Dara hurried out of Hye sun's car and opened the front passenger's door for Yoo in na. "Come on." She could hear the music playing from inside the bar. Every since Yoo in na called her a couple of hours ago, informing Dara that they had decided to go out, the brunette was on cloud nine.

"What are you so excited about?" Yoo in na would have preferred her girlfriend open her door for her, but that hadn't happened in ages. She saw Hye sun march up to the front door of the bar, then turned and stared at her. The dental assistant lingered outside the car, making Hye sun and Dara wait.

"Honey, you comin' or what?" Hye sun was anxious to get inside and see her friends. 

Yoo in na waited a moment for her girlfriend to her inside. When she realized Hye sun wasn't going to budge from the bar's entrance, she dropped her shoulders in frustration.

Dara picked up on her friend's disgruntled mood. The brunette walked back, slipping her hand behind Yoo in na's elbow. "Come on. It'll be fun."

"If you say so." The older woman rolled her eyes. The upbeat mood her girlfriend was in did not bode well for Yoo in na. Hye sun was ready to party, which always ended up with them exchanging harsh words. 

Hye sun led the way into the bar with Yoo in na and Dara following behind. It was Friday night and the place was crowded, as usual. Hye sun immediately searched for a table or a booth. She saw a couple of her friends from work and waved. "Hi!"

"Over here." Jessica yelled.

The shorthaired woman made a beeline for her friends, leaving Yoo in na and Dara in her wake. 

That pissed Yoo in na off.

Astutely, Dara gently guided her friend to the booth where she deposited Yoo in na next to Hye sun, who was already engaged in a hearty conversation with her friends. The booth was full so Dara looked around for an empty chair. As she turned around, the crowd of people seemingly moved to either side of the room, opening a clear path to the bar where Dara caught sight of Chaerin. 

Behind the bar, Chaerin had just finished making a frozen margarita and was just about to pour it in a glass for one of the customers when something made her look up. Her black eyes immediately caught sight of Dara looking at her. That moment in time froze for all eternity and the rest of the world disappeared. 

"Hey!" A customer complained as the liquid flowed up and over the glass, spilling on the counter and her arm.

"Oh!" Chaerin immediately grabbed a towel and started to clean up the mess. "Sorry." The blonde chanced a quick look back in the direction of Dara, who had a huge smile on her face. Seeing that, Chaerin couldn't help but mirror one right back at the brunette. 

Dara's eyes never left Chaerin as she said to Yoo in na. "I'll be back in a minute."

A bit embarrassed for spilling the drink, Chaerin mentally chastised herself as Dara approached the bar. 

Dara saddled up to the bar, claiming an empty stool. Suddenly, she was a bit nervous when Chaerin turned and walked toward her. 

"Hi." The blonde smiled.

"Hi."

"You want something to drink?" Chaerin leaned slightly over the edge of the bar. 

"Water, please." Dara couldn't help but chuckle as she added. "In a bottle."

Chaerin cocked a teasing eyebrow. "Oh, so you don't want to change it, huh?"

"I saw what you did to that girl." Dara teased the part time bartender. "You got her all wet."

Out of nowhere, a flirting thought chased through the blonde's mind. Chaerin dismissed it, though it took a lot of effort on her part. It seemed that when she was around Dara, her mind easily traveled down a ual avenue. Chaerin grinned. "Water it is then."

Dara watched Chaerin walk away and couldn't help but notice how good the blonde looked in her low rider blue jeans and pretty blouse that stopped just above the beltline. She was yanked out of her lustful musings when a boisterous woman slid up to the bar next to her.

"Chaerin! Another one." The tall redhead wiggled her eyebrows at the bartender, then swung her head around and saw the brunette. "Ten bucks I can get her to dance with me tonight."

The foul smell of beer out of the redhead's mouth pushed Dara back a distance. The brunette turned her attention away as she mumbled. "I doubt it."

But the redhead bumped Dara hard. "Hey, I was talking to you."

When Chaerin heard Shawna's loud voice yelling at her, the blonde knew trouble wouldn't be far away. She had successfully avoided the redhead, not only last night, but for the last three months. Chaerin had tolerated Shawna up until now, but when she turned and saw the redhead leaning close to Dara, the blonde had had enough. "Shawna! What do you want?" Chaerin quickly closed the distance to where Dara was sitting.

