Long overdue update guys. Thanks again for all your kind words.

Chapter 3.

"You've got a date? But you've only been there 5 minutes!"

"Yes mother, it's just, I" Not sure how to explain the situation, Caroline continued "Yes I have a date"

"But where did you meet him? You moved in 2 days ago!"

Caroline remained silent

"What's his name?" Celia asked, knowingly.

"Kate" Caroline's voice faltered slightly in trepidation.

"Oh not this rubbish again"

"Mother, I've got a date, with a woman, as we have discussed numerous times, this is who I am. I thought" She paused "I thought you'd be happy for me?" Caroline finished with a dejected sigh

"Oh I am love, I'm sorry; it's just hard for a stubborn old bugger like me sometimes" Celia continued, resolving to be more accepting "What…what's she like then, this woman?"

Caroline thought briefly, and replied simply "She's beautiful"

After finishing filling Celia in with a few details, Caroline hung up the phone, eager to talk to another. Stopping briefly to steady herself, she let out a long slow breath, and dialed Kate.

"Hi you"

"Hi" Caroline replied softly, a smile in her voice

"So you can use a phone" Kate said, her voice flirty and teasing.

"I felt I should ring, after you made it abundantly clear how infuriating radio silence makes you, attacking me like that in my office today, tut tut very unprofessional Ms McKenzie"

"ME?!" Kate shrieked loudly "I was only dutifully showing the new head of Science to her room, how was I to know she would shove her tongue down my throat?!"

Caroline thought her face may break from the intensity of the smirk refusing to leave her lips, she continued in her huskiest voice "If it caused you so much distress I will refrain in future"

"No" Kate said quickly

"Oh I thought not"

"Caroline" Kate said warningly, eager to change the topic before desire burst from her chest "When am I seeing you again, Dr Dawson"

"Well, I was thinking you could come round, see my new place, say 7? I've only just escaped Beverly and would like to freshen up first"

"Sounds perfect, text me your postcode" Kate said gently.

"I can't promise I won't stick my tongue down your throat again though Ms McKenzie, I hope you know what your signing up for" Caroline said boldly, her body coursing with desire, causing Kate to release a small gasp.

"Caroline" Kate almost moaned, "Stop. You have such an effect on me"

"Till later then"

"Later"

Caroline looked in the mirror once more; checking herself for the umpteenth time. She'd decided on a shirt, unbuttoned to her cleavage, with pair of figure hugging jeans. Catching her eye in the reflection, she saw her nerves reflected back at her. Although Caroline was ready to pursue a dating life, she was still apprehensive of starting down this road again. Collecting her thoughts, she cast her mind to Kate, and the animalistic desire she had stirred inside her through nothing but a kiss. Her nerved quickly squashed by the excitement and desire to see the beautiful woman again.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

This is it, Caroline thought. Walking confidently, checking the simmering pans quickly, she reached the door, opening it slowly. The image that has been tantalising Caroline for the past hour paled into comparison to what she saw. Kate stood confidently, a bottle of wine in one hand, a low cut black top and a smirk on her face. The women unashamedly stared at each other for one delicious moment. Tantalised by the possibilities the evening held; unashamedly aroused by the other.

"Hi" Kate said with a sexy smile

"Hi" Caroline replied, stifling a gulp.

The eye contact of the women refused to break, as the blonde opened the door allowing the dark haired woman to enter. Suddenly very close, Kate gently placed her hands on Caroline's hips, and a gentle kiss on her cheek.

"I hope you can still drink red, after the other night" Kate said lifting the bottle, a teasing smile on her lips and a glint in her eye.

Sat facing each other on the sofa, the woman chatted, as with the night they met, the conversation flowed easily. The date had flown by, in a flurry of flirting and stolen glances. Kate had been wooed by the elegance of Caroline's new house, decorated in a style so distinctly Caroline, and a meal so delicious she'd wondered why she wasn't a chef. But as the night drew onward, both women were becoming increasing enthralled in each other. Bewitched.

Both had one arm draped lazily across the back of the sofa, hands inches apart.

"So before Richard, you had never questioned your sexuality?" Caroline said in disbelief

"No, never. It had never occurred to me. I mean, looking back now, it certainly explains a lot. But at the time I was clueless" Kate stared hopelessly into Caroline's eyes.

"I knew before John"

"Really?!"

"Really. I think I was too coward to accept it" Caroline looked down shamefully "Seems so silly now"

Feeling confident, Kate entwined her fingers into Caroline's, and stroked her finger across the top of her hand. "You're not a coward" Kate said in a soft but confident voice.

"I want to kiss you" Caroline said boldly, her voice thick with desire, her eyes tracing a line down Kates exposed cleavage, "But I'm worried I won't stop"

"Do you need to stop?" Kate said in almost a whisper, her breathing quickened and pupils dilated. Using their entwined hands as leverage, she pulled the blonde towards her.

"I really like you Kate" Caroline whispered, her face desperately close to Kates, eyes darting from eyes to lips "But if we rush this, we can't unrush it"

Closing the gap, Kate kissed Caroline with a softness that she was not expecting. Pulling apart Kate looked intensely into Caroline's eyes and whispered "I want you Caroline, I've wanted you since the moment I saw you" She leaned forward and placed another excruciatingly soft kiss on her lips. Caroline's heart thumped so hard she imagined Kate could hear it, desire surged uncontrollably through her body at the declaration, and she wanted to have this woman right here, right now.

"But" Kate continued, pulling back slightly, "You're right, half the fun is in the chase."

Caroline's eyes dilated with desire, watched the dark woman stand and head towards the door.

"Good night Caroline"

Caroline quickly rose to follow Kate and opened the front door for her, watching her intensely, using every ounce of self-control not to reach other and touch her.

"I've had a lovely evening" Caroline forced out, slightly overly formal considering the desire running through her veins.

Kate leaned forwards, gently placing her hand on Caroline's face, kissed the other cheek. The woman stared into each other's eyes a moment longer before Kate turned and walked away.