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Chapter Text

This was not the first time that Jennifer Barkley had pressed you up against the wall, and you doubted it'd be the last, or rather, you hoped it wouldn't be. Not with Jen's lips moving along your jaw like they currently were, invoking an involuntary, yet satisfied sigh from you. 

Regardless of the unalluring surroundings, that being the bathroom of JJ's Diner, you were in heaven. In a small pocket of bliss that you were reluctant to ever leave. Whatever was waiting outside became inconsequential the moment she'd locked the stall door behind you. 

Your hands rested on her waist to keep her close, to trap her, though you were certain she had no where better to be. In contrast, her hands never settled, constantly roaming up and down your body, gripping your neck or pressing against the wall.

Holding her like this felt so perfect, although you knew that every touch was dragging you towards an inevitable disaster. She was the campaign manager of your opponent. Her presence in Pawnee was literally just to cause trouble for Leslie and Ben, who were presently waiting patiently back at the table.

Ben, one of your closest friends who had found you a job in Pawnee and convinced you to stay for a few years. 
Leslie, the kindest, most hardworking woman you'd ever met who would probably die for this town. 
And here you were, betraying their trust by embracing the woman who was trying to win the position for Bobby Newport. 

A sickly taste arose in your mouth, a wave of guilt rushing through your body. Jen must've sensed your sudden hesitancy as she switched her attention back to your mouth, meeting your lips with newfound restraint. The usual desperation was replaced by a softer kiss. An addictive one that overwhelmed the sickly guilt in place of pure ecstasy. She was nothing if not strategic. 

You tried to gently push her away. "Jen." You called her name, but unfortunately it sounded more like a moan, which only encouraged her on. In response, she hummed against your lips, slipping a hand into your hair. If this didn't end soon, you knew it would go too far to return from.

"Jen, stop." Finally summoning enough self control, you parted, firmly pushing her away. "We can't do this." 

"What, you're all of a sudden too shy?" She smirked, her voice low and husky. "If I remember correctly from last time, you were more than comfortable in one of the bedrooms at Bobby's." She stepped closer. Close enough for you to feel her breath mixing with your own, an intoxicatingly torturous sensation that almost sated your desire.

You struggled to say anything, the words getting caught in your throat as she closed the distance once more. She started nibbling at your ear, letting you drown in the sensation. "Are you sure you want me to stop?" She whispered, arms slowly looping around you as she prepared to continue.

Your mind screamed yes, to demonstrate restraint and go back to your friends. Everything else seemed to whisper no, luring you towards lust. As she continued to divulge you in pleasure, moving down your neck, you could feel yourself falling further into the trap. 

"I-" You turned away, unable to look at her. "I can't do this anymore." The confession had been lingering in your mind for a while now, though it must've been unexpected for Jennifer. She paused, backing away as you'd requested. 

Eventually, the silence became unbearable. You compelled yourself to look at her, unsure what to expect. She couldn't meet your eyes, not exuding her usual confidence. Instead, her gaze was locked onto the wall behind you as she dabbed at her lips, fixing the smudged lipstick.

There was an unspoken finality in the air that you despised. It took all your willpower not to apologise, to beg for her to forget what you'd said. You knew this was the right thing to do, yet nothing about it felt gratifying. 

You understood that everything had to end sometime, but the mantra didn't lessen the ache as she unlocked the door, leaving you alone to return to Ben and Leslie.

Taking the time to fix your appearance, you left a few moments later. She was already sat back at the table, her expression smoothed into one of indifference. Only you noticed her twitch slightly as you took your place next to her. 

"You certainly took your time." Ben stated jokingly, unaware of what had just transpired in the bathroom.

"Oh well..." You quickly came up with an excuse before Jennifer could intervene. "Apparently paper towel dispensers are a thing of the past in Washington, so I had to explain that the majority of small town American diners don't have hand dryers yet."

"That's true, we haven't caught up." Leslie smiled slightly condescendingly before steering the conversation back on topic.

It was impossible to stay focused with her sitting next to you. She was able to continue debating the current theme they were discussing as if nothing had happened, an impressively strong facade. However, you could see the resignation behind her eyes, notice the lack of insults thrown towards the town.

You had to physically stop yourself from grasping her hand under the table, hating to see her so passionless. You'd chosen the morally superior path, but both of you were left feeling worse for it.

Chapter Text

Jennifer Barkley had sex with Chris Traeger numerous times. Not just a one night stand, but multiple nights. Nights spent together- nights spent having sex. The thought alone was disgusting, the images it conjured, a borderline abomination.

How had she even found the time?

Technically, you didn't have the right to feel this way. Your relationship had barely passed the point her and Chris were at now, and you were the one that ended it. Yet, so far you'd spent Leslie's victory celebration avidly avoiding everyone. 

In your albeit brief conversations with Jennifer, she'd expressed her desperation to return to Washington as quickly as possible, so you were hoping that she'd leave sooner rather than later. In fact this party should, by her standards, be beneath her, which made it all the more confusing that she was hanging around.