Dara's brown eyes flared at the redhead and she was close to saying something, except for Chaerin's interruption. 

"I wanna 'nother drink." The redhead slurred, then leaned over the bar and said, "And a nice, slow dance with you." 

Dara grunted loudly her disbelief at that ever happening. At least, she hoped Chaerin wouldn't give the inebriated woman the time of day, let alone a dance. 

Swinging her head back around to the brunette, Shawna demanded. "What'd you say?"

"I..." Dara started, but Chaerin reached over the bar and lightly touched the brunette's arm. The sensations that touch sent through Dara's body stirred up long dormant feelings. 

"Shawna?" That got the redhead's attention away from the brunette. "Come on around the bar. I've got something for you."

A lascivious grin popped up on the redhead's face as she swaggered around the bar just in time to be met by Jack. "Hey." The redhead protested. 

Jack escorted the drunken woman through the back door. He finally was able to take her back outside to the alley where he always had his heart to heart talks with special customers.

"What's he going to do with her?" Dara asked then added. "Not that I care really, but..."

Chaerin grinned. "Just a friendly reminder about the rules and etiquettes that all customers have to follow here at Belle's."

"Which are?" 

"Don't bother the help." 

Nodding, Dara mused. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Don't worry. You're no bother." Chaerin said, then realized her remark may have been taken as cavalier. "I didn't mean..."

"It's okay. I know what you meant." Dara assured her friend.

When another customer demanded her attention, Chaerin excused herself. "Be right back." It only took a few moments for the bartender to serve up the requested drinks before she returned to where Dara was sitting. "I'm surprised to see you here tonight. You didn't say a word yesterday."

Feeling full of courage, Dara teased. "And what word is that?"

"That you were coming." Their eyes met for a brief moment before Chaerin grinned again. "You know what I mean."

"Yeah. I do." Dara's attention was diverted for a moment when she heard a loud roar across the bar. Obviously, Hye sun and her friends were having a great time. When Dara saw Yoo in na's glum look on her face, she sighed. Turning back to Chaerin, the brunette excused herself. "I need to check on my friend."

CHaerin nodded. "No problem. I'll be around."

"I'll be back in a bit. You never did get my water, ya know." Dara winked at her friend before she left.

"Sorry." Chaerin called after the brunette as she watched Dara walk away. Chaerin's black eyes seemed transfixed on the sway of the brunette's y hips packed inside those tight blue jeans. The bounce in Dara's step was hypnotic. Shaking her head from the ual musings, Chaerin noticed Jack walk though the back door. "Everything okay?"

"Yep. I had one of her friends take her home." Jack was a fun-loving guy and wanted all of his customers to have a good time, but not at the expense of the help. He dropped an arm over Chaerin's shoulder and whispered. "Yanggun just came in. Give him the usual."

Chaerin nodded. 

Last week, when Jack called a cab for Yanggun to get home, the older man caused some trouble, so the cab company informed the owner of Belle's not to call them anymore. Jack had on occasion taken some of his customers home, but he didn't relish the idea. "Hey, you see Bom tonight?"

"She called. Said she might stop by later. Seunghyun's got a cold or something." Chaerin cleared the bar of several dirty glasses before allowing her eyes to seek out Dara again. When she did, Chaerin saw the brunette sit down next to her sullen-looking friend.

Dara could tell that Yoo in na was in a foul mood. It seemed that Hye sun was paying little attention to her girlfriend. "How ya doing? Need something?" Dara asked.

"A new girlfriend." Yoo in na spat, but not loud enough for Hye sun to hear. 

It seemed Jessica had brought a new girl to the bar and Hye sun was devoting more time to the very fem newcomer than Yoo in na. 

Dara wanted to be sympathetic to her friend, but she also wished Yoo in na would just loosen up and have some fun. "Ask her to dance?"

But instead of that question, Yoo in na leaned over to her girlfriend. She tugged on Hye sun's shirtsleeve. "Can we go home now? I'm bored." Yoo in na was tired of pretending to have fun all the time.

"What?" Hye sun's dark eyes glanced at her girlfriend. "We just got here."

"I wanna go home." Yoo in na whined.

