Cosima rose from her seat and walked toward Delphine cautiously. She knew she shouldn't have, but she grabbed Delphine's hands and held them between their bodies. Despite their playful banter, Cosima was truly moved by the story of their first meeting. She was also wrapped up in the fact that Delphine never forgot about her. The incident occurred before she was the person she was now. Before the money and the women Cosima was far less jaded, an optimist even. She became successful at a young age, and grew into a person who at times believed her own hype. After hearing of that night, it was as if Delphine had access to a part of herself that she'd lost so long ago.

During their embrace, Delphine couldn't maintain eye contact but she took comfort in their silence. Cosima reached up to stroke Delphine's cheek and the other woman melted into the touch.

"Delphine… Since the moment I saw you in that studio, I was drawn to you. Once I saw that you were upset, I wanted to do everything in my power to make you smile. In the short time I've known you, I've realized that that may be what I'm meant to do. I'm here to make you happy...I'm here to protect you. I know you're still on the fence about your relationship but you and I…we make sense."

Delphine felt the tears stinging as she nodded in agreement. Cosima reached up to wipe them away as they fell.

"I know but this is just so strange. One week ago, I thought I was with the person I'd end up with. I knew it wasn't perfect but what relationship is, tu sais? I knew I wanted to thank you for what you'd done back then, in my own way, but I had no idea I would become so enamored of you." Delphine contradicted her outward response with words of doubt.

"Okay, so what are your reservations because I feel like there is a 'but' somewhere in there?" Cosima asked with a laugh, trying not to let herself overreact to Delpine's hesitance.

Delphine knew she needed to share her thoughts with Cosima. She didn't want to seem like she was indecisive just because Cosima's a woman.

"Well Cosima… For one you are a notorious heartbreaker, especially after everything with your ex…I know you've told me people embellish but I'm still afraid that if we are intimate you may not feel the same as you do now and everything is happening so fast. I mean I'm the one who has to end my relationship and risk my family hearing about my sexuality without having time to figure it out myself….I'm afraid to do that after a week, no matter how wonderful it's been." Delphine rambled off her fears, in order to allow Cosima to reassure her.

"Notorious? Delphine I never did any of those things I was accused of by my ex. I have dated a lot of women, sure, but that incident with Kathryn was a misunderstanding. The woman I was accused of cheating with, Tara, and I were friends. She had a substance abuse problem and she confided in me. She would call me on nights when she was messed up and I'd help her get home. Her husband traveled a ton for work so she was lonely and made friends with the wrong people. I'd tried to get her help once I realized she was calling me wrecked a few times a month but she insisted she'd get it under control. A few months after Kat left me, Tara was cut from the team for failing a drug test. I still haven't forgiven myself for not making her get help sooner…Please believe me." Cosima all but pleaded, as she looked into Delphine's eyes to portray her innocence.

Delphine considered what she knew about Cosima and thought about how selfless she'd been when she, a virtual stranger, had been in trouble. The fact that her teammate was in need, makes sense when considering Cosima's character. She also knew Cosima had been a womanizer, but she wanted to believe that when she made a commitment she honored it.

"Okay, I believe you." Delphine said as she pulled Cosima into a warm hug. It was obvious that the brunette had grown weary of defending herself and become worn down by guilt over Tara's firing since it happened. Delphine simply held her in silence before Cosima spoke again.

"I know you feel sorry for your boyfriend, but you need to put your feelings ahead of his for once. Even if you don't want to be with me…" Delphine's eyes widened at the statement. "You need to leave him. He's just going to bring you down. I know addicts, they have to find the motivation to quit on their own…And your concerns about your family are valid but I'm not asking you to ride a pride float Delphine." Cosima assured, with a grin at the last point she'd made.

"Oui, but your career puts you in the spotlight so I'm bound to be there too, non?" Delphine countered, deciding to ignore the part about her boyfriend.

"Yeah…I suppose." She mumbled, before raising her head to look at Delphine. Their faces were inches apart, but rather than attraction there was hostility.

