Strangers In Paradise, Francine, Katchoo, David, and Mrs. Marie Peters are copyright Terry Moore/Abstract Studio. This story is mine, and please do not swipe it. :)
Originally, I intended to make this the first chapter of several, but I think it works as a stand-alone. I may make it multi-chapter eventually.

"Ugh... Katchoo? You wanna help me with this bag?" Francine asked, trying to yank her overstuffed suitcase from the back of the car.
"-Sigh- Why did you bring so much stuff?" Katchoo asked as she walked over to assist Francine.
"'Cause I might need it! With momma, you never know what's gonna happen next."
"But, a blender? When would we need a blender? When the nefarious Puree Man attacks, huh?"
"Oh, shut up!" Francine smiled as the two tugged the suitcase. They finally pulled it loose, unfortuneatly the lock popped and the clothes were strewn around like the fallout from a small bomb. They sat there for a moment as David came around the drivers' side.
"I'm not going to ask why there's underwear on Katchoo's head. You guys want a hand?"
"Nah," Katchoo said as she pulled off her new hat. "We can get it. You wanna let Mrs. Peters know we'll be in soon?"
David nodded and walked to the house.
The two started gathering Francine's clothes and Katchoo started snickering.
"What?" Francine asked.
Katchoo kept snickering. "This." She held up a pair of leopard print panties.
"Give me those!" Francine hollered as she grabed them.
Mrs. Peters came out from the house, David close behind. "There's my girl! Give your mother a hug!" She happily ordered as Francine stuffed her underwear back into her bag.
They hugged, and after a moment Mrs. Peters turned to Katchoo. "Hello, Tina. It's nice to see you, dear."
"You too, Mrs. Peters," she smiled. They were friendly, but the was a subtle tone of uneasiness between them.
"...Okay, c'mon you three, let's get that turkey on the table!" Mrs. Peters said as she led the way.
"Hey, David?" Katchoo asked. "You wanna get Francie's bag? We've been doing the grunt work all day while you sat around looking pretty," she grinned.
"Y'know... If I'm gonna be the butler, I think I should expect some sort of payment," he smiled as he lifted the suitcase.
"You're right. I'll let you sleep in the house," Katchoo teased.

Exactly 38 minutes and one busted bag of Francine's Doritos later...
"David," Mrs. Peters started. "Since you're the man of the house for the moment, would you lead us in saying grace?"
He smiled. "I'd be honored to." He bowed his head and the rest followed suit. "-Ahem- Alright... Our Father who art in Heaven, please bless this food and those who made this meal possible. Thank You for bringing us together to give thanks." He paused before he said, "And Lord, one more thing; please wipe that grouchy face off Katchoo so that we may all enjoy the food. Amen." He was grinning and finished just as a well-aimed muffin shot across the table, nailing the top of his head.
"Let's eat!" Katchoo grinned wryly. "David, pass the muffins?"
"Very funny."

After an hour's worth of eating and talking, everyone was full. Mrs. Peters proceeded to gather the plates, but was stopped by Francine. "Now momma, you cooked all this. We'll clean it up. C'mon David."
David got up and started the cleanup, and the two headed for the kitchen.
Katchoo and Francine's mother now sat by themselves, a half-eaten turkey between them. There was a pause and it seemed that the air stood still as they both tried to think of something to say. "So, Tina..." Francine's mother finally said. "Are you still dating girls?"
Katchoo's surprise was written all over her face as she tried to find a few words to string together in a flimsy sentance. "Well, I--" she stopped mid-thought as she heard a loud noise. "What was that? I'd better go check that out... David probably tried to juggle some China." She hurred into the kitchen.

"Oops." Francine stared at the broken plate on the floor and after a moment bent to pick up the pieces.
David looked down at Francine, then over to Katchoo. "Katchoo? Are you alright? What's with that face?" He observed the sour look she was giving to no one in particular.
"Francie," she said quietly while pushing a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear. "No offense, but your mom's driving me nuts. I had to get out of there."
"I understand," Francine smiled, her soft brown eyes seemed to warm the room. "I lived with her, remember?"
"What'd she do?" asked David.
"She asked me if I still dated girls."
"What'd you say?" asked David again.
"I told her I gave up that life and now I just date Francine."
Francine's eyes grew large while her mouth hung half open, and she dropped the pieces of the dish she just finished picking up. "YOU DIDN'T--!"
"Shh, lamebrain!" Katchoo scolded. "I'm kidding. I didn't tell her that."
"Thank God. I wouldn't want my mother getting the wrong idea about me." Francine sighed with relief.
"'Wrong idea'? Thanks a lot." Katchoo said with a half smile. "I'm goin' out for a smoke. If anyone needs me, I'll be on the back porch." She went out the screen door and let it bang shut behind her.
After a moment Francine realized what she said. "...You think I offended her?" She asked.
"Nah. I think she's okay. I'll go check on her," David said and went through the screen door.
Katchoo was sitting lazily in the swing, looking over the hills at the last rays of light, observing the glorious surroundings. She took a long puff, aware of his presence, but didn't speak.
David took a deep breath of the fresh country air and sat down next to her. "Katchoo?"
Katchoo didn't say anything for a moment. David couldn't tell what she was thinking. "Yes?" she said.
"Are you okay? Francine didn't mean to offend you or anything, but you know how her mother is, I mean, out here, concepts like that are still really ne--"
"I know," she interrupted. "It doesn't bother me, y'know? I care for her, but the more I watch her, the more I watch me... we can't go any futher."
David was silent. Thoughts raced through his head. Did he have a chance with Katchoo? Was there something wrong between Francine and Katchoo? Did he leave the stove on? "...Katchoo... W-... what makes you say that?"
"David, you don't understand. You're a man." She looked at him and sighed, "D-boy, Francine and I have known each other since high school. We've been through a lot. I like to think we know each other pretty well. The more I watch her, the more I realize she's not up for that. We love each other... the bond is deeper than anything I've ever experienced with anyone. That's why it has to stay where it is," she explained.
There was a long silence between them. The sun had all but gone down now, and the stars were coming out to play with the moon. Katchoo took a long drag of the cigarette and put it out, slowly letting the smoke out of her mouth, as if she was debating letting a ghost escape her lips. She didn't look up to gauge his reaction. She didn't need to. He put his arm around her shoulder and held her tightly. "Oh, Katchoo... I'm sorry," he said quietly.
She turned into him and hugged him back. He thought her heard her stiffle a sniffle.