Ernie was right. Lucy knows exactly what, or rather, who she wants. But Kate hurt her. The pain and anger settling deep in her heart, almost smothering her.
She had fallen for Kate early. If she was completely honest with herself, from the moment she laid eyes on the tall blonde in what she now considers their bar.
She'd thought they were on their way to a wonderful relationship when the whole Cara thing happened. In Lucy's mind it confirmed the thing that she'd worried about the most – that Kate didn't love her.
Since the breakup, Lucy had been miserable. She'd treated Kate poorly and quite frankly she'd been a jerk. But she couldn't help herself.
Her heartache made her lash out. A part of Lucy wanting to get a response from Kate. For her to at least feel the same pain.
It became a vicious cycle that Lucy just couldn't escape from – lash out at Kate - feel guilty at the pain she'd caused - become civil, almost friendly - then something would trigger Lucy to lash out again and around it would go – again.
But each time Kate took it on the chin, almost like she felt she deserved it. She would take whatever Lucy dished out and still be warm and compassionate and supportive of her.
And then the Medina case come along.
Lucy knew that if her and Jesse had arrived at the house even a few seconds later, Andrea Medina would have killed Kate. It's a thought that makes her ill.
Then to top it all off Curtis let slip that Kate had turned down a promotion so she could stay in Hawai'i. A fact that Kate had confirmed she'd done to be close to Lucy.
Could it be that Lucy had been wrong in her assumption?
Did Kate love her, or at least have feelings that could develop into love?
Rather than that thought sparking joy for Lucy, for some reason it triggered her and the cycle went around again.
But the thought that maybe, just maybe, Kate did have feelings for her slowly started to chip away at the pain and anger – little by little, to reveal the love Lucy still felt for Kate.
Which is where they find themselves now. In Jane Tennant's backyard, with Kate serenading Lucy.
For a moment Lucy thought she'd entered some weird alternate universe. There is no way that Kate Whistler, who wanted to keep them on the down low, is serenading her in Jane Tennant's backyard. In front of all their friends – ALL OF THEM, including Joe Milius.
She'd wanted to get out of there, make it stop and pretend it never happened. But Kate just sang louder. Lucy took a deep breath and when she turned to face Kate, she knew she was a goner.
Kate was nervous and awkward and laying herself bare. As Lucy walked towards her, in a strange way Lucy thought she looked more like the Kate she first met.
Later, if someone asked Lucy what Kate had said to her in Jane's backyard, she would have no idea. The only thing she will remember is the whispered "I love you."
Those three little words fan the tiny spark of hope that Lucy had buried deep. It catches, spreading like wild fire.
Unable to focus on what Kate is saying, Lucy shuts her up with a kiss. It's chaste, firmly in the PG category but it conveys everything between the women.
There are tears, caresses, and more kisses. They embrace, both marveling at how well their bodies fit together – despite their height difference.
They sway to the music coming from the balcony. Taking Kate's hand Lucy twirls away from her and then back, Kate's front pressing into her back.
As they move to their own beat Kate's other hand comes to rest on Lucy's stomach. Reaching to interlace their fingers Lucy presses back against Kate, which earns a gasp from the blonde.
Not willing to let go Lucy starts moving them towards the house. It's awkward and clumsy and they are barely moving.
Kate's laughter is music to Lucy's ears. "Luce, if you want us to get anywhere, you have to let go."
Lucy huffs and reluctantly let's go of Kates left hand. When they reach the steps, Lucy takes the first one and turns to face Kate. With the added height of the step, Lucy is eye level with Kate's beautiful eyes – well almost.
More laughter from Kate. "Careful up there, you might get a nose bleed."
Lucy pokes her tongue out as she wraps her arms around Kate and pulls her forward until their bodies are pressed together.
"Say it again?"
Kate reaches to caress Lucy's face. Her eyes follow the path of her fingers as they brush over Lucy's lips, down to her chin and along her jaw line. As her hand cups the side of Lucy's face Kate locks eyes with her.
"I love you."
Kate has always been mesmerised by Lucy's eyes, now is no exception as they shimmer with emotion and tears begin to fall.
"I love you Lucy Tara, and I should have told you."
She moves to gently wipe away Lucy's tears, her voice is thick with emotion. "I should have made sure you knew."
Lucy closes her eyes and takes a deep breath as Kate's words wash over her. They lift the weight that had held her down over the last few months. She opens her eyes and meets Kate's gaze.
"What a co-incidence, because I love you, Kate Whistler."
They are both crying now. Tears of regret give way to joy as they kiss - it's needy and passionate.
Desire bubbles to the surface and Lucy suddenly finds herself pinned between the side of the house and Kate. Pulling at Kates top, Lucy groans in frustration when she can't work her hands underneath to touch skin. In the end she runs her hands down over the back of Kate's pants, grabs her ass in both hands and grinds her hips, which earns a moan from the blonde.
They break the kiss, panting as they try to catch their breath, foreheads pressed together.
"Damn Kate, let's get out of here." Desperate for contact Lucy grinds her hips again. "I need to feel you, taste you."
"I really want that too Luce. But can we go upstairs for a little while first?"
Taking a deep breath, Lucy tries to rein in her desire.
Kates voice is thick with emotion. "I thought I was going to lose you today." She glances up at where the balcony is before looking back at Lucy. "Lose them today. I just want to see everyone."
Lucy's heart aches for Kate at the realisation of what if must have been like for her, and Ernie back at the office while they were out in the field.
"Of course, we can."
They kiss again, this one filled with love and promises of things to come.
Kate smirks at Lucy as she takes a step back and holds out her hand. "And then I promise, I'm all yours."
As Lucy interlaces their fingers, thoughts of what that will entail fill her mind and she's suddenly keen to head back upstairs.
"Come on Adele, let's go and see everyone."
"Dylan."
Lucy turns to Kate. "What?"
"Dylan. Make You Feel My Love is a Bob Dylan song."
Lucy laughs. "Well, if you think I'm calling you Bob, you're wrong."
Kate rolls her eyes, gently tugs on Lucy's hand and they continue up the stairs.
The End.