"Tell you what?" Marina was stunned by the hatred shining in those intense green eyes.

"You knew!  Did you plan it this way?  Get me out of here, out of the way, so she could leave?"  Kansas was shaking, she was so angry and hurt.

"First off, I don't know what the hell you're talking about, and secondly, don't you ever talk to me that way!"  Marina was livid.  She had dealt with her daughter's pain over the past couple weeks, had been admirably calm.  But this was too much.  She had not taught her daughter to treat her like this.

"She's gone!" Kansas yelled, pointing toward the window that looked out at the side of Nina and Dan's house.  "She's fucking gone!  Moved out four days ago.  Why didn't you tell me?"

Marina's gaze softened as understanding filled her.  She saw Kansas was about to fall apart, and was there to hold her as the teenager cried out her frustrated confusion.  Her first heartbreak – something no mother wanted their child to go through, but knew every single one would.

"I'm sorry, baby," she cooed, stroking soft, blonde hair.  "I know."

Kansas cried, clutching her mother, and finally allowing her heart to break.

*******

8 years later:

Nina sat, watching the new students stroll in, visually figuring out who would learn from her, who would go on to make excellent attorneys, and who would fall prey to the money and politics of the American judicial system.  After four years of teaching, she'd gotten pretty good at figuring motives out.  She waited until the last student was seated before rising from her perch on the edge of her desk.

"Good afternoon, everyone.  Please get settled, as we have a lot to do today.  Let me start by introducing myself.  My name is Nina Glassman, but you can call me Dr. Glassman, or Nina.  I'm not much into formalities."  She paused, throwing a smirk out over her captive audience.  "Lord knows you'll have enough of that on your journey as young lawyers."  She got the normal few chuckles at the joke she used with every new class.  "Welcome to law school.  May you all make it in one piece, and with your sanity intact."

As Nina continued her speech, she met the eye of many of her students, seeing the typical reactions: fear, interest, lust, and intelligence.  At 34, she knew she looked good, and felt good about herself.  Dressed in a tailored pantsuit, Nina made no secret of the body she worked hard to maintain.  Her long, dark hair was down today- best to start things on a slightly more casual basis.  She loved what she did, and knew that going back to school seven years ago, had been one of the best things she'd ever done- among a couple.

Class ended, and the large room was filled with chairs scraping, bags being stuffed, and idle chatter as students gathered their belongings and left.  Dr. Nina Glassman was left alone, looking out over the sea of empty desks.  She blew out a breath, and prepared for her next class.

***

Yelping and happy barking met the insertion of Nina's key into the front door of the small townhouse she had bought two years ago in the gorgeous Colorado town of Boulder.  It was a small, academic town, housing one of the best universities in the country- Colorado University, or better known as CU.  With mountains on all sides- blue and glorious- Boulder had quickly become a cherished place for Nina.  It was often referred to as the Berkley of Colorado, for its open nature and artistic community.  Definitely a nice change from Ohio.

The 3 year-old Yorkies, brother and sister, Kona and Kiora, went nuts once Nina got the door open.  She bent down, letting the Ewok-like dogs climb all over her, jumping up in attempts to give her doggy kisses.

"Hello, my babies," the brunette cooed, picking them both up and covering their faces in kisses.  The dogs squirmed and whined until the professor was about to drop them.  She set them down, then headed further into the house.  She picked up the shreds from a Kleenex, picturing the two dogs, one at either end, pulling and growling, the victor shaking his or her head wildly to finish off the 'prey'.  Together, both dogs would share in the bounty of ultimate destruction, leaving their handiwork on the dining room rug.

Nina hurried to the stairs, flipping on the light that would illuminate her prized art piece on the mantel, on the way to the bathroom in her bedroom, stripping out of her clothing as she went.  She had a date.

***

Abby Walters was excited.  She rose to her tippie toes, trying to spot her date in the throng of Friday night adventurers.  Her smile spread across a pretty face when she saw the tall brunette make her way around a group of rowdy teenagers.

"Hi," she said, leaning in to place a greeting kiss on Nina's cheek.  "How are you?"

"I'm good.  I hope I'm not late.  I had a faculty meeting that got me running out of the office," the brunette explained, allowing her hand to be taken in Abby's.  This was their third date, and thus far it had gone alright.  Nina wasn't positive this woman was what she wanted for her future, but for now, it was fun.

They had made plans to get dinner, than go to the opening of a new gallery in town.  Abby was a collector of art, and Nina had learned over the years how to appreciate it.  Not to mention, Abby's sister, Jamie, was the showcased artist at the opening.

Small crowds of people stood in groups in murmured conversation, many with flutes of champagne in hand.  Those gathered were dressed in any manner of dress: tux with tails, evening gown, jeans and long, flowing skirts.  Nina, dressed in a skirt suit, was somewhat resentful- after all, she had to dress up all day for work, she wanted to relax  and be comfortable during her time off.  But, Abby was excited, and so Nina could handle it.

Nina began to wander, leaving Abby to celebrate with her sister, and for the artist to introduce her to friends and fellow artists.  Arms crossed over her chest, the brunette perused the art- paintings, sculptures and a few photographs.  She was slowly making her way down a line of framed sketches, the work exquisite, faceless female forms.  Many of the forms were in shadow, or strategically covered by a sheet or a blanket wrapped around bare shoulders.  They were gorgeous.  Nina looked to see who the artist was, but there was no nameplate attached.

