his hand dismissively "You have nothing to apologize for. To blind side someone like that shows no awareness of the importance of the subject. You should never have been put in a situation where that response happened. Plus, all the other contestants are only saying positive things about you. In talking with them, they see you as warm and caring. And not being much of a threat in the competition will prevent any petty foolishness." Bruce looked unsure if he should continue but did after a second. "So will you stay? I only ask because the real importance here is the money we raise, and there are only one or two people who have brought in more donations than you have!" I can't have one of my top five fundraisers leave halfway through!" Kim had already made up her mind to stay. After all, she still had to apologize to Kelly for the way she acted now that she knew what the real issue was. "I would like to stay. Thank you for being so generous in letting me. Now if you will excuse me, I have something else to clear up before the competition." Kim thought about what she wanted to say to Kelly as she made her way to the conference room the boutique had occupied. She had some hope that she could make things right or at least have Kelly not hate her any more. She had to try. "Kim!" Stacey greeted her warmly. "How are you? What they did to you last night is horrific. I've given Bruce a piece of my mind about that." Kim laughed a little. "You and quite a few others it seems. I am OK, but really, what concerns me more than all of that is Kelly. I haven't treated her the way she deserves, and I need to really talk to her. Is she here?" Stacey looked at her for a moment before replying. "First, let me say that while I don't really know what is bothering her, the way she is treating you is just rude. But no, she is not here. She was gone this morning when I woke up. Her things are still in the room, so I don't think she left." She paused and then said "can you tell me what is going on? I think I know some of it, but I feel helpless in this." "I love her, and I have treated her so poorly. She opened her soul to me about your transition and her feelings about it, and about the abuse she suffered from her husband, and I ran off home and never contacted her. I don't blame her for being angry, but I hope I can apologize so she doesn't hate me." Stacey's eyes got wider as Kim talked "Oh you poor girl! I wish I knew what to say." She wrapped Kim in a big hug and the two just held each other for a time. Kim broke away and said "I guess I better get to the track for the 4X4 event. I have decided to stay. Can you tell Kelly I am sorry and that I would like to talk to her?" "Absolutely! And good luck in the rest of the events! I hope you win!" Kim laughed a little. "Not much chance of that after last night. But I do want to at least finish!" "Ladies and ladies!" the announcer welcomed the contestants. Fortunately it was a new MC, not the same one with the bad questions. "This is a simple event, walk 400 meters in 4 inch heels. You will be timed, and judged on how well you conduct yourself. Points for poise, comportment, etc. will mitigate slower times. Once you start, help from anyone other than your fellow contestants will be a disqualification, but cooperation is allowed. We will have a staggered start since the judges can't watch you all at once. Please come up to be sized and get your starting number." Kim drew number 5 and many of the other contestants greeted her warmly and wished her well. While she felt a little better, all of the attention was somewhat overwhelming. She was measured to be a size eleven and a half wide, and tried on a few pairs of heels. She had been getting used to 4 inch heels, but these seemed quite a bit higher than that. Many of the other contestants seemed to be having the same reaction. Well, at least she wouldn't be at a disadvantage. Soon, her start was announced and she approached the line. "Three, two, one... Go!" Kim wobbled onto the track. It was a basic oval, so one lap was 400 meters. She tried to take her time a little to make sure she looked somewhat natural and as feminine as possible while still making good time. She was catching up to the contestant in front of her, who seemed to be struggling to stay upright. She recognized her as Nikki, one of the girls who had just wished her well. As she approached the first turn, she realized the track was tilted on the corner, which made walking more challenging. She was trying to decide if she should pass or wait for the flat section when Nikki abruptly collapsed and let out a little scream of pain. Kim automatically stopped to make sure she was OK. "Nikki, are you hurt?" Kim reached for her. "No, wait. I want to finish." Nikki tried to wave her away. "Well of course you do!" Kim said. But we can cooperate - the announcer said so. And you look like you could really use some help!" One of the judges spaced around the track to grade the walker's performance had come over to assess the