Hye sun shifted closer to her girlfriend and quietly whispered in a harsh voice. "We didn't get here until late because of you and now you wanna go?"

"Yes." Yoo in na's eyes glared at her partner. She couldn't take much more of Hye sun flirting with the new girl. Her jealous mind was working overtime and it had worn out her last nerve. 

Hye sun scooted back and met her girlfriend's glare with one of her own. "Fine. You go!"

That sent the dental assistant over the edge. Tears formed in her eyes and Dara had to move fast. "Yoo in na. Hey." The brunette gently tugged at her friend's arm. "Come on. Let's go outside for a bit."

Fuming, the older woman was led away as Hye sun turned back to friends. 

When they were outside, Dara tried to console her friend. 

"What does she think I am?" Yoo in na yelled.

Dara knew that both Hye sun and Yoo in na had their faults. Yet, it was like both of them could only see their side and blame the other for the direction their relationship was heading. "Just calm down, okay?"

"I don't care anymore." Yoo in na was in tears. 

Touching her friend's shoulder, Dara pulled Yoo in na into an understanding hug. "Let me go talk with her. You stay here, okay?" When Yoo in na didn't answer, the brunette in a deep breath then walked back in the bar. She headed directly up to Hye sun. "Hey."

Laughing at some joke Jessica told, Hye sun finally turned then asked. "Where is she?"

"Outside." 

Hye sun looked at Jessica. "I'll be back in a sec." The dark haired woman motioned for Dara to follow her. When they reached the front door of the bar, Hye sun turned around. "I know what you're going to say. But I can't take much more of this."

Dara pursed her lips, not know what to say exactly. 

"I just wanna have some fun. I like being around people." Hye sun shrugged. "She knew that when we met."

"Yeah, but you're in a relationship and you have to take into consideration her feelings as well." Dara reasoned.

Hye sun grunted. "If I did that all the time, we'd never go out."

Being more of a homebody herself, Dara could understand that about her friend. However, she also knew that getting out every once in while was important. "Not all the time. Though she's feeling a little left out right now. Maybe if you took her home, she'd feel like you want her."

Hye sun rolled her eyes. "What do I have to do? Tell her all the time?"

"Yes." Suddenly, Dara realized that that was exactly what Yoo in na needed. In order to feel loved, her friend need to be told, while Hye sun was more of a person that needed to be shown. Yoo in na did that by doing lots of little things for her partner. 

The dark haired woman thought for a long moment. "Okay. Fine."

"She's waiting outside." Dara nodded toward the front door. 

"Let's go then." Morgan reached in her pocket for the car keys. When Dara didn't follow her, she turned back around. "You coming?"

The brunette bit her lower lip before turning quickly around to the bar area where she saw Chaerin nod then smile at her. Dara smiled back. She turned back around and said to Hye sun. "No. I'll get a ride home."

"You sure about that?"

"Yeah." 

Hye sun shrugged. "You mind telling Jessica and the rest that I'll see them next week."

"Will do." Looking through the window, Dara watched Hye sun walk over to her car. The dark haired woman hesitated a moment before taking Yoo in na in her arms. She saw them kiss, then Hye sun opened the door for her girlfriend.

Letting out a deep sigh, Dara turned around. She dreaded her next move, but had promised Hye sun. The brunette felt Jessica's eyes crawl up her body as she approached the booth. "Hey."

Jessica jumped up, stepping closer and waggled her eyebrows. "You came to get me, huh? 'Bout time." 

Backing up, Dara cleared . "No. I just wanted to tell you Hye sun left with Yoo in na. Said she'd see you next week."

Jessica shifted her body from one foot to the other. "That still leaves you and me."

Nodding to the new girl, Dara asked. "What about her?"

"Babe, I've got more than enough for both of ya." Jessica her lips as she waggled her eyebrows again.

"Nah." Dara easily dismissed the tall woman. The brunette maneuvered around Jessica, heading straight to the bar. What you got, I ain't buying. 

"Your loss." Jessica called after the brunette.

Dara heard the smug woman as she walked toward Chaerin at the bar and knew she wasn't missing a thing. A huge grin appeared on her face when she sat down on the barstool.

Handing the brunette her water, Chaerin noted the mysterious smile. "What's that for?"

"Just happy." 

