Kate stands up from the couch and takes the dinner plates with her. The sudden weight shift in the seat moves Geoff's knee which sends a shooting pain trough it. He quickly positions it back while he shouts in pain.

'I thought your leg was going to get better oiled with Champaign?' Kate asks while she puts the trays on the dresser near the TV.

The room is a typical outback motel room, fitted with dark furniture and a wallpaper motif that you'd never think of putting up anywhere else. The whole thing had recently been refurbished but you wouldn't know it when you looked at it. There was a king size bed, a closet, dresser, a couch and a living room table. A big mirror hung next to the TV and the room was fixed with seventies looking lamps and shades that were fixed to a wall or ceiling. The door to the adjoining room was directly across from the bed and it led to a smaller room with similar furniture and fittings.

'I think I need a bigger dose,' Geoff answered holding his knee so it wouldn't shift again.

Kate smiled and shook her head while she walked back to the table and poured another glass of Champaign. Geoff looked up at the ceiling.

'You know I can't help worrying about Chris.'

'Geoff! She's as good a doctor as you are.'

Geoff throws his hands up: 'Alright, alright.' He lets his thoughts about Chris fade away to the back of his mind when he watches Kate sitting on the edge of the couch. His eyes cloud over with want and he pads the spot on the couch right next to himself.

'He, come sit over here.'

Kate motions to his knee. 'I... I don't want to bump your leg.'

But Geoff isn't going to let it go that easily. He rubs the spot next to him again and gazes intently at her. He feels his own physiological changes, his heart rate goes up and it's now become a strong and steady thump in his chest.

'Come on,' he beckons and Kate gives in. They're both smiling uncomfortably. They've never been in this situation before and Geoff can feel her reserved demeanor and realizes he'll have to take it slowly. He tries to take his glass of Champaign from the table but can't reach it. Kate leans in and gives him his glass. They both relax against the seat and look at each other.

'A toast, to... ahm... to Coopers Crossing,' Geoff says. They laugh and look at each other. Kate seems to be opening up, more relaxed than a few moments ago. Her smile is mesmerizing and he remembers the first day he saw her.

'No, wait that's a waist of a toast. To ahm... to us,' Geoff simply says and quickly clicks their glasses together and takes a sip. He didn't notice her eyes changing, looking sadder.

'Isn't that a waist as well?' She takes a very small sip from her glass.

Geoff looks at her, the taste of the Champaign still on his tongue. His blue eyes taking in every detail of her face.

'Don't underrate yourself,' he smiles gently and his mind wonders how it would feel if he could hold her in his arms and make love to her. 'To... you... my favorite nurse,' he continues and they click their Champaign glasses. They each take a sip from their glass.

'Here's to you, my... patient. I just keep hoping he'll drop dead and let me off the hook,' she says sarcastically.

All Geoff can do is stare at her with a dreamy look in his eyes. He's trying to remember if he's ever felt like this before. His heart now happily thumping along in his chest to a beat only he seems to hear. Outwardly he manages to put up a calm and collected front.

'Oh, I'm sorry Kate. I'm not in a dying mood,' his voice reflecting the cloudiness in his eyes.

Kate smiles widely at him: 'You're forgiven.'

Her face changes immediately, she looks serious and it's obvious the last words hold more meaning for her then they both realize. They're gaze is locked and for a moment they just stare at each other holding their Champaign glasses in front of themselves. Geoff breaks the connection when he looks at her lips for a split second. He slowly moves towards her, mumbles her name while his eyes dart over every inch of her face. Kate inclines her head but doesn't move towards him. Finally their lips meet and their eyes close. The kiss is soft, perfect. Geoff's senses overload and fireworks are going off in the pit of his stomach. It only lasts for a few seconds when Geoff pulls back a little. Soft music from the radio plays in the background, his eyes are half closed.

'This isn't sensible.'

'Geoff,' Kate looks at his knee, ' it's not even possible.'

Geoff's eyes dart from her eyes to her lips, his demeanor more confidant when he kisses her again. He opens his mouth and her lips part against his to let him in. Their tongues interact for the first time since their kiss on the base all those months ago. It feels good, comfortable, like they've never done differently. She tastes wonderful and smells like fresh flowers. The kiss deepens and Geoff's teeth scratch over hers as his passion and lust takes over and he can hardly control himself. He groans against her, his breathing heavy and the thumping in his chest stepped up it's rhythm. Their Champaign glasses tilt, but they both manage to keep the gold colored liquid inside the glass. They pull back a little. Kate looks worried. Geoff knows exactly what she's thinking.

'Kate, you know this isn't a fluke. We've been dancing around each other for almost a year now. I'm not going to leave.'

'That's easy for you to say. Men are treated so differently. If I do this I can't go back to being one of the boys any more. They'll think of me as available, put down able. I don't want them to call me a floozy.'

