Author's note: A sincere thank you to all of you that have left such kind reviews. I know we all miss Kate, but I hope you will find my version of events enjoyable and done with care.

Chapter 5: Ashes

The first few weeks of term had been a flurry of parent meetings, teacher reviews, student assemblies and budget conferences. Caroline had spent almost the entire time at school, getting home after supper most nights. Fiona had been wonderfully understanding about the whole thing and had always made sure Flora had been fed and bathed by the time Caroline came to collect her.

Fiona's willingness to help and her excellent care of Flora made Caroline's attraction grow stronger. When she did allow herself the luxury of thinking about it, all she could see where Fiona's mesmerizing eyes, her warm smile, delicious lips and her beautiful raven hair. The thoughts still brought her feelings of confusion that she didn't quite know what to do with. She still loved Kate, and missed her every day, but her feelings for Fiona were becoming harder and harder to ignore. Telling Fiona about them was still out of the question.

oOo

It was just after ten, at the start of her first conference hour. She was glad when, upon viewing her schedule, she saw that the block was not occupied. The third month of term was just beginning so things had finally started to die down, but she had had a particularly long morning going over the budget for the maths department. She removed her glasses and closed her laptop. Rolling back in her chair she slipped off her heels and stretched her legs out in front of her. Just as she closed her eyes to relax, her mobile rings, making her jump. She retrieves it from the drawer in her desk.

"Hi Fiona, what's up?" oblivious to the news she's about to receive.

"Caroline….there's been…" her voice hitches, Caroline instantly realizing she's crying.

"What's wrong? Is it Flora? Is she hurt? Fiona take a breath and talk to me," conveying as much calm in her voice as she can muster. Her mind reels with possibilities and she's already putting on her shoes in anticipation of making a quick exit.

She hears Fiona take in a ragged breath before continuing, "No, she's fine, we're all fine. There's been a fire….my, my home….it's, it's gone," her sobs starting again.

"Alright, stay put, I'm coming to get you." She rushes around her office gathering her purse and coat as she heads out the door.

"Beverly, cancel my afternoon. Fiona's house caught fire and I have to go and help her," she calls as she rushes out.

As she turns the corner on to Fiona's street she sees the mass of emergency vehicles parked in front of Fiona's home. She parks in the first space along the street she can find. Setting off at a run she heads to Fiona's lot and her breath catches in her throat as she sees the scene before her. Where the house once stood is a pile of smoldering ashes, nothing is left, not even a beam. Oh dear God. How did this happen.

She pushes through the group of emergency responders and sees Emma and Flora sitting in the grass crying, Fiona standing next to them talking to a policeman. Upon seeing her mother, Flora jumps up, running in Caroline's direction. Caroline drops to her knees, arms outstretched until Flora is safely in her grasp. She showers her curly head with kisses, tears welling up in her eyes. She picks her daughter up and continues the few feet to Emma and Fiona. Emma gets up and hugs her legs and she stoops to hug her and rub her back, refusing to let go of her own child. The officer, seeing the scene, steps aside to give them a moment of privacy.

Fiona turns to Caroline, her eyes as red as the burning embers, and Caroline's heart nearly breaks. She's never seen Fiona so vulnerable, oddly enough; it's always been the other way around. She sets her daughter down next to Emma and pulls Fiona into a tight embrace, feeling the gentle sobs as they rock Fiona's body. They stand there embracing for a long while. Fiona finally pulls away, looking directly into Caroline's eyes. Caroline raises her hand to wipe the tears from her cheeks. She's so beautiful and I can't bear to see her so sad.

"We were at the park and I heard the sirens. When we got here the whole back of the house was alight," the tears are welling, but she's speaking more clearly. A sudden flash of realization hits her as she raises her hand to her mouth, "Oh god, I think I left the electric kettle on…." a fresh flood of tears streaming down her cheeks as the realization hits her like a ton of bricks.

Caroline takes her shoulders, rubbing her arms for comfort "It's alright Fiona, it's alright. No one is hurt and it's just things, we can replace things." As she rubs her arms she sees the burned patch on Fiona's sweater, and upon a closer look she can see that her skin is burned too.

"Fiona, you're hurt, what happened?"

Fiona reaches into her jeans pocket, pulling out a small green box. "I had to get them...my Hannah's. I couldn't…I couldn't lose them." She wipes her nose with her other sleeve and places the box back into her pocket. Caroline hugs her tightly, understanding totally Fiona's need.

