Another painfully slow two weeks later and Kate was home again. The white supremacist skinhead who killed Regina Jackson had been charged with murder, thanks in part to Kate's forensic testimony. Kate was emotionally and physically exhausted from the trial, not to mention the media onslaught, and was perfectly content to spend her Friday night cozied up on the couch with Megan and a hot cup of tea.

"Wait till Lacey gets back from Todd's on Sunday," Megan smirked. "She's got the whole wedding already planned."

Kate laughed and took another sip from her mug as her phone rang.

"Don't answer it," Megan grumbled.

"I have to just see…who…" she trailed off as she looked at the Caller ID. It read "Murphy, Susan."

"Answer it," Megan suggested.

Kate put one hand on Megan's lap for support.

"Hello?"

"Kate," Susan responded. "It's your mother."

"I know," Kate said.

"How are you?"

"Fine."

"I saw you won your case," Susan noted.

"I didn't win it, exactly," Kate corrected, then swallowed. "But I helped."

"That's great."

"Yes. It was."

The silence was so thick Megan could feel it choking them.

"What is it?" Kate needed her to get to the punch.

"Well, honey, I just…" she paused, taking a deep breath. "I wanted to apologize for the way things happened when we were there. It shouldn't have been that way."

Kate nodded a little, squeezing Megan's thigh. Megan covered her hand with her own.

"I'm not sure what you mean," Kate replied. "Are you apologizing for what was said, or for leaving?"

"For leaving. And the yelling, and some of what was said. It was all too much."

"You didn't yell, mom," Kate reminded her. "That was dad. Or is this apology supposed to be from him too?"

Susan went quiet for a moment.

"He doesn't know I'm calling," she admitted.

"Great," Kate huffed. "So you're sorry…but not for everything …just some of it. Which parts?"

"Kate, you can't expect us to just accept this," Susan spoke a little more firmly. "Your father's set in his ways."

"I'm not talking to him, though, am I?" Kate replied. "You're the one who called. How do you feel?"

"I'm…confused, I guess," Susan breathed slowly. "You had so many boyfriends…"

"I was never happy," Kate tried to explain in few words. "And it was never like this. This is different."

"It certainly is different," Susan sighed. "I'm just not sure it's natural."

"Okay, I'm not going to do this with you," Kate raised her voice a little. "It's perfectly 'natural.' You're the ones who…"

"I didn't say I wouldn't try," Susan cut her off. "I can try to understand, I just don't know what to think yet."

Kate shook her head impatiently. Megan continued to rub the back of her hand.

"Well I hope you figure it out soon," Kate started again. "Because this is how it's going to be."

She looked down at the ring sparkling against her finger, wanting to tell her mother about the latest development, but didn't think this was the time. She wondered if there would ever be a right time.

"I'm willing to try, honey," Susan said again. "I can't speak for your father, but I will try. Just give it time."

How much time? Kate wondered, but didn't say. "Alright," she replied instead.

"I'd love for you to come to our retirement party next month," Susan offered hesitantly.

"What about dad?"

"He wants you there too, even if his pride won't let him admit it," Susan insisted.

Kate thought for a moment. She wasn't sure she was ready to throw herself in the line of fire again.

"Does the invitation extend to Megan, or just me?" Kate asked.

Susan was silent again, for much longer.

"I think it might be best if you came alone this time," she finally spoke. "Let everybody get used to…"

"No," Kate responded firmly, through her teeth.

"Kate…"

"The only way anyone's going to 'get used' to it is if we come together, and that's the only way I'm willing come."

"I just don't think that's a good idea right now," Susan said softly.

Kate nodded again.

"Right," she said. "Well, congratulations, Captain Murphy. I hope it's a great party."

"Kate, please…"

"Goodbye, mom."

After she hung up, she looked at Megan, who appeared just as worn out.

"Was that unreasonable?" Kate asked.

"You or her?" Megan needed clarification.

"Me."

Megan leaned back against the arm of the sofa and pulled Kate with her.

"You," she kissed the top of her head. "Are amazing. And you have every right to be upset. But…"

"I knew it," Kate rolled her eyes.

"No, listen," Megan began again. "I think it's great that she's trying. That's huge. I know it feels like a drop in the bucket, and we shouldn't have to compromise or apologize or have to ease people in to accepting us, but this could be a step."

"You want me to go without you?" Kate sat up a little, looking into her eyes.

Megan held her face in her hands.

"I don't want you to do anything you don't want to," she whispered. "Of course I want to go with you. All I'm saying is, I'd be willing to support you, whatever you decide."

"I'm not going," Kate reaffirmed, laying back against Megan's chest.

"Okay," the redhead whispered, rubbing Kate's back as she closed her eyes.