"Beautiful, aren't they?"

Nina turned to see a fellow event-goer admiring the sketch next to the one the brunette was admiring.  She nodded, smiling politely.

"The artist is over there somewhere, I think," the woman said, hitching a thumb back toward the large cement sculpture at the back.  Nina glanced over that way, only seeing a group of women who seemed to be enthralled by something someone was saying.  The group parted for a moment, revealing a woman with short, blonde hair.  The woman's back was to Nina, the blonde gesticulating enthusiastically, the women around her laughing.  The blonde was about to turn around when the crowd moved in again, blocking her from view all together.

"Ready to go?"

Nina turned, Abby suddenly appearing next to her.  "Yeah.  If you are."

"I am.  Come on- let's get some dinner."

Nina didn't notice as green eyes watched her leave.

***

Nina walked through her dark house, only flipping on the light above the mantel.  The piece of art work there came to life.  It was a bronze sculpture of two female figures, entwining in a sensual embrace.  Neither woman's face could be clearly seen, but ecstasy.  She brought a hand up, tracing a finger along the curve of one of the women, the entire sculpture no more than a foot in height.

Three years ago, when Nina had finally decided to stop lying to herself, and had come out as a lesbian, she had made the trip to P-town, wandering the streets and watching the couples all around her.  For the first time, she felt like she was at home.  While strolling the streets, she had seen the sculpture in a window of one of the many galleries there.  To say she was shocked to see Kansas Roberts' name on the placard as the artist is an understatement.  She had snapped up the beautiful piece, which nearly drained her bank account, and had given a place of prominence ever since.

Her thoughts drifted further to the past as the brunette made her way upstairs, anxious to relax in a nice, hot bubble bath.  Her Yorkies followed unnoticed behind, tags jingling merrily on their collars.

As Nina stripped down for her bath, she thought about the "relationships" she'd had with women since deciding to come out.  However, to do that, she'd need to go back even further.  Dan.  After leaving him, then once the divorce was final, she had left Ohio, deciding to start over.  Going back to school had been pivotal to that, as she had reached a point in her career where she no longer believed in what she was doing.  Her moral code wouldn't allow her to continue practicing law when she'd lost faith in the system.

She'd concentrated fully on her intense program, finally receiving her PhD in record time, all the while maintaining a job with the Denver District Attorney's office.  This had conveniently not allowed her to think about her private life, instead letting her get lost in her busy daily life.  Once she'd graduated and had began teaching at CU, that had changed.  Catching the eye of a fellow professor, Nina had decided to give in, and went to dinner with her.  It had ended before it began, as she and Dana were about as different as night is to day, but it had started to make Nina think, then realize, and finally admit the truth.

Even so, after three years, she still hadn't allowed herself to experience the full tilt of her life decision.  She hadn't dated seriously, and hadn't engaged in more than a heavy make-out session with a couple of the women she'd dated.  After tonight's date with Abby, she could tell they were quickly heading to the crossroads that Nina knew too well.  Abby was making her intent crystal clear, her hand finding its way to one of the brunette's breasts as they said goodbye at the parking lot where they had both parked.

As she sank into the steamy water, Nina could still feel the pressure of Abby's hands on her.  She wasn't sure how she felt about that, how she had felt at the time.  No, she hadn't wanted to take if further at that particular moment, but how permanent was that?  Ever?  Tonight?  With Abby?  It had been many years since she'd been touched, since she'd been loved.  She had enjoyed sex with Dan, for the most part.  Though now she understood what had been missing at the time.  She wasn't sure why she hadn't gone that final distance, allowed herself that final thread of self-identity and freedom.  Maybe she didn't want to rush into anything.  Maybe she was waiting for the right situation and person.  Or maybe she was just scared.

Nina sighed, running her wet hands over her hair, pushing it back away from her face, water dripping onto her nose.  She wrinkled it, trying to get rid of the itch, but it just got worse.  Growling, she brought her hand up, rubbing at the itch.  She glanced to the side of the tub, watching Kona and Kiora as they played together, the smaller male whimpering slightly as his much larger sister stepped on him.

"Careful, Kikis," the brunette warned.  The female Ewok glanced up at her, then went right back to beating up her brother.  Nina rested her head back against the edge of the tub, closing her eyes.  She decided to stop thinking and just allow herself to enjoy the bath.

***

Nina found herself headed downtown two days later, back at the same gallery.  Now that the place was next to empty, she was able to really look around, hands casually clasped behind her back as she perused.  She found herself drawn back to the sketches she'd been looking at the night of the show.  The work was so exquisite, it totally captured Nina's imagination.  The artist obviously loved the female form.

"Like what you see, Counselor?"

Nina started at the voice that was suddenly in her ear.  She moved away, turning.  Mouth hanging open, she stared at the grinning blonde standing before her.  Hair still short and just as carefree, Kansas looked as adorable as ever.

"Hi," she breathed, not sure what else to say.

"Hi.  Must say, I don't recall having a reaction to my work quite like yours before."  The artist nodded at the sketches behind Nina.

"Those are yours?"

"Yep."

"Kansas?"

Both women turned, a redhead sauntering up to them.  She placed a hand on the blonde's back, a small smile curling her lips when Kansas leaned over to place a kiss on her cheek.  "I'm coming."  Kansas turned back to Nina, an almost cocky twinkle in her green eyes to match the smirk on her lips.  "See you around."