The Awakening

by Lena

DISCLAIMERS: There are none. These characters and this story belong to me and me alone, so don't plagiarize. This story contains a loving relationship between two consenting adult women. If you are under age or this type of love is illegal in your neck of the woods ............ SCAT!!!

WARNING! This story deals with the sensitive subject of incest and it's aftermath. I have tried to treat this as delicately as possible. I feel it is important, so that the victims know that they truly are "the victims", that this subject be openly examined.

Rating: This story is rated "R" for mature subject matter and sexual situations.

Dedication: In loving memory of Josephine and Evie. With a big ole hug to Liz , Val and Vi, who always believed in me. All of these ladies taught me about unconditional love and loyalty. I'm blessed to have had you in my life.

April 29, 2000

Rachel Vincenti loved the high she got from pushing her body to its limits. Endorphins were her drug of choice. She admitted to enjoying the admiring glances she received from other women, some of whom would give a weeks salary for a chance to bed her, but it was the sense of confidence and wholeness with her body she really desired.

Her work- out buddies never understood why a woman who looked like Rachel, never had a steady girlfriend. They had assumed she was gay, since it was a predominantly lesbian gym, but they never saw her out with the same woman more than two or three times. No one could seem to get close to the enigmatic beauty. Most often she was seen out with her best friend, Tory, the auburn haired owner of the gym, who always seemed close by whenever some woman's advances became too much for the tall, dark haired woman, with the almond shaped black eyes.

Rachel was on her favorite machine, leg pressing 500#'s, loving the feel of the burn in her thigh and calf muscles. The sweat made her long limbs shine with vitality. Meg admired her at a discreet distance, walking on the treadmill, trying not to trip over her own two feet as she became entranced by rippling muscles. 'God, she's beautiful. Look at her move. I gotta meet this woman.' Meg was new to the neighborhood. Having finally decided she'd be more comfortable living among her own kind, she'd moved to the mostly gay and lesbian neighborhood off Rue Esplanade in old New Orleans. It was a new and wonderful freedom. 'I wonder if she's attached? Guess I'll never find out if I don't talk to her.'

Rachel got up and stretched her powerful leg muscles, with relief. She then went to work out her biceps and triceps, enjoying the perusal of the petite, shapely blond on the treadmill. 'She thinks I don't see her watching me. I wonder if she likes to dance? Well, I could just walk up and ask her.' Rachel mused as she walked up to the treadmill and rested her long arms over the hand rail and gave the little blond a sexy smile.

Rachel just stood there gazing into sea-green pools. 'Gosh, she's got the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. I could gaze into them for days.'

Meg couldn't look away. She wanted this woman in her bed, but didn't want to chase her away by jumping her bones. "I'll see you tomorrow, then."

"Um, yeah tomorrow..... I want to kiss you again." Rachel stated as she moved closer to her quarry.

"Please......" Meg stood on tiptoe to meet the much taller woman half way. Their lips met ever so gently. Rachel left her lips, then placed little butterfly kisses upon her forehead, cheeks, eyes and nose as her hands stroked her long golden locks. 'I'd better get out of here while I still can. You don't really know her yet. Don't get careless.' Rachel placed a sweet kiss on her date's moist lips, then pulled away and waved goodnight.

***
Meg slept soundly, dreaming of a dark, dangerous looking woman screaming in ecstasy, firm breasts heaving under her sweat soaked body. She would have some difficulty keeping her hands to herself today.

Rachel fought to awaken from her recurring nightmare. 'Come on Rach, you know you can trust me. I wouldn't hurt ya. I promise. Just put your hand there. It feels so good. I can make you feel good too. A well muscled teen age boy took a little ten year old girls small hand and placed it on his penis, which was sticking out from his jockey's . His khaki uniform pants were crumpled on the floor of his bedroom. Oh, yeah, that's right. Now, rub it.....' The dream changed locations. She was a little older, young breasts had begun to bud and wispy pubic hair lightly covered her sex. The teen aged boy had more body hair and his penis had grown to an impressive size. He forced the naked, squirming, begging eleven year old girl onto the cold tile floor of his parent's bathroom. 'I'm not gonna hurt you, Rach. Don't you want to make me feel good. I want to make you feel good.' The molester claimed as he held her shoulders down, kissing and sucking her undeveloped breasts. She kicked and fought, but he was much larger and stronger than she. 'Feel me, Rach.' A large calloused hand pulled her small hand to his penis and moaned when she wrapped her fingers around his girth. 'I'm gonna fuck you, little cousin. I'm gonna make you feel so good.' He climbed higher on her body, rigid with terror, and placed the tip of his penis at her virginal sex and he pumped. His arousal was so great that he ejaculated shortly after tearing her hymen. She screamed and cried in pain, fear and humiliation as he fell upon her The scene changed again to the floor of the bathroom in her parents' home. 'Oh God! What's happening. Aye, aye, aye it hurts!' The young dark haired girl sat on the toilet and rocked herself, holding her lower abdomen, moaning at the painful cramps that seemed to last for hours. Then, the pain having subsided, she curled upon the bathroom rug and fell into an exhausted sleep. When she awoke, the blood between her thin legs had nearly dried, but the evidence of her miscarriage lay still on the floor, not more than two inches in length, it's little black eyes and nubs, where there would have been arms and legs, discernible through the blood. "NOOOOOOOOOoooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Rachel shot out of bed like a canon ball and ran to the bathroom of her cottage to throw up. Beads of sweat peppered her forehead and chest. "Shit! What the hell brought that up. I haven't had that nightmare in a long time. Fuck! That bastard is still haunting me. Why can't it just go away? That was thirty years ago, for Christ sake!" Rachel brushed her teeth and walked into the living room, picking up her guitar from it's stand. She began playing a classical piece requiring great concentration to keep her mind off the past.