"So, if I understand correctly you don't feel strongly enough about me to take a chance?" Cosima was truly hurt by the realization that even if Delphine left Olivier, she might find another excuse for them not to be together. She was beginning to wear her feelings on her face, and frowned while fighting the urge to cry.

"Why does it have to be so absolute?" Delphine asked shakily, fearing Cosima's response.

"Because it is D…I want to try with you. I'm not perfect and I know I've made mistakes but I'm willing to put that behind me to try." Cosima was desperate to reassure Delphine, she was convinced their connection was bigger than their issues.

"I know but the risk is too great. What if we don't work out? What if everything blows up in our faces? I don't want to hurt you Cosima. " Delphine tried to tighten her grasp on Cosima's wrists as she felt her begin to pull away.

"Too late..." Cosima whispered; just under her breathe before turning away from Delphine.

Delphine stood in the kitchen in shock and was pained to feel Cosima leave her grasp.

Cosima took several steps away from Delphine before turning to lean against the door frame. She stared at the ground and began to mutter.

"Look, I really enjoyed dinner and I'm glad you shared that story with me. I don't mean to be abrupt but this is just getting to be too hard for me. I didn't expect you to decide to leave your boyfriend overnight but I'd be lying if I say I hadn't hoped for it. It doesn't change the way I feel but I don't think I can wait on the bench until you're ready for me." Cosima was feeling defeated, but she was very successful at hiding it. Her dull tone and unaffected body language read as nonchalance.

"Everything you've said up until this point contradicts that…you said you respected my boundaries." Delphine tried desperately to reason with Cosima not yet knowing how stubborn the woman was.

"I do and I have, but when you come here and flirt with me and we act like we're a couple it really messes with my head. Then, to top it off you tell me that we've met and that you never forgot about me… I take that as a sign that you might really feel the way I do, so I tell you how much I want to be with you, and you give me reasons why I can't."

"Désolé… what do you want me to do?" Delphine implored, not knowing what to say in response.

"I want you to release this hold you have over me…at least until you sort things out." Cosima droned with a look of distress. She was truly exhausted from the roller coaster they'd been on and she wanted to have time to catch her breath.

"Okay…I should go…" Delphine murmured, clearly crushed and wishing she could restart the whole evening. She did feel the same way and she did want to be with Cosima but her fears got the better of her.

"Alright…I would offer to walk you out but I'm not sure if that's appropriate." Cosima answered with a hint of sarcasm.

Feeling the hostility from the other woman, Delphine decided not to make things worse and simply replied with, "I'll be fine. Bonne nuit Cosima."

With the goodbye, Delphine gathered her things and began her trek to the car. A few moments later she heard footsteps. She grabbed her mace and began to turn slowly.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you… I couldn't let you walk alone." Cosima said with an apologetic look, clearly unable to turn off her protective instincts.

Delphine put her mace away and marched toward Cosima. Before she knew it her arms were around Cosima's neck and she was crying quietly into the smaller woman's shoulder.

"Dieu, tu es trop beau pour être vrai" Delphine whispered in between sobs.

Cosima was confused but assumed the other woman wasn't upset. After a few moments they began to walk in silence; Delphine with her arms crossed and Cosima with her hands in her pockets. Once they arrived at the car, Cosima rushed to open Delphine's door for her and the blonde got in. Delphine started the engine as Cosima smiled forlornly at her and began to walk back home.

Once inside, Cosima poured herself a scotch. She walked out to her balcony and stared out at the city nostalgically. The only thing she could think about was what to do next. Tomorrow morning she had a press conference to attend and then she was off to Vancouver. She was beginning to realize she needed space from Delphine. She was praying the space would give the woman time to figure out who and what she wanted. Cosima decided not to call Delphine until the following week. This week's events were already distracting her from her obligations enough and this match was too important.

