The day started like the three before, with Cosima wrapped around me, an arm holding me from behind, a hand tucked between my hipbone and the mattress, her naked form against my bare skin. I remove my hand from the warmth of the blankets, hearing a groan from behind me as I turn off the alarm. She shifts lazily, still not entirely awake and I turn to her, feeling a hand pleasantly grazing along my lower back, pulling at me weakly. Cosima always moves at her own pace and it takes a few soft kisses to wake her completely, stretching like a feline, her eyes shut and a grin on her lips.

Despite that, she's always the first to leave the bed, pulling her underwear up and a large t-shirt that I once called my own down her torso and picking up her glasses from the nightstand. She looks back before she leaves the bedroom and after a quick stop in the bathroom, heads straight to the kitchen where she gets the coffee machine started. Meanwhile, I observe her from the bed, feeling a small lecherous pleasure in watching her get dressed, the pull of her muscles under the olive skin, and only when she begins to putter around the kitchen do I finally begin to move.

Just as we're leaving, Olivia finally emerges from her bedroom with a sleepy 'good morning', and disappears into the bathroom. Out of sheer laziness, we've developed the habit of going to school on Cosima's scooter, allowing the luxury of fifteen more minutes in bed. We part ways with a kiss, each of us walking in the direction of our respective classes. We lunch together, and two out of the three days we were joined by Olivia and Sylvia. Finally, after the library and our lab work, we return home. One evening, we went out for a nightcap with my roommate and her girlfriend.

Today was playing out like the last three until we're having lunch, when Cosima tells me her plans.

"Today?" I ask, startled, the tray set aside after the end of the meal.

"Yeah," Cosima nods, but she seems a little hesitant. "I mean... we better warn Dr. Ford we're not going to the lab or she'll have a fit, but I thought we should do it."

"A heads up would've been nice," I try not to sound too annoyed but, judging by Cosima's flinch, I don't believe I succeed.

"I didn't want you to get all worked up," she explains defensively, reaching out for my hand setting on the table and squeezing it gently. I don't pull back, but I don't return the tender gesture either. "Okay, listen," she urges in a firmer tone. "If I'd told you yesterday, you'd be thinking all kinds of shit and I thought you should have a good nights sleep instead of staying up all night worried sick."

I twist my lips, the irritation slipping away but traces of it remain. "I appreciate that, but I don't need you to protect me from this," I say softer, taking her hand in mine and letting my fingers run over her knuckles.

She grins. "But we're going, right?" Cosima asks hopefully.

"I guess we are," I shrug, a small smile tugging the corner of my lips.

There's no point in dragging this out, it needs to be done, and the sooner we get it out of the way the better. Cosima needs her things. Period. I'll probably never admit to her, because I don't want to encourage this kind of thing, but a big part of me is thankful for her misdirection. She's getting to know me well and she's absolutely correct when she says that I would've driven myself crazy if I'd had that much time to think about it; playing scenarios out in my head of how it could happen would've kept me up all night. Still, Cosima can't get used to keeping important things from me, regardless of her good intentions. The fact that I'm not a fan of surprises is something she's yet to learn about me.

"Alright!" She says more lively, her hand slipping from under mine to get the phone out of her bag. "I'll warn Jen and you call Olivia."

"At least you didn't tell them before you told me," I comment casually, reaching for my own phone.

She stops and looks me in the eye. "I wouldn't do that," Cosima shakes her head, a serious expression on her face. "I needed to know if it was okay with you. If you had said you weren't ready, we would've done it some other time."

I didn't mean it to be a protest, it was a simple observation, nothing more. "No no..." I wave my hands, dismissing her concerns and wanting to assure her. "I'm getting tired of you using my favorite t-shirt."

"Oh... you're never going to get that one back," she laughs. "Better get use to it."

What's left of my irritation dissipates with her smile, and I wonder if that will ever stop; the way she can charm me into a mellow state, how just a few words spoken with an honest gaze calms my mind when it rages too fast. I smile to myself as I wait for Olivia to pick up, and decide that probably it won't. It's part of who she is, it runs in her blood and it's one of the reasons why I fell so hopelessly in love with her. Had it been someone else, I would get worried about it, but it's Cosima and deep inside I know she won't take advantage of this weakness of mine.

Twenty minutes later we're gathered in the parking lot, near the two cars as we develop our strategy.

"When we get there, I'll go upstairs and collect my clothes and stuff from the bathroom," Cosima indicates. "While you search downstairs for my books. It shouldn't be hard to identify them; just get everything that's science related."

"I brought some bags and boxes," Jen informs us.

"Yeah, that'll help," Cosima nods with a small smile looking at her friend, but I feel her nervousness.

"What about other stuff?" I ask. "Don't you have things in the kitchen..."

"I do," Cosima continues to nod. "I also have trinkets spread around the house and such. Once I'm done upstairs, I'll go around the house and try to get what I can. But we need to get our priorities straight."

"I think someone should stay outside and put the things in the cars as they come," Sylvia proposes. "It should be faster that way."

"Yes," Olivia agrees, "and keep an eye out in case Kate arrives."

