A/N: Thank you so much for your lovely reviews and support! And thanks again to my beta klswhite!

Charles stood for another moment, leaning against the car, then turned around. He moved quickly up the front walk to her door, knocked once and opened the door. Elsie was standing in the hallway, tears streaming down her face. She looked up and her breath caught in her throat. He walked slowly to her and took her hands, "I can't leave like this Elsie."

She threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "Charles...I need you," she whispered, kissing his earlobe, his neck, through her tears. "I need you so much..." He pulled away, his hands resting on her hips and nodded, giving her a half smile. It was all she needed. She took his hand and led him up the stairs.

"Oh right there Charles...right there..." Elsie's heel pressed into his shoulder blade, his tongue flicking wildly over her sensitive nub. Her breath caught in her throat as her whole body shuddered. Her fingers grasped fistfuls of his hair, pushing her hips up to meet his administrations. "AHHHH." She screamed out as she climaxed. Charles held her hips in place as best he could, lapping gently now at her wet folds as she came down. He crawled up her body, kissing a trail up to her lips. Elsie's body was still shaking slightly when he patted her hip and encouraged her to turn on her side. He entered her easily and she moaned as he filled her completely. "Oh...yes," she whispered.

"You like that?" Charles growled in her ear. "That feel good baby?"

"Oh yes...Ch...oh...harder." She shifted her position to give him deeper access. "Oh God...yes...Charles...oh..." Elsie whimpered and Charles grunted with each thrust.

They changed positions several times; it was clumsy and hard, lustful and desperate sex. This wasn't love making, not now. It was pent up frustration, tension and raw emotions all crashing together in one fantastic and explosive event. Elsie came twice before he did and the force of his climax triggered another one deep inside her.

They lay tangled together, the sheets damp, their bodies hot and sticky. Neither could talk for a long while. The room echoed slightly with their heavy respiration.

"That was incredible," Charles breathed out, reached over and took her hand. "I mean...so fucking incredible."

Elsie laughed and turned into his side. "It was...oh my god...it was." She flung her leg over him, minding his sensitive manhood. "Oh Charles...that was..."

"Fantastic," he finished with a chuckle. His eyes were heavy now, the effects of it taking over. "Sweetheart...I..."

She kissed his chest, leaned up to kiss his chin, his lips. "Please say you'll stay with me tonight?" She asked him expectantly.

He opened one eye and looked down at her. "Of course I'll stay." His tone was gentle and loving, "Of course." He pulled her to him, resting his palm on her hip.

"Thank you," she whispered. Her heart filled with love in the moment. It would take time to figure it all out but she could not recall ever feeling this happy.

Charles' phone on the bedside table chirped an alert. He carefully pulled his arm away from Elsie, sleeping soundly at his side. 4:47 AM. The battery was almost dead. He checked his text messages. He had one from Ian, his eldest son, just asking how he was doing. Ian and his wife Sarah were expecting. Charles smiled to himself think how much he wanted to tell Elsie. He got up to go pee, stumbled around a minute to orient himself to the room. He washed his face, looked in the mirror for a long while; studied the man he saw. He had no regrets standing here in a strange bathroom, not his own. He had a lover now, a new road, a path not yet forged for him. He drew in a deep, satisfying breath and walked back to the bedroom.

He slipped his undershorts on and sat in one of the plush chairs beside the bed. His eyes adjusted to the darkness in the room and he sat quietly watching Elsie sleep. She seemed so peaceful. His mind wandered to their conversation throughout the evening. Before he got far he heard her sweet, soft voice beckon to him.

"Charles? What are you doing?" Elsie sat up on one elbow.

"Watching you sleep." He got up and crawled into the bed beside her and kissed her tenderly on the forehead. She wrapped herself into him, he tucked her under his arm.

"Why are you awake so early?" She yawned.

"I'm always wake at this hour; have gotten up at 5 am for the last 25 years. Habit now, I suppose."

"Ugh...what can anyone accomplish so early? You've had so little sleep, love." She leaned up to look at him. "Why don't you have a bit of a lie in with me."