…

As Delphine drove, she would begin to cry periodically before regaining her composure. She felt terrible for hurting Cosima when that was the last thing she wanted to do. She swore her reservations were valid before their conversation, but the only one that was presently a concern was her relationship with Olivier. She then decided that this wavering had been drug out for far too long and she was going to settle it once and for all.

She grabbed her phone to call Olivier, intending on demanding he come home so they could talk. She was surprised to see that he was calling her.

"Allo!" She answered, with a sigh.

"Hey Baby, I'm sorry I didn't call. I went out with my cast mates yesterday, after work and we ended up in San Diego. It was crazy, I didn't have a charger and I lost my debit card. I didn't know your number by heart so I had to get up and buy a charger after I found a bank."

"Quoi? Where are you now?" She asked with an eye roll. She could hear him slurring over the phone.

"The hotel…" He replied as if the answer was obvious.

"How did you get a room with no money?"

"Marion got it for us, she was the only one sober enough to talk to the clerk." He laughed in an attempt to minimize the scope of the situation.

"Marion Bowles? She was the only one sober huh?"

There was silence as he'd apparently realized what he'd said.

"Oh well yeah Babe, I had one last hurrah before rehab. No big deal right?"

She was almost shocked at how cavalier he was being. This was discourteous, even for him. Her blood began to boil and after the night she'd had she was not to be trifled with. She assumed a calm tone and spoke her reply.

"Olivier everything you've just said has taken a huge weight off of me…whenever you're ready to come home, your things will be packed and ready for you to leave."

He laughed tauntingly, "Oh? Where are we going?"

"Well you are probably going to stay with your father since you can't afford a place on your own but it makes me no difference." She answered; the bitterness in her tone was evident.

"Wow, aren't you being a little dramatic? I explained what happened." He shouted, in shock at how blunt she had become.

Delphine was a relatively calm person. She hardly got angry and rarely even raised her voice, but after seemingly ruining things with Cosima, she was in no mood for Olivier's nonsense and was ready to lash out.

"Dramatic? Juste obtenir votre merde hors de ma maison, correct?" She replied with clenched teeth, in a hauntingly flat tone.

She hears a click and he's apparently hung up on her. She breathes a sigh of relief as she calms herself and continues home.

…

After arriving home, Delphine decided some light yoga and breathing exercises might soothe her. Once she finished, she ran herself a bath and spent at least 45 minutes allowing the warm water to relax her muscles. She exited and decided to do some work before getting into bed. Although she was still troubled over her argument with Cosima, she couldn't help but think about how peaceful her home was without Olivier around. Just as she began to revel in the serenity, she was startled by a loud slam.

"Delphine?... I know you're here!"

She begins to panic when she hears footsteps pounding up the stairs. The door swings open as she sees Olivier standing in the doorway clearly intoxicated. His eyes were bloodshot and he hadn't shaved in several days so he'd obviously been on a bender.

"What do you want? I haven't packed your things yet. You'll have to come back." She stated in an attempt to dismiss him. She focused her eyes on the laptop in front of her, ignoring his presence.

"I'm not leaving Delphine, I'm entitled to an explanation. You can't just call and break up with me over the phone." He yells, in an obvious attempt to frighten her into acknowledging him.

Fed up with his mood swings, Delphine stands her ground.

"I don't owe you anything, I've given you enough and you've taken advantage of me. I can't believe I've wasted so much time on you…J'étais un imbécile"

Hurt by her admission he attempts to appeal to her emotionally. He knew she was still a very empathetic person despite her act.

"How can you say that? I love you! I've given up so much for you…You can't see that?"

"Non, please enlighten me." She counters, undeterred from her original stance on the matter.

"Do you know how many women I've turned down to stay faithful to you? I've even given up opportunities to film shows in other countries to stay by your side" He pleads with tears forming in his eyes.

"You what? I can't believe you're making this argument… Ne vous vous entendez . c'est incroyable." She couldn't help but laugh at the audacity of his argument.

He's ready to plead now, because he knows he has nowhere to go if she follows through with kicking him out. He'd burned so many bridges in the last year the only friends he had were co-workers.

