AN: Thank you so much for all of the reviews and for reading. This has been an interesting story to write and I am so glad that it could be enjoyed. Sorry for the long wait, I am right at the end of my semester so it has been non-stop.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Fosters.

Stef's POV:

I woke up with Lena still in my arms. I know that she made a mistake and I told her that I would forgive her, but I still feel so betrayed and hurt. There is a part of me that is extremely angry at both Lena and Monte, but there is that other part that is so angry with myself for not being there for her when she needed me. I know that the events of the last few months have been especially hard on her. Losing Frankie was the hardest thing that she has been through. It affected me as well, but I know how much she wanted a baby and to have to make a decision between her health and our child's life was so difficult. I had fallen in love with that baby as well, but when I had to decide between her and my wife, I had to pick Lena. I could not live without her by my side. I know that that one event has pulled us apart and I now know how worried she really was about us.

I need some time to myself before I go to work, so I slide out of bed and head to the bathroom to shower. She is still sleeping soundly. I know that she is worn out from the events of last night so I let her sleep. I make my way into the bathroom and start to take off my clothes as I let the water heat up. As I step in, I slowly replay last nights events in my head. Before I know it, there are tears streaming down my face. I finally let out all of the pent up emotion. I know that she didn't mean for it to happen, but unfortunately that doesn't change how much it hurts.

I must have spent over twenty minutes crying and finally realized that the water was getting cold. I turned it off and stepped out, grabbing my towel and wrapping it around me. I was getting a migraine and all of the crying wasn't helping anything. I made my way over to the sink and just stood there, looking into the mirror.

Lena's POV:

I woke up and noticed that the bed beside me was empty. Then all of the memories of last night came back. I remember finally telling Stef, and I remember something remarkable happening. She didn't leave and she told me that she still loved me. All of a sudden my thoughts are interrupted by a sound I know well, Stef crying. I hear the water running so I am assuming that she is in the shower. I feel awful. How could I have done this to her. I love her so much, but I just feel so distant from her lately. I know she was keeping things about Callie from me, but I am going to assume that she simply felt it was best for all involved, even if I wish she would have just told me. We need to get back to the point of not keeping things from each other and being in this relationship and life together. The water has stopped so I decide that I will go and check on her.

I walk into the bathroom and she immediately jumps. I must have startled her.

"Good morning, honey," I say as I walk over to her. She looks awful, like she does when she gets a migraine, and I can only imagine that the crying has not helped matters at all.

"Hi, Lena" she says to me and I have no idea what is going on in her head. I walk over and take her hand in mine. I can feel her shaking. I don't know what to do for her other than just be here with her. I try to hug her but she quickly pulls away.

"I have to get ready for work and I am sure that you have to also."

I think that she just needs some space, so I let go of her and reply "Yes, I am going to shower and then I will make you some breakfast."

"Thanks, but I should just go to work, I will get something on the way. I will see you tonight Lena."

"Okay, stay safe. I love you." I have no idea how she will respond to that, but she takes my hand. "I love you too. See you later." With that she heads into the bedroom to get dressed.

By the time I get out of the shower, she is gone. I know that she must still be hurting so I try very hard not to take her leaving personally. I get dressed and head down to get something to eat. All of a sudden, a thought hits me. What am I going to say to Monte? Stef wouldn't try to talk to her, would she? I hope that is not why Stef left so early, but I rushed through breakfast and headed to work. I was looking forward to seeing the kids since they had stayed with Mike last night. I just hope that Stef doesn't do something crazy like showing up at the school.

Stef's POV:

I am headed into work early. I know that Lena was trying this morning, but I was just so upset that I had to get out of there. I went and got a bite to eat and while I was sitting there, I realized that Lena would be headed to work soon and she would see Monte there. It had not occured to me until now that maybe yesterday when Monte apologized to me, it may not have been about keeping Lena longer at work, it may very well have been about the kiss. I really think that I should go and have a talk with her. At least she attempted to make it right, but I have to make sure that it doesn't happen again. Right now I have to go to work, but I am sure that I will be seeing Monte soon enough.

As I pull into the parking lot of the station, I see Mike waiting for me by the car. He starts to give me a hard time about driving, but he knows something is up when I tell him he can drive. I don't want to have this conversation, so I head inside and put my things in my locker. I eventually make my way to the car and we head out on patrol. It seems like an eternity has passed by the time he breaks the silence.

"Stef, what is going on? You look like you have been crying. Did last night not work out?"

"What are you talking about Mike?"

"Well, when Lena asked if I could take the kids, I assumed that she had a night of romance planned for you, but I am guessing that is not what happened."

"I really don't want to talk about Mike," I say rather loudly. I am assuming that he won't give up after the reaction that I just had. It turns out my assumptions are right when he pulls the car over.

"What is going on Stef, you are obviously upset? Did you two have a fight or something?"

"You could say that."