"Uh huh." The blonde didn't know what produced that genuine smile, but it made the bartender happy, too. "Where are your friends?"

Dara removed the cap on the bottle. "They left." When Chaerin cocked an eyebrow in question, the brunette explained. "They had a little disagreement."

"Oh, okay." Chaerin paused then in a softer voice said. "I'm glad you decided to stay."

Shyly, Dara met happy black eyes. "Me, too. Though I'm gonna have to find a ride home. I came with them."

"No problem, I..." The bartender was interrupted when a young woman walked up to Dara and asked her to dance. The blonde held her breath for a long moment until she heard Dara decline. 

The dejected young lady walked away. 

"You don't like to dance?" Chaerin asked.

"Yes, I do. Just not in the mood right now." Dara sipped her water. 

Chaerin nodded. "Well, I better get back to work."

"Okay." Dara was content to sit while Chaerin served several customers. Everyone seemed to like the bartender, and she noticed several of the customers, both men and women, flirting with Chaerin. But each time, Chaerin shrugged off their advances with such ease that the suitor didn't know they were being rejected. 

During the evening, several women asked Dara to dance, but each time she politely turned them down. Chaerin kept a close eye on her friend, noting that Dara didn't dance all evening. Every chance she got, Chaerin spent as much time as she could talking with the brunette. 

"Chaerin?" 

Jolted from her musings, Chaerin nearly dropped the glass in her hand. "Huh?"

"Why are you so skittish tonight?" Jack asked. When Chaerin shrugged, he continued. "Yanggun's gonna need a ride home."

Chaerin hoped he wouldn't ask her.

"Think you can close up by yourself?" Jack asked as he surveyed the remaining customers in the bar. "I'll clear them out before I take Yanggun home."

"Sure. No problem." Chaerin was relieved. She didn't think Jack would ask her to take Yanggun home, but that remote possibility caused concern for one brief moment since Dara was still there. The blonde knew Dara would need a ride home.

Jack collected Yanggun and advised the last few patrons it was time to pack it up. 

As the owner of Belle's herded the last of the customers out, Dara frowned, knowing it was closing time. When Chaerin walked over, the brunette asked. "Guess I should get going?"

"So, you're not gonna help me close up shop?" Chaerin winked. 

Dara's face brightened. "Yeah, I can help. What do you want me to do?"

In a flash, it crossed Chaerin's mind to say. Just sit there and look pretty. She quickly shook that thought off. The blonde briefly wondered why her mind continued to stray in that direction. Instead of answering Dara because she was afraid of what she might say, Chaerin locked the front door after Jack left and turned off the outside lights. 

At first, Dara thought the blonde was ignoring her. "Well? Do you want me to do something or just sit here and look pretty while you do all the work?" 

When Chaerin heard that comment, dropped open but nothing came out. 

Not sure what came over the bartender, Dara jumped off the stool. "Maybe a little music, huh?" The brunette walked to the jukebox that was already playing a soft country song. She perused the song selection. "What's your favorite number?"

"Huh?" Chaerin was confused. 

Dara turned. "Your favorite number?" A thought occurred to her. "Never mind." She just as quickly turned back around, dropped in a few coins, and pushed two numbers. 

Chaerin stared at the back of the brunette as Dara leaned over the jukebox. She couldn't take her eyes off of the woman. It was something about the way Dara moved, the way she talked that made Chaerin feel captured every time they were near each other. 

Dara noted that several songs were ahead of the one she selected to play. Cocking her hands on her hips, Dara turned then looked steadily at Chaerin. "Now. Where do we start?"

Chaerin figured she better get engaged before she lost complete control of her feelings. But all she could do was point at the tables.

Dara grinned at the silence-struck woman. "We're going to play charades, huh?" The brunette walked directly up to Chaerin and when she was within inches away, Dara took the bar towel from the blonde. "I'll be needing that."

Chaerin finally shook away the dazed look on her face. The blonde grabbed several glasses from the table along with some napkins. When she tried to reach for one more glass sitting on another table, a long lock of hair fell across her face. Chaerin tried to blow it out of her vision, but it just fell right back where it was. 

Smiling, Dara saw her friend's dilemma. The brunette reached over and lifted the stray lock, tucking it behind the blonde's ear.

Chaerin felt a shiver echo through her body as the brunette's finger brushed over the edge of her ear. "Thanks."