"How did you just turn off your feelings for me? You were willing to stand by me and now you're over me? Who got into your head?"

With the last question, he advanced toward her, with fire in his eyes. He looked like a feral animal. This is a look Delphine had never seen and she was truly becoming frightened. She couldn't summon the strength to get out of her seat. She stayed still and hoped the neighbors would hear them and try and intervene like they'd done in the past. She feared he was under the influence of something other than alcohol because he was far too alert.

"Nobody! J'ai finalement obtenu un indice ...Look at yourself! You look like a rabid animal. Are you on something?" She sneered, in an effort to hide her fear and distract him from the topic of their argument.

He stopped pacing and looked into her eyes. She noticed a sliver of humanity and decided to take this opportunity to appeal to it.

"Listen, Olivier…You need help. You have gone too far this time. We can't be together anymore but maybe someday we can be friends. You don't love me. You just want to control me. How is that fair to me?" She asked, wanting nothing more than for him to realize she wasn't changing her mind.

He blinks several times and sighs. He walks toward the desk and sits at the edge staring at the ground. He's seemingly realized he won't win this argument.

"Delphine I'm sick. I have been for a while. I've kept this from you for so long…" He manages to confess between sobs.

She sits like a statue, not wanting to rouse him into another fit. He turns himself around on the edge of the desk, facing away from her. He looks ashamed and clearly knows he's hit his bottom. He stops sniveling long enough to continue his statement.

"I've been abusing prescription drugs… and you already know I can't go a few hours without drink. You've tried to help me and I fucked it all up. I'm so sorry…"

She could see him begin to try and manipulate her into sympathizing with him. She was used to this trick and she knew how she would handle it.

"It's okay, I understand. You're just trying just to cope with all the bad luck you've been dealing with…Why don't you go to an inpatient facility and end this cycle once and for all?" She was quiet and calm attempting to pacify him.

She wasn't really surprised by his confession. Lately he seemed more manic than usual and drugs seemed like a rational reason for this behavior. At first she'd assumed it was cocaine due to the amount of money he seemed to spending on his nights out but depending on which pills he was buying, they could be quite expensive as well. As she began to wonder why she never caught him or found his supply she realized he was a certified addict. Professionals don't get caught.

"Will you wait for me? Will this be enough for me keep you?" He begged, looking over his shoulder at her like a child who had upset his mother.

"I'm sorry Olivier this is it for us. I wish you the best of luck but I'm done." She retorts, staring off into the distance in order to avoid his pitiful stare. Even though she knows she doesn't want to be with him, there's still a part of her that feels sorry for him. She takes pity on his ineptitude.

"Oh…Alright. I get it…I've been all over the place and I've put you through so much. Just tell me one thing…" He rambles, seemingly aware that there is no chance she will take him back this time.

"Vas-y."

"Is there someone else? I mean, you've been out a lot this week and you've seemed happy… more so than you've been since we first got together. I know I've messed things up but I've always been a fuck up, and we've had our good times despite it. This all seems so sudden."

She contemplated lying to him but if she wanted to feel safe she needed to gauge his reaction to the truth.

"I don't feel like this is sudden. Perhaps you just didn't see it because you were so consumed with yourself. But to answer your question, yes…There is someone, although I may have ruined my chances by remaining loyal to you…" Her admission truly upset her. Just hours ago she was with someone who she felt truly cared for her, yet she walked away out of fear and respect for his feelings.

"Oh…okay then…" Was the only response he could muster as he left the room with his head in his hands.

She heard him packing for several minutes before he left. She wanted to try and sleep but she was still on edge. It was close to midnight and Delphine was still tossing and turning. She'd gotten up to get her mace just in case he came back, higher than hell again. She didn't want to harm him but he wasn't himself on the drugs. As she sat there, she considered calling Cosima. She knew the woman wanted to be left alone but she felt like she needed her. Instead she let herself succumb to logic, rather than emotion and put her phone away. She lay there in silence for hours, before exhaustion overtook her anxiety.