***
Meg arrived at the gym twenty minutes early. She had hoped to get the chance to chat with Tory and get to know her better. She figured her chances with Rachel would improve if her best friend approved of her.

She was surprised to see that her friend had arrived before her and was working out, a sheen of sweat making her body glow in the flourescent lighting.

Rachel attacked her weights with a passion, trying to defuse the anger she'd been feeling since her nightmare. She'd learned many years before to get her anger out in a constructive manner. Pushing her body had always worked for her. She ran on the elevated jogging track until she was exhausted. The exertion cleared her head and gave her the sweet buzz she craved.

Meg watched her new friend in absolute awe. 'She'll kill herself. I've never seen anyone push so hard. It's like she's got the devil himself chasing her. What is it with that woman.'

Meg got on the treadmill until Rachel was ready to join her.

"Good morning, cutie." Rachel said as she practically vibrated with energy, her tank top saturated, sweat dripping from her chin and nose. "How's about a great big hug." The taller woman threatened, wiggling her eyebrows, an evil grin gracing her angular features.

Meg ducked away from her predator and ran to hide behind Tory, who'd been enjoying the show. "Oh no, you two." Tory held a hand against each woman's chest, preventing them from moving any closer to her. "Rachel, go take a shower. You reek! Meg, you go try on those skates on the counter." Tory looked from one woman to the other, her expression letting them know she would brook no playing this morning."

Rachel winked at her quarry. "Yes, mother. I never get to have any fun." The dark haired beauty stuck out her lower lip and loped to the showers.

"God, she's adorable when she does that." Meg exclaimed.

"Yes, she is. Sometimes I wonder if....."

"Wonder what?" Meg searched Tory's eyes for the answer, but the older woman looked away.

"Nothing. Try those skates on. I have work to do."

Rachel returned quickly in her biking shorts and a clean tank top. "Hey, Tory, you have any knee and elbow pads we can borrow. I'll bring them right back."

"Sure, they're in the storage closet hanging on the wall rack..... Y'all be careful. Don't break anything important, ok."

You'll be surprised at all the local celebs that show up. Women you never dreamed were gay. I've had some very interesting conversations at these shindigs. It's women only, of course. She always advertises in the Gambit and Times Picayune's Friday entertainment pull out section." Rachel had to stop and take a breath. It was suddenly very important to her that Meg come.

"Ok. Sounds like fun. What time should I be here?"

"The party starts at 2000. But, if you want to help us get set up, you could meet me here about 1830 or 1900." Rachel said.

"I'd love to help out. I'll be here early then. Thanks for asking me. I look forward to it." Meg turned to leave when Rachel called her attention back.

"It just dawned on me that I don't have your phone number." Rachel ran to the business counter and retrieved a pen and pad. She wrote her phone number down and handed it to Meg. Meg took the pad and wrote her home, work and cell phone numbers down for the beauty she so much wanted to know better.

The weeping woman turned around and buried her head in the smaller woman's neck as small, gentle hands stroked her long dark hair, whispering words of comfort.

When Rachel was able to compose herself she looked at Meg and giggled, shyly. "This isn't exactly what I had in mind when I brought you up here..... I'm sorry I spoiled the mood."

"Please, don't be sorry, Rach. This is the first time you've really let me into your heart. I feel honored that you trust me enough to let your defenses down..... Thank you." Meg cupped her friends still damp cheek. "Why don't you go wash your face. Do you have any make up with you. You look like you've been crying and I know you don't want to upset Tory."

"No, shoot! I didn't expect to need a repair job." Rachel smiled.

"Not a problem. I brought my purse in the trunk of my car. I have some translucent powder, eye shadow and lip gloss that will perk you right up. Be back in a jiff." Meg turned on her heel and headed for the door.

"Meg, please ask a couple of the girls to go with you. Ok?" Rachel asked.

