Caroline reached for a tissue from the bedside table, dried her tears and took a deep breath and started to speak haltingly, seemingly deep from within herself

"I know it must seem silly to cry like that Kate but for years I have thought about what making love with a woman might be like, I don't mean simply the physical act … I mean how I would feel, here, in my heart, in my very soul. I've dreamt about this day for years and lately, since knowing you, even fantasized about it but in all honesty I never thought I would find out.'

'It was so easy to be conventionally married, it was expected, it fitted with the lifestyle, but as I've said I always knew there was a part of me I was denying. Desiring a woman, being with a woman, well that required courage and I never thought I would be able to find that courage, never allow myself to find the real me.'

'Shit, I sound pathetic even to my own ears, sorry Kate I'm killing the moment.'

Kate's eyes were misty as she looked at the older woman. The love she felt for Caroline was deepening with every layer of her character she exposed, with every new level of understanding she gained.

'No, go on' said Kate

Caroline smiled and lifted a hand to caress Kate's face. 'Kate, what I just experienced, emotionally and physically was so much more than I have ever experienced before, so much better than any dream or any pathetic fantasy could be. It was quite literally like coming home after years of struggle. You were incredible, so tender, so gentle, and yet so passionate. You made me feel like I was the epicenter of your universe and for the first time in my life I was truly happy in my own skin, hence the tears, tears of joy. Totally inadequate I know but, thank you Kate, thank you for being you.'

'Absolutely no thanks required' said the younger woman pulling Caroline back into her arms 'I thoroughly enjoyed myself exploring this magnificent body'

Stroking Caroline's back feeling the gentle tremors that coursed through the older woman in response to even her lightest touch, Kate planted kisses down Caroline's neck and across her shoulder murmuring as she went 'You have no idea how many times I have fantasized about being allowed to do this.'

Looking up and stroking Caroline's face Kate said 'You really are an incredibly sexy woman, watching you strut your stuff in the corridors at school is one of my secret pleasures. In fact I think you caught me ogling you once, do you remember – I wouldn't like to say how far my fantasy had got when you spotted me.'

Caroline chuckled but deflected the compliment saying quietly

'You are so beautiful Kate'

Caroline's eyes darkened with renewed desire as she raised her hands to cup Kate's breasts and run her thumbs over the hardening dark brown nipples. Lowering her head Caroline murmured 'So beautiful' before starting to explore Kate's breasts with her mouth slowly moving her focus to each nipple in turn before moving on to lick and kiss the sensitive skin in the valley between the younger woman's breasts.

Kate's breath caught in her throat at Caroline's touch then she gasped in surprise as Caroline pulled her down the bed and rolled over on top of her. Reveling in the full-length contact of their bodies Caroline pressed her lips against Kate's soft inviting mouth instigating a series of kisses that left both women breathless.

'Those hidden depths again Dr. Elliot' said Kate close to Caroline's ear. The throaty whisper of her lover, so unlike Kate's normal voice, and the feel of the younger woman's soft breath gently caressing her drove Caroline's desire to new heights.

Trailing kisses down Kate's toned abdomen, feeling the muscles tremble at her touch Caroline gently parted Kate's legs appreciating the warm heady scent of the younger woman's arousal as she did so. Using only the knowledge of her own body and Kate's responsiveness to guide her Caroline used her tongue to explore Kate's warm wet centre.

Kate gasped and grabbed handfuls of the sheet as Caroline drove her ever closer to the edge.

'Caroline, Caroline….you said you'd never been with a woman ….where…. how come you're so good at this.'

Caroline raised her head and smiled 'Instinct I guess and the inspiration that is Kate McKenzie.'

About to return to her most enjoyable task Caroline was surprised when Kate reached out to cup her face and said breathlessly

'Not this way love, not the first time. I'm so close but the first time I want to come looking at you, looking into those beautiful eyes.

'Caroline moved rapidly back up the bed until she was again in full contact with Kate's glorious body. 'You're wish is my command' she smiled as she locked eye contact with younger woman.

Kate gasped a second time in surprise as Caroline gently pushed her leg between Kate's and rolled onto her back pulling Kate up to sit astride her headmistress. Kate groaned as she felt Caroline's thigh push against her centre.

Caroline was enraptured, she had never seen anything so glorious, never experienced anything so erotic as looking up at the lithe beauty straddling her. As the younger woman's movements became more urgent Caroline gently introduced her hand to help her reach her climax.

'Caroline, oh my God, Caroline' the younger woman called out as her muscles tensed and her body arched in ecstasy.

As the waves of pleasure started to diminish Kate fell forward and Caroline enfolded her in her arms, pulling her close and listening as the dark woman's heart slowed and her breathing returned to normal.

Nuzzling in and gently kissing her lover Kate murmured 'You're way too good for a first timer Elliot, are you telling me everything?'

Slightly sheepishly Caroline laughed and said 'Well I have always been good at research'

'Hmmm, research is all very well' said the younger woman 'but lets not forget that its practice that makes perfect'

Smiling Kate again leant in to place a lingering kiss on the blonde woman's lips.

Resting comfortably in Kate's arms Caroline remembered her conversation with John earlier in the day.

'I don't know if its what I want entirely yet' she had said ' but I won't know if I don't try'

Now she did know, this was what she wanted more than anything she had ever wanted before. She also knew that even if she wasn't yet able to say it out loud she was falling in love with Kate McKenzie and couldn't bear that thought of their not being together.

'Kate'

'Mmm' responded the younger woman nuzzling against Caroline's neck

'Kate, I've made a decision'

Kate opened her eyes and looked at Caroline.

'I want you to be a very real part of my life from now on, I want to tell my mother and the boys about us, so that we can be together more openly, at least in our home life. Are, would…umm… you be OK with me telling them?'

'Oh Caroline' said Kate taking the older woman's breath away with a look that spoke only of love.