1 comments/ 33367 views/ 10 favorites Tomorrow Isn't Promised Ch. 01 By: velvetpie "Oh." Pain lanced through her head, radiating from a hot lump scabbing at her temple and migrating downward through her torso and causing her toes to curl. She didn't open her eyes at first; she raised a hand, attempting to touch the wound but found that it was impossible. Lines that led to an IV drip and electrical leads tethered her forearm to her body. She let her arm drift downward and moaned again, gritting her teeth against the hurt. Opening her eyes was a bad thing. Bright, blinding sunlight flooded her unused pupils and she gasped at the visual assault. Brightness crystallized and prismatic reflections bounced around her eyelids until the sea of white cleared and objects dialed into focus. She was astounded to find that the first thing she saw was the screen of a beat-up color television. Some blonde was begging a dark-haired guy for something. Didn't make any sense but she didn't linger long. Hospital room. Her eyes took in the non-descript cream-colored curtains, the sea foam walls and the plastic serving tray. The center curtain was drawn and the television was dark on the other side, meaning that she was either alone or her roommate was sleeping. Fresh aches radiated through her body and she rose up on one arm, yanking the leads off and letting her feet seek purchase on the cold, tiled floor. "Miss? Miss!" The nurse's words didn't faze her; she slid the trocanter from her arm and arose, pressing a corner of sheet to the bleeding wound. "Where am I?" "You don't know where you are?" "Would I be asking you if I did?" The nurse circled her with wariness. "What's your name?" Her mind worked. She was alternately surprised and dismayed that no memories jumped into her brain and no name parted her lips. Her eyes scoured the walls for a nameplate and found none. The scrap of hospital paperwork on the tray contained no name and the plastic-encased wristband was blank, except for a few hyphenated numbers. All at once, the fight left her. She forgot about the itchy adhesive from the electrical sites. She forgot about the weeping injury on the inside of her elbow. She even forgot about the thin hospital shift that barely covered her ass. All she could think about was the emptiness that now filled her mind and the confusion that coursed through her body. Nurse Barb Pelinsky edged closer, her green eyes trained on the young woman. "What's your name?" She shook her head, astonished at not finding the ready answer. "I … I don't know." ***** Dr. Brett Washburn stepped into the room, shoving a pen into his pocket. This was the third Jane Doe they'd had this week and he was feeling a sense of excitement about this one. She was awake. He had glanced into the rooms of the other two women and noted that they were still comatose. A striking redhead with 38DD jugs and a brunette with small Bs slept with the angels, waiting for the blessed awakening. What a waste. Washburn pushed those thoughts aside as he approached the bed, gazing at the woman who glared back at him. Her shoulder-length black hair was tangled and her brown eyes were steady and expressive. She sat back on the bed, crossing one well-shaped leg over the other and appraising him with anger. Long, manicured nails stair-stepped intercrossed fingers and her posture drew her spine straight, giving her an almost royal air. "Miss … " "I don't know. Why don't you tell me?" Her arrogant attitude shocked him and he paused in reaching for his stethoscope. "You don't remember your name?" "Nope." "What do you remember?" "I remember some white bastard beating the hell out of me." Those words stunned him. "Do you remember what he looked like?" "Nope." She slumped at the release of the word. "Not really. Blond hair. Light eyes, maybe green or blue. White skin." Washburn nodded. "Good. That's a start." He nodded to the nurse. "Now, why don't you relax? You're in the hospital and you're safe." "No, I'm not." Her measured words caught the ears of everyone in the room. "I'm not safe. Not until I know how and why I got here." Dr. Washburn agreed. "That's great, but until then, you are my patient. Now, if you'd kindly sit down, I'd like to take your pulse." Wearing a look of defiance, the girl known as Jane Doe allowed someone to touch her, a first since she'd been admitted eighty-six days earlier. ***** Alex Pontorino stood patiently and watched as the doctor, two nurses and a technician left the room of the young black woman. None paid any attention to the janitorial staffer. After all, she was there to change the sheets, not to change the world. She was an inconsequential cog in the workings of life and even less important than those who could save lives. "Alex?" She paused when the pretty blonde nurse spoke to her. "Make sure she has a fresh gown." Alex nodded and waited until they left before swinging the door shut and whisking the curtain closed. The woman sat up and stared at her, her eyes wide like an animal in the headlights. Alex was startled by her reaction but she relied on her training to help her adapt to it. "Hi, how are you?" She set the stack of fresh linens on the side tray and moved closer. "I'm Alex." She watched the woman closely, her angry brown eyes meeting with Alex's mossy green ones. "So?" "So? You aren't gonna make many friends around here if you say ‘so' when someone introduces themself." Alex took another step, the pillowcase in her hand. "Himself." "What?" "Himself. Himself or herself. You don't use themself with someone. Someone is singular." Alex chuckled. "Well, good to know one of us is good with English. Now, hand me your pillow." "Why? It's fine." "No, it isn't. You've been drooling on that sucker for nearly eight days now and it needs to be changed … " Alex grinned. "Unless you want zits." The woman thought about her words and decided that she was telling the truth. "Okay." The janitor lady took the pillow from her and she observed her changing the pillowcase. She was not very tall, maybe 5'6" but her dark, black hair made her hazel eyes leap into vibrant life. She was lean, except for a tiny bit of paunch around her middle and a climbing rose tattoo that disappeared under the cuff of her uniform's sleeve. "Here you go." "Thanks." "No problem. Just part of the service." She felt strangely unnerved by the woman's lopsided smile and turned her attention to fluffing her pillow. "I'm gonna need you to get out of bed now." Alex watched the willowy black woman slide over the cold iron rails, wincing at the coldness of the floor tiles. Without thinking, she took the old pillowcase and double folded it, laying it at the woman's feet. Her murmured thanks made the blood rush to her cheeks and she deftly stripped the bed, tossing the dirty linens into the basket, then headed into the bathroom, replacing the soiled towels. "Okay. One more thing and I'll leave you in peace." Alex held out the fresh gown. "I need you to change into this. You can use the bathroom." For some odd reason, the sight of the nearly threadbare gown made her laugh and she shook her head. "You don't expect me to wear that, do you?" Alex