The rest of the evening is a let down. And it's not as if Delphine was insistent that they must go to bed together immediately. She simply wanted to turn things romantic, and then leave them in Cosima's hands as to how far and how fast they would go.

Instead Cosima leaves an awkward half hour later, never even making it to the whirlpool tub. When she leaves Delphine blows out all the candles. She undresses and sits on her couch. The box of chocolate covered strawberries is stored in the fridge.

Casual sex. Delphine scoffs at the idea. How was anything she was trying to do remotely casual? It wasn't as if they were strangers or… acquaintances. They were friends. And she hadn't asked for sex. She'd kissed Cosima. And while she was willing to follow through - if Cosima wanted, it wasn't necessarily her plan.

Easing into things sounded much easier to Delphine. But it looks like Cosima has set impossible conditions. Delphine reluctantly goes to bed, and figures she'll figure out how to get over this in the morning.

Morning brings no solutions. Just an empty bed and a memory of an all too brief kiss. Delphine goes about her day, trying to pretend everything is normal. But she doesn't reach out to Cosima. She exercises. Runs errands. Buys groceries. It's not until she's home again, scrubbing the various floors and surfaces in her apartment in an attempt to bring some kind of order back to her world.

Nothing is normal. Delphine realizes a few hours later. Nothing. She had tried to open her heart to Cosima and Cosima… Cosima had… been stupid enough to think she would have been satisfied with casual sex.

Or perhaps, Cosima had intentionally misunderstood her? Or … wrongly believed Delphine would be unable or unwilling to satisfy her. Cosima had kissed her back, if only for a minute. And Cosima had been looking at her… maybe, maybe something was there. Or could be coaxed out.

She couldn't agree to a one night stand with Cosima. The thought was absolutely preposterous. The problem of course, is that she wants Cosima. And no one else will do. The thought of trying to have someone else was just… unappealing. It wouldn't satisfy. How could it? When she feels like this.

She wants to make love to her, and isn't that what Cosima is offering? A chance. They have a connection. She may be able to change Cosima's mind. And while inexperienced, she could be enthusiastic. And completely emotionally present. Isn't it more about truly connecting anyway? She is love with Cosima, Delphine thinks to herself. And that… that is worth trying for. She could kiss Cosima. Adore Cosima, all of Cosima. It... it could be enough, she thinks. If that is what is standing in Cosima's way. Worries of things going wrong. Or... worries that Delphine could not love her, could not please her.

Delphine spends the following few days splitting her time between her work and her new personal research. Research, that proved more complicated than she'd expected. What had she been thinking? Trying to research lesbian sex. What had she been expecting? She must have had some idea how overtly sexualized lesbians were. And yet, she had been taken aback.

"Porn." Delphine grumbles. That wasn't what she wanted at all. So instead, she turns her focus to female pleasure. And maximizing such. It doesn't matter, Delphine thinks. If the techniques are marketed to heterosexual couples, men or… women in need of better asserting themselves in their bedroom.

After several days of careful searching, throwing out any piece of information that seems… violent. Or ill-intentioned given the sensitivity of erogenous tissues. Delphine decides she'll have to be prepared enough.

Having made her decision she marches herself into one of Cosima's classes just as her students are letting out.

"Hey… Delphine… I've… missed you." Cosima tells her readily. "Do you want to get dumplings or something? I could pick your brain on this concept…I'm trying to get my students to understand better."

"No, I have something to tell you." Delphine assertively leans against the desk. Trying to get Cosima's attention.

"Yeah. Sure. What is it? I'm all yours." Cosima quips, clearly trying to be funny. But she isn't in the mood for jokes. And who could be after the …. Half-rejection that Cosima had mustered in response to her romantic overture.

"OK." Delphine tells her bluntly.

"OK what?" Cosima looks back at her, confused for a minute before realization begins to spread across that beloved face. And Delphine is convinced she can do this. She can change Cosima's mind.

"I accept your terms."

"What?!" Cosima's eyes widen.

"But you must stay all night." Delphine adds. "And…we can do…whatever I want?"

"Umm like… within reason." Cosima stumbles over her words. "What did you have in mind?"

"Just what you offered - a single night of passion." Delphine nods, trying to look enthusiastic about the prospect. If it went well, it would not just be one night. And Cosima would keep coming back to her bed. For more than just sex.

"Right…like tonight?" Cosima seems a bit dumbfounded, but that will wear off. She's given Cosima time to prepare. Time to… wrap her mind around the fact they would be having their one night. Time to perhaps change her mind and realize that she wants more. She must know there could be so much more.

"We can. Or Friday… then we can sleep in after." Delphine thinks she can reach her. Her love will be obvious. It will soften Cosima. They can make love on and off all night. They can make love in the morning after. Go to brunch. Go back to bed. Slowly form a relationship from there. Once Cosima is assured of her attraction, of her…suitability as a partner.

Of course… she must turn one time, into several times. She must do everything she can to maximize pleasure. But also to maximize the release of oxytocin. To cuddle and press herself against Cosima. To hold and caress her as much as possible.

After all, the brain was meant to attach in such situations. And she could… use that. Must use that.

"Are you… like… sure?" Cosima asks her even as she's guiding Cosima out of the building, up to her office and then they will go for dumplings as usual. They will build this together. Something new.

"I am completely sure. I want…to. With you." Delphine responds. Wishing she could say the rest. But she looks at Cosima affectionately, and feels more sure of herself by the minute.