Kate McKenzie lent back against the cream two-sweater settee and exhaled slowly. Outside, a heavy rain fell across the manicured lawns of Caroline Elliot's home. Their home, Kate mused, though it reflected the life Caroline had built with John and the boys before Kate had arrived and truth be told, it didn't feel like hers at all. It felt like a hotel, really, given that she seemed to live out of the three suitcases she'd brought from home. At the sound of Caroline's SVU crunching across gravel, Kate pushed the slightly ominous thoughts from her mind, lifting her knees to her chest as she waited. Caroline's presence was felt the moment the front door opened, the air surrounding Kate seemed electric and the swell of anticipation rose within her chest. Caroline entered the sitting room, blonde bangs as neat and orderly as they'd been that morning. The pantsuit Caroline wore clung to her curvaceous figure and she smiled down at Kate as she set her briefcase aside. Slipping out of tan heels, Caroline knelt before Kate, reaching out to cover Kate's hands with her own.

"Hello, sweetheart." Caroline spoke soften, her voice thick, gaze soft and loving. Kate's lips turned to a wide smile as she reached up, brushing a strand of hair from Caroline's eyes. Cupping Caroline's face, Kate drew the older woman to her, desire growing within her. A soft moan escaped Caroline's lips as Kate kissed her tenderly at first, allowing her passion to pour into Caroline. Placing bare feet back upon the polished floorboards beneath them, Kate inched forward on the sofa cushion as she drew Caroline into her arms, their lips still locked together sweetly. Letting one hand rest upon Caroline's thigh, Kate pressed her forehead against that of the woman before her, eyes closed as she inhaled deeply. It was Caroline who moved first, returning her lips to Kate's, her own passion unmistakable. The feeling engulfed Kate, rousing her to move her hands steadily to the buttons on Caroline's jacket, pushing the material aside and cupping one breast through the silk shirt beneath. Caroline gasped, caught by surprise at Kate's newfound yet entirely pleasant aggression.

"I need you, Caroline. Right now."

"Right here?" Caroline mused with a vaguely sarcastic grin on her lips. Kate let her hand slide a path downwards until she reached the apex between Caroline's thighs and waited until all traces of sarcasm disappeared from the woman's expression, replaced with surprise. Bringing her lips to Caroline's ear, Kate smirked to herself.

"Absolutely." Kate pressed her hand against the woman, causing Caroline to sigh with delight. And though nothing would have given her more pleasure than to allow Late to ravish her in the sitting room of her impressive homestead, Caroline knew she could not surrender to such whimsical ideals. Shifting uncomfortably, she withdrew from Kate, well aware of the disappointment Kate tried to conceal.

"I am sorry. If John, or the boys..."

"It's fine. Really." Kate was once again nervous, uncertain of herself as she often felt to be in Caroline's presence. "It was a foolish idea, really. Though William's staying with friends. And Lawrence went out just before you got home."

"And John?"

"No idea." Kate exhaled loudly, trying to quell the arousal pent up within her. "I suppose he could come galloping in at any minute." Kate stood abruptly, leaving Caroline to scramble out of the way and watch as the dark skinned woman moved towards the kitchen. Caroline closed her eyes, let her head hang for a moment until she regained her composure. Rising elegantly she crossed the short distance now between them and stood behind Kate. Sliding her arms about the woman's slender waist, she drew Kate's body back against her own.

"I wish it weren't like this. That I wasn't like this. Overly cautious."

"No, not overly." Kate said it though they both knew she was lying. Caroline cocooned Kate's body with her own, relieved when Kate made no attempt to escape. Caroline wanted desperately to fight against herself, to throw caution to the wind, to give Kate unbridled passion. And the more she realized this, the more she felt arousal stir once more.

"Kate?"

"Mmm?"

"We do have the house to ourselves. I've no idea for how long. But it seems rather foolish to waste such an opportunity." Kate shifted in her arms until they faced one another. A smile played across her lips as she dipped her head slightly.

