The One Night Stand

Chapter 18

"I can't leave you two alone for a minute can I?" Nicola's raspy voice roused Cat from a deep sleep, she looked at the wall clock and realized it was mid morning. Cat smiled, stretching, until she realised she was still wrapped in Tom's arms on the sofa. He stirred, moaning into Cat's hair, rubbing his body against her sensually, Cat blushed and dug her elbow into his ribs, waking him.

"What... oh... she's alive... ALIVE..." Tom said in a perfect imitation of the famous line from Bride Of Frankenstein. Nic glared at him before marching back into her bedroom.

"Tom!" Cat chastised him while he kissed her neck, caressing her breasts under the blanket. "Stop it..." She giggled despite herself, dragging herself out of his embrace and followed Nic to her room.

"How do you feel Love?" Cat asked while Nic lay back in her bed holding her head.

"Like I've been hit by a bus." Nic answered with her eyes closed.

"Tom says it was a twenty four hour bug, you just need some rest." Cat said rubbing her friend's hand, maintaining the lie in case Nic remembered their conversation from the previous night.

"Huh, what virus...?" Nic asked curiously.

"I'll make you some tea, do you think you can eat?"

"Cat what are you doing here? Did that little fucker call you?"

"Don't you remember? Probably not you were pretty out of it... I dropped by yesterday afternoon and found you feverish, passed out on sedatives. Tom explained that he took you to hospital and that it was a virus..."Cat lied, she was greatful for her ability to keep a straight face. "I asked him to go home but he wouldn't leave..."

"I wonder why he wouldn't leave." Nic said with a dry throaty laugh. "Cut the crap Cat."

"Why didn't you call me Nic, and why call Tom? Of all people?" Cat asked, her beautiful face racked with worry.

"I can trust Tom, we understand each other," Nic answered thoughtfully, "besides, I knew Jane was coming to town, I knew you'd be busy." Nic said in a sad tone.

"I'm sorry you feel that way, I love you Nic. You know I would do anything for you." Cat said sadly.

"I don't need you to 'do anything' for me Cat. However, it seems you've done your good deed for the day, you can go home now, they'll be missing you."

Cat was unaffected by her friend's words, she was prepared for the anger, many people reacted this way, it was Nicola's way of dealing with her friend's pity. Cat was deeply saddened by the thought that Nic must have felt so abandoned. So alone.

"I'm not going anywhere, we don't have to talk." Cat said softly.

"Tom," Nic called loudly, he was there within a few seconds, looking concerned, "take your girlfriend and get the fuck out of here. I don't need either of you." She said it with so much hatred, Cat winced. She watched Tom's face and was stunned when his only reaction was to roll his big green eyes.

"Be careful Nicola... you sound extremely unstable... if I were a shrink I'd have you committed to a lunatic asylum for attempting suicide." Tom said calmly. "For some unknown reason, Cat loves you; you'd think a heartless, conniving cow like you would be greatful to even have a friend. Now shut the fuck up."

Cat stared between the Tom and Nic, she was aghast at the way Tom had spoken to best friend. She opened her mouth to protest but was silenced by Nicola's laugh. Cat turned to her friend, then to Tom who was still glaring at Nic with obvious loathing. The psychiatrist was totally confused by the interaction, yet as Nic took Cat's hand in hers, she realised somehow he'd managed to calm Nic down.