Author's note: A number of guests have expressed their distaste for the way the last chapter ended. As you will see, those events are actually discussed in this chapter and it may perhaps put you a bit more at ease, unless you have already written the story off. For those of you expressing your desire for the story to continue, you'll be happy to know that I've given it more thought and I will be writing a bit more. I felt it did indeed seem a bit shallow to do all this lovely build up, only to stop abruptly after their first sexual encounter. These characters deserve more time and care than that. As for those of you that were hoping for a tender romance, I think you'll quite enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 12: At Last

Caroline nervously slipped the key into the door, impatiently waiting for the lock to disengage. She saw the green light flash and pushed the door open, stepped in the room and then held the door back for Fiona to enter.

The two women stood in silence, a few feet apart taking in the beautiful room before them. Caroline noticed her suitcase leaned against the wall by the en suite and smiled to herself knowing that was her mother's doing. Her eyes finished taking in the room, then fell on Fiona. The unsettling feeling that had been in her stomach since the scene in the toilets quickly made itself known again.

Fiona took in her surroundings and then turned her gaze lovingly to Caroline. She instantly noticed the worried furrow of her brow, so she crossed to her, taking both of Caroline's hands into her own.

"Caroline, what's wrong? Is everything alright?" Her tender concern came through as she spoke.

"Fiona I've ruined it," she lowers her eyes to Fiona's shoulder.

"Ruined what Caroline?" She lets go of Caroline's right hand and brings her hand up to Caroline's cheek, urging her to meet her gaze. Caroline raises her head as a single tear falls from her eye, Fiona instantly wipes it away.

"Earlier. I should never have jumped you like that in the toilets. I don't know what came over me. Well….I do. I let my desire, and the half dozen glasses of wine, get the better of me. I wanted our first time to be special, but instead I made it vulgar and behaved like an animal." She lowers her eyes again, unable to meet Fiona's gaze.

"You did not behave like an animal, Caroline. " She places her index finger under Caroline's chin, pulling her head up to look into her eyes.

"It wasn't exactly what I had envisioned as our first time either, but I'm just as much to blame as you. I certainly didn't try to stop you. "She gives a reassuring squeeze to Caroline's hand.

"How about we just wipe the slate clean and leave that to the past, hmm? We can fix it, right now, make this our first." She watches Caroline's face intently, wipes away another stray tear from her cheek and patiently waits for a reply. Caroline takes a deep breath and releases slowly, then shyly nods her approval.

Fiona moves both her hands, cupping Caroline's face and softly kisses her lips. The kiss slowly deepens as their anxieties fade into the background and their minds and bodies come into the moment. Fiona drops her hands down to Caroline's waist, placing tender kisses down her neck and pulling her in close. The scent of Caroline's perfume makes her dizzy. She stops kissing and takes a step back, slipping off her heels and pulling her dress slowly up over her head, then removes her bra, dropping it to the floor.

She stands there for a moment, as she watches Caroline take her body in. Caroline admires Fiona as she stands before her. She's as remarkable as she had always imagined in her mind and she feels the pulse as it starts throbbing between her legs.

"God you are beautiful Fiona. Your breasts…..they are perfect." Caroline stands in awe, her eyes moving slowly, taking in all of Fiona's body.

Fiona walks slowly behind Caroline to release the zip in the back of her dress. Caroline steps out of her heels as her dress falls down her body to the floor. She stands still in her matching rose colored underwear as Fiona moves back in front of her. She sees Fiona's smile and the desire in her eyes and she suddenly feels a bit nervous.

"This, it's my first time…since Kate," her voice barely above a whisper.

"It's my first too, since Hannah. Caroline, we can stop if you aren't ready. I love you and I don't want to rush this. I can wait for as long as you need." The tender understanding in her voice hooks Caroline's heart and she closes the gap in between them, slipping her arms around Fiona's waist and pulling her in for a passionate kiss. She feels Fiona's breasts pushing against her body, and the tingle between her legs grows into a soft throb.

Their tongues collide in a rush of desire and a wave of arousal courses through them. Fiona moves her hands up Caroline's back and deftly unhooks her bra, pushing the straps from her shoulders and stepping back before pulling it down Caroline's arms, casting it to the floor. She bends down and takes a nipple into her mouth, drawing a gasp from Caroline. Caroline watches Fiona as she draws slow circles with her tongue around one nipple and then the other. Fiona raises her head, meeting Caroline's eager mouth with another searing kiss. She then slides her hands down, slipping her panties to the floor. Caroline follows, doing the same.

Fiona takes Caroline's hand and leads her to the bed. They lay side by side, facing each other, their hands eagerly exploring the curves of each other's bodies. More passionate kisses bring their arousal higher, hands moving ever lower on their lover. Caroline leans taking Fiona's left nipple in her mouth, coaxing deep moans from Fiona. She raises her head and pulls Fiona in for another passionate kiss, their tongues eagerly thrusting between their mouths. She moves her hand slowly down Fiona's stomach stopping between her legs, sending a shiver down Fiona's body.

Fiona opens her eyes and pulls back slightly from Caroline's face, causing Caroline's eyes to open. They hold their intense gaze as Fiona moves her hand down to Caroline's sex. They dip their hands down into each other's wetness and start stroking slowly, increasing the tempo as their breathing quickens. Their faces are so close they can feel each other's hot breath, and their eyes never stray from the other. They continue deep kisses as they bring each other closer to the edge.

A loud moan escapes Caroline's lips as Fiona slips two fingers inside her. Caroline returns the favor and begins her thrusts in time with Fiona's. Their gaze intensifies as they each feel the other tighten around their fingers.

"Oh god, Fiona….I'm…" a husky moan, almost a growl, escapes as the orgasm takes her over. Fiona gasps and she comes too, drawing a long low moan from her body. They sit there for a moment, eyes closed, hands still inside each other, as they each come down from their high. When they finally remove their hands and open their eyes, they see that they are both crying.

"God Fiona, that…was….cathartic, I think." She sighs after a moment and reaches up to wipe Fiona's tears. Fiona laughs and kisses her tenderly.

"Umm, yes, I'd say so. You are wonderful Caroline." She brushes a hair from Caroline's cheek, wipes her tears and rests her hand on Caroline's hip. Caroline reaches over and begins to twirl her fingers in Fiona's hair. She moves in slowly for a tender kiss.

"I do love you Fiona. And you are incredible…that was incredible."

"I love you too and that was more amazing than I ever dreamed." She smiles and pulls Caroline closer to her, their naked bodies now touching from top to bottom.

They lay in each other's arms for hours, sharing soft kisses and caresses down each other's bodies, before finally drifting off into sleep.