From your vantage point hidden in the corner, you could see she was stood near the centre of the room scanning the crowd. Presumably for Chris, who was a great guy and an extremely supportive friend. One whom you currently loathed. He'd chosen to hook up with her and publicly admitted it, disregarding Leslie or Ben's opinion on the matter. He was inconsiderate, irresponsible and downright- 

"Usually it's just me hiding from the party." You recognised Ron's voice from the apathetic tone before noticing he was now standing next to you. "Any reason you're keeping to the outskirts this time?"

Ron caring enough to ask something personal was unheard of. It made you aware that your seething resentment was more visible than intended. "I'm just not in the mood." You answered honestly, taking a sip of your drink and relishing in the burn.

He sighed, realising that further interrogation was needed. "Any particular reason why?" 

You frowned, surprised by his unforeseen commitment to therapizing you.  "No..." It was suspicious. "I thought you didn't do personal questions?"

"I don't." He paused, staring at you for a second longer than was appropriate, which caused you to avert your eyes. 

This time, when your gaze landed on Jennifer, she was staring right back at you. Her expression was neutral, but the eye contact had her frozen in place as the party went on around her. It was hopeless to even try and look away, or to deny that you'd seen her. Now, your sanctuary in the corner had become a trap.

"You should just go and talk to her." Ron huffed, shifting uncomfortably. This wasn't exactly his area of expertise. And Leslie was regrettably busy right now.

His voice broke the trance as you turned to him, confused by the unexpected outburst. "Sorry?"

"Save me the pain of elaborating and go fix this."

The campaigns were over, giving you the freedom to pursue if you so desired. But after how you'd ended things with no real explanation, would she even consider it? How would Leslie take it, or anyone for that matter? To start a relationship with your friend's ex-enemy, it felt selfish.

It also felt unavoidable. 

She was still observing from a distance, oblivious to whatever frivolous conversation Jerry was over-enthusiastically partaking in. A very one sided conversation due to her lack of participation. As your eyes met again from opposite ends of the room, she tilted her head to the side, conveying her message of 'meet me outside'.

You replied with a simple nod, wordlessly agreeing to the impromptu meeting. 

After she'd left, you turned to excuse yourself only to find Ron had already gone. Understandable, his work here was done. 

The music continued blasting, softened now by the walls separating you from the party. The rush of fresh air as you opened the door was sobering, it lifted the tipsy cloud hanging over you from the stuffy atmosphere inside. You hadn't noticed that night had fallen until now, casting a haze of obscurity across the town. You appreciated the slight chill in the air, the serene sense that you could escape into the darkness.

You turned to look for Jennifer, eventually seeing her stood facing away from you, illuminated in the orange glow of a street light. Despite barely knowing the woman, you could tell she was uncharacteristically nervous by the way she shuffled around, scuffing the heel of one shoe along the pavement. She hadn't noticed your presence yet, so as you walked over, you cleared your throat. 

She looked genuinely shocked to see you, as if the concept had been an unrealistic one. In reality, you felt that you'd do anything she asked of you at this point. The distance you'd endured had only made you miss her more. And after all, absence only makes the heart grow fonder.

"Hey." You grimaced at the high pitch of your voice, the way you'd dragged the phrase out. You couldn't recall feeling this nervous about basic human interaction in a long time. Not since the awkward teenage years. 

"Hey." She smiled, regaining some of her normal confidence. "So, I'm heading back to Washington in like," She paused to look down at her very expensive watch. "5 hours, give or take."

"Really?" You interrupted, stepping closer. "I thought you would've been on the first plane out of here."

"I tried. I really, really did." She trailed off, shifting closer to you. "But, before I go, do you want to have sex?"

You were speechless, stunned by the abruptness of her question. 

"One last time, you know," She lightly jabbed you with her elbow. "for old times' sake." Tossing her hair back over shoulders, she settled into what could only be called a subtly seductive pose. One hand on her hip, looking at you with a smouldering glare that was impossible to resist.

She was clearly pretty determined, and although your answer was already yes (consequences be damned) you decided to mess with her a little. "I thought you'd be asking Chris."

"God no. That was, I'll admit a moment of weakness."

You hummed, thinking of how to drag out this game you were now playing. "So, what you're saying is, I was better than Chris?"

"Well-" She narrowed her eyes in fake consideration.

"Just admit it."

"I guess..." She teased, then surrendered as you shot her an unimpressed glance. "Yes, a lot better. Now are you going to answer -"

"Yes. I will have sex with you." 

"Great." Jennifer lunges forward before you can say anything else, closing the slowly diminishing gap with with her standard conviction. Her hands grab hold of your face as you clutch onto the lapels of her blazer in response. You smile, moving impossibly closer so Jen's lips could press harder. The kiss was heated, reasserting promises of what was to come with a burning sensation in your gut.

A quiet voice at the back of your mind nagged you to savour the moment. It would probably be the last time you spent together, although your denial also persevered. JJ's diner was meant to be the last, and yet here you were. Who was to say this wouldn't happen again?

Forcing the thoughts aside, you were pulled back into the present by Jen's soft hum of contentment. The pace had slowed considerably, the pressure softening. You could feel there was meaning behind this embrace, a balance along the precipice of the unknown. 