"Have you called Clare and Ian. What happens next?"

"Clare can't get out of her seminar in London until Friday and Ian is doing a guest lecture in Dublin. The policeman gave me this report to file with insurance." Her green eyes are hollow and Caroline can see the shock settling in.

"Alright, you will come and stay with us. I've got clothes you can wear, and I'll send mum out to get something for Emma. Come sweethearts, let's get in the car and we'll stop for some take out on the way home." She picks up Flora and takes Emma's hand, guiding her to take Fiona's with the other and walk to the car between them.

oOo

After feeding, bathing and tucking the girls into bed Caroline gathers a sweater and pair of knit pants for Fiona before she heads back downstairs. She finds Fiona on the sofa, her tea having grown cold in her hand. She sits down beside her, placing the clothes on the arm chair next to them and takes the cup from Fiona, placing it gently on the table in front of them.

"Fiona, you need to get out of those clothes and let me clean your arm. I've brought you something to put on and you can shower upstairs in the guest room, where you'll sleep. Come on love, I'll take you up." She stands, holding out her hand for Fiona to take. Fiona looks up, with puffy tired eyes, takes her hand and warily rises to her feet. They make their way slowly upstairs and Caroline waits in the guest room for Fiona to shower.

Fiona stands letting the warm water wash over her. Every muscle in her body is aching, her brain too tired and numb to think. She half washes her hair and carefully rinses, without soap, the burn that has started to blister on her arm. She dries herself slowly and pulls on the clothes Caroline gave her before returning to the bedroom. Caroline has the first aid items ready, waiting patiently on the edge of the bed. Fiona sits down beside her, staring blankly at the floor while Caroline applies burn cream before wrapping it up in loose bandages.

"There, that should hold for the night and we'll check it again in the morning. I've already called Beverly to say I wouldn't be in tomorrow so I can stay here and help you sort out the insurance and look after the girls." She packs up the first aid supplies and crosses to put them on the night stand, returning to sit on the bed next to Fiona.

"Thank you Caroline." Her eyes finally leave the floor and move to meet Caroline's gaze, where she's met with a tender smile. Caroline takes her hand, holding it on her knee.

"What will I do? I've nowhere to go. Clare and Ian don't have room for me and can only help out so much. I haven't got enough savings to last long…and everything I have is gone…oh god….and what if we had been home...what if...the girls, oh god..." The sobs start again as she falls into Caroline's shoulder. Caroline strokes her hair softly, rocking her gently and planting a reassuring kiss on her head as she does.

"But you weren't and you will just stay with me. I've got this whole house and it's just Flora and I, there's plenty of room for you too. I'd be delighted if you would accept my offer, and of course Emma, Clare and Ian would be welcome anytime." She looks down at Fiona's head, waiting for a response. A long moment passes before Fiona looks up to her, lifting her head off Caroline's shoulder to better look into her eyes.

"You're too good to me Caroline" their eyes lock in an intense gaze. Fiona feels the flutter in her stomach grow stronger and without thinking she leans in slowly, placing a soft gentle kiss on Caroline's lips. They stay there for a moment, lips touching, stomachs turning flips, before Caroline reluctantly pulls away.

"I'm sorry. I don't, I don't know why I did that," a blush coloring her cheeks as she speaks.

"Don't apologize Fiona...I wanted it. I just, I'm not sure I'm ready to go any further, not yet anyway. I hope you can understand," nervously fumbling with the hem of her sweater.

"Yes, I do... I'm not sure I am either. Could you, I mean, would you, maybe stay with me though, until I fall asleep? I really don't want to be alone." She says it so timidly she sounds like a frightened child.

"Of course."

They get up, each moving to a side of the bed and pull back the blankets together. Caroline waits for Fiona to get in then covers her up and sits down beside her, leaning her back against the headboard with her legs extended, crossing them at the ankles. Fiona turns to her side and nuzzles her head into Caroline's chest, placing her injured arm across her stomach. Caroline rubs the arm across her and watches Fiona's face as her features slowly release, sleep finally taking over her worn out body. She sits for a long while watching Fiona sleep, running her fingers through her soft mass of dark hair. She' really is quite beautiful. Eventually she wiggles herself from Fiona's grasp and slips off of the bed to leave. As she reaches the door to switch off the light a sudden urge takes her over. She turns back and walks gently over to the bed, bends down to brush a strand of hair from Fiona's face and places a tender kiss on her lips once more, taking care not to wake her.

I think I may be falling for you Fiona Doyle.