Geoff is shocked that she would even think that of herself.

'Kate! No one is going to call you a floozy. Please don't degrade yourself like that. No one in their right mind will think that of you. We don't have to rush into anything. We've been slow dancing all this time, no need to start doing the rumba.'

Kate's shoulders are slacking and she looks sad. Her thoughts seem to be getting the better of her and she gets up from the couch and paces the room. The warm spot where she sat fills with cold air and he feels the loss. He watches her intently while she moves across the room. Kate is always so concerned about what everyone else might say about her that she sometimes forgets to live for herself. Geoff decides if he has to wait for her he will.

'Stop thinking about it so much. You're making it into more than it is. I won't be offended if you go back to your own room.'

Kate turns around sharply and faces Geoff. Anger builds inside of her. 'You? Be offended... That would be the last straw. It's all a game for men, why else do you think they call it score?'

'I don't,' Geoff simply answers.

The anger she felt a moment before dissipated like early morning mist in the sunlight.

'I think we'd better put you to bed,' and she walks over to his bed and turns the covers over. She's gone back to being his nurse in two seconds flat. The quick succession of feelings that plagued Kate confused Geoff. He's quiet during the whole transition from couch to bed. Simply looking at her, not sure what to do, or say. He doesn't speak again until she's fluffing up the pillows.

'I really like you Kate and I think you like me too.' Kate continues fluffing the pillows. 'If you want to take it slow then we can take it as slow as you want.' Kate secures his leg with pillows. Geoff gazes at her intently and can almost see the wheels turning in her head. She's avoiding his eyes purposefully and he can tell she's at a crossroad.

'Please, talk to me Kate.'

Then without a word a decision is made. Kate stalks back to her own room and Geoff looks down at the bed, disappointed in himself and their relationship, if you can call it that. He questions if it will ever be more than this. He wants so much for it to be more than just this dancing they seem to be doing around each other. He feels sad at the loss of their relationship.

'Disappointed?'

Geoff looks up in surprise. There 's Kate leaning against the doorpost of her room, smiling at him. He's confused and it shows on his face.

'I turned out the light in my room. Wasn't I supposed to do that?' She has a cheeky grin on her face.

Geoff smiles when he realizes the implication.

Kate settles herself in his bed on the side of Geoff's good leg and pulls the covers over them both. He puts his arm around her and pulls her close. She rests her face in the nape of his neck and he can feel her short and shallow breathing. Her hair smells wonderful and he feels a fluttering sensation in the pit of his stomach. Kate has taken a big step and he's afraid of doing anything that will turn her away. He holds her close and can feel her heart pounding against his chest. He lifts her head up so he can kiss her gently. Just lipsat first and when he feels her mouth opening against his he lets her in. The kiss is deep and passionate, he quickly becomes intoxicated with all that is Kate. Her taste, her smell, the feeling of having her so close to him. She gave herself over to him and he feels the responsibility. Still afraid he may do something to make her leave, he takes things much more slowly than he normally would. Time passes and soft moans escape them while they entangle themselves into each other. He feels her leg over his but it won't stay up, her nurses uniform prevents her laying her leg over his. She pulls back from the kiss and looks at Geoff slightly panting. Another decision is about to be made. Geoff opens his mouth further, but Kate shushes him and smiles.

'I've already made the decision Geoff,' like a psychic she knew exactly what he was thinking. She's on her knees on the bed when she pulls down the zipper on the front of her blue uniform.

Geoff is unable to close his mouth or divert his eyes when he sees her almost naked body. He gasps and his eyes dart all over her skin, his mouth dry in an instant. She's perfect, more than he'd dreamt about, more than he'd hoped for, perfect. Now only covered in a black lace bra and a string. There's some undeniable movement in his crotch when Kate takes the uniform off completely. She settles back down fitting perfectly against his body her leg now draped over his good leg. The warmth of her skin warms him even more. His hands explore her naked curves and her skin feels smooth and silky. He swallows hard.

'Pinch me,' he asks.

'If you'd like to feel pain I can touch your knee.'

Geoff purses his lips and shakes his head.

'Better not.'

The sound of sloppy kisses fills the room. Geoff's slender and gentle fingers move over her body with surgical precision. He holds one hand between her shoulder blades pulling her into his kisses. Kate's hand is under his pink polo shirt and moves up while feeling his stomach and torso. They break from kissing just long enough for Geoff to take his shirt off.

'I've dreamt of this for so long,' Geoff says when he has time to breath.

'Oh, so you've been dreaming about me?'

Geoff's cheeks turn a shade of red and he closes his mouth. He doesn't know if it's appropriate to tell her she's all he's dreamt about since they kissed on the base all those months ago.

'Is this better?' Kate asks with a big smile on her face.