situation and chimed in. "She is right. Cooperation among the contestants is not an automatic deduction." The next contestant had arrived, and Kim called to her "Can you give me a hand here? I think together we can help her make it to the finish line." The girl had gone by as if she wasn't going to stop, and Kim called to her "Please? I think she might be hurt." The girl stopped, and Kim could see her shoulders drop as she gave in to the request for help. She turned around and came back. "My name is Olivia, what did you have in mind?" Kim smiled at her "If we each get on one side, maybe we can help hold up her weight so her ankle doesn't have to bear any weight." They tried that, but in their heels and on the sloped track, it was difficult. More of the contestants were showing up so she recruited them. "OK, we're having a hard time with just two, so anyone have any ideas? "We could take turns" "How about a group carry - link arms with four of us on each side?" More suggestions came in. Kim organized the ideas and helped groups of people try different ways to help Nikki make it around the track. Once they made it past the turn, the back straightaway was easier since it was flat, but then the second turn came and more methods were tried. By this time, they were all hot and tired, and Kim was starting to work up a sweat since she felt, as the de facto leader of this group, she had to help try every idea. In the end, the whole group took turns letting Nikki lean on them as they neared the finish line. All of the other contestants had arrived, and not one of them had passed and kept on going. They were almost at the finish line when one of the three girls who had started ahead of Nikki shouted "Wait!" They all stopped. "Form a line, all arm in arm, and cross the finish line as a team! In fact, I'm coming back to join you!" She and the other two crossed the finish line in reverse and all of them lined up with Nikki in the center and Kim and Olivia on either side of her, flanked by every other contestant. As one they crossed the finish line and delivered Nikki to a pair of EMTs who were waiting with a gurney. After a brief examination, it was pronounced a sprain and she was taken off to have it iced and wrapped. Kim was being congratulated by her fellow contestants for organizing the whole group. Someone was passing out towels and Kim wiped the sweat off her face. She realized the room had gone quiet, and she looked up to see everyone staring at her. Olivia spoke first. "My god, what happened to you?" Kim realized she had wiped off her makeup and the bruise was now visible for all to see. She knew it was spreading from gravity working on it turning all kinds of colors and actually looked worse than the day after as the blood spread over her cheek and her body tried to absorb it. Kim thought for a second and then said "Well, can I answer that red carpet question now?" "As you probably know, I spent the past week at work dressed in preparation for the event. Well, through Wednesday anyway. To keep this short and to the point, I was sexually harassed all week and then physically assaulted in the bathroom on Wednesday evening. I was left, well left for dead for all they knew. I didn't report what was happening to me. I didn't tell anyone. At first, I didn't even recognize what was happening. Then I just didn't want to make a scene. I thought I could handle it. What could go wrong, I was just going to be dressed for a week? As the week went on, I thought maybe I had done something to deserve this. Was I really a, well, was I perverted? As many women do, I minimized what was happening to me as I blamed myself for the circumstances where it happened. I didn't understand what I was up against, and took too long to understand that these situations can spiral out of control very quickly, or be painful, humiliating, and ugly for months or years." Kim looked up and saw Kelly staring at her intently as she continued. She must have been one of the judges. "I know someone who has gone through much worse. Of course, I am minimizing what was done to me again. But regardless of how long I was tormented in comparison to her experience, I'm not sure I could even comprehend what she went through, or have the capacity to believe and support her. If I could talk to her, just for a moment, I would like to say I am so sorry that I wasn't completely supportive when she revealed her story to me. I understand now how hard it is just to talk about it. I know how good it feels to just be believed when I told friends about what happened." She paused and looked around at her fellow contestants, no - her friends. "I could go on, but I've always been someone who looks forward more than back, so I promise from this point forward I will make it my mission to bring people who perpetuate these horrible acts to the consequences they deserve." The entire group of girls surrounded her and mobbed her with hugs and sympathy, and encouragement for her promise. She enjoyed the attention, but wanted to