"Why don't you talk about it? I am sure that you would feel better if you did," he says placing a hand on my arm. I start to feel the tears stinging my eyes again. I don't know what to do, but maybe talking about it would help.

"Lena did something and she told me about it last night,"I say, my voice cracking.

"What did she do?"

"She... she and Monte kissed. I guess Monte started it, but Lena kissed her back for a few seconds. She says she pulled away, but... but that doesn't make me feel any better." I start crying again.

"Oh Stef, I am so sorry. She did pull away though and it didn't go any further than that did it?"

"She says it didn't and I believe her, but I... I feel like it is partly my fault too. Like I haven't been there for her enough," I say as I start to cry harder. Mike leans over and gives me a hug. I feel so out of control.

"I think you need to give her a second chance. She loves you so much Stef. Maybe it was an accident, or maybe it was just a stupid mistake. Either way, she loves you more than anything and I don't want you to think that it is your fault. Sometimes things happen that we can't control, but if you love her and I know you do, you must be willing to work on your relationship with her and forgive her."

Those are the last words I ever expected to hear Mike say. I know that I hurt him in a similar way when I came out and started seeing Lena, but he has always been there for me. I guess I just need to be there for Lena now.

We continue on our patrol and I finally decide that I have to talk to Monte. I need to make sure that nothing like this will ever happen again at least for my own peace of mind. I do something crazy and call the school. I go ahead and set up an appointment with her through her assistant. She was able to get me in at four-thirty which probably works well because Lena should be home by then, so I don't have to worry about upsetting her.

Mike and I continue on patrol and I just start counting the hours until I can finally talk with Monte.

Lena's POV:

I get to work and see that Monte isn't here yet. It is odd for her to be running late, but then I see her pull into the parking lot. I know that I need to talk to her about everything, but especially about telling Stef. Stef sometimes gets angry and I have a feeling that she would eventually want to have words with Monte. If I can give her a heads up, maybe we can avoid the entire situation.

"Hey Lena," she says to me as she steps out of the car.

"Monte, could I talk to you in my office before school gets going?"

"Sure, let me get my briefcase and then lead the way."

We make our way through the school halls and head into my office. I shut the door and close the blinds.

"Lena, is everything okay?"

"Um, I... I told Stef. I am so sorry, but I couldn't keep lying to her."

"When did you tell her?"

"Last night."

"Is everything okay," she asks placing her hand on my shoulder. She looks like she is genuinely concerned for me and that is one thing I think that drew me to her as a friend.

"I think it will be. We have some things to work out, but I think she understands it was just something that happened."

"Oh, that is good. I am really glad you told her, because I almost told her yesterday when she came to see you at lunch."

"You told her?" I ask, my voice starting to rise a bit.

"No, Lena. I almost told her. I just wanted to apologize to her, but when I realized that you hadn't told her, I just apologized for making you late to the dance off. I told her that we had gotten the grant thanks to you and we took a moment to celebrate. I am really sorry."

Now I knew where Stef had found out about the grant. I remember her saying that she had talked to Monte, but as shocked as she was when I told her about the kiss, I know that Monte didn't tell her anything.

"It's fine Monte, I should have told her before, but I was being a coward. I just wanted to let you know that I had told her in case she shows up here wanting to talk to you. She can have a temper. I hope she doesn't talk to you, but I wanted you to be aware so she didn't catch you by surprise."

"Lena, if she wants to talk to me, its fine. We both made mistakes, but if she can forgive you, I will gladly take the blame."

I am shocked yet again. I would never ask her to take the blame for me. It was just as much my fault as it was hers.

"I would never ask you to take the blame. We both made a mistake, and I hope that we will be able to conitinue on as friends, but I didn't want you to be blindsided by Stef."

"I'll be fine Lena, and I just want you to relax. It isn't ever going to happen again so take a few minutes to yourself, and I will see you later, okay."

"Okay, thank you again Monte."

As I sat back in my chair, I finally relaxed a bit. Hopefully Stef won't be impulsive and show up here, but I trust that it won't ever happen again and right now, all I want to do is work on my marriage and getting things back to the way they used to be.

Monte POV:

I was a little worried when Lena asked to see me in her office this morning, but I am glad she did. I had not considered that Stef may want to have a chat with me after she found out what had happened. I know that she has every right to be angry, but if I can do anything to ease her fears that something might happen between me and Lena, I want to do it. I care very much for Lena, but she is married and I am straight. I want to make sure that I can be there as her friend, but I cannot and will not do it without Stef's permission.

I head back to my office when I see my assistant hang up the phone.

"I am really sorry Monte, but I had to schedule and appointment with a parent at four-thirty. I hope that is okay?" she asks me and I am more than happy to stay late to meet with a parent.

"That is fine Rachel, thank you for letting me know."

I continue on with my day and plan on checking in with Lena a little later on to make sure that she is okay. I suppose if Stef wants to speak with me, she will find me eventually. Until then, I fully intend on being the best friend I can be to Lena.