"Sure. Be back in five minutes." She winked at her friend as she slipped through the door.

***

'Holy Smokes! It's standing room only down there. Where's Tory?' Meg perused the crowd of women below the track she stood upon until she gave up trying to spot her new friend. 'Well, I'm just gonna run out to the car and back. With all these people around, who'd bother me?'

When Meg walked through the downstairs, she thought about the woman waiting for her, who only asked her to do one little thing for her. 'Alright, alright, I'll find someone to watch for me.' Meg spotted two women chatting by the front door and approached them, asking them to accompany her as she ran to retrieve her purse from the trunk of her car which was parked just at the turn of the block. The two women didn't want to disrupt their flirting and agreed to watch her from the door.

Meg thanked them and walked briskly down the sidewalk. She was unaware that the two women, whose assistance she'd engaged, had quickly returned to planning the rest of their evening together, disregarding their promise to watch out for the petite woman, who was a stranger to them.

'Well, her five minutes are up.' Rachel had washed and dried her face, fixed herself and Meg a cup of coffee from the kitchenette and was beginning to be concerned. The dark haired beauty walked out onto the jogging track and searched the crowd below her for her friend. She didn't see her, but did notice the two women talking in the front doorway. She quickly ran down the stairs and maneuvered over to them. "Hi, Kris, have you seen a little woman, really cute with long blonde hair? She had on a kind of teal colored silk shirt."

"Sure. She went to get something out of her car and we were waiting for her....." It had just occurred to her that the little blonde had not yet returned. "Oh, Rachel, I'm sure she's fine....."

Rachel didn't wait to hear anymore. She ran passed them toward Meg's car, calling out her name, the two women slowly tagging behind. She reached the automobile, whose trunk was still open. A cold lump filled her heart with fear as she turned in a circle, straining her eyes to see any sign of her friend.

"MEG.....? MEG ANSWER ME. WHERE ARE YOU?" Rachel shouted frantically into the night. She stood as quietly as she could, trying to hear any sound over the thumping of her heart.

Meg heard her friend nearby and knew she had to make enough noise to draw her attention. The hand held against her mouth was dirty and she could smell the stench of beer and cigarettes on the breath of her attacker. The knife he held to her throat cut into her delicate flesh. She pushed herself back against the outer wall of the gym to escape further damage.

It was an impulse really. She just forced her mouth open as wide as she could, twisted her head as far as she could and bit down with all the strength her terror gave her. Her attacker yelped in pain, releasing his hold just long enough for Meg to scream "RACH!!!"

Rachel heard her and ran like a bat out of hell toward the sound. She saw him, standing with his body pressed against Meg and she felt a rage like she'd never known before. She didn't really think how she would stop the man, she just dived on him, pulling him off of Meg with incomparable strength. Meg slid down the wall weak with fear and relief.

Rachel grabbed the assailant by the front of his shirt and, using all the leverage her superior height gave her, slammed his head into the old brick wall, over and over again, experiencing an almost orgasmic thrill at hearing his screams.

"Rachel, stop!!! You'll kill him." Meg yelled in panic at the horror before her eyes and managed to pull herself to her feet, leaning against the wall for support. She reached out and grasped her friend's shoulder, effectively breaking her concentration. "RACHEL!!!" The distraction was all the assailant needed to break away from the enraged woman's grip and run away holding his bloody head in his hands.

Rachel turned back toward her prey and ran to catch him. "NOOOOOooooo!" Rachel screamed as he ran away, far out of the reach of her anger. Meg started screaming for someone to call the police. The two party guests had already assessed the situation and were heading back for help.

Meg turned back down the alley and limped in the direction her friend had run and stopped short at seeing her standing still, head facing downward, her right hand pressed underneath her right breast.

"Rach? Rach, you ok?" She could hear the sirens racing down Esplanade. "The police are coming. Rachel.....? You're scaring me."

The tall beauty did not turn around, but seemed to sink slowly to her knees.

"OH, GOD!!! RACHEEELLL!!!!!" Meg ran to her stricken friend and caught her as she listed back toward the pavement. Meg rested Rachel's upper body upon her lap and gasped in horror at the blood oozing across her white silk blouse like some macabre Rorschach test.

***
"What's up with all the sirens?" Tory ran to the front doors of the gym as two women came running towards her screaming as they ran.

"CALL 911! CALL 911!"

Tory turned back inside and dialed the phone as the two women plowed through the doors.

Try not to worry to much. We'll take good care of her. If anyone can survive this, she can. Rachel is the healthiest creature I've ever met." Robert Marino chuckled and patted his old friend on the shoulder, wanting to comfort her.

"Robbie, there was a young woman with Rachel. Do you know where she is?" Tory wanted to fill Meg in on the condition of their friend.

"No. But if you look at that schedule on the wall, you should find her."