see Kelly, so she tried to extract herself as quickly as possible. Kelly was nowhere to be seen. Connie walked up and hugged her as she was looking for Kelly. "I am so proud of you. Not only did you stay, but you are the person I've always known you to be: always ready to help even at the cost of your own ambitions or agenda. Now change out of those shoes and let's get out of here for a bit, OK?" Kim had to think quickly. She wanted to be able to talk to Kelly alone. "I would love to, but I should line up my outfit for the auction tonight. I don't want to be rushed like I was yesterday. Let me run and do that and I will meet you in your room in 30 minutes?" She quickly added "I'm sure you don't want to just hang around while I try on dresses!" "Nonsense! I'm not letting you out of my site. Besides, Bruce will put me to work if I don't go with you." Kim was desperately trying to figure out how to find Kelly alone when Stacey walked up. "Congratulations!" She hugged Kim. "I hear the rest of the contestants have petitioned the judges to unanimously award you first place in the 4X400 for your selflessness on the track. I don't think your speech hurt, of course." Stacey could see Connie was confused that Stacey seems to know her, but Stacey quickly recovered. She offered her hand to shake to Connie and said "I've helped - oh dear I am so sorry - what is your name again?" "Kim" "Yes, Kim - I've helped with a few wardrobe malfunctions, shall we say? Anyway, I've got her now and she will be ready in no time for the auction. Once we sort the gown, there is practice time for the talent competition and a makeup check, which she obviously needs, and we have spa treatments lined up as well, to relax and reinvigorate. She will be occupied for the next several hours, so off you go!" Connie looked like she was about to object when her phone rang. She looked at the display and said "This is Bruce. I'm sorry to leave you but it looks like you are in good hands or I would insist on staying with you." She answered the phone and walked away. Once Connie left, Stacey hugged Kim. "How are you holding up? And how can I help?" Kim decided to come clean "I just need to talk to Kelly. I have to find a way to make it up to her. She opened her heart to me and I - well I didn't do what I should have. So I need forgiveness for things left undone. Stacey, I love her, and I have to find out if there is any chance at all for 'us' to move forward together." Stacey paused for a while as if thinking. "Well, Kelly left with tears in her eyes after your speech. I don't know what that means, but I can tell you it does not happen very often." I think your best bet right now is to relax and enjoy the spa. That at least is true - they want you all to be pampered for the work you've done to raise money for the local food banks. Then you should just look irresistible, and let me see what I can find out, and smooth the path if there is to be one for you two. "Well," Kim smiled. "I am a hopeless romantic and have to believe the third time is the charm. Is my lucky green gown available?" Stacey smiled. "I think I can arrange to have it ready for you! But let's get you to the spa. The other girls have already left!" Sure enough, the other girls had all left the room, so Kim went with Stacey. What followed should have been the most relaxing three hours of her life, had she not been so worried about Kelly. She got a full body massage first, and the masseuse even gently massaged her face, explaining it could help the bruise to be absorbed more quickly. She even showed Kim how to do this herself, though cautioned not to do it more than once or twice a day. This was followed by a mud bath and facial, where the heat soaked through her body and wiped almost every care from her mind. All but one. Eventually she wound up at Stacey's shop to be fit for the gown. Kelly is busy with another customer, but she does smile and wave to her when she comes in. Stacey greets Kim with an armful of lingerie and a corset and directs her to the screened off corner to change. "We will leave the corset looser than before so you will have more breath to perform, so put it on and let me know when to come back to tighten it." Once Stacey joins her, she whispers to Kim as she tightens. "I told Kelly what you said, and she is not opening up to me about her intentions, but she did smile when I told her you loved her - I hope that wasn't too presumptive of me!" Kim gasped a response between tugs, "No. Anything I can do to get some time with her is worth it. What does Bonnie Raitt sing? Love has no pride, when I call out your name. Honestly, Stacey, you expect me to sing with this on? I can barely talk!" They adjust the corset until Stacey is OK with the shape and Kim thinks she might be able to sing in it, and then Stacey brings in the gown. Shortly Kim emerges from her screen and is surprised to see Kelly there waiting for her. "I need to get back to my contestant, but I want to say that I would like to talk to you later. It