She slowly pulled away, her hand tracing circles on your cheek as she stared at you through lidded eyes. "Are you sure you want to do this?" 

The question sounded simple enough, but you could recognize its hidden significance. We're about to cross a line here. She was leaving in a few hours, to her this was just another fling. For you, however, there were unvoiced feelings that could result in you getting hurt. Jen must've picked up on it and was checking if you were still okay to continue.

It would've been sensible to stop, to not let yourself fall any further. But this was your last chance, how could you say no?

Chapter Text

You relished in the feel of Jen's skin, the soft warmth it emitted. She tilted her chin up, giving you more surface to trail your lips along. You smiled against her neck, eyes shut, breathing her in. 

"Keep going." She muttered, a demand you were more than happy to obey. Moving to a more comfortable position, you cradled her head as the sheets shifted further down. Neither of you really registered the chill in the room, kept warm by the close proximity. 

She groaned faintly when your teeth scraped over her pulse point, convincing you to bite down on her skin, then soothe over it with your tongue. She moaned at the touch, tightening her grip in your hair. Despite the harsher action, both of you were too spent for another round, instead, you planned on lavishing her.

You glanced up at her face, revelling in the pleasure displayed. Her eyes were shut, mouth slightly agape. She was more relaxed than you had ever seen her before, but still pouted at the sudden lack of attention. In response, you nipped at her jaw, earning an appeased sigh, and an almost inaudible "Good girl."

Finally feeling sufficiently sated, you roll over to lie side by side. The room seems to settle, letting out a deep breath as silence falls. Your eyes flutter shut and you start to sink into the mattress. Jen never usually stayed after, so you assumed she was enjoying the company and nestled further into her side. She lifted her arm, sliding it underneath and encouraging you even closer.

The thought that there's no way she doesn't feel the same briefly crosses your mind, but you chalk it up to hopeful thinking.

There's a second of stillness before she's straddling your body, grabbing your wrists and pinning them above. She smirks, then leans in to bite down on your already bruised flesh. You gasp at the rougher contact, wriggling against her grip. Motivated by newfound energy, you desperately try to convey your desire through a series of sharp inhales as she continues her descent to your chest.

Everything seemed to be falling into place until her wandering caress abruptly stopped. You whine when her mouth detaches, but are silenced as she places a chaste kiss on your lips. 

Then, she murmurs. "I need to go." And the entire world starts crashing down around you.

She starts to disentangle her limbs from yours, slipping out of the contact. The temperature drops considerably as her body heat is stripped away, leaving you to hurriedly cover up. It doesn't seem to phase Jen, whose probably done this many times before. She rather routinely begins to gather her clothes, not so much as sparing a glance back at you.

You sigh, weighing up your options. Either close your eyes and refuse to acknowledge her leaving. Or offer to drive her to the airport.
While the latter would only cause more pain, it would be the polite thing to do. You pinch the bridge of your nose, turn to her, and reluctantly offer a lift.

She stills, halfway dressed, and curiously looks back at you with an amused expression.

"What?" 

She didn't say anything at first, just grinned, tilting her head playfully as she continued buttoning up her shirt. "I just wasn't expecting that." 

"What can I say, I'm a gentlewoman."

"Hardly." She tossed you an item of your clothing. "A gentlewoman wouldn't know how to do this." She pulled down the front of her shirt to point at one of the more prominent marks littering her skin.

"Oh, shut up." You rolled your eyes, pulling on a jumper. "Or I'll retract my kind offer."

"Too late." She hums, tapping away at her phone. "I just cancelled my ride, and I'm definitely not using the public transport in this town."

"Fair enough."

You'd spent the majority of the car ride trying to interrogate Jennifer about what music she actually listened to while flipping through radio stations trying to gauge a reaction. It was all you could do to distract yourself from the impending end to this journey, or from blurting out any confessions that would be proceeded by an awkward silence. That wasn't how you wanted to be remembered.

She was quieter than usual during the drive, but not enough to arouse suspicion that she was actually upset about leaving. Rather, you guessed that it was her attempt at being sensitive about the whole unrequited feelings situation, which you refused to name. 

Jennifer was a smart woman, so of course her plan was working. The silence started to rebuild a wall between you, which would make the goodbye a lot less painful. Although unfortunately, nothing could delay the inevitable, and the drive to the airport was regrettably short.

"Well." You removed your hands from the steering wheel, watching as she started gathering her belongings while simultaneously texting. "Do you need me to walk you in or...?"

She glanced up from her phone. "Oh, no thanks." She waved her hand dismissively. "I'll be fine."

"Right." You sighed, confused at how unemotional you currently were. Perhaps reality just hadn't sunk in yet? Maybe you'd been expecting more? 

You stared at your hands, restlessly wringing them in your lap. If you didn't keep them distracted, then the temptation to grasp her hand would've won out. How were you even meant to deal with this kind of thing? 

Refusing to tear your eyes away from where they were anchored, you didn't notice how Jen had stopped what she was doing to stare at you. Not until she reached out to grab your hand, halting their movement. 