laughed, too. "Hey, they told me to give you a new one." "Then could you find me one that doesn't look like a J. Lo outfit?" "Sure. I think I could do that." The woman smiled and sat back down on the bed, swinging her long legs under the crisp, clean sheets. "Thanks." Her eyes were drawn to the darkening evening sky outside and tears burned in their dark brown depths. "That would be nice." Alex stood for a long moment and just stared at the beautiful black woman, wondering why she felt so compelled to talk with her. "How about I come by tomorrow?" "Okay." "Great. Then I guess I'll see you tomorrow." As Alex moved out, she brushed by Dr. Washburn and the duty nurse, Pelinsky, who were observing the conversation and checking her charts. "She didn't want the gown?" "Ma'am?" "I said, she didn't want the gown?" "Oh, no, ma'am. She wanted the gown. She just didn't want one that was so transparent." The nurse nodded and Alex continued down the hallway, whistling as she looked forward to seeing the woman the next day. Maybe her friendship would help her towards remembering her life. And just maybe, she would find Alex in those memories. ***** "Lie still." The satin blindfold remained in place, leaving her in a dark hole while her body bloomed with heat and light. The tongue started at the inside of her knee, fat and thick, dragging wetly upward. She trembled as each nerve it crossed flowered into indescribable sensations, concentrically traveling outward and meshing over others. Her nipples, already puckered into hard buds, ached with secondary vibrations and a low moan of appreciation rumbled through her. She wanted to reach down to return the touches but found her hands pinned above her head. "No touching." "That's not fair." She whined, gasping as wet tongue found wetter flesh and lovingly stroked. Her throat ached with the effort to breathe past the delicious feelings and she accomplished that by gasping yet again, as tensile tongue gave way to silky fingertip and she was suddenly impaled by a thick, manicured length of flesh and bone. "Oh!" "I am the only one for you, sweet." The breathy words poured across her chocolate thighs, punctuated with unexpected nips and languorous licks. "And I mean to convince you of that." "Please," Another gasp, another finger sliding deeply within pearly pink depths. "I never meant … " "Oh, didn't you?" Hot breath hovered over the hump of her mound, descending close until the tip of the tongue connected with her flesh. "I told you that you that no one could satisfy you like I could and you didn't believe me." Another long groan, shortened by a gasp of pure pleasure. "Oh, please … " "Please what?" Fingers slid into creamy pink, curving just slightly and brushing a spot that made her pussy flex in sweet response. "This is your punishment." Thick lips lightly nibbled along her slick slit, sucking an outer lip in and releasing it with a loud smack. "This time, you'll never forget." There were no more words. She couldn't speak if she tried. The fingers withdrew and weight shifted on the big bed. The assault began anew; this time, the lips and tongue found her eraser-sized nipples and began to lick, suck and tug on them while something wide and vibrating parted her juicy pussy lips and sank into the sultry depths of her cunt. "Oh, yes!" "You are mine." The voice whispered into her sex-fogged brain as her lover rocked against her, driving the vibrating dildo into her accepting body while gentle fingers pinched and rubbed her clit. "Say it." "I'm yours." "Louder." She gasped as an open mouth descended onto her neck, tongue swirling, then applying suction to the tender flesh. Blood filled her heated skin, sweat sheened her upper lip and a magma flow of pleasure came alive between her legs. The dildo plunged deeper and slower, the fat, thick head furrowing the same smooth row, its questing length reaching and stretching. Suddenly, the most powerful orgasm was upon her and she arched upward, taking the cock as far into her sodden channel, her joy articulated. "I'm yours!" ***** "She's not dead." "What?" The incredulous voice on the other end of the line was furious. "I thought you said that you took care of her." "I did! I smashed her on the head with the fireplace poker. I guess her head is harder than I thought." "You've got to finish the job." "No way! I'm not gonna try to kill her again! I've been sick for days." "I don't care! You have to finish it." "No, you finish it. I'm out of this." "No, you aren't. I'll take you down with me." "Look, this isn't some bad chick-flick. No one will know … " "Did you wear gloves?" "Of course." "And you threw them away?" "Of course." "You know, you should have thrown them away when you got home." "You didn't." "I did. I have those gloves with your fingerprints in my possession and I will send them to the cops." "Bastard!" "And damned proud of it. Now, finish the job." Tomorrow Isn't Promised Ch. 02 "Good morning." She looked better this morning, Alex noted, striding into the room. The deep, dark circles under her creamy brown eyes were retreating and she offered her a shy smile that made Alex's heart leap in her throat. "Hi." "I brought you that gown. I think you'll like this one a lot better." Alex watched as she took the dressing gown and smoothed it with appreciative fingers. "The only thing that could make it better is if it had a zipper. I hate having my ass out in the air." Alex laughed. "I'm sure you're not alone in that respect." She turned, heading for the door. "Well, I'll see you later." "Hey, um … " She fumbled with words under Alex's direct gaze. "I'm sorry, I don't know your name?" "It's Alex." "Alex." She rolled the word over her tongue and paused as something seemed to prickle her memory. Alex. She felt strangely drawn to this tomboyish woman and her pussy tingled at the thought. Alex moved closer to her, her heart pounding in her ears as her eyes fell to the full, pink lips. "Does that name sound familiar?" "I … I don't know." Alex trembled, knowing that fat chocolate nipples were just inches from her aching fingertips. "Tell me your name." "I don't know that, either." "I do." Alex's voice was low and hypnotic. "I know your name." "You do?" The black woman's voice was almost a whisper. "How do you know?" "We were lovers." The words jolted her. The remnants of her dream from last night. "Was there a blindfold involved?" "Yes." The word left Alex's mouth in a rush. She was remembering! "That was our last time together." Alex moved closer. "Do you remember what I told you?" Her nipples instantly hardened, much to her confusion. Alex was so close, her mouth so tantalizing. All she could think about was the lovemaking in the dream: Alex's mouth on her clit, her tongue sliding into her slit and her mesmerizing voice in her ear as she fucked her into the stratosphere. "Yes. That you were the only one for me." "Yes." It had been nearly three months since their last session and Alex was longing to taste that peach of a pussy. "And you were punished for not believing me." "Yes." A deep shiver coursed down her spine and she closed her eyes in sweet memory. "Yes." "Your name is Toni." Alex met