The Waitress from Archangel's Bar
April, 2011

	The morning sun shone down on a beach that was almost empty.  As far as Cassandra was concerned this was just as well.  She'd come to relax and get away from her working life at the bar which, these days, held as many drunken strangers as she cared to deal with.  Nobody had ever said being a waitress was glamorous, but when she'd gone to work for Heather she hadn't been prepared for all the tourists she'd bring in just by being there, or for how lonely it was to be a curiosity.  Everybody came to gawk at the funny rabbit-colored vixen who brought them their beers.  A few of the bolder guests even touched her without waiting to be invited, to see if her white fur and black spots were real or just painted on.  They were polite when they placed their orders and they tipped well, but none of them cared to get to know her.
	She spread her towel out on the sand and shucked her skirt and t-shirt.  Underneath, she wore a  purple bikini, bought new last summer and never worn until today.  She felt a bit self-conscious in it and she tugged at the various bits and straps in hopes of covering a bit more of herself.  It was hard to worry too much with the summer sun soaking into her fur, though.  Jasper Beach was one of the few unspoiled places left in this part of the world and the waves that washed across the sand looked cool and inviting.  Once she was sure she was decent as she could be, she sprinted across the burning beach and splashed out into the water.
	For a moment, the years rolled back to her childhood trips to the beach with her aunt.  She'd missed the cold shock of the ocean closing around her and the way the salt stung her eyes.  There had been too many nights spent in the smoky bar and too much time slaving over a hot grill making sandwiches.  She ducked her head underwater and swam along the length of the beach with strong kicks of her legs until she had to come up for air.  She surfaced with a lunge that lifted her up in a great spray and shook her head to flip the water out of her eyes.  She was rewarded with a startled squeak behind her.
	Cassandra turned, ears lowered with embarrassment, and found a rabbit standing up to her waist in the swell.  The doe had white fur with black tips and long blond hair.  She wore a red bikini that was a little too small for her, and a smirk.  The doe was beautiful, even dripping wet, and Cassandra twisted the end of her tail in her hands, caught between shame and desire.
	“Having fun, are we?” said the rabbit.
	“Just swimming.  Look, I'm sorry.  I didn't see anyone else around,” said Cassandra.
	“I noticed.  I guess they don't let you go out to play very often, huh?”
	“Not very often, no.  I'm the only girl Heather has left now, so... Well, you don't want to hear about that,” said Cassandra.
	I thought I recognized you.  You're her, aren't you?  The waitress from that bar with the funny name?” said the rabbit.
	After a lifetime of celebrity it was unfair that being singled out still made her feel embarrassed.  One of these days, Cassandra knew, she was going to blush so much her ears were going to burn to stubs.
	“You mean 'Fat Charlie the Archangel's Bar and Grill'?  You've been there, I guess?” she said.
	“Once or twice.  You were so busy serving drinks, and mooning over that snow leopardess at the piano you probably didn't notice me,” said the rabbit.
	“The nights all run together, I'm afraid.  I don't really remember anyone,” said Cassandra.
	The rabbit stuck out her hand and laughed when Cassandra flinched.
	“I'm Tracy.  I sit in the back corner booth, by the door.  You spilled beer in my lap the other night because the bobcat in the ugly leather jacket tripped you.  Remember now?”
	Cassandra took Tracy's hand, a little gingerly, and risked a smile.  She wondered if Tracy was aware how close those magnificent breasts came to breaking free with every move the girl made, and then decided that that was the point.
	“Everybody seems to know who I am.  Next time you come in just ask for a drink, on me.  To pay for the skirt,” she said.
	Heather would growl at her for that.  It was against the Archangel's policy to give out free drinks, but Cassandra thought that a chance to see Tracy again was worth getting into a little trouble for.  It had been a long time since she'd met anyone who actually seemed to like her, and even longer since she'd met a rabbit who didn't think she was pulling some kind of joke.
	“Now I'm keeping you from your vacation, and after you spend every day catering to the whims of others, too.  Maybe I'll see you at your bar in a few days?” said Tracy.
	“It's no problem.  Please.  You don't have to go,” said Cassandra.
	“You are a sweetheart, aren't you?  But a little chase makes things much better, don't you think?” said Tracy.
	Tracy caught Cassandra's hand and pulled her close while her free arm slid around Cassandra's waist.
	“I didn't think I'd catch anything at the beach today, or I'd have come prepared,” said Tracy.
	Cassandra wasn't surprised at all when Tracy kissed her.  In fact, she'd been hoping for it and she returned the kiss with as much enthusiasm as she dared.  Tracy's tongue was soft and sweet against her own and she yielded to Tracy's embrace as the girl pressed up against her.  It was the first time Cassandra had ever been kissed and the sensation thrilled her to her toes.
