Laura's departure had left them in a pensive silence. The moon reflected in the ocean in the middle of the lights of the city, at this hour, everything was very quiet. Lucy had thought about what she was going to say, she had planned her speech, chosen her words carefully, but nothing had gone as planned. And now she wasn't sure how to get the conversation going again.

"You and Laura seem very close."

Which had absolutely nothing to do with the subject, but it was better than nothing. Kate smiled. Since the beginning of the evening, she couldn't stop wondering why the little brunette was there and what could have happened with her cousin. She was even frankly surprised at how the evening turned out after their altercation earlier in the day.

"I think of her more as a sister than as my cousin."

She blew on the cup of tea she had prepared and smelled the mint scent that was coming from it. She was at home, in her own environment, she felt relaxed and safe, enough at least to agree to open up a little.

"I was 16 when I told my parents I liked girls and that wasn't going to change. They kicked me out."

Lucy's eyes widened in shock at the revelation. Kate had never spoken to her about her parents, her childhood, or much of anything else, and now she suddenly understood a little better why.

"Fortunately for me, my aunt was more open-minded, so she took me in. So I spent a good part of my teenage years with Laura.

-I'm sorry you had to go through that. It's... horrible."

It was, indeed. Kate remembered that day with great vividness. Of her mother's tears as she looked at her with deep disgust, as if she were some kind of monster, of her father's pale face and locked jaw. In his icy voice that pierced her like a sharp blade: "Go get your things and leave this house. Don't come back unless you're sane and healthy again". Her mother had gone sobbing into the kitchen. She had never forgotten this last word, this ultimate insult.

"Yes."

She sighed with relief without even realizing it.

"But that's long gone and I was still lucky enough to grow up in a nice, loving family, so I'm not complaining. It just explains why I'm not very good at talking about my feelings or assuming a relationship in public. But I'm working on it."

Lucy nodded slightly, yes, that explained a couple of things.

"Have you... tried to reconnect with your parents?

-Yeah, let's just say it hasn't been a great success. So, I'm better off."

Kate glanced at the woman facing her, the warm reflections of the light on her matte skin, the softness of her gaze. She missed the little brunette terribly and she was the only one to blame. Laura's words came back to her: "Settled or clear? Those are two very different things." It was the first time in a very long time that they were able to spend a pleasant moment together. But her cousin wasn't wrong, if Lucy kept poking her constantly, it was because there was certainly some resentment. Kate had tried to explain herself several times but without managing to find an attentive ear. It was probably time to try again, or else she risked ruining everything once more. She took a short breath to give herself courage.

"Lucy... I want you to know that I am so sorry. I never meant to hurt you but the fact is... I did and I apologize for that."

Her voice trembled slightly, she struggled to keep her emotions under control but there was so much regret that it was difficult.

"I have no excuse for the way things went down and I truly regret it."

The silence that fell between them was strange. Kate watched the colored liquid at the bottom of her cup, the lack of reaction told her that she really had no chance to get back together with Lucy, but if not, maybe their relationship would become more friendly again. The chocolate eyes in front of her were scanning the horizon. Lucy was trying to sort through her emotions and it was complicated. There were the obvious ones: she missed Kate, she still had feelings for her, the jealousy attack about Laura was a remarkable proof. But the betrayal and the lack of trust were real, difficult to build anything solid on such a fragile base. Kate's voice finally brought her out of her thoughts:

"Please, say something… Even if it's to tell me to go to hell or...I don't know, anything, really."

The tone was calm but full of insecurity. Lucy felt an almost overwhelming urge to hug her. She closed her eyes and calmly fought back tears. Her voice was clear when she spoke, much to her relief.

"I thought Laura was your new girlfriend."

Kate blinked, she definitely hadn't anticipated this kind of response.

"What?"

Lucy cleared her throat.

"I had come here to talk to you, when your cousin opened the door, I felt like I was reliving the scene with Cara. I stormed out and she followed me down the hallway.

