Chapter 7:

Delphine knocked on the door to Cosima's loft. She'd upgraded since her apartment all those years ago after a large sign on bonus from the Dyad. Cosima liked to call it 'Her Hush Money Pad'.

Answering the door in an apron and a smear of something red on her cheek, Delphine immediately began laughing.

"Come in, I'm cooking which is turning into a small disaster." She moved slightly to open the door but not before capturing the blonde's lips in a chaste kiss.

Putting her bag down in a nearby chair, she pulled out the bottle of wine that she brought. "Do you want me to open it?"

"Yes absolutely! Maybe the wine will make up for the possible shittiness of this food?" Cosima said while stirring.

Laughing, Delphine expertly opened the bottle of wine and poured two glasses. She handed a glass to Cosima who took a sip, moaning at the flavor. "Yeah, this will definitely make up for the crap food."

Turning back to stirring, Delphine came up behind and put her arms around her waist. Kissing her softly on the neck, "I'm sure it will be fine, mon amour"

"Mmmm, I like that. More of that please." Delphine chuckled softly obliging. After a few moments, the timer on the oven beeped. "Shit, the chicken!"

Smiling and stepping back, Delphine let Cosima finish preparing dinner.

Cosima prepared chicken with a garlic-tomato red sauce, salad, and rolls. It was simple meal that made Delphine's heart warm. She let herself imagine what her life could be like with Cosima to come home to. Smiling widely she joined Cosima at the table.

They agreed to not talk about Delphine leaving throughout dinner always keeping the topics light or getting lost in the science of something. When dinner ended, they cleaned up the kitchen stealing kisses in between dishes.

Cosima curled herself up underneath Delphine's arm, sighing in contentment.

Finally Delphine broached the topic, "I don't want to go," she whispered.

Cosima sighed, "I would say 'Don't go' but I know that's impossible. Instead I'll say, it'll be different this time. We can do the long distance thing until a job opens up here or something but for now, let's not think about it."

Delphine sighed clearly unconvinced so Cosima continued this time turning to look her in the eye. "I'm serious Delphine. It'll be different - I won't shut you out."

Delphine stared into large brown eyes searching for a lie, when she found none, she captured her lips in a searing kiss. Deciding then that she was not worried about the trip tomorrow. It wouldn't be the end and she knew it.

Delphine woke naked and alone in Cosima's bed. Feeling her anxiety kicking in, she rolled over to find a note on Cosima's pillow. Grabbing it she read:

Had an early morning meeting that I forgot about. Likely very late. Stay as long as you like.

I promise this isn't the end.

C

Sighing, Delphine frowned and got out of bed to take a shower. She couldn't help feeling disappointed. Her flight was in a few hours and she needed to get back to the hotel and pack.

She tried to tell herself to think positive thoughts about the future but it wasn't working. What if this was just a short thing and as they both got back to being settled in their lives they would just grow apart again.

Getting dressed after the quick shower she allowed herself a few moments to linger around the apartment. Going to a book shelf she saw several evolutionary books and other science related tomes most familiar but a few she found herself flipping through. Moving on to a mantel piece she found it full of several pictures. One of a young Cosima with short hair. Another with a group of people she didn't recognize. Lastly, the picture she had seen all those years ago online of the 'Clone Club' Christmas. Smiling at Cosima's smile it was only then she noticed that it didn't reach her eyes like it had last night. It was in that moment that she thought maybe this could work. Maybe they could figure it out.

With one last look at the loft, she sighed, grabbed her bag and headed out.

Arriving at the airport, Delphine was irritable. She hadn't heard from Cosima and she was about to sit on a very long, boring flight. Just as she was about to step into the security line, she heard a loud voice behind her.

"Delphine!"

Turning, her face contorted into an odd expression. "Felix?"

"Oh thank God! I thought we were going to miss you!" Felix said out of breath.

"We?" Delphine asked confused.

"Yeah. Cosima's coming. She can't run remember. Lung thing? Here we can meet her halfway."

Still with a confused expression on her face she allowed herself to be lead away from the security line. Turning the corner, she smiled big as she saw Cosima walking quickly but determinedly toward them.

When she got closer she saw that Cosima was breathing heavy. Her expression turning to concern, she walked the extra paces quicker than normal.

"You shouldn't be exerting yourself like this!" Delphine exclaimed.

"I know! But I couldn't let you leave without saying goodbye. No not goodbye. See you later. That's what we're calling it. See you later."

Delphine crushed her lips against the shorter girl's. After a heated few seconds, Cosima broke the kiss in need of oxygen.

"My phone died. I didn't plug it in last night because you kind of broke my routine. But in a good way, of course! And I didn't have a charger. So I frantically looked up flights and saw that this was the only one going to Frankfurt so here I am?" Cosima finished lamely.

"Here you are." Delphine smiled bringing their lips to meet again.

This time it was Delphine who broke them apart. "And Felix?"

"I got in a little accident this morning." At Delphine's shocked expression, "No! Don't worry. Everyone's fine. My car though is not. It was junk anyway." Waving her hand dismissively. "Oh right back to the point, so I had to say goodbye so I called Felix and he drove. Then when I realized how late we were. He ran. Good guy he is."

Delphine smiled toward Felix, "That was very nice of him." Catching his attention, Delphine said "Merci, Felix!"

He waved her off and went back to chatting up the cashier at the nearby Starbucks.

"So?" Delphine said. Leaning into kiss Cosima again.

"So this is see you later." Cosima replied.

"Okay." Delphine nodded. Glancing at her watch she realized her flight was leaving soon. "I have to go," she whispered sadly.

"I know." Cosima said, tears welling up in her eyes.

Giving Cosima one last tender kiss, she whispered "J'taime" in her ear and began to walk back to security.

Cosima wiped the tears from her eyes as Felix came to wrap her in a hug. 'This is going to be different this time', she vowed.