! BAD GIRLS ! BAD GIRLS !

( a sex and the city fic )

CAFETERIA
chelsea, manhattan, new york
12pm

"you fucked him?" samantha exclaimed as i let the girls know what happened between me and nathan.

"shhh!!" i hissed and looked around the crowded restaurant. i groaned and put my head in my hands, "i'm such an idiot."

"you had a moment of weakness," carrie offered, patting me on the shoulder. "we've all been there."

"yeah, but those moments of weakness are usually the worst mistakes you can make." sam said as she stabbed a fork into her salad.

"i just can't believe i let it happen." i lamented, shaking my head in disbelief. "i have no idea why i thought it was a good idea. one minute i'm pissed at him for what he did and the next i'm kissing him!" the more i thought about it the angrier and more frustrated i became.

"sometimes it's hard not to give in." carrie replied. "our bodies want what they want."

"yeah but my brain knows better." i said, sighing heavily.

miranda looked at me seriously, her eyebrows raised. "why did you go over there in the first place?"

i fidgeted in my chair, uncomfortable with the question. "i wanted to talk to him." i muttered.

"about what?" carrie asked, taking a sip of her coffee.

"i was pissed because duncan seriously ended things and i blamed nathan for it, so i wanted to blame him for it to him." i said.

"then why did you kiss him?" sam asked bluntly.

i blushed, embarrassed. "i don't know. i guess in the moment it felt like the right thing to do. in the moment i just didn't care anymore. i forgot why i had gone there in the first place."

"you let your body take charge and it got you in trouble again." miranda said, ever the realist.

"yeah, i guess you're right." i mumbled. i really just wanted the topic to be dropped at that point, i felt bad enough already.

carrie chuckled and shook her head. "it seems that when it comes to nathan you have no self control."

i grimaced and nodded my head in agreement. i really didn't have much control when it came to nathaniel. i was always a slave to my hormones. "can we talk about something else please?" i said.

"i had a date last night!" charlotte exclaimed.

"good, at least something good came out of last night." samantha said as she eyed me.

i ignored sam's comment and looked at charlotte. "details?" i asked, hoping the shift in topic would distract me from my humiliation.

"it was actually with dakota." she said referring to my brother. "he took me to 'the modern.'" she said, the smile never leaving her face.

"oh i've heard that's a very fancy restaurant." carrie piped in.

"it's got amazing food." charlotte replied, nodding her head. "he was such a gentleman too. he pulled out my chair, asked me about my day, and even paid for the entire check!"

"sounds like a total dream date." samantha said, raising her eyebrows.

miranda chuckled. "i bet you're already picturing the wedding."

charlotte blushed at that comment and looked down at the table. "oh well, we'll see how it goes." she muttered.

i couldn't help but smile at how happy she was. my brother was a total tool but he did have his good traits.

"how many dates have you guys been on?" carrie asked, leaning forward.

"this was our first date. but we did hang out a bit at jamie's house. just me, him and his daughter." charlotte sighed dreamily. "i really think there's a chance for something really amazing here."

"i'm very happy for you." i said to her, reaching over and squeezing her hand. i really was happy for her. she was a hopeless romantic and deserved someone like my brother, who was a decent enough guy. "wait until you meet our parents though." i warned.

"i'm sure they will love me." charlotte said, sounding very sure of herself.

i couldn't help but smirk at her response. "your optimism is really cute." i said before laughing a little. "i'm sure it will go well, they are just a lot to handle. especially my dad."

"i think i can handle a few parents." charlotte said, her eyes still holding that dreamy look. i really hadn't seen her this happy since i met her. she seemed so hopeful.

"i'm so happy for you." samantha said, raising her glass to cheer her.

i then looked at the girls, "shoot. i've gotta run...i promised dakota i'd go look at furniture with him."

"at aidan's shop, right?" carrie said.

"yeah..." i said with a nod.

she got up alongside me, "well, i'll go with you!" she said with a smile.

i looked at her in surprise. "are you sure?" i asked. i figured she would want to catch up with the girls.

"yeah, yeah. i've been meaning to stop by his shop today." she said referring to her boyfriend's shop.

i shrugged and nodded my head. "sounds good." i said as i stood up and put my purse on my shoulder.

"well i guess our little lunch is over." samantha said, sounding annoyed.

"we'll see you soon." charlotte said with a smile. she was so in a good mood, nothing would bring her down.

"yeah, it was nice seeing you." miranda said, glancing at me. i knew she would want to talk to me soon.

we said quick goodbyes and then walked out of the restaurant. we were silent as we walked down the block before carrie piped up and spoke, "i've been cheating on aidan." she announced.

i stopped walking and snapped my head in her direction. "you've been what?" i said, my eyes wide with disbelief. "with who?"

carrie kept walking, forcing me to catch up with her. "big." she said dismissively, like it was just a common thing that everyone did. "god, i'm awful! i'm awful! i have this great boyfriend and i don't know what i'm doing..."

