Therese sat there, in the passenger seat, her palms sweating. How did Carol always seem so calm and collect? Carol got into the driver's seat and without looking at her or saying a word put the key into the ignition, setting the car's engine into life. Carol looked to her right and pulled out onto the busy street, her elegant hand moving across the wheel with such fluidity, it was as if she were conducting a symphony.

Therese sighed and looked out the window, a sense of panic growing inside her now as she watched the buildings and people rush by her as the car picked up speed. Then Carol broke the silence.

"Would you like to see my flat or are you in a rush to get home?" She asked it as if she didn't mind what the answer was.

Was she just being polite in asking Therese back to her apartment? Or did she actually want her to come? Therese hesitated.

"Well?" pressed Carol, her eyes glued ahead of her, not even sparing Therese the smallest of glances.

"I'm in no particular rush to get back," answered Therese, a lot more coolly than she felt as her heart had picked up speed again.

Carol gave the smallest of smiles, and inclined her head into a nod. In no time at all they were pulling up next to the sidewalk a few feet from where Carol's flat was on Madison Drive. Therese heard Carol turn the car keys and kill the ignition.

"Here we are," she said turning to Therese for the first time and with her familiar smile said "home sweet home."

Carol got out the car and Therese copied, closing her door a little harder than she anticipated. She followed Carol to the door to the flats, through the corridor and into a lift where Carol pressed the golden button of number three.

"It's very different from the New Jersey home, a lot smaller, less grand, but I like it." Carol said all this quickly almost nervously as if she were justifying herself. Therese, who could feel the familiar feeling of numbness creeping up on her just nodded as the lift rattled upwards.

What the hell was she going to do? What was going to happen when they went inside? Maybe she could just turn back now and not deal with this. But as the thought entered her head, she immediately rejected it. No, she wanted to be here. Despite her beating heart, her sense of light headedness and the all-consuming feeling of panic, she wanted to be here, next to Carol.

"Well here we are," said Carol as the elevator door opened and they came to a corridor with the number 11 on it. Carol pulled out her key, put it in the locked and opened it. She gestured wordlessly for Therese to enter, and followed behind her, flicking on the light switch.

Therese's initial thought was to laugh out loud at how Carol had described it as 'a lot smaller'. Well, yes, it was but it was still huge. With oak floors and the most exquisite finely polished furniture Therese had ever seen. It was stunning. Every picture, every lamp, ornament, chair, had been placed with care. It was spectacular.

"So, what do you think?" asked Carol, her voice sounding nervous. Although she was desperately seeking Therese's good opinion.

"It's….It's" started Therese'.

"I know, it still needs a lot doing to it, and I really need to spend more time adjusting things properly but- "

"Carol, it's perfect," cut across Therese.

"Really?" she asked beaming.

"Really," repeated Therese, smiling.

Carol took a tentative step forward.

"I'm glad you came tonight…"

"So am I." Therese swallowed, her throat suddenly going very dry as Carol took another step forward.

"I'm glad you are here…now." Carol took yet another step forward, so that they were barley inches from each other. Therese could feel her body radiating heat. Oh God, could Carol feel it too?

Carol, slowly, very slowly raised a hand and gently stroked Therese's check. Therese closed her eyes at the touch and as she did so she felt Carols lips meet hers. Therese's eyes shot open and in sheer shock she took a step back.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have assumed" said Carol, blushing like Therese had never seen her before as she too took a step back.

"No, no, don't be, you just, you just took me by surprise," stuttered Therese. What the hell was she thinking. Why?

"You don't need to explain yourself Therese…I understand, you don't, you don't want me anymore."

"What?"

"Look, darling I understand. You do not love me anymore. I understand," said Carol her eyes turning from Therese, but not before Therese could see the pain in them.

It was Therese's turn to move closer to Carol. She took her face firmly in in her hands so that Carol's eyes were on her.

"I love you Carol," she said slowly and moanfully and before Carol could answer Therese brought her lips back to Carol's. The butterflies seemed to erupt inside Therese as her lips moved with Carol's. Therese could feel the enthusiasm from Carol as she put a hand through her hair and as a moan issued from her mouth. Therese began to deepen the kiss and moved her tongue inside of Carols mouth, feeling the hot wet mouth she new so well. Her lips seemed to have a mind of her own and she moved them down carols throat, leaving wet sloppy kisses all down her neck before moving back to her mouth. Carols hands groped at Therese and pulled and tugged at her back and hips with such eagerness Therese felt like she could not stand there much longer.

Carol, then moved back so as to break the kiss.

"The bedroom is this way…" she said leading Therese forward.