just doesn't seem like this would be a good time or place." Kim tries to determine how Kelly feels by her face, but she could enter the poker world championship with that expression. She jumps in with both feet. "That makes me very happy, but I do want to quickly say I meant every word - I understand if I hurt you too deeply to forgive me, but you are an amazing woman, and I would love to have you in my life. And I am so sorry for not being more supportive of you. You told me so many of your secrets and I just ran off. You must think I am so rude." Kelly just looks at Kim and says, "You really are a guy. I have to keep reminding myself of that because you are so damn beautiful as a woman, but you really have no clue at all why I've been upset." With that she walks back to her contestant who is either very angry or trapped in her full slip. Kim turns to Stacey who says, "Well, she is talking to you now!" Kim and Stacey accessorize the gown with a beautiful opal necklace with matching earrings, and after a brief hug, she is off to makeup. "Hi girl!" Narya greets Kim as she comes in. There are several other contestants getting help. Now that they've seen what Narya can do - hiding the bruise on her face - they all want a turn at her attentions. Narya holds up a hand when Kim starts to talk and leads her to a somewhat secluded corner and without letting her talk, proceeds to deep clean Kim's face. She smiles and says "hey, it is starting to look a little better! I am glad you continue to shave closely each day. Some of the girls want me to do that for them! I'll apply some moisturizer and then we will begin the foundation work. How are you feeling today? I've heard some positive things - most of the other girls are just gushing at how brave and generous you have been." Because she is partially in a trance whenever Narya works on her, but also partly because she doesn't really want to know how things are going, Kim gives a noncommittal grunt and Narya continues. "So it all pales in comparison if you can't win the hand of the fair maiden?" "I would accept Pale right about now. I fear gloom and devastation," Kim starts to ramble. She does this sometimes. She opens her mouth and things come out she never dreamed of. She talks about realizing she left right after Kelly exposed all her flaws, how she just wants to quit everything and find Kelly and have this talk now, even if it means the end comes sooner rather than dragging things out, though she does fear what this will bring. "And she told me I still had no idea why she was upset! What am I supposed to do with that? If she is going to blow me off, I wish she would just..." Narya interrupts "So you assume the worst? That doesn't sound like the Kim I know. The Kim who has told me all about how she is going to change the world - or at least her world. That Kim would not let her life pass her by. She would fight." Narya put some finishing touches on her makeup and removed the protective covering on the gown. She wheeled Kim around where she could see her face. She had outdone even her usual perfection. Kim's face seemed to glow and the eyes were highlighted perfectly. Kim looked like the feminine representation of the fiercest warrior. She was a Viking or Celtic champion, or maybe a woman intent on conquering such a champion. "There, I've cleaned you up. You are beautiful. Now go out there and be heard. And if I may be so bold: let go of this burden. Be yourself, let your heart and the song do the work, and trust in the goodness of the universe." Kim was about to reply when Connie walked in and gasped. "My god, Kim, you are gorgeous. Narya, why don't you ever work magic like that on me?" Narya just smiled and said, "If you ever needed it, like Kim does right now, I would, but even for me, magic needs inspiration and requires hard work. Are you here for Kim? Is it her turn to perform?" Connie nods, struck speechless, and holds out her arm to escort Kim. Together they leave for the ballroom. Kim and Connie walk in silence. Shortly, Kim is standing in front of the karaoke machine. Because this is an event to raise money and not just have a lavish party, all the help is unpaid volunteers. They had a DJ, but he had to cancel at the last minute, so each contestant must line up their song and prep everything before they are announced. Kim looks up and sees that Kelly is in the audience and swallows down any reaction. It could be a good or bad sign, but she can't focus on it right now. Let go! She is scrolling through the songs for her choice and sees "I Will Remember You" by Sarah McLachlan. She pauses and remembers Narya's comment 'That Kim would not let her life pass her by.' She makes an impulsive decision, and signals Bruce that she is ready. Bruce gives a brief intro saying, "I don't think our next contestant needs any introduction, except to say I think you are in for a treat." Kim remembers Bruce has seen Ken perform before, so has great expectations, well so be it. She starts out a little hesitantly. She