"Thank you." The almost imperceptible sadness in her voice convinced you to look up. "For driving me." She added with an apologetic smile. "And for making Pawnee a slightly less unbearable place to spend my valuable time."

You chuckled. "Anytime." Realising you were still holding hands, you took the time to appreciate the feeling before summoning up the courage to continue. "And, I know Pawnee is a pretty forgettable place, but promise you won't forget me completely."

"Oh, I'll definitely remember you." She winked. "But only the good bits, baby." The pet name just rolled off her tongue, and sent a jolt of longing throughout your body. "And if you're ever in Washington, just, y'know." 

"I will." You gulped, still not entirely recovered from the baby. "And I doubt you'll ever be back in Pawnee, but you're welcome anytime."

"Never say never." She leaned across, planting a kiss on your cheek, then lingered to whisper. "Depends on the incentive."

You knew realistically that she was referring to money, but you had a feeling that this wasn't the last time you'd be seeing Jennifer Barkley.

Chapter Text

Jennifer Barkley had very few rules she abided by. Not that she was a lawless person, per se, rather she just didn't like being held back. Working in politics meant that regulation only served as restriction, which is why her three rules were so significant.

• Number One: keep up a good image, stay relevant. No one wants to hire a passé political strategist.
• Number Two: do whatever it takes to win. An obvious one, but still worth noting.
• Number Three: don't get attached. The simplest rule, and yet the one that had tripped her up.

As she was walking away from you back in Pawnee, she'd been seized by an unfamiliar new sensation. Not quite melancholy or hopelessness, but something resembling both nostalgia and heartbreak, which didn't make sense because she hadn't technically left the town yet. 

With each step, the feeling had only worsened, provoking her to grab a drink as soon as humanly possible. And then another.

And another...

By the time she was back in Washington, she was a mess. Probably due to both the alcohol and a new awareness about her feelings, which resulted in her breaking rules one and three. Jennifer loathed to admit it, but she'd grown fonder of you than intended.

Although she'd initially had no intentions of acting on this affliction, as she deemed it, bringing Ben with her to run the campaign meant it was impossible to resist the temptation to ask him about you.

And Ben wasn't stupid. He picked up on this strange new obsession pretty quickly, and didn't hesitate to call her out on it. 

"Why so many questions?" He'd asked while staying late one evening, surprised to see Jen hadn't gone home either. "I mean, Y/N has been one of my closest friends for a long time, and I'm happy to talk about her- but why?"

When Jen was thinking, she pursed her lips, something Ben had observed soon after starting to work with her. For all she may try to be unreadable and mysterious, in reality Jennifer Barkley was just as strange and eccentric as anyone else in his life. But she was still an admirable, intelligent woman, and he was only just beginning to crack the surface of her true personality, which is why her next words came as such a shock.

"We had sex." She stated bluntly, perching on the corner of his desk. "A few times." 

"Ok. Wow." He closed his eyes, massaging his forehead in anticipation of whatever uncomfortable conversation was about to follow. 

"Yeah." She bit back a smile, swinging her legs back and forth. "It was pretty wow. Look I even stole a souvenir." She reached down for her bag, fumbling around for something.

"I don't need to see whatever souvenir you've been carrying round in your bag." He intervened before she could find whatever it was, already picturing all the possible items of yours that he didn't need to see. "I thought you would've mentally repressed your time in Pawnee? You said you hated it."

"Yeah but, diamond in the rough right?"

He took a second to absorb all this new information before speaking. "So you're like... dating?" 

"Oh no, I don't date." She shook her head, looking down at him like it was obvious.

Real commitment issues, he thought, but chose not to voice the diagnosis. "Ok, but why are you asking so much about her then?"

"Just curious." Jen's gaze trailed around the room nonchalantly. She was clearly lying, or at least, not telling the whole truth.

He decided to take a risk, for your sake. "D'you miss her?" 

"I guess." She casually leant back on his desk, carelessly knocking off some paperwork in the process. "This is all kind of new to me. I don't really know."

Ben scrambled around to gather and reorder the papers she'd inadvertently misplaced. "Well maybe think about it?" He suggested, hoping for this very bizarre conversation to end. 

"I don't like dealing with all these feelings. They just get in the way."

"Well, they won't go away until you deal with them." Ben sighed, settling in for a spontaneous therapy session with his boss. This wasn't how he'd expected to spend his evening. "Look, when I first realised I liked Leslie, it was impossible to be together because of the 'no dating your colleagues policy', which was stupid, by the way. But we both spent so much time avoiding the obvious, and it didn't even work."

His anecdote was met with a blank stare, prompting him to continue. "What I'm saying is, you can't forget how being with someone makes you feel." He folded his arms, pausing to think of a summary. "And either you can act on it, or accept that this is how you feel, and try to move on."

For a while, she didn't respond. Just sat motionless, leaving Ben fearing that he'd gone too far. 

"I do miss her...A lot."

"See, progress already." He smiled, feeling rather smug that his story actually had an impact. "Now, what are you going to do about it?"

"Hey, Y/N?" 

"Yup." You glanced away from your computer to see Leslie lingering in the doorway holding something up. As she let herself in, you noticed what it was. "Why'd you have my phone?" 