	When they parted, Tracy pushed her backward so she lost her balance and fell into the water with a splash.  Fortunately, Cassandra was able to catch a mouthful of air as she hit, and when she resurfaced a few seconds later, she couldn't help but laugh.  She looked around for her new friend but Tracy was already up the beach and rubbing her fur dry with a bright blue towel.  Cassandra drifted on the waves and watched the way Tracy's body moved under the too-small bikini the doe wore.  There was no doubt in Cassandra's mind that they would see each other again before too long.

	A few days later, Cassandra was back at the bar.  It was Friday, the day after Bryar University closed for summer break, and business had been slow all night.  All the students who normally came in to drink themselves stupid and screw around at the pool tables were back home with their straight-laced parents.  Even Stephanie, Cassandra's snow leopardess crush, was gone.  The only custom they'd had all night were a few of the regulars from the fuel pump factory up the road, and a wolfhound who fell asleep under one of the back tables until Heather chased him out.
	At a quarter to midnight Heather drew a pint of beer for herself and drank it in three long swallows.  Heather was a big yellow dog who, at forty-three, could still drink any given college student under the table.  She was the closest thing to a friend Cassandra had in the city, even if she was a bit too much of a pessimist.
	“If I had any sense, I'd just shut this place down and take a vacation myself,” she said.
	“Things will pick up again,” said Cassandra
	“In three months.  If we're lucky.  Do you have any idea how much we lose when Bryar shuts?” said Heather.
	“We make twice that the first month of school,” said Cassandra.
	“Thanks to you and Stephanie.  I just don't see why you stick around in a place like this,” said Heather.
	“Somebody's got to look after you,” said Cassandra.
	Heather poured another drink and passed it to Cassandra, who sipped at it.  She didn't drink often.  Alcohol went right to her head and made her do foolish things.  Sometimes, though, she wondered if that was always such a bad thing.  It had been more than a week since she'd met Tracy at the beach and she wondered, now, if she shouldn't have run after the girl.
	“A break could be good for you,” said Cassandra.
	Heather smirked and leaned against the bar to add up the night's take while Cassandra finished the beer.
	“I know this game.  You just want time off so you can go hunt down that bunny of yours,” said Heather.
	“She might come back.” said Cassandra.
	“That's what you said the last time you met someone.  Your problem is your head is too easily turned by a pretty girl.  It was just a little tease, nothing more,” said Heather.
	“You're such a romantic,” said Cassandra.
	They drank another pint apiece.  Then Heather shut the Open sign down and carried their glasses into the Archangel's tiny kitchen.  The miniature grandfather clock over the beer taps chimed midnight and Cassandra took a deep breath to brace herself for another night alone.  When Heather returned she put a friendly hand on Cassandra's shoulder.
	“Want me to walk you back to your place?” said Heather.
	“It's only a couple of blocks.  I'll be okay,” said Cassandra.
	She needed the fresh air.  The second beer had left her feeling more than a little light-headed.  In any case, she wasn't sure she could take Heather's driving skills even when she was sober.
	“Don't stay out too late looking for your mystery girl,” said Heather.
	“No ma'am,” said Cassandra “You're probably right.  Maybe all she wanted was to be able to brag to her friends she'd got more out of the funny vixen than a beer and a smile.”
	“None of that.  You're too young to sound like me.  You're much prettier than I was at your age, and you're sweeter, too.  She'll turn up for you,” said Heather.
	Cassandra went outside and Heather locked the door behind her.  Then neon sign above the bar was shut off next, and Cassandra cocked and ear and listened until she saw the light come on in Heather's apartment above the bar.  The living room window was shoved open and Cassandra heard the first strains of Mahler come drifting down to her.  It was the same ritual they followed every evening, and Cassandra knew Heather would watch her all the way down the street to make sure she was safe.
	She stood on the front step for a moment just to breathe in the warm night air.  Jaspertree was a large, sprawling city that was home to thousands of people but here, along the waterfront, it was a peaceful place far enough from the confusion of daily life she could still smell the ocean and watch the stars at night.  In the ordinary course of things, Cassandra knew, she should live in some inner city slum.  She worked all the time, but by the time she paid for the latest round of repairs on her car, or paid on her cousin's student loans, she barely had enough to feed herself.  She only had a place to live because her family had been in Jaspertree for generations and, like all such old families, they were still the heart of the city.  One of her ancestors had actually ruled the place before it was completely civilized.  There was no money left, but her family owned a few small properties around the city and her mother had bequeathed the house by the beach to her.  When she was in the right mood, she could almost convince herself she was lucky to have it.