'Oh, dreaming doesn't hold a candle to reality Kate,' he quickly replies. His cock strains against his briefs when he remembers a particular dream and he bites his bottom lip. He looks like he's in pain trying to will it down again.

'Are you alright? If it's your knee we can get some painkillers.' Kate is almost out of bed, but Geoff grabs her arm and pulls her back against his body.

'No, it's not my knee,' it comes out very cheekily and they both laugh at their ineptness.

'I may be able to fix that.'

'No!' Kate is taken aback by the definitiveness of the word. 'I mean, you don't have to. I don't mind taking it slow and I don't want you to do anything you may regret later.' Geoff looks scared, the sudden reality that he may just have blown it again settles in a corner of his mind.

'Like I said, I've already taken the decision, but it sounds like you haven't.'

Geoff looks at the ceiling unaware that Kate is staring intently at his face.

'We can't go back. If we do this,' Geoff looks at Kate and brushes a hair out of her face. 'I really like you Kate and I don't want to jeopardize that, but I'd also like to move forward.'

'Maybe we're both a bit afraid?'

Geoff nods and holds Kate's face in his hand. She looks away from him, down onto the bed. It makes her look vulnerable. Geoff gets a knot in his stomach, he feels bad. He wants to open up to her and tell her how much she means to him. To take her fears away, but he can't. It hurt him so much when his first wife died, he's afraid to let anyone in. He doesn't want to feel pain like that again, but if he wants to move forward he has to let go of his own fears first.

Geoff lifts her face up. 'Why don't we just lie here?'

'And do what? Nothing?' A cheeky grin crosses Kate's face.

'Well, we don't have to do nothing,' Geoff answers and moves in for a gentle kiss. Kate wraps her leg around Geoff's again.

'Can we at least be naked? I like the way your skin feels against mine.'

Geoff smiles a sly grin and raises an eyebrow. 'Well young lady, I think that can be arranged,' and with a flick of his wrists he undoes her bra from the back. Kate squeals and puts her hand on the front of her bra.

'How did you... where did you learn to do that?'

Geoff smiles and wiggles the fingers on his other hand in front of her face.

'Surgeons fingers. Oh, Kate I am a man of many talents.'

Kate's voice goes dark. 'Better put them to good use then,' indicating Geoff's fingers with her eyes.

Geoff tries to turn himself on his side and manages to do so after a while. Kate looks up at him.

'Is this a smart move?'

'Probably not, but I want to look at you Kate. I want to take you all in.'

Kate looks slightly embarrassed, but Geoff quiets her immediately.

'You look great Kate. You are a beautiful woman, with a great body and I wouldn't change anything about you.'

Geoff gently rubs his hand over her stomach and bends down to kiss her. He doesn't close his eyes and looks at every change in her face while his hand moves slowly up her stomach until he reaches her bra. She removes her hand from it and Geoff pulls the bra from her body, throwing it on the floor. He can see Kate closes her eyes tightly and he stops kissing her. She's an incredible woman who doesn't know how beautiful she really is. That might be the sexiest thing about her. She opens her eyes to find him staring into hers and he catches her gaze. He moves his hand up her stomach again and feels her breasts. He ghosts the back of his fingers over her nipples, feeling them harden under his touch. Still he doesn't let her escape his gaze. He watches her mouth open and draw breath when he pulls her nipple gently. Her back arches ever so slightly.

'You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.' His hand covers her breast and he massages it slowly. Feeling her skin against his hand, soft and smooth. He takes her nipple into his mouth and sucks it gently, his hand moves down her body and over her panties. He puts his hand between her legs and feels her thighs pressing against it. He wants to kiss her again but loses his balance and almost tips over on top of her. His knee slides down and he's in obvious pain.

'See, I told you this wasn't a good idea, now lie on your back before your knee gets even worse.'

Geoff wants to protest, but the stern look on her face and the shooting pain in his leg makes him decide otherwise. Kate's on her knees again placing the pillows around his leg to stop any sudden movement. Geoff lies back and enjoys the view, one hand behind his head and his eyes following her breasts. She catches him staring at her when she's done placing pillows.

'What are you doing Geoff?'

Caught.

'Just admiring the view.'

'Like what you see?'

'Oh Kate, you have no idea.'

Kate glances at his crotch. 'Well, I have a general idea.'

'Hmm, yes it seems to have a mind of its own.'

Geoff focuses his eyes on Kate's again.

'He, come over here,' Geoff asks as he raises his arm invitingly.

Kate looks self-conscious and lies next to him again. Her head on his pectoral muscles, playing with his chest hair. Geoff combs his fingers through her short hair and holds her shoulder with his other hand.

'I could lie here forever, with you in my arms.'

Kate looks up and smiles. 'Me too,' and she kisses him gently on his lips. 'But now it's time for bed. We need to wake up early tomorrow and you need rest before you have the surgery.'

'Yes sister.'