"Tom dared Andy to steal it earlier, and I was just returning it to you." She explained. "But then I saw your search history." Her tone grew more disciplinary. "You were looking at Jennifer Barkley's Wikipedia page?"

"Oh?" You flushed a little, feigning innocence. "I don't really remember. Must've been curious."

She ignored your dismission. "Were you hoping to find something or-" Leslie gasped. "Is she blackmailing you? Because if she is then-"

"God no!" You stood, stretching across the desk to place a hand on a shoulder in an attempt at reassurance. "I was just curious." You repeated as she continued scrolling.

She halted, frowning. "You googled her seven times?"

"Very curious." You attempted to snatch the phone from her, narrowly missing as she stepped back. "Can I have my phone please?"

She fixed you with a conspiratorial glare, slowly sitting down. "Only when you tell me what's really going on."

Without breaking the tense eye contact, you sat opposite her. Leslie was an extremely determined person. There was no way she would forget about this. "Phone first." You argued, holding out a hand. "Then I'll talk."

She hesitated a moment, taking time to think through the negotiation. "Fine." 

You yanked the device out her hand, grateful to have regained privacy, and were met with the Wikipedia page. Simply seeing the pictures of Jennifer was still sufficient to make you smile.

In spite of the emotional rollercoaster you'd suffered through, you held no ill-wishes towards her. It was your fault for falling for someone who didn't, and would never, feel the same way.

"You look..." Leslie narrowed her eyes, staring you down. "Rueful."

You quirked an eyebrow at the odd phrasing.

"Rueful was my word of the day." She shrugged, then steered the conversation back on track. "What did Jen say to you?"

"Nothing, really. It's complicated but we-" You trailed off, contemplating the gentlest way to explain as you had no idea how Leslie was going to react. "We kind of had a fling, I guess." Even thinking back now, it felt surreal. "Hooked up a few times."

"You did what?!" She practically slammed her hands down on the table. You couldn't tell if she was angry or shocked, excited or in disbelief. Not until she started laughing. "That's great! I mean, you could do better, but we can't all have a Ben."

You let out a sigh of relief, content listening to Leslie's nonsensical ramblings. It wasn't until she reached the point of talking about going on a double date that you finally decided to interrupt. "We're not actually in a relationship." You clarified. "Jen doesn't want the full commitment kind of thing."

Leslie didn't seem to comprehend what you'd said, instead she smiled lovingly. "Already being so considerate. You guys will make a great couple." She stood up, then paused before leaving. "I'm happy for you. For both of you."

Chapter Text

Waking up alone had never bothered you before, not until Jennifer Barkley.

Now, the bed felt too big, too empty. The complete and utter silence that greeted you every morning was almost unbearable. And you always woke up freezing cold, despite the layers of bedding piled on top of you. This particular loneliness wasn't something that could be fixed, it was something you had to endure.

In contrast, you couldn't find a moment of peace at work due to constantly being surrounded by your co-workers, your friends. Especially Leslie, who'd dubbed you part of the 'significant others in other places' group, consisting of her, you and Andy. She insisted the three of you have lunch together everyday, and no one ever objected. It became routine, yet you cherished it until the end.

The final lunch was marked by the announcement that Leslie and Andy had been invited to Washington to visit Ben and April. They broke the news as sensitively as possible, which you dismissed by reminding them that you and Jen weren't even in a relationship. You hadn't expected an invitation, although admittedly it still hurt to see their respectfully subdued excitement.

Your act of indifferent hadn't been believable enough to convince Leslie, who promised to give Jen a firm talking to. There was nothing you could say to deter her, so instead you wished her safe travels and threw yourself back into your work.

Without Leslie or Andy, everything became significantly quieter. Sitting in your office, the silence was suffocating. You couldn't get any work done, and were stuck staring at the wall, wishing for time to pass faster. 

Your phone rings. Finally, respite from the overwhelming silence.

You scramble around to grab the device, not pausing to check the caller. "Hello?" 

At first, there's no response. The static seems to be mocking your desperation as you lean further into the phone. A few seconds pass, you think there are distant voices, hushed whispers and murmurs. But as more time passes, you begin to think the voices might just be a figment of your imagination.

And then finally. "Hey Y/N, it's Jen. Leslie gave me your number." She explains, then continues before you can even begin to process this unexpected development. "If I came back to Pawnee for a couple days, could I stay with you?"

"Yes." You answer immediately. "Of course you can."

There's a sigh of relief from Jen sufficient to have your heart racing. It's as if you've finally caught up, comprehended that she's actually on the other end of this call. The woman who's been occupying your every thought since her departure. The woman who's currently being too quiet. 

"I'm guessing this is because you want free accommodation, huh?" You're partly joking to ease the tension, partly voicing your own insecurity. It's likely that this was nothing personal. That she'd just rather not stay in one of Pawnee's below average motels.

Her breath hitches, then your earlier suspicions are confirmed as muffled voices speak in the background. One of them the unmistakably loud whispering of Leslie Knope, and a second male voice, probably Ben. 