	“Well,” she said to the empty parking lot “It looks like another night of cheap Chinese and late night B-movies.”
	“If that's your idea of fun.  I thought we might find something slightly more exciting to do,” said Tracy.
	The rabbit came out from the alley beside the bar and slipped an arm around Cassandra's waist.  Cassandra swallowed hard to clear her suddenly dry throat and gave Tracy a smile.
	“I didn't think you were going to come back,” she said.
	“And miss the chance to see you blush again?  Don't be silly,” said Tracy.
	“How about I get you that drink I promised.  Do you live around here?” said Cassandra.
	“I'm just passing through.  I'll be leaving tomorrow.  It should have been today, but you deserve a little something more than a quick kiss,” said Tracy.
	With an effort, Cassandra was able to stop her ears from drooping, and she kept most of her disappointment out of her tone.
	“It was a pleasant dream, but I knew I wouldn't be able to keep you,” she said.
	“I would have liked it, too,” said Tracy.
	Cassandra put her arm around Tracy's shoulders and led the girl down the Archangel's steps and out into the street.
	“Well then.  If I only have you for tonight, we should make the best of it,” she said.
	“How about the beach?  There's nothing like a swim to make you feel better after a long day at work,” said Tracy.
	“But it's the middle of the night,” said Cassandra.
	“That's not a problem.  We can have the place all to ourselves,” said Tracy.
	“I don't have anything to wear,” said Cassandra.
	But it wasn't a real protest.  She'd never really liked clothes, and if she were home she'd have stripped down by now.  It was only the thought of someone else seeing her naked that made her nervous.
	Nobody was supposed to go to the beach at night and there were signs saying so posted all along the city side of the beach.  There had been a fence, once, before students had stolen bits and pieces of it to built their bonfires.  Cassandra had always obeyed the signs because she'd spent her whole life playing the part of the good girl.  Tonight, she hesitated, but when Tracy went on without her, Cassandra forgot her caution  and ran to catch up.  As long as they were careful, she thought, nobody would ever know they were even around.
	“Out of all the girls in the city, why me?” said Cassandra.
	“I was curious,” said Tracy.
	“I see,” said Cassandra.
	Tracy gave her a gentle smile and squeezed her hand.
	“It isn't what you think.  I saw how everyone else looks at you, the way they touch you all the time, like you're some one-fox petting zoo. I didn't like that you had to sit there and take it for the sake of holding on to a job I know you're too good for,” said Tracy.
	“I've gotten used to it,” said Cassandra.
	“Why on Earth would you do that?” said Tracy.
	Cassandra turned and looked at her companion, but she couldn't see anything except genuine concern in Tracy's face.
	“It's been that way ever since I was a child.  There's nothing I can do about it, so there's no point in making a fuss,” said Cassandra.
	“I suppose not.  But I meant what I said about you being too good for that place.  You deserve to be somewhere people see you for who you are,” said Tracy.
	Cassandra felt the blush rising in her ears again and she wrapped her tail around waist for the comfort it gave her.
	“It's easy for you.  Everybody likes rabbits,” she said.
	“Oh, sure.  As long as we play the right part and don't let on that we have any other thoughts in our heads,” said Tracy.
	“That, at least, is the same for foxes,” said Cassandra.
	“That's what I've heard.  But rabbits are better at it,” said Tracy, and she gave Cassandra a sly smirk.
	“We may have to see about that,” said Cassandra.
	The moon was full and it shone down on the beach, turning the sand silver and the swell of the ocean pitch black.  The waves continued their endless race up and down the shore and each one brought the cool, salt-scented breeze with it.  Everything was empty.  It was strange, Cassandra thought, to see every hot dog and ice-cream stand shuttered tight and to move freely without tripping over sunbathers and sandcastles.  They walked together for a time just to enjoy each others company.  Tracy was one of the most relaxing people Cassandra had ever met and it was clear that, whatever Tracy saw when she looked at Cassandra, it was something the rabbit liked.
	They eventually came to a place, well beyond the concession booths, where the sand ran smooth and untouched by anything bigger than a few sea birds.  This part of the beach was something of an open secret in Jaspertree.  Everyone knew about it, but few people thought it was worth walking that far for nothing more interesting than a few dried up bits of seaweed and the rush of the waves.
	“Time for that swim,” said Tracy.
	“You're really serious.  Now?” said Cassandra.