her dark eyes, willing every ounce of seduction into her gaze. "My Toni." "Good morning!" Nurse Pelinsky breezed in, pausing at the sight of Alex and the amnesia patient standing so close. "Alex, what are you doing?" "Getting an eyelash out of her eye." Alex took a few steps back, giving Toni a warning look. She hoped that Toni understood. "Is that better?" "Uh, yes. Quite better." "Good." Alex turned to Pelinsky. "She has a new gown. Just drop it in the dirty linen basket at the end of the hall and I'll be sure to pick it up tonight." Toni gave an imperceptible nod to Alex. So the linen basket would be an info drop point and Toni would remain silent until she could understand what was going on. Toni ignored Alex's departure and grabbed the new gown from the bed. "I have to change. Is that okay?" "Absolutely." Pelinsky opened the blinds and patiently waited until the woman exited the bathroom, clad in the fresh dressing gown and holding her soiled one. "I'll take that for you." "No. If it's okay with you, I'd like to walk it down to the basket myself. I've been cooped up in this room too long." The nurse helped her back into the bed, her keen eyes on the soiled gown. "After all the time you've spent in a coma, I understand that." "Good. Then maybe I can get out of here." "That would be up to Dr. Washburn." "Oh." The woman laid back and allowed the nurse to attach a blood pressure cuff to her arm, her eyes drawn to the windows. "Has the doctor found out what my name is?" Pelinsky nodded negatively. "Nope. No luck yet." She paused to take the reading, then deflated and removed the cuff. "Have you remembered anything else?" "No." She paused, glad that the darkness of her skin kept the nurse from seeing her blush. Alex. Toni wondered what else she would remember about Alex. ***** The rest of the day passed slowly. Dr. Washburn stopped by to check up on her but denied her request to be discharged. She had been the victim of a violent assault and with no memories, she might easily put herself in the hands of her attacker. She understood but was upset with his decision. She was happy, though, when he said that she could walk around the hospital and the grounds as long as she had an escort. He would arrange that for her as well as some clothes. After dinner, she was surprised to find Alex in her room, a stack of folded clothes neatly balanced on her lap. "Put these on and let's take a walk." For some odd reason, she felt more like herself, whatever that was, once she put the jeans and t-shirt on. She had a little trouble with the sports bra but was grateful that she could at least figure it out. Alex laughed at her when she told her about it but it made Toni feel warm inside. Like a friend giving her a gentle jibe over something stupid. She reached out and touched Alex's face and marveled at the way the woman reacted. Alex's eyes closed and her breath fluttered over Toni's palm, her face turning into the center. "I was so afraid … " Toni raised her other hand, cupping Alex's sweet face and letting her fingers graze the soft skin of her jaw. "Afraid of what?" "Afraid that you wouldn't remember me." Alex opened her eyes, fighting the tears she wanted to cry. "Do you know how wonderful, how special it is that I am the first person you've remembered?" "Oh, Alex." Toni leaned in to kiss her but Alex broke the spell, quickly stepping back. "Not here. It's too dangerous." Alex threw a quick glance at the open door. "Come on." They walked without talking around the entire floor before taking the stairs to the boiler room and laundry area. Alex led Toni between rows of steel shelves to a large bin of freshly-washed sheets and pillowcases, then sliding her shoes off, she stepped into the pile, drawing Toni down with her. "Alex, I … " Alex shushed her with a fingertip, pressed softly against Toni's plump lips, then replaced it with her mouth. Her body tingled with the connection and deepened into a full-blown tremble when Toni's warm tongue glided against her lips, forcing her mouth to open. She moaned, pulling Toni closer to her, her hands wandering over her denim-clad ass and grinding against her. She slipped her knee between Toni's legs and pushed her thigh into her crotch, rubbing her own pussy against Toni's leg. The breath caught in Toni's throat as her pussy reacted to the sweet pressure of Alex's body. Her senses swirled with the passion of their kiss and she knew, deep in her heart, that she was where she belonged, with Alex. She gasped when Alex's hand cupped her mound and pressed again. "God, Alex, please. I want you so badly." "I know." Alex whispered, sighing at the feeling of Toni's hand caressing her breast. "I want to fuck you until you scream my name." "Oh, Alex." Toni pulled her back down, savoring the taste of her lover's tongue. "Please take me." "Not here." Alex touched Toni's face gently. "I don't want our first time back together to be in a pile of clean sheets. It should be special." "I don't care, Alex." Toni ran her fingers through Alex's short hair, rubbing her mouth along her jawline and pausing to nibble on her ear. "It's special because I'm here with you. I don't need anything else." Alex looked down into her eyes, feeling her heart stir at the need she saw written there. "But, baby … " "Please?" Toni's plea was her undoing. She didn't hesitate; she took Toni's mouth, pressing her tongue inside and plundering the softness. Alex shivered as Toni gave as good as she got, whimpering as her mouth found the valley of Alex's breasts and licked wildly. She let her lover have her way, laying back as Toni unbuttoned her shirt and began to devour her raspberry nipples, sucking and licking until Alex felt as if she would break into a million pieces. "Toni … " Alex gasped. She pressed Toni back, making quick work of stripping her T-shirt and sports bra off and launched her own attack on Toni's sensitive breasts. The black woman trembled beneath Alex's skillful tongue, writhing with pleasure as her pink lips covered her chocolate nipples. "I want to feel you." Toni whispered, sitting up and pushing the shirt and bra off of Alex's shoulders. "All of you." Alex fumbled with her own pants as she watched Toni slip out of hers, gazing at the smooth chocolate skin that emerged and licking her lips. "You want this?" "Oh, yeah." Alex murmured, dropping to her knees and bringing Toni's panty-clad pussy to her watering mouth. She licked through the fabric, then reached up and pulled the thong down. Toni's sweet scent filled Alex's nostrils. "Fuck, yeah." She pressed her mouth into Toni's sopping slit, licking upward to find her clit. Toni moaned, her knees threatening to buckle. "Lay down, baby." Toni felt as if she was in a dream. Alex's strong arms bore her down onto the sheets and her tender mouth slid over hers, allowing her to taste herself. She moaned again as Alex's naked body covered hers, their pussies rubbing together. "Oh, yes, Alex. Fuck me." Alex adjusted her body, reaching between them and making sure that their clits met. The sensations were so sweet and continued to climb as she rocked back and forth, her forehead touching Toni's so that they shared