"No I- uh just..." She stutters, her audible struggle making you regret your statement. You're about to retract it when there's a softer, hushed admission. "I just want to see you is all."

There's an distinct cheer from Leslie and then a shush that's definitely from Ben. Realistically, you ought to be annoyed at them interfering, but instead you're filled with a fond gratitude for your friends. 

"Good." You say, swallowing your pride to add. "Because I miss you." Screw the whole unspoken rule of emotional avoidance, you've beyond crossed the line with Jennifer. "And because no one should have to stay in the Pawnee SuperSuites. That place is a dump." 

You hear her laugh, and Leslie's distant exclamation of disagreement. "Exactly. Now one more question." You can practically hear the smirk in her voice as she asks. "What're you wearing?"

"Absolutely nothing." You quip without hesitation. "I'm sitting at work completely naked."

"Great. Keep it that way."
 
There's a beat of silence. You bite your lip, enjoying the company even if it's through a phone. You like to imagine she's feeling the same way, only this time the prospect seems plausible. Jen said she wanted to see you, coming from her it was basically a declaration of love.

"Y/N, you still there?"

"Mhm." 

"Leslie said she'll drive me to yours, so I'll see you Friday?"

"Sure, but I can pick you up if it's easier."

"No!" Leslie blurts out not so subtly, followed by a strange series of thuds and a muffled squabble. "Hey Y/N." Her lively voice takes over, slightly out of breath. "Just overheard you were offering Jen a ride, which I'm sure she'd appreciate, but I...I promised her a personal tour of Pawnee." 

She's clearly lying, but you decide to humour her. "Oh, that's fine. So I should expect you at 9ish, right? I know how thorough your tours are."

You knew the flight was due back at 4pm, which would give her five hours of time to try fill. You half expected her to backtrack on the lie.

"Yep. In fact, I thought I might end the tour at The Snakehole Lounge, so maybe you could just meet us there." She continues, making her fabricated plan sound more rational.

"I look forward to it." Honestly, there's no worse way to spend your Friday evening, but if Leslie's so determined than you'll just have to play along.

"As do I. Bye." She hangs up before you can get another word in.

Leslie grimaces as she sets the phone down on the table. That didn't go how she intended.

"I thought you were meant to be helping me." Jen says patronizingly. "Now I have to go to some no doubt revolting bar?"

"It's not that bad." Ben sighs, trying to diffuse her frustration. "Tom owns it, actually."

"I don't care who owns it. You screwed up, Knope." She points her finger accusingly, though not necessarily angrily, then grabs her phone, tapping away at it disinterestedly. "Why were you so desperate to drive me, anyway?"

"Because I wanted to give you the talk." Her confession only causes more confusion. "Y'know, the she's my friend and I will literally kill you if you do anything to hurt her talk, although it's already a little late for that." She saunters over to Ben, who wraps an arm around her affectionately. "And to tell you everything I know about her, because she deserves nothing less."

Jennifer had never been the jealous type when it came to relationships, but watching the simple interaction between the couple inspired a new lonesome longing. In that moment, she decided to dissolve her third rule. Despite her usually detached attitude, she was undeniably falling in love with you.

Chapter Text

The entire day, nay week leading up to Jen's arrival was fraught with tension. Time went all too quickly, yet dragged simultaneously. By Friday you were brimming with so much unnecessary energy that your productivity at work was comparable to that of Leslie, who's determination was currently your source of frustration. Had she not been so resolute about giving Jen a 'personal Pawnee tour', than you would've reunited at 5 rather than 9. 

Admittedly, it was also your fault for not calling out her lengthy lie, but those extra four hours you had to suffer through were compensation enough.

In an attempt to pass the extra time, you tried to stay at work for longer, but Fridays were your half day and Ron demanded that you go home immediately, lest you do any extra government work. Reluctant to return to an empty house, you'd asked around if anyone wanted to hang out, and were met with a series of rejections. 

Except for Ann, who upon being enlightened about the situation, insisted she help you get ready for your date (initially you refuted the title of 'date', but by the second hour of your evening it became tolerated). Her company, though unexpected, was more than welcomed. Having someone to share your excitement with made the increasing tension almost fun. 

"Y/N?" Ann waved her hand in your line of vision, catching your attention. "We going in, or just spending the night in the car?"

"Don't tempt me." You muttered, grudgingly dragged out of your thoughts.

In front of you the queue to the The Snakehole Lounge was gradually growing. The sheer amount of people gathered outside was intimidating, so you dreaded to imagine how packed it'd be inside. Staying at home would've been preferable, but it seemed that time alone with Jennifer was not a luxury presently granted to you.

"Come on." Ann nudged you with her elbow. "You've been going on about this all day and now you're going to wuss out?" 

You twisted round to face her, illuminated by the flickering multi-coloured lights beaming out the club's windows. She was watching you closely, trying to gauge how you felt based off expression alone. Despite all that was rushing through your mind, you were at a loss for words. How could you even begin to convey what you were currently feeling?

"Stop overthinking it." She said. "There's no way of knowing what'll happen when you see Jennifer again, but only you can change that, so just roll with it." 