knows the song, but it was not the one she had practiced. And she is conscious of Connie and Kelly both watching. Did Connie suspect anything? She knows there was more to discuss later. What was Kelly thinking? What did she have to say? Was there still a chance for Kim and Kelly? Fortunately the song started with the chorus which she knew well. As she sang, she just tried to relax and let go. I will remember you, will you remember me? Maybe it was a residual effect of all the hypnosis sessions using music as a prompt, but by the first verse, Kim was in somewhat of a trance, the words flowing through her, and channeling all the emotions that were erupting from the Pandora's Box of her psyche. The grief of the loss of her wife and child that never really left her, the humiliation and betrayal of the abuse and harassment she experienced at work, the confusion of the suppressed memories of her childhood and anger that those doors were denied to her for so long, but also the joy of reclaiming her femininity, and the hope in her relationship with Kelly, even if that hope proved to be false. Remember the good times that we had? I let them slip away from us when things got bad. How clearly I first saw you smiling in the sun I want to feel your warmth upon me I want to be the one. For anyone else, all that would have been overwhelming. The emotions would have constricted, denying breath or thought. Breathing, let alone singing, would be difficult. For Kim, rather than a constriction, it was a release. She was able to let go of all of it, and simply exist in that one moment, by herself, completely at peace and at the same time, a monumental expression of passion. Remembering the grief and pain, and at the same time expressing the hope that still burned within her, even through the frustration that she and Kelly seemed to miss whenever they tried to talk. I'm so tired but I can't sleep Standing on the edge of something much too deep It's funny how we feel so much but we cannot say a word We are screaming inside, but we can't be heard But even with that hope, her future was uncertain, and she didn't know what she needed to do to make it real. Even aside from Kelly, she was afraid of failing and afraid of success. After all, if Kim stayed, what happens to her old life? Was she so tied to Ken's life that there was no room for anything else? Had she come this far only to turn back and leave it all behind? I'm so afraid to love you But more afraid to lose Clinging to a past that doesn't let me choose Once there was a darkness Deep and endless night You gave me everything you had, oh you gave me life By the end, she had lost awareness of everything except the words and the profound meaning they had for her. She didn't know if she maintained her feminine voice, if she stayed in synch with the words on the karaoke screen, or even if there was anyone left in the room with her. She just knew that she was clinging to the past. The past of Cheree. The past of her parents taking away choices. It was time to let go of that past, and live again. Still remember, but let go. Don't let your life pass you by Weep not for the memories For a time Kim just floated in the zone, in this calm space she had created. Returning to her awareness of the room, she opened her eyes and looked out over the crowd. There was complete silence, and not a soul moved. Many had tears in their eyes, and some were weeping silently. No one wanted to break the spell. Fortunately, Bruce recovered hits wits. He stood and started to clap. Once broken, the silence gave way to more applause, and then an explosion of sound as every person in the room stood and cheered wildly. She scanned the crowd and saw Connie next to Bruce, clapping and cheering. She had just about given up when she spotted Kelly near the exit. Tears streamed down her face, and she was staring fiercely at Kim. Their eyes locked, and for that moment, Kelly was all that existed. Kim was swept away immediately by Bruce, Connie, and most of the other girls. "That was outstanding, but we need to make up some time, so you must prepare for the last event. Connie will take you for a last check to be sure you are ready." Things were happening fast now. Backstage, Stacey greeted Kim. "Girl that was the most intimate, passionate, achingly beautiful performance I have ever heard. Let's adjust that corset for the auction - no need to hold back now, or breathe for that matter!" Kim glanced around the room and saw no Kelly. Behind the screen she whispered to Stacey as she was tightened up "any clue as to what Kelly is thinking?" Stacey shakes her head. "Don't you worry about that now - it will work itself out soon, I promise." And she refused to say any more on the subject. After Stacey finished squeezing another inch or two off her waist, Narya hugged her and touched up her lipstick. "I declare you beautiful on the inside and out. I believe you now are ready for whatever comes. I know you have all the answers I can provide, or at least all you need from