"I saw you walk through the archway and I thought to myself that I couldn't wait to kiss you, to touch you."

"And you shouldn't have to." Caroline admitted. "Should I walk through the door again?" Caroline offered.

"Please don't go." Kate said softly as she captured Caroline's lips with hers, the need stronger now, the desire overwhelming. Without restraint she kissed Caroline, tender at first, each kiss more demanding than the last until both women were breathing deeply. Kate, with Caroline's arms still wrapped tightly about her, fumbled over the buttons on Caroline's blouse, frustrated to the point of considering ripping the garment aside. Eagerly she went erratically from the blouse to the zipper of Caroline's pants, unable to stop herself. Caroline found herself trembling as Kate managed to finally break through the clothing barrier and moaned as Kate's fingertips grazed bare flesh. Caroline took a step forward, effectively forcing Kate to step back until they collided with the kitchen island and wasted no time in hoisting the knitted sweater over Kate's head, casting it aside. Kate blushed as she felt Caroline's eyes dancing across her and she let out a soft gasp as Caroline brought her lips to the nape of her neck, leaving a trail of light kisses across her skin.

It took both women by surprise when Kate turned them, suddenly back in control, pushing Caroline up onto the island, pressing her body against Caroline's thighs. Caroline wrapped her legs around Kate's waist, anchoring their bodies together once more as Kate made short work of removing Caroline's blouse once and for all. Kate placed both hands on Caroline's sides, dragging her fingertips across sensitive skin, causing the blonde to shiver. Drawing Caroline to her, Kate kissed her once again, her tongue snaking past Caroline's lips, hands threading through tumbles of blonde locks. Arching into the embrace, Caroline moved her own hands across Kate's shoulder blades, down her back, scratching lightly until Kate moaned into her.

"Kate, God, you're driving me insane." Caroline whispered as Kate brought her hands to the lace of Caroline's bra, tracing light circles over the material, over breasts she knew to be particularly sensitive.

"That is the general idea." Kate admitted. Though she would not admit it, Kate wanted to see how far she could push Caroline, unquestionably the most conservative woman she'd ever met, how far she could press her luck. With that thought in the back of her mind, Kate relaxed her touch as her hands moved to the clasp between Caroline's breasts. Holding Caroline's gaze, Kate did not fumble with the clasp, nor did she waver as the lace bra joined the other garments pooled at their feet. Still locked onto Caroline's gaze, Kate lowered her lips,

closing them around a very erect nipple.

"Kate!" Caroline gasped as her body reacted automatically, chest arching up to meet Kate's lips, head falling back as she gripped the marble counter top with both hands. Legs wrapped firmly around Kate, Caroline made no attempt to move, the thought never even entered her mind as she gave in entirely. It was only when Kate's hand, which had previously rest very softly upon her thigh, began to move upwards over her pantsuit that Caroline realized the logistics of their positions. "We, I have to, my pants." Caroline gasped between each word as Kate seemed intent on not stopping her wonderful assault.

"They are a problem," Kate agreed. "Are you fond of them?"

"Not terribly, I suppose. Though they match my jacket." Caroline pondered for a moment, lost in looking down at Kate, at the hands upon her body. "Why do you ask?" Kate have a wicked grin as she stood upright, reaching past Caroline's body and producing a pair of scissors. The look on Caroline's face brought a bubble of laughter from the younger woman.

"You'd think I was being serious!" Kate giggled and Caroline's relief was evident in her pale blue eyes as she watched Kate set the sharp tool back down. "Come with me?" Kate asked softly, knowing that if anything were to continue, it would not be on the kitchen island.

"I thought you'd never ask." Caroline accepted the hand Kate offered, tumbling down from the counter top and entwining her fingers with Kate's. "We're not done, are we?" Caroline asked softly. With a wicked grin, Kate tugged Caroline towards the staircase and threw a glance over her shoulder as they ascended the first few steps.

"Oh no, not by a long shot."