Resolutions

Notes:  Yet another tale that started with 'A Fateful Hallway' and continued with 'New Year's Under the Stars'.


"When a tux just isn't good enough for a night on the town.  Kinky cross-dressing Antarctic waterfowl and their 'handlers', next on SSW"

They sat next to each other as the Sick Sad World Marathon droned on.  Jake and Helen had long since left for Helen's company New Year's party, while Quinn and Young Thomas had left for their own celebration.  

Jane pulled out another slice of pizza from the box on the table in front of them, and ate it mechanically while she considered her options.  Finally as she was gnawing her way through the crust she realized she didn't have any more.  It was tonight or it was never, and she couldn't live with never.  
 
As the hands of the clock slid closer to the twelve she decided on a course of action.  She muted the tv and turned to face her best friend.

"Sooo amiga, do you have a New Year's resolution this year?"

"Yeah I resolve to never make another resolution."

"Ha.  Ha." Jane said steeling herself to go on.  "I decided I'm going to have one this year, and I'm going to stick to it."

"Oh?  So dare I ask?   Which new art form are you going to conquer this year?"

"No no, it's nothing like that.  I resolve that I am going to be completely honest with the people I love, and I'm going to be strong, when its easier to give up."

"Jane I get the feeling you're going to tell me something, but its ok... I know."

"Whoa, what... you KNOW?"

"Yeah, I kinda suspected when you started talking, but its ok, I never really cared for Grandma Ruth's rum balls, I don't mind that you finished em off."

Jane stared at her friend totally derailed, and struggled to get her brain back in gear.

"Um, Daria, that wasn't what I meant by my resolution.  I um, well, oh to HELL with it! I love you.  I've always loved you, and Iknowyoulovemeto." she said rushing through it.

"Um, Jane did I mention those rum balls are like 90 proof?"

"Daria, stop it.  You do this every time you think someone gives a crap about you and I'm NOT letting you use your smart ass comments to push me away."

"I know you like me, and I could go through all the proof and the theories and all that other stuff, but what it comes down to is this, I love you.  Now you can shut up accept it and make with the love, or you can get this rum ball shoved somewhere unpleasant.  What's it gonna be?"

Daria stared at her friend for a moment, mouth opening to speak and closing several times, then suddenly she darted in and kissed Jane firmly on the mouth.  When they broke apart she asked, "How long have you known?"

"Known that I loved you, or known that you loved me?  Cause I knew I loved you since you kissed Tom, I didn't give a crap about losing him, when I really calmed down and looked at it, but losing you, that thought hurt."

"What about the other question?"

"Remember when I was so upset over Tom dating Quinn?"

"Yes..."

"I wasn't jealous over him and her or anything like that, I thought he was hurting you, and maybe using her to get back in with you or make you jealous.  Finally Quinn and I had a little chat."

"About?"

"You.  She told me what I should have seen for myself years ago.  You were jealous because of me all the time back in high school, and you loved me just as much as I loved you, but that you were too damned stupid (her words Amiga, not mine) to do anything about it.  She also told me she loved Tom and he loved her, and that you had nothing to do with it, so I could just back off cause no one was poaching my territory."

"I'm going to kill Quinn."

Jane pulled her close and kissed her again before replying, "Kill her next year, right now its after midnight and I wanna sit with the woman I love and find out what the hell that guy was doing putting lipstick on that penguin."