breaths. She opened her eyes and gazed into Toni's, kissing the woman's mouth until her lips were swollen. Toni looked so beautiful that she couldn't help herself. "Oh, baby! I've missed you so much!" "I'm not going anywhere, Allie." The world exploded as Toni came with Alex's tongue in her mouth. Alex's moans told her that she'd tripped as well, the sensations all the sweeter because of the words Alex had said. Toni pulled Alex close, nuzzling her neck as they fought to catch their breaths. "You called me Allie." Toni thought for a minute. "Did I?" "Yes, you're remembering more, baby." "And I called you Allie?" "Yes. You used to tell me that I didn't look like an Alex. You told me that on our first date." "How long have we been seeing each other?" "Nearly five months." Alex sighed. "The most wonderful five months of my life." "Really?" "Really." She smiled at Toni and sighed a second time. "I think it's time that I told you the truth." Toni snuggled against Alex, closing her eyes in contentment. "You make it sound bad." "It is bad, Toni." Alex pulled a sheet over their naked bodies. "You see, you were supposed to die." Tomorrow Isn't Promised Ch. 03 "Try the flan." She had been crying. Her red-rimmed eyes flicked up to see who she was, then quickly looked away. That was the moment that Alex knew she was in love. Love at first sight. Even in despair, she was breathtaking. "I always eat the caramel pecan flan when I'm sad." The tears still flowed from her unblinking eyes, striping her brown skin. Alex asked the waitress for an extra-large piece and sat down in the chair across from her, setting a spoon near her hand. She didn't move and the tears still flowed. Alex took the spoon and scooped up a quivering chunk of flan, complete with a candied pecan half. "Open your mouth." Her grief-stricken eyes raised, her chin trembling as she fought to quell her tears. "Why?" "Trust me. Open your mouth." Sticky lips parted and Alex slid the flan in, keeping eye contact as she chewed. The tears began to flow again and Alex reloaded the spoon, taking a bite, then offering another to the beautiful woman, overjoyed when she accepted it. In no time at all, the flan was gone and the tears had slowed to a trickle. Alex watched as she patted her cheeks dry, her eyes softening as she focused on her. "Why?" "Because I hate to see beautiful women cry." "I'm not beautiful." Bitter pain laced her words. "If I was beautiful, he wouldn't be cheating on me." Alex touched her hand. "Then he's an idiot. If you were mine, you'd know that you were beautiful, every minute of the day." She smiled, lifting her hand. "I'm Alex. Would you be interested in having dinner with me?" "We just had dessert." "That's okay." Alex lowered her voice. "We can have dessert as many times as you want." Her eyes held Alex's and something intangible passed between them. The woman took the hand that Alex offered, accompanied with a shy, but knowing smile. "I'm Toni." ***** The hallway was quiet. The hums and beeps of machines filled the filtered air and the tinny speaker of a small television set kept the night duty nurse company as she divided her attention between a rerun of The Jeffersons and the bank of monitors. This was one of her favorite episodes, the one where Lionel and Jenny were getting engaged. She didn't much care for the new Lionel; the original one was much more handsome but the emotional content was satisfying. When the monitor for bed twelve went off, she spilled her cinnamon latte on her lap but ignored the mess to dash down the hall to room 539. The woman was flat-lining and she hit the button, bringing the staff with a crash cart. It took well over twenty minutes to get the woman stabilized but it wouldn't be until many hours later when the discovery of succinylcholine in her blood was made. It was also discovered that the black amnesia patient, Jane Doe 549, was not in her assigned bed, bed twelve in room 539 and that she was no where to be found. ***** Alex was beside herself when she arrived at the hospital the next day. Her daily ritual had been to go directly to Toni's room for a brief visit before clocking in and beginning her duties. She was devastated to find that she was not in her room nor did anyone know where she was. Alex searched the entire hospital, with Dr. Washburn's blessing, and could not locate her. She returned to her job, collecting the laundry and taking it downstairs to be cleaned. She could barely hold her tears back when she came for the fifth floor laundry bin, remembering the thin dressing gown she brought for Toni just days earlier. She pulled the cart away from the wall, grunting in exertion and wondering what the hell was in the cart. Goddamned nurses! She pushed the bin around the corner, called the service elevator and pushed it in as soon as the doors opened. "Allie." She looked around, her heart splitting her chest when she thought she heard Toni's voice. The sight of Toni arising from a pile of filthy bedding made her break into sobs. "What the fuck?" "I'm sorry. I couldn't tell you what I was going to do." "You stupid bitch!" Alex dragged her out of the bin, hugging her so tightly that Toni squeaked. "You scared the shit out of me!" "Allie, someone tried to kill me last night." "Get back in the bin and keep quiet until you hear me whistle." "Okay." Toni slipped back into the bin, showing her scantily-clad body to Alex who growled in appreciation. "Sorry that I scared you." Alex leaned in and gave Toni a soft kiss. "I'll punish you later." Toni's arms wrapped around her neck. "Promise?" The elevator's warning rang that the floor had been reached and Toni hid, waiting for Alex's signal. She expected it to come right away but unfortunately, she had to wait a long time and fell asleep. It was more than three hours later when Alex whistled, pulling the dirty sheets off of her and helping her to her feet. "What the hell did you do?" "What do you mean?" "You can tell me later. Right now, you have to get out of here." "I can't! Where am I going to go?" "Where you belong. Home with me." Alex gave her the clothes that Dr. Washburn had given her previously and watched with a slight smile as Toni dropped the gown and put them on. "Here." Toni took the manila envelope from Alex and stared at it in confusion. "What's this?" "Your effects. The stuff you had on you when you were brought here. Now come on!" Alex's car was in the parking garage and they held their breath as they passed the two security checkpoints, brazenly flirting with the guards. When they reached the car, Toni got in and cracked open the envelope, dumping the contents into her lap. There was a small wad of money, various coins and a five-pack of Juicy Fruit. Without thinking, she popped a stick into her mouth and tossed the wrapper into the trash. Four other things were in the envelope: a Movado watch, a set of keys, a gold necklace and a ring. The necklace caught her attention. It was a strand of gold link with a hand-carved wood ornament attached. Toni rubbed the varnished item, her fingers tracing its intricate notches and diamonds. "You gave this to me." "I have a present for you." Toni