"Okay, the two of you do that," Cosima says and she's on full concentration mode now. "Delphine should find my books and Jen try to get random crap I have, you know some of the stuff that belongs to me," she looks at her friend, who nods in agreement.

"Alright!" Olivia claps her hands. "Let's do this shit!" And she sounds way too cheerful for my liking.

We're quiet on the ride over, Cosima and Jen in front, while I take the back seat, Sylvia and Olivia stay close behind us. The isolation of the street permits us to park right in front of the place. Doors open and close in unison as everyone gets out, and Jen goes to the back of the car to open the trunk, and we unload the dismantled cardboard boxes and large bags. Meanwhile, in the corner of my eye I see Cosima open the door to the warehouse-turned-home, and step inside.

I leave the other girls behind and follow Cosima inside. She's standing in the middle of the large living space, frozen in place, I see her shoulders rise and fall as she takes a deep breath. For all the determination she's shown, I feel the entire situation sinking in and overwhelming her. With slow steps I approach her and wrap my arms around her, my chin resting on her shoulder.

"It will all be over soon," I whisper my encouragement, hearing her hum and feeling her head nod slowly, her hands cover my own and tug me closer.

"I know," she answers in a equally low voice. "It's just..." she hesitates and takes another deep breath. "Not all memories are bad, you know..." she swallows thickly. "I mean... I know this is the right thing to do, that I need to do this but..."

"It's hard," I finish when she doesn't.

And I do know what she means, extensively. It never crossed my mind that this would be easy for her; it can be difficult to let go, especially when it means ending a relationship that's lasted for so long. I know that part of who she is was shaped by her relationship with Kate and I've learned to live with that knowledge. We're not entirely defined by our relationships, but it's part of who we are, and it influences our future decisions as we build part of our personality upon the experiences we gathered from them. However, is up to us to decide what we're going to take away from them; if we're going to let them limit us or not. Will we allow our past mistakes to taint our future relationships and expect the worst or will we learn from our mistakes and move on, having awareness of them, trying not to repeat them and hope for the best. Only we can control that and if Cosima chooses one path or the other is probably too soon to tell, but I believe this is a promising first step.

Cosima turns around in my arms and looks me in the eyes, a small smile appearing on her lips. "Let's get this over with!" She sounds determined, assuring me in a way that makes me suspicious that she can actually read my mind.

I raise both my hands to her cheeks and nod enthusiastically. "Let's!"

"Alright! Let's get this show on the road then," Olivia chimes in behind us and I suspect she's been around long enough to hear our conversation.

I untangle myself from Cosima and face my friend and her widespread smile. "Aren't you supposed to be on the lookout?"

"Getting there," she says, dropping on the couch a few cardboard boxes. "Just helping bring this stuff in."

We work efficiently, having our tasks well defined, it doesn't take us too long to fill boxes and take them outside, Jen and I carry them together when they're too heavy while Olivia and Sylvia place them in the cars, distributing the weight as best they can. Occasionally Cosima comes downstairs, a full bag carelessly piled with clothes and Jen takes that opportunity to ask about the ownership of a few things before Cosima moves back up. It takes her three trips to get everything and after she's done, Cosima works close to me, in the area that was apparently reserved for her studies, handing me several books that I missed because they're works of fiction and I had no way of knowing to whom they belong to, that I stack in another box.

"Anything from the kitchen?" Jen asks while we work.

"A couple of pots and pans," Cosima asks without stopping. "But fuck that, I ain't carrying that shit. Let her throw them away if she doesn't want them," she finishes with a shrug, handing me two more books.

Jen snorts. "Yeah, it's not like your father doesn't own an extensive collection."

"Only good thing about moving back home with my father," she jokes. "I never have to worry about what's for dinner."

"Why do you think I'm still with my mom?" Jen comments cheerfully, everyone getting more relaxed as the end of our mission approaches. "Every day I have a restaurant class meal."

"Girls..." Olivia enters the house, but stays by the door. "Trouble's coming." She informs, her expression entirely too pleased considering the news she brings.

Despite it, I can't exactly say that I'm surprised. In fact, I was so convinced that this wouldn't go smoothly that I've been mentally preparing myself for the dreadful confrontation.

A fuming Kate paces inside, her face hard as stone and she looks at each of us with murder in her eyes.

"What's the meaning of this?" She asks in an irritating tone, walking closer to where Cosima is standing.

"What does it look like?" Olivia says defiantly. "Cosima is getting her shit out of your place."

"Our place!" Kate corrects her loudly, staring back at my roommate. "And this doesn't concern you!"

"Not anymore," Cosima voice is strong when she speaks. "You knew this would happen."

"And you had to do it like a coward," Kate says with a malicious smile. "When I'm not home and with a bunch of people to cover your back."

"With friends," Jen raises her voice. "We're just helping our friend."

"Oh fuck off, Jen!" Kate bites back, a finger pointing at the other girl. "Don't act like you haven't done everything you could to break us up."

"Kate, it doesn't have to be this way," Cosima tries to soften the tension. "We're just about done and ready to leave."