-Oh. Is that what the "I'm her cousin" was about when I got off the elevator?"

The young woman nodded slightly.

"When I saw you at NCIS this morning, you were very close, very friendly so when she opened the door to your place... I jumped right to the conclusion.

-You couldn't have known that.

-No, but it sums up my dilemma very well."

Kate raised an eyebrow questioningly. The little brunette crossed her legs and blew softly. The conversation was difficult but Jane was right, it was necessary.

"I was jealous of Laura but I don't trust you."

Her interlocutor might not have been very talkative, but she was very expressive, and Lucy had seen the flicker of hope that had faded almost immediately. The faint but hopeful smile that had quickly turned into melancholy sadness.

"I understand, I messed up." Kate swallows. "I really regret it but...I can't change what I did. I can only tell you that I'm really, really sorry."

Lucy nodded slightly.

"I'm sorry I've been a pest the last few weeks. You were right to be angry with me this morning."

Kate felt that all of a sudden this story didn't matter. She remembered that there was no hope for a second chance and she was the only one to blame.

"I'll go, it's getting late.

-Yes of course."

The tall blonde got up to escort her guest to the door. Lucy smiled.

"Thanks for the pizza and I hope I made a better impression on your cousin."

Kate nodded, responding to the smile.

"I'm sure she does. But if you get a chance to run into her again, I'm pretty sure she'll tell you herself.

-She's very direct, isn't she?"

Her interlocutor had a light laugh.

"You think?"

Lucy went out of the apartment, the awkward moment was always a bit there, when it was time to leave but everything was weird because neither of them really wanted to leave. And it was always her who gave the impulse, because it was her trust and her heart that had been broken.

"Well... Good night.

-Yes, good night."

The small brunette went up in the elevator and sighed just after the doors closed. It still hurt, really, despite the talk, despite the apology, she was still in pain. Lucy absentmindedly wiped away a tear, walked to her car and realized that she had forgotten her things at Kate's house. She had left empty-handed. So she walked all the way back to knock on door 1204. When Kate opened the door, she already had her things in her hand.

"You forgot your jacket."

She was so beautiful, even tired after a difficult conversation.

"No.

-Um..."

Even perplexed and completely lost.

"Don't ever put me through that again.

-I promise."

There had been no hesitation, Kate had immediately understood what she was referring to. Her heart began to beat like a deaf person. Lucy filled the space between them to come to seek what she had missed so much, of a hand on the cheek, they shared finally the kiss of the reconciliation. Between sighs of contentment and groans, Kate closed the door with one hand before embracing the one who had become her companion again. Lucy snuggled up against her, the pain had been silenced instantly. She ran her hand through the blonde hair as they rediscovered each other in a kiss full of promise. When they parted, her breath short but her heart pounding with joy, Lucy bit her lip softly.

"So... I just met your family, right?"

Kate laughed softly, she couldn't stop smiling.

"Some of it yes.

-I'm really going to have to improve my image with Laura.

-You don't have to. I've already explained to her at length what an incredible woman you are.

-Oh yeah?"

There was again that look full of sweetness and tenderness for her and Kate lost herself in it for a moment.

"Yes, the day I told her I had fallen in love with you."

Lucy was pretty sure her jaw had just dropped to the floor. She responded a little awkwardly to the soft kiss Kate placed on her lips.

"I don't expect an answer, I don't ask you anything but, I don't want to regret not telling you. I don't want to have any more regrets, not with you."

She placed another kiss. "I love you." Then another and smiled tenderly at the still stunned expression of her companion. When Lucy hugged her, she snuggled in willingly, so happy to have her back, and for a moment there was nothing else. The feeling of contentment and fullness whose absence had been painfully felt. Lucy's voice broke through the silence softly.

"I missed you so much."

Kate nodded silently in response, the feeling was mutual. The little brunette tightened her embrace more. It was too early for her to verbalize her feelings and it was even too fast for her taste but a part of her understood the urgency of her companion. Later, with a little time and a rebuilt confidence.