was lying on her stomach, slipping into sleepy happiness as her pussy still continued to clench around the dildo. Alex reached over to grab something on the nightstand, drawing a moan of discontentment from Toni as she arose from her place on Toni's back. "I don't want a present. I want you to stay there." "I'm too heavy." "No, you aren't. You feel wonderful." Alex kissed her ear and placed the white linen bag near her hand, pulling Toni over onto her side. "Open it." Toni lifted the handsewn bag and untied the cord. A shiny lump of wood slid out, fashioned into the shape of a sun with lighter rays wiggling out from the center. Bright diamonds were set into the dark wood and the item was hung on a gold chain. "Oh, Allie! This is beautiful." "I made it." Alex felt herself blush as she explained how she obtained the diamonds and the wood from artisan friends. "I hope you'll wear it." "Of course I will!" Toni put the necklace on, rubbing her fingers against the wood. "Thank you." "I want you to leave him." Alex whispered, moving her hips and driving the dildo into Toni's slippery pussy. "That's why I gave you a sun." Toni bit her lip as Alex drove into her again. "Allie … " "No. Tomorrow isn't promised to us, Toni. You're happy with me. You need to seize the day and you need to leave him." "Tomorrow isn't promised to us." Toni glanced over at Alex, the words seeming to open memories. "You told me that. Tomorrow isn't promised to us." "Yes." "And these keys … my house. Two story ranch. I usually drive a … " Flashes and snippets of things sped by her vision. "I drive an Expedition. Blue with Yosemite Sam floor mats." "What's your address?" "Mango Lane." She rubbed her forehead. "26 Mango Lane." She paused again. "But I wasn't there when I was found." Toni stared at Alex, confusion in her eyes. "It was at your apartment and you were the one that found me." Alex nodded in agreement. "Yes." "Stop this fucking car and tell me what's going on!" ***** His hands didn't tremble any more. He hefted the heavy ring of keys and slipped the correct one into the slot. The door swung open soundlessly and he quickly moved through, heading for the rear entrance. The safe was on the left side, built into the wall and he knelt, thumbed the numbers on the dial and sighed in relief as the tumblers clicked into place. The bottles were on the second shelf and in a matter of minutes, placeboes had been substituted for the OxyContin, Percocet, Tylox and Roxicet pills. It wouldn't be noticed for months and by then, he'd be long gone. This was the last time he would have to steal from the hospital's pharmacy and the last time he'd depend on anyone for money. No one questioned Dr. Washburn as he departed from the hospital, heading for his car. After all, he was a doctor. ***** "I'm not who you think I am." Toni gave the woman a murderous look. "My name is Alex Pontorino but I don't really work for the hospital. I'm DEA." "DEA? As in Drug Enforcement? You have to be fucking kidding me!" "No, I'm not kidding." "And us? That's a lie, too?" "No." Alex pulled the Mustang onto the side of the road and cut the engine, turning toward Toni. "Not at all." Tears boiled in Toni's eyes. "I don't believe you. All this time, you've been lying to me!" "I lied to you to protect you. You're remembering a lot of stuff but we still don't know who beat the shit out of you." "But you have an idea or you wouldn't have whisked me out of that place." "Yes, we have an idea of who it was." When Alex didn't continue, Toni spat, "And do you intend to tell me?" Alex cleared her throat and took a deep breath. "We think it was your husband." "My husband? I'm fucking married?" Alex nodded and Toni covered her face with her hands, fighting the urge to either strangle the woman or run screaming from the car. "I wasn't wearing a ring. If I was married, I would have had a wedding ring." Alex reached inside her shirt and brought out a gorgeous gold ring, strung on a thick length of chain around her neck. The ring was studded with diamonds set in a thick gold band. "You gave this to me, as a promise of our future together." "So who is he, my so-called husband?" "Dr. Brett Washburn." "My doctor?" Toni shook her head, rubbing her suddenly aching temples. "Let me get this straight. My husband, Dr. Washburn, beat the living shit out of me, then nursed me back to health?" "Yes. He made sure that he was the attending physician on your case. He had to make sure that since you didn't die the first time, he could take care of you if you ever awoke." "And then I did awake." Alex nodded. "And I was there to keep an eye on you and to make sure that you were safe." She touched Toni's cheek, bringing her eyes back to hers. "I love you, Toni." "What if I would never have come out of the coma? Or worse, what if I didn't remember you?" Alex fingered the ring. "I would have been devastated." Toni sighed and sat back in the seat. "There's one thing that doesn't make sense." "What's that?" "How did you and I become involved?" "I met you at the restaurant and fed you flan. Everything I've told you about us has been the truth." "But why were you there? DEA doesn't just appear unless … " Alex nodded. "Yes, I'm investigating someone." "Someone at the hospital?" "Yes." "Let me guess. My husband?" Again, Alex nodded. "Yes." "Then how do I know that what we had was real? How do I know that you wanted me because you loved me? How do I know that you didn't just get into my pants to get close to him?" "You know because I love you." "Do you? Sure it's not just another lie?" "I told you, everything about us has been the truth. Toni, I'm wearing your ring. Why would I wear your ring if it wasn't the truth?" "To keep up appearances." "Do you really think that? Do you think I could fake loving you?" "I don't know, Alex. I really don't know you at all so … " Toni opened the door and got out. "I think that until I really know what's going on, I'd be better off on my own." "No, Toni. That's not a good idea." Alex got out, coming around the back of the car. "You don't know … we don't know what's going on." "No, I don't know. You seem to know a lot that you aren't willing to share with me, too busy protecting me to let me handle my own weight." "Toni … " "No. I'll take care of myself. Goodbye, Alex." "Toni, I'm not going to let you go like this." "What are you going to do, arrest me?" "If I have to." "On what charge?" Alex crossed her fingers, hoping that this would work, that Toni would listen. "For breaking my heart." She stepped closer to Toni, searching her eyes. "For giving me hope." She saw the tremble in Toni's bottom lip and reached out to wipe the tears from her cheeks. "For making me believe in love." Toni allowed herself to accept the comfort of Alex's arms, sobbing in the woman's sure embrace. "I don't know, Allie. How can I believe you?" Alex pulled back, touching Toni's cheek. "Trust me. I'm asking you to please trust me." She leaned close and let her mouth touch Toni's, pressing lightly. "Please, baby. Please trust me." Toni closed her eyes, shivering at the feel of Alex's lips gently kissing her wet cheeks and soft mouth. She was remembering more