Note: Firstly, WOW! Thank you for all your responses, you guys are the best! I have loved reading what you all think, so thank you for taking the time to comment! I know the last few chapters have been hard for some, hope I haven't upset anyone too much. Thank you all, hope you have a good week :)

Therese stood there, her hand hovering over the bell. Should she press it? A voice in her head was screaming at her not to, to turn back and go… Go where though? Where would she go? She couldn't go back to the flat, and she was not in the mood to reveal what happened with Carol to Dannie. She pressed the Bell.

Blood was pumping through her body at an alarming rate. She felt feverous, her palms were sweating and her mind was racing. This was stupid, absurd, she should turn back right now- The door flew open and Genevieve, stood there in a low cut, body hugging, red satin dress. Therese felt her eyes linger over her body, momentarily lost for words.

"Therese, come in wont you?" said Genevieve in a silky voice, holding the door open.

Therese took a breath and entered. Genevieve smiled coyly.

"So nice of you to come here for a drink instead of going out, I wasn't really in the mood. Here, allow me to take your coat."

She came up behind Therese, and helped her out her coat, Genevieve's fingers gently brushing over Therese's neck, sending shivers down her spine.

"Thanks for having me, on such short notice," she replied, as Genevieve hung up her coat and led them into the sitting room.

"I've rather been hoping that you would call," she continued, gesturing for Therese to sit down.

"Were you?" Asked Therese, taken aback by her abruptness.

"Well, it's not every day a young beautiful photographer walks into your life and takes your breath away. I've been thinking about you."

She gave her a dazzling smile.

"Now, what will you have to drink?"

Therese, feeling stunned didn't answer immediately. How could this be so easy?

"Martini please."

When had she ever wanted a martini in her life? Well, it sounded better than asking for a beer… Mind you, Carol liked a Martini and whenever she had made them they had tasted good. Don't, don't think of Carol, came a harsh voice in Therese's mind.

"Here you go."

Therese felt the drink being pushed into her hand.

"You look lost in space."

Space. Flung out of space. Carol.

Therese forced a smile as she pushed the image of Carol out of her mind. She brought the drink to her lips. It was strong, too strong, but she liked it, well, she needed to like it.

Genevieve sipped at her own drink, her eyes on Therese.

"So, what made you call?"

How the hell was she to answer that one?

"I, well I, wanted to see you."

Well that was lame. No chance now Therese.

"I'm glad, I can get ever so lonely here you know."

Genevieve inched closer to Therese on the sofa. Therese brain felt like it was shutting down on her, she drained her Martini. Damn it was strong. Genevieve smiled again, reached for the jug and re-filled her glass.

"Thank you."

"How long will you be in New York for?" Said Therese, conversationally.

She took another sip. Her head felt light and dizzy.

"A few months, I think…"

Therese could tell this topic held little interest to Genevieve. She played with her hair and circled the rip of her glass with a well-polished finger. Therese drank more of her drink.

"And do you live alone Therese?"

Again, how was she to respond to that? Therese took another sip and replied

"I'm in a transitional phase."

What the hell did that mean? Whatever it meant or didn't mean though it seemed to have an effect for Genevieve raised an eyebrow.

"Well, well, well, Therese, you are mysterious, aren't you?"

Therese didn't know how to respond to this so drained her glass for a second time. She felt warm and fuzzy inside as Genevieve re-filled her glass again.

"Well you certainly like you drinks, don't you?"

Wrong. Carol likes her drinks.

"Tonight, I do."

"And why is it that you have no plans to be drinking with someone close, perhaps a boyfriend?"

Genevieve's eyes, twinkled as she spoke, knowing how Therese would answer.

Therese smiled and replied, "I don't have a boyfriend."

"Really? A beautiful girl like you? Why ever not?"

Therese knew she was playing with her. Her voice was light-hearted.

"Boyfriends aren't really my thing to tell the truth."

"Hmmmm," said Genevieve bringing her glass to her crimson lips, "that makes two of us."

Therese smiled and drained her third drink. Genevieve inched closer again, her eyes gazing into Therese's. She put her glass down without looking away from her, and edged ever nearer. Therese didn't move. She didn't know what to think or feel.

Genevieve moved a hand towards Therese's face and caressed her cheek, her face drawing nearer. And then, those crimson lips were on hers, without a trace of hesitation. It took Therese a moment or two to react and then she did. She kissed her back fiercely and pulled her closer, until Genevieve was on top of her. It felt….different, odd. But she didn't want to think about that, why shouldn't she be doing this? Images of Carol were streaming into her head one after the other, but she went on kissing Genevieve with more passion. Therese could feel Genevieve's hand undoing the buttons of her blouse, feel it being taken off and the hands unhook her bra. Dizzy, Therese followed suit, undoing Genevieve's dress until Genevieve was bare breasted. She placed her hands on the woman's breast and felt them. Genevive let out a low moan, and then Genevieve lips were on Therese's neck, they were moved down to her breasts. Just like Carol.

Without warning, large tears came from Therese's eyes, she tried to brush them away quickly, but they wouldn't stop. Carol, Carol, Carol. She broke apart from Genevieve and stumbled back, falling of the sofa and on to the floor. She scrambled to her feet and picked up her bra and blouse and put them on her.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

And she ran, ran right out the room and down the hall, straight to the door, she flung it open and stepped out into the cool evening. And then the tears came in full force; she was sobbing hysterically, uncontrollably, her shoulders shaking.

She started walking, where, she had no idea. She didn't bother to stop the tears. She felt her heart, so newly repaired crumble, because she knew that this time it was different, this time it wasn't because Carol couldn't be with her, it was because she had preferred to be with another. The pain seeped into her like lemon in a cut. It stung and ached. She clutched at her chest as if putting pressure would put it back together, as if that would be so simple. If anything would be so simple again.

Should she be mad at Abby? Could she blame Abby? Abby had probably been waiting years for this. Imagine if she was in Abby's shoes, would she have acted the same? Therese bit her lip, hating the answer that was formulating in her brain. Yes. But what now? Abby had won. Abby would always win and she had to be the graceful loser. Was there any point in fighting it? When Carol made up her mind, she made up her mind.

Therese blinked. Her feet had carried her outside the flat. Would Carol be here? She couldn't bear to see Carol, not now. The thought sent a stabbing feeling in her chest and she clutched at it again harder. It was late, Carol was sure to have gone back with Abby. Therese paused. She would stay here tonight, gather up her things and ask Dannie if she could temporarily move in with him tomorrow. She would stay until…until….what? What would she do? Live her life as if she hadn't met Carol? How would that be possible?

Therese, sighed and opened the door. All the lights were off, as if nothing had happened, as if everything was quietly waiting for normality again. Yet there would never be normality again, not without Carol. Exhausted, without bothering to take of clothes or go to the bedroom, Therese flung herself onto the sofa and closed her eyes. The last lingering image that she saw before uncomfortable sleep arrived was that of Carol smiling and waving at her to come over, something Therese felt, she would never see again.