Their eyes caught in that single moment and something very familiar fell into place. "You're welcome."

Finally, they both returned to their work at hand. It didn't take long for the two of them to clear the tables and wipe down the bar. Chaerin knew Jack would come in early and sweep up as along as she restocked some of the whiskey bottles. 

************************

The bartender dug into the cooler, pulling out a bottle of water. She held it up. "One for the road?"

Dara took the offered bottle of water. "Thanks. You mind if we sit and listen to the music for a bit?"

"Sure." Before Chaerin pulled up a barstool near the corner of the bar, she grabbed a bottle of water for herself. Sitting across from each other, both women sat there until the blonde held up her bottle. They clicked their plastic bottles together.

"What are we toasting?" The brunette asked with a raised eyebrow.

Chaerin shrugged before she said. "Friendship."

Dara nodded before taking a sip of her water. Not quite sure what to say, she fell easily into the soft music playing in the background. 

"You have fun tonight?" 

Dara nodded, only allowing a brief thought to cross her mind about the tension between her friends. "How long have you worked here?"

Taking a deep breath, Chaerin remembered her first night working for Jack. It was after the first game of the season. "Ever since I started playing ball for the Cougars. Seven years." It dawned on her that somehow time had slipped away without her taking much notice. 

When Dara recognized the words to the song that started to play, she smiled. "That's the song I like."

Chaerin listened to the familiar song a moment then decided to ask. "What kind of mood are you in?" 

Dara cocked her head. "Why?"

"Are you in the mood to dance?"

Dara nodded, adding a shy smile.

"Come on." The blonde jumped off the barstool and waited. "Well?" 

In a bold of confidence, the brunette took Chaerin's hand, leading her slowly to the small dance floor near the jukebox. Dara's right hand dropped to the blonde's hip, pulling Chaerin closer. The brunette placed her other hand on the blonde's opposite hip just above Chaerin's waistband. 

Chaerin dropped her head slightly, smiled, then looked into Dara's inviting brown eyes. Her hands slid up Dara's arm, coming to rest near the top of the brunette's shoulders. 

When black eyes met brown, Dara's pounding heart accelerated. The brunette sensed the warm, familiar feeling that being near Chaerin gave her. 

As the music played, Dara guided the blonde easily across the floor. Their bodies were so close they could feel every motion, every nuance as they swayed to the song playing. 

Chaerin leaned in closer, allowing her cheek to brush against the side of Dara's face. The soft music and mesmerizing touch of the brunette's hands on her hips stirred long forgotten sensations throughout her. Their bodies moved in tandem, fitting perfectly together with each beat of the music.

The brunette slipped her hands around Chaerin's back as she luxuriated in the softness of the blonde's body next to hers. A satisfied moan escaped as Dara sighed in deep contentment. 

Their bodies moved as one vessel, sailing away on a sea of hopes and dreams. Chaerin moved back slightly to look deeply into Dara's eyes. The flecks of gold embedded in the brunette's brown eyes captured Chaerin as she tried to maintain control of the way she was feeling. In that moment, the world slipped away and nothing and no one else existed beyond the feel of Dara's arms around her. The blonde felt her heart lay open to the brunette and she briefly wondered if she should try and hide what she was feeling. Slipping her head back against Dara's face, the blonde realized she never wanted to let go. 

Dara swayed to the side, bringing the blonde with her as they continued to dance to the song, 'When You're Near Me'. The brunette gently rubbed her cheek up the side of Chaerin's face as her eyes fell closed. She tightened her hold on the blonde, wishing that the night would last forever. Dara knew she was on the edge of a precipice. Baby, here I go.

Lulled into the sensual siren voice of the singer and the soft, seductive touch of her dance partner, Chaerin silently echoed the words from the song. I've fallen deep in your spell.

As the song ended, their bodies slowed, but refused to move away from each other. Finally, Dara pulled back just enough to gaze into Chaerin's dreamy, black eyes. The brunette chanced a brief look at the blonde's lips. Seeing Chaerin her lips, Dara swallowed hard before ever so slightly moving forward. The magnetic pull both women were feeling compelled them to move closer. Every tingling sensation of their over-sensitive bodies sprang about in chaotic merriment as their lips inched closer and closer, until suddenly the blaring sound of the next tune wafted through the air as the jukebox played the hit song, 'I AM THE BEST'. 