things. She just wished that she really remembered her feelings for Alex. The only thing she could do was to take a leap of faith. Tomorrow isn't promised to us. You're happy with me. You need to leave him. "All right." She heard herself say and she sagged in Alex's arms, relieved with the decision she'd made. She felt Alex tighten her embrace, holding her closer and whispering soft words of endearment in her ear. "It'll be all right." Alex murmured, opening the door and handing her into the car. "I would never hurt you, Toni." She rubbed the ring again. "You own my heart." "Then tell me everything you know." "Okay. Let's go home and I'll tell you." Tomorrow Isn't Promised Ch. 04 Washburn opened the door and stepped aside as the woman came into the house, dropping her purse on the couch and heading for the prepared lines of ground OC that waited on the marble cheese board. She inhaled two lines and grinned at him. "Is she dead?" Washburn avoided her eyes as he moved to the board and sucked a line back. "No." "What? She's not dead yet? You sit there and bitch me out for her not being dead and you can't get the job done?" "The little bitch put someone else in her bed." "How could she have done that?" "I don't know but she did." "Where is she now?" "Don't know. We've scoured every inch of the hospital and she isn't there." "You know where she is." Her voice bored a hole into his angry psyche. "She's with that lesbian." "How do you know?" "The little cunt's been working at the hospital. You didn't see her?" "No, I've never met her." "Her name's Alex. She's the new ward orderly." "You knew that cunt was near her all this time?" "Yeah, so? It didn't make a difference at the time since she can't remember anything." "What if she starts remembering? What if that little cunt tells her?" The woman paused in thought, then shrugged her shoulders. "Then we kill them both." She snorted another line. "Now, if you're finished staring at my tits, why don't we get the job done so we can get the fuck out of Dodge?" ***** "Someone has been stealing drugs from the hospital and selling them on the street." Alex crossed the living room and handed Toni a mug and watched her take a long drink of the ice-cold Foster's, smiling when she licked her lips. "You always liked your Foster's in my favorite mug." "This is your favorite mug? Oh, Allie, take it and give me another." "Why?" "Because it's your favorite." Alex nodded, still smiling. "Naw. I like the idea of your lips being on my mug." She was glad to see Toni's answering smile. "Anyway, the administration brought me and my partner in to find out what was going on. Your husband … " "Please don't call him that. That's something I intend to rectify as soon as this is over." "Okay. Dr. Washburn is our main suspect, except that we've had a hard time catching him in the act." "What about cameras?" "Always circumvented. Anything that we've tried hasn't worked." "Then he has an accomplice." Alex nodded. "Same thing we thought, but we've had no luck with that, either." She paused to refill their mugs. "But there's something that's much worse." "What's that?" "All the evidence that we've been able to find leads directly to you." "Me? Why me?" "The convenient scapegoat." Toni nodded in understanding. "Wow. What a great man I married." "Toni, I don't think you ever really knew him." Alex set her mug down and knelt next to her. "He's been squirreling the money away. We know that because we've been watching the bank accounts and no large deposits have been made. He hasn't opened any other accounts that we can find, either. I think he planned to kill you and leave you with the blame. That's why he tried to finish the job the other night." She touched her cheek, letting her fingers softly trace her lips. "And he'll try again. That's why I want you here with me." Toni set her mug aside with a smirk. "Is that the only reason?" Alex smiled briefly. "Toni, I'm so crazy in love with you. The night that he beat you, you had moved your stuff in here with me. We had all these plans to become partners when the investigation was over. And then I came home and found you. I thought you were dead." She paused, realizing that she'd never talked to anyone about that horrific scene. Her lover in a pool of blood, her face an almost unrecognizable pulp. "I've never been so scared in my life. I've taken three bullets in the line of duty and nothing touched the fear of losing you." "Allie … " "All I want to do is spend the rest of my life making love to you." "How touching!" Alex reached for her service revolver only to find the business end of it now facing her. Washburn stepped forward, his face wearing a look of deep disgust. "But you won't be able to make love to anyone … dead." "Come on, Brett. Let's just get it done with." Nurse Barb Pelinsky whined, slipping the safety off with an audible click and casting her glassy eyes back and forth between the two women. "We can't kill her yet. She's moved the money! I need to know where it is!" "You didn't tell me about that! When did you find that out?" "When I went looking for it last night." She had seen Brett's car in the driveway but didn't think much of it. He sometimes came home to eat or catch a quick nap between surgeries. She used her keys to enter the side door and dropped them on the side table, hefting the bottle of vodka as she strode towards the kitchen. He would be happy to be awakened with a cold pitcher of martinis. But then … she paused. She heard a sound, a muffled shout that had come from upstairs. "Brett?" The word slipped almost quietly from her mouth as she crept up the stairs. She was no longer worried that it might be a robbery in progress. The slapping sound of the headboard against the wall clued her in to what was really going on. The sliver of open door gave her the rest of the answers. A pretty woman in a nurse's uniform was on her knees, moaning as Brett pulled his dripping wet dick from her pussy and lined up with her pink pucker. She had slipped back down the stairs, keeping her sobs from reaching the lovers' ears and nearly tripped over a bag lying near the bottom step. A sheaf of neatly wrapped bills slid out and she yanked the bag open, gasping in surprise at the amount of money that now lay at her feet. Well, she could do something. She could deprive her piece of shit husband and his whore of their money. She grabbed the bag and headed for the garden shed. "You shit! I could have killed her!" "She told me that she had hidden it in the shed but when I went looking for it, it was gone." Washburn turned to his wife, striding over and grabbing her by the throat. "Now where's my money, cunt?" "Did you think I would really tell you where the money was? I knew what you had planned. You were going to leave me high and dry." "Shut the fuck up and tell me where my goddamned money is!" Toni gasped and squeaked out, "Why don't you ask your precious whore?" Silence followed her words and Washburn dropped her, turning toward Pelinsky. She backed up a few steps, alarmed by the look on his face. "I don't have the money, Brett." "That's a Rolex on her wrist, Washburn." Alex slowly crawled