me." Kim laughed. "You always sound so mysterious! But thank you. I think you may be right. But that doesn't mean I won't have more questions!" Narya smiled and hugged Kim, and without another word she went on to the next contestant she had to help. Connie is there and again offers an arm as an escort. Kim decides to play a little. "Connie, what a fine gentleman you would make! Have you ever thought of going to the dark side, as I have the last several days?" Connie turned about 42 shades of red. "Oh!" Kim says and her eyebrows try to climb to the top of her head. She thinks to herself 'I think Connie is going to spill some secrets the next time we talk!' Again without speaking, Connie delivers Kim to the head table, where almost all the other contestants are seated, save the one or two left with Narya. Kim is happy to be seated next to Nikki, who has her ankle in a wrap, but has managed to still be beautiful. Olivia is on her other side. They are served hors d'oeuvres to occupy them and stave off the hunger pangs from a late dinner yet to come. As the contestants try to eat gracefully, potential suitors walk by. After a while they all started to chat with each other and ignore the gawkers. Nikki starts by thanking Kim again for helping her out and then says "Congratulations! You've now won two of the five competitions." Kim is stunned. "What? I'm sorry, that is so abrupt. I wasn't aware..." She trails off as she remembers the unanimous declaration of victory in the 4X400 and realizes she must have blown away the competition in the talent show. "But I walked away from the red carpet and was at best in the middle of the pack in the dance." Olivia finished chewing and said "I can't imagine you won't get some bonus points for the answer you gave, even if it was the next day. Plus two wins is hard to overcome. If you do well in the auction you could be champion. You would have my vote," Nikki quickly agrees. Kim finishes her meal in silence, and for the first time is not just thinking about her fear of what might happen with Kelly. "Hello again and welcome to our final event, the 'celebrity' auction! Several prominent businesses and charitable funds have sent representatives to raise the stakes tonight." Bruce goes on to discuss the auction and the grand prize of a limo and night on the town for the winning bidder and contestant, assuming the contestant agrees! Kim remembers Connie saying there would be no chance for a contestant to feel embarrassed in the bidding. Sure enough, as the bidding proceeds, there is at least some competition for every contestant with most bringing in at least eighty dollars, and one or two breaking a hundred. Kim stands and cheers as both Nikki and Olivia generate over a hundred dollars for their presence at the bidder's dinner table. Nikki in particular looks very pleased with her bidder. Kim looks around and realizes she is one of the last to come up and joins Bruce on the platform when he calls her up. "Ah yes, welcome to the spotlight Kim! I hope I won't chase you away!" Some of the audience groans, but Bruce raises his hand for silence and goes on. "OK, OK, to be fair, Kim has captured the hearts of many of us here, for her generosity, raising over eleven hundred dollars for the cause..." He has to wait until the applause dies down. "and for her selflessness in helping her fellow contestants, and for her honesty and bravery in being so open about her experiences that are related to her participation in this event. I think we all should give her a big round of applause!" Kim was expecting some polite applause, but the room erupts. She starts to realize the impact she has had on people and this is really brought home when the bidding starts. Leah jumps in practically before Bruce can open the bidding. "Twenty- five dollars!" Shouts of 'fifty' and 'sixty' follow quickly, and Kim realizes Connie has joined in. The bidding passes the highest bid of $120 and eventually the others drop out and a contest between Connie and one of the business men Bruce brought ensues. Connie is looking worried as the total hits one fifty, and Kim can tell she is considering if she can go higher. Bruce raises his gavel and suddenly a voice rings out loudly from the back, "Five hundred dollars." A stunned silence settles over the crowd as people turn to see who could be offering such a huge sum. The crowd parts, and Kelly walks forward. She is wearing a very similar dress as Kim's, though instead of the pale green this is charcoal with what appear to be fine pinstripes. Her three inch pumps even have little spats on them. She is absolutely gorgeous. Even if Kim were wearing no corset, she would find it hard to breathe right now. Kelly looks around and says, "As you can tell, I am dressed for a night on the town, and I intend to take this woman with me, if she will have me, so don't even try to challenge my bid." Bruce is again the first out of the stupor this has put everyone in. 