"you're not an awful person, sweetie." i said as i threw an arm around her shoulder.

"how could it feel so good when it's so bad?" she said with a sigh.

"the heart wants what the heart wants." i told her, pulling her into a side hug as we started walking again. "you're not a bad person. you just need to figure out what you really want."

"but big is married to natasha." carrie cried out.

i stopped once again and looked at her seriously, "well that sure makes things more difficult, huh?" i said.

"i know! it makes me feel even worse! but i can't help how i feel!" carrie was clearly struggling with her situation. i couldn't say i could blame her, it sounded messy.

i squeezed her shoulder and gave her an encouraging smile, "it's going to okay, carrie. you'll figure it out." i knew she would, even if it took her time.

"and i talked to aidan...about you and duncan." she said.

i winced at the mention of duncan. "oh." i said quietly. "and what did he say?"

carrie shook her head as to say forget about it, "i'm sorry sweetie."

"it's okay." i said with a shrug. i really didn't want to talk about duncan at all. i was ashamed with what i had done. it's not that i was ashamed to be with duncan, but i was ashamed that i gave in so easily.

GRAY LIVING FURNITURE STORE
new york, new york
1:15pm

carrie and i walked through the store before she ventured off with aidan and i found my brother.

dakota was staring very intently at the desk as i approached. he was completely immersed in what he was doing, which was pretty typical for him.

"hi." i said as i stood next to him, trying to get his attention.

"huh?" he said as he turned his head to glance at me before returning his gaze to the desk.

"i'm right here you know." i said with a smirk, putting my hands on my hips. dakota always got tunnel vision when he was focused on something.

"i know." he said, still staring at the desk. he began examining the desk carefully, running his hand across the sleek, black surface.

i sighed, knowing i was going to have to really grab his attention. i leaned over and lightly touched his shoulder, "earth to dakota."

it took a second for him to finally look at me but once he did he gave me a look of annoyance, "what's up?"

i rolled my eyes. "you're no fun, where's your daughter? she's fun."

"she's with diana." dakota said, referring to his crazy ex-wife before looking back at the desk.

my eyes widened at the sound of my niece hanging out with her mother who she despises. "woah woah woah...how? and why?"

dakota shrugged, "diana wanted to see her, jemma okayed it...so diana came down to new york and now they're off in the city."

"and you let her?" i asked in disbelief. my niece despised her mother for a lot of good reasons.

"well i can't exactly tell diana she can't have our daughter for a day, even if she lives in connecticut." dakota said with a sigh. he looked conflicted about it.

"fair enough." i said with a nod. i didn't like diana either and i definitely didn't like her with jemma either. that woman was a nightmare. "what time is she getting dropped off?" i questioned.

"around five." he responded as he walked over to a couch. "you see this detail?"

i followed behind him and looked at the couch that he was pointing at. "it's nice." i said with a shrug. i really didn't know much about furniture and to be honest i didn't really care. "hey!" i said as i nudged him.

he glanced at me, an unreadable look in his eyes. "what?" he asked, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"dakota and charlotte sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g." i sang.

"don't be immature, jamie." he grumbled as he walked away from me. i chuckled. teasing dakota was always a favorite past time of mine.

"so she really likes you." i said wanting to hear his side of things subtly.

"she seems to." he said as he glanced over at an armchair and walked towards it.

i followed behind him, "you like her?" i asked, wanting to hear him admit it.

"she's nice." he said in a stoic tone.

i rolled my eyes, "i didn't ask if she was nice, i asked if you like her."

he sighed and stopped walking, his hands coming to rest on his hips, "yeah, i like her alright."

i smirked and let out a short laugh, "you actually admitted something! progress!"

"cut it out, jamie." he said, a hint of annoyance in his voice yet again, he then walked over to the armchair and ran his hand over the grey fabric. "obviously i like her if i took her out for dinner, especially to 'the modern'."

"yeah, i guess you have a point." i leaned against a table, crossing my arms. "so do you plan on taking her out again?"

"yes." he answered blandly.

"don't be so boring, dakota. spice it up!" i said to him with a laugh.

he looked at me and raised his eyebrows at me as if to say 'am i supposed to impress you or something?'

i rolled my eyes at his reaction, "i'm just saying you could try a little harder."

he looked at me as if i had two heads, "harder? i took her for a nice dinner."

"charlotte is a...how do i put it?" i said.

"a girl with high taste?" he said with a smirk.

i chuckled and shook my head, "more like very girly, sweet and romantic. dinner isn't the most romantic thing."

he shrugged his shoulders and sat down on the armchair, "what do you propose i do instead?" he said crossing one leg over the other and resting his arms on the armrest.