over to where Toni lay gasping, her eyes on the couple. "How could do you think she could suddenly afford that?" Pelinsky turned the weapon on the advancing doctor. "Brett, I got this as a gift." "From whom?" "A patient." "A patient?" Toni laughed, still rubbing her throat. "Probably her new fuck toy." That fateful day, she had met Alex and had accepted her offer of friendship over caramel pecan flan. Comfort soon blossomed into love. Whenever Brett was at work, Alex stole into the house and made Toni cum so hard, she saw stars. They would make love, then lie together, talking about their pasts, sharing their problems. She couldn't bear it when Alex left and when she let Brett fuck her, she closed her eyes and imagined that it was her lover. Tomorrow isn't promised to us, Alex had said. And she was right. She had decided to leave Brett and went to Alex's home. After a long session of lovemaking, she had watched Alex leave, promising to do nothing more than rest and cook. Brett had found her a few hours later and had left her for dead, after beating the location of his money out of her. Alex saw the glint of anger light in Washburn's eyes and leaned back, her hand searching under folded blankets. If she could only reach it … "So, is that the truth? Is that from your new fuck toy?" Pelinsky laughed shakily. "He just gave it to me because I helped him, Brett. Nothing more." "So where's the money?" "I told you, I don't have it." "Why don't I believe you?" "I don't know but I'll shoot you if you come any closer." "Where's the money, Barb?" "Back off, Brett! I mean it!" It all happened so fast. Pelinsky blinked and pulled the trigger. There was a flash and a small plume of smoke and the projectile firmly lodged itself in Washburn's chest. Bright blood bloomed from the gaping hole and he looked down at it with a look of astonishment. In that same second, Pelinsky turned the gun toward Toni. Alex was quicker, bringing up her hidden weapon and shooting twice before the shot that Pelinsky got off went wide. Pelinsky dropped to the floor, next to her lover, her drug-glazed eyes fading into sightlessness. Alex leapt up, crouching over both bodies and making sure that they were dead. When she was certain, she returned to Toni's side, helping her stand and sit back on the couch. "Are you okay?" Toni couldn't stop trembling and she launched herself into Alex's arms, her face wet with tears. "You were so right." She whispered. "Tomorrow isn't promised to us." Tomorrow Isn't Promised Ch. 05 Toni Washburn stood at the window, her anxious hands wrapped around a bouquet of roses. She was so nervous. She knew she didn't have to be but she was just the same. She'd been in San Francisco for nearly six months now, alone, waiting for her lover to join her and steadily working through her therapy with great results. Most of her memory had returned, along with the bittersweet memories of her lovemaking sessions with Alex. The actual beating, she could not recall. Everything seemed like white light when she came to that spot. The doctors told her not to worry. It was inconsequential and it was left at that. The shooting seemed so long ago. She remembered seeing Brett's dead eyes and recoiling into the welcoming arms of her lover. Then, Alex's partner and the police had shown up, answering Alex's call and hours of grueling questions ended with Toni being escorted away and Alex promising to call when she could. When the call came, Toni was disappointed to hear that Alex had to leave immediately for DEA headquarters and had been suspended until an investigation into her actions had been completed. "But I will come for you." "Alex, I love you." Toni heard the hitch in Alex's breath even down the phone line. "We'll be together, baby. I will come for you." Then the call this morning. "Hello?" "Hi, baby." "Oh, Alex! Alex, where are you?" "Standing in the airport terminal waiting to a board a plane ... to Frisco." "Are you serious?" "As a heart attack. I'll be in your arms in less than four hours." Toni couldn't help from sobbing when she heard the words she'd been longing to hear. "I don't intend to let you go again, you know." "I'm counting on it." Alex steeled herself against her own tears, gently whispering to Toni. "They're calling the flight, baby. I'll see you in a few hours." And now, she was getting off the plane, her heart pounding in her ears as she searched the terminal occupants for Toni. She didn't see her right away but when she did, she had to take a deep breath. Her long hair had been skillfully cropped and highlighted with golden-red streaks, her lips were a sweet shimmery pink and her eyes were dark and dreamy. Her elegant fingers were wrapped around a sheaf of plastic-wrapped flowers and she seemed ... nervous? Alex caught her eyes and a huge smile split her lovely features, making Alex's pussy respond with a wet twitch. Then, Toni was in her arms and her loose breasts were pressed against hers, their bodies tight together in embrace. Neither spoke, allowing their mutual relief to flow through each other. "Let's get out of here." Toni whispered, pressing a kiss to her ear. "I have an itch I want to scratch." Luggage collected, they sped towards Toni's condo and once inside, Alex grabbed Toni to her and hugged her tightly. "I've missed you so much." "And I've missed you." Toni ran her fingers through Alex's hair, then stepped back, smiling into her eyes. "These are for you." She pulled Alex closer, whispering against her lips. "Welcome home." "Home?" "Yes, our home." Alex accepted the roses, inhaling deeply and meeting Toni's gaze. Her body shivered when Toni's fingers slid up her ribcage and her thumbs slowly circled Alex's nipples. "I remember everything." Toni's whisper sent chills cascading through her body, coupled with the heat of her mouth on Alex's neck. "And I mean everything." "Does that mean what I think it does?" "It means that I want you to go take a shower, put your robe on and come join me by the fireplace." Alex felt uncomfortable by the way that Toni dismissed her but climbed the stairs, found the bathroom and showered quickly. A new thick robe lay on the sink when she emerged and she pulled it on, brushed her teeth and skipped down the stairs. Unbelievable scents met her when she sauntered into the kitchen. "Toni?" "Dinner first." And so the silence continued through dinner. Alex chewed through chicken quesadillas and persimmon salsa while quietly observing Toni's mannerisms. She ate heartily but hardly glanced at Alex, cleaning the plates and extra food away, then coaxing Alex over in front of the fireplace with bite-sized pecan tarts and warmed amaretto. "Toni?" "I'm sorry. I guess it wasn't nice to make you wait but I am just out of sorts about now." Toni swirled the amber liquid around in her glass, her handsome features pensive. "As I told you before, I remember everything." "Yes, you said that." "No. I mean, everything. Not just us. Everything." Toni paused to pop a tart into her mouth and followed it with a swig of liqueur. "Alex, I asked you to tell me the truth." Alex sagged, raising the glass to her lips. "I had hoped ... " Her voice caught. "That