You paused to consider her suggestion, coming to the conclusion that she was more observant than you gave her credit for.

"You're right." You admitted, grateful that she'd knocked some sense into you. "Thanks." Awkwardly, you leant across the centre console to hug her. You didn't know Ann all too well, but needed some way of showing gratitude for her sensibility.

"This is nice." She relaxed into the embrace, then unwound an arm to glance at her watch. "But we're five minutes late so I'm pretty sure Leslie will be sending out a search party soon." 

You chuckled, separating from Ann to glance at the building once more. Jen was somewhere inside waiting for you. She'd voluntarily returned to Pawnee, and to one of its less than fine establishments of all places, just because she wanted to see you again. The very notion had your heart racing.

"I'm ready."

The atmosphere of the club was as intense and unruly as expected. By the time you'd adjusted to the blinding lights and deafening music, Ann had already slipped away, replaced by Tom. 

"Welcome this evening's esteemed VIP." He thrusted a disturbingly bright neon beverage into your hand. "Drink up."

"What is it?" 

"Sweetums Fizz. My go-to drink for when I'm tryna get lucky." He winked. "But if it doesn't work out, feel free to give her my number." 

Coming from Tom, that was the closest you would get to his blessings. So, unenthusiastically you took a sip of the dreadfully sweet drink , screwing up your face as you forced it down. Trying your best not to grimace at the taste, you smiled at him in thanks before he dispersed into the mass of people.

Next to approach was Leslie, who engulfed you in a crushing hug while spewing unintelligible nonsense about her trip. Usually her overly affectionate manner was too much, but this time you pulled her closer. If all went well tonight than you would be forever indebted to her. 

Removing yourself from her grip, you interrupted her endless talk. "As much as I'd love to hear about Washington," You yelled over the obnoxiously loud music playing. "I can't hear a word your saying."

"Right." She nodded. "Wrong time, wrong place." There was a pause as the both of you were happy enjoying each others company. Since Jen's exit, Leslie had been so supportive and you'd missed her while she'd been gone. 

Although, now wasn't the time for acknowledgements. "Have you seen Jen anywhere?" 

"Oh, yeah." Leslie swivelled around and gestured in a general direction. "I think she said something about staying near the fire escape. Said this entire building was probably a hazard."

"That sounds like her." You grinned, spotting the green glowing fire exit sign. "Wish me luck."

"You don't need it." She patted your back, smiling reassuringly as you shuffled past. 

Navigating through the crowd while keeping an eye on your target was a challenge. Several people bumped into you, their drink nearly spilling as they pushed past without an apology. However, nothing else mattered as you drew closer to the sign. Nothing else mattered except finding Jen.

Only she wasn't there.

As you struggled through the final row of people, you were met with yet another group of strangers. You sighed, absentmindedly swirling your glass as you resigned to return to Leslie. You then raised it to drink while turning round, though the necessary libation never reached your lips as you collided with someone.

The casualty gasped, stepping back as the cocktail spilled down the front of their dress. 

"Shit." You froze, surveying the damage. "I'm so sorry-"  You finally glanced up to face the woman and apologise again, but halted upon realisation. 

Of course it was Jennifer. You just couldn't catch a break.

"I was going to surprise you, but looks like you got there first." She joked, scanning the vicinity for any kind of napkin. You joined the search, eventually spotting a couple abandoned on a table. 

"Again, I am so sorry." You repeated, watching as she scrubbed at the stain. The attempt was futile as it didn't take long for the paper to be completely soaked through, and with little improvement to her dress. "Come on." You grabbed hold of her hand as she discarded the napkins, eager to try and improve this disaster of an event. 

You maneuverer through the club with much difficulty while dragging Jennifer, who had an iron grip on your hand. Invigorated by the embarrassment, you arrived at the bathroom a mere minute later, all but shoving her inside one of the cubicles. Under the blaringly bright lighting you could assess the damage in greater detail.

"You know what?" She casually leant against the wall, waving her finger around. "I'm having some serious Deja-vu right now." You looked at her questioningly, pleased to see she didn't look too upset with the state of her dress. "Us together in a public restroom, you staring at my chest..." 

You scoffed, reaching past her to grab the toilet paper. "Don't flatter yourself." You wrapped several layers around your hand, creating a makeshift towel. "Completely different circumstances."

"Same outcome though?" She raised an eyebrow suggestively, taking the bundle of paper from you. 

"We'll just have to wait and see." 

"I think you owe me." She scrunched up her face. "Or is throwing your drink over someone a traditional Pawnee welcome? Because that would explain the mess back there. Pretty sure every surface was sticky."

"Maybe you should wear one of those plastic ponchos next time." You muttered, nervously fidgeting with your hands. 

The familiar anxiety from earlier seemed to have reappeared, you were unable to drag your eyes away from where they were fixated . Under the sobering bathroom light, everything had suddenly become very real. It had been years since you'd pursued any kind of serious relationship, and Jen was hardly the easiest person to start with. You tried to think about what Ann would say if she were here. 

Probably something astute like "All the best things in life are worth fighting for." Too cheesy.

It'd be more "Nothing good comes out of running away from what you want, even if it's hard." Not inspirational enough.