The spell was broken as they both stepped back. Conscious of what almost happened and the nosy interruption, Chaerin looked at Dara in silent understanding before both women burst out in laughter, breaking the comforting tension. 

************************

Chaerin turned off the engine after pulling up in front of her friend's apartment. Neither woman moved as they sat there in the car, both deep in thought. The brunette pondered what had transpired between them on the dance floor, while Chaerin wondered about the implications of their near kiss. 

As Chaerin gazed at Dara's profile silhouetted against the bright moonlight, the blonde felt herself falling. It scared her and exhilarated her entire being all at once. But the sullen expression on the brunette's face prompted Chaerin to ask. "You okay?"

The brunette only nodded slightly as she looked thoughtful for a long moment, contemplating Hye sun and Yoo in na's relationship. Their love had traveled a long and winding road that was once filled with passion now dulled into accepted tolerance as each of her friends busied themselves with their own wants and desires. Dara asked herself if she was ready to face that kind of challenge in a relationship and prove her love for another would never be destroyed. Realizing that Chaerin was looking at her, she offered the blonde a small smile that did not reach her eyes. 

"What's on your mind?" Chaerin asked after noting a far away look in her friend's eyes.

"Nothin'."

"Uh huh." Chaerin wasn't convinced.

Dara thought back to the circle booth her two friends had occupied earlier in the evening at the bar. She remembered the hurt look on Yoo in na's face as Hye sun engaged in a lively conversation with Jessica and her new gal pal. The brunette gave a nonchalant shrug. "Wondering how two people who used to love each other can end up hurting each other so much."

Nodding thoughtfully, Chaerin asked. "Your friends?"

"Yeah." Dara let out a deep sigh. "When I first met them, they were so in love." The brunette turned in her seat and looked directly into Chaerin's black eyes. "You wouldn't be able to tell it now."

Not knowing what to say, the blonde touched Dara's forearm. 

"Oh, they have their good moments. Don't get me wrong." Dara explained. "But it's like they forgot how to care for each other. Like they forgot the most important thing in a relationship."

Chaerin ducked her head slightly as her eyes asked the unspoken question. Her fingers brushed lightly over Dara's skin. 

"Love." 

Chaerin jerked her hand back and quickly looked away, as painful memories flooded her mind. Shaking her head, desperately trying to push back the haunting, hurtful memories of her first love, the blonde renewed her vow. Never again! 

Dara immediately sensed the change in her friend. "You okay?"

The blonde twisted around to face forward in her seat. She grabbed a hold of the steering wheel with both hands. Without looking at Dara, she noted. "It's getting late."

Recognizing the obvious cue being sent her way, Dara hesitantly asked. "Did I do something wrong?"

Feeling bad now, Chaerin let go of the death grip on the steering wheel. Hastily, she shot a look at the brunette. "No." Wanting desperately to lighten the mood, Chaerin teased. "I've got an early morning appointment with my massage therapist and she might not like it if I'm late."

"I see." Dara played along. "Maybe she'd consider pushing the appointment back a couple of hours if... she got something in return for the inconvenience."

Chaerin smiled at that comment. "Oh, and exactly what do you think she'd want?"

Dara crossed her arms before bringing up a thoughtful finger to her lips. "It will have to be something good. Maybe go tattoo shopping?"

"Uh huh." Chaerin knew she was being set up.

"Or maybe... just spending the afternoon together doing something fun." Dara suggested. 

"Oh, alright." Chaerin pretended it would be a difficult task to do that. "I think I could probably handle it though."

"Oh." Dara lightly slapped the blonde on her arm. "You're gonna love it."

"If you say so." Chaerin winked, before she suggested. "Guess it's time to walk you to the door."

The blonde started to get out of her car, but Dara held her back. "No. That's okay. Because if you did, then I'd have to walk you back to your car and then you'd walk me back to my door. Well, you get the picture."

"Uh huh." Chaerin grinned. "Are you naturally stubborn?"

Dara let out a happy laugh. "If I agreed to your suggestion, I wouldn't be being very stubborn, now would I?"

*because i loss at someone on betting.....i will make a double update watch out! ^_^