I wouldn't remember that part?" Toni sighed, pushing her thick hair back and staring at Alex. "I read my narrative. I was very interested to find that the poker injury that caused my temporary amnesia was given to me much later after my initial injuries." She took a breath. "You found me after Brett beat me, then you cracked me on the head with the poker." "Toni ... " "You've been well-trained. You were the only person that would know exactly where to hit me to cause that kind of injury." "And why would I do that?" "Because you didn't want me to remember that I was the one who stole the pills." Alex dropped her head, her chin falling to her chest. "Oh, Toni." "You hoped that I forget long enough for you to implicate my philandering husband and his drug-sniffing whore but I remembered too soon." Toni examined Alex's face. "And I suspect that you've just spent the last weeks tidying up the loose ends to make sure that Brett and Nurse Pelinsky would bear the total brunt of the blame." "Toni ... " "Where's the money?" Alex sighed but arose, heading for a large purple dufflebag that she had left at the door. She slowly opened the zippered top and tugged a book-sized bag out of it. Shuffling slowly, she brought the bag over and set it in front of Toni. "You can count it. It's all there." "I don't need to count it, Allie." Toni pushed the bag aside. "You tried to save my life, didn't you? You knew that if I woke up, Brett would kill me." "He said as much. I overheard him and Pelinsky talking and they were all set to kill you the minute you resurfaced. They couldn't kill you before because the coma patients are too well-monitored. After you woke up, though, that was a different story. You were a regular patient, then." Alex accepted the refill. "But you had developed amnesia, so for the moment, you were safe." "Safe from whom?" Toni asked quietly. "I was the one that stole the pills. Brett sold them and he gave me the money to take care of." "And Pelinsky?" "I guess he had planned on leaving me. Probably decided that when I told him that I was leaving to be with you." Toni set her glass down and crawled over in front of Alex. "I had to know. I had to know if it was the money or me." The DEA agent brushed her fingers against Toni's cheek. "I could have taken the money any time after your hospitalization." "Yes, you could have." Toni reached for the sash to Alex's robe and slowly pulled it open. The compact body that she fell in love with greeted her eyes and she bent down and took a thick, dark red nipple in her mouth, shivering when she heard Alex's growl of pleasure. "Then there's only one other question." Alex couldn't think. The entire world seemed to revolve around the ardent tongue of her lover and she gave herself over to the sensations, her nipple hardening into spongy steel in Toni's hot mouth. "What?" Toni moved to Alex's other breast, licking and sucking until the nipple matched the other. Alex moaned as Toni pressed both breasts together, her mouth capturing both nipples at the same time and sucking hard. "Are you going to turn me in?" Alex pulled Toni's mouth up to hers, French-kissing her with abandon. "Are you going to steal again?" "No." Toni gasped as Alex's fingers fluttered across her stomach. "Never again." She moved back down to Alex's rubbery nipples. "Good, because if you did ... " The word trailed off into a soft moan as her pussy convulsed and she arched, pulling Toni's questing mouth more tightly against her breast. "I'd have to punish you." Toni pulled back and surveyed Alex's flushed face. "Oh, yeah?" She quivered as Alex's strong hands pushed the robe off her shoulders. "Mmm, yeah." Alex pressed kisses along Toni's bare shoulders, pausing to bite the tender flesh. Toni hissed in response. "And I brought a new friend." She let her tongue travel from the hollow of Toni's throat to her sensitive ear, brushing the outer shell while her fingers rolled taut chocolate nipples between them. "Why don't we move this party upstairs?" They left the robes on the floor and headed up the stairs. Alex pushed Toni back on the bed, making her crawl up until her hands touched the headboard. "Ready for your punishment?" Toni nodded, feeling her heart leap when Alex produced two braided silk ropes, slipknots in each. The soft material looped around her wrist and Alex drew it tight, then repeated the action on the other arm. "First, you need to prepare me and my new friend." Alex slipped off the bed and pulled a harness out, equipped with a double-sided dildo. She handed it to Toni, then lay on her back, licking her lips suggestively. Toni knew what to do. Like a fish to water, she dove into Alex's bald pussy, shoving her legs apart and giving her a long lick from bottom to top. The shorter woman's body arched again and again as Toni plundered her leaking pussy, leaving the cinnamon lips glistening with juices. She hummed as she moved over Alex's blood-filled clit and began a leisurely suck, then grew more rapid and more ravenous, pulling Alex closer to the edge. Just as she was about to trip, she thrust two fingers into her pulsing canal and was rewarded with a thick freshet of pussy honey, which she lovingly licked away. Her body still thrumming with pleasure, Alex watched as Toni raised the dildo and wrapped her lips around one of its fat heads, thoroughly swabbing it before sliding into Alex's grasping pussy. Alex moaned, gritting her teeth and closing her eyes as a pleasurable shake started in her hot core. Toni moved the dildo in and out, slowly building her desire, then moved over Alex's sweet slit, adding her lips and tongue. Alex screamed as her second orgasm slammed into her, lapsing into shivery sobs as a third and fourth swept through her. Toni pushed the dildo fully into Alex's pussy and reached around, buckling the harness and gifting Alex with a deep French kiss. It took only a moment for Alex to respond, pressing her onto her back and rubbing the thick head up and down her already wet slit as Alex tied her hands to the bed. "Are you ready for your punishment?" Toni moaned as Alex pressed in, her mouth capturing hers. She came almost immediately, writhing against the bonds and bucking her hips upward, taking more of the dildo into her clasping pussy. Alex's moan joined Toni's as they began to move together, Alex pushing the thick plastic dildo into her with passionate relish. "Oh, God, Alex!" Toni came a second time, then opened her legs even wider, taking more. Her third orgasm took them both. Alex grunted in mid-stroke, rotating her hips as she came hard and smiled when Toni erupted beneath her, coating her end of the dildo in thick cream. She collapsed against her, shivering when Toni's arms enclosed her, lightly stroking her sweaty back. "Tomorrow isn't promised to us." Alex whispered, nuzzling Toni's neck. "That's why I told you to leave him." She pulled Toni's soft mouth down to hers. "You belong with me. For as long as we have." "Yes." Toni answered. She briefly thought about the money downstairs and the money from Brett's life insurance. Her future was secure and now, her heart had a place to live. "For as long as we have."