A/N: This story can be read as stand alone but it is a continuation of "Taking Sides" another one of my stories that introduced the character of Walter. Also in this story Caroline is only 46. Is there a reason you ask? Yes, but you'll have to read the story.

Chapter 1– An Ocean Away

5,353 miles, 5 hours, an ocean, a continent and a bloody lonely heart! That was what Caroline was scribbling when her office phone rang precisely at 5:30 p.m. She immediately stopped doodling and on the very first ring eagerly picked up her phone.

"Hello sweetheart. Tired?" Her tone of voice bespoke the end of fretting. Whilst the corners of her mouth involuntarily slid into a blatant smile.

"A bit - but it's to be expected." Kate said as she attempted to stifle the fatigue of jetlag from her voice.

"Everything went well? – a good flight I mean. Flora didn't put up too much of a fuss for you, did she?"

"After she got over the initial irritant that mum-mum wasn't coming. I suppose you could say she was a perfect angel."

"And your mum…she's um?"

"She's doing well. Although I think Aunt Auggie is rather glad I'm here now to help out. You know mum. She's independent and with that comes the attitude of not wanting to be a burden to anyone. Aunt Auggie has done a brilliant job for these last few weeks. Mum should be up and steady on her feet in about a week or so. When we take her to the doctor's later this afternoon we'll know better how her hip is mending."

"To the doctor's? Are you sure you're up to jumping in so soon? You've just arrived. You must be awfully tired, sweetheart."

"No need to worry - I'll be just fine. Besides, that's why I'm here; to look after mum."

"I've got the calendar circled - 14 days and counting. I miss you already. Couldn't sleep last night. How could I? Without you locked in my arms. We've not been apart from each other- not since our special Christmas Eve." Caroline's whole face lit up when she remembered that night…that beautiful night! When all was made right.

"Sorry to be the one to break our record."

"Beverly has been quite taken with hiding out most of the day. I think she's sensed I'm not a bucket of laughs today."

"Don't be an ogre. You mustn't."

"Right. I spoke to Walter today…He…"

"Oh Caroline, nothing's happened has it?"

"No, no he's fine. Nothing at all to worry about. I told you I'd keep an eye on him and I will. You just worry about your mother and getting her back on her feet. I'll deal with things here. Okay…huh? Is that a yes I hear?"

"Sure, of course. But, Caroline….. I think you should know… I told Walter about…."

"Yes, I…I thought you would…" Her spoken words were flooded with sadness.

"Is it okay, Caroline? My speaking to Walter about it? He's been absolutely brilliant. Knows just how and what to say. He said things have a way of happening for the best. Even the things we dread of happening. I suppose he's right - although it's awfully hard to think he is just now."

"You do know Kate, I regret how I reacted at first when you told me… it wasn't…it had nothing to do with us… or my love for you. It's just…umm….Well the point is I want you to know I can't help feel that if I had been more…"

"Caroline, this didn't happen because… of anything you said or did."

"It's just…umm…" Caroline took a long pause before continuing. "Look, Kate, I don't want this or anything else to come between us."

"Caroline, you were right I did overreact. I don't blame you, if that's what you're thinking. And for the record nothing's going to come between us. You're stuck with me…forever."

"Can't say I don't fancy that. Now can I?" Caroline's mood brightened. Her face radiated happiness; her familiar tight lipped smile (you know, the one where her beautiful blue eyes light up and speak the words she doesn't) spread across her face. She wished that Kate could have seen her smile but alas Kate was an ocean away, much to her dismay.

"Oh my beautiful Kate, I do love you so very much. How did I ever get lucky enough to snare you? Right now I want - I wish…I wish you were here."

"I wish I were there too. But mum, she needs me and poor Aunt Auggie needs to take her vacation. She's put it off twice now because of mum's accident. So, now that I'm here – well, I mustn't shrug off my duties. Agree?"

"Is that your way of telling me you have to go?"

"Afraid so, Caroline."

"Then I suppose I should make an attempt to finish this Board of Governors' Report I've been putting off all day…." Caroline leafed through her pending task before pushing her work assignment aside. Today, her heart was not into work – or anything else for that matter. It was only her Kate that held her interest.

"Bullocks! Go home, darling. It's late. You must be famished- you need to eat. But easy on the Shiraz. Okay?"

"Yeah. Sure. Give your mother my best and kiss the little one for me. And Kate, I've been thinking things through...when you get home why don't we… at least talk more about things, properly when we're not so rushed…weigh the pros and cons. I'm ready to try again. If that's what you still want."

"Caroline. I don't think….Sure let's talk about it when I get home." A concessionary reply said to avert a potential discord between her and Caroline. Kate had already made up her mind- the issue was over and done with. No need to talk until they were blue in the face. Five times was enough for even the most stalwart want to be mother. She had no desire to face a possible sixth. And change of mind would not come simply to temper Caroline's remorse.

"Good. Then it's settled. We'll talk more about it when you get home." Caroline stopped short of saying anything that could be construed as idle promises.

"I best go now. Text you later tonight and phone tomorrow night - eleven your time. Bye for now, Caroline." No one on the planet could ever say Caroline's name as melodiously as sensuously as her Kate. It was sheer and utter heavenly music to Caroline's ears. And its sound made a beeline to every intimate part of her being.

With the conversation finished and with no inclination to work further, Caroline rose from her desk and walked over to the window to peer out into… What? Into the absence of the sound and sight of children; into the absence of joie de vivre that only a short while ago carried through the air. The outside space fit her mood - the quiet- the lack of social interaction; the lifelessness of the empty schoolyard. It served to be the perfect conduit to ease the way for recollecting. Caroline tried to suppress the tears that gathered in her eyes. She was unsuccessful. With the flow of thoughts came the flow of tears. "I was a fool," Caroline whispered as tears of regret steadily seeped through her firmly closed eyes. Hindsight. It has a way of always being 20/20.

To be continued

End note: I know, short chapter but another one coming very soon.