Possibly "With great effort comes great gain." Nope. You'd definitely plagiarised that one from somewhere.

Maybe she'd-

"Y/N?" Jen ducked into your line of vision, bringing you back to reality. "Lost you there for a second." She smiled cautiously, resting a hand against your arm as if tethering you to the present.

"Sorry. I was thinking about something a friend said." You admitted sheepishly, placing your hand atop of hers. "Or would say if she were here."

"Oh yeah?" She carelessly threw the wad of paper behind, her full attention now on you. "And what would she say?"

You'd finally settled on what Ann would suggest. She'd say "Kiss her, idiot."

And you did.

Chapter Text

All the doubts you'd had about pursuing a relationship with Jen dissolved within the first week. Your main concern had been that she'd continue to avoid her feelings, continue to treat you like a one-night stand, yet her honest compassion had surprised you. After the first night together, you'd woken up to find she'd ordered breakfast to your house- though how she'd gotten JJs to deliver remained a mystery. Then, when you inevitably brought up the subject of what comes next, she'd settled down for a genuine, emotionally mature conversation, which had ended with her straddling your lap. Not that you were complaining.

Although the progression of your relationship had been anything but normal up to that point, she insisted on taking you on several extravagant dates, as though you'd met under more traditional conditions and were just getting to know each other, but those also usually ended up with her straddling you in some way. Being fully committed to the role, Jen even bought herself an apartment in Pawnee. Well, Eagleton, but it was situated right along the town line, so the only one with any complaints was Leslie.

Eventually, there was the unavoidable fact that Jennifer had to return to Washington for work, which was devastating for the both of you. Upon dropping her off at the airport, you'd been struck by a bitter sense of Deja-vu, the sensation similar to being doused in cold water. Despite the obvious devotion in her eyes, the tight grip she had on your waist and reluctance to acknowledge her impending departure, you were unable to shake off the apprehension. The circumstances felt sickeningly familiar, that was, until the final goodbye.

Unlike the last time, nothing was left unsaid. 

Finding a quiet corner, Jen had kissed you in an unusually chaste manner, then leant her forehead against yours. The contact felt real, grounded in promises of a future together regardless of distance. Even if the moment was fleeting, the touch would've been sufficient to reassure you. Except then, as usual, she went above and beyond. She momentarily separated, sliding her hands to rest on your shoulders and staring at you with an unreadable expression. 

You were content just savouring the opportunity to appreciate her company, especially considering the way she was looking at you. The seemingly inconsequential moment became significantly more meaningful as you began to reconsider how determined you were to stay in Pawnee, ultimately deciding that you'd be willing to move if Jen suggested it.

However, you weren't the only one reaching some resemblance of a conclusion, as after a brief pause Jen confessed a soft. "I love you." It was barely audible over the general ruckus of the airport, and initially barely believable.

After a few seconds of silence, you finally caught up to what had just happened. By this point, she was watching you with an insecure yet infatuated smile, awaiting some kind of response. Wasting no more time, you grabbed hold of Jen, tugging her closer. "I love you too." 

Overcome with relief, she let out a watery laugh and brought a hand up to cover her face, which you immediately tried to remove.

"Stop." You chuckled as she swapped hands, adamant on remaining hidden. "Come on, did you really think I would've said anything else?"

"Of course not." Suddenly shaking off the overly emotional appearance, she stopped trying to cover her face, though failed to hide the clearly smudged makeup. "I'm incredible. Who wouldn't love me?"

"Exactly." You grasped onto her hands, forcing her to look at you. "I love you, so much." 

With an ambivalent smile, she wrapped her arms around you, electing to enjoy the last few minutes in an embrace. "Can't believe I'm saying this, but I don't want to leave Pawnee." She mumbled, breath tickling your ear. 

"I know." You sighed, soothingly rubbing her back. "And I can't believe you waited until now to confess your undying love for me." The words still sounded foreign to your ears, the phrase inconceivable. Jennifer Barkley loved you, and in return, you were in love with her. "Who would've known you were such a romantic?" 

She scoffed. "Don't push it, honey." Then turned so her lips brushed against your throat. The light touch was bliss. Distracting enough that you didn't notice her hands slipping further down your back until she, without warning, bit down on your skin. Taken aback by the sudden heat, you inhaled sharply, while simultaneously moving closer to her. 

As she started soothing over the mark with her tongue, you exhaled. "You're insatiable."

She backed away, though tightened her grip on your lower back. "You love it."

"Yes, I do."

Her eyes scanned your face admiringly, as though she were committing every detail to memory. At the reminder that she was due to leave soon, the mood suddenly dropped, prompting you to do the same. The moment was perfect. You wanted to commit it to memory, though struggled to drag yourself away from Jen's face, preferring to watch the range of emotions flickering through her eyes. 

This was not the first time that you'd felt such deep devotion toward Jennifer Barkley, and you doubted it'd be the last. You'd both come so far, endured so much that neither were willing to let go just yet. Even with the imminent distance about to form between you, it was clear that your relationship would survive. Because although you'd taken the long, arduous path, both of you were left feeling better for it.