'I'm going to have to ask him how he does that' thinks Kim. "Mr. Mitchell, assuming you do not mean to challenge this bid?" The businessman that was looking very confident before shakes his head sadly, and Kelly starts up the stairs to the platform. Bruce continues "Can I assume no one else will be exceeding five hundred in their bids this evening?" He scans the room and sees no one indicating their wealth. Kelly stops as Bruce says, "And of course since no bid is required to be accepted, Kim, will you accept the offer of Kelly for the grand prize night on the town?" Kim immediately rushes into Kelly's arms surprising her and nearly knocking both of them off the stage and wraps herself around Kelly, who responds with a deep passionate kiss. Bruce drily quips, "I will take that as a yes." And the crowd cheers again. Kim and Kelly are seated at the head table again while the remaining contestants go through the process. The outbid Mr. Mitchell bids two hundred dollars immediately for the next contestant to cheers for being a good sport. Kelly looks at her and says, "Kim, I have wanted to talk to you the whole weekend. I wanted to tell you how good it was to see you, but I was also afraid and a little hurt." Kim tried to say something but Kelly waved her off. "We can talk more tonight, but I just want to say one thing. The reason I was putting you off was that I was jealous! You seemed to care so much for Connie that you had to run right back to your home because you had a date or something. I was falling for you and I was afraid it wasn't mutual." "Oh my God Kelly, I was afraid too! I was afraid I had chased you away." For once she was at a loss for words and buried her head in Kelly's shoulder. Bruce was back at the microphone. "Well, everyone, that concludes our events. Now that we've paired everyone up, please let your waiters know what your dinner choice is and dinner will be served. I will be back before dessert to announce the contest winner, but first we have to see our grand prize winners off on their date!" Kim and Kelly stroll down off the platform, and Connie is there. "Wow, I wish I had $500 to bid. I was tempted to match you, but Ted would never understand." Kelly smiles and says "You would not have outbid me. Not tonight. Not for this woman. Probably not ever." Connie looks a little shocked. Kim jumps in. "Connie, remember there are other things I have to tell you? Well, first, this is Kelly. And I know this will blow your mind, but this week is not the first time Kim has made an appearance. I was dressed in this very gown on New Year's Eve, dancing in the arms of this woman, who I love, deeply and passionately. And I hope and believe after this is all over, Kim is going to remain. In fact, I think it unlikely we will ever see Ken again." 'God bless you Connie,' Kim thought, as she graciously shook Kelly's hand and said it was pleasure to meet her. Kim continued, "But I will be home. That bastard is going to pay, and I am determined to make that happen. So you might want to warn Ted Ken won't be around." Bruce interrupted, "Ladies, I suppose it is no surprise that Kim is the overall champion of the contest. We didn't think of the possibility that the auction winner would be the champion and not here to claim her prize, since your date starts now." Bruce thinks for a minute. "Olivia was the second place contestant. She actually raised over two thousand dollars and will likely get another sizeable donation from her 'date'. The contest prize involves local area activities, so I wonder if you would consider passing the baton. We could make you first runner up?" Kim smiles. "That would be lovely. Olivia did stop and help when she knew it would likely mean not winning the 4X400, so she gets my vote." "Excellent, then I will announce you as first runner up now and leave the champion as a mystery until dessert so you can go!" Bruce performed his duties as Kim held tight to Kelly, who seemed intent not to let her go either. It was the best feeling she had in quite a while. The two were swept along a petal strewn hallway to the entrance where a stretch limo awaited. Kim and Kelly hug Connie who is there to see them off and says "Kelly - you have all the tickets and certificates?" Kelly nods and says "Connie, I am sorry for mistaking your intentions towards Kim. I feel we will be good friends!" Connie appears to be totally baffled but smiles and waves as the limo speeds them away. "What are you trying to do Kelly?" Kim asks. "That was a bit devious, if I may say so. And what are all these tickets and things?" She slips into a fake southern accent. "Where ever are you taking me?" In her normal voice she says, "OK, that was bad, I admit it." Kelly laughs and says in an equally bad drawl, "Oh Kim, you need to learn that a little mystery is a good thing." She stares for a moment at Kim and says seriously, "I said it before and I hope to be saying it for years to come. You are so damn beautiful!" She leans in to Kim and says, "By the way, I expect a good return on my investment, so you better start kissing me now."