"Um...well...darling I thought I might go on home. I don't have my phone charger, I need to water the plants...and..."

Elsie's heart sank and she turned to her back "I understand." She struggled to press down the emotion building in her. She had lived with a man, who, for as long as she could remember would love her then check out. "Why are all men like that?" She thought silently.

"But...I want to spend the day together...that is, if you can. Do you have anywhere to be? Can you clear your schedule?" He snuggled next to her and nuzzled her neck, kissing that tender place behind her ear.

Elsie bit her bottom lip and smiled, delighted that he planned all along to spend time with her. She admonished herself for comparing him to Joe in any way. Charles was too lovely and selfless to ever compare to Joe or any other man she had ever known. She turned over and faced him, wrapping her arms around him. "I can clear it..most certainly. What do you have in mind darling?" She rubbed her leg up and down his and began to kiss his chest.

"Well right now...I can think of nothing else but making love to you again." He gave her an imploring gaze. Elsie answered him by slipping under the covers, kissing a trail of fire down his body. Charles' eyes rolled back in his head. "I like that answer..." he said breathlessly.

"Hi."

Charles chuckled, his phone wedged between his ear and cheek as he unlocked his car door. "Hi."

"I miss you," she teased.

"Honey I'm still in the drive. I'm not even in my car yet."

"I know..but still...I miss you. I did have a thought about our day?"

"Tell me."

"We have a place in Woodhouse Eaves. We could go for a few days, get away from the city, the noise. We would have all the privacy we wanted." She held her breath, waiting for his response.

"Okay...uh...I don't think I have anything pressing. I'll get some things done this morning and we can go."

"We can take the Rover. I could pick you up at noon?" The excitement in her voice made him happy. He smiled as he pulled away from the house.

"Alright sweetheart, I'll see you then."

Elsie stared at the ceiling, her heart bursting with joy. "Is this truly happening," she asked out loud.

"I'll be in Woodhouse for a few days. Mr. Burns is across the pond for God knows how long so I won't need you here all week. The linens will need to be changed upstairs and a tidying up. I'll return on Friday so if you'll make sure the fridge and pantry are stocked, I would appreciate it. Oh and Maria, do something nice for yourself." Elsie slid a hundred pounds across the kitchen counter and smiled.

The housekeeper stared with her mouth slightly agape, "Thank you Mrs. Burns...thank you ever so!"

"Alright son. Take care and tell Sarah to be good to herself and my little grandson!"

"We will Pops. We'll come by and get your post and feed the cat. You'll be alright on your own?"

"Of course I will. I just need a few days out of the city you know?!"

"Yeah...I'm glad you're going. Be careful and call me when you're back."

"I will. Listen, I couldn't reach Sean. I texted him though. He's got his card if he needs money."

"Got it."

As Charles hung up, he heard Elsie pull up outside. He was somewhat self-conscious about what the neighbors would think if they saw Elsie and him putting luggage in her car. He and Alice had lived in the same area for almost 30 years and in the same flat for nearly 25. They were close to their neighbors and while only a few knew what was going on, he didn't want them talking. He hurried out so she wouldn't get out of the motor.

"No no...just stay in. I'll put everything in the back here and we'll be off." He waved his hand and opened the back hatch to put his bags in. Elsie looked around the area, wondering if he might be worried about who might see them. It didn't upset her, she would need to be careful as well, at least for now.

He locked the door and turned onto the path in front of his flat, stooping to pet a little gray cat on the head. He said something to it she couldn't hear, making her smile. He was so dear.

Just outside Camden, they pulled into a garage for petrol and switched positions so he could drive. He pushed her against the side of the car as he was fueling and kissed her gently on the lips. "I'm happy to be going away with you."

She threaded her fingers through his thick hair and kissed him hard, her tongue finding his and deepening the endearment. "Mmm...Charles...I have no words for how I'm feeling right now."

He laughed and put the nozzle back in the slot. "Well maybe you can show me a little later."

She patted his bum before getting back in, "I plan on showing you a lot in the next few days" Charles smiled then leaned in, kissing her again before shutting her door.