	Tracy answered by stripping off her clothes.  The doe's white fur glowed in the moonlight and she gave a slow twirl so Cassandra could get a good look at her.  Cassandra head dreamed this moment over and over for a week, but nothing she'd imagined lived up to the real thing.
	“There's another reason I wanted to get to know you,” said Tracy.
	“What reason?” said Cassandra.
	Tracy made a show of tripping over empty sand and she stumbled into Cassandra's embrace.  The doe was soft and warm in Cassandra's arms, and Tracy laid her head against Cassandra's chest with a quiet sigh.
	“Your friend at the bar told me you've never been on a date before,” said Tracy.
	“Heather told you that?” said Cassandra.
	“Is it true?”
	Cassandra could only nod and Tracy laughed gently when Cassandra's hands slid up to cup her breasts.
	“Trust a fox to be a natural,” she said.
	They kissed and Tracy tugged Cassandra's belt to drop her pants around her feet.  Cassandra shivered a little at the cool breeze around her legs and the unfamiliar sensation of being naked in public, but the freedom of it made her giddy.
	“Lie down with me,” said Tracy.
	Cassandra let Tracy pull her down onto the beach.  The sand was warm as rabbit fur and Cassandra shrugged the rest of the way out of her clothes as she nestled down into their little nest.
	“I should have chased after you the day we met,” she said.
	“You'll learn,” said Tracy.
	They kissed again and Cassandra yielded to Tracy's hands as they explored her body.  The girl was gentle and ran her fingers slowly through Cassandra's fur, teasing sometimes with her claws.  Every time Tracy scratched Cassandra lightly across her stomach or across her breasts Cassandra gasped squirmed, which spurred the rabbit on.
	Gradually, Tracy moved lower, her mouth hot on Cassandra's neck and shoulders as she nibbled at the tender flesh under Cassandra's fur.  Her hands moved down to ease Cassandra's legs apart, her claws tracing delicate patterns around Cassandra's thighs which made her whole body tingle with pleasure. When Tracy's finger slid inside of her, Cassandra gasped with surprise while her body surrendered to Tracy's touch.
	“You're doing fine, sweetheart.  Just relax and leave everything to me,” said Tracy.
	Tracy stayed gentle at first.  Her finger caressed Cassandra's clit and pushed a little deeper with each thrust.  Cassandra could see Tracy's smile in the moonlight and that kindness was as pleasant as her touch.  All that was missing was a deeper connection between the two of them and the chance for Cassandra to make Tracy as happy as she felt.
	“Please,” said Cassandra “I want you.”
	“I knew you were the sort of girl who wouldn't mind sharing,” said Tracy.
	The girl sat back and slid her fingers out  from between Cassandra's legs.  The loss of Tracy's touch made Cassandra whine just a little, until Tracy stroked her cheek.
	“Stay still,” the girl said.
	Tracy folded their clothes up into a makeshift pillow which she slid under Cassandra's head.  Then she straddled Cassandra's body, facing the other way, and scooted back so her thighs framed Cassandra's head.  Cassandra could smell Tracy's excitement and she raised her head to the softness above her.
	“Start off slow.  Get used to it, first,” said Tracy.
	The taste that filled Cassandra's mouth was a bit odd, but quite pleasant and she was rewarded by Tracy's satisfied moan.  The heat of Tracy's breath made Cassandra writhe in anticipation and when Tracy followed with her tongue, Cassandra gave in completely and forgot everything but the sensations that shivered through her.  Every time Cassandra felt herself approaching orgasm, Tracy slowed down or switch her attention to nibble at Cassandra's thigh.  All the while, Tracy was able to guide Cassandra with gentle motions of her hips and murmured suggestions until their rhythms matched and they reached their peak together.
	Cassandra's orgasm, when it came, stole her breath away.  Everything faded away except for the heat of Tracy's mouth drinking her in.  She was only dimly aware of Tracy wriggling on top of her, the girl's joyful squeaks matching her own, and she put her arms around as much of the rabbit as she could reach.
	Afterward, the two of them lay in each others arms.  Cassandra kept her face buried against Tracy's chest, drinking in the smell of her, while Tracy petted her.
	“It isn't every day the rabbit catches the fox instead,” said Tracy.
	“Not every rabbit can lay such a cunning trap,” said Cassandra.
	“Promise you'll remember me?” said Tracy.
	Cassandra raised her head.  Even in the dim glow of the moonlight she could see the hope in Tracy's face.
	“Could I forget the first person to make me feel like I was a real person?  I don't think there's any danger of that,” she said.
	“Let's make sure,” said Tracy.
	They kissed one last time, and Cassandra knew it would last far beyond this one single moment.