"And how do you think it should be?" Kate mocks. "Say it's over and let's all be friends."

"You just gotta like... let it go," Cosima replies and I can see she's trying hard for things not to escalate, keeping her tone as civil as possible. "Accept it and move on."

"Accept it!?" Kate repeats in disbelief, throwing her hands in the air. "That simple, huh? And what about all that I've done for you? All the times you needed someone and I was the only one around?"

Cosima's shaking her head in disagreement, but doesn't interrupt her. "That's not true," she counters when Kate stops. "I always had others, I just... I was messed up and only saw you." Kate scoffs hearing this and turns her back on Cosima who, despite that reaction, continues to talk. "And don't think I don't appreciate all that you've done for me..."

"You've got a fine way of showing it," the other girl cuts in bitterly. "I always knew you were weak, but I didn't think you could be so ungrateful."

"Why do you have to be such a bitch?" Olivia butts in, still by the door, Sylvia's hand on her shoulder doing nothing to ease the fiery temperament of my roommate. "No wonder it didn't take much for Cosima to seek attention elsewhere."

"I already told you this is none of your business," Kate snaps at my friend. "Fucking my girlfriend doesn't give you the right to meddle in this."

Sylvia has to hold Olivia back and says something in her ear for my roommate to stand down and leave the house after flipping a middle finger at Kate. Jen takes that opportunity to discreetly make her way outside, giving me a gentle squeeze on my arm as she passes by me.

Kate's eyes zero in on me. "What are you still doing here?" She asks, her eyes burning two holes in me. "Get the fuck out of my house!"

"I'm not leaving until Cosima tells me to," I respond calmly, the anger flaring inside my chest not transpired by my tone.

Kate snorts and with three steps she's right in front of me. "This is so easy for you, isn't it?" The mocking tone returns to her voice, a sinister smile on her lips. "Stay with Cosima now that she's all nice and calm, when I had to deal with the shitstorm that was her life before."

I raise my brow, refusing to give in to her aggressive posture. "And you think that gives you the right to demand her to stay with you regardless of what she really wants?" I ask and the mask of anger in her face becomes darker. "Why do you want to stay with someone who clearly doesn't love you anymore? Who wants to be with someone else?"

She laughs in my face, a humorless thing that shakes me to the core, but I stand my ground. "Until when?" She asks ominously. "What makes you believe that Cosima won't do to you what she's doing to me? How do you know that one day she won't decide that it's done and tell you to move on?"

"I don't," I answer within a heartbeat, shaking my head. "But I like to think I'd have the dignity to let her live her life."

My words struck a chord in her and she takes a small step back, finally putting some much needed distance between us. "Because you never had to fight for her," she says with disdain. "Because it was easy for you to step into her life when she was no longer in pain."

I'm ready to deny her accusations, to tell her that getting to Cosima's heart was far from easy, that she wasn't okay when we met. I may not have known the full extent of Cosima's pain when she had to deal with the guilt that consumed her at the loss of her sister in such a traumatic way, but she had her problems, she still does and it's only now learning how to confront them. That in fact, many of the issues Cosima still have were caused by Kate herself, either because she lead her then-girlfriend on a path that isolated her from everyone else or because, like we're witnessing now, she refused to accept Cosima's decision.

But I never got around to do it. Cosima's hand curls around my arm as she gets close.

"No," Cosima says with confidence. "It's because she's a better person than you'll ever be. Because Delphine would never try to manipulate my emotions to her advantage and keep me from making my own choices."

Cosima's words are a hard blow to Kate's convictions. She steps back some more, as if she was punched in the gut, but her mocking expression doesn't change, if anything it becomes more pronounced. "You seem pretty certain of that..." She scorns.

"I am," Cosima nods and I feel her stare going to me briefly. "I am sorry that we didn't work out, but I'm not sorry that in the process I met Delphine and fell in love with her." A small smile appears on her lips as she says this and I feel her hand tugging gently at my arm. "I can only hope one day you'll find someone who makes you understand what I'm saying."

"I have!" Kate insists, but Cosima's last words seem to have extinguished her fire.

"No, you haven't," Cosima shakes her head and releases me to search something in her pocket. "If that was the case, you wouldn't be trying so hard to keep me from leaving."

When I see Cosima place the keys on the small coffee table, I move to get the last box from the floor. Kate observes us in silence, realizing that all her attempts were futile. She looks genuinely surprised as Cosima leaves the house keys, and guides us towards the door with a gentle hand on my back.

"Maybe when you do, you'll be able to forgive me," Cosima stops midway to the door and turns around. "But I don't need you to. Not anymore."

We walk outside, the three girls look at us with expectation, but when we say nothing they don't push for answers. Silently, I put the box in the trunk of Jen's car and get inside. Everyone does the same, but this time Cosima slides into the backseat with me, reaching for my hand and pulling it into her lap. I look at her, squeezing her hand and giving her a reassuring smile that she returns before she rests her head on my shoulder.

A/N: alright people, only one more to go. The next one is the epilogue and it only serves to tie this up with a nice little pink bow on top ;)

Thanks for reading. And thank you Cophine for the cleaning up.