"do something that is an example of what the future holds." i said.

he raised his eyebrow in a questioning manner, "an example of what the future holds?"

"yeah, i don't know. do something that shows her what it would be like to be married to you." i said with a smirk. "she likes those things."

he thought about it for a moment and then his faced turned serious suddenly. "like what kind of things?" he said with a serious and firm tone. "are you telling me to let her meet mom and dad?"

"you want to impress her, don't you?" i said with a smirk. "taking her to meet mom and dad is an indication that you're serious about her."

"we've been on one date, slow down, will ya?" he said.

"i'm just thinking how i know she is." i said. "she wants to find the one."

he raised his eyebrows, "and you think i'm the one?" there was a hint of surprise and humor in his voice.

i rolled my eyes, i couldn't help myself. "you're the one who she's interested in, so...take a guess, mr. boyd?"

he let out a sigh, "you're impossible, you know that?"

a smile spread across my face, i knew i had him. "you love me anyways." i said sweetly.

he smirked, "unfortunately for me, i do."

"you know what, charlotte is way better at this furniture stuff than i am." i pressed as i grabbed his phone from his pocket. "ask her to help you with this."

a look of surprise crossed his face as i took his phone. "give me back my phone, jamie." he said firmly. he was now on his feet, looming over me, his hand extended out towards me.

"ask charlotte for help." i said with a smirk.

"i don't need anyone's help, i can do this myself." he said stubbornly. "give it to me."

"clearly you do if you begged me to come here and help." i said. he grumbled something and tried to snatch the phone from me but i was too quick for him. "ah, ah, ah." i teased, holding his phone up, trying to keep it away.

"fine! i'll call, you win!" he settled.

"good." i said with a smirk as i held the phone out for him to take. he snatched the phone and looked at it for a second, clearly annoyed at me.

"i hate how good you are at manipulation." he grumbled as his fingers started dialing charlotte's number.

i chuckled, happy with myself. "you love me." i said as i leaned against the armchair.

"sometimes it's hard to." he huffed before bringing the phone to his ear and waiting for charlotte to pick up. i smiled and let out another laugh.

as the phone rang, i watched dakota's face go from annoyed to sweet as he waited for charlotte to answer.

"hello?" her voice came through the receiver. dakota shot me a look as if to say he was doing it against his will.

"hey, it's dakota." he said, his voice taking on a softer tone. i silently mouthed the word 'cute' at him and he shot me a glare.

~~

dakota and charlotte were currently debating over whether some decorative pillows would fit the chair that they had looked at earlier. i was watching on the side, biting back a laugh.

charlotte was wearing a red top paired with a matching red cardigan and grey pants. while dakota had a button up on. what was making me bite my lip to hide my laugh was the fact that they were both wearing reading glasses.

"you look good in those reading glasses." i said to them, my voice filled with humor. they both turned to look over at me with matching looks of annoyance.

"oh shut up." they both said simultaneously, which made me laugh even more.

"that's kind of adorable." i said with a smirk. "both of you in your readers, a match made in heaven."

"we're just picking out furniture." dakota said, the annoyance still evident in his voice.

"yeah and we look good together." charlotte added as she playfully poked dakota in the shoulder.

i smiled at the interaction. their relationship was still fresh but that didn't stop them from being cute together when they were around each other. "yes you're both absolutely adorable." i said gleefully.

JAMIE'S BROWNSTONE HOME
new york, new york
4:40pm

after a long afternoon of shopping to furnish dakota's new place, we arrived at my brownstone to see diana and jemma sitting on steps, waiting. jemma had an annoyed look on her face while diana just looked pissed.

i had to stop from rolling my eyes as we approached them. of course diana would have her nose in the air.

"hey." i called out as we got closer. jemma's annoyance turned into a smile but diana's face stayed fixed as a cold and aloof look.

"hi." dakota said as we came up to the steps.

"took you long enough." diana said, her eyes fixed on me in a hateful glare, ignoring dakota and charlotte.

"always good to see you, diana." i said in a sarcastic manner.

"the feeling isn't mutual." she said snappishly. jemma's head turned in her mother's direction, a questioning look on her face.

"cut it out, diana." dakota said as a warning.

"i'm just being honest." she said in a cold tone. i could tell jemma was getting uncomfortable by her mother's behavior.

i nodded as i walked up the steps, "insulting me in front of my own home? classy."

"i couldn't help myself." she said with a smirk.

i let out a sigh but decided to ignore her. "hi jemma." i said as i smiled to my niece, who had an exhausted look on her face.