"Thanks..... for everything." Tory kissed her friend's cheek as she went in search of Meg.

"There you are. Are you Ok?" Tory asked, relieved to find Meg so quickly in the mass confusion of the ER.

"Yeah, just a few stitches in my neck and shoulder and some bruised fingers." She tried to make a fist and winced. "Do you have any news on Rachel?"

"They're prepping her for surgery now. She should be in the OR in about ten minutes."

"I need to see her before she goes under." Meg walked quickly to Trauma Rm. #1 and asked to speak to the patient.

"I'm sorry miss, but you can't be in here." One of the nurse's turned to gently urge Meg out of the room, when Tory stopped her.

"For Christ sake, Evelyn, let them have a moment. It may help Rachel fight if she has more to fight for." Tory said.

"You know the rules, Tory. And you are no longer on staff at this hospital." Nurse Evelyn always resented her previous supervisor's rapport with the patients and ER physicians. 'She always thinks she's better than everybody else. Damned dyke.'

Dr. Robert Marino heard the arguing and went to investigate. "Let's break the rules. I said she could see Nurse Vincenti. Now give them a moment of privacy.....please." Robbie smirked at his least favorite nurse as she walked passed him. 'She needs an attitude adjustment.'

Meg walked quickly up to Rachel, careful not to disturb any of the tubes or wires and kissed her gently on her forehead. Rachel was panting for breath and in considerable pain. Her blood oxygen saturation had increased to 94%, but she still felt like she was in a fog. She looked into pained green eyes and reached for the bandages on her friend's neck and shoulder, with a worried expression.

Meg took her friend's hand in hers and kissed it. "I'm alright. Just a couple of stitches. Thank you for saving my life." Rachel looked like she wanted to say something so Meg piped back up. "Don't try to speak." Meg brushed dark bangs out of somewhat unfocused eyes. "I know you are hurting inside, Rach. But, right now we need to patch up the booboos outside. They're going to take you into surgery now and make it all better." The two friends grinned at Meg's use of baby talk. "Now listen to me....., I love you, Rachel..... I need you. Do you understand what I'm saying?" Rachel nodded as a tear fell down her cheek and into her ear. "Good. I need you to be strong for me....., for us." Meg struggled to hold back the sob in her throat. "I'll be here when you wake up." Meg leaned down and kissed her forehead, then rubbed her soft cheek with her own. "I love you, Rachel." She whispered in the raven haired beauty's ear, making her heart soar with joy.

"It's time. Let's get you all patched up." Dr. Marino and his crew quickly rolled their patient out of the trauma room with IV drips and monitors.

"I think Rachel needs us both to be here when she wakes up. Then, we can discuss shifts. How's that?" Meg said.

"I think you're right. Why don't we go to the ICU waiting room. They usually have a couple of recliners in their. We can nap til she's transferred. I'll tell the receptionist to let us know as soon as she comes up."

"Now I know why Rachel admires you so. You're one smart cookie." Meg chuckled. "Let's go put our feet up."

***
"Oh, God." The words slipped out before Meg could stop them. The psychologist took in all the tubes, wires and noisy contraptions that were attached to the pale, dark haired woman in the fully automated bed. 'She looks so battered and frail. I should have let her kill the bastard. Ok, girl, suck it up. She doesn't need you falling apart on her.'

Meg pulled a chair up to the bedside and took Rachel's hand. "Rachel? Rach, it's me, Meg. Can you hear me?"

Rachel's eyes fluttered open, and followed the voice to it's source. She couldn't concentrate for all the anesthesia she'd been given, but she was aware of the golden haired angel calling to her.

Tory sat on the arm of Meg's chair and leaned toward her best friend. "Hey, Rachel, it's me, Tory, and Meg. We've been waiting for you to rejoin the living."

Rachel's bleary eyes slowly focused on the two people most dear to her heart and smiled.

"Do you know who we are?" Tory asked.

Rachel nodded her head, then feeling her hand kissed, searched out sea green eyes and tried to speak.

"Meggie?" Rachel whispered weakly. Feeling the scraping of her chest tube, her breath hitched in pain and eyes widened at the creepy feeling of having some fifth appendage hanging out of her side.

"Shush, now, baby. You have a chest tube and a lot of stitches and staples going around your right shoulder. So, take it easy on yourself." Tory said.

Rachel's eyes registered the information and she nodded. Then she gently tugged on Meg's hand, signaling her to come closer. She tentatively took a deeper breath to speak. "Meggie, did you say you love me?" It was barely a whisper, but Meg heard every word.

"Yeah. I did and I do love you, Rach." Meg nearly choked on the knot of emotion in her throat as she kissed the hand she still held.

Rachel smiled. "Me too." Then fell fast asleep.

To Be Continued in Part 2 of The Awakening by Lena

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