"hi." jemma said, her voice quiet and tired. i could tell she was over being with her mother already.

charlotte, ever the sweetheart, gave her a hug. "hi darling!" she sung in a cheerful tone, which cheered jemma up slightly.

jemma couldn't help but chuckle, "hey, charlotte." she said as she pulled away from the hug.

diana shot charlotte a look, clearly annoyed by her cheerfulness.

charlotte ignored it, much to diana's disliking. "you look so pretty." she said to jemma with a smile who was wearing a black mini dress with yellow polka dots.

jemma blushed at the compliment. "thank you." she said with a smile.

diana looked absolutely furious, she seemed to hate that charlotte got on better with her own daughter than she could.

i chuckled to myself as i observed diana's jealousy. she never seemed to grasp the fact that she was a shitty mother who nobody liked. "well thanks for dropping her off." i said as i unlocked the door and held it open for the others.

"it was the most delightful thing today." diana said sarcastically. "i wanted to do it because she's my daughter."

that sent me over the edge. "yeah, you're so motherly." i said in a mocking voice, my eyes narrowed into slits.

"you don't know what being a mother is like, so i wouldn't speak." diana said with a glare aimed at me.

"and you're a stellar example to learn from, right?" i threw back sarcastically.

"i try my best." she said in a matter of fact tone.

"i'm sure, gold digger." i said, my voice low so jemma couldn't hear.

her face turned cold and hard at my last comment. i knew that would trigger her. "i am not a gold digger, don't you ever say that to me again." she said firmly.

i crossed my arms with satisfaction, "safe travels back home!" i said before slamming the door shut.

i heard a huff coming from outside the door before i turned to see the others watching me with looks of annoyance. "what?" i said with raised eyebrows.

"must you antagonize, her?" dakota said with an exasperated sigh.

"she started it." i said defensively.

"oh please." he said as he rolled his eyes, "you always goad her."

"it's not my fault she's easy to get triggered by." i said matter of factly.

"you purposely goad her." he said in a firm tone. "just because you don't like her, it doesn't mean you can make her miserable."

"she already is miserable. she has to live with herself." i retorted.

everyone's attention turned to jemma, who suddenly spoke up. "i also told her that i'm officially moving in with dad. i'm moving here to new york and also i need to get serious about college."

shocked, dakota and charlotte's eyebrows raised and i was honestly speechless.

"woah, woah, woah...slow down and say what you just said but explain it." i said.

jemma took a deep breath. "i told mom that i'm officially done living with her and that i'm moving here to new york to live with dad." she repeated.

dakota nodded, "as expected. now what was said about college?"

"right. i'm a senior now and i've done zero college tours...i'm behind!" she exclaimed.

"jesus, kid. you're a little late on that." i sighed, typically you started tours junior year. i knew this best as a high school teacher.

dakota shot me a look and shook his head and i instantly regretted giving jemma a hard time.

"honey...the good news is that you're in new york. there are over two hundred colleges here!" charlotte said with a smile.

"and your aunt even went to columbia." dakota said as he pointed at me.

jemma's mouth dropped. "you went to columbia?!" she exclaimed.

"yeah, i did." i said, a hint of pride in my voice, which i tried to subdue.

"how did i not know this?!" jemma said, a look of shock on her face, "wow."

i shrugged and chuckled, "i don't talk about it much...but i majored in english and education."

she nodded. "i'm into psychology honestly."

"psychology, interesting." i said, raising my eyebrow, clearly intrigued by her choice of major.

"so you're into like...the brain?" dakota said with a chuckle.

i rolled my eyes at him and jemma let out a short laugh. "basically yeah. it's a little more complex than that but yeah." she said with a smile. "where'd you go to school?" jemma asked charlotte.

"smith college, i majored in art history and minored in finance." she said proudly with a nod, "and i was in kappa kappa gamma."

"you were a sorority girl?" i said.

she nodded in response before jemma spoke, "dad, where'd you go to school?"

"san francisco state where i majored in sports management and i got my masters in business administration." he said.

jemma nodded as she took in our college degrees, she looked a bit overwhelmed so i stepped in. "tell you what, i'll make you some shadow day appointments at nyu, columbia, pace, st. john's...you name it." i said with a nod.

jemma's eyes went wide, "really?" she asked with a sparkle of excitement in her eyes.

i nodded and smiled warmly at her. "yeah, it's not a problem! i'll get it set up as well. i'm a teacher so i have all these connections."

she beamed at me, "thank you, aunt jamie."

a small pang of joy filled my heart at being called aunt. "you're very welcome." i said with a smile.

dakota watched the interaction with a grin, happy that i was being kind to his daughter.

dakota wrapped his arms around jemma's shoulders, a warm look in his eyes. "my baby's growing up and going to college." he said softly.

jemma playfully rolled her eyes, "stop. i'm not a baby, dad."

~~

a/n

short chapter